Pelican Bay

Welcome a new team member to Pelican Bay!

This week, Kat Valentine joined Pelican Bay Foundation as our Racquets Manager.

Kat brings more than 20 years of teaching, coaching, and management experience to Pelican Bay. As Racquets Manager, she will oversee day-to-day racquets operations and programming across tennis and pickleball, working closely with our professionals, staff, advisory groups, and members.

Kat also has strong qualities that are especially important to Pelican Bay: a passion for people, building connections, and creating great experiences.

We’re delighted to have Kat on board and look forward to the energy, experience, and ideas she will bring to Pelican Bay.

Welcome to Pelican Bay, Chad!

This week, Chad Barber joined the Pelican Bay Foundation Leadership Team as Deputy General Manager, Administration and Governance.

Chad brings more than 20 years of experience in strategy, finance, and operations, with extensive expertise in financial planning, budgeting, long-range capital planning, and organizational leadership. He also brings a collaborative approach and significant experience working alongside boards, committees, and operational teams.

Originally from Florida, Chad is relocating from Tallahassee to Naples. He enjoys the outdoors, college football, and travel, and he's looking forward to getting to know the Pelican Bay community.

We’re pleased to have Chad on board and look forward to all he will bring to the Foundation and our community.

Please join us in giving Chad a warm Pelican Bay welcome!

25 years later, we still uphold our pledge to remember, honor, and never forget the lives lost on September 11, 2001.

The stories of first responders and citizens who persevered in the face of danger, loved ones' last messages to their families, and extraordinary acts of compassion between strangers. Together, these stories reveal America's heart and strength as it overcame one of its darkest days.

May the stories of Patriot Day continue to be told and be the source of our country’s fight to protect our freedoms.

Today we celebrate the dedication and contributions of workers who make our communities stronger every day!

Here’s to the people who show up, work hard, and make a difference.

Wishing everyone a relaxing and well-deserved Labor Day!

Enjoy the fruits of your labor by planning a day to unwind in the bay!

Please see our Labor Day hours of operation for Monday, September 7.

Clock out from the daily routine and coast on with us at Marker 36 this Labor Day.

On Monday, September 7, treat yourself to our Labor Day specials for a delicious and serene dining experience along the coast.

We hope to see you soon!

Something wonderful is taking shape at the table.

From lunch after a morning on the beach to dinner with friends at sunset, dining is part of what makes life at Pelican Bay special.

Now, a new Food & Beverage leadership team is bringing fresh ideas, extensive experience, and a shared passion for hospitality to Marker 36, Sandbar and The Nest.

Led by Director of Food and Beverage Marco Garnica, the team includes Chef Fabio Bermudez, Chris Wright, Kevin Adames, and Chef Rushaune “Rush” Thompson.

Together, they are focused on what matters most: thoughtfully prepared food, greater consistency, warm and personal service, and restaurants with their own distinctive personalities.

This is just the beginning, with new flavors, experiences, and memorable moments ahead for Pelican Bay members.”

Meet the team shaping the next chapter of dining at Pelican Bay.

Sometimes, one idea can make a difference far beyond what anyone imagined.

Nearly 20 years ago, Pelican Bay resident Christine Popper saw children in Haiti struggling to learn because they did not have enough to eat. She shared an idea with her son, Steve: find a way to provide meals.

That idea helped spark what would become Meals of Hope, founded by Steve Popper in Naples in 2007. Today, the organization provides food assistance to thousands of families throughout Southwest Florida, including a growing number of seniors facing food insecurity.

This week, Christine joined family, friends, and volunteers for a meal-packing event. It was a special full-circle moment for an idea that began nearly two decades ago and continues to make a difference for people in our community and beyond.

We are proud to have Christine as part of the Pelican Bay community and to share the story of one resident whose desire to help others inspired something much bigger.

Pictured:
Photo 1:Carrissa Popper, Christine Popper, and Christine's son, Steve Popper, president and CEO of Meals of Hope.

Photo 2: The Glenview at Pelican Bay Executive Director Daniel Gomez, Christine Popper, and Activity Director Rachel Ritter. Daniel helped bring this week's meal-packing event together at The Glenview.

A tiny journey to a big adventure! 🐢🌊

Members, guests, and staff gathered along the rails of Marker 36 to see a group of sea turtle hatchlings make their way to the ocean, one flipper at a time.

We wish these precious hatchlings safe travels as they begin their life at sea.

Summer Slam Tournament

If you feel like you are missing out on all the fun, don’t worry! Our Summer Slam tournament will be coming up on August 8-9.

There will be a bracket for every skill level, so get ready to come out, compete, and have a great time. All registration is available on the Pelican Bay Courts APP: www.pelicanbaycourts.com

We hope to see you on the courts!