Sanibel Blog from Ocean's Reach

A New Generation at Ocean’s Reach!

OR — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:01:21 +0000

That’s Right! The Ocean’s Reach Osprey babies have arrived! Tune in and watch them on the Osprey Cam. We were notified by a viewer yesterday morning that she had spotted them and sure enough, they are here!

We feel so lucky to have this beautiful pair back for the fourth year in a row, and now to be ale to watch them live anytime of the day. The female laid the first egg on Christmas day, the second egg on the 26th and then finally a third. Now we have babies to watch! Tune in and feel the thrill!!

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A New Generation at Ocean’s Reach!

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

OR — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:01:10 +0000

BIG ARTS now presenting live, “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”!! If you have not seen this performance currently playing at the BIG Arts Herb Strauss Theater, you have until February 11th to reserve your ticket to see an absolutely wonderful, laugh out loud show.

The cast of 13 are all professional performers with a wide array of credits to their resume. To quote one New Yorker “I saw this play in New York City, and this was a much more professional and entertaining performance than I saw in the big city”. As I left the theater all I could hear were comments about how great the cast is and that this is the best show to ever be done on the island! Reserve your tickets now and don’t miss one of the highlights of the year!

I am reserving a spot again to make sure I see it a second time before it ends. Pictured above are a few of the Ocean’s Reach gang during intermission!

Andy

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Ocean’s Reach Bids Farewell to a Very Special Friend

OR — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:01:41 +0000

It is with a great deal of sadness that I share with you the passing of a very special friend of Ocean’s Reach, Manny Toyos of Coral Gables, Florida. Manny, along with his adopted brother and best friend Herman Irizarry, patriarchs of a large group of family and friends, called Ocean’s Reach their home away from home. Pictured is just part of the group taken last summer, along with a picture of Manny and Herman.

From all of your friends at Ocean’s Reach, our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Toyos family.
Andy

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Attention Sanibel Foodies!

OR — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:01:59 +0000

Attention Sanibel foodies: “Geppetto’s Beach Foodies”, a gourmet “to go” store opened Friday, January 27th, next to Pinocchio’s ice cream shop located on the east end of the island. Picnic at the adjacent Lighthouse Beach, refresh your palette at home, or at a bike stop with their delectable goodies.

Foodies can also visit the popular and crowd pleasing Pinocchio’s homemade Italian ice cream shop with double and triple scoop offerings of luscious ice cream and gelato flavors that change seasonally. Take a ride, grab some gourmet and give us the taste test!

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Everything Made From Scratch!

OR — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:01:30 +0000

Immediately following this release of the review below, I understand that crowds were lined up outside the door waiting for a table. Many were first timers from Fort Myers.

It is rare to get such an excellent review from this famed food critic. Cip’s and island residents are very proud of this distinction.

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Bailey-Mathews Shell Walk

OR — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 06:01:56 +0000

Learn about shells and more at this month’s beach walk sponsored by The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum. Meet at Gulfside City Park/Algiers Beach (east side of Ocean’s Reach) on Tuesday, January 31 at 9 a.m. at the parking lot. Leave your car at Ocean’s Reach and walk or bike next door to start your tour. Fun and fascination for the whole family. You can never learn enough about our special island’s trove of shells and eco-treasures.

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Let’s Do Lunch!

OR — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:01:40 +0000

The Sanibel Steakhouse on Periwinkle Way is now open for lunch!

The popular steak and seafood restaurant will be a welcome addition to the repertoire of other island lunchtime favorites Doc Fords, Lazy Flamingo, Cip’s Place, Corner Grill and others.

Many of our guests take a break from the sunny beach by shopping and lunching with others in the middle of the day. Others enjoy the outdoors all day long and refresh themselves with a unique dining experience in the evening. Take your pick or mix it up!!

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Ocean’s Reach Top on Island!

OR — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:01:37 +0000

On Thursday, January 19th, Ocean’s Reach hosted 30 staff and volunteer guest service representatives of the Sanibel Chamber of Commerce. We all met in the Grove for a brief presentation before giving them a tour of the complex.
Our own Lisa Williams, who works at the Chamber two days per week, led the tour. We were told by the Chamber that of all the complexes that they visited ours was rated at the top!
They toured the Grove, the shell cleaning station, viewed the Osprey nest, our new web cams, the grounds, the units and the proximity to the beach of every unit, and gave us rave reviews, listing our complex as best on the island!

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Half Way is Time for a Rest!

OR — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:01:16 +0000

Taking a 3 1/2 mile walk from Ocean’s Reach to the Sanibel Lighthouse is a cake walk when you can rest your legs half way along on this beach bench. Look for this long, innovative bench constructed in front of the A frame condos.

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Bring Your Boat

OR — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:01:42 +0000

Are you considering bringing your own boat to use while here on vacation? The boat ramp right on Sanibel next to the entrance to the Causeway can make it easy to launch! Arrangement for storage of your boat can be made at the Bait Box on Periwinkle. The Bait Box posts updated fishing info to keep all of the anglers well informed. The January 11th report is as follows:

Whats New
Fishing Report January 11, 2012
by Dave Godfrey, Manager on 01/13/12

Reports from the Sanibel Fishing Club indicate that fishing has been fantastic offshore, especially for snapper and grouper. They have not noticed any recent signs of red tide. Jensen’s Marina Captain, Jesse Romero, had an excellent day on Sunday, January 8th. He caught 52 redfish on the flats using shrimp, over two dozen trout drifting in a little deeper water using jigs, and 2 huge snook in the passes that measured 38″ and 42″ a piece. Bryant Palmer, also had an excellent day at the Sanibel fishing pier on Friday, January 6th catching both slot-size and oversize redfish using Bait Box shrimp. Blind Pass has been producing snook, redfish, and flounder – one angler reported a 24″ flounder. Inshore fishing by boat has been successful just north of Chino Island, particularly for redfish and trout. The trout bite is also good at the Causeway Islands, with occasional redfish and pompano. Fishing for snook from the Gulf beaches has been slow, but mackerel and ladyfish are showing up well, as well as whiting caught on Bait Box shrimp.

As always, please remember that it is the angler’s responsibility to monitor the daily bag limits and size limits for each fish species. These regulations can change at any moment and can be found at www.myfwc.com under fishing regulations.

The Bait Box supports Seafood Savvy at Seafood Watch – Monterey Bay Aquarium. We always love to hear more stories and see more pictures.

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