Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday Fall back one hour Weather and Tides BOO page 21 VOL. 19, NO. 44 From the Beaches to the River District downtown Fort Myers OCTOBER 30, 2020 Calendar Contest Winners Named he Lee Health Arts in Healthcare program had 11 winners in its Tannual Art by the disABLEd calendar contest. Artists with special challenges produced 40 entries that have been on display in the atrium at HealthPark Medical Center. Entries were judged by staff of Lee Health. The winning piece of art, Tranquil Sea, created by Taylor Scalzo, will be in the permanent collection on the fifth floor of the Rehabilitation Hospital in Fort Myers. It will also be the central art for the 2021 Art by the disABLEd Lee Health calendar this year. Second place went to Carol Sue Henry for her piece Sunflower. Third place went to Mia McMillan for Self- Perspective. Eight honorable mentions Carol Sue Henry’s Sunflower placed second Mia McMillan’s Self Perspective took third were also awarded. All winners received Taylor Scalzo’s Tranquil Sea captured first cash awards or a gift card from the Arts families through the expressive arts and Moser for Moving Waters; Jolene Forgie place images provided work to support the creative efforts of for Happy Birthday; Rose McGahee in Healthcare program. Medical Center until the first of the new Second, third and honorable mention artists with disabilities in the community. for Goddess; Stella Badillo for Corn year. The work is for sale. Besides the top three artworks, Unicorn; Randy Vavroch for Chi-Chi; winners are on display on the Art by Arts in Healthcare’s mission is to the disABLEd gallery wall at HealthPark honorable mentions went to Carol Gwenn Kranz for Distant Awareness; comfort Lee Health patients and their Murphy for Junk Yard Dog; Dottie and Kolby Kobs for Sailing at Sunset. Artist’s Works Explore Future Of Humanity he Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center (SBDAC) will celebrate Beth Carter TBell, one of Southwest Florida’s most prolific artists, in the exhibition titled I’earth in November. An opening reception featuring an artist meet-and- greet, cocktails and art will be held on Friday, November 6 from 6 to 10 p.m. Since 2008, Carter Bell has accrued a phenomenal body of work ranging from video, photography, sculpture, painting, installation and performance. As humanity is facing a survival challenge that we are not prepared for, we are confronting Part of the Aristotle Zenobia Sunshine an alarming need for new ideas. Carter Museum traveling exhibit photos provided Bell’s work springs to the front lines of our cultural and environmental crisis, to Traveling Exhibit propose and illustrate a new, distinct and altogether surprising role for the arts in Coming To Town the cultural evolution of humanity. I’earth is a project that Carter Bell he Aristotle Zenobia Sunshine The museum curator describes the ehibit as a “three-dimensional graphic novel” started in 2014, which was inspired by Museum will present The Natural, the work of Tiite Baquero and particularly TTechnological and Sociological The differences between the truth and in reference to his work regarding his Wonders 2020 Traveling Exhibition at the the facts provide limitless opportunities. investigation into the role of art in the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center for the The Sunshine Museum is an ever-evolving future of humanity and of all life on earth. month of November, beginning Friday, historical visual art experience with a As a two-time winner of the coveted November 6. strong performance art component. Berne’s Choice Award at SBDAC, Carter This highly unique exhibit was created The Sunshine Museum’s curator Bell has labored for the past six years using historical objects and imagination describes the show as somewhat of a in the preparation of the I’earth exhibit. resulting in something never before “three-dimensional graphic novel.” The However, the timing for the exhibit could experienced in an art exhibit. Selections Capital Gallery will display the many never have been more appropriate. from the collections explore the unusual and interesting pieces until The exhibit is about hope for humanity, A Peace, mixed media by Beth Carter Bell continued on page 13 continued on page 15 re-creation of something that never was. image provided 2 THE RIVER - OCTOBER 30, 2020 Historic Downtown Fort Myers, Then And Now: Simultaneous with the widespread grief was Widman Memorial Refurbished outrage. The man who by Gerri Reaves, PhD murdered Widman ne enjoyable way to study local history is to wander had been convicted through the historic district and examine memorial of violent felonies and Oplaques, statues, monuments, time capsules and other was on probation. He tributes to history, events and people. had then been arrested Even though they are sometimes prominent objects, it’s again on drug-trafficking easy to take them for granted, as they merge into everyday charges, thus violating his unexamined urban landscape. probation. We forget that each memorializes something about our When he killed common values and purpose, that each was installed with Widman, he was on fanfare, whether reverent, sorrowful, or celebratory. bail. Additionally, it was Until recently, reported that he had the plaque honoring Fort Myers Police vowed to kill a cop. Officer Andrew Widman was easy to The outrage led to the overlook. Embedded in the walkway at the passing of the Andrew Main Street entrance to Patio de Leon, it Widman Act by the commanded little attention. In fact, it was Florida Legislature in possible to unknowingly step on. 2011. The law intended However, on July 18, on the 12th to keep repeat violent anniversary of Widman’s death in the line offenders off the streets by of duty, the refurbished plaque on a new allowing judges “to issue display stand was unveiled at a ceremony. a warrant for the arrest of When he was killed on July 18, 2008, a probationer or offender Widman was only 30 years old and had who has violated the terms served only a year and three months on of probation or community the force. control,” among other Married and the father of three young provisions. Fort Myers Police Officer Andrew Widman children, he had an atypical background The city also honored image courtesy Fort Myers Police Department for a police officer. He had been a Widman by changing the missionary and minister, and had a name of the street on which the police department is located. In October 2008, three master’s degree in theology. months after his death, Peck Street became Widman Way. His colleagues nicknamed him “Rev” Widman’s name is one of seven that appears on the Fallen Officer Memorial or “preacher,” and he was known for his located in front of the Fort Myers Police Department on Widman Way at Hendry ready smile, good nature and dedication to Street. duty. The first officer killed in the line of duty was Lt. Mathew G. Hisler, whose “end of On the night of his “last watch,” watch” was January 3, 1930. Widman responded to a dispute between a The memorial also honors two K-9 officers, or service dogs, who have died while man and woman at a downtown nightclub on duty. only steps from the plaque’s location. Learn more about local history by strolling downtown and discovering memorial The man shot Widman with a 9-mm plaques and monuments, and by visiting the following two research centers. handgun. Hours might be affected by the coronavirus pandemic, so call first. The shooter fled while firing at pursuing The Southwest Florida Historical Society is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization officers, who returned fire and killed him. open Wednesday and Saturday between 9 a.m. and noon and Wednesday 4 to 7 p.m. It was later concluded that Widman’s It is located at 10091 McGregor Boulevard on the campus of the Lee County Alliance intervention probably saved the life of the for the Arts. Call 939-4044 for more information. shooter’s girlfriend. The Lee County Black History Society is located at 1936 Henderson Avenue, Community reaction was swift and adjacent to the Williams Academy Museum at Roberto Clemente Park. Hours for the overwhelming – perhaps unprecedented. nonprofit organization are Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Fundraising and contributions to the This plaque at the Main Street entrance Saturday by appointment only. For more information, call 332-8778 or visit www. family’s support far exceeded the goal. A to Patio de Leon honors Fort Myers Police leecountyblackhistorysociety.org. large number of mourners attended the Officer Andrew Widman, who died in the Visit the IMAG History & Science Center at 2000 Cranford Avenue or at www. visitation. Law enforcement officers from line of duty on July 18, 2008. Originally theimag.org. more than 100 agencies attended the embedded street-level, the plaque was Sources: The Archives of the Southwest Florida Historical Society and The News- public memorial service. unveiled with a new display last July. Press. photo by Gerri Reaves Independently Owned And Operated COPYRIGHT 2020 The River Weekly News Read Us Online: www.IslandSunNews.com LORKEN Publications, Inc. Publisher Graphic Arts/ Reporters Contributing Writers Lorin Arundel Production Gerri Reaves, PhD Kay Casperson Craig R. Hersch Accounting Ann Ziehl, Manager Kathy Kurtz Ferrari Suzy Cohen Capt. Matt Mitchell Mike Terry Amanda Hartman Linda Coin Trinette Nelson Advertising Justin Wilder Marcia Feeney Howard Prager Bob Petcher Katie Frederic Julie Rosenberg, MD Shelley Greggs J. Brendan Ryan, CLU, The River Weekly News will correct factual errors or Tom Hall ChFC, MSFS matters of emphasis and interpretation that appear in news stories.