Photos from November 9, 2005

  • In this file photo from 2004, work had just started on exterior improvements to the historic hotel. Large scale renovations on the interior are now underway.
  • An old photo of the Liles Hotel shows the structure during its early days as a winter tourist hub. The Liles family lost the hotel to foreclosure during the Depression. The hotel was owned by several local families before being purchased by the city for $1 million in 2001.
  • An old photo of the Liles Hotel cottages, which were built during the 1940s, a time when winter tourists first started coming to Bonita Springs. They were dubbed 'tin-can' tourists by locals because most of their camping goods were stored in metal coffee cans that often made clanging noises when they unpacked for the winter.
  • Renovation continues on the Liles Hotel, a historic landmark in Bonita Springs off Old 41 Road. The hotel was built in 1927 and is one the oldest structures still standing in the city. When complete in March of next year, the area will have a community square-type feel and be available for a number of events and gatherings.
  • Renovation continues on the Liles Hotel, a historic landmark in Bonita Springs off Old 41 Road. The hotel was built in 1927 and is one the oldest structures still standing in the city. When complete in March of next year, the area will have a community square-type feel and be available for a number of events and gatherings.
  • Renovation continues on the Liles Hotel, a historic landmark in Bonita Springs off Old 41 Road. The hotel was built in 1927 and is one the oldest structures still standing in the city. When complete in March of next year, the area will have a community square-type feel and be available for a number of events and gatherings.
  • Renovation continues on the Liles Hotel, a historic landmark in Bonita Springs off Old 41 Road. The hotel was built in 1927 and is one the oldest structures still standing in the city. When complete in March of next year, the area will have a community square-type feel and be available for a number of events and gatherings.
  • A artist's take on the Bonita Springs redevelopment plan for the Liles Hotel, which will be connected via paved brick sidewalks to restored cottages, parking areas and existing commercial properties on Old 41.
  • The Golf Magazine Dream Home at Tiburon Golf Club is open for tours Friday and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, except this weekend. A suggested $5 donation will benefit Liberty Youth Ranch.
  • The dinette of the Golf Magazine Dream Home has been designed as a poker table with a wine area. The home was designed with suggestions from Golf Magazine readers. It incorporates features such as an outdoor pool table, built-in cigar humidor, and brick barrel-vaulted ceiling and butcher block countertop in the kitchen.
  • Twin brothers George, left, and Paul Carachilo, of Pennsylvania, prepare food in the kitchen of the Red Cross Disaster Shelter inside the Bonita Springs Recreation Center on Tuesday as Marry Anne DeHart, background, helps a shelter resident. The volunteers came to the shelter last week to help those still struggling since Hurricane Wilma hit Southwest Florida.
  • Bruce Atkins passes time reading the newspaper at the Red Cross shelter inside the Bonita Springs Recreation Center on Tuesday.
  • Bruce Atkins, right, eats lunch at the Red Cross shelter inside the Bonita Springs Recreation Center on Tuesday. Atkins heard that his mobile home in Imperial Harbor was destroyed during Hurricane Wilma, but hasn't been back to check on it himself because he has ill and no car. Atkins has been staying in the shelter since it opened two weeks ago.
  • Cheri Lee, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, has been in the Red Cross shelter at the Bonita Springs Recreational Center since it opened two weeks ago. She previously was living in her car in Cape Coral before Hurricane Wilma struck Southwest Florida, and is unsure of where she will go next because she isn't eligible for hurricane assistance since she is considered displaced and not a hurricane victim.
  • Mark Brouilletta, right, tries to sleep as Cheri Lee spends time with her special needs dog, 'Snuggles,' inside the Red Cross shelter at the Bonita Springs Recreational Center on Tuesday.
  • Fred Funk tries a little body english to help his putt on the third green during last year's final round of the Franklin Templeton Shootout at Tiburón Golf Club in Naples. Funk and his partner Len Mattiace birdied the hole, and finished the tournament at 17-under par.
  • Gene Nagel retrieves his ball from the cup on the 18th hole at Tiburon Golf Club as he finishes a practice round with Bill Sedleck, left, Bob Tribou, second from right, and Dave Schweitzer, right, Tuesday afternoon. The four men will play in the Pro-Am competition of the Franklin Templeton Shootout golf tournament, which starts today at the Tiburon Golf Club in North Naples.
  • Florida's Cabinet on Tuesday approved spending $300 million to purchase nearly 74,000 acres as part of a landmark deal to acquire the Babcock Ranch.
  • The 'wet walk' at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve allows visitors to experience the flora, fauna and atmosphere of the cypress swamp up close and personal.
  • Jennifer Micale, of Ithaca, New York, attended 'Survival Day' at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve while on vacation visiting her father. Micale, a long-time fan of Brown's, has practiced making fire using the techniques Brown teaches, but had not been successful until Saturday.
  • Jennifer Micale, of Ithaca, New York, attended 'Survival Day' at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve while on vacation visiting her father.
  • Jennifer Micale, of Ithaca, New York, attended 'Survival Day' at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve while on vacation visiting her father.
  • Marilyn Williams carefully holds a 2-year-old alligator used to educate residents about the species. Williams works with Babcock Ranch EcoTours.
  • Tom Brown Jr., left, author of numerous books and founder of Tracker School, keeps audiences entranced during his presentation at 'Survival Day' last Saturday at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve.
  • A display honoring POWs and MIAs graces the hall at the Bonita Springs Veterans of Foreign Wars in permanent remembrance of the missing veterans.
  • Nursing facilities, like the Life Care Center of Estero on Williams Road, as well as assisted living facilities plan their evacuations for hurricanes and other disasters with the local fire districts as well as county emergency management services. Once an evacuation is ordered by emergency services, residents can be moved to similar facilities all around the state. Elderly or disabled residents in private homes must rely on family, neighbors and friends.
  • FGCU senior Lori Brooks , playing in her final regular season game at Alico Arena on Saturday night, watches her kill get past Ashland's Mary Kate Glowe (14) and Natalie Kapteyn.
  • Michael Bumpus, left, and Justin Adams helped lead the Estero boys team to a fifth-place finish at Saturday's meet.
  • It was a day at the beach for Estero's Bona Jones, who won the Class 2A Region 3 cross country championship meet at Lakes Park in Fort Myers on Saturday.
  • Accompanied by Robert Lauber, Katie Hayes waves to the crowd during Estero High's Homecoming parade prior to Friday night's football game. Robert and Katie were part of the Homecoming Court.
  • Leah Maxwell was crowned Estero High's Homecoming Queen at halftime of Friday night's football game.
  • Kirk Kvetko is training for a climb of Mount Kilimanjaro by cutting grass carrying a 30-pound backpack.
  • Mariner's Quinton Pointer gets wrapped up by Estero's Kevin Mincheff following a reception.
  • Estero's Nick Garcia takes a handoff from Derek Hatfield on his way to a 2-yard touchdown in the first quarter against Mariner on Friday night. Mariner won the season finale, 34-24.
  • Justin Maxner
  • Paul Donahue
  • Michelle Ogle
  • Bob Amoroso

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