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ADVENTURES IN PARADISE
Adventures in Paradise Outfitters co-owner Audrey Stewart.
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CHILDREN’S EDUCATION CENTER OF THE ISLANDS
From left, Christine Hungeling, Linda Uhler, Lindsay Badger, Melissa Congress, Laura Miltner, Bana Kiankhooy, Clare Stoa and Elliott Starkey.
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CLINIC FOR THE REHABILITATION OF WILDLIFE
Sarah Rinne
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REFUGE/DDWS
Josephine “Jo” A. Smith
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SANIBEL & CAPTIVA ISLANDS ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS
From left, Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors (SCIAR) Board President Tina DiCharia and Chief Executive Officer Bill Robinson at the Florida Realtors CEO Symposium on Oct. 6-8 on Marco Island.
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FISH OF SANIBEL-CAPTIVA
From left, FISH of Sanibel-Captiva Social Services Director Nitza Lopez, Senior Services Director Erika Arnowitz, Executive Assistant Kim Baker, and Community Outreach and Resiliency Director Simon Robson.
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PFEIFER REALTY GROUP
Dawn Ramsey
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HM RESTAURANT GROUP
Jon-Michael Comly
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JOHN R. WOOD CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE
Anne Colvin
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EVENT TO SUPPORT SAN CAP PINK PROJECT
Several businesses in the Tahitian Gardens Shops on Sanibel will host a Sip & Shop on Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to benefit the San Cap Pink Project.
Participants A Little Adventure, Adventures in Paradise Outfitters, Bubbly Latitude, and Wilford & Lee will donate 10% of their sales toward the nonprofit organization.
Additionally, Shiny Objects will gift a pink ribbon tote bag with purchase while supplies last, Sanibel Pilates & Spa will offer thermography scan opportunities, and The Sanibel Café will serve up pink waffles and pancakes.
The San Cap Pink Project supports uninsured or underinsured individuals needing mammograms and helping those with cancer-related needs in the community.
The Tahitian Gardens Shops is at 2400 Palm Ridge Road, Sanibel.
SPRECHER TEAM TO DONATE TO CANCER SOCIETY
Realtor Milissa Sprecher announced a promotion in October in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Called “Pink Houses Month,” she and her team will donate $500 to the American Cancer Society for each listing and sale contracted through Oct. 31.
The team includes Sprecher, Realtor Jackson Sprecher and Marketing Director John Sprecher.
She and Jackson Sprecher are affiliated with McCallion & McCallion Realty on Sanibel.
CECI INTRODUCES NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM
The Children’s Education Center of the Islands (CECI) on Sanibel introduced its new board leadership and advisory team.
They include President Bana Kiankhooy, Vice President Clare Stoa, Secretary Elliott Starkey and Treasurer Lindsay Badger.
The Board of Advisors includes Melissa Congress, Doug Ryckman and Linda Uhler.
There is also Executive Director Laura Miltner and Grant Coordinator Christine Hungeling.
CROW WELCOMES NEW TEAM MEMBER
The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) recently welcomed Sarah Rinne as social media coordinator.
She joined CROW in August after a seven-month term as the education and marketing intern.
Rinne shared that she is excited to work in a creative role that combines her love of storytelling with her commitment to wildlife conservation.
She graduated from Covenant College in 2024 with a degree in interdisciplinary studies, concentrating in English, art and biology. The unique blend of disciplines helps to create content that is visually compelling and educational.
DDWS WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBER
The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) recently elected Josephine “Jo” A. Smith to serve on its board of directors.
A full-time Sanibel resident since 2014, she hails from Detroit, Michigan, and spent most of her life in East Lansing, Michigan, working with General Motors for more than 40 years.
Smith studied for her Bachelor of Science at Michigan State University in East Lansing and Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She served as chief financial officer of GM Global Technology Operations and finance director from 1995 until she retired in 2008.
Smith and her late husband began visiting the island with their sons in the early 1980s.
She supports several environmental organizations on Sanibel, serves as president of the Sanibel Captiva Orchid Society and volunteers with island-based Trailways Camps.
Smith shared that she feels it is crucial to continue Sanibel’s conservation legacy and spread the word about the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge to people on and off the island.
SCIAR OFFICIALS ATTEND ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM
Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors (SCIAR) Chief Executive Officer Bill Robinson and Board President Tina DiCharia attended the Florida Realtors CEO Symposium on Oct. 6-8 at the JW Marriott on Marco Island.
They attended in preparation for the coming year.
The SCIAR added that it looks forward to working with Florida Realtors and other local associations across the state to continue to be “The Voice for Real Estate in Florida.”
FISH TEAM ATTENDS MANAGEMENT TRAINING
FISH of Sanibel-Captiva staff recently joined the Disaster Case Management Course hosted at the United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades’ David Lucas Campus in Fort Myers.
Led by the SBP, the two-day training focused on strengthening response and recovery skills to better serve communities impacted by disaster. Designed to build knowledge around intake, outreach, recovery planning and long-term case management, it emphasized the SBP’s mission of “shrinking the time between disaster and recovery.”
Staff attended the training with the goal of further developing the tools needed to manage cases and support individuals in the event of future disasters. It also proved valuable for staff stepping into new roles, giving them the chance to build confidence, expand their knowledge and connect with other disaster recovery professionals across the region.
The training made possible thanks to FISH community partners the American Red Cross and United Way. The cost was funded, in part, through a Hurricane Helene & Milton Capacity Grant provided by the Red Cross, which allowed FISH to invest in team development and preparedness.
FISH noted that by participating in trainings like this, it continues its commitment to helping Sanibel and Captiva residents and workforce navigate the complex road from disaster response to recovery, while building resilience for the future.
RAMSEY HONORED AT ANNUAL CELEBRATION
Pfeifer Realty Group announced that Commercial and Residential Real Estate Advisor Dawn Ramsey was invited to attend the Fourth Annual Inspired Event, a celebration that recognizes the top 200 women in real estate across Southwest Florida.
The invite-only event brings together trailblazing women to honor their achievements, resilience and contributions to the industry and their communities. Attendees shared powerful stories of perseverance and success, highlighting the strength of women who are shaping the future of real estate in the region.
With over 23 years of experience in hotel ownership, business management and vacation rentals, Ramsey transformed the Tarpon Tale Inn into one of the highest-ranked boutique hotels on Sanibel and Captiva before transitioning into real estate.
Her expertise in commercial and residential properties, combined with her dedication to client service, has made her a trusted advisor to buyers and investors seeking to call the islands home.
A resident of Sanibel, Ramsey has contributed her time to Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build, Volunteer Florida, the Harry Chapin Food Bank and Ronald McDonald House, among others.
HM RESTAURANT GROUP ANNOUNCES HIRING
The HM Restaurant Group announced the hiring of local Executive Chef Jon-Michael Comly as kitchen manager for its Bonita Fish Company on Fort Myers Beach.
He previously helmed the kitchens at notable Southwest Florida establishments, including The Jac on Sanibel, Spirit of Bacchus in Fort Myers and the Wyvern Hotel in Punta Gorda.
Originally from Toms River, New Jersey, Comly moved to North Fort Myers during high school and soon discovered his passion for the culinary industry while cooking at local restaurants.
He joins a top-notch team of industry leaders launching the Bonita Fish Company.
JOHN R. WOOD ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT
John R. Wood Christie’s International Real Estate has named Anne Colvin as its first agent services director, a newly created position designed to support agent growth and success.
She brings more than 15 years of experience in the global luxury real estate sector, including leadership roles with top brokerages, proptech startups and international networks.
Most recently, Colvin served on the service team at Christie’s International Real Estate, where she was the primary contact for John R. Wood’s affiliation. She previously held senior positions with Luxury Portfolio International, overseeing training and relationships with more than 200 independent firms worldwide, and with Luxury Presence, managing brokerage and strategic partnerships.
In her new role, Colvin will help John R. Wood agents maximize opportunities through the company;s global affiliations with Christie’s International Real Estate, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World and Luxury Portfolio International. She will also oversee training and luxury-focused content, provide marketing assistance and offer one-on-one strategy sessions tailored to agent success.