Fall 2005

WWI Gets New Furnishings
The tractor trailer trucks rolled in one day in July and when they left our Azalea and Croton buildings had all new furniture. The units in those buildings now sport well made cherry furniture with black granite tops, new chairs, new drapes, and even a mirrored wall for the added touch. New lamps and art work are on the way. Our goal is to complete the bathroom renovation and to provide a similar refurnishing program for the south half of Buttonwood building this year. (Azalea & Croton bathrooms are already complete). Next year we should finish the remainder of Buttonwood.

The Great Calusa Bluewav
You may have already heard, but the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau, took some of that "bed tax" money that you left here last time and invested it in a world-class paddling trail throughout our area. So if you want a little (or a lot) of exercise on your next visit, the paddling trail is a great way to see the nature of SW Florida up close. There are trails for the Novice, the Intermediate and the Expert. You can find out more data by going to the website www.GreatCalusaBlueway.com  and you can even request a map from that site.

West Wind Inn Family
We feature this month the Chef of our own Normandie Seaside Cafe, Doug Conaway. Doug began with us in April of  2000 as a full time cook and after seeing his talent, was promoted to the  #1 position in December of that year. Doug is originally from Wheeling, West Virginia.  After working on various construction projects in that climate, in 1992 he realized that Florida would be a better environment in which to work. Once here in the sunshine state, he quickly moved up the Food & Beverage ladder - dishwasher, line cook, saute cook, meat cutter, etc. All Doug's food is tasty but his ribs are his particular specialty (Taste of the Islands Winner in 1999) - of course you will find them on our menu. He enjoys what he is doing and it shows.

In and Around Our Island
The new $438 million Southwest Florida International Airport Terminal opening has been delayed from the July 20th target date. It is hoped to go online within the next 60 days. It is the 5th busiest airport in Florida (48th in the USA). Construction on the new causeway that services Sanibel Island is said to be on schedule. ' The majority of the foundation work is now complete and visible improvements above the water line are now evident. It is estimated that the bridge portion should be completed by the Spring of 2006. Soon it will be much easier to get onto Summerlin Road (the road to Sanibel Island) from Gladiolas Drive (the road from the airport) since the county has approved a "flyover" at that intersection, whereby traffic will merge into the Summerlin traffic without traffic lights.

Darvl Retires
After more than 16 years with the West Wind Inn, Daryl Jorgenson (our Front Office Manager) is hanging up his spurs. He is retiring to an area just north of Tampa (San Antonio, Florida) - a base for his planned travels, not to mention a place to grow his vegetables. All of you who knew Daryl will miss his easy-going personality, his pride in caring for our guests and his dedication to the West Wind Inn. The automobile market in southwest Florida, however, will never be the same (Daryl would trade cars about as often as one changes socks). He has been in the hospitality business all his life, starting when he was 16. He opened the Caesars Palace in 1966 and joined us from one of those "mega" hotels in Las Vegas in 1989. Surely he has earned his place in the sun - preferably on a hammock under a shade tree with a cool drink in his hand. Bob Guzzo (currently our Reservations Manager) will move up to Daryl's post.

Sweepstakes Winner
Each quarter we select one entry from our sweepstakes contest on our website. The winner receives a free one-week stay (off season) at the West Wind Inn. This last quarter's entrants numbered almost 963 - and the winner was Mr. Dan B. of San Francisco, CA. Keep those entries coming and you might be a winner. Since we started this contest in the winter of 2003, we have had winners from Florida, England, Maryland, Washington (State), Illinois, New Hampshire, and Canada.

Recipe of The Quarter
Each quarter we feature a recipe, either one sent to us or from an employee of the West Wind Inn. Ifwe 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 recipe from Cheryl Anderson, our Guest Relations Manager (and an excellent baker).