WEEK OF JUNE 4, 2025 FLIER INSIDE
Cast your vote
Ballots for The Eagle’s annual Best of Pine Island contest are now available — INSIDE PINEISLAND-EAGLE.COM
VOLUME 49, NUMBER 4
Celebrating Pine Islanders: Grayce Smith By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Grayce Smith has grown up on Pine Island. In fact, she said her whole family is a family of islanders. In her particular family, she said, she is the oldest, wearing the banner of daughter, granddaughter, niece and older sister and older cousin, making a path for the younger ones. “I’m the first one to leave the island to go to school. It definitely felt a little weird to be the first to experience leaving home,” Smith said. Smith is a third generation islander, with her maternal grandparents, Scott and Elsie Stearns, paving the way on Pine Island back in the 1970s. Even her father, Mark Smith, came to the island when he was only in the fourth grade. Now a sophomore at Southeastern University in
Grayce Smith
Lakeland, she finds she’s gained the physical distance to appreciate both the beauty and unique qualities offered by the island. “I grew up on Pine Island and went to Pine Island Elementary. Starting in middle school I began to think, even though I only live 40 minutes away, the island a special place where everybody knows everybody and you can knock on somebody’s door if you
M/PICFD befuddled by county’s decision to move EMS out of Station 1
By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
The surprise decision to move Lee County EMS out of Station 1 on Pine island was discussed at the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District board meeting May 27. The meeting was held at Station 1 at 5700 Pine Island Road in Bokeelia. Discussion on the Lee County lease agreement was opened by M/PIFCD Attorney John Miller, who brought it to the attention of those in attendance that Lee County EMS had been utilizing space in Station 1 for years. “They had an original agreement for a period of 10 years in exchange for assisting with the construction of the ambulance bay that expired in 2018. Most recently, the chief has been trying to get the county to enter into a new agreement, just like they have with all of the other districts for use of district space,” Miller said. After setting up a meeting with the county, two
INSIDETODAY
different possibilities were offered. One was for a flat fee and the other was a price based on square footage. According to Miller, it was made clear to the county that the district wasn’t looking for anything that the county didn’t already have with any other district. He said they got to a point where they hammered out all of the terms of the agreement except for the county’s request to have 3 years termination notice. Miller said it was at this point that it was learned, by happenstance, that the county was in the process of initiating a lease with a nearby private homeowner (on Avenue B). The county did not respond to questions See M/PIFCD, page 10 The Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District’s Station 1 is located on Pine Island Road just west of The Center. Lee County EMS has been utilizing space at the station for its ambulance.
Bridge Beat......................12 Dolphin Tales.....................6
PAULETTE LEBLANC
Mahjongg Scores............12 Obituaries.......................17
need something,” Smith said. She admits many of her friends, being from other cities, don’t share the same small-town experiences to which she’s become accustomed. Growing up on a small island with a small-town feel has brought her a sense of peace, as she said, the feeling that it is a special place simply grew with her as she got older. ‘It’s more than just special — it’s one of a kind. Not everyone gets the opportunity to live in a place as beautiful as it is — where it’s a 5-minute boat ride to the nearest beach. I cherish the moments that I’m here, especially because I’m not here full-time anymore, “Smith said. She credits coming from a family of Pine Islanders See GRAYCE SMITH, page 12
Free breakfast and lunch available for youngsters during the summer
The School District of Lee County and Summer BreakSpot are teaming up to provide free breakfast and lunch meal kits to feed children 18 and under for an entire week over the summer. Nine locations will distribute the 7-day meal kits on Mondays only from 9-10 a.m. between June 9 and July 28. Parents should bring a school ID, report card or other documentation to provide proof of the number of children needing a 7-day meal kit. Children do not need to be present. Meals are available for any child 18 and younger. Among the local locations distributing the meal kits on Mondays only are:
Pine Island
n Pine Island Elementary, 5360 Ridgewood Drive,
Bokeelia n Palms at Pine Island, 15061 Stringfellow Road, Bokeelia
North Fort Myers
n Prairie Pines Preserve, 18400 North Tamiami Trail,
North Fort Myers The School District of Lee County is also partnering with Summer BreakSpot to provide daily opportunities for breakfast and lunch at no cost for children 18 and younger. More than 100 sites are enrolled to serve healthy and nutritious meals from June 9 to July 30. The Cape Coral Parks & Recreation Department is also teaming with the School District for the BreakSpot program for meals to be provided every weekday. Cape locations and times include: n Del Prado Linear Park, 1222 NE 16th Place, from 11:15 a.m.-12 p.m. n Four Freedoms Park, 4818 Tarpon Court, from 12-1 p.m. n Gator Trails Park, 3612 Garden Blvd, from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. n Paul Sanborn Park, 2310 SE 3rd St, from 11:30 See FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH, page 10
On the Water.......................8 SJCCA Update...................2
Classifieds