Hello all members from the chamber once again! June has approached us very fast and I am looking forward to the hot weather. Being from Buffalo, NY I do not miss the cold weather at all. In Buffalo this is just the beginning of the “nice weather” and it will only last for three months if they are lucky. I don’t know how I lived there for so long and didn’t literally freeze to death. I look around every day at the beautiful palm trees and tropical flowers and after seven years I still am just amazed at the different lifestyle that I have become so accustom to. “A beautiful day in paradise” – I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Don’t forget to save the dates: July 10 and 11, for our annual MangoMania Tropical Fruit Festival. We have all been working very hard to make this year’s event the biggest one yet. The Board has incorporated many new and exciting things this year that are sure to please everyone. One of the new components of the festival this year is the addition of a “portable Welcome Center” at the entrance gates; maps, business brochures and flyers will be available to provide more information about Pine Island to those who attend. We are still accepting applications for vendors and are in need of some more volunteers. Stop in the chamber office for an application before it’s too late. The exposure that your business will get out of this two day event is one of the cheapest ways to spread the word to thousands of people and show them what you have to offer.

Congratulations to Carie Call for winning this year’s Mango Queen title. Carie will be a great asset to the event and is sure to make us proud. Keep a look out for Carie’s appearances around town along with our mascot, Mat Mango. Thank you all for participating in the elections of the queen this year by casting votes; your support is greatly appreciated. Soon we will begin refurbishing the picnic pavilion next to the Welcome Center with the funds generated by the queen competition.

Please welcome the newest chamber members:

? Bokeelia Water Taxi, Captain Dan Ballou, 246-6499, located at Four Winds Marina

? McCormick Signs and Printing, Randy McCormick, 1110 NE Pine Island Rd, Cape Coral, 673-7202