WEEK OF MAY 7, 2025 FLIER INSIDE
Helping islanders
Pine Island Food Pantry beneficiary of postal carriers’ food collection on the islands — INSIDE PINEISLAND-EAGLE.COM
VOLUME 48, NUMBER 52
Celebrating Pine Islanders: Russ Mattson By PAULETTE LeBLANC
years of hands-on leadership and has since supplied his knowledge and sales experience to the world of real estate. He also holds a US GC 100-ton master captain’s license. He was a stockholder general manager and president of Pineland Holdings, owners of Pineland Marina, throughout the 1990s and knew most of Pine Island boaters on a first name basis. Mattson said his greatest
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Russ Mattson described himself as a 43-years-long Pine Islander who loves this place and is not leaving. He is also a Realtor at Century 21, who after seeing photos of Sanibel years ago, knew he had to make his way to Southwest Florida, to eventually end up buying on Pine Island in 1981 and moving here in 1984. “I’m not going anywhere, I’m going to die here,” Mattson said. According to Mattson, he started a marine dealership and then one thing led to another where Mattson Marine moved to Pine Island and evolved into one of Southwest Florida’s premier boat dealerships consisting of 14 employees. He said he sold Mattson Marine after 30
Russ Mattson
contribution to the island has been having his daughter, Samantha, who will eventually inherit his Pine Island land and raise her own kids out here. In attempting to describe the island to someone who is unfamiliar with it, he listed the qualities, in which he found himself most enamored. “It’s a very special place. We have little to no crime. It’s got six gulf access boat ramps and without a doubt, the best boating and fishing in Southwest Florida. It’s kind of a cross between rural and suburban — not a place for a control-freak HOA — urbanite. Not to mention that we have an award-winning elementary school,” Mattson said. See RUSS MATTSON, page 12
First Baptist Church of Pine Island planning Word of Life Camp for island youth
By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Matlacha says farewell to Leoma Lovegrove By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Last Wednesday, April 30, a group of friends, family and fans gathered in the Matlacha RE/MAX parking lot for one last goodbye to Leoma Lovegrove. Close friend and RE/MAX owner Chardayne Seuffert said it was a “very beautiful, Leoma-style gathering.” “It was all about her and her love story with Matlacha. It was so heartwarming,” Seuffert said. According to Seuffert, several long-time islanders were present, many of whom spoke in Lovegrove’s honor, about the history of Matlacha. “It was a wonderful tribute from people who knew her,” Seuffert said. Lovegrove played an instrumental role in the History
INSIDETODAY
of Matlacha, from the local fisherfolk, to artists who took her advice, and emotional support and neighbors who enjoyed regular camaraderie with Lovegrove as well as her candor. The sincere generosity Lovegrove had at the ready will be missed to be certain, said local friends, as well as fellow Matlacha business owners. “It was truly a celebration of someone who never sat still,” Seuffert said. Lovegrove, 72, passed away April 10 after a long battle with breast cancer. Islanders gathered April 30 to pay tribute and bid farewell to Leoma Lovegrove.
Athlete of the Week..........13 Bridge Beat......................11 Cat of the Week................11
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PAULETTE LEBLANC
Cribbage Corner................7 Dolphin Tales.....................6 Mahjongg Scores............12
First Baptist Church of Pine Island Missions Team Leader Jody Link said the church is pretty excited about sending some kids to Word of Life Camp in Hudson, Florida, north of Tampa. “For the past 12 years, our church has sponsored sending kids to the camp in Hudson and this year, in the second week of June and the fourth week of June, we’re sending 32,” Link said. The church has a variety of ways to raise money to secure some of its upcoming ventures, like this one, such as, car washes and garage sales, during the year, she said. The goal is to send the kids to camp fully sponsored, meaning they would not have to pay for it. “A lot of these kids would not otherwise be able to go to camp,” Link said. Kids ages 6-12 go to a junior camp while middle school and high school kids 13-18 go to their own camp. “Part of it is a Christian mission, so there are lessons and things like that, but also just fun things and a lot of camaraderie as well as learning about Christ,” Link said. Learning how to interact with other kids is a focus, so that phones are not allowed. Many of the kids have returned to camp several times, and many of them are sponsored by seasonal residents who are only here in the winter time, but wish to help kids go to the Word of Life Camp. “We get donations from out of state to support Pine Island kids to go to this camp,” Link said. Being a faith-based church is a major part of the camp, she said, but the other part is putting the message to work once you get home. “That is taking care of other people, whether you’re a 7-year-old and you’re looking out for your 6-year-old brother or if it’s a 60-year-old that’s seeing the value of being able to send kid to a safe place for a week in the summer,” Link said. See WORD OF LIFE CAMP, page 10
Obituaries......................12 On the Water......................8 SJCCA Update.................10
Classifieds