Celebrating Pine Islanders: John Cammick
By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com
Pine Islander and veteran John Cammick is a man who believes in lending his support to all things fundamental and necessary, which is why he has been looking out for both the fire and water departments here on the island for so many years
Cammick currently serves as a fire commissioner and also as board president of the Greater Pine Island Water Association He said he would describe himself as a friendly islander surrounded by people he genuinely admires
His life in Southwest Florida began early in his childhood, which had a hand at shaping the rest of his life
“I arrived on Fort Myers Beach when I was 10, but the first time I was affiliated with Pine Island was when I was a Boy Scout We would go camping out on Cayo Costa
MangoMania called a giant success
By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com
Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce board member Cynthia Welch said she and the rest of the board are very thankful for another successful MangoMania, adding that the attendance numbers were about the same as last year
“Thank you to everyone who came out. The Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce is grateful to all for supporting our island businesses and the festival,” Welch said
The annual festival was held Saturday, July 13, at Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Church
According to Welch, 78 island businesses acted as sponsors and vendors, showcasing what Pine Island has to offer, along with 50 volunteers who made the day possible, and the Matlacha Hookers, who Welch said braved the heat in the parking lot
“A special thank you also to the Pine Island Kiwanis for Mr MangoHead fun and Chef Craig of Tarpon Lodge and Chef Reid of Street Eatz & Ale for judging the food contests,” Welch said
She also reported that the generous donations at the entrance make a donation to Samaritan Health at the Beacon of Hope possible, so they can continue their service to Pine Islanders
Welch said the weather cooperated, the mangoes ripened, the music played and a fun time was had by all She said the board would like everyone
t o m a k e p l a n s t o a t t e n d S t o n e C r a b F e s t i n November, IslandFest with Mullet Toss in March and MangoMania next July
“Alone, each of our businesses are great, but
See MANGOMANIA, page 14
John Cammick
Island That was back in 1963 or 1964,” Cammick said.
Knowing Pine Island was his home came years later after he was back from the military and started his first palm tree
1993 He said this was when he really began to embrace
believes palms are probably the most basic thing about the island
“That was when I really started getting involved with things, like I was in the Kiwanis and the Chamber and the Bokeelia Civic Association I have a lot of friends and I
Pine Island Cubs Scouts, above, with their Mr. MangoHead creations. At left, Kristin Gustin, who won first place for her mango bread, with her dad, Robert Ahigrim
PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY CYNTHIA WELCH
love them all Islanders are great people,” Cammick said Although, he said, he’s slowing down a bit these days, Cammick said he can hardly leave the house without running into people he knows, and that the feeling he’s surrounded by so many others of like mind has made it easy to volunteer through the years at island events like MangoMania, Holiday House or the Mullet Toss Age has nothing to do with being a Pine Islander, he said, explaining that he still has everything he’s always had
“Actually, it just keeps getting better because the older I get, the more people I know and get to meet there are more things to get involved in and more to know about the island,” Cammick said
Cammick describes Pine Island as a down-to-earth island, that is an easy place for people to come, without
Frank’s Bobcat Services tops record with PIE fundraiser
By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com
This past Fourth of July marks the third year Frank’s Bobcat Service held its fundraiser for Pine Island E l e m e n
a r y a t t h e P i n e I s l a n d M o o s e L o d g e Immediately following the Independence Day parade, folks were invited to gather at the Moose Lodge for a celebratory fundraiser for this year’s school supplies for both teachers and students
Fundraiser executive administrator Ila Valcarcel said
PIE FUNDRAISER, page 14
PHOTO PROVIDED BY ILA VALCARCEL
top, on the Frank’s Bobcat Services float during the Fourth of July parade.
August programs set at Pine Island Public Library
Next month’s roster of activities at the Pine Island Public Library offers topics for children and teens The following programs are free to the public
Children’s Programs
I Scream for Ice Cream
End of Summer Reading Bash
1–3 p m , Saturday, Aug 3
You scream, we scream, we all scream for ice cream The Lee County Sheriff's Office will be at the library with its ice cream truck serving up delicious ice cream After you are served your sweet treat, join us in the meeting room for end
of summer crafts and games
Storytime with the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum
10:30 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 8
Join us for a special storytime presented by the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum This program will include a special story, craft and hands on learning activities
Little Musicians: Music and Movement
10:30 a m , Thursday, Aug 29
Your preschoolers will explore music through songs, movement, instrument
playing and creating their own instrument to take home
Teen Programs I Scream for Ice Cream End of Summer Reading Bash 1-3 p m , Saturday, Aug 3
You scream, we scream, we all scream for ice cream The Lee County Sheriff's Office will be at the library with its ice cream truck serving up delicious ice cream After you are served your sweet treat, join us in the meeting room for end of summer crafts and games
To receive updates from Lee County
Government, sign up for the newsletter at www leegov com/resources/newsletters
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Lee County will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in its services, programs or activities To request an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or a reasonable modification to participate, contact Raphaela Morais-Peroba, 239533-8782, Florida Relay Service 711, or
requester Requests should be made at least five business days in advance
Lee County celebrating National Park and Recreation
Month with free pool admission and parking July 27-28
Boat ramps in Matlacha and on Pine island, and island pool included
Lee County Parks & Recreation will offer free pool admission and free parking on Saturday, July 27, and Sunday, July 28, in recognition of National Park and Recreation Month
Lee County Parks & Recreation sites offering free swimming or free parking include:
n Parks: Lakes Park, Manatee Park, Hickey Creek Mitigation Park, Caloosahatchee Regional Park, Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
n Beach sites: Bonita Beach Accesses No. 1 and No. 10, Bonita Beach Park, B o w d i t c h P o i n t P a r k a n d L y n n H a l l Memorial Park, San Carlos Bay-Bunche
Beach Preserve, Bowman’s Beach and Turner Beach (north side only of Blind Pass)
n Boat ramps: Alva, Davis, Imperial River, Lavender’s Landing, Matlacha, and Pine Island Commercial Marina
n Pools: Lehigh Community Pool, North Fort Myers Community Pool, Pine Island Community Pool and San Carlos Community Pool
n Other recreational sites within Lee County that are owned or maintained by other government entities are not included in the free swim/free parking weekend. These include: Barefoot Beach, beach access points managed by the Town of
Fort Myers Beach, and City of Sanibel sites, including the south side of Blind Pass
The free pool/free parking weekend happens annually Lee County Commissioners on June 18 voted to approve a resolution designating July as National Park and Recreation Month in Lee County In the resolution, commissioners recognized that Lee County Parks & Recreation touches the lives of individuals, families, groups and the entire community and pos-
itively impacts the social, economic and environment quality of the county
For more about Lee County Parks and Recreation locations, amenities and special events, visit www leeparks org, call 2 3 9 - 5 3
@
gov com or visit leeparksandrecreation on Facebook and Instagram.
To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter at
Facebook, www.facebook.com/leecountyflbocc
County temporarily adjusts solid waste hauler collection time to assist with excessive afternoon heat
County in Pine Island, Matlacha, North Fort Myers, Fort Myers Shores, Alva, Lehigh Acres, south Fort Myers and the Village of Estero are being asked to set their trash, recycling and yard waste to the curb by 5 a m
This is one hour earlier than the typical set-out time of 6 a m The temporary change is to help Waste Pro drivers avoid excessive heat during summertime’s late afternoons This does not impact the day of the week residents have their materials collected; that remains the same.
To learn more about what to set out at the curb and proper disposal methods, v
Waste at www leegov com/ solidwaste To recall what your collection day is, visit www leegov com and input
OPINIONS
10700 Stringfellow Road, Ste 60 Bokeelia, FL 33922
Phone: (239) 283-2022
Fax: (239) 283-0232
Web: pineisland-eagle com
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Executive Editor
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n Early at the polling places
If Americans are not grieving this week, we should be
Solutions overdue Eagle Editorial
An assassination attempt that failed by a fraction of an inch A mass shooting in the making that does not meet the FBI definition only because three of the four victims survived and a Secret Service sniper took the shooter out in seconds
Yes we are angry angry at a system fail that let an armed gunman breach security at a rally for not only a presidential candidate but a former president: Multiple shots were fired, one grazing the ear of now GOP nominee Donald Trump as he spoke to a crowd of supporters Shots killed a rally attendee who dove atop family members to save their lives and critically injured two others
Why should we grieve?
Are we not grateful to providence that former president Trump’s injury was minor?
We and we as a country are
Are we not grateful as it “could have been worse?”
We are
But today we join the families of the victims:
Proxy president
To the editor:
Now we all know what the Democrat establishment has been hiding since Joe Biden was sworn in The “debate” we witnessed showed that “elderly man with a poor memory” in all his splendor, and that was the very best they could produce with a full week of preparation for the event It should be painfully clear to all those witnessing Biden’s behavior that he is making none of the decisions coming out of the “White House” but those are being made by a cadre of “others” and they are running our country in the absence of the leader that was elected to do that job
Everyone viewing Biden with their own eyes had doubts about his “cognitive ability,” but even after the Hur report, those around Biden refused to admit the truth about his disastrous mental decline and they chose instead to put him on a stage where his performance could be witnessed by all that cared to watch and it was at the very best, dismal and sad It’s very clear now why an executive order was issued prohibiting the release of the audio tapes collected in Hur’s interviews although it’s difficult to imagine them being worse than what we all saw on
Of Corey Comperatore, 50, a volunteer firefighter who “died a hero,” thinking first to protect his loved ones as shots rang out
Of Jim Copenhaver, 74, a retiree who suffered “life altering” injuries
Of David Dutch, 57, a Marine Corps veteran now awaiting more surgery
Of Mr Trump, who saw not a candidate bloodied, but a husband, a father, shot in what should be the safest country in the world
We grieve that among us are countrymen who turn to the cowardly slaying of innocents as a solution to whatever it is that ails them
We grieve that this happened, continues to happen, in America
Those with far better expertise than ours are investigating and will continue to investigate, no doubt for months the whys and the how behind the would-be mass shooting and assassination at the Butler Farm Show grounds in Pennsylvania as Mr Trump spoke at a campaign rally
We will await the results of those investi-
Letters to the Editor
the CNN presentation of the debate
When Biden inherited the previous presidents’ state of the union, inflation was at 1 4%, our border was secure and becoming more secure, gas averaged $2 17 for all of 2020, illegals were not murdering and raping our women and children in the vast numbers permitted by Biden, mortgages were 3 75% We had much less government regulation, lower taxes and infringement on our freedoms and our democracy had been rebalanced We were far more secure when Trump left office than we are now after 3 1/2 years under Biden How can anyone honestly believe that Biden has done a good job when the latest poll from July 15, 2024, shows only 25% of those polled believe the country is going in the right direction?
The Dem rhetoric is desperately pathetic, made up nonsense, like four years of the Russia collusion lies, our “secure” border, which isn’t even a border anymore, “transitory” inflation and the Hunter laptop cover up just before the last election Please, tell me if you can, which of President Trump’s policies during his term in office was so offensive and so bad for our country that it made you hate him with the personal vitriol you constantly exhibit? Which of his poli-
gations as we ignore the speculation, the unfounded theories, and the politicization of this horrific incident
The findings, though, need to be more much more than the espousing of shouldhaves, could-haves, and a regurgitation of the we-need-tos that have followed every such incident
It is well past time for viable solutions bipartisan solutions to be brought to the table and prioritized
For Secret Service snipers are not always there to “neutralize” the shooter 26 seconds after the first shot is fired
Our country averages one mass shooting per day and is on track to exceed more than 500 such incidents for the fifth year in a row
Victims and families deserve no less than to be remembered
They, in fact, deserve more
They deserved protection and prevention
Both are something our country, to the heartbreak of too many, lacks
cies made you resort to calling him Hitler and what “threat to Democracy” did he perform when he was president?
A f t e r t h e a s s a s s i n a t i o n a t t e m p t o n
President Trump, can you take a moment to reflect on his policies vs. Biden’s policies and honestly evaluate your own personal circumstances and whether you and your family are better off and more secure in your future today than you were four years ago?
Max Christian St. James City
Is
democracy at risk?
To the editor:
It used to be, in past presidential elections, that you needed at least 51 U S intell i g e n c e o f f i c i a l s t o d e t e r m i n e
old junk computer belonging to Hunter Biden was no doubt put in the repair shop by none other than Putin himself No use in any of them wasting their time to examine the computer
W
t h e Democrats use to attack all Republicans that the news people could use as a dog whistle? The use would be for all their die-hard fans of NPR, CNN and a multitude of TV channels It has to be something easy that no one really understands, but works on the psyche of the people The answer is “Democracy is at risk ” Wow, whoever came up with that really did a bang up job No one knows what it means, but who cares It’s a catchy saying
n I don’t vote
Share your opinion at pineisland-eagle com
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
To qualify that, it could be used on the U.S. Supreme Court. After all, Democrats really despise their rulings Democracy is at risk and we need to pack this court so it falls under the Democrats’ control and is no longer a threat to democracy
We all know that “Democracy is at risk " Only the real risk to democracy is putting Joe Biden back into the White House
FEMA flood insurance discounts to continue
Lee County was notified Friday, July 19, that FEMA will maintain unincorporated Lee County’s CRS rating of 5 and National Flood Insurance Program policyholder discounts at this time
FEMA determined unincorporated Lee County residents with policies issued under the NFIP will maintain the discount rate of 25% while the county and FEMA continue to work on a plan to address
Free legal clinic for seniors returns to Fort Myers library
The return of hurricane season to Southwest Florida is bringing a more welcome arrival to Lee County: a free legal clinic for area seniors in need of no-cost, limited legal advice on civil matters
Nearly two years after Hurricane Ian, that includes a discussion on how to pursue legal remedies for those dealing with contractor fraud and post-disaster insurance claims.
Law at the Library is a quarterly conv e r s a t i o n s p o n s o r e d b y L e e C o u n t y Legal Aid Society with support from AARP Foundation
The next session is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug 7, from 9 a m to n o o n , a t t h e F o r t M y e r s R e g
Library meeting room, 1651 Lee St , Fort Myers, and is open to Lee County residents ages 50 and older
T h e e v e n t w i l l b e g i n w i t h l i g h t refreshments, followed by a panel presentation by local attorneys on several topics in civil law of interest to seniors
The panel’s 30-minute presentation will be followed by an audience ques-
tion-and-answer session and then 20minute individual appointments on any legal issue, excluding criminal cases, beginning at 10 a m
information, a brief description of the legal advice being sought, and any relevant documents.
Unlike in criminal law, there is no constitutional right to counsel in civil law, which includes landlord-tenant disputes, foreclosures, evictions, probate, debt collection, child custody cases, domestic violence orders of protection and more
Law at the Library follows a similar series of free legal workshops “Just for Seniors” offered by Lee County Legal Aid Society in prior years through support from The Community Foundation. For more information on Lee County Legal Aid Society, visit leecountylegalaid org or call 239-334-6118
some continuing issues That plan will be due Nov 18
“We believe this is a positive step toward keeping the CRS rating for our u
while we continue to remediate outstanding issues with FEMA,” Lee County Manager Dave Harner said “Essentially the notification today provides the county an extension to further clarify our processes and preserve the CRS rating in the future.”
Unincorporated Lee County joined the Community Rating System (CRS) program in 1991, and most recently – in February 2023, just six months after Hurricane Ian made landfall – FEMA determined that Lee County would retain its Class 5 CRS
announced plans to retrograde that class
months of work on the part of FEMA and Lee County to clarify post-Ian activities and provide documentation requested by
FEMA That documentation was submitted June 3
The county will continue its work with FEMA to provide additional information in the coming months To view a complete overview of Lee County’s efforts a
to www leegov com/femacrs The website includes:
n FEMA’s programs, including the NFIP and CRS;
n Lee County’s floodplain management efforts;
n Hurricane Ian’s impacts, specifically in FEMA’s Special Flood Hazard Areas;
n FEMA’s 2024 inquiry;
n Post-Hurricane Ian building activity; and
n Closing remarks on this process
Commissioners remains committed to retaining the CRS rating of 5 to maintain the discount available to unincorporated Lee County residents with NFIP policies.
SJCCA Schedule
upcoming activities:
Thursday, July 25
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, July 30 n Ping Pong, 9-11 a m More details, contacts and ticket sales are available at the SJCCA website at sjccapi org
All activities are held at St James City Civic Association, which is located 3300 Fourth Ave , at the corner of Lemon Street, in St James City
The St James City Civic Association
Dolphins in hot water
It is summertime in Southwest Florida. As I write this article, the water temperature off of Sanibel Island is 89 4 degrees Fahrenheit What happens to the health of our bottlenose dolphins when living in such extreme water temperatures? Do they become heat-stressed?
Bottlenose dolphin maintain a constant body temperature of around 96 8 to 98 6 degrees Fahrenheit They use several strategies to regulate their body temperature
Humans sweat and dogs pant, helping them to cool These options are not available to dolphins Dolphins are able to cool themselves by increasing blood flow to their extremities This is how they dump heat They send warmer blood to the outer surfaces of their bodies, including their belly and fins
Dolphin Tales
Often, we see our bottlenose dolphins with pink bellies in the summer Dolphins dump excess heat from their bodies when they are active This is called vasodilation and often causes the dolphin’s bellies to turn pink as they diffuse heat from their bodies We do not see pink-bellied dolphins in the winter in Southwest Florida
Research shows that dolphins actually have a higher metabolic rate and produce more heat in summer than in winter Their blubber helps insulate them from cold water, but causes problems when trying to rid their bodies of excess heat in the summer
The Sarasota Dolphin Research Center in Sarasota has studied dolphins in the Sarasota Bay for over 50 years Their studies indicate that conditions associated with warmer waters are worse for dolphins than those associated with colder temperatures According to their research, most dolphin deaths occur during July-September when water temperatures are the highest Warmer water increases the frequency and intensity of harmful algal blooms such as red tide. Red tide kills fish which are the dolphin’s main food source along with shellfish Hunting for food adds additional stress to the dolphins Increased water temperature requires increased food intake to support increased metabolic rates
Captain Cathy Eagle has spent over 40 years boating on our local waters As a professional charter captain, she specializes in dolphin and nature tours Visit CaptainCathy com or call/text 239-994-2572
Welcome aboard!
Mahjongg Scores
Eleven players met for mahjongg July 18 Top scorers were Paula Bruckner with 150 points, Tom Kopec with 140 and tying in third place were Kathy Richardson and Peggy Finley, both with 105 If you are a beginner or an experienced player, we
The mahjongg crew is enjoying the St. James City Civic Association's air conditioning Join them every Thursday afternoon from 1-4 p.m. All are welcome!
PHOTO PROVIDED
would love to see you at the St James City Civic Association on Lemon Street and 4th Avenue every Thursday from 1-4 p m For more information, call Carolyn at 239-2337682
Vertical Oyster Garden Workshop Saturday
Calusa Waterkeeper invites the public to sign up for its Vertical Oyster Garden Workshop scheduled for Saturday, July 27, from 2-3:30 p m , at the Historic Iona House at the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium in Fort Myers This popular community outreach initiative is part of Calusa Waterkeeper’s ongoing efforts to restore water quality in Southwest Florida, a need that has become even more critical due in part to climate change, increased pollution and harmful algae blooms Oysters play a critical role in maintaining healthy estuarine ecosystems They create habitats for a variety of marine life, support shoreline protection by providing a base for mangroves and serve as a vital food source for fish, birds, crabs and other animals Remarkably, each oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day, significantly improving water quality
The VOG project involves educational and handson instruction to create DIY vertical hanging oyster
gardens using recycled oyster shells from local restaurants that would have otherwise ended up in landfills These shells are strung onto wires and suspended from docks, providing surfaces for juvenile oysters to attach and grow Prior to stringing, the recycled shells are stored outdoors at the FGCU Food Forest for several months to eliminate any pathogens.
Space is limited to the first 30 registrants A taxdeductible donation to Calusa Waterkeeper of $25 per participant is requested to cover the cost of time and materials Each guest will get to take their VOG home to hang from their dock Additional oyster gardens may be purchased at the event for $25 each while supplies last To register, visit calusawaterkeeper org/vogworkshop
For more information about Calusa Waterkeeper, to donate or volunteer, call 239-899-1440, email info@calusawaterkeeper org or visit calusawaterkeeper.org.
Capt Cathy Eagle
Hurricane season is here. Are you prepared?
(Editor’s note: In the coming weeks, the 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
Sheltering in Place!
1 The time to develop and practice your family emergency plan is prior to hurricane season
2 Prepare several evacuation or sheltering options for your family
3 Deciding whether to evacuate or shelter in place depends upon the incident or event; each event requires its own decision
4 If you do NOT live in an area that is required to evacuate, sheltering at home with precautions is a safe choice
5 Preparing properly and offering to shelter friends or family who are required to leave a more dangerous area will help the entire community get through the storm together
6. Shelter at home if it is safe from winds and storm surge waters, and you are not under an evacuation order.
7 Expect the power to be out, and the likelihood that you may be under a “boil water” notice, if not without water entirely
8 F i l l b a t h t u b s / s i n k s / o t h e r c o n t a i n e r s (
Water from pools could be used for non-potable purposes like flushing toilets but do not rely on solely on that Many pools were cont a m i n a t
a f t e r b e i n g o v e r t o p p e d w i t h s u r g e a n d s t o r m water
9 Secure items in and around your home before tropical storm force winds arrive
10 If you have a generator, remember to use it OUTSIDE only, in an area with plenty of ventilation!! Remember, generators produce odorless, deadly carbon monoxide gas Use a
b a t t e r y o p e r a t e d c a r b o n monoxide detector in your home to help protect you and your loved ones
1 1 . P e r f o r m a n n u a l maintenance on your generator before the start of hurricane season
1 2 P r e p a r e y o u r
E m e r g e n c y S u p p l y K i t before the start of hurricane season
1 3 Y o u r H o m e E m e r g e n c y S u p p l y K i t should include the following items:
n Bottled water - one gallon per person and pet per day
n Non-perishable food, e n o u g h f o r a t l e a s t 3 - 7 days
n Manual can opener
CERT Update
n Disposable plates and utensils
n Cooler and ice for food and medications
n Infant and/or senior supplies
n Pet food if you have pets
n Hand sanitizer
n First aid kit
n T w o - w e e k s u p p l y o
c r i b e d medications for you and your pets
n Flashlight
n Batteries for radio, flashlight, hearing aids and other devices
n Books, cards, games
n Battery-operated lamp(s)
n A full list can be found on the Lee County Emergency Management website here, by clicking on the “Emergency Supply List” button: https://www leeg
agement/plan
14 Add a few pieces to your supply kit each week so that it doesn't break your budget
15 Remember to check your kit often and rotate the non-perishable food in your kit
16. Consider changing the voicemail message on your phone to say you are safe and at (home or wherever else you are); if your service is sporadic, a caller will still get your recorded message
17 You can help your neighborhood! If you are able, now is a good time to check with neighbors, senior adults, or t h o s e w h o m
help securing hurricane plans to see how you can be of assistance to them
your insurance policies and personal documents, and stored them where you can easily access them? Have you tested your weather radio?
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:
Make an Emergency Plan (article #1)
Know your warnings and alerts (article #2)
Register now, ahead of time, with Lee County if you have Special Needsonline at www leeEOC com or by calling Lee County Emergency Management at 2 3 9 - 5 3
required!
Review important documents (article #4)
Strengthen your home (article #3) Get tech ready (article #4)
Help your neighborhood Gather supplies (article #2)
H
Interested in volunteering with our CERT team? You can contact the M/PIFCD, Station #1, at 239-283-0030, MondayFriday, 7:30 a m to 4:30 p m
Elyssa
T h i s 8 - y e
much a princess. She asked us to let you know that her beautiful cali c o c o l o r i n g
almost any setting Sitting next to you on the sofa, draped at the foot of your bed or with her fur dancing in the breeze through a window Not only is she a stunning conversation piece, but she will even allow you to pet her. How generous! Her royal-ness asks that you not fight over her, just simply come and meet her. She's sure to choose you as her companion. For more information, call Helping Paws Animal Sanctuary at 2392
Mallory Parkway E, Unit D, St James City, FL, 33956 or there’s always our website www helpingpawsanimalsanctuary.com. Smith named
TAMPA -- Aidan Smith of Bokeelia earned dean's list honors at The Univer-
Spring 2024 semester S
formance, BS
Students must maintain a GPA of 3 75 or higher to be eligible for the dean's list
The University of Tampa is a private, comprehensive university located on 110 acres on the riverfront in downtown Tampa The university has about 200 p r o g r a m s o f s t u d y a n d serves more than 11,000 students from 50 states and most of the world's countries. For additional information about the university, visit https://www ut edu/
Little Pine Island Bridge construction continues in Matlacha
BARTOW, Fla – This weekly report was prepared by the Florida Department of Transportation to inform the public about upcoming road work in Southwest 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
Deadline Saturday for donations to Hookers Pine Island Elementary School Supply Drive
The Matlacha Hookers Pine Island Elementary School Supply Drive is underway and runs through Saturday, July 27
T h e " W i s h L i s t " f o r P I E t e a c h e r s a n d s t a f f includes: copy paper ("we would really appreciate this one!"), backpacks, notebook paper, composition notebooks, spiral notebooks, headphones and earbuds, #2 pencils, erasers (large pink rectangle and cap), electric pencil sharpeners, Expo dry erase markers, glue sticks, pens (black, blue and red), Wite-Out correction tape, pocket folders with brads/prongs (green, yellow, blue, red), Crayola markers (washable), Crayola crayons, Crayola colored pencils, Scotch Tape, highlighters, 9V and AA batteries (for microphones and computer accessories), facial tissue with aloe/lotion, stickers, Post-It notes, bandages (large and small), disinfectant wipes, paper towels and hand sanitizer.
S c h o o l s u p -
p l i e s m a y b e dropped off at the following partici-
p a t i n g b u s i n e s s -
e s t h r o u g h J u l y
27: in Matlacha -- the Post Office, The Perfect Cup, Blue Dog Restaurant, Trader’s Hitching Post, CW Fudge Factory, Yucatan Waterfront and Miceli’s Restaurant; at the Center -- Ace Hardware, Pine Island First Baptist Church and Pine Island United Methodist Church; in Bokeelia -- Salty Girls Island Cafe, Spots Ice Cream and Crepes, the Pine Island Library, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church and the Bokeelia Post Office; in St James City -- Moose Lodge, Winn-Dixie, Centennial Bank, Fishers of Men Lutheran Church, Pine Island Community Church, Pine Island Auto Care and First Baptist Church of St James City
The Hookers are, once again, counting on the generosity of the island residents There are many families on Pine Island still struggling to make ends meet The 2024-2025 school year starts on Aug 2 for teachers and Aug. 12 for students. These supplies will go a long way to ensure they get off to a great start for a successful year
This Matlacha Hookers program helps ensure PIE teachers don’t have to use their own money for these items, in order to ensure the island school continues its program of excellence Both product and monetary donations are welcome and will passed on directly to Pine Island Elementary
Monetary donations can be made by cash or check, mailed to Matlacha Hookers, PO Box 111, Matlacha, FL 33993 Be sure to write "school supplies" into memo area. Donations can also be made online a
"Donate Now" button and select “School Supplies” in the drop down box
PIE students, teachers and staff, as well as the Matlacha Hookers, greatly appreciate islanders’ generosity and willingness to help If you have any questions, please contact the Matlacha Hookers School Supply Drive Co-Chairs Christy Rau at 513-7037433 and Joyce Boyer at 314-401-9354, or email matlachahookers@matlachahookers org
Shoreview Drive
n Phase 1 of construction on Little Pine Island Bridge has begun The bridge is reduced to one lane as part of the Phase 1 construction plan The bridge will remain one lane through the duration of Phase 1 Temporary signals are placed on both ends of the bridge and variable message signs are in place to alert drivers
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 Motorists are reminded not to block driveways or entrances and to follow all posted signage throughout the construction zone
n Since the start of construction with the Little Pine
Island Bridge, boaters are asked to be aware of construction equipment and erosion control measures that are in place
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
Please be patient and plan for additional travel time as it may be slower than usual in the area.
Travelers can visit www FL511 com or dial
from their phone to learn about traffic conditions on major roadways across the state
Hot summer fishing in Southwest Florida
Weather has been good
o v e r t h e p a s t w e e k O f course, it is summer, so it w a s h o t a s e x p e c t e d w i t h
a f t e r n o o n t h u n d e r s t o r m s common Fishing was good at times, slow at times and
u n p r e d i c t a b l e f r o m d a y t o day, but that’s normal for the heat of summer
Red snapper reports came from depths starting at 150
f e e t a n d d e e p e r A n g l e r s report the deeper the water the bigger the snapper Red snapper season is winding down as season is closed the month of August
P u b l i c o r m a n - m a d e wrecks and reefs in the 50 to 100-foot depths yielded hard fighters including amber jack , goliath gr ouper , bonito, barracuda and some large sharks
A
depths from 25 to 50 feet, anglers report
a v a r i e t y i n c l u d i n g s n o o
S
goliath grouper, plus a few cobia
The Spanish mackerel bite was off and on around the gulf passes and the gulf
s
spoons or mylar jigs with a fast retrieve were the top method while on the drift
L
numerous to pick up the slack if the mackerel bite was off Spanish mackerel and bluefish were hooked harassing bait schools in
Bokeelia, between Useppa and Part Islands, and along bar edges inside Redfish Pass
W
summer spawn pattern, the
m areas near and around the gulf passes Fish up to 35 inches were caught and released from docks around Punta Rassa, Redfish Pass and north of Boca Grande Pass. Best baits included l i v e p i n f i s h , p i g f i s h o r g r u n
d pilchards, sardines or herring Schools of male snook from 20-26 inches were sighted fished along the surf off Sanibel, Captiva and Cayo Costa Islands Small white jigs and flies, plus live shrimp, pilchards and small pinfish were top baits
The inshore mangrove snapper bite remained consistent over the week Some days are better than others, but with a litt l e t i m e a n d e f f o r t m o s t a n g l e r s a r e returning with a limit. Fish up to 15 inches were boxed in and around the gulf passes and nearby mangrove shorelines and docks Shore-bound anglers hooked snapper from Blind Pass, the Bokeelia F i s h i n g P i e r a n d t h e M a t l a c h a Drawbridge Baits of choice include live and dead shrimp, pilchard’s, dead or alive, and frozen sardines There are a lot of catfish around, at times it’s hard to get the bait past the cats to hook a snapper Sometimes it’s best to just move on and fish another spot.
Spotted seatrout were caught across grass flats in 4 to 7-foot depths around north Matlacha Pass, off the eastern and western walls of Charlotte Harbor and
Pine Island Sound west of Bokeelia, between Cabbage Key and Captiva Pass, and between Rocky Channel and Hemp Key Either working channel edges or drifting worked for trout to 19 inches Most trout are running undersize, but many anglers caught a limit. Mackerel, b l u e f i s h , l a d y f i s h , j
d sharks were caught as well
Summer gives us the potential for nasty thunderstorms that can develop quickly Stay alert to building storms and have a plan when on the water If you cannot get back to port before the lightning starts popping, get to a sheltered or protected area Pulling up against a mangrove island or shoreline is far safer than remaining over open water Make you and your boat as low profile as possible. Get the fishing rods or graphite lightning sticks out of the rod holders and down low While rain is just an inconvenience, lightning is deadly, please take it seriously
Keep up to date with fishing regulations and seasons in the area you fish, as they change often You can visit www myfwc com for all current state and federal regulations. Also, you can 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 Guide Service at (239) 410-8576, on the w
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 t
Florida, and as a professional fishing guide for the past 23 years
Capt Bill Russell On the Water
PHOTO PROVIDED
MangoMania
From page 1
we are stronger working together where we can really make an impact We encourage more of our island busi-
nesses to join us as we get ready for the winter season,” Welch said
MangoMania Contest Winners
Biggest Mango Contest
1st place, 5 6-pound Laucetille Mango -- Billy R of Bokeelia
2nd place, 4 795-pound Laucetille Mango -- Steve P of St James City
Mango Food Contests
Mango Jam
1st place -- Dennis Keyes; 2nd place -- Donna Schneider
Mango Salsa
1st place -- Rachel O’Hanlon; 2nd place -- Tom Crosby
Mango bread
1st place -- Kristin Gustin; 2nd place -- Donna Schneider
Mango Chutney
1st place -- Rachel O’Hanlon; 2nd place -- Donna Schneider
Mango Condiments
John Cammick
too many restrictions
1st place -- Witches Brew; 2nd place -- Matt Lee Mango Desserts
1st place -- Lorraine Possada Mr MangoHead
1st place -- Blake; 2nd place -- Massey
From page 1
“Pine Island is the kind of place where you drive in and say, ‘Wow, what kind of place is this?’ There’s really no other place I know of that you can be on the water
PIE fundraiser
From page 1
the event went very well and that everyone who attended had a great time.
“There was great food, music and there were over 40 raffle items The Moose staffed the kitchen and bar and had a lot of volunteers for the event,” Valcarcel said
and in the middle of trees, without big high rises and things like that,” Cammick said
His greatest wish for Pine Island, he said, is that it would keep growing at the same pace and continue to
Support from local businesses for the event was overwhelming, which did not surprise Valcarcel, as she explained Pine Islanders tendency to show glowing support for one another in times of need, especially when it comes to our only school
protect itself against too much development or too many changes at once, with those who appreciate it
“Let’s not have too much change or difference on our island,” Cammick said
on Pine Island This year was no different as the total raised is more than the past two years combined.
“Everyone really stepped up, in just over a month of planning,” Valcarcel said
Billy R , the winner of biggest mango at 5 6 pounds, with Steve of Fruitscapes
REDBARN
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Pictures: facebook.com/RedBarnCapeCoral
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