Sunshine isn’t just a forecast—it’s a way of building a life. We sit down with Valerie Carouthers to unpack her full-circle journey: growing up on Fort Myers Beach, swearing she’d never return, then finding her way back after gray winters and closed doors taught her what really matters. The thread running through her story is simple and powerful: community happens when people meet often, move together, and make room for newcomers.

Valerie maps a beach-town playbook that’s equal parts joy and practicality. She spotlights monthly anchors like Naples Motorsports Cars and Coffee, shares the friends-and-family EDM gathering on San Carlos Bay Beach that runs noon to midnight with hourly DJs and flow artists, and explains how to catch pop-up sets near the pier by following Stage Two Society. She also opens the door to alcohol-light connection at Kava Culture—hammocks, fire pits, a CBD lounge, trivia, karaoke, and open mics—where you can sip a mango juice and still feel fully part of the scene. These third spaces are the heartbeat of a new social era and a perfect fit for a beach town that thrives on warm nights and easy conversation.

Service is another pillar. From her role at ERA Lahaina Realty, Valerie coordinates monthly United Way volunteer events across Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, and Naples. That steady rhythm turns goodwill into real outcomes, exactly what a community needs as it continues to rebuild. She shares a thrifty local tip—enjoying Pink Shell’s energy and sunsets by posting up at Bongos Beach Bar—and lays out a clear case for investing in Fort Myers Beach real estate now, while the slate is still open and the vision is forward-facing. The goal isn’t to freeze time; it’s to carry the island’s soul into its next chapter with intention.

If you’ve been craving a guide to plug into authentic Fort Myers Beach culture—events, third places, volunteer paths, and smart investment timing—this conversation delivers warmth and a plan. Subscribe, share with a friend who misses the sun, and leave a review telling us your favorite local third space or beach ritual.

Valerie Carouthers
https://www.facebook.com/valerie.carouthers

Ft Myers Beach-Good Neighbor
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