Photos from January 20, 2006

  • Marcy Craig, of North Naples, a resident of the Bermuda Island apartment complex since May of 2001, says she received a letter on Jan. 18 that stated she has to leave when her lease ends in May. The complex is at Vanderbilt Beach Road and Livingston Road. Renters at the 360-apartment Naples complex have been ordered to move out.
  • A manatee calf surfaces for a gulp of air in a canal in Big Cypress National Preserve. The manatee has been stranded in the canal for at least two weeks. The team worked unsuccessfully for more than five hours.
  • Deirdre Grant, a marine mammal biologist from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, watches for a manatee calf to surface in a canal in Big Cypress National Preserve. A team of biologists and park officials unsuccessfully tried Friday to net and rescue the calf, which was trapped in the canal and suffering from severe cold stress. When caught, they plan for the animal to be rehabilitated at Lowry Park in Tampa.
  • Kara Vereen, top, helps children with their spelling during her first-grade class Thursday at Pine Woods Elementary School. Because of certain restrictions in class sizes, Vereen, who currently co-teaches the class with Nicole Alport, does not expect to share a class next year.
  • Nicole Alport instructs a group of first graders in a math lesson while her co-teacher, Kara Vereen, teaches an additional group of students in the background at Pine Woods Elementary School.
  • Brittini Salyer, 10, left, and Macy Mahanke, 9, use teamwork as they dig a hole for one of 10 slash pines donated to Lely Elementary School by the Florida Division of Forestry for Arbor Day.
  • Bougainvillea and other wall and garden plantings perfect for Florida’s climate are at the Yard & Garden Show Jan. 28 and 29. If you want to buy and learn at the same time, speakers are scheduled both days, and gardening veterans are there to help.
  • Al Bunch, who speaks at the Southwest Florida Yard & Garden Show next weekend, hybridized this plumeria, or frangipani, called 'Multiplicity.'
  • Al Bunch, who speaks at the Southwest Florida Yard & Garden Show next weekend, hybridized this plumeria, or frangipani, called 'Multiplicity.'
  • This version of the Saturnia Lakes dining room in the same neighborhood demonstrates the more traditional approach.
  • Employees with Better Roads Inc. put down a last layer of structure Thursday before the final friction layer that will finish off the expansion to U.S. 41 at the intersection of Bonita Beach Road in Bonita Springs. Lee County officials are interested in ideas considered in Collier County about possibly opening an asphalt plant or fill-dirt and limerock operation by both counties to supply materials for road projects.
  • Employees with Better Roads Inc. put down a last layer of structure Thursday before the final friction layer that will finish off the expansion to U.S. 41 at the intersection of Bonita Beach Road in Bonita Springs. Lee County officials are interested in ideas considered in Collier County about possibly opening an asphalt plant or fill-dirt and limerock operation by both counties to supply materials for road projects.
  • Employees with Better Roads Inc. put down a last layer of structure Thursday before the final friction layer that will finish off the expansion to U.S. 41 at the intersection of Bonita Beach Road in Bonita Springs. Lee County officials are interested in ideas considered in Collier County about possibly opening an asphalt plant or fill-dirt and limerock operation by both counties to supply materials for road projects.
  • Employees with Better Roads Inc. put down a last layer of structure Thursday before the final friction layer that will finish off the expansion to U.S. 41 at the intersection of Bonita Beach Road in Bonita Springs. Lee County officials are interested in ideas considered in Collier County about possibly opening an asphalt plant or fill-dirt and limerock operation by both counties to supply materials for road projects.
  • Employees with Better Roads Inc. put down a last layer of structure Thursday before the final friction layer that will finish off the expansion to U.S. 41 at the intersection of Bonita Beach Road in Bonita Springs. Lee County officials are interested in ideas considered in Collier County about possibly opening an asphalt plant or fill-dirt and limerock operation by both counties to supply materials for road projects.
  • Employees with Better Roads Inc. put down a last layer of structure Thursday before the final friction layer that will finish off the expansion to U.S. 41 at the intersection of Bonita Beach Road in Bonita Springs. Lee County officials are interested in ideas considered in Collier County about possibly opening an asphalt plant or fill-dirt and limerock operation by both counties to supply materials for road projects.
  • Interior designer Judy Halstead stands in the dining room of a Saturnia Lakes home she decorated. Halstead used a mural on the walls in the room to enlarge the space.
  • Employees with Better Roads Inc. put down a last layer of structure Thursday before the final friction layer that will finish off the expansion to U.S. 41 at the intersection of Bonita Beach Road in Bonita Springs. Lee County officials are interested in ideas considered in Collier County about possibly opening an asphalt plant or fill-dirt and limerock operation by both counties to supply materials for road projects.
  • Employees with Better Roads Inc. put down a last layer of structure Thursday before the final friction layer that will finish off the expansion to U.S. 41 at the intersection of Bonita Beach Road in Bonita Springs. Lee County officials are interested in ideas considered in Collier County about possibly opening an asphalt plant or fill-dirt and limerock operation by both counties to supply materials for road projects.
  • This image released by the Library of Congress shows the cover page of 'Poor Richard: An Almanac,' 1739 by 'Richard Saunders,' one of Benjamin Franklin's pseudonyms. The page is from the exhibition, 'Benjamin Franklin: In His Own Words,' on display through June 17, 2006, in the 'American Treasures' exhibition at the Library of Congress in Washington. The exhibit celebrates the 300th anniversary of Franklin's birth, Jan. 17.
  • Mason Chamberlin's 1762 oil on canvas of Benjamin Franklin was part of the 'Franklin and Friends' exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington in 1999. The world will mark the anniversary of Franklin's 300th birthday on Jan. 17, 2006.
  • Two of the show-stealers at the Naples Dinner Theater production of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”: Dick Westlake as J.B. Biggley and LoriAnn Freda as Hedy Larue.
  • Two of the show-stealers at the Naples Dinner Theater production of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”: Dick Westlake as J.B. Biggley and LoriAnn Freda as Hedy Larue.
  • <strong>A camping trip ... at Cambier Park</strong> — Most of the images featured in the 'Looking Back' feature tell stories via development patterns. Here is one that tells a story about our people — our youth. Loyal 'Looking Back' contributor to Dorothy Caruthers of Naples offers this photo made in 1952 or 1953 of the Boy Scout Troop 33 (T-33 in the sign held by the boys) during a camping trip. Her husband, J.C., was scoutmaster. The troop raised money by delivering warm doughnuts on Saturday mornings, she recalls, and holding chicken barbecues. Can you guess where the photo was made? Cambier Park, believe it or not. <em>Published Jan. 22, 2006</em>
  • This ship-shaped building has been home to restaurants and more over the years. A current sign says it offers bingo. It is a landmark along U.S. 41 in south Lee County.
  • The historic arches are missing in San Carlos Park, but plans call for them to be rebuilt.
  • The Koreshan Historic Site is an attraction in south Lee County. Check an upcoming Sunday Banner for a closer look at this unique site.
  • Germain Arena, home of the Everblades ice hockey team, is another familiar venue in Estero.
  • Florida Gulf Coast University is a key player in the south Lee County region. Alico Arena is home to FGCU's athletic teams as the university plans to move to Division I-A status.
  • Florida Gulf Coast University is a key player in the south Lee County region. Alico Arena is home to FGCU's athletic teams as the university plans to move to Division I-A status.
  • FGCU's baseball facility is a familiar sight on campus.
  • Florida Gulf Coast University is a key player in the south Lee County region. Alico Arena is home to FGCU's athletic teams as the university plans to move to Division I-A status.
  • The familiar Miromar Outlets off Interstate 75 was one of the first big players in the Estero commercial sphere.
  • A church in Estero shows signs it meets architectural criteria for the region.
  • At the same time, Estero is grabbing more and more of the local convention business through facilities like the Hyatt off Coconut Road.
  • Numerous real estate signs pinpoint the Estero area as an epicenter of growth in Southwest Florida.
  • The Coconut Point mall is a key feature in the commercial future of the Estero area.
  • Architecture of commercial buildings is regulated through Estero's planning council.
  • Found only in Florida within the Continental United States, a solitary limpkin is photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. The species was hunted almost to extinction in Florida at the beginning of the 20th century, but with legal protection it is making a fair comeback.
  • Map shows boundaries of Collier County and independent fire districts
  • The Florida Memorial for the Unborn will be dedicated in North Naples next month.
  • Workers repair the Blue Rose bed-and-breakfast in Pass Christian, Miss. The beachfront property was hit hard by Hurricane Katrina last August and owner Philip LaGrange wants to rebuild.
  • Community leader Dave Dennis, left, talks with Phil LaGrange outside Lagrange's bed-and-breakfast in Pass Christian, Miss. While LaGrange has invested much time and money trying to rebuild his beachfront property, The Blue Rose, he said the federal government so far hasn't shown itself willing to spend the money to bring the region back.
  • Philip LaGrange gestures as he talks inside his Blue Rose bed-and-breakfast in Pass Christian, Miss. LaGrange hopes to restore the property following heavy damage by Hurricane Katrina.
  • Workers clear debris from Hurricane Katrina near the harbor in Pass Christian, Miss. A high-powered group of community leaders, elected officials and architects are busily hammering out an ambitious framework for what could come next — to rebuild the entire 80-mile stretch of Mississippi's coast in a way that would rewrite how cities and towns work.
  • At Wednesday morning's Bonita Springs City Council meeting, Councilman David Piper put pressure on Harry Neeves, vice president of engineering and real estate for the Seminole Gulf Railway, to police the railroad's right of way, which is home to an unknown number of homeless people. The tracks are littered with trash, mostly beer bottles and aluminum cans.
  • In the brush along the railroad tracks between Riverside Park and the West Terry Street railroad crossing, small homeless camps are visible about every 25 feet. Under the tight canopies of Brazilian pepper trees, there are bottles of shampoo and soap, plastic crates for sitting, beer bottles, torn blankets, and discarded food containers.
  • This homeless camp along the railroad tracks and Rosemary Creek in Bonita Springs is located behind a tangle of trees and tall grass within sight of Old 41 Road.
  • U.S. Rep. Connie Mack IV, a Fort Myers Republican, mingles with residents of Bentley Village in North Naples Tuesday, Jan. 10, after a brief speech and question-and-answer session in which the congressman summarized major issues now before Congress as well as big stories in Washington. Mack's speech was topical, and he touched only briefly on the leadership void created in the House of Representatives by outgoing majority leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas), who has been linked to a lobbyist scandal and indictment fingering lobbyist Jack Abramoff. During the question-and-answer period, Mack responded to a question about why political lobbyists are able to easily provide financial and other influence to elected representatives. 'I don't think we want a political process that takes all of you out of it,' Mack said, referring to how lobbying gives citizen groups a part in the legislative process. 'Unfortunately,' said Mack about taking financial contributions, 'those that have have climbed up in leadership.'
  • From elegant and classic to flirty and fun, the clothing modeled at this year’s Ebony Fashion Fair feature designs from top name designers like Oscar de la Renta and Bill Blass. This jeweled peacock feather cocktail dress with scalloped hemline is a Zang Toi design.
  • This leopard spot and flower print silk gown designed by Alberto Makali is one of the fashions highlighted at the 2006 fashion fair this weekend at Fort Myers High School.
  • Estero sophomore forward Alex Sheckler has reached the 40 goal mark.
  • Kyle Dowling, 4, of Naples, enjoys the variety of bright and colorful butterflies that make the Calusa Nature Center Butterfly Aviary home. Visitors are encouraged to 'adopt' a butterfly by purchasing a brick for either $50 or $100. The brick will be engraved and set back into the walkway in the middle of the aviary.
  • Allie Kraimer, 4, finds a friend at the Calusa Nature Center Butterfly Aviary in Fort Myers. The 1,000-square-foot screened aviary is home to more than 30 different species of Florida butterflies. The largest butterfly display between Tampa and Fort Lauderdale, the Butterfly Aviary also displays the native plants available to visitors that will attract butterflies to their own home butterfly garden.
  • Crews from Southern Electric Corp. work along Winged Foot Drive in San Carlos Park on Jan. 12. According to foreman Rex Dugan, personnel have strung nearly three miles of new power lines from Alico Road south.
  • Former Estero High soccer player Rob Owens
  • Estero High soccer player Tim Shelly hands his No. 2 jersey to Mike Owens during a halftime ceremony at the Wildcats-North Fort Myers game on Tuesday. The number was retired in memory of Owens' son, Rob, a former EHS soccer player who died in an automobile accident last month.
  • Estero's Lindsey Phillips, left, and LaBelle's Kaci Ringler battle for a ball during the Cowgirls' 49-43 win on Monday afternoon.
  • Estero's Mike Kelly keeps the ball away from North Fort Myers' Eric Tryon in the first half of a 1-1 tie at EHS on Tuesday night.
  • Lee County Animal Services takes in lost and stray animals. Owners searching for their lost pets are asked to supply a picture of their animal to facilitate the search. This picture was provided by a woman in search of her missing beagle. Surprisingly, the dog was located and returned to the owner thanks to the unique splotch marking on the dog's side depicted in the drawing.
  • Scott Trebatoski, Lee County Animal Services director, was unanimously selected to serve as vice president of the Florida Animal Control Association for 2006.
  • Lee County Animal Services was named the Outstanding Animal Control Agency in the State of Florida during the Florida Animal Control Association annual conference last month.
  • FGCU athletic director Carl McAloose talks to the media while president William Merwin, second from left, looks on following Tuesday’s vote by the school’s board of trustees to move Eagle sports into Division I.
  • The Collier House, on record as being built in 1918, will sit next to the Estero School House on a plot of land in Estero Community Park reserved for the Estero Historical Society. The two homes will be moved from Highlands Avenue in Estero within a month, said society president Maryann Weenan, between the hours of 11 p.m. and 3 a.m.
  • The Estero School House, built in 1904 and used as a school through 1926, soon will get a facelift and a new home at the 65-acre Estero Community Park.
  • State Rep. Trudi Williams (R-Fort Myers) visited the South County Regional Library in Estero Wednesday evening to field questions from residents on issues like building a free-standing emergency room, traffic woes, and expediting road projects.
  • City of Palmetto employees Victor Pompey, left, and George Williamson, feed tree branches into a chipper, as the parks Deputy Director Geoff Seger, background left, and foreman Jim Michener cut branches at Leigh Plummer Park on Nov. 1. The six-member crew from Palmetto, Fla. was on Marco Island to help the city clear debris from the public parks.
  • Doctors advised Estero cross country coach Jeff Sommer to stop running after he had a heart attack in 1999, but he still runs every day, and he'll be ready Sunday for the annual Naples Daily News Half Marathon.

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