November 24, 2022

Spotlight: Friends Rebuilding

As a regular feature, “Ding” on the Wing spotlights a business on the islands that has strongly supported the Refuge in the past and now needs us all to rally behind it as it navigates the long and arduous road to recovery.

Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille has been one of our strongest business partners for more than a decade. The Harrity family and Mark Marinello, who own the operation, have been top-level supporters of “Ding” Darling Days for more than a dozen years. In 2012, they joined forces with DDWS to present the first “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament.

The popular local restaurant group opened on Sanibel Island in 2003 and moved to its present location on Tarpon Bay Road in 2016, followed by a Fort Myers Beach location, later Captiva Island, and now at the St. Pete Pier to the north. Another St. Petersburg, Florida, location is expected to open in December of this year. The Captiva restaurant has closed due to the sales of South Seas Island Resort, where it was located.

The Sanibel Doc Ford’s will hopefully open by January 1, 2023, said Joe Harrity. “We’re chipping away at it,” he explained. “We’re replacing what we lost off the roof and replacing drywall. Because of our elevation, we made out pretty well. But like everyone else, we were unable to get out right away to take care of the mold situation.”

On Fort Myers Beach, Doc Ford’s suffered the most damage. “That will be the last to open because we have to wait on our landlord,” said Joe. “But our Dixie Fish House next door should also open in January. It was built in 1937. It’s quite resilient.”

Where does that leave Tarpon Tournament 2023, which was planned once more for Fort Myers Beach? “By no means is the tarpon tournament off the table,” said Joe. He’s shooting for a 2023 return that may pivot the tournament’s group events – the captain’s meeting and awards ceremony – to the Sanibel restaurant. Keep an eye on the “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament page for updates.

The Refuge Nature Store hops on the Refuge outreach bandwagon at a pop-up Farmers Market stand. 

Ranger Jess ready to fire

Rangers Earn Archery Certification

Last week, three Refuge Rangers attended the biennial U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Conservation Training Center’s (NCTC) Visitor Services and Outreach Workshop in Sherperdstown, West Virginia. While there, rangers Jessica Barry, Katy Hosokawa, and Tucker Phillips became certified as USA Archery Level 1 Instructors through USA Archery as part of overall education on engaging with the urban community.

Prior to the half-day-long, in-person training, the team completed a four-hour online course to familiarize themselves with archery equipment, safety procedures, and the basic steps of setting up an archery range. The in-person training consisted of running drills as both “student” and “coach,” practice firing recurve and compound bows, and a how-to for instructing a safe, basic-level archery course for the public of all ages and abilities. The team plans to take their skills into the community by eventually providing archery lessons for individuals and families. Stay tuned for free, community-based opportunities to learn archery.

Hurricane Update

We will consistently update our Resource Page and include a hurricane update each week in our "Ding" on the Wing. Please access those sites doing a better job with on-the-ground updates, such as the City of Sanibel. Please call us with any Refuge questions at 239-292-0566.  

For residents and businesses affected by Hurricane Ian, here is a printable pdf of resources. We are trying to keep it updated and hoping it helps. 

Here are a few new links: 

• November 23 City of Sanibel Update. Note updates on hurricane re-entry passes for businesses reopening on the island and Updated changes to locations to acquire re-entry passes.
• The Island Inn is open for Hurricane pass holders. Read more.
• FWC extends deadline for waivers for unsalvageable vessels. Read more.

• The New Yorker looks at, "The Precarious Future of Sanibel Island."

• A personal look at post-Ian Bokeelia (Pine Island) and the destruction.

ShopDingDarling.com

Cartoon of the Month

On November 21, 1940, in the midst of World War II, Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling published this Thanksgiving political cartoon. Titled “If We’re Not Thankful, We Ought To Be,” it makes the point that America’s freedom is hard-fought and deserves gratitude. Among the more than 150,000 cartoons Darling drafted for newspapers across the U.S., its relevance still stands today, nearly 80 years later. “’Ding’ Darling never let a holiday pass without reminding his readers of the reason for that holiday,” wrote Christopher “Kip” Koss, Darling’s late grandson. 

Click cartoon to see it enlarged

WoW Update: Much to Be Thankful for

Thanks to smart pre-hurricane planning and the hard work of our WoW (Wildlife on Wheels) team, the Refuge mission to educate and reach out to the urban, underserved community stays strong. #DingStrong. For this opportunity to bring the conservation message and love for nature into the lives of the young, we are deeply thankful.

The team had the foresight to move the WoW mobile classroom to a safe place off island before Ian hit. It survived relatively unscathed, ready to roll to two Title 1 schools in the area already since the hurricane. By winter break, it will have visited four more schools, and by spring break another four.

WoW currently operates with a reduced team due to Hurricane Irma’s impact on staffing. Now, more than ever, Refuge community outreach needs your help. Donate to support the upkeep and programming for WoW efforts. Thank you.

Bell Tower Tree-Lighting & Chamber Luminary

Come join Refuge and DDWS staff for their Jolly Holiday Pop-up Store at Bell Tower shopping center in Fort Myers on Friday, December 2. “Ding” Darling joins the SanCap Chamber of Commerce and relocated island businesses for a relocated Holiday Luminary as part of Bell Tower’s FREE Tree Lighting Extravaganza from 6 to 8 p.m. The Refuge Nature Store will be selling specialty gift items and hosting special guest artist Rachel Pierce and live music that evening. Families can enjoy Santa’s arrival by fire engine, a bounce house, holiday games, face painting, food, and other surprises. Watch our social media pages and next week’s “Ding” on the Wing for more details.

ADVOCACY IN ACTION

DDWS Goes to Bat for Refuge Disaster Relief

Along with the direct impact of Hurricane Ian on the entirety of Sanibel and Captiva islands, the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge was not spared, suffering more than an estimated $26 million in damages. Government facilities around the country are “self-insured,” which means that when natural disasters such as this occur, Congress supports damages through disaster relief funding appropriations. 

The “Ding” team hopes that Congress will support its request for these damages. DDWS has contacted and requested support from Senator Marco Rubio, Senator Rick Scott, and Congressman Byron Donalds to provide at least $26 million for the Refuge in the next disaster relief portion of the FY2023 appropriations bill or the next emergency supplemental disaster relief package that is brought before Congress.   

The Refuge was established in 1945 to protect one of the country's largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystems. It is a crown jewel of the National Refuge System; it is also a jewel to its surrounding community and one of Florida’s most popular birding destinations, attracting nearly one million visitors annually. The Refuge is an important ecological and economic resource in Southwest Florida and is in dire need of support through these federal funds. Look for future calls to action, should we feel it is necessary to have all our “Ding” Darling friends appeal to their elected officials. Thank you for caring for “Ding” Darling!

Feel-Good Finds

If you have a photo, poem, video, or other feel-good find and you'd like the chance to be highlighted in our "Ding" on the Wing, please email it to April Boehnen.

These are just snapshots of some of the things taking place at your Wildlife Refuge. Please check our website to learn more! Thank you for caring!

Sincerely,

Birgit Miller, Executive Director

"Ding" On The Wing composed by Chelle Koster Walton. Designed by April Boehnen.