The Forest Matters Another Seabreeze Publication VOL. 30 NO. 12
www.seabreezecommunications.com
DECEMBER 2023
FPOA President’s Update At our board meeting on Oct. 30 the plans for road repaving were explained along with the plan for the speed hump removal, their replacement with speed calming tables and, last but not least, the restriping of our roads. The latter of these projects was delayed because we could not obtain a permit from Lee County. The speed humps in place now were installed without a permit years ago and were illegal. The paving will be done on Forest Boulevard from the main gate to Bobcat Court. Bear Cub Court, Cotton Tail Court and Pheasant Court will be repaved as well. A tour of our roads was taken a few weeks ago. Attending were two experts from the paving industry, our property manager and your correspondent. The four roads chosen were those which had indications that showed the need for the repaving work to be done. In the past we repaved on a time schedule rather than as we do now when a road needs the service. The aforementioned speed tables have a height lower than the humps, but are more efficient in slowing traffic. Our board tabled the idea of photo radar controlled speed cameras. It is hoped these new devices will negate the need for them.
Once the paving is done the striping of our roads will commence. Headlight reflective paint will be applied to curves to make them easier to navigate. You may have heard we were considering having an 8-foot fence erected along our northern border to prevent intrusions of nonresidents trying to fish on our lakes. In no way am I averse to fishing. It is my favorite avocation. The problems with these trespassers include the possibility some are not here to fish, the liabilities involved with their presence and just the fact they are trespassing. The cost of the fence was prohibitive. In its place we will be erecting signs stating “No Trespassing” and the fact those who do will be prosecuted. We will obtain these signs from the Lee County Sheriff. Hurricane Ian was the “gift” that keeps on giving. We have recently discovered much of our underground electrical system that provides power to the lighting systems along and in medians of our roads has been damaged or rendered unusable by the salt water which inundated our community. This is being repaired and will be ready for the holiday lighting later in November.
At the ends of our cul-de-sacs are circles whose landscaping is the responsibility of the FPOA. When The Forest was young one home was chosen at each circle to provide the irrigation for the landscaping. We thank those homeowners for their generosity. The FPOA board meeting on Nov. 27 will be the last meeting of 2023. This is not because its date would coincide with Christmas Day. In the past we have found the quota of board members required for holding a meeting in December could not be met. Therefore, the next board meeting will be held on Jan. 29, 2024. While this letter arrives with The Forest Matters in early December it is not too early to wish everyone “Happy Holidays” with your family and friends. Be safe, be well and have a wonderful time. Chuck Patten, President, Board of Directors, Forest Property Owners Association
Holiday Nights At Edison And Ford Winter Estates On Friday, Nov. 24 at 6 p.m., the Edison and Ford Winter Estates kicked off the 48th annual Holiday Nights celebration with a tree lighting ceremony. Guests had the opportunity to participate in the countdown with Dave Elias from NBC-2 when the Christmas tree on the Ford property was lit with thousands of animated lights choreographed to holiday music. Female vocalists, the American Sirens, performed shortly after the tree lighting. The event was sponsored by Florida Power & Light, Bob Dean Supply, Sunbelt Rentals, and TriCircle Pavers. This year’s theme is “Holidays on Wheels” The homes and gardens at Edison and Ford Winter Estates are decorated with thousands of lights for the Holiday Nights celebration. and will incorporate many different types of wheels, especially car wheels because of the connection to be lighted and there will be lights on the waterfall that are addition, the Museum Store and Garden Shoppe will be open Henry Ford, and also wagon wheels, bicycle tires, ships’ animated and choreographed to music. until 9 p.m. every night of Holiday Nights and will be stocked steering wheels, and train wheelsets. Holiday Nights will The family-oriented event includes the Children’s Tree with unique gift items for that hard-to-buy-for loved one. run nightly through Dec. 31 (will be closed Christmas Eve Trail, which features 50 trees decorated with handmade Refreshments will be available for purchase on select nights. and Christmas night). Guided Holiday Tradition Tours will ornaments from Lee County school children. On Sunday Holiday Nights tickets for adults are $20; teens (ages 13 be offered at 6 and 7 p.m. or visitors can choose to meander evenings from 6 to 8 p.m., Santa and Mrs. Claus will be to 19) are $10; children (6 to 12) are $2; and $10 for Edison at their own pace on a self-guided tour. Inside-the-Homes visiting, and on Dec. 3 and 10, children can get their face Ford members. Guided Holiday Tradition Tours are $30 for tours will be offered on Dec. 6, 13, and 20 at 6:30 p.m., for painted (additional charge for face painting). Then, on Dec. adults, teens are $25, children are $18, and $15 for Edison a special up close look at the homes’ decorated interiors. 16 and 23, there will be a teddy bear booth, where children Ford members. Inside-the-Homes Holiday Tours are $50 per Additional lights with new technology are being installed can make a bear (additional charge). person. Lee County residents with identification will receive this year. Throughout the property, many of the displays There will be music on several nights, including strolling $5 off regular-priced Holiday Nights admission on Monday will have more lights than ever before. The palms will have carolers, a pianist, and tenor saxophone and trumpet players. nights. To purchase tickets or view the nightly schedule, visit animated “magic lights” that will change colors, and for In addition, the Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers will the website at EdisonFord.org. the first time, the historic pond near the river pavilion will perform on Dec. 13. An antique circus car (a calliope) with About Edison And Ford Winter Estates a built-in pipe organ will be Edison and Ford Winter Estates is the internationally PRSRT STD The Forest Matters played at 6 p.m. on Dec. 12. known winter homesite of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. US POSTAGE Curators will be on hand to More than 220,000 visitors walk through the location each PAID FT MYERS FL answer questions about the year from all around the globe. The organization has received PERMIT 751 car, which is a modified 1914 many awards, including the National Stewardship Award from Model T Ford. the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Guests can shop for Garden Clubs’ Historic Preservation Award. The property is gift items during Market an official project of “Save America’s Treasures,” a Florida Mondays, when multiple Historic Landmark and a National Register Historic Site. The craft and holiday vendors Edison Botanic Laboratory is a National Historic Chemical will have booths around the Landmark. The site is open every day except Thanksgiving banyan tree from 4 to 9 p.m. and Christmas from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and until 9 p.m. on Dec. 4, 11, and 18. In during the month of December for Holiday Nights.