Fort Myers Florida Weekly

Northwest Regional Library's second annual Vet Fest event celebrating veterans in our community

The Lee County Library System will celebrate veterans in the community while promoting resources to service members and their families at the second annual Vet Fest event. This free, all-ages event will be held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, at the Northwest Regional Library, 519 N. Chiquita Blvd., Cape Coral.

The event will feature a community expo with local groups ready to connect veterans to free and low-cost local resources. Attendees will enjoy live music from Jenny Ve, food for purchase from DonutNV and The Dawg Pound, crafts for all ages and giveaways. Local partners expected to participate include Lee County Human & Veteran Services, DAV Chapter 108, Hearts and Homes for Veterans, Homebase SWFL, Military Heritage Museum, Military Order of the Purple Heart/Combat Infantrymen's Association, United Way-Mission United, VA Homeless Outreach Coordination, Lee County VA Healthcare Center and more.

More information is available by visiting leelibrary.net/events.

The Lee County Library System has 13 branches to serve Lee County residents. For more information about other library services and programs offered, visit www.leelibrary.net or call 239-479-4636. ¦

Cypress Cove hosts Walk from Home event in support of Alzheimer's Association

In October, more than 200 Cypress Cove residents, family members and team members gathered for their heartwarming fourth annual "Walk from Home" event in support of the Alzheimer's Association. This lively gathering, filled with camaraderie and community spirit, serves as a kickoff to the Alzheimer's Association's annual Lee County Walk to End Alzheimer's. Cypress Cove continues to demonstrate its commitment to the cause by sponsoring the larger community walk through their Cypress Cares outreach initiative.

"The mission of the Alzheimer's Association holds a special place in the hearts of our Cypress Cove family," shared Mary Franklin, executive director at Cypress Cove. "This event is more than just a walk—it's a celebration of resilience, love and togetherness. Whether walking for a spouse, a friend or even in solidarity with those directly affected by Alzheimer's, our residents and team members always come out to support each other. While many will also join the larger Lee County Walk later this year, the joy of hosting this event on our own campus allows even more of our community to get involved. It has truly become a beloved tradition, one that brings us closer each year."

For further information, please contact Haydn Hart at or 239-214-2456.

DDWS announces this year's photo contest winners

In September, "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge held an official judging for its 32nd annual "Ding" Darling Amateur Nature Photography Contest. It recently announced the 2024 winners.

Judges selected three winners and nine honorable mentions out of 81 entries from 15 states and two countries. All photograph entries were shot at the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge complex. Judges included a refuge staffer, photographer/ artist, and member of the Sanibel community.

"Despite the decrease in refuge visitors from Hurricane Ian's ongoing after effects, the contest generated much excitement and nostalgia among photographers and our judges," said April Boehnen, DDWS manager of events, marketing, and communication and contest coordinator. "The photographers found our resilient wildlife and enduring beauty once again."

First place went to Wayne Kliewer from Clinton, N.J., for his portrait of a roseate spoonbill titled "Pretty in Pink." Mark Martens, contest judge and senior advertising account executive for Breeze Newspapers, commented: "The composition is wonderful, the spoonbill's expression is contemplative, and the wonderful blurred reflection finishes off this beautiful photo."

In second place was Conrad Peloquin from Walnut Creek, Cal., with a photograph of flamingos titled "Anyone Know Where We Are Going?"

"Pink flamingos in flight is an incredible sight," Judge Elizabeth Simler, a member of the community and refuge volunteer, said. "The blue, blue water as a backdrop for their gorgeousness makes this photo vibrant. I hope to see these visitors come back often to the refuge."

April Sue Billings from Taneytown, Md., took third place with "I Hide Nothing!" Judge and "Ding" Darling Urban Refuge Ranger Yvette Carrasco explained her choice: "The osprey is showing us how resilient they are, like Sanibel Island."

The three winners received cash awards from DDWS—$300 for first place, $225 for second, and $175 for third. Each honorable mention winners received a $25 award, which reflects a refund of the contest entry fee.

Honorable mentions:

¦ Iris Aloia, Sanibel, Fla. – "Mr. Halloween"

¦ Scott Becque, Rehoboth Beach, Del. – "Gotcha"

¦ Kathleen Colligan, Beach Lake, Penn. – "Flamboyant Flamingos"

¦ Heidi Dirkse, Wolverine, Mich. – "Changing Colors"

¦ J. Nicholas Linsmayer, Sanibel, Fla. – "My Very Lucky Day"

¦ Sara McVey, Sanibel, Fla. – "I Feel Pretty, Oh So Pretty"

¦ Vince Thomalla, Marshfield, Wisc. – "Beats Me?"

¦ Ben Vanos, Petoskey, Mich. – Spoonbill Stretch

¦ Gretchen Wilson, Amherst, N.H. – "Doing the Dew"

The winning photographs and honorable mention award entries will be on display in the "Ding" Darling Visitor & Education Center throughout the year. It is currently closed for hurricane repairs, however.

To view all top-ranking entries, visit dingdarlingsociety.org/photo-contests. The page also contains information for entering the photo contest in 2025. The deadline for submissions will be Sep. 15, 2025.

Calusa Nature Center and Calusa Waterkeeper join forces to enhance community engagement and education

The Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium has partnered with Calusa Waterkeeper to show our shared commitment to environmental stewardship and education. Calusa Waterkeeper will establish a science lab for water quality testing at the Calusa Nature Center, marking a pivotal collaboration in shared efforts to protect and restore the unique natural resources of Southwest Florida.

This partnership unites two organizations with a longstanding history of advocating for the environment. Together, they will aim to strengthen community engagement, research and educational initiatives focused on the health and sustainability of local ecosystems.

"We are glad to welcome Calusa Waterkeeper to our facility," said Eric Raddatz, executive director at Calusa Nature Center. "This partnership will enhance our educational programs and amplify our voice in advocating for the conservation of our precious natural resources. We are all about nurturing nature here, and so are they."

Calusa Waterkeeper's Captain Codty Pierce and trained Rangers monitor and test water quality at over 30 locations each month across the region. The new science lab at the Nature Center will serve as a hub for research, data collection and educational initiatives, raising awareness about the critical importance of protecting and restoring water quality and local habitats.

"This partnership is a natural fit," said Connie Ramos-Williams, executive director at Calusa Waterkeeper, who previously served on the board of the Calusa Nature Center. "By collaborating, we can combine our resources and expertise to make an even greater impact on conservation efforts. Together, we can inspire our community to take action for a healthier environment."

Winners of the Shorts of the Fort announced

The Alliance for the Arts in partnership with the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau hosted the first annual Shorts of the Fort Film Festival on Sept. 20. The public was invited to submit a short film, ranging from 30 seconds to five minutes, that highlighted all that Southwest Florida has to offer. Cash prizes were awarded to winners in each category: Best of the Fest, Top film in each Category: Island Odyssey: films featuring the surrounding islands in Lee County, Beach Bliss: films featuring the vast beaches and river banks in Lee County, Neighborhood Narratives: films featuring any of the towns, hamlets, iconic places across Lee County, Audience Favorite and Best Student Film.

Winners:

¦ Best Student Film: "Discovering Together," directed by Xavier Matos

¦ Neighborhood Narratives: "Ride By," directed by Santiago Falkenhagen

¦ Beach Bliss: "Cherish," directed by Collette Marie Couillard

¦ Island Odyssey: "My Matlacha Courtyard," directed by Marta Elva Rangel Gibbons

¦ Best of the Fest: "Back to One," directed by Nathan Wallace and Victor H. Muriel

¦ Audience Favorite: "Ride By," directed by Santiago Falkenhagen