Adopt a Highway March 2023
Congratulations To Our Adopt A Highway Team And All Volunteers Keeping Estero's Roads Clean! The Engage Estero's team of volunteers collected 780 pounds of bagged litter and debris during the weekend of March 11th. Since early November, this season has amounted to...
Environmental Changes and Dangers to Our Water: GECR Quarter 1, 2023
Environmental Changes and Dangers to Our Water Engage Estero Is pleased to provide you with the first of four special reports we prepare each year. The environment and water quality remain at the top of greater Estero's residents' concerns. Many residents attended the...
The Dangers Associated with Septic Systems
The Dangers Associated with Septic SystemsEstero has changed dramatically since the first inhabitants settled in the early 1900s. These early settlement areas did not have sanitary sewer systems, and homes relied on wells and septic systems. Some of those holdover...
CPR –An Emergency Life Saving Procedure
CPR –An Emergency Life Saving Procedure An Important Message on CPR from ECCL’s Health Council’s Cardiac Subcommittee. According to American Heart Association statistics, 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of the hospital each year. Seventy percent of...
Estero’s Volunteers Recognized at Awards Ceremony
Estero's Volunteers Recognized at Awards Ceremony for Keeping Our Roads Clean On March 2, at the Keep Lee County Beautiful (KLBC) Environmental Stewardship Awards Ceremony, Estero volunteers were recognized as "Outstanding Adoption Groups" for removing tons of litter...
Engage Estero Continues to Support The Efforts Of Ukraine To Keep Its Sovereignty
Engage Estero Continues to Support The Efforts Of Ukraine To Keep Its SovereigntyOne year later, the deadly conflict continues unabated. On the morning of February 24, 2022, Russian forces launched a multi-pronged invasion by land, air, and sea in Ukraine. Even as...
Is it OK if you see the A.P.R.N. or P.A. at the doctor’s office?
Is it OK if you see the A.P.R.N. or P.A. at your next appointment? When patients call to make an appointment with their doctor, they are often told they can see a physician assistant or nurse practitioner. Many patients wonder what experience these healthcare...
Workforce Housing: Encouraging Developments
Workforce Housing: Encouraging Developments!In March 2022, the ECCL, now Engage Estero, released an article titled "Why We Need Workforce Housing in the Greater Estero Area." The article explained the increasing difficulties facing middle-income workers in buying or...
ECCL is now Engage Estero Presentation
An Enjoyable Evening at Rapallo: Introducing Engage EsteroAlthough the rebranding of the ECCL to Engage Estero officially occurred on February 1st, over 70 residents and members of Engage Estero got together for a celebratory evening at Rapallo on February 16th....
Southwest Florida Regional Economic Indicators
The period following the landfall of hurricane Ian in late September has been difficult for both businesses and the public. Not only have many in Southwest Florida had to cope with the tragic aftermath, but there was also a period of high inflation and difficult...
Avoiding one of Aging’s Most Dangerous Events
Health: Avoiding one of Aging’s Most Dangerous Events Accidents can happen at any time. Did you know that the number one cause of accidental death in those over 65 is a fall? Forty-six million Americans are...
East Corkscrew Construction and Development Updates
East Corkscrew Construction and Development Updates: Courtesy of the East Corkscrew Alliance- IntroductionOn January 23, 2023, the East Corkscrew Alliance hosted a meeting to update local stakeholders primarily on the status of Corkscrew Road construction, but also on...
Black Mold: What you need to Know
Black MoldWhat you need to KnowBackground Moist places generate mold. When mold spores drop where there is excessive moisture, they will grow. Examples include leaks near roofs, windows, or pipes or where there has been flooding. Many building materials provide...
Caring for Your Largest Organ
Health: Caring for the Largest Organ in your Body Know what it is? (If you answered “the skin,” you go to the top of the class!) So, what’s its function? There are many, but to mention a few it: Prevents water loss...
2022 Annual Report
2022 Annual Report2022 was a productive year for The ECCL and the Greater Estero Area. This Annual Report covers the Key Issues Addressed by the organization, Future Developments that are planned, and a Blueprint for Change, including a preview of The ECCL's...
Volunteers Continue to Keep Hwy 41 in Estero Looking Pristine!
Volunteers Continue to Keep Hwy 41 in Estero Looking Pristine! The ECCL will, on February 1st, officially become "Engage Estero." Since October 2020, we have collaborated with the Florida Department of Transportation's Adopt-A-Highway Program to help...
How to Extend Your Life Expectancy by
7 Years!
Health: How to Extend Your Life Expectancy by 7 Years! We are fortunate to live in Southwest Florida and Estero in particular. Given the endless sunny days we experience, many year-round outdoor activities...
The Vaccines You Need to Consider Seriously Receiving
HealthThe Vaccines you Need to Consider Seriously Receiving - Now.Hurricane Ian devastated SW Florida, and our hearts go out to all those who suffered! Although we were more fortunate than many, many residents, especially those living in West Broadway Estero, are...
Charting the Future of the ECCL: GECR Quarter 4, 2022
The ECCL is pleased to provide the 4th quarter’s Greater Estero Community Report (GECR) for 2022. This report focuses on the research and planning used to choose our future action priorities and how we are changing how we represent those priorities to the...
Helping our Teachers Cope with Increased Demands and Stress Levels
Helping our Teachers Cope with Increased Demands and Stress LevelsEvents such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Ian likely increased most of our region's stress levels. Globally1, according to the World Health Organization, anxiety and depression have increased...
Great Results from the Second Adopt-a-Highway Season
The Adopt a Highway Program has Re-commenced its Third Season to Keep Estero Looking Beautiful Want to help? The ECCL has embarked on its third season collaborating with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to help clean Hwy 41 between the Vines entrance...
Estero West Broadway: A Tale of Resilience & Hope
Estero West BroadwayA Tale of Resilience and HopeHurricane IanHurricane Ian's center hit Florida at 150 mph near Cayo Costa, a barrier island west of Fort Myers, shortly after 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday, September 28, 2022. In greater Estero, the hurricane selectively...
Bonita Estero Rail Trail
Rails to Trails There are efforts to build a public biking and pedestrian trail in the Greater Estero area, linking with other Florida trails. The ECCL has been tracking these efforts and alerting residents of opportunities to get involved.Background The Lee County...
November 2022 Meeting of the ECCL
Thursday, November 17 at 10:00 Estero Park & Recreation Center9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd, Estero, FL 33928(239) 533-1470 MAPThe meeting opened with a status report on the major issues facing the Greater Estero area, followed by current Hurricane Ian community...
Repairing Hurricane Damage?
Information You Should Know When Looking to Repair Your Home After Hurricane Ian The ECCL has been working hard to assist families suffering hardship and heartbreak following hurricane Ian. The ECCL, which relies on donations to continue its work, has donated $5,000...
Development and Transportation: GECR Quarter 3, 2022
Development and Transportation The ECCL is pleased to provide the 3rd quarter’s Greater Estero Community Report (GECR) for 2022. Each article in the report focuses on economic progress in our area, including insights into current developments and what we expect to see...
Estero Historical Preservation Appeal
Help Preserve Estero’s Most Important Historic Buildings.Sept. 12, 2022 Status Update: The Estero Historical Society requests that we convey their sincere thanks and appreciation to those who recently provided financial support for the restoration of historical...
An Amazing Achievement by Estero Students
An Amazing Achievement by Estero StudentsLEAD Estero is a non-profit that provides scholarships and leadership opportunities for Estero High School students. What’s different is students formed this non-profit to help students. Brothers Jeffrey and Matthew Stevens...
Adopt a Park
Estero Park and Recreation Center Adopt a Park The ECCL established one of the most successful volunteer programs in Estero history. The ECCL Adopt a Highway Program is staffed by Estero residents. Volunteers from over 30...
Mental Health and New College Students
Mental Health: Important Guidance For Students Entering Higher Education In 2019, the last full year we enjoyed before COVID hit, things were already not well. In the article, Dr. Simeone pointed out, “the...
Perhaps It’s Time to Enrich Your Life in Retirement
Enrich Your RetirementPERHAPS IT’S TIME TO ENRICH YOUR LIFE IN RETIREMENT!Around 10,000 people retire each day, and this rate will continue for the next 10-15 years. Many retirees will spend roughly 1/3rd of their lives in retirement! Many of these individuals do not...
ECCL Chief Operating Officer Mark Novitski Retires
Mark NovitskiMark Novitski joined the Estero Council of Community Affairs (ECCL) in 2014 and recently retired from our executive management team. We are pleased to announce he is starting a new phase in his life, providing more time for himself and his wife, Ramona....
How Greenhouse Gases Threaten Our World from CBS Sunday Morning.
https://youtu.be/El2vWfFrn8sApril Sets Record For Highest CO2 Levels In Human History Andrew Freedman, author of Axios Generate Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere reached the highest levels on record for any calendar month during April, averaging 420 parts per...
In memoriam: Frank Mann
We are very saddened to hear of the passing of Lee County Commissioner Frank Mann. We send our sincere sympathy and condolences to his family, colleagues, and friends. Commissioner Frank Mann was a lifelong resident of Lee County. He served on the Lee County Board of...
Understanding PTSD and Substance Abuse
Studies show PTSD and substance use problems are abundant in people who served in the military and civilians. According to Quyen Bui, Marriage and Family Therapist, American Addiction Centers, almost 1 out of every 3 Veterans seeking treatment for substance use...
Junior Achievement Efforts in 2022
The ECCL taught Junior Achievement (JA) classes in April/May of 2022 to 63 seniors at Estero High School and 55 students in 8th grade at Three Oaks Middle School. Personal Financial Management was the subject taught by three (3) volunteers at the high school totaling...
June 2022 Meeting of the ECCL
June 10 at 10:00 Estero Park & Recreation Center9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd, Estero, FL 33928(239) 533-1470 MAPPlease note: the videotaping begins after Jim Gilmartin, ECCL's President, welcomed the attendees, followed by the "Pledge of Allegiance." Jim introduced...
In Memory: Larry Newell
Lawrence H. Newell, 88, passed away on May 22, 2022, after a long illness at home under the care of Hope Hospice and his loving family, wife of 65 years, Sharon, daughter Kimberly, and son John. Larry was an early member of the ECCL and had a vision for Estero to...
Bicycle Safety Refresher
Bicycle Safety A refresher for residents. (Written by Jodi Walborn, Co-Lead for Worksites and Policy, Blue Zones Project with input from Mark Russet ECCL’s Co-Chair of the Safety and Transportation Council) Safety is a quintessential issue for the ECCL....
ECCL Chief Business Administrator
The ECCL would like to introduce Terry Flanagan as Chief Business Administrator for the ECCL. This role provides strategic focus and operational efficiency to ensure the ECCL makes the most of a limited and valuable resources: their time and talent. This senior...
2022 Essay Scholarship Winners
2022 Estero Essay Contest Three $1,000 Scholarships for Estero High School Seniors.Congratulations to Estero Students Estero Schools ended their year with a burst of activity and awards. Congratulations to the 305 students that graduated from Estero High this year. At...
May 2022 Meeting of the ECCL
May 13 at 10:00 Estero Park & Recreation Center9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd, Estero, FL 33928(239) 533-1470 MAPSummary of May 2022Monthly Meeting Jim Gilmartin, ECCL's President, welcomed the attendees, followed by the "Pledge of Allegiance." Jim introduced...
Act Now: Protected Species at Risk
An environmentally sensitive site of 1,800+ acres in eastern Lee County, which is home to the endangered Florida panther and surrounded by preserves, is at risk of becoming a 781-acre mine pit, permanently removing habitats for state and federally protected species...
Great Results from the Second Adopt-a-Highway Season
The second ECCL "Adopt a Highway" season has officially and successfully concluded. The ECCL and Julie Yellig, who organized the program in 2020, would like to thank all those volunteers who have participated in helping clean Hwy 41 in Estero. Volunteers from over 30...
Health and Safety Issues: GECR Quarter 2, 2022
Important Health and Safety Issues in the Greater Estero Area The ECCL is pleased to provide the second quarter’s Greater Estero Community Report (GECR) for 2022. Each of the articles contained in the report focus on aspects of importance in our area. We discuss:...
April 2022 Meeting of the ECCL
April 8 at 10:00 Estero Park & Recreation Center9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd, Estero, FL 33928(239) 533-1470 MAPOur SpeakersSummary of April 8, 2022, Monthly Meeting In the absence of ECCL president Jim Gilmartin, Communication Chair Allan Bowditch welcomed...
More Volunteers are Stepping up to Keep our Greater Estero Roads Free from Rubbish
Through the efforts of the ECCL's Adopt A Highway volunteer team this month, 520 pounds of litter was collected from Hwy 41. This month brings this season's total to 3,760 pounds and the total since October 2020 to a staggering 8,800 pounds (4.4 tons). Volunteers over...
Howard J Levitan, Co-Chairman of the Planning, Zoning, and Design Board of the Village of Estero Stepping Down
Howard Levitan, Co-Chair of the Planning, Zoning, and Design Board (PZDB) of the Village of Estero, announced he is stepping down from his position and heading back to Maine. Howard was an active ECCL board member for many years, leaving only to serve on the Village...
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