THE NINETIES (1990-1999)
Estero in 1990 was a virtual no-man’s land. There was no grocery store, no gas station, and no bank nearby. The closest stores were on Bonita Beach Road. Corkscrew Road was a two-lane highway. A citrus market on Corkscrew just west of Country Creek’s entrance was the location of an orange grove. There, residents could buy bags of oranges and grapefruit, fresh squeezed orange juice, and all forms of fresh vegetables. Cows wandered among the trees and would mosey up to the fence that ran along the backside of the citrus market’s unpaved parking lot. One day a calf was born right there and got up on its legs to also look at the customers at the fruit and vegetable stand.
In 1990 Peg Valleskey assumed the duties of editor of the Villager newspaper from the first editor, Dot Bevington. Other writers were Claire Kastner– ”The Cook’s Corner;” Stephie Brodbeck–”The Sporting Life;” and Kathy Roeder–”The Mystery Neighbor.” Another feature was “People and Places.
The first community party took place at the pool on Labor Day 1990. A Christmas gift exchange took place in December with entertainment by the Country Creek Choir with Larry Westin, Jan Rosenthal, and Cass Strangio among the singers. New residents included Tony and Ruth Catalano, Elaine Lukes, Bill and Betty Lutz, William and Holly Schole, Arthur and Helen Bidle, Lloyd and Alice Winfried, John and Nancy Blakely, and Ralph Napolitano.
In July 1991 S&S Golf Management, Inc. with Helen and Robert Sarver and David Smith, assumed the management of Country Creek. Food and beverage manager was Michael Bramlett and golf pro was David Combs. Harold Appelquist and Frydy Cole were named to the HOA Board of Directors.
Also in 1991, a horseshoe pit was built. Dick and Bee Call were the first residents on Horse Hame Hollow. Other new residents were Michael and Patricia Booth, Frank and Carol Clark, Robert and Marlene Brown, Bill and Barb Hackenberg, Ken and Patricia Brown, Larry and Rosemary Clark, Cheryl and Ed Scanlon, Claire and John Kim, Carol and Harold Wooten, and Don and Jackie Paulson. The 50s doo- wop vocal group, the Platters, appeared in concert in October 1991.
The Ink Spots, a popular 40s group, performed at the Country Creek Clubhouse in 1992. In March, Roland Jolie won the second Men’s Golf Club Championship defeating Fred McBride and Don Saylor, and Don Paulson, the previous year’s champ, with a score of 72. Blacksmith Forge had its first annual block party with the Oelkers, Lukes, Binkas, Catalanos, Lutzes and Valleskeys attending.
In 1993 Elmer Rawson died peacefully at home after playing a round of golf. Elmer was an early resident and avid golfer who served as the first recording secretary of the Men’s Golf Association (CCMGA) and was involved in planning the Charities Golf tournament. He died just before the community talent show in which his wife, Martha (“the resident pianist”),was to accompany the vocalists, However, the show went on as planned and as Elmer would have wanted it. An annual golf tournament in his name takes place each year in February as a memorial and tribute to him.
On January 21, 1994 US Homes took over the community. In August, Ray and Gayle Pothier moved into the first Dover model built. Chuck Hunkins started as assistant golf pro on October 31, 1994.
In 1995 construction began on the condos and villas. Condos sold from $79,900, manor homes from $99,400, patio homes from $108,900, and fairway estates from $133,900. Bill Rutherford was the first to purchase a condo. Other new residents were Edward and Mary Jane Harvey, Christie and Andy Vine, and Brian and Noreen Blakely.
Golf continued to be an important part of the community in the second half of the nineties. The Ladies Club Champion in 1996 was Virginia Marshall, and Mike Arrison was Men’s Club Champion. The original par 61 golf course was altered by adding two new holes in the estate section and removing two existing holes, one in the area of the 7th hole and the other near the 11th hole. Two lined retention areas for reclaimed water were added to the 10th and 11th hole, and the retention areas at the 5th and 6th holes were changed allowing irrigation of the added acreage.
In addition, in 1996 the Ladies and Men’s Golf Associations became more active. The Men’s Golf Association sponsored the first Christmas charity three-day golf tournament with $1000 prizes each day and a chance to win a car in the hole-in-one contest. The community effort raised $24,542. Later a garage, bake, and crafts sale were added. In the next three years, this charity event raised more than $81,000. Almost all those funds went to local charities.
To the delight of the VCC residents, a shopping center with a Publix supermarket was finally completed in 1997, making it possible to do the week’s shopping within a few miles of home. 1997 also saw the beginnings of CCTV, with office staff in charge of entering the information for local viewing. In May of that year Chuck Hunkins became head golf pro. Mike Arrison again earned the Men’s Club Championship in 1997 and repeated that feat in 1998 and 1999. The 1997 Ladies Club champ was Carolyn Oversby, and the 1998 champion was Tiny Charles.
A casino night fundraising event was added in 1999 when the charity activities group separated from the Men’s Golf Association and became Country Creek Community Charities, Inc., a registered, tax-exempt 501 (c3) corporation. Eileen Galvin, assisted by Lou Crowley, chaired the first garage sale.
That year, Bob Gelles was general manager; May Irving food and beverage manager; Michale Cox executive chef; Sue Foust (“The Hat Lady” as she was referred to) social director; and Chuck Hunkins golf pro. Ed Lewis was in the news in 1999 for his role as Captain in Anything Goes with the Naples Players. Ladies Golf Championship was won by Jane Lingman.
