Edison-Ford Estates Plant Sale Fri.s Sat. and Sun. 17,18 and 19 see page 21 J VOL. 9, NO. 46 SANIBEL & CAPTIVA ISLANDS, FLORIDA MAY 17, 2002 MA/: SUNRISE/SUNSET: 17 06:41 20:08 18-06:40 20:09 1? 06:40 20:09 20 06:40 20:10 21; 06:39 20:10 22 06:39 20:11 23 06:38 20:11 Opening Of The Blonde Safe Boating Week Resolution Songbook t the May 7 meeting of the Lee he J. Howard Wood Theatre kicks County Commissioners the Board off its summer season with The Adeclared the week of May 18 T Blonde Songbook, which opens on through 24 as National Safe Boating Thursday, May 16 and runs through Week. Present at the Resolution passed Friday, June 7. The show will run every by the Board were officers from the Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. Sanibel-Captiva Sail & Power Squadron The price of admission is only $20 for as well as those from the Cape Coral, this show. Fort Myers and San Carlos Bay Power The Blonde Songbook, which was Squadrons, and the U.S. Coast Guard written by the J. Howard Wood Theatre's Auxiliary. Commander Bob McCormick own General Manager Cindy-Lee represented the Sanibel-Captiva Sail & Overton, along with the assistance of Power Squadron. Honey Larsen and Buddy Stotts, is a fun On the same day the City of Sanibei and lively show covering the music and issued its proclamation for National Safe dialogue from Hollywood's favorite blonde Boating Week. The proclamation read: personalities. The idea for The Blonde "Whereas between 700 and 800 peo- Songbook was originally conceived by ple die each year in boating-related acci- Cindy-Lee and was played as a cabaret in dents in the United States, and nearly 70 ' New York City. The show starts with a percent of these are fatalities caused by tribute to the "original blonde," Jean drowning; and Harlow, and works its way through "Whereas the vast majority of these blonde history to Madonna. The music of accidents are caused by human error and Doris Day, Peggy Lee, Marilyn Monroe not by failure of equipment or environ- and many other famous blondes will be mental factors; and covered, while the sexy humor of Mae "Whereas the wearing of life jackets West and Marlene Dietrich is relived. can substantially reduced this number of The Blonde Songbook will be directed fatalities, as can education in boating safe- by Joe Simmons of Venice, Florida. ty; and Simmons just completed directing "Whereas Sanibei is blessed by being Nunsense II- The Second Coming and surrounded by waters used extensively by will be directing all the performances for its residents as well as by visitors, and the the 2002 Summer and Fall season at the continued on page 4 continued on page 29 Cindy-Lee Overton Swim Lessons For Preschoolers At Rec Complex by Brian Johnson isa Leonardi is glad her son, Zach, "Zach loves it," said Leonardi. "The 3, is getting swimming lessons. program is great. I can't wait to get him LShe frequently visits her in-laws, involved in baseball, basketball and all the who own a pool, and it makes her more other sports." secure to know that Zach is learning As Zach splashed around on the steps how to swim and stay afloat. of the pool, nine other students from the "I have less fears of him around water Children's Education Center of the Islands now," said Lisa, who watched her son enjoyed cooling off in the water too. take lessons at the Sanibei Recreation Assistant swim instructor Holly Verier Complex on Wednesday, May 8. took a"group consisting of Robbie The Recreation Complex offers swim- Gisewhite, Will Sitton, Deanna Taub and ming lessons to the Island's preschoolers Kirk Williams. They sat next to each other at a nominal fee of $20 for eight lessons. on the ledge of the pool, like penguins on This year the kids will also receive a free an ice floe, and took turns learning basic T-shirt swimming techniques. Kirk Williams, Will Sitton, Deanna Taub and Robbie Gisewhite, preschoolers at the continued on page 34 Children's Education Center, take swimming lessons at the Sanibei Recreation Ccmplex 2 Kevin Godsea Receives Honor "Ding" Darling Wildlife I by Brian Johnson t the tender age of 25, Kevin Godsea has Society Connection earned the reputation of a rising star in the AU.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. This past Never For Conquest, Ever For Freedom . March he received the Regional Director's Honor, i one of the most prestigious awards in the wildlife | service. Godsea travelled to New Orleans to ; accept the honor. i This year he also received a job promotion. He 1 is now the supervisory refuge ranger, a post that puts him in charge of six other staff members. "It's real exciting," said Godsea, who came to "Ding" Darling from Merritt Island Refuge in July 2000. He plays down his achievements, but his colleagues don't. Layne Hamilton, the assistant refuge manager, turned to Godsea when "Ding" Darling lost five of its staff members. "During this stressful process, Kevin never lost his sense of humor," said Hamilton. "Kevin is only 25 years old, but his maturity and sense of duty are far beyond his Kevin Godsea .years'." "Gorgeous Pool Overlooking Bay" Godsea came to "Ding" Darling as the environmental education specialist. He devel- oped education programs for the Center for Education and coordinated events for stu- . dents in Lee County schools. "Kevin hit the ground running, and within a short period of time had developed a close working relationship with the Sanibel School and conducted a 'Shorebird Sister School' teachers' workshop," said Hamilton. At that time Lou Hinds was still the Refuge Manager at "Ding" Darling. Hinds could spot Godsea's talent and dedication a mile away, and he asked him to provide technical assistance to the committee putting together the new multimillion dollar exhibits for the Center for Education. Call J.B. Today! "Kevin immediately immersed himself in the project" said Hamilton. "His easy-going style and innate leadership skills'allowed him to work with a diverse group of individuals, successfully guiding them through the complicated process of dealing with contractors, design documents and audio-visual issues." As the supervisory refuge ranger, Godsea will oversee six different programs, from interpretive education to the work of the refuge's volunteers. The key issue of his work will be public use - how the ecosystem is affected by the public. As a supervisor, he enjoys feeling connected to the assortment of programs going on at the refuge. "I like having my hands in all those pots," he said. Kendra Willett, one of the new biologists at the refuge, said Godsea has helped her feel welcome. "He's great," said Willett. "He's open and honest and easy to talk to. 11 11 When you have a question you can go into his office and ask him. He's generous with his time and willing to help." Panoramic Views Godsea lives in Fort Myers with his wife Annie, who teaches 5th grade at The Sanibel School. "We really like the area - being so close to the beach and having the opportunity to bike and kayak," I Tarpon Bay Recreation Inc. Courtesy of the J.N. "Ding" Darling Foundation 900 Tarpon Bay Road • For reservations and specific times, call 472-8900 ing" Darling drew this cartoon in 1918 as a tribute to our amned forces. It Guided Tours (remains a fitting tribute on this Armed Forces Day.$ TRAM TOUR Join a naturalist aboard an open-air tram for a tour of Wildlife ©Christopher D. Koss Drive. Sit back and relax while learning the basics of the ecosystem and who its numer- ous inhabitants are. Daily except Fridays, lasts about two hours. COMMODORE CREEK TOUR Paddle the Commodore Creek Canoe Trail through the mangrove forest. The naturalists makes four stops to cover the details of the rich backbay ecosystem. Excellent program for families with children of all ages. JN "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge,- Daily. • One Wildlife Drive (off San-Cap Road) Sanibel, FL PADDLE WITH A NATURALIST Features in-depth coverage of the natural his- Wildlife Drive is now open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. tory of the Southwest Florida coastline from the last Ice Age to the present. Includes a hands-on look at the backbay ecosystem and the role it plays in the development of the In June and July Wildlife Drive is open until 8 p.m. Calusa Indians. "Private Sand Beach" SUNSET TOUR This end-of-day tour includes a visit to the bay's rookery islands Center For Education open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CENTURY21 to watch hundreds of egrets, herons, ibis, cormorants and pelicans come in to roost for seven days a week the night. The return trip has participants paddling into the sunset that coastal Florida is famous for. Weekdays. JB NOVELLI INTERNATIONALE FISHING Let an experienced guide show you the basics of backbay fishing, includ- 959 Periwinkle Way. Sanibel Island. FL 33957 ing where to find the fish in Tarpon Bay. All equipment, bait and licenses are included; fly fishing lessons are aiso available. 239.472.8000 • www.century21novellisells.com BEACH WALK Join a naturalist on a walk along the Gulf shore for an eye-open- 239-472-1100 ing look at the beach where numerous species of shells and other creatures make their E-Mail: [email protected] home.