WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 10, 2025 FLIER INSIDE
Conservation 20/20 Lee County Commissioners to consider adding two more parcels to island preserves
— INSIDE
PINEISLAND-EAGLE.COM
VOLUME 49, NUMBER 18
Life-line fundraiser for islander this Saturday at Eagle’s Nest Restaurant By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Islander Mike George has lymphoma and has become disabled due to this illness. He said a few weeks ago, while in the midst of a particularly difficult evening, fellow Pine Islander Tami Sager told him that she would like to throw a fundraiser for him to help out if possible. “She’d brought it up before, but I was a little reluctant. I know other people on the island can use it more than me,” George said. George explained that he got to know Sager after Hurricane Ian, while she was trying to help locals through the aftermath of the storm. While visiting the hospital a few years ago, he said, it was discovered that
Mike George and his yellow lab Coda.
he has lymphoma. “That in itself is not particularly aggressive cancer, but apparently it’s been here for quite some time,” George said, adding that it’s traveled through to his bone marrow. Chemotherapy is not an option because, he said, it would likely kill him in the process. For now he’s simply doing what he’s told, such as getting infusions and also having his stomach drained every few weeks. Sager, co-owner of the Eagle’s Nest, is hosting or sponsoring the event Sept. 13 for George because she said she knew about his condition and has witnessed his
PHOTO PROVIDED
See FUNDRAISER, page 5
of Pine Island Children’s book series Taste Recipes for some of SWFL’s launches based on tumult favorite tropical treasures caused by Hurricane Ian By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Pine Island has proven itself a wonderful place to grow your own or find fresh ingredients for a wide array of wholesome recipes or snacks. Whether they are restaurateurs or simply Pine Islanders looking for something delicious, many of our locals have made a habit of discovering delicious food combinations of all kinds. When it comes to eating whole foods, there is nothing more healthy or satisfying than consuming fresh grown produce for appetizers or even striking garnish or fresh caught fish for entrées or nibblers. Blue Dog Bar and Grille owners John Lynch and Jesse Tincher are sure to grab items such as live crab from Barnhill Seafood Market & More, which is right beside Blue Dog. Pine Island Tropicals owner, Donna Schneider has made quite a name for her business and also for Pine Island, as she even captured the attention of Martha Stewart a number of years ago when Schneider was awarded a winner of American Made, a movement to support American makers across the country. Street Eatz and Ale owner, Reid Freeman said he wanted a place where folks could meet friends to enjoy fresh delicious grub and drinks without breaking the bank.
Plaskon’s ‘Bella and Bird The Emotion Explorers’ was released in August By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Pine Islander and equine psychotherapist Deana Plaskon said she and her husband, David, moved to Pine Island in April 2022. While she already had a Ph.D. in education, she wanted to go back to school to earn a second master’s degree. “I always had a calling to do psychotherapy, but I kept pushing it away. Eight years ago I realized that was what I was meant to do, so we moved to Pine Island and I’m interning and volunteering and learning all about equine psychotherapy with the horses,” Plaskon said. She had no desire to do simple talk-therapy, she said. After realizing equine psychotherapy was an option in her field, she began researching the best horse for the job, emphasizing her love for horses. As it turned out, the best horse is called a Gypsy Vanner. “They’re very rare in the U.S. The first Gypsy Vanner was shipped over and was actually in Florida in 1996 … I said, that’s the horse I need because they are very docile, very sweet — they have great personalities for adults and children, just all kinds of people,” Plaskon said. She found and adopted her horse, Bella, three years ago on Sept. 3, 2022. She had been on a Gypsy Vanner farm, where she was a broodmare. Bella was the mother of five babies, Plaskon said, explaining that Bella had lost the last one at the time she adopted her. “I found someone to transport her and she got to the island about a week before the hurricane. She wasn’t supposed to be there because she was supposed to be trailered the week after, since I was actually in New Jersey doing my very first triathlon,” Plaskon said.
PHOTO PROVIDED
Island author Deana Plaskon with promotional materials from her new children’s book series. Just after Bella’s arrival to Pine Island, Hurricane Ian caused an order to evacuate, leaving Plaskon with the task of trying to find a flight back quickly. “We know that Bella and the other horses were in about 4 or 4 1/2 feet of water. She was off of See CHILDREN’S BOOK SERIES, page 10
MangoMania Award-Winning Medium Mango Salsa Recipe
Recipe from Pine Island Tropicals 12870 Stringfellow Road, Bokeelia Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.pineislandtropicals.com Makes 20 pints 24 cups diced mango 6 cups diced bell pepper 5 cups vinegar 4 cups sugar 2 cups onion See TASTE OF PINE ISLAND, page 9
Beat......................12 Kittens of the Week............8 On the Water......................7 INSIDETODAY Bridge Dolphin Tales.....................6 Local Tides.......................12 SJCCA Update...................5
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