WEEk of fEbruary 7, 2024 FLIER INSIDE
‘Past’ status Calusa Land Trust recognizes out-going president Bill Ballard — INSIDE pINEISlaND-EaglE.com
VolumE 47, NumbEr 40
Galbreath takes over as new PIE principal By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
After 18 years at Trafalgar Middle School, Michael Galbreath assumed his new position as principal of Pine Island Elementary on Jan. 10. He has had a total of 30 years now in the educational industry, which has more than prepared him for the role he’s taking on, although when he heard the position at Pine Island Elementary School opened, he said it was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up. “The interview process was pretty intense. A lot of rooms, a lot of folks, the school staff had representation, there was parent representation, so that was great to see that they were also involved in the interview process,” Galbreath said.
There is an overwhelming amount of things to remember that come with the job of “new principal,” Galbreath said, however, chief among them, he admits, is the importance of building relationships. His rapport with staff will be built on a mutual trust, as the teachers at a school are the experts in the trenches who know what they need and his job is to help them be the best teachers they can be, with support and guidance, he said. When he originally went Michael Galbreath
into the administration role as an educator, Galbreath said he made it a goal to become an underlying support system who would do whatever he could to help teachers be as successful as possible. The community’s desire to support the school and students has come across in a major way, Galbreath said. His goal with the students in particular is to find out what special gift each of them has and help them expand on it while simultaneously fostering a love for learning. This is a unique way in which educators can prepare students for a successful next step in middle school and then in high school. Pine Island has a reputation for being an enthusiastically supportive community, which Galbreath See GALBREATH, page 17
VFW Auxiliary holds Annual Chili Cook-Off and Cake Walk By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
According to Mary Wilcox of the VFW Post 4353 Auxiliary, who chaired the Annual Chili Cook-Off Saturday, Jan. 27, the event was very well attended. Although it’s been a few years since the affair last took place, it went off without a hitch, she said. “Everybody came together and had a really good time. There was wonderful support from the community. It was really a special day,” Wilcox said. There were 10 entries in all, Wilcox said, giving judges plenty to consider. Some guest judges were even asked to weigh in on the local cooking talent, among them, Captain Cliff Simer of the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District. “We had first and second that were judged and then we had people’s choice, so people could come in and try the
M/PIFCD units, EMS respond to house fire Around 1 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 30, crews from the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District were dispatched to a residential structure fire on Avenue D in Bokeelia with a possible victim down in the front yard. According to a report from the M/PIFCD, responding units PI-1, PI-3, Capt. 150, E-151, E-152, E-153, E-15 and Lee County EMS M41 arrived quickly and found smoke visible from the fire with one confirmed patient down in front of the residence. The fire was quickly extinguished with moderate damage to the home and contents, along with the patient being treated and transported to the hospital, officials said. The scene was turned over to the homeowner following the investigation into the blaze..
See CHILI COOK-OFF, page 18
According to a report from the American Red Cross, volunteer members of its Disaster Action Team, from the Florida Gulf Coast to Heartland Chapter, responded to home fire in Bokeelia. The disaster-trained team helped coordinate emergency aid to two people impacted by the blaze. Thick smoke billows from the house fire last Tuesday in Bokeelia, A number of units from the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control Districts were called in to battle the blaze. One person from the scene was also taken by EMS to a local hospital, PHOTO PROVIDED
PHOTO BY MARY WILCOX
From left are Chili Cook-Off Chair Mary Wilcox, first place winner Mike Becker, Auxiliary President Ila Valcarcel and Auxiliary member and artist Joyce Lake, who painted the aprons.
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