CCFW to discuss preparations for Burrowing Owl Festival

The Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife will hold its next General Meeting Tuesday, Feb. 13, starting at 6:30 p.m., at the Rotary Park Environmental Center, 5505 Rose Garden Road in Cape Coral.

This meeting will be dedicated to the preparation for the upcoming Burrowing Owl Festival.

The meeting will begin with a meet and greet, followed by the CCFW General Membership Meeting at 7 p.m. That will be followed at 7:30 p.m. with information about the Burrowing Owl Festival, questions and answers, and then individual group discussions to plan and train volunteers for the festival.

For more information or to volunteer for the Burrowing Owl Festival, which will be held Saturday, Feb. 24, visit ccfriendsofwildlife.org.

Gulf Coast Writers Association meeting to feature president of Orange Blossom Publishing

Arielle Haughee, president and owner of Orange Blossom Publishing, will present her insights into the publishing business at Gulf Coast Writers Association’s meeting Saturday, Feb. 17, at 10 a.m., at Word of Life Church, 6111 South Pointe Blvd., in south Fort Myers.

The meeting of Southwest Florida’s 29-year-old forum for writers, editors and their associates is open to the public.

A six-time Royal Palm Literary Award-winning author, Haughee (Hoy) is, besides a publisher, an editor, speaker and writing coach who was previously the executive vice president and marketing chair of the Florida Writers Association. In 2021, her book “Pling’s Party” received FWA’s Royal Palm Literary Award as Best Children’s Book of the Year.

At Orange Blossom, based in Maitland, Fla., she brings to market books about love, humor and wellness for women and children. It is currently taking art and blog submissions. The company’s website is orangeblossombooks.com.

Numerous authors attest to Orange Blossom’s assistance in helping them with their books.

“The more I see how things are going in the world of the big publishing houses, the more grateful I am for my traditional publishing experience with Orange Blossom Publishing,” said Tamatha Cain, author of “Song of the Chimney Sweep” (2022). “Individual support, industry connections, depth of knowledge. Don’t sleep on what this small press has to offer….”

And Stephania Thompson, author of “Woven” (2022), said, “What a gift to have a publisher who believes in the story as much as I do. . . The team at Orange Blossom is professional, proficient, and best of all, fun to work with.”

Besides running Orange Blossom, Haughee also provides developmental, content, line and copy editing. She is the author of “The Complete Revision Workbook for Writers.”

Garden Tour at the Cape Coral Museum of History Wednesday

This month’s Garden Tour at the Cape Coral Museum of History will be held Wednesday, Feb. 14, from 1-4 p.m. No reservations are required and the tours are free.

Master Gardeners will conduct the tour and talk about the FFL University of Florida program for Florida Friendly Landscapes.

The museum is at 544 Cultural Park Parkway in Cape Coral. You can contact the museum at 239-772-7037.

First Assembly in Fort Myers to host Lift Your Voice Tour performance Feb. 24

Grammy winners Jason Crabb and David Phelps will join dynamic sibling trio The Martins and popular comedian Mickey Bell to present an enjoyable evening of spirit-lifting music and laughs Saturday, Feb. 24, at First Assembly at 4701 Summerlin Road in Fort Myers.

Presented by Next Big Live and sponsored by World Vision, the Lift Your Voice Tour will feature sounds crossing varying musical genres, as well as laughter and fun that promises to be enjoyable for the entire family.

The show begins at 6 p.m.

Crabb, a Kentucky-born Grammy winner, has earned nearly two dozen Dove Awards including artist and male vocalist of the year, along with song of the year. Since his first solo release in 2009, he has performed at many of the world’s most prestigious stages such as Carnegie Hall, the Grand Ole Opry, the Brooklyn Tabernacle and Billy Graham’s final crusade in New York City.

Phelps, a childhood musical prodigy from Tomball, Texas, earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Baylor University. Perhaps best known as the tenor for the multiple Grammy and Dove Award-winning Gaither Vocal Band, a group he traveled with for nearly two decades, Phelps has performed at venues across the globe, including the White House, New York’s Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House in Australia.

The Martins are a musical family who grew up in rural Arkansas and rose to national and international success showcasing their distinctive harmonies before audiences on the multi-award winning Gaither Homecoming Video and Concert Series. Over the years, the trio has garnered multiple Dove Awards and numerous Grammy nominations, including the 2019 Grammy nomination for Best Roost Gospel Album for their “Still Standing” recording.

Complete information regarding the Lift Your Voice Tour stop on Saturday, Feb. 24, is available by visiting famfm.com/events or by calling 239-936-6277.

Shake, Rattle and Roll Daddy Daughter Dance to benefit Christian Life Academy

Christian Life Academy will hold a Shake, Rattle and Roll Daddy Daughter Dance for the school Saturday, March 2, at 5:30 p.m.

The annual dance is for fathers (or any male role models) and their daughters. This special evening will be filled with food, dancing, prizes and much more.

Dress in your 1950s best and help us raise funds for a brick and mortar school. If you can’t come, please consider a donation.

The academy is at 1150 S.W. 20th Ave., near Christian Life Fellowship, Cape Coral. For additional information, call 239-298-1022, or visit clawarriors.com.