AUGUST 2025
Stranger Than Fiction
A cult in Ft. Myers? Really?
This is the true story of the Koreshans, a community founded by Cyrus Teed in his Quest for Utopia. In 1868, while working on an electrical experiment, Teed, a physician and scientist of sorts, was stunned and fell unconscious. When he awoke, he stated that he had a vision of God in the form of a beautiful woman who told him secrets of the universe and that God was both man and woman. He was told by the vision that he should establish a tranquil community (or a cult) with the beliefs of immortality, celibacy, equality of men and women, and a unique, and somewhat deranged belief that humanity lived in a hollow sphere under which were the earth, the sun, the moon, and the stars.
Teed began the Koreshanity religion in New York, then in Chicago, and ultimately on several hundred acres in Estero in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His adherents believed him to be The Messiah who would
be immortal and resurrected after death.
The members of the commune reached about 200 men and women, many of whom were scientists, educators, engineers, and thinkers who were attracted to the charismatic leader.
The Estero cult was selfsufficient with a school (one could join even with their children), a bakery, laundry, machine shop, a College of the Hollow Earth theory, an Art Hall, and an orchestra.
Men and women could not marry, must remain celibate and live in separate quarters. Teed felt that sex was the downfall of humanity though he very much “liked” the ladies.
Teed died in 1909 after injuries he received in a scuffle in a bar in Ft. Myers. The community who believed him to be immortal, placed his body in a bath tub to await his resurrection. After a week, with no signs of this, the health inspector stated that (continued on page 3)
he had to be buried. His nonresurrection caused some members to leave the cult, but many remained with the last member dying in 1982.
As you can imagine, his sexless community was ultimately doomed to fail. The last Koreshan finally believed that the Hollow Earth Theory was untrue when she saw the men land on the moon in 1969. Yet she remained there until her death in 1982.
The grounds of the cult were then given to the State of
Florida and became a State Park.
Take a tour, guided or unguided, of the park to see the unique and bizarre establishment. Stroll through the park or kayak or picnic or even camp, and stop in to see the Art Hall with its rare Model C Steinway piano with 85 keys. The beautiful Art Hall made of the extinct Florida white pine still has concerts open to the public. If you visit on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., you can visit the Cast Iron Cafe
where you will see docents in period costume and have the delicious sourdough bread made with the original Koreshan recipe.
This Florida State Park with its remarkable, almost unbelievable and interesting background is located at the intersection of route 41 and Corkscrew Road, and is open 365 days a year from 8 a.m. until sunset.
Enjoy some intriguing Florida history right in our own back yard.
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The Verandah View is a publication of the VCA. We work with Seabreeze Communications, a marketing company whose advertising provides the revenue to produce the View at no cost to the Verandah community. The content is prepared by the VCA Communications Committee.
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Relax, Restore, Regenerate
Treat yourself to a massage with one of our three therapists here at Verandah fitness center 7 days a week. Whether you’re recovering, realigning or simply unwinding, we’ve got you covered.
The club offers deep tissue relief, soothing Swedish massage, injury-focused medical and myoskeletal alignment, lymphatic drainage, Reflexology, Reiki and more. Our therapists offer a wide range of techniques to match your needs. Massages range from 30 to 90 minutes.
To book an appointment visit the Verandah Club website and go to Wellness Activities - Spa Services. You will find a list of all the massage offerings, prices and information about how to book an appointment.
Meet our three therapists on the next page.
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TAMEE FERGUSON
Tamee began her career in massage therapy after graduating from Florida Academy in 2013. In addition to Verandah, Tamee also sees clients in Sanibel. She discovered Erik Dalton’s technique of Myoskeletal Alignment Therapy MAT. This technique works with the muscles and the bones together as a unit because everything is connected. She attended Dalton’s ultimate workshop traveling to Costa Rica for a 7-day intensive course and she continues to increase her skills attending Dalton’s workshops. The Freedom from Pain Institute taught her that the site of the pain is often not the cause. Correcting posture and incorrect cross patterning movements will decrease pain and increase range of motion. While she specializes in Myofascial release, neuromuscular massage and range of motion trough MAT, she tailors each massage to the client.
JANICE HARTWEL
Janice has been licensed massage therapist for 19 years, having graduated in 2005 from FL Academy of Massage and Skincare in Ft. Myers, FL. She has been a member of the Verandah Fitness team for over 6 years as a massage therapist. Her work experience includes The Sanibel Day Spa, and massage companies in
Naples and Bonita Springs. Janice has a passion for health and natural healing methods. After becoming a Reiki master, she graduated from the Rosemary Gladstar herbal correspondence course, wanting to delve more deeply into energy work, she graduated from a 3 yr. program at Corestar Energy Healing School in Mission, KS. She receives much joy from seeing clients walk out after a session with less pain, increased relaxation and peace of mind. Janice incorporates different healing techniques to affect this change. These include Swedish massage, neuromuscular, Trigger PT, Reflexology, and Reiki.
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BAILEY WOOD
Bailey is a U.S. Navy veteran, former EMT, and health coach. He brings a unique blend of experience and care to his work. With over 6 years as a massage therapist and an associate’s degree in therapeutic massage, he specializes in helping people feel better through various massage techniques. Bailey’s focus is on anatomy, physiology, and pathology. He strives to ensure each session is tailored to the specific needs of the client promoting comfort, healing, and overall well-being. He is passionate about making health and wellness accessible to everyone, and here to help clients feel their best.
Pet of the Month
This fluffy feline kitten named Finnegan is a Maine Coon. The Maine Coon is the State Cat of Maine! Finnegan is nine months old and weighs 16.7 pounds, but he will continue growing until he is three! Finnegan is a sweet and easy going cat who gets along well with his dog brother and his
cat sister. Maine Coon’s are commonly referred to as “the gentle giant” and some people say the Maine Coon has dog-like characteristics such as cuddling, and one owner even heard her cat bark!
One of Finnegan’s favorite things is watching through the windows and screens
FINNEGAN
keeping all the birds and squirrels on their toes.
(continued on page 7)
So, if it’s a large, cuddling cat you want full of massive amounts of love, think of adopting a very furry Maine Coon like Finnegan. You’re sure to get an adoring pet who not just meows, but likely will chirp, very loudly purr and sometimes even yowl!
Finnegan’s lucky parent is Susan McIntyre.
A beloved pet’s photo, whether dog, cat, horse, bird, or fish will be featured in the Verandah View Pet of the Month. Resident owners can send in a photo with pet’s name, owner’s
name, type of pet, and one sentence or two about their pet by texting Susan Shamey at (724) 355-2478 or email sshamey@ymail.com. Pet photos will be randomly chosen from entries – big or small. All pets are beautiful to their owners.
Sew & Sews’ Holiday Tour of Homes Tour Verandah homes decorated for the season!
Save the Date
sunday, December 7, 2025
12 noon to 4 p.m.
Sew & Sews’ Holiday Tour of Homes Tour Verandah homes decorated for the season!
$25 per ticket (admits one)
Look for details in September!
$25 per ticket (admits one)
Look for details in September!
$25 per ticket (admits one)
Look for details in September!
Save the Dates!
Event Dates are Set for next season!
We’re getting ready for another season of fabulous events brought to you by VWSC. Membership details will be available later this summer!
Tuesday, October 28
Slip into your little black dress and join us for a fabulous evening filled with fun, friends, and giving back. Enjoy a lively atmosphere, exciting raffle prizes, and the joy of supporting a meaningful cause.
All proceeds benefit Moffitt Cancer Center in support of breast cancer awareness.
Sip & Shop
Monday, December 8
Get a head start on your holiday shopping while enjoying a festive evening with friends. Browse a fantastic selection of unique gifts from returning favorites and exciting new vendors. It’s the perfect way to check off your list and have fun doing it!
Dancing Through the Decades
Tuesday, January 20
Get ready to groove to the greatest hits of the '60s, '70s, and '80s! Dress to impress in your favorite decade’s style and hit the dance floor for a night of nostalgia, fun, and unforgettable memories.
Fashion Show
A Must Attend Event of the Year!
Monday, February 23
Always a sell out, our beloved Fashion Show is back featuring stunning VWSC members modeling the latest styles and trends. Enjoy an afternoon filled with fabulous fashion, lively music, and great company. It ’s the perfect blend of elegance, entertainment, and community spirit.
Monday, March 16
Join us for a cruise inspired evening filled with live entertainment, sensational lounge singers, and plenty of dancing.
Slip into one of your favorite flirty sundresses and get ready for a casual, fun filled night that feels like a getaway with your best friends by your side.
Music Bingo Dance Party
Monday, April 13
Join us for a fabulous night just for the ladies featuring Music Bingo, dancing, prizes, and delicious food. No cash buy in, just bring your energy and enjoy the fun! It was the perfect way to close out the season last year let’s make it even better this time around!
Questions?...email the VWSC team evafix11@gmail.com, ldentkos@gmail.com, san4fsu@yahoo.com, loriestlawrence@gmail.com
Comcast Update
The summer rains have not slowed the pace of the Comcast fiber installations in Verandah. The crews are averaging 3 installations per day and there are multiple crews working on site.
As a part of these network enhancements, the equipment inside and outside of your home will need to be updated to avoid an interruption to your Xfinity services. Please call 1-833-501-1928 to schedule a free appointment with a technician to update your equipment at no additional cost. Once Xfinity completes your in-home installation, you will begin receiving fiber service.
If you are currently in Verandah during the summer or you can arrange to have someone present at your home for the installation, now is a perfect time to get it done. But, fear not, if you will not return until the coming season, you can make an appointment when you return.
Consumer Alert
BCP STAFF
ARE YOU REALLY OUT OF CLOUD STORAGE OR IS THAT MESSAGE A SCAM?
You might get an email or text that seems to come from Apple, Microsoft, or Google, saying you’re out of storage. The message looks legit, and you might think there’s a chance you need more cloud space, but your scam-radar is going off. How can you be sure the link to upgrade isn’t a scam?
If you don’t even have cloud storage with the company emailing you, that’s the best clue that the message as a phishing scam you can report and delete.
But if the message comes from a company you do use for cloud storage, contact them directly. But don’t click the link in the message. Instead, use a number or website you know to be real — or log into your cloud account to see if you really need more cloud space.
Scammers often create phishing emails designed to trick you into clicking a link. Their goal? Steal your personal information or install malware on your device. So, if you suspect a phishing scam:
• Forward the email to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at reportphishing@apwg.org.
• Report phishing text messages on the messaging app you use or forward the text message to SPAM (7726).
• Report the phishing attempt to the FTC at ReportFraud. ftc.gov.
Learn more about how to protect yourself from phishing attacks and how to block and report spam text messages.
What’s Blooming At Edison And Ford Winter Estates?
KAREN M. MAXWELL, HORTICULTURE PROGRAMS COORDINATOR AND HORTICULTURE SPECIALIST AT EDISON AND FORD WINTER ESTATES
EDISON’S OLEANDER
Thomas Edison had many research beds on the south side of the property, teemed with goldenrod, rubber vine and crownof-thorns. These, and more, were planted in the late 1920s to 1930s by the Edison Botanic Research Corporation and were tested for latex content.
At one time, there were at least 160 beds, each measuring 5 feet by 20 feet. Prior to the exuberant research done for domestic tire rubber, Edison, the chemist, explored many plants for other uses. In addition to his filament research, Edison sought a way to insulate wire, something important to Henry Ford’s work.
Amongst the many euphorbias and ficuses, another latex-bearing plant was considered – the oleander. Historical purchase records indicate that Edison purchased oleander as early as 1909 from the Tampa Floral Company. A little-known piece of Edison’s work history in Fort Myers included his efforts to develop a machine to strip the leaves off oleander branches. His efforts produced a machine that stripped 20,000 plants in eight hours, which he deemed too slow, failing to meet his own goal of 160,000 plants in eight hours – and thus he abandoned this project.
VISITORS TO THE ESTATES CAN FIND BOTH PINK AND WHITE OLEANDER BLOOMS.
Oleander is the only species in the genus Nerium, part of the Apocynaceae or Dogbane family of plants, which includes plumeria, desert rose and Madagascar periwinkle. Interestingly, the extensive plumeria collection occupies part of the original research bed site. In addition to all exuding latex, they share another characteristic that will be discussed later in this article.
This is the time of year – through to autumn – when oleanders punctuate colorful summer landscapes, complementing royal poincianas and crape myrtles. The University of Florida (IFAS) information sheet on oleander calls out the “bad girl reputation” of this easy-care shrub but makes the case for thoughtful inclusion in a Southwest Florida garden.
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Before going further, I want to address the well-known issue of toxicity of oleander. Nerium comes from an ancient Greek word for water, where they naturally grow along rivers and streams. Oleander is a modern derivation from ancient Greek, meaning “to kill.” In the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, close to Naples, Italy, the tree is called “Fiori di Morto” (flower of the dead). All parts of this shrub or small tree are considered toxic to humans and domestic animals, though apparently not so to rodents. But, to provide context, over 90% of ornamental plants are irritating, if not toxic, to humans and pets. The actual number of deaths from ingesting oleander is very low in the U.S. and perhaps that is a credit to the awareness most people have of its toxicity.
All parts of this shrub or small tree are considered toxic to humans and domestic animals, though apparently not so to rodents. But, to provide context, over 90% of ornamental plants are irritating, if not toxic, to humans and pets.
Some people have even expressed concern that honey made from oleander contains toxins. Though pollination of oleander flowers requires the assistance of insects to set seed, their flowers, in fact, do not contain any nectar, thereby eliminating this concern.
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In ancient Greece, the oracle of Delphi, a high priestess known as Pythia was remembered for her divine frenzies, purportedly brought about by ingesting bay laurel. Researchers have since realized that oleander was at one time called laurel, but the bay laurel that grows alongside the oleander does not harm humans, leading to the conclusion that Pythia was probably ingesting oleander, which induced her inspired epiphanies.
For the reasons they flourish in the Mediterranean region, perhaps oleander has a home in your Southwest Florida landscape. Fast growing, these hardy, evergreen trees will not annoy the tidy gardener with messy leaf drop. They love full sun and will tolerate a small amount of shade. While regular watering will improve bloom production, they are quite capable of thriving during extensive periods of drought and can handle almost any welldrained soil. Of note, is their salt tolerance, making them a colorful choice for coastal landscapes.
Should temperatures plunge into the 20s, oleander may die back; however, given time, the roots will soon resprout new growth. Oleanders take well to pruning after flowering to maintain either their height or a nice shape to prevent them from becoming leggy.
such as “Petite Pink,” which is planted in the median strip on McGregor Boulevard, between both sides of the Estates. Oleander was introduced to the United States in 1841 through Galveston, Texas, and the Oleander City still celebrates that heritage with an annual festival in April.
In addition to Edison’s interest in the botanic elements of oleander, it was also planted as part of the dense landscape surrounding the Ford home. Given its size, it was probably already there when Mr. Ford purchased the home in 1916. Today, one can view the collection of Nerium oleander that graces the Ford property, along the McGregor fence line, which includes single white flowers and a double pink, “Mrs. Isadora Dyer.”
What are good companion plants for oleander? As a native of the Mediterranean, comparable foliage that enjoy full sun, welldraining soil and are somewhat drought tolerant would include rosemary, lantana, yarrow, and agapanthus. Marigolds will do well for winter or spring color and may aid in repelling oleander moth caterpillars.
When an insect is named after a plant, that’s an important indication of the plant being a host. Earlier in this article, I referenced a characteristic that the oleander tree shares with its botanical cousins. It’s this little bugger – the caterpillar of the Oleander Moth, sometimes called the Uncle Sam Moth due to its color pattern. The orange caterpillar with black hairs can easily
Today, there are more than 400 hybrids of oleander, including single flowers, double flowers, fragrant and dwarf varieties, (continued on page 15)
be mistaken for the Gulf Fritillary caterpillar if one doesn’t realize that it’s the wrong host plant. The Oleander Moth also will host on desert roses (Adenium), plumeria (Plumeria) and periwinkles (Catharanthus) – all members of the Dogbane family.
THE OLEANDER MOTH HAS VERY VIBRANT COLORS. THE CATERPILLARS LOOK SIMILAR TO THE GULF FRITILLARY CATERPILLARS.
As an aside, a second oleander is noted in the historical records of plants grown on the Edison property. Not a true oleander, records identify the plant as oleander (Thevita neriifolia), though today its botanical name is Cascabela thevetia. With beautiful starburst-like foliage, the lucky nut appears throughout the Estates and,
OLEANDER IS A HOST PLANT FOR THE OLEANDER MOTH. CATERPILLARS WILL EAT THE LEAVES BUT WILL NOT KILL THE PLANT.
again like the other members of the Dogbane family, it is as poisonous as its oleander cousin. The lucky nut only has yellow flowers, generating its other common name of yellow oleander.
The Garden Shoppe staff at the Estates are always happy to help answer any questions that visitors may have. We hope to see you soon!
Catch The Action
CAPT. BILL RUSSELL
AUGUST ON THE WATER
On the water around Southwest Florida in August means dealing with steamy hot weather and the possibility of daily thunderstorms. Fishing can be good for the month If you don’t mind working around the weather.
Summer days give us flat calm seas over the morning hours, perfect for running offshore. Our coastline is dotted with man-made artificial reefs, many well within sight of land with GPS coordinates available to the
public. If you are an inshore angler, it’s a nice change of pace to make a short run offshore, especially during the heat of summer when the inshore water temperatures are so high.
Fishing around the reefs, you never know what you might hook into. Everything from tasty snapper to huge goliath grouper call the reefs their home. To get the most out of the day you want an assortment of tackle that can manage the fish you target and any surprise guest. Obviously with snapper you do not need super heavy tackle, the lighter the better for the best action. But, if you want to attempt to pull a big goliath grouper from his home you will need an extra heavily (continued on page 17)
rig, we are talking 2- to 400-pound line. And many times, that’s not heavy enough. Big goliaths are protected and must remain in the water and released unharmed.
In between snapper and goliaths is the possibility of Spanish and king mackerel, cobia, permit, barracuda, snook, grouper, sharks of all sizes, plus many other species. A common method is to anchor up, deploy a chum bag, and fish several different line class rods and baits for a variety of fish.
Inshore sea trout fishing is good through the summer. Look for larger trout over areas of open water where shallow sandbars transition to deeper grass flats from
3 to 6 feet deep with good water movement. Schools of small baitfish concentrate in these areas. Trout, plus Spanish mackerel, bluefish, ladyfish, and sharks are located around the bait. Diving pelicans, terns, and gulls often give up the location of schooling bait.
Mangrove snapper fishing is a good choice throughout the inshore and nearshore waters. They gather around
...if you want to attempt to pull a big goliath grouper from his home you will need an extra heavily rig, we are talking 2- to 400-pound line. And many times, that’s not heavy enough. Big goliaths are protected and must remain in the water and released unharmed.
structure with good water movement; this could include any of the Gulf passes, docks and jetties, bridges, piers, and natural or man-made reefs. For bait, live shrimp, pilchards, and small pinfish are the ticket, plus small pieces of cut bait. Snapper have excellent vision, a small circle hook with 3 to 4 feet of 10- to 20-pound fluorocarbon leader will put the odds in your favor. Snapper are hard fighting for their size and are one of the absolute best tasting fish in our waters. If you have visitors over the summer, snapper can make a great target and reward you with a fine dinner.
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Good numbers of snook are roaming the surf along the Gulf beaches throughout the summer and are a sight fishermen’s dream. Most snook are under 26 inches, but there are much bigger fish mixed in. Pilchards, herring, small pinfish, oneeighth, or quarter-ounce white bucktail jigs, and a variety of small white flies are top baits. Look for the fish right off the edge of the beach in the surf or near any type of submerged structure. Remember, snook are catch and release only, quickly return them to the water. Snook, like most fish, are most active early and late in the day over the summer months.
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.
Whatever type of fishing or water activity you choose, be smart, drink plenty of water, and watch those thunderstorms.
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.
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.”
Katie’s Kitchen Creations BACON CHEESEBURGER
KATIE HEYSTEK
CASSEROLE (LOW CARB/KETO)
It’s back to school time! With school-aged kids we have a very busy weekly schedule; work, school, football practice, games and more. Somehow, I also must fit dinner in everyday too! Meal prep is great; casseroles are even better! My family absolutely loves this recipe; like most of my others it’s very versatile. You can experiment with different meats, cheeses and seasonings to suit your family’s tastes! This can also be made the night before, leftovers are awesome and it fits into a low-carb, gluten-free lifestyle. Happy eating!
INSTRUCTIONS
Beef Layer
1. Fry the bacon pieces until cooked then remove and set aside.
2. Sauté the onion, garlic until fragrant. Add the ground beef and cook until thoroughly browned, add salt and pepper to taste while
cooking. (Drain excess grease if necessary.)
INGREDIENTS
• 2 pounds ground beef (Ground chicken, turkey, pork and venison work as well.)
• 1 onion chopped or sliced
• 1 clove garlic, crushed (I use Jarlic.)
• 2 ounces full-fat cream cheese, cubed
• 4 slices bacon, diced (more if you love bacon too)
• salt/pepper to taste (seasonings to your liking)
• 3 large eggs
• 4 ounces heavy cream
• 8 ounces shredded cheese (We like Colby-Jack, but a sharper cheese works very well too.)
• 2 tablespoons mustard
• 2 to 4 baby dill pickles, sliced or chopped
• salt/pepper to taste
• 4 ounces shredded/grated cheese to sprinkle over the top (My family loves cheese.)
3. Stir in the cream cheese until melted and well combined.
4. Pour the beef layer into a 9x13-inch baking dish and sprinkle the bacon pieces over the beef. Set aside.
In A Separate Bowl
1. Beat the eggs, heavy cream, 6 ounces of shredded cheese, mustard and salt and pepper together.
2. Pour the mixture over the beef and bacon.
3. Place slices of pickles all over the top then cover with the remaining 4 ounces shredded cheese.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 30 to 35 minutes or until the cheese is golden and crispy.
5. Serve with salad or a green vegetable.