Coastal Breeze News

Dear Editor, CURVES of Marco Island ran their annual food drive the whole month of March. With the generosity of so many donors from our membership and the community, it was a huge success. I designated the charity Bedtime Bundles to be the recipient of the food collected. On Saturday morning, April 3rd, a caravan of volunteers set out to deliver the food. We all followed Karen Saeks, head of Bedtime Bundles, to the homes of the migrant families. They received us with big smiles and delight (and some happy tears) at the sight of 150 shopping bags of groceries. A “Big Thank You” to all who donated food, money, or time. Your ... Read More »

Mabel Flora Swank Zieglar, a resident of Marco Island since 1977, will be celebrating her 100th birthday on April 12th. Mabel was born at home in Crawfordsvile, Indiana. Her parents were Catherine and George Swank.  During her early school years, she would ride to school in a mule drawn buckboard (her school bus). Mabel graduated nursing school from the Methodist Hospital in Ft. Wayne, Indiana (1937). Mabel was a nurse at Witham Memorial Hospital in Lebanon, Indiana. When she moved to Marco Island she was a private duty nurse till the age of 80. She kept up her nursing license ... Read More »

By now, if you’re not aware of what a ‘CRA’ is you may be spending too much time at the beach! The City Council agenda for April 5th included a second reading of a proposal to establish a ‘CRA’ in the vicinity of Town Center. It’s obvious from public comment heard at the meeting most people feel strongly about the subject one way or the other. Business owners, residents, the Chamber of Commerce and Lee Spector, with direct CRA experience, were represented. In the end, Council had more questions than answers. A motion was made, and passed, to form a committee ... Read More »

If you break the law when no one is looking and you don’t get caught on camera, have you really broken the law? What if you’re at the grocery store, you’ve checked out your cart and when you get to your car, you discover a small item that you didn’t pay for wedged in the cart. Do you go back inside and pay or just drive away? Is that illegal? How about when you go to the drive-through at the bank and discover that you received an extra $20. Is it like a winning lotto ticket if you keep the money or against the law? When it’s 3:00 a.m. and ... Read More »

We can all see the car transports busily picking up winter residents cars to head back up north. These wonderful people have brought much to our community over the last few months and we thank them. We wish them well during the coming summer months and look forward to their return in the late fall. Some of you have noticed the land clearing taking place at one of the entrances to Lely Resort across from the McDonald’s on U.S.41 East. According to Brian Stock of Stock Development they are clearing the 9-acre parcel of land that was previously permitted for a mixed-use development consisting of boutique retail shops, commercial, 150 residential units and ... Read More »

More than once in my career as a goldsmith I have been unwillingly appointed to be the advisor to a mother’s emotionally painful decision to present or not to present their departed mother’s or grandmother’s most precious treasure… her diamond ring, to her beloved son for him to betroth the inherited engagement instrument to the love of his life. The new fiancée to be or not to be may be loved by all but… This is a family heirloom and when purchased many decades ago cost $900 of grandpa’s hard earned money. That diamond in this day and age has ten ... Read More »

Before every ride, you should check your bike for the following to be sure it is in safe riding condition. Tire pressure-the amount is listed on the side of your tires. Check tires for wear, cuts or debris. Worn tires may blow the tubes while riding. Check all brakes for proper working condition. Saddle at proper height and secure. Handlebar and stem secure. Spin wheels to be sure they are straight and tightened properly to frame of bicycle. We highly suggest a bicycle tune up at least once a year depending on how much you ride. A few other safety features that ... Read More »

The five recipients of the prestigious “Spirit of Marco Island” awards have been announced by the Marco Island Noontime Rotary Club: Stan and Donna Niemczyk They were surprised by the announcement made at a recent Kiwanis meeting. Donna Niemczyk works for the Marco Island Area Chamber of Commerce and is the current President of the Kiwanis Club. Stan Niemczyk, a realtor with Keller Williams Realty, is the past President of the Sunrise Rotary Club. They were selected for their numerous contributions to the community including efforts which raised over $100,000 for their respective clubs in the past two years. They ... Read More »

The Marco Island Police Department recently held an awards ceremony celebrating the department’s 10th Anniversary while recognizing the individual achievements of Marco Island’s finest. Kicking off the evening after the pledge and invocation Cpt. Dave Baer followed by City Manager Steve Thompson. Presenting awards were Captain James Hassig-emcee, Lt. Dave Baer, Lt. Pete Beucler, Lt. Matt Goetz and Lt. Mike Peña.  (Chief Thom Carr was unable to attend.) HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AWARDS: Citizen/Business Commendation Bernardo Bezos Deb Sanders Dick Shanahan Douglas Andrews Terry Busch Dave and Deborah Aune Paul Orr Glen and Diane Kelnhofer Marco Island Police Foundation USCG Station ... Read More »

Little did Kenny Gaskin know within weeks of earning his First Aid Badge in Boy Scout Troop #234, he’d use one of the techniques learned to save his own grandfather, Roger Wunstel! Kenny spent three weeks practicing various life-saving techniques taught by Marco Island’s Fire/Rescue Department’s Chris Byrne and Don Jones, just two of the scout leaders assisting with the troop under Scout Master Rick Groovefelt. Training for the badge included first aid, CPR, and the Heimlich maneuver. “While sitting down to dinner one night, my grandfather started to choke.” said Kenny. Kenny’s mother adds her father has Parkinson’s Disease. While ... Read More »

Game #1 @ 6:15pm:  Nacho Mama’s def. Eli Contracting, 18-15 Nacho Highlights 3 HITS: Justin Ramierez, Greg Curry, & Kevin Sullivan 2 HITS: Jordan Weatherbee Eli Highlights 2 HITS: Juan Martinez, Elex Parker, Christian Polanco, John Wright, & Jon Sally Game #2 @ 7:30pm:  Cocomo’s Grill def. Sunset Grille, 20-4 Cocomo’s Highlights 4 HITS: Scott Gibbs 3 HITS: Rich Busch, Brian Day, Mike Watkins, & Neal Alberry 2 HITS: Kevin Hennings Sunset Highlights 2 HITS: Donnie Montroy, Pat Baldwin, & Chad Clawson Game #3 @ 8:45pm:  Sand Bar/Integrity Insurance def. DaVinci’s, 14-5 Sand Bar Highlights 2 HITS: Jason Berning & ... Read More »