Member News

Starting March 1, the following changes will go into effect for flounder:

• Extending ALL Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission(FWC) flounder regulations into federal waters.
• Increasing the minimum size limit from 12 inches to 14 inches total length (recreational and commercial).
• Reducing the recreational daily bag limit from 10 to five fish per person.
• Establishing an Oct. 15 through Nov. 30 recreational closed season.
• For commercial harvesters using allowable gear: Establishing a commercial trip and vessel limit of 150 fish from Dec. 1 – Oct. 14, and 50 fish from Oct. 15 – Nov. 30.
• Modifying the incidental bycatch limit for commercial harvesters using non-allowable gear from 50 pounds/trip to 50 fish/trip.
• Creating a federal waters trawl bycatch limit of 150 fish/trip from Dec. 1 – Oct. 14, and 50 fish/trip from Oct. 15 – Nov. 30.

The Commission approved these changes at its December 2020 meeting because a stock status update suggested that the flounder fishery statewide has been in a general declining trend and is likely overfished and undergoing overfishing on the Atlantic coast of Florida. Other south Atlantic and Gulf states have also reported declines in flounder populations and have been making their own regulation changes.
Learn more about flounder regulations at MyFWC.com/Marine.

SENIORS BEWARE
As individuals, especially seniors, await their opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccination, scammers are taking advantage of those who have yet to be vaccinated.
In January, Sheriff Carmine Marceno issued a Crime Prevention Tip regarding this scam.  Sadly, scammers are increasing their efforts leaving innocent victims without money and without the vaccine.
Scammers use text messaging, emails and phone calls offering immediate opportunities for vaccination.
If you are offered an opportunity to receive the vaccine, and asked to pay “out of pocket,” you are being scammed.
The Coronavirus vaccine is FREE.  Under no circumstances should you be asked to send money, gift cards, etc. in exchange for vaccination.
Report all such calls/requests to the Florida Attorney General’s Fraud Hotline at 1-866-966-7226.
OPERATION S.A.F.E
Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, Jimmy Patronis, offered prudent advice and a significant warning to Florida seniors regarding attempts to take advantage of our state’s most vulnerable citizens.
“Florida currently ranks second in fraud and identity theft reports nationwide and fraudsters will stop at nothing to prey on our most vulnerable population, Florida’s seniors,” Patronis stated.
Operation S.A.F.E. (Stop Adult Financial Exploitation) is designed to provide information addressing fraudulent activity within the state.
Click here to visit “BE SCAM SMART” for tips, workshops and videos designed to help you remain safe!

FORT MYERS, FLA., February 4, 2021– Susan Bennett Marketing & Media, L.C., is celebrating its 30^th anniversary with the announcement that it has now donated $2.5 million in in-kind professional services and cash contributions to area not-for-profit organizations and helped raise more than $70 million for fund-raising and capital campaigns during her career.
Susan Bennett, an accredited and certified public relations professional with more than 50 years’ experience, founded the Fort Myers-based company that carries her name in 1991.  Since that time, Susan Bennett Marketing & Media, has become one of the most respected marketing firms in Florida with more than 200 awards from the Florida Public Relations Association, including the organization’s highest honor for the best public relations campaign in the state.
Susan Bennett Marketing & Media, L.C. has represented hundreds of businesses and non-profit organizations ranging from medical, banking, restaurants, and higher education to commercial enterprises, non-profit organizations and large public service events.
She is the founder of the “Grande Dames Tea” for the PACE Center for Girls, “Laughter Is the Best Medicine Comedy Night” for SalusCare, Inc., and the Founders’ Society of the Southwest Florida Community Foundation, among many others.
“Be good, do good and goodness will follow is my motto,” she says.
Susan Bennett Marketing & Media, L.C., is a full-service public relations and marketing firm offering innovative marketing and public relations campaigns, media relations, results-driven marketing analyses and plans, digital strategies, website and video development, and social media management.
Bennett attributes the firm’s longevity to its passion for helping others and its deep connections within the community that have been fostered over her long career in the market.
“We owe our success to the strong relationships we have formed with our clients, most of whom have been with us for 10 or more years, as well as our creative partners who help us design marketing, media and fund-raising plans that get results,” Bennett said. “Our clients’ goals become our goals and we work tirelessly to help them achieve results.”
Prior to opening her company, Bennett was a Gannett Co. executive, member of the launch team of USA TODAY and former marketing director, editor and reporter at The News-Press.  She is a high honors graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism and a Master of Arts degree in mass communications.
For more information, call 239-277-5255 or email [email protected].

FORT MYERS, Fla. – February 9, 2021 – Valerie’s House, a nonprofit organization in Southwest Florida helping children grieve, is celebrating its fifth year of providing grief support services to Southwest Florida with a year-long celebration throughout 2021.
Valerie’s House will be sharing “Then and Now” stories of growth and healing from children that have attended Valerie’s House over the years. Various news stories, behind the scenes videos of Valerie’s House, and family and volunteer testimonials will be highlighted.  Additionally, local businesses and other organizations have “adopted” Valerie’s House on social media and in their communications in an effort to increase awareness of the importance of helping grieving children.
“When we first opened Valerie’s House in 2016, I would often get asked if there were enough children in our community grieving to need a place like Valerie’s House,” said Angela Melvin, Founder & CEO of Valerie’s House. “I knew there was, but they didn’t have a voice.  In the last five years, I can say that we have now given them a voice. We are so very grateful for the community for supporting us these past five years and helping us fill the void in grief support for children in our community.”
Valerie’s House first opened its doors with 20 children and their caregivers on the evening of January 11, 2016 in a small house in downtown Fort Myers.  Since then, the organization has grown to help more than 1,000 children and expanded into three locations across Southwest Florida, including now Naples and Punta Gorda.
All throughout 2021, the community is encouraged to share personal stories of their experiences attending Valerie’s House, volunteering, and the impact the organization has had on their lives by using the hashtag  #VHTurns5 on social channels, or by emailing their story to Valerie’s House Communications Coordinator Alexa Nargi at [email protected].
Plans also are in the works for the construction of a much-needed Forever Home for grieving families of Southwest Florida that will be built on property donated by the City of Fort Myers. For more information on how you can help bring this home to life, please contact Angela Melvin at [email protected].
One in nine children in Florida is predicted to lose a parent or sibling before the age of 21, according to the 2020 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model.
Valerie’s House provides a safe, comfortable place for children and their families to heal together following the death of someone they love. Valerie’s House offers support groups and other activities at a home on 1762 Fowler Street in Fort Myers and a home in Naples at 819 Myrtle Terrace. Valerie’s House also holds group meetings at First United Methodist Church in Punta Gorda. Valerie’s House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported by community donations.  More information can be found at www.valerieshouse.org.

Fort Myers, FL, February 12, 2021: Be Greek for the Weekend…..in a socially distanced way of course!
Join us Friday & Saturday, February 26 & 27 from 11am to 7pm and Sunday, February 28 from 11am to 6pm for all of the mouth-watering Greek Food our Greek Fest is known for – call ahead, drive thru and bring it home for lunch or dinner! Tastes like all the goodies Yiayia ( Grandma) used to make!  Appetizers, Sandwiches, Dinners, and many Desserts!  Vegetarian Items available. Gyros, Spanakopita, Baklava and so much more. Place your today – order online, by phone or day of at the church & enjoy a Taste of Greece at home. Stop by on Friday to pick up dinner and come back for lunch, dessert and another dinner – we’re open all weekend long!
Due to Covid 19 restrictions we are unable to provide our wonderful marketplace, carnival rides and amazing authentic Greek Dance Groups, but being Greek is all about the  food and we have it all!
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church has been an important part of Lee County for many years serving over 235 families. For over 46 years, our parish has entertained Lee County with a glorious display of sights, sounds and tastes of Greece. Families have been coming to Cypress Lake Drive for many reasons— No matter the reason, they always experience the warmth and generosity that have been the hallmarks of the Greek culture.
This festival helps our community to fund the multiple ministries that serve our community – from youth groups to philanthropic organizations.
The weekend ends with our huge $25,000 CASH RAFFLE! Win $25,000 Cash! Drawing held on Sunday, February 28th, 2021. Tickets are $25 each and only 2,000 tickets will be sold. (50/50 with the maximum payout being$25,000). Thank you to our sponsor, Nick and Stella’s Family Sports Pub!
For more information, to purchase your ticket or place your To-Go order, call the church office at: 239.481.2099. Order Online at www.greekfestfortmyers.com
Celebrating our 46th year of Greek Fest Fort Myers, let us do the cooking – all weekend long –   OPA!
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church – 8210 Cypress Lake Drive – 239-481-2099

Fort Myers, Florida, February 6, 2021:
Millennium Physician Group has created a new destination for Southwest Florida to get accurate and actionable COVID-19 information by launching a weekly TV news report called Destination Health, airing every Saturday, during NBC2’s 6 pm newscast. The video segments, produced by an award-winning team with more than two decades combined medical reporting experience, present timely health, wellness, and medical information with a focus on all aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There is so much misinformation out there, especially regarding COVID-19,” says Millennium Chief Medical Officer Alejandro Perez-Trepichio, MD. “The information is changing so rapidly, it’s hard for people to know what’s true. We wanted to give everyone a place to find accurate information they could trust. At the end of the day, it’s important for the community to have a good source of reliable medical information, and this partnership allows us to provide that.”
Local physicians and medical experts from Millennium Physician Group as well as throughout Florida are featured in the Destination Health segments, reporting valuable information and insights about COVID-19, as well as bringing viewers inspiring stories from the frontlines of fighting this virus.
“We are thrilled to be working with the distinguished group of healthcare professionals at Millennium Physician Group,” says Vice President of News, Digital, Marketing and Production for Waterman Broadcasting of Florida Darrel Lieze-Adams. “Providing our community with vital health-related information is a long-standing pillar of our daily news coverage on NBC2. This partnership is a key element of continuing to build on that commitment.”
Millennium is not just coming to your TVs, but also to your radios and streaming devices. A second new destination for relevant health news is Destination Health Radio. Every week, host Michelle McCormick takes you on a healthcare journey, interviewing physicians, experts, and patients from across Florida in order to help listeners achieve their best health.
Brought to you by Millennium Physician Group, a new episode of Destination Health Radio broadcasts every Saturday on WOKV 104.5FM from 5 – 6 pm in Jacksonville, but you can listen to the podcast of the show anytime, anywhere by heading to destinationhealthradio.buzzsprout.com.
About Millennium Physician Group
Millennium Physician Group is the largest comprehensive, independent physician group in Florida with more than 140 locations in 18 Florida counties. With more than 500 healthcare providers, Millennium offers primary care, specialty care, walk-in centers, imaging centers, labs and more. We maintain a strong commitment to high quality care with state-of-the-art technology combined with a friendly family atmosphere. Learn more at www.MillenniumPhysician.com.

SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc. Announces Theme & Date for 2021 Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest 
FORT MYERS, Fla. (Feb. 11, 2021) – SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc. has pledged to help bring children “Out of the Darkness Into the Light” with the commitment to build the new SWFL Children’s Charities Eye Institute of Golisano Children’s Hospital. This new state-of-the-art facility will provide expanded Ophthalmology services to children across the region. The 2021 Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest’s story book inspired theme is touching given our current times and speaks to the struggles of children facing vision challenges and blindness.
Celebrating its thirteenth year, the 2021 Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest will take place Saturday, April 24, 2021. The evening will include a virtual event, online auction and exclusive dining experiences in private homes throughout Southwest Florida, featuring exquisite wines from renowned vintners and cuisine from celebrated chefs.
“We are looking forward to another magical evening in support for our region’s growing pediatric health care system,” Board of Directors President Sandy Youngquist said. “The new eye institute is a beacon of hope in these uncertain times, literally helping to bring children out of the darkness and into the light with the life-changing gift of sight.”
This year, the traditional live auction will go virtual offering opportunities to bid on one-of-a-kind wine, cuisine and travel experiences plus the important virtual paddle raise to help fund the eye institute. As always, the Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest will feature a night of artful cuisine created by celebrated chefs and expert wine pairings from selected vintner partners. Guests will have the option to join in person at our live, intimate Chef Vintner Dinners at luxury venues throughout the region or participate safely from home while engaging in the Wine Fest @Home experience by ordering a prepared four-course meal and specially paired wines, joining us for the virtual event on the same evening. The virtual event will combine live and pre-recorded segments, impactful stories of children and families who have been affected by pediatric healthcare challenges in our region, a preview of auction items, mobile bidding and entertainment.
Funds raised at the auction will benefit SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc.’s efforts to provide lifesaving care and lasting solutions that enable a secure future for the children of Southwest Florida. Proceeds will support pediatric health care services at Golisano Children’s Hospital, specifically the new SWFL Children’s Charities Eye Institute.
Event Sponsors include Seminole Casino Hotel, Synovus, California Closets, Siesta Pebble and Stock Development. Media partners include Florida Weekly, Gulfshore Life, Naples Daily News & The News-Press. To learn more about the 2021 Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest, please visit www.swflwinefest.org.
About SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc. 
SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc. is a local nonprofit organization that is dedicated to saving children’s lives by supporting the region’s growing pediatric health care system. The organization has donated over $24 million over the past 12 years in support of children’s health initiatives across the five regions. The Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest is the organization’s annual signature fundraiser. Proceeds from the 2021 event will support pediatric health care services at Golisano Children’s Hospital, specifically focusing on the new SWFL Children’s Charities Eye Institute. For more information, visit www.swflwinefest.org.