WEEk OF MARCH 22, 2023
VOLUME 61, NUMBER 18
On the Table SWFL set for community By MEGHAN BRADBURY
news@breezenewspapers.com
Historical village to reopen with celebration By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
T
he Sanibel Historical Museum & Village is reopening its doors in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.
The community is welcome to celebrate the moment during a free event on March 28 from 3 to 5 p.m. There will be tours of some buildings, two exhibits to see, a ribbon-cutting, refreshments, and more. “Though all buildings suffered varying degrees of damSee HISTORICAL VILLAGE CELEBRATION, page 3
The Sanibel Historical Museum & Village will celebrate its post-hurricane reopening with a free community event on March 28 from 3 to 5 p.m. on its grounds, at 950 Dunlop Road, Sanibel.
The community has an opportunity to engage in conversations with others to generate ideas to create a more sustainable and vibrant Southwest Florida through On the Table SWFL. The regional civic engagement conversations will be held on March 30. Collaboratory spokesperson Noelle Casagrande said On the Table has been done nationally before, with the first On the Table SWFL held in 2019 with more than 1,500 participants. This year, given the regional scope, they wanted to partner with the Community Foundation of Collier County and Charlotte Community Foundation to drive the strategic work. “It’s super simple. The concept is very interesting,” she said. “It’s a one-day regional conversation with neighbors, friends, coworkers and volunteers getting together over a meal, or a cup of coffee to share what matters most to them.” They are encouraging table hosts to have anywhere from eight to 15 people, at such places as churches, community centers, restaurants and at Collaboratory. “The theme is up to each host,” Casagrande said. “The idea is transforming Southwest Florida, reimagining new possibilities for our region.” Individuals can also visit onthetableswfl.com/join to attend tables at such See ON THE TABLE, page 3
IslanderInsIde
SANIBEL HISTORICAL MUSEUM AND VILLAGE
Sanibel educator named as one Golden Apple winner By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
On March 16, The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools surprised the 2023 Golden Apple Teachers in their classrooms with their award, including one educator from the island school. For the 36th consecutive year, program sponsors, foundation officials, business leaders, and the selection committee participated in the surprise day festivities. At The Sanibel School, middle-school math teacher Stephanie Yanik — a first-time finalist for the recognition — was named a winner. “I was simply elated to be one of the six winners this year. It's truly an honor,” she said. “The whole process has been joyful and exciting,” Yanik added. The 2022-23 school year is her first one working at the Sanibel school. Yanik See GOLDEN APPLE, page 5
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Guest Commentary........................4 Web Poll.........................................4 Captiva Current..........................6-8 Business......................................9 Preserving Paradise.....................11 THE SANIBEL SCHOOL Island Living................................13 From left, Darrel Lieze-Adams of sponsor NBC2, The Sanibel School Sports.........................................14
Principal Jamie Reid, Golden Apple Teacher Stephanie Yanik, The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools President and Chief Executive Officer Marshall T. Bower, and Assistant Principal Jennifer Lusk.
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