WEEk of DEcEmbEr 18, 2024 FLIER INSIDE
A fond farewell Kerr retires after 25 years with Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District — INSIDE pINEISlaND-EaglE.com VolumE 48, NumbEr 33
New Beacon Executive Director Cote says she’s coming home By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
When Nancy Buthman retired from her job as director of Community Programs at the Beacon of HOPE, it left somewhat of a gaping hole to be filled. Beacon of Hope board members Elsie Stearns and Carlyn Herring both welcomed new Executive Director Nancy Cote with open arms and high hopes, as she began at the Beacon on Dec. 9. “This is the story of someone who truly lives up to the Beacon of HOPE model (Helping Our People Excel)," Cote said. "I moved to the island and I started as a volunteer at the thrift store — under Betsy, the director at the time. She loved the way that I worked at the thrift store so she told me to create the ESOL program, which was very successful and I was going to school at the time and Betsy encouraged me to apply to all the island scholarships, which I did, and I received scholarships from the
Kiwanis, the Matlacha Hookers and the American Legion, to finish my undergrad degree in human resources.” After earning her degree, Cote said she had to leave the island because there were simply no jobs for her. She worked for the United Way as a community service representative and weekend program manager, which is designed to work with people who have an oncology diagnosis and need to be connected to a provider who will see them free of charge. “Recently, during the storm, I worked with Nancy Buthman, my predecessor, to make sure the island was See COMING HOME, page 16 From left are Elsie Stearns, Nancy Cote and Carlyn Herring. PHOTO SUBMITTED BY ELSIE STEARNS
Cruising to see Santa
Former Pine Island Elementary student Lolly gives bicycles to all of the students at the island school By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Adventures in Paradise continues popular island holiday excursions By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
ccording to Adventures in Paradise business owner Evelyn Stewart, Santa’s Dolphin Cruise tour has been going for approximately 15 years now. All departure locations end up on Christmas Island (Picnic Island), she said, where Santa and his elves make a seasonal yearly visit. Generally, on the way there as well as on the way back, there are dolphin following in the wake of the boat. “We cruise out into the bay area looking for dolphins, of course, and then we end up on Picnic Island — but we call it Christmas Island,” Stewart said.
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Once guests arrive, she said, they are greeted by the Christmas elves who take the children to Candy Cane Lane where Mrs. Claus hands out cookies and gifts to the children and they are invited to sit on Santa’s lap and tell him what they want for Christmas. “We have people that have been coming back for years, whose kids are almost grown up,” Stewart said. Having been in business since 1986, Stewart said
See HOLIDAY EXCURSIONS, page 16 Santa and his helpers greet visitors arriving at Christmas Island.
Pine Island Elementary School Principal Michael Galbreath said when former PIE student Jenn Erickson called the school and told him that her friends, Roger and Kristin Lolly, who is also a former PIE student, wanted to donate Christmas bicycles to the kids at the school, he and the staff were very excited about the generous gifts. The bike giveaway took place Saturday, Dec. 14 ,in “All students at PIE the school parking lot, were eligible to where parents were greeted receive the bicycles. by Galbreath, the Lollys, I believe we had Erickson and a whole crew of helpers as they came to approximately 155 who signed up.” pick up the bicycles. “All students at PIE – PIE Principal were eligible to receive the Michael Galbreath bicycles. I believe we had approximately 155 who signed up,” Galbreath said. After students had signed up, he said, they were able to specify whether they needed the bike for a girl or a boy, and whether they would need a helmet or training wheels, all of which were provided by Lolly. Erickson said Lolly had really wanted to do something nice for the kids of PIE since he also grew up out here, in fact, the two have been friends since the second grade, she said. “He thought buying bikes for all the kids after the
PHOTO PROVIDED
Athlete of the Week.........19 Dolphin Tales.....................6 On the Water......................8 insidetoday Cat of the Week...............16 Local Tides......................16 SJCCA Update.................10
See BICYCLES, page 18
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