The Fort Myers News-Press Feature

Saturday February 28, 2004

Published by news-press.com on February 28, 2004

With oranges and grapefruits growing fat on our trees, it's a shame to let them drop to the ground. But how to reach them in their prime?

True Value Hardware sells a nifty fruit picker, a vinyl-coated steel basket on a long, two-piece wooden handle. The basket has curved prongs to grip the fruit and a foam cushion so as not to damage it. Price: $9.99.

There are True Value stores at 1407 Cape Coral Parkway, Cape Coral, and Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.

Locally based Forestry Resources opened its fourth store earlier this month, in Estero. Because it's geared to landscapers and architects, it means homeowners too can find professional-grade equipment there along with mulch, fertilizer, soil and rocks. The stores also sell Forestry Resources-developed Florimulch, a melaleuca mulch, at $2.30 a bag.

The Estero store is at 20190 S. Tamiami Trail. The others are at 4325 Michigan Link, Fort Myers; 190 Nicholas Parkway, Cape Coral; and 3927 Domestic Ave., Naples. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays.

This area has a good number of dollar stores, each with its own personality. One I hadn't visited before is a relatively new one, Dollar Plus, at 231 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral.

A customer buying a pop-open mesh laundry hamper for a buck said they're the best thing. They stand on their own, yet fold to about the size of a salad plate.

Other items I noted: fleece tiger print seat belt buffers; pretty Melamine dishes; two-handled purses in velour or frayed denim, meant for makeup but cute enough for a casual evening bag; pack of two flexible, dishwasher-safe chopping mats; and shoeshine kit with brush, buffer, rag and polish.

Starting Monday, Blue Bell Ice Cream from Brenham, Texas, will be sold in Lee County. Flavors include Key Lime Pie and Birthday Cake. Besides the super creamy original, there are no-sugar-added and low-fat versions. It retails for $4.59 a half gallon, but look for promotions during the launch period.

Most local supermarkets and major drugstores will have it. Blue Bell Creameries was established in 1907.

ArtFest Fort Myers this weekend will feature a Young Collectors Gallery of items for $5. The juried fine art festival along Edwards Drive in downtown Fort Myers will feature 195 artists from across the United States and Canada.

To contact Anne Mitchell, write her c/o The News-Press, P.O. Box 10, Fort Myers, FL 33902, or e-mail amitchell@news-press.com.