Pine Island Eagle

Early forecast: 6 hurricanes predicted in ’23

Some uncertainty, but slightly below averages season with 13 named storms, 2 major hurricanes prognosticated

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

Following seven straight years of predicted “aboveaverage” activity, top hurricane forecasters feel the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season will buck the trend

Researchers at Colorado State University, now in its 40th year of forecasting the upcoming hurricane season, are predicting a slightly below-average Atlantic hurricane season, which starts June 1 CSU is forecasting there will be 13 named storms, six hurricanes, and two major hurricanes Last year, CSU predicted 19 named storms, including nine hurricanes and four major

CSU’s Meteorology Project team anticipates the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season to be below average due to a number of factors, but uncertainty still remains.

Often used to paint a picture of the upcoming season is the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) whether the waters in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean are warmer or cooler, typically referred to as El Nino (warmer) or La Nina (cooler)

“Current neutral ENSO conditions look fairly likely to transition to El Nino this summer/fall,: states CSU researches in the report “However, there is considerable uncertainty as to how strong an El Nino would be, if it

‘The gift of community’

VFW planning 103rd birthday celebration for islander Reipel

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

Not many World War II veterans remain standing today, however, islander Wilbur Reipel of St James City is approaching his 103rd birthday Tom Ferguson, a lifetime member of the VFW, thought a birthday celebration to commemorate Reipel’s life and service would be just the right way to say thank you and congratulations

Ferguson said anyone and everyone who would like to take part in the celebration is invited to the Pine Island VFW Friday, May 12, at noon

“It’s important to recognize that we’re losing World War II veterans at a fast pace,” he said last week “They are a part of the 'Greatest Generation' and we’re losing that generation It’s important to recognize what they did what was asked of them and what they stood up and did It’s a legend that our generation and the future generations can learn from When your nation calls when you see a world at war, you stand up and answer that call Wilbur did,” Ferguson said

Schedule of activities:

11 a m -- Parade attendees meet at the VFW Post 4353

11:30 a m -- Head to staging area at Wilbur Reipel's house

12 p m -- Start parade, proceed to the VFW via Pine Island Elementary School to for student tribute

1 p m -- Arrive at VFW to begin celebration, welcome by commander

According to Ferguson, Pine Island Pizza, Mission Barbeque, Winn-Dixie and Publix have all agreed to provide food There will be escorts from the Cape Coral VFW, the Sheriff’s Department as well as the

See REIPEL, page 16

An Iwo Jima flag raising photo provided by Roland Ruocco, an artist who will paint this image as a mural on the wall of the VFW

does develop Sea surface temperatures in the eastern and central Atlantic are much warmer than normal, so if a robust El Nino does not develop, the potential still exists for a busy Atlantic hurricane season ”

CSU researches stated that when waters in the eastern and central tropical and subtropical Atlantic are warmer than normal, it tends to force a weaker subtropical high and associated weaker winds blowing across the tropical Atlantic

“These conditions lead to warmer waters in the tropi-

See HURRICANES, page 16

Sister-Corps helping islanders recover from Ian

By FRAN THOMAS news@breezenewspapers com

A stalwart group of women has spent two weeks helping Pine Islanders recover from Hurricane Ian They represent a non-profit called Sister-Corps

Members of this women-only group go all over the country responding to areas affected by disasters The average age is 62, and many who come to assist are retired

A resident in Bokeelia who wished to be anonymous was a recipient of the group’s services

“She had been living in a rundown RV for seven y e a r s , ” S i s t e r - C o r p s v i c e p r e s i d e n t a n d c o - f o u n d e r Sherry Gibbons said “After the hurricane, the RV was beyond repair, and she was living in a tent She was reluctant to accept help ”

Eventually, the all-woman group won her confidence and trust The group installed a floor to facilitate getting around in a wheelchair and gave the woman appliances

Sister-Corps began after Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Since then, it has undertaken 34 projects nationwide after eight natural disasters It has assisted 370 families, repaired 87 properties, helped 136 women’s shelters,

See SISTER-CORPS, page 16

Joan Johnson and Sherry Gibbons. FRAN

THOMAS

LeBlanc’s ‘Toofer & the Giblet in The Big City’ wins Spring Bookfest awards

D r a g o n H o r s e P u b l i s h i n g r e c e n t l y a n n o u n c e d i t s S p r i n g 2 0 2 3 B o o k F e s t awards for “Toofer & The Giblet in The Big City,” the second book in a series of c h i l d r e n ’ s l i t e r a t u r e w r i t t e n b y

Paulette LeBlanc and illustra

by Dimitry Morozov

LeBlanc is the editor of the Pine Island Eagle

“In what will be a 7-book series in its completion, I am thrilled that the second book in the Toofer & The Giblet series, birthed by Dragon Horse Publishing, has taken three different awards in this year’s Spring BookFest ”

The first place, or gold, was awarded for Fiction/Children’s Chapter Books; the second place, or silver, was awarded for Artistic Technical Book Cover/Illustration; and the third place, or bronze, was a w a r d e d f o r F i c t i o n C h i l d r e n ’ s F a i r y Tales

“Although I am overjoyed, I am not at all surprised that this team thrives together, as we encourage and champion one a n o t h e r i n o u r v e r y d i f f e r e n t r o l e s , ”

LeBlanc said “I have an overwhelming a m o u n t o f r e s p e c t f o r D r a g o n H o r s e execs Julie Koester and Blake Renda, and their in-house and West Coast technical team, as well as the series’ brilliant artist, Dimitry Morozov, who has c o n t i n u a l l y f o u n d s o l a c e i n bringing my fictional world -Nimblewood -- to life, while simultaneously his real world is under fire in Ukraine ”

This is the second award for illustrator Morozov in the series, who commented about the win, “Delighted the cover won, it is the door to this magic world Please come in, and immerse yourself in this wonderful atmosphere of pizza, jazz, and new friends A wonderful adventure awaits!”

“Toofer & The Giblet in The Big City” takes the friends to new places where they experience things they have never even thought about They end their trip with a keener insight into their weaknesses, who they are and what they are able to accomplish when push comes to shove

Morozov is currently painting illustrations for book three, due out fall 2023 “Toofer & The Giblet in The Big City” is available for purchase through Dragon horsepublishing com

F i r o o z e h D u m a s , m u l t i - a w a r d - w i nning New York Times Bestselling author o f “ F u n n y i n F a r s i ” a n d “ L a u g h i n g Without an Accent,” stated, “These are the kinds of stories that leave imprints on our hearts, destined to become classics Reminiscent of the Frog and Toad, these charming tales illustrate all that is important in life Kids will love them, but so will the adults lucky enough to read them aloud ” LeBlanc added, “I also cannot say enough to Pine Island, for teaching me things both invaluable and incalculable so much so that the heart of the island makes its way into the series (eventually) I walk this road, not alone, but with best team imaginable!” Dragon

Dr. Watson’s Spirits relocating to Calusa Cay Plaza on Pine Island Road

Family-owned store has been on the island since 1984

Dr Watson’s Spirits is moving to the Calusa Cay Plaza on Pine Island Road

T h e s t o r e o n S t r i n g f e l l o w R o a d w a s scheduled to close Saturday, April 29,

and the owners expect to open the new location by mid-May

The new store more than doubles the square footage of the former store and will

allow more space to expand the spirits and wine selection The store will also have a larger beer cooler and a humidor

“The store has a fresh, new feel and will be more c u s t o m e r - f r i e n d l y , ” s a i d Beth Durling, owner of Dr Watson’s “We are excited to be able to provide more specialty items that our customers on the islands have been asking for ”

D r W a t s o n ’ s s u p p o r t s local distilleries throughout Florida. Customers will find q u a l i t y b o u r b o n , r u m , vodka and other liquors for even the most discriminati n g p a l a t e s T h e f r i e n d l y staff is available to help customers find their new f a v o r i t e S o m e b r a n d s include Monkey in Paradise, Mr Tom’s, Wicked Dolphin and Bokeelia Rum

Dr Watson’s also delivers spirits, wine and beer to Matlacha, Bokeelia, St James

City, North Captiva Island and Useppa Island

Dr Watson’s has been a family-owned business on Pine Island for 39 years

The store was founded by Durling’s father, Roy, in 1 9 8 4 a n d h a s r e m a i n e d family-owned

“We love Pine Island,” said Durling “It is important for us to participate in events and give back to i s l a n d o r g a n i z a t i o n s a n d non-profits like the Pine I s l a n d C h a m b e r a n d t h e Pine Island Food Pantry.”

Dr Watson’s new location is 5110 Pine Island Road Northwest, Bokeelia, next to Publix The store will be open seven days a week

For updates on the store opening, follow Dr Watson’s Spirits on Facebook at www facebook com/drwatsonsliquorstore or call 239-283-1515

PHOTO PROVIDED Beth Durling, the owner of Dr. Watson’s Spirits, which is relocating to the Calusa Cay Plaza.

OPINIONS

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

Design & Layout Chris Strine cstrine@breezenewspapers com Obituaries Debbie Carletti obits@breezenewspapers com

The school year is coming to an end Proms, plays, concerts and award ceremonies are all in full swing, reminding us that summer break is just around the corner As the Class of 2023 prepares to walk across the graduation stage, I will be honored to stand alongside this tenacious group of students, c e l e b r a t i n g a l l t h e y h a v e a c c o m p l i s h e d Teachers and staff are organizing End-of-theYear field trips and parties Parents and families are planning for summer school programs and vacations The School District is preparing for the school year 2023-2024 with many moving parts to consider

Recently signed House Bill 1, contains a comprehensive package of innovations that p r o m o t e p a r e n t a l i n v o l v e m e n t a n d c u stomized K-12 education in Florida. The legislation empowers parents to guide their child r e n ’ s e d u c a t i o n b y p r o v i d i n g f o r a n Education Savings Account for every student in the K-12 system Incorporating recommend a t i o n s f r o m t h e F l o r i d a A s s o c i a t i o n o f District School Superintendents, the bill also takes the first step towards reducing onerous and excessive regulations on public schools

Now law, HB 1 will further cement Florida’s position as the nation’s leader in school choice

HB 733, Middle School and High School Start Times, would change the earliest start time for middle and high schools, including charter schools, beginning July 1, 2026 No

Lee Civic Center and preserving farming in Lee County

m i d d l e s c h o o l c o u l d s t a r t before 8 a m , and no high school could start before 8:30 a m The Senate heard its version of the bill for the first time this week, and it was reported favorably by the Education PreK 1 2 C o m m i t t e e Fortunately, the bill has a threeyear planning period built into it, which will allow each district to look at its operational needs and capacities, engage the local community, and ultimately share all of those local concerns with the Legislature for potential fixes before July 1, 2026.

I want to thank all the teachers, bus drivers, administrators, paraprofessionals, and all professional support staff for all their hard work I also want to thank Dr Christopher Bernier as he approaches one year of service for his leadership Everyone worked so hard during these trying times and faced many obstacles: Hurricane Ian, staff shortages, sickness, and student struggles

I invite members of the community who wish to join our workforce to register for the upcoming Spring 2023 Talent Recruitment Fair to be held at the Lee County Public Education Center on Saturday, April 29 This event will provide candidates the opportunity

Web Poll

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To the editor: Thank you Commissioner Mike Greenwell for trying to protect and resurrect the Lee County Civic Center The Lee Civic Center has a long and famous history It has drawn many famous singers throughout the years Seeing concerts there with Garth Brooks, W i l l y N e l s o n , A l a b a m a , F a b i a n , H a n k Williams Jr , Rush, Chris LeDoux and more is a tribute to this great venue We all need all of you to support and make the civic center flourish again like old times and bring back concerts and more expos to the center and to keep the fair there The fair is very important to the rural community and their way of life

The civic center needs new bleacher seats as they have became outdated and not usable for many years and never replaced Please email your commissioners and tell them to fund new chairs and update a new, more modern stage with new advanced lighting, etc included We could have high- class acts, concerts and plays come to our civic center if we

can only reclaim all of the 7,500 seats which the building is capable of holding Where can we get the money to reclaim this building? One fund we could use is the Conservation 20/20 money Renovate the seven lakes on the civic center grounds for kids, oldsters and others to fish Make oak plantations and plant many other trees and shrubs to make the grounds truly green. Stock some quail Make space for individual and community gardening In other words, make i t a g r e e n p a r k w i t h a r e n o v a t e d r o d e o grounds, horse arenas and modern facilities for the fair

Another way is to petition an industrial group, cooperate headquarters, etc to sponsor the center like Hertz does for the Everblades to help keep the arena staff going Make the center available for an NBA or an NHL team Make sure the seats could be moved within each other to have enough room for gun shows, RV shows, fishing shows , etc on the civic center floor

The civic center needs to host the county fair for the second hundred years This means the developers, builders, planners must think

A d d i t i o n a l l y , t h e S c h o o l District is pleased to announce the results of the Elementary L e v e l S t u d e n t E n r o l l m e n t P r o x i m i t y P l a n F a m i l i e s should log into their FOCUS accounts to see the latest student elementary school assignment information We ask for your continued patience and u n d e r s t a n d i n g a s t h e w o r k continues to accommodate students in settings that will foster his/her highest learning potential.

I am hopeful that the 2023 school year will bring about an increased sense of normalcy as our community continues its recovery efforts from Hurricane Ian

As an elected school board member, one of my duties is to listen to the community I pledge to continue to listen to all the parents, students, community members, and our staff P l e a s e k n o w t h a t y o u r v o i c e m a t t e r s Everyone is valued, and know that I will continue to respect those whom I was elected to serve.

Melisa W Giovannelli is the District 2 representative of the Lee County School Board

rural for Alva, Buckingham, Bayshore, Olga, rest of DRGR and even parts of the Babcock Ranch How do they think rural? It is quite simple All developments will be 10- and 5acre parcels suitable for horses and livestock Are you listening developers?

Why is the gem of rural royalty, the Lee County Civic Center, so highly important to rural life in Southwest Florida? One of the main reasons is the vast 4-H community and F u t u r e F a r m e r s o f A m e r i c a t h a t u s e s i t throughout the year with the county fair being one of its high points The members work diligently throughout the year raising everything from gerbils to steers and horses so they can exhibit them in the fair, winning ribbons and receiving handsome checks at the livestock auctions Equine competitions, too The members benefit greatly learning to raise their livestock daily, riding their horses and handling their charges and how to care for their animals in sickness in health A way of life that is so beneficial to our world in Lee County Our commissioners need to recognize this and keep our county truly rural Preserve our wonderful civic center for future generations to come for all of Lee County Otherwise the farming community will move out of Lee County It is not just the Lee Civic Center but also the wonderful carnival that goes along with the fair.

A special note for Commissioner Mike Greenwell for his enduring approval for the civic center and his recognition and support of our rural lifestyle in Lee County I can only hope he will change his developments to rural ones

Melisa W Giovannelli Guest

Cape Coral Breeze Athletes of the Week

Sponsored by:

(Selected by the Breeze Sports staff)

SCCF acquires mangrove islands in Pine Island Sound

Building on its 55-year conservation legacy, the S a n i b e l - C a p t i v a C o n s e r v a t i o n F o u n d a t i o n l a s t w e e k announced the acquisition of the MacKeever Keys

“With the recent impacts of Hurricane Ian, we know the wide-ranging benefits that mangroves provide to our c o m m u n i t i e s i n S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a , ” S C C F C h i e f Executive Officer James Evans said “This acquisition will ensure that these mangrove islands and the wildlife habitat that they provide will be protected for future generations ”

The acquisition includes 25 acres of mangrove islands that will be preserved in perpetuity The lands were purc h a s e d u s i n g t h e S C C F ’ s L a n d A c q u i s i t i o n & Improvement Fund, which was created by an anonymous donor who wanted funds to be available when opportunities arose for preserving environmentally-sensitive lands

The SCCF reported that those who have fished the seagrass flats and oyster reefs of the Pine Island Sound are probably familiar with the group of islands off of the southwest coast of Pine Island While they may be unre-

FDOT to begin roadway, bridge work on Pine Island Road in Matlacha

As part of the Emergency Restoration of the Pine Island Road Causeway and Bridge, motorists can expect temporary, intermittent lane closures with flagging operations along CR 78 (Pine Island Road) from west of Little Pine Island Bridge (Bridge No 120111) to west of Shoreview Drive

■ Next week, April 30 to May 6, crews will begin c l e a r i n g t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n z o n e , i n s t a l l i n g t e m p o r a r y asphalt and installing a low-profile barrier

■ Beginning in June, crews are expected to begin driving sheet pile in the south side of the roadway

■ Pedestrians and bicyclists are not permitted within the construction zone

■ Expect noise from construction equipment in the area

■ Please use caution and watch for workers and construction vehicles entering and exiting the roadway

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

For additional information, visit the FDOT project web page at https://www swflroads com/project/4519372 o r c o n t a c t D o u g A b a t e b y e m a i l a t

PineIslandinfo@qcausa com

PIE students raise nearly $1,000 for the American Heart Association

During the two-week “Kid’s Heart Challenge,” Pine Island Elementary students gathered donations to the American Heart Association amounting to $984

During the challenge, students enter these donations online and also learn about nutrition and heart health When introducing the fund drive, Coach Jeff Nelson showed a video that gives health tips for students, and quizzers them on the information It also introduced 8year-old Finn He is this year’s featured student from Virginia, who received successful heart surgery based on American Heart Association research, which is funded by these donations Students who donate receive small gifts such as keychains, kickballs, jump ropes and T-shirts

“The AHA coordinator and I were talking, and we were concerned after Ian and all the damage, rebuilding and just general stress out here, that maybe this isn’t the time to ask for donations,” said Nelson, “Then we decided that any little bit helps, so we opened up the challenge to see what would happen It turns out we tripled our donations from last year’s event!”

Concerning the success of the drive, he added, “I think that speaks to the generosity and good spirit of many of our families ”

markable at first glance to the casual observer, they are a favorite spot of local anglers for poling the shallow grass flats or casting into the mangrove fringe in search of redfish and snook

The SCCF added that the islands provide more than fishing for anglers, they also provide critical habitat for a number of marine and terrestrial wildlife species, including wading birds, such as herons, egrets, ibises and spoonbills, as well as diving birds, including pelicans, cormorants and anhingas

MacKeever Keys also serve as roosting sites for frigatebirds and they provide essential habitat for diamondback terrapins, mangrove tree crabs, periwinkle snails, bay scallops and oysters The grass flats and mangrove islands also provide nursery habitat for young fish and invertebrates that support local commercial and sport fisheries, as well as habitat for the endangered small-

toothed sawfish

“We want to thank Eric and Mary Ellen Pfeifer, with Pfeifer Realty Group, for their generous assistance in helping us acquire these important conservation lands,” Evans said “We also want to thank Superior Title for their assistance during the closing and for supporting our work ”

With a mission to protect and care for Southwest Florida's coastal ecosystems, the SCCF has protected more than 2,100 acres of land As the largest private landowner on Sanibel, it extended its reach into the region last year with the acquisition of mangroves in Cape Coral and salt flats in South Fort Myers

For more information on donating to the SCCF's Land Acquisition & Improvement Fund, contact Development Director Cheryl Giattini at cgiattini@sccf org or 239822-6121

Beacon of Hope activities, programs set for May

The Beacon of Hope has set its programs and activities for the month of May

The Beacon is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 9 a m to 5 p m Computers, fax and printer are available for use

n Samaritan Health and Wellness, a primary care clinic, is now open at the Beacon every other Wednesday from 8 a.m. to noon This clinic provides care for the uninsured and underinsured The cost is $50 and help is available if needed People of all ages are welcome Mental health services are also available Call the Beacon at 239-283-5123 to make an appointment

n Coffee Klatch – Every Friday at 10:30 a m at the Beacon Come join islanders for coffee Pine Islanders have experienced so much loss and trauma with Hurricane Ian, coupled for many with an increased sense of connection and commu-

nity The idea of the Coffee Klatch is to help us all cope with the many emotions we have been experiencing like exhaustion, sadness, anger and fear Come share your experiences, offer support to others, help h e a l o u r s e l v e s a n d o t h e r s C a l l M a r y Sheehan at 941-404-6567 if you have any questions

B e a c o n o f H o p e i s o p e n M o n d a y , Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 am to 5 pm Computers, fax and printer are available for use Case Managers are available at these times Call and make an appointment

■ The Food Bank – Every Saturday at 9:30 a m The Emergency Pantry is available when we are open

■ Wellness Committee – Next meeting will be Sept 11 at 10 a m

■ Blood pressure screening is held every Wednesday from 1-2 p.m. and every

Saturday morning from 10-11 a m

■ The Veteran’s Support group meets on the first Friday of every month from 9 a m to 12:30 p m Call 239-283-5123 to make an appointment

■ Beacon Bites (the Beacon's meals on wheels) is available Call if you need to sign up

■ Transportation to medical appointments and treatments is also available to anywhere in Lee County. Please call and r e s e r v e a t i m e 4 8 h o u r s b e f o r e y o u r appointment

■ Strange Arrangement – Mondays, 67:30 pm Lessons given A musical experience

■ Funds/Communications meeting –Monday, May 8, at 10 a m

■ Grants Committee meeting – To Be announced

■ Homelessness Committee – to be

announced

■ Pine Island Boy Scout Troop will be meeting Wednesday evenings at 6

■ Girl Scout Troop will meet on Friday nights at 6

■ GED classes are on Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a m to 2 p m

■ ESOL classes are held every Monday at 7 p.m. at the Beacon and every Thursday from 6-8 p m

■ The Attic (Thrift Store) is open Monday through Friday from 9 a m to 3 p m They will be closed on Wednesday Saturday hours are 10 a m to 3 p m Donations are accepted until 2:30 unless occasionally they get overloaded Every Tuesday is 50% off clothing, shoes, and similar items

The Beacon of Hope is at 5090 Doug Taylor Circle in St James City For additional information, call 239-283-5123

Winn-Dixie offering ‘one stop shots’ with $20 in free groceries as vaccine incentive

Southeastern Grocers Inc , parent company and home of Fresco y Más, Harveys S u p e r m a r k e t a n d W i n n - D i x i e g r o c e r y stores, is offering $20 in free groceries as vaccine incentives in all in-store pharmacies to further encourage customers and their families to get up to date on routine vaccinations SEG’s trained pharmacists can administer a variety of recommended v a c c i n e s t o h e l p k e e p c o m m u n i t i e s healthy and safe while traveling during t h e s u m m e r m o n t h s w i t h f r i e n d s a n d loved ones.

A d d i t i o n a l l y , i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h recently updated CDC and FDA guidelines1, SEG is now administering additional COVID-19 bivalent mRNA doses

for those who qualify Customers are encouraged to talk to their pharmacists if they have any questions regarding an additional bivalent mRNA dose.

To receive the free grocery offer, customers can walk up to any Fresco y M s, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie instore pharmacy or make an appointment online to get two vaccines of their choice on the same day to receive a voucher for $20 in free groceries2 These include more than 15 vaccine options such as pneumonia, meningitis, shingles, Tdap a n d C O V I D - 1 9 d o s e s S t a t e a n d a g e restrictions may apply

The offer is available now through June 30

F o r i n f o r m a t i o n o n v a c c i n a t i o n s , p l e a s e v i s i

macy/vaccines

The island Winn-Dixie store is at 9864 Stringfellow Road, St James City You can contact the store at 239-283-4404.

Hookers' blood drive at Miceli's Saturday

The Matlacha Hookers are hooking up with Miceli’s Restaurant to host their quarterly blood drive For your pint donation, OneBlood will provide and a $20 eGift Card and a T-shirt Donors will also receive a wellness check that includes blood pressure, temperature, iron count, pulse and cholesterol screening

Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 6th from 10 a m until 3 p m at Miceli’s

Restaurant at 3930 Pine Island Road, Matlacha Look for the Big Red Bus

Remember that every donor can save up to three others!

Donors are strongly encouraged to schedule appointments online. Please visit www oneblood org/donate-now and use sponsor code #10492

For more information, please contact DJ at 239-910-3829

Lee County announces creation of Office of Strategic Resources & Government Affairs

Office will be integral in recent $1.1 billion award from HUD

Lee County has announced the creation of the Office of Strategic Resources & Government Affairs – a move that will place the county in a more competitive position to secure and manage grant funds

This announcement comes at a critical juncture for the county, which earlier this year was awarded $1 1 billion in Housing and Urban Development funds in response to Hurricane Ian It also is the recent recipient of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funds; and American Rescue Plan Act funds.

T h e H U D f u n d s w i l l b e a l l o c a t e d t h r o u g h the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery program directly to Lee County to assist with the county’s long-term recovery following the storm, which made landfall in Lee County on Sept 28, 2022 These disaster recovery funds can be used for activities including housing redevelopment, infrastructure repair, economic revitalization and long-term planning Prior to the release of funds, which come with more restrictions for use than CARES or ARPA funds, the county is required to develop a plan to describe uses, management and oversight.

The new Office of Strategic Resources & Government Affairs will handle the planning process and work with HUD for approval

The new office will report to the Lee County Manager and will:

■ Implement policies governing external funding

■ Provide procedures that detail the grant proposalseeking process

■ Ensure the proper execution, management and close-out of the county’s grant awards

■ Report on the submission and status of grants in a manner that ensures transparency and accountability to the Board of County Commissioners, grantors and the public

The new office will be led by Lee Assistant County Manager Glen Salyer, a 20-year employee who has served for a decade as the county’s legislative liaison and provided oversite to key county departments

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.

Applications available for Legion scholarships

If you attended Pine Island Elementary School or reside on Greater Pine Island or have an immediate family member who is a member of the American Legion Post 136, SAL member at Post 136 or Auxiliary member at Post 136, you qualify to apply for scholarships offered by the post

The Legion is interested in students attending 2 or 4-

year programs, colleges, technical or trade schools

Some time exemptions may apply to technical and trade schools that are accredited

Applications can be downloaded from the post website at www post136fl org

Applications need to be turned in no later than Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Cat of the Week

PHOTO PROVIDED Ar thur

This handsome boy is hoping to be the center of your world. Arthur was very scared when he first came to us, but time and kindness have turned him into a lap cat. He enjoys foll o w i n g t h e v o l u n t e e r s a r o u n d , b u t t h e moment a lap is available, he’s in it Arthur prefers to be petted on his head, which makes us curious about his history and if someone hurt him He’s approximately 2 years old and is hoping to be your best friend For more i n f o r m a t i o n c a l l H e l p i n g P a w s A n i m a l Sanctuary at 239-283-9100 If you’d rather just d o n a t e , o u r a d d r e s s i s 1 0 0 6 0 M a l l o r y Parkway, E., Unit D, St. James City, FL, 33956 or there’s always our website: www. helpingpawsanimalsanctuary.com

Greater Pine Island Elks #2781 offering scholarships for children to attend Youth Camp this summer

The Greater Pine Island Elks #2781 is sponsoring area children ages 9 through 13 who would like 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 online application at floridaelks org/camp

A Greater Pine Island Elk will supply their name and member number as the child’s sponsor

The stated weekly cost per child is $220 Those who can afford this reasonable fee are urged to pay; those who cannot will be afforded the same opportunity. It is through the generosity of the Florida Elks Association, the Greater Pine Island #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

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If you have any questions, please call

Voting underway for Breeze Athlete of the Month for April

Breeze Staf f Repor

n g f o r t h e C a p e C o r a l

Breeze Athlete of the Month for April is now open

There were countless top performances from student-athletes in The Breeze coverage area to start the new year and now it’s up to readers to decide who will earn top honors for the month

Nominees for April include:

■ Kendall Wylie, senior, North Fort Myers Red Knights: The senior continued to impress in the circle for an 11-1 Red Knights softball team, earning two complete game wins where she didn’t yield an earned run over 14 innings, striking out 21 and allowing just two hits

■ Luke Buzzelli, senior, Ida Baker Bulldogs: Buzzelli won the Region 2A-4 traditional weightlifting championship at 169 pounds thanks to a dominant performance in the bench press The senior already had the class won with his first lift of 335 pounds, but he went on to up his bench press to 355, giving him a total score of 585 pounds

■ Destyni Devine, freshman, North Fort Myers Red Knights: Devine captured three LCAC Championships; two as an individual in the 200M and long jump, and was part of the winning 4X100 relay team. She was also runner-up in the 100M

■ Nicolas Bonaparte, freshman, Ida Baker Bulldogs: Bonaparte, Ida Baker’s N o 1 s i n g l e s p l a y e r , t o o k h o m e t h e District 3A-11 crown and qualified for the state tournament He defeated his opponent 6-4, 6-0 in the championship match

Bonaparte also won a district title in doubles with Todd Bennie, and the team went undefeated during the regular season

■ T o d d B e n n i e , s e n i o r , I d a Baker Bulldogs: As Ida Baker’s No 2 player, Bennie captured a District 3A-11 title and qualified for the state tournament He defeated his opponent 6-2, 6-3 in the championship match Bennie also won a district crown in doubles with Nicolas Bonaparte, putting together an undefeated regular season as a doubles pairing

■ M a c k e n z i e D e L i s l e , f r e s h m a n , Bishop Verot Vikings: The freshman led the way for the Vikings in the District 2A12 Championships, taking home three first place finishes in the 800-, 1,600-, and 3,200-meter runs, as Bishop Verot as a team finished in the top spot

■ Aiden Knaak, senior, Bishop Verot Vikings: The senior hurler was on top of his game in a 7-0 win over Bonita Springs, where he tossed a complete game shutout, allowing just three hits and striking out a season-high 16. Knaak carries an impressive 1 23 ERA over 57 innings this season Athlete of the Month nominees are comprised of the Breeze’s staff-selected Athletes of the Week for that respective month

T o v o t e , v i s i t w w w c a p e c o r a l breeze com and click the Athlete of the Month Vote Now icon along the righthand side (capecoraldailybreeze2 secondstreetapp com/Athlete-of-the-MonthApril23/) Voting is open until Thursday, May 4, at noon

Anglers rank May as a top month for fishing

May is a month that ranks high for anglers fishing in o u r c o a s t a l w a t e r s o f

Southwest Florida

The month gives the best opportunity to hook into a tarpon, as they move into local waters by the thousands Look for them a short d i s t a n c e o f f t h e b e a c h e s , around the Gulf passes and bridges, and throughout the i n s h o r e w a t e r s o f P i n e S o u n d , C h a r l o t t e H a r b o r , S a n C a r l o s B a y a n d

Capt Bill Russell

Matlacha Pass Tarpon's diet includes a variety of baits, however at times they will not eat anything you offer Some of the favored live baits include small crabs, Atlantic thread h e r r i n g , p i l c h a r d s , p i n f i s h a n d l a r g e shrimp and cut bait fished on bottom, including mullet, ladyfish and catfish tails hook more than their share

On the Water

Sharks large and small are roaming the inshore waters, around the Gulf passes, and offshore around schooling baitfish and reefs Large hammerhead and bull sharks follow tarpon schools awaiting to pounce on a tired hooked fish Spinner and blacktip sharks are almost identical in appearance, and both offer an incredibly hard fight, often with a great aerial show If you are fishing an area and hooking ladyfish or mackerel, you can bet sharks are nearby. A

chunk of fresh ladyfish is sure to get attention; use a minimum of a foot or two of wire leader to prevent cut offs

Spanish mackerel is an underrated fish that gives an excellent fight as they are super-fast and strong When iced down as soon as they are caught and eaten fresh, they are very good on the t a b l e G o o d n u m b e r s o f schooling mackerel frequent areas just outside or inside t h e G u l f p a s s e s , a r o u n d bridges and artificial reefs within sight of land Either t r o l l i n g o r c a s t i n g s i l v e r spoons with a fast retrieve is the top method for consistently hooking mackerel

Mangrove snapper is one of our tastiest fish and at times the most abundant. As our waters warm, snapper in the Gulf of Mexico move closer to shore, plus many relocate to our inshore waters What snapper lacks in size they make up for in tenacity and food value, plus they may be the easiest fish to target Many anglers catch their fair share from land while targeting bridges, docks and piers Live shrimp is the top bait; a small hook and light leader is necessary to fool their keen eyesight

Although season is closed, good snook fishing continues through the month of

Spring snook season came to a close at the end of April Bill Valpie of Bonita Springs with a 31-inch snook he caught ahead of the windy weekend He was fishing Charlotte Harbor with Capt Bill Russell

May Many are on the move, as they head to areas in and near the passes for their u p c o m i n g s u m m e r s p a w n S n o o k c a n range in size from little guys barely over a foot long to big girls over 40 inches. While snook will pounce on a variety of lures and baits, live oily baitfish, including scaled sardines or pilchards, Atlantic thread herring and grunts or pigfish are the top summer baits Expect the best snook bite on

days with strong tides

Both redfish and seatrout are good targets all month Look for trout over grass flats, off oyster bars and deeper sand holes on the lower tides. High water this month push redfish under mangrove overhangs where they will pick up the scent of a tail cut pinfish, shrimp or a piece of cut bait

See MAY, page 16

PHOTO PROVIDED

Deadline today for Kiwanis scholarship applications

Just as it has for the past 40 years, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Pine Island again has scholarships available to Pine Island students

To qualify, each student must meet the following criteria: Be a resident of Pine I s l a n d o r h a v e a t t e n d e d P i n e I s l a n d 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 downloaded from the Kiwanis website: PineIslandKiwanis org The deadline for turning in the applications is today, May 3, at the Century 21 Office or they may be mailed (postmarked no later than May 3) to Scholarship Chairman, P O Box 111, St James City, FL 33956

The scholarships is just on way for the Kiwanis Club of Greater Pine Island to give back to the community Please contact scholarship committee chair Carlyn Herring 239-850-9613 if you have any questions

Veterans Assistance Program to meet Friday at the Beacon

The Veterans Assistance Program will meet Friday, May 5, from 9 a m until 12:30 p m , at the Beacon of Hope, 5090 Doug Taylor Circle, St James City

One of the things that will be discussed is the expansion of possible benefits from Agent Orange exposure in overseas coun-

tries during Vietnam

If you have any health issues that you feel could be related to this or any other service acquired injury or disease, please stop by the Beacon

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

cal Atlantic for the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season,” CSU officials stated “The anomalously warm eastern and central tropical and subtropical Atlantic favor an above-normal season ”

The CSU team bases forecasts on a statistical model, as well as four models that use a combination of statistical information and model output from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, the UK Met Office, the Japan Meteorological Agency, and the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change These models use 25 to 40 years of historical hurricane seasons and evaluate conditions including: Atlantic sea surface temperatures, sea level pressures, vertical wind shear levels (the change in wind direction and speed with height in the atmosphere), El Nino (warming of waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific), and other factors

CSU said that thus far, the 2023 hurricane season is

exhibiting characteristics similar to 1969, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2014 and 2015

“Our analog seasons exhibited a wide range of outcomes, from below-normal seasons to hyperactive seasons,” said Phil Klotzbach, research scientist in the Department of Atmospheric Science and lead author of the report “This highlights the large uncertainty that exists with this outlook ”

CSU predicts this year’s hurricane activity will be about 80% of the average season from 1991–2020 By comparison, 2022’s hurricane activity was about 75% of the average season Last year’s season will be most

Reipel

From page 1

Pine Island American Legion in tow to take Reipel to his birthday celebration at the VFW, for which Ferguson said Reipel seems to have great affection

“What do you give someone turning 103? You give

Sister-Corps

From page 1

participated in 10 environmental cleanups or remediation, and given $152,000 in direct aid

“We are not first responders,” Gibbons said “We come in when other agencies and organizations start to leave and give hope to those still in need ”

Some of the women involved come aboard with skills, but the organization also provides training and hopes to increase this for participants When they were working on Pine Island, a volunteer from Michigan who was also

May

From page 14

On the lower water look for tailing redfish on the flats and also in the deeper sand holes mentioned for sea trout

For a variety of fish, nearshore artificial reefs are a great place to look You may hook into about anything from smaller fish like snapper to huge goliath grouper and everything in between An assortment of tackle from light to heavy, a variety of bait and an open mind is the key to taking advantage of what these areas offer on any given day Reefs are a great place to experiment and try different things while keeping your eyes open for unexpected visitors Permit should make their way to many of the reefs this month While they will eat a live shrimp, they seldom pass on a small live crab

May will give us consistent days of great weather with blue skies and light wind Our summer afternoon thunderstorm pattern will kick in so always keep an eye on the sky to stay ahead of an approaching storm Good weather

remembered for its two major hurricanes: Fiona and Ian, which made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Southwest Florida, resulting in more than 150 fatalities and $113 billion in damage

“It takes only one storm near you to make this an active season for you,” said Michael Bell, professor in the CSU Department of Atmospheric Science

The CSU team will issue forecast updates on June 1, July 6 and August 3

The Tropical Meteorology Project team also includes Alex DesRosiers, a PhD candidate in the same department Bill Gray, who originated the seasonal forecasts,

them the gift of community,” Ferguson said

Anyone who would like to take part in this special celebration, in any way, can call Ferguson at 804-8954604

working here gave them a class in installing sheet rock

A total of 48 women came to the area over the twoweek period The youngest was 45; the oldest at 82 worked in the kitchen The group is looking for more volunteers and has begun soliciting grant funding as well as i n d i v i d u a l d o n a t i o n s o n i t s w e b s i t e w w w S i s t e rCorps org “Our ultimate goal is when disaster hits, we’re one of the first organizations people think of,” Gibbons said.

and the potential for great fishing, what’s not to like about the month!

To keep up on current fishing regulations, you can go to www myfwc com or 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 text); on the web at www fishpine island com; or via email at gcl2fish@ live com

Have a safe week and good fishin’

As a lifetime resident of Matlacha and Pine Island, Capt Bill Russell has spent his life fishing and learning the waters around Pine Island and Southwest Florida, and as a professional fishing guide for the past 23 years

Letters to the Editor

From page 4

In summary, Mr Commissioners and Lee County planners encourage all of our great building industry to only build ranches and farms in our rural areas of Lee County No houses plastered next to each other or apartments stacked up to many stories upon each other Stop this by commission denials and law edicts Support a modern civic center with all the different facilities for all clubs tenants and expos to make this wonderful fairgrounds and civic center facility a proud area and we can all use for the next hundred years. The 4-H clubs, rural community and residents of Southwest Florida will thank you all

Oh, yes, please stop the RV park in Alva Obviously that is not a rural entity

Carl Veaux Cape Coral

Island Mahjongg

MahJongg is played every Thursday from 1-4 p m at St James City Civic Association, however there will be no MahJongg on May 4 as the center will be closed for renovations

Play will resume the following Thursday, May 11 SJCCA is located at 4th Avenue and Lemon Street in St James City

Top scorers on April 27 were Carolyn Kelly with 9 5 p o i n t s , P e g g y F i n l e y w i t h 8 0 a n d M e l a n i e Giangrant with 75

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