The Kiwanis Spaghetti Dinner is coming!!
Fun Fact: An old propane tank from the “Algiers” steamboat was salvaged and now fuels the outdoor kitchen for the Kiwanis Spaghetti Dinner!
The Kiwanis Spaghetti Dinner is coming!! The annual fundraising event will be held this year on Saturday, February 24 at the Sanibel Community House.
For $10 per person (kids under 10 are free), attendees get an all-you-can-eat pasta feast, with salad, spaghetti, meatballs, garlic bread, and wine or soda. After dinner, guests continue on to the not-to-be-missed raffle give-aways and silent auction, all while enjoying the biggest “community block party” on the island.
The Kiwanis Spaghetti Dinner has been the source of many colorful stories over the years (just ask Andy). There are wild rumors about what goes into the meatballs and “special sauce,” although for the record, raccoon has never been an ingredient.
One true story, not well known, involves the origins of the outdoor kitchen used to cook the pasta and sauce, which was first put together in the early 1980s. Kiwanian Curt Reinhardt, who worked for the City of Sanibel Public Works Department, knew that a large propane tank and cooking implements had been removed from the old Algiers steamboat when it was dismantled, and that the parts were stored at Public Works. He also knew the city had no use for the propane tank and stoves, so it was arranged for Kiwanis to “requisition” those items. That equipment, along with an old boat trailer frame from another Kiwanis member, became the original Kiwanis portable outdoor kitchen and served for 30-plus years. A few years ago, a shiny new trailer replaced the old original trailer, but the spirit of the Algiers lives on as Kiwanians set up their outdoor kitchen each February for the spaghetti dinner.
Thanks to Tom Sharbaugh and our friends at the Island Sun for the info. If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet for the Kiwanis Spaghetti Dinner, you can grab some from Andy!
P.S. Tickets will also be available at the door. The Sanibel Community House is located at 2173 Periwinkle Way.
Have you ever wondered how SCCF’s researchers study seagrasses, diamondhead terrapins and sea turtles? How do you track eastern indigo snake populations across different islands in Pine Island Sound? How do you measure water quality and use the raw data to tell a story? What can tracking the movements of green sea turtles tell us about them? How do you restore an oyster reef, and why do it?
Meet the scientists and staffers at Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation who are always happy to answer your questions and talk more about how guidance from SCCF helps in the continued success of managing our island wildlife and environment.
SCCF is open Mon – Fri from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at 3333 Sanibel-Captiva Road.
Better yet, if you’re on the island today, head over to their Open House at the Nature Center from 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., where you can join in the fun with games, activities and refreshments!
The Nature Sounds Contest begins at 11:45 a.m. with categories for the young at heart; age 4 and younger; and three school age groups. A special category for groups and families will be added this year, and there will be prizes for everyone. At 1 p.m., there will be a special presentation on SCCF’S RECON (River, Estuary and Coastal Observing Network) water sensors and weather stations, where you can learn how the sensors work and how the information they provide is used by scientists all over Florida. Lastly, there will be a number of exhibits to enjoy, and of course, the wonderful nature trails to hike in SCCF’s 240-acre Nature Center Preserve.
We ran across this groundbreaking study from Florida Atlantic University which documents multiple paternity in loggerhead sea turtle nests in Southwest Florida. What started out as a study on female sea turtle promiscuity is proving to be very good news for this female-biased species facing risks of extinction due to climate change.
To read about the fascinating findings published in Science Daily, click here.
This weekend, Centennial Park will be transformed into a craft lovers dream with 100 exhibitors displaying their hand-crafts along the historic riverfront in downtown Fort Myers.
The annual Crafts on the River is a non-juried event open to local and national artisans and crafters. The event delights in old, new and unique items that come from all over the world. Original designs are displayed by nearly 100 artists in an informal atmosphere that encourages visitors to talk with the artists about their work and, in some cases, see them in action. A large variety of mediums include drawings, paintings, graphics, sculpture, crafts, jewelry, photography and edible art will be featured. The event runs 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday.
This photo was sent to us from longtime guest Scott N. from Indianapolis, IN.
“An Indianapolis camera store, which has been in business 60 years, hosts a gallery night once a year. As a part of that, they ask people to submit images for consideration to be on display that evening. I submitted this image to them, and they chose the image to be on display in their gallery for two months last fall. This is a Great Egret which I saw last April at Ding Darling.”
Long-legged Great Egrets wade in shallow water (both fresh and salt) to hunt fish, frogs, and other small aquatic animals. They typically stand still and watch for unsuspecting prey to pass by. Then, with startling speed, the egrets strike with a jab of their long, S-curved neck and daggerlike bill.
For a great video of the Great Egret from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, click here!
One of our favorite spots at Ocean’s Reach is The Grove, where guests are invited to hold family gatherings, social events and cookouts amid our beautiful outdoor space.
Popular for its comfortable dining and grilling area, The Grove is also a perfect escape for guests who just want to sit back and relax in the shade, read a book, or simply observe nature.
Guest Anne C. from Mahwah, NJ, shared these photos which we think capture the essence of The Grove perfectly. Thanks so much, Anne!
In case you missed #NationalPlanforVacationDay, don’t worry — We’ve got you covered!
After the brutal temperatures Mother Nature has sent your way this year, there’s no better way to recuperate than basking in loads and loads of sunshine.
This spring, come stay at Ocean’s Reach and enjoy bright blue skies, inviting warm water and perfect 80-degree temperatures. Simply waiting for you to enjoy amid the sun-soaked serenity of Sanibel Island.
We have several openings in March due to recent cancellations and our “off season” pricing starts in April, making a spring visit to Ocean’s Reach both affordable and unforgettable.
Check out our website for convenient dates and rates!
