Music concerts of all genres abound under the stars in Sanibel and Fort Myers. Thanks to Florida Vacation Auction, the godfather of jazz fusion, guitarist Larry Coryell, performed outdoors at Lee County’s Alliance for the Arts on McGregor Blvd. Together with son Murali Coryell, and 15 year old local favorite, Mike Imbasciani, and other impressive talent, this was a musical lifetime experience.
Check out our local and national musical talent at these other venues: BIG ARTS, the Philharmonic Center for the Arts and BARBARA B. MANN PERFORMING ARTS HALL.

Don’t Forget about the Ocean’s Reach Osprey babies! They have arrived and you watch live on our live Ospreycam!

Ocean’s Reach family reunions are the best and the Schuetz family can attest to that as you saw in yesterday’s post. Vanessa, who many of you will recognize from the Bank of the Islands, is holding her new addition to the Schuetz family. Vanessa is Billy and Sally Kirkland’s daughter, owners of Billy’s Rentals.

We are still trying to determine who is more thrilled, mom or the grandparents? Congratulations to the new parents and the newest member of the Schuetz family!

Don’t Forget about the Ocean’s Reach Osprey babies! They have arrived and you watch live on our live Ospreycam!

Shown at the entrance to the Grove is Mr. Schuetz, who is hosting a family gathering in our Grove. Mr. Schuetz rented three condos to bring just a part of his more than 225 living relatives together from all over the country. What a perfect spot for a family reunion!

The Grove offers a pleasant and secluded spot for coffee, to dine for lunch or dinner, host a wedding reception, observe the birds, and butterflies that congregate in the nearby butterfly garden. There are also three gas grills available for grilling your choices of foods.

That’s Right! The Ocean’s Reach Osprey babies have arrived! Tune in and watch them on the Osprey Cam. We were notified by a viewer yesterday morning that she had spotted them and sure enough, they are here!

We feel so lucky to have this beautiful pair back for the fourth year in a row, and now to be ale to watch them live anytime of the day. The female laid the first egg on Christmas day, the second egg on the 26th and then finally a third. Now we have babies to watch! Tune in and feel the thrill!!

It is with a great deal of sadness that I share with you the passing of a very special friend of Ocean’s Reach, Manny Toyos of Coral Gables, Florida. Manny, along with his adopted brother and best friend Herman Irizarry, patriarchs of a large group of family and friends, called Ocean’s Reach their home away from home. Pictured is just part of the group taken last summer, along with a picture of Manny and Herman.

From all of your friends at Ocean’s Reach, our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Toyos family.
Andy

The Sanibel Steakhouse on Periwinkle Way is now open for lunch!

The popular steak and seafood restaurant will be a welcome addition to the repertoire of other island lunchtime favorites Doc Fords, Lazy Flamingo, Cip’s Place, Corner Grill and others.

Many of our guests take a break from the sunny beach by shopping and lunching with others in the middle of the day. Others enjoy the outdoors all day long and refresh themselves with a unique dining experience in the evening. Take your pick or mix it up!!

On Thursday, January 19th, Ocean’s Reach hosted 30 staff and volunteer guest service representatives of the Sanibel Chamber of Commerce. We all met in the Grove for a brief presentation before giving them a tour of the complex.
Our own Lisa Williams, who works at the Chamber two days per week, led the tour. We were told by the Chamber that of all the complexes that they visited ours was rated at the top!
They toured the Grove, the shell cleaning station, viewed the Osprey nest, our new web cams, the grounds, the units and the proximity to the beach of every unit, and gave us rave reviews, listing our complex as best on the island!

Taking a 3 1/2 mile walk from Ocean’s Reach to the Sanibel Lighthouse is a cake walk when you can rest your legs half way along on this beach bench. Look for this long, innovative bench constructed in front of the A frame condos.

Hi Ocean’s Reach!

I wanted to say how much we enjoy our trips to Sanibel and Ocean’s Reach. We were there in mid-December and it was our fourth visit. On our first morning beach walk this year, we came across what I believe to be a Snowy Plover (photo attached). I always wanted to see this threatened bird and was thrilled to have the chance during this visit. Let’s hope the nesting season goes well for them this year. I just love all the access to wildlife Ocean’s Reach has to offer. My favorite thing to do is rent a bike and ride through the Bailey Tract looking for cool birds. I’m setting my sights for Sanibel Gardens on our next visit!

Sincerely,

Jill Spealman
Glen Ellyn, IL

The birding tours every Thursday morning at Ocean’s Reach have been a huge success. Guest meet at the Grove and then head to the Ding Darling Wildlife Preserve. The next trip will be held this coming Thursday, the 26th. Walt, an informative Park Ranger, conducts the tours and everyone that has attended raves about his knowledge and the enjoyment they experienced while on the trip!

Remember to call the office or stop by and make your return reservations for the next January outing! January is “Birding Month” at Ocean’s Reach!