WEEk of NoVEmbEr 20, 2024 FLIER INSIDE
Off the shelves Pine Island Library schedule for December; Fandom Fest returning — INSIDE pINEISlaND-EaglE.com
VolumE 48, NumbEr 29
Celebrating Pine Islanders: Dave Conner By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Dave Conner said he would describe himself as a man of many hats. Although he said he was a military brat, having been born on a military base and having lived in England and Spain since his father was an Air Force colonel and his mother was in the British navy, he grew up in Miami and said, on his first getaway with his wife, Darcy, he fell in love with Matlacha (2010) many years before moving here, which was only 4 years ago, in the midst of the global pandemic. Conner said he has formally been in the
promotions, marketing, branding business for over 30 years. “Darcy told me she wanted to go to this little funky place called Matlacha and we spent our first weekend together there. We loved it and thought it was really cool. So, years later, when we started to look for housing, we decided to take a look over here and found something in Bokeelia we really liked. I still have an office in Miami, Fort Lauderdale. I have a corporation with partners, called Big League Sports Productions. Under that, there’s Island Brew Promotions — there’s Bokeelia Custom Apparel and I do some other stuff on the side, too,” Conner said.
As a matter of practice, he said he always makes it his business to get involved in the Chamber of Commerce wherever he happens to be, adding that he was once the secretary of the Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce, which is in Miami. His commitment to community, via his work with various chambers, ensures Conner is always present at or helping plan major events, such as, concerts, festivals and art shows. “It’s a natural fit for me, wherever I go, to get involved with the chambers. I think See CELEBRATING PINE ISLANDERS, page 14
Dave Conner
Resiliency Florida director discusses strategies for extreme weather events at GPICA meeting By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
CYNTHIA WELCH
The Island Market at Fishers of Men Lutheran Church.
Island Market to return Nov. 30 at Fishers of Men Luthern Church By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
According to Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce board member Cynthia Welch, “We Are Back and Keeping it Local” is the stance the board is taking in this upcoming season. The Island Market will begin at the end of this month and Welch said the chamber is very excited to be back in the swing of things, offering members a platform for their businesses. The market, she said, will showcase everything from fishing rods and jewelry to baked goods and plants. “The Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the return of our Island Market season. Our first market will be Nov. 30, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Fishers of Men Lutheran Church, 10360 Stringfellow Road, St James City. This season’s markets will continue to showcase a wonderful mix of local
This season’s markets will continue to showcase a wonderful mix of local artisans, crafters, organizations and businesses featuring their unique art, goods, handicrafts and services.” — Chamber board member Cynthia Welch artisans, crafters, organizations and businesses featuring their unique art, goods, handicrafts and services,” Welch said. “Don’t miss this opportunity to spend a relaxing morning strolling and supporting local islanders while enjoying a beverage from the Get Perked Coffee and Breakfast truck. And who knows, maybe you’ll find that perfect gift you need for the upcoming holiday season.
David Rathke, the executive director of Resiliency Florida, a non-profit organization, gave a presentation on the regional strategies and action plans for adaptation of extreme weather events and sea level rise at this month's Greater Pine Island Civic Association meeting last Tuesday. The monthly meeting was held at First Baptist Church of Pine Island. Rathke began by telling everyone that Resilience Florida is made up of cities, counties and private companies. He shared that hurricanes Ian, Helene and Milton caused nearly a half a trillion dollars in damages. Hurricane Charley, which came through 20 years ago, was a very different storm, he said, with more wind than water damage, but explained that Charley had impacts all across Florida. He and his staff at the water management in Brooksville manned the resource centers in Arcadia, handing out supplies. “As you all know, hurricanes are not necessarily increasing in frequency, but when you talk to the state meteorologist, he will tell you how they are increasing in intensity,” Rathke said. He also recommended everyone check the website for the data themselves. Recent storms, he said, seem to share the trait of intensifying later, making it harder and harder to predict the direction by which they’ll travel. Hurricane Ian, he explained, caused damage, such as downed homes, on both coasts. It was not just a Southwest Florida issue, he said. Solutions regarding what to do about that, begins in rooms just like the one in which they met for Tuesday’s meeting, he said, referring to it as a grass roots solution. See RESILIENCY FLORIDA, page 14
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