Helping Paws

Miszewski said

Since many islanders have lost their homes, or suffered damages, Miszewski said they are still boarding animals for residents Only two adoptions have taken place since the hurricane, since no one, she said, is really in a position to adopt a pet For this reason, Helping Paws is not accepting any new animals at this time

“I had to do something I feel like I can do something for those who don’t have a new place yet to go with their animals,” Miszewski said

F o r t u n a t e l y , v o l u n t e e r N a n c y

Benjamin lives on Pine Island and was able to be at the shelter every day after the storm, before Miszewski was able to get there Having to work in the heat, without p o w e r , s h e s a i d , w a s d initely look different in the future, so when people come in the building in the future, they’ll find it,” Tidball said

Tidball said there is no definitive date for opening the time capsule, as he feels leaving it in the hands of whomever rips down the wall is the best way he can imagine its reopening While he said he has no idea what the future of tourism looks like for the island, his thinking is that we will build back even stronger than before.

“I still live on the island I still want a business on the island and we’re going to continue to move forward -- what the next five years look like for us, we’re not sure We’re living each day, one day at a time,” Tidball said

For now, the rebuilding of CW Fudge takes priority for Gomez and Tidball, as they have established not only the candy store but also their continuous devotion to the needs of their fellow islanders Like many businesses that have been damaged, they look forward to a soft, post hurricane re-opening as soon as possible

Helping Paws

c l t f o r Benjamin, to whom Miszewski said she gives a great deal of credit Miszewski lost a number of volunteers, she said, and asks i f a n y o n e i s a b l e , t o p l e a s e c o n t a c t

“We’re always looking for volunteers, but it’s even worse now because so many people have lost their homes,” Miszewski said

Helping Paws Animal Sanctuary is at 10060 Mallory Parkway, East, Unit D, St. James City. For more information, call 239-283-9100

Some of the cats at Helping Paws relaxing on a staircase The facility is now open and has cats ready for adoption

“We all call this island a little piece of paradise, but what makes it paradise, it's what we put into it, and we all need to put something into it There will be a plaque on the wall when the time capsule is sealed -- we always say, if these walls could talk, so why not include a fun time capsule into our rebuild? A way to help uncover layers of the building’s history -- we’re happy to know that we are, in effect, leaving a lasting mark on the community that will help future generations to remember the past -- Matlacha, Pine Island strong,” Tidball said

Included in the CW Fudge Factory time capsule are historical gems from CW Fudge factory owners and residents of Pine Island Matlacha; local real estate listings of homes before Hurricane Ian; a Pine Island Eagle and letter from the current editor; artwork and names of kids from Ms F r a h m ’ s P i n e I s l a n d E l e m e n t a r y k i n d e r g a r t e n c l a s s ; McDonald’s Happy Meal toys; local menus; photos of Matlacha before Hurricane Ian; T-shirts and cards; a Pine Island art guide; coins from 2013 (the year CW Fudge Factory opened); coins from 2022 (the year of the hurricane); local business cards; and a letter to the future occupant of 4548 Pine Island Road, where CW Fudge is located superimposed on the land This is similar to the view you can obtain from the Lee Appraiser Geo View on the internet at https://www.leepa.org. Both the 1954 aerial and today’s Geo View of the properties along this part of Pine Island Road adjacent to the drawbridge show that the lot lines extend well out into the water

In my Thought Experiment, I envisioned filling in the lot boundaries of Block #1 to create a larger island The fill would be boulders similar to how the road in Matlacha was rebuilt This new “land” would provide a base for building or raising properties above base flood To protect the island from the next hurricane, I envisioned seawalls along the boundary, which include boulders and “rip rap” sloping to the water I am told that this seawall design would attract the growth of vegetation, including mangroves, very quickly Perhaps this combination of raisi would meet the criteria for the 100-year flood The same could be done across the street, where nearly all the homes are lost or in the water

Block #2 and #3 similarly could be built out For example, on the north side of Pine Island Road just before the last bridge going west (last bridge before Yucatan Bar & Grill), all of the property boundary lines go into the water Several residents on that side of the road lost their homes completely Similarly, we completely lost the first home on the south side across this bridge, and nearly lost the next home attention The horrific aerial picture of the east end of Matlacha appeared on the cover of Time Magazine Matlacha i s o n e o o f O d e Florida. Matlacha is the gateway to Pine Island its 10,000 residents, and its highly-coveted Olde Florida way of life

Let’s get busy on this project, so Matlacha will be on the cover of Time Magazine again at the end of 2023.

Lee County