What
began as an idea born of a lifelong passion has now, in these pages,
become a reality. For over 30 years, my travels have taken me to islands
throughout the world- from the island continents of Australia and New
Zealand, to the most minisule dots in the Carribean, with long sojourns
in places like the Turks & Caicos, Haiti, the Dominican Republic,
Grenada, and the British Virgin Islands.
Born in Europe and raised partially in South America
I have been blessed with a divided soul. The Latin influence ignited
a fiery passion, a consummate desire to be close to the earth, the elements
and nature; while my Germanic roots bequeathed me with a steadfast determination
to pursue more challenging enterprises offered by the urban landscape
of temperate climates.
But, of all the places I've been - places where the
sun bleaches the sand and the sea echoes the murmurs of earth and sky
- the Southwest Florida barrier islands have beckoned me the strongest.
My affinity for these islands began in 1989, when
I left behind the hurdles of a very demanding business in Pennsylvania,
and heeded the many invitations of good friends like Mitzi and Carl
Koelmel, Tina and Guy Tober and others, to visit their best kept secret
- Sanibel and Captiva. For two weeks, I relinquished myself to the inebriating
beauty of the sunsets, the transcendental communion of an exuberant
vegetation and the placid Gulf waters, and the peaceful coexistence
of the omnipresent wildlife with a population of respectful citizens.
All this contributed to making these islands my most sought after piece
of paradise.
That first trip in 1989 marked the beginning of a
love story which, like good wine, only improved as the years went by
- and I kept coming back. The natural beauty of the island notwithstanding,
other alluring factors prompted me to keep returning; first and foremast,
the outstanding people that I encountered here, for it takes a most
singular type of people that to make these islands what they are today.
Through their great love and respect for the land, their spirit of fellowship,
punctuated by a remarkable sense of humor, they have lent to these barrier
islands their unique features. These people awakened the desire in all
of us involved with Times of the Islands to give back to this land and
its community our talents and innermost appreciation in the form of
this magazine.
As my life begins to slow its frenzied pace, I can
call these islands home and embark on a new journey. Though I had previously
worked as a business publisher in New York, my sole intention now is
to celebrate the island modus vivendi that is so dear to my heart, and
to the hearts of all those who have ever been spellbound by brilliant
sunsets, enamored with tiny webbed feet pressed in the sand, or instantly
soothed by the smell and sound of the sea.
Throughout this endeavor, I have counted on a dedicated
team: our managing editor, Suzanne Tissier; our production director,
Aldo Ullio; and our senior consulting editor, Tom Whittingslow, as well
as our many contributing writers, photographers and designers.
Aptly christened on a humid night, in the Sunset Grill
overlooking the Gulf, Times of the Islands pledged to bring you the
best of the islands. Come along and share our dream.
