Andrea Galabinski State Rep. Nick Thompson congratulates new NFM Honorary Mayor John Gardner.

John Gardner has been named the new honorary mayor of North Fort Myers.

This is an annual charitable event run by the North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce. For a dollar a vote, candidates raised funds for scholarships and more to be distributed through the Chamber’s foundation.

Gardner is the owner of Lee County Insurance Agency and a third generation Florida native. He has been active in the community as a business leader and a volunteer, and as past president of the North Fort Myers Chamber.

It was a close race, with tough competition from other well-known community leader, Dr. Terry Tucker of Tucker Vision Center.

The new mayor was congratulated by State Rep. Nick Thompson, who said he truly enjoyed the event. Chamber Executive Director Kim Constantine met Thompson at a recent state legislative session, and invited him to attend.

Andrea Galabinski Hosts Tommy and Kerrey Hoolihan with State Rep. Nick Thompson and Pat Huffmaster.

A fifth generation Floridian, Thompson moved to the Fort Myers area in 1971.

“I’ve heard about this event, and saw other friends like Tommy Hoolihan win as honorary mayor. I wanted to see what it was all about.”

He presented Gardner with a ceremonial key to the city.

Hoolihan was the first honorary mayor, followed by Tom Cronin Sr. and, last year, Deputy Jarrod Cantrell.

Hoolihan, of Hoolihan Lifestyle Center, and wife Kerrey offered the 18-acre, private Marantha Gardens property for the event. The Gardens are a beautiful but not well-known spot in the area of Bayshore and Williams roads. Gardens describe it well. There are trails lining a creek with tiki torches, lighting the bridges and winding paths around the water. A waterfall also highlights the property, and a chalet-like building sports beautiful woodwork. “We’ve had many different fund raisers here, including one for the Boy Scouts,” said Tommy Hoolihan.

The outgoing honorary mayor, Cantrell, said he was happy for Gardner, and Cantrell was accompanied by daughter Brittany to the event.

In attendance were many local residents and business leaders, including Mary Havenor and daughter Katie. Many kids also came to the family friendly event.

A chili cook-off was a highlight of the evening. The winners were Pastor Ron Smith and Wayne Hill of The Connection Church of Cape Coral. Other cook-off participants included Red and Margie’s Cafe owner Chris Vianest and John Behuniak, CEO of Optimization Services Corporation.

The event was catered by Kim and Baron Cohen of Cohen & Cohen Catering, with lots of barbecue treats at the function. Baron Cohen also acted as an auctioneer during the live auction.

Other Chamber news

In other Chamber news, the guest speakers at the March monthly meeting were Darla Betzer, Unit executive director for the local American Cancer Society and Yvonne C.T. Vassel, state director for Go 21.

The topic of Betzer’s speech was “How Non-Profit Involvement Can Help Your Business,” and she made several key points.

She said it can build a service to the community at the workplace, improve the company’s image and have employees look more favorably on employers.

“It’s an effective tool to build morale and retention,” she said.

Joined by the Society’s Nickole Hendra, the two talked about the upcoming Relay For Life North Fort Myers event. It will be held Saturday, May 14 and 15, at J. Colin English Elementary. The 18-hour event begins at 6 p.m. Saturday and ends at noon that Sunday. J. Colin English Elementary School is at 120 Pine Island Rd.

Betzer read a poignant piece from the Cancer Society on the symbolism involved in the overnight event, called “Cancer Does Not Stop For Night Time.”

“Relay For Life starts at dusk and ends at the next day’s morning. The light and darkness of the day and night parallel the physical effects, emotions, and mental state of a cancer patient while undergoing treatment.

“The Relay begins when the sun is setting. This symbolizes the time that the person has been diagnosed as having cancer. The day is getting darker and this represents the cancer patient’s state of mind as they feel that their life is coming to an end.

“As the evening goes on it gets colder and darker, just as the emotions of the cancer patient do.

“Around 1 a.m. to 2 a.m. represents the time when the cancer patients start treatments. They become exhausted, some sick, not wanting to go on, possibly wanting to give up.

“Around 4 a.m. to 5 a.m. symbolizes the coming of the end of treatment for the cancer patient. Once again they are tired, but they know they will make it.

“The sun rising represents the end of treatment for the cancer patient. They see the light at the end of the tunnel and know that life will go on. The morning light brings on a new day full of life and excitement for new beginnings for the cancer patient.”

Hendra added that they were still accepting local teams.

To register your team, call the American Cancer Society at 936-1113 ext. 3904.

Another speaker was Yvonne C.T. Vassel, State Director for Go 21. She discussed the freight industry, and how her small non-profit organization and infrastructure were joined. She also noted that infrastructure for the freight industry was a “job creator.”

For information on the Chamber, visit Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center located within the Shell Factory complex, or call at 997-9111.