020525 Pine Island Eagle by BreezeNewspapers

Native Floridians return home and open Pine Island Pawn and Jewelry in Matlacha

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

Pine Island Pawn and Jewelry owners Zach and Thristina Woodhams were born and raised in Florida After having traveled to Hawaii and getting to know Polynesian culture for 2 years, they’ve come to Pine Island, where they are hoping folks will come into their shop and say hello

“We really missed home, so we came home We felt like, if there was anywhere in the world that we could go

and plant roots and actually become a part of a community well, there’s just nowhere like Pine Island and Matlacha I’ve never seen a community rebuild so many times together. I’ve never seen such a heartbeat in a place,” Thristina said

Although the couple is thrilled to have finally had an opportunity to open a store of their own, she said, they’ve noticed that people are curious as they walk by or in front of the store, rather than walking inside Regardless of what might be causing any trepidation, the Woodhams

Sandy Paws Island Dog Bakery and DIY Wash ready to help islanders pamper their pets

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

Fromm opened Sandy Paws Island Dog Bakery and DIY Wash last April 29 She said she is a Bokeelia resident who has a passion for dogs and has three herself After working on the mainland for a couple of years, Fromm decided it was time to stay on the island for work

“My dream was always to open a bakery, because I love to bake, but a bakery for dogs was something we didn’t have on the island and we didn’t have any groomers either so that’s how I started,” Fromm said

Fromm said she started out in a trailer and now has a mission to grow her business bigger. Her desire is to do more doggy daycare and more boarding For now, dogs are the only clients for Fromm, as she said she is allergic to cats

“I was working at the feed store, and I started doing the treats there and then I started selling them out of my trailer,” Fromm said

Getting the word out about Sandy Paws is a priority for Fromm, as she said, the business is still fairly new and people may not know it exists yet Having started at the end of the busy season going directly into summer makes a difficult start, but Fromm is hoping folks will want to take a look at her DIY dog wash as well as her retail items

“We have two groomers in house and when it

would like to ease the minds of the people on the island

Sometimes people find themselves in a stressful situation when visiting a pawn shop, Thristina said, adding that if people get to know her and her husband, Zachary, they may feel more at ease about whatever is going on in their life The Woodhams also have a son, 12 year-old Dallas, a football and baseball player who they admit motivated them to begin their family business

Stone Crab Fest draws big crowd

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

The Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce held the 2025 Stone Crab Fest event Sunday, Jan 26, at the Winn-Dixie Shopping Plaza According to Chamber President Dave Conner, although the event was moved from November to January, it was very successful

“We were very happy with everything Beforehand, we weren’t sure about how the turnout was going to end up, because of the construction on the bridge, but it turned out great and everyone seemed to love the event There was a big crowd and the music was really good,” Conner said

The idea of keeping everything local was the order of

See SANDY PAWS, page 10 See PINE ISLAND PAWN, page 11

Some of the products available at Sandy Paws Island Dog Bakery and DIY Wash

PHOTO PROVIDED BY LISA FROMM

PHOTO PROVIDED BY CYNTHIA WELCH Volunteers at the 2025 Stone Crab Fest stand ready to serve the next customer a seafood treat

Islanders raising funds for bicyclist struck by a truck

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

An air ambulance was dispatched to Bokeelia Monday afternoon, Jan 27, to transport a bicyclist who was hit by a truck while on her bike in a crosswalk near Our Lady Of The Miraculous Medal Catholic Church off Stringfellow Road

Islander Erin McGuire, 26, was transported to Gulf Coast Medical Center in Fort Myers According to family representatives, her most serious injury is due to complications from brain swelling,

and she will require multiple reconstructive surgeries for her head, face and mouth

McGuire is an avid bicyclist who logs 18 to 20 miles per day on her blue cruiser while wearing a skirt and is affectionately referred to as “Miss Erin ”

“Miss Erin” has endured many serious issues in her short life Exercising on her bike was both therapeutic and provided a routine she could manage independently She was born in Fort Myers and lives in Bokeelia with her father,

Jack, and brother Jacob, and is a cook at the Blue Dog Bar and Grill in Matlacha Her mother passed away in May 2023

“The most pressing issue for the family is ensuring they have dependable and reliable transportation to aid Miss Erin’s recovery,’” according to Jay Nygard, a neighbor and spokesperson for the family Nygard has established a GoFundMe for “Miss Erin” and updates will be provided there, on various island Facebook pages and YouTube

Miss Erin loves animals, birds and

people, too She is a very private person and expressed her gratitude for the community’s support

“It just blows her and me away that so many people are praying for her and want to know how she is doing For those of you who have contributed to the GoFundMe, I promise you the funds will be used and stretched to the maximum extent possible,” McGuire said

The GoFundMe account can be found at http://gofund me/8cdbb4d6

Island groups receive grants from Cape Royal Community Foundation

The Cape Royal Community Foundation recently announced the distribution of nearly $45,000 in grants in 2024 to 11 charities that benefit residents of Lee County

To be eligible for a grant, charitable organizations must complete an application and meet several criteria including based in Lee County, Florida; have at least three years of operational success;

meet a maximum annual budget; be operated primarily by volunteers; and have a mission focused on improving health and/or providing educational support and services

The grant recipients for the 2024 cycle were:

■ Beesley's Paw Prints

■ Candlelighters of Southwest Florida

■ Cape Coral for the Children

■ Guardian Angels for Special Populations

■ Hope Health Care Services (Hope Valor Program)

■ Matlacha Hookers

■ Pine Island FISH (Fellow Islanders Sending Help)

■ Pine Island Food Pantry

■ Society of St Vincent de Paul

■ Sunrise Group

Legion Post 136 Commander's Ball Feb. 14

Officers of American Legion Post 136 will be hosting their annual Commander’s Ball fund-raising dinner on Valentine’s Day, Friday, Feb 14, beginning from 5-8 p m

On the menu for the event will be prime rib and garlic shrimp with green beans, garden salad, dinner roll, baked potato plus dessert.

This is a great time to enjoy a delicious meal with music, friends and a chance to meet the Legion officers who will be hosting and serving you This is a semi-formal dinner

Tickets for the event are $30 and must be purchased by Tuesday, Feb 11, and are available at the bar This event is open to the public so get your tickets early.

All proceeds from the ball will go to the Scholarship Fund for the graduating seniors of Pine Island Last year the Post was able to offer eight of our students’ scholarships

The American Legion is located at 4106 Stringfellow Road, St James City Call 239-283-4434 for more information.

■ The New Beginnings of Southwest Florida

These recipients were honored at an Awards Presentation held Monday, Nov. 18, at the Cape Royal Golf Club, located at 11460 Royal Tee Circle, Cape Coral

Established in 2002, the Cape Royal Community Foundation is a volunteerrun, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization Its mission is to provide channels for local philanthropy, enabling residents of the C

humanitarian organizations and educational initiatives in Lee County

Since its inception, over a quarter million dollars has been awarded to address humanitarian needs in Lee County and has provided more than $366,000 in scholarships

For additional information about the Cape Royal Community Foundation and its initiatives or to apply for a grant in the 2025 cycle, visit https://www crcf info/

OPINIONS

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The Eagle is published every Wednesday

Didn’t get a flu shot?

You probably still want to get one unless you’re among the thousands who have already have been hammered by one of the three strains against which this year’s shot is intended to protect

Flu shots make sense Eagle Editorial

The height of the flu season rolled in early this year with Lee Health reporting an uptick in influenza and respiratory illness cases in the last few weeks of December

The last week of 2024 there saw 1,273 cases of influenza in acute care hospitals and a m b u l a

being cases of influenza A T h e w e e k

reported

That may not sound like many but for some context:

In its weekly update on Jan 18, the Center for Disease Control estimated that there had been “at least 16 million illnesses, 190,000

No easy fix

To the editor:

In a recent NBC revelation (1/29/2025) on the reading and math competency for our 4th and 8th grade students, it was noted that “America’s children have continued to lose ground on reading skills in the wake of Covid-19 ”

According to the stats they posted, that appears to be true, but our children were losing ground many years before the pandemic

Eighth grade reading peaked in 2013 (78) and fourth grade reading peaked at about the same time (68) They both continued to decline into 2020 (pandemic onset), about 71 for eighth grade and 64 for the fourth grade

Their 2024 stats reflected a further decline to 67 for the eighth grade and 60 for the fourth grade, the lowest levels this century

Most likely the draconian lockdowns and isolation during the pandemic shoulder some blame for these horrific results produced by America’s youth but that’s not to blame for all of it

Web Poll

Previous Web

■

■ Yes

■ No

■ Not yet

■ I don’t think the are necessary

Share your opinion at pineisland-eagle com

According to World Population Review, the U S spent $14,840 per pupil, K thru 12, in 2024 In the school year 2013-2014 that cost was $11,819 per pupil, not adjusted for inflation We are spending more every year to educate our children (a 26% increase since 2013-14 school year) and yet the results continue to decline and decline significantly

We are not talking about engineering, rocket science, flying airplanes or performing surgery here We are talking about basic edu-

hospitalizations, and 8,300 deaths from flu so far this season” with outpatient reported respiratory illnesses above baseline nationally for the eighth consecutive week.

Florida teetered at the top of the CDC’s “high” tier of reported cases as of Jan. 18 with most of the southeast in the “very high” range The most recent report posted to FloridaHealth gov for the period from Dec 29-Jan 4 shows increases in both positive ie confirmed cases of flu and well as ER visits for flu-like symptoms statewide

Some good news?

Lee Health officials said Thursday cases have begun to level off

And the flu, a viral illness, is for many, relatively mild

But for those at risk those 65 and

Letters to the Editor

cation in reading and that job is just not getting done.

Our entire K thru 12 education system in the United States needs a complete review and an overhaul including major changes Our country’s education system is failing and worse yet, our children are falling behind

We need tougher standards and accountability for our teachers and their administrators and improved learning methodologies, and we need them now Continuing to throw money into an education system with deeply rooted deficiencies being relentlessly defended by teachers unions can no longer be tolerated nor should we allow the unions to continuously excuse or cast blame elsewhere for their obvious failure

There are 17 countries whose combined reading and math scores are higher than the U S China, Japan and Taiwan top the list with Ireland, The Czech Republic, Canada, Poland and Australia as other countries that rank higher than we do How can this be?

We must stop cheating our youth and hold those tasked and paid to teach our children responsible and accountable Our education system is broken, let’s admit it and get it fixed

Max Christian St James City

Guest commentar y is on the mark

To the report:

In response to Guest Commentary by Michiale Schneider, Pine Eagle, Jan 15:

THANK YOU for being a voice for many

The views expressed on the Opinions pages are just that opinions. These pages are intended to convey a range of viewpoints; opinions printed on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper. Opposing views are welcome. Letters to the Editor or guest columns may be mailed to: Pine Island Eagle, 10700 Stringfellow Road, Ste. 60, Bokeelia, FL 33922; e-mailed to pineisland@ breezenewspapers com; posted to our Virtual Newsroom at www breezenewspapers com or faxed to 283-0232 All letters and guest columns must be signed and must contain a phone number for verification purposes You also can comment on any letter or editorial opinion online at: pineisland-eagle com

older, those with existing medical conditions, children 5 and younger, pregnant women and those who have recently given birth the flu can be deadly

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has the flu vaccine available by appointment Call 239-461-6100

Flu shots and other vaccines are, of course, also available at a number of private providers, from your doctor’s office to local pharmacies

We add our voices to those within the health care community urging flu shots this year for, well, everyone

The last thing anyone needs is an illness as unpleasant as flu, especially when a vaccine is readily available.

concerned citizens in our area You are right about Cape Coral seeking to fill in wetlands for development projects in the name of economic growth It’s happening all across Lee County! I see absolutely no regard for the environment and wildlife There has to be green space and wetlands to filter storm water runoff going out into our waterways Unfortunately, it looks like they want to mow down every tree and overdevelop They are not listening to the people Future generations will pay the price for the decisions that are being made now in regards to overdevelopment and the destruction of marine habitats and wetlands Everywhere you look there are developments with hundreds of units and no infrastructure What happened to COMMON sense and SMART growth? Could it be greed? Shame on Cape Coral for lowering the quality of life, for myself and for coming generations.

Rhonda Dooley Pine Island

Kids should not fear school attendance

To the editor:

An Open Letter to Superintendent Carlin, School Board Members and Attorney Bruno,

As leaders of public education in Lee County you must be as concerned as we are about the possibility that ICE will be allowed into our schools to remove “certain” students Not only will this terrorize all students and their families but will also put all staff and educators in the untenable position of being in the middle of a police action in what is supposed to be a safe place for everyone Even the threat of ICE coming into the schools will keep many, many students at home, missing out on more teaching and learning, further undermining their education and long-term potential for success No parent, guardian or compassionate community member wants students to live in fear while at school

As Lee County’s duly elected officials we call on you to speak directly to the Governor and the Legislators during the upcoming “special” legislative session and afterwards to

FDOT provides Little Pine Island Bridge reconstruction update Guest Comment

(The following update on the progress of the work on the Little Pine Island Bridge reconstruction work in Matlacha was provided by the staff of the Florida Department of Transportation )

MATLACHA, Fla – To our valued community, we are pleased to share weekly updates on the ongoing construction of the Pine Island Bridge and the steps being taken to accelerate the project. We are committed to delivering this critical infrastructure as quickly as possible while ensuring quality and safety remain top priorities

Changes to Expedite the Work

To enhance our progress, we are introducing nighttime work in addition to our daytime efforts and have added more crews to the site These changes aim to keep the project on track and meet our ambitious timeline

Phase 1 Update

We are targeting the completion of Phase 1 by spring 2025, and significant strides are being made on both the east and west sides of the bridge

East Side Work

Crews are focusing on clearing hurricane debris conflicts, a vital first step that requires the installation of a temporary sheet pile wall

Once the debris is cleared, we will begin:

● Driving the bulkhead pipe pile wall In the case of the Pine Island Bridge construction, driving the bulkhead pipe pile wall is a critical step for stabilizing the foundation and ensuring the structural integrity of the bridge as it progresses

■ Key Steps in Driving a Bulkhead Pipe Pile Wall

● A pile driver (a machine equipped with a heavy hammer or hydraulic press) is used to drive the pipes deep into the ground

● The piles are driven until they reach a specific depth or resistance, ensuring they are anchored securely into stable soil or bedrock

■ Wall Formation:

● The piles are typically placed side by side, forming a continuous vertical wall The pipes can be hollow or filled with concrete or other materials for additional strength

● Bulkhead pipe pile walls are often tied together with horizontal braces or caps to create a unified structure

■ Purpose of a Bulkhead Pipe Pile Wall:

● Erosion Control: Protects against soil loss in areas exposed to water or weather

● Support: Provides stability for bridges, docks, piers, or other waterfront structures

● Flood Prevention: Acts as a barrier to manage water levels and prevent flooding

● Load-Bearing: Distributes the weight of a structure above, such as a bridge, evenly into the ground

■ Driving production piles for the end bent and pouring the concrete cap

● Production piles are permanent structural elements driven into the ground to transfer the load of the bridge to

Letters to the Editor

let them know, with all the power and influence you have, what a disaster ICE coming in to any school building would be for our students, families, educators and staff If students don’t feel safe and protected they can’t learn; if staff and educators don’t feel supported they can’t teach

Thank you for doing all you can to support the freedom

of our students, parents, educators and staff to be safe in the Lee County Schools

Samuel B Stewart, Ed.D Madelon V Stewart, Ed D Fort Myers

deeper, more stable soil or bedrock The end bent is the structural support at the ends of a bridge span that connects the bridge deck to the ground or abutments It acts as both a support and a retaining structure, stabilizing the soil and bridge

■ Rip rap installation to stabilize the area and protect against erosion

● Rip Rap Installation refers to the placement of large, rough, angular stones or boulders along shorelines, riverbanks, bridge foundations, or other areas exposed to erosion

■ Placing slab beams, marking significant progress toward completing this section

● Slab beams are typically long, rectangular concrete components reinforced with steel for added strength and durability; designed to act as both beams (carrying loads) and slabs (forming part of the deck surface)

West Side Work

■ An additional subcontractor and crew will be on-site to place rip rap on the west side, working simultaneously with efforts on the east side This coordinated approach ensures no delay in advancing both ends of the bridge

We understand the importance of this bridge to the community and are dedicated to its timely completion We thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to rebuild stronger and better than before

Stay tuned for future updates as we make progress on this critical project

To sign up for updates and access the weekly Road Watch, please visit the project website at 451937-2 Pine Island Causeway and Bridge Reconstruction Project To access the bridge traffic cameras go to https://www.leegov com/dot/traffic

You can also contact the Communications Team by calling the project hotline at (239)-800-6391 or by emailing at pineislandinfo@exp com

(Follow FDOT roadway projects at SWFLRoads com, o n X a t @ M y F D O T S W F L o r

@MyFDOTSWFL )

Macomber to speak at MOTI’s 35th Anniversary event

Pine Islander and multi-award-winning author Robert N Macomber will speak Saturday, Feb 8, at 10:30 a m , in honor of Museum of the Islands’ 35th Anniversary event His topic is: "The Civil War in the Far South" and you may just be surprised at what you can learn about our Southwest Florida coast in the time of the American Civil War, during this informative overview

Everyone is invited to this free celebration, and the museum will have an Open House, from 10 a m to 3 p.m., including light refreshments and raffle drawings!

Macomber has been a supporter of MOTI for decades, and he was asked to include one of his Honor Series Novels in the Pine Island Time Capsule ceremony in 2016, which is managed by the island's museum This time capsule is due to be opened in 2066!

Macomber locally supports the Friends of Pine Island Library, Calusa Land Trust, Beacon of Hope, Calusa Heritage Trail and Pine Island United Methodist Church Beyond the islands, he has earned the prestigious title of Distinguished Lecturer at NATO HQs [Belgium], U.S.

Friends of Pine Island Library to present troubadours Suzanne and Jim Feb. 11

Book & Cookie Sale on Valentine’s Day

Friends of Pine Island Library will present Suzanne and Jim Tuesday, Feb 11, at 2 p m , at the St James City Civic Center at 3300 Fourth Ave , St James City Suzanne and Jim are troubadours travelling across the U S , Europe and Canada They seek to maintain the Americana Roots Music Traditions To learn more about the pair, go to www suzanneandjim com The program is free to the public

Friends of Pine Island Library will hold its biannual Book & Cookie Sale Saturday, Feb 14, at Fishers of Men Lutheran Church, 10360 Stringfellow Road, St James City, from 9 a m to 1 p m There will be a members only early hour opportunity from 8 - 9 am; join at the door ($5).

The Friends will offer $2 hard covers and $1 soft covers An added bonus will be all children’s and young adult books priced at BOGO prices of $1 And just in time for Valentine's Day, they will offer A Date With A Book for $5 (a decoratively wrapped hardcover book that will be a surprise to the buyer and the receiver)

Also new to the sale are gently used puzzles and games One dollar bags of cookies (including gluten free choices) and other novelties will be available

Friends of Pine Island Library is a non-profit organization of volunteers who support and promote the island's public library The book sales are the only fundraisers for the Friends. These funds help with the island's library Summer Reading program for children and support programs of interest throughout the year to the greater Pine Island Community

Lee County Parks & Recreation reminds swimmers of upcoming temporary pool closures

Lee County Parks & Recreation would like to remind swimmers that community pools will be closed Friday, Feb 7, for annual staff training

The locations that will be closed temporarily are:

■ San Carlos Community Pool, 8208 Sanibel Blvd , Fort Myers

■ Lehigh Acres Community Pool, 1400 W Fifth St , Lehigh Acres

■ Pine Island Community Pool, 5675 Sesame Drive, Pine Island

■ North Fort Myers Community Pool, 5170 Orange Grove Blvd , North Fort Myers

Signs have been posted at the sites to inform pool

patrons of the one-day closing

Lee County lifeguards are tested annually for their performance skills and abilities This ensures guards meet Lee County’s safety standards Pools will reopen Saturday, Feb 8, with normal operating hours County pools are closed Sundays and Mondays, except during summer

For more information about Lee County pools, visit www leeparks org/pools

To receive updates from Lee County Government, s i g n u p f o r t h e n e w s l e t t e r a t w w w l e e g o v c o m / resources/newsletters Follow Lee County Government on Facebook, www facebook com/leecountyflbocc

Southern Command, and U S European Command [Germany] For 10 years he was invited into the Distinguished Military Author Series, Center for Army Analysis [Ft Belvoir] As a prolific author, he has been the winner of the American Library Association’s Boyd Literary Award for Excellence in Military Fiction and the Gold and Silver Awards in Popular Fiction from the FL Book Awards More recently he won the 2024 Silver Medal in Historical Fiction from the Florida Authors & Publishers Association, and, in 2024, also won the Patrick D Smith Literary Award from the FL Historical Society for best historical fiction for his 17th novel: “Full Naval Honors ”

Please join MOTI in welcoming Macomber for this special gathering, and bring the whole family!

The Museum of the Islands is at 5728 Sesame Drive, Bokeelia, FL 33922 Call 239-283-1525 for more information

PHOTO PROVIDED

Author Robert Macomber placing his book “The Darkest Shade of Honor” in the Pine Island Time Capsule in 2016

Potters Guild to hold Valentine’s Day Show

Be ready for Valentine’s Day with a gift of local art! The Pine Island Potters Guild's February showing will be held Saturday, Feb 8, at Koucky Studios from 10 a m to 2 p m Avoid off-island traffic, come to the show in the outdoor courtyard

of Koucky Studios (there is ample parking) Meet island artists and craftsman and find perfect gifts for your sweethearts in a relaxed and fun environment

The Valentine's showing will feature the works of Pine Island artisans in vari-

SJCCA Update

St James City Civic Association has announced the following upcoming events and activities:

Thursday, Feb. 6

■ Ping Pong, 9-11 a.m. It's a fun way to meet the neighbors and play ping pong

ous mediums: pottery, jewelry, woodworking, ready-to-wear art, paintings and prints, glass, books, gourmet jams, hot s

sauces, local honey, and island-themed home décor Fresh baked goods will be available for a delicious snack or to take home for a special addition to any meal Each show this season has new artisans setting up Please stop by and see what our wonderful island artisans have to offer

be available for purchase This small venue provides a welcoming environment to meet local artists, inquire about their craft and learn about opportunities in our area for classes and workshops Be sure to ask for a tour of the on-site pottery studio Please plan to attend and meet these talented makers while finding a perfect gift for the sweethearts in your life, or treat yourself!

■ Mahjongg, 1-4 p.m. This is a great p l a c e t o l e

Contact Carolyn at 239-233-7682

g !

■ Cribbage, 6-8 p m All are welcome for weekly cribbage fun and competition Contact John Hennessy at 908-801-2034 for additional information

Friday, Feb 7

■ Shuffle Board, 9-11 a m All equipment provided Beginners welcome

■ YOGA with Carole, 9-10 a m Come join in on yin yoga Also for those who would like to participate in chair yoga All are welcome

Saturday, Feb. 8

■ Garage Sale, 8-11 a m We have received a lot of new things, so stop by and shop! Accepting donations

Tuesday, Feb. 11

■ Shuffle Board, 9-11 a m

■ Ping Pong, 9-11 a m

■ Golden Brush, 1-4 p m Don't be shy! Explore your artistic muse with SJCCA'S painting group The Order of the Golden

Brush, founded over 45 years ago by Gladys Stroud, provides a supportive atmosphere for individuals wishing to play with paints and pencils Newcomers, current members, novices, and established artists are all welcome Need more information? Please call Linda Selleck at 239 313 1212

■ Dominoes, 6-8 p m Dominoes is a game that everyone can play: kids, adults, and even the old It is that simple, and it does not matter a person's skill type or level when it comes to gaming Contact Vicki Janda 954-655-4252 for additional information

Upcoming Event

■ Big Breakfast Fundraiser, Saturday, Feb 8, from 8-10 a m Come on out and enjoy a great breakfast made with so much love All you can eat is just $9 to support the community Big breakfasts will be held on the second Saturday of the month for five months Hope to see you there!

All activities are held at St James City Civic Association, 3300 Fourth Ave , St James City More details, contacts and t i c k e t s a l e s a r e a v a i l a b l e a t SJCCAPI ORG

From 10 a m to 1 p m , enjoy live music by the Fiddler and I At 11 a m check out the raku pottery firing demonstration, featuring the horse-hair techn

Koucky and some of his pottery students will be demonstrating this method for creating random lines and patterns on the surface of a red-hot raku clay pot using the hair from a tail or mane of a horse All works by participating artists will

The Pine Island Potters Guild shows are held on the second Saturday of each month, November through April, from 10 a m to 2 p m in the courtyard of Koucky Studios at 5971 Bay Point Road, in Bokeelia, at the corner of Bay Point and

Potters' Guild Valentine's Day Show and Sale, please call Nancy at 239-233-3003 or email her at nrkdesigns@gmail com

February is best time to fish for sheepshead

Closing out January, sheepshead numbers, especially large ones, weren’t caught widespread as in previous years Let’s hope that changes for the better this month February is the peak season for one fish in Southwest Florida that thrives during the cooler winter months -- the sheepshead (Archosaurs probatocephalus) Sheepshead are easily identified by their

many have renamed the convict fish They’re equipped with almost human-like teeth t

hygienist nightmares That mouth full of teeth is used for crunching crustaceans, mollusks, barnacles and such

n k o f sheepshead and where to find them inshore, we look for them around oyster bars, or anywhere oysters and barna-

Oyster bars aren’t the only place to look; sheepshead are structure oriented and prefer a good tide flow Put those two together and there are endless places across our inshore waters to target Structure with a good growth of oysters and barnacles should not be overlooked Areas that should pop into your mind with that combination are bridges, piers, docks, jetties, seawalls and other submerged obstructions inshore and along the beaches Downed or submerged trees or large branches are a good possibility They also congregate along shorelines, drop-offs, depressions and creeks Nearshore artificial reefs and hard bottom in gulf

waters out to around 50-foot depths are prime areas to target when weather allows

As mentioned, sheepshead are equipped with a mouth full of teeth, however they are not sharp and very seldom cut through a leader Their teeth are for crushing hard objects not catching fast-moving bait fish A small, thin, sharp hook is preferred to consistently get the hook to penetrate between those teeth And even then, a little luck comes in handy.

I generally rig one of two ways First, with a #1 or 1/0 circle hook tied to 2-4 feet of 20-pound fluorocarbon leader with either a small sliding egg sinker or split-shot sinker Use just enough weight to get it to the bottom, when you fish around oyster bars and structure you will get hung up a lot, if you go with as little weight as possible it will help to reduce hang ups Sheepshead are difficult to unhook, if you pinch the barb closed you save a lot of time and struggles

F r es h s h r imp is th e g o - to b ait M an y h ar d co r e sheepshead anglers use various other, sometimes secretive baits, but we are going to stick with shrimp. Shrimp

February is prime time to hook into

last week’s cold front fishing with Capt. Bill Russell.

are readily available, and they catch fish Either a small shrimp threaded up the hook shank, hooked live or if the shrimp are large, cut them accordingly The smaller the piece you can get away with the better your hook-up success will be; sheepshead are notorious bait stealers, bring a lot of bait

Second, very productive, and my favorite, is a jig head rigged with a small live shrimp Inshore we may use from an eighth to a half-ounce depending on depth and current. Pinch or bite the tail off and thread the shrimp tail first up the shank of the hook bottoming out at the head of the jig A slow bouncing retrieve works best but it can vary from day to day, don’t be afraid to experiment But remember, they feed off the bottom, a quick suspended retrieve will go untouched We usually fish both methods and see what works best; it changes from day to day and locations I have tried all the different colored jig heads, and they all catch fish, but one color may out fish the others on any given day

For tackle, a light to medium light action rod with a fast tip is best; you really need to feel the light tap when they pick up the bait A bait caster or spinner with 10 to 20-pound line, monofilament or braid, is all that’s needed I use 15-pound braid, this really allows the anglers to feel the pick-up Sheepshead aren’t as aggressive as snook or grouper when hooked, they put up a great fight but seldom make a hard effort to dash under rocks or pilings and cut you off, therefore a light rig is fine and a lot more fun

This is the top month to hook into the biggest sheepshead of the year in Southwest Florida If you put in some time to learn the tricks to locating and hooking sheepshead, you will be on your way to some good fishing And your reward -- they are some of the tastiest fish in the water

Stay up to date with fishing regulations by visiting the F l o r i d a F i s h a

myfwc com Also, upload the Fish Rules app on your phone It has current regulations with pictures to help identify fish If you turn on your GPS location the Fish Rules app updates to your location In my opinion, it is more accurate and up to date than FWC’s website

If you have a fishing report or for charter information, please contact us at Gulf Coast Guide Service -- call or t e x t 2 3 9 - 4 1 0 - 8 5 7 6 ;

Have a safe week and good fishin’

Capt Bill Russell has spent his life fishing and learning

Capt Bill Russell

On the Water

PHOTO PROVIDED

Calusa Land Trust holds 49th Annual Meeting

The Calusa Land Trust held its 49th Annual Meeting Sunday afternoon, Jan 19, at the Fishers of Men Lutheran Church The meeting was conducted by CLT President Frank Potter He summarized the stewardship efforts in maintaining over 2,400 acres of preserved lands, particularly in light of the challenges posed in the aftermath of Hurricanes Ian and Milton Committee chairpersons tendered their reports and the general membership voted to re-elect six incumbents to the Board of Directors: Brian Cotterill, Cathy House, Carol Mullin, Dave Scullion, Les Smith and Alice Trant Recognition was given to retiring board member Robert Ballard and special thoughts for recently departed

members Ed Chapin, Nancy Weir and Frank Tuma

The loss of venue has caused the cancellation of the 2025 Duck Race and has shifted reliance on other fundraising efforts, including the sales of CLT merchandise, the 7th edition of the “Nature Lovers Guide” and the reincarnated Plunk-a-Plank ($100) of customized composite boards installed at any of its several tiki huts Being an all-volunteer organization, all acquired funds are utilized to support its mission to protect the natural diversity and beauty of Pine Island by acquiring, managing and preserving in perpetuity environmentally sensitive or historically important land and to foster appreciation for and understanding of the environment and its

CLT’s next work/fun party this Sunday at Calusa Canal ‘Bud House’ Preserve

The Calusa Land Trust’s monthly work/fun party will be held this Saturday, Feb 8, beginning at 9 a m , at the Calusa Canal “Bud House” Preserve This preserve is located along the aboriginal Calusa Canal running parallel to Meadow Drive which is off of Harbor Drive (the former being the third street north from Stringfellow Road)

A new directional sign has been erected highlighting the ancient, but visibly noticeable, canal Since it has

Cribbage Corner

The top scorers for cribbage played Jan 24 at the St James City Civic Association were 1 Dan Collard, 2 Joel Schuitema, 3 Mike Mulder and 4 Dennis Gettys

Lamb of the Week: Judy Schuitema Cribbage is played at SJCCA every Thursday from 6:30-9 p m For more information, contact John Hennessy at 908-801-2034

been a couple of years from receiving attention the mission will be to remove the overgrowth

The Calusa Land Trust is an all-volunteer land conservancy and relies upon motivated Pine Islanders to assist in the stewardship of its 2,400-plus acres of preserved lands

Happy participants should include work gloves/clothing and pruning tools and for their efforts will be rewarded with cold drinks, a pizza lunch and shared warm friendships with a sense of accomplishment

For more information, contact Robert Ballard at 239770-0070

Stone Crab Fest

heritage

Additional details are available on the CLT website at calusalandtrust org

From page 1

the day, he said, with the food vendors, the bands and the continuous encouragement of island businesses For the next Stone Crab Fest, Conner said, the chamber has already decided on the return of the previous November date, making 2025 a year with two Stone Crab Fests on Pine Island

“We like to do it in November because it sort of kicks off the season Stone crab season starts on Oct 15 so not only is it stone crab season, but it kicks off the season on the island as well and I think the businesses at that time of year, right after summer, really need help,” Conner said

PROVIDED BY JOHN AND MARTY KENDALL

Calusa Land Trust President Frank Potter, left, presents Robert Ballard with an award on his retirement

Sandy Paws

comes to the snacks, what better to feed your dogs than something you can eat yourself?” Fromm said

In thinking about what she would love, Fromm said, she believes folks would be really excited to come in and see all that

Sandy Paws Island Dog Bakery and DIY Wash has to offer

“I have a little bit of everything I have toys, leashes, collars, shampoos and I even have my own dog-safe candle line Most people don’t know candles aren’t dog friendly. Also, we do grooming and dog sitting ” Fromm said

Sandy Paws Island Dog Bakery and DIY Wash is at 5459 Pine Island Road, N W , Bokeelia

For additional information about the island business, please call Call 239220-9821

Paws Island Dog Bakery and DIY Wash

From page 1 The Church of God of Prophecy will be holding a chicken dinner Saturday, Feb 8 Dinner will be takeout only, no dine in The price is $10 per dinner chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn or green beans, dinner roll and dessert Chicken is fried in peanut oil Gluten

Church of God of Prophecy chicken dinner Saturday

Pine Island Pawn

“He’s a great kid He loves to fish We really started the shop for him,” she said

Becoming a part of the community is a goal for the couple, she said, adding that they would be very interested in meeting folks involved in the Pine Island Little League even though Dallas has played on a North Fort Myers league for years now.

“He’s a first-baseman, so he’s quite an athlete just the way the shortstop interacts with him is not something you can expect from every team,” Woodhams said Their desire to open the store brought with it some issues with permitting, which ,she said, was dealt with swiftly with the help of Lee County Commissioner Kevin Ruane

“I wrote one email and they got right on the phone with permitting,” Thristina said

So far, getting acquainted with their new surroundings has been a pleasure, she said, as the Woodhams have been wished well and congratulated by fellow islanders in everyday situations, such as on trips to the grocery store

“There has not been one person we’ve

From page 1

run into on the street or in another establishment who has not been encouraging, i n v i t i n g , l o v i n g a n d e x c i t e d f o r u s , ”

Woodhams said

The Woodhams said they are happy to be in a community in which their family can thrive and they look forward to many happy years on the island.

“We want to thank the community for welcoming us the way they have and let them know we appreciate that, first and foremost Also, we really want to find a way to make them feel comfortable to come in so we can get to know them all,” she said

Pine Island Pawn and Jewelry is at 4624 Pine Island Road in Matlacha, For more information, call 239-579-0051

Zachary Woodhams, one of Pine Island Pawn and Jewelry’s owners, with some of the jewelry available in the store, which is located in Matlacha.

PROVIDED BY THE WOODHAMS

Lee Health Bloodmobile at Moose Lodge on Feb. 15

The Lee Health Bloodmobile will be visiting The Pine Island Moose Lodge at 8903 Stringfellow Road in St James City on Saturday, Feb 15, from 8 a m to noon All the blood collected remains in Lee Health, which includes the Golisano Children's Hospital of SW Florida, the Regional Cancer Center and the only Trauma Center (which is located in the Lee Memorial Hospital) within a 5-county radius The blood also supports Cape Coral Hospital and Gulf Coast Medical Center One in three people will need blood in their lifetime You never know when you or someone you know or love will need blood So come out and Give the Gift of Life!

All donors will receive a free health checkup, cholesterol screening and gift

New studies show that donating blood improves your overall cardiovascular health Regularly donating blood helps men in particular to reduce the amount of iron in the blood This can

Bridge Beat

B r i d g e i s p l a y e d a t 12:30 p m every Wednesday at the Fishers of Men Lutheran Church at 10360

S t r i n g f e l l o w R o a d , S t James City Anyone wishing to play is welcome and does not need a partner It costs $3 to play, some of which goes back to winners of the game Come join us Sharpen your brain!

L a s

, K

e n McWright; second place, M a

d place, Judy Nyhus Karen bid two slams, and Mary, one All were made

reduce the chance of heart attack by 88% Additionally, regular blood donation can lower the risk of severe cardiovascular events such as stroke by 33% You also burn 650 calories! It's a win-win!

P l e a s e h e l p u s m a k e o u r g o a l of 16+ units of blood.

Requirements for donating blood:

■ Weigh at least 115 pounds

■ Be at least 16 years old (16 requires parental written consent)

■ Be relatively healthy

■ Provide photo ID

■ Have 56 days between donations

Eat a meal before donating blood and be sure to drink plenty of fluids before and after donation

Questions about donating? Call us at 343-2333

PHOTO

Cape Coral Breeze Athletes

Week of the

(Selected

by the Breeze Sports staff)

Cat of the Week

PHOTO PROVIDED

Blanchy

Do you speak Spanish? Blanchy was raised on the other coast and his caregivers spoke Spanish to him We never realized just how much language the cats understood until he got to the shelter Blanchy was extremely confused and frustrated with us That's when it occurred he couldn't understand us Luckily the language of food and pets bridged the gap That said, he will be more comfortable with a family he can understand. Is that you? Blanchy is around 2 years old and hoping to meet you. For more information, call Helping Paws Animal Sanctuary at 239-283-9100. If you’d rather just donate, our address is 10060 Mallory Parkway, E., Unit D, St. James City 3 3 9 5 6 , o r t h e r e ’s a l w a y s o u r w e b s i t e www helpingpawsanimalsanctuary com

Blue Crab Key Tag Sale Saturday

The Blue Crab Key Tag Sale will be held this Saturday, Feb 8, from 8 a m to noon

Get ready to join the hunt for a variety of new or slightly used items Artists will be selling island artwork, jewelry and special handmade items. Baked goods will also be sold

The tag sale is located at various units on the condo

complex Arts and crafts will be located in the clubhouse, as well as at individual units

Directions: At the four-way stop, heard north on Stringfellow Road, turn right onto Marina Drive (approximately 1.5 miles). Stay straight and the Blue Crab Key condos will be directly ahead When parking, please do not block the road or driveways

The Fecal Indicator Bacteria (FIB) results from Calusa Waterkeeper's sampling efforts Saturday, Jan. 18. The Waterkeeper team thanks all the volunteers and staff who helped make this happen despite othe devastating loss of Codty Pierce. For more information and historical data on the FIB program, please visit http://calusawaterkeeper.org/issues/bacteria-monitoring/

Once-a-week watering schedule underway across Lee County

County are reminded that as of Saturday, Feb. 1, a one-day-a-week watering schedule is in place through the end of May to conserve water and protect the aquifer

Lee County has had a water conservation ordinance for unincorporated communities since 2005 Last year, the Lee Board of County Commissioners revised the ordinance to implement a one-day-aw

h e beginning of February through the end of M a y T h

d addresses may only water on Saturdays

and even-numbered addresses and common areas may water on Sundays No watering can occur 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Typically, the aquifers peak toward the end of rainy season and show the most stress during the April-May timeframe

Residents and commercial property owners are urged to abide by local ordinances that restrict lawn irrigation Lawn irrigation can account for 50% of household use

While the ordinance applies to those in unincorporated Lee County, a comprehensive list of local rules can be found at

Valentine’s Day Open Mic session at the SJCCA

On Valentine’s Day, Feb 14, Open Mic will be held at the St James City Civic Center at 3300 4th Ave , from 1-4 p m Love songs will be the theme of the day!

Sound equipment will be provided

The event to be held rain or shine, inside the building

Light refreshments will be available on site Coolers are welcome

All tips go directly to the SJCCA to rebuild and repair the Civic Center facility.

Watson at 717-817-1512 or Denise Huber at 208-290-2512

www sfwmd gov/mywateringdays

People in unincorporated Lee County who irrigate outside the permissible days and hours can receive a warning on a first offense and fines following a warning;

however, the county’s main objective is education about the ordinance

Follow Lee County Government on Facebook, www facebook com/leecountyflbocc

Friends of the Pine Island Library annual meeting set for Feb. 18

Board of directors election to be held

The Friends of the Pine Island Library is currently making plans for its 2025 annual meeting to be held Feb 18 at 3 p m at the Pine Island Library

One of the important actions that takes place during the annual meeting is the election of the board of directors In preparation for the election, the Friends

are now accepting candidates for consideration on the board

If you are an active member in good standing and have interest in serving on the board, please email your name and contact information by Jan 20 to presi-

@ F

will be contacted by the group's nominating committee

At the annual meeting, the members will also vote on the budget and elect a new board of directors

Free tax preparations available at Beacon of Hope starting Friday

Free tax preparation by IRS-certified volunteers is available again on Pine Island Tax returns will be prepared at the Beacon of HOPE on Fridays from Feb 7 until April 4 by the AARP Tax Aide program

Please stop by the Beacon office on any Monday, Wednesday or Thursday to

make an appointment and pick up a packet of materials which are needed for the appointment Appointments are required

If you have questions, please call the Beacon office at 239-283-5123

The Beacon of Hope is located at 5090 Doug Taylor Circle, Suite 3, in St. James City

Cemetery - Cremation

For Sale: His & Hers crypts, Coral Ridge Cemetary, Memory 2 South inside. Titled, $12000 ea. Call 239-699-4822 Please leave message

Arts & Crafts

Large Artist Easel, 18.5” wide x 86.5” tall, good condition. Asking $75. Call 239-689-0217

Household Goods

For Sale: Burgundy La-Z-Boy power lift recliner, never used (too large for room). Paid $1800, asking $600 Call 239-898-3073

Musical Instruments

Small standup piano 58” long x 25” wide x 37” tall. Plays well, Free. You must pick up. Call 508-813-9774

Garage Sales

B okeeliaSeptemberEstates AnnualCarportSale

Saturday,February8th 8 am-1pm HugeSale

EntireNeighborhood StringfellowtoHelenRd

Bokeelia, 16081 Tortuga St, Sat 2/8, 8a-2p. Furniture, Washer/Dryer, 92 Olds Cutlass, Sewing Machine, Acrylic Paints, Collectibles, Florida decor, Vintage & Much More.

CaptainsCove