The Shell Factory celebrated their 70th Anniversary on Monday, October 22, 2007 which kicks off 70 days of events. Everyday until the end of the year there will be a different event going on. To see the events for today and until the end of the year, click on the image below to see a larger image of the events calendar for this special celebration!

You can find an article about this very special celebration on both the North Fort Myers Neighbor and Cape Coral Breeze and both articles were written by Andrea Galabinski.

Article written & submitted by the North Fort Myers Neighbor 
By JENNIFER MOSSCROP
nfmneighbor@breezenewspapers.com

Bring in a $10 toy with a receipt to help needy kids and get a slice of fudge in return.

That’s the sweet deal Rose Ann Heuglin, owner of Rosie’s Gourmet Fudge Shop, is laying down to local business owners and residents this holiday season to support the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program.“It makes me so happy when the toys are awarded to families and I see how happy they are,” said Heuglin, who has been a Cape Coral resident for 20 years. “Even if I have to give away a lot of fudge for free, it’s worth it.” Rosie’s Gourmet Fudge has been up and running in the Shell Factory for 27 years and this is the seventh year they are participating in the program. Read the rest of this entry »

Article written & submitted by the North Fort Myers Neighbor 
By JENNIFER MOSSCROP

nfmneighbor@breezenewspapers.com
There were a few more tails than usual at the Shell Factory’s Nature Park on Oct. 4 during the St. Francis of Assisi Blessing of the Animals procession and ceremony.

Pet owners brought along their furry four-legged companions to be blessed by Deacon Thomas Zalewski from Saint Francis Xavier Holy Catholic Church, Fort Myers and the had a chance to visit the residents of the nature park during a blessing of the animals procession.

With holy water and a small prayer, Zalewski blessed each pet individually then walked through the whole nature park and blessed all of the animals which includes an array of animals like emus, praire dogs, goats, rodents, hedgehogs, turkeys and even Princess the baby zebra.

He also went into the serval cat and camel cages and sprinkled holy water into the koi pond.

“It is important to bless the animals, they are our friends,” Zalewski said. “Jesus loved all creatures and God created all things.” Read the rest of this entry »

Article written & submitted by the North Fort Myers Neighbor 
By JENNIFER MOSSCROP
nfmneighbor@breezenewspapers.com

School may be in session but that does not mean students have to stop having fun. They can visit Kowia and Chobee, two serval cats at the Shell Factory’s nature park, located at 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, where there is much to learn about these elusive felines and the need to respect all wildlife.

Kowia, a three-year-old male, and Chobee, a five-year-old female, are on educational loan by nature park Animal Care Manager, Alene Greto’s animal rescue organization, Respecting All Wildlife Inc.

“I like to share with the public that animals are to be respected and treated with the utmost dignity.” Greto said. “I think its especially important to reach children so when they grow up and have to make decisions about building they will choose to not destroy their habitats.”

This species of cat can be found mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and south west Africa. The North African barbary servals are on the endangered species list according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Read the rest of this entry »

Article written & supplied by the North Fort Myers Neighbor 
By JENNIFER MOSSCROP
Jmosscrop@breezenewspapers.com

The Shell Factory nature park recently purchased a new addition to its petting zoo, a mild-tempered, 3-week old zebra named Princess.

On the day of her arrival last Wednesday, Princess allowed volunteers to pet her on the head and back. Sometimes she let out a cry, as she was getting used to her new home.
Princess is a grant zebra whose bloodline stems from Africa and should grow to be 52 inches high.

She is currently eating warm powdered milk and must be fed a quart and a half every 6 hours for the next three weeks. Soon she will be on a diet of hay, grass and alfalfa.

Her roommate is a white mule named Esmeralda, but Nancy Mitchell, CEO of The Shell Factory said Princess will be moved to the emu habitat, which was originally built for an animal like the zebra, in a month and a half. Read the rest of this entry »