Pine Island Eagle by BreezeNewspapers

VolumE 48, NumbEr 29

Pine Island Library schedule for December; Fandom Fest returning

Celebrating Pine Islanders: Dave Conner

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

Dave Conner said he would describe himself as a man of many hats

Although he said he was a military brat, having been born on a military base and having lived in England and Spain since his father was an Air Force colonel and his mother was in the British navy, he grew up in Miami and said, on his first getaway with his wife, Darcy, he fell in love with Matlacha (2010) many years before moving here, which was only 4 years ago, in the midst of the global pandemic

Conner said he has formally been in the

promotions, marketing, branding business for over 30 years

“Darcy told me she wanted to go to this little funky place called Matlacha and we spent our first weekend together there. We loved it and thought it was really cool So, years later, when we started to look for housing, we decided to take a look over here and found something in Bokeelia we really liked I still have an office in Miami, Fort Lauderdale I have a corporation with partners, called Big League Sports Productions Under that, there’s I s l a n

Bokeelia Custom Apparel and I do some other stuff on the side, too,” Conner said

As a matter of practice, he said he a

involved in the Chamber of Commerce wherever he happens to be, adding that he was once the secretary of the Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce, which is in Miami His commitment to community, v

ensures Conner is always present at or helping plan major events, such as, concerts, festivals and art shows “It’s a natural fit for me, wherever I go, to get involved with the chambers I think

See CELEBRATING PINE ISLANDERS, page 14

Island Market to return Nov. 30 at Fishers of Men Luthern Church

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

A c c o r d

Commerce board member Cynthia Welch, “We Are Back and Keeping it Local” is the stance the board is taking in this upcoming season

The Island Market will begin at the end of this month and Welch said the chamber is very excited to be back in the swing of things, offering members a platform for their businesses The market, she said, will showcase everything from fishing rods and jewelry to baked goods and plants.

“The Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the return of our Island Market season Our first market will be Nov 30, from 9 a m to 2 p m , at the Fishers of Men Lutheran Church, 10360 Stringfellow Road, St James City This season’s markets will continue to showcase a wonderful mix of local

T h i s

showcase a wonderful mix of local artisans, crafters, organizations and businesses featuring their unique art, goods, handicrafts and services.”

Chamber board member Cynthia Welch

artisans, crafters, organizations and businesses featuring their unique art, goods, handicrafts and services,” Welch said “Don’t miss this opportunity to spend a relaxing morning strolling and supporting local islanders while enjoying a beverage from the Get Perked Coffee and Breakfast truck And who knows, maybe you’ll find that perfect gift you need for the upcoming holiday season

Resiliency Florida director discusses strategies for extreme weather events at GPICA meeting

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

David Rathke, the executive director of Resiliency Florida, a non-profit organization, gave a presentation on the regional strategies and action plans for adaptation of extreme weather events and sea level rise at this month's Greater Pine Island Civic Association meeting last Tuesday

The monthly meeting was held at First Baptist Church of Pine Island

Rathke began by telling everyone that Resilience Florida is made up of cities, counties and private companies He shared that hurricanes Ian, Helene and Milton caused nearly a half a trillion dollars in damages Hurricane Charley, which came through 20 years ago, was a very different storm, he said, with more wind than water damage, but explained that Charley had impacts all across Florida He and his staff at the water management in Brooksville manned the resource centers in Arcadia, handing out supplies

“As you all know, hurricanes are not necessarily increasing in frequency, but when you talk to the state meteorologist, he will tell you how they are increasing in intensity,” Rathke said.

He also recommended everyone check the website for the data themselves Recent storms, he said, seem to share the trait of intensifying later, making it harder and harder to predict the direction by which they’ll travel Hurricane Ian, he explained, caused damage, such as downed homes, on both coasts It was not just a Southwest Florida issue, he said Solutions regarding what to do about that, begins in rooms just like the one in which they met for Tuesday’s meeting, he said, referring to it as a grass roots solution

CYNTHIA WELCH

The Island Market at Fishers of Men Lutheran Church.

Dave Conner

Fandom Fest returning to Fort Myers Dec. 14

Lee County Library System is seeking volunteers to help with annual festival

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

An abundance of meet-and-greets will be among the highlights of the annual Fandom Fest this December, including a live performance youth will not want to miss.

“There are going to be so many char-

Programming & Community Outreach

M a n a g e r M e l i s s a B a k e r s a i d “ I t ’ s a

grander scale celebration of pop culture for today ”

The library took over the first Fandom Fest in 2019 It was originally Comic Fest before they decided to expand it to as many fandom characters as they could “It wasn’t all about superheroes and

comics There are other literary fandoms that we like and wanted to support and promote tap into what kids are into,” she said

The event will be held from 11 a m to 3 p m Saturday, Dec 14, at the Fort Myers Regional Library, 2450 First St., Fort Myers

The character meet-and-greets include:

FANDOM FEST, page 12

December programs set at Pine Island Public Library

Next month’s roster of activities at the Pine Island Public Library offers topics for all ages The following programs are free to the public.

Adult Programs

Holiday Gift Tag Craft

10 a m , Wednesday, Dec 4

Celebrate the season of giving with a festive gift tag making session Get crafty with an array of die cuts and other art supplies to create an extra special touch for your holiday gifts

Fandom Fest: Disney Trivia

Family Edition

2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7

Fans of all things Disney can join this fun, interactive family style trivia game

Wear your favorite Disney attire and show off your character and movie knowledge Disney fan crafts and snacks will also be available For elementary age students and up

Santa and Mrs. Claus in Paradise

10 a m , Saturday, Dec 21

Make a holiday craft, play a game and enjoy some light refreshments while you wait for your turn to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Don't Be a Grinch Wrapping Party

1 p m , Saturday, Dec 21

Calling all last minute shoppers The library has your gift wrap needs covered Wrap gifts and enjoy cookies and Grinch hot chocolate while watching the holiday classic movie Wrapping paper, ribbon and tape will be supplied

Children’s Programs

Fandom Fest: Superhero Storytime

10:30 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 5

Join us for a fun-filled special storytime featuring your favorite superhero c h a

activities will be offered Don't forget to wear your cape or favorite superhero costume For ages 2-5 years

Fandom Fest: Disney Trivia Family Edition

2 p m , Saturday, Dec 7

Fans of all things Disney can join this fun, interactive family style trivia game

Wear your favorite Disney attire and show off your character and movie knowledge. Disney fan crafts and snacks will also be available For elementary age students and up

Lego Club

4 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 10

Join us for a short story and Lego building activities Lego bricks provided for use during this program

Fandom Fest: Preschool Fan Favorites Playdate

10:30 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 12

Join the fun with all your favorite preschool characters Play a round of Bluey's Keepy Uppy game, move and groove at the Bubble Guppies Dance Party, Join Rubble and his Paw Patrol friends as they construct with blocks and race around on the little racers track Enjoy crafts and games based on other preschool favorites Come dressed for fun in your favorite character shirt For ages 2-5 years

Preschool Holiday Pajama Party

10:30 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 19

Wear your favorite winter holiday jammies to this special storytime Enjoy holid a y s t o r i e s , s o n g s , g a m e s , c r a f t s a n d

Santa's favorite bedtime snack

Santa and Mrs. Claus in Paradise

10 a m , Saturday, Dec 21

Join us for this fun holiday event

Make a holiday craft, play a game and enjoy some light refreshments while you wait for your turn to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Don't Be a Grinch Wrapping Party 1 p m , Saturday, Dec 21

Calling all last minute shoppers The library has your gift wrap needs covered Wrap gifts and enjoy cookies and Grinch hot chocolate while watching the holiday classic movie Wrapping paper, ribbon

and tape will be supplied

Teen Programs

Fandom Fest: Disney Trivia Family Edition

2 p m , Saturday, Dec 7

Fans of all things Disney can join this fun, interactive family style trivia game

Wear your favorite Disney attire and show off your character and movie knowledge Disney fan crafts and snacks will also be available For elementary age students and up

Santa and Mrs. Claus in Paradise

10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 21

Join us for this fun holiday event

Make a holiday craft, play a game and enjoy some light refreshments while you wait for your turn to visit with Santa and Mrs Claus

Don't Be a Grinch Wrapping Party

1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 21

Bokeelia For more information about a program or to register, please call the library at 239-533-4350

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Lee County will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in its services, programs or activities. To request an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or a reasonable modification to participate, contact Raphaela Morais-Peroba, 239533-8782, Florida Relay Service 711, or

requester Requests should be made at least five business days in advance

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Nature’s shield against natural disasters

As we near the end of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, it is important to acknowledge how invaluable natural systems, including mangrove forests, are along our coasts Mangroves are a type of “nature-based solution” for abating severe weather events and longer-term impacts associated with a changing climate.

Mangroves lessen water and wind energy produced during hurricanes, which helps protect human communities, including people’s homes and other critical infrastructure They slow water down and stabilize the ground, lessening coastal impacts like erosion and flooding.

helped Collier County reduce annual flood risk by about 25%, and the state as a whole

Hurricane Irma Researchers have also suggested mangroves provided important damage reduction during Hurricane Ian’s destruction in 2022

The amount of protection that mangroves provide for inland coastal areas can depend on characteristics such as forest maturity, mangrove height, density (how closely trees are growing near each other), forest width, and how healthy the forest is prior to the storm However, studies have shown that though wider forests are more effective, the m

reduced in the first stretches of forest, suggesting even smaller systems can provide advantages

The Florida Department of Environmental

Southwest Florida community suppor t of veterans lauded

To the editor:

As we reflect on this recent Veterans Day, I am filled with gratitude and admiration for the way our community has honored our veterans The festivities this past week demonstrated the heartfelt respect we all hold for those who have served

On Friday, Nov 8, I had the privilege of j o i n i n g v e t e r a n s f r o m V F W a n d t h e American Legion at Pine Island Elementary

The students put on a truly moving Veterans Day presentation, touching our hearts and reminding us of the importance of passing on the values of respect and patriotism to the next generation Saturday, Nov 9, brought the Veterans Day Parade in Cape Coral, where I joined members of VFW Post 8463

Marching alongside my fellow veterans was an experience that underscored the cama-

600,000 acres of mangrove forests contribute to the over-

water quality and clarity and thrive in salty environments

extract freshwater from saltwater sources

Southwest Florida’s mangrove forests are a vibrant

shapes and sizes. Mangrove root systems provide a sanctuary for species like fish and shellfish Mangrove canopies serve as habitat for wildlife l

coastal birds

While adaptable and tough, mangroves are not immune to stressors, like storms and climate change, but they are protecting us from them Mangroves do have some strategies for responding to impacts like sea level rise They can build up sediment beneath their roots in the right conditions, or they can move further inland to escape deepening water

Their importance to estuarine biodiversity, p r o t e c t i n g s h o r e l i n e s f r o m s t o r m s , a n d sequestering carbon could mitigate future climatic impacts These amazing forests are one of the economic foundations in coastal tropical regions and are necessary to maintain quality for people and nature, yet their future is uncertain both here in Collier County and

raderie and unity we share, even beyond our time in uniform Finally, on Monday, Nov 11, I was honored to participate in the Veterans Day ceremony at American Legion Post 136 Moments like these are a powerful reminder that our service doesn’t end after active duty; it continues in supporting each other and in being present for our community In that spirit, VFW Post 4353 will be hosting a Thanksgiving gathering Thursday, N o v 2 8 , f r o m 1 - 4 p m , a t 8 1 5 0 Stringfellow Road, St James City All veterans and guests are warmly invited to come together for a meal, gratitude and fellowship

These events demonstrate the strength of our community and the bond among veterans as we continue to serve one another I am proud to be part of a community that values and celebrates our veterans with such genuine respect

Sincerely,

SJ, Post Commander

coastal areas and changes to natural water flow has contributed to major declines in

Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Ecosystems shows that 50% of the world’s mangrove systems are at risk of collapse. It’s our job to protect these incredible trees so they can c

includes conserving pre-existing forests, allowing them room to migrate whenever possible, and supporting efforts to protect water quality and restore mangroves

grove-research or join the Conservancy via Zoom as it hosts multiple organizations to discuss these topics and more in the upcoming Dec 3 symposium: Working with Nature: N

tions-symposium

VFW Post 4353

Ever y day is the right day to thank America’s veterans

the editor:

Monday, Nov 11, 2024, our nation took the time to reflect upon and honor the

Schuman

America’s veterans remain at risk

The United States celebrated Veterans Day on Nov 11 It is a day dedicated to American veterans of wars It became a federal holiday in our country on Nov. 11, 1938, called Armistice Day In the

Veterans Day

As we honor our veterans, we need to recognize that many struggle with their mental health According to the 2023 N

Annual Report, there were 6,392 veteran suicide deaths in 2021, and it was the second leading cause of death among veterans under age 45. American Indian or Alaska Native veterans have the highest suicide rate among all veterans followed b y W

Americans Of all veteran suicides in 2021, 72% were

suicide rate among veteran women was 281% higher

and the firearm suicide rate a

62% higher than for nonveteran men in 2021 T h e V

Administration found a vari-

increase the risk of suicide

stance abuse, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, depress

higher doses of opioid med-

Guest Commentary

ications for pain control a n d a c u t e p s y c h o s o c i a l stressors Veterans who misuse drugs and alcohol are more than twice as likely to die by suicide than other veterans

The VA has mental health resources A good place to start would be to visit vetcenter va gov or you can call the Veterans C r i s i s L i n e b y d i a l i n g 988 and pressing 1 You c a n a l s o t e x t 8 3 8 2 5 5

For people with hearing l o s s , t h e y c a n c a l l

TTY:800-799-4889

The Jason Foundation

(JFI) is another valuable resource JFI is dedicated to the prevention of suicide through educational awareness programs that equip us with the tools and resources to help identify and assist at-risk youth and adults If you have a friend or loved one who is a veteran and struggling with their mental health, it is important to know the warning signs and risk factors a s s o c i a t e d w i t h

Knowing this information could be key to saving that person’s life For more information and to find the closest Affiliate Office to you, visit www jasonfoundation com

Mallory Wire is the associate division director of The Jason Foundation

Spyrnal Financial Group collecting Toys for Tots donations

announced it is partnering with Toys for Tots for this year’s campaign to collect new, unwrapped toys and distribute those

island business will be a drop-off location for anyone wishing to donate a new, unwrapped toy

From page 4

true heroes of this nation, our veterans

Whether your service to our nation was in times of war or peace, your “No Greater Love” shows a commitment of sacrifice in the protection of our nation’s

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

Letters to the Editor

respect and gratitude from all in our nation

What is a veteran?

A veteran is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check payable to the United States of America for an

amount up to, and including, their life

You answered the call from your country when the words were said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country ”

So today and every day, I salute your honored service to our great nation

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.

With great respect to all of you, MY HEROES Jack Wagner, Commander Military Order of the Purple Heart (Lee, Collier & Hendry Counties) Combat Infantrymen’s Association

Mallory Wire

Lee County departments adjust schedules for Thanksgiving holiday

Most Lee County administrative operations will be closed Thursday, Nov 28, and Friday, Nov 29, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday Other schedules will be adjusted

The adjustments include:

Solid Waste

■ Thursday, Nov 28: All county facilities are closed and no garbage, yard

Collections will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week

■ Friday, Nov 29: Thursday collections will be picked up The Waste-toEnergy Facility in Buckingham will be open from 6 a m to 6 p m to accept waste The Lee-Hendry Landfill will be open from 7 a m to 4 p m The LaBelle Transfer Station will be open 7 a m to 4 p m

All other Solid Waste facilities will be closed

■ Saturday, Nov 25: Friday collections will be picked up The Buckingham site will be open from 6 a m to 6 p m to accept waste The Lee-Hendry Landfill will be open from 7 a m to noon The Clewiston and LaBelle Transfer Stations will be open 7 a m to noon

All other Solid Waste facilities will be closed

■ Hurricane Milton debris collection will pause on Thursday and Friday, then continue through the holiday weekend

Community Development

■ L e e C o u

Development’s lobbies and phones will be closed Monday, Nov. 25, through Wednesday, Nov 27, with the exception of Inspections Administration Staff will c

workload

■ Offices will be closed Thursday, Nov. 28, and Friday, Nov. 29, in observance of Thanksgiving

■ The electronic permitting portal will remain open during the closures Visit www leegov com/dcd

LeeTran

■ Thursday, Nov 28: No bus, trolley, Mobility on Demand or Passport service

■ Friday, Nov 29: Normal service resumes

Parks & Recreation

■ Thursday, Nov 28, Friday, Nov 29, and through the holiday weekend: Boat ramps, beaches, parks and preserves will be open Check www leeparks org for the list of open locations, hours and amenities

■ Administration offices, pools and recreation centers are closed Thursday, Nov 28, and Friday, Nov 29 Recreation centers and pools resume normal operat-

operating hours Monday, Dec. 2.

Librar y System

■ All branches will close at 6 p m Wednesday, Nov 27, with the exception of the Home Borrower Services, which closes at 5 p m

11560 Chapin Lane, Captiva, and The Johann Fust Community Library, 1040

closed due to impacts from Hurricane Milton

■ Thursday, Nov 28, and Friday, Nov 29: All libraries will be closed The l

www leelibrary net/online

■ Saturday, Nov 30: Normal library hours resume.

Domestic Animal Ser vices

■ Thursday, Nov 28, and Friday, Nov 29: The shelter at 5600 Banner Drive, Fort Myers, will be closed

■ Saturday, Nov 30: The Lost & Found Pet Center will reopen for regular hours at 8 a m The adoption center will open at 10:30 a m

Utilities

■ The Call Center and the drive-thru window at 7391 College Parkway are closed Thursday, Nov 28, and Friday, Nov 29, and will reopen Monday, Dec 2

■ A drop-box is on-site at the front door and another accessible via the drivethru for payments by check

---

To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter at w w

Facebook, www facebook com/leecountyflbocc

Episodes of American Pickers TV show to be filmed in Florida

The American Pickers have announced they are returning to Florida. They plan to film episodes of The History Channel hit t e l e v i s i o n s e r i e s t h r o u g h o u t a r e a i n December 2024

American Pickers is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world

y Channel The hit show follows skilled pickers in the business, as they hunt for America’s most valuable antiques

They are always excited to find historically significant or rare items, in addition to unforgettable characters and their collections

As they hit the back roads from coast to coast, the Pickers are on a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten relics Along the way, they want to meet characters with amazing stories and fun items They h o p

objects a new lease on life while learning

a thing or two about America’s past along the way.

The Pickers have seen a lot of rusty gold over the years and are always looking to discover something they’ve never s

extraordinary items and hear fascinating tales about them

The American Pickers TV show is l

explore your hidden treasure If you or

someone you know has a unique item, story to tell, and is ready to sell…we would love to hear from you! Please note, the Pickers do not pick stores, flea markets, malls, auction businesses, museums or anything open to the public If interested, please send us your name, phone number, location and description of the collection with photos to: americanpickers@cineflix com or call 646-4932184

Nesting season starts a bit early for Southwest Florida’s famous eagle pair

By CHUCK BALLARO news@breezenewspapers com

It looks like egg watching season has started a little earlier this year

Southwest Florida Eagle cam star F23 laid her first egg of the nesting season Friday at around 2:38 p m , with the second egg arriving Monday at 6:15 p m

“F23 was laying on the nest and then she got up and went into labor Her body quivered, her wings were out from her body as she went into contractions She then laid her first egg and stood over it for about 14 minutes before those on the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam got to see it at 14:49 p m , ” according to Lady Hawk, posting on the Cam, which for 13 years now has allowed viewers worldwide to f

North Fort Myers

Each season, the cam draws millions of views

This is the earliest eggs have been laid at the nests since the cam’s inception

With former matriarch Harriet, eggs were typically laid around Thanksgiving, w i t h t h e e a g l e t s h

Christmas and New Year’s Day

Ginnie Pritchett-McSpadden, founder of the South-west Florida Eagle Cam, said it’s definitely earlier than anyone expected “F23 and M15 were seen hanging around the nest more but we didn’t think anything of it because their usual egg-lay-

M15 rolls the first egg laid by F23 on Friday A second egg followed on Monday with both eggs coming in earlier in the season than any laid previously at the

prised us with the earliest egg ever

early arrival could be the new normal for pair, which is nesting together for just their second time

“This could be a new timeline for them We’ll have to continue to watch We know due to delayed incubation and bonding periods, a second egg comes

Pritchett-McSpadden said Expect these eggs to hatch sometime in

mid-December assuming a typical 35-day incubation period The pair will take turns incubating the eggs, turning them regularly so they can warm evenly and avoid the eaglet attaching to the shell

Viewers can again catch all the action in the nest, which started its 13th season last month as the eagles returned home early to work on their nest before mating M15 and F23, who became M15’s mate after Harriett died in 2023, are producing their second set of offspring Last year, they pair was only able to raise one eaglet because the second egg cracked prematurely and became unviable

It was F23’s first attempt at motherhood, so inexperience could have been to blame for what happened

catch all the action using four cameras

west-florida-eagle-cam/

Camera 1 is positioned seven feet above the nest and is equipped with night vision Camera 2 is located at nest level capturing the side view

Camera 3 is in the nest tree and the first ever live camera in history to capture a 360-degree look into a bald eagle’s daily activity This cam allows you to click and drag to any viewing area for a fully immersive experience Camera 4 is installed closer to the pond to capture activity happening around the pasture and in the pond area

IMAGE COURTESY OF THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA EAGLE CAM

nest on Bayshore Road in North Fort Myers

Fundamentals of container gardening topic of Garden Club meeting on Nov. 21

Island Garden Club, at its monthly meeting beginning at 9 a m at the Fishers of Men Lutheran Church, will host Adrienne Potter Diaz, who will speak on the basics of home container gardening

From her home in Fort Myers, Diaz, a Florida Master Gardener, operates “Miss Potter’s Place,” which is a showcase of

Garden Club mission includes the protec-

sources, encouraging island beauty and stimulating the study of the fine art of

gardening Its civic duties include the creation and maintenance of the grounds at Philips Park, Museum of the Islands, Bokeelia Post Office, Kiwanis Children’s Park and the butterfly garden at Pine Island Elementary School

The club also produces the annual Garden Gala, the proceeds from which are utilized to financially support several island benevolent organizations, such as the Beacon of Hope, Calusa Land Trust, CROW and the Pine Island Food Pantry

For additional information about the meeting or the club, please visit pineis-

Kendall at 239-283-8175

SJCCA Update

St James City Civic Association has a n n o u n c e d t h e f o l l o w i n

events and activities: Thursday, Nov. 21

■ 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, Nov. 26

■ Ping Pong, 9-11 a.m.

■ Dominoes, 6-8 p m Dominos is back - easy to learn – fun to play Thursday, Nov. 28

■ Ping Pong, 9-11 a m

■ Mahjongg, 1-4 p m

Additional details, contacts and ticket sales are available on the SJCCAPI ORG

website

All activities are held at St James City Civic Association at 3300 Fourth Ave , at the corner of Lemon Street, in St James City

SJCCA upcoming events

■ SJCCA Christmas Market - 60th Anniversary Party, Dec 7, 10 a m to 5 p m , and Deb & Dynamics Concert (2-5 p . m . T i c k e t s $ 2 5 ) . V e n d o r s n e e d e d .

■ Boaters Safety Course - Obtain Florida boating safety c e r t i f i c a t e , Jan 22, 8 a m to 5 p m Education ID card ($45/person)

More details, contacts, and ticket sales are available at SJCCAPI ORG

Church of God of Prophecy turkey dinner on Nov. 28

The Church of God of Prophecy will be having a turkey dinner Nov 28 Dinner will be takeout only, no dine in

The price is $10 per dinner turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn or green beans, dinner roll and dessert

Turkey is fried in peanut oil Gluten free and baked chicken available upon request

Call your order in to 239-283-2128 as soon as possible because quantities are limited

Meal pick-up will be from 12:30-3 p m T h e c h u r c h i s l o c a t e d a t 1 5 1 4 6

Stringfellow Road, Bokeelia -- north of The Center and just south of the Bokeelia community

Inshore fishing was good ahead of cooler weather

The inshore fishing was good throughout the week Some days it was a bit breezy, but good strong tides kept fish biting Early in the week the w e a t h e r w a s w a r m t h e n cooled down heading into the weekend

A n g l e r s a r e c a t c h i n g a good number of redfish running in size from 17-23 inches around Pine Island Sound

a n d C h a r l o t t e H a r b o r

Shrimp, pinfish and pilchards for natural baits, and spoons, plastic shad tails and Clouser minnow flies worked best for artificial baits

The best action came over the incoming tide and the first hour or so of outgoing tide around oyster bars, shoreline and sand bar edges.

If you find the right spot, the snook bite is good Snook up to 32 inches were hooked in many of the same areas as redfish plus around structure near the Gulf passes Most are running undersized from 20-26 inches with a few larger fish in the mix After dark, anglers report snook hooked from the Matlacha Bridge casting white buck tail jigs or freelining live, hand-picked shrimp

It was possible to get on non-stop action with seatrout in Pine Island Sound Fish were schooling over grass bottom in 4 to 6-foot depths over open water

M a n y

i s h a r e r u n n

n g 1 3 - 1 5 inches, but with a little effort limits

o f k e e p e r s i z e fish were caught.

small spoons and jigs, various jerk baits and shrimp or pilchards

A few seatrout up to 20 inches were hooked while f i s h i n g

snook

Pompano numbers are on the rise as they were reported along sand bars in C

Blanca Island, and the Gulf side of Sanibel Causeway

Shrimp under popping corks and Crazy or pompano jigs hooked pompano up to 15 inches

Looking forward to the wind laying down and getting some offshore reports While a lot of targeted offshore fish are closed season, it’s still a great time of year for a variety of fish nearshore and further off

Check current fishing rules and regulat i o n s a n d s t a y u p

b y visiting www myfwc com Also, upload the Fish Rules app on your phone It has current regulations and seasons with pictures to help identify fish.

If you have a fishing report or for charter information, please contact us at Gulf C o a s t G

08576, online at www fishpineisland com or email gcl2fish@live.com.

Have a safe week and good fishin’

Capt Bill Russell On the Water

PHOTO PROVIDED

Fishing ahead of the cooler weather, Ron and Mary Boltze kept rods bent while fishing north Pine Island Sound with Capt. Bill Russell.

■ Ken: 11 a m to 1 p m

■ Too Tall Princess Leia: 12:30-1:30 p m ; 2-3 p m

30-minute meet and greet sessions:

■ 510st Legion: 11 a m and 1:30 p m

■ Chewbacca: Noon and 2 p m

■ Ahsoka: 1 pm. and 2:30 p.m.

■ Batman: 11 a m and 1:30 p m

■ Spiderman: 11:30 a m and 2 p m

■ Captain America: Noon and 2:30 p m

■ Moana: 11 a m and 2:30 p m

■ Elsa: 11:30 a m and 2 p m

■ Mirabel: Noon and 1 p m

■ Tiana: 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.

The costume contest, which requires

Cats of the Week

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.

contestants to register from 11 a m to 1 p m , is open to all ages The judging will be followed by awards within each category The pre-K contest will be held at 1 p m ; kid contest at 1:30 p m ; teen contest at 2 p m and adult contest at 2:30 pm.

Baker encourages everyone to come in costume and participate in the contest

“Everyone is walking around in a costume It’s going to be a really good event,” she said

In addition, Baker said there will be a Polynesian dance and fire show at noon, which will include hula and fire knife dancing She said it’s perfect timing with the new Moana movie coming out in November

“ W

doing it,” she said.

Other activities include fandom crafts,

workshop, mobile library giveaways, rock wall and bounce houses, rolling video games, STEM Tech Zone and face painting

Every child will receive a free book

during the festival

Volunteers adult and high school students are also needed to make the event a success There are four-hour, and six-hour shifts available. The deadline to apply is Friday, Nov 22

domfest to sign up

There also will be great merchandise available, as well as food for purchase with numerous food truck options

There will be events at the branches leading up to the festival, which can be viewed at www leegov com/library/fandom-fest

Baker said a side bonus of the festival is attracting people to the library, so they can learn about the numerous resources offered

“Libraries are places of connection and community It’s so much more than books digital resources,” she said

“We are promoting all of that while having fun all the things the library can be used for ”

The Fort Myers Regional Library is at 2450 First St , Fort Myers

Greater Pine Island Water Association accepting Board of Director candidate applications

Association is looking for candidates for its Board of Directors There are two “at large” positions and a one “Matlacha/ Mainland” positions that are open

To be considered as a candidate you must be a GPIWA customer

Please email your name, address, cell phone number, and brief (half a page) resume to mikesm@pineislandwater com

PHOTO PROVIDED

Celebrating Pine Islanders

it only benefits you to get involved When we came over here, we got immediately involved in the chamber and that was the end of it,” Conner said

Although Conner has experience with the chamber of commerce in a big city like Miami, where he helped plan things like rock concerts, beach volleyball tournaments, Super Bowl merchandising and offshore powerboat races, he said he has really loved being a part of the Pine Island community as he was really looking to get out of the rat-race of the big city

In terms of his love for the island, Conner said, it becomes most obvious in his desire to see both Pine

“People have to be aware. They have to be vocal. They have to tell elected officials what they want, what their concerns are and we are happy in a way, here in Florida, that our state has taken the bull by the horns, so to speak, in that, if created, a grant program, 3 or 4 years ago, mitigating for extreme climate impacts,” Rathke said

The program of which he spoke focuses on critical assets, he said Organizations such as governments and large-scale non-profits can qualify for grants to protect infrastructure such as evacuation routes, police and fire stations, town halls, schools, shelters and anything that is considered critical infrastructure, he said.

Of all the things considered critical, private homes are not protected, he said There is a program through the

Island and Pine Islanders do well

“My love for the island has become most obvious in the amount of time I spend on civic duties Not just things like chamber meetings, but county meetings, commissioner meetings, rebuilding meetings I try to stay abreast of everything and keep everybody informed I try to help everybody, especially with what the community has gone through the last 2 years I just try to get involved with everything I can,” Conner said

He said he believes this next year may prove to be pretty tough as the island continues to clean up and come back with bridge and road construction, which are no

easy tasks by his estimation He remains optimistic, however, adding that by this time next year he thinks things will be very good, providing Mother Nature cooperates Conner has a wish for Pine Island that retail would make its way back to Matlacha

“If we could do a little more retail in an Old Florida way, that would be great. I’m not into big shopping centers, but if we could do little fishing villages that are retail oriented with cool little boutiques and stuff like that I would also like to explore the idea of having a memorial park almost like a ‘Pine Island Strong’ park that would hold events and maybe farmers markets,” Conner said

The Greater Pine Island Civic Association has several Adopt-A-Road projects on its schedule. The next roadway clean-up will be held Wednesday, Dec. 4.

CFOs office called My Safe Florida Home, he said, that tries to fill the gap There is a grant program there that will help to harden individual homes, namely the windows, doors and roofs

“There are also technologies out there such as tiger dams A tiger dam is a very heavy duty type material that gets filled with water and stacked on top of each other

They come in about 50-feet lengths You can put them around structures to protect them from rising water because they’re very heavy they’re very sturdy. There are a variety of products intended to do the same thing, but the governor has talked a lot about tiger dams in recent weeks because they have been deployed in a lot of municipalities and counties throughout the state,” Rathke said

To watch this meeting in its entirety, go to the Greater Pine Island Civic Association Facebook page.

The next Greater Pine Island Civic Association meeting will be Tuesday, Dec 3, at 6:30 p m at the First Baptist Church of Pine Island at 5363 Avenue D, Bokeelia, at The Center

Islands’ Toast and Shop event Friday

Pine Island’s 1st Toast and Shop will be held Friday, Nov 22, from 5-9 p m , hosted by Sacred Souls LLC From Kickstands Pub to Sweeneys SOS, join island businesses and specialty vendors for a special night of shopping, music and fun

The evening will feature live music and vendors at several locations and islanders are invited to come shop some of you favorite shops with special open hours

For every $10 spent at vendors, patrons receive an entry for the raffle You do not need to be present to win

Participating businesses include: Kickstands, Island Tactical, Bears Dens Apothocary, Salt and Poppy, El Viejon, Chamber of Commerce, Street Eats and Ale, Island Bikeworks, Spots Ice Cream and Crepes, Salty Girls Cafe, Sweeneys SOS and more

For additional information about the event, please call Jennifer at 239-443-0244 or email sacredsoulsllc@gmail com

Work continues on Little Pine Island Bridge

Single lane of traffic to be maintained through construction zone during project

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

Mahjongg Scores

Top scorers in games Nov 14 were Jerilynn Adin Safran with 130 points,

Kellen with 105 The group welcomed back Jerilynn and Maryann If you’ve never played before you are in for a treat!

If you would like to join, the group plays mahjongg every Thursday from 14 p m at the St James City Civic Center at 3300 Fourth Ave , on the corner of Lemon Street

For more information call Carolyn 239-233-7682

Bridge Beat

It costs $3 to play, some of which goes back to winners of the game Come join us Sharpen your brain!

Last week’s winners were, 1st place, Judy Nyhus; 2nd place, Karen McWright; and 3rd place, Maryann Kuhn

■ Phase 1 of construction on Little Pine Island Bridge has begun The bridge is reduced to one lane as part of the Phase 1 c o

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 c l o s u r e s

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 construc-

tion 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