Photos from December 22, 2005

  • With Christmas around the corner, the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Hotel in Estero is busy preparing for an increase in visitors.
  • With Christmas around the corner, the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Hotel in Estero is busy preparing for an increase in visitors.
  • With Christmas around the corner, the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Hotel in Estero is busy preparing for an increase in visitors.
  • With Christmas around the corner, the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Hotel in Estero is busy preparing for an increase in visitors.
  • With Christmas around the corner, the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Hotel in Estero is busy preparing for an increase in visitors.
  • With Christmas around the corner, the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Hotel in Estero is busy preparing for an increase in visitors.
  • With Christmas around the corner, the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Hotel in Estero is busy preparing for an increase in visitors.
  • With Christmas around the corner, the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Hotel in Estero is busy preparing for an increase in visitors.
  • With Christmas around the corner, the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Hotel in Estero is busy preparing for an increase in visitors.
  • With Christmas around the corner, the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Hotel in Estero is busy preparing for an increase in visitors.
  • With Christmas around the corner, the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Hotel in Estero is busy preparing for an increase in visitors.
  • Tony and Lillian Collins spend a few moments together while waiting for Tony's baggage after he flew into Southwest Florida International Airport on Thursday afternoon. Tony currently lives in Washington D.C. and has been commuting every weekend to visit his new wife of one month who lives in Naples. Tony said his flight was booked full, as opposed to other weeks flying into Fort Myers, as well as a '100 percent' price increase for tickets.
  • Tony and Lillian Collins spend a few moments together while waiting for Tony's baggage after he flew into Southwest Florida International Airport on Thursday afternoon. Tony currently lives in Washington D.C. and has been commuting every weekend to visit his new wife of one month who lives in Naples. Tony said his flight was booked full, as opposed to other weeks flying into Fort Myers, as well as a '100 percent' price increase for tickets.
  • Despite increases in hotel rates, airfares and gasoline, 63.5 million Americans are projected to travel during the Christmas-New Year's holiday, a 1.7 percent increase over last year, which would set a new national holiday travel record, AAA's survey found.
  • Jay Stemen, right, goes through bags of Christmas gifts inside the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Hotel in Estero on Thursday. Stemen, owner of 'All Water Excursion,' was handing out Christmas gifts to a select number of hotel employees with whom he had worked closely during the past year.
  • Brantley Johnson, 8, left, and Luke Johnson, 10, examine the view from their room at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Hotel in Estero on Thursday. The two checked into the hotel Thursday after arriving from Indianapolis with their parents. The hotel, which currently is preparing for the upcoming busy season, already has sold out all its rooms for 10 days in January.
  • Cheri Geilear, left, a seasonal Marco resident from Cape Cod, Mass., jokes with store manager Sandy Danielson while shopping at the New to You consignment shop on Creech Road on Wednesday afternoon. The consignment store, like many in the area, sells upscale 'gently worn' designer clothes and accessories at a fraction of their new price.
  • Mike Scott greets his mom Appie after arriving at Romano's restaurant in North Fort Myers on Election Night. Scott defeated incumbent Lee County Sheriff Rod Shoap.
  • Bill Pottebaum, left, and Tom Daniels, owners of P.D.'s Fixit off U.S. 41 East, are closing their repair shop for vacuum cleaners and small appliances after 26 years in business. Their insurance company deemed the store a total loss after damage from Hurricane Wilma, and Pottebaum and Daniels decided not to re-open.
  • Grilled roast pork sandwich at Bonita Spring's Toucan Cafe.
  • Fried chicken platter at Bonita Springs' Dixie Moon Cafe.
  • Escargot bourguignonne at Escargot 41 in Naples.
  • Nektar, a signature cocktail at the restaurant Nektar in Naples.
  • Tutankhamun possessed four miniature coffins fashioned of gold and inlaid with colored glass and semiprecious stones, and each stood in a separate compartment in an alabaster chest. Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs opened Dec. 15 at the Museum of Art - Fort Lauderdale.
  • Blades Vs Lynx
  • Blades Vs Lynx
  • Blades Vs Lynx
  • Blades Vs Lynx
  • Blades Vs Lynx
  • Blades Vs Lynx
  • Blades Vs Lynx
  • Blades Vs Lynx
  • Blades Vs Lynx
  • Blades Vs Lynx
  • Blades Vs Lynx
  • Blades Vs Lynx
  • Blades Vs Lynx
  • Blades Vs Lynx 121005
  • Blades Vs Pilots 120905
  • Blades Vs Pilots 120905
  • Blades Vs Pilots 120905
  • Blades Vs Pilots 120905
  • Blades Vs Pilots 120905
  • Blades Vs Pilots 120905
  • Blades Vs Pilots 120905
  • Blades Vs Pilots 120905
  • Blades Vs Pilots 120905
  • Junior linebacker David Mahoney, an Estero High graduate, will be playing in his third straight bowl game tonight for Navy, which meets Colorado State in the Poinsettia Bowl.

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