I consider myself very fortunate to have met so many wonderful people during my life that I’m blessed to call “friends.” Their backgrounds are as diverse as the world in which we live. Some have been politicians, others doctors, lawyers, law enforcement, and even those with rags-to-riches stories. While I love to celebrate their histories of accomplishment, the ones whose lives touch me most are those who passionately serve others, whether through personal sacrifice or by giving generously of their gifts and talents. Their backgrounds may differ vastly, but they desire to serve with little attention drawn to themselves. One such person is long-time friend Kim Amontree, whose contributions to our community read like a “Who’s Who.” Kim has served on the local school board as Vice Chair and as an integral member of a variety of boards and committees that include the “Punta Gorda Diversity Task Force,” “Charlotte County Chamber Government Affairs,” and “Charlotte County Reads” in addition to her various roles with the Florida School Boards Association. This association aims to increase student achievement by developing effective school board leadership and advocacy for public education.
Simply put, the FSBA is the “voice of education in Florida,” which Kim has served on multiple committees and continues today as co-Chair of the Legislative sub-Committee. Kim’s involvement with the community is just as comprehensive as she serves on the Board of Directors for the YMCA of Southwest Florida and is “Chair of the Punta Gorda YMCA Community Board.” Her passion for children does not end there as she is a “Coalition Member of Drug-Free Punta Gorda,” a “Volunteer Reading Buddy.” She has also served as a mentor for Take Stock in Children and a coach for Girls on the Run. I’ve often felt Kim was the person I would call if my house were on fire as she’d be the first one on the scene and have it under control before the fire trucks arrived. She’s not one to sit back and hope for change; she’s a team player who will invoke the change.
I often ask those looking to move to our area what brought them here. For Kim, it was an opportunity for her husband Jim, a highly respected Gastroenterologist, to join the Intermedic practice years ago. Kim recalled how they met through a group of friends while both were living in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They weren’t dating for long when Kim had an opportunity to move to New Orleans, working with NCR, a world-leading enterprise technology provider of software, hardware, and services for large banks and other entities. Jim was an Assistant Professor at the University of New Mexico when a close physician friend notified him of the Intermedic opportunity. Kim jokingly said, “I told Jim I wasn’t moving just for love. It would be for a ring, a house, and a dog.” So in 1991, they made the move and never looked back. Despite being on a fast track herself, Kim put her career on hold to help Jim open his practice which came to fruition in 1999. Years later, having helped create a thriving medical practice and raising three gifted children, Kim said, “Life is short, and I wanted to spend time doing things that matter.” Those who know Kim know of her passion for community and children specifically. Having been a Realtor myself for 20 years, the questions from those looking to move to our area center around medical services and education, the question most dear to Kim’s heart.
Few of us would disagree that we live in a world fraught with many issues, from health and finance to the environment. Kim reflected, “Unfortunately, the problems in society we face today the next generation is going to have to solve, and that comes through education.” Equally challenging is the environment our educators face today. Aside from the lack of decorum exhibited in debates of opposing thoughts and philosophies, you hear in classrooms and on college campuses throughout the country, not to mention security challenges, Kim said, “There is a direct tie to the impact on educational performance that stems from socio-economic conditions. Approximately 60% of the children are “direct certified” (receiving some form of government assistance). Over 90% are considered “economically needy.” While the pandemic had devastating effects on the 2020-2021 school year, where 30% of the children missed more than ten days of school, a dramatic increase from the 12% norm, Kim said, “The Charlotte County school system wasn’t going to take the foot off the gas; the students were expected to learn the curriculum.” In 2021, the Charlotte County School System had its highest graduation rate of 91%. Not only did more children graduate, but they scored in the top tier of Florida’s Advance Placement Standardized Test.
Kim’s decision to join an organization or board comes down to one significant fact, “Does it benefit the children of the community?” I’ve always felt we educate our children to benefit other cities and towns across the country since, historically, there have been limited employment opportunities locally. Kim said they could benefit from higher-paying jobs by providing workforce opportunities to serve the community’s growth, such as aviation, where students can graduate with FAA certifications. Kim continued by saying that with the cost of education reaching all-time highs, providing white-collar opportunities without going through a four-year college program would reduce student loan debt and enable these students to earn a good living in less time. She added, “If you want better medicine and services, you must support and have confidence in the school system.” By passing the “Yes For Success” referendum, teachers’ salaries increased from $38,000 to $54,000, which is one of the highest in the state. The referendum enabled the school system to address the psychological impact many children face today. Succinctly stated, “Schools are the front line of mental health issues.” As a result of the passage of the referendum, they were able to triple the number of social workers and double the number of psychologists.
Kim continued, “Discipline is one of the biggest barriers to educational success. It only takes a two percent discipline problem in a class to impact the other ninety-eight percent.” When you factor in some families’ socio-economic challenges, taking 20 minutes a day to read with a child is often compromised. Kim added, “Some parents don’t know what they don’t know.” Reading with your child stimulates from a knowledge base perspective and builds a stronger parental bond.” I have often thought with the absence of this bond; one can only assume there is a correlation as to why we see so many issues manifesting in today’s generations.
I share Kim’s love for the children in our community as; for years; we were very involved in our son’s academic and athletic endeavors. I’m not sure who benefitted more from coaching our son’s teams and working on many school projects with him. To experience the confidence he developed academically and athletically was rewarding. Still, the enjoyment and personal satisfaction I had helping other children gain the same confidence when they weren’t seeing it in themselves was priceless.
Too many times, we sit in judgment of the child’s behavior rather than considering the cause. People like Kim take a different approach. She looks to the future and what these children need to be competitive. Through her involvement and mentorship, she helps foster initiatives and programs today that will pay dividends for the children in our community in the years to come. For anyone who has coached their child’s team, there were lessons gained that applied to everyday life. I saw children with discipline issues and a lack of confidence stemming from the lack of a supportive family blossom into individuals who entered a game or completed a school project with renewed confidence. It’s as if they just opened a gift, and to see the results of those early interactions years later is very rewarding.
We all have something that drives us. For some, it is personal betterment; for others, like Kim, it is investing in children to give them a more stable environment and a better chance for a bright future.
-Gary Cardillo
As Valentine’s Day is upon us, we think of it as celebrating the romance of couples in love. Men shower their wives or girlfriends with arrangements of red roses, a romantic dinner and cap it off with a heart-shaped box of chocolates. We reflect on the day we first met and celebrate our love. While I embrace that tradition, I’ve learned that “True Love” isn’t reserved just for couples in love.
One of the sweetest love stories I’ve ever known is not of a husband and wife but of a mother and daughter, and the love they share goes well beyond their bond. Anyone who has met Nanette Leonard and her mother, Adeline Seakwood, knows of their lasting contributions and passion to their chosen professions, community, and friends. Volumes have been written about their storied careers in the entertainment industry, and for someone who just celebrated her 100th birthday, Adeline’s life is nothing short of remarkable. Born in Brooklyn in 1923, she was enamored with New York City’s entertainment industry. Starting as a John Robert Powers model, she went on to appear in several films before taking on the highly skilled position as a production secretary, a title she later had the industry change to “Production Office Coordinator.” The production office was the “brain” that organized a film’s necessary functions. Adeline handled budgets, production schedules, transportation, locations, permits, equipment rentals, billing, getting catered food on set, and communicating with crew members and the actors. From her appearance in Alfred Hitchcock’s “North by Northwest,” Adeline worked on numerous TV shows that, included “Naked City,” “The Patty Duke Show,” and “The Defenders.”
She also worked on major motion pictures where she rubbed shoulders with Paul Newman, Christopher Reeve, Michael J. Fox, Farrah Fawcett, Burt Reynolds, and Peter Falk of Colombo fame. She recounts a story of a last-minute script change on the last day of shooting of “Three Days of the Condor,” starring Robert Redford. While Adeline’s role was typically off-camera and behind the scenes, she rushed to the movie set that was in Manhattan to deliver the revised pages. Spectators who were cordoned off behind the ropes wanted to know who the woman was that was delivering the script to Robert Redford, who then picked her up and kissed her. Without missing a beat, Adeline said, “that’s how rumors start.”
Nan an experienced public relations/marketing professional and producer with over 40 years in the entertainment industry began her career at Allied Artists Pictures, serving as Publicity Manager, working on PR campaigns for Academy Award-winning films that included, “Cabaret,” “The Man Who Would Be King,” and “Papillon.” At United Artists, Nan served as East Coast Director of Publicity, mounting PR campaigns on such films as “Raging Bull,” the Bond films, “The French Lieutenant’s Woman,” starring Meryl Streep, and has worked with Steve Guttenberg, Marvin Hamlisch, Alan King, Jay Leno, and Redbook Magazine. In the 80s, Nan became Senior Vice President at Solters/Roskin/Friedman, one of the largest entertainment PR firms, where she represented Whoopi Goldberg and helped launch her career. Also included in a long list of celebrities Nan represented are Dolly Parton, Gregory Peck, Frances Ruffelle (“Les Miserables”), and Anthony Crivello (Kiss of the Spider Woman). In 1992, Nanette opened her agency, “Nanette Leonard Public Relations,” servicing a diverse clientele that included two-time Tony Award-winning actress Judith Ivey, Tony Award winner Anthony Crivello, international television personality, journalist, and author, Cristina Saralegui, Michael Uslan (Executive Producer of all the Batman films) and a host of organizations that reads like a “Who’s Who.”
One would think with just a fraction of their impressive resumes I’m sharing, Adeline and Nanette would find contentment reminiscing on their extraordinary past. However, those experiences have provided a foundation for the care and service they continue to give their community and the lives they touch. Unlike the typical daughter taking care of a mother relationship; this is more like George Burns and Gracie Allen; comedian and straight man, with Adeline being the comedian. As I entered their home, I was taken aback by the hundreds of cards, flowers, and balloons from Adeline’s recent 100th birthday celebration. Among all the gifts and early Valentine’s Day decorations was a signed picture from Robert Redford, congratulating Adeline on her special day. Sensing I was somewhat overwhelmed, Adeline grabbed my arm and, pointing to Nanette, said, “You know Nurse Radchet” (of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” fame), don’t you?” I couldn’t help but laugh, knowing this would be one of my most entertaining interviews. Adeline is as quick-witted as Nanette is humble. Each time Nanette would leave the room to answer one of the many calls she received, Adeline would proudly share Nan’s accomplishments and tell me how proud she is of all her achievements and how much she appreciates all Nan does for her. She said, “She’s added ten years to my life.” I would venture to say, “Much more.”
I recall the movie “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” where a man played by Brad Pitt starts aging backward. As each year passes, he gets progressively younger-looking. Adeline and Nanette would be a real-life version of this movie. As long as I’ve known them, they look younger with each passing day. Adeline shared with me a previous interview she did where the radio host asked, “Your complexion is so good; what do you use?” The story goes she looked at Nanette, “who looked back in horror and gave her a “NO, Don’t say it,” signal, and said, “I was going to say because I use Preparation H, a standard application in the modeling industry, but so as not to embarrass Nanette I said, “Dove Soap.” Alfred Hitchcock, too, was mesmerized by her beauty during the filming “North by Northwest,” and said she was “too pretty” to put into a street scene as an extra and put her in an elevator scene behind Cary Grant. On the first take, Grant stood in front of her so she couldn’t be seen. As filming paused, without missing a beat, Adeline whispered in Grant’s ear, “My mother would never forgive you.”
For Nanette, the move to Punta Gorda was an act of love. Having lived in Middletown, New Jersey, for 34 years, Nan was not only relocating her business but leaving friends and organizations she had supported for years. Affectionately she added, “It’s a circle of life. My parents took care of me; it was my time to take care of them.” Nan continued, “My stepdad would often say, “My blood may not run through your veins, but my love does.” For Nan, the move was a leap of faith. “I didn’t know what I was going to do,” but she committed to herself that she would recreate the type of life she had in New Jersey in Punta Gorda. Some people take a lifetime to leave a lasting impression on their community and friends; for Adeline and Nanette, very few organizations haven’t benefitted from their love and commitment. For 30 years, Adeline has been a Punta Gorda Civic Association member and is known to all as the “Sunshine Lady.” While the role was considered an Ambassador of sorts welcoming new members, she expanded the role to offer solace and encouragement to the ill and bereaved. Adeline said, “I always write notes to people, letting people know there is someone who cares about them. She continued, “From the moment I moved to Punta Gorda 30 years ago, I wanted to give back to my community, and I’m always forming groups.” She recounted a group of women she formed where one came and said, “I miss my mother,” Without hesitation, I said, “You could have me as Mom #2.”
“Gary Cardillo with The Gary Cardillo Group of RE/MAX Harbor Realty Punta Gorda, FL has earned The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing’s Million Dollar GUILD™ recognition for experience, knowledge, and expertise in million-dollar and above residential properties.
I share a story of blues and rock guitar virtuoso Mike Imbasciani, who has not only entertained multiple generations of local followers for years but is now looking to inspire his generation. Using a combination of music and podcasts Mike challenges the younger generation to get more involved in local politics and become more self-reliant. He believes this leads to “self-sustainability.” We first saw Mike perform when he was so young a hat was passed around to pay him. I was amazed to learn he began playing guitar at five years of age and by 11 was playing professionally. He started his first band at 14 and has compiled a resume of venues he’s played, including The House of Blues in Orlando, Florida, and Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge in Nashville, Tennessee.
While there are many talented bands and musicians in the entertainment industry, Mike is wise beyond his age at 26. His music has entertained generations, but now he’s reaching out to a younger generation, challenging them to better understand economic and political decision-making bodies within their community and become more astute to the changes in the world today.
Through his political and current events based internet podcast, which he calls “The Freedom Chronicles,” Mike wants to get his generation more involved in their community and to ask the questions most take at face value. He said too many people his age don’t want to listen to the news, as it is too biased. They become influenced by the latest opinions and trends found on social media. I heard this same viewpoint from former Younglife area director Tom Parker who said people use social media as their source of information and communication. I remember my interview with Tom, who said,” Today’s generation is more guarded and only shares what they want you to hear.” I learned from him pure communication is often missing, and no longer are they taught to question what is being presented to them, whether it is in school, on social media, or just the opinion of a friend.
Mike is looking at this next generation, which could run for office in a few years. He feels they need to stop relying on government handouts and start questioning the decision makers, parties, and what the media is promoting that are collectively influencing our thought processes. Mike recounted his experience and the negative feedback he received when incorporating the Beatle’s 1968 song, “Back in the U.S.S.R.,” into his repertoire. People asked why he would play a song that held life in the U.S.S.R. in such high regard. They never thought to research Paul McCartney’s thought process in writing the song, which was considered a musical satire that poked fun at just about everyone during that time. Mike explains this is what is going on today. “People don’t question, they take everything at face value, and there is no middle ground. People don’t talk to each other; they talk at each other,” a viewpoint I’ve had for years. He feels both sides of the aisle and the media share most of the blame. However, he feels it goes deeper, and people in general, and his generation in particular, need to get to the root cause of the things that impact society today. Many take the approach that until they feel it affects them personally, there is no need to take action, almost like the frog in boiling water. Mike wants to get people to draw their line in the sand and not play the role of the victim but take action before it is too late. He quoted Psychologist Jordan Peterson, who explained in a GQ interview the thought behind self-defense. He said, “You need to have the capacity for danger. You need to be dangerous. But you need to learn how not to use it except when necessary.” The premise behind his comment was to understand things are not always as they appear, and with knowledge of the underlying cause comes the ability to anticipate and protect one’s self. Mike feels most people are quick to point out the injustices they experience but aren’t willing to take the necessary steps to affect change. His goal is to get his generation, in particular, to start looking at the deeper motives of those that are driving the various issues such as abortion, Covid, the economy, cryptocurrency, the stock market, worldwide financial markets and trends, ongoing wars, and even CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency; making your money programmable by the government), to name a few. In short, he wants his generation to understand who and what controls these issues that impact us all and how they benefit from them. He feels things are moving very quickly, yet there is a complacency where young people today think if they don’t see how it is affecting them, there is no sense of urgency to question it. He wants his generation to become more aware and self-reliant, which he feels will lead to being more self-sufficient and less dependent on government handouts, which only creates more dependency.
When questioned why he relates to older generations, Mike said he learns more from their life experiences, and having a grandfather who served in World War II has added to his interest in history. His podcasts are full of interesting guests who share their viewpoints, life experiences, and even some with rags-to-riches stories. A few such guests are comedian Bobby “Sauce” Saucilito, who entertains his audience using political humor to get people thinking. At the same time, Tyrone Jackson of “The Good Frank” fame talks about how they went from having a hot dog cart to creating their highly successful brand of hot dogs that arose when they researched the harmful ingredients that went into the hot dogs they sold from their cart.
Mike feels entertainment should be an outlet for us to enjoy and not be used as a political outlet, as we see in sports and entertainment today. “Music and other forms of entertainment can be interpreted in their own way, which keeps it on the individual level once again.” His “Simply Clapton” show pays tribute to this highly regarded artist and reaches across multiple generations. “Music, like comedy, is powerful where people can leave politics behind and forget about their problems.” Mike’s “Imbasciani Chronicles” on Apple Podcast, Youtube, and Spotify is another platform that is music and entertainment based, promotes more of a one-on-one conversation. His podcasts (The Freedom Chronicles and The Imbasciani Chronicles) aim to provide opportunities to get his audience to think about the issues of the day and to have a dialogue.
Music is a language we all enjoy, and Mike and his “BluezRockerz” will continue to reach across generations, and with his “Simply Clapton” tribute show, hopes to reach a younger age who someday could become our next great leaders.
I always look forward to this time of year, and believe it or not, it starts with Halloween. While each season brings us something different, I think the joy and anticipation of the holidays make this time of the year a little more special. It all begins with the fun on that ghoulish Halloween evening where we enjoy watching kids dress up as their favorite characters, filling their bags with candy as they “trick or treat” their way around the neighborhood. I remember those days dressing up in costume myself, coming home with enough candy to feed a small country, much to my dentist’s delight. As I’ve grown older, that exuberance has evolved into a satisfaction I see in others having on this fun-filled evening.
While I’ve always wanted to savor each holiday to its fullest, like many, we were ready to usher in the holidays earlier this year so we could inject a little joy into our lives after the devastating effects of Hurricane Ian. While I think most of us experienced less impact from this storm than we did from Hurricane Charley 18 years ago, it does make you stop and take stock of what is essential in life.
I recently had the opportunity again to be part of a unique team of volunteers assembled by Punta Gorda Police Officer Joe Angelini that hosted 51 foster families and 144 foster children to a holiday luncheon. This touching holiday event started seven years ago, a year after Joe became a resource officer at Sally Jones Elementary School. Always having had a special place in his heart for children, Joe recounts how the school principal asked him if he would take a little first-grade boy named Lucas under his wing. Joe agreed that the department would put him back patrolling the streets the following year, which was part of his service to the community he enjoyed. Little did Joe know the impact this child would have on him.
While we reminisced what it was like growing up and coming down Christmas morning to see the brightly colored presents Santa brought us the night before, Joe felt an emotional tug at his heart. He saw how the holidays often accentuated the transient hand these children were dealt. Despite the best efforts, these foster families were trying to provide the love and stability the children lacked. Joe felt these families and children needed more than a holiday lunch. They needed something where memories were made. He met with Pastor Tim Buck of First Methodist Church in Punta Gorda, now New Life Church, along with various community leaders and restauranteurs, and the groundwork was established. Hearing what Joe was planning, an elderly lady in the community anonymously provided presents for each one of the children. Joe confided, “She provided, and the Christmas Elves wrapped.”
Over these seven years, this 14-year Veteran of the Punta Gorda Police force has created an event to remember. The buffet-style luncheon is more like a feast with fresh roasted turkey and enough side dishes and desserts to feed an army. The food is delivered to the homeless shelter if anything is left over. After lunch, the children are treated to take part in a photo booth, a cookie decorating station, and one where they can create their ice cream sundaes. Of course, what holiday event would be complete without a personal visit and picture with Santa? Local musicians play holiday music throughout the event in the background, along with various festive decorations and lighted Christmas trees. It is a beautiful setting to behold. However, the best is yet to come.
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.