GulfHarbour FEB 2026

TWO PERFORMANCES PLANNED OF MRS. EDISON’S HYMN SING

Gulf Harbour Book Club Review

JOAN KAPLAN

NOT YOURS TO KEEP

The Gulf Harbour Book Club met on December 3, 2025 to discuss Not Yours to Keep by Zelly Ruskin. There were 19 of us in attendance including those on Zoom.

Joan did the author review. Zelly Ruskin is a pen name for Wendy Isaacs. Wendy is a dear friend of mine. We met while serving on the Board of Directors for The Lisa Foundation. We were involved in a campaign to bring awareness to the public about brain aneurysms. Wendy is a survivor of a brain aneurysm that did not rupture.

In her first career, Zelly was a social worker in the adoption and foster care field. From there, she owned an online retail store specializing in handpainted children’s gifts and party favors. Along the way, Zelly volunteered and raised funds for several nonprofit organizations. In an alternate universe, she is probably an event planner. But once she moved to New York City, Zelly gave in to the compulsion to write women’s fiction spiced with suspense about motherhood, relationships, loss and love. Her debut novel, Not Yours to Keep, came out October 2024 with She Writes Press.

She loves traveling, hiking with her (now adult) children, and, as a survivor, is passionate about and volunteers for brain aneurysm awareness. Zelly and her ridiculous doodle, Strudel, currently live in New York City.

She graduated from Skidmore College and obtained an MSW from Simmons School of Social Work. Wendy is a survivor of an unruptured aneurysm in October of 2018 and has been a dedicated advocate for brain aneurysm awareness since.

When she’s not devising twisty plots, Zelly loves traveling, hiking, and is passionate about and volunteers for brain aneurysm awareness. Her involvement in the cause is driven by personal experiences, including surviving an unruptured brain aneurysm, the tragic loss of a family member to a rupture, and supporting a friend in their recovery. Read more about why she’s a dedicated advocate for brain aneurysm awareness and research in her Brain Aneurysm Essay.

“As an adoptee as well as being involved in adoption communities on the Internet for over 30 years, the premise of this book was intriguing to me. What happens when an adoption counselor finds herself suffering through her own infertility issues? There’s much more to this story than that, and much of it is good. There’s also a degree of ignorance on the part of how being adopted can affect the people in the triad (birthparents-adoptee-adoptive parents). It came as no surprise to learn the author, Zelly Ruskin, is a former social worker and adoption consultant. She’s been involved in adoption as an observer, not as a participant.

Billie Campbell is the adoption consultant in this story, set in Boston. She and her husband, Tyler, have been trying to start a family with no

success. When Madison, a pregnant college student, and her boyfriend visit the agency Billie works for with the intention of placing their baby for adoption, Billie starts thinking about the possibility of adopting Madison’s baby herself, despite all of the ethical issues this would raise.

Tyler is a successful lawyer, and he is about to become a partner at his law firm. Between the infertility issues and the anonymous messages, he has begun receiving, he’s a bit distracted from his work. He’s also having doubts about whether he really does want to be a father.

Anne is a troubled woman who lives on the edge of poverty. Her father abused her, and when she was 14, she surrendered a child to adoption. There was no counseling following these events and she’s been forced to try to make her way in life pretty much on her own. She’s had a hard time keeping a job and is distanced from her mother who now lives in Arizona. When she gets a glimpse on television of the man she believes fathered the child she surrendered, her mental state deteriorates, and she begins stalking him.

The best part of Not Yours to Keep was how it depicted Anne’s mental state due to her abuse and surrendering a child. My birthmother was told to “pretend the baby died” and forget about it, but who can forget they gave birth? The time Anne surrendered was a bit later than my mother’s and I would have thought that by then there would have

been better counseling options available. This is especially true as she shows signs almost immediately of not coping with the loss well. However, it’s ignored by the two women who care for her and basically tell her to “get over it.” They don’t realize the depth to which that loss can be felt. Spotting the putative father on television sets off a chain of events as she becomes delusional. I found this to be very believable.”

Billie and Tyler are supposed to be the couple readers are rooting for. Their marriage is sorely lacking in communication as the two of them seem to be lacking communication skills. Billie’s mother apparently took DES when she was

pregnant with her, which is what her infertility issues are blamed on. I had friends growing up whose mother did that and they all had children, it was just a case of having to stay in bed for the bulk of the pregnancies. It seemed a little convoluted that after two miscarriages Billie is giving up on the idea of giving birth and thinks she is more deserving of a child than other people she counsels, although this attitude is present in many prospective adoptive parents I’ve encountered. Whether it be wealth or social status, they seem to think they are entitled to someone else’s child.”

Her next book is One of Us Must Die. We will advise when it becomes available.

Gulf Harbour Book Club Review

JOAN KAPLAN

THE BRIAR CLUB

The Gulf Harbour Book Club met on January 5 to discuss The Briar Club by Kate Quinn. There were 26 of us in attendance in person and via Zoom.

Kate Quinn is an unbelievable historical researcher. It appeared to us that her mind is in constant motion. Her personality is so big that she penetrates your soul when she speaks. Joan did the bio review. New York Times bestselling historical fiction author, known for books like The Alice Network and The Rose Code, who initially studies classical voice at Boston University before shifting to writing about history, often focusing on strong female characters in challenging eras, from ancient Rome to WWII. She currently resides in Maryland with her husband and rescue dogs. She is amazing.

Born and raised in Southern California, Quinn grew up with a love for history, influenced by her librarian mother. She attended Boston University, earning both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Classical Voice. She shifted her original career writings to the 20th century history writing The Alice

Network, The Huntress, The Rose Code, and The Diamond Eye, focusing on WWII and espionage.

Themes: Quinn is known for featuring underestimated women and unlikely friendships in lifeor-death situations, drawing inspiration from lesser-known historical figures. We highly recommend you read all of the aforementioned books.

The individual characters in The Briar House are extremely well developed each with her own story and personality. The following book review by Cathy Lay Mayor.

“If you have read my past reviews, you know I am a big fan of Kate Quinn. While The Briar Club is different from her previous historical fiction, I found her latest book captivating.

Her other novels are set during a war. This novel is set in Washington, D.C. during the Cold War when Sen. Joseph McCarthy became a tireless crusader against Communist spies who might be living in the United States. It was a time of political repression and persecution of left-wing individuals and a campaign spreading fear of communism during the late 1940s

and through the 1950s. Many were afraid of being falsely accused. All the characters in the novel are well researched and based on real people. Quinn does an excellent job of bringing the McCarthy era to life.

The Briar Club opens with the Briarwood House telling the story. On Thanksgiving Day, the police are knocking on the door. The house has a lot of blood and two dead bodies, one upstairs and one down, with 17 suspects who have had too much rum punch.

First the house must back up four years to fill in the blanks. Briarwood is a run-down, allfemale boarding house set in Washington, D.C. in 1950. No one would suspect that Briarwood

House has secrets hidden behind its white picket fence. But Briarwood has plenty. At first, all the women keep to themselves until widow Grace March moves into the attic. She draws the ladies in for potluck dinners on Thursday nights while the grouchy landlady goes to play bridge. The residents include the landlady’s two children, an older Hungarian refugee, a woman working for the National Archives in love with a gangster, a poised young English mother whose doctor husband is stationed overseas, a former baseball star from the women’s baseball league of World War II and a real-life secretary to the Maine senator who goes up against McCarthy, a secretary for House UnAmerican Activities Committee.

As they grow closer over meals and plenty of gin, the residents share their stories with each other. But they are all holding something back. This is a compelling story of women’s friendships during a frightening time. While this book has so many characters that one might think they could be confusing, Quinn does an excellent job of making sure they have very distinct characteristics and personalities, along with their secrets.”

Kate’s next book is The Astral Library. I have preordered it. We will be asking Kate back to discuss her new book.

The Gulf Harbour Book Club meets on the first Monday of each month in the Fitness Center. If you want to join the book club email joankaplan@mac.com. Zoom is available for members if the author allows it. We had nine authors lined up for the 2025/26 season. We already had Kristen Harmel, Jane Yang and Abi Dare and Zelly Ruskin and Kate Quinn. We have the following authors on Zoom. February is Bernhardt Schlinke for The Granddaughter; March is Theo of Golden by Allen Levi, not on Zoom; and April is Chris Torockio for The Soul Hunters. Although we had Stephanie Dray scheduled for May, her newest book is not being released until the day after our May Book Club meets.

Clubhouse Renovation Project

Dear Members,

The clubhouse renovation project continues to advance on multiple fronts—some highly visible, others happening behind the scenes but just as important.

FRAMING AND INTERIOR PROGRESS: TAKING SHAPE FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Nearly all framing in the existing portions of the building is now complete. Only a handful of walls remain in place until steel columns arrive and can be set. These are temporary structural necessities and part of the normal sequence. Inside the building, trades are moving at full speed:

• Electricians continue to complete rough-ins throughout the structure.

• Plumbers are finishing their first-floor rough-ins.

• HVAC crews are extremely busy installing ductwork in some very tight and complex spaces.

EXPANSION AREA: FOOTERS

READY FOR THE NEXT BIG STEP Footers for the expansion have been inspected and are scheduled to be poured within the next few days.

The only thing holding up major vertical progress is the arrival of steel. Once those beams arrive and are set, the entire project will begin to take dramatic visual shape very quickly.

RUMOR MILL: WHAT’S THE LATEST?

The newest rumor circulating is that Curran & Young “just dig the old-fashioned way with a backhoe” without proper locating and scanning. Contractors rely on a variety of

specialized equipment and techniques to safely identify what lies beneath the surface before any digging begins. Using tools such as ground-penetrating radar, electromagnetic locators, and radio-frequency scanners, they can detect underground utilities including water lines, electrical cables, gas pipes, and communication conduits. These devices work by sending signals into the ground and interpreting the reflected data to map the position, depth, and type of buried infrastructure. By combining

advanced locating equipment with cautious excavation practices, contractors significantly reduce the risk of hitting underground utilities and ensure a safer, more efficient worksite, but not 100%.

This is just not accurate.

• Yes, a small FPL line was struck—but it had been located improperly.

• Yes, a 2-inch water valve was hit—but that valve predates the Waterside Grille and was installed back when that area was a ramp in front of the original Golf Shoppe. It was encountered during excavation for the new elevator shaft nearly 12 feet below existing grade.

In short: Every dig is scanned, located, and approached professionally. Renovation of older structures always reveals surprises and this is normal.

Let’s rock 2026!

Lonnie

Cathy Kluge

December 13, 2025

Continental Women’s Club

The Continental Women’s Club will welcome speakers from the Lee County Salvation Army to the monthly luncheon meeting on Thursday, March 5. The Salvation Army has been serving Lee County since 1951 and is now approaching its 75th anniversary. The program will center around the extensive community services that this organization provides. The deadline to reserve for this event is Tuesday, February 24.

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 February 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.

Crossword Puzzle

Isolate

Bar bill

Applications 23. Not his

Flame

Exam 26. Clutter

Blackthorn

Being

Donkey

Confine

Without a sound

Neighborhood

D

Plunder

Leave out

Break in two

Pitcher

Churn

Not now

58. Father 59. Aromatic compound

Storehouses

Smiled scornfully

Munchkin

1. Tops worn by women 2. Generosity

3. Unit of energy 4. Anagram of “sage” 5. French for “head” 6. Cleans 7. Poker holdings 8. Rear end 9. Dandy

10. Fee paid for instruction 13. Charred 14. River to the North Sea

15. High-pitched woodwind instrument

16. State of supreme happiness

19. Board game 22. Lettering device 24. Disconcert

26. Letters and postcards

27. Mayday

30. Toot

32. Type of cereal grass

33. Inclined

34. Ease up

35. Left out

38. Stunning

39. Rump

40. Sea eagles

42. Poorly made

44. Kittens’ cries

45. In shape

48. Old-time poet

49. Border

50. Lairs

53. Grassland

55. Cooking container

33rd Annual Boston Red Sox Celebrity Event Series Returns Early 2026

PROCEEDS BENEFIT INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY SERVICES AT GOLISANO CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Sponsorship and registration opportunities are now available for the 33rd Annual Boston Red Sox Celebrity Classic Event Series, returning February and March 2026 to benefit intellectual and developmental disability services at Golisano Children’s Hospital.

One of Lee Health Foundation’s longest standing and most celebrated fundraising traditions, the Boston Red Sox Celebrity Classic Event Series brings together Red Sox players, sports legends, community leaders and supporters to make a meaningful impact on children’s healthcare in Southwest Florida.

The 2026 event series includes:

• Boston “Tee” Party, Feb. 12 at The Forest Country Club – An evening of heavy hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and spirited live and silent auctions. Bidding opportunities include exclusive autographed sports and entertainment memorabilia, fine jewelry, luxury spa and travel experiences.

• 33rd Annual Celebrity Golf Classic, Feb. 13 at The Forest Country Club – A bigleague golf tournament featuring Boston Red Sox players, Major League Baseball greats and sports celebrities. On-course contests and a post-tournament dinner add to the excitement.

• Dinner on the Diamond, March 10 at JetBlue Park

– A family-friendly evening featuring dinner on the field, Red Sox celebrity appearances, autograph signings and a silent auction filled with sports memorabilia and unique experiences. VIP packages are available for an MVPlevel experience.

“Thanks to the Boston Red Sox, The Forest Country

Club, our generous sponsors and loyal attendees, this iconic event series has raised more than $15.8 million for Golisano Children’s Hospital since 1993,” said Katy Martinez, senior director of development at Lee Health. “We are proud to continue this legacy by supporting programs that help children with intellectual and developmental disabilities receive the specialized care and resources they need to thrive.”

Funds raised at the 33rd Annual Boston Red Sox Celebrity Classic will expand access to comprehensive,

family-centered care through support services for children with conditions that impact learning, communication, behavior and daily functioning. By providing critical evaluations, therapies and care coordination, Golisano Children’s Hospital continues to enhance specialized care for patients and families across Southwest Florida.

Sponsorships and registration are now open for this popular and impactful event series. To learn more, visit LeeHealthFoundation.org/RedSox.

ABOUT GOLISANO CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Golisano Children’s Hospital, founded in 1994, is Southwest Florida’s only children’s hospital and is nationally recognized for its pediatric care. Ranked as a six-time Top Children’s Hospital by The Leapfrog Group, Golisano is the first hospital in Florida and second in the nation to be designated a Certified Autism Center™ by IBCCES and is recognized as a Center of Excellence in Pediatric Sedation by the Society for Pediatric Sedation.

Golisano Children’s Hospital serves 45,000plus patients every year in relation to 30-plus

specialty pediatric services such as cardiology, neurology, ophthalmology, orthopedics and more. Lee Health opened the current hospital building in May 2017 which offers 135 beds and includes comprehensive pediatric services such as a 24-hour pediatric emergency department, hematologyoncology unit, Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Center, and Level II and Level III NICU with 70 private rooms. For more information, visit GoGolisano.org.

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 February 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, February 26. Our featured speaker will be Gail Kedrus from the Alliance for Period Supplies of SWFL. This nonprofit organization is independently operated and serves as a trusted community resource and advocate for individuals, children, and families who struggle to afford basic material needs.

Luncheon fee is $30 per person. There is always a choice of either a regular and/or a vegan/plant-based option.

The February regular entree will be Asian grilled salmon, jasmine rice and steamed vegetables with red velvet cake for dessert. The vegan/plantbased entree will be baked eggplant with vegan cheese on sautéed tomatoes and spinach, jasmine rice 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, February 19.

LOST PET SCAMS

From The Desk Of Sheriff Carmine Marceno...

To those who adore their furry family members, a missing or lost pet is devastating and heartbreaking.

With it comes a feeling of helplessness and a willingness to do whatever is necessary to be reunified with your pet.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office maintains regular and consistent contact with our local animal shelters and has received disturbing information regarding a scam that has been occurring.

A number of individuals who had posted a lost/missing pet on the “Find My Pet Portal” and/or on social media have received calls stating that their pet has been found and, in some cases, injured.

By “spoofing” the Caller ID number, these scammers have made it appear that they are calling from local animal shelters.

The scammer indicates that the pet requires emergency surgery and that the pet owner must send payment immediately. They generally ask that the money be sent via payment apps such as Zelle and Venmo.

While we highly encourage the use of all available resources to find a missing pet, we ask that those receiving these calls do not send payment in any form.

Report these incidents to local law enforcement.

Consumer Alerts

DID SOMEONE USE YOUR SSN TO FILE TAXES? HERE’S WHAT TO DO

If you’re filing your taxes online this year, watch for signs of tax identity theft, like someone using your Social Security number (SSN) to file and claim a tax refund. One way you’ll know is if the IRS rejects your tax return once you file. Learn to protect yourself while filing online and what to do if someone steals your tax refund.

If you use tax preparation software like TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct, or TaxSlayer, protect your accounts by using two-factor authentication. Requiring two or more credentials to log in makes it harder for scammers to get into your account, even if they get your username and password. And always file early, if you can—before anyone else files using your personal information.

But even if you’re careful, someone might still use your SSN to steal your refund. Now, if

the IRS rejects the tax return you submitted online or through a tax preparer, it could just mean missing or incorrect information. But if the IRS says there’s more than one tax return filed in your name or they see income from an employer you know you don’t work for, that’s identity theft. Don’t panic—but do act quickly to communicate with the IRS. Here’s how:

1. Report it to IdentityTheft.gov using as many details as possible. The site will create an FTC Identity Theft Report, an IRS Identity Theft Affidavit, and a personal recovery plan. 2. Submit your IRS Identity Theft Affidavit through IdentityTheft.gov. This tells the IRS to begin investigating your case. Or get the Identity Theft Affidavit (IRS Form 14039) and submit it by mail.

3. Follow the steps in your personal recovery plan—like freezing your credit and checking your credit reports—to limit the damage identity theft causes.

Share IdentityTheft.gov/Steps with friends and loved ones to help them protect their personal information and stay ahead of identity thieves.

Catch The Action

CAPT. BILL RUSSELL

FEBRUARY ON THE WATER

The transition from winter season often changes early in Southwest Florida. Spring will not officially arrive until midMarch, however on the water we are generally appreciating the change of seasons by early to mid-February.

Lack of rain through the winter months plus cool water temperatures give us the clearest water of the year. Yes, it may still get stirred up after a windy day or two, but the clarity returns quickly. Also, there are many days with negative low tides, this combination is my favorite time to explore new fishing grounds on a bright and sunny day.

My best word of advice is if you go exploring, do it at the end of a falling tide and plan to use the rising water to explore new areas. Unless you are a seasoned boater and know the local waters and your boat’s limitations, take it slow. If you get too shallow and begin to ground your boat, you should be able to push it off or

the rising water will have you floating soon.

If you take the time to learn an area of water and your boat’s limitations during these lower tides, the rest of the year should be a breeze. It’s always better to explore over sunny days and polarized sunglasses are a must to cut down glare on the water’s surface. This is also a great month for kayak and canoe anglers to take advantage of the lower tides and get to places most boats cannot.

For fishing, we can expect a mix of winter and spring conditions, and possibly the best of both. Sheepsheads are in their winter spawn, with big fish schooling near the gulf passes, beaches, and nearshore reefs. Shrimp is the preferred bait, along with sheepsheads; you can hook black and red drum, pompano, flounder, and other tasty bottom dwellers.

For many of us, as the water warms into the 70s, we are back to live bait fishing. This means getting on the water early as the sun comes up, chumming the flats,

and throwing a cast net. False pilchards or scaled sardines is our target. With a live well of fresh caught frisky baits, good things can open.

Just as bait moves in with the warming water, the larger fish also show up. What and where really depends on water temperature. Large sea trout are often the first to arrive around inshore waters followed by redfish and snook. Spanish mackerel and bluefish follow the bait inshore and are often running in schools. Sharks and cobia also make an appearance. If mild, it’s possible for the first tarpon schools of the season to arrive in gulf waters a short distance off the beaches.

Bottom fishing nearshore reefs can yield a mixed bag of many species that may include sheepsheads, snapper, grunts, pompano, permit, grouper, and others. Cobia, barracuda, sharks, king and Spanish mackerel are prowling nearshore waters as well.

February is one of the busiest months in Southwest Florida with traffic congestion and crowds everywhere. On the water it’s less hectic and way more relaxing. Given the choice of a day fighting the crowds or on the water fighting fish is an easy pick. I believe most would choose a relaxed day on the water every time. Get out there and enjoy our great outdoors!

For charter information, please contact us at Gulf Coast Guide Service and “Catch the Action” with Capt. Bill Russell, call or text (239) 4108576, website: www.fishpineisland.com , email: gcl2fish@live.com .

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 30 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.”

Two Performances Planned Of Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing

Celebrate the Edison Festival of Light and help feed the hungry by attending Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing, Tuesday, Feb. 3, at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Fort Myers at the corner of Second Street and Lee Street.

MRS. MINA EDISON

It’s the 36th anniversary of the hymn sing, which is an official sanctioned event of the Edison Festival of Light. Sponsors are the Galloway Family of Dealerships and Susan Bennett Marketing & Media.

Because of the overwhelming popularity of the event, two performances are planned at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. The doors will open 30 minutes prior to each performance.

Admission is free, but because of the increased need for food for the hungry, organizers are requesting that those who attend bring cans of nonperishable food and a voluntary cash donation, if possible, to benefit Sam’s Community Kitchen & Cafe of Community Cooperative.

“We need to help The Soup Kitchen by donating as much canned goods and cash as we can to help families who most need it in our community,” said the Rev. Dr. Paul deJong of First Presbyterian Church.

Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing is a major source of support for Community Cooperative, which works to end hunger and homelessness in Lee County.

In 2024 alone, Community Cooperative assisted more than 46,000 unduplicated individuals through its programs, providing over 2.1 million pounds of food to neighbors in need. Dedicated volunteers delivered more than 117,000 freshly prepared meals to homebound seniors through the Meals on Wheels of SWFL program, and over 2,000 volunteers contributed 46,000 hours of service to help fulfill the organization’s mission.

The church has been a strong supporter of the agency from the beginning and continues to support its ministry there by providing volunteers and other support for Sam’s Community Kitchen & Café and the Meals on Wheels program.

Cash donations are especially valuable because Community Cooperative can buy five times as much food for the same amount of money that residents spend at local grocery stores. “However, there is great satisfaction in contributing a tangible item you know will be a blessing to someone in need. Both

forms of donations will do good work in our community and will be most welcomed,” said Dr. deJong.

This year’s event will feature a Community Choir and many other singers, along with a piano-organ combination.

In addition to Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing, First Presbyterian Church annually presents the very popular Christmas Carol Sing in December. Both events benefit Sam’s Community Kitchen & Café of Community Cooperative.

For more information or directions to the church, call 334-2261 or visit www. fpcfortmyers.org. For more information about Community Cooperative, call (239) 332-SOUP or visit www.communitycooperative.com.

ABOUT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF FORT MYERS

First Presbyterian Church of Fort Myers, located at 2438 Second St. in downtown Fort Myers, is a community of faith, celebrating a loving God. First Presbyterian Church was founded in 1901 and continues to be an integral part of Lee County by presenting some of the area’s most well-attended events, such as Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing in February as part of the Edison Festival of Light and the Christmas Carol Sing in December. Both events benefit Sam’s Community Kitchen & Café of Community Cooperative, which also was founded by First Presbyterian Church and other downtown churches in 1984. Services are offered Sunday at 11 a.m. with Sunday Adult Education from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. A nursery is available from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Hearing assistive equipment also is available.

What’s Blooming At Edison And Ford Winter Estates: Medinilla

KAREN M. MAXWELL, INTERIM DIRECTOR OF HORTICULTURE

Horticultural challenges rise to the top of my list for ringing in a new year and I have a stunning one for you. Medinilla magnifica captured my fancy long ago as one of the most beautiful gifts from the tropical plant world. Not quite a set it and forget it plant, but with a thoughtful approach, featuring this stunner in your collection will bring glorious horticultural satisfaction.

MEDINILLA MAGNIFICA IS KNOWN FOR LARGE DARK PINK PENDULOUS FLOWERS AND MEDINILLA MYRIANTHA (A SYNONYM FOR MEDINILLA MULTIFLORA ) ALSO PRODUCES PENDULOUS ARRAYS OF PINK FLOWERS.

Let us discuss the best approach to growing a naturally epiphytic perennial, which when properly grown, could become a pass-along generational plant. While not new to the horticulture market, Medinilla are still not common, and probably because they are a bit fussy, but I think it is more likely because they are slow growers and insist that we replicate their endemic environment to put on their best show. It takes years to propagate and raise them to a saleable size, further adding to their value.

Somewhere around 2013, we first carried the Rose Grape (not edible) or Chandelier Plant in our young Garden Shoppe and it was offered with a hefty price tag of $80.

Remarkably, we did sell the few we had, and I hope they are still going strong today.

Medinilla is a member of the Melastomataceae family of 5,000+ tropical plants, and the specific genus of Medinilla has 374 recognized species according to the Royal Botanic Garden of Kew.

Breaking down this horticultural mouthful, “Mela” comes from the Greek for black, probably referring to its black seeds and “stoma” or mouth for reasons I could not uncover. What truly distinguishes members of this family, though, are its highly distinctive leaves, borne opposite to each other on the stem, featuring three to seven long prominent veins that are described as

acrodromous or running to a point, as they all emanate from the leaf base. Another member of this family that may be more familiar with our gardeners are the Tibochinas and if you compare the leaves of the two plants, this trait will be obvious.

Fortunately, Medinillas have come down significantly in price due to popularity and demand. Our Garden Shoppe often carries both the Medinilla magnifica known for large dark pink pendulous flowers and Medinilla myriantha (a synonym for Medinilla multiflora), which also produces pendulous arrays of pink flowers, but the Malaysian Orchid produces smaller but more flowers than its magnifica cousin.

TIBOCHINA IS ANOTHER MEMBER OF THE MELASTOMATACEAE FAMILY BUT IS MORE COMMON THAN THE MEDINILLA.

Generally speaking, Medinillas are epiphytic plants that prefer to grow like many orchids, though they are not an orchid. When we grow them in pots, our job is to replicate the nutrients, light, drainage and humidity they would naturally receive growing in misty mountains of the tropical Philippines and throughout the Malay Archipelago. They thrive in temperatures ranging from 60 to 80 degrees. So, how are we going to do all this?

Do you own a hygrometer? Many gardeners have moisture meters to gauge water content of the soil, but we want to keep an eye on the relative humidity of the area surrounding our Medinillas. This is what a $20 hygrometer will do for you. While writing this article, I opened my weather app on my smart phone and scrolled down to

“humidity,” which is reading 67%; right in the middle of the happy zone for Medinillas. Below 60%, relative humidity they will start to whine. Do you have a bathroom with a bright window? Ideal! As an epiphytic plant, we know that they receive the filtered light through the canopy of its host tree. We must provide bright, but always indirect light, to avoid scorching the beautiful Medinilla leaves. Due to the deforestation of its native habitat, Medinillas in the wild are becoming threatened.

It may sound redundant, but I want to return to the plant’s epiphytic nature again, so we can determine the best soil and water conditions to provide many happy years of growth. An acidic environment, free of any lime in the soil is perfect. It must be well drained as the roots do not want to sit in water, just as

they would not while living in a tree. African violet soil is a perfect mix; or make your own with an equal mixture of peat or coco coir, perlite or pumice and clay balls to provide something for the roots to grab. Allow me a technical off-road for a moment: Medinillas are actually hemi-epiphytes, meaning they do start their life as a true epiphyte, eventually making their way to the soil, where they become long-lived perennials. Allowed to age, they produce a beautiful woody trunk, upon which companion orchids may be attached.

Re-capping, the ambient temperature and relative humidity are primary keys to success. Now on to water and fertilizing. We do want them to be thoroughly wetted, once a week or so, and the above soil recipe will afford them the necessary quick drain. Avoid using distilled water. If possible, natural rainwater is the best, but untreated tap water is okay. If the top inch feels dry to the touch, but the leaves still look perky and solid, wait one more day. These plants, like all of us, need a rest, and ideally that will be between November and February, meaning a little less water and no fertilizer. Once new growth begins to appear, use one-half the recommended amount of liquid orchid plant fertilizer (our weekly-weakly motto) on your Medinilla.

MEDINILLAS ARE EPIPHYTIC PLANTS THAT PREFER TO GROW LIKE MANY ORCHIDS, THOUGH THEY ARE NOT AN ORCHID. WHEN WE GROW THEM IN POTS, OUR JOB IS TO REPLICATE THE NUTRIENTS, LIGHT, DRAINAGE AND HUMIDITY THEY WOULD NATURALLY RECEIVE GROWING IN MISTY MOUNTAINS OF THE TROPICAL PHILIPPINES AND THROUGHOUT THE MALAY ARCHIPELAGO. THEY THRIVE IN TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 60 TO 80 DEGREES.

The evergreen Medinilla deserves your most beautiful, large flowerpot. If grown in a 12” to 18” pot, you may only need to repot it once every two to three years and simply add a fresh top-dress of the recommended soil mixture once or twice a year. They do enjoy being slightly pot bound, but when repotting, handle the brittle roots with extreme care and always wait until it has completed blooming. To appreciate the fabulous blooms, either hang the Medinilla or stage it on a tall plantstand where its glorious flowers will droop down and astound. For a Feng Shui home, the foliage of Medinilla symbolizes prosperity and tranquility and should be near a home’s entrance.

Calatheas, marantas, ferns and alocasias make ideal companion plants to the Medinilla. Try repurposing a big old fish tank with

orchids, Cryptanthus, ferns and the dwarf Medinilla Florinilla “Arosa” to create a truly exotic terrarium.

Never be quick to cut off a spent bloom. Within its ideal surroundings, Medinilla magnifica will throw new blooms throughout its growing season, though they will not be as large as the first blooms, they are pretty, nonetheless, against its large leaves; sometimes as long as 14 inches. With proper care, the Medinilla magnifica, “Superba” and myriantha species may bloom for months at a time, and often several times a year.

As with any tropical plant, pests are inevitable. Maintaining the requisite high humidity levels will keep spider mites at bay. Should mealy bugs appear, wipe them away

using Q-tips soaked in rubbing alcohol and use horticultural soaps to wash away aphids. Medinillas are non-toxic to humans, but may cause vomiting, if eaten, by domestic pets, so best to keep them out of reach of our furry buddies.

Once considered a plant only for royalty, the image of the Medinilla magnifica was included on the Belgian 10,000 Franc note, which was later replaced by the Euro. Today, treat yourself to this piece of horticultural royalty.

For other unusual plants, come to the Spring Garden Festival at Edison and Ford Winter Estates on February 14 and 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. I hope to see you there!

Children’s Advocacy Center Of Southwest Florida Serves Over 1,200 Children And Families During 2025 Holiday Season Through Season Of Giving Efforts

The Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida (CACSWFL) proudly announces the success of its 2025 Season of Giving initiatives, which brought holiday joy and essential support to more than 1,200 children and families across Southwest Florida during November and December.

Through the CAC Holiday Toy Shop hosted at the organization’s Fort Myers campus, 531 children were served, allowing caregivers to select meaningful gifts for their children in a warm and supportive environment. In addition, 132 caregivers and children received direct support through generous community donors who fulfilled individual family wish lists and critical needs.

Beyond the CAC campus, more than 600 children were served through the East United Way Resiliency Hub Holiday Event in partnership with Orange River Elementary. This collaborative community celebration ensured families had access to gifts, meals, and a joyful holiday experience in a trusted neighborhood setting.

Thanks to the collective efforts of hundreds of partners, volunteers, and donors, more than 5,000 gifts were distributed throughout the Season of Giving. Support included numerous communityhosted toy drives, individual family sponsorships,

and toys received through the United Way Gifts In-Kind Program.

“The holiday season can be especially difficult for families navigating crisis or trauma,” said Alicia Shannon, CEO of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida. “Because of the compassion and generosity of our community, thousands of children were reminded that they are seen, valued, and supported. This is what collective impact truly looks like.”

Local businesses, civic groups, schools, and faith-based organizations played a vital role in the campaign by hosting toy drives and sponsoring families, helping ensure children of all ages received gifts that reflected their interests and needs. Volunteers also dedicated countless hours sorting, organizing, and distributing gifts to make each experience special for families served.

“Our Season of Giving efforts reflect the heart of our mission,” said John Clinger, Board President of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida.

“When our community comes together, we are not only meeting immediate needs but also reinforcing hope and stability for children and families during a critical time.”

Since 1981, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida has provided a safe, child-focused environment for children impacted by abuse and neglect. The organization serves Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Charlotte Counties and offers comprehensive services including forensic interviews, medical evaluations, therapy, family advocacy, and prevention education. All services are provided free of charge thanks to the generosity of donors and community partners.

For more information about the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida or how to support children and families in our community, visit www.cac-swfl.org or call (239) 939-2808.

ABOUT THE CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY CENTER OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

For 44 years the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida (CACSWFL) has continued to provide a coordinated response to child abuse and neglect through prevention, intervention, and treatment programs. The center works to improve the lives of children and families by ensuring safety, promoting healing, and fostering resilience. For more information, visit www.cac-swfl.org.

RESOURCE HUB

ASSOCIATION PRESIDENTS

Admiral’s Isle ................................ Jeff McGinty

Bellavista George Hemsey

Coronado Geoff Smith

Courtyard Homes ...................... Tiffany Gaede

Crescent Cove ......................... Sam Schiphorst

Crooked Pond Carol Tsilimos

Edgewater Mike Sklorenko

Grande Cay ....................................... David Lein

Gulf Harbour Master Chris Cope

Gulf Harbour Marina Dana Snyder

Harbour Landings I Megan Martin

Harbour Landings II ............. Thomas Broadie

Harbour Links

Long Pond

Joe Pierce

Millie Johnson

Mariposa ....................................... Steve Perseo

Mill Pond ................................ Maureen Herold

Osprey Landing William Crouch

Osprey Point Jay Ducharme

Palmas Del Sol ........................... Steve Hancox

Rivers Edge Ron Harrington

Sagamore George Sorensen

Seaside Estates Richard Edelman

Tamarind Cay ........................... Harvey Gordon

The Shores I Gene Marshall

The Shores II Mark Anderson

The Shores III ............................... Dave Reimer

The Shores IV ................................ John Albano

GULF HARBOUR COUNTRY CLUB

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

William Lambert President

Kim Bauman Vice President

Jack Bourget Treasurer

Patti Buckingham ............................... Secretary

Scott Bassett Governor

Bruce Jasurda Governor

George Johnson ................................. Governor

Reymond Sargenti ............................. Governor

Michael Sklorenko Governor

GULF

HARBOUR MARINA

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President Doug Duncan

Vice President Stephen Patterson

Secretary Mike Needler

Treasurer ....................................... Craig Anderson

Marina Appearance Committee David Kelley

GULF HARBOUR

MASTER ASSOCIATION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President

Chris Cope

Vice President ............................. Sam Schiphorst

Treasurer/Secretary ............................ Carl Pecko

Director Carol Gillespie

Director

Rip Riordon

Director ................................................ Geoff Smith

Director John Wilson

COMMUNITY NEWS

Bellavista

Coronado

Courtyard Homes

Crooked Pond

Edgewater

Grande Cay

Harbour Landings I

Harbour Landings II

Harbour Links

Long Pond

Marblehead Manor

Mariposa

Mill Pond

Osprey Landing

Osprey Point

Palmas Del Sol

Paramount

Rivers Edge

Sagamore

Seaside Estates

Tamarind Cay

The Shores I

The Shores II

The Shores III

If you want your community news included here, please send articles and pictures to GulfHarbourReport@gmail.com by the 4th of each month.

GULF HARBOUR WEBSITES

GULF HARBOUR MASTER ASSOCIATION

BOARD

MEETINGS

will now be routinely held at Suitor Middleton Cox & Associates offices, 15751 San Carlos Blvd #8, Fort Myers, FL 33908. Meeting date and times will continue to be posted on the signs at the north and south entrances.

ATTENTION ASSOCIATION BOARD

MEMBERS

When your officers change, be sure to notify us so that we can keep both www.GulfHarbour33908.com and the Soundings updated.

GULF HARBOUR MASTER ASSOCIATION • www.GulfHarbour33908.com

GRANDE CAY • www.grandecay.com

HARBOUR LANDINGS I • www.harbourlandings.org

HARBOUR LINKS • www.harbourlinks.net

MARIPOSA • http://detaliassociates.com/secure/login.aspx

PALMAS DEL SOL • www.palmasdelsol.net

PARAMOUNT • http://www.athomenet.com/theparamount

TAMARIND CAY • https://smca.cincwebaxis.com/cinc/home/

GULF HARBOUR COUNTRY CLUB • www.gulfharbour.com

MARINA • www.gulfharbourmarina.com

YACHT CLUB • www.gulfharbouryachtclub.org

RESOURCE HUB

PHONE NUMBERS

✨

SEEKING SOUNDINGS WRITERS

Do you have an interesting story to share?

The Soundings is always looking for new and talented writers to submit articles on events, the social scene, restaurants, movies, family matters, village life, etc…

Now is your chance to share your interests with the community. You can contribute each month, just once, or once in a while.

• Are you involved in any particular activities in Gulf Harbour or around town?

• Can you share your knowledge about a specific topic or hobby?

• Do you have (or did you retire from) an interesting career?

• Are you the person who always knows what to do/where to go in our area?

• Do you like to take pictures or draw cartoons?

• Can you pass along a favorite recipe?

If you answered yes to any of the above or have an idea of your own, you can submit your articles (and photos) at GulfHarbourReport@gmail.com.

GOLF CART RULES REMINDER

Gulf Harbour has had several incidents and issues involving golf carts. Reports have included underage driving, wrongway driving, driving on pedestrian and bike paths, and driving under the influence.

Some excerpts from our Rules and Regulations:

Any member, family member, or guest may operate a motorized vehicle (i.e. cars, trucks, golf carts, motorized scooters, etc.) on Master Association property as long as the driver is at least 16 years of age, has a valid driver’s license, and has proof of vehicle insurance.

All golfers with golf carts should refrain from using pedestrian and bicycle pathways, if at all possible, especially if a golf cart path is available in that area and the golf cart driver is playing golf at the time. When use of a Gulf Harbour road is necessary, ATVs, and golf carts utilized for other than golf activities should be driven in the same direction as vehicle traffic and comply with all rules that apply to vehicles.

All Florida rules of the road must be followed when driving motor vehicles within Gulf Harbour.

Please consider the above when driving your golf cart at Gulf Harbour.

RULES & REGULATIONS REMINDER

Lakes: No boating, fishing or swimming in any lake within Gulf Harbour.

RESOURCE HUB

Eagle Perch Island: No fishing.

Marina: No recreational swimming or fishing in the marina. No fish or other marine life of any kind shall be cleaned, prepared or processed in any manner on the property.

Regulations are fully supported by: Gulf Harbour Master Association Inc., Gulf Harbour Golf and Country Club Inc., Gulf Harbour Marina Condominium Association Inc.

DISCLAIMER

REMINDER

All Dogs MUST be leashed at ALL times in and on Gulf Harbour Properties.

The Soundings is a newsletter published for the benefit of the residents of Gulf Harbour. Seabreeze Communications Group assists in providing publishing, printing and advertising services. The content is that of the authors which should not be construed to be representations, opinions or views of the Gulf Harbour Master Association Inc., or its management, officers or directors or Seabreeze Communications Group. Additionally, the paid advertising in the Soundings should not be construed as an endorsement of any advertised product or service. Finally, none of the content of the Soundings may be reproduced for any purpose nor can the name GHY&CC Homeowner’s Association or similar modification be used in any way without the express prior written consent of the GH Master Association Inc Board of Directors.