|
One of several pools with a water view at the South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island. Photo Credit: Tom Stieghorst
Captiva Island on Florida s west coast is known for its seashells, but what caught our attention immediately on a recent stay was the wildlife, especially the birds.
From our second story Marina Villa balcony at the South Seas Island Resort, we had a prime perch to see a great number of egrets, ibises, pelicans, blue herons, turkey vultures and especially ospreys fishing, flying and tending to their business.
We watched a yellow-crested night heron on our front lawn pick apart its favorite food, a crab, and devour it bite by bite. The ospreys were flying low, giving us a close-up view. We even watched one osprey build and defend a nest in a construction crane. Sadly, a crew came along to put the crane back to use a day later.
Business Notes
PHOTO PROVIDED
Ryan Powell
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum has named Ryan Powell as its new finance manager.
Powell, who has lived in the Fort Myers area for most of his life, completed his bachelor’s in accounting at Florida Gulf Coast University. He most recently worked as an accountant for Wiltshire, Whitley, Richardson & English, a Fort Myers accounting firm. Powell also brings extensive management experience to the museum, after working for Publix Super Markets for 14 years.
His volunteer work with the United Way and its partner agencies over the years has shifted his interest to working in the nonprofit realm, and Powell is thrilled to join the museum team and become a part of the Sanibel community.
Organizers find reimagined ways to continue shell fest tradition
By STAFF REPORT / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com - | Mar 2, 2021
Like many annual events planned for the islands, this year’s shell festival typically put on and coordinated by three different groups is going to look a little different due to the pandemic.
During a normal year, the Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club, Sanibel Community Association and Shell Crafters partner to put on the popular Annual Sanibel Shell Festival at The Community House. There is a juried show inside with artistic and scientific entries, plus an author’s table, shell ID assistance, games and more. Outside, attendees can purchase an array of shells, shell critters, shell jewelry and such.
Shell museum to host Martinis and Mollusks celebration
By BMNSM - | Feb 26, 2021
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum recently announced the first annual Martinis and Mollusks celebration, which will take place at the museum on March 26 from 6 to 9 p.m.
It has planned an evening of cocktails, individually-packaged meals, socially-distanced fellowship and a raffle. During the event, attendees can tour the facility and be wowed by the giant Pacific octopus, see record-breaking shells in the Great Hall and enjoy the “H2O Art Exhibition,” on display until April 30.
“It is a stimulating year at the national shell museum,” museum curator and interim Director José H. Leal said. “Our team is looking forward to welcoming our new executive director, Sam Ankerson, as he joins the museum on March 16. The Martinis and Mollusks event will give us the opportunity to officially introduce Sam to our island community and hear him speak about his vision for the museum’s bright fu
Shell museum names new executive director
By BMNSM - | Feb 12, 2021
PHOTO PROVIDED
Sam Ankerson
On behalf of the board of trustees for the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, Sam Ankerson has been selected as the new executive director for the museum, effective March 15.
As deputy director, chief operating officer and special projects director at the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach since 2018, Ankerson was involved in all aspects of managing an institution with a collection of approximately 8,000 works of art, 100 staff and 150,000 visitors annually. He coordinated the Norton’s transitional logistics for a $110 million expansion designed by Foster + Partners that opened in 2019 and has managed operational and program areas including marketing, education and visitor experience.