BLOG: A new beginning in kindergarten

It’s where I learned English, how to share and the proper way to spell my name.

I was five, a bright-eyed, curly haired girl with a brain thirsty for knowledge.

Although there is little I remember of the first day of elementary school, I have plenty of pictures of my last day in pre-kindergarten.

A blue graduation gown and a cap my mom had to pin to my hair to keep it from flying off.

My classmates all stood around oblivious to the fact that it would be the last time they would be treated as kids.

There would be little baby talk allowed, far less tolerance for pouting and even less patience for tantrums.

Kindergarten for me was a transitional time to learn at a higher level than my previous schooling that included growing up with a mechanic for a grandfather, a plumber for a father and a clean freak for a mom.

Times were good then but in kindergarten I learned quickly that the rules were different.

Teachers tell you what to do and sharing is at the top of the list.

But with a younger brother constantly vying for my attention, I wasn’t exactly friendly to him or anybody else.

My pencils were mine but even in kindergarten things change.

I changed. And the fact that I could spell my name helped wonders later in life.

I learned to be mindful of others, have manners and take in as much information as I could.

Luckily for me, my thirst was quenched at an early age by teachers and supplemented by hours of Discovery Channel and the History Channel straight into my teens.

Looking back on pictures of my last day in pre-kindergarten and my first day as an official student at age five, I realize that I’m not much different from the little girl squirming around in a blue gown with an annoying hat on her head.

At least now I don’t mind sharing my pencils and I’m pretty friendly to those around me.

I realize that some people learn as much as they can in school while others just walk on by. I took every chance I had to learn, do and see as much as I could.

And as kids walk into school again on Monday, I’ll be sitting at my desk thinking about how many of them are just like me at age five — bright eyed, curly haired and thirsty for knowledge.

Neighbors take a night out to campaign

Fighting crime, drugs and gangs in Bonita Springs is a big job that the Bonita Partnership for Compassion doesn’t want to face alone.

That’s why the group hosted a National Night Out Against Crime in association with the Police-Community Partnerships this week.

“It’s a really nice way to thank our law enforcement, fire and code enforcement for what they do for the community,” said city spokesperson Arlene Houston.

The night put a focus on crime prevention by including a walk through Bonita neighborhoods closest to Riverside Park.

“It’s wonderful to see all the neighbors out here,” said Pam Newman of Bonita Springs. She is retired from the sheriff’s office and had never attended a walk before.

An estimated 200 people came out to the event which included handing out Frisbees, chalk and summer fun items that educate people on the importance of keeping their eyes open.

“We have to show people that you have to stop the crime and drugs,” said Estevinito Ramirez, 42, of Rosemary Park. He brought his small children who helped hand out candy and paper fans.

“We have to tell the community that we should cooperate so these things don’t happen,” he said.
Jean Byrnes handed out free hot dogs, sodas and chips to attendees.

“We are doing this because it’s wonderful to be out in the neighborhoods and seeing everybody mingle,” said Byrnes of Bonita Springs. She was stepping in at the hot dog stand for mayor Jay Arend.

He presented awards and thanked sponsors like Target and Salvation Army of Lee County for showing their support.

“They are here to tackle issues apart from the other things they do but they know they need to do with quality of life issues,” said Arend to the crowd just before the walk he led that started at Childers Street and ended at the park.

Katrina survivor planning to stay in Bonita Springs

Former New Orleans resident Weston Walker, 35, thinks he got lucky after Hurricane Katrina.

People lost their homes, their livelihoods and some even their lives. But Walker says it was the good people of Bonita Springs who have kept his spirits high.

“We have been here almost a year and they have all helped so much,” said Walker, who now lives in Bonita Springs with his wife, Lisa, and his parents. “It’s a major sacrifice but they helped so much.”

Shortly after arriving in Bonita Springs, Walker’s 7-year-old son, who goes by the same name, was enrolled at Bonita Springs Elementary.

“We were pleased to have him and help him out,” said principal David Short.

Young Weston, who has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, speech delays and visual motor integration delays, needed additional classes so the school stepped in and lifted a burden the Walkers had been facing virtually alone back home on the West Bank.

“It was a big shock to us when everything happened,” said Walker, whose son attended private school in New Orleans but had to be taken elsewhere for tutoring.

“Here at the school Weston was getting everything all at once and it was a good help for us,” said Walker whose New Orleans home suffered roof damage and minor flooding.

“We were just very happy that they came from New Orleans and that they were very receptive to our help,” Short said.

Teachers, staff and members of the community pulled together and provided the Walkers with care, support and love.
“They didn’t need financial support but just all other supports and everyone reached out to them and did what we could,” Short said.

The help Walker and his family received gave him the break he needed at a time when he felt his life was falling apart.
He even wrote a letter to superintendent James Browder in May informing him of his first meeting with Weston’s teacher, Lisa Beringer at the school.

“We asked about supplies and if there was anything else we could do. I remember her response as if she told me this morning: ‘Don’t worry about anything. You have enough to worry about now. I’ll take care of everything.’ ” he wrote.

Walker went on to explain how their lives were deeply touched that day and the difference he sees in his son.

“I cannot convey to you how impressed I was with the firm and consist and gentle way in which she taught and cared for the children,” Walker wrote adding that for the first time his son could write his name and proudly “signed” everything.

Today, Walker said he is still looking for a permanent job as an appraiser but wrote the letter because he wanted to show appreciation for his son’s improvement.

“It was completely worth it to come down here and I’m grateful for what everyone did for us,” said Walker, who plans to stay in the area because of what people at Bonita Springs Elementary did for him and his family. “I’m thankful that they have helped us begin a new chapter in our lives.”

Changes will welcome Bonita area students

Teachers at schools across Bonita Springs are sprucing up their classrooms, preparing lesson plans and getting additional training before students walk onto campuses on Tuesday.

And just as teachers sharpen every last pencil and decorate bulletin boards, maintenance crews are bringing their summer break work to an end — almost.

Spring Creek Elementary principal Karen Leonardi seems to be seeing the most change of any of the schools in Bonita Springs this summer.

Her students will be surprised to see a covered bus ramp, a new playground surface and brand new mulch decorating the front of the school.

“They are gonna love it. I’ll tell you, our boys and girls they keep the campus so nice inside and outside,” Leonardi said. “We are getting new miniblinds for all the classrooms which will make it just so nice.”

But before kids start walking into class the maintenance crews at Spring Creek Elementary will continue to work.

They will also add additional portables, change hurricane damaged windows and repaint older doors.

“The custodial crew and building supervisor are sharpening everything up and doing general cleaning,” Leonardi said. “We are seeing a lot of change and my babies will be very surprised but they deserve it.”

A new nice-looking fence is what kids at Bonita Springs Elementary will see when they step foot onto campus this year.

With help from the community and the school board, the school has installed a six-foot decorative fence to keep kids out of harm’s way and give the school a bit more structure.

“We were first on the list last year (for a fence) but we had a group of parents that requested a fence that wasn’t chain link,” said David Short, the principal at Bonita Springs Elementary. “This fence just looks nicer and connects all the buildings better.”

Students and teachers will also see new mirrors in the drama class, some carpeting changes and the tenting of old portables for termites.

“Our whole staff is very excited to for the kids to come back,” Short said.

YMCA throwing back-to-school party

The first week of school is creeping up on parents, students and even teachers who are anxiously awaiting the first day of school Tuesday.

Everyone is out buying school supplies, new uniforms and even packing their lunches but their is a light at the end of the tunnel for Lee County kids.

The Bonita Springs YMCA is celebrating the end of summer and the beginning of an academic school year with a back-to-school celebration on Aug. 13.

“We are gonna have a huge pool party with games, contests and outdoor kind of fun,” said YMCA spokesperson Robin Siewers.
The idea is to give everyone one last chance to spend time with each other.

“It’s to help people get back into the routines and just celebrate with the family,” she said.

The celebration will also include refreshments, music and a limbo contest.

“Part of the day is for member appreciation for everyone to come out and have fun,” Siewers said. “Members can bring a guest if they want and we will do something special.”

Newcomers get grand welcome to the club in Bonita

Marti Tatum lived on a boat and traveled around the world for many years but when she moved to Bonita Springs, she wanted to make friends permanently.

And, that's how the Bonita Springs Newcomers Club became her social outlet.

"It's fabulous. It's my whole social life and all the groups are great," said Tatum of Bonita Springs.

The group is in charge of welcoming neighbors into the area that have been in Bonita for less than three years.

"I love it. It's such a delightful way to get out of our neighborhoods and meet people. We are all looking for more friends and this is a great place to do it," said Mary Ann McCoy of Bonita Springs. She is the president of the group that meets once a month at a different place to ensure everyone is able to attend.

The club has about 175 members but is growing as Bonita Springs gets bigger and people start looking for things to do.

"I came down (to the club) and didn't have many friends to do anything with so I had a desire to make friends," said Lynn Medini who has been a member for two years. "It's been fantastic and I couldn't recommend it more."

Members, who pay $40 in membership dues plus monthly lunches, are given access to join groups that are geared toward diverse interests such as knitting, golf and trips to theatres.

They also offer a speaker at each meeting who teaches members about events in Bonita Springs and what the club is working on next.

"It's useful and fun for people who want to get to know Bonita Springs and what is out there," said Beverly Canell of Bonita Springs.

Members who have been in the club for more than three years are later placed in another group that allows them to stay connected to the Newcomers without having to attend at least five meetings a year like regular members.

Canell has been in the club for two years and joined after a neighbor recommended it to her.

"I'm not a women's club kind of person, but it's a nice place to be. I love it."

Garden club members environmentalists

It's a misconception to think that the Gulf Coast Garden Club is made up of a bunch of little old ladies in funny hats growing pretty flowers.

No, they are nature lovers willing to do what it takes to save the environment and make it s aesthetically pleasing for everyone to enjoy.

"In Southwest Florida, it's a blessing and a challenge to be able to plant something and see it grow," said Suzy Valentine of Bonita Springs.

The woman from New Jersey grew a love of gardening after going to a garden show as a child. "My personal thing is to take what falls off trees and make it beautiful."

Her knack for growing and gardening is what cemented Valentine in the club and allowed her to become an incoming president in the coming season.

"I think that I can really add a lot to the club. There are a lot of things that I want to do and that (members) can all share," Valentine said.

Valentine is the incoming president of the group that has been around for about three years.

The membership is normally seasonal but Valentine is hoping to change that by adding activities year round.

"Few of us live here permanently so I want to share our experience with everybody and have something for everybody all the time," she said.

Being able to offer something for every member is why Valentine is planning trips to preserves, workshops on gardening and lessons on exotic plants.

"A lot of our members are from out of state and they move here and what worked there doesn't work here. Here we are in a different zone and they have to learn new techniques," said Valentine, adding that many communities in the area don't allow residents to plant in the ground. "They have lanais and you can grow all kinds of things."

Reducing the use of chemicals and unnatural ways of growing is part of the club's mission when educating the public about nature and growing.

"We have a big thrust in promoting water workshops for awareness and the proper use of chemicals," said Valentine, who lived in tropical Brazil for more than 30 years and taught gardening around Latin America for several years. "I see the beauty in nature."

The Gulf Coast Garden Club is a member of the National Garden Clubs Inc., which has state groups and smaller associations across the country and the world.

According to Valentine, the garden club has been instrumental in keeping safe watering practices on golf courses, reducing the number of billboards in cities and promoting recycling.

"The idea is to educate by offering membership in the club and having programs that are open to the public," she said. "There is something for everyone in this club. The kids can become aware of good stuff (for the environment) and older people can stay connected."

Balloon sculpture fills business void

Joe Fratt of Bonita Springs likes to work in the wee hours of the morning.

And that's good in his line of work, because his love of balloons requires him to work at night or his creations won't be ready in time for the main event — birthday parties, car dealership weekend blow outs or festivals.

"When everyone is sleeping I'm out doing balloons," Fratt said.

His unique talent is best enjoyed at daylight but it takes hours to create the elaborate balloon sculptures that can be see throughout Bonita Springs, Estero, San Carlos Park and as far north as Port Charlotte.

"I moved here from California where balloons are big business and they didn't have anybody doing this here," said Fratt, who worked his way up to having regular clients by walking into businesses and offering his services. "I just walked in and they were hooked."

As the owner and artist of Liberty Balloons Inc., Fratt fills dozens of balloons per event.

He even bought a house specifically because of its large garage that he turned into a workshop.

"It takes a lot of time and effort but it's worth it when people get excited to see them," Fratt said.

He creates sculptures that look like spiders, four-leaf clovers and even balloon arches.

"It's the cheapest form of advertising," said Fratt whose biggest clients are car dealerships and cities that hire him to decorate for parades and the Fourth of July.

"You use balloons and you just get the best for your buck. Balloons tell people that things are going on."

Fratt's wife, Marjorie, who is part owner of the business and helps Fratt with the business side of things, says their service is unique.

"Everybody smiles when they see balloons. We've received a cluster of letters from people thanking us for making their parties better," she said.

The sculptures are created solely by Fratt on-site. He is constantly looking for help, but finding talent is difficult.

"Some people don't want to work at night and on weekends. I have to do things at night so that I have time to tie everything down," said Fratt who got involved in balloon sculpting after getting a job for his son blowing up balloons at a California dealership. "You have to tie everything down because I have to contend with wind and the weather."

Despite Mother Nature, Fratt enjoys balloons because they bring life to any event.

"Balloons move, they have color and bring motion. I can pretty much make anything," Fratt said.

He creates his own frames and bases for his work and attaches the balloons to ensure nothing flies away that could hurt animals in the area.

"We tell everybody that they have to break them and throw them away or we take them down to make sure nothing goes into the air," Marjorie Fratt said.

Liberty Balloons, Inc. can also imprint the balloons to add that personal touch to parties and weddings.

The prices can range from $100 to more depending on the amount of materials needed.

"When I finish I just look at it and it's a nice accomplishment," said Fratt who works year round. "Balloons make people smile and that's what it's all about."