Pine Island Eagle

VOLUME 48, NUMBER 7

Black bear explores Bokeelia resident’s yard

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

Lori Liano of Bokeelia said she didn’t know if bears were even seen on Pine Island until she saw one hanging around her yard

“We were leaving for church Sunday morning and Gianna, our 13 year-old, said a racoon must have knocked down the garbage," Liano said "We looked at the security video to see the raccoon and we saw that it was a bear and he was at the front door and he was at the back door "

Security footage clocked the bear on Liano’s property for at least 10 minutes, she said. She asked some of her neighbors about whether or not they’d ever seen bears and was told to call Florida Fish and Wildlife

Celebrating Pine Islanders: Mel Meo, beloved artist and friend

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

If ever asked the question, did you leave the earth in better shape than you found it? Folks would say Mel Meo could answer with a resounding, yes

Meo was a friend to everyone she knew -- from joining forces with Pine Island fisherfolk to fight the net ban, to teaching those to paint who otherwise never would have picked up a brush It’s no misnomer to say that she adored Pine Island and her love for those who live here was made evident in all that she did, including her artistry, which can be found in each Pine Island community

Nichole Pichon, who is Meo’s younger cousin, described her as someone who always made those around her feel comfortable.

“She just had a way of making everyone feel like they were her best friend like they knew her and she knew them,” Pichon said Meo’s family originally headed to Pine Island from Indiana in the early 1970s, after Meo’s grandparents moved to Sanibel Her father searched nearby and found Pine Island close enough to stay near fam-

See MEL MEO, page 14

video

“I didn’t even think about seeing a bear here, because we never saw one I reached out to FWC and they put me through to a biologist who said he was probably dispersed from his family and probably swam here,” Liano said

While Liano said the last thing she wants is for anyone to hurt an animal, she does want locals to be aware of the bear’s presence She said her husband estimated the bear’s weight at about 200 pounds.

“At the pool this morning I asked, ‘Has anyone seen a bear on Pine Island?’ Everyone said, There’s no such thing as bear on Pine Island,’” Liano said with a laugh

A photo from the security video showing the black bear in Lori Liano’s yard PROVIDED

New dentist joins the staff at Pine Island Riverdale Dental

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

Doctor Emerson J Boogaard, DMD, has been a dentist for five years He said the reason he pursued dentistry to begin with was because his wife needed some moderately extensive dental work done, which exposed him to many practical dental exercises

“At the time I was looking for a new career path and it inspired me to want to do it I went back to school for a couple of years and got the pre-requisites that I needed and got into dental school the first time I tried so it ended up working out,” Boogaard said

He recently joined the staff at Pine Island Riverdale Dental

Boogaard said currently he is able to offer full service, with the exception of implants, and feels he can serve the Pine Island community with whatever is needed

According to Boogaard, the importance of guarding against tooth decay cannot be underestimated

“If we have patients developing a lot of decay in different teeth, there is usually a cause and there’s two different ways to go about it,” Boogaard said

He went on to explain that one way to fight this decay is to make sure you have frequent fluoride exposures such as brushing daily with a fluoride toothpaste, as well as using a mouth rinse with fluoride The main priority, he said, is making sure the PH level of the mouth is high

“You don’t want to go into the acidic range, you want

See NEW DENTIST, page 16

Animal's activities recorded on home security

Mel Meo

Dr. Emerson J. Boogaard

A tower on the island painted by Mel Meo PAULETTE LEBLANC

Judge’s recommended order could lead to removal of Chiquita Lock in Cape Coral

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

After a years-long petition and countless hearings, the Chiquita Lock could possibly be removed

An Administrative Law Judge on Monday issued a Recommended Order that will authorize the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to issue an Environmental Resource Permit to the city of Cape Coral for the removal of the lock

This most recent development follows the conclusion of the Final Administrative Hearing pertaining to a group of local petitioners' challenge surrounding the issuance of the ERP to the city, which concluded on Dec 20, 2023, after a multi-week evidentiary hearing

“After careful consideration of all relevant factors and submissions, the ALJ has now issued the attached Recommended Order in favor of issuing the City’s ERP for the removal of the Chiquita Boat Lock, concluding that the ERP meets the applicable standards set forth under Florida Law and the Florida Administrative Code,” city officials stated in a release “The City acknowledges the favorable determination by the ALJ within the Recommended Order and is presently evaluating critical next steps surrounding this matter. As part of the evaluation process, the City is exploring all potential option(s) for the expeditious removal of the Chiquita Boat Lock ”

The challenge was filed by the Matlacha Civic Association and other parties who oppose the water retention device’s removal The petitioners contend the application “fails to meet any of the standards required under Florida Law ”

Michael Hannon, president of the Matlacha Civic Association and the attorney representing the challenging

“We are confident that either Mr. Hamilton or the Florida District Court of Appeal ultimately will deny the application. That is so because the Recommended Order ignores the obvious: Cape Coral's pollution of the Matlacha Pass and the Caloosahatchee River has increased under Florida's regulatory process “

parties, told The Breeze he hopes the order does not come to fruition and is halted

“The current opinion by the Administrative Law Judge is only a Recommended Order,” Hannon said “The Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, Shawn Hamilton, has the final say for the Department

“We are confident that either Mr. Hamilton or the Florida District Court of Appeal ultimately will deny the application That is so because the Recommended Order ignores the obvious: Cape Coral's pollution of the

increased under Florida's regulatory process.

“The Florida permitting process recently was ruled unconstitutional by a federal court in Washington, D C The Depart-ment's own data confirms its process is broken, and the ALJ apparently believed she lacked the power to face these facts at her level of authority ”

Calusa Waterkeeper Emeritus John Cassani, in testimony at the trial on the removal of the Chiquita Boat Lock, attempted to expose major failings in the FDEP which allow the city of Cape Coral to “continue polluting the waters of Matlacha Pass and the Caloosahatchee River without adverse consequences,” he added

City officials in their release, continued to state, “The Chiquita Boat Lock removal project is of significant importance to the City, and the City remains committed to ensuring that all necessary steps are taken to address any adverse environmental concerns or impacts while also meeting the needs of the community ”

According to public records, the city has paid attorneys handling the Chiquita Lock case $1,038,804 from

Islander Michael Hannon

September 2020 to September 2023. Additional fees in the six-figure amounts will be incurred from experts, and additional attorney costs from October to December

The lock is a barrier across the South Spreader Ordered by the state in 1977 as part of a Clean Water Act enforcement action, it was designed to separate the canal waters of the southern end of the city from natural waterways including the Caloosa-hatchee.

Located approximately 2 75 miles from the Sanibel Causeway Bridge, the lock provided boaters with a way through the barrier and so provided gulf access from Camelot Canal and Southwest Spreader Waterway into the Intracoastal Waterway via the river.

Citing damage and safety issues, the city has kept the lock open since Hurricane Ian

The bid to removal the device, though, dates back years before the Sept 28, 2022, storm

The city lost a previous challenge to its bid to remove the structure in 2019 and then resubmitted its permit request with the addition of a number of mitigation projects

The city’s proposed program put together by Brown and Caldwell includes two stormwater improvement projects; environmental monitoring for small tooth sawfish; enhancement to mangrove, upland, and subtidal habitats along the waterway, and removal of the Chiquita Boat Lock and the associated northern upland pad from the terminus of the waterway The city states these actions “will result in environmental improvements and increase the sustainability of the Waterway system and the adjacent natural areas ”

Little Pine Island Bridge reconstruction begins

The Florida Department of Transportation, District One, is reminding the public of the upcoming reconstruction of the Little Pine Island Bridge in Matlacha The bridge was scheduled to be reduced to one lane during the nighttime/overnight hours as of Monday, June 17, as a part of the Phase I construction plan

Phase I construction activities are targeted to last eight months

Drivers are asked to please note the work schedule is subject to change due to weather or unforeseen circumstances, and to please be patient and plan for additional travel time as it may be slower than usual in the area.

As part of its weekly updates on the ongoing repairs of the roadway through Matlacha, FDOT also reminds island residents and visitors that:

n Motorists can expect occasional lane closures on the

causeway for delivery/removal of materials, transfer of equipment as crews perform work on the south side

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

n Pedestrians and bicyclists are not permitted within the construction zone

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

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

For the most current project details, including construction schedule and phasing, visit the SWFL Roads p

ject/451937-2 or call the project hotline at 239-8006391

Community Cooperative's Mobile Food Pantry has several more stops to make before the end of June, including one on Pine Island

The remaining stops include:

Friday, June 21

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

Tuesday, June 25

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

Wednesday, June 26

n North Fort Myers High School, 5000 Orange Grove Blvd , North Fort Myers, 10-11:30 a m

Thursday, June 27

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

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

For additional information, visit https://communitycooperative com/ or call 239-332-7687

OPINIONS

Phone: (239) 283-2022

Publisher Raymond M Eckenrode reckenrode@breezenewspapers com

Executive Editor

Valarie Harring

vharring@breezenewspapers com

Editor Paulette LeBlanc

pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

Advertising Director Laurie Ragle

lragle@ breezenewspapers com

Advertising Sales

Charlene Russ cruss@breezenewspapers com

Design & Layout

Chris Strine cstrine@breezenewspapers com

Obituaries Debbie Carletti obits@breezenewspapers com

Web Poll

What do you think of the

n

n

Share your opinion at pineisland-eagle com

Some words to live by

New residents and even us old-timers love Florida weather

Unfortunately, Mother Nature does not always love us back

As welcome as the start of rainy season always is, it can give a glimpse of the dark side of living in the Sunshine State, especially for those who think they can “drive in anything ”

Here in Southwest Florida, the elevation is both low and flat and the drainage, well, let’s just say that relying mostly on swales and retentions ponds to drain and retain the natural “sheet flow” that comes from heavy regional rains and hurricanes is not the most efficient of systems

Does it work?

Yes it does. Does it work quickly enough to prevent short-term street flooding, standing water in front of your house along the roadway and unexpected puddles of surprising proportion here and there?

Beacon Thrift Store team thanks Winn-Dixie, Loughren

To the editor:

The Beacon of Hope Thrift Store would like to take the time to thank Winn- Dixie and Store Manager Dan Loughren, for providing shopping carts for our thrift store and customers to use while shopping at the Beacon of Hope Attic Winn-Dixie had received new shopping carts and in return, Dan donated some of the gently used carts to the thrift store

Winn-Dixie also donates bakery items to the Beacon of Hope and to many of the island organizations to distribute to the community as well.

We are so grateful, and very much appreciate the kindness of Winn-Dixie and Dan and all that they do for this wonderful Island

Kathy Davis Beacon Attic Manager

What does clean water mean?

To the editor:

I was recently at an event collecting petition signatures to get the Right To Clean Water Amendment on the 2026 Florida bal-

Eagle Editorial

It does not At least not always

This is why inches of hard rain over a short duration can cause dangerous driving conditions and threaten low-lying areas resulting in the occasional state of emergency such as the one declared for South Florida last week by Gov Ron DeSantis

The governor cited something that can happen throughout the rainy months h e a

flooding serious enough to impact “the operational capability of critical infrastructure, including major interstates, state and county roadways, airports, schools, and other critical infrastructure ”

Southwest Florida’s easily inundated road-

Department recently listed some rainy season driving tips on its Facebook page

Letters to the Editor

lot The questions and feedback were varied and interesting For me, the citizens’ eagerness to sign the petition was both encouraging and reflective of how the average voter feels about our state government’s handling of the environment

Some were worried about access to drinking water, others were concerned about harmful algae blooms The fishermen were, of course, worried about the death of untold numbers of fish due to red tide or dying algae killing fish by using up all the oxygen in the water Some of those that outright refused to sign the petition were worried about government retribution!! Others just didn’t want to get involved

One demographic stood out with almost unanimous support of the Right to Clean Water petition It was generally registered voters over the age of 50! These citizens have lived long enough to remember when the water was clean almost everywhere they went in Southwest Florida They were nostalgic about huge grass flats in the Caloosahatchee River, dolphins, tarpon and manatees were regular visitors to the canals The beaches were always a safe and a wonderful place to visit on a hot summer day

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

If you can’t wait out the rain and give the streets some time to drain as they will do, here’s a few:

n Turn your lights (but not your hazard lights) on

n Take it slow

n Avoid sharp turns and hard breaking

n Stay focused

n Do not use cruise control, which can cause hydroplaning

Let us add a perennial:

n Do not drive through standing water It can be deeper than you think Words to live by Literally Take care.

Be aware

And drive safe if drive you must do when Mother Nature pours it on

We can turn back the clock! I believe we ALL have the right to clean and healthy water Please go to FloridaRighttoClean Water org Download, print and mail your signed petition We need almost a million signatures!

Dan Carney Cape Coral

In

the rest of the world

To the editor:

birthright

The idea that foreigners coming into the United States are guaranteed the right to have birthright citizenship granted to their children born here is an old fashioned idea The rest of the world has either restrictive birthright or completely refuses to recognize birthright citizenship in their country

One might ask why is this a problem? The answer is it leads to dual citizenship which is conferred to their newborn children This is not a natural extension of any nation’s goals We should not have folks with dual interests within the U.S. using their birthright in the U S to have the ability to push their parents' homeland interests and values on us We should be a melting pot That can be achieved through restrictive birthright An example would be when a person born here to foreign parents matures, they would then be able to choose to become a U S citizen

The simplest solution would be for the parents to become citizens of the U S and give up their homeland citizenship and then have children

We should not have two classes of citizenship in the U S One for those born here by U S parents and another birthright class that enjoys the benefits of the U S citizenship and dual citizenship with another country

In Lee County, no bad deed goes unpunished

Like many, I rarely considered the role the Lee County Clerk of Courts plays in our community Typically, thoughts of community enrichment bring to mind the selfless acts of volunteers, the life-saving duties of first responders, or the educational contributions of teachers The Clerk of Courts, known primarily for administrative tasks such as processing fees and r e c o r d i n g d o c u m

a n t from these more direct forms of community engagement That is, until I sat down with the Clerk’s Chief Administrative Officer, John Bodner, who was happy to answer my question, “How does the Clerk help enrich the lives of people who call Lee County home?”

Here’s what I learned The Clerk of Courts is instrumental in ensuring judicial transparency by accurately maintaining and providing public access to court records, essential for justice and fairness As the County Recorder, it also safeguards records such as mortgages and marriage licenses, protecting the area's legal history and the property rights of its residents dating back to 1887

The Clerk of Courts also oversees the county's finances, acting as the Chief Financial Officer to audit, invest, and

There was a small group of three players for mahjongg on this soggy wet Thursday, June 13

T

s Stephanie LaHines with 195 points

wisely manage substantial tax dollars, ensuring fiscal health and responsible use of taxpayer funds In addition to financial manage-

serving as the Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners, where it maintains important records and min-

parency and accountability in government operations

However, a deeper look into the Clerk of Courts operations and initiatives

impact on our community

Michael R. Davis Guest Commentary

much more than administrative work; it plays a crucial role in safeguarding our community

Real estate fraud has been a significant problem throughout Florida’s history

Criminals have been known to forge deed signatures or create fake deeds to unlawfully gain control of properties This type of fraud has caused substantial financial damage, victimizing property owners and disrupting the real estate market

Mahjongg Scores

All Florida counties now provide free Property Alert notification systems, which alert property owners to changes in their property records, but it does not prevent fraudulent deeds from b

beneficial for early detection, they operate after the fact

Lee County has put in place proactive measures that set a new standard for combating real estate fraud, prioritizing prevention over mere detection

After months of working with legislators and advoc a t i n g f o r c h a n g e s i n

Florida law, the Clerk of Courts launched a new pilot program in the summer of 2023 The Property Fraud Prevention Pilot Program was introduced to specifically address and mitigate property fraud, a prevalent issue in areas with many vacant lots This program requires that any person listed on a property deed must present valid government-issued photo

Terry Wilbur was in second place with 100 points We play mahjongg every Thursday from 1-4 p m at the St James City Civic Center, located at the corner of Lemon Street and Fourth Avenue in St James City For more information about the weekly mahjongg games, please call Carolyn at 239-233-7682

recording, aiming to clamp down on

security of property transactions

Due to this advocacy for property owners, additional safeguards for property d

statewide in 2024 The new rules require that each deed submitted for recording must not only have the signatures of two witnesses but must also include these witn

requirement is set to improve the traceability of individuals involved in property transactions and add an extra layer of verification, thereby strengthening the legal framework against potential fraud

As these programs evolve, their positive impacts on enhancing property transaction security and building community trust continue to grow, affirming the important work of the Clerk of Courts' office

The Property Fraud Prevention Pilot Program and the subsequent regulations introduced by the Clerk of Courts reflect a commitment to ensuring that our residents’ property rights and taxpayer dollars are safeguarded These initiatives contribute significantly to a safer, more transparent real estate environment for all Lee County residents and are to be both applauded and supported

Michael R. Davis is one of the owners of Worthington Realty, Inc He has called Fort Myers home since 2003

Hurricane season is here. Are you prepared?

(

Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District Community Emergency Response Team will be providing a series on disaster preparedness for islanders )

By NARCISSUS E MAGTURO and KAREN TITOLO, CERT team members

Welcome to your CERT team’s series of Disaster Preparedness articles

What you can do now! Part II

1 Collect and Assemble a Disaster Supply Kit This is useful whether you shelter-in-place or need to evacuate Prepare supplies for home, work, pets and vehicles

n P

Hurricane Ian, many Pine Island residents were cut off from assistance for several days to a few weeks due to the bridges being out, trees, telephone poles and power lines blocking roads

n One gallon of water per day per person and pets, if you are planning to shelter in place or evacuate to another location that is not a county shelter

n Non-perishable foods Don’t forget a can opener

n Personal items, clothing, pillows, blankets, toiletries, important papers, cash and credit cards

n Medical supplies, including medications and medical equipment

n Safety equipment - battery-operated radio, flashlight, extra batteries, rechargeable battery packs or “power bricks,” charging cords for cell phones

n F

Hurricanes like Irma and Ian, there was a shortage of available fuel locally Fill up before forecasted storms arrive Operate generators outside the Home

n A comprehensive list, in both English and Spanish, can be found in the Lee County All Hazards Guide available at www leegov com/publicsafety/emergencyman-

agement/plan/ahg

CERT Update

2 Learn where to seek shelter from all types of hazards

n All county emergency shelters are off-island

3. Identify the community warning systems and evacuation routes

n Know your evacuation zone Matlacha and Pine Island are Zone A

n Should evacuations be raised, they include which zones are under evacuation. News and Emergency media outlets will continually update the zones under evacuation

n The free Lee County “LeePrepares” app, available through both the Apple and Android stores, provides information on preparing for and recovering from all types of disasters; features include information on active evacuations and EOC activation level, shelter information, ability to sign-up for the AlertLee notification system for telephone, text and/or email alerts, links to Special Needs registration, a full Family Disaster Plan

a

Preparedness videos

4. WGCU-90.1 FM is the Southwest Florida affiliate of the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network It will stay on the air during power outages and continue broadcasting information you need to stay safe

5 NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information and associated alerts directly from the nearest National Weather Service office Fort Myers information can be found on Channel 4 (162 475 MHz) Ham Radio Emergency Frequency 121 5 MHz

6 Emergency Alert System & Wireless Emergency

Alerts - This Federal emergency alert system may be used by State and Local authorities for emergencies; the emergency alert system sends messages on radio and TV; the wireless emergency alerts are sent via phones Next time, we will cover information for evacuating from the islands

Did you prepare your Family Emergency Plan? If you did, Practice and Maintain it Even Talking Through Your Plan at the beginning of hurricane season is helpful.

Below is the summary list of actions you can take now, ahead of a storm, to be prepared Use this list as a reminder each week of actions you can take now to be better prepared

Prepare Now actions:

1 Make an Emergency Plan (article #1)

2. Know your warnings and alerts (this article)

3 Register now with Lee County if you have Special Needs - online at www leeEOC com or by calling Lee County Emergency Management at 239-533-0622; Pre-registration is required!

4. Review important documents

5 Strengthen your home

6 Get tech ready

7 Help your neighborhood

8 Gather supplies

Have Questions about this article? Interested in volunteering with our CERT team? You can contact the M/PIFCD, Station #1, at 5700 Pine Island Road, Bokeelia, at 239-283-0030, Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p m

Museum of the Island Membership Drive continues

June is Museum of the Island 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

Summer hours are Tuesday, 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

Week was a washout for fishing

We need rain and boy did we get it The week was a wash for fishing right up until Sunday (Father’s Day) when good weather returned

On the Water

With the foul weather there is not much fishing to report as most anglers stayed ashore

A couple fishermen working south Matlacha Pass later in t h e w

report hooking into a half dozen redfish, a few snook

a n d j

casting along shorelines and creek mouths

F i s h

Drawbridge where you could seek shelter in your vehicle

d u r i n g

s

, anglers hooked into a variety of fish including mangrove

y

, snook and, of course, catfish

C a t c h

common to our South, but something you don’t see in our waters So, it was quite a surprise when Dan Baggett, fishing with Jerry Ferrell, hooked and landed a 12-inch bonefish He was fishing bar edges off the beach of Sanibel. If there was one bonefish in our waters one would think there may be a few more

Hope better fishing conditions prevail this week and the rain run-off doesn’t have a negative effect on our water quality

Stay up to date with stte fishing regulations by visiti n g w w w m y f w c c o m A l s o , upload the Fish Rules app on your phone It has current regulations and seasons with pictures to help identify fish If you have a fishing report or for charter information, please contact us at Gulf Coast

G u i d e S e r v i c e a t ( 2 3 9 ) 4 1 08576, on the web at www fish-

Catch-and-release snook are a favorite target through the summer months This one was hooked on a sunny morning in north Pine Island Sound fishing with Capt. Bill Russell, just before the rainy week set in

pineisland com or email: 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

ARRL Field Day comes to Southwest Florida June 22-23

Field Day is ham radio's open house Every June, more than 40,000 hams throughout North America set up temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate ham radio's science, skill and service to our communities and our nation It combines public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach, and technical

skills all in a single event Field Day has been an annual event since 1933 and remains the most popular event in ham radio

The Fort Myers Amateur Radio Club will be operating during this special event from Saturday, June 22, at 10 a m , until Sunday, June 23, at 2 p m , at two locations

The first at the North Fort Myers Community Park, 2000 Recreation Park Way in North Fort Myers, and the second at the Tice Firehouse Station #201, 9351 Workmen Way, Fort Myers The public is invited to attend and see the action firsthand at either location

Capt Bill Russell

PHOTO PROVIDED

Lee Health Bloodmobile collecting donations at Moose Lodge Saturday

The Lee Health Bloodmobile will be visiting The Pine Island Moose Lodge at 8903 Stringfellow Road in St James City, this Saturday, June 22, from 8 a m to noon

All of the blood collected remains in Lee Health, which includes the Golisano Children's Hospital of SW Florida, the Regional Cancer Center and the only Trauma Center (which is located in the Lee Memorial Hospital) within a 5-county radius The blood also supports Cape Coral Hospital and Gulf Coast Medical Center

One in three people will need blood in their lifetime You never know when you or someone you know or love will need blood So come out and “Give the Gift of Life!”

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

New studies show that donating blood improves a person's overall cardiovascular health Regularly donating blood helps

men in particular to reduce the amount of iron in the blood This can reduce the c

8 8 % Additionally, regular blood donation can lower the risk of severe cardiovascular events such as stroke by 33% You also burn 650 calories! It's a win-win!

Please help the Moose Lodge and Lee Health make their goal of 20 units of blood R

include:

n Weigh at least 115 pounds

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

n Be relatively healthy

n Provide photo ID

n Have 56 days between donations

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

Questions about donating? Please call 343-2333

Cat of the Week

Pickles

Poor Pickles was returned to us when his owner left him behind i n h e r d o r m r o

m , a n d h e r roommates were unable to keep him He's only a year old and desperately looking for someone to love him Like any young cat, Pickles loves to play He also likes to help with the dishes - anything involving the sink intrigues him Please give him

Animal Sanctuary at 239-2839100 for more information. If you’d rather just donate, our

always our website www helpingpawsanimalsanctuary com PHOTO PROVIDED

Rovaldi recognized by Elks National Foundation

The BPOE Elks National Foundation’s mission is to help Elks build stronger communities They fulfill this pledge by investing in communities where Elks live and work They help youth develop lifelong skills, send students to college, meet the needs of today's veterans, support the charitable work of the state Elks associations and fund projects that improve the quality of life in local Elks communities

Since its inception, ENF has contributed more than $500 million toward Elks charitable projects nationwide Their programs continue to grow each year, allowing local Elks to do even more to build stronger communities

This year, the ENF allocated more than $16 3 million to fund the Community Investments Program, investing in Elks communities across the nation through grants for local Elks Lodges Community Investments Program grants offer local lodges an opportunity to serve their community in ways that will raise the lodge’s profile, energize the membership, encourage former members to return to the fold and gain the notice of people who want to be part of an organization that’s doing great things

Jack Rovaldi, PER of the Greater Pine Island Elks Lodge #2781, has reached the Elks National

Foundation’s Silver cumulative giving level This is a tremendous milestone to reach, and the lodge recognized him for his generosity at the lodge meeting held June 11 District Elks National Foundation Chairperson Judy Hopkins, PER, presented him with a plaque and noted that he has earned this recognition and appreciation for his continued support

The Elks National Foundation's cumulative individual recognition program shows their gratitude and their commitment to honor the Elks' long-standing philanthropic tradition

Hopkins stated, “Each donor, each gift, helps instill integrity in our youth, inspire the pursuit of knowledge, and makes the community as a whole a healthier, safer, and better place to live Donors do make the difference ”

Thanks to Jack, the Elks National Foundation can continue to serve those in need, today, tomorrow and for years to come.

PER Jack Rovaldi and PER Judy Hopkins, District Elks National foundation chairperson

VA to hold exclusive events for women veterans in Bay Pines, Cape Coral

The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System will hold exclusive outreach events for women veterans on Saturday, June 29, from 10 a m to 2 p m The events will take place at the C W Bill Young VA Medical Center located at 10000 Bay Pines, Blvd , Bay Pines, Fla , and at the Lee County Healthcare Center located at 2489 Diplomat Parkway, East, in Cape Coral

The events are being held to inform and educate women veterans about gender-specific medical and mental health services available to them through VA, enroll them for VA’s medical benefits package, assist with disability claims, and more All women veterans and their loved ones are encouraged to attend at no cost

“The bottom line is this we are not your grandfa-

ther’s VA,” said Kris Brown, interim executive director, Bay Pines VAHCS “We have made significant strides in tailoring programs and services to women veterans, and we are extremely proud of these advancements I encourage Central, Southwest Florida women veterans to come out, learn more and enroll in VA care – we offer the best, most comprehensive care for veterans bar none ” Women veterans represent the fastest growing population of VA users in the nation The Bay Pines VAHCS currently serves about 11,000 women patients. Nationally, nearly 1 million women trust VA for their medical and mental health care, or 11 percent of all VA users

To learn more about women veterans health services and how to apply for care, please visit: www va gov/

About the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System

The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System provides level 1a, tertiary care and is headquartered in Bay Pines, Fla Opened in 1933, the C W Bill Young VA Medical Center is northwest of downtown St Petersburg In addition to the main hospital, the healthcare system operates outpatient clinics in the cities of Bradenton, Cape Coral, Clearwater, Naples, Port Charlotte, Sarasota, St Petersburg, and Sebring The healthcare system provides a full range of medical, surgical, psychiatric, and extended-care services

PHOTO PROVIDED

School Board of Lee County seeking members for several advisory committees

The Lee County School Board is actively searching for members to join its Citizens Advisory Committees These committees meet on a regular basis to provide input, support and advice to the Board

There are five committees on which members of the public may serve:

n Construction Advisory Committee

n Curriculum Advisory Committee

SJCCA Schedule

announced the schedule for its upcoming activities:

Thursday, June 20

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

n Mahjongg, 1-4 p m This is a great place to learn to play mahjongg!

Tuesday, June 25

n Ping Pong, 9-11 a m

More details, contacts and ticket sales are available on the SJCCA website at sjccapi org

All activities are held at St James City Civic Association, at 3300 Fourth Ave , in St James City

Registration underway for VPK

Registration is open for the 2024-2025 Voluntary Prekindergarten school year in Lee, Collier, Hendry and Glades counties The free educational program is available to 4-year-olds who reside in Florida, regardless of family income

VPK gives children a strong start by preparing them for school and enhancing their pre-reading, pre-math, language and social skills. Classrooms are taught by highly qualified teachers with a focus on school readiness and social and emotional well-being As children develop the early skills needed to become strong students, they are more likely to be successful in school and life

To be eligible, children must live in Florida and be 4 years old on or before Sept 1 of the current school year Through the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Flori-da, parents can register their qualifying child to attend 540 hours of preschool during the regular school year, or 300 hours of summertime preschool In 20212022, Early Learning Coalition reported 7,464 children attended 260 different VPK programs in Lee, Collier, Hendry and Glades counties

To register, families must first apply for a VPK voucher online at VPKSWFL org Individuals can also visit the Early Learning Coalition offices for assistance, located in Fort Myers at 2675 Winkler Ave , Suite 300, from 8 a m to 5 p m , Monday through Thursday, and 8 a m to 11:30 a m on Friday Offices provide free kiosks, and no appointments are needed

To learn more about the 2024-2025 VPK program, visit VPKSWFL org or call 239-935-6100

Recreational harvest of Gulf red grouper closes July 1

T h e F l o r i d a F i s h a n

n Commission issued an executive order last month to close recreational harvest of red grouper in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico, excluding state waters off Monroe County The 2024 recreational season will be closed from July 1 through Dec 31, consistent with the closure in Gulf federal waters

Consistent state and federal recreational seasons for red grouper will help prevent quota overages and future harvest opportunities

For current recreational red grouper regulations, visit M y F W C c o m / M a r i n e a n d c l i c k o n “ R e c

Regulations” and “Grouper.” This page will be updated with the new season dates

n Equity and Diversity Advisory Committee

n Finance Advisory Committee

n Strategic Planning and Accountability Advisory Committee

Information about each committee is available on the School District’s website at https:// www leeschools net/ school board/advisory committee information Anyone interested in serving on one of these committees should fill out an online application. School Board members will

Members serve for two years and may be appointed to serve additional terms on the same committee

In appointing members to the Advisory Committees,

the School Board shall make every effort to reflect the diversity of the community population whenever possible In addition, Board Members will seek to appoint citizens with knowledge and skills that are beneficial to specific committees

All advisory committee meetings are open to the public and audio recordings are uploaded to the School District’s website Each committee shall be subject to the Sunshine Law.

Online applications will be taken continually to be considered for appointments made when vacancies occur throughout the appointment year(s) on each of the committees

ily and affordable enough to set down roots

According to Pichon, since Meo was a teenager, her love for the island began and ended with its community Stories she regaled about her days spent working for her father in his Sea Breeze Restaurant were always about the islanders and told with love, Pichon recalls

“Everything was for and about the island She always had stories about the people,” Pichon said laughing

In providing a home for Meo, Pichon said Pine Island gained not only an artist, but an icon, as her "Eat More Mullet" artwork will attest

“People are going to know her for years to come,” Pichon said

Meo’s close friend Elsie Stearns said she feels blessed to be surrounded by Meo’s artwork, beginning in 1978 when Meo painted Stearns and her husband Scott a picture of the pro shop on Useppa, where they used to live and gave it to them as a wedding gift

“My home is filled with a lot of her early artwork Even our company logo (Stearns Custom Builders) is Mel Meo artwork,” Stearns said

If Meo was still living today, Stearns said, without a doubt, she would want everyone to eat more mullet, and Stearns agrees with Pichon that she would want healing and peace, as Meo seemed to somehow consistently exude calm and harmony.

“She would want peace Mel was kind, loving and generous and I think she would really want peace,” Stearns said

Dooley, said Meo, like many islanders, was always looking out for others Dooley said she and Meo first got friendly in the stands at Little League games, which led to them taking a cruise together and then a shared small group, which offered years of memories and even vacations

“We would get together and tell stories and jokes and laugh at each other and life It was such a therapeutic group,” Dooley said.

Dooley explained how she and Meo fought side by side as advocates for fishermen when the net ban was affecting the fishing families of Pine Island Meo started an awareness group that brought the fisherman’s wives together and the two got closer as time went on

It was on one of the cruises they shared that Meo displayed her natural tendency to encourage others to express themselves as she inspired her dear friend to reach inside herself and find the artist Dooley never knew existed

“She took her little art bag and we went to a beach where there was a lighthouse across the bay. She took out her paintbrush and started painting People came by and asked what she was doing and she started painting folks pictures on little cards for $20 a piece as a handmade souvenir of their trip,” Dooley said

Dooley was impressed by Meo’s talent and ambition that day until she insisted Dooley paint one of the cards herself. It was on this trip that Dooley learned, after some persuading, she could, in fact, do just as Meo said, and paint the same things Meo had painted The only differ-

ence, Meo assured her, would be the outcome, as everyone has their own flow, making sure things look unique

To this day, Dooley said, she instructs kindergarteners at Pine Island Elementary in that same spirit Meo used with her, to teach them to uncover the artist they may be hiding within

“To this day, I’ll never forget my first art lesson with her I framed it and put it on the wall Lighthouse Beach in Nassau. She gave art lessons to a lot of people. She loved every minute of it People would walk out with little paintings of turtles and hibiscus and they were amazed at what they could do Oh my gosh, you just bring the artist out of everybody that was her love besides her family, of course,” Dooley said

FILE PHOTO

Local artists painted this tribute wall to Mel Meo.

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Two original paintings by beloved island artist Mel Meo.

LCEC is ready for storm season

Special to THE EAGLE news@breezenewspapers.com

Long before storm season, utilities develop response plans and options to m i t i g a t e d a m a

Experience from past storms helps LCEC in the planning process Incorporating lessons learned ensures rapid recovery after future storms Southwest Florida has had their fair share of storms and LCEC restoration plans have been refined over the years

∫ How does LCEC prepare for storm season?

Investment in systems and programs yearlong is aimed at reducing vulnerabilities and building a resilient electric system LCEC continually hardens the electric system by proactively inspecting, identifying potential problem areas and aging infrastructure, and repairing or replacing before the storm rolls in. Routine vegetation management helps to keep lines clear of trees and brush that could cause power outages

No crisis can be managed without skill, knowledge, resources and patience Every employee, LCEC vendor and supplier are on deck when the threat of a storm rears

its ugly head The restoration plan is practiced long before the first tracking model is published and many potential scenarios are considered No storm is the same and there is no way to know what each situation will bring However, a plan for additional resources, extra fuel, inventory and equipment, communications, fleet maintenance, and many other details are all proactively considered so that boots can be on the ground as quick as possible to restore critical infrastructure and help the community get back to normal

∫ How can residents and business owners help in the restoration process?

Developing a family or business plan is critical Remaining safe and comfortable without power is not a thrill but it is possible Practice the plan and implement it when needed Be patient and trust that utilities and their people are working as hard as possible to restore service quickly

Use the information in the LCEC Hurricane Guide at https://www lcec net/ reliability/storm-center/hurricane-guide to make life easier while the restoration team works.

Immediately after a major storm, there is no need to report an outage LCEC will

assess the damage and know

After a few days, if you are the only one in your location without service, that is the time to contact your provider

Work together as a community while LCEC focuses on restoration If you have power, offer assistance to others without Offer encouragement and s u p p o r t

g e n c y responders As frustrated as those without power may be, remember they are away from

under challenging conditions to help everyone get on with their lives

Electric crews stand ready to head onto Sanibel Island to hep restore power following Hurricane Ian

New dentist From page 1

to keep the basic range,” Boogaard said Additionally, it is possible to purchase bottled water, he said, with intentionally higher PH levels

To future patients, he said he’d like to serve them to the best of his ability

“Give me a chance to show that I’m an ethical dentist, concerned with overall health and well-being who will always

treat patients with dignity and respect and never as simply a source of revenue I don’t like to be treated that way and I will not treat my patients that way,” Boogaard said

10484 Stringfellow Road, #3, St James City, FL 33956

REDBARN

HugeEstate& DemolitionSale

Sat,June22nd-Sun,June23rd 8amto3pm 5352BaysideCt (YachtClubareaoff ElDorado)

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