‘Ding’ Lecture Series Kicks Off With ‘Tales of an Innkeeper’

provided to The Santiva Chronicle

The 21st annual “Ding” Darling Winter Lecture Series opens Thursday, Jan. 22, with Tony Lapi, longtime innkeeper at the historic ‘Tween Waters Inn & Marina on Captiva Island, speaking about famous guests like “Ding” Darling and Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh, plus other anecdotes from his book Tales of an Island Innkeeper. He will deliver two lectures at the open-air The Roost at the “Ding” Darling Visitor & Education Center on Sanibel Island: one at 10 a.m. and the other at 1 p.m.

In his memoir, Lapi reflects on his 48-year ‘Tween Waters journey, weaving the history of Sanibel and Captiva islands with his stories of memorable guests, employees, and incidents at the inn. First serving as general manager, then president and CEO, and now as chairman of the board, Lapi has seen the inn’s evolution first hand. Bank of the Islands sponsors Lapi’s lecture.

“Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) co-hosts the eight-part lecture series with J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge and through financial support from sponsors. Sponsorships are still available for the lectures. Contact Jeff Decker at Jeff@dingdarlingsociety.org or 310-612-4373 for more information. Partial sponsorships begin at $1,000; full sponsorships are $5,000.

See the complete calendar of the season’s lectures below and at dingdarlingsociety.org/lecture-series.

Note: Opinions expressed in guest lectures do not necessarily reflect the views of refuge and DDWS management, staff, and board of directors.

While the refuge auditorium is undergoing renovations, all 2026 lectures will take place in The Roost outdoor pavilion. Seating is limited on a first-come basis. Guests are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs to ensure a seat. Most of the open-air seating is under cover, however DDWS suggests sunhats, sunscreen, bug spray, and outdoor attire.

Starred (*) lectures indicate those with book-signings following the lecture.

*Jan. 22 – Author Tony Lapi, Tales of an Island Innkeeper – Sponsor: Bank of the Islands

*Jan. 29 – Conservation Author/Photographer Kirsten Hines, Birds of Florida – Sponsor: Friends of the Refuge

*Feb. 19 – Wildlife Ambassador, Author, and Photographer Ron Magill, The Pride of a Lion: What the Animal Kingdom Can Teach Us About Survival, Fear and Family (A True Animal Survival Story) — Sponsors: Hightower Advisors Fort Myers

*March 5 – Sanibel Author Jeri Magg, The Remarkable Women of Sanibel & Captiva – Sponsors: Peter B. Griffin and Joanne S. Griffin

*March 26 – Author/Photographer Paul Bannick, Woodpecker: A Year in the Life of North American Woodpeckers – Sponsors: Hank & Linda Spire

April 2 – Beekeepers Association of Southwest Florida, “Live Hive & Taste: Observing Live Bees with Honey-Tasting” – Sponsor – Friends of the Refuge

*April 9 – Author/Conservationist Tina Morris, Return to the Sky: The Surprising Story of How One Woman and Seven Eaglets Helped Restore the Bald Eagle

*April 16 – Sanibel Author Charles Sobczak, The Living Gulf Coast: A Nature Guide to Southwest Florida — Sponsor: Hightower Advisors Fort Myers

ABOUT DDWS
As a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, DDWS works to support J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge’s mission of conservation, wildlife and habitat protection, research, and public education through charitable donations and Refuge Nature Shop profits. To support DDWS and the refuge with a tax-deductible gift, visit dingdarlingsociety.org or Ann-Marie Wildman at 239-789-8991 or wildman@dingdarlingsociety.org.