Member News

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. (Nov. 7, 2018) – Time is of the essence for new homebuyers at Wildwood Preserve, an Express Homes community by D.R. Horton Southwest Florida. Only four opportunities remain to own a home in this enticing community just minutes from the white-sand beaches of the Gulf of Mexico.
 
Wildwood Preserve features the 2,432-square-foot Galen floor plan that offers growing families a combination of beauty and convenience priced in the low-$300s. It includes four bedrooms, two and a half baths and a two-car garage, plus a private study room tucked away upstairs. The two-story home boasts a stylish island kitchen that overlooks the great room and a spacious covered porch. The owner’s suite includes a sizeable walk-in closet and private bath with a double-sink vanity. Two of the homes are move in ready, and two are nearly complete.
 
This enticing community is located on the corner of Imperial Parkway and East Terry Street in Bonita Springs, right between Interstate 75 and U.S. 41. Homebuyers with teenage children can rest assured their young students will be attending a respectable school. The new Bonita Springs High School is just a five-minute drive from Wildwood Preserve. After school, families can take a short drive down East Terry Street to The Bonita Springs YMCA to keep up with an active lifestyle.
 
Residents can also take in a show at the nearby Southwest Florida Event Center or enjoy a day of shopping at the Promenade at Bonita Bay and the Coconut Point mall. Beautiful shell-filled beaches and Lovers Key State Park, a popular swimming and kayaking spot, are also nearby.
 
To claim you spot in Wildwood Preserve, contact sales agents Ian Weber and Cynthia Swamer at 239-221-5249, or email [email protected]
 
Founded in 1978 in Fort Worth, Texas, D.R. Horton has operations in 79 markets in 26 states in the East, Midwest, Southeast, South Central, Southwest and West regions of the United States. D.R. Horton has been the largest builder in the United States by volume for 16 consecutive years. For 40 years, D.R. Horton has consistently delivered top-quality new homes to homebuyers across the nation. The livable floor plans, energy-efficient features, and robust new home warranty demonstrate our commitment to excellence in construction. D.R. Horton exhibits leadership in residential development through design innovation, superior craftsmanship, and responsiveness to the needs of its customers. The simple vision that began 40 years ago represents years of value and security when you choose America’s Builder to make your dreams come true. For more information, visit our website at www.drhorton.com/swfla. Home and community information including pricing, included features, terms, availability, and amenities are subject to change and prior sale at any time without notice or obligation. Square footage dimensions are approximate. D.R. Horton and Express Homes are equal housing opportunity builders. Florida Registered Building Contractor License # CBC1259453
 
 

Fort Myers, FL – Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) wants to brighten Christmas for dozens of children in Southwest Florida. The nonprofit organization dedicated to families is collecting toys at its offices in Fort Myers, Sarasota and Naples for kids who would otherwise go without this holiday season.
 
“Every child deserves something to make them feel loved and remembered at Christmastime,” said Jacquie Matthews Williams, LSF Community Outreach Coordinator. “That feeling of anticipation and hope we all get this time of year should never go unfulfilled.”
 
LSF’s goal is to bless at least 200 children with two toys each. The public is asked to donate new, unused toys appropriate for children age 9 and under. Dolls and miniature cars and trucks are OK, but items that appeal to both boys and girls, like books and puzzles, are even better.
 
Toys may be dropped off at the following locations on weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., through Dec. 17:
 

• 3661 Central Ave., Fort Myers
• 100 Wallace Ave., Suite 310, Sarasota
• 3050 Horseshoe Drive, N Building, Suite 197, Naples

 
The toys will be distributed at a Christmas Celebration sponsored by StayWell on Dec. 22 at the LSF office in Fort Myers. Children will be able to have their picture taken with Santa Claus at the event, which will also include free haircuts, music and candy. LSF will also hold celebrations for toy distribution in their Naples and Sarasota offices.
 
LSF is working with partners to arrange donations of bicycles for middle school children and gift cards for high schoolers.
 
To learn about the children who will benefit from the toy drive, call Williams at 239-217-4453 or email her at [email protected].
 
Media Contact:
Terri Durdaller, LSF Associate VP of Communications
[email protected]
813-802-8790
About Lutheran Services Florida:
Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) is a nonprofit transforming lives by providing ensuring safe children, strong families and vibrant communities. Founded in 1982, LSF currently touches the lives of 1 in 50 Floridians every year through various programs, including early education, youth shelters, foster care, charter schools, refugee and resettlement services, substance abuse mental health services, and adult guardianship. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, LSF has more than 60 programs throughout Florida and approximately 1,400 dedicated employees.
 
Through its refugee resettlement and immigration services, Lutheran Services Florida is privileged to be on the front lines of assisting refugees to acclimate to their new homes and creating a welcoming environment to the immigrant communities that arrive at our doorstep seeking a brighter future.
 
 

FORT MYERS, FLA., November 5, 2018 – Celebrate the holidays and help feed the hungry by singing at the 28th Annual Christmas Carol Sing sponsored by the Galloway Family of Dealerships.
The Christmas Carol Sing will be Tuesday, Dec. 11, at First Presbyterian Church, 2438 Second Street in downtown Fort Myers, between Lee Street and Royal Palm Avenue.  Admission is free, although organizers request voluntary donations of at least two cans of non-perishable food for The Soup Kitchen, operated by Community Cooperative, and a voluntary cash donation, if you can.
Because of the overwhelming popularity of the event, three sing-alongs are planned at 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.  The doors will open 30 minutes prior to show time.
Community Cooperative is an innovative nonprofit organization made up of social service entrepreneurs fighting to end homelessness and hunger in our community. It provides more than 15,000 meals each month through its Community Cafés and Meals on Wheels programs, distributes more than 500,000 pounds of groceries through its Mobile Food Pantries, and serves 6,500 individuals and families with homeless and comprehensive case management services through its Social & Education Resource Centers.  A proud United Way partner, Community Cooperative serves Fort Myers and the greater Lee County area, including Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres and Fort Myers Beach.
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 The Soup Kitchen and the Meals on Wheels program.
Hymn Sing organizer Sam Galloway, Jr., has made feeding the hungry part of his life’s work. “Our community has done so much to help our neighbors, but we need to do even more, especially with so many people still suffering from the effects of Hurricane Irma.  If we each just gave the equivalent of what we would spend on a meal – either at home or in a restaurant – those few dollars could feed a family of four for an entire week.” Galloway said.
Galloway said cash donations are especially needed because Community Cooperative can buy five times as much food for the same amount of money that residents spend at local grocery stores.
Residents who cannot attend any of the Christmas Carol Sing performances may donate canned goods at either the Galloway Ford dealership on Boy Scout Drive or the Coconut Point Ford dealership on U.S. 41 in Estero or mail donations to Community Cooperative, P. O. Box 2143, Fort Myers, FL  33902
The Christmas Carol Sing is a festival of holiday music and family fun.  This year’s 90-minute performance will feature the First Presbyterian Church Choir, soloists and other special guests singing favorite holiday carols with audience sing-a-longs.
There is a strong rumor that Santa Claus will be making a surprise visit for the “children in all of us.”
Tin addition to the Christmas Carol Sing, the Galloway Family of Dealerships also annually sponsors Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing in February.  Both events benefit The Soup Kitchen of Community Cooperative.
Last year, Community Cooperative received 6,000 pounds of canned goods and other non-perishable items from the Christmas Carol Sing.  The food was immediately distributed to those in need.
For more information, call First Presbyterian Church at (239) 334-2261 or visit www.fpcfortmyers.org.
 
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 The Soup Kitchen of Community Cooperative, which was founded by First Presbyterian Church, along with other local churches, in 1984.  Services are offered Sundays at 11 a.m. with Sunday Adult Education from 9:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.  A nursery is available from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Hearing assistive equipment also is available.
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Photos (identified left to right):
 

1. The Rev. Dr. Paul deJong of First Presbyterian Church, Sam Galloway, Jr., Christmas Carol Sing founder and sponsor, and Tracey Galloway, CEO of Community Cooperative.

1. First Presbyterian Church organist Eddygrace Bernard (SFM)

1. Santa and Mrs. Claus listen to the Christmas wishes of Bree Balcer (SFM).

1. Collecting food for Community Cooperative:  George Torres (Lehigh) and Renae Kosecki (Lehigh)

1. Ushers Betty Campbell (NFM) and Fred Stevens (East FM) welcome guests to the Christmas Carol Sing.

1. Rev. Roger Peterson (Cape), First Presbyterian Church minister of music, leads the audience in song.

1. Soloist Beverly Cox sings “We Need a Little Christmas.”

1. Soloist Beth Filiowich sings “O Holy Night.”

Bonita Springs, Fla. (November 5, 2018) – iPartnerMedia (iPM), a digital marketing agency and Google Partner has acquired Bonita Print Shop, an award winning printing company that has been serving Southwest Florida for more than 35 years. Operations of both firms have been consolidated at 28200 Old 41 Rd, Unit 206 in Bonita Springs. The combined firms offer professional graphic design and development of websites and execution of strategies to boost website traffic such as pay per click advertising, search engine optimization, business printing and direct mail campaigns.
In addition, iPM has launched a new corporate website. Visitors to www.ipartnermedia.com will experience simple navigation and transparent pricing for digital marketing packages. The website also features an extensive resource library of easy to read articles that educate businesses about a variety of marketing topics.
“iPartnerMedia has been offering integrated digital and print marketing solutions for more than six years,”says Mark Pace, co-founder of iPartnerMedia. “We are ecstatic to both expand our print operations and introduce Bonita Print Shop’s loyal clients to iPM’s digital marketing expertise.”
 
About iPartnerMedia
Bonita Springs-based iPartnerMedia, Inc. is a digital marketing agency and Google Partner serving small and medium sized businesses across the United States and Canada in industries such as home services, health care, education, professional services, construction and more. The talented team has extensive experience in digital marketing including website design, pay per click marketing, search engine optimization and more. Learn more at www.ipartnermedia.com.
 
About Bonita Print Shop
Bonita Print Shop is a printing company serving Southwest Florida that specializes in direct mail campaigns, business printing such as appeal mailings, newsletters, booklets  brochures, signs, banners, apparel and promotional items. The company utilizes both digital and offset printing technologies to provide high quality products including many stock and finishing options including spot UV, die cutting and much more. Learn more at www.bonitaprintshop.com.
 
Digital Image Gallery
 
NEW iPartnerMedia logo:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bz9nhxhfvfLnWkhFMFRUOUQ0Tm8/view?usp=sharing
 
NEW iPartnerMedia website: https://www.ipartnermedia.com
 
NEW Bonita Print Shop logo: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Mgc5cJe5Qt4SE_VQYfadkC_WgtKxn0iN
Bonita Print Shop website: https://www.bonitaprintshop.com
 
Media Contact:
Randy Mitchelson, APR
Vice President, iPartnerMedia, Inc.
239-449-4749 ext. 114
[email protected]
 
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FORT MYERS, FLA., November 2, 2018 – Heather Starnes has joined Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida as an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner.
Starnes is a graduate of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in human development and her MBA in finance/marketing.  She earned her Master of Science degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Simmons College in Boston, Mass. 
She has more than 25 years of experience in a variety of clinical and business-related healthcare settings as a nurse, healthcare strategist and consultant.
She is certified as an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner and in Basic Life Support, Neonatal Resuscitation Program and as a Certified Breastfeeding Consultant.
Starnes is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Southern Gulf Coast Nurse Practitioner Council, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, and the Nurse Practice Council of Lee Health.
She will assist pediatricians at the Fort Myers office at 9350 Camelot Drive and the Cape Coral office at 1261 Viscaya Parkway.
Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida, a physician-owned and operated medical practice, was formed in 1996 by many long practicing local physicians and has grown to become the largest physician-owned primary care practice in Southwest Florida.
Offices are conveniently located in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Lehigh Acres.  For more information, visit www.ppcswfl.com.
 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Nov. 1, 2018)—The 11th annual World Wine Tour has been rescheduled for Thursday, April 4, 2019, at Bell Tower Shops in Fort Myers. Beginning at 6:00 p.m., wine enthusiasts will sample a variety of domestic and international wines hand-selected by CRU Executive Chef Bob Boye. Guests will indulge in lite bites from participating Bell Tower Shops restaurants, all while enjoying the music of DJ Robert McDonald.
The event, benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities, has been rescheduled to take full advantage of enhancements being made to the venue. The re-grand opening happening this winter, will showcase Bell Tower Shops new gathering areas, redesigned storefronts and a newly designed center court featuring a new stage and contemporary lighting.
Guests who purchased tickets to the November 8th event should contact Ronald McDonald House Charities® Southwest Florida at (239) 437-0202 or [email protected] for further details.
The event is $40 per person. VIP tickets are available for $150 per person or $250 per couple and include event entry, plus a tasting certificate to a delectable four-course pairings dinner, presented by CRU Executive Chef, Bob Boye to use at guests’ leisure.
Tickets can be purchased at www.rmhcswfl.org/events.
Ronald McDonald House is located at 16100 Roserush Court in Fort Myers. Online at RMHCSWFL.org.
 

IMMOKALEE, Fla. (Nov. 1, 2018) – Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee will host a hiring event Wednesday, Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. in the Seminole Center.
Positions available include:

• Cashiers
• Cocktail Servers
• Cooks/Chefs
• Restaurant Host
• Security Officer
• Slot Attendant
• Supervisor Positions
• Experienced Table Game Dealers

Job candidates should bring their resumes and dress to impress.
Applications can also be submitted online at www.gotoworkhappy.com.
Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee is located at 506 South 1^st Street, Immokalee, Fla. 34142.
About Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee
Open 24/7; 365 days a year, Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee is Southwest Florida’s premier gaming and entertainment destination. The 51,000-square-foot plus casino offers 1,300 slots, and 38 live table games including Blackjack, Mini-Baccarat, Pai Gow, Let It Ride, Three Card Poker, Mississippi Stud, Blackjack Switch and Spanish 21. Dining options include the award-winning 1^st Street Deli, Asian fusion restaurant Lucky Mi Noodle House, and the recently renovated EE-TO-LEET-KE (“The Camp”) Grill. Seminole Casino Hotel’s nightlife is highlighted by the Zig Zag lounge, home of the Zig Zag Girlz, “where the party never ends” featuring nightly live entertainment and no last call. Additional entertainment and events are held at the Seminole Center, an indoor/outdoor special event center featuring state-of-the-art sound and lighting system. The new Seminole Casino Hotel is the first upscale hotel to open in or near Immokalee and offers suites and deluxe guestrooms with modern décor and features, plus amenities including a swimming pool with private cabanas, 24-hour fitness studio and free Wi-Fi.
Located at 506 South 1^st Street in Immokalee, Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee is easily accessible to all of Southwest Florida via I-75 and Southwest Florida International Airport is only a 45-minute drive from the casino. Located between Miami and Naples, north of Alligator Alley on Highway 846, it is five blocks south of Highway 29. Approximately 30 minutes from Naples and Fort Myers, the casino is a 90-minute drive from Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Seminole Casino Hotel participates in the Seminole Players Club Wild Card Rewards Program whereby players earn and redeem comp dollars at all Seminole Casinos in Florida. For more information, call toll-free (800) 218-0007 or visit moreinparadise.com or facebook.com/SeminoleCasinoHotel/.
 

Pool Pros Inc. is co-sponsoring the Veza Sur Brewing Co. Beer Dinner next Wednesday, 5:30pm at Shoeless Joe’s in Fort Myers and we wanted to invite you, your friends, and family.
Why should you come? Because the organizer (the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce) is known as the Education Chamber and funds raised at this event go to support our local schools in Fort Myers.
The dinner will highlight specially selected craft beers from Veza Sur Brewery of Miami and will have a distinctive Latin flair, flavor and décor, will feature a Chimichurri Rib Eye Steak and much more. The Brew Master from Veza Sur will be on hand to guide us through the special selection of beers.
Cost of this 4-course dinner, including all the beers, will be just $85.00 per person, however, if you or your business are a Greater Fort Myers Chamber member you’ll get a 10% discount by booking before November 1st .
Menu:

• 1st Course: Chicken Enchilada Sopa
• 2nd Course: Shrimp Ceviche Ensalada
• 3rd Course: 10 oz Rib Eye Steak Chimichurri
• 4th Course: Torta Tres Leches

This will be a limited seating dinner so be sure to register soon!