WEEk of JaNuarY 17, 2024 FLIER INSIDE
Something new? SWFL & Lee County Fair re-branded as Southwest Florida Ag Expo — INSIDE pINEISlaND-EaglE.com
VolumE 47, NumbEr 37
The front of the Salt & Poppy boutique, left, and a sample of some of the items you wil find in the new store, below. PHOTOS BY PAULETTE LEBLANC
Salt & Poppy boutique to open Thursday New shop owned by actor and stand-up comedian Kevin Farley with his wife, writer and director Michelle Wendt By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
In an endeavor to become a part of the Pine Island community, stand-up comedian Kevin Farley and wife, director and Emmy Award-winning writer Michelle Wendt, are opening specialty store, Salt & Poppy, in Bokeelia on Jan. 18. The couple met in New York, Wendt said, while she was directing a musical she wrote, in which Farley was cast. After closing the chapter on a global pandemic and a ghastly hurricane, Farley and Wendt are now putting down roots as islanders, and opening a new chapter as retail store owners. Salt & Poppy is not a place you just run through, said Wendt, as she is hoping people find joy in the See SALT & POPPY, page 14
Water quality tops discussion at GPICA meeting By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Calusa Waterkeeper Emeritus John Cassani was invited to give a presentation on the Basin Management Plan at the January meeting of the Greater Pine Island Civic Association. Cassani began by saying it has been his experience that Pine Islanders are typically more informed on issues pertaining to water quality than anyone. There are two BMAPS available in Lee County, he said. One is called the Everglades Westcoast and the other is the Caloosahatchee BMAP, both addressing low dissolved oxygen and nutrients as a causative agent. “(Caloosahatchee BMAP) started out as the Estuary— Caloosahatchee Estuary BMAP and in 2019 — it was pretty much consensus to include the rest of the impaired water bodies in the fresh water river — that would be upstream of the Franklin Lock, so they now call it the See WATER QUALITY, page 8
Calusa Land Trust’s 48th Annual Meeting Sunday at Fritts Park The 48th Annual Meeting of the Calusa Land Trust will be held Sunday, Jan. 21, beginning at 1 p.m., at the land trust's Fritts Park on Beach Daisy Lane in Bokeelia, the entrance to which is just north of the fire station and south of the Palms of Pine Island trailer park. The meeting is open to all. Attendees will be briefed on the care of the Land Trust’s 2,400-plus acres of preserved land, continuing Hurricane Ian challenges and pending restoration plans for 2024 and beyond. Also available will be the Calusa Clothesline (to buy CLT T-shirts, jackets, hats and other merchandise.) The newly published seventh edition of “The Nature Lover's Guide to Pine Island” will also be available for purchase. There will be socializing with old and new friends, raffles and a deli spread buffet feast. The membership will also vote on new directors. Up for re-election are Carolyn Murphey, Judy Ott, Frank Potter, Joan Rosenberg, Cheryl King, Marty Kendall and John Kendall. If elected, they would join four continuing directors -- Robert Ballard, Carol Mullin Joe Perry and Les Smith. Additional nominations will be accepted from the floor. For information, call John Kendall at 239-283-8175.
Athlete of the Week.........15 Cribbage Corner..............10 On the Water......................7 insidetoday Cat of the Week.................6 Island Mahjongg...............8 Tides................................10 Classifieds & Obituaries