WEEK FEBRUARY 12, 2025 FLIER INSIDE
Top firefighters Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District awards presented
— INSIDE
VOLUME 48, NUMBER 41
Celebrating Pine Islanders: Sue Dahod By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com Sue Dahod said she would describe herself as an environmental advocate, an outdoors person and a biologist. As a retired islander she said her activities as a volunteer have been largely focused on water quality. “Essentially I retired from a job where I was doing both engineering and biological project management,” Dahod said. When she arrived from Wisconsin in 2013, she said she was looking at real estate in Naples. After expanding her search range, she said she found Pine Island, where her real estate agent told her she would absolutely love the island. “He told me I would love Pine Island and that he would show me other proper-
ties on the mainland, but he was certain I would love how unique Pine Island is,” Dahod said. Her first love, she said, is the outdoors and being in nature, so it’s no surprise that she returned to these things after retirement. One of her favorite aspects of her experience on Pine Island, she said, has been connecting to the artist in her, as she’s always dabbled in the art of painting. Part of her realization that the island was an extraordinary find came in simply being here. “The people and the way of life here was perfect. I was told about it but then I experienced it,” Dahod said. Her contribution to the island, she said, came during and after recent hurricanes,
particularly, Hurricanes Irma and Ian. She found herself getting involved with the Greater Pine Island Alliance. As a Greater Pine Island Civic Association board member, she said, she found herself wanting to go out and check on the community to make sure they knew they weren’t alone. “I did a fair amount of walking around different parts of the island that had been flooded and talking to people and asking how they were doing and if they needed any help, and I was giving them the busiSee SUE DAHOD, page 16 Active islander and environmental advocate Sue Dahod. PHOTO PROVIDED
Carving happiness from devastation in Pine Island Cove
By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com When Floyd Cornett saw the state of some of the local trees after damage created by Hurricane Ian, he thought it would be a fun thing to do to carve the trees as monuments of the storm damage. “I wanted to beautify the community and make something good out of Ian, I guess. It makes people smile,” Cornett said. He said he thought the leaning trees looked like fish, more specifically, he said, they looked like a bunch of mullet jumping out of the water. Soon after seeing the potential, he said, he grabbed a buddy of his and they both began the project of carving the trees into fish. “Another buddy of mine showed up and he said, ‘Man, I want to do a tarpon,’ so I told him to start
See CARVING HAPPINESS, page 16
PINEISLAND-EAGLE.COM
The carvings, top, and colorfully lit at night, above.
22nd Annual Garden Gala Feb. 22 at the SJCCA
The Pine Island Garden Club, founded in 1975, is empowered with over 100 active members, who follow the mission of the promotion, protection and conservation of Pine Island’s natural beauty. Its annual fundraiser, the Pine Island Garden Gala, is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 22, beginning at 9 a.m. and continuing until 3 p.m., at the St James City Civic Association located off Lemon Street between 4th and 5th Avenues. Due to limited parking on site, the First Baptist Church of St. James City, located at the intersection of Oleander Street and 8th Avenue, has graciously allowed the use of its parking lot to operate a shuttle service to and from the event. This fun-filled family day will encompass over 70 vendors promoting plants, art and related products, 50/50 and raffle drawings, a silent auction, the spinning lucky wheel (with neat stuff donated by local businesses), a yummy homemade bake sale plus your favorite sandwiches offered by Salty Girl restaurant. The proceeds from the gala are utilized by the club to support its island efforts to maintain the grounds at the Garden Park, Museum of the Islands, Bokeelia Post Office and the Pine Island Elementary School’s butterfly garden. The club also provides financial support to several benevolent island organizations such as the Calusa Land Trust, Pine Island Elementary School, Pine Island Food Pantry, CROW, Kiwanis Children’s Park and the Beacon of Hope. For more information, please contact Marty Kendall at 239-283-8175 or martykendall@gmail.com
of the Week.........14 From the Firehouse..........15 On the Water.....................13 INSIDETODAY Athlete Cribbage Corner..............17 Mahjongg Scores............17 SJCCA Update...................6 Classifieds & Obituaries