Scene on Site
Estero Historical Society Independence Celebration
The Estero Historical Society commemorated Independence Day with its traditional reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 2. Local historian Jacob Winge dressed in period costume, and Estero Fire Rescue flew the American flag from its fire truck. Picnic style watermelon was enjoyed by all who gathered at the society’s headquarters and museum in Estero Park.
Estero Chamber of Commerce Awards Luncheon
The Greater Estero Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual awards luncheon and business meeting at Pelican Sound Golf & River Club on June 17, 2022. The keynote speaker was Stefan Contorno, senior vice president and partner at Touchtone Wealth Partners UBS, Bonita Springs.
Award winners:
- Nikolle Larrea, Woman Owned Business of the Year, The Llama’s House Bar & Grill
- Chloe Maros, Young Professional of the Year, Select Real Estate
- Jim Mendolera, Volunteer of the Year, Commissioner Estero Fire Rescue
- Trish Leonard, Woman of the Year, TLC Marketing & Creative Services
- George Zalucki, Man of the Year, Practical Product Solutions
- Estero Historical Society, Nonprofit of the Year
- Business of the Year, Lake Michigan Credit Union
PROSHOT TENNIS RAISES MORE THAN $20,000
FOR SHADOW WOOD CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
Nearly 400 SWCC tennis members, friends and fans attended the 8th annual Proshot Tennis exhibition, which recently raised more than $20,000 for the Shadow Wood Charitable Foundation.
In the feature match, tennis legend Mikeal Pernfors teamed with Gulf Harbour Golf & Country Club Pro Mike Curran to nip former touring standout Robert Kendrick and Shadow Wood’s Scott Harrington in a third-set tiebreaker. Their March 5 match was preceded by a full morning of pro-am tennis and instructional clinics that included about 25 SWCC members. Spectators also were treated to a professional women’s match featuring top local pros Bella Graf, Natalia Maynetto, Martina Fratova and Maja Ornberg. The event was open to the public.
The real star of the show was chair umpire Jimmy Arias, who dazzled the crowd with his comedic chops and tennis knowledge. Arias, once the world’s fifth ranked player, was scheduled to play at Proshot until recent eye surgery shifted his role to master of ceremonies. Arias presently serves as a Tennis Channel commentator and director of player development at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
“Jimmy really kept the fans fully entertained,” said Sharon Rosen, who founded Proshot with Harrington and her husband Mitch. The Rosens and SWCC Sports Director Dave Dooley did much of the heavy lifting in organizing the event. They were assisted by Tammy Katz, Clark Bell, Betsy Lucke, Robin Marcus, Harrington and Elliott Hastings.
The real winner of Proshot is the Shadow Wood Charitable Foundation. The combination of sponsorships, individual donations, a popular raffle and BBQ cookout netted more than $20,000 for the Foundation, which provides scholarships and grants to local charities.
Photos by Autumn Gates
