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Kudos This column recognizes the outstanding achievements of those in the tourism industry. Please join us in acknowledging these accomplishments. Florida Senior Games returns to Lee County for two more years The Florida Sports Foundation and the Lee County Sports Authority announced in December that the Florida Senior Games State Championships will return to Lee County and the City of Cape Coral in 2009 and 2010. The extension of the current three-year agreement signifies an unprecedented five-year run in southwest Florida. In the 17-year history of the Florida Senior Games State Championships, no community has hosted the games for five consecutive years. The dates of the upcoming games will be Dec. 5-13, 2009 and Dec. 4-12, 2010. In the last two years with Lee County and the City of Cape Coral serving as hosts for the Florida Senior Games State Championships, more than 5,300 athletes visited the area generating over $2 million in economic impact. Senior athletes contributed to more than 6,000 hotel room nights and paid nearly $40,000 in resort tax, according to the Lee County Sports Authority. 'Ding' Darling Wildlife Society names new board members The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society membership has elected three new members to its board of directors. David Wright serves as senior vice president at the Sanibel-Captiva Community Bank. Wendy Erler-Schnapp is part owner of Tarpon Bay Explorers, the refuge's official recreation concession. Doris Davey Hardy has been a refuge volunteer for four years and has been deeply involved in island conservation since 1987. Members also re-elected incumbents Susan Cassell and Jim Scott for another term.
DDWS, the "friends" organization for J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, supports education and biology research for the refuge. For more information, visit www.dingdarlingsociety.org. Matlacha artist garners national TV coverage with White House ornament The work of one local artist took national spotlight on Dec. 3 when ABC TV’s “Good Morning America” broadcast a segment on first lady Laura Bush’s holiday decorations. Mrs. Bush explained that the first family had asked every congressman and senator to designate an artist from their district to create an ornament that somehow depicts their locale.
U.S. Congressman Connie Mack selected Leoma Lovegrove, owner of Lovegrove Gallery & Gardens in Matlacha, to do the honors. Lovegrove personally delivered her ornament to the White House and participated in a reception with the first lady. On “Good Morning America,” Mrs. Bush said, “Look at this great one from Florida with the fish on it. I think it’s such a beautiful one from Pine Island, Florida.” More Lee County properties earn Florida Green Lodge Certification
The properties include LXR properties, The Sanibel Inn, Song of the Sea, Sunset Beach Resort and Sundial Beach & Golf Resort. Also earning One Palm status were: Blue Dolphin Cottages on Sanibel, Hampton Inn & Suites on Fort Myers Beach, Bokeelia Tarpon Inn of Bokeelia, and Country Inn & Suites, Sanibel Gateway of Fort Myers. The Florida Green Lodging Program was established in 2004 by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. A designated property must implement programs and practices aimed at protecting and conserving Florida’s natural resources and the environment. To achieve the One Palm level, properties must show best practices in the areas of communication, water conservation, energy efficiency, waste reduction and clean air. In addition, they must obtain support from top management, form an active multi-disciplinary “Green Team” and operate in compliance with all applicable environmental laws and regulations. Tarpon Bay Explorers celebrates partnership with 'Ding' Darling
Local restaurants rated among the best Florida Trend magazine, in its annual Golden Spoon Awards, named Yabo Italian restaurant in south Fort Myers among the state’s 20 Best Newcomers on its 2008 awards list. Roy’s, which has a restaurant in Bonita Springs, was named Best Gourmet Dining Franchise. *To share a kudos for awards, promotions or other accomplishments in the local tourism industry, e-mail lrose@leegov.com.
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Several Lee County
properties have been newly designated Florida Green Lodges by the
Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Each hotel earned
One Palm status in the Florida Green Lodging Program.