WEEk of octobEr 18, 2023 FLIER INSIDE
2023 Pine Island FISH Basket Brigade effort under way — INSIDE pINEISlaND-EaglE.com
VolumE 47, NumbEr 24
Beacon of Hope donates golf cart: Pine Islanders looking out for Pine Islanders By PAULETTE LeBLANC
places and found that Kuztum Designs had a good, used cart available for purchase; in fact, they offered a small discount,” Ryan said. Peculis contacted the Beacon of Hope to see if the organization could help, Ryan said and the Beacon stepped up immediately to buy the cart. Peculis added a final touch by having Kuztum personalize the cart for Hazinger and the cart was presented to Barbie at the Low Key Tiki on Saturday, Oct. 7, just after her birthday. Board members Carlyn Herring and Mary Ryan attended the presentation as did Joanne Lembo, the
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
According to Beacon of Hope board member, Mary Ryan, most Pine Islanders, especially St. James City residents, likely know “Barbie,” Hazinger who used to run a fruit and vegetable stand in Saint James City. Hazinger lost everything in Hurricane Ian, Ryan said. “She lost the stand and the golf cart that enabled her to work that stand. As always, Pine Islanders look out for one another. Sandy Peculis of Saint James City, took action to help Barbie. She contacted a number of
See GOLF CART, page 24
Celebrating Pine Islanders: Lisa Dence By PAULETTE LeBLANC
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Island Time Village coming to Bokeelia By PAULETTE LeBLANC
B
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y now, most islanders have seen the small sheds on Ficus Tree Lane and Stringfellow Road in Bokeelia. Palm Source owner Dan Sheppard is rebuilding his farm, after it was destroyed by Hurricane Ian. In addition to fixing the irrigation system, he said he is making a farmer’s market and interested in doing agrotourism. Sheppard, who also is a Cape Coral City Council member, has plans to make a community place, with the possibility of animals for children to pet, complete with
beautiful landscaping, coming in the future. “I just want to build something for the community. I want a place for families to go that doesn’t cost a lot of money. I ordered a bunch of sheds to replace some of my buildings and had them painted in island colors. The sheds that people are seeing are for me to sell farm products. It’s not just about farm products but it’s about crafters—we have a lot of unique people in the area—we have artists and people that make things. Our island is known for havSee ISLAND TIME VILLAGE, page 29
The nature of relationships among Pine Islanders is often likened unto a big family who are always looking out for one another. Salty Girl’s Island Café owner, Lisa Dence, said first and foremost, she’s a daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother, adding that these are the components that shaped her into who she is today and she owes all of her success to her family. There is hardly a space or person PHOTO PROVIDED BY LISA DENCE on Pine Island Lisa with husband, Darrell that has not Dence been affected by her outreach, in one form or another. In addition to her father having been a pastor, Dence credits her giving spirit to having had a younger cousin who was born with a disability. “I remember when I was growing up I would do physical therapy with him, and I would tell my mom, when I grow
PHOTO BY CHARLENE RUSS
See LISA DENCE, page 24
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