WEEk of JulY 19, 2023 FLIER INSIDE
Seahorses Dolphin Tales column offers information about these interesting sea creatures — INSIDE pINEISlaND-EaglE.com
VolumE 47, NumbEr 11
Basket Brigade student clothing distribution Aug. 5 By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Matlacha Hooker and Kiwanian Darcy Conner said the Basket Brigade back to school drive, sponsored by Fellow Islanders Sending Help (F.I.S.H), of which she is also a member, is all about the kids. The Basket Brigade is a way of helping Pine Island children obtain what they need for the coming school year. “Every island organization and individuals alike have had a hand in helping island kids prepare for school,” Conner said, adding that although this is a F.I.S.H.-sponsored event, many others have stepped up to sponsor children within the program. Distribution of school supplies will be Saturday, Aug. 5, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., by drive-through in the Pine
“Every island organization and individuals alike have had a hand in helping island kids prepare for school.” — Darcy Conner of F.I.S.H. Island United Methodist Church parking lot at 5701 Pine Island Road, Bokeelia. Children 5 (K) through 11 years of age will receive 2 tops, 2 bottoms, 1 package of underwear and a $40 gift card for shoes and socks at Walmart or Target. The purpose of the gift card is so that gym shoes and socks can be purchased which allow the child to participate in gym class, recess or sports. Children 12-18 years of age, as long as they are still in school, will receive $100 in gift cards designated as $60 for clothes plus $40 for gym shoes and socks at
Walmart or Target. Conner, who admits she is all about anything having to do with helping this community, has a solid motivation to help island families move on from the heartbreak of Hurricane Ian. “The island does take care of the island — it doesn’t matter what organization you belong to — I am nobody. I’m just a facilitator in all of this. There is a whole group of people that make this happen each year. Within F.I.S.H. there are businesses and other non-profits on the island that are sponsoring children in the back to school drive. It is a great thing to help these island kids get a fresh start on a new year and put the last school year behind them,” Conner said. See BASKET BRIGADE, page 10
Frank’s Bobcat Service raises over $3,000 for Pine Island Elementary By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Frank’s Bobcat Service owner Frank Valcarcel Jr. raised over $3,000 for Pine Island Elementary at its Fourth of July event, sponsored by the Pine Island Moose. Last year, Valcarcel said the event had approximately 120 people, compared to this year, where there were easily over 300. “We did one last year and we raised about $1,000 — this year, we just blew it out of the water. I was looking for a way to give back and have fun at the same time,” Valcarcel said. In the anticipation that they can repeat these efforts in the future, Valcarcel said he hopes this will be a regular event. PHOTO PROVIDED
Island firefighters conduct a demonstration before the crowd gathered for the department’s 60th anniversary celebration Friday at Station #1.
See FRANK’S BOBCAT SERVICE, page 11
M/PIFCD celebrates 60 years By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Fire Chief Ben Mickuleit is very proud to announce that on July 10, the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District celebrated its official 60th anniversary of having been legally created as a fire district. The M/PIFCD began in the 1960s at what is currently known as Great Licks Ice Cream Shop in Matlacha. Since its humble beginnings, Mickuleit said the department has continued to grow stronger. “Obviously the 60th anniversary is a huge accomplishment for the district, from where we started as a volunteer department. We have grown to a place that likely no one thought we would be right now. I think we are at this point because of the employees. They have kept striving to better the department — they’ve built their
own brush trucks, they’ve built their own equipment. They continue to take pride in ownership of the department and that’s why we have a great fire department today,” Mickuleit said. Different types of fundraisers were held through the 1960s and early 1970s from chicken frys in Matlacha to turkey shoots at what is now The Nestings, a subdivision behind the current Fire Station #1. There were 18 surplus military vehicles that were scavenged to put together a handful of “brush buggies." This work of designing and building the “brush buggies” and fire engines continued for many years through the dedication and talents of several mechanics. In 1976 in celebration of the Bicentennial and in an
PHOTO BY FRANK VALCARCEL JR.
See M/PIFCD 60TH page 10
The Pine Island Moose Lodge featured patriotic decorations for the Fourth of July event.
insidetoday CERT Update.....................7 Island Mahjongg..............11 Tides................................12 Classifieds & Obituaries Cat of the Week...............12
Dolphin Tales.....................6
On the Water....................13