Of Special Note (10/22/14)

By Staff | Oct 22, 2014

Boys & Girls Club collecting costumes

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County’s Lehigh Acres Club will collect gently used and new Halloween costumes during its Halloween Costume Drive now through Oct. 24.

The collection will be handed out to children at the Make A Difference Day event on Oct. 25.

The costumes will be distributed to any youth who attends with a parent or guardian and who participates in the costume contest.

Costumes may be dropped off at the Lehigh Acres Boys & Girls Club, at 1262 Wings Way, Unit 206, Monday through Friday from noon to 6 p.m.

Costumes are also being collected at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office substation, at 1301 N. Homestead Road, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or at the Veterans Community Park Recreation Center from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Makes A Difference Day scheduled

The planning for the Annual Lehigh Makes A Difference Day 2014 is in full swing and organizers are calling on residents, civic groups and businesses to take part.

Join the effort by creating a service project or participate in an existing project that will have a direct impact on Lehigh Acres.

The Fall Harvest Style event will be held Oct. 25 from noon to 5 p.m. at Veterans Park.

For project ideas, visit: www.makeadifferenceday.com or call (239) 477-1485.

America Legion plans several activities

The American Legion Auxiliary and Post 323 will host an Adult Scavenger Hunt on Oct. 25 at 2 p.m. at the post, at 1124 Ashlar Ave. Registration opens at 1 p.m.

Teams will be made up of four individuals; the event is open to the public.

The entry fee is $5 per person or $20 per team.

Prizes will be awarded to the first and second place teams.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Children’s Organ Transplant Association

For information, contact Wendy at (239) 396-3178.

The American Legion Auxiliary Post 323 will hold a Halloween Costume Party/Dinner Dance on Oct. 31 from 7:30 p.m. to midnight at the post, at 1124 Ashlar Ave.

A dinner of apricot BBQ chicken, new potatoes and vegetables will be served from 5 to 7 p.m.

Entertainment will be provided by Bouncer Entertainment.

Prizes for first and second place will be awarded for the best costumes.

As part of a membership drive, the event is open to the public.

The American Legion Auxiliary Post 323 will host a Monster Bash and Haunted House from Oct. 31 through Nov. 2 at the post, at 1124 Ashlar Ave.

The event is open to the public; donations accepted.

For information, contact Vickie Leventhal at (239) 565-1119.

Buckingham Community Day open to public

The Buckingham Community Day will be held Oct. 25 from noon to 5 p.m. at The Hut, at 5150 Buckingham Road.

Activities include a visit with special equestrians, a bounce house and slides, games and prizes, raffles and face painting.

Admission is free.

Entertainment will be provided by the band Chasing Dallas.

A barn dance will begin at 6:30 p.m. for $10 per person. Cocktails will be available, along with a photo booth, raffles and live music, which will include line dance lessons and a performance.

Symphony presents Cool Jazz fundraiser

The Southwest Florida Symphony will hold its annual Cool Jazz fundraiser concert on Oct. 26 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, at 13051 Bell Tower Drive, Fort Myers.

Tickets cost $25 in advance or $30 at the door. A cash bar will be available.

Patrons may bring their own food. Halloween costumes are welcome and encouraged.

There will be a silent auction, with opportunities to bid on private performances by the Southwest Florida Symphony and to conduct a piece of music at a concert.

Rock, Blues and Brews Festival marks third year

The Rotary Club of Lehigh presents the third annual Aim Engineering & Surveying Rock, Blues and Brews Festival on Nov. 1 from 4 to 10 p.m. at Copperhead Golf Club, at 20910 Copperhead Drive.

It features performances by Hit N Runn, Live & Learn, and the Certified Band.

A Truly Nolan Crusin’ Car and Motorcycle Show will be held from 1 to 4 p.m.

It will feature cars and motorcycles in a variety of categories with trophies offered to the top two ranking vehicles. A live deejay will perform, with door prizes given away throughout the day.

Early registration is $10 per vehicle and $15 day of.

The Rotary Club is offering free admission to both events, but encourages patrons to bring a donation of a canned good that will benefit the Lehigh Community Services Food Pantry.

There will be food, beer, wine and soft drinks available for Rotary bucks, which can be purchased at the information booth; cash only, please.

For information, contact LehighRotaryCarShow@gmail.com or visit online at: www.facebook.com/LehighRotary.

Writing course available

The Lehigh Acres Senior Citizen Center will offer a writing course, “How to Write and Publish Your Book,” from Nov. 3 through March at 219 Plaza Drive.

Co-sponsored and underwritten by the Book Surgeon, a division of the nonprofit Winning Kids Club, the program will be taught by Dr. Gail Hallas, a professional author, novelist and public speaker.

The free 20-week course is designed to show writers how to write a complete manuscript that is ready for publication. It will include novels, memoirs, nonfiction, children’s books and more.

Space is limited.

For information, call Melissa Barry at (239) 369-5355.

Open call to artists

Visual artists are invited to submit up to two framed/gallery wrapped pieces of art for the juried Perceptions Art Show 2014.

Art mediums are accepted: photography, watercolor, mixed media, pen and ink, oil, acrylic, pastels and charcoals.

Works must have been completed within the last two years and must be original; works which have received an award higher than honorable mention in any AOI or ACSWF shows are not eligible.

Cash prizes and ribbons will be awarded for best of show, first place, second place and third place, as well as non-cash awards for two honorable mentions.

Entry fee for Arts of the Inland and Art Council of Southwest Florida members is $10 per artwork; non-members fee is $20.

For prospectus and an application, visit online: www.artsoftheinland.com. Applications, fees and a digital image or photo must be received by Nov. 4.

Presented by the Arts of the Inland, the show will be held Nov. 9 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Crown Room at the Majestic Golf Club, at 350 S. Homestead Road.

A juried/judged show, it is free and open to the public; artwork will be available for purchase.

Artwork from East Lee County High School students will also be on display for viewing.

Local pianist Millicent Callobre will provide the entertainment; light hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served.

For information, contact LaVon Koenig at (239) 303-5849 or artsinland@gmail.com.

LCDAS announces Microchip Clinics

Lee County Domestic Animal Services will host a series of clinics to encourage microchipping of pets to help increase the return of stray animals and protect owners if their pet is lost or stolen.

Microchip Clinics will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. on the first Friday of each month, with the exception of July. The dates are:

– Nov. 7

– Dec. 5

No appointment is necessary.

The cost is $15 or $5 with proof of public assistance.

Visit: www.leelostpets.com to view pets or for information.

Golf scramble scheduled

The Lehigh Acres Kiwanis Club will host a golf scramble on Nov. 8 at the Majestic Golf Course, at 350 S. Homestead Road. Registration will open at 7:15 a.m., and play will begin at 8 a.m.

Profits from the event will support ECHO and the Kiwanis Endowed Scholarship Fund at Florida SouthWestern State College.

Teams will be made up of four players. The entry fee is $60 per player and includes golf, cart, lunch, range balls and continental breakfast. Handy sandy, mulligan, arm length string and 50/50 are available for purchase.

Sponsorships are available for naming sponsor for $1,000, major sponsor for $500, team sponsor for $275, bar/cart sponsor for $200 and hole sponsor for $50.

To register or for details, contact Carrie Chase at (239) 410-2909.

County band to begin season

The Lee County Community Band will begin its 129th season on Nov. 9 with the first of its concerts.

The program will feature patriotic American music by American composers, including a salute to the U.S. Armed Forces veterans.

The band will perform six concerts this season. The dates are:

– Dec. 14

– Jan. 11

– Feb. 8

– March 8

– April 12

All of the concerts will be held at 3 p.m. in the auditorium at Cape Coral High School, at 2300 Santa Barbara Blvd.

The programs are free of charge, but donations are accepted.

The 60-member band rehearses Thursday nights at St. Michael Lutheran School in Fort Myers. Rehearsals for the season start Oct. 16; new members are welcome. If you are interested in joining, call Norman Jones at (239) 995-2097.

For details, visit: www.leecountyband.org.

Diabetes Symposium planned

Lee Memorial Health System, in collaboration with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, will host a Diabetes Symposium on Nov. 15 at Florida SouthWestern State College at 8099 College Parkway in Fort Myers.

The first Miss America with diabetes, Nicole Johnson, is one of the guest speakers and will discuss “Transitioning from Pediatric to Adult with T1D.” Johnson has served as an international consultant and advocate for diabetes issues since 1999.

Other presentations include: “Latest Advances in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Research,” by Aaron Kowalski; “Diabetes Gadgets and Gizmos,” by Craig Bobik; and “Coping with Diabetes,” by Laura Smith.

A limited number of seats have been set aside for community members. For details or reservations, call (239) 591-2825, Ext. 0, or email floridasuncoast@jdrf.org.

Lehigh band to perform shows

The Lehigh Concert Band will perform on Nov. 15 at 3:30 p.m. at the St. Raphael Fall Festival and on Nov. 16 at 3 p.m. at the Faith Lutheran Church. The concerts will recognize the dedication and sacrifices of the Armed Forces men and women. All concerts are free, but donations are appreciated; they form the majority of funding for the band.

The Lehigh Concert Band also has open spots for any concert band musician who can play at a high school or college level or above.

The season runs November to April, and the band rehearses at 7 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday at the Faith Lutheran Church, at 705 Leeland Blvd. They perform at least once a month in Lehigh, as well as at festivals, churches and retirement homes as a full band or in groups.

Those interested in joining are invited to stop by a rehearsal or performance. For details, visit: www.lehighconcertband.org.

Pool offers lessons, aerobics

The Lehigh Acres Community Pool, at 1400 W. Fifth St., is heated and open to the public year round.

There are fall swim lessons offered beginning in September, with a wide range of skill levels taught by American Red Cross certified instructors. Classes available for ages 6 months to adult. Receive eight classes for just $50.

Prepare for the beach with aqua aerobics. Choose from an invigorating fast paced workout offered at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday through Friday or the ultra-low impact National Arthritis Foundation sponsored class at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday and Friday. Classes are in chest deep water and 45 minutes in length. There are always lifeguards-on-duty. Lap swimmers welcome.

For hours and rates, call (239) 369-8277 or visit the website at:?www.leeparks.org.

Camps on fitness, nutrition

Healthy Harvest Community Farms, at 607 Mirror Lakes Drive, will host boot camp classes.

The following are planned:

– Mondays and Fridays from 6 to 7 p.m. at Williams Park

– Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at Veterans Park

– Wednesdays from 6 to 7 p.m and Saturdays from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at Healthy Harvest Community Farms

The classes are free; donations are welcome and appreciated. At least 10 people must be signed up for a class to take place.

For the full schedule, visit: www.HealthyHarvestFarms.org.

Farmer’s Market open

The Fenway South Farmer’s Market will be held every Monday from 2 to 6 p.m. at JetBlue Park at Fenway South, at 11500 Fenway South Drive, Fort Myers.

The market offers produce, cheeses, pastas, seafood, baked breads, meats, herbs, ready-to-eat meals, flowers, crafts, soaps, candles, live music and more.

Visit online at: www.buylocallee.com.

Choir holding rehearsals

The Lehigh Children’s Choir rehearses from 6-7 p.m. Tuesdays at Cayuga Music Studio, at 1100 Homestead Road.

For information, call (239) 368-2488.

Lehigh Singers seeks members

The Lehigh Singers rehearse every Tuesday at 7:15 p.m. at the Cayuga Music Studio. Members are asked to attend every rehearsal until the concert in early April.

Tenors and basses needed. If you are interested, call (239) 822-1890 for an audition.