From cuddly companions and chatty birds to therapy dogs and rare reptiles, Estero residents share a deep bond with their beloved pets. Meet some of the remarkable pets who make life in Estero even more special, right here: https://t.co/AtiCdIxnWJ
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Legendary local bassist, vocalist and all-around musical entertainer Charles Meyers, AKA Sir Charles will be performing live at R.A.D. Corkscrew Winery from 2-5 pm. Read the full details on this upcoming event here: https://t.co/r0SGIYxHtj
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In Estero, early childhood education options recently expanded through locally owned franchises of the Celebree School of Estero and The Goddard School of Estero. Read the full cover story here: https://t.co/Z0M9OX3sDF
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Don’t miss our June digital issue!
Featured stories include:
Preschool choices expand
Pets of Estero
Village Connection
Plus our dining feature on Lujack’s All-American Grill.
Read full digital issue here: https://t.co/MooHmpPZgn
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To you, it's just a Cracker Barrel parking lot. To me, it's where I gave my life to Jesus Christ.
I was 21 years old. I was working at the Cracker Barrel in Tallahassee after some of the worst years of my life. I'd made mistakes. Real ones.
I grew up in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, raised by a mom who worked hard and didn't accept excuses. But I made decisions that should have ended my story before it ever really started. By the grace of God, they didn't. But every day, I was carrying them.
One afternoon, a church group came into the restaurant, just back from a revival. I served them their meals like I served any other table. But something happened while I was serving them. I can't fully explain it to you. The Lord spoke to me. He said, “Stop running from Me.”
It knocked me back.
I went to find the table, and they were all gone. I could see through their windows that they were getting on their bus, and I knew deep down that if I let them drive away, I was going to keep running. So I went outside. The last woman, just as she was stepping onto the bus, turned to me and asked, “Are you okay?”
I told her, “No ma’am, I’m not okay.” I told her the Lord was telling me to stop running.
That whole bus emptied out, stood with me in the parking lot of a Cracker Barrel in Tallahassee, Florida, and prayed over me right there.
I gave my life to Christ that day. Right there.
I still get emotional about it. Because I know what I was before that moment, and I know what He's done since. He gave me a wife who shares my faith. He gave me three sons. He gave me a career, a community, a calling I never would have dared to ask for. He took a kid from Crown Heights who’d run out of chances and gave him a life that doesn't make sense apart from grace.
People ask me sometimes why I talk about it. Why I bring up the parking lot. Why I don't just keep that part private and let folks see the polished version.
I'll tell you why.
Because there's a young man out there right now — maybe in Tallahassee, maybe in Tampa, maybe in Miami, maybe in a small town in the Panhandle — who thinks his story is already over. Who thinks the mistakes he's made disqualify him from the life he could have had. Who thinks God doesn't want anything to do with somebody like him.
I'm here to tell him: that's a lie.
In life, you're not who you are at the lowest point. You're who you choose to become after.
The Lord met me in a Cracker Barrel parking lot. He'll meet you wherever you are.
You just have to stop running.
It’s that time again to prepare for hurricane season. It begins on June 1 and runs through Nov. 30, with tropical storm activity typically peaking between August and October. Read the full Village Connection here: https://t.co/nSrRvv8rYf
Situated next to sister company Naples Cyclery, on Vanderbilt Beach Road in Naples, Bicyclette Cookshop is equal parts polished and approachable. This vibrant eatery invites guests on a gastronomic adventure. https://t.co/Ino7LIkd2W
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In Estero, a growing group of women are reshaping what local success looks like. Read the full cover story here: https://t.co/zVtPV8BHIL
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*** UP Coming ***
Aging With Confidence: An Estate Planning Luncheon
Today, May 13 @ 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Free
Full details on the event here: https://t.co/gtP3Zsy7oA
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Don’t miss our May digital issue!
Featured stories include:
Mom-trepreneurs
‘Service above self’
Village Connection
Plus our dining feature on Bicyclette Cookshop in Naples.
Read full digital issue here:https://t.co/oqy2dZVNnb
#EsteroLife#EsteroInsider#DigitalIssue