Lee County Community Band to present ‘When Irish Eyes Are Smiling’ Sunday

The Lee County Community Band will celebrate the Irish in each of us on March 10, when it presents “When Irish Eyes are Smiling” at Mariner High School beginning at 3 p.m. The band’s concerts are free and open to the public (donations welcome).

Director Gil Peltola will lead the band in “The Irish Washerwoman” and “An Irish Rhapsody,” and will invite the audience to join in the singing of “Danny Boy” (Londonderry Air). The band also will play the spirited “Go-Daddy-O;” lively marches, including “Gallant Marines” and “Bull Trombone;” “Sandpaper Ballet” and Highlights from “Fiddler on the Roof.”

The band performs six concerts between November and April; this season, all are taking place at Mariner High School, 701 Chiquita Blvd., North, Cape Coral.

The last concert of the season is set for April 7.

The 62-member adult band is comprised of career and amateur musicians. The original concert band of Lee County, the band and has been entertaining SW Florida audiences since 1885. Persons interested in joining may phone 239-600-9052.

For information, visit LeeCountyBand.org or email LeeCountyCommunityBand@gmail.com.

Garden Club of Cape Coral to hold ‘Fun with Flowers’ class March 15

The Garden Club of Cape Coral invites the public to participate in its class, “Fun with Flowers,” where participants will create a spring-inspired flower arrangement to take home for just $25. You do not need to be a member of the club to attend. This fundraiser will benefit “Cups of Cheer,” the Garden Club of Cape Coral project that provides floral arrangements for assisted living facilities.

All supplies–container, greens, flowers, as well as the use of any necessary tools – will be included in the $25 fee. This session is on Friday, March 15, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Garden Council headquarters, 2166 Virginia Ave., Fort Myers.

A registration form is available on the “http://gardenclubofcapecoral.com” rel=”noopener” target=”_blank”>Garden Club of Cape Coral’s website under the “Events” heading.

Those wishing to participate can also make a reservation with Susan Lawson and pay at the door.

This fun opportunity is filling up quickly.

If you have any questions, contact Lawson at slawson921@gmail.com.

Master Gardener garden tour Wednesday at Cape Museum of History

A garden tour at the Cape Coral Museum of History will be held Wednesday, March 13 from 1 to 4 p.m. Learn about Florida Friendly plants, the nine principals of Florida Yards and Neighbors, see full size plants and learn how to care for them. The tours will be led by local master gardeners.

Tours and parking are free. The museum is at 544 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral. Call 239-772-7037 for more information or visit capecoralmuseum.org.

Collaboratory invites public to Spring Night Market Friday

Collaboratory is inviting the public to its Spring themed Night Market from 6 to 9 p.m., Friday, March 15, at its campus at 2031 Jackson St., in downtown Fort Myers.

This Night Market will feature local artisans and entrepreneurs, tours, resident partners, Collaboratory’s Health and Wellness Coalition and will also feature live music by The Line Up Band.

The coalition’s goal is to transform the region into one of the healthiest communities in the nation by exceeding the 90th percentile for Health Indicators (Length of Life and Quality of Life) by 2040.

Food trucks and vendors include Nickel City Red Hots, Viva La Taco and more.

Retailers and vendors on site will include Wild at Heart Flower Truck, Amorist Jewelry, Henna Magick, Bubbly Bee, Good Hearted Mama, The Adventuring Nerd, SummaVitaLinx, Brandi’s Pup Shop, Tastefully Simply, My Eclectic Everything, Colorstory Boutique, Maddies Sweet Lemonade, Jaxon & Ivy, Rosina’s, NuLife Science, Carito’s Gourmet Empanadas, Curate Entertainment photo booth and more.

To R.S.V.P. for the Spring Night Market, please visit collaboratory.org/events.

Martinelli to speak at Gulf Coast Writers Association March meeting March 16

Sean Martinelli, journalist and host of NBC2 TV’s Stories2Share, will be the featured speaker at Gulf Coast Writers Association’s meeting Saturday, March 16, 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.

Martinelli, whose Stories2Share series focuses on unique and positive stories across Southwest Florida, will provide insight into what the media really looks for from authors when considering them for shows. He should know: NBC2’s Stories2Share is the most recognized franchise in Southwest Florida, winning multiple regional and statewide awards, Emmys and a National Edward R. Murrow in 2022.

In 2018 Martinelli joined NBC2 to launch Stories2-Share which airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 6 p.m. Before arriving here, he was a general assignment reporter in Utica, N..Y, for WUTR-TV and in Syracuse, N.Y., for WSYR-TV. He grew up in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and graduated from Syracuse University.

Martinelli was the host of GCWA’s book launch of its anthology Storm Stories–Hurricane Ian–available on Amazon and at local outlets in Fort Myers, Punta Gorda, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel and Matlacha. The book launch in September at the Alliance for the Arts was a sell-out event.

Founded in 1995, the Gulf Coast Writers Association Inc. provides a forum for fellowship, education and information for writers, editors and associates. Based in Fort Myers, GCWA has members from across Southwest Florida. At monthly meetings, speakers and workshops offer expert advice on such topics as writing techniques, publishing, and marketing.

For more information, visit GCWA’s website.