Thank you from Matlacha Civic Association
To the editor:
The Matlacha Civic Association thanks the Pine Island community for your support of two key events this season. Thanks to you, both events were a huge success.
First we want to thank Sue Slingerland and Nina Richter of the Parks and Rec. Department. They were a tremendous help at both events as they are every year.
Thank you to our local restaurants: The Perfect Cup, Miceli’s, Sandy Hook, Moretti’s, The Olde Fish House. At the “Taste of Matlacha” on Nov. 7, they supplied wonderful food and volunteers from the PI Food Pantry plus Thomas Terrell and Marianne Watson worked tirelessly to serve our guests.
The “Holiday Bliss Island Style” committee members, Linaya Yates-Lea (chairman) Debbie Cundall, Julie Griffin and Gail Barone organized and planned the successful event. Thanks to those who helped during the Bliss with setup and cleanup: Bill Stoelker, Marianne Waston, Thomas Terrell, Bill Grove, Rick Salkeld, Bob McKnight, Michael Gordon and John Barone. Helpers during the day’s activities were Judy Grove, Jennifer Starr, Dee Salkeld, Sam Kelly, Bella from Island Visions, Diane Maher, Elida Bayard, Tonya Player, the Pine Island Community Church Youth Group, steam train engineers; Barb and Dave Conway, pet skunk owner Tom Poynter, 50/50 raffle seller extraordinaire; Judy Crago, photographer Terry Schlegel. Hope we didn’t miss anyone!
Thanks also to our wonderful entertainers; Chantel Chimes Bell Choir; the Pine Island Dancers with Carolyn Helen; pianist, Gary Simmons accompanied by his daughter; cellist, Logan Simmons; clarinetist, Lanny Lamb and Sister Kaite with Howard who played outdoors the entire afternoon.
The Pine Island Fire Department along with Ralph’s Angels who also donated $100, brought Santa in a fire truck. The costume parade was judged by Mango Queen, Carrie Call and Mango King, Richard Smith. Winners were Anna DeMayo and Kay Lambringger.
Photos with Santa were taken by Gary Simmons and Rick Salkeld. these may be picked up at the Matlacha Post Office.
The Cape Coral Parkway and San Carlos Sweet Bay donated cookies and coffee, Winn-Dixie gave a gift certificate and the Perfect Cup gave a gift basket to be raffled.
Thanks to all donations and volunteers at both events, the Civic Association was able to contribute over $1,600 to the Pine Island Food Pantry.
Please join us at our monthly meetings, on the third Tuesday each month from October to May. Annual dues are $5. Look for announcements of our Spring Social.
Gail Barone
Matlacha