Breast Cancer Awareness Stamps are sold during October to raise breast cancer research funds. Eileen Dimase, at the Punta Gorda P.O., was the top seller in the nation for the 2nd year in a row, selling more than $36.7k worth. Also, the PG Post Office was the top seller in the nation, with $48k in sales. They all deserve a round of applause when we go into our local Post Offices!

This much needed charity started out serving 7,800 meals annually and has grown to over 41,600 meals served per year. Seniors, the disabled and anyone unable to prepare their own meals is served by volunteers. Another great example of our community coming together to help each other.

Charlotte County is comprised of neighborhoods of citizens that care. Example:  When Rotonda West Yacht Club recently asked, dozens of volunteers showed up to clean all 23 miles of their canals this year. Good for the ecological environment and for the community in general.

With streets closed to auto traffic, ghosts and goblins could be seen trick-or-treating without worry. Houses and businesses decorated and handing out treats, bands, movies, a car show, food trucks and parties thrived. At times, the revelers were shoulder to shoulder throughout downtown. And free ice cream for the kids, thanks to Gen. Gilchrist. Punta Gorda is a community that cares!

Thanks to the USAF Thunderbirds, an estimated 75,000 people attended the 38th Annual Florida International Air Show. Weekend visitors filled area hotels, restaurants & shops. Economic impact is estimated to be $8 – $12 million dollars spent in Charlotte County due to the record attendance.

Punta Gorda now has a new alert system that broadcasts time-sensitive critical messages via phone, text, email, based on locations and types of events that you, the resident, choose. The new program will allow the city to reach more people, more quickly than the previous program. Most of the program cost was covered by the state. To sign up: bit.ly/2mnlBqZ

One of the many things to do in Punta Gorda happens on the 4th Friday of each month, now through May at the James & Barbara Moore Observatory on the FSW State College Campus. Free stargazing is led by Tom Segur to view the sky through the 16” telescope. Open to the public after nightfall.

Charlotte County’s world-class orchestra has changed their name from Charlotte Symphony Orchestra to the Punta Gorda Symphony to reflect the local area and stop confusion with Charlotte, North Carolina’s symphony. Punta Gorda Symphony has about 70 professional musicians; many retired & relocated to the area, having previously performed with the Boston Pops and the New York Philharmonic. Season opens Nov 10!

The new Punta Gorda Public Library opened August 26th. Now open 6-days a week with extended hours, 10A-6P. The Friends Book Store is still located within the Library. Try out the new check-in technology. Put a book in the cubby, it’s immediately checked in, put in the next item. Easy as that!

Kudos to Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau for winning an award for its innovative campaign work in tourism marketing (eTourism Summit Excellence Award) from Expedia Group Media Solutions. The bureau’s campaign, “Outsiders Welcome,” also earned an award for best use of video. 

The first Chamber festival of the season is the “Mindi Abair Punta Gorda Wine & Music Festival” on Nov. 15-17. Tickets for the weekend events are selling out fast, concert tickets still available. Go to www.puntagordachamber.com/product/mindi-abair-weekend-package

Congratulations to King Fisher Fleet, who has a new, custom-built tour boat designed to run excursions in Charlotte Harbor & the Peace River. Recently launched, she’s ready for your next tour. 

Done in record time in less than 18 months. Punta Gorda is the only city in the United States that owns its own seawalls. The city staff worked closely with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and the state of Florida to make sure the new seawalls were built to FEMA’s standards.