WWI Upgrades Computer System
 It’s always the same drill.  You feel you need a new system since the other one is dated and doesn’t give you the things you want or need.  Then about half way through the installation you wonder why you didn’t leave well enough alone.  Hopefully our new system will assist in guest bookings, will process credit cards faster, will give us the desired reports we need, and it should allow guests to book directly from their personal computers.

Summertime Specials
It’s that time of year again when the temperatures go up a bit and the rates come down a lot.  They are about 40% less than you would pay in prime or high season.  But during the summer and fall, you always seem to find a breeze on Sanibel Island.  What you will not find are the crowds, the lines to get into a restaurant, parking lots so full you give up, and of course the winter traffic on our few roads. Check out our summer/fall packages at www.westwindinn.com. 

West Wind Inn Family
It is appropriate this quarter to bid farewell to Jay Halcrow, who has been our Sales & Marketing Director since 1987.  Jay is retiring and moving to Sarasota to enjoy the culture, galleries, restaurants, museums, etc., that city has to offer.  She comes from Boston and has lived in many places, including Spain, where she was a “rep” for the Estee Lauder cosmetic company.  Prior to West Wind Inn, Jay worked for several years for Burdines in Miami in the sales/marketing arena.  The Lee County Visitors & Convention Bureau recently honored Jay as a charter member of the “Junonia Club”, which recognizes individuals with unique capabilities and leadership in the tourism industry.  We will remember her many accomplishments and will miss her good humor and clever wit.  Charlene Staton, who replaces Jay as our Sales & Marketing Director, joins us from the Edison-Ford Estates where she has several years experience in the sales and marketing profession.

Causeway Update
While it seems to be taking forever, progress is being made on the new causeway bridge to Sanibel Island.  Like most projects of this size, the contractors are behind their original schedule.  The latest estimate has the job being completed in February, 2007, which will include the new toll booth building.  The new structure will have 2 single lanes for traffic plus two 8’ wide breakdown lanes on either side.  The tall bridge span will be 70’ above the water level.  Once the old causeway structure is demolished, the debris will be shipped out 5 miles into the gulf to form the Sanibel Reef.  (For you fishermen, it will be located at 26-22.98N/82-01.1W).

New Sanibel Recreation Center
Good news for you exercise buffs and health “nuts”.  The Sanibel residents on April 4th approved a new $14 millions dollar Rec Center to be located next to the Sanibel School.  It will contain a multi-purpose pool area, an air conditioned gym with 2 basketball courts, a weight room, an exercise room, an arts & craft room, male and female locker rooms, a family restroom and 4 outdoor tennis courts.  It should take about a year to complete. 

Did You Know
The original name of the J. N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge?  This 6,400 acre refuge was established in 1945 as the “Sanibel National Wildlife Refuge”.  It was not until 1967 that it was renamed to honor cartoonist/conservationist “Ding” Darling.

Sweepstakes Winner
Each quarter we select one entry from our sweepstakes contest on our web site.  The winner receives a free one-week stay (off season) at the West Wind Inn.  This last quarter’s entrants numbered  486 – and the winner was Ms. Lori D. of Selma AL.  Keep those entries coming and you might be a winner.

More Baths Scheduled for Remodel
This summer 16 more baths are scheduled for remodel in Buttonwood Building (units 121-128 & 221-228).  This will complete the bath upgrades in Azalea, Buttonwood & Croton buildings – with Driftwood still to go.

A Good vs. a True Friend
A good friend will come and bail you out of jail….but a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, “Damn, that was fun!!”

Recipe of The Quarter
Each quarter we feature a recipe, either one sent to us or from a guest or from an employee of the West Wind Inn.  If we use a recipe sent to us, we send them two free West Wind Inn T-shirts – so forward that special recipe to us.  This quarter we have a drink recipe just perfect for the summer.