Coastal Breeze News

Debby’s circulation is large in size and is bringing effects onto land even though the center is well offshore. The storm is not moving much today, then the jury is still out on exactly where it goes thereafter, with its track forecast continuing to be a particularly challenging one, but — subject to further change — most of the latest signs point toward a track more toward the *northeast Gulf Coast* rather than the western or central Gulf Coast. Marco Island Power Outage LCEC has advised that crews are working to restore power to the Island. They should be restoring ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom [email protected] John Landon wasn’t kidding when he chose the name for his latest cookie-creating endeavor. Good Cookies of Naples is just that. Ask anyone who has tried one of his fresh ginger cookies or white chocolate and raspberry macaroons. Their response, “Now, that’s a good cookie!” After all, these aren’t your grandchildren’s cookies. Made with the freshest ingredients, Landon totes his signature confectioneries as “adult cookies.” No doubt, considering the recipe was passed down from a 92-year old resident of a retirement community where Landon once worked. Bob Ross gave Landon his ginger cookie recipe over ten ... Read More »

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As many have already heard, Stan Gober of Goodland passed away last night, Monday, June 18th. Stan was well known within Southwest Florida and throughout the world as people journeyed to Stan’s on Sundays from near and far. To see and hear Stan on a Sunday was a one-of-a-kind experience. He was a family man, a singer, a songwriter, a comedian and a true entertainer. Stan was red, white and blue through and through. He loved his country and he loved Goodland. He was a philanthropist, constantly raising money for organizations within our community. He was also a friend to ... Read More »

Stan Gober passed away last night after his second battle with cancer and further complications. He was well loved not only for his entertainment, but for his generosity to community organizations. A memorial service will be held Sunday at his famous Stan’s Idle Hour in Goodland. Watch for further details. Our sympathies to those who loved Stan….. Read More »

GOODLAND LIFE  Natalie Strom  [email protected] Tired of the same old SPAM? Never! At least that’s what we say at The Little Bar. Mark your calendars for June 30th, as the annual Spammy Jammy event in downtown Goodland is fast approaching. Celebrating nearly twenty years of SPAM is no easy task. Yet, year after year, The Little Bar Restaurant in Goodland hosts the event at the start of each hurricane season. In order to pay homage to the Hurricane Gods and Goddesses of Southwest Florida, the party offers up attendees in their pajamas and food and architecture made out of SPAM. By ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom [email protected] Faculty, board members, students, future students and advocates of Marco Island Academy Charter High School made history as they broke ground at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, June 5th at what will be the school’s new home. The new location lies along San Marco Road, just west of Key Marco. As the crowd grew, all involved expressed their excitement of the realization of a dream that has been in the works for quite some time. “This is the day we’ve been waiting for three years!” exclaimed Gail Thawley, Educational Consultant for the high school. Addressing the crowd, ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff Frank Steiger is Marco Island’s new sergeant in town. He’s actually not that new since he’s been in the Marco Island Police Department for six years! He’s part of the big change taking place in the department. Frank was promoted to sergeant on May 7, but the official ceremony took place on June 11. Before several; members of the Marco Island Police Foundation, city council member Jerry Gibson, colleagues from the Police Department and a number of friends, Frank was officially promoted by Chief Don Hunter, and “pinned” by good friend Robin Browning. Prior to ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff  The only certainty about hurricanes is their uncertainty. Even the pundits and experts acknowledge the problems of knowing if, when and where they will strike. The only areas of common agreement are that residents and visitors should be prepared with necessary supplies such as water, canned or dry food, a full gasoline tank and drinking water; and that it is extremely dangerous to ignore warnings and evacuation orders. Too many lives have been lost by people who did not appreciate the danger that goes along with a severe tropical storm. Although Marco Island has not ... Read More »

ALL THAT GLITTERS Richard Alan [email protected] One of the many hats I wear during any given day as goldsmith/jeweler, is the job of an appraiser, which involves the act of evaluating jewelry, diamonds or precious gemstones. The appraisals can be for estate or insurance purposes or for the simple reason of needing to know. With most things in life, there is a time and a place to ask such questions or demand my services. Sticking a ring laden hand in the face of your local jeweler while he is enjoying a late night candle lit dinner with his wife in their ... Read More »

MIPD News Release  Evidence of the presence of a bear was found at a residence on the east end of the Island on Sheffield Drive. This is the first time in recent memory that the Marco Island Police Department has been advised of such an occurrence. While some people believe that seeing a black bear is a very exciting experience, many others view the experience as a danger or threat to their personal or pet’s safety. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) have indicated that “the presence of bears is not necessarily a problem or a threat to ... Read More »

Donna Fiala [email protected] Ooooo, it’s really getting hot, humid and very buggy. It seems there are more mosquitoes than normal for this time of year. Oh well, it only lasts for a few months and then we have our marvelous weather for the rest of the year. Tim Pinter advised the county recently that the Interlocal Agreement between the County and the City of Marco Island concerning the public restroom and Erosion Control Structures for Hideaway Beach have received a Certificate of Substantial Completion. The Building Department still has final inspections, which are scheduled to be completed shortly, so if ... Read More »

By Monte Lazarus [email protected] For those who are masochists I strongly recommend taking an otherwise relaxing cruise, but then entering the daily – sometimes twice daily – trivia contests. They are not really contests; they are minor wars with teams bitterly fighting for the ultimate prize – a key chain, a lanyard for cruise credentials (or for hanging someone) or a deck of cards. All prizes are made in China, so they are priceless. In one memorable contest our team wound up in a three way tie with two other fierce competitors. The charming emcee decided to have a single ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom [email protected] Three wars and thirty years of service. This is the life of James “Bud” Kornse, Marco Island resident and military veteran. Born March 5, 1927, Bud spent 30 years in the Navy. After retiring, his contributions to his country still continued. From World War II, to the Korean War to Vietnam to the present day, Bud fought for freedom and veteran affairs on the battlefield and beyond. Born and raised just outside of Atlantic City, New Jersey, Bud was the oldest of four. At the age of five, he began boxing at the local YMCA, where ... Read More »

TO YOUR  HEALTH  C. Scott Campbell  [email protected]    When a medical emergency occurs, it’s not always easy to think clearly. But a health crisis means you need to act quickly. Understanding your choices for care ahead of time will help you when an emergency does happen. As CEO of Physicians Regional Healthcare System-Collier Boulevard, I am well aware that confusion can exist regarding appropriate action in emergency situations. When you need immediate medical help, you basically have three choices. You can call the 911 emergency number. You can go to a hospital emergency room. Or, you can call your doctor ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff  Marking the end of its first year, the Marco Island Academy celebrated with its first Athletic and Scholastic awards ceremony. Students, parents, faculty, staff, board members and guests filled the room. First up was Roger Raymond, Athletic Director for the school. Roger recognized athletes who participated in the school’s basketball, baseball, volleyball, cross country and cheer teams. In addition to each participant receiving a medal, team members who went above and beyond were awarded an Outstanding Team Member trophy. Roger commented on the challenges the athletes faced during their inaugural year and how he looks ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom [email protected] Dr. Cade Copeland is not your average back-cracking chiropractor. The Naples-based Doctor of Chiropractic and his wife, nutritionist and personal trainer, Kristen Copeland, will be traveling to the 2012 Summer Olympics in London to care for TeamUSA athletes. What truly sets his practice, LIFEStrength Family Chiropractic, apart is his dedication to Maximized Living, an international approach to chiropractic care which focuses on uniformity and the five essentials for a complete lifestyle. Dr. Copeland and Kristen will be traveling to London at the end of July to spend two weeks working with USA Wrestling, USA Judo and ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff  Keith Dameron of Iberia Bank announce the next “In the Round” presentation will be held in conjunction with the Steinway Piano Society on June 27th. For those who have been to the local bank branch lately noted a concert piano in the lobby. The piano is a Steinway and Sons design, the Essex model. It is on loan to the bank for one year courtesy of Greg Billings and the Steinway Piano Gallery. Meghan Brachle, Executive Director of the Society worked with Keith to present seven pianists for the “In the Round” concert. Each pianist ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff  On June 9th, 55 veterans and their guardians left Southwest Florida International Airport for a quick trip to Washington D.C. Sponsored by Rotary District 6960 and the Marco Island Sunrise Rotary, these veterans, many from World War II, had a chance to view both the WWII Memorial and the Vietnam Memorial The 55 veterans, all from Southwest Florida, were greeted by a send-off committee of Rotarians and an Honor Guard salute at the airport in Fort Myers. Each veteran passed through a 200 foot long display of American flags as they readied to board their ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff  For the 7th year in a row, Patricia S. Poling, M.D. and Robert A. Poling, M.D. have both been selected by Castle Connolly as Top Doctors in Southwest Florida. Every year Castle Connolly Medical of NY partners with Gulfshore Life to recognize the top doctors in Collier, Lee and Charlotte Counties. Castle Connolly uses a physician led research team to select the recipients based on the doctor’s educational and professional experience. Both doctors are primary care physicians that practice together in the Poling Medical Center on Marco Island. “Doc” Patty is board certified in Internal ... Read More »