The 2024 Leadership Estero Class had a wonderful, fun-packed day Friday with a curriculum focus on History, Arts, & Tourism.  The morning rain didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits!

The day commenced with an informative presentation by Estero Historical Society President Gail Langer. The Estero Historical Society sponsored a full breakfast buffet prepared by Bonita Brunch, followed by a guided tour of the grounds and historical buildings with Vice President Roslyn Gula. Special gratitude to Bill Ribble for his invaluable assistance in re-routing the class to the Estero Park Community Center due to inclement weather conditions.

Next was a visit to the Koreshan State Historical Park, where the class had the pleasure of being led by an expert guide who provided an in-depth and informative tour of the settlement, its rich history, and the ongoing efforts to preserve and rehabilitate it. The experience was truly remarkable, and we were grateful for the opportunity to learn from such a knowledgeable source.

The class then moved to The Center for the Visual Arts in Bonita. Here, the Arts Executive Director and Leadership Class member, Alyona Ushe, treated the class to an engaging and interactive afternoon, which included a glass-pendant-making class, lunch, and insightful leadership exercises led by Performing Arts Education Director Jessica Walck.

The day's final stop was the Lee Health Sports Complex, where the class received a comprehensive tour of the Hammond Stadium and the Minnesota Twins Spring Training Center. This tour was conducted by Mark Weber, Director of the Minnesota Twins Business Operations, and Dan Lauer, VP of Sales and Marketing for the Mighty Mussels. The group was delighted to see the campus and hear from both executives about their team missions, values, and personal passion for the industry.