Saturday evening was fantastic. Great weather, yummy food and craft beer, amazing music and a LOT of people supporting CREW Land & Water Trust!
Thank you to everyone who attended the concert, donated items to the silent eco-auction, purchased auction items or stars (how fun were those?), sponsored the event or volunteered to work the event.
We’re already planning for 2020, so if you missed this year’s concert – we hope to see you next year!
CREW Land & Water Trust will host the 2019 CREW Concert Under the Stars on Saturday, February 16 from 5-9 p.m. at Riverside Park, located at 10451 Old 41 Road in Bonita Springs.
This year’s concert will raise funds for the Dr. David R. Cooper Education Fund, named for the CREW Trust’s longest-serving volunteer, Dr. David Cooper, who passed away in May 2018. Many of the CREW Trust’s members, staff and volunteers spent time on the CREW Marsh Trails with Dr. Cooper, who was a self-taught volunteer naturalist.
“Dr. David was instrumental in introducing CREW to so many people and educating them on the value of this important watershed,” explained Brenda Brooks, Executive Director for CREW Land & Water Trust. “The education fund was established in 2014 and renamed in January 2018 to honor Dr. David and continue his passion for education. His legacy lives on through this fund, which provides support for our expanding education programs and provides resources used to teach students of all ages about the importance of preserving the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed.”
A truly unique artistic collaboration is the centerpiece of this year’s silent eco-auction. Lucas Century of Lucas Century Glass is working with CREW Trust member Dick Anderson to create a coffee table with a driftwood base topped with beveled glass sandblasted with images of swallow-tailed kites.
“Swallow-tailed kites have been a part of our logo for years,” noted Brooks. “These graceful birds return to Southwest Florida every year and many nest within the CREW Project. This is the first time we have worked with Lucas Century Glass and we are excited to see one of our favorite birds captured in this unique piece of art.” Other auction items include handcrafted bird boxes, private hikes and tours, sunset and shelling cruises and one-of-a-kind works of art.
The High Voltage Band is the featured performer at this year’s concert
High Voltage Band returns for this year’s concert, playing everything from Motown’s greatest hits to today’s Top 40 songs. High Voltage Band has played for the NFL Players Association, Panasonic, The Boston Red Sox, Toyota, The Dale Earnhardt Jr. Foundation, Hope for Haiti and more.
The Rotary Club of Bonita Springs will sell wine and a selection of craft beer from Momentum Brewhouse. Owner Brian Hahn is working to craft a unique brew in honor of CREW that will be served at the concert. Food vendors will also be on-site, including Cherie’s Sweet Treats.
Cupcakes from Cherie’s Sweet Treats
Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to sit and enjoy the concert; dogs and outside food and drink will not be permitted.
Sponsorship opportunities are available and include access to the VIP café. General admission tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate; children 12 and under are free.
To purchase tickets or for more information, visit crewtrust.org.
“That is a really cute stocking-stuffer kind of book,” said volunteer Barbara Centola. “It is the kind of book you would put on your nightstand and read a couple of pages at night.” She purchased one and is planning on giving it to a friend who has shown interest in birding.
For the sentimental hiker
“I love a good walking stick,” said Brenda Brooks, executive director. “And I love to collect hiking medallions to remind me of where I’ve been. It’s an inexpensive way to remember your hike.”
CREW Hiking Medallions (available for Bird Rookery Swamp, CREW Marsh Trails and Cypress Dome Trails ($5 each; limited quantities for local pick-up only; email anne@crewtrust.org)
Tired of glasses that fall off your face when you’re out on a run – or even when you’re clearing Caesar weed? These no-slip, no-bounce glasses are the real deal and trail tested by Anne (hence the Caesar weed reference). And with frame names like “Frank’s Llama Land Ditty” and “Orange you glad I didn’t say banana?” they give the gift of a good chuckle, too.
For the four-legged hiker
“I love the water bottles with the drinking tray attached,” said Anne Reed, mom of two dogs, Brady (10.5 year old lab) and Sheila (2 year old chihuahua). “My dogs think it’s fun and it is easier than me carrying an extra water bottle and collapsible bowl in my pack.”
Stuff those stockings with tickets to the 2019 CREW Concert Under the Stars! You’ll be giving the gift of a fabulous night out with live music, great food, craft beer from Momentum Brewhouse and our very unique silent eco-auction! AND, most importantly, supporting our Dr. David R. Cooper Education fund.
We joke that there are two types of hikers – point to point hikers, who go go go; and those that move inches in an hour. Sometimes those exist all in the same family! This book is great for the slow-moving hiker who stops to take pictures of panther scat (ANNE) and for the speedy hiker who needs to stop and smell the paw-paw.
Take them on a hike! Gift wrap this coupon for a free hike and then take your friend out on one of the CREW Trust trails. Whether you spend the hike identifying wildflowers, searching the sky for Caracaras, or just catching up, time spent together is the best gift of all. The trails are open every day, sunrise to sunset. Feel free to print one of these fun gift cards and use it to schedule time out in nature with your friends and family! Oh, and if you want to give the gift of a guided walk, register yourself and a friend for one of our upcoming free guided walks.
