Farmers and Cattlemen Come Together for Fun Event

First, I must tell you what’s coming up! I never was interested in the Farm City BBQ till years after it started, but about 20 years ago I decided to see what it was all about. Lo and Behold, long before most of us arrived in Collier County, the farmers (very big back then) and cattlemen created an event to host the Naples businessmen and get to know each other, because they needed to work together for the betterment of all Collier County, so they called it Farm City BBQ. At that time, it was only held in Immokalee because that’s where the steaks came from and all the vegetables were grown and used right there. That’s where I learned that we grow potatoes right here in our county, plus we are the second largest cattle state in the USA! (Texas being the first). Everyone turns out wearing cowboy hats and boots, and the music is Country (and the last few years our outstanding entertainer was none other than Ben Allen and his band!) The local Native American community turns out, most coming to Florida way before us. I’d missed so many years before - my curiosity dragged me there, and I can tell you, I’ll never miss another one! They serve STEAK right from our cattlemen’s farms, the vegetables are grown right there in Immokalee, where they produce the famous “Immokalee Salad” and the only thing they don’t grow is the grapes for wine and ingredients for beer. Tickets are $25, including wine and beer, and the event is held Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, November 24, 2021 starting at 11:30 AM, at Robert’s Ranch, 1215 Roberts Avenue West in Immokalee. Many, many of your elected officials will be there from both the County and the City’s, and even the Fire Departments, EMS, and the Sheriff’s office is there every time, and so is the Sheriff! Plus, both of the city’s officials try to attend. The cost is $25 per person. If you feel you must bring a dog, you cannot bring that dog into the eating area. They are not welcome there. There will be signs saying as much. Last year one fella argued that his dog was gentle and clean, but an animal is an animal and will not be allowed entrance. I start my Thanksgiving dinner the night before (you know, the chopping, slicing, dicing, measuring, pies, etc. so I can enjoy the event, and I have 20 people I’m cooking for! Yup, I put my kids to work and we get it done with team work!) Ask any Kiwanian for tickets, I’m a Kiwanian, Marco Island Kiwanis has them, the Chambers both should have them as well. You’ll be so glad you attended. You’ll see people you never see in person. It’s lots of fun.

* A Birthday “tip of the hat” to Ralph Kull who lives in Imperial Wilderness Mobile Home Park. That park and the people who live there are amazing and ever so friendly and caring. He and his delightful wife Marilyn really enjoyed celebrating the event and invited a few others to share in the festivities. Happy Birthday Ralph! 

  ** Friends of Rookery Bay will host a Holiday Hootenanny on Thursday, December 2, 2021 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at its nature store in the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, 300 Tower Road, Naples. It’s a sip and shop event that will feature one night only specials. Highlights will include discounts on memberships and eco-tours, adopt-an-animal packages, and savvy shopper prizes. The in-person and online store has all kinds of nature-themed gifts for women, men and children as well as hostess gifts.

*Rookery Bay invited community leaders to enjoy the ribbon cutting for the dormitory that has just been built at the entrance to Goodland. Students from colleges around this area and others have been notified that there is now a place to study the tides, the water quality in the area, the birds and shorebirds, the sea animals, and terribly important Mangroves, while living in the area at this new dorm! It sleeps six comfortably, with a kitchen for light cooking.

*A tip of the hat to Commissioner Rick LoCastro! He saved the day and in some people’s minds he saved Isles of Capri from heavy traffic, loud music into the night, and more. There were some business people hoping to build a Food Truck Park like the one on Bayshore. The residents were beside themselves with fear of what was to come. Many of them went down to Bayshore and listened for themselves, others called on Bayshore residents to get their opinions of what happened to them, etc. The answers were what they expected except for a few. Everyone held their breath, but Rick won their respect for his bold responses. From the people who love Capri, like me, thanks Rick! 

* And a little note that your friends make life fun and even easy! Thanks Jeanie for always being there, thanks Angie for your sweet way of treating your friends, thanks Leo and Willie who come to the rescue when needed, thanks to Nannette and Maria and Marian for their friendship and the fun they are to be with, thanks to Shirlee for the many, many years of constant friendship, and to Capri Kim for including me on invitations and Ann for guidance and understanding from Capri, and Joanie, Greg and Mike Barbush for the many years of friendship in Goodland!  What would we be without friendship? Lonely! Cherish your friends and give thanks for them...yes, Thanksgiving is around the corner, so give thanks for your friends and family, and let them know you care and that they are appreciated. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!