Coastal Breeze News

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By Nancy Richie As the Gulf of Mexico water temperatures climb to 78 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, the protected Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) will soon return to the Marco Island beaches. Living year round in the open and near shore waters to feed and rest, the adult female sea turtles will begin nesting on our beaches between May and August. Sixty days after the nests are laid, the hatchlings will emerge and begin the trek to the Gulf of Mexico usually between July and October. So, the next six months – May 01 through October 31 – is a ... Read More »

By Val Simon The Veteran’s Memorial fundraising committee is pleased to announce the City of Marco Island has awarded the construction contract for the building of the memorial to a local company, Allied Pavers, in a council meeting Monday, April 18th. A formal ground breaking ceremony will take place on May 2nd at 11:00 am. City dignitaries, the fundraising committee, the VFW Post, TBE’s Morning Musicians and contributors will be on hand to celebrate the ground breaking. “This memorial has been years in the making. We are pleased to see this project begin this year so our veteran’s can enjoy ... Read More »

Frank Recker was relaxed and reflective as he looked back on his year as city council chairman. His recollections were of stress, success, and high hurdles. In an hour long interview he spoke about the chairman’s job and the challenge of stepping from member to chairman of a collegial body. When Recker first became chairman he received a double shock: unknown to the city council, the City of Marco Island had retained a law firm in Bradenton, Florida, to deal with an environmental issue raised by the Environmental Protection Agency. In addition to the city council being unaware of the ... Read More »

Mrs. Sharon Murray, an instructor at Lely High School, is the staff mentor for the Lely High School National Honor Society. Early in the school year, junior and senior students are selected for this nationally recognized Society based on their outstanding accomplishments in scholarship, leadership, citizenship and character. There is a formal Induction Ceremony in the fall for the selected students. Once inducted, the members are required to attend monthly meetings and participate in service projects and volunteer for different organizations for the betterment of our community. To name a few events this year, the National Honor Society students helped ... Read More »

By Patty Huff On Thursday, April 14, the south end of Mamie Street in Chokoloskee was bulldozed and a chain-linked fence was installed around the property leading to the Smallwood Museum. Gregg Griffin, general contractor for the owner FL-GA Grove LLP, stated that he had received all the permits needed to develop a marina which will include building a dock, a launch-assisted boat ramp, and a seawall. On Friday, April 15, the old Blue Heron motel was also demolished along with the only road leading to the Smallwood’s. When asked if they had notified the Museum or residents living along ... Read More »

By Donna Fiala Thank you to the kind gentleman who donated a check to “Miss Amy” after reading my Coastal Breeze column last edition. It was such a nice thing for you to do. My son’s church donated a turkey as well, so both gifts will be delivered this week. Thanks again. Recently I read an article about the health of the citizens in Collier County. I found a few quotes that were so interesting I wanted to pass them along to you.  “We enjoy living in one of the safest and healthiest communities in America”. “National studies rank Collier ... Read More »

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By Monte Lazarus Charlie (the name is changed to protect the guilty) was probably the most famous criminal in Lake Forest, Illinois, in the late 1970’s. Notwithstanding his criminal reputation he was beloved by all, and he loved all in return. Charlie was a large hunk of amiability – actually a retriever of some sort. The problem was that Lake Forest had a leash law. Charlie would rather roam than walk on a leash. So, poor Charlie wound up in the hoosegow about once a month. Fortunately for Charlie he was as popular with the cops, including the Chief, as ... Read More »

In the last edition of Coastal Breeze News we published some of the winners of the Environmental Writing Contest. The contest is held annually by the City of Marco Island in honor of Earth Day. Students in 6th, 7th and 8th grades at Marco Island Charter Middle School and Manatee Middle School were asked to participate.  Overall, 288 entries were submitted!  Coastal Breeze News judged the contest and is pleased to publish the Honorable Mentions: Bailie Lawfer Dusty dirt path, old barn we once called home Gone- Like the horse and buggy is now retired to a watery polluted grave. ... Read More »

By Joan Kelly April 9th was the designated day to clean the beaches for Bay Day, part of Keep Collier Beautiful, the 21st anniversary of the event. Volunteers were met by Friends of Tigertail Beach, Susan La Grotta and Debbie Roddy with water, gloves and bags and sent on their way. We have done a number of coastal clean ups and we found less stuff this year than most years. We picked up the usual pop cans, clothing, shoes, cigarette butts and paper, but only a half bag of stuff in two hours. This is a good thing. Thirty-eight people ... Read More »

By Val Simon The Veteran’s Memorial fundraising committee has been blessed to meet so many wonderful citizens that are generous in making the memorial possible. Recently, the committee got to know one such donor a little better. Bob and Thelma Sargeant have funded a bench as well as the Army flagpole. Bob and Thelma have truly lived the American Dream. Bob and Thelma were childhood sweethearts. They attended school together in Ohio. It may not have been a one room school house, but in a school with only 24 students in the top three grades, it was pretty close. They’ve ... Read More »

The Rotary Club of Marco Island is proud to announce that it will be presenting five individuals and organizations with its 2011 Spirit of Marco Island Award at a Gala Awards Dinner & Silent Auction to be held on Friday April 29th at the San Marco Catholic Church. The five recipients are: Myrt  Rose, Bill Dean, Mary Quinton, Al Diaz and the Island Country Club. Each of the award winners will be recognized for their involvement in the community through their contribution of time, talent and philanthropic support of local causes. This will be the 3rd Annual Spirit Award Ceremony ... Read More »

By Joan Kelly Josh Hogue, Children’s Pastor, who guides the forty kids in the 1st through 5th grade at the Family Church, was given information on Habitat by volunteer Holly Mann. After a few months of thinking he challenged the kids to missionary work by using the tiered goals provided by Habitat. The kids met the challenge with creative ways of earning money to donate. One child looks for lost coins in chairs, others have a lemonade stand, and still others do more chores. The tiered goals start at $25 for a bucket of nails. The kids have already met ... Read More »

By Jane Marlowe The Marco Island Marriott Resort presented its third Luminaria event on its lovely Sunset Terrace on Friday evening, April 8. Hor d’ouerves, wine and soft drinks were served to the guests who gathered before the presentation which combined a celebration for cancer survivors and memorials for those who have lost their battles with cancer. The luminaries are sold by the Marriott associates in remembrance of loved ones who have died of cancer or in honor of survivors. This year each luminary contained not only a candle but a can of non-perishable food which was donated to the ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom As you begin to read this article, take a moment to consider the ways that cancer has impacted your life. Maybe you have never personally battled cancer, but you will find that it won’t take long to come up with a list of friends, family members, co-workers and acquaintances that have struggled with this ugly and unwelcome disease. Aware of the fact that cancer affects everyone in one form or another, The American Cancer Society (ACS) will be hosting its Relay for Life on Marco Island at the Marriott’s Crystal Shores Resort on Saturday, April 30th. For ... Read More »

Gary Beebe, owner of Sweet Annie’s and Beebe’s Ice Cream locations at Island Plaza and Marco Walk, was known to the island as someone who enjoyed children and gave many island teenagers their first job. Gary passed away suddenly March 30th. In honor of his memory, family offered free ice cream cones to the kids on Monday, April 18th. Read More »

By Tarik Ayasun Last Friday afternoon, I went to the Barnes and Noble store at the Waterside shops. My intention was to check out some new books and just sit in peace, type a story on my laptop and have some strong dark coffee. I must confess I also like the smell and feel of new books and there is no better place than a book-store to smell and feel as many books as possible by walking through the many aisles. After my walk-through, I sat down, turned on my laptop and started to look up current news items in ... Read More »

By Joan Kelly Thrivent for Lutherans gave the knitters and crocheters at Marco Lutheran a grant to buy more yarn for the prayer shawl ministry. In addition they make baby hats, baptismal blankets and lap robes. Led by parish nurse, Gail Cascciola, 8 to 10 women work once a week at the church while other ladies work at home. Read More »

By Jane Marlowe “Hag Chagsameach”! This is the greeting Jews offer one another during Passover which occurs this year from April 18-24 during the Hebrew month of Nisan. The words mean Happy Holiday and so it is, a most important and celebratory event. The Jewish Congregation of Marco Island welcomed the students of Winterberry Christian Academy and home schooled students on the island to a presentation of a Seder on Thursday, April 8. This was a second visit for the students who came in the fall to learn about the holy days of Hanukkah. Harvey and Maxine Brenner, Bernie and  ... Read More »