WEEk of aprIl 3, 2024 FLIER INSIDE
Young artists Fifth graders recognized for winning artworks in license tag contest — INSIDE pINEISlaND-EaglE.com
VolumE 47, NumbEr 48
Celebrating Pine Islanders: Patti Sweeney By PAULETTE LeBlANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Patti Sweeney is the owner of Sweeney’s S.O.S on Stringfellow Road in Bokeelia. She said her venture out to Pine Island, over 10 years ago now, was a solo trip from Bonita Springs, where she had been running her business. “A Pine Island resident offered me space along with the bottom section of their home, to make my soap,” Sweeney said. Sweeney began living on the island and also running her business both online as well as taking it mobile, until her cur-
rent space became available, however, her love for Pine Island did not happen over time, she said, but instead it happened like a bolt of lightning. “I moved out here sight unseen. It was all faith — I didn’t even go look at the place, and I fell in love immediately. I knew this was where I wanted to be because of how I felt,” Sweeney said. Sweeney said part of the
Patti Sweeney
Calling all artists... Chamber looking to relaunch power pole painting effort on the islands By PAULETTE LeBlANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
The Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce is calling all artists to relaunch the “Painting the Poles” project, in honor of the recovery of Pine Island. According to Chamber Board Member Cynthia Welch, 20 years ago, the Chamber of Commerce started the project where chamber board members would reach out to island artists to create designs that would then be painted
on the electric poles around the island. She said many are still there, although somewhat faded, and many have been lost in various hurricanes over the years. 2024 is the year the program will be re-launched, she said. “The chamber originally launched the project with the idea that we are known as an artsy community. We have tons of artists and wouldn’t it be nice to liven up our roads? That’s how it got started,” Welch said of the very popular program. Welch went on to say that it was a fairly common knowledge that folks would drive out to the island on a quest to discover the painted utility poles. Rage for the poles went on through the years, she said, until enough of them were taken out by storms or had faded to think about redoing the project. “Well now here we are in recovery mode from the hurricane (Ian). We are still an artsy island, and there are still plenty of artists and there is still plenty of art. It’s the perfect time to relaunch and get the art back out to our See ‘PAINTING THE POLES,’ page 11 Islander Savannah Hinkle, left, paints a power pole on Stringfellow Road across from Maria Drive in St. James City. At right is a faded painting on another island power pole. PHOTOS PROVIDED
appeal of Pine Island for her was that there was also a feeling of prolific sustainability on the island that made her feel immediately safe, such as resources enabling islanders to grow food or catch fish. “We’ve got things to sustain life out here,” Sweeney said. When it comes to the things which Pine Island has gained as a result of having Sweeney aboard, she said
she has been very fortunate to have been afforded the space that she has, which has allowed her to offer it to others when necessary, such as post Hurricane Ian when Sweeney invited food trucks to park at her place of business, in order to feed the island. “I’m able to host people who want to set up a little impromptu shop, or do something like teach yoga,” Sweeney said. Having control over the property she uses for her business allows her to fill a See PATTi SWEENEY, page 16
26th Bobby Holloway Jr. Memorial Fishing Tournament this weekend The 26th Annual Bobby Holloway Jr. Memorial Fishing Tournament, presented by TEAM EXTREME, will be held Saturday, April 6, at a new location, Jug Creek Marina, at 16498 Tortuga St. in Bokeelia, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The entry fee is 450, which includes a Manda-tory Captains meeting Friday, April 5, at 7 p.m.; a captains dinner; ramp; parking; captain's bucket; barbecue and fish fry; and a raffle. Silent and live auctions will also be included. There will be an honor start at 7 a.m. Prizes include $3,000 for first place; $1,500 for second place, $750 for third place, $500 for fourth place and fifth place receives the entry fee for the 2025 tournament. Additional prizes include $2,500 for the Pine Island Big Snook, $1,000 for 26th place, $500 for last place, $500 for the Biggest Trout, $500 for the Biggest Redfish and two Quick picks for $500 each. The Little Bobbers's division of the tournament will conclude at 1 p.m. with the youth returning to Jug Creek Marina with lunch and awards at 1:30 p.m. Dinner after the tournament will begin at 3:30 p.m. followed by awards, the raffle and silent and live auctions. The Holloway Fund provides assistance with educational and athletic needs, college scholarships, continued education scholarships and everything from food, clothing, swim lessons and more. For more information, contact Ernestine at 281-8225 or Jenn at 910-5202.
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