WEEK OF JULY 9, 2025 FLIER INSIDE
Accountability FWC implements new law concerning at-risk and derelict vessels
— INSIDE
PINEISLAND-EAGLE.COM
VOLUME 49, NUMBER 9
Celebrated Pine Islanders: Marvia Cicchino By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Marvia Cicchino said she would describe herself as a mother and a business woman, as both her daughter and son were born and raised here and she’s been in business on the island for more than 50 years. She came from Chicago to Northern Florida in 1974, which was a short stay, she said, before moving to Matlacha in 1975, when she immediately took over a salon. Cicchino admits that falling in love with the island did not take her long at all. “I stopped to get the key to my rental and I still remember that it was really late. I actually had to break in. I had to crawl through a window just to get into the place.
Marvia Cicchino
It was pitch black out, but when I got up first thing in the morning I couldn’t believe what I was looking at. It looked like paradise with all the beautiful canals and perfect lawns. I knew then that this island was where I wanted to be,” Cicchino said. When it comes to her personal comfort zone, like most islanders, Cicchino said helping other people is what makes her feel most
at home. She credits the older population on the island with helping her to find her way. “I’ve always tried to live my life the way my father told me to. He said if I could help even one person, that would be my reward, so I’ve tried to live by that motto. No matter how bad you have it in life, there’s always someone who has it worse,” Cicchino said. To anyone unfamiliar with Pine Island or Matlacha, Cicchino said she might describe it as the quaint fishing village it was, in the way she remembers finding it. “Throughout all the storms it’s changed completely. We lost a lot of our art people, but it’s slowly getting back. I think it’s still like a little paradise gem that’s See MARVIA CICCHINO, page 10
MangoMania Saturday at the Winn-Dixie Plaza By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Matlacha Civic Association holds Beautification Day
By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
On Friday, June 27, the Matlacha Civic Association held what they called a ‘Beautification Day’ in Matlacha. According to MCA board president Carol Scott, a $3,000 grant was given by the Lee County Electric Company as well as a $1,000 grant from the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce, which was used in part, to fund this event. “The Matlacha Civic Association has a program called C.U.P.P. (Clean up, Paint and Plant). We started this program after Hurricane Milton, to clean up our downtown commercial area. We had volunteers come
PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY CAROL SCOTT
Some of the MCA Beautification Day work in See BEAUTIFICATION DAY, page 13 Matlacha, top and above.
INSIDETODAY
Kittens of the Week..........12 Letters to the Editor...........4
Local Tides.........................9 On the Water.......................6
This year’s MangoMania celebration will be held next Saturday, July 12, at the Winn-Dixie Plaza from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m, hosted by the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce. According to board member, Cynthia Welch, MangoMania is a celebration, bringing together farmers and enthusiasts alike. “We are thrilled to be able to be there,” Welch said. The MangoMania festival features various activities, she said, such as tropical plants and trees and fruit which are for sale, planting seminars, mango recipe contests, as well as a contest featuring the biggest mango, live music, food based on mango and tropical fruits, adult beverages, arts, crafts and island businesses. A $5 donation is appreciated at the gate to benefit island businesses, Welch said. This event will be showcasing local entertainment. At 9 a.m., the music begins with DJ Maggie from Inferno Rock Radio, who will be playing some great tunes to get the day started. At 2 p.m., Sheena Brook will take the stage. A multi-genre singer-songwriter, Brook became known to American television audiences as a contestant on THE VOICE in 2017. Welch said, if you think you have Pine Island’s biggest mango, you’re invited to the weigh in, which will begin at 12:30 p.m. in the seminar tent. The recipe contest sign-in is between 9-11 a.m. Participants can sign in and drop off their mango bread, dessert, jams, salsa or condiments at the food contest tent. Winners will be announced at 12:30 p.m. See the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce website for a full list of contest categories. Islanders and visitors can also make their own Mr. Mango Head (Mr. Potato head but with mango). It’s fun for kids of all ages, going on all day at the Kiwanis Tent. Kids of all ages are also invited to join in the fun at the Dunk Tank. Kids can see if they can splash some of Pine See MANGOMANIA, page 12
Web Poll.............................4 Worship Directory..............6
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