Pine Island Welcome Back

2 Fall 2023

Pine Island Welcome Back

PINE ISLAND WELCOME BACK

Fall 2023 3

A look back at summer on the islands Over the spring and summer, Pine Islanders continued to regroup and recover from the devastation brought by Hurricane Ian, and always-resilient residents strived to make sure island life continued as normal as possible.

The Pine Island Eagle, as always, helped keep islanders updated and informed about what was going on in the island community.

Here’s a review of the some of the top news items from the “off” season on the islands: May 10, 2023

Salty Girls Island Café now open and ready to serve

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com

Since Hurricane Ian ravaged Pine Island, Lisa Dence has had her eyes fixed on the opening of Salty Girls Island Café. The café, formerly Little Lily’s Island Deli, complete with artwork from beloved islander

Mel Meo and new Salty Girls T-shirts, had its opening day on Tuesday, May 2.

Dence was happy to see familiar island faces smiling back at her, and welcomed them with open arms. For now, she said, she and her staff are navigating unchartered waters, as they make decisions about what works and what doesn’t.

“This is a whole different path. Even though we’ve been in the restaurant business for years — we did lunch and dinner, and now we’re doing breakfast and lunch. We love what we’re doing and we love the support, but with every new business there are bumps in the road, so we are just asking the community to have patience with us,” Dence said.

Business hours, Dence said, are not set in stone, as they may change over the summer, but simply what works for now, as they take a “wait and see” stance. Special dinners are likely to begin in October, she said, as there are certainly

PHOTO PROVIDED

Owner Lisa Dence took this photo of her first two customers when the café opened. island favorites she has made in the past and plans to bring to the caf .

“Right now we are hiring.

We’re looking for a cook. Salty Girls Grab and Go will be opening by Memorial Day Weekend,” Dence said.

For now, Dence said, you can get breakfast from 7:30 to 11 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Since opening, the huevos rancheros, fried rice and veggie wrap have topped the menu, along with the reuben and Philly cheeses-

teak sandwiches.

“It’s going to take some time to find our niche — to figure out what works and what doesn’t on the menu. Right now what we have is the spring menu. We’ll see what works and then we’ll make some changes,” Dence said.

Overall, Dence is thrilled to be exactly where she belongs, greeting customers, feeding the island and finding her groove.

“We want to say thank you for all the support. We’re really happy to be back at work serving our community and doing what we love to do. We look forward to this new journey — the next chapter of our lives, and we’re excited to share it with the island,” Dence said.

Salty Girls Caf is at 10700 Stringfellow Road, Bokeelia.

For additional information, call 239-558-4912.

June 21, 2023

Pine Island Kiwanis awards scholarships

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com

According to Kiwanian Carlyn Herring, each year the Pine Island Kiwanis Club receives very generous dona-

10700 Stringfellow Road, Ste. 60 Bokeelia, FL 33922 Phone: (239) 283-2022 Fax: (239) 283-0232 Web: pineisland-eagle.com Publisher Raymond M. Eckenrode reckenrode@breezenewspapers.com

Executive Editor Valarie Harring vharring@breezenewspapers.com

Breeze Editor Chris Strine cstrine@breezenewspapers.com

Eagle Editor Paulette LeBlanc pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com

Advertising Sales Charlene Russ Cruss@breezenewspapers.com 4 Fall 2023

Cover Design Amanda Risner arisner@breezenewspapers.com

Subscriptions 52 weeks: $49 To Pay For Your Subscription P.O. Box 151306 Cape Coral, FL 33915 Circulation (239) 574-1936 Classified Advertising (239) 574-5644 Display Advertising (239) 283-2022

PHOTO PROVIDED

The Kiwanis Club of Greater Pine Island Scholarship recipients are Matthew Bollen, Syd LeBlanc, Richard Overbaugh, Josslyn Rider, Corin Scrudato and Grayce Smith, David Bollen III, Jacob Bollen, Kelby Bower, Hannah Bryan, Kaylin Hill, Hannah Holloway, Chloe Koff, Lilly Overbaugh, Armando Perez and Elizabeth Vergaro.

Pine Island Welcome Back

PINE ISLAND WELCOME BACK

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tions from those who wish to make education possible in the name of those whom they honor.

This year, donations were awarded to Syd Leblanc and Corin Scrudato, in the name of Mel Meo, by her son, Luke Long. Two other recipients were Kelby Bower and Kaylin Hill, given in the name of Mary Kruger. The Bemore Award was granted to Lilly Overbaugh, and the Woodmore Award was granted to Matthew Bollen.

The Kiwanis Club would like to thank and recognize Honc Industries, local Kiwanians, the Mel Meo Fund, the More Fund, the Krugers and many other community members, for all of their generous donations.

“For some of these kids, going to college would be extremely difficult, without the generosity of the Pine Island Community. Kiwanis is simply the vessel that makes it all happen,” Herring said.

Congratulations to all our Kiwanis Club of Greater Pine Island Scholarship recipients: Matthew Bollen, Syd LeBlanc, Richard Overbaugh, Josslyn Rider, Corin Scrudato, Grayce Smith, David Bollen III, Jacob Bollen, Kelby Bower, Hannah Bryan, Kaylin Hill, Hannah Holloway, Chloe Koff, Lilly Overbaugh, Armando Perez, and Elizabeth Vergaro.

The Kiwanis Club wishes all the success to the students in their academic endeavors. For more, visit https://www.pineislandkiwanis.org/.

July 5, 2023

Promised Land Mangoes getting off the ground

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com

Dave and Carol Etscovitz have owned Promised Land Mangoes, which sits on 15 acres, for two years now. Dave Etscovitz said it wasn’t long ago they were raising and selling partridges and partridge eggs to restaurants.

“Between then and now, 6 Fall 2023

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Promised Land Mangoes is located on Pineland Road in Bokeelia. we’ve gotten into the goat grazing business, so when we finally sold our farm in Myakka, we found Pine Island and a week later we were here,” Etscovitz said.

Goat grazing, he said, is a natural way to go about farming, on land that has remained poison free, without pesticides or other harmful chemicals. In an effort to keep the land pure, the couple brought in their 40+ goats, which made the family from which they bought the land, very happy, he explained.

Since Etscovitz wants nothing to do with farming equipment, he said, having the goats is integral to maintaining the land, besides being fun and very sociable animals.

“Basically, they (the goats) eat everything. They knock everything down, they sterilize all the weed seeds in their digestive system and they just leave the native grasses, making them the perfect maintenance.” he said. “Since they sterilize all the weed seeds in their digestive system, their poop is like rabbit pellets — it’s a slow release nitrogen — it’s perfect for a grove. We figure in a couple of years, the trees will really appreciate that.”

Hurricane Ian, he said, was a good pruning, as at least half of every tree in the grove ended up on the ground. While they are still working to maintain the damage done by the storm, they have cleared the grove, and look forward to a thriving fruit

stand in the future. Last summer, the only wholesale customer for Promised Land Mangoes was Farmer Joe’s in Cape Coral.

Some of the goats at Promised Land Mangoes.

Photo provided by Dave and Carol Etscovitz Etscovitz said his goal is to be a local corner store, so islanders don’t have to leave the island, but can come in and get some fresh food, have a snack and pet the goats.

“When we bought the place we knew mangoes could crash for any number of reasons, and right after our very first year, Hurricane Ian ate everything off the trees so we never even got a bloom, but we have a setup for next year so it should be a bumper crop,” Etscovitz said.

For Promise Land Mangoes, recovery from Ian looked like a pile of debris that ended up on the side of the road, Etscovitz said, although there wasn’t much damage done to anything else, such as the building or animals.

“The goats turned out to be a lot of fun. We have friendly ones out to be social with people — we’ve got some ducks and tortoise — We’ve got bourbon red turkeys and a donkey. They’re our pets — it’s not a petting zoo but we have goat treats, so folks can come on out and pet the goats and grab a snack,” Etscovitz said.

Promised Land Mangoes is at 7127 Pineland Road, Bokeelia. For additional information, please call 941-4041503.

Mango trees on the property. Photo provided by Dave and Carol Etscovitz July 17, 2023

M/PIFCD celebrates 60 years of service

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com

Fire Chief Ben Mickuleit is very proud to announce that on July 10, the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District celebrated its official 60th anniversary of having been

legally created as a fire district.

The M/PIFCD began in the 1960s at what is currently known as Great Licks Ice Cream Shop in Matlacha. Since its humble beginnings, Mickuleit said the department has continued to grow stronger.

“Obviously the 60th anniversary is a huge accomplishment for the district, from where we started as a volunteer department. We have grown to a place that likely no one thought we would be right now.

I think we are at this point because of the employees.

They have kept striving to better the department — they’ve built their own brush trucks, they’ve built their own equipment. They continue to take pride in ownership of the department and that’s why we have a great fire department today,” Mickuleit said.

Different types of fundraisers were held through the 1960s and early 1970s from chicken frys in Matlacha to turkey shoots at what is now The Nestings, a subdivision behind the current Fire Station #1.

There were 18 surplus military vehicles that were scavenged to put together a handful of “brush buggies.” This work of designing and building the “brush buggies” and fire engines continued for many years through the dedication and talents of several mechanics. In 1976 in celebration of the Bicentennial and in an attempt to raise money and awareness for the department, members of the department with the assistance of then chairman of the Lee County Commission, Doug Taylor, decided to secede from Lee County.

Over the years, Mickuleit admits, the department has tried to give back to the community, by providing better service and also creating community events, some of which invite islanders directly to the fire stations in an attempt to have the work they do there on display.

“The community involvement is becoming bigger and Pine Island Welcome Back

PHOTO PROVIDED

Island firefighters conduct a demonstration before the crowd gathered for the department’s 60th anniversary celebration Friday at Station #1. bigger with all the events that Red Cross. Tammy Sager was have been created over the past introduced as GPIA Disaster several years. We do things like Resource Coordinator. Barreda Easter, Open House, Christmas reported a pause on the placing — we as a department are of temporary storage containalways looking for ways to ers. improve and provide better “Pathfinder Mission did end service,” Mickuleit said. up moving back to Texas, howThe biggest accomplish- ever, in that time, they provided ment so far, he said, will hap- us with all of their information pen in the next few months, on how to build the sheds … so when the MPIFCD becomes an we are looking forward in Advanced Life Support (ALS) August to get back up and being Department. able to put these storage con“It’s not just the fire depart- tainers back out for folks and ment providing basic life sup- being able to offer that port anymore. If you think fire again,” Barreda said.

— you might only think of To date, he said, the GPIA structure fires, but a bigger has put together over 51 tempofocus is fire prevention, fire rary storage containers and they education and providing med- continue to seek donations. The ical services like in the very cost of a temporary container is near future–advanced life sup- approximately $750. Earlier in port, which will have a big July there was a group of volimpact on the commu- unteers from Johns Creek nity,” Mickuleit said.

Presbyterian Church in Georgia, who donated over 550 July 26, 2023 hours of labor to Pine Island.

Honc Industries was instrumenGPIA discusses tal in obtaining much needed progress on island dumpsters, which the Beacon of Hope helped fund.

By PAULETTE LeBLANC “We love the partners and pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com The Greater Pine Island the great face we have here, Alliance, which was founded between the industry and other following Hurricane Ian, held non-profits — that we can conits monthly meeting July 18 at tinue to support the communithe Fishers of Men Lutheran ty,” Barreda said.

GPIA Executive Director Church covering a number of Erin Lollar-Lambert reported topics.

According to co-founder the Pine Island Water American Legion Post Com- Association has gotten an mander Aaron Barreda, a 8,400-gallon diesel tanker as $5,000 grant was given to the well as a rental generator for GPIA organization by Week of use until December of this year, Compassion Christian Church as a replacement generator is as well as $15,000 from the currently on order.

PINE ISLAND WELCOME BACK

“Our water association is one of the better-run, more community focused water organizations ever,” LollarLambert said.

Barreda announced the GPIA is currently accepting $10 membership fees in an effort to solidify the role of the organization. Ongoing collaboration with Rebuild Together continues, Barreda said, as the organization is currently seeking office space on Pine Island, as long-term recovery is likely for the next several years. The organization has begun to focus on assisting the Palms Community, he said, as they have dedicated staff to complete projects there.

“Whether it’s your neighbor, your friend or somebody else in the Greater Pine Island area, please go on the website — just let us know who needs help and we’ll work with these great partners, like Rebuild and True Blue, to get the help out there that they need,” Barreda said.

Continuous partnership in the community, via the Pine

Island Water Association and the Matlacha Hookers, has allowed the GPIA to acquire 2 of the 6 Starlink satellites needed for future communication, in the event of another catastrophe, Barreda said.

Regional Director for United Methodist Committee on Relief Simone Monaco reported they have been on Pine Island since December 2022. She has an office, she said, at the Pine Island United Methodist Church, 5701 Pine Island Road, Bokeelia, FL 33922.

Anyone in need of help is invited to go and see her there. Any work done on someone’s home will need to be referenced with a receipt, as all financial requests must be accounted for.

However, financial position has no bearing on whether someone qualifies to receive assistance, she said.

Lollar-Lambert emphasized the communication shared between islanders, both individually and those involved with organizations, such as, GPIA, UMCOR, FEMA and

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Project Hope.

“There is a collaboration between everyone on the island. There is no island on this island. We all talk, all the time … we all work together,” Lollar-Lambert said.

FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaison Task Force Lead and Supervisory Emergency Management Specialist Chartonna “CeCe” Woodley said a lot of people who believed they would be covered by insurance were initially denied assistance.

She maintains that there are ways to receive needed funding through FEMA. For information on GPIA membership, donations or to receive updates via newsletter, visit, GPIALLIANCE.org.

August 2, 2023

Waterzway Work Boats helping clean local waters

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com

Islander John Meeks has owned and operated Waterzway Work Boats for 6 years

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now. After Hurricane Ian, Meeks, a disabled veteran, said he came in on the backside of clean up, sometime in late January.

“I have 2 little machines, and basically what we do is remove materials like doors, windows, sheds — anything that blew in the water, we were trying to remove. We can see stuff a lot of people can’t see,” Meeks said.

The type of machines Meeks owns makes it much easier to locate and remove anything that may be polluting the local waterways, he said. Once pollutants are gathered, they are then placed on barges and shipped out. These machines, he said, are predominantly run on vegetable oil, rather than gasoline.

“We’re the eco-friendly way to clean the waterway,”Meeks said.

Simply cleaning up from Hurricane Ian has basically been a full-time job in itself, Meeks admits, saying his customers have been very patient,

PHOTO PROVIDED

A Waterzway Work Boats employee removing a portable toilet from a canal. as they have been working approximately 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, for almost 6 months now.

“We were not just trying to do cleanup, we were actually trying to help people as we went along. There was always someone with something floating down the middle and we always try to help if we can,” Meeks said.

The average job for Waterzway Work Boats includes the cleaning of lakes ponds and canals, Meeks said. In addition, they try to clean up evasive vegetation by removing it, which makes up much of their normal workday. There is also debris removal, if necessary, such as when trees may be blocking a canal. In addition to private land owners, which comprises most the its clientele, the company is also called to do some government work, Meeks said.

“We also have cleaned up red tide at different times. We have been deep in red tide — cleaning up dead fish. We’re here to help in any of those capacities,” Meeks said.

While working hard to clean up local waterways, Meeks said, they try not to use unnatural chemicals of any kind, although he said, there are times, the use of some chemicals is necessary.

“We’re not a big spray company. We try to do removal without using chemicals.

Pine Island Welcome Back

Chemicals have a place — it’s just that we don’t use a lot of that. I know people who do that for me if somebody requests it.

But we can do anything — we’d like to get into re-planting. But most of all we use our machines, because they’re specialty machines,” Meeks said.

Meeks admits, although this is his business, the biggest goal for his company is being a servant to the island, which he said is very personal and taken with a great deal of seriousness.

“A lot of people lost everything and any way we can help — we’re going to try to help.

Just being a good servant is what I think is important,” Meeks said.

Waterzway Work Boats’ home office is at 5871 Porpoise Road, Bokeelia. For more information, call 1-352423-3425.

August 2, 2023

FruitScapes growing back stronger than before

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com

Stephen Cucura said although they had to close FruitScapes for a couple of months after Hurricane Ian, recovery is going very well and he is happy to announce that they have decided to build back stronger than they were before.

He and his business partner, Jesus Avalos, have co-owned FruitScapes fruit market for 15 years (since 2008).

“We were so vulnerable before. We lost the experience of Hurricane Charley — after several years, you forget the damage a real hurricane can do.

We kind of lost track of that memory and after this one hit, we decided, if we’re gonna rebuild, we’re gonna have to rebuild stronger,” Cucura said.

Put simply, he explained, the infrastructure has to be stronger, such as reconstructing the nursery’s greenhouses and keeping the current trees short and stout, so they can resist high winds.

According to Cucura, they PINE ISLAND WELCOME BACK

may have overdone themselves, as they now have more trees, perhaps, than they should, but he feels that it’s better to have an overabundance of trees rather than a lack, to keep customer satisfaction in their stock.

FruitScapes was represented at the recent MangoMania Event, as Cucura and others gave presentations on the known history of mangoes on Pine Island. Cucura coordinated the seminar group, he said, which included 5 separate presentations.

“I could go on for a day just talking about mangoes in general, but I wanted to concentrate on the history of mangoes in Pine Island. There’s a lot to know about mangoes if you do it for a living. Mangoes have been grown in Pine Island for over 100 years — that we have documentation to prove — but mangoes have probably been growing in Pine Island for 300 or 400 years. Really the only commercial production of mangoes in the United States is in South Florida. You can’t grow them commercially anywhere else in the continental U.S. You can grow them in South Texas, Arizona, California, but commercially — it’s not viable. Also, mangoes are one of the most drought-tolerant fruit trees that you can grow. They can withstand over 9 months of drought — once they’re established, they can live for well over 9 months without a drop of rain, “Cucura said.

Cucura said they realized how many friends they have in the neighborhood, as other islanders have been helping out and sending business their way.

“Even competitors have been sending us contacts and their customers, to try to get us back on our feet again. It’s been a very encouraging recovery — never would have thought there was this much generosity out there. We never asked for any help because we knew we could do it on our own, but, with help, it’s definitely stronger and fastFall 2023 9

er,” Cucura said, adding that FruitScapes employees played a major role in rebuilding.

Some of them even boated back to the island to do whatever they were able to do to keep the business going.

FruitScapes is at 12870 Stringfellow Road, Bokeelia.

For additional information about the business, please call 239-237-6657.

August 16, 2023

GPIA hands out supplies to islanders

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com

On Wednesday, Aug. 9, at the Pine Island United Methodist Church, the Greater Pine Island Alliance handed out supplies to islanders in need. Executive Director Erin Lollar-Lambert said the International Lions Club reached out to the GPIA asking if the island group could use supplies. With their own budget, $10,000 worth of drywall and insulation was delivered to the residents of Pine Island to use as needed.

“It’s a great collaboration.

We are definitely hoping to work with them in the future. It took us 32 minutes to give away all $10,000 in supplies, so the need is still very great on the island. GPIA is working hard with all of our collaborators to continue to bring supplies to the island,” Lambert

said.

Fort Myers Lions Club President Jim Brown, who said he comes to Pine Island to fish on occasion, came to the giveaway event and reported that the event went like clock work.

The money to fund the event, he said, came from the Lions Club International Foundation, which is a national organization.

“They have grants and they have disaster relief, so, immediately after the hurricane, Lions Club International was pumping money into this community,” Brown said.

The event, he said, is a direct result of the involvement of the local Lions Club. The Lions Club International is concerned with world humanitarian outreach, which is then filtered down to the local Lions Club, which focuses on community needs.

“They are, in fact, the boots on the ground. They see what needs to be done and they go after it,” Brown said.

The appeal of the Lions Club, Brown said, is in its ability to offer him an opportunity to serve. To see a need and to be able to address it and take care of it is something he has found that’s been lasting.

“Many times, the Lions Club member is rewarded just as much as the person we are giving the service to,”Brown said.

Lions Club First Vice

PAULETTE LEBLANC

Islanders pick up supplies being handed out by representatives of the Greater Pine Island Alliance. The supplies were purchased with funds donated by the Lions Club.

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Pine Island Welcome Back

District Governor Florida District 35I Patty Strong, who has been in the Lions Club for 18 years, said she was hooked after the first meeting she attended.

“I’m going to die a Lion, and I’m going to die with a smile on my face,” Strong said.

Strong said she is very interested in re-building a Lions Club on Pine Island, which has been lost since approximately 2020, with the passing of the former president.

August 23, 2023

Advanced Life Support coming to islands

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com

Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District Chief Ben Mickuleit said the idea of Advanced Life Support capabilities on Pine Island began around 2019, when the department started sending students to school for paramedics to initiate the process. A financial plan had to be enacted as the education, equipment and proper licensing would increase the department’s budget.

“We’re finally at a stage where we received our Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. That is the final step in order to get a state license, and we just received county approval for our department to have Advanced Life Support,” Mickuleit said.

Advanced Life Support is having the same capability as an ambulance, with the exception of transporting patients, he explained. The ability to carry the same medications, and the same equipment, with the ability to perform the same assessments and procedures on site in the field.

The reason obtaining ALS was so vital to Mickuleit, he said, is that all fire stations on the island are strategically located to allow for record response time.

“The community is essentially getting quicker Advanced Life Support treatment, by the PINE ISLAND WELCOME BACK

fire department. That can be crucial, as many times seconds count in an emergency — not only in cardiac arrest but in diagnosis. If our crew has determined it’s a heart attack, our crew can start the ALS care with medication or whatever else needs to be done and we can launch a helicopter if needed and contact the hospital with an EKG, preparing the physicians ahead of time. It’s all about time management and time savings,” Mickuleit said.

Mickuleit said he would like to recognize the support of the Pine Island Board of Fire Commissioners, as well as the support of the community, without whom this achievement would not have happened.

“This just exponentially increased what we can provide,” Mickuleit said.

Assistant EMS Chief Cody Allen emphasized the importance of having ALS in the ability to do the job required.

“The buy-in, not only from the community and the board, but also from the crew — that was one of the major hurdles — to garner that buy-in from everybody to get to where we are now, because without that it would have been a harder, steeper, uphill climb,” Allen said.

“All that’s left is the credentialing process. We have to sit in front of our medical director and we have to apply for the state license and once we get the OK from the state, we’ll be ALS. Our hope is that everything goes smoothly with processing in the next 30 days,” Mickuleit said.

August 31, 2023

Breeze Newspapers to release ‘Ian’

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com

On Sept. 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian forever changed the landscape and lives throughout Southwest Florida.

The Breeze Newspapers, which worked through numerous challenges to keep readers Fall 2023 11

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Pine Island Welcome Back

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up to date throughout the storm and aftermath, have put together a commemorative book documenting and storytelling through the eyes of those who lived it.

The 128-page book features stories, first-person accounts and more than 100 photographs.

Photos were crowd-sourced, which truly makes this a community project.

“Although this is a book we hoped we’d never have to publish, we’re incredibly proud of how it’s turned out, providing a fitting record of those terrible days and weeks in picture and word, but maintaining the spirit of resilience that we’ve all witnessed as our communities have begun to move forward again,” Breeze Newspapers Publisher Ray Eckenrode said.

The book’s title is simply “Ian.” “We thought about trying to be creative or clever with the title, but it didn’t take long to realize the power that one word now holds in Southwest

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BREEZE GRAPHIC

The cover of the Breeze Newspapers commemorative book “Ian.” The book is available for pre-order by visiting capecoralbreeze.com.

Florida,” Eckenrode said.

As Breeze Newspapers Photo Editor Michael Pistella wrote in the book: “Hurricane Ian brought wind, rain, and ultimately destruction to

Southwest Florida. Ian also took everything from some — homes, possessions, places of work, and even loved ones. But what Ian didn’t take from the people of Fort Myers Beach,

Pine Island, Sanibel, Captiva, and Cape Coral was their spirit.”

Pistella put together the book, combing through hundreds of staff and contributed photos and recounting personal stories of local residents gathered by Breeze Newspapers reporters and editors.

“At first it was difficult to go through all the photographs and read the stories,” Pistella said. “I started my career on Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel, so both islands mean a great deal to me and seeing the destruction made me really sad.

But as I went on, everyone’s strength and resilience really came through to me. I tried to tell that story with the photos I chose and the way I presented them. I put the book together with love, and I hope that our readers sense that.”

The book is available for pre-order by visiting capecoralbreeze.com and clicking on the “store” link at the upper right of the home page. The book also is in the “stores” of

Pine Island Welcome Back

the websites for Breeze sister publications on Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel/Captive, Pine Island and North Fort Myers.

The book is $30 for in-person orders, and $36 for mailed copies.

The hardcover book is expected back from the printer by the end of September, and mail orders will go out right away. The Breeze will announce when in-person orders are available for pickup at its office at 2510 Del Prado Blvd.

The book was made possible with the help of four community sponsors: LCEC, Schiff Realty, Edwin Pickett Allstate and Travis Jewelers.

September 6, 2023

Williamson Brothers, partners purchase several island marinas

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com

Jimmy Williamson of Williamson Brothers said his company has purchased three marinas in a multi-joint ventures process.

The first purchase, now, St. James City Marina, was formerly known as Salty Steve’s Marina, purchased by Williamson Brothers and Phelan Family Brands.

Formerly Wallace Bait in St. James City was also purchased

by Williamson Brothers and Phelan Family Brands. The final marina in the trio is Jug Creek Marina, now owned by Williamson Brothers and Mike Verona; Team Davenport Barging, which serves the barrier islands.

The intention for the purchase of these marinas began when Williamson Brothers was leasing the yard space from the St. James City Marina for the purpose of a staging area, which was needed for the boat transport of laborers and supplies moving back and forth to Sanibel after Hurricane Ian, before the bridge was repaired.

After the idea of selling the space had been brought up, Williamson said, the company PINE ISLAND WELCOME BACK

September 20, 2023

Beacon of Hope planning to put grant money to good use

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com

Beacon of Hope board member Elsie Stearns wants to make it clear to islanders that although the Beacon was awarded a $500,000 grant from the Florida Disaster Fund to help Pine Island in its recovery from Hurricane Ian, they PHOTO PROVIDED have not received the funds Jug Creek Marina in Bokeelia, which was purchased yet.

“I think a lot of people are by the Williamson Brothers and Mike Verona; Team thinking that we have those Davenport Barging. funds and we don’t have those was already in discussion about the same tradition. funds,” Stearns said, going on running out of vacant lots for to explain that there is a 90 the use of staging marine conSeptember 13, 2023 period given to allow the board struction in Cape Coral, St. St. James City resident time to plan for proper disJames City, Bokeelia and charged with homicide bursement of funds.

Matlacha.

“We don’t have vacant lots By PAULETTE LeBLANC like we used to, there’s very pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com Brant Dustin Kelling, 33, of few of them that you can drop your pilings on, put them on the St. James City, has been barge and go to the job. We charged with second degree needed to secure commercial murder, after the Lee County waterfront for that, so that was Sheriff’s Office says a DNA The weight of this responsiconvenient — so that’s what profile match connected him to a death that occurred on Aug. bility has been taken into conwe did,” Williamson said. sideration by the organization, Grant Phalen of Phalen 9. she said, in that there has According to a LCSO Family Brands holds part ownership of Pine Island Crab report, after responding to a already been a task force put in Company, which recently call for medical assistance in place to ensure transparency opened a store in the St. James St. James City on Aug. 10, and accuracy remain key facCity Marina, Williamson deputies located an unrespon- tors in managing grant monies. explained. The docks located sive male, who paramedics pro- This task force, made up of there, formerly utilized by nounced deceased on the scene. community members, business recreational fishing and charter According to the medical owners, and some Beacon guide vessels, will now be uti- examiner, the cause of the vic- board members, is representalized only by commercial crab- tim’s death was found to be tive of each area of the island.

“This is a huge responsibiliblunt force trauma to the bing and shrimping boats. ty. We have 90 days to put this “Behind that marina you’re head.

A search warrant was plan in place. We will be workgoing to have a view of nothing but commercial boats, pulling obtained, after a Lee County ing with other professionals up daily, loading their catch to Sheriff’s detective observed who have disaster case manbe processed, boxed and sorted, what were described as con- agers that follow and establish

by Pine Island Crab and sent to cerning injuries on the victim. protocol for the distribution of the Pine Island Crab Company, Blood was reported to have aid. It’s very important that we at The Center, where they have been found on the lanai, drive- do this properly, it’s very way and exterior of a vehicle important that we’re fair. We an office,” Williamson said.

The intentions for St. James parked in the driveway, accord- understand that businesses and individuals have struggled City Marina, he said, is to build ing to the report.

Kelling, who was arrested through a lot of this and that’s additional dock space for popular restaurant Phuzzy’s Boat on an outstanding warrant for important to us,” Stearns said.

The Beacon of Hope still Shack, as currently there is charges in Ohio, is currently often not enough space there to being held at the Lee County has existing funds available, Jail with a $1 million bond. His that were raised following dock boats.

The plan for Jug Creek arraignment will be held on Hurricane Ian, she said, adding that those who are in need, Marina, he said, is to carry on Sept. 26.

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should continue to reach out to the organization.

“There are so many ranges and variations of how we can assist people. We still have funds left and we want to use these funds. We have procedures and plans in place for funds we received initially, so people should still continue to reach out. This new funding coming to us validates the hard work done by the Beacon since Hurricane Charley, but I cannot express strongly enough how important transparency and accuracy are to us. We understand the urgency and that the need is great. The minute we receive those funds, we will make sure that it’s on our website and Facebook … we will let people know that it’s a go,” Stearns said.

There is currently no timeframe which dictates the grant money having to be utilized in its entirety by any particular date, she said, only a 90 day time period allotted for a plan to be used as a blueprint for the disbursement of the grant

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funds, which they are working on diligently, she said.

The Beacon of Hope is at 5090 Doug Taylor Circle, St. James City.

September 20, 2023

Pine Island Kiwanis Club installs new president and officers

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com

Kiwanis Club District 19 Lt. Gov. Denny Sharma installed Pine Island Kiwanis Club’s new officers, including new president Cindy Bickford, at the club’s installation dinner, Monday, Sept., 11, at the Fine Swine Restaurant, said outgoing Pine Island Kiwanis Club president Jayson Rider.

Rider’s one-year term as president of the Pine Island Kiwanis Club, which ends Oct. 1, will by no means end his service to the organization, as he said, it is work that rewards him every time he sees a child’s face at an event or a high school student going off to col-

PHOTO PROVIDED

From left are Shawn Kinney, Jayson Rider, Carlyn Herring and Tonya Player. lege, as a result of scholarships funded by the organization.

Former president Shawn Kinney, who also attended the installation dinner, was awarded as Secretary for distinguished service, and Jayson Rider for his outstanding service as President for 20222023. His time as president for the past year, he said, was a refreshing change from the day to day hurricane rebuilds.

“There was a comfort in being able to go from trying to take care of my own personal

details, to going to help children through different events.

We have had a record of new members in this last year, but we are always looking for new members and volunteers,” Rider said.

Sharing the organization’s mission statement, Rider said, “Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving one child and one community at a time. That’s our pledge. We are an international organization of volunteers.”

Pine Island Welcome Back

One of the biggest occurrences of assistance in his time as president, came when Pine Island Elementary School Principal, Tom Millins explained to Rider that the afterschool program must be cancelled due to damages at the Matlacha Parks and Recreation building, caused by Hurricane Ian. “We just felt that was not a good enough justification, and something had to be done.

That’s when we came up with the afterschool program and we were able to raise over $10,000 in one weekend through the local Kiwanians of Southwest Florida District 19.

That actually helped put the afterschool program back in effect for all those kids and parents who needed it. That was huge,” Rider said.

Pine Island Kiwanis Club meetings are held at 8 a.m. every Wednesday morning at the Salty Girls Island Café, after 7:30 a.m. breakfast.

Anyone interested in learning more about Kiwanis, or joining, are welcome.

Salty Girls Island Café is at 10700 Stringfellow Road, Bokeelia.

September 27, 2023

Greater Pine Island Chamber plans wall sculpture auction

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com

The Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce will be having a Sea Turtle Wall Sculpture Auction at the Tarpon Lodge Sunday, Oct. 8, from 4-7 p.m.

The auction, which officially begins at 5 p.m., usually lasts about an hour, chamber board member Nancy Koucky said.

In addition to the 20 turtles being auctioned, the Useppa Island Club has donated a twonight stay at the Collier Inn, including a $250 food voucher, parking and water taxi service to Useppa Island for the trip.

The Wall Art Auction, now in its third year, has become an island tradition for the PINE ISLAND WELCOME BACK

PHOTO BY NANCY KOUCKY

Another of the decorative turtle sculptures set for the auction to benefit the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber of Commerce.

“The first year, it was fish.

The second year, it was stone crabs, and last year was supposed to be when the sea turtles were being auctioned but, Ian managed to ruin the auction,” Koucky said.

The wall art is usually sponsored by a business but may also be sponsored by an individual, she said. The sponsor has the option of finding the artist of their choice, but it is preferable to secure an island artist. If need be the chamber will find an artist for the sponsor.

“They get a blank turtle and then there’s a certificate that’s drawn up with each turtle that says who the sponsor is and who the artist is and these are displayed as they’re created,” Koucky said.

Presently, turtles are on display at Sweeney’s SOS, Centennial Bank, Millenium Physician Group and Salty Girls Island Caf . As each turtle is turned in, they are posted on the chamber website. There is a Greater Pine Island Auction Group Page on Facebook where anyone interested can bid on these sea turtles, she said. Bidding closes one day before the event.

Whatever the highest bid is will be the opening bid at the live auction.

“If you go there (the Facebook page), you’re going to see the turtle and the certificate. If Fall 2023 17

you’re interested in one, you can bid on it there,” Koucky said.

Tarpon Lodge is providing a light menu and there will be a cash bar for those who attend the auction. Auctioneers also have the option to make reservations for a full dinner at the Tarpon Lodge before or after the auction, depending upon availability. Matt Lee will be performing at the event.

This is one of the more serene and relaxing events put on by the chamber, she explained, saying it adds a different flavor to the gatherings as a whole.

“I enjoy going to these auctions — and the artwork is just great, especially this year.

Come on out for a wonderful relaxing evening,” Koucky said.

The historic Tarpon Lodge is at 13771 Waterfront Drive, in the Pineland area of Bokeelia. For more information about the lodge, call 239283-3999 or visit https://tarpon lodge.com/.

October 4, 2023

GPIA holds benefit for islanders at Wicked Dolphin Distillery

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com

The Greater Pine Island Alliance held a fundraiser at the Wicked Dolphin Distillery in Cape Coral Saturday to benefit islanders who have been — and still are — affected by Hurricane Ian. Lee County Commissioner Kevin Ruane, who is personally responsible for the financial aid of a Pine Island family displaced by Hurricane Ian, attended the event saying he’s always happy to help Greater Pine Island.

“This organization has really done an awful lot to help the island recover, so anything I can do to support the cause and try to be here to support them, I’m happy to do,” Ruane said.

GPIA Executive Director Erin Lollar-Lambert said the amount of support for Pine Island from mainlanders never

ceases to amaze her.

“Just watching how Wicked Dolphin put this on for us, and the support of our external community means we have a much bigger extended family then we knew,” Lambert said.

Pine Island, she said, is very accustomed to being selfreliant, making efforts like this one a relief on the usual work load, which enables many more who were displaced, access back into their homes.

“The road to recovery is long, but together, we are stronger than the surge,” Lambert said.

For questions on how to donate: erin@ gpialliance.org.

October 11, 2023

Samaritan Health and Wellness’ Hook serving Pine Island at Beacon of Hope

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com

According to Dr. Susan Hook, Samaritan Health and Wellness in Cape Coral is coming up on its ninth year in practice. She started out 40 years ago as a certified nursing assistant and has been a nurse practitioner for 21 years. Hook worked for Lee Physician group until October 2014, and then began the new chapter of Samaritan Health and Wellness that November, she said.

“We started out with 40 patients and 2 employees —

me and an office manager, and now we’re seeing about 150 patients a week and we have 12 employees,” Hook said of her Cape office.

The center in Cape Coral has flourished over the last decade, as it now offers three mental health counselors as well as four nurse practitioners. Hook wanted to bring that same spirit of medical support and generosity to the people of Pine Island and so began work in her satellite office, housed by the Beacon of Hope, in St. James City in April 2023.

Currently her hours at the Beacon are every other Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., although she said she would like to extend the hours to include the whole day. The fee is approximately $50 per visit, with financial assistance available. Her work began in Pine Island, she said, when her husband, Steven Hook, former principal of Pine Island Elementary, retired in 2020.

“We always felt like Pine Island was a lot like the small town we were from in Indiana — always felt that whole community vibe with the school being the hub of the community, so I was out here with him for different events at the school and then after Hurricane Ian, I met some of the board members from the Beacon out at Tarpon Lodge,” Hook said.

After a conversation with Beacon board members about

PAULETTE LEBLANC

Dr. Susan Hook of Samaritan Health and Wellness in Cape Coral at the Beacon of Hope.

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healthcare for the uninsured and underinsured on Pine Island, Hook concluded that this was where she needed to be, describing it as an opportunity to help more folks.

“There was a board meeting, they all voted and thought it sounded like a good idea, and that’s how it was born,”Hook said.

As she looks back at her 40plus years in healthcare, beginning as a health occupations education teacher, and ending up with two offices where she can help patients, Hook said she feels as though this was the path God paved for her.

“I look back and I think, wow, 40 years of healthcare — all different sorts of healthcare and education and the things I get to do — I’m privileged and honored to get to take care of people,” Hook said.

Hook is especially touched to have known families who have been her patients for up to four generations, saying it’s been a remarkable way to get to know them.

“That’s how healthcare should be — people should expect that kind of care. When someone comes to see me, I’m working for them,” Hook said.

Samaritan Health and Wellness satellite office at Beacon of Hope, 5090 Doug Taylor Circle, St. James City.

Call 239-360-7520.

October 25, 2023

Celebrating Pine Islanders: Mike Shevlin

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com

Mike Shevlin has been a Realtor since 1981 and although he has influenced Pine Island a great deal, he said he’s primarily a human being.

He came to the island after selling his health food store on Fort Myers Beach, when he saw an ad for a couple of acres in Pineland, with which, he said, he immediately fell in love.

“I bought 2 1/2 acres with a little cottage and 40 mango trees, and a lot of weeds, so I was very happy with that,” Shevlin said with a

chuckle.

While living on this land, he said he married his wife, Joan, and they had three children.

Shevlin had to rewire the house, he said, noting that if he’d turned on a light and a radio simultaneously, one was sure to go off. Fortunately, he worked for ACRA Electric and decided he’d better get to know what he was doing.

Since Shevlin had been playing baseball his whole life, even in college, he decided coaching Little League would be a natural progression.

“I met Rich Crotty at Kiwanis, and that got me to become a Kiwanis member in 1981 and then in 1982 I started coaching Little League. I kept going until my son got older,” Shevlin said.

Shevlin, himself, continued to play, and to date has been given a Hall of Fame Ring, from Roy Hobbs Baseball Adult Amateur League, which he describes as pretty cool.

“Only a couple of people a year, get it — out of 4,000 people, that’s OK,” he said of his ring.

In no way interested in going on about himself, Shevlin points out the vast number of events Kiwanis has brought to Pine Island in a desire to help children, saying, in his time on the island, it has been easy to flow with the Pine Island Kiwanis Club.

“I’ve enjoyed the group, I’ve enjoyed the people — if you have any kind of heart for it, you can’t help it, so, it’s not me. It’s me going with the Kiwanis and Lee County Parks and Rec and the Little League — it’s just what you do.

There’s so many people out here that do that kind of thing,” Shevlin said.

He describes himself as one who’d rather flow with everyone around him, rather than being in charge, likening himself to a soldier. If you can help somebody and be part of a group, it’s a good feeling, he said, adding that it not only allows you to give back to the community, but is truly just being a part of the community.

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Pine Island Welcome Back

PHOTO PROVIDED

The Shevlin family, from left, Rebecca, Mike, wife Joan, Julie and Tim. If it weren’t for the groups he The diversity of the island said have given him so much, community is something he’d find himself pulling Shevlin said he likes in particweeds out on his property. ular about his surroundings.

“You can help a neighbor The tropical landscape, as well and do that kind of thing, but as the freedom offered, has when you join Kiwanis or the been something Pine Island has Hookers — or all these clubs greatly contributed to his life. that are around, you’re one of “It’s given me a wonderful them and they do so much. If life. It’s given me a lot of hapyou’re in it for a while every- piness and joy. It’s given more one thinks you’re great, but to me than I’ve given to it, you’re just part of it, that’s that’s for sure,” Shevlin said all,” Shevlin said. of Pine Island.

PINE ISLAND WELCOME BACK

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