Gateway SEPTEMBER 2025

THE SPOT FOR GATEWAY GREENS

GATEWAY

SEPTEMBER 2025

A Look Inside THE AMAZON MOONFLOWER

STEP INTO ‘FALL’ 2025 WITH FALLS AWARENESS

Production

Production

Ruth

Katie

Dianne

Karen

Michelle

The Club At Gateway

GATEWAY BLOOD DRIVES

The Club at Gateway offers six Blood Drives through Lee Health each year – right in our parking lot. Donating blood is a cause that is very important to our members and team. Did you know that adults and children use approximately 800 units of blood each week?

When you donate blood through Lee Health, your donation stays in Lee County. It is safe and easy, and most people can donate every 56 days. Therefore, we invite the

blood mobile out approximately every two months. The entire process takes about 45 minutes, including the mini-physical and simple medical history questionnaire, with the actual donation taking less than 15 minutes. Our next drive is scheduled for Saturday, September 20 and our last drive of the year will be on November 22. The blood mobile is stationed in our parking lot from 10 a.m. till 2:30 p.m. Please note that you do not have to be a member to donate. Please consider donating! To schedule your appointment, please call Angie at (239) 561-1036, option 5, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Proven results from Fort Myers to Marco Island

Decades of local expertise & community knowledge

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Director of Golf at The Club at Gateway

GOLF NEWS

We hope all of our yearround members and our summer members are enjoying our facilities over the last few months.

The golf course is and has been in great shape since the closure. We have to give a big thank you to our new Superintendent Rich Osgood for his hard work! We are excited for the upcoming season in all areas of the club!

We will be stocking the shop with new merchandise and selling many older items at some great deals! Please don’t hesitate to come by the Golf Shop at

any time to see our great selection!

The Club at Gateway Performance Center has enhanced our ability to fit members and guests for the clubs they need and has given us the opportunity to teach at a higher level with video analysis via Trackman. Even if you are not a member, please feel to reach out to the golf shop to book a fitting or lesson with one our golf professionals.

We had a great turnout for the junior camps! Thank you to everyone who participated! We hope to host more junior camps during the December school holidays!

If you are looking for private instruction, please reach out to the golf shop anytime to get your game ready for season!

GOLF COURSE CARE

The golf course is a private property. Unless you are playing golf and on the tee sheet you are not allowed to use the golf course for any other reason.

As we reach the heart of the summer season, we want to take a moment to emphasize how important proper course care is—especially now. With the course still less than a year old following its full renovation, this first year (and next) are critical to establishing long-term health and playability. The attention we give the turf now will directly impact its condition and resilience for seasons to come.

Please Take A Moment To Review The Following Reminders

• Repair all ball marks on the greens. Even one unattended mark can affect playability and turf health.

• Fill all divots with the provided sand/ seed mix to promote quicker recovery. If you are walking, please take a sand bottle with you.

• Observe the 90-degree rule when driving carts—approach your ball perpendicularly from the cart path and return promptly.

• Keep carts on paths at all times on par 3 holes.

• Avoid driving carts near tee boxes and greens please use paths only in these areas.

• Please drive in the fairways as much as possible.

• Golf carts should not be within 25 feet of any green at any point.

Your attention to these details helps ensure that all members and guests enjoy the best possible experience on the course. Thank you for your commitment to upholding the standards of our club and supporting the efforts of our maintenance team.

FITNESS NEWS

Dear Friends of The Club at Gateway,

We want to give a giant shout-out and thank you to everyone who laced up their running (or walking!) shoes and joined us for our very first Fireworks 5K in support of local charities!

Despite the unpredictable July 4th weekend weather, the skies cleared just in time, and off we went! Thanks to your energy, enthusiasm, and big

hearts, we had an incredible turnout of around 40 participants who ran, walked, and cheered for a great cause.

Your participation helped support Blessings in a Backpack, a wonderful organization providing food for students facing food insecurity across Lee, Hendry, and Collier counties—not just during the school year, but all year long.

We’re so grateful for this community and the impact we can make when we come together. Stay tuned for more fun events ahead!

THANK YOU TO:

Kathleen Ford

Yasuko Warren

Ava Eid

Brian and Kim Dunham and Friends

Deb Stephano

Ken and Dorothy Frida

Rob and Megan Johnson and Family

Ed and Stephanie Fisher

Amy Rothenberg

Carolyn Ballard

Karen Maxwell

Marie Grasmeier

Christian Lautenschleger

John Potanovic

Heather Wells

Elaina Stelmach

GATEWAY GIRLFRIENDS

The Club at Gateway’s Gateway Girlfriends Group had a fun outing at a recent Escape Room.

April Luettich

Tom Tubbs

Tom and Eileen Kallin

Kerry Swanson

Lawson Allen

And also, to our fellow Gateway Greens neighbors who also participated with the membership.

Finally, thank you to Marie for pacing the runners, and to Jessie for directing the crowd!

With heartfelt thanks,

The Club at Gateway Team

PICTURED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT –

Travis Raque Director of Racquets at The Club at Gateway

RACQUET NEWS

THE ART OF PRECISION: MASTERING THE TENNIS DROP SHOT AND PICKLEBALL DINK

In the fast-paced worlds of tennis and pickleball, power often steals the spotlight. However, seasoned players know that finesse can be just as formidable. Enter the tennis drop shot and the pickleball dink—two deceptively simple yet highly effective techniques that can shift the momentum of any match.

Tennis Drop Shot: A Game-Changer

The drop shot in tennis is the epitome of strategic play. Executed with a soft, controlled touch, it causes the ball to barely clear the net and land softly in the opponent’s court. What makes it powerful isn’t speed but surprise. By disguising the shot to look like a baseline drive, players catch their opponents off guard, forcing them to sprint forward and often leading to unforced errors. Mastery of the drop shot requires impeccable timing, precision, and an understanding of your opponent’s positioning.

Pickleball Dink: The Subtle Weapon

In pickleball, the dink is a low, soft shot directed into the kitchen, designed to neutralize aggressive play and create opportunities for a winning shot. Unlike hard drives, dinks demand patience,

control, and a tactical mindset. The key to an effective dink is consistency—keeping the ball low over the net to limit your opponent’s attack options and setting up advantageous plays.

The Common Thread: Skill And Strategy

While different in execution, both the tennis drop shot and pickleball dink emphasize the importance of touch, control, and strategic thinking over brute force. They remind us that in both sports, sometimes less is more, and the softest shots can deliver the hardest blows.

So next time you’re on the court, remember: The art of finesse could be your secret weapon.

Gateway Women’s Club

JANICE EATON, LAUREL BORGIA, MARIANNE KOLLASCH AND DONNA MARCHETTI

HILLARY LEMASTER OF ST.

MATHEW’S HOUSE ADDRESSES

GATEWAY WOMEN’S CLUB

STEPHANIE MENA

The membership of Gateway Woman’s Club recently welcomed Hillary Lemaster from St. Mathew’s House in Fort Myers. Lemaster is the Director of Grants and Institutional Giving. St. Mathew’s House’s focus is helping people move from personal crisis to community contributor.

Their mission statement is clear. St. Mathew’s House works to ensure that no one experiencing hunger, homelessness or addiction is alone or without a pathway from crisis to contributor.

Together with partners and participants, St. Mathew’s house

HILLARY LEMASTER OF ST. MATTHEW’S HOUSE

cultivates communities where people are progressively seen, accepted, challenged, and supported.

St. Mathew’s House provides a hand-up, rather than a hand-out to those in need through homeless shelters, transitional housing, feeding ministry, mobile food pantry, recovery programs and employment training initiatives. The staff focuses on meeting the unique needs of each individual in order to ensure every man, woman and child is equipped for long-term success.

St. Mathew’s House was founded in 1987. They have expanded as the needs of the communities served expand and now have 21 locations in

four counties. One purpose has remained strong: Focus on local problems. St. Mathew’s House stays true to their five pillars: food assistance, homeless shelters, addiction recovery, transitional housing and workforce development. In 2024, 2,600,000 meals were distributed, 681 people were moved from homeless to housed, and 531 people gained/retained jobs.

Recently, St. Mathew’s House opened a shelter designated for women and children at 3637 Dr.

Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., with 11 private dorms for women with children and 28 beds for single women.

St. Mathew’s House is a 501 (c)(3) charity with a 4-star rating. Their unique business model ensures donated funds go to support the programs. There are many ways to support St. Mathew’s House, whether it be through community partnerships, volunteerism, monetary donations, goods donations to their House Thrift Stores, or legacy donations. To learn more, go to https://stmathewshouse.org .

BRIDGE LAUREL BORGIA

Bridge 101 will meet September 2 and 16 at Hampton Park Amenity Center at 10 a.m. Please contact Susie Kravetz by phone or email, to let her know if you are attending. (her information is in the directory). A number count is needed as she needs to give your name to the gate. They welcome anyone who plays bridge.

BOOK CLUB

JAN HARTZELL

SIT AND STITCH ELEANOR STUART

The next Sit and Stitch meeting will be hosted by Jan Hartzell, on September 8 at 1 p.m. Please contact Jan if you plan to attend. Her information can be found in the GWC Directory. The group includes many GWC members working on different projects. The members are still working on projects for hospice and scarves for collegeattending students who were in foster care. Any GWC member is welcome to join.

The GWC Book Club will gather on September 9 to discuss this month’s novel called After Annie by author Anna Quindlen. The hostess will be Mary Mills assisted by co-hostess Kathy Flaherty. The group will meet at 7 p.m. and Mary is kind enough to lead the discussion for the second time this summer – thank you, Mary!

After Annie by Anna Quindlen is a poignant exploration of loss, resilience, and the complex dynamics of a grieving family. The novel captures the raw, emotional journey of the Brown family as they navigate the void left by Annie’s sudden death. Quindlen delicately portrays the struggles each family member faces as they attempt to rebuild their lives and find solace amidst the chaos of their shared grief. With rich character development and an honest portrayal of love and loss, After Annie is a deeply moving narrative about the enduring bonds of family and the painful process of healing.

See Mary’s address in your GWC Directory and please let her know by September 7 if you are planning to attend so that she can notify the gate attendant.

DINING OUT

SUSAN ROBERTS

In Southwest Florida, opportunities to savor the flavors of the Gulf are boundless. Enjoying fresh seafood without driving to the coast is even better! So, the Gateway Women’s Club did not hesitate to venture to Coconut Point to enjoy the coastal flavors and classic favorites at Fresh Catch Inland recently.

Fresh Catch Inland opened in February 2025, bringing a taste of the gulf to its new location. Fresh Catch Bistro, its sister restaurant, began making

waves on Fort Myers Beach in 2012. Owner Franco Russo always envisioned duplicating the Fresh Catch concept. After Hurricane Ian, with overwhelming support from the community, Russo was inspired to make his dream a reality. Russo is excited to offer a refined take on the brand and expand the Fresh Catch menu, where classic coastal dishes are complemented with new creations.

The members and guests of Gateway Women’s Club were likewise excited to dive into deliciousness at the upscale,

BOB AND CONNIE ROESSLER

vibrant atmosphere of Fresh Catch Inland. The private dining room was spacious and offered freedom for the GWC members and guests to mingle.

With a splash of flavor in every bite, the GWC diners enjoyed a variety of the menu offerings, including fish and chips, salmon, shrimp, calamari, pork chops, and short ribs. Many of the members and guests took advantage of the prix fixe menu, which included a beverage, starter, entree and dessert. Key lime pie and chocolate cake were popular choices for dessert and extended the opportunities for conversations to linger.

In the end, the GWC Dining Out Group enjoyed the evening of good food and good cheer. To paraphrase a Tina Turner song, it was “shrimply” the best!

SPECIAL EVENT

KATHY FLAHERTY

The Gateway Women’s Club recently attended the performance of “Jersey Beat” at Cape Cabaret. Those in attendance were Lois Bass, Kathy and David Craig, Kathy and Jeff Fabisiak, Dorothy and Ken Freda, Mireya and Pedro Gonzalez, Lois Hyatt, Jo and Tom Iwanski, Pat Kasella, Mary Mills, JoAnn and Steve Montalbano, Claudette O’Connor, Claudia and Mark Polzer, Mona Robrish, Mireya Rossi, Linda Steele and Jim Brann, Debby and Bob Stephano, Charlotte Stewart and Al Olds, Don and Vonnie Winklepleck, Debbie and Bill Wood, and Kathy Flaherty.

AND

Many came early to enjoy the halfprice Happy Hour and reduced appetizers. The band was excellent, playing and singing many popular songs from different decades. The group was lively and moving with the music. Everyone seemed to enjoy the dancing. They danced slow dances, fast dances, the twist, and even line dancing. Everyone said they enjoyed it, and some wanted to know if the group was planning to return.

Membership in Gateway Women’s Club is open to any woman residing in a Gateway community neighborhood, whether a full-time or seasonal resident. Gateway Women’s Club is not affiliated with the Club at Gateway and applicants do not need to be a member of the Club to join Gateway Women’s Club. For more information or to obtain an application to join Gateway Women’s Club, please contact Susan Roberts, GWC Membership Chair, at skroberts77@yahoo.com.

The Spot For Gateway Greens

A SOUND INFRASTRUCTURE KEEPS US SAFE!

What is “infrastructure” and how does the HOA handle infrastructure issues? The term refers to the physical structures and components within a community including common areas, buildings and other amenities designed to both keep residents safe and enhance the quality of life. Here are a few examples:

• Roads and Pathways: ensuring streets and sidewalks provide safe access and navigation

• Landscaping: well-maintained common areas such as community entrances

• Security: gated entrances and surveillance systems to enhance safety

• Management: an association that establishes and maintains infrastructure standards

Part of the benefit of living in a managed community is that the Association keeps an eye toward regular maintenance in the community and identifies near-term and futureterm projects for refresh or repair. Neglect of infrastructure issues can impair quality of life, lead to accidents and potential liability, and decreased property values. As infrastructure deteriorates over time, planned restoration helps maintain on-going safety and visual appeal.

The Gateway Greens Community Association Board is proactive to prevent these infrastructure issues by providing oversight, proper planning, adequate funding for the short-term problems, and reserve funds for the future. About 25% of the annual budget is dedicated to infrastructure, including pavement and re-surfacing, road and curb repair and replacement, wall and monument painting and repair, sidewalk replacement, irrigation piping replacement, access control equipment, street signs, exterior fencing, sewer, electrical and monument repair and occasional engineering support.

Keeping our community safe and wellmaintained is a core responsibility of our Association.

WELCOME TO OUR GATEWAY GREENS NEIGHBORHOODS AND THEIR LEADERS!

Our Gateway Greens community includes many neighborhoods, and we introduced you to Callaway Greens and Neighborhood Association President Shannon Emond in our first article. Next up is Hammock Cove and Neighborhood President Michael Jordan!

EXPERIENCE HAMMOCK COVE

Hammock Cove is one of the newest Gateway Greens neighborhoods and is comprised of 136 town homes with a mixture of 2- and 3-bedroom homes built by DR Horton and Pulte. You will find neighborhood, driveway and pool parties at their heated community pool in every season within this close community! Friends are made and maintained during Fourth of July, birthday and themed parties in a family friendly atmosphere that includes people who are glad to live in the neighborhood.

• Need help with hurricane shutters? They’ve got you.

• Want to dress up in ’80s themed attire? They’re in.

• … Got a birthday to celebrate? Order a cake.

The Hammock Cove Neighborhood Association prides itself on not only the atmosphere, but on the upkeep. Landscaping is provided for not only common areas but also irrigation and plants. In addition, they are proud that “The Cove” has endured four hurricanes and never lost power or sustained major damage to any of their units.

Alliant Management supports the Hammock Cove board to ensure things are well taken care of and issues are resolved. HOA dues support the neighborhood, the pool and also the associated responsibilities of the master Gateway Greens HOA including cable and internet service and maintaining our pond and roads.

Check us out! We’d love to meet you.

The Spot For Gateway Greens

MEET HAMMOCK COVE’S HOA PRESIDENT

Our second installment of “meet our neighborhoods and their leaders” features Hammock Cove and their Neighborhood Association President Michael Jordan. Sigh … not THAT Michael Jordan, as he will tell you he makes NO RESIDUALS on all that merchandise! But he is nonetheless just as famous, with a charming and welcoming personality to everyone he meets.

As will be our approach with all Neighborhood Association Presidents who agree to this level of spotlight, we met with Michael to learn about his experiences, background and reasons for moving to and getting involved with the local HOA. Read on to get to know Gateway’s OWN Michael Jordan!

• What motivated you to serve as Hammock Cove’s HOA President? Michael cares deeply about ensuring that everyone in the community is treated with respect and kindness. And although he quickly fell in love with his new neighborhood, he wasn’t convinced that his expectations of a collaborative and respectful environment were being met. Fortunately, he took that next big step that so many are reluctant to do: he got involved.

• How would you describe your leadership style and how have your life experiences prepared you for this role?

Great leaders are willing to listen and respond frankly to others – and Michael learned that early in his career. He also understands that for any larger community to maintain a harmonious and attractive environment, rules need to exist and be managed. He is direct and honest with others, making sure that others are aware of “why” things are what they are, and to also understand our own accountability to seek change when necessary. Gathering information, attending meetings, voicing an opinion and voting when asked are critical to being a part of a solution. Michael wants to make sure he and his community have a voice within the master HOA, which is why he often attends the monthly master HOA board meetings and the more recently implemented Neighborhood Presidents meeting. Keeping Hammock Cove a beautiful and safe place to live is his key priority.

• Favorite pastimes in Florida, and what do you miss most about living elsewhere?

Going to the pool, golfing and going out on a friend’s boat, where they relax for the ride, stop when and where they want, and go out to lunch! Indiana will always have a spot in his heart, where they still have family, friends and a church community who they will always treasure and maintain close ties. Although they miss the old, they

are loving their new local connections: he is on the creative arts team at his church, his wife is in charge of the nursery, and they have many good friends within the Gateway Greens neighborhoods.

• What are you most passionate about? Many years ago, Michael attended a 72-hour-long event called The Great Banquet. He joined what has become a 20+ year community that involves living and learning together through talks, prayer and discussion. The resulting sense of community and spiritual growth that emphasized hospitality and the value of maintaining connections has kept him grounded and introduced a lifechanging course correction for which he is forever grateful. Providing for, living in and giving back to ensure a good community are key passions in his life.

• What qualities do you most admire in others?

Those who look you in the eye and are honest even if their view might be considered unpopular.

• What words would you use to describe yourself?

Fun, loving, caring, hospitable and always there for people.

• What’s something you’re really bad at?

Two things! Keeping in contact with people that he is not around all the time and being a procrastinator. Michael was “that student” who waited until the night before to get his essay written – but : if the report is due by the 15th it’s turned in on the 15th! He might be a procrastinator, but he meets his commitments.

• What’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever seen?

Boyne Mountain in Michigan right after a two-foot snow.

• What do you like best about living in Gateway Greens?

Well-maintained, safe and secure, and in a great area where we are not in the middle of everything but can easily get to everything! And most of all – the people are so nice.

Thank you, Michael for your candid and heartfelt remarks – we are glad you’re here!

The Spot For Gateway Greens

GATEWAY

SERVICES COMMUNITY

DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT (GSCDD)

The Gateway Services Community Development District (GSCDD) is responsible for managing, funding, constructing, operating, and maintaining public infrastructure and services to the Gateway Services Community Development District. Although the GSCDD has no relationship to the Gateway Greens HOA, it’s important to know what they do, and how and when to contact them.

GSCDD Core Services and Responsibilities

• Potable water, wastewater, and irrigation utilities

• Maintenance of Gateway Greens common areas and landscaping – for areas like the fountain on Gateway Boulevard, but NOT within the private property of Gateway Greens Community Association

• Management of recreation facilities: Sherman Soccer Complex, Fun Park, Linear Park, Commons Pool, Dog Park and walking paths throughout GSCDD

• Conservation area maintenance

• Oversight of pond and stormwater management (including removal of nuisance alligators)

• Maintenance of GSCDD-owned roads and street lighting – NOT within the private property of Gateway Greens Community Association

• Facility rentals through Facilitron (e.g., picnic tables, soccer field, Funbrella, boardroom, etc.)

GSCDD Resident Services and Resources

• Water Service Registration: new residents, owners, or tenants must submit a new service application for water utility service

• Irrigation Schedule: note that residents must follow the “one-day-per-week” watering schedule from February 1 to May 31, per Lee County Ordinance 24-01

• ClickFix: a mobile application for residents to notify district staff of issues at any time and from anywhere by submitting service requests: www.gatewaydistrict.org/rfa

• Notifications: residents are encouraged to subscribe to GSCDD notifications for updates specific to their neighborhood or community and the District newsletter: www.gatewaydistrict.org/subscribe

• CodeRED: sign up for emergency alerts and notifications by texting GSCDD at 99411.

Current Projects

A. A new $5 million Administrative Building will include office space with several multi-purpose rooms and an Emergency Operations Center for the district.

B. Plans for a 15-acre Commons Park near the Common Pool featuring multiple sports courts (pickleball, bocce, basketball, and paddle ball), walking and biking trails, a playground, various amenities, additional parking spaces, and the installation of a site drainage and stormwater system.

C. A district-wide utility infrastructure improvement plan including meter and underground fitting replacement and relocating meter boxes where necessary.

D. A project to clean and inspect gravity sewer mains, laterals, and manholes using Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) technology.

Stay updated on completed and ongoing initiatives, infrastructure improvements, and community developments at www.gatewaydistrict.org/districtprojects

GSCDD Management Structure

The GSCDD is governed by a fivemember Board of Supervisors (BOS) that

GATEWAY GREENS COMMUNITY CHANNEL ON COMCAST

are elected by residents. The Board sets policies, goals, and adopts resolutions. Board meetings are held the first and third Thursday of each month at 3 p.m. at 13240 Griffin Drive, Fort Myers, FL. Public comments are welcome on both agenda and non-agenda items, with speakers allowed up to 3 minutes. Meeting agendas and minutes are available on the district website under the Agenda Dashboard: www.gatewaydistrict.org

The GSCDD office is located at 11922 Fairway Lakes Dr., Suite 1, Ft. Myers, FL 33913

Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Phone: (239) 561-1313, Fax: (239) 561-1350

Social Media:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/gatewaycdd

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/gateway.cdd

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/GSCDD

Check out Comcast channel 195 for information dedicated to the Gateway Greens Community Homeowners Association! The channel is one of several platforms designed to keep residents informed, engaged and connected on an easy-toaccess platform. Content includes:

• Community calendar of upcoming events and activities

• Community landscaping schedule that includes annual plantings, tree trimmings, fertilization plans, etc.

• Infrastructure project timelines detailing new projects, maintenance activities, etc.

• Community messages including announcements and notices from the Gateway Greens administration, including our property manager, Alliant Management

• Website information including portal updates

• Design Review Committee (DRC) and Design Review Manual (DRM) updates

Please submit any suggestions or feedback to homeownersmatter@gatewaygreens.com so that we can improve our content!

The Spot For Gateway Greens

FROM FARM TO FAIRWAY: MEET CHUCK, NATALIE AND BABY ZELDA

Sometimes, even a global pandemic can bring unexpected joy. For Natalie Pagoria and Chuck Malik, COVID-19 turned into a love story—one that now includes a happy marriage, a sweet baby girl, and a life they love here in Gateway Greens’ Fairway Isles South.

Natalie and Chuck moved to our neighborhood two years ago and have quickly become part of the Gateway family. With a 14-month-old daughter and a happy dog, their home is full of energy, love, and lots of greenery—more on that in a minute!

Natalie grew up grounded (quite literally) on a farm in northern Wisconsin, where her family grew their own food. Her family’s apple orchard, bakery, and produce farm were a staple of the local farmers market and community. That deep connection to nature and nurturing things stuck with her. After college at Marquette University, Natalie’s perpetual curiosity and love for nature led her to the Peace Corps where she served in Kenya. There, she fell in love with the vibrant local culture and vegetation: passion fruit, pineapple, mangoes, and more. She even built a solar-powered mango dryer which her students used to win a science fair without her!

Her deep appreciation for nature has made Gateway Greens feel like home. Today, Natalie has a thriving backyard ecosystem with

everything from orchids and philodendrons to pollinator playgrounds and dreamy live oak. She credits many of her lovely neighbors for contributing clippings and gardening wisdom.

But Natalie’s roots go far beyond plants. She’s a driven and compassionate family medicine physician who has worked in everything from Covid hospital units to HIV care and healthcare administration. With over 20 years of experience, she is passionate about providing exceptional care, building highperforming teams, and creating innovative solutions. In her current role as a Physician

Advisor at Lee Health, Natalie works to ensure high-quality patient care, operation efficiency, regulatory compliance, and financial sustainability, all while bridging the gap between medical staff and administration. Chuck, meanwhile, keeps the hospital running in a very different way. The couple met in a Chicago hospital in 2020 where Natalie was training doctors on a new system, and Chuck was the IT guy making it all work. Sparks flew. Fast forward to today: Chuck now manages the IT Infrastructure at Lee Health, keeping systems

and data centers running 24/7—sometimes even sleeping there during hurricanes!

In 2024, their greatest adventure began with baby Zelda’s arrival. Natalie proudly calls motherhood her biggest achievement to date, and Chuck has traded his scratch golf game for diaper duty and baby meals (although he still sneaks in a round now and then at Gateway, sometimes with Natalie and Zelda in tow). He jokes by claiming he is the only northerner to move to Florida and play less golf, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.

They’ve quickly become part of the Gateway community—enjoying dog walks with neighbors, Gateway Women’s Club activities, and trying out local favorites like brunch at Skinny Dogz, salad bar at the Club, or a Stromboli from Saucy Meatball (when they’re not cooking at home as Chuck grills, Natalie makes pizza and amazing Christmas cookies!) They love the neighborhood’s culture, sense of community, lush greenery, proximity to the airport, and the warm mix of young families, retirees, and snowbirds.

So next time you see a couple strolling through the Club, on the road, or golf course with a baby, don’t be shy. Say hello to Chuck, Natalie, and little Zelda. You’ll be glad you did!

Professional Gateway Artist Has Work Selected For Arts Bonita Juried Exhibit, ‘Verdant Visions’

Lynne Olson, who has a professional art studio in Gateway Greens, received a “call to artists” from Bonita Arts, Center For The Arts in Bonita Springs. The exhibit was entitled “Verdant Visions” featuring the color green. The call described the inspiration for the exhibit title and the request to artists. “A restful, soothing color that invokes the beauty and harmony of nature and growth – green – in all of its many hues – is what we hope will inspire artworks for this opencall exhibition. From lime green to emerald, whether depicted in abstract strokes and textures or in realistic botanical imagery artists are invited to incorporate this fresh and beautiful color into works of art in any media, subject or style.”

Lynne responded to the “call” with a painting entitled Sanibel Kayak which has been selected for the juried exhibit. It features a singular long red kayak nestled among the tropical growth of Sanibel Island.

Lynne stated, “I was on Sanibel to paint natural beauty. It is a place to think, creative problem solve and reflect in the green mystique of the beautiful Island. No maddening crowds and just some alone time. And then, perhaps enter the verdant forest in my bold red kayak and have a conversation with nature. The painting is

symbolic of this experience. Perhaps others will be inspired and make the short trip to our tropical gem.”

Lynne is a graduate of BFA programs from the Ringling College of Art and Design, Colorado State University and has a graduate degree from the University of Wisconsin and postgraduate work through Florida International University.

Lynne has lived in and created and exhibited her work throughout Florida for the past 25 years. In addition, she has created and exhibited work in Aspen and Vail, Colo.; Carmel, Calif.; Paris, Mount Saint-Michel Michel, Honfleur, France; and Stockholm, Sweden. Known for her paintings of fantasy woodlands and imaginary portraiture her work can be seen on her web page, lynneolsonart. com . She can be contacted through her website via the “contact” feature of the site.

Exhibit title: “Verdant Visions”

Exhibit open August 7 to September 18, 2025

Location of exhibit: Performing Arts Center, Hinman Gallery-in-the-Round, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. Opening night and dates of exhibit are free and open to the public.

Arts Bonita is committed to enriching the lives of the community by providing opportunities for artistic expression, education and appreciation. Arts Bonita has two campus locations – each dedicated to the visual or performing arts.

Continental Women’s Club

LIZ PAUL

The Continental Women’s Club will hold its monthly luncheon meeting on Thursday, October 2 at 11:30 a.m. Our speaker will be Christopher Balzano who is a writer, researcher, folklorist and current host of the podcast Tripping on Legends. His interesting presentation will focus on documentation of the paranormal and urban legends.

The meetings are being held at The Hideaway Country Club, 5670 Trailwinds Drive, Fort Myers 33907.   The cost to attend the luncheon is $28.  Please call Liz Paul at (239) 691-7561 by the deadline of

Tuesday, September 24 for meal selection and to make a reservation.

Continental Women’s Club is a social, cultural, and philanthropic organization established in 1975, with membership open to women living in Lee County. We have many special events and interest groups within our club that you can participate in for social and educational purposes throughout the month and the year. In addition, we contribute to many local charities and award two scholarships each year to senior high school girls who plan on furthering their education.

Whispers Of God…

DR. MARK P. GONZALES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ROYAL PALM ASSOCIATION OF CHURCHES, SBC

HURRICANE TRUTHS

Storms are one thing, like we talked about last month. But hurricanes— and other tragic disasters, like this summer’s Texas flooding—are a totally different story, aren’t they? So, let’s talk about those deeper times and traumas, and some of the questions they bring up about God and His ways.

I will never forget the day I was having an irritable chat with the Lord, back in 2004, as I was driving down a busy Daniels Road. I was explaining—okay, maybe complaining—to Him about my wife’s seemingly over-reactive fear of a relatively small hurricane that was churning north outside of our coastline and forecast to hit Tampa a few days later.

“Maybe we ought to get some plywood to board up all of our windows, sliders, and doors,” she said. “Maybe we need to store up some water, emergency food, batteries, flashlights, and even a generator,” she droned on. And as I shared all this with Him in my thoughts, groans, and frustration, I finally blurted out: “Why can’t she have as much faith as I have that YOU are going to protect us, Lord, not the plywood and all that

other stuff! Do you know how much work that would be?!! Faithless woman! Arrrrggg!!!”

Pause. Then my heart heard Him whisper:

“Son, I never promised to keep you from the storms. I promised to keep you through the storms.”

Oh. Right. Yeah, Jesus did say: “In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” And yeah, I guess that includes hurricanes. So, call this truth number 1. Now, moving on . . .

“So how do you keep us through a hurricane, Lord?” That’s when I heard truth number 2.

“I start by prompting you to heed the warnings and prepare early on.”

Uh oh. That means the problem wasn’t my wife’s lack of faith. She had plenty. It was my lazy presumption about the future path of a hurricane and trying to pass

it off as faith. Busted! Boy was my face red and my heart heavy. So, I repented (a radical change of mind and heart) and immediately drove to my good friend’s lumber yard and made even more stops after that.

Good thing. A few days later, Tampabound Hurricane Charley suddenly intensified to Cat 4, made a hard right turn in the Gulf, and slammed into Punta Gorda and Lee County on August 13th, 2004. It was devastating to many in its path.

Thank you for preparing us and keeping us, Lord! We were so grateful.

But not everybody was spared by the heavy impact. And that brings up more questions, doesn’t it? Not just: “Did Tampa folks pray harder than Ft. Myers folks?” Or “Were we hit because we are more sinful down here than they are up there? (The answer to both is “Of course not!”) Let’s go ahead and tackle the harder ones. Sharper ones. Grieving ones.

What about those who didn’t or couldn’t prepare for that hurricane, or the 911 attacks, or that midnight flood in the Texas hill country where I’m from? Where was God for those who were maimed or lost their lives? Especially the innocent little girls?? Why didn’t He keep them and so many others through the disaster, trauma, and even death???

Now, let’s be careful here. The deeper hurricane truths I am about to share are most certainly NOT for the immediate aftermath or maybe even the early months or years for those grieving, traumatized, and recovering from the tragic impacts of such things. Rather, they are for the season of painful spiritual therapy that most often follows a season of painful physical therapy. Healing, all kinds of healing, takes time, assuming you are doing and thinking the right things.

So, here is truth number 3. Our grief from trauma stays too strong when our thoughts of God become too small. Or angry. Or bitter. Such as:

“God abandoned me that day.”

“God did not protect us like He said.”

“God didn’t care.”

“God wasn’t fair.”

“God was not there.”

Actually, He was there. He is always there. And He always cares. Plus, His works are way beyond “fair.” They are about grace. Abundant grace. Amazing grace. And all of that is truth number 4.

God has and freely shares all kinds of grace. We just need eyes to see it and hearts to receive it. His . . .

Grace of provision in all kinds of need. Grace of comfort in all types of grief. Grace of courage in lengthy recovery.

Grace of crying with the truest of friends. Grace of peace in the darkest of nights. Grace of trust when hope starts to fade. Grace of death when our time has come.

Whether by flood, wind, fire, crashes, attacks, illness and more, even death is indeed a grace from God for those who know, love, and trust Him. For believers, death is a door, not a grave. A beginning, not an end. A transformation, not a termination, my friends. And Jesus said: “Let the little children come to me, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Big views of a very big God, and a comforting God.

Even as believers, we will never know when our – or their – time is done. But when it is, Jesus is there to swoop us up and take us to a place He’s prepared just for us—or for them, our loved ones, or those innocent ones we see in the news.

He is also there to swoop us up and nurture us through all the wounds, pain, suffering and despair we will face in this brutal and still beautiful world of ours.

Yes, it is a both/and world. Joy and sorrow. Healing and suffering. Beauty and destruction. Love and war. Ecstasy and agony. How do get our heads around that? How do we deal with such discordant combinations? Mixed emotions?

Fluctuating forecasts? Unpredictable hurricanes, literally and metaphorically? Well, we can’t.

That’s why we have a Savior. That’s why we need a Savior.

And that’s why we need to listen for His whispers to “Come to me,” especially when we need to hear His hurricane truths.

Still learning from Him with you, Pastor Mark (mark@quillpress.org)

Articles, videos and podcasts: markpg.org.

Write and share at mark@quillpress.org. Hear me every Saturday, 8 a.m. on 91.5 FM.

From The Desk Of Sheriff Carmine Marceno...

SECURING EXTERIOR DOORS

An estimated 34% of residential burglars enter through a home’s front door. While I was unable to locate documentation regarding side and rear door entries, they, too, are frequent targets.

Additionally, a fairly recent and ongoing TikTok “challenge” that encourages youngsters to kick in the front doors of unknown homes prompts me to discuss an easy fix that will help reinforce and secure all exterior doors.

Exterior doors have points of vulnerability. These points include where the door meets the strike plate, as well as where the door hinges attach to the doorjamb.

In an effort to address these issues and to enhance your door’s ability to withstand force, it is recommended that strike plate screws and hinge screws be upgraded.

Most doors, when installed, utilize #9 ¾-inch or 1-inch wood screws. These screws attach both the strike plate and the hinges to the doorjamb. Being small in size, they offer extremely limited support when facing blunt force.

A simple and inexpensive fix can dramatically increase your door’s ability to withstand forced entry.

Replace the shorter door-strike and hinge screws with fully threaded, 3-inch wood screws. A total of 11 screws will likely be required (two for strike plate and nine for three hinges).

By utilizing these 3-inch screws, hinges and strike plates will now be secured through the doorjambs and into the door’s framing studs. It is estimated that these longer screws will triple the resistance of solid-core, exterior doors.

Multiple locking points add additional security to your entrance.

The addition of a dead bolt lock is a bit more complicated and involved, will take approximately one hour to complete and incurs some cost. There are numerous dead bolt locks to choose from, including various grades, types of cylinders (single or double) and pickresistant features, that you may wish to discuss with a professional.

These simple upgrades will substantially reduce the vulnerability of your exterior doors.

Fall “FALL PREVENTION” Fair and Educational Event

Get ready for an incredible event!

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Fort Myers Collaboratory 2031 Jackson St. Fort Myers, FL 33901 Scan Here to RSVP

Monday, September 22

Limited space available for the "Ask the Experts" Falls Panel Discussion. To RSVP, please reserve your spot today. Call 239-468-0050 or

You will learn about the many strategies that can empower you to lower your risk of Falls and hear from experts specializing in Falls and Injury Prevention. Refreshments will be available. Best of all, it's completely free!

What to expect:

» 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Vendor Fair (the vendors will be available throughout the duration of the event)

» 10:30-noon “Fall Prevention” educational presentation followed by an “Ask The Experts” panel discussion (seating is limited and Pre-registration required)

Join Lee Health Trauma Services and Step Smart for free Falls Prevention health fair on the first day of fall. Enjoy screenings and expert tips to help older adults reduce fall risks and stay safe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), older adults, aged 65 and above, experience a fall every second of every day, making falls the leading cause of traumatic injury and death in this age group. Falls are a significant public health concern. Lee Health offers balance screenings, presentations yearround, and education to prevent falls. Classes aim to ensure seniors and caregivers in the five-county area can access methods and techniques to reduce the risk of falls and improve safety in their everyday lives. Register Here

» Noon -2 p.m.: Tai Chi and Walking Pole demos available

Step Into ‘Fall’ 2025 With Falls Awareness

The Injury Prevention team at Lee Health is dedicated to educating Lee County and surrounding communities on fall awareness. Our team collaborates closely with the Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition, which comprises numerous experts from health and safety agencies. Our multidisciplinary partnership includes public and private stakeholders, such as fire and rescue services, emergency medical services, law enforcement agencies, hospital outreach programs and local health organizations. These collaborative efforts facilitate the provision of valuable resources, enhance operational efficiency and ensure consistent messaging in safety education for the surrounding communities.

Some experts contend that enhancing our understanding of falls’ role in mortality can contribute to increased longevity, particularly as individuals age when the consequences of falls become more severe. While individuals over 65 exhibit a heightened vulnerability to falling, people across all age groups face an elevated risk.

Implementing fundamental yet critical fall prevention measures can significantly mitigate unintentional injuries and fatalities resulting from falls. According to a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 2003 to 2023, the death rates associated with falls increased by over 70% among adults aged 65 to 74, by more than 75% for those aged 75 to 84 and have more than doubled for seniors aged 85 and older. Additionally, other experts have identified that alterations in auditory and visual perception are among the various factors contributing to falls. Furthermore, medications, inappropriate footwear and chronic health conditions can initiate a series of health complications following a fall. Here’s how to aid in the prevention of falls.

• Recognize your risk of falling and take measures to correct preventable issues.

• Identify hazards such as balance/ coordination problems, hearing/vision issues, and specific health problems that may put you at a greater risk of falling.

• Wear appropriate footwear.

• Use safe ladder practice when working inside and outside of the home.

• Use safer alternatives like step stools instead of furniture in the home.

• Throw rugs and other home decorating items left on the floor can be fall hazards.

• Use caution with pets, large or small. They can get under your feet, causing you to lose your balance and fall.

• Be aware of small children in your home and be extra cautious to know where they are always (especially when they are crawling or “new walkers,” toddler age).

• Use “plug-in” nightlights.

• Make sure to have lighting at the top and bottom of the stairs.

• Use nonslip mats, especially in bathrooms.

• Install handrails where needed.

• Wear footwear with rubber, nonskid soles.

• Complete yearly routine checkups, including chronic illnesses, vision, and hearing.

References

• Older Adults in the U.S. are Dying from Unintentional Falls. (2025). U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from: Older adults in the U.S. are increasingly dying from unintentional falls. CNN

• Tracey N. Thornton, MBA, BSHA, AHA, LPN

Catch The Action

CAPT. BILL RUSSELL

SEPTEMBER ON THE WATER

With the arrival of September, the end of summer is in sight as we gradually break away from long, hot, muggy days, and slowly transition to shorter, cooler days of autumn. This is welcoming news for anglers fishing around Southwest Florida. Days become less humid with a slight drop in temperature, a relief after a hot Florida summer. Don’t get me wrong, there will still be plenty of hot and humid days, but they become more tolerable as the month progresses. September is also the height of hurricane season; fingers crossed for a quiet month and season in Southwest Florida.

Just as anglers enjoy the change of seasons, fish respond, as they become more active resulting in improved fishing. With a slight drop in water temperature, you can expect fish to exert more energy and feed consistently throughout the day. Of course, it’s fishing, there are days when you can’t buy a bite no matter what, but chances for success are tipped in your favor as the water cools.

Offshore, as water temperatures drop, look for fish to move closer to shore in shallower depths and pelagic species heading south down the coast. Grouper, plus large snapper, should be caught with consistency in depths beginning around 65 feet in Gulf waters. Artificial reefs that dot our coast, along with hard bottom and ledges in 30- to 70-foot depths are great

locations to catch a variety of different fish from small to large. Gag grouper has a very short open season the first two weeks of September.

Mangrove snapper fishing was good through the summer and should continue strong this month. Snapper school up around some type of structure that could include bridge pilings, docks, piers, oyster bars, creeks, mangroves shorelines, or any type of manmade or natural submerged structure. Fishing over hard bottom over the slack tide in many of the Gulf passes is a great way to fill a cooler with tasty snapper. Offshore, they are found in numbers over artificial reefs and limestone ledges. Scale down your tackle with a light fluorocarbon leader of 20 pounds or lighter and small hooks. Best baits include shrimp (live or dead), small pilchards or pinfish, and a variety of cut baits. Chumming is a great option to attract snapper and get them fired up.

It’s possible over the month to come across schools of large redfish roaming the inshore shallows. Often a hundred or more travel along the edge of shallow bars and shorelines eating anything in their path. If you come across a school, make a long cast in front of the lead fish, and hang on. These big reds often run 30 inches or larger and are schooling until we get our first real cold front, likely in October.

Bigger sea trout are moving back into shallower water to feed; this is a great time to work a top water plug across your favorite trout flats. Plenty of sea trout are caught under the endless schools of baitfish, look for birds and surface activity. Trout fishing will get better as the month moves along.

Snook begin to leave the beaches and Gulf passes where they spend the summer months and transition back inshore into the flats. Target snook around oyster bars, shorelines, sand holes, and structures such as riprap, docks, piers and bridges. This is often one of the best months for snook fishing as they are active, on the move and foraging on a variety of baits. Good numbers of snook will also remain along the beaches and Gulf passes as well. Snook season remains closed through September.

For charter information, please contact us at Gulf Coast Guide Service and “Catch the Action” with Capt. Bill Russell, call or text (239) 410-8576, website: www.fishpineisland.com , email: gcl2fish@live.com .

Stay up to date with fishing regulations by visiting the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission at: www. myfwc.com. Also, upload the Fish Rules app on your phone. It has current regulations with pictures to help identify fish. If you turn on your GPS location the Fish Rules app updates to your location. In my opinion, it is more accurate and up to date than FWC’s website.

With a variety of fish and enjoyable weather, this is a great month to get out there and see what you can catch!

Capt. Bill Russell is a native and lifelong resident of Pine Island who has spent his entire life fishing the waters surrounding Pine Island and Southwest Florida. For the past 29 years, Bill has been a professional fishing guide who takes pride in customizing each trip to ensure everyone on board has a great time and will return again. Come join us and “Catch the Action.”

The Amazon Moonflower

KAREN M. MAXWELL, HORTICULTURE PROGRAMS COORDINATOR AND HORTICULTURE SPECIALIST

Researching the history of plants takes me down many roads, and the most interesting paths include the trials and tribulations of special people who are driven by an obsession, a desire or simply a need to advance knowledge for the rest of us. This is a story about two people, born nearly 100 years apart and a mutual desire to conquer the same plant. One was an intrepid and distinguished artist; the other is a young botanist/researcher who has spent much time at Edison and Ford Winter Estates.

Some readers may be acquainted with the epiphytic family of plants we collect and grow at the estates known collectively as “jungle cactus.” For the unfamiliar, this group of plants is native to tropical regions of the New World, from deep within South American rainforests to arid mountain plains and encompasses the well-known Christmas Cactus, Mistletoe Cactus and Dragon Fruit.

Several of our jungle cactus are flat-leaved epiphyllums including Epiphyllum hookeri, Epiphyllum oxypetalum and Pseudorhipsalis amazonica . The former two are night bloomers that produce large stunning white flowers that open for a single evening, quite similarly to the subject of this story. The latter develops small pinkish-blue flowers that resemble the flame on a lighter, hence its common name, Blue Flame. All three grow with flat stems – from the narrow

leafed oxypetalum to the wide leafed P. amazonica, where this kind of structure allows these jungle cacti to wrap around host trees in a symbiotic relationship.

As our collection has grown and prospered, there is one elusive, extremely rare flat-leaved jungle cactus that we seek to propagate – the Amazon Moonflower or Strophocactus wittii. A few years back, I was gifted a small piece of plant from one of our vendors (Brian from Tropiflora), but it did not survive its first summer here. When I shared this information with him, he promptly gave me another Strophocactus, allowing us to employ improved cultivation techniques, which have resulted in a thriving specimen. So far, we have had it growing successfully for two years. Brian, on the other hand, lost his entire collection during Hurricane Milton. We feel it is only fair to protect, nurture and propagate this rare epiphyllum with the goal of replacing his gift.

This month, I relish the efforts of the late Margaret Mee – the renowned and intrepid botanical artist who, at age 78 and with two recent hip replacements, undertook her Journey Fifteen. Mee had devoted over 30 years of her life documenting the flora of South America and had yet to catch the rare Amazon Moonflower in bloom and memorialize it in watercolor. Following an extraordinary life of chronicling and raising the alarm of rainforest destruction, little did she know this would be her final journey into the Amazon.

Impressed by her extensive work in Brazil, British naturalist and filmmaker, Tony Morrison decided it was time for the BBC to underwrite a documentary on her 30 years of work. In 1976, Mee had received the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her work on Brazilian botany. On approach, Tony inquired of Margaret – What is your greatest ambition? Without hesitation she replied, to paint the Strophocactus in bloom. The plant had already been collected and identified by a German plant hobbyist named N.H. Witt, but no one had ever witnessed it blooming in its native habitat.

Originally, the BBC supported the concept of filming the documentary on location, far up the Rio Negro from the port of Manaus, Brazil. Upon reflection by people unknown, the BBC backed away from the project, citing reservations due to Mee’s age

COURTESY OF MARION MORRISON / NONESUCH EXPEDITIONS

and health. Undaunted, Tony Morrison took his idea to National Geographic – only to be turned away again. The groundbreaking filmmaker would not give up and neither did Margaret.

Tony and his wife, Marion Morrison, used their own funds and created Nonesuch Expeditions to fulfill their collective ambition and document the expedition of Margaret and crew into the Amazon to find her Moonflower in bloom and provide the opportunity for her to paint the rarified flower in situ.

The story is vividly captured in “Margaret Mee In Search of Flowers of the Amazon Forests,” a collection of her paintings and Tony’s photographs, edited by Tony Morrison. Margaret travelled nine hours in a hammock to ease the pain in her hips, together with Tony and crew in a flat-bottomed houseboat, down the Rio Negro to a small house which would serve as basecamp. Closely monitoring daily reports of bud development supplied by local spotters, the resolute crew set out one morning at dawn and found the flat-leaved Strophocactus wrapped around tree trunks in the 400-island freshwater archipelago, the Archipelago of Anavilhanas. (Through the enlightenment provided by Margaret Mee, this area is now a protected World Heritage site.) As daylight gave way to dusk, darkness settled in quickly under the dense canopy. Margaret, perched in a garden chair on

THE STROPHOCACTUS WITTII IN FULL BLOOM ALONG THE RIO NEGRO (A TRIBUTARY OF THE AMAZON RIVER)

the roof of the boat, began sketching the plant, loaded with buds. Sure enough, shortly after the darkness was complete, the dramatic unfolding of the flower commenced. The light intrusion from the film cameras was enough to stop the flowers from opening. Thankfully, a full moon that night allowed sufficient light for Margaret to complete her sketches of the stunning flowers that fully opened by midnight. Without ever touching, measuring or handling the plant, she called upon her extraordinary technical ability to produce the accurately colored and dimensioned plant on paper. (During the time of Mee’s work on this plant, it was known as Selenicereus wittii but today the accepted scientific name is Strophocactus wittii.)

Fully aware of how remarkable her experience was, Margaret finished the watercolor paintings in her apartment in Rio de Janeiro and personally hand carried them back to London in July of 1988, for inclusion in her and Tony’s upcoming book. In November of 1988, she and her husband were to travel to London for the first major exhibition of her work and her new book at the Royal Botanic Gardens (RBG), Kew. Sadly, she perished in an automobile accident just two weeks before the exhibition opening. Today, her entire estate of artwork is owned by RBG/Kew.

RESEARCHER REED GILMORE PROPAGATES PLANTS AT THE FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY.

in a sterile environment on a growing medium such an agar solution.

Back at the estates, we are working toward cultivating a significant specimen of the Strophocactus, and we are fortunate to have the assistance of botanist and former employee, Reed Gilmore, who has begun the task of attempting to contemporaneously propagate Strophocactus by tissue culture. This method is a time consuming and exacting effort to vegetatively reproduce the plant using the smallest amount of tissue placed

Recently, we visited with Reed in his laboratory on the campus at Florida Gulf Coast University, where he has successfully propagated endangered native cacti and the finicky Platycerium ridleyi – a rare staghorn fern. Once Reed is successful with the tissue culture of this rare jungle cactus, the estates can become a source of Strophocactus to assist other botanical gardens in the area that lost theirs to hurricanes, and of course to our original source, Brian. After that, it will be our job to protect and ultimately celebrate the spectacular blooming Strophocactus.

Consumer Alert

BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT

IMPERSONATORS GO AFTER OLDER ADULTS’ LIFE SAVINGS

Scammers posing as government agencies or well-known businesses are increasingly going after retirees’ life savings. They weave a web of lies about some bogus crisis. Then they trick older adults into giving them tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The scams start with lies designed to create a sense of urgency and fear.

• Lie No. 1: Someone is using your accounts. Scammers pretend to be a bank employee with a warning about suspicious account activity, or claim to be an Amazon rep following up on potentially fraudulent purchases.

• Lie No. 2: Your information is being used to commit crimes. Scammers might say they’re with the government and tell their target that their Social Security Number is linked to serious crimes.

• Lie No. 3: There’s a security problem with your computer. This lie might start with a computer security alert that warns of a hacked computer with a phone number to call for help.

Once they’ve convinced their mark that this crisis is real, they make empty promises and offer fake “help.” They say the only way to get out of the situation is to follow their very specific instructions – which always involve moving money. They tell their target that doing so will protect the money in their accounts or clear their name. Some say they’re helping catch the “real” criminals.

A new FTC data spotlight report, False alarm, real scam: how scammers are stealing older adults’ life savings , shows that reports of losses to business and government imposters filed by older adults (60-plus) are soaring. Many reported losing tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars. In fact, reported losses of over $100,000 increased nearly sevenfold from 2020 to 2024.

HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOURSELF FROM A BUSINESS OR GOVERNMENT IMPOSTER SCAM?

• Never transfer or send money to anyone in response to an unexpected call or message. Even if they claim you’re moving your money to “protect it.”

• Talk about it with someone you trust. Especially if the stranger on the phone says it’s serious, involves a crime, or claims to be from the government.

•If you think the message could be real, verify the story. Contact the organization in question using a phone number, website, or email address

Montage Women’s Club

The Montage Women’s Club is a social and philanthropic club open to all women residing in Lee County. We normally meet on the fourth Thursday of each month. Our August meeting will take place at the Hilton Garden Inn (Captiva Ballroom), 12600 University Drive, Fort Myers 33908, corner of College Parkway at the Summerlin Road overpass. Meetings begin at 11:30 a.m. with a short social period followed by lunch at noon followed by an informative speaker program and a short business meeting. Within the organization are various interest groups for members’ participation. Membership is open to both year-round and seasonal residents. We welcome you to visit Montage for a luncheon.

Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, September 25. We will have a representative from the Gladiolus Food Pantry as a speaker. Our club members will be donating both supplies and cash, in conjunction with our very fun “Birthday Boxes” giving campaign, to their organization for distribution to local families.

Luncheon fee is $30 per person, and you have a choice of either a regular menu entree (Ziti with Chicken and Broccoli with Chef’s dessert choice) and/or a plant based/vegan entree (Grilled Veggie Primavera with fresh fruit for dessert).

If you would like to attend a Montage meeting, need further information, or would like to make a reservation, please call Rita Artwohl at (239) 703-7787. Reservations cutoff to attend this meeting is noon, Thursday, September 18.

you know is real. Don’t use the contact information in the unexpected message. Government agencies will never threaten you, and they’ll never tell you to transfer your money to “protect it,” deposit cash into Bitcoin ATMs, or hand off stacks of cash or gold to a courier. That’s a scam. Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

For more advice, check out How To Avoid Imposter Scams.