WEEk of may 17, 2023 FLIER INSIDE
Still helping Proceeds from sale of Meo’s artworks donated to Kiwanis, PILOT program — INSIDE pINEISlaND-EaglE.com
VolumE 47, NumbEr 2
Island helps Riepel celebrate 103rd birthday By PAULETTE LeBLANC
plelanc@breezenewspapers.com
It’s not often we get to celebrate the birthday of someone over 100 years old, but this past Friday, Pine Island had the honor of celebrating World War II Army veteran Wilbur Riepel’s 103rd birthday. According to Riepel and his son, Ron Riepel, who is a retired Army sergeant who served in Vietnam, a good time was had by all. Riepel, especially wanted to thank Pine Island for making such a tremendous effort to come out and celebrate his birthday with him and his family. “Everybody did a really good job. There was a
lot of food there and all the children were lined up along the sidewalk. My grandchildren and nieces and nephews all thought it was wonderful,” (Wilbur) Riepel said. Riepel’s son said he would like to thank everyone involved in the event, including the vendors and all the islanders who came out to help his father celebrate this momentous birthday. The Riepels were able to evacuate for Hurricane Ian. Ron was able to come back to Pine Island right away, but Wilbur came back in December, after a short hospital stay in North Carolina.
Islander Wilbur Riepel waves to the children at PIE on his 103rd birthday. PAULETTE LEBLANC
See RIEPEL, page 18
PIE teacher and student awarded for excellence By PAULETTE LeBLANC
plelanc@breezenewspapers.com
Every year, the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral honors a teacher and student from each West Zone school that personifies “Excellence in Education.” This year, second grade teacher Mindy Manguson and fifth grade student Elvin Ajin were selected for these two prestigious awards. On Monday, May 5, the Cape Chamber recognized Manguson and Ajin at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater in Fort Myers. According to Pine Island Elementary School Principal Dr. Tom Millins, Manguson is an outstanding teacher who strives for
Pine Island Kiwanis Club wins School District of Lee County’s Family and Community Involvement Award By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Pine Island Elementary School Principal Dr. Tom Millins nominated the Pine Island Kiwanis Club for the Family and Community Involvement Award, for which the organization is recognized for its longtime commitment to community partnership. According to a letter from the president and CEO of the Foundation for Lee County Schools, the Pine Island Kiwanis Club’s commitment to community partnership, coupled with its outstanding efforts following Hurricane Ian, made the club an overwhelming choice for the award. In a letter he was asked to write for his nomination, Millins said he was proud and honored to nominate Kiwanis Club of Greater Pine Island. “Over the past 40 years, the Kiwanis Club in Greater Pine Island has been an outstanding community partner with Pine Island Elementary. They have supported all
See EXCELLENCE, page 10
aspects of our school, and families have greatly benefited from their continued efforts. Although they have supported us for the past 40 years, this has been an extra special year with all the assistance they provided our families and our community. In the September 2023, Pine Island/Matlacha was ravaged by Hurricane Ian. Although there was widespread devastation throughout our local community, the Kiwanis Club has worked tirelessly to bring some normalcy to the families of Pine Island Elementary school,” Millins said. He describes their continuing efforts for the past 40 years as nothing less than extraordinary, naming specifically the organization’s support of the annual Fall See KIWANIS CLUB, page 10 Members of the Pine Island Kiwanis Club,
PHOTO PROVIDED
Pictured with PIE Principal Dr. Tom Millins, center, are teacher Mindy Manguson and student Elvin Ajin, Excellence in Education award winners.
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