An expertly curated, luxuriously produced compendium of all things Naples, Naples Illustrated brings to life personalities and takes you inside the exclusive homes, parties and interests of the world’s most affluent and influential people.
The holiday season is upon us. I’ll be frank: It’s been a bit of a challenge to excite myself. As our community continues to recover from Hurricane Ian, creating a fantastic, festive tree and shopping for the perfect gifts for family and friends seem at least somewhat trifling. I suppose nothing puts life into perspective more quickly than an act of God. Ironically though, catastrophes like Ian can have unifying effects and can bring people closer—much like the power of the holidays, I suppose. And, when I think about the ways Southwest Florida has cried together, rallied together, and forged ahead together, my heart delights in sanguinity. With this issue of Naples Illustrated, we’re happy to feature part-time Naples designer Shelley Johnstone Paschke, whose brilliant smile you’ll find on our…
SAND DOLLAR AWARDS 2022 EVENT: Collier Building Industry Association (CBIA) 2022 Sand Dollar Awards WHAT: The Timeless Twenties-Past-Present-Future WHERE: The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples DETAILS: The building industry gathered together for an evening gala celebrating 32 years of excellence in the construction industry honoring 64 companies with awards for their contributions. IT’S ALL FOR THE KIDS EVENT: Toast to Southwest Florida Children’s Charities WHAT: Private reception, check presentation, and tours of the pediatric intensive care unit and the adolescent and young adult oncology lounge WHERE: Golisano Children’s Hospital, Fort Myers DETAILS: Southwest Florida Children’s Charities celebrated the honor of becoming the top donor to Golisano Children’s Hospital and Lee Health in the organization’s more than 100-year history by raising more than $23 million since 2008 to support children’s health care…
Jennifer Johnson likes to talk. “I’m all about connecting and public speaking,” she explains, sharing that before podcasts were a thing, she hosted a radio show. Since launching The Fashionista Life podcast in July 2022, Johnson has already recorded 20 episodes, discussing such topics as interior design, beauty, parenting, and finances. Johnson is the owner and founder of Florida’s largest lifestyle consignment store, True Fashionistas, located in the Galleria Shoppes in North Naples. Along with her husband, Brad, she opened the store in 2011 and quickly grew it to a more than 13,000-square-foot consignment store with online sales. The motivation for her podcast was born from her desire to connect with her loyal customers and from her belief that “the spoken word is more relatable and connectable.” She also comments…
By day, our beaches are populated with sunbathers; by the light of the moon, from March through October, female sea turtles lumber through the sand to lay their eggs. One of the oldest creatures on earth, the sea turtle is an endangered species, with only one in 1,000 surviving to adulthood. In addition to the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, Florida statutes afford protection to the species, as well as to the habitat of the marine turtle. Even with laws in place, saving sea turtles has become a community endeavor. The Collier County Parks and Recreation Sea Turtle Protection Program surveys more than 22 miles of beaches daily from May 1 to October 31, monitoring sea turtle activity. A report of its efforts is compiled every year and available…
Famous for its lustrous coat of gold, the golden retriever is one of America’s most popular dog breeds. The American Kennel Club describes the golden retriever as intelligent, friendly, and devoted. The flattering descriptions continue: outgoing, trustworthy, eager to please, and easy to train. In other words, goldens are the perfect companions. And that’s why many are bred for a life of service, including assisting wounded veterans and children with life-changing disabilities as part of Golden PAWS Assistance Dogs. Following Hurricane Ian, Golden PAWS sent out a crisis team of dogs and handlers to visit, comfort, and console first responders, senior living facilities, and families who lost everything. The nonprofit organization was founded in Naples by Jeannie Bates in 2012. As Florida is home to the third largest wounded veteran…
Barbara Evans has been appointed the new CEO of Champions For Learning, Collier County’s community-based nonprofit organization in support of education. Evans succeeds Susan McManus, who stepped down in May, after 32 years with the organization. McManus served on the founding board of the organization in 1990 and became the staff executive leader at Champions For Learning (The Education Foundation of Collier County) in 1993. Evans is an experienced nonprofit executive and will take the lead on Champions For Learning’s annual fundraising efforts, increasing capacity to support more students and educators and expanding programming to support the needs of students in Collier County. Evans brings 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience to the organization; she was formerly chief development officer at Harry Chapin Food Bank. She also served as…
