Pine Island Eagle

Volume 48, number 5

of Pine Island 2024 ballots are featured in today’s Pine Island Eagle

pineisland-eagle.com

Fundraiser for Hall set for Saturday

Island locations to participate in benefit

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

A benefit for accident victim Nichole Hall organized by islander Jim Frock will be held this Saturday, June 8, in various locations Hall lost her leg in a boating accident in north Matlacha Pass after leaving a fundraiser April 20 honoring Mary Lou Sharp, who died in a car accident on April 13 in Matlacha

Jug Creek Marina site manager Julia Gaylor said she was there when Hall was loaded into the ambulance.

“That near-death experience for this

young woman is a testament to her soul, her personality and her perseverance in overcoming this,” Gaylor said

According to Gaylor, Hall’s friends, in

responders on duty, saved her life that

would never want to see something along the lines of that accident again, she said in the midst of the tragedy the Pine Island

once again

Frock, who said he began organizing this benefit to help the family with med-

Delli Paoli creates Santa Life Foundation charity

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

After an extremely trying time in his life, Bear’s Den Apothecary owner David Delli Paoli found help in an interesting and unusual place and decided to pay it forward.

“I had gone through a bad breakup just after losing my father to cancer and my dog of 15 years It was my first holiday season without them and at that point I had nothing It was a struggle financially and mentally My mind went to some really dark places and I thought about hurting myself,” Delli Paoli said

After taking a friend’s request to play Santa Claus that Christmas season, Delli Paoli ended up doing two appearances -- a move he now admits saved his life As an entertainer who has experience both as a musician and a stand-up comedian, he said it was then he decided to add "Neighborhood Santa" to his repertoire and filed to become

See SANTA LIFE FOUNDATION, page 12

David Delli Paoli as Santa Claus PHOTO PROVIDED

ical expenses, reports that Hall lost her leg at the hip and will need house renovations, including wheelchair accessibility, to get around her own home after finally leaving the hospital.

“They’ve got to redo their house so she can live in it, and get a different vehicle so she can get in and out of it just everything,” Frock said

All of the participating venues are donating part of their profits from the benefit to the Hall family, including Blue Dog Bar and Grill

Island locations providing music for the special benefit include:

See FUNDRAISER, page 16

Story Roofing replaces roof on Matlacha veteran's home

Staf f Repor t news@breezenewspapers com

Matlacha, received a new roof from Story Roofing, an Owens Corning Platinum Roofing Contractor, as part of the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project.

Through a partnership with Purple Heart Homes, Fraissinet was selected and approved as the recipient for the roof replacement

The Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project is a nationwide effort to show gratitude and honor the veterans who served our country and the families who support them Since the inception of this program in 2016, more than 550 military members have received new roofs

Roofing donated the labor

Story Roofing provides a range of roofing services for residential and commercial properties Its team of experienced professionals has the expertise, equipment and materials necessary to tackle roofing projects of any size - no matter how complicated they may be From the tip of Michigan's mitt to the coast of Florida's gulf, Story Roofing installs roof systems for the roughest weather, specializing in all types of roofing, including asphalt shingles, metal

See ROOF, page 12

Nichole Hall

Local and state pols react to Trump verdict

By NATHAN MAYBERG and CJ HADDAD news@breezenewspapers.com

The conviction of former President Donald J Trump on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in a Manhattan courtroom Thursday brought rebuke from local and state Republicans who saw the jury's decision as political

Trump, who said he is innocent, called the proceedings “a rigged, disgraceful trial” when talking to reporters following the verdict

“The real verdict is going to be Nov 5 by the people,” he said

“I’m a very innocent man,” Trump said “This was done by the Biden administration in order to wound or hurt a political opponent "

Trump called the verdict a rigged decision with a conflicted judge

“We’ll fight until the end and we'll win,” he said

The trial began in mid-April, marking the first time a former U S president has been on trial for criminal charges

Trump, who is the presumptive GOP presidential nominee for the ballot in this November, was on trial to determine if he falsified business records to cover up a “hush money” payment back in 2016 to keep quiet an alleged sexual encounter with adult film actress, Storm Daniels Trump denied the allegations The case also involved allegations that Trump made payments to keep quiet another alleged affair with former Playboy model Karen McDougal

The Republican Party of Florida had endorsed Trump as its nominee for president in the upcoming election Nov 5 as Trump seeks to regain the presidency he lost to President Joe Biden in the 2020 election

The indictment was brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and case was overseen by Judge

Juan Merchan Both men faced criticism from Republicans

Congressman Byron Donalds, R-19, whose district includes Cape Coral and most of Lee County, had gone to the courthouse during the trial to support Trump

“Hollywood could never write a script like this,” Donalds said in response to the verdict. “To the American people: We have to be serious about what country we w a n t t o b e . T h e D e m o c r a t s h a v e weaponized our justice system ”

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-FL, said “What happened today in America is similar to what I grew up hearing about happening in Cuba ”

Rubio called the verdict “an ugly blemish to our reputation around the world ”

“If the far left can go after a former president on a ridiculous charge, they can go after any American,” Rubio posted on X (formerly Twitter)

U S Sen Rick Scott, R-FL, said, “This sham trial was about influencing our presidential election on behalf of Joe Biden plain and simple, they’ve made that absolutely clear ”

Gov Ron DeSantis put out a lengthy statement describing the prosecution as that of a political agenda in a “kangaroo court ”

“Today’s verdict represents the culmination of a legal process that has been bent to the political will of the actors involved: a leftist prosecutor, a partisan judge and a jury reflective of one of the most liberal enclaves in America all in an effort to ‘get’ Donald Trump,” DeSantis said “That this case involving alleged misdemeanor business records violations from nearly a decade ago was even brought is a testament to the political

places like New York City This is especially true considering this same district attorney routinely excuses criminal conduct in a way that has endangered lawabiding citizens in his jurisdiction It is often said that no one is above the law, but it is also true that no one is below the law. If the defendant were not Donald Trump, this case would never have been brought, the judge would have never issued similar rulings, and the jury would have never returned a guilty verdict. In

applied in a dispassionate, even-handed manner, not become captive to the political agenda of some kangaroo court ” Florida Republican Party Chairman Evan Power called the prosecution a “witch hunt ”

“From a corrupt District Attorney to a rigged judge making a mockery of our judicial system, President Trump's guilty verdict comes as no surprise,” Power said “Trump Derangement Syndrome was alive and well in that New York courtroom, but here in the real world, Donald Trump's support only grows stronger ”

Power said the conviction of Trump wouldn't impact the outcome in November's presidential race and said the charges amounted to election interference

Donalds called the verdict "a disaster for New York City, the State of New York and our nation People will see this political prosecution for what it is Remember this in November "

Trump’s sentencing is set for July 11 at 10 a m After his sentencing, Trump can appeal his conviction

Summer BreakSpot adds locations

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewsppers com

In addition to the more than 100 Summer BreakSpot locations throughout the community this year, eight rural sites have been added to the program free breakfast and lunch for grab-and-go meal options

The new rural and non-congregated areas are meant to draw from smaller areas where residents live, School District of Lee County Spokesperson Rob Spicker said

“The need is just as great,” Spicker said “We are hoping to entice them to swing by while available ”

The additional sites also will provide a three-day meal kit on Friday, so the child has breakfast through the weekend

There are no income requirements, or registration Anyone 18 or younger may receive a meal

Locations include:

■ Buckingham Community Park, Fort Myers

■ Harns Marsh Middle School, Lehigh Acres

■ Palms at Pine Island, Pine Island

■ Phillips Park, Pine Island

■ All Saints Byzantine Catholic Church, North Fort Myers

■ Alva Community Park, Alva

■ Olga Baptist Church, Alva

■ Summit Church, Gateway, starts June 17

For this program, the child does not have to be present at the eight sites It is required that parents and guardians confirm that they are picking up a meal for the

child and taking it to them, Spicker said,

The number of “regular” Summer BreakSpot locations has increased from last year

The program will run from June 5, through July 31, with breakfast and lunch served and consumed on site. T h e

Anyone 18 or younger may receive a meal

The Summer BreakSpot will be held at the traditional locations of schools, community agencies, and parks

Spicker said more parks were added this year.

“The real hope is families will consider going to the park, grab a meal and give some playtime while at the park,” he said, adding that families can enjoy the outdoors, kids can exercise, get some vitamin D, and a nutritional meal at the same time

Another location this year includes Miromar Outlets, as they also offer a free STEM program for kids Spicker said it’s a chance to get kids out of the house, participate in an educational opportunity and enjoy a nutritional meal

S p i c k e r s a i d f a m i l i e s s h o u l d c h e c k http://www SummerBreakSpot org, dial 2-1-1 and text “Food” to 304-304 to find locations, days and times, as they may change during the summer depending on staffing and availability

“Check the website to make sure nothing has changed before you head out,” he said

Summer BreakSpots on the island include:

■ Pine Island Elementary School, 5360 Ridgewood Drive, Bokeelia

■ Phillips Park, 5675 Sesame Drive, Bokeelia

Other locations close to the islands in Cape Coral include:

■ Oasis South Park and Rec, 2817 S W 3rd Lane

■ Trafalgar Elementary School, 1850 S W 20th Ave

Last summer more than 212,000 meals were served throughout the summer Spicker said they anticipate the need will be greater this year

“We hope families will take advantage of it,” he said “We included more parks and activity-based locations, so you have a reason to get the kids out of the house for an activity, learning, and nutritional food ”

Donald Trump

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Bridging the Divide: Florida’s child care crisis costs us all

Child care isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity and a vital part of our workforce development And right now, our child care system is facing a crisis with shortages and skyrocketing prices According to the Bank of America Institute, child care payments have jumped 30% since pre-pandemic times, hitting middle- and upper-income families hardest And what’s the result? More parents are waving the white flag and stepping out of the workforce to care for their kids

For many parents, especially those earning minimum wage, securing affordable child care is a relentless struggle. In Southwest Florida, the pinch is felt even sharper A twoparent household with one child pays around 18 5% of their income in Glades County and 21 1% in Collier County to keep their kid in child care, according to the Florida Policy Institute’s Child Care Affordability Index

The report ranks Florida’s 67 counties in order by affordable child care, positioning Lee, Hendry, Glades and Collier counties between 48 to 61 on the index H o w e v

y budgets. It’s a matter of our community’s vitality With federal COVID-19 child care relief gone, many are staring down a “child care cliff” that could see over 212,000 Florida children without care and thousands of providers shutting their doors Across our region, we have already seen the beginnings

31st annual USPS Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive a success

To the editor:

T h e 3 1 s t A n n u a l U S P S S t a m p O u t Hunger Food Drive took place on Saturday, May 11, 2024 As many of you may know, the USPS food drive on Pine Island directly benefits the Pine Island Food Pantry, which as of this writing services 272 families in need on the island This year’s drive yielded 1,657 89 pounds of non-perishable items that will be distributed to the community in the coming weeks This was a significant increase from last year’s 920 pounds, year one post hurricane Ian Our hope is that we are trending back in the right direction prior to Ian and COVID when our donations often exceeded 6,000 pounds I would like to thank all the carrier union

of this

Despite these unfavorable forecasts, families aren’t out

(VPK) and School Readiness Program can serve as lifelines

working families These

brighter future for our children and a stronger workforce for our state

To local families feeling the squeeze, know that the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida is your ally in navigating these challenging times, working to connect you with critical resources and f u n d i n g y o u

Melanie Stefanowicz

Guest Commentary

e d T h e Coalition can offer support, guidance and access to local early learning programs to help build the foundation for lifelong learning and success

When parents have access to affordable, high-quality child care, they’re free to contribute to the workforce and pursue their education, driving our economy forward And when children receive quality early education, they’re set up to thrive for years to come W

Letters to the Editor

members of the Post Office that contributed their time and effort to this year’s drive. Special thanks to Steve Camancho, who coordinates the event in our area; as well as Bokeelia’s Postmaster David Moyer; and Danyale Goss, acting Postmaster; Connor McCallister, St James City’s Postmaster; and Kerry Cannedy, acting Postmaster

This event could not be a success without all the volunteer help that comes out for the day to help weigh, sort and organize all the donations A very special thanks to the Matlacha Hookers, who provide more then half of the volunteers needed for the day year after year I would also like to thank the Pine Island Food Pantry staff for all their help, as well

Lastly, a big thanks to all the people in the community who donated the food that was

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

state legislators for taking note of the crucial role that child care plays in the well-being of our state With targeted poli-

gram, we can bridge the child care divide, providing relief to families that desperately need it Expanding access to these programs is an opportunity to

enrich our communities and harness the potential of our youngest citizens

T

Coalition of Southwest Florida stands ready to support this

community members to turn the tide on the child care crisis Together, we can transform the landscape of early childhood education and secure a brighter future for all families in Southwest Florida.

Melanie Stefanowicz is the CEO for E a r l y L e a

s t Florida, which provides access to high-quality early education services for children in Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties

collected Without your contributions, events like this one would not be possible.

Guy D’Alessio, Pine Island Food Pantry USPS Stamp out Hunger coordinator

Immigration and the economy

To the editor:

In the short-term, a great influx of immigrants through the southern border is a humanitarian and economic problem Those who favor closing or significantly reducing the number of immigrants entering the country rarely take a long-term economic view on immigration But what happens when we take a longer-broader view on immigration?

The recent surge immigration has:

1 Expanded the labor force and economic growth We are getting older as a nation and our birth rate has slowed down to the point that immigrants account for most of our popu-

Office (2023) projects that immigration will increase the labor force by 5 2 million and the GDP by $7 3 trillion in 2034!

2 Improved health of Social Security and Medicare Funds Via payroll taxes, undocum

windfall to the funds Documented collect benefits at a lower rate than the native born

3 Reduced Inflation! According to Jerome Powell (2023), Federal Reserve Board Chair, the immigration surge has helped balance supply and demand by reducing the labor short-

Community Cooperative announces Mobile Food Pantry schedule for June

A

Community Cooperative has released its June 2024 mobile food pantry schedule With a commitment to serve the community, the operating hours have been adjusted to better accommodate the summer weather

The planned VA Healthcare Center Mobile stop on Wednesday, June 19, has been canceled

C o m

Pantry Schedule for June 2024:

Tuesday, June 4

Trafalgar Middle School, 2120 Trafalgar Parkway, Cape Coral, 10-11:30 a m

Wednesday, June 5

V

Parkway, E , Cape Coral (Use Corbett Road entrance) For veterans and veteran families only, 9-11 a.m.

Thursday, June 6

P

Ave , Fort Myers, 10 a m to noon

Tuesday, June 11

Literacy Council Gulf Coast, 26820 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, 9:30-11:30 a m

Wednesday, June 12

Cape Coral Technical College, 360 Santa Barbra Blvd N , Cape Coral, 3-4 p m

Friday, June 14

North Fort Myers Regional Park, 2000 N Recreation Park Way, North Fort Myers, 10 a m to noon

Monday, June 17

Mariner’s Landing, 2120 Carrell Road, Fort Myers, 10-11:30 a m

Tuesday, June 18

Pine Manor Community Center, 5547 Tenth Ave , Fort Myers, 10 a m to noon

Thursday, June 20

Lehigh Senior High School, 901 Gunnery Road, N , 10-11:30 a m

Friday, June 21

Pine Island United Methodist Church, 5701 Pine Island Road, Bokeelia, 10-11:30 a m

Tuesday, June 25

Veterans Park Lehigh Acres, 55 Homestead Road, S , Lehigh Acres, 3-5 p m

Wednesday, June 26

Orange Grove Blvd., North Fort Myers, 1011:30 a m

Thursday, June 27

Island Coast High School, 2125 De Navarra Parkway, Cape Coral, 10-11:30 a m

About Community Cooperative

Since 1984, Community Cooperative has worked to effectively eliminate hunger and homelessness in southwest Florida while simultaneously inspiring and supporting sustained positive change in its clients by delivering innovative food, education, and social service programs With a dedicated team of volunteers,

Cooperative stays committed to its core respon-

through a strong and viable network of community partners Community Cooperative is an exemplary steward of the resources entrusted to it and serves clients with compassion and integrity Through collaboration and ongoing education, Community Cooperative supports and strengthens those whose lives have been affected by hunger and homelessness, ensuring that they have access to the resources necessary to transform their lives with dignity

PIE's Book Battle Team

Pine Island Elementary School’s Book Battle Team competed in the Lee County School District Book Battle on May 24

Demi Khaleel, Stephanie Rau, Ava Bartz, Ava Keen, Hannah Davis and Whitley Efird represented P I E These students worked hard to read Sunshine State Books and compete in the Jeopardy-like competition A big thanks to the Bobby Holloway Jr Memorial Foundation for sponsoring the team The PIE staff and islanders are proud of their effort and hard work!

Islander Onorato graduates from Stonehill College

EASTON, MA -- Lucas Onorato of Bokeelia was among 625 students to p r o c e s s a t S t o n e h i l l C o l l e g e ' s 7 3 r d Commencement on Sunday, May 19

During the ceremony, Ed Cooley '94,

head coach of the Georgetown University men's basketball team, gave the keynote address, receiving an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree Stonehill College, a Catholic institu-

tion of higher learning, was founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1948 Located on the beautiful 387-acre campus and former estate of Frederick Lothrop Ames in North Easton, Massachusetts, the

college offers more than 100 academic programs in the liberal arts, sciences, business and pre-professional field F o r

https://www stonehill edu/

VFW Post 4353 to hold Flag Day ceremony June 14

Patriotism has characterized the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of

organization Allegiance to the flag of our country is a requirement of every member

In 1907, the Grand Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks designated, by resolution, June 14 as Flag Day The Grand Lodge of the Order adopted mandatory observance of the occasion by every Lodge in 1911, and that requirement continues

But it was not until 1949 when President Harry Truman, himself a member of the Elks, made the proclamation that thereafter, June 14 would be a day of national observance for the symbol of our country It was through his Elks Lodge in Independence, Missouri, that President Truman got the idea for a national observance of Flag Day

The Greater Pine Island Elks Lodge has held a Flag Day ceremony for many years, and patriotism has characterized the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks since the early days of the organization, which was chartered in Seymour in 1899

Please join the officers of the Greater Pine Island Elks Lodge 2781 as they perform the Flag Day Ceremony - this year on Friday, June 14 The public is invited to attend the annual Flag Day ceremony at 11 a m a t t h e V F W P o s t 4 3 5 3 , l o c a t e d a t 8 1 5 0

Stringfellow Road, Saint James City A light lunch will be served after the ceremony

Pine Island Pool to close temporarily for staff training

Lee County Parks & Recreation reminds swimmers that community pools will be closed today, June 5, and the morning of Thursday, June 6, for annual staff training.

The pools will reopen at noon Thursday, June 6

The locations closed are:

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

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

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

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

Signs are posted at the pools to inform patrons of the closing

Lee County lifeguards are tested annually for their performance skills and abilities. This ensures lifeguards meet Lee County’s safety standards

The pools will begin their extended weekend and evening hours for summer on Saturday, June 8 For more

www leeparks org/pools

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

www facebook com/leecountyflbocc

Monthly water sample results

The Calusa Waterkeeper recently released its monthly water sample results for fecal indicator bacteria on May 18 For more information, including historical data, visit https://calusawaterkeeper org/

Cancer survivor shares gratitude for local support after her diagnosis

When you’re diagnosed with stage 4 blood cancer, your world changes in ways you never could have imagined Today, I am cancer-free, and I am thankful for every day that I feel stronger

Nearly 40% of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point duri n g t h e i r l i f e t i m e s , a c c o r d i n g t o t h e National Institute of Health’s National Cancer Institute based on 2015–2017 data

It will touch all of us in some way, and if it hasn’t yet, you might not have considered its impact This is about my journey and the local resources that saved my life and helped me get back to what I love

With support and care, the cancer journey doesn’t have to be dark, regardless of how difficult

The Beginning

I am an avid golfer who plays three or four times a week In May 2022, I was on the 16th hole, and I hit the ball really poorly Something felt off and I felt a pain in my upper back

I didn’t think much of it, attributing it to a pulled muscle, so I continued to play the round Three or four days later, I knew something wasn’t right I was in significant pain in my upper back and rib cage I went to the Urgent Care and eventually to the Emergency Department, and the doctors told me they found a cyst on my ovary

They took it out and three days later, I was still in intense pain and I couldn’t sleep Over nine days, I had a lot of tests done They came back negative for cancer, but an MRI found two tumors This was a significant turning point I’m so grateful that I recognized the severity of my pain and the medical team kept looking further to find me an answer.

I was an inpatient at Gulf Coast Medical Center on the seventh floor, and two to three hours after a biopsy came back, I had an oncologist, physician assistant, nurse navigator, and social worker at my side A whole army rallied around me, and they never stopped They told me I had lymphoma

I quickly learned everything I never wanted to know about lymphoma, a type of blood cancer It occurs when abnormal white blood cells multiply and overwhelm your lymphatic system The survival rate varies by age

Moving into the Hospital

I began six cycles of inpatient chemotherapy and four cycles of preventive chemotherapy through the Lee Health Cancer Institute

The seventh floor at Gulf Coast Medical Center is dedicated solely to inpatient cancer care The “hospital within a hospital” is outfitted with specialized patient beds for the various treatments my 72 roommates and I

Children’s Preschool Summer Storytime activity to be held at Pine Island Public Library

The location for the following program was incorrect in the May 22 Pine Island Eagle The program will be held at the Pine Island Public Library

The Eagle regrets the error Preschool Summer Storytime: Firefighter Friends 10:30 a m , Thursday, June 20

For ages 3 – 5 years Children attend this program independently while parents and caregivers wait nearby Join us for stories, songs and crafts as we learn about the firefighter friends in our community

The Pine Island Public Library is a 10701 Russell Road in Bokeelia For more information about a program or to register, please call the library at 239-5334350

were there to receive I got to know each member of my cancer care team, and we became like a family

Each cycle was four days of continuous chemo, and I was there for a week at a time

I asked many questions, and my team s h o w e d m e p a

n c e a n d k i n d

e s s , explaining every nuance I wanted to know to adjust to my new life I spent 64 days in the hospital and got to know the team very well I walked the floor when I felt well enough, accompanied by my friends in their matching t-shirts with “Lymphoma Support Squad” emblazoned on the front Those visits from friends, alongside the medical team rooting me on, made the weeks of inpatient treatment possible with smiles, laughs, and so much love My family in California also made sure to keep up with my journey and support me from afar

My nurse navigator, Rhonda, called me regularly to check in, asking if I had questions about my medication, learning how I was feeling, and detailing new layers of support I could find through Lee Health as I stepped forward in my cancer journey I appreciated that, too Nurse navigators provide one-on-one encouragement and education, explain treatments, connect patients with services, and help guide patients and their families on the cancer journey

Getting Back to Myself

Palliative medicine supports the mind, body, and spiritual needs when someone has a severe illness, such as cancer, stroke, or dementia Cancer treatment can do a number on the body, and Palliative Care was there to help m e m a n a g e p

chemotherapy

The team includes social workers, nurse practitioners, and physician specialists who work to understand what patients are going through so they can assist in improving their quality of life Palliative Care can make a massive difference in treatment and recovery by explaining complex issues simply, coordinating all aspects of treatment, and helping patients manage their symptoms and pain I used Palliative Care for almost two years as I worked through my journey They made a world of difference for

me, from something more minor, like chemo-induced mouth sores, to making strides in my neuropathy

My Golf Game

The game of golf, in so many ways, led me to my cancer diagnosis, uncovering what my body was telling me was happening inside While progress was slow, I knew I needed to get back on the golf course to feel like myself

After treatment, I had a lot of muscle deterioration

Even the golf club weighed a lot, making it difficult to hold and swing at first

While your body is busy fighting cancer, all your energy is used for the battle. Cancer Rehab was critical to getting me back on a golf course Every little victory and sign of normalcy gave me hope and helped me keep going

I fell into a different way of doing things while my body battled a disease and adapted to a new normal I sought out physical therapy, and they helped me learn how to walk, climb stairs, and many little things I often take for granted Cancer Rehab helped me do things correctly and with less pain I wanted to regain my strength, and my rehab team was just as passionate as I was about getting me there

Cancer rehab is a complementary part of cancer care offered to cancer survivors and patients undergoing treatment at Lee Health In addition to physical therapy, they also provide occupational therapy and speech therapy Cancer Rehab navigation consults are free, and appointments can be made in person or by phone They do not require a physician referral

After three months, I could play golf again and am almost 100% back to normal

I wouldn’t have known how to do a lot of things if it weren’t for the team surrounding me, holding my hand, directing me to my next phases of life with cancer, and showing me the way through it.

My friends, family, and cancer care team at Lee Health helped me through my diagnosis to my survival It takes a village, along with a positive attitude

As I get stronger, my whole outlook gets better I’m returning to who I was before cancer came into my life, closing my cancer chapter

I am a survivor, and cancer does not define me

Julia Kellberg, stage 4 lymphoma cancer survivor and Lee Health Cancer Institute patient

Julia Kellberg Guest Column

Great Calusa Blueway celebrates 20 years with challenge

Visitors come from all over the world to experience the Great Calusa Blueway in Southwest Florida As the popular paddling trail celebrates 20 years, paddlers have a chance to participate in a fun challenge and earn points for prizes and discounts

A n d w

National Trails Day this Saturday, June 1,

than with a paddle on the Blueway? The marked canoe and kayak trail stretches almost 200 miles from Bonita Springs through Estero Bay, Fort Myers Beach, Pine Island Sound and Sanibel, Captiva and Pine islands, up the Caloosahatchee River to the Lee County line The trail is home to abundant marine life, shore birds and crustaceans as it meanders the back

bay estuaries and mangrove tunnels

Attractions on the Blueway include Mound Key Archeological State Park, Lovers Key State Park, Mound House, Randell Research Center, J N “Ding”

Manatee Park and others

For maps and GPS coordinates, visit visitfortmyers com/calusablueway/maps

Kinder gar tners enjoy pool par ty

Mrs. Frahm's and Mrs. Bartz's kindergarten classes from Pine Island Elementary sit along the edge of the Pine Island pool for the end of year swim party. Pictured along with the students are, from left, Mrs. Bartz, Ms D , Dr Galbreath (principal) and Mrs Frahm

Take the Calusa Blueway Challenge

By checking in at locations along the trail, paddlers may earn points to be used for prizes as well as discounts and deals

restaurants, parks and nature spots along the trail Paddle on your own, experience a guided tour, shop at a local business or grab a bite to eat as you explore the 200mile marked trail that includes the rivers, and back bay shorelines of Fort Myers Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods. Those who complete at least 75% of the challenge will be entered to win a grand prize of an 11-foot Body Glove iSUP Performer paddleboard or a twonight stay at Tarpon Lodge on Pine Island

The Challenge is open now and runs through Feb 28, 2025 It’s free and does not require an app Sign up at visitfortmyers com/CalusaBluewayChallenge

The Blueway is part of the 1,600 mile F

connects to water trails in counties to the north and south It is also part of the Florida Greenways and Trails System and received National Recreation Trails designation by the U S Department of Interior in 2004

Tourist Development Council and is managed by Lee County Parks & Recreation

To learn more about the Great Calusa Blueway or the special challenge, please visit visitfortmyers.com/calusablueway or leeparks com

Museum of the Island Membership Drive starts

Membership Drive month

This all-volunteer museum, located in The Center of the island, is a local hidden jewel filled with amazing artifacts, dating back thousands of years and is a wonderful part of the island community

The purchase of a membership is the perfect way to help keep the doors open and show your support

Family memberships are $25 This gives members and their families unlimited visits for 12 months There are also individual memberships for $20 and

lifetime memberships for $100

Islanders can supper the museum and be a part of the preservation of the history of the islands

S u m

a y , Thursday and Saturday, 11 a m to 3 p m Winter hours resume in the fall, Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a m to 3 p.m.

Memberships can be obtained in person at the museum, located at 5728 Sesame Drive, Bokeelia, or by mail to PO Box 103, Matlacha FL 33993 Visit the museum website museumoftheislands com

Fishing is good despite the hot days

A s e x p e c t e d , w i t h t h e

a r r i v a l o f J u n e i t ' s g e t t i n g h o t

o n t h e w a t e r F i s h i n g w a s n ’ t

b a d a n d t h e h e a t w a s t o l e r a -

b l e o v e r t h e d a y s w i t h a c o m -

f o r t a b l e b r e e z e

A n g l e r s f i s h i n g i n s h o r e

l o o k i n g t o p u t m e a t o n t h e t a b l e c a u g h t s e a t r o u t , r e df i s h , m a n g r o v e s n a p p e r a n d

p o m p a n o S e a t r o u t c a t c h e s

c a m e t h r o u g h o u t P i n e I s l a n d

S o u n d L i v e b a i t s a n d l u r e s

f i s h e d a l o n g s a n d h o l e e d g e s ,

b a r d r o p - o f f s a n d o v e r g r a s s

b o t t o m f r o m 4 - 7 f e e t w o r k e d

f o r t r o u t u p t o 2 0 i n c h e s

F i s h i n g o v e r h a n g s a l o n g

s h o r e l i n e s w o r k e d f o r r e d f i s h

u p t o 2 7 i n c h e s o n t h e e a s t e r n s i d e o f

P i n e I s l a n d S o u n d a n d s o u t h M a t l a c h a

P a s s . T h e y w e n t f o r a v a r i e t y o f b a i t s i n c l u d i n g s h r i m p , p i n f i s h , c u t b a i t a n d

v a r i o u s Z - m a n b a i t s T h e b e t t e r b i t e w a s i n t h e m o r n i n g o v e r t h e i n c o m i n g t i d e

L a r g e r m a n g r o v e s n a p p e r a r e s l o w l y

m a k i n g t h e i r w a y t o i n s h o r e w a t e r s F i s h

u p t o 1 5 i n c h e s w e r e c a u g h t a r o u n d S t

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t h e t i d e i s u p , s n a p p e r a r e u s u a l l y t i g h t t o

t h e t r e e s , o f t e n f i s h i n g u n d e r t h e o v e r -

h a n g s i s n e c e s s a r y f o r h o o k - u p s .

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b e a c h e s a n d n e a r t h e G u l f p a s s e s S l o w

b o u n c i n g p o m p a n o o r c r a z y j i g s a r e t h e

b e s t b e t t o c o v e r g r o u n d a n d h o o k - u p

A r e a s m e n t i o n e d i n c l u d e d t h e G u l f s i d e

o f S a n i b e l C a u s e w a y s A - s p a n a l o n g t h e

s a n d b a r d r o p - o f f , j u s t o f f t h e s h o r e f r o m

B o w m a n ’ s B e a c h n o r t h t o B l i n d P a s s , a n d i n s i d e R e d f i s h P a s s a l o n g b a r e d g e s

M o s t o f t h e t a r p o n a c t i o n i s h a p p e n -

i n g o f f t h e b e a c h e s a n d a r o u n d B o c a

G r a n d e P a s s T h e b e s t b e t i s t o g e t o u t

b e f o r e t h e s u n a n d l o o k f o r e a r l y m o r ni n g f i s h . N o t o n l y i s i t m u c h c o o l e r a n d l e s s c r o w d e d , b u t t h e y a r e a l s o m o r e l i k e l y t o e a t e a r l y B l a c k t i p s h a r k s u p t o 6 f o o t t o o k c u t a n d l i v e b a i t s a c r o s s t h e

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y o u g e t i n t o l a d y f i s h , j a c k s ,

) 4 1 0 - 8 5 7 6 , o n t h e w

Summer months bring great weather for fishing offshore in Gulf waters. A slow pitched jig worked to fool this big red grouper for Capt Tanner Peer in 120 feet of water

PHOTO PROVIDED

m a c k e r e l , b l u e f i s h o r t r o u t , o d d s a r e g o o d s h a r k s a r e n e a rb y C h u n k e d l a d y o r m u ll e t , a n d l a r g e l i v e p i n f i s h f i s h e d i

Fishers of Men Lutheran Church to hold

one-day VBS on June 15

Fishers of Men Lutheran Church is accepting applications for a one-day, free, VBS set for Saturday, June 15, from 8:30 a m - noon It is open to potty trained 3 year olds through 5th grade The group will sing songs, watch a skit, make crafts and play games A free lunch is included

To RSVP, call/text/email eileenhafer@gmail com or 239-246-7625

Fishers of Men Lutheran Church is located in St James City at 10360 Stringfellow Road

T h o s e i n t e r e s t e d c a n a l s o

http/www myvbs org/FOM2024/invite/%3C!stat id%

Capt. Bill Russell On the Water

FDOH: Water safety is everyone’s responsibility

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

As Southwest Florida turns the page into the summer months, practicing safety around bodies of water is stressed as a way to prevent tragedy

Year after year, Florida leads the nation when it comes to drowning deaths, especially involving children Being “water smart” can help save a life this summer and yearround, officials said.

According to the American Red Cross Florida Gulf Coast Heartland Chapter, research shows that participation in formal water safety and swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88% for children ages 1 to 4

“Before families head out to pools and parks, it’s important for all family members to learn and review critical water safety skills,” stated Jill Palmer, executive director of Florida Gulf Coast to Heartland Chapter “Knowing fundamental Red Cross water safety skills will help you feel more prepared for fun outings in, on and around the water and help save lives ”

The Red Cross offers lifesaving aquatics programs for community members, serving 2 5 million individuals annually Officials said these programs incorporate the latest science-based curriculum and industry best practices that help to keep families safer while enjoy popular water activities, especially in a state where water-based recreation is so popular

“Preventing unsupervised access to water, providing constant, active adult supervision and knowing how to swim are critical layers of protection to help prevent drowning,” stated Connie Harvey, director of Aquatics Centennial and Survival Programs for the Red Cross

The Red Cross offers the following safety tips for water activities this summer:

∫ Nobody should ever swim alone adults and teens as well as children Never leave a young child unattended near water, and do not trust a child’s life to another child

∫ It’s best to always designate a “water watcher” who will keep a close eye and constant attention on children and weaker swimmers in, on and around water until the next water watcher takes over

The Red Cross offered the following safety tips for water activities this summer:

∫ Nobody should ever swim alone – adults and teens as well as children Never leave a young child unattended near water, and do not trust a child’s life to another child

∫ It’s best to always designate a “water watcher” who will keep a close eye and constant attention on children and weaker swimmers in, on and around water until the next water watcher takes over

∫ Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear properly fitted U S Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone

∫ Reach or throw, don't go! In the event of an emergency, reach or throw an object to the person in trouble and tell them to grab on Don’t go in! You could be in danger of drowning yourself

∫ Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear properly fitted U S Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone

∫ Reach or throw, don’t go! In the event of an emergency, reach or throw an object to the person in trouble and tell them to grab on Don’t go in! You could be in danger of drowning yourself

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County offers some tips as well:

∫ If your child is missing, check other pools or surrounding bodies of water

∫ Use barriers around water, including fences, selfclosing/self-latching gates, and secure doors with alarms Barriers help prevent young children from wandering into bodies of water, including lakes, pools, ponds, and more

∫ Have a phone nearby in case you need to call 9-1-1 in an emergency.

The Red Cross recently revamped its Longfellow’s WHALE Tales Water Safety for Children program The no-cost program is designed to help children from all backgrounds in kindergarten through fifth grade learn vital water safety behaviors without having to be in or near the water

“We encourage families to educate themselves on safer water habits, to learn to swim and know how to handle

providers offer swim education and classes for both chil-

dren and adults We recommend that you also learn first aid and CPR, so you’ll know what to do until help arrives ”

Visit redcross org/watersafety for swim program information and a variety of resources The Red Cross Swim app can help children and adults learn with kid-friendly video and activities on mobile devices

According to the CDC, Florida ranked fifth in the U S for unintentional drowning deaths with an age-adjusted rate of 2 2 per 100,000 population for all ages in 2020

According to the Florida Department of Health, from 2018 to 2020 combined, Florida was ranked the highest in the country for unintentional drowning death rates for children ages 1 to 4, and had the highest unintentional downing death rate among children 0 to 9

Statistics from FDOH state that annually there are enough children under the age of 5 lost to drowning to fill three or four preschool classrooms

FDOH’s “Water Safety Is Everyone’s Responsibility” initiative works to educate parents, caregivers and communities about drowning risks and prevention strategies along with how to be safe in and around the water

“The campaign identifies layers of protection to increase water safety and reduce drownings: supervision, barriers, and preparedness,” officials stated

Additional information is available at www watersmartfl com

SJCCA Schedule

Mahjongg Scores

Schoolcraft named Breeze May Athlete of the Month

The votes are in for the Cape Coral Breeze’s May Athlete of the Month, and the winner is Island Coast High School's Austin Schoolcraft

During his nomination week, the sophomore came up with the clutch hit twice as Island Coast won the District 5A-11 title over Fort Myers in extra innings His RBI single in the bottom of the seventh extended the game, and a bunt single brought home Jordi Guerrero with the game-winner in the bottom of the ninth

“Full count, two outs with the game on the line is every kid’s dream,” Schoolcraft told The Breeze. “I didn’t want to leave it in the hands of the umpire and was able to put a good swing on the ball In the bottom of the ninth, we were able to execute what we had practiced all week I’m glad my coach had confidence in me to get the bunt down, and the rest is just a blur The e x c i t e m e n t w a s o v e r w h e l m i n g W e weren’t ready for the season to end just yet ”

This is the final Athlete of the Month f o r t h e 2 0 2 3 - 2 0 2 4 s c h o o l y e

Breeze's annual Breakfast of Champions took place Saturday, June 1, at Vineyard Community Church

Crews repairing Pine Island Road in Matlacha to switch to south side of the roadway

BARTOW, Fla – This weekly report is prepared by the Florida Department of Transportation to inform the public about u p c o m i n g r o a d w o r k i n S o u t h w e

t Florida

Pine Island Road Causeway and Bridge Permanent Repairs:

Construction project: As part of the Emergency Restoration of the Pine Island Road Causeway and Bridge, crews will be working in the project boundaries along CR 78 Pine Island Road from west of Little Pine Island Bridge (Bridge No. 120111) to West of Shoreview Drive

CONTINUED: Motorists can expect o

y / removal of materials, transfer of equip-

ment as crews shift work to the south side

Motorists can expect a new traffic pattern Variable message signs will be in place to alert drivers

Please be alerted to construction equipment in the construction zone To maintain safety, motorists should find alternate parking areas

■ Pedestrians and bicyclists are not permitted within the construction zone

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

■ Noise from construction equipment in the area is to be expected

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

Cat of the Week

Fer gie

I'm going to do my best not to "fat shame" this poor girl She can't help that her family couldn't say no to her adorable face and gave her a few too many snacks The important thing is she needs your help. She needs to lose weight and it's impossible to put a kitty on a diet at the s h e l t e r. Wi

she is at risk for diabetes and other health issues Fergie is 12

affection will do more for her than slipping her an extra treat Can you help? If so please call or stop by Helping Paws Animal S

you’d rather just donate, our address is 10060 Mallory Parkway, E., Unit D, St. James City, FL, 33956 or there’s always our w e b

malsanctuary com

Austin Schoolcraft

School District professional publishes book for kids

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

A Cape Coral resident of more than 45 years has published her first children’s book

“What if , ’ written by Nicole DePuy a n d i l l u s t r a t e d b y D a v i d D r o t l e f f , explores the imaginary world of where things could be different than what we know today.

“I work with children with special needs, so I’ve always been a proponent of encouraging children to love themselves just as they are,” said DePuy, a School District of Lee County speech-language pathologist and ESE pre-k assessment team “With the influence of social media, more and more children and young adults

are being led to believe that they have to be ‘perfect’ when there really is no such thing Children even very young children and adults, need to be taught to love themselves just the way they are We’re all different, and that’s a good thing ”

It has always been a dream of hers to write a children’s book, even way back in elementary school

“I actually wrote the story to ‘What if ” in 2012, but it took me several years to find an illustrator and actually take the steps to publish my book,” she said. “I decided to self-publish my book through KDP Publishing, which is a sister company of Amazon It required many edits and changes to the layout of the pages, which

Santa Life Foundation

a 501(c)(3) charity organization

“When I looked into it, I discovered that Santa Claus makes too much money I’m not saying it isn’t worth it, because a great Santa is priceless, but some of these guys are charging $500 an hour obvi-

o u s l y m o s t g u y s a r e n ’ t m a k i n g t h a t though,” Paoli said

The idea, he said, is to be the most authentic Santa possible, including donning a real beard He longs to keep the magic alive, which, he said, is what saved his life Now Paoli finds himself with a true calling to help others have a wonderful holiday season

“My whole thing is keeping the magic alive The magic kept me alive so I want to keep it alive for other people,” Paoli

said

From page 1

He explained that now he is able to give his time voluntarily, playing Santa at various places, such as the Shell Factory, while a good friend, who is a photographer, also volunteers his time, taking pictures of people with Paoli as Santa

“I bought a couple of printers and we print the pictures out right there,” Paoli said

He went on to say the only donations accepted are for photo paper and supplies needed to keep playing Santa for folks Paoli’s aspiration is to be more than just a local Santa stop, but eventually to provide necessities such as food and clothes to islanders With headquarters currently at his shop, he is hoping to bring the hol-

was quite frustrating Nonetheless, I persisted and received my first printed book in December 2022 ” DePuy has taken her book, “What if ” to different schools in the district, espec i a l l y d u r i n g D r S u e s s D a y – R e a d Across America Day

“Several teachers have reached out asking me to read to their classes The kids love the story and the pictures,” she said “After reading the book, I usually ask the children to think of their own ‘what if ’ scenarios They come up with some great ones. We also talk about what it would be like if we all looked the same or sounded the same ” DePuy encourages parents, grandparents, and caregivers to read to their chil-

iday season to life for folks who are in need of the magic provided by Santa The Santa Life Foundation is at 5507

dren

“With the increase in screen time, children are losing the skills of critical thinking We need to encourage children to use their imaginations, and that is not accomplished looking at a screen,” she said

DePuy began working for the school district as a speech-language pathologist in 2009

“I am part of the pre-k assessment team that assesses children between the ages of 3 and 5, or before kindergarten, for delays and disabilities, and the need for special education services. This is my 32nd year as a speech-language pathologist,” she said

Her book can be found on Amazon at https://a co/d/haKiBwz

Pine Island Roa, N W , B , Bokeelia, FL 33922 Call 239-601-7628 for more information

roofing, flat roofing and beyond The company also offers repair and maintenance services

Story Roofing has facilities in Buckley and Gaylord, Michigan, and Cape Coral at 3640 S W Pine Island Road, Cape Coral To contact the local office, please call 239-443-5564, or visit https://www storyroofing com for additional information.

PHOTO PROVIDED

The Story Roofing crew replacing the roof on the home of Janette Fraissinet, a U.S. Army veteran, in Matlacha.

age, increasing production, and lowering inflation

4 Creation of new businesses and jobs

A quarter of American entrepreneurs are immigrants responsible for creating most new jobs Among the 500 Fortune companies, 219 were started by immigrants or their children

Trump, if elected, plans to deport 11 million undocumented immigrants and to s i g n i f i c a n t l y r

(Interview by CNN, April 2024) Do we want that? That would be devastating to our economy!

Sigfredo Hernandez Bonita Springs

Looking for answers

To the editor:

I have the following questions for our Congressman, Byron Donalds:

Mr Donalds, you received a grade of “F” from the Children’s Defense Fund for voting against 26 bills or resolutions protecting women, children, and families

Despite this, you boast about working for families Your past voting record does not align with your claims In the future, what

Letters to the Editor

women, children, and families, not just the unborn?

How do you intend for the government

incompatible-with-life births? You call for smaller government, yet your legislative actions limit women's reproductive autonomy and expand government oversight and regulation into private family matters

History shows that abortions will continue as they have throughout history. Your Life at Conception Act will put desperate women's lives into the hands of unsafe and unscrupulous practitioners W

more than a woman’s doctor? How do you

men’s health? These are not rhetorical questions The public wants to know why you:

∫ voted against H R 1 the For the People Act of 2021

∫ voted against H.R.5984 the IDEA Full Funding Act ∫

Shortages Act of 2022

∫ voted against H R 5080 the Secure Background Checks Act of 2021

∫ voted against H R 4464 the Fighting

Housing Act

Act

∫ voted against H R 128 the RAISE Act of 2021

∫ voted against H R 131 the Kalief’s Law

∫ voted against H.R.137 the Mental

Prevention Act of 2021

∫ voted against H R 1603 the Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021

Reauthorization Act of 2021

∫ voted against H R 1808 the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022

∫ voted against H R 2377 the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2021

∫

Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act

Fundraiser

Delivering Emergency Assistance Act

∫ voted against H R 5746 the Freedom to Vote: John R Lewis Act ∫

Targeting Resources to Communities in Need Act of 2022

∫ voted against H R 6878 the Pregnant Women in Custody Act

∫

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2022

∫ voted against H

7780 the Mental Health Matters Act

∫ voted against H R 7790 the Infant

Act, 2022

Ensuring a Fair and Accurate Census Act

∫ voted against H R 8404 the Respect for Marriage Act

∫ voted against H.R.8542 the Mental Health Justice Act of 2022

Karyn Edison Fort Myers

From page 1

■ Miceli’s - noon, featuring Remedy, Pipe Dreams, Charlie Pace Band

■ Street Eatz - 1 p m , featuring Matt Lee Crew, Frank Bang

■ Froggys - 12:30 p m , featuring Gary and Kerri, Brother Love, Tommy

Lee Cook, Pedro and Friends

There will also be 50/50 raffles and a silent auction

If you’d like to help, plan or donate, please contact Frock at 239-223-9895

Obituaries