FORT MYERS, Fla. (Feb. 28, 2018) – Shell Point Retirement Community, a resort-style, nonprofit continuing care retirement community in Fort Myers, recently hosted its annual celebration event, which commemorated Shell Point’s 50^th year in operation as a leading independent retirement living community.
More than 1,200 residents gathered for the annual celebration to honor the nonprofit’s half-century anniversary. During the program, Shell Point president, Martin Schappell, toasted the community’s progress made over the past year and highlighted planned growth and development for the future.
“We are very proud of the legacy we have created, and the many wonderful lifestyle enhancements that have been made to ensure Shell Point as a premier destination for senior living,” said Schappell. “Looking ahead, all plans for growth and development will strive to exceed the needs of our current residents as well as those who will join us in years to come. In doing so, we are confident we will also enjoy the continued success of Shell Point as a leader in the senior living industry.”
Jeff Cory, executive director of The Legacy Foundation at Shell Point had the distinct honor of recognizing the inaugural members of the Legacy Society, as well as numerous key donors whose 2017 contributions positively impacted the Shell Point community and its residents.
Attendees enjoyed musical entertainment by two-time Grammy-award winner Sylvia McNair and pianist Kevin Cole, who is deemed the world’s foremost interpreter of George Gershwin music. Handcrafted, decadent desserts by local chocolatier Norman Love Confections hit the sweet spot, thanks to sponsorship from FineMark National Bank & Trust.
About Shell Point Retirement Community           
Shell Point Retirement Community, founded in 1968, is a nonprofit continuing care retirement community located in Fort Myers, Florida. Shell Point offers independent retirement living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care for its 2,400 residents in an active, resort-style environment. Lifestyle amenities include deep-water boating access, six public restaurants, a championship 18-hole golf course, and many other recreational and educational activities. Learn more at www.shellpoint.org or 1-800-780-1131.
 
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Guests to network, tour the facility, hear from LARC executives,
along with a LARC board member and client.
FORT MYERS, Fla. (February 26, 2018) – Leadership NEXT, a professional organization for advancing business leaders in Southwest Florida, brought to you by the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, will host its next program on March 13^th from 5 to 7 p.m. at LARC at 2570 Hanson Street in Fort Myers. This program comes at a perfect time as March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
The program will offer guests the opportunity to network, learn about LARC services, programs, economic impact and the importance and value LARC brings to the community. In addition, guests will tour the 5-acre training campus and hear from Executive Director, Kevin Lewis; Development Director, Angela Katz; Community Support Service Director, Pamela Jenkins; along with board member, Ian Keith; and a LARC client. LARC is here to light the path to a better tomorrow by helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities live happier, fuller, more productive lives as independently as possible.
The March program sponsor is Island Mortgage of SWFL, Inc. – Your Neighborhood Mortgage Experts. Island Mortgage specializes in Residential Mortgages for Conventional, FHA and VA for Purchase and Refinance. NMLS # 1507471.
Leadership NEXT is free to attend for members of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce and $10 for future members. Refreshments will be provided. All guests are encouraged to register in advance at www.fortmyers.org.
Leadership NEXT is a premier networking group for advancing professionals in Southwest Florida. More than 50 guests representing a variety of businesses and industries throughout the region regularly attend the monthly programs designed to provide valuable information and foster collaborative working relationships. Programs take place from 5 to 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month. The location will change every month based on the program topic. Follow Leadership NEXT on Facebook to learn more.
About the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce:
The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, Inc. represents over 900 businesses, professionals, and individuals throughout Lee County. The Chamber provides opportunities for members to network with other business people, participate in meaningful committee work, become better educated through various Chamber-sponsored programs and communicate one-on-one with community leaders. Ten percent of all membership dues are returned to the community for education-related projects, scholarships, and workshops. To learn more, visit www.fortmyers.org.
Media Contacts:
 
Colleen DePasquale, Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, 239-332-2930 ext. 210, 239-822-2271 (cell) or [email protected]
 
Melissa Cofta, 239-267-2638, 239-980-3048 (cell) or [email protected]
 
 
 
 

1. JAMES L. NEWLON TO BE INTRODUCED

 
FORT MYERS, FLA., February 25, 2018 – The latest procedures to smooth wrinkles and rejuvenate the face will be explained at a free seminar Friday, March 23, conducted by Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr. Stephen Prendiville.
Dr. Prendiville also will introduce Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr. James L. Newlon, who will be collaborating with Dr. Prendiville, effective March 1.  Dr. Newlon is Board-certified by both the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery.
The seminar, which includes a light lunch, starts at 11:30 a.m. at Bonita Bay Country Club, 26660 Country Club Drive, Bonita Springs. The seminar is free, but reservations are required by calling 239-437-3900.  Space is limited.
The newest facelift techniques can rejuvenate the cheek, jawline and neck, Dr. Prendiville said.
“They are especially effective when combined with fractionated laser resurfacing which can reduce or eliminate fine lines, wrinkles and sunspots,” he said.
Laser resurfacing also is one of the more popular and effective procedures to reduce skin irregularities such as blemishes and acne scars, according to Dr. Prendiville.
“Individuals who have noticed sagging in the cheek, neck and jawline areas along with fine lines or wrinkles are good candidates for the combined procedures of structural rejuvenation facelift and laser resurfacing,” Dr. Prendiville said.
The laser beam used in laser resurfacing removes the outer layer of skin while simultaneously heating the underlying skin, called the dermis. This action works to stimulate growth of new collagen fibers. As the treated area heals, the new skin that forms is smoother and firmer.
The two types of lasers most commonly used in laser resurfacing are carbon dioxide (CO2) and erbium.  The newest version of CO2 laser resurfacing is the fractionated CO2 which uses very short pulsed light energy or continuous light beams that are delivered in a scanning pattern to remove thin layers of skin with minimal heat damage.
Erbium laser resurfacing is designed to remove surface-level and moderately deep lines and wrinkles on the face, hands, neck or chest.
Using before and after photos of actual patients, Dr. Prendiville also will discuss the latest advances in facelifts, eyelid lifts, nose surgery, lasers and reconstructive surgery during the February seminar.  He will review injectable wrinkle fillers Botox®, Sculptra®, Juvederm®; Restylane®, Restylane Silk®, Radiesse®
Voluma®, and the newest filler on the market, Revanesse Versa, for deeper wrinkles and lines.
Another new advance that Dr. Prendiville will discuss is SculpSure®, which is approved by the FDA as the world’s first non-invasive fat-melting laser device to treat stubborn fat in just 25 minutes.  SculpSure is available at the Assuage Luxury Spa in Naples, where Dr. Prendiville serves as medical director.
Attendees will be able to make an appointment for a free consultation with Dr. Prendiville and Dr. Newlon.
Dr. Prendiville is the only Fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon in Fort Myers who is certified by both the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery.
He is recognized nationally as a facelift expert with more than 20 articles published in medical journals and he has served as guest editor for Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America. He also is a featured presenter at many state and national meetings about facial plastic surgery.
Dr. Prendiville is one of 500 doctors in the world to receive the prestigious RealSelf 500 Award from RealSelf, the leading online community that helps people make confident choices in elective cosmetic procedures.  Dr. Prendiville has been a reviewer on RealSelf.com since 2008 and has now achieved Distinguished Member status for his responses to patients with questions about facial plastic surgery and skin rejuvenation techniques.
Dr. Prendiville also is the past president and secretary/treasurer of the Florida Society of Facial Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Prendiville graduated with his M.D. degree with high honors from Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C., and served his residency at Georgetown University.
He was awarded a Fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at St. Louis University in Missouri, where he was a clinical instructor in the St. Louis University Department of Otolaryngology.
Dr. Newlon is the former assistant chief of otolaryngology Services at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in Fort Bliss, Tex., and has extensive experience in reconstructive and facial enhancement surgery to help injured soldiers returning from combat to the U.S.
Dr. Newlon earned his medical degree from Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, Calif., with help from an Army scholarship and began his medical career as an Army officer.  He earned his Bachelor of Science degree, summa cum laude, from Kennesaw State University in Georgia.
Dr. Newlon has received several honors including Surgical Intern of the Year in 2000-01 and number one ranking in the 2007 American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery’s written board certification exam.
Since leaving the Army in 2009, Dr. Newlon has been practicing in Southwest Florida as a facial plastic surgeon and is the current chairman of otolaryngology for the Lee Health system.
All surgeries are performed at Dr. Prendiville’s state-of-the-art Surgical Center adjacent to his office in South Fort Myers at 9407 Cypress Lake Drive.  The Surgical Center is accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities (AAAASF), which is the largest accrediting body for outpatient surgical facilities in the United States.  For more information, visit www.drprendiville.com.
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FORT MYERS, Fla – February 22, 2018 – Broadway Palm is holding auditions for children to play the age ranges of 7 to 14 on Sunday, March 18, 2018 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is a casting call for the production of Annie playing June 28 through August 11, 2018. Broadway Palm will be auditioning for the role of Annie and the eight orphan girls. All roles will be double cast. All auditions are by appointment only and can be made by calling Melissa Vogt at (239) 278-4422, ext. 111 or emailing [email protected].
All auditioning will be required to bring a current picture (non-returnable), a theatrical resume and will have to sing a small part of two songs from Annie. The music can be downloaded at BroadwayPalm.com/Backstage/Auditions (the selections will be noted on the pages of music). A pianist will be provided, no recorded accompaniment allowed and no other songs will be permitted at the audition. NO EXCEPTIONS. After the vocal audition, some children will be asked to stay for a dance/movement audition. Please allow time for the full audition process.
Broadway Palm is a professional non-Equity theatre. Anyone interested in auditioning must be local or have housing in the Southwest Florida area. They must also be available for a possible callback on Saturday, March 31, 2018 at 10 a.m.; all day and evening rehearsals (June 14 through June 27, 2018); and all performances. Performances are Wednesday through Sunday evenings with selected matinees on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday or Sunday. The exact performance schedule can be found at BroadwayPalm.com.
Broadway Palm is also looking for a well behaved and trained Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever or similar mixed-breed dog. Owners interested in having their dog considered should email a picture and information about the dog to [email protected].
Auditions will be held at Broadway Palm, 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers. Again, all auditions are by appointment only and can be made by calling Melissa Vogt at (239) 278-4422, ext. 111 or emailing [email protected]. For more information about the audition, visit www.BroadwayPalm.com/Backstage/Auditions.
 
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FORT MYERS, FLA., February 23, 2017 – Supporters of Valerie’s House tore down the walls of grief and built up the walls of Love at a unique fund-raiser hosted February 22 by Norman and Mary Love.
More than $275,000 was raised through a series of unique opportunities to give at the new temporary home of Valerie’s House, which just opened at 1762 Fowler St. in downtown Fort Myers.
“We wanted to do something to help Valerie’s House, which helps children who have lost a parent or guardian by providing a safe place for them to express their feelings and restore their sense of well-being,” said Norman and Mary Love.
Valerie’s House has helped 350 children and their families since its founding in 2016 by Angela Melvin, whose own mother was killed in a car accident in 1987. The non-profit organization uses art and music to help children identify, express and process their grief.
During the evening, guests had the opportunity to:

• View masks created by grieving children to express their feelings.  The masks are part of their therapy at Valerie’s House;
• Sign and/or leave inspirational messages on a canvas called the “Wall of Love” that will hang in the new home of Valerie’s House;
• Participate in a raffle for a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry designed and donated by Mark Loren Designs.

Guests nibbled on appetizers donated by area restaurants and spirits donated by Sandy Stilwell and Southern Wine & Spirits while viewing artwork created by the children of Valerie’s House.  Food was donated and prepared by the following chefs: Ben Voisin and Fabrice Deletrain of Gather; Todd Johnson of Rumrunners; Bob Boye of Cru; Jay Johnson of Bubba’s Roadhouse & Saloon; and Norman Love Confections.
Other sponsors included Friendly Faces, Planned Perfection, and Susan Bennett Marketing & Media, L.C.
For more information about Valerie’s House or to register a family for programs, visit www.valerieshouseswfl.org/contact-us/, call 239-478-6734, or write [email protected].  Valerie’s House is fully supported through community donations that can be made online at www.valerieshouseswfl.org or by mail to Valerie’s House, Inc., P.O. Box 1955, Fort Myers, FL 33902.
 
 
About Valerie’s House
Valerie’s House opened in January 2016 and is serving more than 120 children and their families from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, and Hendry counties. The organization provides a safe, comfortable place for children to share, grieve and heal together following the death of a close family member. Valerie’s House has two locations: 1762 Fowler St.  in downtown Fort Myers and a satellite location at The Village School in Naples.
 

Fort Myers, Fla., Feb. 24, 2018 – Jeffrey Pringle has joined Charlotte State Bank & Trust as a vice president of commercial lending. A resident of Fort Myers, Pringle is based in that city and will work alongside a fellow bank vice president, Kim Donnelly, in providing commercial real estate loans to Lee County business owners and entrepreneurs.
Charlotte State Bank & Trust offered lending services south of Charlotte County for a number of years prior to opening a Lee County office in 2015 and a Collier County office the following year. (Vice President Cristin Madden represents the bank in Collier with an office in Naples.)
“We’re pleased that Jeff has joined our efforts to expand our commercial lending presence,” said Charlotte State Bank & Trust President Craig DeYoung. “His vast knowledge of commercial lending and the Lee County business community enables him to provide our clients with first-class service.”
Pringle, who has 28 years of experience in banking, commercial real estate and business development, earned a bachelor’s degree in financial management at Florida Southern College in 1990. He began his banking career as a commercial relationship manager at institutions in Colorado and Nevada and has held executive positions in Florida since 2000.
“I’m excited to join Charlotte State Bank & Trust and help them become more established here in the Fort Myers area,” he said. “I have spent my entire career developing business relationships and helping my clients and customers achieve their goals.”
Pringle’s office is at 10501 Six Mile Cypress Parkway, Unit 116, in Fort Myers. He can be reached at 239-284-5037 or [email protected].