Naples Illustrated July/August 2021

I’ve only left the Sunshine State twice in the past 18 months, and that makes me feel a little cuckoo. The antidote is the Cush Family 7th Annual (well, except for last summer) Road Trip to New York and Connecticut. Look out Griswolds, we’re coming for you. Since we moved to Florida and away from our big combined family, Mike and I pack the three kids in the car and head north to catch up with longtime friends from high school and college and our parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews. I am especially looking forward to hugging and seeing my parents in person for the first time since November 2020. I know my nieces and nephews are going to look so much more grown-up than they’ve been coming across on FaceTime.…

JONATHAN SIMKHAI AT MARISSA COLLECTIONS WHAT: Jonathan Simkhai Trunk Show DETAILS: An intimate trunk show unveiling the New York-based designer’s Spring/Summer 2021 line of sexy, feminine dresses, tops, pants, and denim WHERE: Marissa Collections GUADALUPE CENTER WHAT: Circtacular SUPPORTS: Early childhood education, tutoring, summer enrichment, and Tutor Corps, programs designed to break the cycle of poverty through education for children in Immokalee WHERE: Virtual circus-themed fundraising extravaganza…

If you’re a Downton Abbey fan, you may remember Lady Mary’s iconic blue pleated Delphos gown, worn in the 2019 movie. However, what you may not know is that the frock was produced in collaboration with the textile house Fortuny, makers of the original Delphos gown, created in 1907. And while vintage gowns may be what first come to mind when you hear the lauded Fortuny name, high fashion is only a small part of the story that brings them halfway around the globe to Naples. What’s so special about Fortuny fabric? Established in early-1900s Venice by noted artist, inventor, and designer Mariano Fortuny, the company continues to produce some of the world’s finest printed fabrics—made on the same machines in the very factory where it all began. The creation process…

There has been a major increase in boat sales within the past 10 months in Southwest Florida. With more people out on the water, it’s important to remind residents about boating safety and where they can get licensed in Naples. George Kartsimas is the district staff officer of public education at the Coast Guard Auxiliary. He’s been working for the Coast Guard for the past 25 years. In his career, Kartsimas has served as a search-and-rescue pilot and in helicopter ops. But he says his most important job is what he does now at the Flotilla 93 station in Naples—teach recreational boating safety to residents. “An educated boater is a safe boater,” says Kartsimas. “The first thing law enforcement is going to ask you is whether you have a Florida Boaters ID…

Lisa McCarthy and her husband Lee are dogloving outdoors enthusiasts who’ve owned and operated Mad Travel in Naples since 1994, when they bought it from the original founders. Like many couples who work together, they’ve figured out their groove: Lee is on the front lines with clients while Lisa handles the back-office stuff, and together they manage a team of selling agents. Lisa landed in Naples in 1985, when she came to check out her parents’ new digs on Marco Island. Lee hails from Michigan and moved to Southwest Florida to be in the hospitality business. After they met, they realized they were each other’s ideal travel buddy and life partner. “Our first big trip together was to Africa,” Lisa recalls. “We had the incredible opportunity to go on a safari.” Thanks…

The Not a Burger is a gluten-free, non-GMO, plant-based creation by chef David Robbins. This veggie burger does not try to taste like meat—it’s just plants being plants. A mixture of beets, ancient grains, heirloom lentils, pigeon peas, and wholegrain oats marry to give a fresh flavor, providing a filling meal with 20 grams of protein and plenty of antioxidants per serving. Growing up in Hawaii, Robbins was surrounded by vegetarians and vegans, so he has long been sensitive to plantbased lifestyles. With this culinary venture, Robbins hopes to also appeal to meat-eaters and children. Robbins has crafted to-go kits that provide ingredients, directions, and preparation suggestions to feed four. The kit also contains tantalizing fixings such as locally grown organic lettuce, mushrooms, and heirloom tomatoes plus gourmet condiments and garnishes such…