WEEK OF OCTOBER 29, 2025
Volume 63, number 50
County honors Greenwell with new legacy
By MEGHAN BRADBURY
news@breezenewspapers.com
FISH OF SANIBEL-CAPTIVA
AngelFISH Society taking RSVPs for annual luncheon By TIFFANY REPECKI
W
Registration will take place from 11 to 11:30 a.m., with lunch and the program to follow. “AngelFISH bring energy and vision to everything they do,” FISH President Maggi Feiner said. “Their support ensures FISH can continue meeting the evolving needs of our islands, while also creating programs that have lasting value for our neighbors and workforce.” Founded in 2021 by former FISH Board
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
omen can get engaged in addressing the island community’s needs through an upcoming event. The AngelFISH Society of the FISH of SanibelCaptiva Foundation will hold its annual luncheon on Nov. 10 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sundial Beach Resort & Spa on Sanibel. Open to current members and all interested women, it will feature a guest speaker and unveiling of this year’s project.
Carrie Bloemers
news@breezenewspapers.com
For the second time in four months, peaceful protestors assembled on Oct. 18 along Periwinkle Way on Sanibel as part of a national movement in opposition to the Trump administration and MAGA agenda. More than 2,000 “No Kings” protests were planned nationwide, with many of the demonstrators donning red, white and blue and waving the American flag. “Waving the flag is part of the resistance,” second-generation island resident
Frank Nera said. “I am immensely proud of this flag. I want to claim it.” “MAGA co-opted the flag and the ‘Don’t Tread on Me’ slogan, which is another extremely patriotic American symbol,” he added. “I am here today to help bring back what the term patriot really means.” A former history professor at Florida State University, Nera was joined by his father, Frank Nera Sr. “Trump levels criticism at people who protest,” Nera Sr. said. “This type of peaceful dissent is as American as you
can be.” “We need more of these rallies, not less,” he added. Father and son agreed that they were pleased with the turnout. By 10:45 a.m. — 45 minutes after the protest began — the line of demonstrators standing on Periwinkle was several people deep, stretching west from Purdy Street past Mitzi Lane. They waved homemade signs declaring “No Kings.” “Honk if you love democracy,” Deb See PROTEST, page 21
PROPERTY OF THE WEEK: 761 LIMPET DRIVE Eric Pfeifer 239.472.0004
See GREENWELL, page 20
ISLANDERINSIDE
See LUNCHEON, page 18
Island community takes part again in ‘No Kings’ protest
By CASEY BRADLEY GENT
Renaming the Lee County Civic Center Complex to honor former Lee County Commissioner Mike Greenwell is a fitting memorial, county officials agreed last week. The historic complex will now be called the Mike Greenwell Regional Park. Commissioner David Mulicka moved to rename the civic center at the Oct. 21 meeting of the Lee County Board of County Commissioners. The proposal received unanimous support. He said Greenwell loved the facility and it was a place he wanted to see get better. Mulicka added he is pleased to see the county is requesting more money from the state to improve the aging civic center and so accomplish Greenwell’s mission. “I am proud to have known him and miss him very much,” he said of Greenwell, who died on Oct. 9 following a battle with thyroid cancer. He was 62.
Corner Lot on Deep Water Canal – Sanibel’s East-End
ALSOINSIDETODAY Guest Commentary........................4 Web Poll...........................................4 Captiva Current...............................6 Business......................................8 Preserving Paradise.....................12 Island Living..................................14 Sports.........................................16 Classifieds 35
Residential Customer ECRWSS
Ft MYERS, FL Permit #5733
PRSTD STD US POSTAGE PAID