WEEk of marcH 29, 2023 FLIER INSIDE
Easter events Pine Island church services, egg hunts and more holiday activities — INSIDE pINEISlaND-EaglE.com
VolumE 46, NumbEr 47
Winn-Dixie's annual food drive Saturday Donations will help stock the island Food Pantry for the summer By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Pine Island Winn-Dixie store manager Dan Loughren is excited about the upcoming annual food drive coming to the store Saturday, April 1, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and said all proceeds will be going to the Pine Island Food Pantry. Loughren, who admits his goal is to
feed the community, said the annual food drive is just one way islanders can show support toward one another. In addition to the food drive, there will be food bags, just as Pine Island Winn-Dixie has through the holiday season. These are already available for $15, which began Wednesday, March 22. The store’s lobby is full of dry food products avail-
able for purchase, Loughren said. “People can just buy the food and throw it in their bags. We will also accept cash donations at all the registers,” Loughren said. The Winn-Dixie corporate office has donated gift cards, Loughren said, adding that there will be a raffle table set up in addition to a hot dog and soda cart, live music and small town fun.
“This is to replenish islanders through the summer, which can be a little challenging. It’s also good timing considering since Hurricane Ian, there are still people living in tents — we’re still donating product to those people in need, and this will stock up the Food Pantry to get them through the summer. This is like a summer kick-off,” Loughren said. Loughren explained that whether people shop his store or not makes no difference to him, saying his real goal has
See WINN-DIXIE, page 14
Centennial Bank to hold customer appreciation day By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Froggy’s reopens By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Froggy’s owner Dennis Borcky is happy to announce that the restaurant has officially reopened since Hurricane Ian. The first day back in business was March 17. “We had 4 feet of water and everything pretty much had to get gutted,” Borcky said. Since everything, including the restaurant’s roof, refrigeration and air conditioning units, had been lost, the entire place had to be rebuilt from scratch, he said, which took about six months. Although he said financially it was a struggle to have been closed for so long, Borcky admits he had a few things going for him. “Since I have only owned the business for 6 months, I relied on income to cover the business expenses. Luckily I have a build and design background and
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PHOTOS PROVIDED BY DENNIS BORKY
Froggy’s Bar has reopened after extensive damage from Hurricane Ian was repaired. was able to handle the devastation,” Borcky said. He’s also very thankful, he said, that countless people from the community came out to help in many ways. Having
See FROGGY’S, page 14
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Pine Island Centennial Bank manager Elsie Stearns is happy to bring customer appreciation day back to her island branch on Friday, March 31, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., for the first time since the year 2020. “It’s an important event because we appreciate our customers. It’s just a nice gesture,” Stearns said. With the box trailer set up behind the bank, complete with a grill, she said, Centennial Bank employees will be able to cook hot dogs and hamburgers, along with their practically famous, grilled onions, making this a real community event. In addition to a free lunch, there will be a gift basket that someone will win as well as a prize for whomever places the last piece of the Pine Island map puzzle. Retail team leader Lynn Foshee, commercial lender Jodi Mikan and financial advisor Chris Andrews will also be at the event to meet and greet current customers and answer any questions future customers may have. “This is a great way to say thanks to the community for all of their support. The island has been through so much,” Stearns said. Although this event is primarily for the bank’s customers, Stearns said, it’s also a good time to stop in and get to know the staff and layout if someone is thinking they may want to begin banking at the
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PAULETTE LEBLANC
As part of its customer appreciation day, Centennial Bank will be awarding a gift basket to the person who places that last piece of its Pine Island map puzzle. Centennial Bank Pine Island branch. “Centennial does a great deal of community centered things in many areas. We’re hoping everyone will turn out. Businesses have worked hard to get people back on their feet,” Stearns said. Pine Island Centennial Bank is located at 5551 Sunset Lane, St. James City. Call 239-283-1618 for information about the bank or the customer appreciation day.
On the Water....................18 Sketchers Sked.................7 Tides................................20
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