Coastal Breeze News

On Sunday, February 24th the community of Holiday Manor Co-op celebrated their debt retirement with a symbolic mortgage burning in front of their Recreation Hall. Holiday Manor Co-op is a senior retirement enclave located on Collier Blvd just south of US-41. The 312 unit community was purchased from the Cavin family in 1996, for six million dollars. The mortgage was retired in 2012 after the present Board of Directors (pictured above), lead by Lynn Rickert (second from left above), that it would be advantageous to pay off the mortgage three years early. Some of the original shareholders are still enjoying ... Read More »

It was another gorgeous evening on Marco Island…absolutely fitting for a Chamber of Commerce event. A capacity crowd at the Marco Island Yacht Club enjoyed all the festivities, good food and outstanding entertainment at the 36th Annual Installation Dinner of the Chamber on January 13th. Part of the evening was bittersweet as members and guests bid farewell to outgoing Chamber President Kevin Donlan who has moved to Alabama. His affection for Marco Island was demonstrated not only by his return just for the event, but also by his emotional farewell remarks. He spoke movingly about the Island and the many ... Read More »

The Collier County Lodging & Tourism Alliance (CCLTA), an organization dedicated to addressing regional issues of mutual importance to the tourism industry and the local community, announced its 2013 Board of Directors. Darren Robertshaw, Vice President of Hospitality for the Trianon Hotel Company, has been elected as President. Robertshaw has more than 20 years of hospitality industry experience. He has been with Trianon Hotel Company since 1997 where he oversees all aspects of hospitality and is involved in the development of additional hotel properties. Other CCLTA board members and officers for 2013 include: Vice President: Joseph N. DiNunzio, Managing Partner ... Read More »

Because of your generosity and commitment to The Marco Island Historical Society we have our World Class Museum and Rose History Auditorium. Now it is time to plan for our future. MIHS established an Endowment Fund which will consist of gifts and donations from people just like you. In accordance with the Investment Policy Statement approved by your Board of Directors, donations will support exhibits, as well as historical and educational programs. Our Investment Policy Statement outlines parameters on spending policies to assure donors that funds are set aside to meet our long-term goals and needs. As the holiday season ... Read More »

By Danielle Dodder  “All politics is local.” So said Tip O’Neill, the second longest serving speaker of the US House of Representatives in reference to the only political race he ever lost: a run for city council. It’s a trivia tidbit that speaks volumes for the aggressive politicking that seems to take the island by surprise each election season. The newly elected council members are about to take on the challenge of trying to set public policy for the next four years, so we asked them how they plan to get started now that the dust has settled. Responses from ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff  The Marco Island Unit of the American Cancer Society has a new Unit Executive Director, Lisa Honig. Prior to accepting her new role, Lisa had a successful 26 year career in Information Technology Management and in Computer Storage Sales and Consulting Services. Lisa has already hit the ground running, visiting area businesses and communicating with the Board of Directors. She reviewed progress on plans for two major upcoming events, the Relay for Life and the Gala, and attended last week’s Relay for Life Kickoff at the Marriott. If the Honig name sounds familiar, it is ... Read More »

By Julia Barnett The Marco Men’s Club honored their outgoing and incoming members of the Board of Directors at their Installation Dinner Dance on Saturday May 19 at Hideaway Beach Club. The event included cocktails, dinner and dancing, in addition to welcoming the new board members, and distributing awards. Meeting the second Thursday of each month, the Marco Men’s Club is a social club of over 500 members, all residents of Marco Island, the Isles of Capri, and Goodland. They are essentially a social network, and the club consists of members with different hobbies and lifestyles. In addition to the ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff On Thursday, May 24th, The Marco Island Players and The Marco Island Center for the Arts met to discuss the possibility of collaborating on a new professional theatre. To be developed at The Marco Island Center for the Arts, Home of the Art League, the new theatre would seat nearly 200 guests. While still in the beginning phases, this group effort would dramatically expand what the Center for the Arts already has to offer. The Board of Directors for both The Marco Island Players and The Marco Island Center for the Arts are currently exploring ... Read More »

ART UNCOVERED  Tara O’Neill  I usually save my “year in review” for mid-summer, but as I am now exiting the role of gallery committee Chairperson at the Marco Island Center for the Arts, I am consumed with reflection. It’s been a full two years since I was hood-winked…that is to say, invited…to accept the position (what could they have been thinking?) It was an honor then, and today remains an honor, and so much more. More: more knowledgeable of what galleries and museums go through to stage a successful exhibition; more tolerant of some practices; more impatient of others; more far-reaching ... Read More »

The Collier County Lodging & Tourism Alliance (CCLTA), a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing regional issues of mutual importance to the tourism industry and the Naples community, today announced the appointment of long-time Naples businessman Randy Smith to the organization’s Board of Directors. Smith is Chief Executive Officer of Naples Transportation, Tours & Event Planning (NTTEP). Based in Naples, NTTEP employs more than 80 associates and operates a fleet more than 55 luxury vehicles including sedans, SUV’s, executive vans, stretch limousines, mini-buses, party buses and trolleys. NTTEP is also a full-service destination management company (DMC) that works with Fortune 500 ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff Pat Neale, Marco Island attorney, is not only well known on Marco Island; he’s received many awards for his contributions to the Marco Island community, including the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Neale has now added two more distinguished awards from Legal Aid Service of Collier County to his long list of recognition. He is honored to be selected as the second ever recipient of the Leadership Award, and the first to receive the Attorney of the Month twice – this time for November 2011. Legal Aid Pro Bono Coordinator Jeffrey A. Ahern praised Pat’s ... Read More »

IBERIABANK Corporation (NASDAQ: IBKC) (“IBERIABANK”), holding company of the 125-year-old IBERIABANK (www.iberiabank.com) and Florida Gulf Bancorp, Inc. (“Florida Gulf”), the holding company of Fort Myers, Florida-based Florida Gulf Bank (www.floridagulfbank.com) announced today the signing of a definitive agreement for IBERIABANK to acquire Florida Gulf. The transaction has been approved by the Board of Directors of each company and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2012. Read More »

Joey’s Pizza finished off a spectacular 2012 season in winning the Marco Division Tournament going undefeated in tournament play, after having won the League’s Marco Division Championship for regular season play. In the Island Division Tournament winner Islander Restaurant was also undefeated after having finished third in league play. The Board of Directors would like to thank all the players, fans, sponsors, Marco Island Parks and Recreation, News Media and Paul Meyer (who ran the concession stand) for all the support in making 2012 another successful season for Marco Island Senior Softball League. Read More »

The Marco Island Academy board of directors has announced the resignation of the science teacher. In an email to parents, the board wrote: The Marco Island Academy is writing to inform you that Dr. Michael Doherty (Science Teacher) has chosen to leave his position at our school. Dr. Doherty will be temporarily replaced by Mrs. Lori Havemeier, an experienced substitute teacher at both the middle school and high school levels. We are working to finalize the hiring of a permanent Science Teacher. Our goal is to find and retain high quality teachers that work collaboratively for the betterment of our ... Read More »

Submitted  On January 24, at MICA’s Annual Social Vice President Jim Johnson presented MICA’s 2012 Humanitarian of the Year Award to Mr. Howard Jordan. Johnson noted that “Howard Jordan has spent countless hours working on behalf of the residents of Marco Island, big and small!” He was honored for his 11 years of service on the MICA Board of Directors, his sports coaching efforts, and for the formation of the “Upon a Star Foundation.” The MICA Humanitarian of the Year Award was first presented in 1998 and has become one of the most prestigious awards on Marco Island. It honors ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff It was the night to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Marco Island Area Chamber of Commerce at the Island Country Club on January 15. Not only that – to complete a triple-header, it was graduation night for the 2011 class of Leadership Marco, and the Chamber inducted its 2012 president and board of directors. All attendees received pins commemorating the anniversary. An estimated crowd of 85 enjoyed dining on roast beef after a round of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and danced to some oldies and some newer tunes. Outgoing President Alan Brown, in his ... Read More »

Environmental activist Fabien Cousteau is keynote speaker The Conservancy of Southwest Florida hosted more than 700 members at the organization’s annual meeting held on Jan. 17 at Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club. In addition to board elections and the Board of Directors’ annual report to members, the meeting featured keynote speaker Fabien Cousteau, an ocean explorer, environmental activist, filmmaker and grandson of world-renown ocean explorer Jacques Yves Cousteau. In addition to sharing highlights of his family’s underwater adventures, Fabien Cousteau spoke to members about his recently launched “Plant-A-Fish Initiative” aimed at promoting mangrove restoration. “If we invest in nature, ... Read More »

Submitted  The Jewish Congregation of Marco Island opens the18th consecutive season of the Saul I. Stern Cultural Series, on Sunday, January 22, 2012, at 7:30 PM. The series has been named by the Congregation’s Board of Directors for one of its Congregants, Saul Stern, the man who brought outstanding events to the series, for the benefit of the entire Collier County community. Saul Stern passed away in March of 2010. The series continues to honor his work. The opening speaker, Dr. Bernd Wollschlaeger, relates his amazing story. Born the son of a high official of the Nazi regime—–he speaks of ... Read More »

In the Board meeting on Friday November 11, 2011 at the Marco Island Academy several actions were taken to preserve the best interest of the students. As a result, Dr. Pellant has stated his intent to resign. Beginning Monday morning, George Andreozzi will be serving as the Interim Principal at the Academy. Rob Eder will be joining the staff beginning November 28, 2011. He is certified in Art, English and Social Studies and has 20 years of experience. On Thursday, November 10, 2011, Dr. Christopher Schemel joined the Board of Directors as Treasurer. Dr. Schemel is the President of Delta Q ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff  A couple of months ago Tarik Ayasun received a phone call from videographer, Dick Adam. The caller asked if he could film an interview with him. He explained Taray International, a local Marco Island company, was a finalist for an Excellence in Industry award by the Economic Development Council (EDC) of Collier County. “We didn’t hear anything more about it. We were at the awards luncheon and up popped the video of my interview.” The Export Excellence award was presented to Taray International, a company owned by Tarik, his wife Janice and managed by their ... Read More »