From End to Beginning

Although it’s the end of season, it has stayed busy, no matter where you turn! You would think season is just beginning instead of at its end! In some places you can’t even get a reservation! Is it that people are staying because they love it here? Or have they just moved here and are getting acquainted with their new surroundings? We’ve heard that many, many are now moving to our little paradise (and I don’t blame them) and are looking for houses or condo’s before going back home and packing up for good. It will be interesting to see what we look like next year. Although with all the people here and enjoying our weather and our friendliness, there were a bunch of “work guys” who were stationed at the Donna Fiala Eagle Lakes Community Park with signs telling everyone that they were there to fix people’s bikes free of charge, repair or replace seats, handlebars, tires, etc., while the kids or adults watched, all through the courtesy of Bikes for Tykes and the Sheriff’s Department! There were a few other clubs there to help also, but alas – only one bike finally arrived, had a new seat installed, and happily left. I went there in support (Skip Riffle of BFT called and asked me to attend) of such a fine gesture. Why didn’t the word get out? There were a few signs, but I don’t know who made them, but I know the kids’ bikes could really use help, but we didn’t know how to reach them. If any of you can offer suggestions on how we can promote the next Bike Rally, please call Skip Riffle at 239-450-3366. They are out there for the kids, and let’s face it, that area is loaded with kids…but we didn’t see but one kid at the park! It was a Saturday as well! This area seems to be the toughest area to help the kids who need it most! Also, any other suggestions you might have as to how we can offer help to this area of kids, call Skip or email me, Donna Fiala, at donnafiala@gmail.com. We truly want to help the youth in this area, and so do many others, if we can connect all of them! But we need your help to get that ball rolling.

•  I hope some of you have attended the Naples Players performance of “Calendar Girls” or the other play “An Ideal Husband,” which is also playing at the same time but in a different theater on the same property - “The Ideal Husband”, in the Tobye Studio Theater. It’s a great way to spend an evening in the summer! And then there is the Marco players who are delightful and need our support to get through these very lean times. Beverly has poured her heart and soul into the theater, and it rubs off on everyone who attends. I think that is the very first play I will attend after vacation, if the time is right! 

•  One of my favorite subjects is PARKS because it gets the kids outside, away from the computer and/or cellphone and into a wholesome and healthy environment. There is a park in East Naples (I love that they have to use East Naples instead of trying to word smith it to “South Naples”) that has become the Pickleball Capitol of THE WORLD!!!! They have 64 courts all in one park. No other pickleball park can touch that with a “pickleball”. My one concern is that the area is home to many hard-working people who only have one car (if that) and there is no other park around there for the kids to enjoy. The Sugden Park is next door, but there are no ball fields or games or anything inside where they can get out of the storms, lightening, etc., and get out of the direct sun. They have had the East Naples Community Park on Thomasson, but that has been swallowed up by pickleball. Yes, I helped that happen, but I never thought we’d lose a place for the children. I’ve been writing to Barry Williams, the Parks Director, and also to Phil Brougham, of the Parks and Rec Advisory Board, asking them what we can do to improve this situation. And bless his heart, Barry responded (I must say he is always polite, friendly, knowledgeable and willing to do whatever he can to help). I was at the ground breaking for the new Welcome Center at the park last week, and wondered out loud what will happen to the children? Where will they go? Where will they play while off school and in the heat and storms? I received a reply from Barry and will quote him exactly: “The plans are for the existing community center to remain. The new Welcome Center won’t affect that, but remember, the Board (of Commissioners) approved Master Plan for that park had a provision for a new community center as funds allow for subsequent phases. Both the old and the new version of the community center will continue to serve the children’s programs we have at East Naples Community Park. We’ll have the best of both worlds serving the pickleball players as well as serving and providing programming for the children”. I hope they won’t mind if I hang around and watch. I’m sure Rick LoCastro will also be there, and so will Penny Taylor, whose district includes this park. Maybe if we work hard, we can make a difference in the lives of those kids! In the end, we ALL benefit. Thanks everyone, for your help and encouragement.