WEEK OF AUGUST 28, 2024 FLIER INSIDE
Butterfly art Island artists help create some special decorations for upcoming celebration — INSIDE PINEISLAND-EAGLE.COM
VOLUME 48, NUMBER 17
Bokeelia resident writes new bestseller By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Islander Lainie Sevante Wulkan has collaboratively authored a new bestseller, "High Vibrational Wellness," which she said hit number one seemingly overnight in several different countries. “There are only six categories that you can apply for on Amazon and we hit number one in all six,” Wulkan said. Mastering categories, such as wellness, health and healing, and holistic medicine is not the only thing on Wulkan’s plate, however. She also wrote a children’s book, "Finns Giant Leap." Inspiration to write the chil-
dren’s book came to her years ago, she said, literally in the middle of the night, as Wulkan never had plans to become an author. Become an author she has indeed, as, all of her eight books have become bestsellers. “I came from the food, wellness and nutrition world and I created a book called the 'Food Healing Oracle Deck' where I was really interpreting food as a messenger. It took off — I literally am now in 35 countries and once a year, I ship all over the world,” Wulkan said. Many of the foods Wulkan writes about can be found on Pine Island, such as soursop and moringa, she said. She talked about why some of these are considered top foods
‘Welcome to Pine Island Elementary’
and then backed the statement with several National Institute of Health studies on how these foods are being used for people with particular ailments. She did a smoothie recipe book based on the teachings of the Food Healing Oracle Deck and showed people how to make a smoothie with intention, she said. “People make affirmations for themselves and you can literally see that energy as your drinking something with intention, so I made recipes that correspond to that,” Wulkan said. See BESTSELLER, page 8
Lee County primary results:
Mulicka, Greenwell advance; Caldwell, Doyle re-elected By NATHAN MAYBERG
nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
New teachers join school staff By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Pine Island Elementary has welcomed several new teachers for the 2024-25 school year. Maryann Rone, who taught at Pine Island Elementary years ago, has returned to the school and teaches first grade. “I began as a School District of Lee County student when I moved to Cape Coral in 1979 and began my teaching career here in 1992. The amazing Mr. Hook brought me to Pine Island Elementary where I taught until I took a leave to give full-time care to my mother. After her passing, I returned to Caloosa Middle School, which was fun since I was a student there in the past. I also had the opportunity to work with one of my three children, who is also a teacher. “However, most of my career has been with younger students and I missed them and Pine Island Elementary tremendously., she continued. "I am very blessed and
thankful that Dr. Galbreath allowed my return here and I can work under his leadership. Pine Island Elementary and the community is a unique and truly special place and I am very proud to be a Pine Island Eagle.” Elaine Dunseath is school counselor who came from Treeline Elementary, where she worked for 5 years. She lives in northwest Cape Coral, and said she always had an affinity for Pine Island. “I am honored to have the opportunity to work with your kids and the community. I'm originally from New York and moved a bit as a child to Ohio before my parents settled in Connecticut. My husband, son and I See NEW TEACHERS, page 9 New PIE teachers, from left, Tyson Frantz, Berthaliz Delgado Macchia, Brooke Conway, Maryann Rone and Elaine Dunseath. PAULETTE LEBLANC
Lee County Republicans have kept Lee County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Mike Greenwell as the party’s nominee for the District 5 seat in a primary Tuesday while also choosing David Mulicka for the District 3 seat. Greenwell withstood a challenge from Alva Republican Amanda Cochran in one of the tighter county races of the night. Greenwell beat Cochran 55.33% to 44.66%. Cochran ran a campaign against overdevelopment and specifically objected to a development proposal for property Greenwell owns in the rural North Olga Mike Greenwell neighborhood. The property had been rezoned by the Lee County Board of County Commissioners while Greenwell was on the board to allow for 400,000 square feet of commercial space and 122 multifamily units. Greenwell contended that he needed to develop the property after losing part of his land to state road expansion projects to accommodate increased David Mulicka traffic from Babcock Ranch. Greenwell will now face Democrat Kizzie Fowler in the November election. District 5 includes Alva, Lehigh Acres, Buckingham, See PRIMARY RESULTS, page 8
Calusa Waterkeeper..........6 Web Poll.............................4 Local Tides......................16 insidetoday Cat of the Week...............13 Letters to the Editor..........4 On the Water....................12 Classifieds & Obituaries