Sitting down with Kelly Liscum, the Vice President of Smuggler’s, I was able to get a behind the scenes take on this annual event. When creating a 6,000 sq. ft. haunted house, the planning process starts as soon as the event of the previous year concludes. Designing and production is all done by the Event Manager, Jerry Cleffi. Each year the haunted house theme is changed around so you are never walking in experiencing the same thing twice from the previous years. In true Smugglers fashion, this is a family affair with Jerry’s family being his biggest sidekicks in the design and production process as well. Three weeks leading up to the event is when the Halloween magic is implemented and taken off paper and put into production in city square. It’s an “Enter If you Dare” event with lighting, characters, and props that are one-of-kind in our area!
Located in the heart of Punta Gorda is one of the things that makes this event that much more special. The Smuggler’s Foundation plays an integral part in our community and is comprised of: The Captain’s Table, Harpoon Harry’s, Laishley Crab House, and Harpoon Harry’s Crab House. Together, they contribute over $100,000 annually back into Charlotte County with a percentage of their daily restaurant sales. Their Event Team is no different in their contributions and this year a portion of the net proceeds from the Haunted House will be contributed directly to Charlotte County Athletics. Each year, they also work with the “Holiday for Hero’s” organization and sponsor a member of our military that has family ties back to Southwest Florida. They then create care packages and send messages of thanks to that military member and their troop. At Harpoon Harry’s, they create a huge banner that gets signed by customers during the holiday season and then sent as a big Christmas Card to their Hero overseas.
|
|
|
With no facts to back up his assertions, I replied by citing the academic and athletic achievements our students have attained and the careers they had already pursued. However, one key point I made in the letter was how different the educational environment is today than it was when I was growing up. While we had our share of schoolyard fights and differences with our classmates, but today school security has become just as important as the academic curriculum. “Safety,” as Steve points out, “Is the biggest challenge we face today. When the state mandated increased security for schools establishing minimums for staffing of “School Resource Officers,” (SRO’s) after the Parkland school shootings, Charlotte County Public Schools already had those minimums in place and increased the security staffing and presence even further.” He continued by saying, “Safety of the child and staff is my first concern. We conduct active assailant drills and teach the children where the safest area is in the classroom and how to barricade a door.” Steve adds, “It is heartbreaking that a kindergarten child has to learn how to survive.” With updated phone systems in place, and the ability to lock down the campus instantly, every parent and student can be updated during a crisis in a matter of minutes.
Since many of the previous school and mass shootings have been traced back to a shooter who had a history of mental health issues, or has come from a background of heightened emotional distress, Steve said, “This community talks to each other. The school system, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Department, Police Chief and Charlotte County Mental Health department all move in the same direction with a game plan in place.” Together, they work in concert to provide a model for a safe learning environment. W hen I was attending school, back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, the course curriculum was based around the three basic components, reading, writing and arithmetic. 
Our exposure to the national and international events didn’t seem to be as polarizing as they are today. Today we are hearing where many of the educators, particularly those in the higher learning levels (college), are integrating their personal opinions into the course curriculum. Steve’s replied by saying, “We want our students to have a voice, as long as they aren’t breaking any of the school system’s rules. Kids today are watching and learning how those in position react to scenarios presented to them and respond accordingly.” He went on to say, “We didn’t have social media when we grew up, (Steve still doesn’t have facebook and social media accounts), and unfortunately, much of what is being posted on these sites is not based on fact. Unlike having a direct dialogue, with social media you can post without having to defend your position.”
For years I’ve often felt our county didn’t offer many career opportunities outside of medical, law, real estate and the building trades. I have thought for years we were training our young bright minds to benefit someone else’s city or state. Steve perhaps put it much more succinctly when he said, “We are exporting our kids,” and to address this need our technical school, together with new programs being created will give our kids an instant opportunity for employment in cutting edge industries. Working in concert with Charlotte County and the Charlotte County Economic Development team, (that also has representation on the school board), new career opportunities are being created in airframe and airline mechanics, solar energy, HVAC, small engine repair, technology, dental and nursing . These programs have all been created, at great cost, so graduating students can immediately feed the growth of specific industries. In fact, just in the nursing program alone 98% of those graduating find almost immediate employment. With the new Sunseeker Resort due to be completed in late 2020, new programs with be designed with the goal of feeding a diversity of job opportunities that will be created by this 450+ million dollar resort development.
As I look back on those times I realize everything goes full circle and the things we enjoyed then many of us are recreating today. This summer alone we have friends who have been following the Rolling Stones who have been touring the country. That in itself amazes me to think a group we heard as kids are still performing today. Some have gone to France and ridden their bicycles on parts of the same course as the Tour de France. Others have gone to Italy to take cooking classes, making many of the same recipes found in our friend’s cookbook. And remember that story of our friend who would scare people to death in his plane? How about jumping out of one and skydiving your way to a marriage proposal?
On this very special holiday where we proudly display our patriotism with flags, parades and firework displays, I’m reminded of the hard fought battles that continue to this day in order to protect our country’s values and way of life. For me, it is not just this day that I give thanks for my freedom, but every day when I get that subtle reminder just how fortunate we are when seeing a service member in uniform or a veteran wearing a hat inscribed with the ship or war in which they fought. Their valor I will never take for granted, something I hope every generation to come will do as well.
While most people would like to talk about themselves, Gary and Gail have always put their clients first, and their diverse backgrounds have provided their clients an unparalleled level of service and knowledge throughout the past years.