Paulette LeBlanc

1 week ago | pineisland-eagle.com | Paulette LeBlanc

Last Wednesday, April 30, a group of friends, family and fans gathered in the Matlacha RE/MAX parking lot for one last goodbye to Leoma Lovegrove. Close friend and RE/MAX owner Chardayne Seuffert said it was a “very beautiful, Leoma-style gathering.”“It was all about her and her love story with Matlacha. It was so heartwarming,” Seuffert said. According to Seuffert, several long-time islanders were present, many of whom spoke in Lovegrove’s honor, about the history of Matlacha.

1 week ago | pineisland-eagle.com | Paulette LeBlanc

Russ Mattson described himself as a 43-years-long Pine Islander who loves this place and is not leaving. He is also a Realtor at Century 21, who after seeing photos of Sanibel years ago, knew he had to make his way to Southwest Florida, to eventually end up buying on Pine Island in 1981 and moving here in 1984. “I’m not going anywhere, I’m going to die here,” Mattson said.

1 week ago | pineisland-eagle.com | Paulette LeBlanc

First Baptist Church of Pine Island Missions Team Leader Jody Link said the church is pretty excited about sending some kids to Word of Life Camp in Hudson, Florida, north of Tampa. “For the past 12 years, our church has sponsored sending kids to the camp in Hudson and this year, in the second week of June and the fourth week of June, we’re sending 32,” Link said.

2 weeks ago | pineisland-eagle.com | Paulette LeBlanc

Museum of the Islands volunteer Karen Hartshorne is very interested in using her education as a graduate level painting and drawing student, coupled with her experience at LSU, to teach plein air painting to mostly kids, although all ages are welcome, around Pine Island, beginning Monday, April 28, from 8-10 a.m., through the summer months. Hartshorne said she will let everyone who is interested know where the next painting location will be. “No charge, no class, just painting plein air together.

2 weeks ago | pineisland-eagle.com | Paulette LeBlanc

According to Calusa Land Trust Board Member John Kendall, without the 2025 Rubber Duck Race fundraiser (loss of venue), Isaac Holeva and his Pipe Dream rock band stepped up to highlight an Earth Day Concert April 20 at the St. James City Civic Association facility. An estimated crowd of about 500, with most parked in their golf carts, cheered on the musicians while also visiting over 20 vendors plus the Horse Eyed Jake American Sliders food and the Utterly Twisted ice cream trucks.