Coastal Breeze News

Natalie Strom Sometimes in life, I feel like I just don’t count. Don’t get me wrong, I really do love my life. I enjoy my home, my family and friends and even what I do for work. I also, OBVIOUSLY, love where I live. But sometimes it just feels like even after all the things that I have and have done, I just don’t count. I’ve had this creeping feeling for the last year or so especially, and I think I’ve finally figured out the reason why. It’s nothing that I’ve done, or haven’t done for that matter. In fact, ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom  It has become clear that the lazy days of summer are in full swing in Goodland. During season, Goodland is a bustling town, filled with locals and vacationers. There is never a dull moment and there is always something to do. Yet, as summer approaches it seems as if at least half of Goodland goes into hibernation. This drastic change brings a number of questions to mind. In particular, why does Goodland turn into a virtual ghost town during the summer months? More important, what do the few of us who dare to stay do during this extremely ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom                                                                                                  Goodland has a very rich and colorful history that dates back to the late 1800s; even further when considering the Native Americans that inhabited much of Southwest Florida. I recently read a book entitled “A Girl Called Tommie,” which describes the unique history of Marco Island and its surrounding ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom As we enter the month of July, the little village of Goodland has begun to wind down for the next few months of summer. We all know what this means:  intense heat, lots of mosquitoes and mini monsoons that seem to pop up out of nowhere. This is why we have snowbirds. Summers in Southwest Florida certainly are not for everybody. As the snowbirds flock back up north many of our local businesses begin to slow down. Some change their hours and some close altogether. To give you an idea of what’s left to do in Goodland, ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom As summer fast approaches, locals and visitors to Goodland have been treated to the beautiful colors of the blooming trees and flowers. One of the most popular flowers in Goodland is the frangipani. Also known as plumeria, it is native to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and South America. They are also found in Hawaii and are made into leis by the locals.  Marked by its slim, long limbs and lack of leaves in the winter time, come May, this plant has one of the most fragrant and beautiful flowers in the area.  Flowers come in pink ... Read More »

By Joanie Fuller If you are a “year rounder” you are ready to be left alone, aren’t you? You are ready for us snowbirds to disappear so you can do what you want, when you want. No big traffic jams, no long lines anywhere, just downright easy livin’. I used to stay here all year, but then my husband suggested we buy a summer place in Alaska, so it won’t be long before we say “bye, bye” for a while. It is fun way up there, but I tell you I do miss palm trees, mangoes, thunderstorms and my friends ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom After living and working in Goodland for a certain amount of time, it becomes clear that visitors have many questions regarding our small fishing village. Below is a Q & A of some of the most popular questions visitors to Goodland often ask. Q: I’m staying on Marco Island. How do I get to Goodland? A: You’re not far away at all. Your first objective is to find San Marco Road. This main road runs east and west right through the center of Marco Island. You may find this road by taking any of the main roads ... Read More »

By Joanie Fuller Flip flops, Sketchers, sandals with sparkles, Crocs of all styles and colors, running, cross training, moccasins – you name it- people walk in all kinds of shoes. What kind do you walk in? I guess it depends on where or why you are walking. Hmm. I was just thinking. It seems to me that if you are a girl and you are wearing sandals you need to have your toes painted. Right? You can’t go around with unkempt toenails even in Goodland. If you are a guy, well, forget it. You don’t have to read this paragraph. ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom Every morning I wake up to the sound of local traffic. When you live in Goodland the sounds of local traffic do not include the typical eight a.m. rush hour noises but rather the singing and chirping of our local bird population. We’re talking buzzards, mockingbirds, ospreys, morning doves, hawks, pelicans, woodpeckers, egrets, hummingbirds, owls and then some. With so many birds in one very small area it is not uncommon to have run-ins with our winged locals. These meetings are much more than the occasional white wash to one’s car. The state bird of Florida is ... Read More »

By Joanie Fuller How do I describe what’s been going on in Goodland for the last few weeks? Many times you’ve heard the expression that “it takes a village.” That is definitely true here. Keep that in mind as I go along. First we held our Boat Parade – a collaboration of Stan’s Idle Hour, Avow Hospice and Goodlanders. Beautiful weather inspired lots of boats to participate and the new parade route ended at our brand new Boat Park. All went really well. I participated just as an observer. In fact I had invited someone from Naples to have lunch here ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom The small village of Goodland is celebrating its 62nd birthday on Saturday, March 12th. The party will take place at the new Goodland Boat Park which is located at the end of Goodland Drive West. This family friendly event will take place from 10 am to 4 pm and will host activities that those of all ages can enjoy. As Goodland is and always has been a fishing village, many of the activities will be based around this tradition. The day will begin with a Fishing Seminar presented by Marco Island fishing guru, Don Robb. The seminar ... Read More »

By Joanie Fuller Think about it. Does the number of pancakes you eat equal the number of friends you can make at a pancake breakfast? I don’t know the answer, but I do know that our Goodland pancake breakfast during Mullet Festival weekend was well attended and everyone had a good time. Now back to the question at hand. Think about it this way. The pancakes are really good in Goodland, but since they are big and fluffy you could probably only eat two or three. All right, if you are a big guy, maybe more. But the opportunities to ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom Year after year driving along the curvy road into Goodland I would notice small silver stars strung throughout the mangroves. As spring would approach the stars would be replaced by Easter eggs. I always found them to be endearing yet never knew why they were hung or by whom. My curiosity was recently spiked during a visit to the Goodland Post Office. There is a corkboard out front of the post office where locals can post anything from homes for rent to petitions to upcoming events. As I was observing what was recently posted I noticed a ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom This is one of those articles that you are going to want to cut out and post on your refrigerator. No, it is not one of those supposedly hilarious Cathy Comics that lonely housewives tack up on their fridge. It is, however, a guide to all the upcoming events that Goodland has to offer. Every year, our little town provides fun and excitement that people of all ages can participate in. As I said before, keep this on your refrigerator and you won’t miss a single bit of the action. With the New Year in full swing, ... Read More »

by Joanie Fuller Honestly, I don’t know what to think. It’s time to make New Year’s resolutions and the folks I have spoken with aren’t really making any. What’s a writer to do? The other night we Goodlanders had our annual Christmas Civic Association potluck supper and meeting. Everyone enjoyed the evening, but as I queried several people about making resolutions for the New Year, I realized that we hadn’t even had Christmas yet and it was too early for those questions. But I was determined I was going to write about the subject anyway. In my humble opinion many ... Read More »

by Natalie Strom A few weeks ago I was formally busted by a Collier County Park Ranger. The Ranger caught me walking my dog through Mar-Good Harbor Park, which is county-owned. The park was once privately owned and was used as an RV park, bar and Goodland museum. It was a gathering place for the community. The lot was sold to the county and designated as a Collier County Park to avoid the building of condos and to allow the community to use it as they pleased. It is now a beautiful open field which holds an abandoned building and ... Read More »

by Joanie Fuller My Goodland friends who fish tell me the first question they get after they have been fishing is, “Did ya catch anything?” Second question, “How big was it?” I remember when I was in kindergarten, the boys sang a song about fishing at our spring program. It went something like this: When I went fishing I caught a big fish, a big fish, a big fish, a very very big fish! I bet if that song were sung today, girls would have to be included. Ya think? I guess most guys do try to make their fish ... Read More »

At a recent doctor’s appointment I was asked how often I exercise. I told my doctor that I take my dog for a number of walks every day. Unfortunately, I was told that this does not count. As I left the doctor’s office I began to consider the fact that I don’t work out. How is it possible that my weight has stayed relatively the same over my years living in Goodland yet I have done nothing to offset the food and alcoholic beverages I intake? It suddenly occurred to me that I do, in fact, get quite a bit ... Read More »

Welcome to the Judith and Ellen Show! “What’s that?” you ask. It’s not a reality TV show and it’s not a rock ‘n roll show at one of our local establishments. Instead it’s something that goes on six days a week and it’s a real life show. One that helps people. All you need to enjoy it are your listening ears, your sparkling eyes and bright smile. Because you are at the Goodland Post Office. Judith Pritchard is our PM or Postmaster and Ellen Hall is her PMR or Postmaster Relief! What a title, huh? Together they make life easy for those of us lucky enough ... Read More »

When you live in Goodland you become part of a story-telling culture. Often times these stories are unbelievable, yet as we say here in Goodland, “You can’t make this s#&@ up!” I recently heard a story regarding molestation of a stone crab trap and was convinced that it must be a joke. I decided to do my research and learned that not only is it a real issue but it is a very serious one. I was able to meet with some of Goodland’s local stone crabbers who filled me in on all the details relating to this topic and ... Read More »