WEEk of aprIl 5, 2023 FLIER INSIDE
Golf treasures Museum of the Islands featuring a new exhibit — INSIDE pINEISlaND-EaglE.com
VolumE 46, NumbEr 48
Alden Pines residents wonder what the future holds Hurricane Ian-damaged golf course, clubhouse no longer in operation; property might be sold By PAULETTE LeBlANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
An informational meeting for Alden Pines residents was held Monday, March 6, at Fishers of Men Lutheran Church in St. James City. According to Homeowners Association Board President Diana Hembrook, things have gone from bad to worse since Hurricane Ian blew through town. The HOA at Alden Pines is a voluntary organization, she said, and not mandatory for residents. “It’s more or less just a social group at
this point,” Hembrook said. The meeting was well attended, she said, with over a hundred people there to gather the first bit of information on what’s going to happen to the neighborhood, where there is currently a prospective buyer with a proposal to build 76 more houses on the golf course. According to Hembrook, Robby Robinson, who currently owns Alden Pines, is waiting on an insurance claim from the hurricane to move forward on the prospective sale. There is no closing date, as of yet, she said.
“In the meantime, everything is stalled and our golf course is not operating,” Hembrook said. Since the hurricane, Hembrook said, residents have taken to trying to maintain the course, such as mowing grass with their own tractors and trying to clean up the fairways. The clubhouse needs to be bulldozed, Hembrook said, due to dilapidation, leaving residents concerned because they have no idea what the future holds for Alden Pines. The prospective buyer, she said, is talking about reducing the golf course to a
12-hole course, in addition to the new homesites. Hembrook is concerned the land will sit vacant for a long period of time, as people outside of the neighborhood have already begun to come in to utilize the golf course. “We’ve had problems in the past with fishermen coming to our ponds,” Hembrook said. There are Sheriff’s Departmentapproved signs posted to keep non-residents from trespassing on the property, See ALDEN PINES, page 14
IslandFest, Mullet Toss, and Fish Drop draws a crowd By PAULETTE LeBlANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Captain’s Harbor — a community of islanders within the island By PAULETTE LeBlANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
The residents of Captain's Harbor in Bokeelia liken the close-knit community in which they live to the nature of Pine Island, as though Captain's Harbor is an island within the island. The annual pickleball tournament, beloved by residents, is only one of the events they enjoy together. Having had the 2023 tournament two weeks ago, resident Yvonne White said she really enjoys playing each morning, as well as playing at the annual event, which just celebrated its fifth year. “All levels play, from beginners to those who are really good players. We have teams who play together as partners, so good players play with beginners, too. We named it the Jane Perry International Pickleball Tournament,” White said, explaining that Perry, who is from Canada, first started the tournament.
White said she never played pickleball or any other sport until about three years ago, when Perry asked her to join in the fun. “Jane is really good at getting people to do things,” White said, emphasizing that you do not need be athletic to play. White explained that playing pickleball is a fantastic way to have a great time while getting some exercise with other community members. While the games at Captain's Harbor are intended just for the residents, White said it’s not likely they’d turn anyone away. From November to May, she said they have at least one event per month for residents. “This is a great community. Our management company has said that our association is different from every other, because we are so closely knit. You get a project going and at least three or four See CAPTAIN’S HARBOR, page 14
PROVIDED BY YVONNE WHITE
Above, Ted Stricker, 81, is the oldest pickleball player in the community, and Lauria Sharrar, 56, is the youngest. Top, pickleball players competing in the tournament.
Cynthia Welch of the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce said the chamber would like to thank everyone who came to IslandFest, Mullet Toss and Fish Drop Saturday, March 25. According to Welch, the event was important in showing support to Pine Island and its businesses, as well as being a great example of the spirit that resides on Pine Island. “Pine Islanders of all ages were taking part and having fun,” Welch said. In spite of Hurricane Ian, Welch said, though the island looks a little bit different, it’s important to note the same spirit was alive and well at this traditional and beloved island event. “It was a great mix of all ages — from the 5 year olds throwing mullet to the old men that you could hardly believe they could stand up, but they were throwing mullet. It was a great turnout and a great fun day. That’s what the chamber is all about. Making sure that our island and its businesses had people come out to support them,” Welch said. Musical entertainment by RJ Howsen and friends was especially welcome, Welch said, as the chamber brought in someone from off-island, in order to have something a bit different for the event. “He seemed to be well received and he certainly had a great sound,” Welch said. See CROWD, page 14
insidetoday Cat of the Week...............10 Letters to the Editor..........4 Tides................................14 Classifieds & Obituaries Athlete of the Week...........6
Island Mahjongg...............7
On the Water....................16