Naples Illustrated May/June 2022

Ask anyone. Calling myself a Floridian has been a lifelong goal. After spending a year in Fargo, North Dakota, and 12 long winters in Michigan, who can blame me for coveting our lulling palm trees, subtropical flora and fauna, magnificent beaches, and of course, warm temps? In my estimation, these are the ecological differentiae that attract many folks to Southwest Florida. Apropos is the sobriquet “Paradise Coast.” Even in paradise, however, there are environmental challenges, and—pardon my candor—it would be naïve to think otherwise. The good news is, there are devoted advocates, caring and generous philanthropists, countless volunteers, and others catalyzing solutions that preserve, protect, and restore the regional lands we love, including the precious Everglades. This edition of Naples Illustrated, which we’ve named “The Conservation Issue,” showcases a handful of…

MAKE-A-WISH SOUTHERN FLORIDA WHAT: Wishmaker’s Starfishes & Wishes Party WHERE: The Ritz-Carlton, Naples SUPPORTS: Life-changing wishes for Southwest Florida children diagnosed with a critical illness. MEDIA SPONSOR: Naples Illustrated CHAMPIONS FOR LEARNING WHAT: Night of Champions WHERE: Arthrex One Conference Center, Naples SUPPORTS: Student mentoring and scholarship programs. CELEBRATES: Community leaders who have impacted the lives of hundreds of Collier County students. NAPLES THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER WHAT: Sixteenth Annual Bootstrap Boogie Barn Dance WHERE: Naples Therapeutic Riding Center SUPPORTS: Equine-assisted therapy and the construction of a five-stall barn and four new therapy horses. NAPLES ART WHAT: Scene to be Seen WHERE: Grey Oaks Country Club, Naples DETAILS: Thirteen artists presented 38 unique wearable art creations in this fifth annual runway event. SUPPORTS: Art exhibitions, classes, and programming for underprivileged children. NAPLES WOMAN’S CLUB WHAT: A Culinary Adventure That Gives Back WHERE: Veranda E, Naples DETAILS: One of…

The way Tyler MacDonald sees it, he had no choice but to become an artist. A photography protégé at a young age, a classically trained saxophonist, and a mainstay on Florida’s art festival circuit as a teen, the Marco Island native has enjoyed an accomplished professional career beyond his 26 years. Piqued by an interest to learn guitar, MacDonald started making them three years ago. Today, Tyler Mac custom-made, fine-art electric guitars sell for upward of $12,000. Turn the page for a Q&A with Tyler MacDonald to learn about his muses and creative process.…

CONTINUED NI: How did you know art was your calling? MacDonald: I’ve always liked to explore different creative mediums. I taught myself photography when I was 8 and started selling my photographs at art festivals when I was 13. I’ve never had a real job. I’m lucky in that way and grateful I’ve been able to sustain myself since. I wouldn’t fit into a normal job. I didn’t partake in high school things because I was working art festivals all over the state of Florida. I was focused on building my life as an artist. Traditionally, guitar luthiers served apprenticeships to master their skills. How did you learn? YouTube. I’ve had no professional training. It took six months of trial and error before I had a guitar I could play. Now I build seven…

Kipp Schulties Golf Design is leading major renovations for both of Vineyards Country Club’s 18-hole championship golf courses—the first since opening 30 years ago. Revitalization at the South Course, which has hosted PGA Tour Champions events, will begin in April 2023, with the North Course following in 2024. The yardage of both courses will be expanded from the professional tees, greens will be rebuilt and enlarged, and fairways will be recontoured to enhance playability and pace of play, according to Vineyards Co-owner Michael Procacci Jr. These renovations are the latest in a series of extensive structural and aesthetic upgrades at the 1,600-member club. The 2,700-home community in North Naples opened in 1988.…

The future is bright for the Naples Historical Society’s Historic Palm Cottage since the next-door property was purchased to protect the street’s character and expand historical exhibits. The society purchased the 1,530-square-foot, ranchstyle home at 163 Twelfth Avenue South and its 1935 guest cottage after owner Bill Darragh offered the nonprofit a right of first refusal to purchase the spread for $4.2 million in March 2021. Since then, the society has raised more than $3.7 million toward the project. Supporters Stephen B. and Mary S. Smith—chair emeritus of the society’s board of directors—provided a $1 million matching grant. The society has raised more than $3.7 million during the past year and is selling inscribed brick pavers ($300) to extinguish the mortgage and fund $300,000 in redevelopment costs. The plan is to…