WEEK OF FEBRUARY 1, 2023 FLIER INSIDE
Bee business Company helping island beekeepers re-establish their hives — INSIDE PINEISLAND-EAGLE.COM
VOLUME 46, NUMBER 39
Like father like son ...
Steve Honc named Pine Island’s citizen of the year By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Steve Honc took home this year’s Al Mills Award, which is given annually at the Chamber of Commerce Elections Dinner. The award, presented by the chamber, is given, by nomination, to one named Pine Island citizen of the year. This year’s win was especially meaningful, as Honc’s father, Dan, has also won the award, back in 2009. “We as a family have always contributed on this island. My dad was gen-
Steve Honc
erous before I was and now Steve has taken over the reins. When people are in need here, we generally try to accommodate what we can,” Dan said. The Honc name is synonymous with Pine Island, both in business and in island life. Although both men have dealt with hurricane recovery on the island, their reach and heritage, they say, goes far beyond being instrumental in helping after a disaster. “I’ve watched my dad lead by example and just kind of followed in his footsteps
and I hope my kids see and understand the things that I do for the community, and obviously I hope one day that they follow in my footsteps and continue our family’s history of leadership on Pine Island and contributing when needed. I think, our both being nominated for the Al Mills Award, which is obviously an honor we both appreciate, is evidence of how we love this place. We live here, we’ve grown up here, we’re raising children here and we like to give back. I think that’s what we want people to know,” Steve said. See HONC, page 9
Hearing examiner recommends approval for rezoning to allow car lot, with conditions By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
A hearing examiner has recommended approval, with conditions, of a requested rezoning that would allow a car lot at the site of the old Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce office in Matlacha. Lee County Chief Hearing Examiner Donna Marie Collins issued her recommendation following a Jan. 12 public hearing on a proposal to rezone the 1.4 acres at 3640 SW.. Pine Island Road from an agricultural (AG2) to commercial planned development (CPD) district. The request would allow use of the existing 1,250square-foot structure for sales and administrative offices to support vehicle sales and rentals with plans to increase the building to 2,000 square feet. Collins found that the proposed CPD zoning will not harm environmentally critical/sensitive areas or natural resources and that requested deviations from the Land See CAR LOT, page 19
Leoma Lovegrove says her love affair with Matlacha will continue By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
lthough the decision to sell her Matlacha gallery did not come easily, Leoma Lovegrove said both her home and gallery were destroyed when Hurricane Ian hit Pine Island, resulting in more than her heart can bare. “Twenty-eight years of work were essentially destroyed in three hours. At first we had everything cleaned out, and we were like, let’s do this, we can do this — but then it just got too depressing to cross over and go by all our friends who lost their homes,” Lovegrove said.
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Although the desire to rebuild was strong, she said, it was overshadowed by other huge projects she’s undertaken, leaving her without the necessary time it would take to do everything. In an effort to recreate the history of Matlacha, she’s been painting shingles left from the local roofs and either giving them away or selling them. See LOVEGROVE, page 10 Longtime islander and artist Leoma Lovegrove has announced plans to move her popular gallery off island due to damage from Hurricane PHOTO PROVIDED Ian.
Athlete of the Week...........8 Guest Commentary...........4
Letter to the Editor............4 Mahjongg Scores..............7
PHOTO PROVIDED
An aerial view of the old chamber of commerce building and lot on Pine Island Road.
On the Water....................18 Worship Directory.............6 Classifieds and Obituaries