WEEK OF OCTOBER 29, 2025 FLIER INSIDE
A new home
Church of God of Prophecy welcomes Pastor Martin Maynord and his wife Lori
— INSIDE
PINEISLAND-EAGLE.COM
VOLUME 49, NUMBER 25
Celebrating Pine Islanders: Mike George
By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Mike George said his life’s philosophy is to try not to have any enemies. So far, it’s worked for him to get along with everybody. “I try to put other people before myself, and not make ripples I guess,” George said. Led to Pine Island by his maternal grandparents, George said, they were the first in his family to come in approximately 1979. They lived right in Bokeelia and his immediate family spent a great deal of time with them. He was about 11 or 12, he said, when he figured out how amazing Pine
Island really was. “I had a little boat and my cousins lived down here at the time. We spent the summers fishing and camping around Cayo Costa. It didn’t take me very long to figure out that I liked it here. It was different times back then,” George said. He finally moved down for good between 1999 and 2000 and, like a true Pine Islander, he’s been helping out where and when he can whenever he finds himself with an opportunity to lend a hand, ever since. “It’s coming back to me in a seriously humbling way See MIKE GEORGE, page 15
PHOTO PROVIDED
From left are Mike George, his daughter Ruby Jo and son Larry Michael George Jr.
Stone Crab Music Fest set for Nov. 9 at Winn-Dixie Plaza By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Coming down
PHOTO BY CAROL SCOTT
Matlacha Civic Association President Carol Scott reported that this Hurricane Ian-damaged structure on the island is one of 28 across Lee County that will be demolished. The county commissioners approved the budget for demolition of the structures in September.
Thrive By K opens in St. James City By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com Kristin
Gustin, APRN, MSN, FNP, has opened Thrive By K, in St. James City, which is a functional health medical clinic, specializing in weight management, peptides, antiaging, hormone replacement and IV infusions. “We address the root causes of health issues and optimize overall wellness, by focusing on personalized care to support each individual’s unique health journey,” Gustin said. “I still do primary care, in more of a functional health setting, where I find the root cause of things. “When you get older your hormones become depleted. When that happens you can become fatigued, gain weight or become depressed. When your hormones aren’t opti-
mized you have increased risk of cardio vascular issues, Alzheimer’s, dementia and many different issues,” she said. Thrive By K empowers clients to take control of their health and thrive at every stage of life, she explained, saying she is passionate about adult preventative care and wellness. Although she is able to prescribe pharmaceuticals, finding the cause of trouble would be first and foremost. Sammy Holt, who is on staff at Thrive by K, agreed that the organization, on the whole, is more interested in getting to the origin of an issue, which oftentimes may See THRIVE BY K, page 15
If you were paying close attention, you might note that the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce already hosted a 2025 Stone Crab Music Fest at the beginning of the year, back in January. According to GPICC board president Dave Conner, it was originally delayed due to hurricane activity. Now, he said, there is a focus on music. “It’s basically a music food fest, with the emphasis on stone crab,” Conner said of the upcoming event. There is also a salute to the veterans, as the GPICC has tied in the American Legion, VFW and Disabled American Vets, he said, as well as a change in the actual tone of the music. Conner admits this event may be the biggest stone crab event yet. The event was a bit longer last time, he said, going from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., while this time the event will be put on from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The reason it is not being offered as a two-day off-island event, he explained, is that Pine Islanders are very happy to experience it as an on-island event, of which they can be proud. Conner said, otherwise it becomes an entirely different animal. “With a two-day event, generally you get money from the county with grants, then you have to match it,” Conner said. The GPICC is very interested in keeping the island event just that, and featuring what Pine Island is known for, he said, such as crabbing and fishing. At the last stone See STONE CRAB MUSIC FEST, page 17
of the Week..........16 Cat of the Week..................9 On the Water.......................6 INSIDETODAY Athlete Bridge Beat......................14 Mahjongg Scores.............13 SJCCA Update.................11
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