The 3rd Annual Benefit for Cooper Street Kids (After-school program in Punta Gorda, FL) took place last weekend. I enjoyed the Home Tour put together by  various clubs and groups of the Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association; all proceeds will benefit the After-school program. The home tour was a resounding success, and was well attended by community members and sponsors.

As I told you before, it appears the supply of things to do in our neck of the woods is suddenly unending. I remember saying to anyone who would listen (mostly my hubby) back when we first moved to Florida: “What were we thinking?”, since at the time the sidewalks in town rolled-up by 9 p.m, earlier during weekdays. This was 20 years ago, and there really was nothing to do. For a city-dweller from Brooklyn, such as myself, this was torture.

My solution? Miami is 3-hours south–it seemed appropriate at the time and still does today, to head out-of-town whenever our small town starts to make me feel claustrophobic. These days destinations vary but still, I am a city girl at heart and I crave arts and culture, great dining experiences and more; so whenever I get the urge to wander, I go looking for my fix.

Things have changed. I now marvel at the number of things to do, there are even new restaurants (non-chain) popping up here and there–sometimes there are so many things going on at the same time, it is hard to choose. I love having this dilemma; and yes, there is always Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota, Fort Myers, Naples, FL within reach, you get my point. One of the advantages of our location on the Gulf of Mexico is that all these cities are within an hour to three-hour car ride. Aah…the Florida life!

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