Pine Island Eagle

VolumE 46, NumbEr 46

Tradition continues Saturday with IslandFest/Mullet Toss

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

This year’s IslandFest with Mullet Toss will be this Saturday, March 25, from 10 a m to 6 p m , at the Calusa Cay Publix Plaza, located at 5100 Pine Island Road, Bokeelia

A c c o r d i n g t o G r e a t e r P i n e I s l a n d C h a m b e r o f Commerce Administrator Cynthia Welch, the chamber wanted to keep the island tradition, regardless of the recent hurricane

“Pine Island may look a little different, but the spirit is still the same This is one of those perky Pine Island events that very much personifies what we are all about,”

Welch said

T h e o v e r a l l d e s i r e , s h e explained, is to spell out that islanders are still here and still the same as they ever were In addition to measuring the furthest-thrown mullet, according to age group, this year has the added bonus of pop-up stores by displaced island businesses and also the Pine Bay Gallery, Parade of Mermaids, traditionally held at Bert’s Bar and

Lovegrove creating art from debris

Artist returns to her hurricane-destroyed gallery in Matlacha

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

Leoma Lovegrove has returned to her Matlacha Gallery and will be on island painting from 10 a m to 4 p m , through the end of March The aptly named project, Painting up a Storm, is just that

The gallery is down to bare wood including walls and floors since Hurricane Ian blew in, but this has not stopped her from creating art from the debris left behind, as every day Lovegrove paints on the remaining wreckage she picks up from her gallery gardens on Matlacha Island

Each piece of art has its own story and many of the pieces have the story of their origin printed on the back As she has incorporated countless hurricane leftovers into her artwork, she said she also wants to hear local Hurricane Ian stories from others, saying folks are free to stop in and say hello and share their particular story

While she has plaques depicting various locations impacted by Hurricane Ian, such as Captiva Island, Fort Myers and Boca Grande, her Matlacha studio alone is a veritable treasure trove of memorabilia from the storm

“Now, people are actually bringing me debris a f i s h i n g l u r e , t h e k e y t o t h e i r h o u s e , c a r k e y s , ”

Lovegrove said

Picking up roof shingles, on which to paint, has become a regular part of this artist’s process Along with shingles from local businesses, many random objects have made their way into this project, becoming another piece of Matlacha history

Lovegrove said she really wants to make her creations affordable because she would like everyone to

have an original piece of her work, if possible, with a story included

“I’m out here painting amongst the rubble I have to keep tissues nearby and handy as I listen to people’s stories,” Lovegrove said

Grill

“We have added that to our festival, to be another part of the tradition of things that go on here,” Welch said.

In an effort to support local business owners and let folks know they’re still here, Welch said, the chamber is encouraging businesses to gain exposure through this event Some highlights include Pine Island artisan, craft and business booths; food and adult beverages; boats and fishing seminars

The schedule of events:

■ Mullet Toss Sign up at IslandFest, the contests start

Bert’s Bar & Grill reboot

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

According to Bert’s Bar & Grill owner Bernard Johnson, working through the process of insurance and possible new codes must come before he can rebuild his business

“And then we proceed That’s where we are It’s going to take a little time We love Matlacha and we love Pine Island and we’re here,” Johnson said

The plan to rebuild is wonderful news to islanders who have come to think of Bert’s Bar and Grill as a decades-old icon on Pine Island In the meantime, J o h n s o n s a i d h e h

f a s h i o n e d a T - s h offering a reward anyone who finds a returns Bert’s Bar

i t s e n t i r e t y A f t completely losing h business in Hurrican Ian, Johnson takes a stab at an amusing a n e c d o t e i n response to the loss of Bert’s

“ W e q u i c k l y sold out of them,”

J o h n - s o n s a i d o f the T-shirts

As for keeping up with island events, Johnson is excited to have Bert’s presence at the upcoming Islandfest/Mullet Toss Saturday, as the Parade of Mermaids competition will go on as usual, with a different venue

“We’ve contacted several of the prior mermaids of Bert’s Pine Bay and we’re going to have it at the event That was one of the most popular events that Bert’s and Pine Bay ever had We really had a lot of fun with thatespecially with the children they just loved it, so we’re going to keep it going,” Johnson said

Find Bert’s tees by visiting Pinebaygallery com and search “Bert’s Merch ”

Bert’s Bar & Grill will return to its original location at 4271 Pine Island Road in Matlacha

Letting a mullet fly!

PAULETTE LEBLANC

Leoma Lovegrove is creating art, top and above, with debris left behind after Hurricane Ian destroyed her island gallery.

St. Andrew Middle School students help clean up on island

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

T h a n k s t o P i n e I s l a n d C e n t e n n i a l Branch Manager Elsie Stearns, and the Matlacha Hookers, on Wednesday, March 15, home owners Dixie Byrne and Rick Alvarez were the happy recipients of the Make a Difference Day program by St Andrew Catholic Middle School in Cape Coral

A c c o r d i n g t o i s l a n d e r a n d p a r e n t Natalie Honc, this is a yearly program incorporating the entirety of its middle school students to go out into the community and volunteer their time in service to others

“We were looking for a place for all of the students to go together, to make the biggest impact Crystal Melton and the leaders of Make a Difference Day knew that Pine Island had experienced a great impact from the hurricane,” Honc said, explaining that Byrne and Alvarez were chosen due to the size of their property

A c c o r d i n g t o S t A n d r e w M i d d l e S c h o o l m a t h t e a c h e r C r y s t a l M e l t o n , Make a Difference Day is the school’s tradition, focused on living out Jesus' message to serve others

“Grades six through eight spend the morning volunteering at various locations in our Southwest Florida community This y e a r ' s l o c a t i o n s i n c l u d e d t h e R o n a l d McDonald House, Thrive SWFL, Bishop Verot Catholic High School, St Katharine Drexel, Cape Coral Caring Center and this private residence on Pine Island, which was impacted by Hurricane Ian. This year has been especially meaningful for the eighth graders, as they were humbled to

see the lasting impact Hurricane Ian still has on our community,” Melton said Honc reported the couple having had 4 5 feet of water on the property and in the house following the hurricane During the storm, the couple took refuge on the kitchen counter, as they watched the water rush in and out past them The couple, she said, described the incident as having nearly scared them both to death

“They have more work that needs to be done The kids were able to move their couches, tidy up and sweep broken glass from the storm Wiping down and cleaning up from the storm was overwhelming There were kids in the yard pulling weeds

and hauling tree debris, cutting limbs and cleaning up the landscape,” Honc said Assistant Principal Bambi Giles said this particular eighth grade class did an outstanding job on this project

“The excitement and commitment to help on Pine Island was beyond expectation and we are very proud of the student’s action service to others in the community at large We are blessed to be able to partner with community businesses and individuals to assist This year, our eighth grade students were fortunate to assist in Hurricane Ian clean-up on Pine Island They cleaned out a damaged kitchen,

moved construction materials and created a yard debris pile to be removed from the property, just to name a few of the jobs that were completed ” Giles said Service to others is part of St Andrew Catholic School’s mission and vision, she explained Make A Difference Day is an example of putting the mission and vision of service to others into practice, she said.

“We are very proud of our eighth grade students for their leadership, as well as living our motto, 'Building Faith, Hearts, and Minds ' They are a true testament of what a St Andrew Catholic School graduate offers to the world,” Giles said

VFW Post 4353 to hold Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Dinner

Every year, March 29 is recognized as Vietnam War Veterans Day This year begins a tradition with Greater Pine Island VFW Post 4353 in welcoming home and honoring those veterans and their families for their service and sacrifices over 50 years ago 2023 is the 50th anniversary

of the Paris Peace accords that ended American’s full-fledged involvement in the war against North Vietnam, although the war did not officially end for another t w o y e a r s t h e A m e r i c a n d r a w d o w n began

Those veterans who served in that conflict were never welcomed h o m e w i t h p a r a d e s a n d accolades, but that all ends w i t h t h i s e v e n t . O n W e d n e s d a y , M a r c h , 2 9 , VFW Post 4353 will be h o s t i n g a d i n n e r f o r a l l V i e t n a m v e t e r a n s w h o served in this 10,000-day war with a complimentary meal and drinks They will also be honored and pres e n t e d w i t h t h e s p e c i a l commemoration coin from t h e V i e t n a m V e t e r a n s Association.

The free meal of roast beef with scalloped potatoes and a vegetable will be served from 5-7 p m and will include two drinks

P l e a s e c a l l a h e a d f o r r e s e r v a t i o n s a n d b r i n g o t h e r v e t e r a n s t h a t h a v e served All veterans and the public are invited to join the Post on this welcome home event.

V F W P o s t s 4 3 5 3 i s located at 8150 Stringfellow Road, St James City C a l l 2 3 9 - 2 8 3 - 2 2 7 7 f o r additional information

PHOTO PROVIDED BY NATALIE HONC Students from St Andrew Middle School in Cape Coral recently helped clean up in and around an island home

OPINIONS

100 Days: March 2023

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

Editor Paulette LeBlanc pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

Advertising Director Laurie Ragle lragle@ breezenewspapers com

Advertising Sales Charlene Russ cruss@breezenewspapers com

Design &

Chris Strine cstrine@breezenewspapers com

The Eagle is published every Wednesday

Governing bodies are often measured by their governance during the first 100 days out of the gate It sets the tone and direction of what can and will be accomplished This new school board has now surpassed its 100 days on the job, and I am proud of what we, as a district, have accomplished

Culture

The culture of an organization is vital to its success, and it starts at the top I am pleased to see this board and Superintendent Bernier focus on professionalism, leadership, community engagement, and, most importantly, putting our kids first

I have already observed cultural organizational changes:

■ Board meetings focused on the business of the district

■ Teacher and staff listening sessions from our Superintendent

■ In-depth discussions with our parents

■ Consistently going into our community to get feedback

For our employees, we have moved to a “speak up, listen up” work culture that promotes identification of issues and productive discussion to make positive culture changes Change doesn’t happen overnight, but we are on the right path

Hurricane Recovery

We are five months out since Hurricane Ian devastated our area. I am proud of the work our district has accomplished, especially with our three most impacted schools

■ The Sanibel School recently re-opened, and it was amazing to see the smiles on the

faces of the children, teachers, staff

■ Regarding Fort Myers Beach Elementary, there have been many productive discussions between the district and the community with substantial progress towards a solution

■ Finally, for the damaged Hector A Cafferata Jr Elementary School in Cape Coral, in an upcoming meeting the board will review a plan for a n e w c a m p u s t h a t w i l l b e expanded to a K-8 school

Proximity Plan

Web Poll

Previous Web Poll Question: Should Daylight Savings Time be made permanent with no need to “Spring Forward”and “Fall Back?”

■ Yes 84%

■ No 14%

■ It doesn’t really matter to me 2%

Current Web Poll Question:

Should the benefit terms of Social Security be re-evaluated

■ Yes

■ Maybe, but not on retirees

■ No

■ The Feds should provide a private retirement option

Share your opinion at pineisland-eagle com

Guest Commentary

One of the largest changes to this district in decades is the implementation of the proximity plan for elementary school students The plan will:

■ Reduce bus ride times and bus tardiness

■ Fix operational inefficiencies

■ Provide communities with a closer relationship with their schools

Most importantly, this plan will keep our kids closer to home, allowing our families to focus their time on academics

Supporting Our Teachers & Staff

Our teachers and staff are the bedrock of our district As a board member, and as a parent, I am truly thankful for all they do. As part of our commitment to teachers and staff, tentative agreements have been reached for pay increases, as well as a reduction in the annual cost of health insurance Furthermore,

o u r d i s t r i c t i s f o c u s i n g o n retention so that we keep our employees long- term Legislative Productivity

With the benefit of a supportive local legislative deleg a t i o n , w e h a v e d e v e l o p e d strong relationships with our state legislators The board is working hand-in-hand with our elected state officials to ensure our district is in the best possible spot after the devastation of Hurricane Ian

Additionally, our legislators are looking into support in the areas of career and technical education, safety and security, and additional after school programs for our students. Thank you to our delegation for your support of our district and our community

As for the future, there is much on the horizon I am looking forward to future disc u s s i o n s o n a c a d e m i c a c h i e v e m e n t , t h e revamp of our district policies, an audit consulting opportunity with the Lee County Clerk, and the Guardian Program to further protect our students and schools

This is just the beginning, and there is still much left to do I am truly excited for our children’s futures and hope that you are, too!

Samuel Fisher serves as vice chair of the Lee County School Board He represents District 1 which includes Cape Coral

Amazing year for 99th annual Southwest Florida & Lee County Fair

The Southwest Florida & Lee County Fair welcomed guests for 11 days from Feb 23 –March 5, 2023 Celebrating their 99th Annual Fair, they held a ribbon cutting ceremony with special guests including County Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass, Harry Chapin Food Bank Director of Programs Marissa Stress-Peterson, and County Property Appraiser Matt Caldwell Mike Peak, president of the SWFL & Lee County Fair Association led the ribbon cutting ceremony to kick off the celebration

Throughout the week, the Fair welcomed more than 110,000 guests to the event as well as more than 1,000 exhibitors and more than 1,700 entries throughout the program and all competitions The Home & Hobby and Horticulture Departments displayed arts from children as young 5 years old, all the way up to adults in their 90s varying from beautiful quilting, photographs, paintings, tablescapes, varying arts and crafts and right on down to Lego displays There was Hay Bale and Wheelbar-

row Decorating Contests, Youth Chicken BBQ Cook-Off, and a Puzzling Competition

Our Livestock Department welcomed hundreds of exhibitors and their animals The exhibitors were able to display their work in raising and caring for their projects, as well as their knowledge of their animal With competitions such as grooming, showmanship, herdsman, fun costume contest, fun agility contests and many others, exhibitors show what they can do with their animals The Fair Association is proud to be able to award thousands of dollars in prizes and awards to winners of each of these divisions for their hard work At the end of the fair, there is an auction for Market Animals and for Small Animals that has raised

Guest Commentary

We want your opinion

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

@ 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

more than $820,000 that goes right back to the kids and to scholarships that are awarded to college bound seniors in the 4-H /FFA program

The Scholarship program offers more than $26,000 in scholarships to our graduating seniors

The midway and food vendors were no small spectacle of the fair as hundreds of thousands of pounds were consumed throughout the week, and rides were constantly running with the sights and sounds of excited fair goers to be able to enjoy this once-a-year event

We want to say a special thank you to our Board of Directors, our employees, and the many volunteers that it takes to put on an event of this magnitude We could not do it without every person in this large moving event.

We have already begun preparations for our 100th Anniversary that will take place Feb 29 – March 10, 2024 We are planning a lot of great new events and fun that will help fairgoers remember the past while reflecting on the future

We want to always remember our grounds as the Southwest Florida & Lee County Fair, and we want our future to always reflect who we are while we look to where we are going

Fran Crone is the manager for the Southwest Florida & Lee County Fair

Fran Crone

Samuel Fisher

Greater Pine Island Elks #2781 sponsoring children for Youth Camp

Summer program open to youngsters 9-13 years of age

The Greater Pine Island Elks #2781 will once again sponsor area children ages 9 through 13 to attend the Florida Elks Youth Camp in scenic, Umatilla, Fla All children are welcome!

The island lodge has 11 scholarships for children to enjoy a week of housing in t h e m o d e r n , a i r - c o n d i t i o n e d c a b i n s ; meals; swimming; canoeing; aquatic center; campfires; arts and crafts; a rope course; and lots of fun, exercise and fresh air To register a child, simply utilize the o n l i n e a p p l i c a t i o n a t f l o r i d a e l k s o r g / c a m p A G r e a t e r P i n e Island Elk will supply their name and member number as the child’s sponsor

The stated weekly cost per child is

$220 Those who can afford this reasonable fee are urged to pay; those who cannot will be afforded the same opportunity

It is through the generosity of the Florida Elks Association, the Greater Pine Island #2781 and donations from members that tuition-free scholarships are made possible for campers.

The Florida Elks Youth Camp is dedicated to enriching the lives of children from the state of Florida The mission is to mold the current generation of youth into adults The camp’s motto is to “inspire, connect and expand ” Kids are inspired through the quality of the facility, staff and programming Without electronics, they help kids build connections between

themselves and their peers, counselors and nature Through all this, the campers have the opportunity to expand their compassion for others, their own self-confidence and their ability and desire to make an impact on the world around them

The camp staff presents a safe camp e x p e r i e n c e t h a t c o n t r i b u t e s t o e a c h c a m p e r ’ s m e n t a l , p h y s i c a l a n d s o c i a l growth

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

Saturday morning and provide campers with housing, food and, of course, tons of fun!

The Florida Elks are proud that the c a m p i s a c c r e d i t e d b y t h e A m e r i c a n Camping Association and is re-certified every three years to insure compliance and a safe camping environment for children.

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

T h e c a m p s c h e d u l e i s S e s s i o n 1 : June 11–17; Session 2: June 18-24; Session 3: June 25–July 1; Session 4: July 2–8; Session 5: July 9–15; and Session 6: July 16–22

If you have any questions, please call 425-346-7226 or email gpielks@outlook com

Lee County Parks & Recreation offers Easter egg hunts

Five Lee County Parks & Recreation sites will offer opportunities for children to put their egg-hunting skills to the test in advance of Easter, which is April 9 All i n f o r m a t i o n i s a v a i l a b l e at www leeparks org

The dates and locations for upcoming events are:

April 8, Pine Island:

The Pine Island 6-8 Grade Golden Egg Hunt will begin at 10 a m , Saturday, April 8, on the baseball fields at Phillips Community Park, 5675 Sesame Drive , Bokeelia This free event is for middle s c h o o l - a g e c h i l d r e n P a r t i c i p a n t s w i l l receive a candy bag and will have the chance to find golden eggs with special prizes. Registration begins at 9 a.m. April 8 at Phillips Park

April 8, North Fort Myers: Spring Fest will be held 11 a m to 2 p.m., Saturday, April 8, on the football field at North Fort Myers Community

Park, 2000 North Recreation Park Way, N o r t h F o r t M y e r s A c t i v i t i e s i n c l u d e music, yard games, photo booth, bounce house and food trucks The event is free This event is co-sponsored by Rotary Club of North Fort Myers For more inform a t i o n , c a l l t h e N o r t h F o r t M y e r s Recreation Center at 239-533-7200

April 8, Lehigh Acres:

Veterans Park Ultimate Egg Hunt will be held 10 a m to 1 p m , Saturday, April 8, at the park basketball pavilion, 55 H o m e s t e a d R o a d , S , L e h i g h A c r e s Activities include egg hunt, games, music, food truck, photo booth and more Bring your camera and basket The cost is $5 per child This event is co-sponsored by Lehigh Acres Rotary Club. Advance registration is required Participants can register online at www.leeparks.org/register, at the Veterans Park Recreation Center or by calling 239-369-1521.

April 8, Estero:

Estero EGGStravaganza featuring an adaptive egg hunt will begin at 10 a m , Saturday, April 8, at Estero Recreation Center, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd Preregistration is required by calling the recreation center at 239-533-1470 or online at www leeparks org/register The egg hunt and the opportunity to meet the Easter Bunny are for children ages 12 and under. The cost is $5 per child. Bring your camera and basket The first egg hunt begins at 10 a m This is an outdoor event, weather permitting For more information, call the Estero Recreation Center at 239-533-1470.

April 8, Boca Grande:

The Boca Grande Egg Hunt will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 8. This free event is sponsored by The Friends of B o c a G r a n d e C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r

Activities include an egg hunt for ages 11 and under, and a photo opportunity with the Easter Bunny Bring your camera Individually wrapped soft candy donations are welcome. For more information, c a l l 2 3 9 - 5 3 3 - 2 9 2 1 o r v i s i t w w w l e e parks org The Boca Grande Community Center is located at 131 First St , Boca Grande

St. John's Episcopal Church Women to host Game/Card Party Thursday

Women's next Game/Card Party will be held Thursday, March 23, in St John’s Comfort Hall, at 7771 Stringfellow Road,

St James City, from 10 a m to 2 p m Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by calling Kathy Gredlics at 484-8944612

April programs set at Pine Island Public Library

Next month’s roster of activities at the Pine Island Public Library offers topics for all ages The following programs are free to the public.

Adult Programs

Download Drop-In

3 p.m., Thursdays, April 6, 13

Receive personalized help downloading e-books, movies, music and more from Overdrive/Libby and Hoopla, two of Lee County Library System’s largest online content providers Bring your fully charged digital device for this hands-on help session Note: Please bring any passwords you may need for downloading apps Kindle users will also need an Amazon account and their password for accessing it

Tech Workshop: Cutting-the-Cord and Streaming Services

11 a.m., Saturday, April 8

Everyone's looking to save money on film and TV entertainment, and there's never been a better time to cut the cable cord Learn more about streaming services at this special technology workshop

Please bring your fully charged tablets, phones, e-readers, and other digital devices for a hands-on help session Note: Please bring any passwords you may need for downloading apps Kindle users will also need an Amazon account and their password for accessing it.

Botanical Sun Catcher Craft

9:30 a.m., Saturday, April 15

Celebrate the start of spring by making a botanical sun catcher We will use pressed flowers, clear contact paper and embroidery hoops to create a decorative art piece to hang in your window This fun craft is perfect for beginners Supplies will be provided Registration is required

Tech Thursdays: One-on-One Help

3:30 p.m., Thursday, April 20

Need help with a laptop, tablet or ereader? Are you looking to gain basic computer skills? We can help Bring your fully charged device and any passwords for a 15-minute, one-on-one technology session

Children’s Programs

Family Storytime

10:30 a m , Tuesdays, April 4, 11, 18, 25

For children through age five and caregivers Families with young children enjoy a variety of stories, songs, rhymes and movement

Save the Planet: Kids &

Teens Creator Space

2 p.m., Saturday, April 15

We are celebrating the Earth Join in and help save the planet with these fun craft activities made from recycled materials

Teen Programs

Download Drop-In

3 p.m., Thursdays, April 6, 13

Receive personalized help downloading e-books, movies, music and more from Overdrive/Libby and Hoopla, two of Lee County Library System’s largest online content providers Bring your fully charged digital device for this hands-on help session Note: Please bring any passwords you may need for downloading apps Kindle users will also need an Amazon account and their password for accessing it

Save the Planet: Kids & Teens Creator Space

2 p.m., Saturday, April 15

We are celebrating the Earth Join in and help save the planet with fun crafts made from recycled materials

Tech Thursdays: One-on-One Help

3:30 p m , Thursday, April 20

Need help with a laptop, tablet or ereader? Are you looking to gain basic computer skills? We can help Bring your fully charged device and any passwords for a 15-minute, one-on-one technology session.

The Pine Island Public Library is located at 10701 Russell Road in Bokeelia For more information about a program or to register, please call the library at 239533-4350 Check the Lee County Library System’s website at www leelibrary net to find out about programs at other locations C a l l t h e h o s t l i b r a r y , o r T e l e p h o n e

Reference at 239-479-INFO (4636), for more information about a specific program.

To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter here: www leegov com/resources/newsletters

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Lee County will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in its services, programs or activities To request an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or a reasonable modification to participate, contact Joan LaGuardia, 239-533-2314, F l o r i d a R e l a y S e r v i c e 7 1 1 , o r j l aguardia@leegov com Accommodation will be provided at no cost to the requestor Requests should be made at least five business days in advance

Veterans Assistance Program April 7

The Veterans Assistance Program will meet Friday, April 7, from 9 a m until 12:30 p m , at the Beacon o f H o p e , 5 0 9 0 D o u g T a y l o r C i r c l e , S t J a m e s City

One of the things that w i l l b e d i s c u s s e d i s t h e expansion of possible benef i t s f r o m A g e n t O r a n g e exposure in overseas countries during Vietnam. If you have any health issues that you feel could be related to this or any other service acquired injury or disease, come visit

Call the Beacon of Hope at 239-2835123 to make an appointment

Cape Coral Breeze Athletes of the Week

Lee County receives

The Lee Board of County Commissioners last week learned that the U S D e p a r t m e n t o f H o u s i n g a n d U r b a n Development has allocated $1 1 billion in Community Development Block Grant –Disaster Recovery funding directly to Lee County to assist with the county’s longterm recovery following Hurricane Ian

These disaster recovery funds can be used for a variety of activities including h o u s i n g r e d e v e l o p m e n t , i n f r a s t r u c t u r e repair, economic revitalization and longterm planning “ T h e d a m a g e f r o m H u r r i c a n e I a n impacted so many people in Lee County and these funds are key to our long-term efforts to rebuild their lives,” said Lee C o u n t y C o m m i s s i o n C h a i r m a n B r i a n Hamman is a prepared statement. “We are grateful to HUD for allowing Lee County

Cape Coral Breeze Athletes Week of the

(Selected by the Breeze Sports staff)

Sponsored by:

$1.1

billion for Hurricane Ian recovery

to administer these funds as our community comes together to build back stronger and better than ever ”

Before the release of the funds, the county is required to develop a CDBGDR Action Plan to describe the uses, management and oversight of these funds, and must be approved by HUD

“In support of this effort, the county’s regional Recovery Task Force, led by Commissioner Kevin Ruane, will continue engaging with each of the hardest-hit communities across the county to hear d i r e c t l y f r o m c o m m u n i t y l e a d e r s a n d members of the public about their remaining needs and seeking input on how to best use this funding to bring Lee County back better than ever,” a release from Lee County states.

“Hurricane Ian did catastrophic dam-

age to our community, but our commitment to recovery has never wavered,” said Ruane, who serves as the RTF chair “Leaders from both the public and private sector are already working to meet the needs of our neighbors working to rebuild lives and communities throughout Lee County ”

“Communities and Lee County residents preparing for CDBG-DR funds are encouraged to begin the planning process but should not anticipate applying for some time,” the release states

along with the guidance issuance by HUD could take several months While this process will take time, it will also help ensure that this funding is distributed in a way that enables the county to repair and rebuild its communities more resilient to the future hazards that it may face.”

The county will continue to distribute information as it becomes available, officials said

Hurricane Ian made landfall in Lee County on Sept 28, 2022, as a Category 4 storm with a wind speed of 155 mph, the largest hurricane to make landfall in Lee County and the fifth largest storm in U S history

Source: Lee County Government

The George T Gabriel Trust, a private benevolent fund, is now awarding scholarships, vocational/trade school tuition payments and financial aid to deserving individuals and those in need Awards will be based upon several criteria, including financial need, general

merit and other related factors All awards are at the discretion of the trustee, and in accordance with the guidelines of the trust

Gabriel was helped financially by a caring family, making it possible for him to attend college, and eventually earn a

“In addition to the required approval of t h e c o u n t y ’ s C D B G - D R A c t i o n P l a n , HUD must issue guidance – via Federal Register notice – detailing rules and regulations for administering these funds In total, the county’s CDBG-DR Action Plan d e v e l o p m e n t a n d a s

a p p r o v a l

George T. Gabriel Trust to award scholarships; nominees welcome

Because of his gratitude for this kindness, it was his wish to pay it forward; thus his life savings will be used to help those who wish to pursue college, other educational goals, or career and vocational training

If you or someone you know would

like to be considered, please call or text 239-789-0137. All replies strictly confidential

Mariner Car, Truck and Bike Show set for April 1

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

Help support Mariner High School student government, senior class events and athletics during its Mariner Car, Truck and Bike Show

“SGA has been a great club that we are proud to be a part of,” SGA President L a i n e y A l c e a c a n d V i c e P r e s i d e n t Stephanie Saracione said “We have come together throughout the school year to help plan homecoming, spirit weeks, and exciting events for the school Bringing back the Car Show is a great way to bring people together while fundraising for our school and making sure people get to enjoy themselves ”

They said it is enjoyable learning how

Tradition

at 10 a m

■ Berts PineBay Parade of Mermaids: Registration from 10 a m Introduction of mermaids and parade at noon. People’s choice voting for favorite mermaids from noon to 2:30 p m

■ Fishing Seminars: Ongoing throughout the day, brought to you by Big Boy Bait & Tackle

■ Music: RJ Howson & friends, live on stage from 3-6 p m

From page 1

to be responsible and taking leadership roles, which will help them in the future

T h e M a r i n e r C a r , T r u c k a n d B i k e Show will be held from 9 a m to 2 p m S a t u r d a y , A p r i l 1 , a t M a r i n e r H i g h School, 701 Chiquita Blvd , N Pre-registration is $15 a vehicle, or $20 the day of the event starting at 8 a m There is a $5 entry fee at the gate for spectators.

Open ceremonies will be presented by Mariner High School JROTC cadets

M a r i n e r H i g h S c h o o l S t u d e n t Government Association Sponsor Briska Wolfe said the car show became a part of t h e M a r i n e r H i g h S c h o o l t r a d i t i o n i n 1987 when the school first opened until 2010

“It was a fundraiser for the Silver

C o m e o n o u t a n d enjoy the fun!

Give a $5 donation at the gate and get a F r e e M u l l e t T o s s A portion of the proceeds b e n e f i t s t h e G r e a t e r P i n e I s l a n d A l l i a n c e , H e l p i n g P i n e I s l a n d Recovery

Having played music since he was a child, H o w s o n h a s p l a y e d

n

Magic Marching Band It used to be a really big event After the band director left no one else had taken on this event We want to bring it back,” she said “This car, truck and motorcycle show will have profits go to the SGA and the senior class for senior class events and athletics ” The student government, which is the voice for the student body, helps in many ways

“The student government is the voice for the student body and helps put on Homecoming events such as the powderpuff game, dress up days and the ceremony at half time to announce king and queen. We also help with funds to replace lost/damaged trees around campus that are planted in remembrance of students

and to play it forward while paying tribute to the past and my mentors ”

Fire branded in the Chicago blues circuit, Howson picked up his guitar chops performing and sharing the stage with b l u e s i c o n s a n d f e l l o w m u s i c i a n s a t Buddy Guy’s Legends, Rosa's Lounge, Kingston Mines, BLUES on Halstead and

and staff We also help with the Spring Fling dance that is held at Mariner High School every year,” Wolfe said

In addition to the show, there will be vendors and food, 50/50 raffle, live music and a bounce house There will also be 51 trophies given, and T-shirts for sale for $15

“We enjoy bringing the community together and have them enjoy the day at Mariner High School I just want to bring this back because it is nice to have the students being part of something this big,” Wo lf e s aid “M o n ey r ais ed f r o m th is event will go straight back to the student programs and events.”

many other clubs in the Windy City He continues to be steeped in the southern stews since moving to Florida with openers for Butch Trucks & the Freight Train Band, Dickey Betts & Great Southern, the Atlanta Rhythm Section, Molly Hatchet, Buddy Guy and a host of legendary musicians

Island Mahjongg

■ Kiwanis Fish Drop: 4:30 p m (yes, we drop fish from a crane!!) Buy your “fish drop” ticket, closest to the bullseye wins

Mermaids from a previous island parade. PROVIDED

r o m Chicago blues to funk, s o u l , r o c k , g o s p e l , country, salsa and world music. “My goal is to use music to show that the roots of all people are the same

Mahjongg is played every Thursday at t h e S t J a m e s C i t y C i v i c A s s o c i ation from 1-4 p m On March 16 we were especially happy to welcome back our good friend, Pat, to MJ and Pine Island

The top scorers were Carolyn Kelly

with 135 points, Toni Lindsay with 140 and Carolyn Crosby with 150 Great scores, ladies!

The SJCCA is located in St James City at Fourth Avenue and Lemon Street

All are welcome!

Calusa Land Trust’s next kayak trip March 31

The Calusa Land Trust will hold its second kayak trip of the season on Friday, March 31, at 10 a m Depending on the weather, the group will either launch into the open water of Charlotte Harbor or Back Bay in the protected waters of Bokeelia Island In either case, the group will meet behind Cap’n Con’s Restaurant, 8421 Main St in Bokeelia, which is at the north end of Pine Island.

The guided tour will meander around local waters observing resident birds, dolphin and fish species Since

it is also a fundraising effort, a donation of $10 for CLT m

Membership applications will be available if you wish to join before the trip

The trip should last about two hours and parking is free for this event compliments of Bokeelia Fishing Pier and Boat Ramp. Afterwards, lunch is available at either Cap’n Con’s, Jug Creek Marina or any of the other restaurants on the island

Kayaks are available for rental at Carmen’s Kayaks (at the end of Porto Bello on Jug Creek,) by calling 239333-7332

The Calusa Land Trust is Pine Island’s all volunteer land conservancy, which sponsors events for public education and enjoyment The paddling tours are held on a monthly basis in season. For more information, please call Gerry Krall at 987-882-1953

Kiwanis Club scholarship applications available

The Kiwanis Club of Greater Pine Island will again be providing scholarships to Pine Island students as it has for the past 40 years.

To qualify, each student must meet the following criteria: Be a resident of Pine Island or have attended Pine Island Elementary School The applicant must either be a senior in high school or a high school graduate either already in a post high school program or going to one The applicant must also need financial assistance

Application forms are available at the following locations: Century 21 Office, 10191 Stringfellow Road, St James City, or Pine Island Public Library or it can be d o w n l o a d e d f r o m t h e K i w a n i s w e b s i t e : PineIslandKiwanis org The deadline for turning in the applications is May 3, 2023 at the Century 21 Office or they may be mailed (postmarked no later than May 3,

Pine Island Democrats scheduled to meet April 1

The Pine Island Democrats will meet Saturday, April 1, at 10 a m at the Pine Island Library meeting room, at 10701 Russell Road in Bokeelia Mary Lewis Sheehan will be leading a time of healing, sharing and recovery as many have experienced losses and trauma as a result of the hurricane Sheehan is hosting the Coffee Klatch at the Beacon of Hope on Friday mornings, providing support to islanders, and this will be a similar experience

i n g s i n c e Hurricane Ian Coffee and refreshments provided

Cat of the Week

2023 to Scholarship Chairman, P O Box 111, St James City, FL 33956

The Kiwanis Club of Greater Pine Island is proud to offer scholarships every year to deserving island students

who are furthering their education This is one of the many ways the bluc gives back to the community Please contact scholarship committee chair Carlyn Herring 239850-9613 if you have any questions

PHOTO PROVIDED Little

Miss

This picture shows a petite, 1-year-old dilute calico kitty It does not show how sweet, gentle and very food motivated Little Miss is It also can't show how she likes being talked to and scratched behind the ears There are a lot of things pictures can't show about our kitties, but they would be happy to tell you. Stop by Helping Paws Animal Sanctuary and meet some of our fur kids. Little Miss will be glad to see 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, FL, 33956, or there’s always our website www helpingpawsanimalsanctuary com

Burns and Sunny Jim set to perform March 31 at SJCCA

On Friday, March 31, from 6-9 p m , the St James City Civic Association will p r e s e n t B r e n t B u r n s a n d S u n n y J i m together for an outdoor concert Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased at sjccapi org or by calling Cindy at 954-2495512.

A twice wounded, Purple Heart-winning combat veteran, Burns also has the distinction of being the first American entertainer to perform for troops overseas a f t e r t h e t r a g e d y o f S e p t 1 1 , 2 0 0 1 Burns’ musical career has taken him to Italy, Australia, Mexico and coast to coast in the U S

B u r n s ’ p h i l a n t h r o p i c p r o j e c t s h a v e

continued throughout the years A portion of his CD sales goes to charities including the American Cancer Society, Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo and Habitat for Humanity Burns’ Habitat tribute song, “Build Them A House,” is available for free download on his web site, www.brentburns.com.

Brent’s impressive CD sales and songwriting skills continue to make him a highly sought-after artist and perfor-mer

A live performance by James “Sunny Jim” White calls up sea breezes, palm trees, sandy beaches and good tropical vibes Audiences often end up dancing in conga lines and moving to the up-tempo rhythms of his original music, a blend of

influences that range from the Caribbean to California, by way of Texas White, was born in San Antonio, raised in California, and then spent 12 years in the Cayman Islands In the Caribbean, he perfected his solo show featuring guitar, vocals and backup tracks. He added steel drum and soaked up the culture of the

West Indies, infusing his songwriting with the influences of Caribbean masters It was in Cayman that he picked up the nickname “Sunny Jim ”

Don't miss these two performers!

The SJCCA is located at 3300 Fourth Ave., at the corner of Lemon Street, in St James City

Bokeelia man dies from injures suffered in three-vehicle accident

A Bokeelia man died Monday, March 13, from injuries suffered in a three-vehicle traffic accident at the intersection of Metro Parkway and Crystal Drive in Lee County

A c c o r d i n g t o t h e F l o r i d a H i g h w a y Patrol, the 25-year-old Bokeelia man was driving a motorcycle north on Metro Parkway at 4:15 p m Monday, when he approached the intersection of Crystal Drive

FHP reported that the motorcyclist drove into the intersection against a red traffic signal and collided with the right side of a SUV driven by a 26-year-old F o r t M y e r s w o m a n , w h o h a d b e e n stopped in the southbound turn lanes of Metro Parkway and upon the light chang-

ing, attempted to make a left turn onto eastbound Crystal Drive

After the collision, FHP reported, the driver of the motorcycle became separated from his vehicle and collided with a s e d a n , d r i v e n b y a 5 0 - y e a r - o l d F o r t Myers man, who was stopped on westbound Crystal Drive at the red light waiting to turn right onto northbound Metro Parkway

The Bokeelia man sustained critical injuries and was transported to Gulf Coast M e d i c a l C e n t e r a n d l a t e r p r o n o u n c e d deceased

The drivers of the other two vehicles, a n d a n 1 8 - y e a r - o l d p a s s e n g e r i n t h e sedan, were uninjured, FHP reported The crash remains under investigation.

March weather disrupts fishing

Typical for March, our weather took a turn After a long stretch of warm weather that had the fish fired up, b a c k - t o - b a c k c o o l f r o n t s changed things up Inshore waters dropped from near 8 0 d e g r e e s d o w n t o t h e upper 60s Fish were caught but it took a lot more effort and luck

T h e b e s t f i s h i n g w a s early last week as the first f r o n t w a s a p p r o a c h i n g A w e s t e r l y b r e e z e c o u p l e d w i t h i n c o m i n g t i d e s p u t snook, redfish and seatrout on a pre-front bite All three species were often caught t o g e t h e r o f f i s l a n d p o i n t s and oyster bars that had a good water push from the wind and tide

Bill Russell On the Water

Seatrout up to 24 inches, redfish to 33 and snook, with a few over 40 inches, were reported across Pine Island Sound a n d n o r t h M a t l a c h a P a s s F i s h w e r e hooked on live shrimp, pilchards, pinfish, cut ladyfish and a h o s t o f s o f t p l a s t i c b a i t s J a c k c r e v a l l e w e r e h o o k e d f r o m t h e s a m e areas as well

A f t e r t h e f i r s t f r o n t d r o p p e d d o w n ,

fishing became a challenge

T h e r e a r e a f e w a n g l e r s who never have a bad day, but for the rest of us fishing took a downturn A slower bite is to be expected with the drop in water temperature Seatrout were the most cooperative over the cooler days with the better bite over the afternoons

S e v e r a l f i s h e r m a n hooked into snook from the Matlacha Drawbridge duri n g n i g h t h o u r s o n l i v e h a n d - p i c k e d s h r i m p a n d lipped diving lures

I t h o l d s t r u e f o r t h e month of March that weathe r i s a l l o v e r t h e p l a c e Warm, cold, north wind, south wind, high tides, extreme low tides, good fishing and bad fishing It’s nothing new, its been that way for as long as I can remember That’s OK though, after a few warm sunny days fishing will get right back on track

To keep up on current fishing regulations, you can go to www.myfwc.comor download the Fish Rules app for the latest rules and regulations

If you have a fishing report or for charter information, contact Gulf Coast Guide Service at 239-410-8576 (call or t e x t ) ; o n t h e w e b a t w w w f i s h p i n e island com; or via email at gcl2fish@ live com

Have a safe week and good fishin’

PHOTO PROVIDED

With warm days ahead of the cool fronts, fish were on a good bite. Gary Postma with a big snook he caught and released in north Pine Island Sound. He was fishing with Capt. Tony Price out of Pineland's Tarpon Lodge

As a lifetime resident of Matlacha and Pine Island, Capt Bill Russell has spent his life fishing and learning the waters

a r o u n d P i n e I s l a n d a n d S o u t h w e s t Florida, and as a professional fishing guide for the past 23 years

25th Bobby Holloway Jr. Memorial Fishing Tournament festivities April 1 at Alden Pines

The 25th annual Bobby Holloway Jr. M e m o r i a l F i s h i n g T o u r n a m e n t B o a r d welcomes Pine Island residents and visitors to join in the festivities on Saturday, April 1, at Alden Pines Country Club, 14261 Clubhouse Drive, Bokeelia

Don’t let the event name – “fishing tournament” – keep you away. The event has something for everyone, and this year it’s more important than ever to come and

show support.

A l l p r o c e e d s b e n e f i t t h e B o b b y Holloway Jr Memorial Fund, which helps children of the Greater Pine Island area and Lee County

“ T h i s y e a r d u e t o t h e d e v a s t a t i n g effects from Hurricane Ian, we know that many of our sponsors are not able to give their support, as they have in years past Unfortunately, the needs of our communi-

ty have grown since Sept. 28. We decided to move forward with this year’s tournament so that we can continue to help those in need, as we have for the last 25 years, and to give our community something p o s i t i v e t o l o o k f o r w a r d t o , ” s a i d

Ernestine Holloway-Squires, whose son, Bobby Holloway, died in a tragic accident 26 years ago, spurring her and others to create a fund-raising event in his memory to help youth

There are three ways residents and visitors can help out and also have fun: raffle, meal purchases and live auction participation

Of course, anglers are welcome There is still time to enter; go to Facebook for Bobby Holloway Jr Memorial Fishing Tournament for details (More details below.)

For anglers and visitors, here’s what you need to know:

Friday, March 31:

■ C a p t a i n ' s M e e t i n g p r e s e n t e d b y

Obituaries

Monroe Canal Marina, 7 p.m. at Alden Pines Country Club

Saturday, April 1:

■ All activities take place at Alden Pines

■ Fishing begins (honor start) at 7 a m and concludes at 3 p m (Photo tournament with the iangler app.)

■ Meal service begins at 3 p m Nonanglers can pay for a meal; tournament participants receive meals as part of entry fee

■ Awards at 4:30 p.m.

■ Raffle at 5 p m immediately following awards

■ Live auction at 5:30 p m

This year, the Bobby Holloway Board especially asks for community support E v e n t p r o c e e d s h e l p t h e B o b b y Holloway Jr. Memorial Fishing Tournament Board support children and families in many ways, such as:

■ Books for Pine Island Elementary School;

■ Summer camps, swimming lessons and church activities for youth;

■ Support of local high s c h o o l s p o r t s , b a n d a n d ROTC programs;

■ H u n d r e d s o f t h o usands of dollars in scholarships;

■ Bicycles and gifts for children at Christmas and meals during the holidays; and,

■ Generators, food and necessities after Hurricane Ian

For more, email Bobby h o l l o w a y t o u r n e y @ g m a i l c o m o r c a l l H o l l o w a ySquires at 239-281-8225.

Capt.

(239)573-2086

TOMáSCONCRETE,INC

Tony’s Tree