What’s on Your Wish List for Our Greater Estero?
What’s on Your Wish List for Our Greater Estero?As we move through life and reach those milestone birthdays ending in “zero,” our holiday wish lists inevitably evolve. When we were young, it was all about circling toys in the Sears catalog. Later, it became clothes...
November Adopt a Highway
November's Adopt a Highway Volunteers Clean Up!Engage Estero is proud to kick off the 2025–26 road cleanup season, continuing a five-year community tradition led by Julie Yellig and supported by dedicated volunteers across Estero. This initiative began in 2020 with a...
Groundbreaking of the Village Entertainment Campus
Milestone for EsteroThe November 14, 2025 High 5 Groundbreaking Ceremony at the Estero Village Hub brought together community leaders, residents, and partners who share a vision for a stronger, more connected Estero. Among those in attendance were members of...
Engaging Estero: Veterans Day 2025
We are Engaging EsteroHonoring Our Heroes in EsteroWhat a beautiful morning at Estero Park celebrating Veterans Day this past Saturday, November 8th. Grateful to live in a community that comes together to recognize the courage, sacrifice, and service of our veterans....
Esteros’ Poor Water Quality and Nutrient Pollution
Esteros' Poor Water Quality and Nutrient PollutionBy Alex Rice and Jake Dobson, FGCU Students for Engage Estero IntroductionEstero is known for its proximity to beautiful beaches, aquatic ecosystems, and vast wetlands. But when you take a deeper look, you will find...
Archives and Resources: State Parks Near Estero, Florida
Archives and Resources: State Parks Near Estero, FloridaThis article is sourced from Florida, Kirsten Travis and Jaden Wheeler, Department of English, Florida Gulf Coast University. Introduction Florida’s state parks are home to some of the most beautiful, diverse,...
Update on Estero Village’s Utilities Expansion Program (Septic to Sewer)
Update on Estero Village's Utilities Expansion ProgramIntroduction The Village staff and Council have been working on Utilities Expansion (potable water and sanitary sewer) since 2016. Like many government processes, it "takes time." Their focus: 1) clean up the...
The New Season (2025-26) for Cleaning Up Estero’s Roads has Begun!
The New Season for Cleaning Up Estero’s Roads has Begun!The Management Team and Board of Directors at Engage Estero are pleased to let residents know that the enthusiasm and pride in our community is “alive and well!” Since 2020, Engage Estero’s effort, headed by...
Why Red Mangrove Trees are so Important in Southern Florida
Why Red Mangrove Trees Are So Important in Southern FloridaThe second of the FGCU student articles by Tanner Povey and Olivia NeildSouthern Florida, known for many infamous hurricanes, discovered a new way of defending the fragile shoreline with the use of red...
Why Are There No Roundabouts on Estero Parkway?
Why Are There No Roundabouts on Estero Parkway?Engage Estero recently asked the greater Estero community to identify dangerous intersections or roads. Estero Parkway was mentioned for speeding and the ability to safely exit the communities of The Cascades of Estero...
Transportation Infrastructure: Addressing Funding Gaps
Transportation Infrastructure: Addressing Funding GapsThe Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) https://leempo.com/, in its draft 2050 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), has identified over $4 billion in transportation infrastructure requirements....
We are Engaging Estero
We are Engaging EsteroOn Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, Engage Estero’s Vice President of Development, Barry Freedman, gave an engaging 1-hour presentation to 40 active and involved Tidewater residents, covering key topics that impact our community. One of the main issues...
Celebrating Lou Frattarelli’s Retirement
Celebrating Lou Frattarelli’s RetirementEngage Estero is honored to recognize Lou Frattarelli, a remarkable leader, dedicated community advocate, and longtime friend of Estero. Lou has served for many years on the Engage Estero Board of Directors and as a valued...
Construction at FGCU Brings New Spaces and Modern Upgrades
Construction at FGCU Brings New Spaces and Modern UpgradesInside the Cohen Student Union, the second phase of a major remodeling project officially begins. The renovations are designed to make the union more functional, comfortable, and visually appealing for...
Treating Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Vascular Dementia: Understanding the Differences.
Treating Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Vascular Dementia: Understanding the Differences.Introduction. Over the past 18 months, Engage Estero has published several articles on dementia. The focus is on this condition because it often affects people aged 65 and...
Engage Estero Donates $2,500 to Three Oaks Elementary School to Support STEM Initiative.
Engage Estero Donates $2,500 to Three Oaks Elementary School to Support STEM Initiative Three Oaks Elementary School is embarking on an exciting initiative with the creation of a dedicated STEM lab. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics....
Village of Estero’s 2025–2026 Budget
Village of Estero’s 2025–2026 BudgetProtecting Property Values While Planning for Growth Engage Estero’s Perspective: Every fall, the Village of Estero undertakes one of its most vital tasks: preparing, presenting, and approving the annual budget. For property...
Sept. 19 MPO Meeting
MPO Budgeting Meeting on Sept. 19SUMMARY The September 19, 2025 Lee County MPO meeting is where decisions will be made on how billions of dollars in local transportation funding are programmed over the next 5 years. Public input at this meeting helps ensure: Local...
Bonita Estero Rail Trail: Momentum Builds Toward Construction
Bonita Estero Rail Trail: Momentum Builds Toward ConstructionThe Bonita Estero Rail Trail (BERT) continues to gain traction as our community edges closer to turning the former Seminole Gulf Railway corridor into a 14.9-mile recreational trail linking Bonita Springs...
Conservation 20/20 Is Running Out of Time—and Money
Conservation 20/20 Is Running Out of Time—and MoneyLee County’s beloved Conservation 20/20 program—the one voters approved in 1996 and reaffirmed in 2016 with an impressive 84% majority—is facing a crisis. The fund that buys and protects natural lands is running low....
Road Development Updates
Update on Road Projects as of September 2025 Table of Contents FDOT I-75 LDOT Alico Three Oaks 951 Village of Estero Corkscrew Road Landscaping Corkscrew Road Multiuse Path Corkscrew Road Widening East of Bella Terra Sandy Lane Williams Road River Ranch Coconut Road...
Engaging the Future
Engaging the Future of EsteroEngage Estero is proud to announce a new partnership with Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU)! Our very own Terry Flanagan recently spoke to a freshman class at FGCU to inspire the next generation of community leaders. This partnership...
Hurricane Erin: A Warning We Can’t Ignore
Hurricane Erin: A Warning We Can’t IgnoreHurricane Erin just swept across the Atlantic, rapidly escalating from Category 1 to a Category 5 storm in less than 24 hours. Winds soared past 160 miles per hour, making Erin one of the fastest-intensifying hurricanes on...
What the Latest Regional Economic Research Institute Report Reveals About Estero and Southwest Florida
What the Latest Regional Economic Research Institute Report Reveals About Estero and Southwest FloridaEach month, the Regional Economic Research Institute (RERI) at Florida Gulf Coast University publishes a report on our local economy. The August 2025 edition provides...
Continuing the Journey Through Dementia Care Part 2
How to Handle a Family Member with Dementia Part 2Introduction In Part 1, we explored the emotional and practical challenges that come with supporting a loved one living with dementia. From the early signs to more advanced stages, we highlighted how dementia can...
How to Handle a Family Member with Dementia Part 1
How to Handle a Family Member with Dementia, Part 1Introduction This situation is undoubtedly one of the most heartbreaking ones anyone can face. Dealing with a family member who has dementia—whether mild, moderate, or severe—can be incredibly challenging, both...
Facing the Pain of Global Warming: “Partnering for a Stronger, Safer Estero”
Facing the Pain of Global Warming:“Partnering for a Stronger, Safer Estero”Global warming is no longer a distant threat—it’s a daily reality. From rising sea levels and extreme weather to disrupted food systems and health risks, its effects are being felt in Estero...
Engage Estero’s Healthcare Committee Update
Engage Estero's Healthcare Committee UpdateIntroduction I am pleased to inform you that Dr. Brian Hurwitz was appointed Chair of the Engage Estero Health Committee earlier this year. Brian previously served as Chair of its Cardiovascular Health Subcommittee, where he...
The 2025 Florida Transportation Bill
The 2025 Florida Transportation Bill Introduction On June 19, the Florida Senate passed the attached Transportation Bill. The summary below highlights some of the key and interesting elements of the bill that our Greater Estero residents may want to know about. A more...
The Most Absorbent and Highest Rated Products For Use as Sound Barrier Walls Along Major Highways
The Most Absorbent and Highest Rated Products For Use as Sound Barrier Walls Along Major HighwaysResearched by Allan Bowditch, President, Engage Estero. Introduction Florida’s Department of Transportation (FDOT) has decided to expand I-75 from 6 lanes to 10 between...
How much is too much? Alcohol Consumption
How Much is Too Much?Alcohol ConsumptionIntroduction. The aim of this article is not to tell anyone how much they should or shouldn’t drink. My aim is not to be a “killjoy.” However, those over 65 years of age should be aware of some recent research that has revealed...
Lead a Legacy of Care in Greater Estero
Engage Estero is seeking an experienced leader and compassionate visionary to chair a high-impact community initiative that will uplift the physical, emotional, and financial well-being of Greater Estero residents. This is more than a leadership role—it’s an...
Road Concerns in Greater Estero
Road Concerns in Greater EsteroDriving the roads of the Greater Estero Area since 2012, I have identified key roads and areas that pose serious concerns. Safety is my priority, and I'm dedicated to working toward improvements that make our community safer for...
What Is Resilience? Why Should Greater Estero Be Concerned?
What Is Resilience? Why Should Greater Estero Be Concerned?What Is Being Done and What More Should Be Considered to Secure Our Future? Introduction Compared to the 1980s, there are now twice as many days with temperatures over 50 °C and in more locations around...
The Latest News on the Road Widening of I-75 In Estero
The Latest News on the Road Widening of I-75 In EsteroTABLE OF CONTENTSIntroductionFact 1: Higher Speed Increases Traffic NoiseFact 2: FDOT's Approach to Assessing Traffic Noise and Decibel Levels Interactive Map of affected areaFact 3: Health ImplicationsFact 4:...
Government Lite and the Village’s Use of the Construction Manager At Risk (CMAR) Contracting
Government Lite and the Village's Use of the Construction Manager At Risk (CMAR) ContractingIn 2013, as Estero prepared to become a municipality, many felt the Village should be run differently than others in Southwest Florida. According to its website, the Village of...
A Review of the Overall Health of Estero Residents!
A Review of the Overall Health of Estero ResidentsBy Ned Newland, Engage Estero’s Community Healthcare Committee Member.Introduction Lee Health’s 2023 Community Health Needs Assessment Survey was analyzed and presented to Engage Estero’s Healthcare Committee by Sally...
Lee Health’s Life-Saving Stroke Protocol
Lee Health’s Life-Saving Stroke ProtocolIntroduction. Lee Health, the region’s largest public healthcare system, has a transformative new stroke care protocol designed to dramatically reduce the time it takes to diagnose and treat strokes. Now active across all Lee...
Mental Health and Resilience During Storm Season: How Estero Residents Can Prepare Beyond the Supply List
Mental Health and Resilience During Storm SeasonHow Estero Residents Can Prepare Beyond the Supply List As hurricane season ramps up in Southwest Florida, most residents know the drill: stock up on water, batteries, and non-perishables. But what about preparing...
The Value of Music Therapy in a Patient’s Medical Treatment
The Value of Music Therapy in a Patient’s Medical TreatmentIntroduction The value of music in treating patients—commonly explored through music therapy—is significant and well-documented across various medical and psychological fields. Music therapy serves as a...
Nourish Your Mind: The Benefits of a Whole Food Diet
Nourish Your Mind: The Benefits of a Whole Food DietBy Anne Butcher. Member of Engage Estero’s Health Committee: Board certified through the AADP (American Association of Drugless Practitioners). Introduction: In today's fast-paced world, it is easy to opt for...
Wink News Interviews Engage Estero President on I-75 Expansion
On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, WINK News included an interview with Engage Estero President Allan Bowditch on their coverage of plans to widen I-75 and the noise concerns residents have. Watch the video and read the story here:...
The State of Community Health in Estero
The State of Community HealthEstero is a vibrant and growing community, but challenges in healthcare access, environmental health, and public safety come with growth. While residents enjoy a high quality of life, certain health concerns require attention to ensure...
Estero High School Students Recognized at Senior Awards Night
Estero High School Students Recognized at Senior Awards NightCongratulations to 108 Estero High School Seniors. They were recognized at the annual Senior Awards night held at the High School Auditorium on Wednesday May 7th, 2025. There were 15 Community Organizations...
Autism Spectrum Disorder What You Should Know!
Autism Spectrum Disorder: What You Should KnowBy Allan Bowditch, President, Engage Estero. Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that affects how individuals communicate, interact socially, and perceive the world. It is...
Preserving Florida’s Future: Safeguarding Our Communities’ Health, Stability, And Prosperity
Preserving Florida's Future: Safeguarding Our Communities' Health, Stability, and ProsperityFlorida has long been celebrated for its pristine beaches, vibrant wildlife, and thriving communities. But beneath the surface, an escalating crisis threatens the very...
Key Economic Trends in Southwest Florida
Key Economic Trends in Southwest FloridaThe following summary from Engage Estero is based on the May 2025 Regional Economic Indicators report from Florida Gulf Coast University's Regional Economic Research Institute. The report highlights several economic trends in...
A Sudden Emergency at the Golf Course
Imagine you are playing a round of golf when an emergency strikes. One of your golfing partners is down. Is it cardiac arrest, hyperthermia, or a reaction to an insect bite? Every second counts. Jump into action! Tap your stricken partner hard on the shoulder and yell...
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