Andrea Melendez

Several Fort Myers nonprofits present bicycles to area children with disabilities

Robbie’s Riders, Grampy’s Charities and Sanibel Captiva Community Bank presented adaptive bicycles and tricycles to Southwest Florida children with special needs and their families.

The African Children's Choir took the stage at Naples Seventh Day Adventist Church on March 27, for rehearsal before performing in traditional costumes alongside rows of drums. The concert runs on donations only, with every dollar going back to education in Uganda.

Culture and Connections

African Children’s Choir in Naples as part of U.S. tour; performances support program

Elizabeth Andarge, Andrea Melendez

In Naples, young Ugandan performers take the stage and share stirring songs and tales that allude to a far greater journey away from the spotlight.

Chris Alonso's mother Kena had a disease that slowly took everything from her. Her muscles. Her voice. Her thirty years of working the land beside her son, who is a landscape architect. She asked them to put her in the ground. Chris and his wife Lauren Robie created Hope Eternal Gardens in Punta Gorda. A natural burial option where the land can then be kept as a memorial plot for flowers and trees to grow. What people decide about their end of life arrangements can say *everything* about how they lived. We met with three families who chose a *different* kind of goodbye. One by land, one by water and another just under the skin.

Human Interest

Alternative burial options found across Florida -- from skin deep to below the waves

Elizabeth Andarge, Andrea Melendez

For many, what happens after death is rarely discussed. For others, it becomes an ongoing and meaningful conversation. WGCU met with three families who embraced a different kind of farewell.

People dressed as characters from author Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaiden's Tale," were among the thousands who came to U.S. 41 and Daniels parkway in Fort Myers Saturday for the third No Kinmgs protest rally. Similar events were held in various Southwest Florida sites, other parts of the state and across the United States and the world.

Human Interest

Thousands across Southwest Florida voice opposition to current Washington administration in third No Kings protest

Michael Braun, Dayna Harpster, Cary Barbor, Eileen Kelley, Tom Bayles, Elizabeth Andarge, Kate Cronin, Pam James, Amanda Whittamore, Andrea Melendez, Marc Garber, Mike Walcher, Youn-Joo Park, Tom James

It was a show of protest, frustration, disaffection and concern and it was shared by thousands Saturday in various Southwest Florida sites, other parts of the state and across the United States and the world. The No Kings III event was billed as a protest rally and drew people of many different political affiliations who said they had concerns with how the current administration in Washington run by President Donald Trump was handling things.

The pigs race for vanilla cream cookies and David says they 100% love to run. The Rosaire’s Royal Racers put on a show last week at the Sarasota County Fair. David Rosaire, a self-described swine master behind Rosaire's Royal Racers, has been putting pigs on racetracks since his father founded the company in 1987. Now, nearly four decades later, David is getting ready to take the reins...while the pigs take the track. Hundreds of biggie fans fill the stands to cheer on their favorite. The best part to putting on the show, for David, is the generations that come back year after year.

Human Interest

For love of cookies, these pigs can run -- for nearly 40 years at Sarasota's County Fair

Elizabeth Andarge, Andrea Melendez

Pig racing has been a Sarasota County Fair staple for nearly 40 years. The family behind it is just getting started.

Human Interest

Amish and Mennonite women in Sarasota community question the future of quilting

Elizabeth Andarge, Andrea Melendez

Florida’s largest Amish and Mennonite community is in Sarasota. Tourists come for the quilts. WGCU explores what’s changing behind the seams.

Three generations of the Magenheim family enjoy the food at the Festival. The 18th Annual Jewish Food Festival at Temple Sinai in Sarasota was held this Sunday, Feb 1, 2026. Brisket, pastrami and corned beef sandwiches were served by local restaurant Wolfie’s. As well as baked goods, matzoh ball soup, strudels and more.The Temple served up a celebration of flavors and traditions of their community.

Culture and Connections

Community is at forefront of Sarasota Jewish Food Festival

Elizabeth Andarge, Andrea Melendez

Temple Sinai celebrated their 18th annual Jewish Food Festival over the weekend.

A pond on the campus of Florida Gulf Coast University is feet lower due to the lack of rainfall in Southwest Florida last year; firefighters recently gathered to make the public aware of the threat of wildfire the year-long drought has created

Environment

Awaiting a spark: Firefighters fear Southwest Florida is ready to burn

Tom Bayles, Andrea Melendez

A drought unlike any the Sunshine State has seen for more than 20 years has been drying out portions of the state — especially Southwest Florida

Markham Lancaster, Fort Myers High School, tried soldering for the first time. He wants to going into a trade after high school. “It’s just cool and there’s good money in it”, Lancaster said. Lee County’s Build My Future 2025 was held Thursday, October 23rd at JetBlue Park. The event provides invaluable career opportunities for local students by bringing together students, educators, industry professionals, and community partners within the construction field. The event has a shared goal of bridging the skilled workforce gap and sparking interest in construction careers.

Business/Economy

Lee BIA's Build My Future Lee County event offers opportunity to students in construction trades

Michael Braun, Andrea Melendez

Local construction industry leaders took a crack this week at showing area high school students how building a future isn't just a play on words.

Naples Artist, Wendy Wanger, created pencil and red chalk drawings of individuals who are unhoused and living at St. Mathew’s House. The portraits are on display at her gallery. She sketched practice portraits while the subjects were interviewed to capture live emotion.

Arts & Culture

'Faces Beyond Homelessness' exhibit highlights stories of recovery

Dayna Harpster, Andrea Melendez

St. Matthew's House residents are featured in an exhibit of portraits titled "Faces Beyond Homelessness." Artist Wendy Wagner of Naples used chalk, charcoal and graphite to illustrate 10 current or former residents.