Pine Island Eagle Time Capsule dedication ceremony held Thursday
Lee County Commissioner John Manning, Rep. Curt Clawson’s representative Elbert Ziegler, Lee County Sheriff’s Department Gulf District’s Capt. Matt Herterick, acting Fire Chief Ben Mickuleit, Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jennifer Jennings, Pine Island author Robert Macomber and about 75 Pine Islanders arrived at the Museum of the Islands Thursday afternoon to dedicate the Pine Island Eagle Time Capsule, commemorating the Eagles’ 40th anniversary.
The capsule will be opened by the editor of the Pine Island Eagle on April 21, 2066.
Among the items placed in the capsule were a book (“The Darkest Shade of Honor”) from Pine Island author Robert Macomber, articles and a doll from the “Doll Lady of Matlacha” (Helen O’Rourke McClarry), information from the Dooley family about their involvement in commercial fishing, photos of the jewelry artistry of Sarah Aune, information from the Pine Island Lions, the artistry of Roland Ruocco, 35 historical articles Tim Knox wrote while at the Museum of the Islands, information from the Pine Island Garden Club, a book of plants the Calusa used by Marty Kendall, important papers about the beginnings of Flamingo Bay, notes from the Calusa Land Trust’s 40th annual meeting, a copy of the “Nature Lovers Guide to Pine Island” (Randell Research Center and Phil Buchanan), a book by local author Mitch Grant (“The Popping Cork Murder”), artistic images of the islands by Jim Cahill, a book published by the Breeze about Hurricane Charley and one Pine Island flag.
Also included was Phil Buchanan’s “Memorandum to Greater Pine Island residents and friends in the Year 2066,” which was signed by a number of island residents.
Letter to the Editor
of the Pine Island Eagle
– April 21, 2066
To the editor:
My name is Ed Franks and on this day, April 21, 2016, I have been the editor of the Pine Island Eagle for nearly three years. Our little island has a unique history dating back before the Calusa Indians. There is also a little history to this time capsule you will be opening 50 years from today.
The capsule originated in my hometown of Paterson, N.J. It was purchased in 2007 and intended to be placed in a new mall in the city. That never occurred!
When we (my wife and I and our Golden Retriever Gus) moved from New Jersey to Gettysburg, Pa., the time capsule came with us. When we moved from Gettysburg to Cape Coral, I loaded up the capsule and brought it here. After 8 or 9 years of holding on to this, and the city of Paterson showing no interest, I sent the contents of the time capsule back to the mayor of that city.
I wasn’t sure what to do with it until one day about 9 months ago when I looked a little closer at a framed copy of the Pine Island Eagle on the office wall. It was the first copy of the Pine Island Eagle dated – April 21, 1976. That solved my problem as to what to do with the time capsule.
Naturally, the Museum of the Islands is the perfect place for this and when I called Vicky Duflo, director of the museum, she liked the idea and spoke with the Board who gave final approval. I can’t think of a more fitting place for this time capsule than right here in the historic center of Pine Island in the Museum of the Islands.
The hand prints on the outside of the capsule are our kindergarten children Class of 2016. Their names are included in the capsule.
The very first item placed in the capsule was the book “The Nature Lover’s Guide to Pine Island.” In the back of this book you will find the “original” Pine Island Plan. I included this so you, the people of Pine Island 50 years from now, can measure the changes that have taken place since today. You will be able to measure how much this beautiful little island has changed. I pray not much! But I fear the Pine Island we love today will be long gone.
My three years on this little island have been the best three years of my life. Pine Islanders are the friendliest, warmest, most generous people anywhere. We recently adopted a Pine Island flag designed by local artist Mel Meo. The motto at the bottom of our new flag says “Community Rooted in Caring.” We have approximately 22 charities on this little 17 mile island more than 1 per mile. To me that says more than anything else who Pine Islanders are a Community Rooted in Caring.
When this capsule is opened in 2066, I hope it is by the editor of the Eagle.
In the letter Scott Blonde wrote for the 40th anniversary booklet, he stated that Pine Island is “the best place to call home.” For me the people of this little island have made this home for me.
All of us who live here or work here have been blessed to find ourselves in such a place. I hope it’s the same place in 2066.
Ed Franks
Editor, Pine Island Eagle