Events on the Islands
Beacon of H.O.P.E.:
March 8-April 12
Free tax preparation at the Beacon of H.O.P.E., 5465 Pine Island Road, from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. every Friday from March 8 through April 12. Call 283-5123 for appointments.
Pine Island Moose: March 2
The Pine Island Moose Lodge is hosting a Lee Memorial Health System Blood Drive on Saturday, March 2 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 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!
First Baptist Church of Pine Island: March 2
First Baptist Church of Pine Island, 5363 Avenue D in Bokeelia, is hosting a BBQ rib/chicken dinner and movie on Saturday, March 2 at 5 p.m. The dinner will be followed by the movie “Courageous.” A $5 per person donation is suggested for our TeamKID and JAM Youth Group outings this spring.
Greater Pine Island Civic Association: March 5
Sharon Harrington, Lee County Supervisor of Elections, will be the speaker at the Greater Pine Island Civic Association’s March meeting. Harrington will explain why there were long lines at the polls and a shorter early vote time period this past election.
Is there a science or formula for determining how many staff and how much equipment is needed? Was the extra long ballot a last minute surprise? Why were precincts closed and voters told to vote at new locations? Was the low-vote turnout for the August primaries part of the problem? Will these problems be fixed by the next elections?
These are some of the questions that she can answer. You may have other questions or you may wish hear the supervisor’s explanation.
In addition, a former restaurant at Pine Island Center that was a derelict property for a number of years was purchased by a local resident who is rehabilitating the building and is requesting to restore the commercial zoning lost due to being vacant for so many years.
Lee County staff will also attend to present, for residents to review, a Land Development Code Amendment that will affect our community plan.
All civic meetings are open to the public at no charge. Meetings are at the Elks on Pine Island Road beyond Stringfellow, before the firehouse. Tuesday, March 5, 7 p.m. Join or renew membership for a $10/p.p. annual fee. Contact Roger Wood, president at 920-421-3984 or Kathy Malone, 283-3762.
Ladies of the Elks: March 8
Join the Ladies of the Elks at our Annual Garage and Bake Sale on Friday, March 8, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will be held inside the Elks Lodge located at the Center. We will be accepting gently used items (excluding clothing) on Thursday, March 7 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Call V Bridges 283- 4802, Ann Sayers 283-7530 or Linda Schulz 283-1498.
Genesee Art Stroll: March 10
Several Charlotte Shores friends have organized a progressive art stroll on Sunday afternoon, March 10 from 2-6 p.m. The route is walkable, all within two blocks of each other. Light refreshments will welcome you at all four stops.
The first stop is 5391 Genesee Parkway in Bokeelia, home of Janice St. Hilaire who describes herself as a Sunday painter working in acrylics, mostly plein aire Florida landscapes.
5354 Genessee Parkway will be the second stop, home of Gwen Galpin, owner of Crystal Camelions. She will show her beaded jewelry on ornate stands. Joining her will be photographer Kelly Sutton Jumper.
The third stop is 5283 Genesee Parkway, home of Debbie Conley. She works in oil, pastel and watercolor and will have paintings, prints and note cards available. Conley just won “Best in Show” at the recent Pine Island Art Association Art Show.
Wendy Morton, at 5258 Genesee Parkway, will show a collection of watercolors and acrylics. Her work includes Florida birds and landscapes, along with Maine seascapes.
All are welcome to this Sunday afternoon stroll to view the recent works of these friends who are enjoying new found time to pursue a life-long passion for art. Signs will direct you to each home. For more information, call 239-283-2661.
Events on the Islands
Pine Island United Methodist Church: Feb. 21
Mark Tesoro, Step Wise Lee, will provide a presentation about balancing at the Pine Island United Methodist Church on Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. until noon.
Falling is not a normal part of again and can be prevented by addressing risk factors. Accidental falls are the leading cause of injury and death in adults over the age of 65. The numbers of falls among Lee County seniors is more than double the state average. Twenty-five percent of hospitals falls result in medical complications.
Some useful tips include: use non-slip mats in bathtubs and shower floors, improve lighting, get up slowly after you sit or lie down, wear shoes inside and outside, eliminate clutter in walkways, install handrails on staircases, visit your doctor regularly, place a lamp close to your bed and add night lights to hallways.
For more information visit www.stepwiselee.org. The event is sponsored by Beacon of H.O.P.E.
St. James City Civic Association: Feb. 22
ART EXPO and The Hotshots Photo Group of the St James City Civic Association call for entries for the 5th Annual Greater Pine Island Photography Competition held Friday, Feb. 22.
“This is the only photo show on Pine Island,” SJCCA President Sharon Astle said. “Show off your best shots and win ribbons and a prize within the exciting Art Expo venue.”
Art Expo opens Friday, Feb. 22 from 7-9 p.m. and runs Saturday, Feb. 23 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. with 30-juried artists showing.
Bring in your photos from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at the St. James City Civic Association, 3300 4th Street (at Lemon). The judging is 1:30 p.m. Entry fee is $4 per entry with a maximum of five entries per person. All entries must be the original work of the photographer. The competition is open to Pine Island seasonal and resident photographers in color and monochromatic photo categories. (Monochrome describes photographs in one color or shades of one color.)
There is a separate competition for advanced/previous award winners and for novice entrants, folks who have not won a ribbon in any previous Southwest Florida Photo Competition. Entries in the advanced/previous award winner categories must meet framing standards of 16X20 frames. The minimum image size within the frame must be 8X10 up-to 16×20. Entries in the novice categories must be framed, but the frame-size may be the minimum required to hold an 8×10 image up to the maximum of 16X20 frame. Minimum image size is 8X10 up-to 16×20. Canvas wrapped photo prints are permitted. Any processing techniques are acceptable whether traditional darkroom tweaking or other creative image altering methodology. Greater Pine Island photographers may call David Priest 239-282-2216 with questions. Download the competition prospectus from sjccapi.org.
Sponsor Two Fish Inn is offering a raffle basket of a one-night stay, use of their pontoon boat and pool and a toter basket filled with goodies; Sponsor Belle’s Secret offers a raffle basket; items also come from sponsors Artist Rachi Farrow; Hobos; Low Key Tiki; Sandy Hook; Jodee McCollum, travelagentjodee@yahoo.com; and Salon LA. See you Friday the 22nd and Saturday the 23rd at Art Expo.
Matlacha Mariners: Feb. 23
Saturday Feb. 23, the Matlacha Mariners will showcase an excellent variety of fresh seafood, live music and a large array of custom and classic cars for festival goers to enjoy during the 12th Annual Southwest Florida Seafood Festival & Car Show. If you’re not a big fan of seafood, don’t worry; the landlubber in you will be able to find a nice assortment of other foods to enjoy.
NASCAR fans can come out between 1-3 p.m. and meet former Daytona 500 winner Geoff Bodine!
There will have plenty of ice-cold beverages on hand. You’ll also find a wide variety of arts and crafts vendors, 50/50 drawings and live music by Deb and the Dynamics and Soap Box.
For more information or to register your car, visit our website at: www.MatlachaMariners.org
The event will be held from 11 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. at the German American Social Club, 2101 SW Pine Island Road in Cape Coral. Admission for adults is $5 and one Can Of Food and kids 11 and under are free with a paid adult.
American Legion: Feb. 23
The ladies of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 136 will hold its annual golf outing, also known as the Hole in One Contest on Feb. 23. This very successful event has proven in previous years to be a wonderful way of raising money to help veterans on Pine Island.
The event will be set up by the pond providing individuals with the opportunity to hit the golf ball over the water to the green. The first tee time is at 8 a.m. and the last tee off will take place at 4:45 p.m. The fee for the first shot is $5 and additional shots (mulligan’s) are $1 each. Top prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, closest to the pin. There will be a 50/50 drawing as well as raffle drawings for the many prizes donated by businesses on and off the island.
In addition to golf, hamburgers and hot dogs are $3 and will be served from 12-3 p.m. BBQ chicken, along with homemade dishes of potato salad, macaroni salad, coleslaw and baked beans prepared by the women of the auxiliary will be served from 5-7 p.m. for $6.
The event will also feature music by Big John from 12-3 p.m. and Smalltown from 4:30-7:30 p.m.