Member News

American Legion bringing Vietnam War memorial to Fort Myers
Exhibit to honor fallen veterans, help local charities
FORT MYERS, Fla. (Mar. 5, 2019) – A testament to service members who made the ultimate sacrifice is coming to JetBlue Park. The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall will be on display Sept. 7-8 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. each day, courtesy of the Rabe O. Wilkison American Legion Post 38 and the Colonial Charitable Foundation.
The mobile wall replicates the iconic black granite memorial in Washington, D.C. at three-fifths its size. Etched into the traveling monument are more than 58,000 names of those who gave their lives or remain missing.
“Many who lost loved ones in Vietnam have a hard time getting to Washington, but the traveling wall allows them to easily connect with this stirring reminder of their valor,” Post 38 Cmdr. Kevin Boyd said. “It’s an opportunity for everyone to pay respects, to learn our history, and to honor these courageous men and women who gave their lives for our country.”
Those in attendance will be able to touch the wall and rub pencil over paper where their loved ones are listed, just as many do to preserve a memento of the wall in Washington. An area for solemn reflection will be set up nearby.
Money from the sale of food and beer at the event will go toward local charities that promote education, fight hunger and support veterans. Sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting George Tice at [email protected] or 239-738-0601, or Jim Squadrito at 401-261-9096 or [email protected].
The wall will be on display 100 years to the week that Post 38 was founded, which happened just months after the first American Legion post was established in Washington. Now the largest veterans service organization in the U.S., the American Legion has events planned throughout the country this year to mark its centennial.
Visit centennial.legion.org to find out about the legacy of the American Legion, and go to travelingwall.us to learn about the mobile exhibit.
About The American Legion Post 38
The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. Months later, on Sept. 5, 1919, Post 38 in Fort Myers became the first American Legion post in southern Florida. Named the Rabe O. Wilkison Post after a Fort Myers man who lost his life bravely fighting in World War I, the organization welcomes veterans from all branches of the U.S. armed forces to continue serving God, country and community. Members seek to serve the underserved by raising money to award scholarships to Southwest Florida children, giving aid and assistance to veterans in need, and supporting a number of other community programs and projects. Visit post38-swfl.org to learn how to join.
About Colonial Charitable Foundation
The Mission of the Colonial Charitable Foundation is to support local charities, programs and individuals in the greater Fort Myers and Lee County area that may not be served by other organizations. The Foundation is funded through the generous support of the Colonial Country Club community and other local individuals and businesses.

FORT MYERS | NAPLES, Fla.  The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Florida Southwest Chapter is now accepting Allied Membership Applications for 2019. Allied members may be individuals who otherwise are not eligible to join the AIA, or businesses who support the architectural profession, either through goods or services, or simply a shared interest in our built environment. The chapter hosts many events throughout the year including monthly breakfast meetings for the Naples and Ft. Myers sections, Continuing Education classes and presentations, a lecture series, and our Annual Design Conference and Design Awards. Allied membership is separate at each level of the AIA: national, state, and local. Supporting the local chapter with your membership will provide the most direct connection to the community where you do business. More information on Allied Membership Benefits, levels of Membership and The 2019 Allied Membership Application can be found on the website at www.aiaflasw.org.
About AIA Florida Southwest
AIA Florida Southwest is a Chapter of The American Institute of Architects, serving nearly 200 members and the communities of Charlotte, Glades, Hendry, Lee, and Collier Counties. The mission of the organization is to orchestrate and unite the architects of Southwest Florida to promote the profession; to advance the science and art of planning and building; to coordinate the building industry and architectural firms to ensure the advancement of building standards, and to make the profession of ever-increasing service and value to society.  Please visit the AIA Florida Southwest website at www.aiaflasw.org.
 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Mar. 4, 2019) – Choice and creativity are the hallmarks of the more than 120 official specialty license plate designs available in Florida. The Kids Tag Art program was created to keep those qualities around for generations to come. The Lee County Tax Collector’s Office presented checks totaling $34,400 to 48 Lee County public schools and honored nearly 100 children as part of a recent ceremony celebrating Kids Tag Art, a partnership between Lee County Tax Collector’s Office and the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools.
 
The program encourages fifth-grade students to come up with front-end license plate designs, with this year’s “Sizzle N’ The Arts” theme serving as a prompt. The winning designs will be sold at leetc.com, with proceeds going toward the schools. The Tax Collector’s Office also sells sponsorships of the program, raising even more money that goes to fund elementary-level art classes.
 
“It’s heartwarming to see how Kids Tag Art inspires so many young minds here in our community,” Lee County Tax Collector Larry Hart said. “The program helps offset a lack of funding for art education, and it also shows students how they can apply their art in commerce, as witnessed by all the plate designs we have for sale.”
 
Two students from each of the participating schools received the Award of Distinction for their designs during the ceremony held at school district headquarters on Feb. 27. The Award of Distinction-winning designs will be available for purchase at leetc.com starting March 13 for $20 plus $7.50 shipping and handling. The designs can also be purchased as a mug or a mousepad.
 
Hart’s favorite design will also be for sale on leetc.com later in March. He’ll honor the student designer with the Tax Collector Choice Award in a surprise ceremony at the student designer’s school.
 
AAA – The Auto Club Group is the program’s Premier Sponsor. Prominent Sponsors are Sam Galloway Ford, eGOV and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Several other community sponsors support Kids Tag Art, including the Cape Coral Community Foundation, Chris-Tel Construction, Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands, Miami Heart Research Institute, Lee County Electric Cooperative, Merrill Lynch, and Strayhorn & Persons, P.L.
 
Sponsorships for next year’s Kids Tag Art program are available by calling the Lee County Tax Collector’s Communications Department at 239-533-6060. Call Beverly Burke of The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc. at 239-337-0433 for program information.
 
About Lee County Tax Collector
The Lee County Tax Collector (LCTC) exists to serve the citizens of Lee County. The office takes pride in organizational excellence and offering exemplary customer service and operates by the credo of “We’ve got your back.” The LCTC operates leetc.com, the official interactive website of the tax collector, which allows county residents to quickly and easily take care of motor vehicle and vessel registration, pay property taxes, make appointments for concealed weapon permits and more. The agency operates seven service centers open daily throughout the county to provide efficient, convenient services. The LCTC works to provide innovative and quality service that supports the growth and sustainability of the community. For more information, visit leetc.com or follow Lee County Tax Collector on social media.
 
 

FORT MYERS, FL (February 24, 2019) – The Laboratory Theater of Florida’s award-winning education department will be holding a Spring Conservatory Camp March 15th – 22nd for students aged 9 – 14.
 
Spring Conservatory provides the opportunity to sharpen the budding actor’s theatrical skill sets. Our educators are all teaching and/or theater professionals. Students will be able to learn about and participate in all aspects of creating a theatrical performance. Whether it is on acting on stage, working behind the scenes, creating sets, or helping with tech, the Spring Conservatory covers it all.
Each day will offer a different intensive lesson. This is a hands-on, interactive camp with theater professionals; a completely immersive experience that has proven to be both successful and enjoyable by previous campers. Spring Conservatory runs from 9 am – 4 pm each day and is $150 for the entire theatrical experience, but campers may opt to attend for only the skills they need to enhance. The daily rate is $45/day. Sibling discounts are available for both the entire experience as well as for daily classes.
 
Friday, March 15: How to Audition
Monday, March 18: Movement Day
Tuesday, March 19: Props and Costumes
Wednesday, March 20: Acting and Memorization
Thursday, March 21: Lighting and Sound
Friday, March 22: Set design and construction
Registration is required. For registration forms please call The Laboratory Theater of Florida’s Education Department at 239-841-4250 or register online at www.laboratorytheaterflorida.com
 
ABOUT THE LABORATORY THEATER OF FLORIDA
The Laboratory Theater of Florida, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is dedicated to the promotion of the performing arts, through live performance, education, community outreach, experimentation, and the development of ensemble work. The company features ensemble productions, produces classic works, takes artistic risks, which both feature and challenge local performers. For more information visit www.LaboratoryTheaterFlorida.com or the physical location at 1634 Woodford Avenue, in the Fort Myers River District.
 
Laboratory Theater of Florida Logo
 
 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Feb. 27, 2019) – A former “American Idol” finalist will serenade tennis fans at the Madisen’s Match VIP Hospitality Terrace. Sam Woolf, whose smooth voice carried him into the top five during the 2014 season of “American Idol,” will perform exclusively for VIP Hospitality Terrace passholders from 5-7 p.m. March 18 prior to the Golisano Children’s Hospital Pro Tennis Classic.
 
Woolf is a highly collaborative singer-songwriter known for his original compositions and pitch perfect vocals. He co-headlined the 2015 Lakewood Ranch Winterfest with the Doobie Brothers, War, and Jefferson Starship. His debut EP, “Pretend,” hit No. 9 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart.
 
“We’re thrilled to have Sam here with us for the first time. He has such an amazing voice,” Madisen’s Match founder Duane Chaney said. “We’re always looking for ways to give our fans something new, and we’re really excited about the new VIP Hospitality Terrace.”
 
Terrace passholders will receive complimentary food and drinks from the Timbers, LYNQ, the Prawnbroker, University Grill and Society. Celebrity pros may make appearances on the terrace before their matches in the Golisano Children’s Hospital Pro Tennis Classic, which features Mike and Bob Bryan, Sam Querrey, Taylor Fritz, Robby Ginepri, Mikael Pernfors and Don Johnson.
 
Terrace passes are included with Fort Myers Land Rover Baseline Club and Court Side Club seating. Passes are available for $75 to all other Golisano Children’s Hospital Pro Tennis Classic ticketholders. Visit http://www.madisensmatch.com/vipseating and http://www.madisensmatch.com/vipterrace to purchase.
 
Proceeds from all Madisen’s Match events benefit local cancer treatment programs. Madisen’s Match has raised more than $1 million since it began in 2009 as a tribute to Madisen Abramson, Chaney’s niece, who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor at age 3.
 
Visit madisensmatch.com to learn more about the event and samwoolfmusic.com to hear why Woolf is winning so many accolades for his music.
 
About Madisen’s Match
Duane Chaney established Madisen’s Match in 2008 after his 3-year-old niece, Madisen Abramson, was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Inspired by Madisen and determined to help others, Chaney created Madisen’s Match to use tennis as a way to raise funds for pediatric and adult cancer charities. To date, the events have raised more than $1 million to benefit national and Southwest Florida-based charities like the Brain Tumor Navigator Program at the Regional Cancer Center, Barbara’s Friends – The Golisano Children’s Hospital Cancer Center Fund, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, and the Tim and Tom Gullikson Foundation. For more information, visit madisensmatch.com.
 
 

Note to Media: Nearly 100 creative kids will receive awards, and local schools will get much-needed funding. The fifth-graders created winning designs for decorative front-end license plates in their art classes through the fourth annual Lee County Tax Collector Kids Tag Art program. The Tax Collector’s Office is presenting a $34,000 check to the School District of Lee County with money raised through sponsorships and the sale of the tags. Award of Distinction certificates will go to two students from each of the 48 participating schools.
We look forward to seeing you there.
WHAT: Kids Tag Art award and check presentation ceremony.
WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 27, 5 p.m.
WHERE: Lee County School District headquarters, 2855 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers.
WHY: To help fund art education and honor student creativity.
CONTACT: Josh Milton, CONRIC PR & Marketing, 239-690-9840, [email protected]. Media who attend should call Angie Filian at 973-568-5065 to gain access to the building.

Fort Myers, Fla (February 25, 2019) – Offshore Sailing School CEO and President, Doris Colgate, announced additional special events, honors and announcements during to kick off its 55^th Anniversary Year.
“2019 has started off with a bang. We’ve already hosted two flotilla sailing vacation trips in the Windward Islands. This week we are hosting a sold-out 55^th Anniversary Flotilla Cruise in the British Virgin Islands, then we move into our 19^th Annual Performance Race Week at the end of April for an immersive week of racing skills and tactics with coaches from North U, culminating in a Regatta and Awards Dinner on Captiva Island, Fla.” In another milestone, Doris Colgate is being honored as a Pace Center for Girls Grande Dame at an event in Fort Myers, Fla. in March. Doris is being recognized for her role in business and her many contributions to community and her philanthropic efforts. View a recent video interview with Doris here.
Along with those events, the company has several more Colgate Sailing Adventure’s flotilla vacations planned. Doris confirmed they are sold out for their Mallorca, Spain trip in July, but a few cabins remain for the two trips planned in Croatia in August.
Offshore Sailing’s founder and chairman Steve Colgate added, “Offshore Sailing School’s fleet is expanding as well. We’re pleased with the positive response to our new Fast Track to Power Cruising Course aboard a Fountaine Pajot 37 MY at The Westin Cape Coral Resort (this course is also taught from The Moorings base on Tortola, BVI); and in July we’re taking delivery of a new Leopard 40 sailing catamaran, at the same resort in Cape Coral, Fla.”
More special courses are in store this year, with new Women’s Weeks courses, navigation and passage making courses added to the schedule in 2019. Women’s Week Fast Track to Live Aboard Cruising® courses are for women students learning and living together for a week aboard a monohull or catamaran. Navigation and passage making courses are for sailors with US Sailing Bareboat Cruising certification or one can take the combo program saving nearly $1,000 by utilizing the school’s COAST program to schedule the Fast Track to Cruising Course, followed by the Coastal Navigation and Coastal Passage Making courses within a year of one another.
The company’s 55^th Anniversary Year celebration continues with its Supporting Sponsor role at the 22^nd Hobie 16 World Championship being held November 1-16, 2019 at one of Offshore Sailing School’s partner resorts, South Seas Island Resort, on Captiva Island, Florida. Next, Offshore Sailing School will host the Leukemia Cup Regatta’s “Fantasy Sail” weekend at the Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina on Fort Myers Beach, Fla., December 6-8. This festive weekend hosts the most successful fundraisers from Leukemia Cup Regattas held across the U.S. to raise funds to help find the cures for blood cancers. Offshore Sailing School has been a national sponsor of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) for 10 years, raising funds and donating courses for Leukemia Cup Regatta Auctions, totaling over $140,000. An LLS “Round-Up” donation campaign is ongoing.
Offshore Sailing School was founded in 1964 by Olympian, America’s Cup Sailor and National Sailing Hall of Fame Inductee, Steve Colgate. The school provides a full range of sailing and boating instruction with US Sailing & Powerboat certification – from beginning sailing to racing, advanced cruising, and passage making – at six locations on Florida’s Gulf Coast and the British Virgin Islands. The company also supports several philanthropic causes and organizations.
For more information and hi-res images, contact Beth Oliver, Director of Sales and Marketing at 239-985-7516.
 

FORT MYERS, FL (February 24, 2019) – Fresh on the heels of another record-breaking season, The Laboratory Theater of Florida will be announcing the 2019-2020 shows for its 11th season on March 11th at 7 pm.
In addition to revealing the 11th Season, funds raised during this event will go towards property improvements and renovations, most notably the continuing cleanup and rehab of the new education building, functional air conditioning for the props and costumes building, restoration of the original hardwood floors, and creation of an outdoor performance space.
This event is free and open to the public and will feature entertainment, drinks and hors d’oeuvres, and an advance opportunity to sponsor special show needs, underwrite the new Actor’s Fund, or sponsor one of the regular season activities of your choice. A favorite event each year for Laboratory Theater patrons, this event features not only the season reveal, but the chance to win one of the extraordinary raffle prizes or silent auction items. It is also the only opportunity to purchase discounted season or snowbird passes.
The event begins at 7 pm.
ABOUT THE LABORATORY THEATER OF FLORIDA
The Laboratory Theater of Florida, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is dedicated to the promotion of the performing arts, through live performance, education, community outreach, experimentation, and the development of ensemble work. The company features ensemble productions, produces classic works, takes artistic risks, which both feature and challenge local performers. For more information visit www.LaboratoryTheaterFlorida.com or the physical location at 1634 Woodford Avenue, in the Fort Myers River District.

The Lee County Port Authority is pleased that Sun Country Airlines has announced they will inaugurate seasonal service between Fort Myers, Fla. and Gulfport, Miss. on July 19, 2019. Sun Country will operate twice weekly nonstop flights on Monday and Friday between Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (GPT) and Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW).
For Sun Country’s news release, please see below. For more information or to book a flight, please visit https://www.suncountry.com.
For more information about Southwest Florida International Airport, please visit www.flylcpa.com or Like Us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/flyRSW.

February 25, 2019 (Naples, Fla.) – CHEF, the Culinary & Hospitality Education Foundation of Southwest Florida, announced tickets are now on sale for its annual fundraising Gala to be held on April 3, 2019, at Kensington Golf & Country Club, 2700 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, Florida. This year’s theme is, “CHEF Celebrates Club Chefs,” honoring Kensington Golf & Country Club’s Executive Chef and past president of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Caxambas Chapter, Naples & Marco Island, Ralph Feraco. Buy tickets here.
CHEF was established in 2004 as a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization with the mission to raise scholarship funds to benefit Collier and Lee County high school students, allowing them to pursue careers in the culinary arts and hospitality industries. CHEF Board Member and Gala Event Chair Chrissie Forbes said, “we are very excited to recognize Chef Feraco, winner of the 2017 Dr. L. J. Minor Chef Professionalism Award, along with other acclaimed ACF member chefs from across Southwest Florida. Funds raised at our event will benefit Collier and Lee County students in pursuing their culinary and hospitality endeavors.”
The annual event will be begin with an exclusive VIP Wine Tasting at Kensington Golf & Country Club at 5:00 p.m., with wines expertly curated by a renowned sommelier, and hosted by Naples Wine Collection owners Jim and Laura Dixon. Tickets for the VIP Wine Tasting include the Gala event and are priced at $500 per person. Guests attending the Gala only, featuring delicacies prepared by area ACF member chefs, paired with select wines from The Wine Collection, will join the group at 6:30 p.m. and those event tickets are $175 per guest.
Delicious culinary offerings will be presented by:

• Chef Richard Crisanti, Shadow Wood Country Club, Bonita Springs
• Chef Dave Durante, Kalea Bay, Naples
• Chef Ralph Feraco, Kensington Golf & Country Club, Naples
• Chef Michael Madsen, Naples Sailing & Yacht Club
• Chef Tim Reacher, Bay Colony, Naples
• Chef Brian Roland and Nicole Roland, Crave Culinaire, Naples
• Chef Robert Saalfield, Naples Lakes Country Club
• Chef Carlos Torres, Hamilton Harbor Yacht Club, Naples

Special culinary and travel silent and live auction items will be called by Scott Robertson Auctioneers’ popular founder himself, with entertainment provided by Steve DeLadurantey.
In 2018, more than $65,000 was distributed through the CHEF Scholarship Fund for students pursuing degrees at Florida Gulf Coast University and the Culinary Institute of America. For more information, contact CHEF Board member, B
Beth Oliver, 239-985-7516. For details on CHEF’s mission, visit ChefSWFL.org.