Getting to know your local bartender
It is often said that Pine Island knows how to throw a party. During the winter season, parties come in the form of fund-raising events featuring food, music and, of course, adult beverages. But, now that our seasonal residents have returned to their homes up north, year-round residents continue the party at local watering holes.
Dedicated to keeping the party going are the many hardworking bartenders. This week, get to know Shelly Marshall Barrs, known better as Lee, from Al and Barb’s Mulletville in Matlacha. Lee and her husband, Greg, and her stepsons, Cody, 16 and Chad, 20, moved to Cape Coral six years ago and have now lived on Pine Island for the last two years. Lee’s daughter, Jessica, 20, resides with her husband in North Carolina.
Lee said that she is always made to feel welcomed by her customers at Mulletville.
“I just love it here,” she said. “All of my customers have welcomed me with open arms and we all feel like one big happy family.”
Each of the island bartenders were given a set of 20 questions and Lee’s answers follow:
1. Astrological sign: Taurus
2. Birth place: Warren, Ohio
3. How long have you been working here: Just started April 28
4. Vanilla or chocolate: Chocolate
5. When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up: Nurse or stewardess
6. What’s your drink of choice: Strawberry vodka with pineapple and cranberry juice
7. Do you have a collection or hobby: I collect angels and gardening
8. Who would you want to play the role of you in a movie: Julia Roberts
9. Where do you see yourself in 10 years: Living on the beach
10. Who was your celebrity crush on in high school: Leif Garrett
11. What is your absolute biggest pet peeve: People who drive under the speed limit
12. What’s your favorite pastime: Riding a Harley
13. Which cartoon do you most relate to: Tinkerbell
14. If you were an animal, what would you be: An eagle
15. If you were on a deserted island what one thing would you want with you: Family
16. Who has been the biggest influence in your life: My daughter, Jessica
17. What is your favorite sport to watch: NASCAR
18. What is your favorite TV show: “Saving Grace”
19. Do you have any pets: Yorkshire terriers and sugar gliders
20. Describe yourself in one word: Happy
Al and Barb’s Mulletville is located at 4597 Pine Island Road in Matlacha and is open every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., serving breakfast, lunch and dinner and offering happy hour prices from 7 to 10 p.m. every Thursday for Bike Night.
Getting to know your local bartender
Whether you call them barkeep, server or mixologist, Pine Island residents and visitors have become familiar with many of the bartenders who work in bars, restaurants and service clubs throughout the island area. In an effort to providing a closer look into who these men and women are when they are not catering to our needs, the Pine Island Eagle staff has provided a set of 20 question to get to know these people a little better.
This week meet Rae Ann Hutchins, the full-time day bartender at the Moose Lodge in St. James City. Rae and her husband, Hutch, have been living on Pine Island for the last 20 years and she has been with the Moose for more than a decade.
“I still see many of the same people I waited on when I first started working at the Moose 15 years ago. Now they are less like customers and more like friends,” said Hutchins. “I really enjoy my customers as well as the people I work for and work with.”
The questions and Rae Ann’s answers follow:
1. Astrological sign: Aries, the ram
2. Birth place: Sterling, Ill.
3. How long have you been working here: 15 years
4. Vanilla or chocolate: Chocolate
5. When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up: A surgical tech
6. What is your drink of choice: Bud Light
7. Do you have a hobby or collection: No
8. Who would you want to play the role of you in a movie: Doris Day
9. Where do you see yourself 10 years from now: Here I hope, still tending bar.
10. Who was your celebrity crush on in high school: Elvis
11. What is your biggest pet peeve: Banging or slamming a glass or bottle
12. What is your favorite pastime: My computer
13. Which cartoon character do you most relate to: The Taz
14. If you were an animal, what would you be: A leopard
15. If you were on a deserted island what one thing would you want with you: Bud Light
16. Who has been the biggest influence in your life: My husband
17. What is your favorite sport to watch: Football
18. What is your favorite TV show: CSI Crime Scene
19. Do you have any pets: A black chihuahua named Bear
20. Describe yourself in one word: Ambitious
Membership to the Pine Island Moose Lodge is open to all who care to join. The Moose Lodge is located at 8903 Stringfellow Road In St. James City. For more information, call 282-0438.