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REFUGE/DDWS
The 21st annual “Ding” Darling Winter Lecture Series will kick off on Jan. 22 with Tony Lapi, innkeeper at the ‘Tween Waters Inn & Marina and author of “Tales of an Island Innkeeper.”
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REFUGE/DDWS
The 21st annual “Ding” Darling Winter Lecture Series will kick off on Jan. 22 with Tony Lapi, innkeeper at the ‘Tween Waters Inn & Marina and author of “Tales of an Island Innkeeper.”
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The 21st annual “Ding” Darling Lecture Series will open with Tony Lapi, longtime innkeeper at the historic ‘Tween Waters Inn & Marina on Captiva, on Jan. 22 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at The Roost at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel.
He will speak about famous guests like Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling and Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh, plus other anecdotes from his book, “Tales of an Island Innkeeper.” In his memoir, Lapi reflects on his 48-year ‘Tween Waters journey, weaving the history of Sanibel and Captiva islands with his stories of memorable guests, employees and incidents at the inn. First serving as general manager, then president and chief executive officer, and now as chairman of the board, he has seen the inn’s evolution first hand.
A book signing will follow the lecture.
The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge co-hosts the series with the refuge and through financial support from sponsors. Bank of the Islands is sponsoring this lecture.
The remaining series schedule is as follows:
– Jan. 29: Conservation author and photographer Kirsten Hines, “Birds of Florida”* (sponsor Friends of the Refuge)
– Feb. 19: Wildlife ambassador, author and photographer Ron Magill, “The Pride of a Lion: What the Animal Kingdom Can Teach Us About Survival, Fear and Family (A True Animal Survival Story)”* (sponsor Hightower Advisors Fort Myers)
– March 5: Sanibel author Jeri Magg, “The Remarkable Women of Sanibel & Captiva”* (sponsor Peter B. and Joanne S. Griffin)
– March 26: Author and photographer Paul Bannick, “Woodpecker: A Year in the Life of North American Woodpeckers”* (sponsor Hank and Linda Spire)
– April 2: Beekeepers Association of Southwest Florida, “Live Hive & Taste: Observing Live Bees with Honey-Tasting” (sponsor Friends of the Refuge)
– April 9: Author and conservationist Tina Morris, “Return to the Sky: The Surprising Story of How One Woman and Seven Eaglets Helped Restore the Bald Eagle”*
– April 16: Sanibel author Charles Sobczak, “The Living Gulf Coast: A Nature Guide to Southwest Florida”*
*Book signing will follow
Seating is limited on a first-come basis. Attendees are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs. Most of the open-air seating is under cover, however the DDWS suggests sunhats, sunscreen, bug spray and outdoor attire.
For more information, visit dingdarlingsociety.org/lecture-series.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, contact DDWS Philanthropic Director Jeff Decker at Jeff@dingdarlingsociety.org or 310-612-4373.
The refuge is at 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel.