Fortunate for our Friends

Can you believe how fast this year is flying by? Thank heavens we are headed into a cooler part of the year! Every time I see those guys mowing the lawn, or worse yet, working on roofs, I look at them with admiration. I notice that they always have a lot more clothes on than I do. There must be a reason, but I’m guessing it has something to do with keeping them cool, even though they look like they must be hot and roasting. 

• My daughter has come to stay with me for a little while, bless her heart! It’s so nice to have company to talk with or go to lunch with. She really does a lot more too! 

• Last week the Elks Lodge on U.S. 41 in East Naples had an Italian night, and the members cooked the entire dinner! They were also giving special tribute to our Veterans and those departed. It was a wonderful experience, with the Lely High School presenting a ceremony for those who have served us in the past or are now protecting us as we live. You should have seen that ceremony! These young people in the Color Guard were so polished and respectful and professional. We all celebrated their performance. The Elk members clustered around them afterward to praise them and exclaim how well the performance was. Those young people, all professional, every one of them stayed on and on afterward because the members wanted to talk with them and the officers who accompanied them. Everyone was very impressed with how well they presented.

• At the dinner I wanted to eat each person’s version of whatever dish they were preparing! Everyone has their own version of Italian food, and you can’t sample each one, but I would have loved to, if I could have! What a delicious evening that was. We all hung around for quite a while and enjoyed each other’s company. It’s hard to leave such nice people, so we talked and sat around the lounge for quite a while talking. I think some members from other Elks joined us, and that was great. I hope we have some come from Marco Island to join us. I think a couple people even come from Isles of Capri occasionally. I know Goodland will show up at times. It’s nice to enjoy other people’s company and share ideas and music. Check the Elk's schedule for upcoming events.

• Did you know that East Naples is broken up into two voting districts? Each Commissioner (there are five commissioners) must LIVE IN the district they represent. One of the East Naples commissioners lives in the City of Naples, and the other East Naples commissioner lives in Marco Island, but we ALL vote for them because (even though) their district also includes a city. That means we in East Naples voted for each commissioner who lives in one of the two cities in this district. Would anyone who lives in East Naples, in either district, ever be interested in running for office? Now is the time to think about it. In my opinion, it’s hard to know what the East Naples community needs when you don’t even live here, and only rarely do we see any of the Commissioners at the East Naples Civic Association luncheons (except Dan Cowall), yet we always see the Fire Department representative and the Supervisor of Elections – Melissa Blazer, and Crystal Kinzel, the Clerk of Courts at every meeting! Kinda interesting, isn’t it? Think about it. I did, but you know that!