Member News

Don’t forget to send sweet love to your mother and anyone who has loved you like one on May 12 with Norman Love Confections’ limited-edition 2024 Mother’s Day Collection. The flavors in the collection of ultra-premium chocolates pay tribute to sips and nostalgic baked goods like mom used to make.

The collection features 10 unique, handcrafted heart-shaped chocolates:
• Banana Cream Pie: Classic banana filling is sprinkled with crispy wafers in white chocolate.
• Banana Bread: You can almost smell the freshly baked banana bread and milk chocolate.
• Carrot Cake: Enjoy sweetly spiced carrot cake like Mom used to make in milk chocolate.
• Chocolate Cake: Show her you love her moist, homemade dark chocolate cake.
• Espresso: A perfect coffee break: dark chocolate infused with rich Italian espresso.
• Raspberry Rose: Like a delicate teacake, the flavors of tart red raspberry and rose are enhanced by white chocolate.
• Peaches & Cream: Taste the warm sun in fresh Georgia peaches with white chocolate.
• Pecan Pie: No matter how you pronounced it, crunchy pecan pie and milk chocolate is a sweet treat.
• Peppermint Mocha: Dark chocolate, coffee and a splash of schnapps make dessert special.
• Red Wine: Cheers! A sip of bold red wine in dark chocolate for the woman of the hour.

Included in the 2024 Mother’s Day Collection are 10 unique heart-shaped chocolates, which can be purchased in a 10-piece box for $29, as well as a 16-piece for $42 and a 25-piece box for $60 which include assorted chocolates from the Signature Collection.

The 2024 Mother’s Day Collection is offered from April 29 through May 11 and available for purchase online at NormanLoveConfections.com or in Norman Love Confections’ chocolate salons in Fort Myers, Naples, Estero and Sarasota.

About Norman Love Confections

Founded in 2001 by Norman and Mary Love, Norman Love Confections creates and distributes handcrafted artisanal chocolates from its corporate headquarters at 11380 Lindbergh Blvd. in Fort Myers, Florida. The award-winning Fort Myers-based chocolatier has been lauded more than a dozen times by a leading consumer ratings magazine, including recognition six times for producing the best ultra-premium chocolates in the nation. Forbes.com included Norman Love Confections BLACK line on its list of the nation’s top 10 truffles; The Huffington Post listed it among the six best U.S. destinations in its Chocolate Lover’s Travel Guide; and USA Today named Love as one of its top 10 entrepreneurs for 2014. Love was named the inaugural inductee of Dessert Professional Magazine’s Chocolatier Hall of Fame, partnered with local chefs to present a six-course meal at the James Beard House in New York and Norman Love Confections was ranked among the top 10 shops in the world for chocolate lovers by U.K. media outlet Daily Telegraph. Norman Love Confections has Chocolate Salons in Fort Myers, Estero, Naples and Sarasota, including a pastry shop and café at Whole Foods Market in Fort Myers salon. Norman Love Confections’ chocolates, gift baskets, sipping chocolate and specialty items also can be ordered online at www.normanloveconfections.com. In addition, chocolates are available at independent retail locations throughout the U.S. For more information visit www.normanloveconfections.com or call 239-561-7215.

FSW Hosts Financial Aid Workshop

April 19, 2024 – FORT MYERS, FLA – Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) is hosting a Financial Aid Workshop on Saturday, Apr. 27, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lee Campus in Room S202. The event is intended to aid both current and prospective students in understanding and filling out the 2024-2025 FAFSA forms.

The workshop will provide assistance with FAFSA forms and offer students the chance to speak with representatives from various FSW departments including the Registrar, VA, Advising, Bursar, Workforce Education, and Admissions.

Prospective students attending the workshop will be able to apply to FSW and will have the application fee waived. Additionally, there will be a chance for attendees to win a $500 scholarship.

For more information, visit www.fsw.edu/financialaid, or to RSVP, go to https://fsw.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Events/EventDetails?eventId=febfa1e9-a5fd-ee11-8a25-0ec4582b89fd

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Florida SouthWestern State College is Southwest Florida’s largest and most affordable institution of higher education. Annually serving nearly 20,000 students globally, FSW offers a variety of nationally-ranked, career-focused academic programs with two- and four-year degrees and professional certifications, several with 100 percent licensure pass and job placement rates. Study and travel abroad opportunities are available for students through FSW’s Center for International Education. Students are also active in clubs and programs catered to their interests. Visit www.FSW.edu for more information.

Bochette Way and Llewelyn Closing
City of Fort Myers will be closing Bochette Way and Llewlyn on March 23rd, 2024, from 7:00am to 3:00pm and again on March 26th from 5:00am to 7:00am. The work to be done at this time will be to remove the obelisks at Rachel at the Well and prepare the area for the fencing company work that will be the following week. The conservation work on the statue is to begin April 8th, 2024 and continue for 3 months.
1617 Hendry Street- Lift Work
Alessio Development Florida, LLC will be installing new windows on the building at 1617 Hendry Street starting on Monday, December 11, 2023. The sidewalk in front of the building and 3 parking spaces in front of the building will be closed while they are working up above. Work hours are 7:00am to 5:00pm. Work is ongoing waiting on additional windows. Contact is Jonathan Bayci, Alessio Development Florida, LLC, 312-771-7640.
Rockfill Road Drainage and Utility Improvements Edison Ave to Canal Street
Construction of drainage and utility improvements will begin on Sept 5, 2023, with completion of the
project anticipated to be completed on November 28, 2024.
•
Traffic on Rockfill Road is north bound only. Detour signs are posted at the appropriate intersections, side streets and all driveway accesses. Crews have started to install storm drain pipe and structures under driveways.
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Driveways to businesses will need to be temporarily closed as they are crossed with new infrastructure. Businesses will be contacted the week prior to starting work in their area to work out accommodation and hour restrictions.
Residents are advised to use caution when traveling through the construction zones.
Hanson Street Raw Watermain Construction: Starting week of November 6, 2023, and
continuing for several months, expect periodic intermittent traffic disruptions during daytime, nonpeak- hour traffic periods associated with crews working in the shoulder of Hanson Street from Palm Ave. to Work Dr. Any questions and concerns please contact Carl Karakos, City of Fort Myers, 239-321-7458.
UPDATED 4/19/24. 2
Royal Palm Avenue from First Street to Second Street
Brooks and Freund will be closing Royal Palm Avenue from First Street to Second Street starting on
August 19, 2022 until the end of the project possible June 2024 due to material deliveries. You will be able to come to the Library on Richmond Avenue to drop off books and then turn south on Royal Palm Avenue to exit onto Second Street. Beginning the first week of March 2024, Royal Palm Avenue will be closed from First Street to Second Street for 2 weeks while Teco conducts work in the intersection and Royal Palm repaving in all the parking spaces and roadway where they had to cut into the road for conduit installation. Contact for the project is Brooks and Freund, Jack Jamme, 239-939- 5251 Or David Ramey.
E Mall Drive- Paving
Seaton Paving will be repaving E Mall Drive near 2320 starting on April 23rd, 2024 thru April 25th, 2024. E. Mall Drive will be closed daily between the hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Affected traffic will be detoured around the work area during those times using Solomon Boulevard to Winkler Ave to Fowler Street. Any issues please contact John Scott with Scott Safety, LLC at 239-340-8695 or [email protected].
Corner of McGregor Boulevard and Clifford Street
FPL will be working on the corner of McGregor Boulevard and Clifford Street on Wednesday, May 1st from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. They will have the southeast lane of Clifford Street closed using proper maintenance of traffic signage and personal. The contractor is Bobby Skinner with Ferriera Construction, 772-321-9128.
Ortiz Avenue Widening from SR 884 (Colonial Boulevard) to SR 82 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard): This project consists of the widening of Ortiz Avenue from 2 lanes to 4 lanes and constructs a six-foot sidewalk on the east side of the road and a 10-foot paved trail on the west side of the road. An on-road bike lane on both sides of the road will also be included. New street lighting will be installed, and a grass median will separate traffic. No improvements will be made at the roundabout intersection with Hanson Street. The contractor will reconstruct the roadway with drainage improvements and stormwater management facilities. Work also includes installation of new water main and installation of new reclaimed water and sewer facilities for Lee County and the City of Fort Myers.
Drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists are urged to use extra caution
when traveling through the work zone.

• Crews will begin to mobilize equipment and materials to the project site.
• Crews will begin clearing and grubbing.
• The contractor is scheduled to survey the project during daytime hours. • The contractor is identifying existing utility locations throughout the project. Crews may be working close to the roadway. Motorists are asked to drive with caution.
  Please use caution and watch for workers and construction vehicles entering and leaving the roadway.
  UPDATED 4/19/24. 3
  Estimated completion is Spring 2026. Project cost is approximately $31 M. The contractor is OHLA USA. For further questions, please visit www.leegov.com or contact Jennifer Dorning by email at [email protected] or by phone at (239) 338-7723.
  
• I-75 at Colonial Boulevard (mile marker 136):
  Construction project: Crews begin construction on the I-75 at Colonial Boulevard Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) Project. Other improvements along Colonial Boulevard include a Continuous Flow Intersection (CFI) at the intersection of Six Mile Cypress Parkway/Ortiz Avenue and a Superstreet intersection at the Colonial Boulevard/Forum Boulevard intersection. I-75 will also be widened to provide an auxiliary lane in each direction from Colonial Boulevard to SR 82/Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The off-ramps at Colonial Boulevard DDI and the northbound off-ramps at SR 82 will have emergency stopping sites.
• Motorists should expect intermittent lane closures on I-75 and the on and off ramps at SR 884/Colonial Boulevard during nighttime/overnight hours from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. through the duration of construction.
  •
  Motorists should expect intermittent lane closures on SR 884/Colonial Boulevard during the nighttime/overnight hours from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through the duration of the construction.
  Drivers should exercise caution and be aware of construction vehicles entering and exiting the roadway throughout the duration of the project. The expected completion date is mid-2024.
  SR 884 (Colonial Boulevard) and Fowler Street:
  Construction project: Crews are constructing turn lanes, drainage upgrades, signalization upgrades and milling and resurfacing at the intersection of Colonial Boulevard and Fowler Street.
  •
  Motorists should anticipate right turn lane closures onto westbound SR 884 9Colonial Boulevard) when traveling southbound on Fowler Street.
  •
  Motorists should anticipate right turn lane closures onto eastbound SR 884 (Colonial Boulevard) when traveling northbound on Fowler Street.
  •
  Three lanes on SR 884 (Colonial Boulevard) headed eastbound will be reduced to two lanes when approaching Fowler Street.
  •
  Motorists should expect intermittent nighttime/overnight lane closures as crews work on signalization of the intersection.
  All lane closures are subject to change based on weather conditions.
  The expected project completion is mid 2024.
  US 41 over Caloosahatchee River Bridge Pedestrian Improvements: Design-Build Project from First Street in Fort Myers to North Key Drive in North Fort Myers. This project is intended to improve pedestrian safety by modifying the existing bridge to accommodate an eight-foot sidewalk on the west side of the southbound bridge. The sidewalk will connect to existing sidewalks north and south of the bridge structure to create safe access for pedestrians to cross.
  UPDATED 4/19/24. 4
  •
  Starting Sunday, April 7: The Bridge will be reduced to one lane in both northbound and southbound directions for crews to complete Phase I of the project.
  •
  Phase I construction activities are expected to be completed in December 2024.
  State Roadways (US 41, SR 31, SR 78, SR 80, SR 82, SR 739, SR 865, and SR 867): Maintenance contract
  project: Crews are sweeping curb and gutter on state roadways and bridges. Motorists should expect
  lane closures during nighttime/overnight hours from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., weather permitting. Motorists
  should expect slow-moving traffic and possible delays.
  SR 80 / Palm Beach Boulevard at Tarpon Street: Maintenance Project: Motorists should expect intermittent lane closures from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. while contractors perform maintenance to storm water systems. Motorists should use caution as crews work near the roadway.
  SR 80/Palm Beach Boulevard from Kingston Drive to Marion Street: Maintenance Project: Motorists should expect intermittent land closures from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. while crews perform maintenance to storm drains. Motorists should use caution as crews work near the roadway.
  SR 82/Buckingham Road to Lee Boulevard/Colonial Boulevard:
  Maintenance permit project: Motorists should expect intermittent lane closures during nighttime/overnight hours from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. while crews work on crosswalk corrections.. Motorists should use caution while traveling in this area.
  SR 82/Buckingham Road to Lee Boulevard/Colonial Boulevard: Maintenance
  Project: Motorists should expect slow moving traffic and delays on SR 82 westbound during daytime and nighttime hours while crews pave driveways. Nighttime lane closures will take place from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Motorists should use caution as crews work near the roadway.
  SR 739 from Palm Avenue to Old Metro Parkway:
  Maintenance Project: Motorists should expect drilling operations to be performed on SR 739 on the
  eastbound and westbound shoulders during the daytime hours. Anticipated completion date of May

1. Motorists should use caution as crews work near the roadway.
   SPECIAL EVENTS
   UPDATED 4/19/24. 5
   –April 19, 2024
   -Music Walk – River District Alliance (RDA) presents their monthly Music Walk Event from 6:00
   p.m. to 10:00 p.m. First St. from Monroe to Jackson St., Broadway from Main to First, Dean St. Hendry St. from Main St. to Bay Street will be closed from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Please watch for detour signs to lead you around the road closure.
   –April 20, 2024
   -Dunbar Library 50th Anniversary- Dunbar Public Library will celebrate their 50th anniversary on Saturday, April 20th from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Blount Street will be closed from High Street to Verona Street from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Please watch for detour signs to lead you around the road closure.
   –May 3, 2024
   -Art Walk- Artwalk will be held this Friday from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The following roads will be
   closed from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm: First Street from Broadway Avenue to Lee Street, Hendry Street
   from Main Street to Bay Street and Jackson Street from Main Street to Bay Street. Please watch for
   detour signs to take you around road closure.
   –May 4th and 5th, 2024
   -Mexican Food Street Fest – Millennial Brewery will host Mexican Food Street Fest 2024 on Saturday,
   May 4th from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm and Sunday, May 6th, 2024 from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Royal
   Palm Avenue in front of Millennial Brewery located between Second Street and Thompson Street
   will be closed from 8:00 a.m. on Saturday the 4th and reopen on Sunday the 5th at 6:00 p.m. Please
   watch for detour signs to lead you around the road closures.
   -May 11, 2024
   -Kids to the Park Day– The City of Fort Myers Teen Advisory Council will present the Kids To Park
   Day at Centennial Park on Saturday, May 4th, 2024 from 10:00am to 2:00pm. There will be kids activities
   in the park to get them out and be active. Heitman Street will be closed from Bay Street to Monroe from
   8:00 am to 4:00 pm that day.
   –May 11, 2024
   -Bike Night- The Standard will host Bike Night on Saturday, May 11th, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
   Broadway will be closed from Main Street to First Street from 3:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Please watch for
   detour signs to take you around road closures.
   –May 17, 2024
   -Music Walk – River District Alliance (RDA) presents their monthly Music Walk Event from 6:00
   p.m. to 10:00 p.m. First Street from Monroe Street to Jackson Street, Broadway from Main Street to First
   Street, Dean Street from Bay Street to First Street and Hendry Street from Main St. to Bay Street will be
   closed from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Please watch for detour signs to lead you around the road closure.
   UPDATED 4/19/24. 6
   –May 18, 2024
   -Unicorn Fest – Millennial Brewery will host Unicorn Fest 2024 on Saturday, May 18th from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Royal Palm Avenue in front of Millennial Brewery located between Second Street and Thompson Streets will be closed from 8:00 a.m. until at 10:00 p.m. Please watch for detour signs to lead you around the road closures.
   –May 22, 2024
   -Lee County Government Event- Lee County Board of County Commissioners will be having a private event on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, between their 2 Lee County buildings and for the safety of all employees we will be closing Broadway Ave. from Second Street to Main Street from 6:00 am to 4:00pm that day. Please watch for detour signs to lead you around the road closure.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

REPORTS MARCH TRAFFIC

FORT MYERS, Fla. (April 19, 2024) – During March, 1,509,777 passengers traveled through Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers. This was an increase of 29 percent compared to March 2023. It was also the second-best March reported in the 41-year history of the airport. Year-to-date, passenger traffic is up 25 percent.

The traffic leader in March was Southwest with 278,639 passengers. Rounding out the top five airlines were Delta (260,718), United (195,560), American (180,831) and Spirit (140,160).

Southwest Florida International Airport had 11,621 aircraft operations, an increase of 25 percent compared to March 2023. Page Field saw 15,610 operations, which was a 19 percent decrease compared to March 2023.

Southwest Florida International Airport served more than 10 million passengers in 2023 and is one of the top 50 U.S. airports for passenger traffic. No ad valorem (property) taxes are used for airport operation or construction. For more information, visit flylcpa.com or facebook.com/flyRSW.

Lake Michigan Credit Union is pleased to announce details for their spring Shred Your Stuff Day in Fort Myers.

On Saturday, April 20, from 9–11 a.m., LMCU members and non-members alike can bring up to six Bankers-Box-sized boxes of sensitive or personal documents to LMCU’s Gulf Coast Fort Myers branch, located at 17830 Ben Hill Griffin Pkwy, and have the documents professionally shredded and disposed of for free. LMCU has offered this service for many years, and it is just one of the many ways LMCU protects their members from identity theft.

“Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in America. With the world becoming increasingly digital, it’s so easy to forget about physical papers that contain our sensitive information,” said Matt Cook, LMCU’s Vice President of Community Relations. “Our Shred Day events are for anybody, anywhere, to destroy their old documents and keep their info out of the hands of thieves.”

Those looking to have their documents shredded should drive up and remain in their vehicles for the safety of staff and participants. Event details are subject to change. Any changes to the event schedule will be posted on LMCU.org and LMCU’s social media pages.

For information on other Shred Day events, visit LMCU.org/Events.

Lake Michigan Credit Union, established in 1933, is the largest credit union in Michigan and 16th largest in the country. Employing a staff of over 1,650 and serving nearly 600,000 members, LMCU’s assets exceed $13 billion, with over $16 billion in portfolio and serviced mortgages. LMCU has 70 convenient branch locations, including 21 across Central and Southwest Florida. LMCU members have access to over 55,000 Allpoint ATMs worldwide. LMCU provides a full range of financial services, from high interest-bearing checking accounts to personal loans, mortgages, commercial banking, investments, and insurance.

To find out more, visit LMCU.org. Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS #442967.

Lake Michigan Credit Union Announces the 2024 $50,000 Home Makeover Sweepstakes

Grand Rapids, Mich. (April 18, 2024) – Lake Michigan Credit Union announced the launch of its 2024 $50,000 Home Makeover sweepstakes, running from Monday, April 1 through Friday, July 5.

Any Michigan or Florida resident 18 years of age or older can enter LMCU’s $50,000 Home Makeover sweepstakes. You can enter daily online at LMCU.org/50K or in one of LMCU’s 70 branches. For complete sweepstakes rules, see LMCU.org/50K.

The sweepstakes had a record 1,206,602 entries in 2023. The grand prize was won by Brittany from Grand Rapids, who planned on using the money for a down payment on a home.

The cash prize can be used however the winner desires. Maybe you’ve been meaning to renovate your kitchen, or your roof is due for repair. You could take that dream vacation or save it for your child’s college fund. The possibilities are endless.

“Our communities look forward to the $50,000 Home Makeover every year,” said LMCU President and CEO Julie Leonard. “It is amazing to see the difference the sweepstakes can make in the winner’s life. Besides being an exciting event, it also serves as a reminder that helping our members achieve their lifelong financial goals is what LMCU is all about.”

To enter the $50,000 Home Makeover sweepstakes, visit LMCU.org/50K or your local LMCU branch.

Lake Michigan Credit Union, established in 1933, is the largest credit union in Michigan and 16^th largest in the country. Employing a staff of over 1,650 and serving nearly 600,000 members, LMCU’s assets exceed $13 billion, with over $16 billion in portfolio and serviced mortgages. LMCU has 70 convenient branch locations, including 21 across Central and Southwest Florida. LMCU members have access to over 55,000 Allpoint ATMs worldwide. LMCU provides a full range of financial services, from high interest-bearing checking accounts to personal loans, mortgages, commercial banking, investments, and insurance.

To find out more, visit LMCU.org. Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS #442967.