Preventing Dog Bites in Elementary Aged Children in Lee County By Nicole Ferguson-Morrison, DVM, MS, MPH, MRCVS Veterinarian, Lee County Domestic Animal Services Dog bites are a frightening experience for anyone, especially children....
The sights and sounds of commencements are all around us this time of year. I remember my own graduations and the sense that the whole world had stopped and noted...
135 scholarships awarded through 91 scholarships funds for high school seniors and undergraduate and graduate students The Southwest Florida Community Foundation recently granted $761,650 and 135 scholarships through a competitive process...
Last week I ran into now former Fort Myers city councilman, Mike Flanders in a downtown coffee shop. I flagged him down on his way out the door to introduce...
I found out last week that I am not the only one with a storied past. If you are a regular reader of this column you know that I share...
Can you imagine standing up on stage in front of a large rowdy crowd and reading excerpts from your childhood diary? It seems unimaginable to me, but last weekend I...
No doubt many of you are recovering from the recent Easter egg hunting season. Spring is in the air and for weeks leading up to the Easter Bunny’s annual pilgrimage...
Plastics. This one word is actually ranked number 63 in the American Film Institute’s list of the top 100 movie quotations in American Cinema. It appears in the 1967 movie...
This column was not written on Saturday, March 24, 2018 between 3:30-4:30 pm or 8:30-9:30pm. The reason I am certain about the timing is my observation of Earth Hour 2018. Every year...
As I stood in the massive ticketing lobby of the Mexico City International Airport I was swept up in a wave of unfamiliarity. I felt disoriented and it took a...
There was something very special about Mary. She lived to be 96 and during her lifetime she was educated, married a wonderful man, was well-traveled, had children and grandchildren she...
Our community does an amazing job providing food for hungry people during the holidays. My email inbox and social media feeds explode this time of the year with stories of...
Whenever my adult kids travel home for the holidays I can count on at least one conversation with each of them on the topic of why I didn't push them...
There was a time when the calendar turned to October and I sought out ways to bring a little fall into my South Florida life. Years ago I would seek...
Brace yourselves for the onslaught of back to school promotions. For those of you who grew up when school started after Labor Day the abundance of ads for all things...
I want to bring back the Do-Over. When I was a kid this strategy was effective in many circumstances. An errant ball in a kickball game; no problem just call...
When I walked into our office break room last week I was greeted by the aroma of bar-b-que, a beautiful bowl of tomatoes, fresh bread and a homemade Texas sheet...
Imagine the stories of 1800 students who have a dream for their future and are asking for support from generous strangers to help them get there....
The Southwest Florida Community Foundation recently hosted 50 of its scholarship reviewers at a thank-you reception on April 20. Maria Valladares, a student of Nova Southeastern read a poem she...
Today, for the first time, my youngest child will pull his car out of the garage and drive himself to school - without me in the car. You would think I...
I think one of the greatest technological advancements in my lifetime is the pause feature on machines of all sorts and electronic devices. Whether it is the ability to throw one...
If people watching were an official sport, I am fairly certain I could be a contender for the Olympic team or championship game. Wherever I go I look for opportunities to...
Last week I was driving down College Parkway in Fort Myers and noticed a car stalled out in a turn lane. A moment later people were racing across the road...
It’s all gone. That was the message delivered by my friend who emailed to let me know that the home shared by multi- generations of her family had been lost...
The first home my husband and I bought together was a 1920s bungalow just a couple blocks off Daytona Beach. It had hardwood floors hidden under carpet and many other quaint...
I went to a new gym last week. I realize lots of people went back to gyms over the past few weeks as part of a blurry eyed pact they...
FORT MYERS, Fla. (Jan. 5, 2017) – The Southwest Florida Community Foundation recently closed on a $10 million New Markets Tax Credit deal to be used to restore the historic...
The tables at my favorite coffee shops have been occupied to overflowing the last couple of weeks. At first glance I thought it was probably the influx of winter residents...
Holiday giving is heartwarming. There are so many opportunities to reach out into the community and do something generous for a neighbor. I don’t think there is any easier time of...
My preteen eyes would scan the table spread with bubbling casseroles and gelatin salads in search of the coveted homemade macaroni and cheese. It would arrive safely in its protective...
My sister-in-law has a decorative plaque hanging in her house that begs the question, “What if tomorrow you had only the things you gave thanks for today?” Inspirational quotes show up...
Goal to transform Southwest Florida’s workforce FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 20, 2016) – More than 100 attendees recently gathered at Six Bends Harley-Davidson in Fort Myers for the FutuerMakers Coalition’s annual...
I just returned home from some summer travel. My youngest child is 15 and I am all too aware that there are only a few summer breaks left that will...
Over the past few weeks I have been telling anyone who will listen that it’s great to be 40…again! Those that know me roll their eyes while those who don’t are...
I grew up in Central Florida, which provided me access to Mickey Mouse, beautiful lakes, fresh oranges on demand and space shuttles. One of my favorite memories is going to Cape...
FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 28, 2016) – Sarah Owen, president and CEO of the Southwest Florida Community Foundation, has been elected chair of the Community Foundations of Florida for 2016. A...
I am wondering what your reaction is when you read the headline to this week’s column. Some of you might be thinking, “Are you kidding me, season in Southwest...
People close to you know your bad habits. Depending on how much they love and respect you they view them with varying levels of frustration and affection. My colleagues at...
I am generally a glass half full type of person. I am a delusional optimist about most everything including my work. A new year caters to this type of thinking,...
