WEEK MARCH 5 2025 FLIER INSIDE
Work continues FDOT provides update on Little Pine Island Bridge project
— INSIDE
PINEISLAND-EAGLE.COM
VOLUME 48, NUMBER 44
Celebrated Pine Islanders: Robert Ballard By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Robert Ballard describes himself as an island boy, since he was born in Bokeelia in 1946 and raised here, although he did leave for a time to see what the outside world looked like, but confesses he missed home and came back. Having deeply planted roots here helped instill a love for his surroundings, Ballard said, as his mother had been born in Cayo Costa in 1929 and moved to Bokeelia in 1943. In 1966, Ballard took a job with Pratt and Whitney Aircraft, a company that made jet engines. “So, I went over to Palm Beach and started my career working for them. I worked there for 3 years and then decided that I didn’t like being a number. It was a big company, so I quit my job and met my future wife,” Ballard said.
Robert Ballard
It was at this point he’d made the decision to move to Connecticut to be closer to her and fittingly, took a job closer to where she was living. They were married 5 years after his move to Connecticut, and on their way back to Florida, he said, they moved to New Hampshire for the summer and didn’t make it back to Florida for 27 years, until 2000. Having purchased Ballard’s aunt’s home in 1988, they had a place in Bokeelia, but didn’t make it back to the island
By PAULETTE LeBLANC
T
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
The 22nd Annual Garden Club Gala held Feb. 22 at the St. James City Civic Center attracted a large crowd.
See GARDEN CLUB GALA, page 16
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE PINE ISLAND GARDEN CLUB
See ROBERT BALLARD, page 16
Pine Island Potters’ Guild Show Saturday at Koucky Studios
Garden Club Gala a huge success he Pine Island Garden Club celebrated its 22nd Annual Garden Gala Saturday, Feb. 22, at its new location at the St James City Civic Association Center. Hundreds of islanders and visitors participated its “Festival of the Arts” theme. According to Pine Island Garden Club vice president John Kendall, over 60 vendors exhibited various home, art and garden/plants products. “There was non-stop live entertainment by, The Fiddler & I, Jim & Jan, Kinfolk, Acoustic Fred and Jon & Jonny. Salty Girls Island Café offered tempting lunch treats and was truly a big hit—particularly with the kids, was the dairy cow-decorated Utterly Iced Cream truck and the famous bake sale. The silent auction of island business donated gifts, the spin-the-wheel games, Lucky Bucket and various raffles provided additional happy winners,” Kendall said. Garden Gala chairperson/PIGC president Marty Kendall was in attendance and commented on what
until 2018. “I always missed it (Pine Island), even when I was in Connecticut. When we came home to visit my parents—as soon as we got off the plane and got in the car to head out to the island—when I got into Matlacha I’d roll down the windows and take a deep breath to smell that nice, salty air and say ‘I’m home.’ It’s always been a part of me and maybe always will be,” Ballard said. For his part, as a Pine Islander Ballard said he thinks his involvement with the Calusa Land Trust is likely his biggest contribution. He finds the work done by the CLT, namely trying to preserve the very nature of Pine Island, very focused and honorable, although at first he found himself admittedly uncertain.
Spring is almost here, and the local artisans are going to be celebrating Florida’s beautiful weather at the March Pine Island Potter’s Guild Show, held on Saturday ,March 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the courtyard of Koucky Studios. Come to the Guild show (there is ample parking) to meet local artisans who will talk with you about their work. All pieces will be available for purchase. This small, inviting venue provides a welcoming environment to chat with island artists and craftsmen. Be sure to inquire about their craft, and learn about opportunities in our area for classes and workshops. The March show will feature pottery, a diverse selection of jewelry, woodworking, tropical-themed home decor, paintings and prints, plants, ready-to-wear art, books by local authors, note cards and locally-made jams, honey, mustards and hot sauces. Freshly baked goods will be available for a delicious snack or to take home for an exceptional addition to any meal. Enjoy live music by the Fiddler and I from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. At 11 a.m., be sure to see the Guild’s monthly horsehair raku pottery demonstration by potter Chuck Koucky and some of his pottery class students. Horsehair pottery, as the name implies, incorporates hair from the tails and manes of horses into its design. The random lines and patterns that are the signature of this style are created when applying strands of hair to the surface of a hot raku clay pot that has just been removed from the kiln. The horsehair combusts and carbonizes, leaving random patterns on the pot’s surface. The use of horsehair is preferred in the technique as it makes beautiful random patterns because of its coarseness and length. Other raku techniques will be demonstrated as well. Koucky Studios is located at 5971 Bay Point Road, in Bokeelia, at the corner of Bay Point and Stringfellow Roads, just after Mile Marker 11, on the east side of Stringfellow. For more information about the Potters’ Guild Show, please call Nancy Koucky at 239-2333003.
INSIDETODAY Bridge Beat......................16 Cribbage Corner..............14 On the Water.......................7 Classifieds & Obituaries Athlete of the Week.........17
Cat of the Week.................14
Mahjongg Scores...............9