Innehållsförteckning för May/June 2020 från Naples Illustrated

As we reflect upon the COVID-19 pandemic, our hearts are filled with gratitude for those on the front lines, particularly those in health care—the doctors, nurses, and medical staff who are working tirelessly, putting themselves in harm’s way to care for those who are ill. Naples’s world-class medical community is a blessing to us all. Many types of heroes have emerged during the coronavirus crisis. Thank you to the employees of our grocery stores, pharmacies, hardware stores, and other essential retail locations who have kept their doors open, shelves stocked, and patience intact as we inquired, again and again, when the next shipment of toilet paper would arrive. To those behind the scenes—the truck drivers, the mail carriers—who continue to operate business as usual so that we can maintain some…

Naples glassblower and teacher Conrad Williams creates custom toasting flutes and wedding favors destined to be cherished long after the “I dos.” Williams, whose work is showcased in local galleries, made his first pair of flutes about 18 years ago for a friend’s wedding. “I didn’t know what to get them, so I made them,” recalls the artist, who transforms 2,500-degree molten globs of silica into elegant objects. The Naples native earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in glass and sculpture from the California College of the Arts before undertaking internships with Dale Chihuly and Ben Moore in Seattle. The flute bowls typically are clear to reveal the bubbly contents, but the glass itself can incorporate small bubbles too. The stem and foot are designed to match the wedding’s…

When children begin to express an interest in fashion, the apple usually doesn’t fall far from the tree. Mom’s closet becomes a treasure trove of inspiration and a sense of style blossoms. Recognizing the desire for moms to coordinate with their kiddos, Oscar de la Renta recently launched a campaign dressing real mother-daughter duos. The looks, available online at oscardelarenta.com, pair elegance with playful innocence, highlighting the unbreakable bond between mother and child. Turn the page for more Mother’s Day gift ideas.…

You always recall your first time and wonder, could it last or lead to forever? In this instance, Jillian Haverkate dipped her toes into online dating. Grant Finlayson was the first man she noticed, and that was the last time she opened the app. This poster couple for dynamic, young professionals living in Miami got married in Naples last year, blending modern, stylish details with revered traditions. A website, a nautical logo, even their own hashtag (#4EverFinlayson), pushed the wedding plan to full throttle, while nostalgia kept their romance idling toward a sentimental slip. Jillian was a physician recruiter, and Grant was in medical school at Michigan State University when they met in Grand Rapids. It was the fall of 2015, and both were 24 years old. “We met the…

Even a dish as humble as French toast gets the royal treatment at Sails on Fifth Avenue South. “This is a classic I always order when I travel,” says co-owner Veljko Pavicevic. “I wanted to create a version I hadn’t eaten in the past.” His solution was to soak slices of French baguettes in Grand Marnier–infused custard and bake them until golden brown. Topped with locally grown berries and finished with small-batch, 100-percent natural maple syrup from a farm owned by the chef’s cousin, the toast is crusty on the outside with a soft, pudding-like center. It is on offer as part of the combined lunch/brunch menu, available daily through May 12, or during the year-round Sunday brunch, when diners can indulge in a three course feast with unlimited Champagne…

“We won’t know until we know,” was a common refrain from cultural organizations, nonprofits, and galleries in late March as we assembled the calendar for this issue. May and June were too distant for planning, as the uncertain impacts of COVID-19 remained vastly unknown. From galas to author talks, gatherings large and small were canceled or postponed, creating a domino effect expected to affect artists, performers, and institutions well into May and June—and, potentially, beyond. Despite the lack of formal events, art continues to surround us in the form of public installations. If the family has been feeling cooped up and bereft of cultural enrichment, venture out—with care to keep appropriate social distancing—to view these works that dot Southwest Florida. Have the kids bring along a camera or sketchbook so…

Colby Robertson first began visiting Naples for spring break and Thanksgiving with her family in 1985. Fast forward to 2011, and the Minnesota native made the Paradise Coast her full-time home. The former TV reporter, who earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and psychology from the University of Miami, now serves as the executive director of Wellfit Girls, a Naples-based nonprofit dedicated to the wellness and empowerment of female teens. In addition to racking up an array of racing ribbons and completing the 2019 TransRockies sixday race, Robertson counts being named the 2014 Young Professional of the Year by the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce as one of her proudest moments.…

Most summers resound with matrimonial bliss as couples swap rings and soar off on honeymoons, eager to embrace the next phase. This year, however, the coronavirus has silenced church bells, shuttered banquet halls, and left many couples in limbo, wondering when—or if—to reschedule. As our hearts go out to those affected, we invite you to celebrate not only the shuffled nuptials that have been put on hold but also the beautiful weddings that occurred before the crisis. Brooke Stayer Wagner, whose parents live in Port Royal, and Tucker Reimer were married in Naples shortly before the pandemic’s full grip. The story of their three-day event—extraordinary in both its breadth and hospitality—begins on page 48. Also in this wedding issue, we present Jillian Haverkate and Grant Finlay-son, a couple who wed…

Most Southwest Floridians know that the Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1, and for Neapolitans who hunkered down for Hurricane Irma in 2017, preparation and post-storm recovery are a not-too-distant memory. Getting one’s ducks in a row can help to ward off anxiety, which is the goal of the third annual Get Organized Hurricane Preparedness Event. Dan Summers, director of the Collier County Bureau of Emergency Services, and Marla Ottenstein, Naples’ premier professional organizer, will present the free seminar on June 3 at Artis—Naples. Summers is a 35-year emergency management veteran who has coordinated operations for more than 20 declared disasters. Ottenstein is a former local columnist who shared organizing and decluttering tips for 10 years and has honed her “Ultimate Hurricane Checklist,” which seminar attendees will receive, for a…

1 THE GASPARILLA INN & CLUB City: Boca Grande Vibe: Seaside sophistication Maximum occupancy: 300 Southern hospitality, vintage allure, and coastal panoramas are a few reasons this seasonal, century-old destination continues to top brides’ lists. Take your pick of enclosed and plein air environs, from a ceremony on the croquet lawn to a reception at the Beach Club, the Gulf of Mexico serving as a cerulean backdrop. Once the party wraps up, head to your suite or one of the cozy cottages boasting private lanais with breathtaking garden views. (the-gasparilla-inn.com) 2 LA CASA TOSCANA City: Fort Myers Vibe: Tuscan retreat Maximum occupancy: 150 Searching for a memorable spot for their eldest son’s nuptials, La Casa’s owners turned to their own home for inspiration. This private-turned-public estate is imbued with Tuscan touches…

THE LISTINGS The Naples area is packed with an abundance of great eateries, serving up food and drinks to satisfy every palate. Naples Illustrated has rounded up details on can’t miss places for dining delights. = NI’s Dining Hall of Fame* *Dining establishments that have won three or more Dining Awards in the same category are inducted into NI’s Dining Hall of Fame. The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the restaurant industry. Here, we outline a selection of area eateries that, as of press time, are open for takeout and/or delivery service. Please consider supporting locally owned restaurants during this difficult time. AMERICAN ALEXANDER’S The tastes of farm-to-table American and European cuisine commingle at this fine dining establishment. 4077 Tamiami Trail N., Naples (alexandersnaples.com) ALICE SWEETWATER’S BAR & GRILLE An…

Seeking a seasonal getaway, a New Jersey couple searched for several years until they discovered this East Naples, three-bedroom residence. Situated on a small lake, the new 2,432-square-foot home in Winding Cypress was ideal, with the exception of the plain interior that was in dire need of some Southwest Florida attitude. During the home-buying process, the couple had collected the business cards of various designers and realized that the interiors they were most drawn to were by Minka McDonald, president of Naples-based Jinx McDonald Interior Designs, and design associate Janine Blume. “This was a really fun project,” McDonald says. “They wanted a chic coastal design with a cool green and blue color scheme with a happy vibe. They like to entertain family and friends and have a lot of house…

What began as a glance on a school bus in Wisconsin would culminate in one of Naples’ most spectacular weddings, a three-day event marked by pageantry and grace that ranged from Port Royal to The Ritz—both resorts, beach and golf. “Tucker saw Brooke for the first time in fourth grade,” Ralph Stayer told 500 guests seated on the carpeted lawn of The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in early March. “They rode the same bus, but they went to different schools, so Tucker didn’t find out who that cute girl was until Brooke changed schools in seventh grade. …What began as a friendship back in junior high has blossomed into a deep, abiding love, which is why we are here today—to witness the union of Tucker and Brooke.” Stayer, owner of Johnsonville…

RAVISHING RUFFLES Pump up the volume with feminine ruffles and vintage inspired tiers of lace and tulle ROYAL TOUCH Delicately draping over gowns, capes offer coverage and create a regal moment RETRO REDUX Channel glamorous Hollywood screen sirens in waist-cinching silhouettes, luxe silks, and lavish trains IT TAKES TWO Chic separates spare tradition but not style, creating an option for the adventurous FLOWER POWER Blossoms from Mother Earth materialize in sculptural adornments, origami-like appliqués, and intricate floral embellishments…

Sisters Kris Thornhill and Jennifer Wardlaw encourage their customers to “get their graze on,” and they’re willing to do all the work to make it happen. Thornhill and Wardlaw operate locations of A Grazing Plate in Naples and Chattanooga, Tennessee, respectively. For Thornhill, the new business represents a hobby gone wild. While she always enjoyed arranging artistic trays for dinner guests, her moment of awakening occurred when she filled a pizza box with charcuterie and brought it to a ladies’ happy hour. “The response was overwhelming,” she recalls. “People eat with their eyes, and I realized there was a demand for beautifully presented platters.” She sources her ingredients from local markets, with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal, and organic fare. Her arrangements come in three sizes: small boxes for two, larger…

The best warm-weather cocktails follow the low-proof trend of the moment. Composed of top-quality ingredients and featuring minimal alcohol, they are classics that never seem to go out of style. FRENCH SPRITZ: Move over, Aperol spritz, because this supercharged version of the St-Germain cocktail is poised to surpass you in popularity. Combine club soda, Champagne or sparkling wine, and St-Germain with Suze, a French liqueur distilled from macerated gentian roots. PIMM’S CUP: Invented in 1820s London, Pimm’s No. 1 Cup is a 25-percent gin-based liqueur infused with a secret blend of herbs and citrus. Mixed with club soda, Sprite, or English lemonade, it’s usually served with a bouquet of garnishes: apples, cucumbers, oranges, lemons, strawberries, and mint. Wimbledon attendees consume 80,000 pints each year at the annual tennis tournament, and…

L.M. Wilde said, “When we honor the Earth, we honor ourselves.” Well, caring for the planet has never looked so good. Cruelty free formulas, recyclable packaging, and nontoxic, organic ingredients lead the charge in this clean beauty roundup: Care Skincare Soft Sweep Micellar Cleanser + Toner ($24, careskincare.com); Esscentials Good Morning! Moisturizer with orange zest and peach blossom ($25, amazon.com); Crunchi Sunlight Daily Facial Moisturizing SPF 30 Sunscreen ($48, crunchi.com); Alpyn Beauty PlantGenius Melt Moisturizer with Bakuchiol ($60, sephora.com); Soleil Toujours Organic Cocofleur Hydrating Antioxidant Mist ($34, soleiltoujours.com); and Care Skincare Tireless Retinoid Night Serum ($45, careskincare.com).…