Post CommEnts At CAPECorAlbrEEzE.Com
WEEKDAY EDition
this Coming in eeze Br weekend’s our De Cape
Tips for newcomers, experienced players
Classified Marketplace
T g ready for in ark tt e g y it C ■ t Cultural P a s e ri e S y dwa eek ■ Broa te of the W ■ Athle
• Auctions & Bazaars • Garage Sales • Real Estate • Marine • General
• Notices • Automotive • Employment • Business & Service Directory
Coral Oaks Golf School sessions scheduled at Cape golf course — SPORTS
CAPE CORAL BREEZE Cape Coral’s Community Newspaper Since 1961
Vol. 62, No. 1
Wednesday, January 4, 2023
50 Cents
DeSantis: ‘Freedom lives here’ Governor delivers second inaugural address; sets priorities for second term Breeze Staff Report
news@breezenewspapers.com
Gov. Ron DeSantis delivered his second inaugural address this morning, keying in on a central theme: "Freedom lives here." Standing on the steps of the Florida Historic Capitol in Tallahassee, DeSantis outlined promises made and accomplishments delivered; reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring “our state remains the Free State of Florida;” and pledged a rejection of “woke ideology” at the "expense of enduring principles." “We will never surrender to the woke mob,” DeSantis said. “Florida is where
woke goes to die!” In addition to hammering policies he said “have sparked a mass exodus of productive Americans from these jurisdictions – with Florida serving as the most desired destination, a promised land of sanity,” DeSantis slammed the “floundering federal establishment in Washington, D.C.” “The federal government has gone on an inflationary spending binge that has left our nation weaker and our citizens poorer, it has enacted pandemic restrictions and mandates – based more on ideology and politics than on sound science – and this has eroded freedom and stunted com-
merce,” he said, also targeting “recklessly facilitated open borders” that make “a mockery of the rule of law” and an energy policy he said has “crippled our nation’s domestic production, causing energy to cost more for our citizens” while eroding national security. “Listening to the governor after his swearing in gave me goosebumps,” said Rich Leon, a Cape resident who attended the inauguration. “He continues to have a vision for the free state of Florida that the majority of Floridians share. I am excited for the governor to continue what he has accomplished the last four years.”
Here is the full transcript of DeSantis' second inaugural address: Mr. Chief Justice, members of the Cabinet, and fellow citizens: From the Space Coast to the Suncoast, from St. Johns to St. Lucie, from the streets of Hialeah to the speedways of Daytona, from the Okeechobee all the way up to Micanopy. Freedom lives here, in our great Sunshine State of Florida! It lives in the courage of those who patrol the streets and keep our communi-
See DESANTIS, page 4
Shell Factory rings in the New Year
AT A GLANCE
By CHUCK BALLARO news@breezenewspapers.com
Inside today’s Breeze Fishing season updates and more from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Foundation.
— INSIDE
NEWS OF NOTE Friends of Cape Coral Library 50th anniversary celebration set for Jan. 21 Everyone is invited to this very special event celebrating the 50-year anniversary of the Friends of the Cape Coral Library, which was started five decades ago to raise funds for the library and was known back then as The Little Acorns. The event will be held in the large meeting room of the Cape Coral Lee County Public Library, which is located at 921 S.W. 39th Terrace, just northwest of the intersection of Mohawk Parkway and Skyline Boulevard in Cape Coral. The morning will begin at 9:30 with coffee, tea, special refreshments and social time. The celebration will start at 10 a.m. and will include a brief history presentation and remarks by past presidents and local dignitaries. A guided tour of the library will follow with focus on the Friends’ contributions over the years. The public is welcome to attend the festivities and participate in the tour. For additional information about the Friends of the Cape Coral Library, please visit www.capefriends.org and follow the organization on Facebook.
Local artist brightens up islander’s temporary home By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
According to Pine Island artist Zan Lombardo, Bob DeClue, known to most as Willy-Bob, used to live on a boat in Matlacha. Hurricane Ian left DeClue homeless, at least temporarily. “He was the one that was cooking for a couple of months at That Barbecue Place — he’s a very giving guy. Even though he’s homeless, he was still helping other people out,” Lombardo said. Contractor Mike Cosentino, from Sarasota, who was on the island working on post-hurricane restoration, stopped at That Barbecue Place for lunch, Lombardo said. After a conversation with DeClue, in which Cosentino learned that DeClue had lost his home, he left and soon returned with a 1968, 37-foot Dodge Travco Motorhome that he gave to DeClue to use as long as he needed it. “He said, you can use this indefinitely, until you get yourself situated again,” Lombardo said. Although Lombardo would not have described the vintage motorhome’s original condition as attractive, she said it was safe and functional, even equipped with air conditioning. “It was livable, but it looked like a Twinkie,” Lombardo said. While Lombardo was eating lunch at That Barbecue Place, she said DeClue, who likes her artwork, showed her the bus and told her to paint it. “I power-washed it and sanded it with a rotary sander and then power-washed it again – painted the whole thing with exterior latex and then got some caveats from Mike Cosentino about the finished artwork,” Lombardo said. Cosentino told her he didn’t want anything controversial on the motorhome; nothing
See SHELL FACTORY, page 2
PHOTOS PROVIDED
Above, artist Zan Lombardo paints the motorhome on loan to Bob “WillyBob” DeClue. Top, the finished creation. political, nothing religious and no swear words, she said. Being an islander, Lombardo said mangroves came quite naturally to her. She did most of the artwork herself, but also
See TEMPORARY HOME, page 4
BY CHUCK BALLARO
From left, Ashley Burris, Lindsey Burris and Tosha Willis, servers at the Shell Factory, take a moment for a photo op during the Early Bird Ball Drop on Saturday at the Shell Factory.
Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI to be celebrated today
A Mass, to be celebrated by Bishop Frank J. Dewane, will be held for the repose of the soul of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice at 5 p.m., today, Jan. 4. “The Faithful of the Diocese of Venice NDEX in Florida are invited and are encouraged to attend,” a release from the diocese issues Legal Notices . . . . 5-8 Dec. 31 states. Epiphany Cathedral is at 310 Sarasota Local Tides . . . . . . . 3 St. in Venice. Sports . . . . . . . . . . . 3 The release includes a statement from The Most Rev. Frank J. Dewane states: Weather . . . . . . . . . . 2 My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The Catholic Church throughout the world mourns the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI who died today, December 31, 2022. We are saddened by the loss of 7 48445 46010 1 such a renowned, humble scholar and
I
Three years ago, the Shell Factory in North Fort Myers started a new tradition — ringing in the New Year a tad early so that those who like to be home before the page officially turns at midnight have a celebration option. COVID caused a pause in 2020 and 2021, but the attraction swung its doors wide open this year as they celebrated the Early Bird Ball Drop at Tommy’s on Saturday, with champagne, party hats and an 8 p.m. ball drop. General Manager Anne Sheridan said she was happy with the great response and that they were able to do it again. “The communities around here are older and they don’t want to stay up all night. The response is phenomenal. They want to party, but not until midnight,” Sheridan said. “Why not an early bird ball drop?” Singer Sase provided the entertainment, and the Southern Grill had a special menu that melded the new year with the college football games going on at the same time. The response packed the parking lots. Vicki Johnson was one of those who came for a good time and loved the idea of an early ball drop. “... Sase is here and I had to see her,” Johnson said. “I’m really close and come here a lot, especially since I’m a Green Bay Packers fan (The Shell Factory hosts a fan club for the team). Besides, look at us, we’re not going to be up at midnight. We’ve been there, done that.” Barbara Royal is from North Carolina and came down to assist her sister. She said when her sister goes to the Shell Factory, she comes along. “We might not be up when the ball in New York drops at midnight. I might not see it. So this is a good thing to have,” Royal said. That wasn’t it for the celebration. On Sunday morning, the Shell Factory hosted a “Hair of the Dog” party, with a Bloody Mary special and a “special handover cure menu.”
Shepherd, who gave his life to the service of the Universal Church. The longest living Pope, he was a giant of faith and reason. Upon learning of his death, requests have been received from the Faithful of the Diocese asking what they can do in light of this sad occasion. First and foremost, prayer for the repose of the soul of the Pope Emeritus should be offered. The most
See MASS, page 4 Reception of Pope Benedict XVI, from Federal President Christian Wulff and his wife Bettina Wulff at Schloss Bellevue on Sept. 22, 2012, in Berlin, Germany. PHOTO BY VIPFLASH / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM