Taste of the Islands Is Back With CROW ‘Crawl’

provided to The Santiva Chronicle

The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife is excited to announce Taste of the Islands is back as Sanibel & Captiva’s first restaurant week. From Nov. 12 to Nov. 19, patrons will experience all the islands have to offer while tasting delicious participating restaurants’ items. This year, trolleys will be traveling across both islands providing both fun and games for participants as they ‘crawl’ around to restaurants and businesses.

Bank of the Islands/Edison National Bank returns as Presenting Sponsor for this year’s Taste of the Islands marking their 13th year as sponsor of CROW’s signature event. “Lucky 13,” said Geoff Roepstorff, Bank of the Islands/Edison National Bank CEO. “We always look forward to Taste of the Islands and a restaurant week is a perfect way to highlight our island restaurants. We appreciate all CROW does for our wildlife and our community and are thrilled to sponsor their good works.” .

Participating restaurants will again offer their “Taste” items and showcase their cuisine; this time, throughout the second week of November. Both Saturdays will feature a ‘CROW Crawl’ to the restaurants and CROW tents, with Animal Ambassadors and select sponsors along the way. Register in advance to book your seat on the CROW trolleys taking patrons around the islands connecting the participating restaurants. Feel free to visit the participating restaurants by your personal transportation as well – by foot, bicycle, golf cart, or car – all are welcome.

New this year, CROW will provide free ‘Taste Ticket to Ride Guide and Discount Books’ with a listing and map of participating restaurants as well as discounts from participating businesses. Also new this year, voting for the coveted ‘People’s Choice Award’ sponsored by Rosier Insurance will take place via QR code placed at the restaurants. During the week of Taste, be sure to watch media sponsor ABC7’s ‘More in the Morning’ show to see our participating restaurants showcase their Taste items with anchors Jen Stacy and Greg Parker.

“Taste continues to evolve into an event for all to enjoy,” says CROW Executive Director, Alison Charney Hussey. “Our goal is to lessen the burden on the restaurants while providing a fun and delicious experience for our supporters. The food and drinks our island restaurants create are always amazing and I know this year’s restaurant week will exceed the expectations of your taste buds and be a great success for our wildlife patient care.”

Taste of the Islands is CROW’s longest running fundraiser and proceeds ensure CROW’s continued success providing the highest quality care and treatment of injured, ill, and orphaned wildlife through state-of-the-art veterinary care. Funds also support public educational exhibits at the Visitor Education Center. Healthy wildlife means a healthy environment for us all.

Sponsorships are still available, and CROW is delighted to present opportunities for sponsors to buy into phenomenal packages at various levels. Sign up to take advantage of professional photography, statewide and nationwide targeted digital marketing advertisements, local TV appearances, and prominent logo displays on Taste materials.

For more information about Taste, sponsorships, advertisements in the Ticket to Ride Guide and Discount Booklet, or to become a participating restaurant, please contact Aimee White at development@crowclinic.org. To learn more, please visit the official site of Taste of the Islands.

CROW would also like to welcome and thank Lead Media Sponsor Waterman Broadcasting, ABC7/NBC2 and other sponsors who have committed to sponsoring this year’s Taste: Kingfisher Realty; Scanlon Automotive; LCEC; ‘Tween Waters; Liberty Aluminum; Silverman Organization; Sanibel Moorings; Cathie Lewis; and Superior Title Services.

About Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW)
Established in 1968, the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) is a teaching hospital saving the sick, injured and orphaned native and migratory wildlife of Southwest Florida and beyond.  Through state-of-the-art veterinary care, public education programs and an engaging visitor center, CROW works to improve the health of the environment, humans and our animals through wildlife medicine. For more information, or to plan your visit, go to www.crowclinic.org. If you find an animal that is in need of help, call (239) 472-3644 ext. #222.

About Bank of the Islands
Bank of the Islands, a name synonymous with island community banking since 1974, is located at 1699 Periwinkle Way, at the corner of Casa Ybel Road, on Sanibel. The Captiva office is at 14812 Captiva Drive, next to the Captiva Post Office. Edison National Bank. As the oldest locally owned and managed community bank on the islands, Bank of the Islands is proud to be the winner of more than 50 “Best of the Islands” awards over two decades. For more information visit www.bankoftheislands.com .