Events on the Island
Symphonic Chorale
of Southwest Florida: Nov. 30
Holiday House of H.O.P.E. will again welcome members of the Symphonic Chorale of Southwest Florida on Nov. 30 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. A dozen of the singers will entertain with traditional Christmas music. Gerri Westlund will conduct the selections.
The full, 80-voice Chorale will present three concerts on Dec. 14, 15, and 16 under the direction of Timothy McDonnell. The first two are titled “Holiday Evergreens” and include a chamber orchestra.
The Dec. 14 performance is at Moorings Presbyterian Church in Naples at 8 p.m. Tickets are available through the Chorale at 239.560.5695 or at www.ticketriver.com. The young music students of the Salvation Army of Naples will perform in the church narthex for half an hour before this concert. They will accept donations of gently used band instruments or cash contributions.
The Dec. 15 performance is at BIG Arts on Sanibel at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at 239.395.0900.
Finally, on Dec. 16 at 5 p.m., the Chorale will join with the Gulf Coast Symphony, the Gulf Shore Ballet, and the Lee County Children’s Chorus to “Deck the Halls.” This is the first time these organizations have collaborated.
Pine Island Moose Lodge: Dec. 1
Please consider donating the gift of life on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pine Island Moose Lodge. This drive is being sponsored by LMHS and your valuable donation will remain here in Lee County to help our local community with their blood needs. If you have any questions about donating blood, please call the LMHS Donor Center at 343-2333. Thank you so much for your support!
Matlacha Hookers: Dec. 1
The Matlacha Hookers will be holding a blood drive on Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Great Licks Ice Cream Shop, 4643 Pine Island Road NW in Matlacha. All donors receive a pint of ice cream for a pint of blood and a movie ticket. Help us better serve you, make an appointment online at www.fbcdonor.org and use account #M3HN.
Pine Island Junior Olympics: Dec. 1
Lee County Parks and Recreation Department and Pine Island Kiwanis will be hosting the 31st Annual Pine Island Junior Olympics on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 10 a.m. It will be held at the Pine Island/Bobby Holloway Little League Field.
This event is for children kindergarten through 5th grade. Each child will compete in the long jump, 50-yard dash, 1/2-mile run, Frisbee toss and softball throw. Each participant will receive a T-shirt, hot dog and soda.
This is a free event. This event is fun for all so come out and cheer on the children.
If your child is interested in participating in this annual event fill out the permission forms sent home by the school or stop by the Matlacha Community Center or the Pine Island Pool and pick one up. Please fill out the forms and return them to the Pine Island Elementary School, the Matlacha Community Center or the Pine Island Pool by Nov. 30.
This annual event is sponsored once again by Lee County Parks and Recreation, Kiwanis Club of Greater Pine Island, Pine Island Dairy Queen, Waggoner & Bruehl PA, Team Shevlin at Century 21 and Sun Trust Bank
Pine Island Little League will also be holding sign up for the 2013 season.
For more information on this event call the Matlacha Community Center at 283-4110.
Pine Island Cove: Dec. 1
Beat the rush and shop early with us Pine Island Cover during the Christmas Bazaar Dec. 1 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Browse a variety of handcrafted items perfect for gift giving. Featuring many creative items by Cove residents, including holiday items, children table, hostess gifts and many specialty items. Coffee and rolls plus a bake goods table will be available. The Pine Island Cove Clubhouse is located at 7325 Drum Drive in Saint James City.
Flamingo Bay: Dec. 1
Julie’s Country Ham Breakfast is our first breakfast served this season on Dec. 1 between 8 and 9:30 a.m. by the Flamingo Bay Residents’ Association. For $6 you’ll get country ham, two eggs (cooked to order), a biscuit, fried apples and hash browns. Tickets should be ordered in advance from Carol, 283.7855 or Marge, 283.0557, between Nov. 14 and Nov. 28.
Paisley Parrot: Dec. 1
A Christmas Art and Antique Market will be held on Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Paisley Parrot, 3269 Stringfellow Road in St. James City. Individuals will have the opportunity to meet local artists, purchase art, antiques, gifts and more, enjoy refreshments, donate a can of food to the Pine Island Food Pantry and win a door prize and meet Santa. Bring your camera and take a picture with Santa by our festive boat. For information call 282-0331.
Elks Lodge Memorial Service: Dec. 2
Please reserve Sunday, Dec. 2, at 1 p.m. to attend the local Elks Lodge Memorial Service. We’re located at the 4-way stop next to the Fire House. This is a Celebration of Life Service the Elks Lodges hold annually on the first Sunday in December in remembrance of all Lodge members who have passed away.
All Elk members, relatives and friends are cordially invited to this service to honor and remember our loved ones.
MOTI Membership Meeting: Dec. 3
Join award-winning Matlacha Island author Robert Macomber for a discussion of the Civil War among our islands. This talk focuses on a young family in Tampa that faced a daunting decision at the beginning of the war. The consequences of that decision led them to Useppa Island, and years of deprivation, fear, grief, and a resilience to overcome incredible challenges. This is an emotional tale that strikes to the core of human tragedy and triumph, and you will never look at the Civil War in SW Florida the same again afterward. The meeting will be held at Fishers of Men Lutheran Church at 7 p.m.
Pineland Parlor Chat: Lonely Outpost
or Settler’s Paradise?: Dec. 4
The second Pineland Parlor Chat, an event commemorating Pineland’s 110th anniversary with Gladys Schneider will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 4 from 10-11:30 a.m.
Photographs, news stories, museum artifacts, and interviews suggest that today’s Pineland was yesterday’s paradox, both lonely and idyllic. The parlor chat will focus on current events at the turn of the 20th century and the buildings and landmarks that remain in our Pineland community from that era.
Gladys Schneider, a founding member of the Museum of the Islands on Pine Island, will lead this interactive “chat”. Gladys, an expert in historic architecture, encourages participants to bring their questions, ideas, and information.
The chat will be held at the Historic 1924 Ruby Gill House, office and lab of the Randell Research Center, located at 7450 Pineland Road. Free for Members of the Randell Research Center and Museum of the Islands, $5 Nonmembers.
Refreshments and door prizes will be provided. Please call 239-283-2062 to reserve your space.
Become a member of the Randell Research Center now at the Family level to be eligible for the Pineland Prize Package which includes a night stay at the Tarpon Lodge, a free boat launch and parking at the Pineland Marina, and a gift certificate for the store at the Calusa Heritage Trail.
Fellow Islanders Sending Help: Dec. 7
At 2:15 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7, 2012 golfers will gather at Alden Pine Golf Course, on Clubhouse Road, Bokeelia. It’s time for the 6th Annual Golf Outing that helps F.I.S.H. bring Christmas to Pine Island families in need. Actual tee of time is 2:45 p.m. The 9-hole scramble will be followed by dinner in the clubhouse and a drawing for prizes. Fun and laughs are on the menu. Entry fee for the event is $40, which includes greens fee, cart and dinner. Come as a single, with a partner or as a team of four. You are encouraged to register in advance by calling the Clubhouse at 239-283-2179 or Bill at 239-283-7864.
Throughout the year, F.I.S.H, the Pine Island charity that cares for island people in need, is always there to provide a variety of free services. Their helping hand will be extended even more frequently during the coming holiday season when the need is always greatest. FISH is an all volunteer, not-for-profit organization with less than 2 percent in overhead expenses. Ninety-eight percent of money raised will reach Pine Islanders, your friends and neighbors. You can make it possible for FISH to spread the spirit of Christmas on Pine Island.
The merchants of Pine Island, Cape Coral and Ft. Myers have generously donated a wonderful variety of gifts for the drawing in the Club House. Drawing tickets can be purchased at the event. For each nonperishable food item donated on that day you will receive one free door prize ticket. All donation checks should be made: payable to FISH and mailed to FISH Golf Outing, P.O. Box 234, Pineland, 33945.
Merchants wishing to support the event can sponsor a golf hole for $50. Please call 239-283-8216. We appreciate your donations.
6th Annual Christmas Toys
For Girls And Boys: Dec. 8
Join Kip Lawrence from The Yard Dogs and Trailer Park Barbie for this free concert to benefit children on Pine Island needing a little something from Santa. For the 6th year, The Olde Fish House Marina and Restaurant, 4530 Pine Island Rd in Matlacha, along with Kip have provided toys for our islands children who may not get a visit from “the merry, old elf.” Trailer Park Barbie and Kip have performed together many times and perform originals, along with a healthy dose of country music. The Olde Fish House Marina and Restaurant will have fresh, local seafood in an “old Florida” atmosphere in beautiful, downtown Matlacha. If you can’t make the concert, gifts will be accepted any time prior to the show. Many children go with out a new Christmas gift and a visit from St. Nick, but it doesn’t have to happen here in Matlacha/Pine Island. Please bring a new unwrapped toy and we hope to see you there. Saturday, Dec. 8 from 3-6 p.m.
The First Baptist Church
of St. James City: Dec. 8
The First Baptist Church of St. James City, which is located on the corner of 8th Ave. and Oleander will host their Outdoor Annual “Free” Seafood Festival, Saturday, Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fresh seafood with all the trimmings will be served, along with games for the children, music and free gently used articles will all be available.
Ladies of the Elks 2781: Jan. 24
Lily Grace, portrayed by local actress Denyea Clarkson, brought down the house three years ago with this hilarious comedy. This time men are welcome! She now returns with ” Church Lady Act 2″ on Thursday, Jan. 24. Tickets are on sale now for $20, which includes a delicious lunch.
The doors of the Pine Island Elks Lodge will open at 11 a.m. Advance tickets only. Contact Yve Malbon at 239-283-4476, Ann Thomas at 239-283-0415 or Jean McCaffrey at 239-283-5379.