{"id":193703,"date":"2026-03-16T16:59:27","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T16:59:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/193703\/"},"modified":"2026-03-16T16:59:27","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T16:59:27","slug":"business-notes-sanibel-captiva-island-reporter-islander-and-current-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/193703\/","title":{"rendered":"Business Notes – SANIBEL-CAPTIVA – Island Reporter, Islander and Current"},"content":{"rendered":"


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A LITTLE ADVENTURE
\nA Little Adventure will host a Pok\u00e9mon Party on March 21 on Sanibel.<\/p>\n

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SANIBEL CAPTIVA BUSINESS WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION
\nTerese Schlachter<\/p>\n

3 \/ 10<\/p>\n

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SANIBEL & CAPTIVA ISLANDS ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS
\nFrom left, Local Roots co-owner Jean Baer and Sanibel Captiva Islands Association of Realtors Chief Executive Officer Bill Robinson.<\/p>\n

4 \/ 10<\/p>\n

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CHARITABLE FOUNDATION OF THE ISLANDS
\nCharitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) Executive Director Dolly Farrell, center, and several representatives from grant partner organizations with the CFI’s Community Impact Fund.<\/p>\n

5 \/ 10<\/p>\n

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JOHN R. WOOD CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE
\nJohn R. Wood Christie’s International Real Estate President Corey McCloskey at the Annual Awards Celebration of Excellence on Feb. 19 in Naples.<\/p>\n

6 \/ 10<\/p>\n

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LCEC<\/p>\n

7 \/ 10<\/p>\n

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FLORIDA TRUST WEALTH MANAGEMENT
\nSteven M. Stauss<\/p>\n

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SANIBEL CAPTIVA COMMUNITY BANK
\nKyra Ward<\/p>\n

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HM RESTAURANT GROUP
\nFrom left, bayside grouper tacos, snapper and shrimp ceviche, smoked mullet dip, and BBQ brisket sandwich.<\/p>\n

10 \/ 10<\/p>\n

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HM RESTAURANT GROUP
\nFrom left, Bonita caesar salad, blackened snapper alfredo, Yucat\u00e1n shrimp, and key lime pie.<\/p>\n

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A LITTLE ADVENTURE TO HOST FREE EVENT<\/p>\n

A Little Adventure will present a Pok\u00e9mon Party on March 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Tahitian Gardens shopping center on Sanibel.<\/p>\n

The family-friendly event will feature: a Pok\u00e9mon badge station; an educational session on \u201cHow to Spot Fake Pok\u00e9mon Cards\u201d presented by \u201cProfessor Oak\u201d to help young collectors learn how to identify authentic trading cards; Pok\u00e9mon scavenger hunt; and Pok\u00e9mon Card Trading Zone, where youths can safely trade with fellow collectors.<\/p>\n

In addition, A Little Adventure will offer Pok\u00e9mon Day-only \u201cCatch \u2018Em All\u201d bundles and giveaways while supplies last, along with complimentary slushies and popcorn.<\/p>\n

The event is free and open to the public.<\/p>\n

For more information, visit www.SanibelKidsStore.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A Little Adventure is at 2001 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.<\/p>\n

SCBWA TO HOLD MONTHLY LUNCHEON<\/p>\n

The Sanibel Captiva Business Women\u2019s Association (SCBWA) will hold its monthly luncheon on March 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Community House, at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.<\/p>\n

Part of its 2026 Program Series, the guest speaker will be Emmy Award-winning producer and co-author Terese Schlachter on \u201cFinding Waypoints.\u201d She will share the story behind \u201cFinding Waypoints: A Warrior\u2019s Journey Toward Peace and Purpose,\u201d which she co-authored with Col. Gregory Gadson.<\/p>\n

Schlachter is a three-time Emmy-winning television producer. After losing both legs in an IED attack in Iraq, Gadson turned from a battlefield leader to a source of inspiration. A former West Point football player and battalion commander, he went on to serve as a spiritual guide and assistant coach for the New York Giants during their improbable 2007 Super Bowl victory, appear in a major motion picture and become a motivational speaker.<\/p>\n

Florida Trust Wealth Management is sponsoring the luncheon.<\/p>\n

The cost is $35 per person and includes lunch.<\/p>\n

To register or more information, visit https:\/\/bit.ly\/SCBWAYPOINTS<\/a>.<\/p>\n

SANIBEL SHOPS TO HOLD STRINGS & SIPS<\/p>\n

Beach Daisy and Coast Clothing will present Strings & Sips on March 25 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Periwinkle Place Shops on Sanibel.<\/p>\n

It will feature an evening of coastal tunes and gourmet tastes.<\/p>\n

Attendees can explore men\u2019s and women\u2019s collections while guitarist Wally Schneider perform.<\/p>\n

The Periwinkle Place Shops is at 2075 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.<\/p>\n

SCIAR HOLDS WEST CARAVAN MEETING<\/p>\n

The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors (SCIAR) held its Member Breakfast & West Caravan on Feb. 26 at its office on Sanibel.<\/p>\n

The guest speaker was Local Roots co-owner Jean Baer. She shared updates on the growth and impact of the company, which now operates nine of farmers markets in Southwest Florida, including on Sanibel and Captiva.<\/p>\n

The event provided members with community connections and market knowledge, while continuing the SCIAR\u2019s tradition of fostering professional development and collaboration.<\/p>\n

Simmons & Cook sponsored the meeting.<\/p>\n

PARTNERS OF CFI FUND SHARE UPDATES<\/p>\n

The Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) hosted a gathering highlighting the early impact of its Community Impact Fund and projects underway across Sanibel and Captiva.<\/p>\n

Held on March 2 at the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors on Sanibel, community leaders and supporters heard updates from nonprofit partners that received grants from the fund.<\/p>\n

Presentations were given by the Children\u2019s Education Center of the Islands, Community Housing & Resources, FISH of Sanibel-Captiva, Florida Gulf Coast University\u2019s AIN Hub for Innovation and Design, Saint Michael and All Angels Church Episcopal Church, SanCap Chamber, SanCap Resilience, Sanibel Island Art Hop, and Sanibel Recreation Center.<\/p>\n

They shared how the grant funding is supporting programs and initiatives. CFI reported that the highlighted projects align with the fund\u2019s key focus areas of community resiliency, support for older adults, and nonprofit development and capacity building.<\/p>\n

Attendees had the opportunity to ask questions and share feedback on community priorities.<\/p>\n

In addition, CFI announced a new Disaster Reserve, an evergreen fund designed to support future emergency response and recovery efforts serving Sanibel and Captiva residents. It has been seeded with $50,000, with a goal of growing it to $250,000 by the end of the season.<\/p>\n

CFI also provided an update on the overall growth of its Community Impact Fund.<\/p>\n

For more information, visit MyCFI.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

JOHN R. WOOD HOLDS AWARDS CEREMONY<\/p>\n

John R. Wood Christie\u2019s International Real Estate celebrated its top-performing associates and milestone achievements at its Annual Awards Celebration of Excellence on Feb. 19 at the Great Wolf Lodge in Naples.<\/p>\n

The presentation recognized Gold, Platinum, Emerald, Diamond and Elite Awards, which honor agents, small teams and large teams achieving significant closed sales milestones over the past year.<\/p>\n

Special awards also acknowledged extraordinary transactions and exceptional client service.<\/p>\n

The top award winners included:<\/p>\n

\u2013 The Earls | Lappin Team of Bill Earls, Larry Lappin and Aaron Earls received the President\u2019s Award for the highest company-wide sales volume<\/p>\n

\u2013 Two small teams, eight large teams and agent Shannon LeFevre earned Elite for achieving closed sales of $50 million and above<\/p>\n

\u2013 Six large teams, 13 small teams and six single agents received Diamond for $25-50 million in sales<\/p>\n

\u2013 Five large teams, 16 small teams and 14 single agents earned Emerald for $15-25 million<\/p>\n

\u2013 Four large teams, six small teams and 21 single agents received Platinum for $10-15 million<\/p>\n

\u2013 28 small teams, three large teams and 76 single agents were honored with Gold for $5-10 million in sales.<\/p>\n

LCEC CELEBRATES 500 CLUB HONOREES<\/p>\n

LCEC\u2019s Pay It Forward Program is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, marking a decade of encouraging employee volunteerism and supporting the causes that matter most to them.<\/p>\n

Over the past 10 years, employees have donated more than 43,000 volunteer hours in their communities and $10,000 in donations to nonprofits through the program.<\/p>\n

Each year, LCEC celebrates employees who volunteer more than 500 hours in a year by recognizing them as members of the 500 Club. Employees recently gathered to celebrate honorees Nicky Sierra, Don James and Shannon Williamson for reaching the milestone.<\/p>\n

Each honoree was entered into a drawing for $500 to be donated to the charity of their choice, extending the impact of their dedication to service even further.<\/p>\n

Through the program, employees who volunteer and track their hours can earn donation dollars to be awarded to a nonprofit charity of their choice. Those who volunteer 50-100 hours in the community may designate a nonprofit organization to receive up to a $100 donation.<\/p>\n

As part of the milestone year, LCEC has revamped the program to further strengthen community impact, and it is setting a renewed volunteerism goal for 2026.<\/p>\n

STRAUSS JOINS FLORIDA TRUST TEAM<\/p>\n

Florida Trust Wealth Management recently welcomed Steven M. Stauss as vice president.<\/p>\n

He will be part of the wealth services team and work with current and future clients, assessing their wealth management needs across investment management, estate administration and financial planning to align with their lifestyle and long-term goals.<\/p>\n

Stauss joins Florida Trust from a career in personal and commercial insurance, most recently with Gulfshore Insurance \u2014 Acrisure in Naples as a client advisor to individuals and business owners, particularly those in the luxury home building, country club and manufacturing industries.<\/p>\n

Originally from Upstate New York, he has been recognized for his philanthropic efforts in raising funds for cancer and Alzheimer\u2019s research.<\/p>\n

Stauss is a member of the Collier Building Industry Association and a graduate of Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania, with a dual major in business finance and marketing.<\/p>\n

WARD JOINS SAN CAP COMMUNITY BANK<\/p>\n

Sanibel Captiva Community Bank announced the hiring of Kyra Ward as a teller at its Main Office on Sanibel.<\/p>\n

She brings customer service, banking and administrative experience to her role, including a previous role serving as a bank teller and client advisor with a regional community bank, where she assisted customers with transactions, account support and day-to-day banking needs.<\/p>\n

Ward holds a background in customer interaction, cash handling and front-desk service.<\/p>\n

The Main Office is at 2406 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.<\/p>\n

BONITA FISH COMPANY ADDS TO MENU<\/p>\n

Citrus-marinated snapper and shrimp ceviche, grouper tacos and blackened snapper alfredo are recent menu additions at the Bonita Fish Company on Fort Myers Beach.<\/p>\n

The restaurant also added smoked mullet dip, a barbecued brisket sandwich, Bonita Caesar salad, Key lime pie, and Yucat\u00e1n shrimp \u2014 made famous by sister restaurant Doc Ford\u2019s Rum Bar & Grille.<\/p>\n

It is also offering smoked chicken wings on Tuesdays and Saturdays.<\/p>\n

The HM Restaurant Group manages the Bonita Fish Company and Doc Ford\u2019s, as well as the Dixie Fish Company.<\/p>\n

For more information, visit bonitafishco.com<\/a> or call 239-314-5132.<\/p>\n

The Bonita Fish Company is at 702 Fisherman\u2019s Wharf, Fort Myers Beach.<\/p>\n


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