Rain doesn’t stop crowds at 40th Annual Cape Coral Arts FestivalSports trading card collecting going through “a generational reboot”
CAPE CORAL Rain doesn’t stop crowds at 40th Annual Cape Coral Arts Festival For 40 years, the Cape Coral Arts Festival has drawn crowds from across Southwest Florida, showcasing a blend of small businesses from the region.
CAPE CORAL Sports trading card collecting going through “a generational reboot” The hobby of sports trading card collecting has been on the rise since 2020, especially in Southwest Florida with more card shows.
PUNTA GORDA 11th annual short film festival coming to Punta Gorda The Punta Gorda Englewood Beach Visitor Convention Bureau will host its 11th annual short film festival.
the weather authority Mild, breezy day on tap with more clouds than sun The Weather Authority says a brief line of showers, associated with a cold front, is moving through Southwest Florida Saturday morning.
ESTERO 1 injured after shooting at Coconut Point Mall According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, one person has been injured after a shooting at the Coconut Point Mall on Friday.
CAPE CORAL CCPD cruiser damaged after officer involved crash An officer-involved crash leaves a Cape Coral police cruiser smashed.
PORT CHARLOTTE Sweet’s Diner in Port Charlotte reopens After months of fundraising and rebuilding, this diner, which had a car fly-through it, is back open.
FWC pushing to protect Florida’s endangered manatees Florida Fish and Wildlife is pushing to protect endangered manatees. One danger that animals face is when boats bash into them, leaving deep scars across their backs.
FORT MYERS The Fort Myers Fire Department looks towards new year Fighting fires is always top of mind for the Fort Myers Fire Department. The Fort Myers Fire Department leads the way when it comes to protecting your property when a fire breaks out.
WINK NEWS Palisades Wildfire devastates SWFL family Just hours after evacuating their Malibu home, the Wohl family learned they would never go back.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral expands with development The Cove at 47th The Cove sits in south Cape Coral between Cape Coral Parkway and Southeast 47th Terrace right next to Cork Soakers.
FORT MYERS ‘Operation Ghost Buster’: 16 arrested in Fort Myers drug operation The Fort Myers Police Department Narcotics Unit conducted an operation targeting drug traffickers and individuals unlawfully selling and possessing firearms in Fort Myers.
FORT MYERS ‘A Distinctive Honor’: Bank of America award benefits FSW Nursing Program Bank of America has been awarded Florida Southwestern State College the 2024 Neighborhood Champion Award.
CAPTIVA One step closer to decision on South Seas building density After hearing arguments from both sides, the judge said he stood by his earlier decision in favor of the Captiva Civic Association.
Governor signs death warrant for man accused of 1997 killing of 2 in Charlotte County Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed the death warrant for a man accused of killing two people in Charlotte County in 1997.
CAPE CORAL Rain doesn’t stop crowds at 40th Annual Cape Coral Arts Festival For 40 years, the Cape Coral Arts Festival has drawn crowds from across Southwest Florida, showcasing a blend of small businesses from the region.
CAPE CORAL Sports trading card collecting going through “a generational reboot” The hobby of sports trading card collecting has been on the rise since 2020, especially in Southwest Florida with more card shows.
PUNTA GORDA 11th annual short film festival coming to Punta Gorda The Punta Gorda Englewood Beach Visitor Convention Bureau will host its 11th annual short film festival.
the weather authority Mild, breezy day on tap with more clouds than sun The Weather Authority says a brief line of showers, associated with a cold front, is moving through Southwest Florida Saturday morning.
ESTERO 1 injured after shooting at Coconut Point Mall According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, one person has been injured after a shooting at the Coconut Point Mall on Friday.
CAPE CORAL CCPD cruiser damaged after officer involved crash An officer-involved crash leaves a Cape Coral police cruiser smashed.
PORT CHARLOTTE Sweet’s Diner in Port Charlotte reopens After months of fundraising and rebuilding, this diner, which had a car fly-through it, is back open.
FWC pushing to protect Florida’s endangered manatees Florida Fish and Wildlife is pushing to protect endangered manatees. One danger that animals face is when boats bash into them, leaving deep scars across their backs.
FORT MYERS The Fort Myers Fire Department looks towards new year Fighting fires is always top of mind for the Fort Myers Fire Department. The Fort Myers Fire Department leads the way when it comes to protecting your property when a fire breaks out.
WINK NEWS Palisades Wildfire devastates SWFL family Just hours after evacuating their Malibu home, the Wohl family learned they would never go back.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral expands with development The Cove at 47th The Cove sits in south Cape Coral between Cape Coral Parkway and Southeast 47th Terrace right next to Cork Soakers.
FORT MYERS ‘Operation Ghost Buster’: 16 arrested in Fort Myers drug operation The Fort Myers Police Department Narcotics Unit conducted an operation targeting drug traffickers and individuals unlawfully selling and possessing firearms in Fort Myers.
FORT MYERS ‘A Distinctive Honor’: Bank of America award benefits FSW Nursing Program Bank of America has been awarded Florida Southwestern State College the 2024 Neighborhood Champion Award.
CAPTIVA One step closer to decision on South Seas building density After hearing arguments from both sides, the judge said he stood by his earlier decision in favor of the Captiva Civic Association.
Governor signs death warrant for man accused of 1997 killing of 2 in Charlotte County Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed the death warrant for a man accused of killing two people in Charlotte County in 1997.
Many of us are collectors. It could be a matchbook, candles, pint glasses, or coasters. The Estero Island Historic Society hopes if you are a collector, you will share items you may have from places on Fort Myers Beach that were lost to Hurricane Ian. They are the lost icons of Fort Myers Beach, as pointed out by Ellie Bunting. “We plan on doing a hurricane history exhibit on the 28th on the anniversary of Ian, and we’re looking for mementos,” said Bunting, president of the Estero Island Historic Society. Things like a coolie cup or glass or a matchbook or anything from a place that is no more. Ellie Bunting, President Estero Island Historic Society Items like the wheel from the Reef. Bunting has lived on Fort Myers Beach most of her life and knows how resilient the Island is. “We’ve had our share of storms since 1921, actually,” she stated. “The beach seems to come back.” Also, the hurricane of 1944, Donna, Irma, and Ian. It hasn’t been a fast recovery process, as Ian’s mark remains visible when driving the streets of Fort Myers Beach. But that makes the memories all the more important and special. The Historic Society’s own building serves as a glowing example of how this town battles back. Estero Island Historic Society, Credit: WINK News Estero Island Historic Society, Credit: WINK News “This building was built in 1921. It was owned by Mr. Davison, who was one of the first surveyors on the island, and he built it as a beach house on the beachfront at the end of Mango Street,” she explained. “And in 1944, it was destroyed, or pretty much destroyed, in the hurricane. And they took the same material and rebuilt it.” Those materials were cypress trees and Dade pines. While water did get inside the cottage during Ian, it did not do the damage seen elsewhere. The water line from Hurricane Ian still visible below the exit sign at the Estero Is. Historic Society Estero Blvd & Sterling Ave., Credit: WINK News Credit: WINK News “We had seven feet of water in here, but none of it got into the walls,” said a thankful Bunting. Now, she is working to transform the walls to remember those who lost their lives to the storm and showcase what once shaped the shoreline. “I just took this picture at sunset,” said Bunting while showing a picture of what’s left of the pier. “It just seems to be a, I don’t know, it’s iconic.” If you have any items that you are willing to loan or donate to the Estero Island Historic Society, reach out to Bunting at esteroislandhistoricsociety@gmail.com. If you have a Hurricane Ian story you’d like to share with WINK News, email us at tips@winknews.com.