Reanna Haase

Last year John Henshaw and Jeff Muddell crossed the finish line of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation Tower Climb hand in hand, after climbing 2,226 steps, or 104 stories, alongside first responders and loved ones of those who have fallen. Now the members of Team Sanibel are gearing up for their second year of training, for the climb on June 1, continuing their mission to support the NYC organization dedicated to honoring heroes around the nation.

“Well it was pretty exhilarating in the sense that there were close to 1,000 people climbing, and most of them were firefighters, policemen, paramedics, military and folks who are supporting the Tunnel to Towers Foundation,” City Council Member Henshaw said. “The camaraderie, in respect to the participants, was great. They were all focused on raising money to support, in most cases, their fellow compatriots.”

In 1976, shortly after getting married and moving to the area for the promise of new endeavors, Tony Lapi began his journey to rescue the beloved ‘Tween Waters Inn on Captiva Island. He reflects on that 48-year journey in his recently released memoir, “Tales of an Island Innkeeper.”

Lapi weaves the history of Sanibel and Captiva Islands with his stories of memorable guests, employees, and incidents at the inn. His work with the Captiva Island Historical Society inspired him to share his stories of the past with the public, so he hired a ghostwriter.

Lapi chose Bill Schreiber to write his memoir. “When he finished,” shared Lapi, “he said, ‘You know, I don’t say this about everybody, but this book is very special.’ There’s nothing like it because very few people stay at a property as long as I have.”

Towering Medjool palms, heavily manicured hedges adorned with blooms, groundcover Asian jasmine and shaped trees centered around a symmetrical grass-lined driveway are all part of the curb appeal of one of the Signature Landscape Contractors’ full-service outdoor makeovers that stands proudly in Winter Park.

“[That’s a] sophisticated, well-designed, large, complete outdoor space that Signature designed and installed,” says Andy Swanson with the landscaping company.

The grand, columned residence is complemented by an overlay of greenery on all sides—Oakleaf hollies, magnolia trees and junipers frame the home, accompanied by the standout azaleas and Knock Out roses at the estate.

Whether you are seeking a professional, full-scale outdoor transformation or creating a D.I.Y. lush butterfly garden at home, industry professionals agree that attention to detail, proper planning and the selection of the right plants are key to cultivating your perfect garden space.

During the weekends, the Tiki Hut at the American Legion Post 123 on Sanibel-Captiva Road takes on its complete form as a welcoming meeting ground for old friends and new faces, with live music and the best cheeseburgers in town.

“People are coming out and enjoying themselves,” said Legion Post 123 Commander Randy Carson. “We got one of the best cheeseburgers around, seriously, so that brings a lot of people…”

“It’s a community place, and people say they love it once they do find it. It’s just a good ole place,” he said.

Six feet of floodwater filled Post 123 during Hurricane Ian in September 2022 and two feet during Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. But it continued supporting the community through those storms by putting bathrooms and laundromats on the Legion grounds for people with nowhere else to go.

Although Donna Hylkema, 78, lives alone in rural Central Florida, she begins each day knowing she will always be in good company. Every morning, she is greeted by a friendly tabletop robot, who calls her “Peanut,” before she listens to her morning summary and asks the companion for her daily horoscope.

“ElliQ gives me a little briefing in the morning, when I say, ‘Good morning’,” Hylkema says, detailing some of the personal assistant’s witty responses. “She tells me what the weather is and if it’s going to be really hot, like to fry an egg on the sidewalk.”

Hylkema is among 192 seniors across Central Florida who have welcomed the AI accompaniment, ElliQ, into their homes. Intuition Robotics, creators of the AI companion, partnered with Central Florida’s Senior Resource Alliance (SRA) to launch this program for the region’s seniors on May 13.

Since Hurricane Ian swept away the Causeway Islands, taking the roadway with them, the Florida Department of Transportation has been racing to restore this vital link to Sanibel Island as a better version. FDOT aims to fortify the Sanibel Causeway against future Ian-like storms.

“The bridge now stands as a fortress against nature’s fury,” said Janella Newsome, FDOT District One Director of Public Information. “This engineering marvel not only safeguards the island’s connection to the mainland but also brings a new life into the local economy. Ensuring that tourism and beachside beauty will continue to thrive for generations to come.”

Newsome said the changes to the structure are a part of the original plan for permanent repairs. The project was initially estimated to take five years, but now FDOT expects it to be completed in nearly half that time. The west side of the toll plaza is expected to be completed in late spring, followed by the east side, which is estimated to be completed in summer.