News and Posts
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 Highways Researched 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 Consumption Introduction. 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 Estero Driving 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...
I-75 Road Widening in Greater Estero
I-75 Road Widening in Greater Estero What's Has Happened? Florida Department of Transportation Held public meetings in Lee and Collier County Online Presentation Materials FDOT Project Page How to Comment Engage Estero Letter sent to Governor DeSantis, Representative...
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) Contracting In 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...
A Review of the Overall Health of Estero Residents!
A Review of the Overall Health of Estero Residents By 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...
Lee Health’s Life-Saving Stroke Protocol
Lee Health’s Life-Saving Stroke Protocol Introduction. 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 Season How 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 Treatment Introduction 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 Diet By 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 Health Estero 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 Night Congratulations 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 Know By 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 Prosperity Florida 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 Florida The 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
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...
Alternative Medical Treatments – Worthwhile or Not?
Alternative Medical Treatments – Worthwhile or Not? Understanding Alternative Medicine Alternative medical treatments are practices not typically included in standard medical treatments or hospital protocols. These can include: - Traditional Chinese Medicine...
Summary of April 2025 Meeting on Health and Water Quality
Pancreatic Cancer Treatment, Quick AED Response, and Florida Right to Clean Water April Community and Membership Meeting Presentation Allan Bowditch President Following a short initial announcement, Engage Estero’s President Allan Bowditch introduced the first...
Skin Cancer: Why Regular Checkups Are Important!
Skin Cancer: Why Regular Checkups Are Important! Introduction With our Florida temperatures increasing and the sun’s UV rays becoming stronger, reminding residents of the dangers of unprotected exposure to the sun is worthwhile. Skin cancers have been increasing,...
Planned I-75 Expansion and Associated Noise Concerns
Planned I-75 Expansion and Associated Noise Concerns Written by Louis Tancredi, Engage Estero Communications Committee The Estero Traffic Study results were presented at the recent Engage Estero meeting on March 26, 2025. You can find a copy of the presentation at...
April Adopt-a-Highway bags 460 lbs of litter.
April Adopt-A-Highway Volunteers Bag 460 lbs of Litter! A Fantastic Volunteer Achievement Benefiting Everyone in the Greater Estero Area A total of 460 pounds of bagged litter was collected by the volunteers this month along US41 between The Vines and Coconut Road....
A Thank You to Our Amazing Volunteers
A Thank you to our Volunteers Engage Estero's Adopt-a-Highway program, expertly coordinated by volunteer leader Julie Yellig, has achieved a significant milestone, celebrating its fifth successful season. This community-driven initiative showcases the tremendous...
Scholarship and Grant Available for Women Attending College
Scholarship and Grant Available for Women Attending College The IMPERIAL RIVER CHAPTER of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) is offering TWO great opportunities. The IMPERIAL RIVER CHAPTER ABWA is sponsoring one applicant for an outright grant worth...
New Options for Women Undergoing Mammograms
New Options for Women Undergoing Mammograms The proportion of women who complain about the pain of mammograms varies. However, studies suggest that between 25% and 50% of women report experiencing some level of discomfort or pain during the procedure. The degree of...
Traffic Study Results Presented at March Meeting
2024 Traffic Study Results A Summary of the Results of the Estero Road Traffic Survey Conducted in 2024 (Written by Allan Bowditch, Engage Estero’s Chief Communications Officer) Introduction This article summarizes the information presented during Engage Estero’s...
An Inspiring Leadership Transition: A New Chapter for Engage Estero
An Inspiring Leadership Transition: A New Chapter for Engage Estero Engage Estero is pleased to announce an exciting leadership transition strengthening its commitment to our community's well-being. Jim Gilmartin, whose tenure as President was marked by unwavering...
Comments and Q&A Following the Speakers’ Remarks At the Road Safety and Future Road Developments Meeting on February 26, 2025
Comments and Q&A Following the Speakers’ Remarks At the Road Safety and Future Road Developments Meeting on February 26, 2025 Summary/Video of the Meeting Following the more formal comments from Mathew Maher, Senior Associate Traffic Engineer at Stantec...
Celebrating a Cleaner, Greener Estero!
Celebrating a Cleaner, Greener Estero! Julie Yellig’s team of volunteers, comprising residents from Rapallo, Pelican Sound, RiverCreek, Bella Terra, Copperleaf, Belle Lago, The Vines, Riverwoods, Shadow Wood, and Grandezza, collected 380 pounds of bagged litter during...
The Big “C”: Significant Advances in Cancer Treatments
The Big “C”: Significant Advances in Cancer Treatments Authored by Allan Bowditch, Engage Estero’s Chief Communications Officer. Introduction Engage Estero continuously assesses topics that we believe are important and beneficial to improve the quality of life in...
Road Safety in Greater Estero and Future Plans
Road Safety in Greater Estero Introduction. Engage Estero held an important Community Meeting on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at the Estero Recreational Center. The invited speakers included three of Southwest Florida’s leading experts focused on road safety issues,...
Greater Estero Community Report: Urbanization
Greater Estero Community Report: Urbanization Our bi-annual update to the comprehensive list of planned and new developments within the Greater Estero Area is now available as a printable report and a webpage. The first quarter Greater Estero Community Report (GECR)...
Why We Should Embrace More Roundabouts and Traffic Circles
Why We Should Embrace More Roundabouts and Traffic Circles Allan Bowditch Chief Communications Officer As of 2023, there are approximately 9,000 roundabouts in the United States, and the number is increasing as hundreds more are being constructed each year. Florida...
Your Efforts Do Not Go Unnoticed!
Your Efforts Do Not Go Unnoticed! The February Adopt a Highway team of Volunteers has been hard at work keeping the Estero stretch of Highway 41 clear of debris and rubbish. Between October and April, Engage Estero’s Julie Yellig organizes volunteers to clean areas of...
2024 Engage Estero Annual Report
2024 Engage Estero Annual Report Engage Estero has had a highly active year, with many important issues addressed and communicated. The Executive Management Team (EMT) has prepared this summary report to keep members updated. Engage Estero is indebted to our members...
Breaking Par at Grandezza a Success!
Breaking Par at Grandezza a Success! Estero residents turned out in force to support our local schools at the 13th annual “Breaking Par for Education” held February 1 & 2 at the Club at Grandezza. The Gala and Golf Tournament support LEAD Estero, a non-profit created...
Engage Estero Has Kicked Off the New Year with Inspiring Success Setting a Powerful Tone for What’s To Come!
Engage Estero Has Kicked Off the New Year with Inspiring Success Setting a Powerful Tone for What’s To Come! Engage Estero has kicked off the new year with notable achievements that reflect our community's growing enthusiasm and involvement. With remarkable...
In the Press: History of Estero includes ECCL/Engage Estero
In the Press: History of Estero includes ECCL/Engage Estero The News-Press published a history of Estero in its January 12 issue. This summary by B. D. Green explained the unique and resident growth of the area, and of course, referenced the involvement of many people...
Forgetfulness: Aging or Dementia?
Forgetfulness: Aging or Dementia? Determining Whether Forgetfulness is simply a matter of Aging or Whether it is the Onset of Dementia Allan Bowditch Chief Communications Officer Introduction. While some forgetfulness is normal during aging, these concerns can trigger...
The Status of Our Local Economy
The Status of Our Local Economy The 'Southwest Florida’s Economic and Real Estate Outlook—Q4 2024 and 2025' report analyzes economic and real estate trends specifically for Estero, Florida. Compiled by Florida Gulf Coast University’s Regional Economic Research...
Engage Estero Celebrates 25 Years of Impact
Engage Estero Celebrates 25 Years of Impact On January 15, 2025 volunteers and civic leaders currently and formerly active in impacting the future of the Greater Estero area gathered to celebrate 25 years of grassroots involvement resulting in a distinctive and...
The Village of Estero Commemorates Don Eslick: A Legacy of Vision and Community!
The Village of Estero Commemorates Don Eslick: A Legacy of Vision and Community! On January 22, 2025, the Village of Estero honored the incredible contributions of Don Eslick—affectionately known as “Mr. Estero” and shared a commemoration plaque that symbolizes not...
The Engage Estero management, board members, and the volunteers who keep Estero looking beautiful wish you all a Happy and Enjoyable 2025.
The Engage Estero management, board members, and the volunteers who keep Estero looking beautiful wish you all a Happy and Enjoyable 2025. Engage Estero collaborates with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to help clean an approximate four-mile section of...
Discover Estero’s Exciting Transformation: The Village Sports Park is Coming to Elevate Your Lifestyle!
Discover Estero’s Exciting Transformation: The Village Sports Park is Coming to Elevate Your Lifestyle! by: Terry Flanagan Business Administrator...
Joe and Joni Pavich Will be Honored at The Don Eslick Person of the Year Award Dinner on Feb. 27, 2025
Joe and Joni Pavich Will be Honored at The Don Eslick Person of the Year Award Dinneron Feb. 27, 2025 Join us on Thursday night, February 27, 2025, at the Estero Country Club at the Vines for a special occasion. We have the extraordinary opportunity to honor Joe and...
Ensuring Estero Looks Its Best for the Holidays!
Ensuring Estero Looks Its Best for the Holidays! With the dedication and effort of Estero volunteers, 520 pounds of bagged litter was collected along Highway 41 during the weekend of Dec 14th. Since October, 1,820 pounds (almost 1 ton) of litter has been collected....
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