By Katrina Salokar | EastLeeNews.com More than 500 people attended the Florida 250 Cracker Cowboy Festival at the Alva Museum during a weekend celebration honoring Florida’s original cow hunters and ranching families. The event marked the opening of the Florida 250 Cracker Cowboy Exhibit, now on display through July 4, 2026. Visitors traveled from across […]
East Lee News
Merrill Morrison’s Life Built on Craft and Service
By: James Kennedy | EastLeeNews.com ALVA, Fla. — Tucked along a rural stretch of Alva is a business that reflects both Old Florida practicality and decades of craftsmanship. But behind the stacks of rare hardwoods at Alva Hardwoods is a life story that stretches far beyond lumber. Merrill Morrison, owner of Alva Hardwoods, has spent […]
Finding Purpose Through Grief and End-of-Life Care
By: Jennifer Anger | Special to the East Lee News There are moments in life that quietly change everything, the kind you never prepare for. A final breath. An empty chair. The stillness that follows loss. In those moments, we come face to face with both the fragility and the depth of being human. We […]
70’s Celebrity Dinner Supports Lehigh Services
By Katrina Salokar | EastLeeNews.com Bell bottoms, disco vibes, and community spirit filled the room Saturday night as supporters gathered at The Club at Gateway for the 2nd Annual Celebrity Waiter/Waitress Dinner benefiting Lehigh Community Services. More than just a themed fundraiser, the evening brought together local leaders, volunteers, sponsors, and residents for a night […]
Is It Finally A Good Time To Shop Insurance In Southwest Florida? (It Might Be.)
By: Tyler Smith | Brightway Insurance, the Smith & Mitchell Agency If you’ve lived in Southwest Florida the past few years, you probably don’t need anyone to tell you insurance has been… a bit of a rollercoaster. Rates went up. Options were limited. And for many homeowners and drivers, it felt like you just had […]
Hendry House Named to Florida’s 11 to Save
By: Katrina Salokar | EastLeeNews.com The LaBelle Downtown Revitalization Corporation is proud to announce that the historic Captain Francis A. Hendry House, home of Captain Francis Asbury Hendry, founder of LaBelle, has been selected for inclusion on the 2026 Florida’s 11 to Save list by the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, one of the state’s […]
Christian School Offers At-Risk Youth New Hope
By Katrina Salokar | EastLeeNews.com Academy launches with a faith-based mission helping students prepare for graduation and the workforce A new faith-based private school launching in Southwest Florida is preparing to serve high school students who have fallen behind, become discouraged, or been pushed to the edge of dropping out. Champions Christian Academy, founded by […]
Fix The Civic Center
By: Amanda Cochran | AmandaForLee.com The recent 65th Annual Cracker Day Rodeo hosted by the Lee County Posse once again demonstrated the strong demand for agricultural and civic events in Lee County. For decades, the Posse has provided successful community events through volunteerism, leadership, and long-term investment in its own facilities. This year’s turnout made […]
The Roar – May/June 2026 Issue
June Programs at Riverdale Public Library
Next month’s roster of activities at Riverdale Public Library offers topics for all ages. The following activities are free to the public: Adult Programs Knit and Stitch 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, 17 A casual, self-guided group for knitting, crochet and other needle arts. Join in to share projects, ideas and techniques. Participants are encouraged […]
