🌱 Patch AM: What’s next for Fort Myers’ long-abandoned Rock Lake Resort property?

Greetings Fort Myers! We're your go-to source for what's happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• What's next for Fort Myers' long-abandoned Rock Lake Resort property?
• When and where Island Hopper's biggest shows hit Fort Myers.
• See which Fort Myers homes topped Lee County's August sales list

Also on today's calendar: Career Kickoff SWFL! The area's Best Job Fai and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do an island and the letter "t" have in common? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Sunday: A heavy t-storm in the p.m., with a high of 88 and low of 73 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Monday: A heavy t-storm in the p.m., temps: high: 89, low: 73.
• Tuesday: Cloudy with heavy t-storms, with a high of 88 and low of 75 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Historic Fort Myers resort sits empty after Hurricane Ian damage, neighbors want answers (winknews.com) — Neighbors in Fort Myers are frustrated that the historic Rock Lake Resort on Palm Beach Boulevard remains damaged, abandoned, and without a clear redevelopment plan four years after Hurricane Ian. The five‑acre property sits in a flood zone, meaning any future project will likely look very different from the beloved Old Florida-style resort longtime residents remember. City officials say no formal plans have been submitted yet.
   

• Island Hopper Songwriter Fest returns to Fort Myers Sept. 18 (winknews.com) — Island Hopper Songwriter Fest is bringing more than 60 mostly free shows to Lee County, with key dates in downtown Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach later this month. Performances will range from acoustic and folk to alternative rock, often in intimate venues where artists share the stories behind their songs. A festival app, email list, and social media offer full schedules and updates.
   

• Real estate: Lee County's most expensive homes sold for August (miamiherald.com) — Two Fort Myers properties made Lee County's Top-10 most expensive August home sales, including luxury houses in Devonwood and Palmetto Point that each closed just over $3 million. The list, drawn from Royal Shell Real Estate data, shows how high-end waterfront and golf-course homes across Lee County—from Cape Coral to Bonita Springs and Estero—are commanding multimillion-dollar prices.
   

📸 Around Fort Myers

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Fort Myers

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★ Featured events ★

Monday September 21
• Career Kickoff SWFL! The area's Best Job Fai →
  Hilton Garden Inn Fort Myers Airport/FGCU, 16410 Corporate Commerce Way, Fort Myers
  10:00 am
Friday October 2
• Mystery Dinner Show →
  Saint Hilary's Episcopal Church, 5011 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers
  6:00 pm
Saturday October 3
• Mystery Dinner Show →
  Saint Hilary's Episcopal Church, 5011 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers
  6:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Sunday September 20
• Candlelight: Queen vs. The Beatles →
  Dimension Event Center, 2634 Tamiami Trl E, Naples
  4:00 pm
• Candlelight: Neo-Soul Favorites ft. Songs by Prince, Childish Gambino, & More →
  Dimension Event Center, 2634 Tamiami Trl E, Naples
  6:15 pm
• Crafts After Dark →
  Fort Myers FL
  8:00 pm
Monday September 21
• Alex Rohan →
  Fort Myers FL
Thursday September 24
• Panera Bread® Grand Opening in Punta Gorda on September 24, 2026 →
  Panera Bread Punta Gorda 26260 Jones Loop Rd, Unit A Punta Gorda, FL 33950
  6:00 am
Saturday September 26
• Goodwill Community Appreciation Day Sale →
  16523 Island Park Rd, Fort Myers
  9:00 am
Saturday October 3
• United We Dance →
  The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers
  7:00 pm
Saturday October 10
• Partners Pink Run →
  Bell Tower, 13499 S Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers
  8:00 am
• Big Cypress Celebration →
  Burns Lake Campground, 18495 Burns Rd, Ochopee
  9:00 am

📣 Fort Myers Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Fort Myers PatchAM possible:

• Ridge Valley Exteriors — (239) 237-3717

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• SWFL Active Singles is a fun group, can use about 100 more women. —Paul M Read on Patch

• ❤️ A Gentle Note on Care Partner Routines: Finding Peace Through Rhythm 🕊️
  Caring for a loved one with dementia is an act of profound love, but in the beginning, establishing a new daily rhythm can feel like hard work. When… (Nextdoor Sanibel Harbour Towers)
• Found!
  Hey my cat Shamus is missing He is A Domestic Short-hair Tabby He is neutered. He is about 8 years old. He is a little spicy but he is completely an… (Nextdoor Georgian Bay)

• Chick-fil-A posted a job opening for Back of House Team Member in Fort Myers. Apply here.
• WINK - Fort Myers Broadcasting Company posted a job opening for Accounts Receivable Clerk in Fort Myers. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Fort Myers here.

🗞 Nearby News

Gateway

• TFA vs. national No. 1 IMG; Edgewater at Jones in Week 5 (orlandosentinel.com)

North Fort Myers

• Mariner Tritons vs. North Fort Myers Red Knights volleyball (northfortmyersneighbor.com)
• The Legacy of I-Hsiung Ju (wlu.edu)

Cape Coral

• Cape Coral tennis facility named one of best in the US (winknews.com)
• Cape Coral leaders push to bring full-service VA hospital closer to veterans (winknews.com)
• Xander Marketing Builds Local Profiles and Citations Around Buyer Intent (timesoftheislands.com)

Ok Fort Myers! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: They are both in the middle of water. (Thank you Curt K. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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