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The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge’s “Project Refuge: A Couture Fashion Show Using Trash” debuted in 2019 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife on Sanibel and raise awareness for recycling.  It spawned an encore show this year to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the DDWS.  Now, two exhibitions will showcase the “best of the best” of the two runway shows.  » Read more

Mrs. C.B. Chadwick with friends circa 1923; photo from Captiva Island Historical Society.

The Chadwick Plantation, where South Seas Island Resort now spreads, was once the world’s largest producer of key limes.

Fast forward a century, and key lime most definitely remains a favorite on the islands!

Very often, you’ll hear residents and guests debating about the best Key Lime Pie on Sanibel and Captiva.   » Read more

Have you ever ventured just kitty-corner across the street from the entrance to Ocean’s Reach?

If so, you may know about one of the best kept secrets on Sanibel Island!

It’s where you can just so happen to find a slice of the island’s bike trails that leads to Sanibel’s “Pioneer Cemetery,” adjacent to Gulfside City Park.

The land was donated by the Rev.  » Read more

Photos from Stevens Construction

The Captiva Yacht Club has just completed renovating its 33-year-old facility, and the gorgeous new look is reflected in a fully transformed dining area, Founders Room, office space and commercial kitchen.

Sanibel’s Amy Nowacki served as both the architect and interior designer for the project.  Her design concept focused on bringing the coastal colors of the sea into the building.  » Read more

If you haven’t yet had the pleasure, let me introduce you to Bubble Butt!

The first and longest permanent resident of The Turtle Hospital in the Florida Keys recently celebrated his 33rd anniversary with the facility.

The Green sea turtle was rescued on March 25, 1989 after being struck by a boat in the Gulf of Mexico near Southwest Florida.   » Read more

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) will see another carrier added to its schedules this summer.

Budget-friendly Breeze Airways will bring nonstop flights to two cities not currently served at RSW — Las Vegas, Nevada and Charleston, South Carolina.

The flights will operate twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays, starting June 11, utilizing a brand new A220-300 aircraft known for its generous personal space and quieter ride.  » Read more

Your phone is with you non-stop, so why not use it to show off your non-stop love of nature, too?

Visit the Ding Darling Wildlife Society’s Instagram page and click on the Highlight Reels at the top of the page to screenshot fun Refuge-themed wallpaper to your smart phone!  » Read more

Photo from ThroughTheLensGallery.com

Did you know …

… that Captiva Island’s north end was once connected to today’s North Captiva Island by a neck known as The Narrows?

A 1921 hurricane broke that neck to create Redfish Pass.  The pass was thusly christened when, for some unknown reason, redfish swam through it so at such a profuse rate that the waters looked red.  » Read more

Photo from Sanibel Historical Museum and Village

Did you know …

… that in the late 1800’s, much of Sanibel was owned by women?

In 1880, Sanibel Island was opened to homesteading. According to the Sanibel Historical Museum, there were few requirements, and “if one could withstand the sweltering heat, relentless mosquitoes, lack of most creature comforts,  » Read more

Robert Rauschenberg; photo from Widewalls.ch

Did you know …

… that Captiva Island was the full-time home of artist Robert Rauschenberg?

Milton Earnest (aka Robert) Rauschenberg, known as one of the most successful American artists of the 20th century, moved to Captiva in 1968 when there was only one telephone to the mainland, one policeman for about 50 families,  » Read more