Business Notes
Alexander leaving DDWS
“Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge Philanthropic Coordinator Carrie Alexander is resigning from her post as of May 17.
Alexander, who began as an intern three years ago, has held her current position for two years. She in moving to Sydney, Australia, to pursue her love of conservation in an entirely new habitat.
“While bittersweet, we are excited about this next step in her life and wish her all the very best,” DDWS Executive Director Birgie Miller said. “She has grown into a valued member of our team and will be missed a great deal.”
The public is invited for cake and refreshments on May 14 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. to wish Alexander farewell and best of luck on her next adventure. There will be a short presentation at 2:45 p.m.
No RSVPs are necessary.
Kouril receives CMAA award
Ken Kouril, chief operating officer and general manager of The Sanctuary Golf Club, was honored recently with the Excellence in Club Management Award at the 91st Club Management Association of America World Conference in San Francisco.
Founded by the McMahon Group and co-sponsored by the McMahon Group and “Club & Resort Business” magazine, the award recognizes general managers, managers and COOs of private clubs who have exhibited outstanding management skills.
The nomination supporting Kouril came from Jim Pouliot, president of the club’s board of governors, and the Executive Management Team.
Kouril is a certified club manager, certified chief executive and community association manager, as well as a member of the Club Management Association of America, the National Club Association and Government Relations Committee.
He has been named Person of the Year by the Sanibel and Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce and is vice president of the Island Water Association, along with has served as a past board member for the chamber and The Community House.
FGCU honors Roepstorffs with Green & Blue Award
Geoff and Robbie Roepstorff received the Green & Blue Service Award at the Florida Gulf Coast University Annual Men’s Basketball Banquet.
The annual award recognizes the recipients’ contributions that have fostered goodwill for and the image of FGCU Men’s Basketball and the men who comprise the program.
The co-founders of Edison National Bank and the Bank of the Islands, Geoff and Robbie Roepstorff serve respectively as chief executive officer and president and are longtime Eagles fans.
Since 2012, the award has been presented to Jim and Donna Sublett, Art and Phyllis Herman, Dr. Bob and Cinda Ryan, Dean and Janie Schreiner, Sam and Carol Crimaldi, and Mike and Karen Hartley.
DDWS intern earns certification
“Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge intern Amanda Brooks recently received her Guest Services Professional Certification from the American Hotel & Lodging Association and the Lee County Tourist Development Council and Visitor & Convention Bureau.
DDWS pays for interns and other staff to attend the highly regarded course each year and receive the certificate for completion.
Dream Vacation Rentals opens
Dream Vacation Rentals, co-owned by Ryan and Nicole Block, recently opened.
The couple has a combined 15-plus years of rental experience on Sanibel and Captiva.
From outside of the Detroit, Michigan, Ryan Block has a history in the islands rental market. Over the past 15 years, he co-owned Reservation Central and most recently managed an island rental agency.
Nicole Block, originally from Portland, Maine, loves the islands.
Dream Vacation Rentals is focused on owner and guest satisfaction, as well as employs new vacation rental technology like keyless entry systems and remote management of thermostats and routers.
For more information, visit www.DreamVayCay.com or call 239-205-8866.
Senior Night at SCC
The H2O Youth Ministry at Sanibel Community Church will honor its high school seniors at its three services on April 29.
It will also host a Senior Banquet for the graduating seniors and their families.
The H2O students graduating this year are Daniel Ibarra, Emma Markle, Ian Vandevelde, Julia Senkeleski, Katie Haas, Lauren VanOlst and Maddie Pezzi.
Sanibel Community Church is at 1740 Periwinkle Way.
Food-rescue campaign feeds hungry
Lee County’s inaugural food-rescue campaign successfully diverted 3,771 pounds of food from potential disposal, exceeding its goal by 89 percent.
The campaign, conducted by Lee County Solid Waste in partnership with the Harry Chapin Food Bank, Waste Pro, FOX4, the Lee County Library System and Lee County Parks & Recreation, encouraged seasonal residents and visitors to donate sealed surplus pantry items before returning north.
The unopened food pantry items were donated to Harry Chapin Food Bank. President Richard LeBer said the donations will help provide another 3,143 meals for hungry working families.
The county’s libraries and recreation centers provided 18 locations.
Campaign organizers had hoped to see at least 2,000 pounds of food collected.
The campaign partners anticipate making it an annual event.
Business Notes
SanCap Community Bank promotes Dimmer
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank has promoted Laura Dimmer to vice president and office manager of the College Parkway branch in Fort Myers.
She will manage daily operations and customer relationships.
Dimmer joined the bank in 2015 and most recently served as an assistant manager at the McGregor branch. With over 15 years of banking experience, she holds a financial certification from the National Endowment for Financial Education and is registered with the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System.
Dimmer has been recognized with numerous awards for sales and service excellence.
For more information, visit www.SanCapBank.com.
Back pain, sciatica workshop
FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Center will host a informative back pain and sciatica workshop on April 26 from 5 to 6 p.m. at 4301 Sanibel Captiva Road, Sanibel.
Learn about the biggest mistake back pain and sciatica suffered make, the most common causes of lower back pain and sciatica, possible causes of pain, numbness or tingling in the legs, and more.
The event is free.
Attendees will receive a copy of “The 10 Top Burning Questions for Sciatica” and the “Top 10 Ways to Achieve a Heathy Back.”
Seating is limited, so reservations are required at 239-395-1097.
Business Notes
Commissioner to speak at meeting
Lee County Commissioner Brian Hamman will speak on April 14 at 10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall at the Sanibel Community Church, at 1740 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
He is the next speaker in the Sanibel/Captiva Republican Caucus 2018 Speakers Program.
Hamman is running for re-election this year for the District 4 seat. He will talk about his views on issues facing Lee County and his proposals to address them.
The public is welcome to attend.
Refreshments will be served.
For information, contact Will Smith at 239-395-0819.
F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva to hold financial workshop
F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva and Fifth Third Bank will host “Taking Charge of Your Financial Health” on April 19 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Sanibel Community Church, at 1740 Periwinkle Way.
Ruben Perales, financial wellness relationship manager of Lee and Collier counties, will lead the discussion. The workshop will help individuals and families learn how to set up a basic budget, slash debt and boost credit scores.
“This session will attempt to help individuals develop a plan for budgeting and saving which can lead to boosting their credit score while helping to eliminate debt,” F.I.S.H. Program Director Kathy Monroe said. “Financial health is just as important as physical health, because lacking the first can have an impact on the latter. Mr. Perales will introduce this information in a very interesting and interactive manner. Participants will leave this session knowing how to create a budget, interpret a credit score and manage debt.”
Snacks will be provided.
RSVPs requested by April 17.
For more information or to RSVP, contact Kathy Monroe at 239-472-4775.
Business Notes
LCEC awards environmental funds
LCEC recently announced that it will provide the city of Sanibel, Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, Coastal Keepers, Calusa Land Trust and Nature Preserve of Pine Island, Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum and Monofilament Busters with environmental funding awards.
Nearly $79,500 has been awarded since the program’s inception in 2014.
To apply, organizations can email pr@lcec.net to receive an application.
Interested organizations must meet certain criteria to be considered for the award including being located within LCEC service territory, funding utilized for projects/programs related to the environment and the utility industry, and having a demonstrated need for funds.
The deadline for the 2018 award is Sept. 1.
Commissioner to speak at meeting
Lee County Commissioner Brian Hamman will speak on April 14 at 10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall at the Sanibel Community Church, at 1740 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
He is the next speaker in the Sanibel/Captiva Republican Caucus 2018 Speakers Program.
Hamman is running for re-election this year for the District 4 seat. He will talk about his views on issues facing Lee County and his proposals to address them.
The public is welcome to attend.
Refreshments will be served.
For information, contact Will Smith at 239-395-0819.
Shewfelt joins ACSH advisory board
Dr. Robert Shewfelt recently joined the American Council on Science and Health as a new addition to its Board of Scientific Advisors.
Now in its 40th year, ACSH promotes critical thinking on issues, like smoking, seatbelt safety and manufactured claims about chemicals, medicine, supplements and food. The board peer reviews the council’s work, writes articles for Priorities magazine and guides its positions on science policy.
Shewfelt is professor emeritus of Food Science and Technology at the University of Georgia. He moved to Sanibel with his wife in 2016.
The other additions to the board were Michael Dourson, Seymour Fein, Fred Lipfert, Leah McGrath, Mikko Paunio and Christine Whelan.
County receives national recognition
Lee County government has received a national award for its work before, during and after Hurricane Irma.
Lee County officials accepted the 2018 National Hurricane Conference Outstanding Achievement Award on March 28 at the NHC Conference at the Hilton Orlando Hotel. The award recognizes the county for serving as a model for other organizations in its handling of hurricane-related activities.
NHC officials recognized Lee County’s achievement in hurricane-related preparedness in past years as well as 2017, including legislation, public awareness programs, financing mechanisms, sheltering plans, engineering research, warning notification systems and prediction techniques.