Gulfshore Life

A Fort Myers farm school teaches children about food, animals and the circle of life

Two years ago, when mother-of-four Ashley Pruitt bought the 6-acre Whispering Oaks Farm in Fort Myers’ Buckingham area, she lacked farming experience but yearned for a self-sustainable lifestyle. She moved her family to the farm. Between math and English lessons, her homeschooled kids learned to care for piglets, baby goats,…

This Naples glassblower raises his family in a world of pure imagination

Naples glassblower (and native) Conrad Williams, who interned for glass legend Dale Chihuly and other talents, has been perfecting his crystalline orbs, kaleidoscopic vases and swirling sculptures, for more than two decades. Now he shares his skills via outdoor glassblowing…

Four stylish moms share their approach to parenthood

The Pierce Family When Rachel Pierce’s youngest daughter, 3-year-old Daphne, was born in 2019, the well-known morning news anchor was on her way to becoming a full-time artist. With three other kids running around, she’d often be found with a…

An eco-minded father-son duo from Fort Myers launch a nonprofit to repopulate pollinator gardens

Vikram Chhabra and his son, Ethan, have raised and released monarch butterflies in their backyard since Ethan was 2 years old. The now 10-year-old is well-versed in the pollination process and understands the power of a single seed. When Ethan’s…

A young Naples equestrian rides her way to the top of the sport

At 11 years old, Scarlett Yana sits upright like a pine, with her Tucci boots gleaming against her pony Andre’s soft, manicured coat. They’re riding in the Children’s Pony Hunter Division at the Equestrian Sport Productions Florida State Fall show…

The Shotwell family continues a legacy of environmental conservation in Naples

On a rainy Sunday morning in the summer of 2020, Henley Shotwell headed to Naples Bay with his two sons, Duke and Winston, to join local fishing captain Tony Fontana in his 23-foot Dorado bay boat. The guys had the…

SWFL youth entrepreneurship programs prepare children to run the world

Move over lemonade stands: The new crop of young entrepreneurs are savvy, creative and career-oriented. And with lots of local programs, workshops and fairs, Southwest Florida equips the next generation with the tools they need to succeed. Collier County is…

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