Pine Island Eagle

Roof of the St. James City Civic Center repaired by Story Roofing - free of charge

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

Ted Allen, owner of Story Roofing, said although he’s only been on the island for 4 years, in the old Chamber of Commerce building, the company has been in business for over 52 years

After Hurricane Ian, former St James City Civic Association President Cindy Bickford reached out to other roofers to get the work on the damaged building done, only to be let down by folks who failed to show up, Allen said

“There were multiple tries with roofing companies and nobody ever pulled through They needed a new roof, so between me and an associate of mine, we procured material and put on the roof free of charge We pulled the permit and got them a new high-quality, metal roof that’s what we do,” Allen said

The main body of the roof, along with repairs, was done for free, he said, simply as an effort to be a part of the community

Allen made a decision years ago to support veterans, he said

Team completes Okeechobee Waterway Crossing for Clean Water

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

On Sunday, March 10, Jake Portwood, Packet Casey and Blake Carmichael completed a dream to paddleboard for the good of the Okeechobee Waterway that’s been in the making for the past 15 years

A c c o r d i n g t o P o r t w o o d , t h i s a d v e n t u r e - - t h e Okeechobee Waterway Crossing for Clean Water -began with a starting point in Stuart, Florida, that ended in Fort Myers

“We would start every day at sunrise and we would paddle for around 10 hours a day, taking short breaks to switch out our hydration packs and eat some food and stretch our legs a bit and then we’d continue The main goal for this adventure was to raise awareness and fundraise for Captains for Clean Water,” Portwood

said

He also said someone asked the three paddlers once they hit the beach how it felt to be finished The answer to that question, he admitted, is that this is not the finish line

Fundraising for the non-profit Captains for Clean Water was made easier by their Go Fund Me page as well as having gained sponsors who were willing to get involved, not only on a financial level but also by sup-

See CROSSING FOR CLEAN WATER, page 33

Carmichael riding their paddleboards on the journey from Stuart, Florida, to Fort Myers.

PHOTO BY LOGAN GRAHAM, LOCALE FILMS

“We do six veteran roofs a year for free It’s Owens Corning, which is a roofing manufacturer, and it’s called ‘the Roof Deployment ’ We’ve been a team member with them on this for years Every branch I have does two free veterans roofs a year That’s our give back to the community, but we also look for other opportunities and that’s what we did with the Civic Center,” Allen said

To nominate someone you think may be eligible for help with a roof, call Ted Allen at Story Roofing at 239443-5564 The business address is 3640 S W Pine Island Road, Cape Coral

Celebrating

Pine

Islanders: Tonya Player

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

Tonya Player loves being an islander, evidenced by the many things she’s done to make Pine Island a better place, coupled with the fact that she usually enters a room smile first

Her parents came to Lee County from Georgia in the mid-1950s and landed in Pine Island not long after The reason her parents came here to begin with was that Player’s great uncle was spending a lot of time out at Billy Creek in Fort Myers

“ T h e y w e r e c r a b b i n g a n d f i s h i n g a n d k i n d o f migrated out to Pine Island where it was easier to get to the water, I guess,” Player said

Having been born at Lee Memorial Hospital, Player s a i d , a l t h o u g h s h e w a s local at a young age, it was in living in South Carolina for 10 years after getting married that it occurred to her that her children neede d t o b e a t P i n e I s l a n d

Elementary School

“My kids were in school up there and the schools were horrible and I said, we’ve got to go back to Pine Island so the kids can go to Pine Island Elementary,” Player said

Player made her start at the school as the media assistant for minimum wage and decided then that she should go back to school to become a librarian

“So I started college at the age of 28 with a full-time job and two kids,” Player said

Although school for her now meant completing homework assignments while sitting in the Little League stands, she said, with a full-time job while raising a fam-

See PLAYER, page 32

Tonya Player

PIE’s Bartz named Golden Apple winner

Christine Bartz of Pine Island Elementary School is one of the recipients of the 2024 Golden Apple Teacher Awards

The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools hit the road Thursday, March 14, and surprised the six recipients with the eminent Golden Apple Teacher Award Golden Apple sponsors, the selection committee, and Foundation Board members took part in shining the spotlight on the outstanding performance these profound teachers do for the education system and their students

“The Lee County community has every reason to be proud of our teachers in the School District of Lee County! They are there every day for our community’s greatest asset, our students, helping them prepare for a successful and productive life These six Golden Apple recipients are representative of all our outstanding educators We applaud them!” said Marshall T Bower, Esq , President and CEO of The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools

The other 2024 Golden Apple Teacher Recipients were Sara Kizzire – Lehigh Senior High, Jill Klausing –Dunbar High, Jessica Lisi – Tanglewood Elementary, Michelle Smith – Lehigh Senior High and Sarah Thornburg – Cypress Lake High

The Golden Apple Recipients are chosen after going through an extensive selection process which began in August with a community-wide invitation to nominate teachers from The School District of Lee County. The six finalists were selected after completing a three-step process, which included a blind comprehensive application, observations in their classroom of their teaching style and skill, and personal interviews with the Golden Apple Selection Committee

Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program was the f i r s t m a j o r p r o j e c t f u n d e d a n d d e v e l o p e d b y T h e Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc

Recipients of the Golden Apple Teacher Award will be honored at a black-tie affair held at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center at the Luminary Hotel Friday, April 19, at 5:30 p.m. The banquet will be broadcasted via

on

April

NBC2

Saturday,

27, at 8 p m

Tickets for the Golden Apple Banquet can be pur-

chased for $180 per person by contacting the foundation office at 239-337-0433

OPINIONS

Call us old or call us old school but the ZZ Top/Lynyrd Skynyrd show at Hertz Arena rocked the house Saturday night

The bill opened with Black Stone Cherry and closed with an encore performance of “Free Bird” to rousing applause and a guest appearance by Lee County’s own rock-star politician Sheriff Carmine Marceno who took the stage behind Skynyrd’s bassist to help hold a billowing American flag

It was quite the night for fans of traditional Southern fried rock and the nouveau celebrification of public officials alike as Sheriff Marceno was available for photo opts in the lobby pre-show and for photos and handshakes with those passing by the up-front seating as well as in the stands between bands

His entourage, including a contingent of uniformed staffers, was impressive enough to hold its own with that of the headliners

The side show, though, was kind of like a shot of Skynyrd’s Hell House whiskey brand building, sure, but overpriced way overpriced for what you’re paying for

Not that we actually know how much personal appearances such as these deemed “outreach” cost as efforts to obtain numbers failed as the LCSO apparently doesn’t track them

The Breeze asked under what budgetary l i n e a r e p u b l i c a p p e a r a n c e s f o r S h e r i f f

CLT thanks the Pine Island community for most successful Rubber Duck Race ever

To the editor:

It is hard to find the words to express the gratitude to the Pine Island community and surrounding communities for their contributions to the Calusa Land Trust’s 25th Annual Rubber Duck Race! This year we broke all records with a resounding success of over $52,000 Yes! We did it, Pine Island!

After the devastation to our island preserves by Hurricane Ian, the Land Trust volunteers have all worked extremely hard to clear the debris, cut down the dead or fallen trees and clean up the preserves so they can once again be visited and enjoyed by the community It is, and will be, an ongoing pursuit for years to come. But, with this year’s very successful Duck Race, the funds will be there to keep doing the work that is needed

A very special thanks to Marker 3 Coastal Cantina for courteously hosting the Duck Race at its newly opened restaurant! We could not have done this without their fantas-

Marceno, such as this one with accompanying members of the department, are funded, and whether such public appearance are tabulated.

The response: It’s part of operations

“Sheriff Marceno and his staff receive a salary which is part of the LCSO budget Attendance to events throughout the county are at the discretion of the Sheriff,” the agency responded

“Members that provide community outreach services at events do so within their respective work schedules ”

The cost of the accompanying video and camera crews to publicize his appearance at such events?

“The Public Information Office is tasked with obtaining media (video and photos) and putting them on social media to highlight the L e e C o u n t y S h e r i f f ’ s O f f i c e ’ s e f f o r t s t o engage with the community ”

Ummm, OK

Perhaps one of the bands or all three are huge fans and Sheriff Marceno got a personal invite

Maybe those accompanying staffers were all in for a paid-for show and an extra detail accompanying the popular as he made his rounds

tic help and support! Most gracious thanks to all the 60+ volunteers who worked so diligently and the 180+ business and individual donors who contributed so generously to make this year’s Great Calusa Rubber Duck Race a success

We cherish C W Fudge Factory’s participation in supplying their most delicious popcorn to Duck Race celebrants

A heartfelt round of applause to SCCF, U

Carmen’s Kayaks, Mike Faulkner of JR Wood Realty, Ingman Marine and Danny Yates for their generous cash donations, and to Oceans Habitat for its donation of a Mini Reef and Heron AC, Williamson Bros Inc, Century 21 Team Shevlin, Rustic Services

Cruises, Jug Creek Marina & Fish

Harbor and Dewey Duchaine of Allstate Aluminum for their sponsorship of the 2024 Duck Race T Shirts

Duck Race would be complete without our very own fabulous auction-

But that’s not the point

Certainly the bands and the sheriff can do as they wish with their time and their money

However, the reality is that staff time always comes with a cost Salaried staffers do not work unlimited hours and, for salaried and exempt employees alike, worked hours are compensated hours

Peripheral duties entail a reallocation of time from core responsibilities to non-essential tasks, i e those that, if not assigned and performed, would not fundamentally affect the job or services provided

As any CEO knows, in the private sector anyway, operational funds are finite you prioritize essential duties and services in descending order knowing that allocating a few more bucks for something further down the list comes from funds that could be spent elsewhere

In the case of the LCSO, we’re talking major money because Lee County officials and the public agree with Sheriff Marceno’s No 1 priority which is theirs as well: To keep you, our community, safe

A look at Lee County’s $1 7 billion budget by function shows public safety as the

eer extraordinaire Herb Smith! Thanks is not praise enough for all that these fine volunteers do for our Island community each and every year

A final salute and heartfelt thank you to all the wonderful Pine Islanders, snowbirds and visitors who so enthusiastically supported the Calusa Land Trust by buying Duck Race tickets, Super Duck tickets, shirts, hats, Nature Lovers Guide books and bidding on our many and varied items at the silent auction and live auction. And let’s not forget the Spinning Duck Wheel! Laughter, long lines and shouts of glee resounded over the entire afternoon with many cash winners and winners of wonderful prizes

What a fabulous race!

Already looking forward to seeing y’all next year!

Alice Trant Duck Race Coordinator

Biden is the risk to democracy

To the editor:

Last night President Biden was able to last for hours calling out all the errors of the Republicans ways that he could remember and making jabs from the past to show how sharp he really was We all sat in awe and marveled how he could describe things to us with such accuracy and thought

President Biden said that democracy was in jeopardy and we needed him to lead How does that work when our President went to be interviewed for crimes about the top secret documents on his garage floor that had been there at least six, maybe seven, years

Empowering people, enriching communities: Education’s impact in Southwest Florida

In Southwest Florida, education is more than just learning; it’s the key to unlocking b o u n d l e s s p o t e n t i a l A s R a l p h W a l d o Emerson is believed to have once said, “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us ” Education empowers individuals to tap into their inner strengths, cultivating innovation and critical thinking It paves the way for a brighter future and unites us in our shared pursuit of knowledge and growth

S e e m i n g l y g u i d e d b y E m e r s o n ’ s words, the Lee County School Board's strong commitment to education clearly reflects their belief in this important idea In November 2018 voters approved an additional half-cent sales tax dedicated to enhancing educational infrastructure As o f J u n e 2 0 2 3 , a r e m a r k a b l e s u m o f $440,860,386 had been collected, 20% of which came from tourism, underscoring the community’s ongoing support for education This investment has had a profound impact on all schools in the district, with three new schools opening, five major school renovations completed, and the creation of 4,500 new student seats By 2025, it is projected that 56,000 student stations will have been newly constructed or renovated Furthermore, in a significant b o o s t t o d i g i t a l l e a r n i n g , 7 3 , 0 0 0 Chromebooks have been distributed to students, ensuring that technology is an integral part of their educational journey

S i m i l a r l y , t h e H e i g h t s F o u n d a t i o n ,

From page 4

Obviously, he was guilty of violations of top secret documents There is no way to lie out of the fact that documents were found It was no longer obvious or any d o u b t t h a t B i d e n h a d c o m m i t t e d t h e crimes

established in 2000, is a c o r n e r s t o n e i n H a r l e m Heights, creating self-sufficiency in students through d i v e r s e p r o g r a m s A l o n g s i d e e d u c a t i o n a n d w e l l n e s s , i t s M O S A I C ( M u s i c a l O p p o r t u n i t i e s Supporting the Arts In our Community) program nurt u r e s n e a r l y 5 0 c h i l d r e n w i t h f r e e i n s t r u m e n t a l instruction, promoting both artistic skills and personal g r o w t h T h e f o u n d a t i o n ' s literacy and character development initiatives are pivotal, emphasizing not just academic success but also n u r t u r i n g i n t e g r i t y a n d resilience in young minds

Michael R Davis Guest Commentary

“MOSAIC and our literacy initiatives offered by The Heights Center work harmoniously to enhance educational outcomes and promote personal growth, character and resilience,” said Melissa Barlow, director of arts and community programs at The Heights Center “The music program cultivates discipline and creativity, while literacy initiatives provide essential academic skills Together, they create a holistic approach to education, fostering a supportive community environment that empowers families to develop both artistically and academically, contributing to their overall well-being ”

F l o r i d a G u l f C o a s t University (FGCU), born in 1991, stands tall as a testament to our commitment t o k n o w l e d g e U n d e r v i s i o n a r y l e a d e r s h i p , FGCU has transformed our educational landscape, curr e n t l y e n r i c h i n g o v e r 14,000 minds and fueling economic growth But it's not just about classrooms; it's about research and sustainability, paving the way for a brighter future

D r A m i r B F e r r e i r a Neto, an assistant professor of Economics at FGCU and d i r e c t o r o f t h e R e g i o n a l E c o n o m i c R e s e a r c h Institute, reflects on the university's broade r i m p a c t : “ F G C U c o n t r i b u t e s t o Southwest Florida in tangible and intangible ways On the one hand, it supports our local economy by bringing students, faculty and staff to the region, by its daily operations and capital projects, and by providing qualified workers to local businesses On the other hand, FGCU teaches, educates, and empowers our future leaders, for a s u s t a i n a b l e , r e s i l i e n t a n d d i v e r s e

Southwest Florida ”

And then there’s Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW), adding more colors to the educational canvas With an assortment of associate and bachelor's programs,

Letters to the Editor

So what does Biden do to get out of going to jail? He acts like he is old and lacks enough memory to remember so no jury would convict him

How does democracy survive when the individual leading our country lies about his memory so that he gets out of crime? And than spouts off to the rest of the world

that democracy in America is at risk because he has someone running against him? Isn’t democracy already damaged because of his tricks to deny justice to take place? Is our President the model for all people to see how he duped the prosecutor and the American people?

How can anyone believe a person who

FSW is not just an academic powerhouse; it’s a cultural hub, graced by the Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall

B u t t h e v a r i e t y d o e s n ’ t e n d t h e r e I n s t i t u t i o n s l i k e N o v a S o u t h e a s t e r n University, Keiser University, Rasmussen College and Southern Technical College add to Lee County’s educational options They offer specialized programs, catering to the diverse needs of Lee County’s growing and diverse workforce

Learning doesn’t come with an age limit here In Southwest Florida, it’s a lifel o n g j o u r n e y T h e O s h e r L i f e l o n g Learning Institute at FGCU (FGCU OLLI) and the Renaissance Academy at FSW are gateways to endless knowledge Non-credit courses, inspiring lectures and engaging workshops create an intellectually vibrant space for our seniors to keep learning

Education is a door, a window, and a bridge. It opens doors of opportunity, widens horizons, and empowers individuals to create lasting impacts Let’s celebrate this force that shapes our community Whether through advocacy, volunteering, or financial contributions, every effort counts in promoting this important gift Remember, in Southwest Florida, the gift of education belongs to everyone In this corner of paradise, every single soul is worthy of the gift of education

Michael R. Davis is one of the owners of Worthington Realty, Inc He has called Fort Myers home since 2003

obviously at the highest level has obviously committed perjury and now claims he was exonerated by the prosecutor?

This is what damages democracy at its very core

Leo Amos Matlacha

Spring fever in Pelican Bay

Much activity is taking place in the key hole off of Pelican Bay, Cayo Costa I’m becoming less willing t o s h a r e t h e l o c a t i o n b e c a u s e m a n y i n e x p e r ienced boaters and wildlife seekers are unaware of the dangers that our boats and p r o p e l l e r s i n s t i l l u p o n wildlife Injuries from boats and propellers continue to leave lasting scars on our beloved sea cows and dolphins

Capt. Cathy Eagle

It has taken years for me to become aware of these scars because of my countless hours on the water Please, do not enter the key hole unless you are just above idle speed Once you enter, put your engines in neutral and only turn them on to avoid collision with other boats or mangroves, otherwise, you will spook the manatees and their response is to flee from the very safe environment that they seek Never navigate purposefully on top of them Keep your distance. Just as we protect our children, mamma manatee is doing the same Stanger danger!

Dolphin Tales

doesn’t travel the long distances that other manatees do, but stays between the c o a s t a n d t h e m a n g r o v e i s l a n d s T h e m a n g r o v e c o a s t p r o v i d e s f o o d a n d s h e l t e r f o r t h e p r e g n a n t mom

Pregnant mothers need lots of rest. As they move n o r t h f r o m S o u t h w e s t Florida, they will find solace in the inland springs and areas that have been roped off from boats and swimmers They need these areas to rest and eventually give birth

No manatee in the wild has let people witness the actual birth She gives birth alone Unlike our bottlenose dolphin who have at least two other females to assist

Hook to present ‘Birds of Pine Island’ at Pine Island Garden Club meeting Thursday

This Thursday, March 21, the Pine Island Garden Club will meet beginning at 9 a m at the Fishers of Men Lutheran C h u r c h . T h e g u e s t s p e a k e r w i l l h o s t Gerard “Jerry” Hook, who will provide a presentation on the Birds of Pine Island

A native of a small town in upstate New York, Hook earned his bachelors and masters degrees, respectively, from N o r t h e a s t e r n U n i v e r s i t y a n d t h e University of North Carolina His training and professional enterprise have been in the fields of environmental science and engineering

Nature Lover’s Guide to Pine Island

Indeed, it is spring fever in Pelican Bay The males are ready to mate The females a bit bored Males compete for her attention Lots of pushing and shoving can last up to two weeks The female becomes quite annoyed The female will only choose a mate when there are more than one vying for her attention It is the testosterone in the water that triggers her Mating itself can take hours It’s a game of skill for both partners With bodies weighing up to 1,500 pounds, the whole operation has to be maneuvered very precisely

It is quite the dance to watch underwater After the mating is successful, the pregnancy can last up to 14 months During this time, the mother disappears from Pelican Pay and into the Gulf of Mexico where the water is warm and there is plenty of food at this time She

Manatees do not form permanent pair bonds like some animal species Neither do dolphins During breeding, a single female, or cow, will be followed by a group of a dozen or more males or bulls, forming a mating herd. They appear to breed indiscriminately during this time; however, the age experience of some males in the herd probably plays a role in breeding success Although breeding and birth may occur at any time during the year, there appears to be a broad springsummer calving peak

The reproductive rate for manatees is low Manatees are not sexually mature until they are about five years old It is believed that one calf is born every two to five years, and twins are rare The gestation period is about a year Mothers nurse their young for one to two years, during which time a calf remains dependent on its mother

Captain Cathy Eagle has spent over 40 years boating on our local waters As a professional charter captain, she specializes in dolphin and nature tours Visit CaptainCathy.com or call /text 239 9942572 Welcome aboard!

Having traveled extensively, he possesses a passion for nature, wildlife and photography He is an active member of the Calusa Land Trust and the Audubon Society, with its Eagle Watch Program H i s e a g l e n e s t p h o t o g r a p h g r a c e s t h e cover of the most recent edition of the

F o u n d e d i n 1 9 7 5 , t h e P i n e I s l a n d Garden Club mission includes the protect i o n a n d c o n s e r v a t i o n o f n a t u r a l resources, encouraging island beauty and stimulating the study of the fine art of gardening Its civic duties include the creation and maintenance of the grounds at Phillips Park, Museum of the Islands, Bokeelia Post Office and the butterfly garden at the Pine Island Elementary School It produces the annual Garden Gala, the proceeds from which are utilized to financially support several island b e n e v o l e n t o r g a n i z a t i o n s , s u c h a s t h e B e a c o n o f H o p e , C a l u s a L a n d T r u s t ,

CROW, Kiwanis Children’s Park and the Pine Island Food Pantry

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t p i n e i sl a n d g a r d e n c l u b o r g o r c o n t a c t M

Kendall at 239-283-8175

Macomber to speak to Friends of the Pine Island Library today

Meeting to be held at Pine Island United Methodist Church

M u l t i - a w a r d - w i n n i n g a u t h o r o f t h e P e t e r W a k e H o n o r S e r i e s , R o b e r t Macomber, will speak about “The Story

B e h i n d F U L L N A V A L

H O N O R S ” t o d a y , M a r c h 2 0 , a t t h e P i n e I s l a n d United Methodist Church, 5 7 0 1 P i n e I s l a n d R o a d , N W , Bokeelia Attendees at the Friends of the Pine Island Library p r o g r a m w i l l e n j o y M a c o m b e r ’ s s t o r y t e l l i n g e x p e r t i s e a s h e s p e a k s about how he planned and crafted the finale to his 17 book Honor Series

This event is free, howe v e r r e g i s t r a t i o n i s r e -

quired to attend Please call or text 2394 5 4 - 9 1 9 6 o r e m a i l A u t h o r T a l k P I L ibrary@ gmail com

Doors open at 1 p m and the program begins promptly at 1:30. Refreshments will be served during the book signing

Greater Pine Island Chamber thanks community for supporting IslandFest and Mullet Toss 2024

Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce board member Cynthia Welch would like to thank everyone who came out to IslandFest with Mullet Toss 2024 as she said the chamber feels it’s important to support the island and its businesses

“The mix of folks combined with what was going on

it was just fabulous when you saw a mermaid throwing a mullet, or the kids dressed in their little costumes throwing mullet to me that just spelled out this is what Pine Island is all about and that’s what this event is all about,” Welch said

Here are the Mullet Toss Winners 2024:

The Longest Toss for 2024 was 131 feet

Fry Division, ages 1-5

Boys: Gold - Daniel, Silver - Carter, Bronze - Cole

Girls: Gold - Iris, Silver: Devlyn

Fingerling, ages 6-10,

Boys: Gold - Ben, Silver - Brody, Bronze - Colton

Girls: Gold - Stephanie, Silver - Olivia, BronzeAezel

Juvenile, ages 11-15

Boys: Gold - McCoy, Silver - Hunter, BronzeMichael

Girls: Gold - Ireland Baluja, Silver - Evelyn Pritchard

PAULETTE LEBLANC

A competitor lets a mullet fly during the Mullet Toss competition

PAULETTE LEBLANC

A couple of mermaid competitors with a fan at the IslandFest & Mullet Toss at Phillips Park.

p i n e i s l a n de a g l e . c o m 0 , 2 0 2 4 ■ P a g e 1 0

W e e k o f W e d n e s d a y , M a r c h 2

PHOTO PROVIDED

Youth Baseball Report

Results from recent games in Pine I s l a n d Y o u t h B a s e b a l l a t B o b b y Holloway Field at Phillips Parka

M a r c h 7 I s l a n d e r s 9 ,

Diamondbacks 2

March 12 Giants 14, Islanders 8

March 13 Phillies Phillies 22, Reds 2

The next game on March 26, at 6 p.m., Pirates vs. Giants, at the Bobby Holloway Field Phillips Park is located west of The Center off Pine Island Road

Elks summer program open to youngsters 9-13 years of age

The Greater Pine Island Elks #2781 will once again be sponsoring area children ages 9 through 13 to attend the F l o r i d a E l k s Y o u t h C a m p i n s c e n i c , Umatilla, Florida All children are welcome!

The island lodge has 10 scholarships for children to enjoy a week of housing in the modern, air-conditioned cabins, meals, s w i m m i n g , c a n o e i n g , a q u a t i c c e n t e r , campfires, arts and crafts, a rope course and lots of fun, exercise and fresh air

To register a child, simply utilize the online application at feyc org A Greater Pine Island Elk will supply their name and member number as the child’s sponsor

The stated weekly cost per child is $220 Those who can afford this reasonable fee are urged to pay; those who cannot will be afforded the same opportunity It is through the generosity of the Florida Elks Association, the Greater Pine Island Elks #2781, and donations from its members that tuition free scholarships are made possible for campers.

The Florida Elks Youth Camp is dedicated to enriching the lives of children from the state of Florida The mission is to mold the current generation of youth i n t o a d u l t s T h e c a m p ’ s m o t t o i s to “inspire, connect and expand ”

Kids are inspired through the quality of the facility, staff and programming Without electronics, they help kids build connections between themselves and their peers, counselors and nature Through all this, the campers have the opportunity to expand their compassion for others, their own self-confidence and their ability and

The Florida Elks Youth Camp, a project of the Florida State Elks Association, is located on 405 acres of rolling hills, forests, lakes and open space in Marion County, Florida.

desire to make an impact on the world around them

The camp staff presents a safe camp e x p e r i e

The Florida Elks Youth Camp, a project of the Florida State Elks Association, is located on 405 acres of rolling hills, forests, lakes and open space in Marion County, Florida It is a unique camping experience for 7 weeks, during the summer.

Camp sessions last from Sunday afternoon to Saturday morning and provide c a m p e r s w i t h h o

a n d , o f course, tons of fun!

The Florida Elks Clubs are proud that the camp is accredited by the American Camping Association and is re-certified every three years to insure compliance and a safe camping environment for children

Wish to take a virtual tour of the camp? Further information, videos and pictures can be found at www feyc org

For additional information about the camp, please contact Judy Hopkins, the i s l a n d E l k s e x a l t e d r u l e r , a t j u h o pkins@msn com

Action in Pine Island Youth Baseball last week at Bobby Holloway Field at Phillips Community Park

2

W e e k o f W e d n e s d a y , M a r c h

p i n e i s l a n de a g l e . c o m 0 , 2 0 2 4 ■ P a g e 1 2

4

a

W e e k o f W e d n e s d a y , M a r c h 2 0 , 2 0 2 4 ■

IslandFest and Mullet Toss

From page 8

Queen Mullet 2024: Ashley Ulm

King Mullet 2024: Jarod Bigler

Women: Gold Deb, Silver - Cindy, Bronze - Laura Adult, ages 16-60

Men: Gold - Cole Christisen, Silver - Jack Colthrane, Bronze - Jarod Bigler

Women: Gold - Sarah Logan, Silver - Mindy Stone, Bronze - Rachel O’Hanlon Fire Department vs. Sheriff’s Office Fire Department retained the trophy Championship Toss

A little mer maid

This little mermaid is just one of the islanders who a t t e n d e d t h e r e c e n t IslandFest and Mullet Toss a t P h i l l i p s C o m m u n i t y Park.

PAULETTE LEBLANC

Ber t’s PineBay Mer maids & Pirates 2024

Chamber of Commerce officials said they are delighted that they can help keep an island tradition going as Matlacha recovers, and reported they are thankful for everyone who took part

Best Dressed:

Pirate: Silver Fox Chris Stinson

Mermaid: Gypsy Siren Bobbie Gordon

PHOTO PROVIDED BY M/PIFCD

Still undefeated

Two weekends ago, Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District crews were involved in a fierce face-off, tossing mullet, with the LCSO at the IslandFest and Mullet Toss It was a great effort on the officers’ part, but the firefighters won and remain undefeated! Thanks for having us Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce!

r c h 2 0 , 2 0

b r e e z e n e w s p a p e r s . c o m

i n e I s l a n d E a g l e

W e e k o f W e d n e s d a y , M a r c

p i n e i s l a n de a g l e . c o m

Cape Coral Breeze Athletes

Week of the

(Selected by the Breeze Sports staff)

Hotzfield becomes partner with Premiere Group of Real Broker, LLC

John Hotzfield from Bokeelia has become a partner with Premiere Group of Real Broker, LLC Premiere Group has consistently been among the top 100 producing teams in the nation (last year #61) Real Broker, LLC is the fastest growing publicly traded real estate company in the United States Real Broker grew from 6,000 to 15,000 agents in the past year alone and in January added 1,000 agents.

and are Greater Pine Island Elks Lodge #2781 members where John currently is a trustee and Exalted Ruler Elect John volunteers on the transportation crew for F I S H , volunteers for Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce events and has been active in work parties for Calusa Land Trust

Thelma is a Matlacha Hooker and volunteers in their events.

John is certified through the National Association of Realtors as a Senior Real Estate Specialist He began his career in real estate in 2004 in Montana

“I have an opportunity to bring a strong national and Florida network of team members to our local Pine Island market all while still serving my local community that we live in full time,” Hotzfield said J o h n a n d h i s w i f e , T h e l m a , p u r c h a s e d t h e i r home in Bokeelia in March 2022 after raising their f a m i l y i n W h i t e f i s h , Montana They have eight adult kids and 13 grandchildren John and Thelma attend The Way Assembly of God Church in Bokeelia,

“I’m here to serve my clients It’s about them, not me ”

“Thelma and I love it here on Pine Island," he said "Going through Hurricane Ian helped us bond with our neighbors and fellow islanders We love our lifestyle here with the small town feel We raised our kids in a small Montana ski town out of Glacier National Park and when we discovered Pine Island, we felt like we were moving to a tropical version of where we left.”

John can be reached at 239-922-6835 if you have any need for his real estate services His website is www realagentsonduty com/john-hotzfield

Pine Island Fly Fishing Club meetings to resume Monday

The Pine Island Fly Fishing Club will resume monthly meetings beginning Monday, March 25 The club, which was founded in March 2015, hosted meetings for five years until March 2020 when it stopped meeting due to COVID concerns Resuming club functions was further delayed due to Hurricane Ian. Finally after four years the club is resuming meetings

Fly fishing is a fun and challenging way to fish for many of our local gamefish species like redfish, snook, trout and tarpon The Pine Island Fly Fishing Club pro-

vides an opportunity to meet like-minded folks, hear guest speakers and learn more about fly fishing in our area

Everyone is welcome, and no fly fishing experience is necessary to attend

The new meeting place is Street Eatz & Ale, thanks to the generosity of proprietor Reid Freeman who is donating space for the club to host its meetings

The restaurant, which is typically closed on Mondays, will provide a cash bar of soft drinks, beer and wine for

attendees

The first meeting to resume the club activities with social time from 5:30 - 6 p m , when the club meeting will start

A donation of $3 per person will be accepted at the door to help cover club expenses. Street Eatz & Ale is located at 5508 Avenue A, Bokeelia

For questions or more information ,contact Capt Scott Swartz at 404-550-6890 or Capt Forrest Bolebruch at 239-848-7356

Great

T h e w e e k s t a r t e d a l i t t l e c o o l t h e n h e a t e d u p n i c e l y L i g h t w i n d s a n d w a r m t e m p e r a t u r e s t h r o u g h t h e w e e k i n t o t h e w e e k e n d m a d e f o r g r e a t d a y s o n t h e w a t e r O f c o u r s e , w i t h m a n y o n s p r i n g b r e a k , t h e w a t e r s w e r e v e r y c r o w d e d O f f s h o r e , l a r g e r r e d g r o u p e r w e r e f o u n d i n d e e pe r w a t e r f r o m 1 0 0 - 1 2 0 f e e t L i m i t s w e r e b o a t e d w i t h s a rd i n e s , p i n f i s h , t h r e a d h e r r i n g a n d l a r g e j i g s t i p p e d w i t h w h o l e s q u i d S n a p p e r a n d p o r g y a l s o c a m e f r o m t h e s a m e d e p t h T h e w a r m e r w a t e r h a s f i s h m o v i n g u p t h e c o a s t a s s e v e r a l b o a t s f o u n d g o o d a c t i o n w i t h k i n g m a c k e r e l u p t o 2 5 p o u n d s , p l u s c o b i a a n d S p a n i s h m a c k e r e l T h e b e s t b e t w a s l o o k i n g f o r b i r d s a n d b a i t s c h o o l s 5 - 2 0 m i l e s w e s t o f S a n i b e l a n d e i t h e r t r o l l i n g s p o o n s o r f r e e l i n i n g l i v e b a i t s w h i l e c h u m m i n g w i t h l i v i e s T h e r e i s a g o o d c h a n c e y o u w i l l g e t h o o k e d u p , a n d o f t e n , w i t h s o m e t h i n g b i g a r o u n d a n y o f t h e a r t i f i c i a l r e e f s o f f t h e c o a s t S h a r k s , b a r r a c u d a , a n d g o l i a t h s a r e r e s i d e n t s a r o u n d m o s t , a s a r e s n a p p e r , g r o u p e r a n d m a n y o t h e r b o t t o m d w e l l e r s P l u s c o b i a , p e r m i t , m a c ke r e l a n d o t h e r s a r e o f t e n m a k i n g p i t s t o p s a r o u n d t h e s t r u c t u r e s T h e n e a r s h o r e s h e e p s h e a d b i t e c o n t i n u e d f o r a n o t h e r w e e k i n t h e 4 0 t o 5 0 - f o o t d e p t h r a n g e , p l u s l i m i t s o f m a n g r o v e s n a p p e r w e r e b o x e d a l o n g w i t h s h e e p s h e a d w e s t o f R e d f i s h P a s s M o s t w e r e c a u g h t o n s h r i m p , a l o n g w i t h g r u n t s a n d s m a l l g r o u p e r , p l u s a f e w k e e p e r s i z e h o g f i s h I n s h o r e , i t w a s b u s y , w i t h m o r e b o a t s t h r o u g h o u t t h e w e e k t h a n I h a v e s e e n i n a w h i l e . A t t i m e s t h e r e s e e m e d t o b e a b o a t o n a b o u t e v e r y f i s h a b l e s p o t T h e w e a t h e r w a s b e a u t i f u l , s o i t w a s g o o d t o s e e e v e r y o n e t a k e a d v a n t a g e o f i t T h e s e a t r o u t b i t e c o n t i n u e s t o h e a t u p a s t h e y a r e g e tt i n g b i g g e r e a c h d a y T r o u t u p t o 2 3 i n c h e s c a m e t h r o u g h o u t P i n e I s l a n d S o u n d , b e t w e e n M a c i n t y r e C r e e k a n d B l i n d P a s s , b e t w e e n B o k e e l i a a n d M a t l a c h a P a s s , a n d a c r o s s C h a r l o t t e H a r b o r o u t s i d e B u l l B a y B a i t s i n c l u d e d l i v e s h r i m p , p i l c h a r d s , t h r e a d h e r r i n g , s h r i m p o r p a d d l e t a i l a r t i f i c i a l s L i k e m u c h o f i n s h o r e f i s h i n g , t h e b e t t e r b i t e w a s o f t e n o v e r t h e i n c o m i n g t i d e T a r p o n a n d s h a r k h o o k - u p s a r e o n t h e r i s e i n s h o r e S m a l l e r t a r p o n w e r e f o u n d a r o u n d c a n a l s a n d c r e e k s a n d l a r g e t a r p o n w e r e j u m p e d b e t w e e n S a n C a r l o s B a y a n d t h e S o u n d n e a r t h e p o w e r l i n e s a n d f u r t h e r n o r t h i n t h e S o u n d n e a r C a p t i v a P a s s S h a r k s o f a l l s h a p e s a n d s i z e s w e r e r e p o r t e d a c r o s s t h e i n s h o r e w a t e r s F i n a l l y , t i d e s a r e g e t t i n g a l i t t l e h i g h e r , o p e n i n g u p m o r e a r e a s t o t a r g e t r e d f i s h R e d s u p t o 2 8 i n c h e s w e n t f o r c u t b a i t , l i v e b a i t , s p o o n s a n d p a d d l e t a i l b a i t s w h i l e w o r k i n g s h o r e l i n e s a n d s t r u c t u r e a r o u n d C a y o C o s t a S t a t e P a r k , N o r t h C a p t i v a I s l a n d , t h e e a s t e r n s i d e o f t h e S o u n d a n d s o u t h M a t l a c h a P a s s S n o o k w e r e o f t e n h o o k e d i n m a n y o f t h e s a m e a r e a s a s l a r g e t r o u t a n d r e d f i s h a l o n g s h o r e l i n e s a n d s t r u c t u r e w i t h t h e s a m e m e n t i o n e d b a i t s . A f e w r e p o r t e d o v e r t h e 3 3 - i n c h k e e p e r s l o t w e r e c a u g h t a n d r e l e a s e d f r o m T h e

B o k e e l i a F i s h i n g P i e r a n d t h e M a t l a c h a D r a w b r i d g e W i t h t h e w a r m i n g w a t e r s n o o k a r e b e g i n n i n g t o m o v e t o t h e b e a c h e s a n d g u l f p a s s e s P o m p a n o , b l u e f i s h , S p a n i s h m a c k e r e l , j a c k c r e v a l l e a n d l o a d s o f l a d y f i s h w e r e c a u g h t i n s h o r e m o s t l y o v e r g r a s s f l a t s a n d a l o n g b a r d r o p - o f f s S o m e a r e a s w e r e f i s h y , s o m e w e r e n o t I f y o u ’ r e n o t c a t c h i n g a n y t h i n g , k e e p m o v i n g a n d t r y i n g d i f f e r e n t t a c t i c s u n t i l y o u s t a r t c a t c h i n g S t a y u p t o d a t e w i t h f i s h i n g r e g u l a t i o n s b y v i s i ti n g w w w m y f w c c o m A l s o , u p l o a d t h e F i s h R u l e s a p p

o n y o u r p h o n e I t h a s c u r r e n t r e g u l a t i o n s a n d s e a s o n s w i t h p i c t u r e s t o h e l p i d e n t i f y f i s h

A s a l i f e t i m e r e s i d e n t o f

M a t l a c h a a n d P i n e I s l a n d ,

C a p t B i l l R u s s e l l h a s s p e n t h i s l i f e f i s h i n g a n d l e a r n i n g t h e w a t e r s a r o u n d P i n e I s l a n

Bridge Beat

Capt

Matlacha Hookers Bag 'n Tag Breakfast April 13

The 2024 Bag ‘n Tag and Breakfast will be Saturday, April 13, at the Pine I s l a n d M o o s e L o d g e o n S t r i n g f e l l o w Road

The Hookers’ “world famous” Pancake Breakfast will be served from 8-11:30 a m , and the Bag ‘n Tag Sale will run from 8:30 a m until 2 p m

All proceeds benefit the "Hooked on Education Scholarship Program" for qual-

ified individuals seeking higher education

What is the Bag ‘n Tag? The Matlacha H ookers reus e, recycle and repurpos e donated items of gently worn clothing, h o u s e h o l d g o o d s , d e c o r a t i o n s , s m a l l appliances, tools and sports equipment by h o s t i n g t h e B a g ‘ n T a g e a c h y e a r

Participants can purchase a brown paper grocery bag for $5 and fill it with as many

clothing items as they can fit into the bag Savvy shoppers can walk away with items valued well over $100 for their $5 investment

C h e c k o u t i n t h e H o o k e r s ' C h i c B o u t i q u e t e n t f o r o n e - o f - a - k i n d i t e m s priced to move, including jewelry All other items are tagged with suggested prices

T h i s b e a u t i f u l w e a t h e r e n c o u r a g e s

s o m e s p r i n g c l e a n i n g ! D o n a t i o n s a r e a c c e p t e d a t t h e A m e r i c a n L e g i o n o n

Stringfellow Road and bags of clothing or s m a l l e r i t e m s c a n b e d r o p p e d o f f a t

Trader’s Hitching Post in Matlacha

For more information or donations of large items, please contact Carolyn at 707-291-0310 or Teresa at 239-7385008

FDOT crews to continue repair projects on Pine Island Road

BARTOW, Fla – This weekly report is prepared by the Florida Department of Transportation to inform the public about upcoming road work in Southwest Florida Below are the work schedule and lane closure locations for major state road projects

Pine Island Road Causeway and Bridge Permanent Repairs

Construction project: As part of the Emergency Restoration of the Pine Island Road Causeway and Bridge, crews will be working in the project boundaries along CR 78 Pine Island Road from west of Little Pine Island Bridge (Bridge No 120111) to West of Shoreview Drive

Continued: Motorists can expect traffic

shifts and flagging operations as crews continue installing utilities throughout the causeway

Please be alerted to construction equipment in the construction zone To maintain safety, motorists should find alternate parking areas

Motorists can expect occasional delays d u e t o f l a g g i n g o p e r a t i o n s f o r delivery/removal of materials, transfer of equipment

Crews are maintaining two-lane traffic on causeway

■ Pedestrians and bicyclists are not permitted within the construction zone

■ Please use caution and watch for

workers and construction vehicles entering and exiting the roadway

■ Noise from construction equipment in the area is to be expected

■ Please be patient and plan for additional travel time as it may be slower than usual in the area

For additional information, visit the F D O T p r o j e c t w e b p a g e a t h t t p s : / / w w w s w f l r o a d s c o m / p r oject/451937-2 or email at shana overhulser@dot state fl us

F o l l o w u s o n s o c i a l m e d i a a t :

https://www facebook com/MyFDOTSW

F L , h t t p s : / / x c o m / m y f d o t s w f l , a n d

https://instagram com/myfdot swfl

Eagle Editorial

From page 4

l a r g e s t s i n g l e c o m p o n e n t , c o m p r i s i n g 21.3% with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office allocated just over half of that plus another 21 6% of the public safety share for detention and corrections

No arguments here

We, too, believe that public safety in all of its forms from fire rescue and control to boots on the street for crime prevention and crime control is paramount

But let us circle back We are, indeed, old school, traditional fiscal conservatives dinosaurs, we know when it comes to public expenditures

To us that means allocating money down to the penny for services with a direct benefit to those who pay the bills, the taxpayers.

To us, that means realizing that every dollar comes out of the same pot and the same pocket, in this case Lee County revenues and taxpayer wallets

To us, that means “outreach” efforts and money may be better allocated to more deputies on the streets in high-

crime communities and more money to the agency’s seven community outreach centers or even left in the county’s big pot for other agencies whose efforts also serve as crime prevention such as, say, Human Services which gets a 1 8% slice of Lee County’s revenues, according to the County Budget by Function pie chart

We will concede, though, that the personal appearances, the in-house pseudonews interviews and the plethora of selfpromotion videos do work Sheriff Marceno has built a public relations department, excuse us, communicat i o n s d e p a r t m e n t , t h a t g i v e s t h e Governor’s Office a run for our money in terms of personal promotion

C o n s i d e r : A c c o r d i n g t o a F l o r i d a Politics news report about an “internal l e a k e d p o l l ” p u b l i s h e d i n D e c e m b e r , “Sheriff Marceno outperforms Trump by 13-points ” in Lee County where he also is popular with voters who are Democrats

As of press time, he has no official challenger as he seeks his second term

Our guess?

Our sad prediction?

This bird you’ll never change

Island firefighters, other local emergency crews respond to person yelling for help in water

On Tuesday, March 12, early in the morning, crews from the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District responded to reports of someone yelling for help in the water off Oleander Street in St James City T h e M / P I F C D r e s p o n d e d w i t h i t s marine asset, fire engine and a commandi n g o f f i c e r I n a d d i t i o n , t h e M a r i n e Emergency Response Team was activated

and other fire districts, LCSO and Coast Guard assets were deployed as well.

The patient was about 150 yards from the mainland holding on to a channel marker A good Samaritan was able to rescue the patient with his boat and bring the patient to shore to be evaluated by Lee County EMS and MPIFCD

No injuries were reported at this time

Island youngsters invited to M/PIFCD Easter Egg Hunt

The Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District is hosting its annual Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, March 23, from 9-11 a m

The event will be at Station 1, located at 5700 Pine Island Road, Bokeelia The Easter Egg Hunt will start at 9:15 a.m.

Be there before 9:15 a m so you don’t miss the hunt There will be approximate-

ly 12,000 eggs to collect

Those attending are asked to please bring their own baskets and don’t forget to keep an eye out for the Easter Bunny

In addition, the district will provide a free pancake breakfast, arts and crafts, games, photos with the Easter Bunny, and much more! If you have any questions, please call 239-283-0030

SJCCA’s upcoming events and activities

The following activities and events are scheduled at the St James City Civic, 3300 Fourth Ave , St James City

Thursday, March 21

■ Cribbage -- 6:30–8:30 p m

Saturday, March 23

■ Garage Sale -- 8-11 a m

Monday, March 25

■ Strength Training -- 9-9:30 a m

■ Flow and Glow Yoga -- 9:30-10:30 a m

Tuesday, March 26

■ Shuffleboard -- 9-11 a m

■ Ping Pong -- 9 a m to 12:30 p m

■ Golden Brush -- 1-4 p m Come enjoy and share your love of painting

■ Dominos -- 6-8 p m

Wednesday, March 27

■ "Palm Tree Flag" Paint with KellieJoin host Kellie The cost is $35, prepayment is required Call Kellie at 440-3600 9 8 0 o r e m a i l h e r a t k e l l i e 0 7 0 7 @ gmail com

For additional information, contact the SJCCA at 239-283-0242 or visit its website at https://www sjccapi org/

Moose Easter drive-thru March 30

The Pine Island Moose Easter drivethru children will be held Saturday, March 30, from 10 a m to noon at the Lodge 1954, 8903 Stringfellow Road, St James City

The Moose would like to make this a community event, to include all local

organizations, businesses or any islander who wants to decorate a vehicle or table for the local kids (and dogs)!

If you have any questions about partici p a t i n g , p l e a s e c o n t a c t A n n i e B o k r o s , 989-614-0835

PHOTO PROVIDED

The St James City Civic Association sends thanks to Kellie Cantlebury Simpson for painting its shed door with a beautiful tropical mural Call out to other local artists to help to beautify the center

0 , 2

W e e k o f W e d n e s d a y , M a r c h 2

p i n e i s l a n de a g l e . c o m 0 2 4 ■ P a g e 2 4

h

W e e k o f W e d n e s d a y , M a r c

p i n e i s l a n de a g l e . c o m

e d n e s d a y , M a r c h 2 0 , 2 0 2 4 b r e e z e n e w s p a p e r s . c o m P i n e I s l a n d E a g l e

W e e k o f W e d n e s d a y , M a r c

p i n e i s l a n de a g l e . c o m

p i n e i s l a n de a g l e . c o m 0 , 2 0 2 4 ■ P a g e 2 9

W e e k o f W e d n e s d a y , M a r c h 2

2

W e e k o f W e d n e s d a y , M a r c h

p i n e i s l a n de a g l e . c o m 0 , 2 0 2 4 ■ P a g e 3 0

p i n e i s l a n de a g l e . c o m 0 , 2 0 2 4 ■ P a g e 3 1

W e e k o f W e d n e s d a y , M a r c h 2

Cat of the Week

Rambo

Look at those chubby cheeks! Rambo is not only adorable, he is sweet and cuddly as well. He loves attention and all the snuggles. Unfortunately for him, he tested positive for FIV. FIV cats are often overlooked because of fear or lack of information. In a nutshell, FIV cats have a compromised immune system They are not contagious to people or other species FIV can be spread from mother to kitten and through deep penetrating bite wounds Rambo is a lover not a fighter, so that’s not something to worry about He is only 2 years old and has no other health issues. Rambo is one of those cats you can’t help but fall in love with. He just needs someone to give him a chance. For more information, call Helping Paws Animal Sanctuary at 239-283-9100 or come meet this amazing cat. If you’d rather just donate, our address is 10060 Mallory Parkway E, Unit D, St James City, FL, 33956, or there’s always our website www helpingpawsanimalsanctuary c om

Pioneer Club of Lee County celebrating 75th anniversary, to host Pioneer Picnic April 27

The Pioneer Club of Lee County is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its founding in 1949 by R A Henderson Jr The Pioneer Club was formed to honor those living persons who had been residents of old Lee County for 50 or more years The initial meeting was held in 1950 at the Lions Park on Cleveland Avenue in Fort Myers

The Pioneer Picnic is a social organization comprised of many of the old families of Lee County who get together annually to catch up on one another’s lives and to have lunch together The Pioneer Picnic traditionally is held the last Saturday in April of each year

This year’s annual picnic will take place on Saturday, April 27, at the Lee County Civic Center – Tinsley Pavilion, which is located off Bayshore Road in North Fort Myers

Registration and visiting begin at 10 a m , lunch will be served at noon followed by presentations and a raffle at 1 p m

The Classes of 1974 from Bishop Verot High School, C y p r e s s L a k

a n School, Fort Myers High School, North Fort Myers High School and Riverdale High School will be recognized at the picnic as celebrating their 50th class reunions Also recognized at the picnic will be the eldest pioneer man and woman born in Lee County; the couple married the longest (both spouses need to be in attendance); the pioneer who traveled the longest distance to the picnic; and the eldest person in attendance

Approximately 1,500 invitations are mailed out for the picnic of which two-thirds are sent to residents and the remainder to those people who live out of the area.

The eligibility requirement for membership is based on that person living in Lee County for at least 50 years, which do not have to be consecutive Please email pioneerleecounty@gmail com to receive registration information or you may register the day of the picnic. There are no membership dues.

There are normally 600-700 people in attendance

Barbecue chicken or pork, baked beans, coleslaw, rolls, chocolate chip cookies and iced tea or lemonade is available to the members for $10 per plate thanks to the generosity of our Sponsors

The eligibility requirement for membership is based on that person living in Lee County for at least 50 years, which do not have to be consecutive Please email pioneerleecounty@gmail com to receive registration information or you may register the day of the picnic There are no membership dues

Through the generosity of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, free admission on that weekend is given to the members of the Pioneer Club by presenting their membership card to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates (general admission) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 26-28

An invitation has also been extended to the members of the Pioneer Club to visit The IMAG History & S c i e n c e C e n t e r ( g e n e r a l a d m i s s i o n ) a n d t h e S h e l l Factory/Nature Park (general admission) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 26-28

Island Golden Egg Hunt Saturday at Phillips Community Park ballfield

The Pine Island 6th-12th Grade Golden Egg Hunt,

March 23,

free event is for middle school and high school-age children

Participants will receive a candy bag and will have the chance to find golden eggs with special prizes

For more information, call 239-533-2501

Player

From page 1

ily, Player didn’t stop until she had a master’s degree

“I dropped out of school the day I turned 16 I hated high school Growing up the daughter of a Pine Island fisherman, we were poor and we didn’t have fancy clothes and high school kids can be mean when you don’t fit in so I quit school and took the GED eventually and went to college at 28,” Player said.

As far as making a lasting contribution to Pine Island, Player said she tries to make a difference in everything she does, especially in the lives of the children she’s known, as a teacher, librarian and as a Kiwanian Performing in various Pine Island Playhouse productions, Player often gets a chance to work with island kids of various ages

“I love the Pine Island Playhouse because the arts are so important and they get left out Generally speaking, theater is unaffordable for families and we’re always free We survive on donations and involve the kids in the community in our shows like the next one, 'Charlotte’s Web,' which comes out the first weekend in April and involves a number of the island kids,” Player said

In addition to her role at the school and in Pine Island Playhouse theater productions, Player has also served on the fire board for 10 years and as chair for 7

Like most islanders, Player said, she wishes the island would never change, but acknowledges that change is inevitable, and so her hope is that coming generations, whether moving here or day-tripping, might be gracious about whatever change does come this way

PHOTO PROVIDED

MCA’s Watercolors Fundraiser Gala Sunday

Crossing for Clean Water

plying gear that would be beneficial to the trip

Portwood has been paddleboarding for quite some time, as he said, he did his first race in 2008 His usual competitive races are 5 to 10 miles, he said, which differs

From page 1

vastly from this experience, he explained, d e s c r i b i n g i t a s a n " u l t r a - e n d u r a n c e , marathon silo event "

“We had a support boat with us the whole time, and they carried all our hydration, nutrition and everything we needed to

PHOTO BY LOGAN GRAHAM, LOCALE FILMS

make sure we were safe,” Portwood said

He maintains that when you accept a mental challenge, such as this trip was for the three of them, having a good reason for doing it makes it more meaningful, if not altogether possible

“Our ‘why’ was Captains for Clean Water and trying to clean up our waterways The residents around here locally are directly affected by the discharges It’s not natural it’s dirty, nasty, chemical filled, fresh water getting dumped into our aquatic saltwater estuaries, which are very harmful and unhealthy to humans and marine life We’ve been hearing about it for over 20 years now and it’s nice, as a Florida native, to finally step up and do something about it

"A lot of people want to take a back seat and say this is something that can’t be fixed, but, there is a solution in the works, it’s just being stalled out year after year," he continued "We need to stand up and

fight this at a political level, which is what Captains for Clean Water is doing A critical part of this process of change is for citizens to make their voices heard, and this first stand-up paddle across the state of Florida was our way of getting loud

Thank you for hearing us, and for making our voices echo across the state Let’s keep going,” Portwood said

Portwood said the three could not have done this without sponsors, most of which are Florida companies who donated to show their commitment to the environment in their home state: Shaka Kai, Adventure Sports USA, Scuba 4 Good, BLU3 and Flying Fish

The trip also offered special thanks to its support crew -- Dad, Doug and Logan

Those who wish to contribute to the c a u s e c a n v i s i t h t t p s : / / g o f u n d m e / 37c6fa37

Cribbage Corner

1st

2nd

3rd

Carmichael The three recently completed the Okeechobee Waterway Crossing for Clean Water -- a

2

W e e k o f W e d n e s d a y , M a r c h

p i n e i s l a n de a g l e . c o m 0 , 2 0 2 4 ■ P a g e 3 6