Pine Island Eagle by BreezeNewspapers

VolumE 48, NumbEr 14

Beacon formulates emergency task force on island

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

According to Beacon of Hope board members Elsie Stearns and Joanne Lembo, the Lee County Board of Commissioners has authorized the Beacon of Hope to lead a new volunteer emergency task force for Greater Pine Island.

“ T h e L e e C o u n t y B o a r d o f C o m m i s s i o n e r s h a s authorized the Beacon of Hope to work in conjunction with the Lee County Emergency Operations Center for a disaster and preparedness mitigation response and provide coordinated leadership for other groups and volunteers engaged in local recovery efforts through the creation of the Greater Pine Island Emergency Task Force,”

Celebrated Pine Islanders: Donna Schneider

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

D o n n a S c h n e i d e r o f P i n e I s l a n d

Tropicals said she identifies as one who loves to help beautify her surroundings

Although she and her husband Gary have been on Pine Island since 1980, most days you will find her among bromeliads, orchids and hibiscus at her own place of b u s i n e s s , t h e a p t l y n a m e d P i n e I s l a n d

Tropicals Evidence that Schneider has found her calling is that she confesses a certain joy she gains in sharing the wealth of information she has learned over the years

“ I b e l i e v e i n s h a r i n g k n o w l e d g e , ” Schneider said “I enjoy people coming back and saying thank you for that information With the Pine Island Garden Club, I like to encourage people to join our society and get involved with other things here on Pine Island as well ”

Schneider and her husband came to Bokeelia full time shortly after her fatherin-law suffered some health issues. Pine Island had been a place he always loved so the move was something the couple thought was simply in his best interest

“He always loved Pine Island, so we thought for his well-being we’d just move to Pine Island and this would be the place h e ’ d l i v e o u t t h e l a s t o f h i s y e a r s , ” Schneider said

Schneider’s love for Pine Island, she said, is in the horticultural education she and Gary have offered regarding things which grow here in particular as well as a game bird farm the couple owned for 20 years The birds along with fresh eggs from this farm were supplied for families, espe-

See DONNA SCHNEIDER, page 13

“We needed a task force of Pine Island leaders who would come up with some way to handle this and be efficient at supporting the community These business owners and community members will work in coordination under the umbrella of the Beacon to serve as the area operations Center.”

Beacon of Hope’s Elsie Stearns

Stearns said

Directly after Hurricane Ian, Stearns explained, she became aware of a group of concerned Pine Island leaders who met to discuss immediate action that could be

taken to support and assist Pine Island through the emergency She said the first and most important subject affecting the island was the volume of fuel necessary to keep things running Possible barging was also a topic of discussion, in case a future event caused another road outage M

counted as part of the Pine Island Emergency Task F

Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District, the Pine I

Community support

‘such a good feeling’ Boating accident survivor focuses on recovery; hopes her groundbreaking surgery can help save lives

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

With her unrelenting spirit, Nichole Hall continues to fight back after a harrowing boating accident earlier this year resulted in the loss of her leg

Multiple fundraising events to support Hall in her recovery journey have taken place around the county, including this past weekend in St James City Hall said the response from the region has been overwhelming and has helped lift her spirits in the most difficult times

“It’s been amazing to see the support from the community,” Hall said “I’m going through something that’s really hard, but the support of my friends and family and the community has definitely made it easier I think it’s overwhelming to see It helped me when I was in the hospital looking at videos and pictures, it’s been really great ”

See COMMUNITY SUPPORT, page 9

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Donna Schneider with her husband Gary Schneider at their Pine Island Tropicals

Nichole Hall

Marine Unit with LCSO works waters countywide

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

With Lee County being diverse geographically with islands, canals, rivers and lakes, the need for safety on the waterways is of primary importance so assistance can be provided when needed

The county's waterways are unique from depth to types of water, and each has its own special challenges and needs for patrolling, assisting and presence The Lee County Sheriff's Office has a fulltime Marine Unit that enforces rules and regulations and conducts search-and-rescue operations

The unit is spread throughout the county, with locations on Captiva and Boca Grande, in Bonita Springs and at Cape Harbour and Tarpon Point all strategic water entry points

There are 20 different types of vessels within the unit that range from a 13-foot jon boat to a 36-foot Ambar Officials said the variety is to ensure there is a vessel that can patrol the shallow waters, lakes, rivers and canals, as well as nine miles offshore into the Gulf of Mexico.

Calls range from assisting other agencies in search-and-rescue operations to boaters in distress, deputies needing assistance, or citizens needing help

Sheriff Carmine Marceno said there are eight deputies assigned to the unit and a number of volunteers with the Civilian Support Unit There is constant training on how to use the vessels, understanding the waterways, being comfortable in the very diverse environments and working with different agencies

On the busy holidays, such as the

Fourth of July and Memorial Day, the LCSO moves staff power around, as well as more boats, for additional coverage of the waterways

T h e M a r i n

waterways 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year Those in need of assistance on the waterway can call 911 or channel 16 on their radio for the U S Coast Guard

Southwest Florida also has a Marine E

comprised of law enforcement, as well as other first responders fire and EMS in Lee and Collier counties. If an emergency occurs on the waterways, it is all

respond to get resources there faster

Marceno said the Marine Unit has the best equipment purpose-built equip-

The Lee County Sheriff ’s Office has a full-time Marine Unit that enforces rules and regulations

spread throughout Lee County, with locations on Captiva and Boca Grande, in Bonita Springs and at Cape Harbour and Tarpon Point all strategic water entry points. It patrols the waterways 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year

ment and trained crews responding to emergencies It works alongside the Coast Guard, state and local agencies to keep the citizens of Lee as safe as possible while everyone enjoys the waterways

Hurricane Ian, with deputies taking people back and forth between Sanibel and the islands cut off from the mainland It was also instrumental, especially with the lack of markers and shifting sands, shoals and wreckage in the water

Pine Island Road work update

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

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

■ 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

■ The Little Pine Island bridge has been reduced to a single lane width of 12 feet through the duration of Phase 1

■ Motorists can expect occasional lane closures on the causeway for delive r y / r e m o

equipment as crews perform work on the

south side

■ Motorists are reminded not to block driveways or entrances and to follow all posted signage throughout the construction zone

■ 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

■ 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

Travelers can visit www FL511 com or dial “511” from their phone to learn about traffic conditions on major roadways across the state

LEE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

OPINIONS

Phone: (239) 283-2022 Fax: (239) 283-0232 Web: pineisland-eagle com

Publisher Raymond M Eckenrode reckenrode@breezenewspapers com

Executive Editor

Valarie Harring

vharring@breezenewspapers com

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pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

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Laurie Ragle

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Advertising Sales

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Chris Strine cstrine@breezenewspapers com

Obituaries

Debbie Carletti obits@breezenewspapers com

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Circulation (239) 574-1936

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Web Poll

Medicare Doomsday Clock ticks closer to midnight

One day, our grandchildren may talk about Medicare the way we talk about Bernie Madoff

finances, and things are not looking good

The entitlement spent $12 billion more than it took in from taxes in 2023 Absent change, Medicare’s Part A hospital insurance trust fund will be exhausted by 2036.

Years ago, there may have been more than enough workers to cover the cost of Medicare for many fewer retirees and sock away some extra in the accounting fiction that is the Part A trust fund Those days are gone Soon, Medicare won’t be able to collect enough in taxes from workers to pay for the benefits that retirees are redeeming Sounds an awful lot like a Ponzi scheme

Preserving the program for future generations will require harnessing the power of competition to lower costs and bringing eligibility requirements into the modern era

A new report from the Paragon Health Institute highlights Medi-care’s problem

The average American who turned 65 in 2 0 2 0 w i l

Medicare benefits than they paid in One who retires in 2030 is on track to receive $248,500 more than they paid in

S o m e 6 2 m i l l i o n A

enrolled in Medicare in 2023 By 2033, that number is projected to swell to 78 million T

Office estimates that by the following year,

Low Key Tiki gives back

To the editor:

On July 25, the Low Key Tiki in St James City had a Christmas in July party The event was highlighted by music, an ugly tank top contest and a Grinch gift bag It was an awesome event that filled the place with guests having an awesome time

The owners Erin and Johnny, went all out and put on one heck of a party They even paid for all the gifts that were given out This is a truly amazing gesture by a local owner that should make others take notice

From all of us, thank you Erin and Johnny and the entire staff at the Low Key Tiki for making us feel appreciated and special You all are the best of this island!

Craig Beck St James City

account for just over 17% of the federal budget and 4% of GDP

M e d i c a r e ’ s g r o w t h i s fueled by an aging population Americans 65 and older w i l l m a k e u p n e a r l y o n equarter of the population by 2 0 5 0 , t h e U . S . C e n s u s Bureau estimates

Americans are also living longer Men who make it to a g e 6 5

t h e r 1 7 5 y

a r s ; l i f e expectancy for women who r e a c h 6 5 i s a n

h e r 2 0 2 years That’s an increase of 4 5 years for men and almost four years for women, relative to 1965, when Medicare was created

Yet Medicare’s eligibility age 65 has remained the same since the program’s inception Given improvements in longevity, raising the age at which Americans become eligible makes sense and would ease some of the fiscal pressure on the program

But that’s not the only way to save Medicare from insolvency The program can institute more “means-testing,” to ensure that richer beneficiaries pay for a greater share of their coverage than their poorer counterparts.

For example, lawmakers could lower the

Pied Piper switch-a-roo

To the editor:

It should seem strange to Dems that their leaders are chosen for them and then they are told who to vote for. Biden was most likely a guaranteed loss for the 2024 Presidential e

undermined him until he had no choice but to leave There was nothing honorable or sacrificial about his withdrawal from the campaign; he was drummed out of the party by the party and we all saw that

Now comes Harris, the current VP to a president that has been deemed too old and too senile to run again by the Democratic party leaders to say nothing of his inability to govern for the balance of the term Who will the leadership replace Harris with during the DNC? Who will they tell their followers to vote for once they really get a candidate?

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

testing already kicks in for premiums for Medicare Part B , w h i c

services, and Part D, which c

Right now, only individuals w

$103,000 a year and cou-

additional costs in Parts B and D

limit themselves to income when formulating means-testing policies As the Paragon Health Institute report points out, Social Security calculates

earnings Medicare could do something similar.

There are any number of roads back to Medicare solvency Medicare’s choice is no longer between change and the status quo It's between change and dissolution

Sally C Pipes is president, CEO, and Thomas W Smith Fellow in Health Care Policy at the Pacific Research Institute Her latest book is False Premise, False Promise: The Disastrous Reality of Medicare for All (Encounter 2020) Follow her on Twitter @sallypipes. This piece was originally published by PennLive

Harris has been more unpopular than Biden the entire time Biden has been president and now all of a sudden, she is the answer to their prayers Hardly Her baggage, in terms of the Biden/Harris policies, is just as bad now as it was before they threw Biden out of the race “538” is a polling service established by Nate Silver, a known Democratic supporter, and Silver vacated his position in 2023 when the website was taken over by the ABC Television network, also a known supporter of the Democratic party. You can still access the current polling data at the site and the latest “favorability” rating as of July 22 cd, 2024 shows that 38 3% approve of Harris and 51 4% disapprove of Harris These numbers were published after Biden was replaced by Harris and very closely align with Biden’s numbers on this site prior to his departure Since the polls dictate every aspect of the Democratic party’s decision process so that they may plug in whoever or whatever the polls tell them, do you really think numbers like these will put a Democrat back in the White House in November?

Harris is merely the temporary Dem candidate until the convention where the “cabal” of Obama, Pelosi, Schumer and Soros will decide who will represent the Dems in this election and then they will tell their voters who to vote for.

Max Christian St James City

Sally C Pipes Guest Commentary

A guide to influenza vaccines and staying healthy for the upcoming flu season

August is back to school month and a great time to start making a plan to protect yourself against influenza

Getting vaccinated when flu vaccines become available in late September and early October and taking other precautions can help ensure that you and your loved ones stay healthy this season Cases tend to spike during the fall and winter months when friends and families gather for the holidays

One of the best ways to avoid getting sick is to make sure you and your children are vaccinated against the flu When the vaccine becomes available, you can make an appointment with a Lee Health provider to ensure you and your children are protected.

In addition to the vaccine, there are other things you can do to help give your immune system a boost, such as ensuring you get enough rest, eating well and washing your hands frequently using warm and soapy water and washing for 20 seconds or more

What do I need to know about getting vaccinated against the flu?

Getting a flu shot when the vaccine becomes available is important because it can help make the illness less severe and keep you out of the hospital if you become sick Studies also suggest that getting a vaccine helps reduce community transmission. This is important if you’re planning on gathering for the holiday season, especially if elderly or immunocompromised guests are present It can also help reduce community transmission at school among children and their peers

Flu season lasts from fall to winter and the shot is effective for the duration of the season As we get closer to spring, its effectiveness tends to wane After receiving the vaccine, the body needs at least two weeks after getting the shot to ramp up its defenses against the virus

You can visit a Lee Health provider to receive your flu shot when vaccines become available or visit www lee-

health.org for more information.

Do I need a new flu shot each year?

The influenza vaccine does not offer a blanket protection against the flu, but studies show that it is 40-60% effective How does it work? If someone receives the vaccine and comes down with the flu, the vaccine will often make the illness less severe and keep that person out of the emergency department

A new vaccine is offered each year because the influenza virus mutates at a swift pace and evolves and adapts each year, causing the shot from last season to be less effective against the current season’s strain It’s encouraged each year to boost the immune system with a new dose of the vaccine, so you have the best possible chance of fighting the illness if you get sick

Who should get a flu shot?

Dr. Mary Beth Saunders

Lee Health

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention has recommended a flu shot for all children who are 6 months and older since the 2010-2011 season The very first time children receive a flu vaccine, they should get two doses four weeks apart After that, they should get one flu vaccine a year

The CDC also says that there are three preferred flu vaccines for people 65 years and older: Fluzone HighDose Quadrivalent flu vaccine, Flublok Quadrivalent recombinant flu vaccine and Fluad Quadrivalent adjuvanted inactivated flu vaccine

There is no preferred recommendation for 18- to 65year-olds

All flu vaccines for the 2024-2025 season will be trivalent vaccines, designed to protect against three differ-

ent flu viruses, including two influenza A viruses and an influenza B/Victoria virus

Is there anything different to know for the 2024-2025 flu season?

The composition of U S flu vaccines is reviewed annually, and new flu vaccines are manufactured each year T

Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee made a recommendation that this year three-component (trivalent) vaccines, which include an influenza A(H1N1), an A(H3N2) and a B/Victorialineage vaccine virus, should be administ e r e d B

viruses, which are included in current fourcomponent (quadrivalent) flu vaccines, are no longer actively circulating, their inclusion in flu vaccines is no longer warranted Staying healthy this season

Kids tend to be more exposed to germs at the start of the school year, and while back to school illnesses and infections are inevitable, encouraging your kids to wash their hands regularly can help prevent illnesses like influenza as well as colds and other viruses.

When considering attending a gathering this season, take stock of your health and see if you’re well enough to attend a celebration On the day of the event, see how you’re feeling If you’re experiencing congestion, sore throat, fatigue, muscle pain, headache or any other flu-like symptoms, it’s best to stay home

When gathering with large groups of people, be sure to wash hands often, wipe down surfaces in high-traffic areas, stay-up-to-date on vaccinations and stay hydrated

See FLU SEASON, page 9

Adopted by dolphins

“ I f y o u w a n t t o study fish, first, you need to become one ” -- Jacques Cousteau

A c c o r d i n g t o research divers in the Red Sea, the same is t r u e f o r d o l p h i n s . Dolphins in the wild are generally very shy

a n d k e e p t h e i r d i st a n c e E n c o u n t e r s between dolphins and

d i v e r s a r e u s u a l l y

b r i e f T h e d o l p h i n s just appear out of the blue and then vanish

a g a i n I f d o l p h i n s

d o n ’ t w a n t t o b e

Capt Cathy Eagle

Dolphin Tales

f o u n d , n o t e v e n t h e most experienced diver can find them A dolphin can outswim a diver with just a flick of its tail fluke

In 2006, Angela Ziltner, a biologist from Switzerland, and her col-

l e a g u e , M i c h a e l S t o t t e r m a n , became adopted by the bottlenose dolphins who call the Northern Red Sea their home Stotterman owns a tour boat and took Angela on her

f i r s t d i v e . S h e w a s h o o k e d . Stotterman taught her how to swim like the dolphin They wear gray and black wetsuits to blend in with the dolphins

The pair of humans and their support staff, including an underwater photographer and a marine veterinarian, have developed a "dolphin style" of swimming underwater The dolphins have become very comfortable with the diving team and invite them into their pods to s w i m a l o n g T h e d o l p h i n s e v e n slow down their swimming to allow the divers to keep up

In one of their dolphin encounters, the divers discovered a dolphin

that had sustained an injury to the dorsal fin, probably from a shark

The dolphin was alone and weakened by loss of blood and pain The d o l p h i n a p p r o a c h e d the divers and seemed t o b e s h o w i n g t h e m his injuries

It was clear the dolphin couldn’t keep up with the rest of his pod so it remained behind H i s b e h

unusual for a wild dolp h i n b u t h e c l e a r l y w a s d r a w n t o t h e humans Dolphins are s

seek companionship even if it is another mammal such as a human. The team named him Ferdinand F

y healed and one day, he disappeared He rejoined his pod and then out of n

divers with his original pod He had reunited with them! He was fully recovered and in robust health

H o w e v e

something different Ferdinand had a large belly and was clearly pregnant! The only way to really determine the sex of a dolphin is to study the underside of the dolphin Male dolphins have two slits near the tail that look like an exclamation point Females have three slits Welcome home, Ferdinandina!

Captain Cathy Eagle has spent over 40 years boating on our local waters As a professional charter captain, she specializes in dolphin a n d n a t u r e t o u r s V i s i

a i n Cathy com or call /text 239 9942572 Welcome aboard!

Beacon activities for August

The Beacon of Hope has scheduled the following activities and programs for the month of August.

■ Samaritan Health and Wellness is a primary care clinic and is open every other Wednesday from 8 a m to 4 p m at the Beacon This clinic provides care for the uninsured and underinsured The cost is $50 Help is available if needed People of all ages are w e l c o m e M e n t a

available Call 239-360-7520 to make an appointment

■ The Beacon’s Client Services are open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Computer, fax and printers are available for use There is a notary Case Managers are available at these times They help with all types of government programs and economic issues Call to make an appointment

■ Beacon Bites (our meals on wheels) are available Call if you or someone you know needs to sign up

■ Transportation to medical appointments and treatments are available Monday to Friday to anywhere in Lee County Please call and reserve 48 hours before your appointment.

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

■ ESOL classes are held every Tuesday and Thursday at 6 p m

■ Blood pressure screening is available every Monday and Wednesday, from 1-2 pm

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

■ The Fundraising Committee will meet Monday, Sept 16, to plan activities for the coming year If you are interested, please join the group

■ Strange Arrangement – Monday, 6-7:30 p m A Musical experience

■ Pine Island Boy and Cub Scouts meets Wednesday evening at 6 at the Methodist Church Girls are now being included in the program.

■ Girl Scout troop will meet Friday night at 6.

■ The Attic (Thrift Store) is open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a m to 3 p m Saturday hours are 10 a m to 3 p m Donations are accepted until 2:30 p m unless they get overloaded Every Tuesday is 50% off clothing, shoes, and similar items 50% off “almost everything” days will be Tuesday the 13th, Thursday the 22nd and Tuesday the 27th

■ Pine Island Cares, made up of representatives from the Island’s non-profits, meets quarterly The next meeting will be on Monday, Aug 12 at 10 a m

The Beacon of Hope is at 5090 Doug Taylor Circle, St James City Call 239-2835123 for more information

SJCCA Schedule

The St James City Civic Association has announced the schedule for its upcoming activities:

Thursday, Aug. 8

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

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

Tuesday, Aug 13

■ Ping Pong, 9-11 a m

A d d i t i o n a l d e t a i l s , c o n t a c t s a n d t i c k e t 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

(

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

Special Needs and Pet-Friendly Shelters!

1 A shelter is a safe place to be during an evacuation But consider alternative evacuation locations before choosing to use a shelter

2 Who needs a Special Needs shelter:

■ People with medical impairments or disabilities who are medically stable but require medical assistance

■ People who require mobility assistance, such as those who use walkers, canes, or need assistance walking on uneven terrain

■ People who may have temporary mobility issues, such as a broken leg

■ People who require electricity for CPAP, oxygen, IV pumps, or other medical equipment

■ People who are on dialysis or have conditions like advancing Alzheimer’s or neuromuscular disorders

■ People who have low vision or are blind, people who are deaf or hard of hearing, and elderly/frail people

■ If your care exceeds basic first aid provided at a public shelter or you need assistance with basic, everyday tasks, or Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

■ Many conditions not mentioned here are also covered If you are not sure if you should consider a Special N e e d s s h e l t e r , c a l l t h e L

Program at 239-533-0640 for assistance

3 If you plan to use a Special Needs shelter:

■ Register with the Special Medical Needs Program This can be done online at the EOC website, https://shelterapp.leegov.com/.

■ If you do not have access to a computer, you can

Management at 239-533-0622

■ Register early registrations will not be taken once Lee County enters the five-day hurricane forecast cone

■ Once registered, you must update your information every year

■ Make arrangements for a caregiver or friend to accompany you This is a requirement of Lee County Caregivers will need to bring shelter survival supplies for themselves.

■ Have your Go-Kit ready

■ If you do not have a vehicle or a ride to get to a Special Medical Needs shelter you can state that you will need transportation when you register for a Special Needs shelter

■ You will receive a call to let you know when Lee County is opening the Special Medical Needs Shelter

4 Pet-Friendly Shelters and Service Animals

■ Make sure your pets are microchipped

■ Service animals are allowed in all shelters

■ You can bring your dog or cat with you to a Special Medical Needs shelter

■ Animals may be housed in a different area, but you will have access to feed, walk, and spend time with them

■ No registration is required

■ Pet Go-kit supplies should include:

● Water and food bowls

● Food and treats for at least one week, plus spoon and can opener if needed

● Water (1 gallon per day, per animal, for at least 1 week)

● Litter and litter box for cats; waste bags for dogs

● A crate or pet carrier large enough for your pet to

stand, turn and lie down; cat crates must be large enough to include a litter pan

CERT Update Hurricane season is here. Are you prepared?

● Collar, and leash with ID and rabies tags for cats and dogs.

● Prescriptions and other medical supplies your pet needs.

● See a full list in the online Lee County All Hazards Guide.

REMINDER: Practice and maintain your Family Emergency Plan

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:

■ Know your evacuation zone Matlacha, Pine Island, and most coastal areas are Zone A

■ Make an Emergency Plan (article #1)

■ Know your warnings and alerts (article #2)

■ Register now, ahead of time, with Lee County if y

https://shelterapp leegov com/ or by calling Lee County Emergency Management at 239-533-0622; pre-registration is required!

■ Review important documents (article #4)

■ Strengthen your home (article #3)

■ Get tech ready (article #4)

■ Help your neighborhood

■ Gather supplies (article #2)

Have questions about this article? Interested in volunteering with our CERT team? You can contact the M /

Friday, 7:30 a m to 4:30 p m

(After they appear in print, each of the CERT Updates is posted on The Eagle website at pineisland-eagle com )

Matlacha Hookers scholarship recipients included, from left, Darien Brown, Ella Bernard, Sage Romero, Trentonn Olsen, Cameron Dollar, Savannah Lynch, Emma Beckman and Armando Perez Two other scholarship recipients, Hannah Bryan and Corin Scrudato, were unavailable

Local students awarded Matlacha Hookers scholarships

The Matlacha Hookers are proud to announce the recipients of this year's scholarships, awarded to exceptional students demonstrating academic excellence, community involvement and leadership potential These scholarships aim to support the students educational pursuits and encourage their continued dedication to making a positive impact on society

The scholarships were awarded during the Matlacha Hooker General Meeting July 9 at the American Legion Post 136 in St James City All recipients received a

scholarship in the amount of $2,000

The Matlacha Hookers take immense pride in supporting the educational and personal growth of the local students These scholarships not only recognize the recipient’s demanding work and dedication but also highlight the community's commitment to fostering future leaders

If you or your business are interested in donating funds for the 2025 Hooked on Education scholarship fundraising season, please contact the Matlacha Hookers at matlachahookers@matlachahookers org

Pine Island Moose Lodge to hold blood drive Aug. 17

The Lee Health Bloodmobile will be visiting The Pine Island Moose Lodge at 8903 Stringfellow Road in St James City on Saturday, Aug 17, from 8 a m to noon All the blood collected remains in Lee Health, which includes the Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida, the Regional Cancer Center and the only Trauma Center (which is located in the Lee Memorial Hospital) within a 5county 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 your overall cardiovascular health Regularly donating blood helps men in particular to reduce the amount of iron in the blood This can reduce the chance of heart attack by 88% 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 make its goal of 20 units of blood

Requirements for donating blood:

■ Weigh at least 115 pounds

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

■ Be relatively healthy

■ Provide photo ID

■ Have 56 days between donations

Donors are asked to eat a meal before donating blood and be sure to drink plenty of fluids before and after donation

Questions about donating? Call 343-2333

PHOTO PROVIDED

The accident happened April 20 while traveling home after performing charity work to assist a friend, kayaking from boat to boat collecting money for the good cause

On the way home, she and a few friends were on a boat of their own, traveling at a low rate of speed in shallow water There, the boat hit either a wave or an object in the water, causing Hall and two others to be thrown from the boat Unfortunately, Hall was hit by the propeller She was quickly helped by others on the boat

After a tumultuous 24 hours following the incident, including the amputation of her left leg, Hall, who is 29, woke up the next day and was able to communicate via notebook After a few surgeries, she was eventually able to stand on her own next to her hospital bed

While Hall continues to fight, her family says the type of amputation that was required, a hemipelvectomy, is a rare and uncommon amputation of the entire leg, as well as a portion of the pelvis Not many have survived this type of amputation In fact, according to a fellow amputee Hall met, she is only the 203rd person to have this specific type of amputation and survive

Hall, who served as sales and marketing director at Atrium at Liberty Park in Cape Coral, has been out of the hospital for five weeks and said she has completed physical therapy and will start outpatient work soon Her home is currently undergoing renovations to be more handicap accessible She said she’s even been able to go to the gym a few times

Last Monday, Hall had her first appointment with a prosthetist to start work on the prosthetic she will utilize

“That’s the biggest thing is to get that prosthetic, and I’m really excited for that,’ Hall said ”I had my first casting appointment, and with my type of amputation, you don’t just have to cast the knee It’s not just the leg and putting it on, it’s around my hip ”

Hall said her surgeon is going to publish the work done with her in a medical journal, so that other professionals around the world can use it to potentially save other lives

“I’m hoping that that’s going to help in future cases where people have to have this amputation so they can get through it and fight it and have a better chance of surviving and living a full life afterwards,” Hall said. “I’m trying

Flu season

From page 5

Back to school and holiday season can be stressful times so it’s best to keep a positive mindset and make time for self-care to help reduce stress When we’re stressed, it’s harder for our immune system to fight off illnesses and do its job well

It’s especially important to practice staying healthy during the season when large gatherings and illnesses like the flu are more common, but these tips can be practiced yearlong to help ensure proper health for all

If you’re starting to feel flu-like symptoms, please visit a convenient care location, your primary care provider or make an appointment with Lee TeleHealth, which provides e-Visits to message with a provider, on demand video visits and scheduled video visits

The emergency department is strongly encouraged if you’re experiencing severe symptoms

To receive your flu shot when the vaccine is available, make an appointment with your primary care provider, or for more information, visit www leehealth org

Dr Mary Beth Saunders is Lee Health’s System Medical Director of Epidemiology

Mahjongg Scores Community support

to find any sort of positive out of this I can, so it makes me feel good I’m big on trying to help others and I want to give back, so I’m really excited that hopefully this can provide an opportunity for somebody else to have their daughter or loved one That would be amazing ”

Fundraising events for Hall have taken place since her accident in April, but this will be the first one she will attend in person It’s sure to be an emotional one

“It’s going to be really exciting, but I’m sure really emotional, too, to see everybody in person,” Hall said

Proceeds from each of the fundraisers assist Hall with medical bills and most importantly, the prosthetic she will soon receive

“When I spoke with another amputee

(below the knee), she said that out-of-pocket, after insurance covers the leg, she could buy a brand-new car every year with what she spends on out-of-pocket expenses,” Hall said “It’s definitely going to be expensive To try and live a normal life, those expenses are going to be immense Having the support of the community definitely makes it easier financially That was a big thing I was worried about And even with donations and support, I’m worried about the future But it’s definitely been a help ” Hall, who is described as a “saint” by her family, said she wouldn’t be where she is today without their love “They’ve been a huge support,” she said “Just being in the hospital, I had a group of 30 people that were out in the parking lot tailgating almost every day for the first week making sure I was going to be OK It’s such a good feeling knowing that I have that, and I can’t thank everybody enough for what they’ve done ”

The first day of August was a quiet day for mahjongg with six players The top scorers were Carolyn Crosby, Peggy Finley and Mary Ann Harms each with 120 points, Stephanie La Hines came in next with 100 points

We welcome new players, as well as experienced and beginners Join us on Thursdays from 1-4 p m at St James City Civic Association on Lemon Street and Fourth Avenue For more information, call Carolyn on 239-233-7682

Nichole Hall

Artists sought for Beacon of Hope ‘Paint the Attic’ fundraiser

Deadline Aug 23 for entries for mural contest

The Beacon of Hope is holding a fun and friendly competition for local artists to participate in this summer The “Paint the Attic” fundraiser is an opportunity to paint a welcoming 6-foot by 15-foot

mural on the front of the Beacon of Hope’s building which reflects the heart of its island home

All local artists on Pine Island and Matlacha are encouraged to submit an entry

Interested artists can request a contest application from the Beacon and submit it along with the $35 application fee and

miniature rendering of their mural on an 8 5-inch by 11-inch sheet of paper

The winning entry will be selected by The Beacon Of Hope Board members

Submissions can be dropped off at the Beacon of Hope’s Attic thrift store located at 5090 Doug Taylor Circle during normal hours of operation by the Aug 23

and Saturday, from

The winning entry will be selected by Aug 30

For additional information about the contest or the Beacon of Hope, please call

Kiwanis Club to host Family Pool Party Saturday

The Kiwanis Club of Pine Island will

Saturday, Aug 10, from 11 a m to 1 p m

The Kiwanis Cub will cover entrance fees to the Pine Island Community Pool

chips, cookies and drinks, while supplies last

The Pine Island Kiwanis Club meets Wednesdays at 8 a m at the Pine Island

VFW Breakfast is at 7:30 a m Guests are welcome to come learn more about Kiwanis activities supporting the children of Pine Island

The Pine Island Community Pool is located in Phillips Park, which is located at 5675 Sesame Drive, Bokeelia, just west of The Center

For additional information about the Community Pool facility, which is under the direction of the Lee County Parks and

Recreation Department, please call 239283-2220

For more information about the Pine

Elyssa

Island Kiwanis or the Family Pool Party, please call Tonya Player at #239-2034682

Cat of the Week

much a princess. She asked us to let you know that her beautiful calico coloring looks amazing in 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 239-283-9100 If you’d rather just donate, our address is 10060 Mallory Parkway E, Unit D, St James City, FL, 33956 or there’s always our website www helpingpawsanimalsanctuary com

Tractor Supply in Cape Coral to hold pet treat tasting Saturday

Tractor Supply Company is hosting a pet treat tasting event in Cape Coral Planned for Saturday, Aug 10, from 10 a m until 3 p m , this event will give pets the chance to sample a variety of pet treats available at Tractor Supply Company

In addition to the tasting, attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy Pet Care 101 and Dog Wash

This event is open to the public and will take place at 2050 S W Pine Island

Road For more information, please contact the Cape Coral Tractor Supply at 239-283-5701

The rural lifestyle retailer, which is a one-stop shop for all things pet, including a wide variety of food, treats, toys, crates, carriers, training tools and health supplements, will help alleviate needs and support important program initiatives

For additional information on Tractor Supply, visit www tractorsupply com

Kiwanis recognizes 2024 scholarship recipients

The members of the Pine Island Kiwanis Club takes great pride in assisting with the educational needs of Pine Island students and the scholarship program is a huge part of that effort Kiwanis has given out close to $500,000 in scholarships over the past 40+ years and have helped hundreds of students achieve their educational goals

This year the club awarded 28 scholarships to Pine Island students seeking to further their education This is only possible because of the generous donations from the Pine Island community

The Pine Island Kiwanis Club is eternally grateful for the support of all the individuals and organizations that enable us to continue with this worthwhile endeavor

The Kiwanis scholarship recipients are Emma Beckman, Ella Bernard (Bemore Scholarship), David Bollen, Jacob Bollen, Matthew Bollen, Darien Brown, Hannah Bryan, Charles Daniels, Erik Daniels, Tracy Daniels, Kaylee Dix (Kruger Scholarship), Emma English, Chloe Koff (Woodmore Scholarship), Syd

Scholarship), Sierra Nason, Emma Olson, Trentonn Olson (El Don Scholarship), Bella Player, Josslyn Rider, Brooke Schaal (Mel Meo Scholarship), Corin Scrudato, Tristan Sistare (Moose Scholarship), Grayce Smith, Elizabeth Vergara (Kruger Scholarship) and Brianna Whitney (Mel Meo Scholarship)

Visit https://www pineislandkiwanis org/

Donna Schneider

From page 1

cially at Thanksgiving and also donated to Pine Island Elementary so the children could help hatch the turkey eggs in incubators

Something amazing about Schneider is that she got national attention when she began her “Mama Donna” p

Hurricane Charley in 2005 The demand for healthy and organic food was great, she said, coupled with a lack of people’s interest in buying ornamentals

“There was a very large demand, particularly a need for, organic healthy fresh food We’ve always been organic vegetable gardeners and have always contributed to the neighborhood and friends and family but there seemed to be such a demand and that’s why we started reselling a lot of our organic vegetables and fruits at that time. That’s how Mama Donna came about. Martha Stewart discovered our business and did an article on us

in her magazine Unbeknownst to me, we won her American Made, Martha Stewart Award for food,” Schneider said

The Schneiders have fared well through the storms they’ve faced out here in the time they’ve been here, she said, crediting their octagon shaped house This allowed the couple to help others with their homes, which did not do as well

“We always stay so we can help the neighbors After Charley, we were able to help four different neighbors get their roofs back up so they could live in their households,” Schneider said

Describing Pine Island or islanders to someone who is unfamiliar, she said would include the descriptors eclectic, giving, sharing, beautiful and old Florida and, if she had one wish, she said, it would be kindness.

“More people helping each other, coming together, for

the good of the island We are a small community where more kindness goes a long way,” Schneider said

Some of the Pine Island Kiwanis Club scholarship recipients for 2024. PHOTO PROVIDED

Tropical Storm Debby disrupts good fishing

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A s a l i f e t i m e r e s i d e n t o f M a t l a c h a a n d P i n e I s l a

PROVIDED

Fishing the cooler morning tides is a good time to catch a mess of mangrove snapper around the inshore flats This family visiting from Alabama took home snapper and a few other fish for a couple dinners just before Debby arrived off the coast. They were fishing around Bokeelia with Capt. Bill Russell.

SWFL Children’s Charities hosts second Wine & Women event

SWFL Children’s Charities Inc recently launched a new summer wine series geared at bringing like-minded women together around a great cause and supporting restaurant & winery partners during the slower summer months. The co-chairs of Wine & Women are Katy Ciccarello and Renee Ciccarello and the group will host monthly socials through September The July wine event was held at Stone’s Throw in Cape Coral where attendees sipped on wines from Utopium Cassata Wines and learned about SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc and their annual signature fundraiser, Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest

SWFL Children’s Charities Inc is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving children’s lives by supporting the region’s growing pediatric health care system SWFL Children’s Charities Inc ’s annual signature fundraiser, the Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest, has donated over $29 million over the past 15 years in support of children’s health initiatives including pediatric oncology, behavioral and mental health, pediatric neurosurgery and more Celebrating its 16th year, the 2025 Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest will take place on Friday and Saturday, January 17 & 18 and will feature Chef Vintner Dinners creatively hosted in private luxury venues across the region and the Grand Tasting and Live Auction the following day at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa Guests will experience artful cuisine created by celebrated chefs and expertly paired with vintners from some of the finest and most exclusive wineries.

Capt. Bill Russell On the Water

PHOTO

Beacon of HOPE leads new Greater Pine Island Emergency Task Force

(Editor’s note: The following is the official announcement for the formation of the emergency task force )

The Lee County Board of Commiss

HOPE to work in conjunction with the Lee County Emergency Operations Center for disaster preparedness, mitigation, response and provide coordinated leadership for other groups and volunteers engaged in local recovery efforts through the creation of the Greater Pine Island Emergency Task Force

The vision of the Greater Pine Island Emergency Task Force is to disaster proof our community as much as possible before one strikes and reduce the time it takes to reach full recovery after one affects the

area The task force’s mission is to lead the Greater Pine Island Area's emergency m

response, mitigation, and provide centralized leadership for other groups & volunteers through an organized effort to kickstart recovery from all local disasters

The Greater Pine Island Emergency Task Force includes:

■

Beacon of HOPE

■ Steve Honc – Vice President of Honc Industries

■ Ryan Berger – Managing Partner for Inland Marine Group & Beacon Treasurer

■ M

Manager of the Greater Pine Island Water Association

Emergency task force

County Parks and Recreation, the Beacon of Hope and Honc Industries It became immediately obvious an assigned group would be needed to tackle preparations in an emergency situation, such as this one had been

From page 1

■ Benjamin Mickuleit – Matlacha Pine Island Fire Control District

■ Cody Allen – Matlacha Pine Island Fire Control District

■

Matlacha Pine Island Fire Control District

■ Glenn Green – President of Dynamic South

■ M

Coordinator for Dynamic South

■

Stearns Custom Builders

■

Executive for LCEC

■ Christine Tvardek – Manager for Lee County Parks & Recreation

■ Carlyn Herring – Vice President of the Beacon of HOPE

on the creation of this volunteer task force group, she said The Beacon of Hope is undergoing a Starlink installation, as the goal is to make the Pine Island Beacon of Hope the hub for any future storm emergencies

“We’ll be setting up recovery centers on the island. Our classroom and our community programs area will be up and running unless something happens to the building We’re putting things in place to be able to be more prepared, pre-storm and post-storm. That’s our goal,” Stearns said

Task force board member and Honc Industries owner Steve Honc said while this new volunteer task force is unaffiliated with other Pine Island organizations,

■ Joanne Lembo – Beacon Board

■ Karen Hillier – Beacon Board

These business owners & community members will work in coordination with each other under the leadership of the Beacon of HOPE, serving as the Area Operations Center The Greater Pine Island Emergency Task Force is not affiliated with long term recovery activities provided by other local organizations

Everyone interested in participating as a volunteer for disaster activities coordi-

Emergency Task Force is encouraged to

www beaconofhopepineisland com to fill out a volunteer application, find out more information before & after a disaster, and to sign up for a volunteer shift

they are happy to work with the community as a whole

“While we’re here as a relief in a time of disaster, we want to make it clear that we’re here for pre-hurricane preparation and also immediately following While we’re happy to work with other organizations established with some of the longterm recovery, our mission is not to be a long-term recovery organization,” Honc said

For additional information on the task force group, please visit the Beacon of H o p e ’

island com

The Beacon of Hope is at 5090 Doug Taylor Circle, St James City Call 239283-5123 for more information