Pine Island Eagle by BreezeNewspapers

VolumE 48, NumbEr 27

Renovation work continues at Miceli’s

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

David and Ellen Lane, along with partners Amber and Mike Brady, took over ownership of Miceli’s on June 28, 2023, and opened on July 3.

Lane said the only issue they’ve had, so far, is that once people found out the restaurant was under new ownership, they assumed there were going to be a vast amount of changes In fact, she said, none of the partners thought changing anything major would be a good idea, since Miceli’s had a history of great food and great service

The Lanes, who have also owned the Riverside Café in Vero Beach, Florida, since 2006, have learned in their experience as restaurateurs not to change something when it’s working In fact, she said, they have had the same employees, much in the same way as it’s been at

Perfect Cup comes back

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

W h i l e P

Rachael Chalupski were excited to get back open after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, they admit they were delighted to see the comeback of Matlacha with the reopening of Blue Dog, their “cross the street neighbor,” which was especially hurt two-plus years ago.

“We were super happy to see them open even sooner than us because they got hit a lot harder by Ian than we did, (Rich) Chalupski said. “I love our community, my customers, my team - we are all so happy to be back open again ”

“We are fortunate that we weren’t as devastated as so many of our neighbors, and we hope they can quickly get reopened, get back in their homes and get their lives back to normal,” (Rachael) Chalupski said

W a t e r t a k e n o n b y H e l e n e c l o s e d t h e Perfect Cup for three days and left the crew cleaning and drying everything off, Rich said He described Helene as a bump in the road, explaining that two weeks later, Hurricane Milton brought an influx of water into the building

“We had to open up some walls and get them dried out We had to replace some materials with PVC this time We had to remove baseboards and make sure everything was dry We had to clean it all and treat it, so everywhere that we had to do that, we replaced it with PVC material, which is really meant for exterior it can’t rot or be damaged by water,” he said

This is an effort to streamline a process he

See PERFECT CUP, page 9

Miceli’s

“We kept the same staff, exactly we may have hired one or two that we needed after some may have gone off to college or something We still have the same exact kitchen staff,” Lane said

Plans to renovate were already set in motion but happened to come together at the same time most island businesses were looking to close for possible inclement weather.

“Helene flooded us we got opened quick but then

MICELI’S, page 9

The sign says it all at Miceli’s in Matlacha Renovations at the restaurant were underway when the recent storms slowed progress.

PAULETTE LEBLANC

County’s temporary permitting office at library to remain open Fridays until Nov. 22

Lee County Government has announced an extension of the temporary permitting office on Pine Island to further assist residents to apply for permits to repair existing buildings damaged by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton

Development initially opened the temporary office three times a week at the Pine Island Public Library on Oct 16 The county will continue the service on Fridays through Nov 22

Staff are readily accessible to help residents navigate the permit process 10 a m to 3 p m on these dates, with the last customer sign-in being at 2:30 p m The library is located at 10701 Russell Road, Bokeelia, FL 33922

The remote location will have staff readily accessible to help residents navigate the permit process

The county may add additional temporary, remote permitting offices in other unincorporated Lee County locations as needed Monitor www leegov com/storm

Residents must live in these areas to use the temporary locations. Residents acting as their own contractor can submit permit applications, have them reviewed and – in some cases – issued from the remote office The applicants need their address, a description of the damage, estimated cost to repair, material cost documentation, and, if available, a floor plan

Hired contractors are asked to continue to use the existing electronic permitting process Residents seeking a full demolition or complete replacement of a structure will need to visit the main Department of Community Development permitting office at 1500 Monroe St , Fort Myers, FL 33091, for a permit

Lee County Government is reminding residents in unincorporated areas to pull permits for work on their

See PERMITTING OFFICE, page 9

PHOTO PROVIDED Perfect Cup owners Rich and Rachel Chalupski

See

Calusa Land Trust brings back ‘Plunk-aplank’ fundraiser

Some 25 years ago the Calusa Land Trust, Pine Island’s all-volunteer land conservancy, raised needed operational funds by routing names/memorials/captions on wooden planks in exchange for tax deductible donations.

The slabs were placed on the boardwalk and benches along the St. Jude Nature Trail in St. James City. Hurricanes Ian and Milton have caused extensive damage to these structures for which CLT is now incurring the nearly $100,000 expense for restoration

To help defer these costs the “plunk-a-plank” fundraising campaign has been re-established This time the planks consist of a composite material rather than mere wood and they will be displayed along the protected beams of the three tiki huts at the St James Creek Preserve

The cost is $100 and for more details, contact John K e n d a l l a t 2 3 9 - 2 8 3 - 8 1 7

trust org or visit the calusalandtrust org website

Pine Island

Potter's Guild Show Saturday at Koucky Studios

The Pine Island Potters Guild is looking forward to a full season of monthly shows and sales in the courtyard of Koucky Studios November’s show will be held this Saturday, the 9th, from 10 a m to 2 p m

Now in its 11th season, this outdoor venue hosts local artisans showing hand-

made pottery, crafts and painting in various mediums The show welcomes artisans who have not shown in the past and those who have been showing since the Guild Show’s inception

It is going to be a great season of creativity Please plan to attend, say hello,

enjoy the community spirit and support our local artisans

The Guild shows will continue the second Saturday of each month from this upcoming show through April 12, 2025

Some of this month’s featured mediums are pottery, jewelry, hand-stitched leather-

décor, paintings and prints, note cards, books by local authors, locally made gourmet jams, hot sauces and honey, handpainted table linens and more!

At 11 a m , potter Chuck Koucky and some of his students will demonstrate the art of firing horsehair pottery The random lines and patterns, the signature of this style, are created when applying strands of

hair from a horse’s mane or tail onto the surface of a hot raku clay pot that has just been removed from the kiln No two pieces are ever the same on these beautiful and unique pots

If you are interested in Pottery Classes from beginners to advanced, talk with Chuck Koucky about his class schedule Classes are now held year-round in the studio Be sure to ask for a tour!

Soak up some Pine Island Spirit, relax in the island-style atmosphere of the courtyard at Koucky Studios, and enjoy talking with all the artisans about their beautiful and unique products

For more information on November’s Show and Sale, please call Nancy Koucky at 239-233-3003

PIE to host Veterans Day program

annual Veterans Day program will be held this Friday, Nov 8, from 8:45-9:45 a m, on the school’s campus PIE students and staff hope all veterans and active-duty members of the military can join them on this special day

All guests must bring a valid ID for entry to the school and the program

For questions, please call the school at 239-283-0505

Pine Island Elementary is at 5360 R

Center, Bokeelia

PHOTO PROVIDED

The Ades family celebrates the placement of the Grandpa Shawn C Ades plank at the north tiki hut at the St. Jude Nature Trail preserve’s Smith/Dewane Vista. Frank Potter, CLT president, is shown holding the plank with the donor, Amity Ades Street, with her parents and family members.

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Phone: (239) 283-2022

Fax: (239) 283-0232

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Obituaries

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Web Poll

A simple reform to Medicare’s prescription drug program could put billions of dollars back into seniors’ pockets over the next decade That’d help them better manage their chronic conditions and significantly l

Concerningly, that reform is gathering dust That's a huge problem for seniors and one we need to fix sooner rather than later

More than two-thirds of Medicare beneficiaries have multiple chronic illnesses They face health care costs five times higher than their peers without any chronic conditions And right now, because of the way Medicare is structured, they overpay for the medicines they need

Currently, drug companies give the insurers that sponsor Medicare drug plans hefty discounts off the nominal “list” price of medicines In return, those insurers agree to provide better access to those companies’ brand-name medicines, rather than similar medications from other drug companies

In theory, those discounts should help patients But they typically don’t because the negotiated discounts remain secret And that secrecy leads to inflated out-of-pocket payments for seniors

Most Medicare plans require beneficiaries to pay a certain fraction of a drug’s cost an obligation known as “co-insurance ”

When pharmacists calculate what seniors owe in co-insurance, they use the publicly disclosed list price of a drug not the secret, substantially lower discounted price

For instance, let’s say a senior needs a medication that nominally costs $100 per month, and her Medicare plan requires her to

Members of VFW Post from Sharon, Ohio, visit island 'to help a veteran in need'

To the editor:

In the wake of Hurricane Milton's devastation to Pine Island, we recently had the privilege of hosting members from VFW Post in Sharon, Ohio, who stopped by with one simple mission in mind: to help a veteran in need Their compassion was tangible, and their visit serves as a beautiful reminder of the bonds that hold veterans and communities together, even across state lines

Our visitors were looking to make a difference, so we reached out to the Greater Pine Island Alliance for guidance on those most in need

That’s when we learned about Ed Mitchell, a man who’s been a steadfast part of this island for 30 years Ed has served as the prior commander of American Legion

pay 25% of a drug’s cost in co-insurance That’d put her on the hook for $25 in out-ofpocket payments

But imagine that the drug was actually secretly discounted by 75% to $25 The

5 from the woman, pass it along to the drug company, and pay absolutely nothing itself despite collecting a considerable monthly premium

In an alternate world, one in which insurance plans had

prescriptions and costly health complications Research indicates that an increase in out-ofpocket prescription drug costs can escalate health care spending due to increased hospitalizations and ambulatory care F o r

patients pay out-of-pocket, total M

$1 80 T

woman’s co-insurance would instead be just 25% of $25 or $8 25 a month Over the course of a year, she’d save hundreds of dollars just on that one medicine And many seniors with chronic conditions rely on multiple treatments to stay healthy

Thankfully, some lawmakers are trying to make that better world a reality In 2023, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced a bill the Share the Savings with Seniors Act to reduce Medicare beneficiaries’ out-of-pocket costs. It’d allow seniors with Part D prescription drug plans to pay costsharing based on the real, discounted price of medicines, instead of the list prices

Yet, the bill is stuck in a House committee -- and isn’t moving forward That’s terrible news for America’s aging population

Many seniors currently struggle to afford necessary medications, leading to skipped

and personal toll is staggering Medicare is projected to spend $18 billion annually by 2030 on avoidable health complications linked to medication nonadherence, which contributes to t

112,000 seniors each year

The Share the Savings with Seniors Act would ensure that patients who face the highest out-of-pocket costs those with chronic illnesses would benefit from drug discounts This straightforward adjustment not only promises immediate relief for seniors, but also supports better health outcomes by improving access to vital medications

Kenneth E. Thorpe is chairman of the D

d Management at the Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University He is chairman of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease T

Economics

Tragically, since Hurricane Ian, Ed’s home has endured flooding three times Despite these challenges, Ed and his wife, Linda, have faced each day with resilience

Thanks to our visitors’ generosity, Ed and Linda could replenish essential items, helping them regain a bit of normalcy Their gratitude was heartfelt, and it was clear that this kindness made an immense impact on them during such a challenging time

Our community, like many others, faces daily struggles, but we’re fortunate to have individuals and organizations who are ready to step up and lend a hand It’s efforts like these, from both near and far, that allow us to keep pushing forward to help our veterans, our neighbors, and all who call Pine Island home

As we continue to rebuild and support

sometimes the smallest act of kindness can bring light to someone’s darkest days. Let’s strive to be the ones who spread that kindness and make someone smile

With gratitude,

Progress with the positive

To the editor:

In the life of a teacher, as we live our dayto-day lives, it is easy to focus on the negative things. Lately I have been trying to step into the positive The solutions that I have come up with are simple, yet they work

1 Keep your expectations realistic

2 Plan ahead

3 Idle time is not helpful

4 Expect the unexpected

5 Clearly state your expectations

6 Offer reasonable choices

7 Catch your children doing good

8 Stay calm

9 Use phrases like first and then

10. Model for success

If we put positive into practice, we should be instrumental in making our little piece of the world a happier place

Pamela Martin preschool curriculum coordinator

Cape Coral

Post 136 in St James City, and remains a

Kenneth Thorpe Guest Commentary

2024 Pine Island FISH Basket Brigade begins Guest Commentary

The 2024 Pine Island FISH Basket Brigade is underway

Over the years, our program has grown significantly thanks to the incredible support and generosity of islanders like yourselves In 2023 we proudly served over 220 children

This reflects the compassionate spirit of our community and we are grateful for your continued support

Requests or referrals for Pine Island and Matlacha residents who could benefit from this program should be submitted to Pine Island Fish via our website: www pineislandfish org, or by phone: 239-283-4442, no later than Nov 15, 2024 (For Spanishspeaking residents, please contact Carolyn Ryzanych at 707-291-0310) This allows us the necessary time for shopping, wrapping, sorting & assignment of gifts

This year we are continuing the “Giving Tree” model, where adopters can select a child’s “ornament gift wish” from trees placed throughout Greater Pine Island

Adopters will then shop, wrap and return gifts to the same location where they picked up the ornament Please remember to attach the ornament to the bag of gifts for easier sorting prior to returning

If you would like to adopt all the children of one family, it can be arranged

Please contact Jim or Janet Wentz at 239283-4442 to set that up

If you would like to host a “Giving Tree” at your location or place of business, please do not hesitate to contact Pine Island FISH at the numbers listed above

We are also excited to inform you that this year’s distribution will once again be at the Fishers of Men Lutheran Church, located at 10360 Stringfellow Road in St James City, just south of The Center on the east side of the road

Saturday, Dec 14, from 9 a m to 1:30

p m

To ensure that we provide meaningful gifts to the children, we kindly request that parents provide suggestions regarding the types of gifts their children would enjoy (Please note that we cannot accommodate electronic requests due to financial limitations )

For those who wish to contribute to the Basket Brigade, you can send donations to Pine Island FISH, P O Box 357, Matlacha, FL 33993, with Basket Brigade written in the memo line

Donations can also be made online at our web site pineislandfish org

If you would like to learn more about our organization or have specific questions about the Brigade, please either visit our website or call directly to the FISH phones, 239 283-4442.

Thank you for your ongoing support

and commitment to making the holidays brighter for those in need

Together we can make a difference in our community

Sending Help) is a 501c3 nonprofit and an

organized to help those living in Matlacha and Pine Island Communities

Pine Island FISH offers the following services: Non-emergency transportation to medical facilities, grocery stores, pharmacies, bank, etc., to those with no access to transportation; mobility equipment lending: wheelchairs, walkers, etc ; assistance with special needs such as emergency financial assistance for rent, utilities, etc

There is no charge for FISH services, however equipment and monetary donations are welcome We are always also in need of volunteers not just the holidays

For more information, please visit our website at www pineislandfish org

GPICA to discuss islanders’ ‘resiliency’ at meeting Tuesday

The Greater Pine Island Civic Association will be meeting Tuesday, Nov 12, at 6:30 p m , where the group will host a community conversation about” resiliency ”

The GPICA wants to know islanders' thoughts on topics such as:

■ How could you make your home / property more resilient to future storms;

Residents asked to take GPICA surveys

How is recovery going for you? What are some of the barriers you're facing? If your home or business was damaged during Hurricanes Helene or Milton, please share your details and thoughts on recovery and how our community can b

■ What barriers are keeping you from taking action to make your home / propert y m o r e r e s i l i e n t ? ( I s i t f i n a n c i a l r esources? Time? Knowledge? Something else?)

future storms

■ What are your ideas about how the

Take the residential and business surveys on the GPICA website at gpica org; the links are listed on the November meeting agenda site

Please share these links with your friends and neighbors and encourage them to share their thoughts and ideas, too

overall community could become more resilient? (More mangroves? Higher road-

ways? Something else?)

The GPICA is asking all islanders to show up and share their thoughts not just on rebuilding, but on how islanders can rebuild better and stronger! All fulland part-time residents and business owners are welcome you do not need to be a GPICA member to attend

Avenue D, Bokeelia The meeting will also be livestreamed on Facebook, where comments can be shared

How to keep your lungs healthy

L u n g c a n c e r k i l l s m o r e m e n a n d

women each year in the United States than any other cancer To lessen your risk of getting the disease, taking steps to quit any nicotine habit will make an impact With s o m a n y n e w p r o d

’ s important to know the risks associated with smoking, vaping and other nicotine options, as well as the impact of family history and how to ensure early detection

Are all tobacco products the same?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly nine out of 10 lung cancers are caused by s m o k i n g c i g a r e t t e s T h o s e w h o a r e exposed to secondhand smoke also raise their risk of getting lung cancer by 20% to 30%

Smoking is one of the most common ways to put nicotine into your body, however, there are a handful of other nicotine products available as well, many of which advertise appealing flavors to teenagers and young adults They include:

■ Vaping E-cigarettes

■ Using smokeless tobacco pouches

■ Chewing tobacco

■ Nicotine gum

■ Nicotine patches

There are thousands of chemicals in cigarette smoke and many of them are carcinogens The human body can work to detoxify and get rid of carcinogens, but when it’s unable to do so, leftover carcinogens can cause cells in the body to mutate, and sometimes transform into cancerous cells

The more smoke that’s inhaled or put into the body, the more chance there is for these mutations to develop If someone smokes frequently for a long period of time, they will have a higher risk of developing lung cancer However, there are other risk factors

Many of the carcinogens that are in cigarette smoke are found in vape smoke; however, there is not enough research on the newer product to directly explain longterm risks Additionally, vape smoke can

also contain food-grade flavorings, aldehydes that can cause heart and lung dise a s e , a n d o t h e r p o s s i b l e chemicals like metals

The most impactful way

t o d e c r e a s e t h e r i s k o f developing lung cancer is to stop smoking completely

S t o p p i n g t h e u s e o f nicotine products can be made easier with the help of a support group and the s u p p o r t o f f a m i l y a n d friends

What are the risk factors for lung cancer?

Dr. Shyam Kapadia Guest Comment

Smoking and the use of other nicotine products is the number one cause of lung cancer Radon is the second-leading cause of the disease Radon is a gas that forms naturally in rocks, soil and water and it cannot be seen, tasted or smelled It can get through cracks or holes and become trapped and built up in the air Tests can be done to see if radon is in a home or building

The risk of lung cancer from radon exposure is higher for smokers compared t o n o n s m o k e r s A c c o r d i n g t o t h e Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year and only about 14% of these deaths occur among people who have never smoked

Breathing in other substances, such as asbestos, arsenic, diesel exhaust and some forms of silica and chromium can also put you at risk over time for developing lung cancer

Family history of lung cancer

While nicotine products increase the risk of developing lung cancer, it is also at risk of being higher if your parents, brothers, sisters or children have had lung cancer.

It’s also important for survivors of lung cancer to know that there is a chance that

lung cancer can return if you do not quit smoking

How can I get screened for lung cancer?

It’s recommended to get screened before age 50 if you have a family history of l u n g c a n c e r T h e U n i t e d States Preventive Services

T a s k F o r c e r e c o m m e n d s yearly lung cancer screening with a low dose computed t o m o g r a p h y ( C T s c a n ) i f you:

■ Smoke 20 packs of cigarettes a year

■ Smoke now or have quit within the past 15 years

■ Are between 50 and 80 years old

If you meet any of these requirements or if you’d like more information, please contact your primary care provider For m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t www leehealth org

Advances in lung cancer detection

Lee Health has added the ION robotica s s i

robotics program to help physicians detect lung cancer much earlier than with tradit i o n a l m e t h o d s A d d i t i o n a l l y , i t h a s launched the Advanced Lung Care Center, where patients can receive both lung cancer screenings and follow-ups for abnormal imaging findings to expedite their care

So far this year, the ION robotic-assisted bronchoscopy platform has supported physicians in performing 532 biopsies Since its inception nearly two years ago, Lee Health physicians have completed over 800 biopsies

The robotic-assisted lung biopsy is conducted by a physician using the ION platform to navigate the path to the abnormality As the guided catheter approaches the abnormal area, the physician can confirm its location with a CT scan during the pro-

cedure This allows for a highly precise biopsy This technology has proven to be safer and better tolerated than traditional approaches

D e t e c t i n g l u n g c a n c e r e a r l y o f f e r s patients a much greater chance of survival and more effective treatment options Both t h e A d v a n c e d L u n g C a r e

robotic-assisted bronchoscopy support Lee Health’s commitment to the well-being of our community

Lung cancer symptoms

Unfortunately, lung cancer is a silent d i s e a s e

knowing your risk factors and getting the appropriate screening if you meet the criteria is of the utmost importance Some of the symptoms of later stage lung cancer can include:

■ Coughing up blood or rust-colored spit or phlegm

■ A cough that doesn’t go away and is getting worse

■ Hoarseness

■ Chest pain that is worse with deep breathing, coughing or laughing

■ Unexplained weight loss

■ Loss of appetite

■ Feeling tired or weak

■ Shortness of breath

■ Infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia that don’t go away or keep coming back

n New onset of wheezing

If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, it’s important to talk with your doctor and plan a screening to find out what is causing the symptoms

National Lung Cancer Screening Day

National Lung Cancer Screening Day is Nov 11, and the Lee Health Advanced Lung Care Center is hosting a community event on Saturday, Nov 11, from 9 a m to noon, at the Outpatient Center at the Sanctuary, 8960 Colonial Center Drive, in Fort Myers Those interested in attending

See LUNGS, page 14

PIE's Eagle Book Club thanks Bobby Holloway

Jr. Memorial Foundation

Pine Island Elementary School’s Eagle Book Club would like to thank the Bobby Holloway Jr Memorial Foundation for the Sunshine State Young Readers Award Books! Students and staff say thank you to the foundation for supporting their love of reading! The PIE students pictured showing their new books are, from left, Natalie Nadotti, Danci Hale, Michaela Tucker, Franklin Ruiz, Isaac Montalbano and Georgia Smith.

CLT work/fun party Saturday at Taylor/Willow Lake Preserve

work/fun party will be held this Saturday,

Preserve beginning at 9 a m This property contains mangroves, salt flats and a mature live oak/palmetto forest hosting an active bald eagle nest In addition, several new looping nature trails have been pioneered and maintenance on these hurricane damaged pathways (and the entrance strip) will be this event's mission

The entry walkway to this 36-acre preserve is located off Alcorn Street (just

south of the Catholic Church)

The Calusa Land Trust is an all-volunteer land conservancy and, thus, relies upon its members and guests to steward its preserved lands. It is recommended that participants provide themselves with work gloves/clothing, pruning tools and a happy spirit Volunteers will be rewarded with cold beverages, a pizza lunch and a warm fuzzy feeling of accomplishment

For more information, contact Robert Ballard at 239-770-0070 or mrobertballard64@gmail com

Spyrnal Financial Group now collecting donations for Toys for Tots program

The basic mission of the Marine Toys f o r T o t s P r o g r a

unwrapped toys and distribute those toys to less fortunate children at Christmas

The primary goal is, through the gift of a new toy, to help bring the joy of Christmas and send a message of hope to America’s less fortunate children

Since 2001, the Toys for Tots Program has been ranked as one of the top-rated charities by “Philanthropy 400 ” W h i l e T o y s f o r T o t s

organize, coordinate and manage the campaign, the ultimate success depends on the support of the local community and the generosity of the people who donate toys

Spyrnal Financial Group is proud to partner with Toys for Tots for this year’s campaign

Beginning Nov 1 and continuing until mid-December, Spyrnal’s island office will be a drop-off location for anyone wishing to donate a new, unwrapped toy

The program has had a huge impact on

County

The Spyrnal Financial Group office is at 5524 Avenue A, Bokeelia, and it is open 8:30 a m to 4:30 p m , MondayFriday Contact the office at 239-2837515 for additional information

PHOTO PROVIDED

Kittens, kittens, kittens

Helping Paws Animal Sanctuary (a no kill shelter) has many kittens and cats available for adoption The sanctuary is located in 10060 Mallory Parkway, St James City, Island Center Call 239-283-9100 (leave message) to arrange a visit

Traffic remains down to one lane for Little Pine Island Bridge reconstruction work

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 Island Bridge (Bridge No 120111) to west of Shoreview Drive

■ Phase 1 of construction on Little Pine Island Bridge continues 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 delivery/ removal of materials, transfer of 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

PHOTO PROVIDED

Perfect Cup

feels may be repetitive, he said, although he certainly hopes it is not In the meantime, he said, this was used as an opportunity to do an extreme deep clean

In addition, wife and owner Rachael, general manager Emily Pancoast and half the staff got out paintbrushes and gave the place a whole new feel, he said.

“The only reason we got open as fast as we did is because of the great people that work with us Most days they were there before we were,” Chalupski said, adding that even customers were stopping by to see how they might lend a helping hand.

“They did help One very good customer donated money to every employee We all know servers live on tips and there’s no unemployment or anything you can really do about that, so we paid them what we called ‘hazardous duty pay ’ Basically, we paid everyone a really good wage so that they could pay their rent It’s not their fault Milton went through,” Chalupski said.

Looking back, he said, showing up with the employees to ready the place to reopen got to be fun Rachael, in particular, he said, was devastated upon first sight of the restaurant after Hurricane Milton Upon seeing his wife’s

Pancoast to make certain Rachael saw that they could save “her baby” once again A

Miceli’s From page 1

Milton was coming so we had to close down We were going to do the renovations a little bit at a time but because the employees didn’t have any kind of work, we invited whoever of the employees wanted to, to come and help us They were sanding and painting they were so amazing We didn’t hire contractors to come in and paint it’s all them,” Lane said

When the Lanes saw that Miceli’s was for sale, she

Chalupski is more determined than ever to go another several rounds for their restaurant in Matlacha

“We should all remember why we live here We can’t let these beat us Southwest Florida is paradise Pine Island and Matlacha in particular I’ve been a lot of places. I haven’t been worldwide, but I’ve been all over this country and there’s nowhere else I’m gonna live and

said they came over to eat and check it out They spent some time talking to Miceli’s employees, who, of course, had no idea they were thinking of buying the place

“I thought, ‘This is amazing It’s pretty great,’” Lane said

Other than adding some menu items, there aren’t any changes, Lane said, adding that the menu changes are favorites from Riverside Café, such as Tuna Nachos and

Permitting office From page 1

homes to repair storm damage caused by Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton

Any unincorporated Lee County residents or businesses within the Special Flood Hazard Area with any damage to their homes or businesses, including water intrusion and all drywall repairs, must obtain a permit for all repairs Email FIRMinfo@leegov com for assistance with permit requirements and resources, and be sure to include the following information:

■ Contact information

■ Property address

■ Type of damage

■ Height of the water that entered the home

Residents also can find more information at www leegov com/dcd/BldPermitServ/disaster-recovery Or they can call 239-533-8948.

Commissioners following storm events to help the communities most impacted – and part of commissioners’ goal is to ensure residents understand the National Flood Insurance Program requirements that permits are necessary for even minor repairs This is particularly critical

Per fect Cup crew

The staff at the Perfect Cup in Matlacha. Many pitched in and h e l p e d o w n e r s R i c h a n d Rachael Chalupski repair and restore the business after the recent hurricanes.

PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY RICH CHALUPSKI

I don’t care if we get Ian every couple of years although I hope it’s more like every 20,” Chalupski said He also wanted to give a shout out to both LCEC and Wastepro for going above and beyond in their endeavor to help after the storms

Perfect Cup is at 4548 Pine Island Road in Matlacha. Call 239-283-4447 for more information

Grouper Medallion Piccata

“There are some things they we did bring over because they’re really good sellers We love this island and we want to make it better for the community,” Lane said

Miceli’s is at 3930 Pine Island Road in Matlacha For more information, call the restaurant at 239-282-8233

for residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area, which

Pulling proper permits helps ensure the county’s compliance with NFIP, and that in turn ensures residents are afforded the benefits of the program such as eligibility for federal flood insurance and certain types of federal disaster aid

For additional information and updates on any future temporary permit office locations, please visit www leegov com/storm

Lee County operations adjust schedules for Veterans Day

Most Lee County administrative operations will be closed Monday, Nov 11, in observance of Veterans Day

The county’s schedule adjustments are as follows:

Solid Waste

All garbage, recycling and yard waste collections in unincorporated Lee County, the City of Bonita Springs, the Village of Estero and the Town of Fort Myers Beach are not affected by the holiday Residents are asked to place solid waste and recycling curbside on the normal collection day

Lee County Solid Waste offices are closed on Monday, Nov 11, in observance of the holiday This includes operations at the Household Chemical Waste Collection Facility, 6441 Topaz Court T

i t y o n Buckingham Road and the Lee/Hendry Regional Solid Waste Disposal Facility will be open

Community Development

The offices of Lee County Community Development, including permitting lobby and phones, will be closed Monday, Nov 1

Contractors may utilize the electronic permitting portal during the closure

Lee County Utilities

The offices of Lee County Utilities, the Call Center and drive-thru window will be closed Monday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day A drop-box is on-site at the front door and another accessible via the drive-thru for payments by check

Libraries

All library locations will be closed M

resume regular operating hours Tuesday, Nov 12 The library is always available online at www leelibrary net/online

Domestic Animal Services

Animal Services, 5600 Banner Drive, Fort Myers, will be closed Monday, Nov 11, but will be open for regularly scheduled hours on Tuesday, Nov 12, which are 8 a m to 5:30 p m for the Lost & Found Pet Center and 10:30 a m to 3:30 p m for the Pet Adoption Center

LeeTran

LeeTran bus, trolley and paratransit services are not affected by the holiday

www rideleetran com

Parks & Recreation

ramps remain open on Veterans Day Pools, recreation centers and administrative offices are closed Monday, Nov 11, and will reopen Tuesday, Nov 12 Check www leeparks org for the list of open locations, hours and amenities

county parks Lee County reminds resi-

Islands Park on the Sanibel Causeway remains closed to watercraft, pedestrian and bicycle traffic due to the active construction zone.

Midpoint Bridge

The Midpoint Madness Veterans Day 5K Run/Walk will close the Midpoint Bridge from 6-9 p m , Monday, Nov 11

Motorists are encouraged to use the Cape Coral Bridge or the U S 41 and Business 41 bridges as alternate routes Lee County Department of Transportation will place message boards on Friday, Nov 1, to alert motorists of the closure F

Veterans Day event, contact the YMCA o

www ymcaswfl org/ Pre- and post-race activities will be at Royal Palm Square at the base of the Midpoint Bridge in Fort Myers at 1400 Colonial Blvd The race begins at 6:30 p m

To sign up to enter the race, visit https://runsignup com/Race/FL/FortMyers /MIDPOINTMADNESSVeteransDay5K ---

For more information about the Lee County D epartment of Trans portation, visit www leegov com/dot or email traffic

com For questions regarding the bridge closure, call 239-533-9400

Matlacha Hookers’ blood drive Saturday at Winn-Dixie

Saturday, Nov 9, at the Winn-Dixie Plaza on Stringfellow Road in St James City from 9 a m until 2 p m Look for the Big Red Bus

As a thank you for your pint donation, you will receive a $20 eGift Card and a O n e B l o

Please visit

#10492 For more information, contact DJ at 239-910-3829

Vendors sought for MOTI holiday open house scheduled for Dec. 7

The Museum of the Islands is seeking v e

house, Saturday, Dec 7 The event will be 9 a m to 1 p m The cost is $10 per 10-foot spot, bring your own table, tents are permitted Spaces are limited For more information or to reserve a

info@museumoftheislands com or at the museum, located at 5728 Sesame Drive, Bokeelia You can also leave a message at the museum and your call will be returned, 239–283–1525 You can also message on Facebook Museum hours through O c t o b e r a r e T u e s d a y , Thursday and Saturday, 11 a m to 3 p m Winter hours resume Nov 5 Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a m to 3 p m

GPIWA accepting applications for Board of Director candidates

T h e G

e a t

n e Island Water Association is looking for candidates for its Board of Directors

T h e r e a r e t w o “ a t large” positions and one “ M a t l a c h a / M a i n l a n d ” positions that are open To be considered as a candidate you must be a GPIWA customer Please e m a i l y o u r n a m e , a ddress, cell phone number, and brief (half a page) resume to mikesm@pine islandwater com

The Matlacha Hookers

Fishing good despite unfavorable conditions

Overall, despite a brisk wind and often low tides, fishing reports were good over the week Schools of seatrout were found throughout Pine Island Sound, with several anglers reporting hook-ups on every cast Fishing artificial and live baits over 4 to 6-foot grass flats from the powerlines north to Part Island took trout up to 21 inches Baits included shrimp, pinfish, spoons, shad or shrimp tail plastics Ladyfish, jack crevalle, sharks and a few pompano were hooked as well Redfish action was consistent over the week across the Sound, Charlotte Harbor and Matlacha Pass Fish averagi n g 1 7 - 2 5

w e r e hooked along shorelines and o

sand holes and troughs on the

water is clearing up and oth-

h were caught in both To baits were live or cut pinfish and gold spoons

Snook anglers found success working structure and shorelines around Pine Island Sound, Charlotte Harbor and areas around St James City Snook to 32 inches went for pinfish, pilchards, hand-picked shrimp, shad tails and top-water baits including Zara Spooks Snook up to 31 inches and a few oversize redfish were caught from the Matlacha Drawbridge after dark set in

Sheepshead are beginning to arrive as catches of larger fish was on the rise over the week Sheeps up to 18 inches were caught on shrimp on jighead rigs and live shrimp in areas around the Gulf Passes and the Sound side of Sanibel and Captiva islands including Blind Pass More and larger fish will continue to move in as the water continues to cool down Sheepshead are a fun fish to target through the cooler months and one of our best eating

Stay up to date with fishing regulations before hitting t h e w a t e r

Commission at www myfwc com Also, upload the Fish

Redfish reports were good all around the Islands. This one was caught on a pinfish in northern Pine Island Sound fishing with Capt. Bill Russell

Rules app on your phone It has current regulations 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 239410-8576, online at www fishpineisland com or via at email gcl2fish@live com

Have a safe week and good fishin’

Red Sox seeking singers for Spring Training national anthem

The Boston Red Sox are turning their attention to preparing for their 2025 Spring Training season at JetBlue Park and that means it is audition time for local singers

Any locals thinking they have the chops to sing our national anthem in front of a crowd of 10,000 will want to mark their calendar for early December

The Red Sox are inviting potential candidates to their auditions for the 2025 Spring Training season in Lee County on Dec 4 and 5, from 4-7 p m

The organization is looking for new talent to fill approximately 17 spots to perform the national anthem in February and March.

FWC: Report damaged boats, storm debris

Knowing that many in S o u t h w e s t F l o r

e seeing abandoned, stormd

waterways, Lee County has informed the public that the Florida Fish and W i l d

Commission has updated its website to make

debris issues locally The link to report any p r o b l e m s t o F W C is https://floridadebriscleanup com/#!/submit

Auditions will be held at JetBlue Park, located at 11500 Fenway South Drive in Fort Myers All ages are welcome to audition

Reservations must be made in advance by contacting Emily Slater eslater@redsox com or by calling and 239226-4765 to reserve a time slot If anyone is unable to attend these dates, he or she may contact Slater about submitting an audio recording Space is limited

The team will open its season on Friday, Feb. 21, against the Northeastern University Huskies at JetBlue Park at Fenway South and compete in 15 home games and 15 away games with matchups against six American League teams and five National League teams. Red Sox

Spring Training is presented by CVS Health

The 2025 season is the Red Sox’ 14th at JetBlue Park at Fenway South

PHOTO

Capt Bill Russell On the Water

Voting begins for Breeze Athlete of the Month for October

Breeze Staf f Repor t

com

Athlete of the Month for October is now open

There were a number of top performances from student-athletes in The Breeze coverage area and now it’s up to readers to decide who will earn top honors for the month

Nominees for October include: ■

Huntington

Tritons: The junior quarterback tied a single-game school record for passing touchdowns in a 56-17 district win over Ida Baker. O'Leary threw for five touchdowns on the night, and was a threat with his legs, rushing for two more

■ Carter Smith, Senior, Bishop Verot Vikings: Smith continued his stellar high school career by helping the Vikings topple First Baptist Academy 34-28 The senior went 12-of-16 through the air for 181 yards and two touchdown passes He

Cat of the Week

Although we have many kittens in all different colors and sizes, we decided to feature Huntingt o n t h i s w e e k . H e h a s b e e n passed over for weeks, along w i t h

tens No one ever wants the black kitties We realize many people aren't in a position to adopt because of storm damage, but if you have room in your heart and home for a new fur baby, we have all different models to choose from! Call Helping Paws Animal Sanctuary at 239283-9100 for more information. If y o u ’ d r a t h e r j u s t d o n a t e , o u r address is 10060 Mallory Parkw a y, E , U n i t D , S t J a m e s City or there’s always our website at www helpingpawsanimalsanctuary com

also rushed for 131 yards, adding two more scores

■ Sienna Gasperini, Senior, Bishop Verot Vikings: The senior set a school record for a single-game high-score for the girls bowling team, rolling a 223 against Ida Baker Gasperini bowled eight strikes, including two separate turkeys, adding one spare in the record-setting game

■ Sarah Mikulus, Senior, Oasis Sharks: Mikulus recorded 31 digs, three aces and four kills, hitting 429, with 38 serve receive passes in two matches versus M

Naples. The senior helped the Sharks get to the district championship match for the first time in a decade

■ Taylor Foster, Junior, Ida Baker Bulldogs: Foster helped lead the Bulldogs to a 6A District 12 semifinal win over Palmetto Ridge In the 3-2 win, the junior collected 40 digs, 35 assists, four kills and three aces

■ Gervaris Leaphart, Senior, Island Coast Gators: The senior running back

Lungs

From page 6

must be prescreened before Nov 9 and be 50-80 years old, smoke 20 packs of cigarettes a year or have quit smoking within the past 15 years.

complete the "Schedule a Screening" questionnaire on the right-hand side of the webpage Our team will contact you to schedule a visit to complete a health history and discuss lung cancer screening this can

once again eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark, totaling 154 rushing yards on 29 carries in a loss to Cypress Lake Leaphart accounted for three rushing scores, giving him 14 touchdowns on the year in eight games He also surpassed the 1,000-yard mark on the season

Myers Red Knights: Terry took home a pair of District 3A-8 titles for the 50- and 100-meter freestyle for the Red Knights swim team He was also part of a secondplace 200 freestyle relay that advanced to regional competition

Verot Vikings: The talented running back rushed 18 times for a whopping 203 yards and scored five touchdowns in a 567 Viking win over Clewiston

Athlete of the Month nominees are comprised of The Breeze’s staff-selected Athletes of the Week for that respective month

breeze com and click the “Vote Now” icon on the homepage

be an "in person"’ or telehealth visit You can call the Advanced Lung Care Center to schedule a lung cancer screening visit at 239-468-8074. If you have medical questions about lung cancer screenings, please call 239343-5864 (LUNG)

Dr Shyam Kapadia is a pulmonologist a n d M e d i c a l D i r e c t o r a t L e e H e a l t h Advanced Lung Care Center