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A Naples woman went into the national spotlight looking for love. Executive producers of ABC’s hit romance reality show The Bachelor chose Lauren Hussey, 30, as one of the show’s 30 contestants competing to win the heart of Nick Viall, 36, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Avid viewers will remember Viall from heartbreak in past seasons of The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise.) “I had no idea what I was getting myself into,” Hussey told ABC7 morning anchor Christina Carilla before the show premiered in January. “I went into it saying, ‘I’m going to be myself and he’s either going to like it or not, and there’s nothing I can do about it.’” Viewers later saw Hussey go home on night one of the show, but after the bright lights fade, expect to see her working toward positive change. The recent law school grad is interested in helping victims of human trafficking. Lauren also wrote about her love of the country life on her contestant bio page: “I could live on a farm and off the land any day.” When asked where in the U.S. she would want to travel, Lauren said, “State parks, like Grand Canyon or Utah. I love the rock formations.” Viall just wasn’t the right one to put a rock on her finger. ...
It’s not every day that a lady celebrates turning 92, so when Grande Dame extraordinaire Michel Doherty was honored at a glittering birthday soiree hosted by artist Stephen Gray-Blancett and his partner, technology consultant James Caudill-Ritter, the guest list was filled with local glitterati. An actress and dancer in the ’40s and ’50s—and later in life, a career woman who specialized in hospital administration—Michel is used to rubbing elbows with famous folks, but it’s her close friends along the Gulfshore that she holds dearest. “I’m so grateful to Stephen and James for celebrating and hosting my birthday and all the friends who joined me,” she said. “The time spent together laughing, talking, sharing our dreams is like being with one big close family. My birthday celebration is a unique keepsake that I’ll cherish forever.” Stephen and James’ beautiful country house in Alva sparkled as Michel dazzled in a red cocktail dress and greeted well-wishers including Congressman Francis Rooney and his wife, Kathleen; photographer Kinfay Moroti; State Reps. Heather Fitzenhagen and Byron Donalds; Cape Coral Mayor Marni Sawicki; PR maven Jeanne Sweeney (who calls Michel her “earth mother”); fellow Grande Dame Boots Tolle and so many more who were thrilled to honor such a treasure to our community ...
Comedian Sebastian Maniscalco (right) will have rousing support from the audience when he brings his act to Fort Myers. His wife, Lana Gomez, has deep roots in Naples. She attended Naples High School, and her mom is philanthropist Simone Lutgert. Lana’s sister, Heather Dockweiller, told me, “We have been wanting Sebastian to come to Southwest Florida forever!” Sunday, May 14, Maniscalco brings his Why Would You Do That? tour to Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. The local connection should propel ticket sales. Heather sent an email blast to friends and had 30 people immediately respond saying they wanted to see the show. May is shaping up to be a memorable month for the Maniscalco family. In December, Sebastian announced during standup on Conan O’Brien’s show that Lana is pregnant with a scheduled due date of May 1 in California. That’s sure to give Sebastian plenty of new material for years to come. ...
It’s always fabulous when community comes together—especially for a good cause, so it’s super exciting that SalusCare, the mental health and substance abuse service provider, is once again organizing an unforgettable fundraiser. It’s set for July at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. This is the third year for “Laughter is the Best Medicine,” and last year the event sold out well in advance—probably because it’s such a fun, unstuffy evening of laughs where local celebs totally let their hair down and become comedians for one memorable night. Comics are still being lined up, but so far the names are pretty impressive—such as Will Prather, who owns Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre. There’s County Commissioner Frank Mann, known for his folksy down-home humor; News-Press Publisher Mike Jung; and Cole Peacock, who’s used to emceeing local events, but not performing at them. The lineup is expected to grow, and we’ll keep you posted ...
Enjoy wine is exactly what I did at the opening party for artist Marcus Jansen’s new Unit A Studio & Residency. The internationally known artist moved from a warehouse space on the east edge of downtown Fort Myers to a historic former factory space on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard built in 1923. The new space is very urban-chic and has an Andy Warhol/New York sort of vibe. In fact, it’s so New York that VIP guests had to wait in line outside just to get in on opening night. It was worth it though—the new Unit A is stunning, and the party was a blast ...
Brushes with fame are getting more and more frequent along the Gulfshore, as some of our most talented residents become stars. The latest is Naples actor Zolan Henderson, who got his start at Florida Repertory Theatre and has performed on a variety of local stages including that of Gulfshore Playhouse—and now has been cast in the third season of the hit Netflix drama Bloodline. Zolan’s always had a fine head of blond hair, but once his agent suggested he shave it, he not only landed the Bloodline role but also got a part on the Investigation Discovery true crime show Truth Is Stranger than Florida. By the by, former Florida Congressman Trey Radel also got a role in front of the camera on the same series—Trey played a police detective on the episode “Murder in the Groves” ...
Whether it’s Grande Dames, comics, actors or politicos, there are plenty of people unique to Southwest Florida, and Lila Lee Moore is one of them. Lila passed away earlier this year at the age of 87. Dedicated diners of The Veranda in downtown Fort Myers were also loyal fans of Lila’s, the resident pianist and singer who, until she retired around 2006, played at the bar for 30 years. Customers said Lila never forgot a face, a name or a regular’s favorite song and would begin playing it as he or she walked through the door. ...
The Naples lifestyle and real estate market are getting national exposure to 96 million U.S. households that receive HGTV. Producers for House Hunters planned a January shoot featuring a broker who’s new to town. Heather Caine brought her company, Caine Premier Properties, from Dallas about a year ago. Which neighborhood will be teeming with cameras and crew members? What’s the story behind the family on the hunt in Naples? So many questions, but reps for the network want to keep details airtight until they schedule a date for the show. Stay tuned.
It’s not every day that a lady celebrates turning 92, so when Grande Dame extraordinaire Michel Doherty was honored at a glittering birthday soiree hosted by artist Stephen Gray-Blancett and his partner, technology consultant James Caudill-Ritter, the guest list was filled with local glitterati. An actress and dancer in the ’40s and ’50s—and later in life, a career woman who specialized in hospital administration—Michel is used to rubbing elbows with famous folks, but it’s her close friends along the Gulfshore that she holds dearest. “I’m so grateful to Stephen and James for celebrating and hosting my birthday and all the friends who joined me,” she said. “The time spent together laughing, talking, sharing our dreams is like being with one big close family. My birthday celebration is a unique keepsake that I’ll cherish forever.” Stephen and James’ beautiful country house in Alva sparkled as Michel dazzled in a red cocktail dress and greeted well-wishers including Congressman Francis Rooney and his wife, Kathleen; photographer Kinfay Moroti; State Reps. Heather Fitzenhagen and Byron Donalds; Cape Coral Mayor Marni Sawicki; PR maven Jeanne Sweeney (who calls Michel her “earth mother”); fellow Grande Dame Boots Tolle and so many more who were thrilled to honor such a treasure to our community ...
Comedian Sebastian Maniscalco (right) will have rousing support from the audience when he brings his act to Fort Myers. His wife, Lana Gomez, has deep roots in Naples. She attended Naples High School, and her mom is philanthropist Simone Lutgert. Lana’s sister, Heather Dockweiller, told me, “We have been wanting Sebastian to come to Southwest Florida forever!” Sunday, May 14, Maniscalco brings his Why Would You Do That? tour to Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. The local connection should propel ticket sales. Heather sent an email blast to friends and had 30 people immediately respond saying they wanted to see the show. May is shaping up to be a memorable month for the Maniscalco family. In December, Sebastian announced during standup on Conan O’Brien’s show that Lana is pregnant with a scheduled due date of May 1 in California. That’s sure to give Sebastian plenty of new material for years to come. ...It’s always fabulous when community comes together—especially for a good cause, so it’s super exciting that SalusCare, the mental health and substance abuse service provider, is once again organizing an unforgettable fundraiser. It’s set for July at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. This is the third year for “Laughter is the Best Medicine,” and last year the event sold out well in advance—probably because it’s such a fun, unstuffy evening of laughs where local celebs totally let their hair down and become comedians for one memorable night. Comics are still being lined up, but so far the names are pretty impressive—such as Will Prather, who owns Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre. There’s County Commissioner Frank Mann, known for his folksy down-home humor; News-Press Publisher Mike Jung; and Cole Peacock, who’s used to emceeing local events, but not performing at them. The lineup is expected to grow, and we’ll keep you posted ...
Enjoy wine is exactly what I did at the opening party for artist Marcus Jansen’s new Unit A Studio & Residency. The internationally known artist moved from a warehouse space on the east edge of downtown Fort Myers to a historic former factory space on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard built in 1923. The new space is very urban-chic and has an Andy Warhol/New York sort of vibe. In fact, it’s so New York that VIP guests had to wait in line outside just to get in on opening night. It was worth it though—the new Unit A is stunning, and the party was a blast ...
Brushes with fame are getting more and more frequent along the Gulfshore, as some of our most talented residents become stars. The latest is Naples actor Zolan Henderson, who got his start at Florida Repertory Theatre and has performed on a variety of local stages including that of Gulfshore Playhouse—and now has been cast in the third season of the hit Netflix drama Bloodline. Zolan’s always had a fine head of blond hair, but once his agent suggested he shave it, he not only landed the Bloodline role but also got a part on the Investigation Discovery true crime show Truth Is Stranger than Florida. By the by, former Florida Congressman Trey Radel also got a role in front of the camera on the same series—Trey played a police detective on the episode “Murder in the Groves” ...
Whether it’s Grande Dames, comics, actors or politicos, there are plenty of people unique to Southwest Florida, and Lila Lee Moore is one of them. Lila passed away earlier this year at the age of 87. Dedicated diners of The Veranda in downtown Fort Myers were also loyal fans of Lila’s, the resident pianist and singer who, until she retired around 2006, played at the bar for 30 years. Customers said Lila never forgot a face, a name or a regular’s favorite song and would begin playing it as he or she walked through the door. ...
The Naples lifestyle and real estate market are getting national exposure to 96 million U.S. households that receive HGTV. Producers for House Hunters planned a January shoot featuring a broker who’s new to town. Heather Caine brought her company, Caine Premier Properties, from Dallas about a year ago. Which neighborhood will be teeming with cameras and crew members? What’s the story behind the family on the hunt in Naples? So many questions, but reps for the network want to keep details airtight until they schedule a date for the show. Stay tuned.