SANIBEL PUBLIC LIBRARY From left, Sanibel Public Library staffer Betty Anholt and Southwest Florida Archaeological Society President John F. Furey.

TRUST COMPANY TO OFFER SEMINAR

The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company will offer “Domicile Day” — a seminar on Florida residency, domicile status and estate planning — on June 20 from 11 a.m. to noon at its office at 2450 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, as well as simulcast to its Fort Myers office.

It will include a presentation and Q&A led by staff and local estate planning attorney David M. Platt.

Seating is limited, and reservations are required.

The seminar is designed for people with $2 million and higher in investable assets.

PHOTO PROVIDED James Schnars

To make a reservation, contact Frances Steger at 239-472-8300 or festeger@sancaptrustco.com.

REC CENTER ADDS TO HALL OF SPONSORS

Adventures in Paradise Outfitters, Macintosh Books + Paper, MugBugs Cajun Kitchen, Native Outdoor Services, PRG Roofing + Construction, Sanibel Strong, Superior Title Services of Sanibel, Rachel Pierce Art Gallery and Tarpon Tale Inn have joined the Sanibel Recreation Center’s Hall of Sponsors.

Proceeds from the sponsor signs financially assist eligible island parents, guardians and workers so youths can attend the after-school program, Fun Days, holiday camp, summer day camp and other city-operated programs.

For more information, call volunteer sponsor Chairperson Barry Alan Roth at 239-313-9591.

SANIBEL LIBRARY EMPLOYEE RECOGNIZED

The Sanibel Public Library staffer Betty Anholt was awarded the Certificate of Achievement by the Florida Anthropological Society at its 76th Annual Meeting on May 10-12 in Pensacola.

The recognition acknowledges her contribution to the understanding and preservation of the state’s archaeological and anthropological heritage.

Anholt was nominated by Southwest Florida Archaeological Society President John F. Furey. In his nomination letter, he wrote, “She has been called the ‘Unofficial Historian of Sanibel.’ We at SWFAS wish to recognize her accomplishments and her integration of archaeology and history at Sanibel and Captiva Islands.”

A Sanibel resident since 1969, she has combined her love for Sanibel and Captiva with archaeology, conservation and preservation. In 2020, Anholt was honored with the creation of the Betty Anholt Guardian of History Award by the Captiva Island Historical Society. She has written seven books on Sanibel’s history.

BIG ARTS EXPLORING OPTIONS FOR PROPERTY

BIG ARTS reported that the former Strauss Theater, at 2200 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, will be razed this month.

Major structural, safety and code issues and the significant damage caused by Hurricane Ian has made the building uninhabitable.

“After long and diligent analysis, it became clear that trying to renovate the existing building would be cost prohibitive,” board Chair Rene Savarise said. “The board simply could not approve that use of donor dollars.”

BIG ARTS continued that its board and management are plotting a new future for the property and considering a range of possibilities to address community needs that do not duplicate services and programs currently on Sanibel and Captiva.

“The board’s and my guiding principle will be to make sure that our choice for re-visioning of the property is guided by the needs of the Sanibel and Captiva communities,” Executive Director Lee Ellen Harder said.

TRAILWAYS CAMP ANNOUNCES OFFICE OPENING

Trailways Camps recently opened its office in the SanCap Gateway Realty Plaza on Sanibel.

Sanibel resident and Camp Director Jamie Senkeleski will lead program outreach and operational services from the location.

She will be joined by Sanibel resident and Assistant Karan Balmer, who joined the team in April.

For more information, visit https://www.trailwayscamps.org/.

The Trailways Camps office is at 1177 Causeway Blvd., Sanibel.

CITY AWARDED FOR BUDGET PRESENTATION

The city of Sanibel reported that the Government Finance Officers Association recently awarded it the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its budget.

The award reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meet the highest principles of governmental budgeting. In order to receive it, the city had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. The guidelines are designed to assess how well a budget serves as:

– A policy document

– A financial plan

– An operations guide

– A communications device

Budget documents must be rated “proficient” in all four categories and in the 14 mandatory criteria within those categories to receive the award.

There are over 1,700 participants in the Budget Awards Program.

SAN CAP COMMUNITY BANK RECOGNIZED

For a second consecutive year, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank was named one of the “Best Places to Work in Southwest Florida” by Gulfshore Business.

It was chosen as one of 22 Southwest Florida company honorees after an assessment and selection process conducted by Best Companies Group, an independent research firm that specializes in identifying and recognizing great places to work.

The process consisted of evaluating each nominated company’s workplace policies, practices and demographics, in addition to an employee survey to measure employee experience. Combined scores determined the top companies and final rankings.

The winners, including the bank, appeared in the June issue of Gulfshore Business.

SCHNARS NAMED AMONG MARKETING LEADERS

John R. Wood Christie’s International Real Estate recently announced that Chief Marketing Officer James Schnars has been recognized as one of HousingWire’s 2024 Marketing Leaders.

The accolade celebrates the housing industry’s creative and influential marketing leaders, with 50 individuals honored this year.

Honorees are selected based on professional achievements, contributions to the housing economy, client impact and personal success. They demonstrate strategic vision, creativity and a commitment to driving growth and innovation within their organizations and the wider industry.

Since joining the company in 2020, Schnars has led all marketing and public relations strategies, including brand management, digital and print advertising, multimedia initiatives and budget management.

A University of Florida graduate, he was named Marketing Director of the Year by the Collier Building Industry Association in 2022.