Charlotte Katz

Bonita Beach

I came to Bonita Springs after six years in England. This place, where the sun always shines, seemed like Paradise to me and, ten years later, it still does. Southwest Florida was developed later than the east coast of Florida and the mistakes made there were not repeated. We still have our mangrove trees, and we guard carefully our native palmettos, slash pines, and cypress trees. Our building codes are strict and our beaches are not cluttered with high-rise buildings.

From my lanai (screened porch) I have seen a great horned owl in a pine tree, a pair of kites soaring overhead, a bobcat, a family of wood storks on the wing, rabbits, and an incredible variety of song birds. Those who live near water see egrets, pelicans, gulls, roseate spoonbills, and several kinds of herons. The great blue heron always brings me to a stop.

In an area where almost everything is new, almost everything is attractive — even the industrial parks. New developments and homes, shopping centers, office buildings, and businesses are all beautifully landscaped and attractively designed. It’s a feast for the eyes.

I have two public libraries convenient for my use: one in central Bonita Springs and a newer, larger one close to Florida Gulf Coast University, our new university just east of Interstate 75. The local community center offers all kinds of classes, and I enjoy getting out my tap shoes for weekly classes in the winter months.