VolumE 48, NumbEr 34
Effort to replant native trees on the island receiving support from the community
Celebrating Pine Islanders: Nancy Koucky
By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com
Nancy Koucky said she loves her work in graphic design In fact, she admits she loves it so much she could bore the living daylights out of people with technical terms from the industry She said her true desire is simply to stay informed about any changes or major influences in the field overall
“I don’t want to say I’m ambitious in a bad sense, but I want to continue to explore and not let myself get behind the times in the world of graphic design I like to stay on top of what’s happening, but I also love my clients, who tend to be independent business owners or independent authors They are very very interesting people,” Koucky said
She admits that although she has not met all of her
Holiday House fundraiser celebrates 15th year for Beacon
By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com
TheHoliday House at the Tarpon Lodge has become a tradition on Pine Island to be sure This year was no different, as the Beacon of HOPE served up its 15th occasion of holiday shopping at Tarpon Lodge to the benefit of Pine Island
The Beacon continued the beloved event Dec 6-8 of this year with live music, performed by the Joe Yeoman Band, and all the f i x i n g s T a r p o n L o d g e h a d t o o f f e r
According to Beacon of HOPE Board member, Elsie Stearns, this was another fantastic event
“We had more vendors than we’ve ever had, and also brought in a wine sampling this year, which I think a lot of people really enjoyed,” Stearns said
Shoppers were able to meet the authors who attended the event (John Mills and Lanie Wulkan) and have their books signed, she said This year, fundraising was especially important, she explained, due to the Beacon’s call to be a continuous help and presence with the weather activity in our
See HOLIDAY HOUSE, page 16
clients face to face, such as authors whose book covers she has designed, she feels they have become her friends, due to the frequent communication In fact, working remotely, as has become commonplace for so many, has left Koucky feeling as though she sometimes should venture out more
“I have found that, it’s sometimes 3 or 4 days before I get in my car,” Koucky said
The upside of working so diligently from home, she said, is that throughout the hurricanes of this past year and watching so many of her friends suffer at the hands of the weather, she has been able to take solace in the comfort of her home office, where she can look out a window to find nothing has been destroyed Despite
NANCY KOUCKY, page 10
After the storms
GatorCorps members, UF Gulf Scholar students help clean up Randell Research Center after Helene, Milton
Special to THE EAGLE news@breezenewspapers com
The Florida Museum’s Randell Research Center was hit by two major hurricanes this year Helene rolled along the Gulf Coast in September, and less than a month later, Milton slammed into the peninsula between Tampa and Fort Myers at a nearly 90-degree angle.
The area was subjected to 120 mph winds and storm surge that flooded houses and cultural heritage sites But the Randell Research Center has experienced many such storms throughout its long history, and when the skies cleared from Helene and Milton, people got to work
“Our staff and volunteers conducted an onsite evaluation, identified and removed hazards, cordoned off damaged areas and removed storm surge debris, which was a huge effort,” said Michelle LeFebvre, curator of South Florida archaeology and ethnography at the Florida Museum of Natural History and director of the Randell Research Center. “Scrubbing down flooring and decking from storm surge mud deposits that made it into the classroom and gift shop was another big task ”
The Randell Research Center was established in 1996 to ensure the preservation of a historically significant area The site’s nearly 70 acres is located on Pine Island
Indigenous shell mounds created over hundreds of years by the Calusa Most of South Florida’s mounds were demolished and used as construction material for roads in the early 20th century The mounds at Randell are among the few that remain
Later in November, a team of GatorCorps members and UF Gulf Scholar students visited the center to lend a helping hand GatorCorps is a branch of the AmeriCorps program with headquarters at the Florida Institute for Built Environment Resilience (FIBER) at the University
See AFTER THE STORMS, page 13
Islander Nancy Koucky.
PHOTO PROVIDED
See
A Mel Meo decorated Christmas tree drew the highest bid of the night
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY ELSIE STEARNS
Re-Pining Pine Island effort well received
The Greater Pine Island Civic Association gave away 1,000 native pine seedlings to islanders Saturday, Dec 14, as part of a wider community effort to “Re-Pine Pine Island ”
In its first-ever seedling giveaway, the GPICA handed
out free longleaf pines to help bring back some of the native trees lost due to the stress and subsequent beetle infestation from hurricanes Ian, Helene and Milton
Working alongside the GPICA on Saturday were more than 45 members of the Calusa Land Trust and the Pine Island Garden Club, whose members helped to pot the seedlings and explain to pine-tree adopters how to care for them until rainy season, when they can be planted
While all the GPICA seedlings are gone, the Calusa Land Trust still has trees that islanders can adopt (for a small fee) as part of a fundraiser for the Trust. Adopters will care for the trees for CLT until they can be planted in one of the island’s nature preserves
The Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce is also supporting the effort to Re-Pine Pine Island and special recognition also goes to Fruitscapes Nursery, which
donated the pots for the GPICA giveaway, and the Pine Island Feed Store, which provided a discount for the potting soil
“We’re really pleased that the community came out in force to help us bring native trees back to the island,” said GPICA Vice President Nadine Slimak, who helped to organize the event with support from CLT and Garden Club members Judy Ott, Cheryl King and Marty Kendall “And we can’t thank the volunteers from the Calusa Land Trust and the Garden Club enough for their help With their expertise, we’re sure our pines have a great chance at surviving!”
The GPICA, which was founded in 1957 to preserve and protect Pine Island’s unique coastal-rural charm, will l i k e l y m
www GPICA org for updates in 2025!
Pine Island Food Pantry to
on Pine Island scheduled for Jan.
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Holiday miracles
The holidays of Christmas and Hanukkah coincide this year
The eight days of Hanukkah begin at sundown on Wednesday, Dec 25 Christmas Day and continue through Thursday, Jan 2
The holidays have different meanings and they are celebrated with different traditions but they do have something in common: Both mark miracles of faith
For Christians, Christmas celebrates the birth of a Savior, both supreme gift and s u p r e m
redemption and reconciliation with God
For Jews, Hanukkah marks the liberation of Jerusalem after a rebellion led by the Maccabees against the Seleucid Empire, the rededication of the holy temple and a single day’s supply of pure oil that nonetheless burned for eight days, a virtual Festival of Lights
Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus, as the New Testament recounts:
“And it came to pass in those days, that t h e r e w e n t o u t a d e c r e e f r o m C a e s a r Augustus that all the world should be taxed
(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria )
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the
Floridians have a right to clean water
To the editor:
Regarding “Be Thankful You Don’t Live in Cape Coral,” a commentary published by the Florida Phoenix concerning the city’s efforts to remove the Chiquita Lock and the challenge filed by a trio of anglers
Web Poll
This Cape Coral litigation exemplifies traditional environmental law where a win is usually followed by a loss. Our own taxpayer dollars are used to silence those who disagree with the profiteering city and developers
In round one, Mike Hannon did a stellar job of assembling plaintiffs and expert witnesses to defeat permit issuance With permit application defects revealed the city knew where they failed and came again Mike did another fantastic job in round two but the game rules won out
house and lineage of David:)
Eagle Editorial
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Luke 2:1-14
Letters to the Editor
This process is repeated daily across the USA and permits are always assumed to be obtainable and issued It’s a rigged and fixed framework that needs broken We must follow a new paradigm of environmental prot e c t i o n s T h a t p a t h l e a d s u s t o G r e e n Amendments with Rights-based protections either for natural ecosystems themselves aka Right of Nature laws or by giving ourselves the human inalienable right to clean, pollution free waters and air
Both efforts have gained effective traction here in Florida, first in Orange County in 2020, and now with the 2026 ballot initiative Floridarighttocleanwater org
Your signatures have the power to amend the state constitution in 2026 to create the law, the tool, the 16-pound hammer to break the traditional playground rules that the legislature and regulatory agencies use that have allowed decades of staged environmen-
Hanukkah marks the return of Jewish independence over Jerusalem and Judea after the revolt against the Seleucid Empire, which controlled the region after the dissolution of Alexander the Great’s Macedonian Empire
The holiday marks the Maccabee victory over the Greek army of King Antiochus IV, which had desecrated the Second Temple
“What is the reason for Hanukkah? For our Rabbis taught: On the 25th of Kislev begin the days of Hanukkah, which are eight, during which lamentation for the dead and fasting are forbidden For when the Greeks entered the Temple, they defiled all the oils in it, and when the Hasmonean dynasty prev a i l e d a g a i n s t a n d d e f e a t e d t h e m
searched and found only one cruse of oil which possessed the seal of the High Priest, but which contained sufficient oil for only one day's lighting; yet a miracle occurred there and they lit (the lamp) for eight days
The following year these days were appointed a Festival with the recitation of Hallel and thanksgiving”
Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat, 21b
Merry Christmas Happy Hanukkah.
Happy holidays May 2025 be all you hope it to be
tal degradation This new law will not happen without your efforts and support We n e e d y o u r t i m e , t a n g i b l e r e s o u r c e
financial support
State constitutional amendment efforts can cost hundreds of millions of dollars to succeed or even fail as we saw recently Marijuana and Abortion proponents spent over $200 million to fail because of the 60% a p p r o v a l t h r e s h o l d Floridarighttocleanwater org is very proud of our wholly grassroots, unpaid volunteers that collected 110,000 petitions with just a few thousand dollars; not the $10 million per 100k spent by the 2024 petitions campaigns Our volunteers are dedicated and focused on Clean Water and Wetlands protection Please join us to make a law that will alter traditional practices in Florida forever We ar e co n s tan tly team b u ild in g an d seeking funding solutions and we need your help Everyone agrees clean water is the basis of life, our Florida lifestyles and our economy History will be made as we grow We need more boots on the ground committed to collecting 1,000 petitions per volunteer over the next year in 2025 It’s easy
Floridians
Are you ready to end Tallahassee malfeasance? Sign the petition, share it , join our 400+ ambassadors and over 300 supporting organizations Let make it a reality in 2026 Capt. Karl R. Deigert, B.Sc. Pharmacy Chairman, FloridaRightToCleanWater.org
The silencing of Clean Water advocates
In Southwest Florida, where the Caloosahatchee River empties into Pine Island Sound and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico, three citizen advocates for clean water are facing crippling retaliatory financial penalties from their local government
For Dan Carney, Jim Collier and Kevin Sparks being able to cast a line in the waters off Cape Coral is what brought them to buy a home and relocate to the community
“Access to world-class fishing and the environment that supports it,” Dan Carney told the City Council is what motivated him to move to Cape Coral Jim Collier told the Council that he and his wife Cheryl “ have a 20-year history in Cape Coral supporting wildlife and water quality ” Cheryl runs the Butterfly House at Rotary Park; Jim was chairperson of the Waterway Advisory Board Kevin Sparks noted that he is also “a lifelong fisherman. Fishing is what brought me to Cape Coral ”
The three joined with the Matlacha Civic Association, C a l u s a W a
Conservation Foundation to challenge the removal of the Chiquita Lock on the Caloosahatchee
The lock was designed to force water from a portion of the city’s canals to be filtered first through mangroves before reaching the Caloosahatchee, Pine Island Sound, Matlacha Pass, around Sanibel Island and into the Gulf
The city has been trying to remove the lock for years It was never clear whether the city was responding to anything more than boaters who had to suffer the inconvenience of waiting to pass through the lock, slowing their access to open waters Ironically, the city’s chronic neglect and failure to maintain (or upgrade) the lock made it less effective for both navigation and environmental protection
The effort to secure a permit from the Department of Environmental Protection to remove the lock, in place since the 1980s, was denied in 2019 by an administrative law judge who ruled that the permit did not comply with permitting criteria, “particularly compliance with
Guest Commentary
state surface water quality standards ”
The city lost due to concerns about how the removal of the lock would impact nutrient loading (thousands of pounds of nitrogen), saltwater intrusion, groundwater levels, the mangroves that protect homes from storm surge in hurricanes, and further exposure to discharges from Lake Okeechobee that carry toxic blue-green algae down the Caloosahatchee feeding red tide in the Gulf These concerns remain today.
The city renewed its attempt to secure a permit from the DEP to remove the lock, this time employing the law firm of Lewis, Longman & Walker, P A , who maneuvered to keep the local environmental groups out of the case, so the fishermen were the only petitioners opposing the city’s application
This time, after numerous depositions and lengthy hearings, the city prevailed the ALJ ruled that the DEP could issue a permit for the removal of the lock
Now the city and its high-priced law firm are seeking to impose the cost of the litigation, including the law firm’s fees on the three fishermen, claiming that their
efforts to protect southwest Florida waterways was brought for an “improper purpose” and was frivolous
It is no secret that Florida has a serious water quality problem impacting public health The state has been hit more than once by the toxic vise of both blue-green algae and red tide Gov DeSantis acknowledged the problem by appointing a task force to provide recommendations f o
Florida’s water bodies that have been adversely affected by blue-green algae blooms ”
In a state with lax anti-pollution enforcement and where developers control so many city and county commissions, Florida needs volunteer advocates to test and monitor waterways where the state does not
The three anglers who challenged Cape Coral’s effort to remove the Chiquita Lock are the kind of environmental advocates whose courage to take on city hall should be honored (One of the fishermen, Dan Carney, was recently named Non-Profit Volunteer of the Year by the Cape Coral Community Foundation ) Their efforts to protect safe and clean water were anything but “improper ”
As brutal as the $2 million dollar penalty to cover a big law firm’s bill would be for the three fishermen and their families, it would be regrettable if the tactic of
working to save what is left of our over-developed peninsula
A Go Fund Me account https://www gofundme com/f/defend-dan-carneys-environmental-efforts has been set up by friends of the fishermen in case the new Cape Coral City Council does not reverse the effort by its lawyers to pursue the crippling financial penalties
Mary Kay Robbins-Kralapp is a member of the Board of Directors of Calusa Waterkeeper Howard Simon is a member of the Calusa Waterkeeper Advisory Board This guest commentary published in the Miami Herald on Dec 16
Mary Kay Robbins-Kralapp
Howard Simon
Matlacha European Christmas Market attracts a crowd
On Sunday, Dec 15, islanders came out to support t
M
k s brought their Christmas lists and shopped for jewelry, baked goods, art and beautifully crafts gifts Santa danced and welcomed everyone under the lighted arches as carolers spread holiday cheer with their songs The perfect weather captured the spirit of the season as shoppers walked the many themed Christmas trees
The Matlacha Civic Association would like to thank Onofrio and Angela Demattia who offered their property for this festive evening The MCA also thanks the Blue Dog, RE/MAX Sunshine, The Yucatan, Bobbers Bait & Tackle, Caldwell Bankers, Pine Island First Baptist church and all the volunteers who built this Christmas wonderland
SUBMITTED BY MCA PRESIDENT CAROL
Tours and more begin Jan. 2 at Calusa Heritage Trail at Randell Research Center
The Calusa Heritage Trail is a part of the Florida Museum’s Randell Research Center Located at 13810 Waterfront Drive in Pineland (right across from the Tarpon Lodge), the RRC’s Calusa Heritage Trail is open daily, from sunrise to sunset for self-guided visits
Walking this trail allows participants to journey into the past at a place where archaeology, history and ecology meet and learn about the fascinating Calusa people and how they thrived right here for thousands of years!
S t a r t i n g o n J a n 2 , docent-led guided tours of this amazing place will be offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m. and at 1 p m Reservations are not required; please plan to arrive 15 minutes before the start of the tour
In addition to the guided tours, the Randell Research Center has once again partnered with Captiva Cruises t o o f f e r H a r b o r
Walking this trail allows participants to journey into the past at a place where archaeology, history and ecology meet and learn about the fascinating Calusa people and how they thrived right here for thousands of years!
“stuff,” this is a great way to treat yourself and friends to an amazing experience! Learn about the fascinating geology, archaeology and history of northern Pine Island Sound
A portion of every ticket sold comes directly to the Randell Research Center Tickets are $35 each and these tours take place from noon to 2 p m on Jan 22, Feb 8, Feb 25, March 11, March 22 and April 8 Reservations may be made by calling Captiva Cruises at 239-4725300
The Visitor Center with gift shop and classroom is open 10 a m to 4 p m , Monday through Saturday (through May 24) The requested donation to visit is $7
For additional information about the trail or the center, call 239-283-2157 or visit the RCC website at https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/rrc/
A few pictorial highlights, above, top right and b e l o w r i g h t , f r o m t h e M a t l a c h a E u r o p e a n Christmas Market last weekend.
SCOTT
Fishing around cold fronts over the holidays
Plan to fish around cold fronts for the next few months That’s the routine in winter, a cold front with a couple windy and cools days, followed by several days with perfect weather, then repeat
depths from 25 to 45 feet, anglers report a mixed catch
mackerel, blue runners and catch-and-release grouper At times, the bite was good and
found sheepshead in south Matlacha Pass around deep oyster bars and creeks, under docks around St James City,
Captiva’s Roosevelt Channel and around North Captiva and Cayo Costa State Park The Matlacha Drawbridge yielded a few sheepshead for shore-bound anglers
Fresh shrimp cut in half and threaded on a small sharp j-hook or circle hook with a small sliding egg sinker and a couple of feet of 20-pound fluorocarbon leader is one of the most popular sheepshead rigs. Unlike most of our fish, the colder it gets the better sheepshead like it; often they feed best on the coldest, nastiest days
Seatrout action was good across the inshore waters however a large percentage are running an inch or so under the minimum legal size Anglers found it possible to catch one after another of smaller fish A few larger fish were caught with the little guys over open water grass flats but the majority of the bigger fish came from sand holes near oyster bars and bar edges or drop-offs
the Sound, potholes, deep mangrove shorelines and creek mouths from Blind Pass down to Tarpon Bay on Sanibel For baits, a live shrimp fished under a popping cork, freelined or on bottom with a small split-shot sinker were hard to beat Shrimp-tipped eighth or quarter-ounce jigs and Gulp shrimp also got their attention Redfish up to 26 inches were caught from potholes on the lower tides on the eastern side of Pine Island Sound casting spoons and jerk baits
Winter is peak time for catching sheepshead in our local waters This big one was caught on a live shrimp knocker rig in nearshore Gulf waters fishing with Capt. Bill Russell.
Anglers are reporting scattered redfish in Matlacha Pass and Pine Island Sound Many of the fish are on the small side known as “rat reds” averaging from 14-17 inches While these juvenile fish are small, they put up a great fight In Matlacha Pass reds were caught under the mangroves in the washouts of some of the deeper creeks and around the perimeter of oyster bars Also in
For action with a variety of fish, keep an eye out for feeding birds Inshore, it often indicates a school of ladyfish, a favorite if you just want action Spanish mackerel, bluefish, jack crevalle, seatrout and sharks are often with the ladies In Gulf waters, birds could indicate Spanish and king mackerel, bonito, jack crevalle, sharks and others
With cooler temperatures, bonnethead sharks are common inshore Most run under 4 feet, are lightning fast and a lot of fun to catch on light tackle Bonnetheads prefer shrimp over fish-type baits. Many people mistake them
for a hammerhead as they look very similar A whole shrimp under a popping cork with a long shank hook, or a short trace of light wire leader is a great rig for hooking and landing them Like all sharks, they have a mouth full of small teeth so be careful when handling I hope during the holiday week good weather allows everyone a chance to get on the water and enjoy or outdoors. From my family to yours, Merry Christmas. Stay up to date with fishing regulations by visiting the F l o r i d a F i s h a n d W i l
at: www myfwc com Also, upload the Fish Rules app on your phone It has current regulations with pictures to help identify fish If you turn on your GPS location the Fish Rules app updates to your location In my opinion, it is more accurate and up to date than FWC’s website. Have a safe week and good fishin’
As a lifetime resident of Matlacha and Pine Island, Capt Bill Russell has spent his life fishing and learning the waters around Pine Island and Southwest Florida,
Capt Bill Russell On the Water
PHOTO
January programs schedules 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 Program s
Tech Thursdays: One-on-One Help
2 p m , Thursday, Jan 2, 9, 23, 30
Need help with a laptop, tablet or ereader? Are you looking to gain basic computer skills? We can help Bring your fully charged device and any passwords for a 15-minute, one-on-one technology session Registration is required
New Year, New You Book Tasting Event
9 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 4
From self-help books that inspire personal growth to accessing books that teach new skills, there's something for everyone here at the library Explore
mindfulness and meditation guides to cultivate inner peace, or dive into career development resources to boost your professional journey The library also offers access to online courses, audiobooks and e-books, making it easier than ever to learn at your own pace Whether you're looking to enhance your health, expand your knowledge or simply find a new hobby, the library is your gateway to a brighter, more fulfilling year
Health Trivia Challenge
2 p m , Saturday, Jan 11
Play our health trivia challenge game, a fun way to test your knowledge on health topics like nutrition, fitness and overall health Players answer various types of questions, earning points for correct answers This game includes timed rounds and lifelines for added excitement
Join us for a fun-filled afternoon that promotes health awareness and encourages
healthier habits Registration is required
Computer Basics
3 p m , Thursday, Jan 16
Learn basic computer skills This session will focus on Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point
Children’s Programs
Preschool Playdate: Winter Fun
10:30 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 9
Preschoolers, ages 2-5 years, will meet up with old friends and new while they enjoy a fun winter themed playdate Join us for stories, songs, games, crafts and activities that celebrate the cooler season
Lego Club
4 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 14
Join us for a short story and Lego building activities Legos provided for use during this program
Family Storytime
10:30 a m , Thursday, Jan 16, 23, 30
For children through age 5 years and caregivers Families with young children enjoy a variety of stories, songs, rhymes and movement
Reading is "Doggone Fun"
1 p m , Saturday, Jan 25
Enjoy a Saturday afternoon reading to registered therapy dogs at the library
‘Peter
Read your own story or we can provide one for you You and your family will spend quality time reading to these furry friends in small groups Families will be given access in ten-minute intervals, so plan to enjoy the library while you wait
Bokeelia For more information about a program or to register, please call the library at 239-533-4350. Check the Lee
www leelibrary net to find out about programs at other locations Call the host library, or Telephone Reference at 239479-INFO (4636), for more information about a specific program
To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter at www leegov com/resources/newsletters
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Lee County will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in its services, programs or activities To request an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or a reasonable modification to participate, contact Raphaela Morais-Peroba, 239533-8782, Florida Relay Service 711, or
requester Requests should be made at least five business days in advance
Ordway’ Paddling Tour slated for Jan. 1 around Calusa Island
The “Peter Ordway” Paddling Tour
month’s outing will be held Wednesday, Jan 1, at the Calusa Land Trust’s first preserve (1976) Calusa Island All interested paddlers are invited Participants will meet at Carmen’s Kayaks (at the north end of Porto Bello Avenue in Bokeelia) at 9 am. You may use your own kayak or rent one from Carmen’s (239-333-7332)
Including bottled water in your knapsack is recommended
The guided tour will meander around C a l u s a I s l a n d o b s e r v i n g t h e a n c i e n t Calusa Indian midden (mound) and the resident birds, tortoises, dolphin and fish
species Afterwards it is planned to gather at the Jug Creek Marina to exchange experiences and enjoy lunch and refreshments
T
Island’s all volunteer land conservancy, which sponsors events for public education and enjoyment The paddling tours are held on a monthly basis in season. Since it is also a fundraising effort, a donation of $20 per person/$10 for CLT member is requested New membership forms will be available P
for your reservation and further information
SJCCA Update
St James City Civic Association has announced the following upcoming events and activities:
Thursday, Dec 26
■ 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!
Saturday, Dec 28
■ G a r a g e S a l e , 8 - 1 1 a m W e ' v e received a lot of new things, stop by and shop! Accepting donations
Tuesday, Dec. 31
■ Ping Pong, 9-11 a.m.
■ Dominoes, 6-8 p m Dominos is back - easy to Learn – fun to play
Wednesday, Jan. 1
■ Kid’s Nature School, 10-11:30 a m The island's children need activities, too
N a t u r e S c h o o l w i l l b e h o s t e d e a c h
Wednesday
Thursday, Jan. 2
■ Ping Pong, 9-11 a m
■ Mahjongg, 1-4 p m
Friday, Jan. 3
■ YOGA with Carole, 9-10 a.m. Come join in on yin yoga For those who also
would like to participate in chair yoga, all are welcome
■ Bingo, 5:30 - 8 p m Every First Friday will be Bingo Night! Doors open at 5:30 and we start playing at 6 p m Ten games (3 Card Pack is $30 and 2 Card Pack is $16) Progressive jackpot on Game 10
Saturday, Jan 4
■ Garage Sale, 8-11 a m
All activities are held at St James City Civic Association, at 3300 Fourth Ave , in St James City More details, contacts and ticket sales are available at SJCCAPI ORG
Septic system repair update
We are delighted to inform our supporters that the septic system repair and
installation is planned shortly
patience and support from our community
months have been challenging, but now we can start enjoying our activities and events
FDOT suspends construction work through the holidays
BARTOW, Fla – To serve the communities throughout Southwest Florida during the predicted high traffic period
d
Department of Transportation (FDOT) will suspend construction activities from Tuesday, Dec 24, through Thursday Jan 2
If the contractor requests to extend this suspension of operations to include Monday, Dec. 23, and/or Friday, Jan. 3, this request may be approved FDOT wishes everyone a happy and safe holiday For real-time updates on
www FL511 com
being an outgoing, social person, Koucky said she sometimes feels that she could become a hermit Before Koucky and her husband, Chuck, ever moved to Pine Island, which happened in 2001, she said they used to come out to visit friends from their home in Naples and on their way home they would discuss getting a little place for the weekends
“I turned to him and I asked, ‘Why just the weekends?’ we were at a point in our lives where we could make a change, our youngest was in her last year in high school and our oldest was off to college and it was a perfect time One of our friends started looking for properties and invited us up and we found this place and it was so perfect that I didn’t want to say
anything,” Koucky said
Her fear of things not working out only kept her quiet for a time, she said, because in her own words, their coming here was "just meant to be " In 6 month’s time, she said, they had made more friends than they had anticipated, showing them both that they had found their way to their permanent home
“It was that instant sense of communi-
Koucky said
When it comes to her love for the island, Koucky said it’s been spelled out pretty clearly by the decision of both Kouckys to not leave, no matter what the weather might have in store for Pine Island It’s not only their tenacity in not
being chased off Pine Island by inclement weather that’s made the decision to stay but also the idea that there just may not be another community like this one for them “We could move to another town that’s not the community I’m talking about that strength of community Pine Island has. Where could we go where we would have this same feeling of belonging we don’t know,” Koucky said Stepping back in time, due to careful preservation, is a descriptor, Koucky said, captures much of the appeal of the island In thinking of how she might describe her island home to a stranger, Koucky said she would talk about the sense of community, careful to mention that it may not be for everyone
“You can’t want an urban life and live out on this island You have to have the desire to live someplace that isn’t fastpaced,” Koucky said
When she does have the desire to see a bigger city, she said it’s only 35 minutes away
H
would be to get Matlacha back to its outdoor shopping and multi-colored houses that make folks want to walk up and down the streets of the sweet little island
“If I could wave a magic wand, I’d take Matlacha through all the hurricane damage to a safe finished place All of us on Pine Island need Matlacha the gateway
Koucky said
Legion Post accepting Boys State applications
American Legion Post 136 is accepting applications for the June 2025 Boys State leadership program in Tallahassee
The male applicant must be a junior in private or public high school or home schooled, exhibits leadership, and good personal skills He must submit a letter of reference from a principal, teacher or counselor before the interview process begins.
Participants at Boys State learn the rights, privileges and responsibilities of city, county, and state governments
They will also learn the law and court system, parliamentary procedure, and Florida political history
The Post will be conducting in-person interviews throughout the month of December and chose a candidate for the program Applications for interview can be picked up at the American Legion
For more information you may contact Marty Hastings at 239-898-4526 or Patricia LaCour at 239-209-4022 F
www floridalegion org and click on pro-
First Baptist Church of St. James City to host Christmas Eve service
39th luminary display set for Christmas Eve in Matlacha
Neighbors and friends were set to gather Saturday, Dec 21, to fill luminary bags with sand (donated by John Honc), and add the candles
Volunteers will distribute the luminaries throughout Matlacha for display on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24.
Also, on Christmas Eve, CW Fudge will have its Annual Live Nativity from 6-7 p m
CW Fudge is at 4548 Pine Island Road in Matlacha, Call 239-283-9911 for more information
“Let’s Light Up Matlacha” is a community endeavor and is working toward making Matlacha Strong after our hurricanes’ devastation.
Volunteers fill the luminary bags for a previous Christmas celebration in Matlacha.
PHOTO PROVIDED
After the storms
of Florida The program was established to create national service pathways through FIBER, bolstering preparations for natural disasters and helping communities adapt to climate change.
“Disasters are a disruption to the status quo, which presents an opportunity for change in a society,” said Jason von Meding, the executive director of GatorCorps and professor in the Rinker School of Construction Management at UF “Usually, there are companies and individuals that are ready to exploit that opportunity, and we want to support people who just want to help each other make the positive changes that are needed ”
The UF Gulf Scholars program accepts students from diverse backgrounds and provides them with the training and experience needed to address pressing issues facing the Gulf region of the United States. The program is housed in the UF Bob Graham Center for Public Service and offers several resources to scholars, including Gulffocused academic courses, internships and research opportunities, field excursions and professional networking
“As hurricanes and other natural disasters intensify, we will rely on a wide variety of skill sets to adapt and plan for the future,” said Rebecca Burton, UF Gulf Scholars program coordinator “We hope our programming will help students develop a strong sense of place and shared mission to ensure our state’s ability to support future generations.”
Both groups work in several locations throughout Florida, including Jacksonville, Cedar Key, Gainesville and Fort Myers, where they work directly with communities and local businesses
“A big focus for us is resilience education and helping local organizations build capacity to use resilience tools and techniques,” von Meding said
LeFebvre, who began her term as director this summer, sees parallels between resilience in today’s communities and those of the past For over 1,000 years, Southwest Florida was home to the Calusa Their capital city was located at Mound Key, 25 miles southeast of the Randell Research Center, and their towns dotted the coastline.
A large portion of their diet and building material consisted of mollusks The thick-walled shells of oysters clams, conches and whelks were used to create massive foundations up to 30 feet high, on top of which they constructed vast halls and temples
These mounds served several purposes The elevated platform gave the Calusa a broad view of the sea, allowing them to spot visitors well in advance of their arrival It also put them out of reach of mosquitos and other biting insects that prefer to fly close to the ground Just as important, the mounds provided protection against hurricanes. Structures built on top of the mounds were well above the reach of floodwaters, and the permeable shell base easily withstood gale-force winds
As climate change continues to brew increasingly stronger and more frequent hurricanes, LeFebvre thinks protecting the cultural history of the Calusa is imperative, both to learn from their resilient tactics that allowed them to persist for a millennium and as a means of defining
who we are and where we live
“People from different walks of life and histories can visit the site, and all of them will have different insights into strength and resilience to take away with them,” she said “There’s resilience in the everyday aspects of hurricane recovery, but there’s also resilience in realizing we’re part of a much larger history and legacy of living with and responding to climate change ”
GatorCorps students who visited the center echoed this sentiment
“It feels really nice to be part of the same cycle People built this to live on, and now we get to come back and restore it,” said Amaya Borroto, an undergraduate s t u d e n t m
Environment at UF
The team helped remove invasive vegetation that had grown up over one of the shell mounds As they removed the thick mat of vines and shrubs, the shells appeared beneath them, where they’d been for hundreds of years Many of the shells had small holes punched through them, a placeholder showing where someone had scraped out the mollusk
“It’s intimate evidence of what daily life was like here,” said Hayden Germanis, a UF student majoring in landscape architecture “Coming out here has been really inspiring Being from the area, I heard a lot about the Calusa my whole life, but I had no idea about the scale of their existence. It’s hard to comprehend, especially when you learn this is just a small part of what is left of it ”
Annisa Karim, operations manager for the Randell Research Center, said partnerships like these are a crucial for building climate change resilience and strengthening communities
“Hurricanes take a long-term mental and physical toll,” she said “When you see people coming from somewhere else to help get your community back to normal, it shows the rest of the world is paying attention and cares These students may not have the opportunity to come back here for years depending on where their lives take them, and for them to come as a group for a weekend and work on a site to get us back to normalcy means a lot ”
PHOTO PROVIDED
Volunteer Kevin Lollar, left, helps Michelle LeFebvre clear away debris and mud at the Randall Research Center.
area
“There has been support coming our way to continue our efforts, as far as recovery and helping our island businesses get on their feet,” Stearns said Parents brought their children out for family day on Sunday, she said, comm e n t i n g o n h o w j o y f u l t h e c h i l d r e n seemed to be as they enjoyed line dancing to all the music provided by DJ Franke. The Fire Department provided hot dogs while the American Legion provided cotton candy to the kids and the Matlacha Hookers were there along with staff from Pine Island Elementary to do crafts with the children
“All in all it was another fabulous Holiday House event and the weather was
absolutely stunning I don’t think you could have asked for more perfect weather,” Stearns said
Santa arrived by boat, Stearns said, as h
Department
“There is still that same amazing feeling, like the magic of Christmas is here, when Santa arrives on a fire boat We’re especially thankful to the Tarpon Lodge their gracious staff the appetizers
happy and we really needed that this year,” Stearns said
The vendors at this year’s event were Pine Islanders, she said, commenting on the pride that goes along with the importance of keeping events as local as possi-
ble This year’s raffle table brought in more funds than ever before, she said The raffle table was filled with products and services provided by the vendors, on which buyers can bid with the proceeds benefitting to the Beacon of Hope
“I am super excited that we are already starting plans for the 16th annual Holiday
Those attending the Holiday House included, from left, Joe Miklavcic, Elsie Stearns, Margie Goodwyn, EV Goodwyn and Barbara Miklavcic
PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY ELSIE
House I’ve had new vendors reach out who want to participate This year, we were excited that the Calusa Land Trust a
saplings Getting our pines back in the ground and planted seemed like the perfect fit this year and we really enjoyed having them,” Stearns said
STEARNS
One of the vendors at the annual Holiday House
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