Shevlin and Bones contribute more than money
Kiwanian, Chamber of Commerce member, Little League coach, Civic Association member, avid baseball player …….all signs of an active, community-minded businessperson. But in Mike Shevlin and Jim Bone’s cases, there is an additional membership that makes a difference not only in their lives, but in the cultural community as a whole. …their involvement with the Museum of the Islands (MOTI). Shevlin adds: “and Elaine Jordan, too. It was the three of us.”
That involvement has led Shevlin and Bone to make a recent $3000.00 donation to the museum. Shevlin acknowledges Jordan’s continuing part in this, though she is deceased. He recalls the years past when Jordan was authoring books and writings about local history; Bone was walking the streets of Matlacha holding a 30 MPH ZONE sign; and Shevlin “just loved old stuff”. The three were friends, full of curiosity and interest in things old, things local. Collecting, either by design or mishap, became a large activity. The trunk of Jordan’s car was full of old stuff that people would give her; Shevlin’s house was full as well. Something needed to be done to house the collections and to share them with the public.
Attending monthly meetings of the Lee County Parks and Recreation Board and advocating for space on Pine Island, Shevlin was able to win the support of Bill Hammond, head of the county’s P & R Commission. Jordan, Shevlin, and Bone worked hard at gaining local support and enthusiasm for a local museum. When the library moved into its new facility, Jordan, Bone, and Shevlin aided in obtaining the old building for what is now the Museum of the Islands.
“Bone (who now lives in Colombia) was a thinker kind of guy, and a doer, for sure, ” remarks Shevlin. “And, Elaine, she had her books (about local history).” And Shevlin got the county involved. MOTI was born.
A Pine Island resident for 33 years, head of Team Shevlin at Century 21 Real Estate in the Center, husband and father of three, Shevlin is a vital part of the Pine Island community. He describes himself as “good at getting things started.” Obviously he, with his two companions, has been good at getting things done as well!
Shevlin became aware of an urgent museum need from MOTI president and friend, Sharon Traylor. “MOTI needs a new restroom! It is 40 years old!” states Traylor. “The money is being used to upgrade our old restroom. This includes new fixtures, built-in shelving, and a new ceramic tile floor.” Visitors and volunteers that staff the museum will find the new facility available now. The work was completed last week.
Traylor expresses her gratitude for this donation. “We are so fortunate to have long-time supporters such as Mike and Jim. Mike served on our Board of Directors and he has always been there for us. Mike is one of those people that you can always count on and who is truly an inspiration to anyone who knows him. And Jim, though he no longer lives on Pine Island, is still supporting us as well.”
As Shevlin talks about his hopes about MOTI’s future, he explores the idea of a fund being started that could lead to expansion and acquisition of materials for the museum. “The museum can become a real destination,” says Shevlin. “And fifty, a hundred years from now there will still be a museum.”
MOTI is open Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. It is located at 5728 Sesame Street, Pine Island center, next door to the library.