Home › Staff › KELLY FARRELL › RSS

Photos by KELLY FARRELL

What a way to start Thanksgiving, exclaimed Tommie Barfield Elementary School teacher Elizabeth Braren, as she receives a hug from her first grade music class and Sandy Waite of the Board of Education Foundation. Braren received the Teacher of Distinction Award from the Board of Education Foundation Tuesday and is among 40 teachers who will be in the running for the Golden Apple Award. Nominations for the award come from peers, parents, students and class observers.

Jonathon Mundorf's fifth grade social studies class experiences a brief interruption as members of the Board of Education Foundation, Lillian Roche, left, and Sandy Waite, right, present Mundorf with the Teacher of Distinction Award. Mundorf is one of two Tommie Barfield Elementary School teachers to receive the award Tuesday and be in the running for the Golden Apple Award.

081126Me-TOURISM Mary Vertin, concierge of the Hiton Marco Island, books reservations for three different Thanksgiving dinners the hotel is offering Thursday. General Manager Mac Chauldry said the hotel's family-style dinner, the buffet served in the ballroom, is booking slightly ahead of last year's numbers. The Gulf view seating in the Paradise Cafe and the more formal seating in the Sandcastles restaurant are also open. Thanksgiving dinner at the Hilton Marco Island is priced between $18 and $48 in each of the three dining areas. Call 642-2181 for reservations. Kelly Farrell/ Staff

081126ME-SHOP Katherine Ebaugh organizes the products at The Spa Hilton Marco Island, a new state of the art spa. The full service salon offers massage, facials, body treatments, nail and hair service. Gift certificates to one of several Island salons may be among the popular gift options available without going too far from home. Kelly Farrell/ Staff

The Marco Eagle begins charging for pick up in newsstands Wednesday. The Eagle will still be free for home delivery. If interested in subscribing, call the circulation desk (239)263-4839 for their free subscription.

Brian Kocak, 9, plays a "little piggy" and shows he can read better than the "Big Bad Wolf." Lely High School students Margaux Meurgue and Nikki Popoff played part in a performance with elementary school students Tuesday night called "The Big Bad Wolf Goes to Read."

Victoria Novotny, 6, tells the "Big Bad Wolf," Lazaro Galicia, 18, that he needs to learn to read. The two were among about 50 Tommie Barfield Elementary School students and Lely High School students who put on a play Tuesday night for parents at TBE.

Haley Cartwright, 5, and Tyler Chute, 5, sing about piglets at Tommie Barfield Elementary School Tuesday evening. Building Better Readers Night at the school allowed elementary school students, Lely High School students and parents to have fun and read together.

Lazaro Galicia, 18, plays the wolf in the "Big Bad Wolf Goes to Read," a play put on by Lely High School students and Tommie Barfield Elementary School students for parents Tuesday at TBE. The evening was an opportunity for parents to become more involved in their children's education.

Jennifer Stout, 16, caps off a tower of blocks to spell "B.U.I.L.D." The acronym was used by Debbie Tower, Tommie Barfield Elementary School's reading coach, to talk to parents about practices that help connect home with school. The acronym stands for "Be positive. Unplug the TV. Increase time for Reading. Learn new ways to practice at home. Decide to partner with your school." Parents, elementary school students and high school students enjoyed an evening about reading together Tuesday at TBE.

A location for the required public bathroom proposed by Hideaway Beach officials is marked by a "private property" sign. Hideaway is required by the county to install a public bathroom in order for tourist tax dollars to be used on restoring the beach at the gated community. So far, Collier County officials rejected the bathroom location proposal saying the public could not access the area by foot, boat or car.

A portable bathroom is used by construction crews while roadway erosion protection is being installed at Hideaway Beach. Collier County Commissioner Jim Coletta required Hideaway Beach install a public bathroom in order for him to approve spending Tourist Development Council tax dollars to protect the gated community from beach erosion. Hideaway Beach District officials hoped a hidden, portable bathroom would suffice, but so far county officials have rejected the idea instead hoping for a more environmentally sound, permanent restroom facility that is accessible to the public.

Island youth are getting in the holiday spirit. Sixth graders Nick Dotson and Jeff Leonia design Christmas ornaments in their Marco Island Charter Middle School art class. Students are entering their designs to Christmas Island Style and the winners will receive awards at the Christmas tree lighting Dec. 6 at Veterans' Community Park. The students' designs will be used for Christmas Island Style's 2009 ornaments.

Island youth experience the gift of giving. Kaydee Nantz, 11, and sister Karlee Nantz, 8, drop off shoe boxes of presents for children their age that are in need across the world. The shoe boxes are being collected at Marco Presbyterian Church, 875 West Elkcam Circle, through Nov. 22 for Operation Christmas Child, an international holiday outreach of Samaritan's Purse.

Karlee Nantz, 8 and sister Kaydee Nantz, 11 deliver presents to Marco Presbyterian Church to be given to children in need across the world through Operation Christmas Child, an international holiday outreach of Samaritan's Purse. Island youth have helped filled hundreds of shoe boxes to give to children their age. The church office is accepting shoe boxes filled with school supplies, toys, clothes and other items through Nov. 22. Visit the Marco Presbyterian Church office, 875 West Elkcam Circle or call (800)353-5949 to learn more about how to contribute.

The shell driveway in front of a home on Piedmont Circle is causing owners Ann Sepe and Alfred Marchand, 13-year residents of Marco Island, some grief. Code enforcement officials say the shells, installed in April, are banned. Owners and members of the Planning Board interpret city ordinances to possibly allow for the shell driveway, but it falls under code enforcement's jurisdiction. Code enforcement gave the owners until Nov. 22 to correct the situation and in the mean time, landscaping the property has been put on hold.

Ann Sepe and Alfred Marchand discuss their shell driveway with the Planning Board Friday. Planning Board members said shell driveways may be allowed under the ordinances and may look to amend them to be more clear. The Planning Board could not help Sepe and Marchand as their case is currently in the hands of Community Development Director Steve Olmsted and code enforcement officials, who believe the shell is banned.

Resident Liz Doyle, member of the Friends of the Marco Island Chamber of Commerce, casts her vote for a pedestrian connection between Veterans' Community Park, Town Center and the Esplanade as one of the most important components in planning Veterans' Community Park. Doyle was among about 50 residents who attended a public meeting on the Veterans' Community Park Master Plan Thursday.

A map of Veterans' Community Park posted by the city at Thursday's public workshop on the Veterans' Community Park Master Plan. Planning discussions included whether to close Elkcam Circle so the park is not divided by the roadway.

Jim Long, an entertainer from Ocean City, Md. shows off his ride at Stan's on Goodland. This 2006 Big Bear Chopper is one of Long's connections to his three-member group of friends in Maryland that called themselves "The Skulls." Long, a part-time Marco Island resident, said he put all the "skull stuff" on the motorcycle; the rest was a semi-custom package.

Chairman Bill Trotter beams as he presents Gianna Rose, 8 with a trophy for her 90-foot softball throw that won Rose second place nationally in the NFL/Pepsi Punt, Pass and Kick Competition.

Gianna Rose, 8, Evan Meredith, 9, Brooke Cleary, 10, Cody Young, 11, Alex Proehl, 12 and Devin Noel, 15 are awarded trophies at Monday's City Council meeting for winning the 2008 Marco Island NFL/Pepsi Punt, Pass and Kick Competition. Young and Proehl will advance to the Team Championshiop at Dolphin Stadium, Nov. 16.

Resident Sal Sciarrino speaks up against performing an audit at this time and follows with a request from council and the community to show more support through positive comments about the city and its employees.

City Planner Bryan Milk, recommended by Parks and Recreation Director Dana Souza, participated in the City Council meeting as Milk will become interim Parks and Recreation director when Souza departs the city Nov. 14.

Ted Ryznar of Zap Marine directs his staff on how to approach getting a 60-foot by 22-foot barge out of the canal near Dorando Court. The barge sunk sometime between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. Ryznar said it's relatively common and he anticipates less than $2,000 damage to the $60,000 barge which was carrying cement used for the construction of a seawall.

Jeanne Patterson and Marian Harris encourage voters to approve amendment 2, called the "Marriage Protection Amendment" to the constitution, as they talk to voters on their way to the polls at Mackle Park Tuesday. Patterson and Harris got their wish as voters across Florida approved the amendment.

Though supporting opposing candidates, Joe Senica and Jan Jennings say they enjoy spending time together outside a polling precinct at the Marco Lutheran Church Tuesday. Senica said he supported McCain while he encouraged voters to support Amendment 2, which passed, and Jennings encouraged voters' support Obama.

Marco Island City Councilor Jerry Gibson and Staci Kelley take their dogs for a walk in Mackle Park Oct. 8. Kelley, 41, died suddenly Oct. 29. Services are Thursday Nov. 6 at Wesley United Methodist Church, 350 South Barfield Drive.

Parks and Recreation Director Dana Souza tips his glass to say "cheers" to Marco Island Charter Middle School Principal George Abounader Thursday evening at Orion Bank. Leadership Marco hosted a farewell party for Souza, whose last day with the city is Nov. 14. Souza begins with the larger parks and recreation department in Greenville, S.C. Nov. 17.

City employees express their appreciation for City Manager Steve Thompson leaving notes to their boss on a large board at the entrance to Marco Island City Hall. Sandra Schildhorn, administrative technician, said city employees began leaving the notes following the Oct. 20 City Council meeting in which Thompson's management was questioned for not sharing with City Council a transition report drafted by Dana Souza, who was the interim city manager in May and is now resigning as parks and recreation director. Thompson's six month performance review tops Monday's City Counicl agenda.

Dave Bierbrauer, 53, known as Marco Island's Disco Dave, had surgery to remove several malignant tumors on the right side of his face and will begin radiation treatment after Nov. 4. Bierbrauer is suffering from lymph node cancer and without medical insurance, island friends are rallying around him and organizing fundraisers to help him through "the battle for his life."

Island friends Steve Reynolds and Dave Bierbrauer outside CJ's on the Bay discuss plans for upcoming events on island which will help Bierbrauer afford medical bills while he battles cancer of the lymph nodes.

Police Chief Thom Carr gets a laugh out of Congressman Connie Mack at the Marco Police Foundation's luncheon held at CJ's on the Bay at the Esplanade Wednesday. Mack, running for re-election, was guest speaker at the event.

Fire Chief Mike Murphy, Congressman Connie Mack, City Council Vice Chair Frank Recker and City Manager Steve Thompson chat during a Marco Police Foundation luncheon held at CJ's on the Bay at the Esplanade Wednesday. Mack, running for re-election, was guest speaker at the event which packed the restaurant's dining room.

Brainstorming on the future of Veterans Park Tuesday. Members of the community along with Veterans Park Advisory Committee members, Parks and Recreation Director Dana Souza and consultant William Waddill of Kimley-Horn & Assoc. discuss their ideas of the guiding principles, which will help develop the Veterans Park master plan.

Parks and Recreation Director Dana Souza smiles as resident Herb Savage leads the Happy Birthday song for Souza from across the room Tuesday night at the close of the Veterans Park master plan meeting. Souza's birthday was Wednesday.

Detective Linda Guerrero and Officer Hector Diaz were rewarded by the Marco Police Foundation for their work helping to solve and prevent crimes at a Foundation luncheon Wednesday. Guerrero's investigation led to the arrest of two suspects in the July crime spree which left about 25 island properties vandalized. Diaz was given special recognition for preventing a human smuggling operation out of Caxambas Park by investigating the contents of a boat which he found was set up to be used for trafficking about 30 people from Cuba.

Mike Barbush, a resident of Goodland and landscape contractor for more than 20 years, explains why he believes Council's decision to approve an ordinance requiring landscape education and certification from the City of Marco Island is "duplication of government oversight." Council approved the new ordinance in a 4-3 vote Monday.

Parks and Recreation Director Dana Souza speaks to City Council Monday about the circumstances that surrounded his time as interim City Manager from March through May and his Oct. 16 resignation from the city to become Parks and Recreation Director in Greenville, S.C.

Chairman Bill Trotter congratulates Liam McCune, one of six junior city councilors who participated in City Government Week by shadowing a City Councilor. McCune shadowed Councilor Chuck Kiester attending Monday's City Council meeting sitting between Kiester and Gibson.

Dave Bierbrauer, 53 doesn't let the recent diagnosis of lymph node cancer stop him from a Sunday visit to Stan's Idle Hour entertainment on Goodland. Bierbrauer, known as Disco Dave, is asked by Steve Gober, celebrating his 43rd birthday, and Idle Hour owner Stan Gober, 82 to pose for a photograph. Bierbrauer will have surgery to remove his malignant tumor Wednesday. Fundraisers are scheduled in Goodland and Marco.

Scott Hopkins, general manager of Cedar Bay Yacht Club on East Elkcam Circle stands with the Team Ocean boat he donated as part of a volunteer effort to educate boaters about preserving Keewaydin Island. Hopkins has been at the center of clean up efforts, education and annexation debates. He said he will continue to work toward keeping Keewaydin clean and accessible to boaters regardless of whose jurisdiction the island falls under.

City Councilor Jerry Gibson has his hands full with about 300 pounds of dogs at Mackle Park while he waits for dog walker Staci Kelley to return from a short trip to make a trash can deposit. Dogs Fiora, Dolce and Rusingo may participate in upcoming events such as the Blessing of the Pets and costume contests, but it may be no walk in the park.

Winterberry Christian Academy students discuss their views on the experience of hearing Republican Vice President candidate Sarah Palin at Germain Arena Monday. Joe Paul Neptune, 13, Joey Lang, 14, Joe Byrne, 11 and Chelsea Davis said they enjoyed the experience.

Nancy Richie, environmental specialist for the City of Marco Island, presents City Council with amendments to the beach and vessel management ordinance Monday. Council approved the amendment which restored beach-goers rights to play Frisbee and other games on city-operated beaches. The amendment also required training for boat rentals and other changes in the ordinance. Frisbee and ball-tossing games are still restricted on County operated beaches including Tigertail and South Beach.

Winterberry Christian Academy students Google Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin after being among an audience of about 9,000 to see the VP speak at Germain Arena Monday. Paul Neptune, 13, Joey Lang, 14 and Joe Byrne, 11 discussed the highlights of the event at school Tuesday.

Ed Issler speaks up about his cost-saving views at Monday's City Council meeting. Issler recommended Marco Island Fire and Rescue continue relying on support from Isles of Capri Fire Rescue rather than hiring three new firemen at this time. He also commended the City of Marco Island for providing many services while having a smaller staff than some nearby cities.

Newer photos | Older photos

News

Home › Staff › KELLY FARRELL › RSS

Photos by KELLY FARRELL