Outrigger Beach Resort
6200 Estero Blvd.
Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Phone:
(800) 658 9989
Fax:
(239) 463-3629
Email:
rooms@outriggerfmb.com
www.outriggerfmb.com
The Play the Resort Package has been extended! Visit the website for reservations or call for Christmas and January special rates!
Love the Outrigger?
Tell the world why!
Visit the Resort Guest Book
19th Annual American Sandsculpting Festival
In front of the Outrigger Beach Resort November 9 - 13, 2005
www.sandfestival.com
Body Carnival Exhibit at the Imaginarium
Downtown Fort Myers
www.cityftmyers.com/imaginarium
Man of LaMancha at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre
Oct 6 - Nov 19
www.BroadwayPalm.com
Fort Myers Boat Show
Downtown Fort Myers - Nov 10 - 13
www.fortmyersboatshow.com
My Fair Lady
Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall- Nov 15 - Nov 20
www.bbmannpah.com
Big Arts Annual Art Fair & Pioneer Days
Sanibel Island
www.bigarts.org
Grand Unveiling at the Edison Ford Winter Estates
Downtown Fort Myers
www.edison-ford-estate.com
Fort Myers Beach Boat Parade
Fort Myers Beach
www.fmbchamber.org
Cats at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre
Dec 29 - March 4
www.BroadwayPalm.com
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Big Hair at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre
An Evening of Music & Fun
“Well, don’t you look snappy,” Darla proclaimed as her husband, Frank, emerged from their room.
When you stay at The Outrigger, your attire normally consists of flip flops, a bathing suit, and a pair of sunglasses. So it was a treat to see everyone a little dressed up. My other half, Vern, even ironed a crisp seam down the front of his khakis.
What was the occasion? We were off to the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in Fort Myers for an evening of food and entertainment.
The 2005-2006 season includes Man of La Mancha, The Sounds of Christmas, Cats, Oklahoma!, Godspell, and the Sound of Music. We were seeing Beehive, a musical tribute to the girl groups and soloists of the 60's.
Enjoying a matinee or evening show at the Broadway Palm has become a tradition for the four of us. We’ve been escaping the cold of Ohio and staying at The Outrigger for twelve years in a row; coincidentally, the Broadway Palm is celebrating its 12th season. So we’ve been there to see at least one show each season since they opened their doors.
And we aren’t the only ones who love the Broadway Palm. The theatre entertains over 150,000 guests annually!
“What’s on the menu tonight?” Vern asked.
“We’ll soon find out,” I said, as we entered the theatre.
The buffet included carved smoked ham, deep-fried Pollock with two dipping sauces, parmesan-crusted chicken, roasted sirloin of beef, spinach and egg fettuccini gorgonzola Alfredo, vegetable gratin, Cajun-style new potatoes, risotto primavera, French-style green beans with celery and water chestnuts, a full salad bar with rolls and butter, as well as Caesar salad.
“What’s for dessert?” Darla asked. “I’m craving chocolate.”
“I hope they have something sugar free,” Frank said, thinking of his diabetes.
We were all in luck. The ice cream table offered vanilla and chocolate ice cream with an assortment of toppings. The dessert buffet featured sugar-free cheesecake, fresh fruit, and a variety of cakes and pies.
“I’m stuffed,” Vern pronounced.
“Me too,” I said as the lights began to dim.
It was show time - and the musical magic began. We swayed and snapped our fingers to songs by The Chiffons, The Supremes, Aretha Franklin, Connie Francis, Leslie Gore, and more.
Darla and I couldn’t help but sing along to R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Other songs included The Name Game, It's My Party, You Don't Own Me, Where the Boys Are, and I Hear A Symphony.
But most of all, we couldn’t stop giggling at the over-the-top hair. There were 43 large and tall wigs, along with 30 flashy costumes.
Vern leaned over to me and said, “And I thought you used a lot of hairspray.”
“You just wish you had hair,” I teased back.
We’re always impressed with the quality of the Broadway Palm cast, along with the professional (and often elaborate) sets. We read in the program that Gary John La Rosa directed and choreographed Beehive. He’s directed numerous productions across the country including Footloose, West Side Story, La Cage aux Folles, Smokey Joe’s Café, Fiddler on the Roof, Camelot, and last season’s Always, Patsy Cline at the Broadway Palm.
We left the theatre singing and laughing - and breathing in the warm Florida air. There’s nothing like a comical and light-hearted musical to set just the right mood for a vacation.
“No dressing up tomorrow,” Frank said. “Back to the Outrigger’s Tiki Bar in my swimsuit.”
Darla laughed. “It just about killed him to put shoes and socks on tonight.”
“Nothing but flip flops from here on out,” Frank said. Then he ran his fingers through his thick hair. “And maybe a little Aqua Net.”
(Tickets can be reserved by calling 239278-4422, by visiting http://www.broadwaypalm.com, or by stopping by the box office at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.)
Three Days of Golf
Three Levels of Play
For Beginners: Summerlin Ridge
When my teenage son, Justin, told me he wanted to try golf for the first time, I knew just the place to start. Since we were staying at The Outrigger Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach, I immediately thought of Summerlin Ridge. It’s convenient to the resort, and is very affordable. With a total of only 2,732 yards from the back tees (par 58), Summerlin Ridge offers a forgiving game.
First we started at their driving range, and I gave Justin a few pointers. He’s a good baseball player, so he had a nice swing. Although it was pretty wild.
“Don’t try to kill it,” I coached.
“Can’t help it, Dad,” Justin said, gritting his teeth and completely missing the ball.
As we made our way through the 18-hole course, Justin hit the fairway as often as he missed it. Still, he managed to chip and putt his way through, tallying up a decent score. He even managed a birdie.
By the last hole, Justin drove a perfect shot to the green.
“Golf is easy,” he said, holding his head high.
I had to smile, knowing how fickle the “Golf Gods” can be. Justin would find out soon enough for himself.
“Sometimes it’s easy,” I said. “And that’s what keeps you coming back for more.”
(Summerlin Ridge is located at 16660 Pine Ridge Road. For more information, or to reserve tee times, call 239-432-0000.)
For Fun: Shell Point
“Drop me off at the Tanger Outlets,” my wife, Patty, said, “and pick me up when you’re done.”
One of the things I love about playing golf at Shell Point is that it’s convenient to shopping, Bunche Beach, and Sanibel Island. So I can leave the family off somewhere to enjoy an afternoon of sun or buying clothes and gifts, while I hit the course.
A well-kept and moderately challenging 18 holes, Shell Point is in a beautiful tropical location. It’s been open to the public since 2000, and was designed by Gordon Lewis. There are five tees on every hole, which makes the course friendly to all levels of play. From the black tees, it’s 6,702 yards, and from the reds it’s 4,496 yards. There are some water hazards, but a good golfer can play the same ball the whole course.
After a successful and satisfying round, I was actually most impressed with the number of birds I saw on the course. One of the joys of golfing in southwest Florida is that it’s often like playing in a wildlife sanctuary.
“Patty’s buying herself at least one outfit,” I said to myself as I hit the pro shop. “So I can get this shirt. And this one, too.” Besides, I reasoned with myself, Shell Point is a reasonably priced course. So I was actually saving money!
(Call 239-433-9790 to get more information and to reserve tee times.)
A Challenge: The Dunes
Unless you’re an accomplished golfer, count on losing a few balls on this 18-hole championship course. The fairways are narrow and there are lots of water hazards.
But that’s what makes it fun - it’s a challenge.
Redesigned in 1995 by Mark McCumber, the course totals 5,600 yards from the blue tees, 5,249 from the white, 4,854 from the gold, and 4,002 from the red.
“Here we go,” I said, slapping my brother on the back. “Care to put a little money on this game?”
Jack grinned and nodded. “Nothing wrong with some friendly competition,” he said.
The Dunes Golf & Tennis Club is partly situated in a wildlife preserve sanctioned by the Audubon Cooperative Society. We counted two alligators, several blue herons and ibises, and an osprey. We kept our eyes peeled for a bald eagle.
As we made our way through the meticulously contoured fairways and manicured greens, we found ourselves joking about the cold of Pittsburgh.
“The sky has got to be gray right now,” Jack said, gazing up at the pure blue sky above us.
“I’m sure it’s snowing,” I added. “And here we are, wearing shorts.”
By the end of the game, we were so taken with the natural setting of scenic lakes, lush fairways, and picturesque wildlife, we almost forgot our bet.
Almost.
Jack put his hand out and smiled. “Pay up, little brother,” he said.
I didn’t mind. The afternoon had been priceless.
One more word of advice: If you golf the Dunes, bring your camera or binoculars. Because at the end of our game, we finally spotted a bald eagle.
(The Dunes Golf & Tennis Club is located on Sanibel Island, just over the Causeway. Call 239-472-2535 for directions and tee times. The Dunes also had an on-site restaurant called Rassa for an after-golf meal. Call for restaurant hours.)
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