Nearly 100 people attended the Estero Island Historical Society Open House last Friday. Ellie signed a ton of books, beachy street sign coasters were sold, and the posters sold out.

The town of Fort Myers Beach Town Council is hosting a special meeting with condo association presidents and residents on Thursday at 9AM at Bay Oaks. The council wants to address any questions condo associations have that might help them get open sooner.

Since Hurricane Ian, General Manager Neal Hopgood and his DiamondHead team have loaned their ballroom to the Town of Fort Myers Beach for just about every meeting the town government held. They really stepped up when the town was in desperate need of space. That all comes to an end next month.

The organizers of the FMB New Years Eve fireworks show join BTR tomorrow. Also, Joy Leonard from The Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation will be on the show. We go live at 11, BTR followers get into Lah De Dah at 10:30 and will be treated to a special drink menu.

After the big announcement that Fort Myers Beach Town Councilman Bill Veach plans to resign before January 1st to avoid having to fill out a new state mandated financial disclosure form, we polled the rest of the Town Council to see if they were staying or going.

About 6 months ago it appeared Santini Plaza, a vital retail and restaurant strip for residents living on the south end of the island, was on the fast track to opening. Then, it wasn't.

St. Raphael's Church is moving back home just in time for Christmas Eve. The church has secured a tent for an outside worship until the parish hall is ready. The church property is located on Williams Drive and the Sunday service is at 10AM.

As we do every year at this time we'll be spending a little more time with family. This week our only newsletter will be delivered Friday. Of course, if any news breaks, you'll see it on our Facebook page. Kim and I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Both will be under the tent at the same address where the church once stood at 130 Connecticut Street. Pastor Shawn Critser will lead the Christmas Eve services at 10:30AM and 7PM and all are welcome to attend.

This Saturday the Faith Center is hosting a special Christmas Service at Bayside Park on Fort Myers Beach at 4PM. The service will be followed by a free concert co-sponsored by Beach Talk Radio, Snug Harbor and Wahoo Willies to close out the annual Christmas Bike Parade.

The Fort Myers Beach Kiwanis recently handed over a check for $1,000 to the Fort Myers Beach PTO. Pictured here in the check presentation are Jenny Tardiff-Paradiso (PTO), Paula McCarthy (Kiwanis), Chantal Blais (PTO)and Doug Bidgood (Kiwanis).

St. Peter Lutheran Church will hold a Christmas Eve service this Sunday, December 24 at 9:00 am. It will be held under the tent in the parking lot of the church property at 3751 Estero Blvd. Pastor Bill Stehr will lead the 45-minute worship.