WEEk of marcH 22, 2023 FLIER INSIDE
Helping hands St. Andrew Middle School students help island couple clean up — INSIDE pINEISlaND-EaglE.com
VolumE 46, NumbEr 46
Tradition continues Saturday with IslandFest/Mullet Toss By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
This year’s IslandFest with Mullet Toss will be this Saturday, March 25, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Calusa Cay Publix Plaza, located at 5100 Pine Island Road, Bokeelia. According to Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce Administrator Cynthia Welch, the chamber wanted to keep the island tradition, regardless of the recent hurricane. “Pine Island may look a little different, but the spirit is still the same. This is one of those perky Pine Island events that very much personifies what we are all about,”
Welch said. The overall desire, she explained, is to spell out that islanders are still here and still the same as they ever were. In addition to measuring the furthest-thrown mullet, according to age group, this year has the added bonus of pop-up stores by displaced island businesses and also the Pine Bay Gallery, Parade of Mermaids, traditionally held at Bert’s Bar and Letting a mullet fly!
Grill. “We have added that to our festival, to be another part of the tradition of things that go on here,” Welch said. In an effort to support local business owners and let folks know they’re still here, Welch said, the chamber is encouraging businesses to gain exposure through this event. Some highlights include Pine Island artisan, craft and business booths; food and adult beverages; boats and fishing seminars. The schedule of events: ■ Mullet Toss. Sign up at IslandFest, the contests start See TRADITION, page 10
Bert’s Bar & Grill reboot By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Lovegrove creating art from debris Artist returns to her hurricane-destroyed gallery in Matlacha By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Leoma Lovegrove has returned to her Matlacha Gallery and will be on island painting from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., through the end of March. The aptly named project, Painting up a Storm, is just that. The gallery is down to bare wood including walls and floors since Hurricane Ian blew in, but this has not stopped her from creating art from the debris left behind, as every day Lovegrove paints on the remaining wreckage she picks up from her gallery gardens on Matlacha Island. Each piece of art has its own story and many of the pieces have the story of their origin printed on the back. As she has incorporated countless hurricane leftovers into her artwork, she said she also wants to hear local Hurricane Ian stories from others, saying folks are free to stop in and say hello and share their particular story. While she has plaques depicting various locations impacted by Hurricane Ian, such as Captiva Island, Fort Myers and Boca Grande, her Matlacha studio alone is a veritable treasure trove of memorabilia from the storm. “Now, people are actually bringing me debris — a fishing lure, the key to their house, car keys,” Lovegrove said. Picking up roof shingles, on which to paint, has become a regular part of this artist’s process. Along with shingles from local businesses, many random objects have made their way into this project, becoming another piece of Matlacha history. Lovegrove said she really wants to make her creations affordable because she would like everyone to
PAULETTE LEBLANC
Leoma Lovegrove is creating art, top and above, with debris left behind after Hurricane Ian destroyed her island gallery. have an original piece of her work, if possible, with a story included. “I’m out here painting amongst the rubble. I have to keep tissues nearby and handy as I listen to people’s stories,” Lovegrove said.
According to Bert’s Bar & Grill owner Bernard Johnson, working through the process of insurance and possible new codes must come before he can rebuild his business. “And then we proceed. That’s where we are. It’s going to take a little time. We love Matlacha and we love Pine Island and we’re here,” Johnson said. The plan to rebuild is wonderful news to islanders who have come to think of Bert’s Bar and Grill as a decades-old icon on Pine Island. In the meantime, Johnson said he has fashioned a T-shirt offering a reward to anyone who finds and returns Bert’s Bar in its entirety. After completely losing his business in Hurricane Ian, Johnson takes a stab at an amusing anecdote in response to the loss of Bert’s. “We quickly sold out of them,” John-son said of the T-shirts. As for keeping up with island events, Johnson is excited to have Bert’s presence at the upcoming Islandfest/Mullet Toss Saturday, as the Parade of Mermaids competition will go on as usual, with a different venue. “We’ve contacted several of the prior mermaids of Bert’s Pine Bay and we’re going to have it at the event. That was one of the most popular events that Bert’s and Pine Bay ever had. We really had a lot of fun with that especially with the children — they just loved it, so we’re going to keep it going,” Johnson said. Find Bert’s tees by visiting Pinebaygallery.com and search “Bert’s Merch.” Bert’s Bar & Grill will return to its original location at 4271 Pine Island Road in Matlacha.
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