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Social Security Matters – How do I apply for Social Security?

Dear Rusty: I just turned 65 years old in February 2025. I need to sign up for Social Security but don't even know where to start. Signed: Seeking Assistance Dear Seeking: It is fairly easy to sign up for your Social Security benefits, by either calling the Social Security Administration at 1.800.772.1213 or your local SS office, to make a telephone appointment to apply, or by completing your application for Social Security benefits online at www.ssa.gov/apply. However, to apply for benefits online you will need to first create your personal “my Social Security” account at ...

Garden Club: The cloudless sulphur butterfly

My butterfly garden contains host plants for a variety of butterflies, including Gulf fritillaries, monarchs, zebra longwings and cloudless sulphurs. The cloudless sulphurs always seem to catch my eye as their bright yellow forms soar and then flit throughout the garden, and I see them often ...

Garden Club of Cape Coral | Two hidden gems

Cape Coral has numerous pocket gardens which you might enjoy exploring. One particular favorite is the garden next to the Outpatient Rehabilitation building at Cape Coral Hospital, 605 S.E. 13th Court. It is a peaceful place for hospital staff, patients and family members to take a break. The garden is also a place for Cape Coral residents to pass through as they walk the hospital wellness path, or take a rest on the park bench.  The garden was created in 2014, in a joint effort between the hospital and the county, as a teaching garden. Plant labels help you identify what you see. The ...

Lee Health | When seconds count, whole blood saves lives

The Lee Health Trauma Center sees nearly 5,000 patients every year, and every patient that paramedics rush into the trauma center needs immediate attention. Earlier this year, the Lee Health Trauma Center began an initiative that is saving lives – it’s called whole blood. By adding whole ...

Garden Club of Cape Coral | Heat tolerant plants

Summer will soon be sizzling in Southwest Florida. With increased humidity and the heat index that may hover around 100°, many retreat indoors for relief. For comfort and for health reasons, time outside may be restricted to early morning or later in the evening. This gives us less time to ...