{"id":119421,"date":"2026-01-15T17:35:07","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T17:35:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/119421\/"},"modified":"2026-01-15T17:35:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T17:35:07","slug":"refuge-ddws-to-present-first-lecture-in-series-sanibel-captiva","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/119421\/","title":{"rendered":"Refuge, DDWS to present first lecture in series – SANIBEL-CAPTIVA"},"content":{"rendered":"


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REFUGE\/DDWS
\nThe 21st annual \u201cDing\u201d Darling Winter Lecture Series will kick off on Jan. 22 with Tony Lapi, innkeeper at the ‘Tween Waters Inn & Marina and author of \u201cTales of an Island Innkeeper.\u201d<\/p>\n

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REFUGE\/DDWS
\nThe 21st annual \u201cDing\u201d Darling Winter Lecture Series will kick off on Jan. 22 with Tony Lapi, innkeeper at the ‘Tween Waters Inn & Marina and author of \u201cTales of an Island Innkeeper.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The 21st annual \u201cDing\u201d Darling Lecture Series will open with Tony Lapi, longtime innkeeper at the historic \u2018Tween Waters Inn & Marina on Captiva, on Jan. 22 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at The Roost at the J.N. \u201cDing\u201d Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel.<\/p>\n

He will speak about famous guests like Jay Norwood \u201cDing\u201d Darling and Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh, plus other anecdotes from his book, \u201cTales of an Island Innkeeper.\u201d In his memoir, Lapi reflects on his 48-year \u2018Tween 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\u2019s evolution first hand.<\/p>\n

A book signing will follow the lecture.<\/p>\n

The \u201cDing\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

The remaining series schedule is as follows:<\/p>\n

\u2013 Jan. 29: Conservation author and photographer Kirsten Hines, \u201cBirds of Florida\u201d* (sponsor Friends of the Refuge)<\/p>\n

\u2013 Feb. 19: Wildlife ambassador, author and photographer Ron Magill, \u201cThe Pride of a Lion: What the Animal Kingdom Can Teach Us About Survival, Fear and Family (A True Animal Survival Story)\u201d* (sponsor Hightower Advisors Fort Myers)<\/p>\n

\u2013 March 5: Sanibel author Jeri Magg, \u201cThe Remarkable Women of Sanibel & Captiva\u201d* (sponsor Peter B. and Joanne S. Griffin)<\/p>\n

\u2013 March 26: Author and photographer Paul Bannick, \u201cWoodpecker: A Year in the Life of North American Woodpeckers\u201d* (sponsor Hank and Linda Spire)<\/p>\n

\u2013 April 2: Beekeepers Association of Southwest Florida, \u201cLive Hive & Taste: Observing Live Bees with Honey-Tasting\u201d (sponsor Friends of the Refuge)<\/p>\n

\u2013 April 9: Author and conservationist Tina Morris, \u201cReturn to the Sky: The Surprising Story of How One Woman and Seven Eaglets Helped Restore the Bald Eagle\u201d*<\/p>\n

\u2013 April 16: Sanibel author Charles Sobczak, \u201cThe Living Gulf Coast: A Nature Guide to Southwest Florida\u201d*<\/p>\n

*Book signing will follow<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

For more information, visit dingdarlingsociety.org\/lecture-series<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, contact DDWS Philanthropic Director Jeff Decker at Jeff@dingdarlingsociety.org or 310-612-4373.<\/p>\n

The refuge is at 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel.<\/p>\n


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