Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2025 i Naples Illustrated

STAGER: Vesta Home One of the country’s leading luxury home staging firms, Vesta has designers in each of its four core markets (one of which is South Florida) and is known for transforming multimillion-dollar properties to help them sell faster and at a higher price. (vestahome.com) Representative: Linda Kennedy, Florida Creative Director NI: How do you help people envision that this could be their home? Kennedy: I try to avoid over-personalization. Too many personal touches can make it hard for a buyer to envision themself living in the home. Instead, I focus on adding warmth and comfort—enough to make the space feel inviting but still neutral enough to imagine it as their own. How important is the entryway, and what do you do to maximize that first impression? Very important!…

We love Hinckleys. All that salty Maine lobster boat style. All that artisan-crafted, mirror-varnished brightwork. To this day, the sight of a flag-blue-hulled Hinckley Picnic Boat slicing through the chop, Stars and Stripes fluttering off the transom, will make any boat lover’s heart soar. It’s been almost a century since Henry R. Hinckley built his first boat at the Manset Boatyard in Southwest Harbor, Maine. Since then, Hinckley has done a fine job of combining classic design and old-world craftsmanship with some of the newest technical innovations, everything from waterjet propulsion to carbon composite construction and joystick control. In 2017, it was the first builder to experiment with electric power, launching the fully electric, achingly gorgeous, 28-foot Hinckley Dasher. To kick off the new year, Hinckley will splash what just…

Perched on a wooded ridge in lake forest, illinois, pembroke lodge is more than a 30-room Georgian limestone mansion; it’s a living time capsule of American design. Built in 1895 by prominent architect Henry Ives Cobb, the 15,000-square-foot estate was originally commissioned by real estate and mining entrepreneur David Benton Jones. In the late 1930s, Jones’ daughter, Gwethalyn, hired architect David Adler and his sister—legendary interior designer Frances Adler Elkins—to redesign the first-floor interiors. Adler also added a pool and pool house, while the lush 3.5-acre grounds were designed by none other than Frederick Law Olmsted, the visionary behind Central Park. This year, under the ownership of part-time Neapolitans and design enthusiasts Chris and Anna Bower, Pembroke Lodge debuted as the Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens, an initiative that tapped…

Naples-born athlete Jenson Van Emburgh, ranked No. 1 in the world in wheelchair para table tennis and a Paralympic Games bronze medalist, moved back to Naples last year to train with head coach Jeff Yamada at Naples Pong. We caught up with the 25-year-old athlete about his history with the sport, triumphs and challenges, and his Paralympic plans. Read on for more. (naplespong.com) NI: Can you describe your start in table tennis? Van Emburgh: My family is a tennis family, and I found it a bit hard for me to pursue because of my disability. I picked up a table tennis racket at one of my brother’s tennis tournaments when I was 9 years old and found it much easier and better for my disability. [Quickly], I was beating other…

Rather than waiting to schedule a therapy appointment, Naples community residents will soon be able to access walk-in mental health care services at the Diermeier Access and Integrated Care Center, opening in 2026 as part of David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health (DLC). “Reducing wait times is critical to meeting the needs of residents with behavioral health issues,” explains Kimberly Dye, vice president of advancement for DLC. Besides offering behavioral health urgent care services, the new center will include integrated mental and physical health care, medication and treatment for people with substance-use disorders, and trauma therapy for veterans, including immersive therapy designed to help patients face challenges in simulated safe spaces alongside a therapist. “All of DLC’s adult outpatient programs, including our expanded Veteran Services, will now be under one…

GOINGS ON & PERFORMANCES 1 And Then There Were None, Agatha Christie’s masterpiece of mystery, deception, and shocking twists, Kizzie Theater, The Naples Players, to Oct. 19, tickets start at $55. (naplesplayers.org) 2 Zachary Bartholomew: Passion, Peace, and The Real McCoy, a tribute to the music of jazz pianist McCoy Tyner, Moe Auditorium, Arts Bonita, Bonita Springs, tickets start at $38. (artsbonita.org) 4 Naples Jazzmasters, jazz concert by the Naples Jazz Society, River Park Community Center, Naples, free. (thenaplesjazzsociety.com) 5 Everyone’s a Kid, Bonita Springs residents receive reduced admission the first Sunday of every month, Bonita Wonder Gardens, Bonita Springs, $12. (wondergardens.org) 7 Birding in the Garden, take a morning walk through the 90-acre preserve and discover the avian species that call the garden home, Naples Botanical Garden, also Oct.…

Through strategic partnerships and collaborations, Home Base Florida, part of the large national nonprofit Home Base, continues to provide healing opportunities for local veterans and military families impacted by the often-invisible wounds of war. Shy Wolf Sanctuary Education & Experience Center, a captive-bred exotic animal rescue center in east Naples, once again collaborated with Home Base Florida’s Adventure Series program, an initiative aimed at strengthening bonds with veterans and their families through a variety of free events. Veterans were invited to the sanctuary and introduced to Shy Wolf’s rescued animals, which often come from abused, abandoned, and neglected situations. As the animal encounters take place in a peaceful and natural environment, veterans and animals are given the opportunity to experience unconditional love and courage. Following the animal encounters, the veterans…

From the beginnings of civilization and the earliest uses of currency, silver has been prized for its versatility, durability, and beauty. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans used silver for coins, adornment, and ceremonial objects. By the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, silver had become a symbol of wealth as silversmiths crafted elaborate pieces for both the aristocracy and the growing middle class. A great deal of silver from this period still exists, and thanks to a robust system of assay and hallmarking, one can often identify where a piece was made, as well as when and by whom. The British system is one of the most detailed and standardized in the world. A typical hallmark on British sterling silver can include the lion passant, the symbol for sterling silver (.925); the…

Art and accessories, bold draperies, and new and vintage furniture—all served on a platter of dark wood floors—provide a feast for the senses in the beautifully proportioned and defined rooms of the Solomon home. A mix and match of antiques and family heirlooms, such as an oriental chest that once lived in dad Anthony’s childhood bedroom, are perfectly placed throughout the nearly 4,000-square-foot home. Every room contains artwork—collected from years of travels and visits to art fairs—meaningful to the family. “We have more art than we can hang on the walls,” says mom Ashley. When asked if they like their home, children Aidan and Margot Jude (MJ) quickly respond with, “We love it.” When they visit, MJ’s friends think she lives in a museum and are afraid to touch. But…

There is a lot more than meets the eye to the Venetian-plaster compositions Christopher O’Guin creates in and on clients’ homes. Based on age-old techniques, no two are exactly alike. Made from natural materials, they are ecologically friendly and healthy to live with. And, as there are at least four layers, they endure far longer than a simple coat or two of matte or eggshell white paint. When we meet at O’Guin Decorative Finishes studio on Trade Center Way in the middle of a humid Florida summer, the town is quiet. But not this business. O’Guin mentions it is his busy time, coinciding with the condo renovation season that occurs every year in Southwest Florida—from May through November. O’Guin happened upon his career organically. His parents owned a painting and…

Although it got its start in the 1950s as the Phillips 66 fuel dock, Pier 66 became a seaside icon in 1965 when a hotel was added. With its space-age, Googie-style, spire-topped tower, the hotel was the crown jewel of the Fort Lauderdale skyline. And its seventeenth-floor rooftop lounge gave patrons a 360-degree view of the city’s glittering waterways, from ocean to Intracoastal and back again in 66 minutes. But fate intervened in 2017, when extensive water damage from Hurricane Irma nearly erased the landmark. Now, after a breathtaking $1 billion transformation, the beloved former petrol platform and humble hotel have been reborn as a mid-century luxury resort spanning 32 acres. Beyond its 325 plush rooms, 90 private residences, and three dazzling pools, Pier 66’s marina is one of the…

SHOT ON LOCATION AT SHORE ACRES FARM, NAPLES A quote famously attributed to Sir Winston Churchill claims, “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” That adage proved true seven years ago for Neapolitans Janie and Mike Yag, each coping with the recent loss of a parent. “Janie was depressed, and so was I,” Mike reflects. Recalling his wife’s fond memories of being around horses as a young girl living in Nova Scotia, Canada, Mike suggested she saddle up at a nearby stable, hoping it would lift her spirits. She returned home, he says, “smiling from ear to ear. They say horses are great therapy, and that’s what this ride was for Janie.” The following week, Janie signed up for riding…

It’s incredible to ponder the sheer scale of the Everglades, a sprawling 3 million acres of wetlands, wilderness, and wonder. For some perspective, that’s larger than both Delaware and Rhode Island combined. But the Everglades we know is a mere shadow of its former self; it once encompassed a massive 6 million acres. From the headwaters of the Kissimmee River near Orlando through Lake Okeechobee (or Lake O) down to the shimmering waters of Florida Bay, this thriving ecosystem, called the River of Grass, flowed slowly and broadly, nourishing an entire peninsula. Unchecked development and short-sighted engineering share the blame when it comes to the dramatic decline of this sub-tropical wetland biome. Over centuries, a web of canals, levees, and urban sprawl gradually restricted the flow of vital fresh water,…

Luxury sports car enthusiasts have a new place to gather in downtown Naples at Porsche Studio Naples. The fifth studio of its kind from the high-powered brand, the new space is located on Fifth Avenue South and opened in June. Highlights include a Porsche racing simulator straight from Germany, a coffee bar, a boutique with Porsche apparel, and other features. Porsche Naples Director of Marketing & Operations Danielle Greenberg explains the purpose of the studio is to provide opportunities for immersion within the Porsche brand without the pressure of buying a car. “Porsche is more than a car,” Greenberg says. “It has become more of an experience and a lifestyle. So, that’s why with our studio, you can come and grab a coffee. Or, you can race on the simulator.…

SAN YSIDRO RANCH, MONTECITO Nestled into the coastal foothills of Montecito, San Ysidro Ranch is more than a hotel—it’s a legend cast in lavender and stone. Spread across 550 acres of lush hillside gardens and oak-shaded pathways, this hideaway has long been the backdrop for love stories both iconic and discreet. John and Jacqueline Kennedy honeymooned at the ranch in 1953. Winston Churchill found writing refuge here. Today it remains a gold standard in romantic American destinations. The property’s 38 standalone accommodations—most of them vine-draped cottages—are individually decorated with antique furnishings, original art, and handmade four-poster canopy beds. Clad in hand-painted wallpaper, the bathrooms come with radiant-heated floors, freestanding Parisian soaking tubs, and outdoor rain showers. Most cottages also include private patios with oversize sunken spas and dining areas, many…

Channeling that classic Tom Cruise line from the original Top Gun movie: “I feel the need. The need for speed.” To feel the speed, simply dial up Sport+ drive mode to add a triple shot of espresso to the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. Now foot to the floor and brace yourself. It’s not the off-the-line thrust that will release a tsunami of adrenaline and send your pulse into hyperdrive (though zero to 60 in 3.4 seconds isn’t exactly hanging around). No, it’s the ferocity of the mid-range, slingshot-out-of-the-on-ramp surge that will clench your jaw, tingle your fingers, and have you uttering expletives like Gordon Ramsay on Kitchen Nightmares. The source of all this mind-warping forward motion is Aston Martin’s new Vantage coupe, which has just had a major makeover to transform it…

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Artfully arranged wines occupy an entire wall. A deli case filled with meats and cheeses beckons. The aroma of garlic and spices waft from the kitchen via a pass-through window over which is scrawled “Eat like an Italian.” Clearly, DiGusto takes its Italian roots seriously. This two-year-old Naples establishment recently received the Ospitalità Italiana—Ristorante Italiani nel Mondo 2025-2026 from the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce in recognition of authenticity. To earn it, businesses worldwide demonstrate they promote Italian food products and work to enhance the culture and traditions of Italian food and wine. DiGusto is the first to earn it in Southwest Florida. Owners Monica Valtolina, the chef, and her husband, General Manager Robert Di Gennaro, along with their son, House Manager Davide Di Gennaro, work to bring authentic food and…

In late June, 11:11 Hospitality partnered with Naples Grande Beach Resort to offer Tranquility Weekend, an immersive event dedicated to health, well-being, and restoration. The two-day retreat allowed participants to attend in periods of one or two days and experience a diverse range of activities, including yoga and Pilates classes, sound-bath sessions, breath work, energy healing, beach workouts, and other wellness-centric programming. Participants—including many local residents—had opportunities to make meaningful connections through networking. “Approximately 300 attendees joined us on Saturday—and around 250 on Sunday,” says Jon Besant, CEO and co-owner of 11:11 Hospitality, an events and entertainment management company. “There was a real sense of community and drive among attendees to connect, share, and support one another.” In addition to the immersive workshops and wellness experiences, more than 30 vendors with…

An anti-inflammatory diet can help manage chronic inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, but it may also reduce joint pain and promote weight loss, among other benefits. In fact, Francesca Scerbo, owner of Balanced Nutrition in Naples, recommends an inflammation-lowering diet for everyone. People “are seeing huge results in their health,” she notes. “They are getting off of medication and seeing improvements in their energy.” To follow the diet, eat foods that fight inflammation in your body while minimizing ones that promote it. Scerbo suggests unprocessed foods, including fruits and vegetables, fatty fish, whole grains, and nuts and seeds. On the other hand, you’ll want to avoid sugary foods and drinks, fried foods, red meat, and refined carbs—such as white bread. “Anything that is in a box…

Somedays John Eder can’t believe he gets paid to take pretty pictures of flowers. “Because there are already so many photos of flowers,” he shares, “it is challenging to take an interesting one.” Armed with years of photography experience, he strives to capture something unusual in each shot. Eder’s family moved to Naples when he was 3 years old. He left town to work as a professional photographer in New York City in the ’80s. He then spent 27 years in Los Angeles, where he shot photos for magazines and album covers for the likes of Mötley Crüe and Stone Temple Pilots. Seven years ago, he moved back to Naples; three years ago he was hired as the multimedia coordinator at Naples Botanical Garden, whose mission he reminds “is to…