Upcoming Events Sun, Nov 12- Stone Crab Festival 11 am- 8 pm. Calusa Cay Shoppes, Publix parking lot 5100 Pine Island Rd in Bokeelia, close to the center. Volunteers needed. See details below. Mon, Nov 13- November General Membership Meeting starting at **6:00 pm.** PLEASE NOTE EARLY START TIME! American Legion Post 136, 4106 Stringfellow Rd in Saint James City. Wed, Nov 15 thru Fri, Nov 17- Staff Appreciation Pie Drive at PIE 8:15- 9:15 am. Pine Island Elementary 5360 Ridgewood Dr in Bokeelia, close to the center. Volunteers needed. See details below. Sat, Nov 25- Outdoor Island Market 9 am- 2 pm. Fishers of Men Lutheran Church 10360 Stringfellow Rd in SJC. Volunteers needed. See details below. Mon, Nov 27- Island Luau Committee Meeting starting at 6 pm. Location TBD. See details below. Mon, Dec 4- December Board Meeting starting at 6 pm. Salty Girls Island Cafe 10700 Stringfellow Rd in Bokeelia, close to the center. Mon, Dec 4 thru Fri, Dec 8- Holiday House Shop at Pine Island Elementary 5360 Ridgewood Dr in Bokeelia, close to the center. Volunteers needed. See details below. Members are encouraged to visit the website for up to date news, meeting minutes, financials, merchandise and committee event forms. |
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Ladies, Here we go, and the fun begins! The fall events are starting to occur, and while it's a little warmer than usual this time of year, it doesn't appear that we'll have any rain and it's time to get outside and play. Please do not forget that tomorrow, Saturday November 11th, is Veterans Day. There's a ceremony at 11:00 am at the American Legion on Stringfellow in SJC. Sunday Funday is the Stone Crab Festival, proudly hosted by the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce. Nothing wrong with a day filled with food, drink, music, and local vendors! Enjoy yourselves. Remember that if you choose to enjoy adult beverages, you need to show your ID. NO EXCEPTIONS - NO PROBLEMS. I'll see most of you on Monday, as we'll be awarding our final grants, and it's election night. Good luck to all! Our meeting will start promptly at 6:00 pm. It's going to be a fun evening and I suggest that you plan to arrive early. What to bring? Any donations of gently used bras for Free The Girls, food pantry donations, and your smiling faces. All the best to you, DJ |
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!!Renewals and Elections!! |
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Get ready to VOTE for the new 2024 Matlacha Hookers Board! Elections will be held at the General Membership meeting on MONDAY, November 13th! The only votes needed will be for Chaplain and the 2 year Director terms! Please choose three of the ladies nominated. We recently received news that two of the candidates are now unable to commit to being on the Board next year. Their names have been crossed out on the ballot. You can print your ballot and bring it with you or we will have ballots available for those who were renewed by October 31st! Those not attending who wish to vote will need to submit their ballot via email to the secretary at matlachahookers@matlachahookers.org and must be received no later than Sunday, November 12th, to be counted in the election. Renewals continue for the 2024 year! Get yourself renewed for the new year! |
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Stone Crab Festival 11/12 |
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Stone Crab Festival at Calusa Cay Shoppes, Publix parking lot, hosted by the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce, will be held on Sunday, November 12. This island event will be a fun-filled day featuring live music, area artisans and crafters, local seafood and of course, delicious stone crabs. The Matlacha Hookers will be running the ID check and wristband distribution for alcohol sales. We are still in need of volunteers for the following shifts: 12- 2 pm, 2- 4 pm. Please contact Darcy if you are available and can help a Hooker out! Darcy Conner 954-816-9779 |
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The Matlacha Hookers Merchandise Team is in need of volunteers for the Merchandise Booth at the Stone Crab Festival. This is a very busy event, and a long day for just the team, so please volunteer! We are still in need of volunteers for the 4- 6 pm shift. We need two volunteers, so come with a friend! The shift is not long so that you can enjoy the event, as well! Stop by and purchase your discounted member-only shirt to wear at the event! Call Linda Bohacek, 715-579-5009 or email at Lbrdh4pets@gmail.com |
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Limited Edition 25th Anniversary Shirts |
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Get yours soon, as we only ordered a limited number! These can be purchased at the Stone Crab Festival 11/12 or the November General Membership meeting 11/13. |
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NEW!!! Tank tops with silver hook to commemorate our 25th Anniversary, also available at the Stone Crab Festival 11/12 and General Membership meeting 11/13. |
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General Membership Meeting |
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Monday, November 13, 2023 American Legion Post 136 4106 Stringfellow Rd in Saint James City Doors open at 5 pm to start ordering food and beverages. Reminder: the American Legion only accepts cash! ***The meeting begins promptly at 6:00 pm.*** We will be presenting the Hurricane Ian grants at 6 pm. We are also holding elections at this meeting. Please bring any unwanted jewelry you would like to donate to the Chic Boutique at the Island Luau. We are also collecting corks for Island Luau decor, as well as basket making supplies, gift cards, and items for Island Luau baskets. (Please see the Island Luau section below for more details.) And, as always, please don't forget to bring food pantry donations! |
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Hurricane Ian Grants- Round Two |
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Some good news to share with our Matlacha Hooker membership!
The Hurricane Ian grant program has selected the recipients of their second round of grants. Over 60 applications were received. All qualified applications were independently reviewed and scored by a panel of 5 Hooker reviewers. The scores were tabulated and each applicant received an averaged score based on the criteria and weights stipulated in the grant application. Through the generosity of many donors, the Hookers were able to award $88,000 in grants. Thirty-five $2,000.00 grants to small businesses and six $3,000.00 grants to non-profit organizations will be provided to the 41 highest-scored applicants. Please join us at the November 13 membership meeting to celebrate the presentation of checks. Reminder - this meeting will be held at the American Legion starting at 6:00 pm. |
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Pine Island Elementary Pie Drive |
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Pine Island Elementary is holding their annual Staff Appreciation Pie Drive on November 15, 16, and 17. They need volunteers to collect the pies each day, 8:15- 9:15 am, as parents drop them off in the mornings with their students. Click the button below to sign up! Reminder: a volunteer form needs to be on file with the office. Questions? Contact Christy Rau 513-703-7433. |
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It's Back! Outdoor Island Market |
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Saturday, November 25 9 AM - 2 PM Fishers of Men Lutheran Church 10360 Stringfellow Rd, Saint James City Keep It Local! This great event encourages people to shop and support our local island community throughout the year. This is the first one of the season! The Matlacha Hookers Merchandise Team will be there and could use your help. Shifts available: 8:15- 10:15 am, 10:15 am- 12:15 pm, and 12:15- 2:30 pm. Contact Linda Bohacek 715-579-5009 |
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Island Luau Planning Meetings October 2023 – April 2024 Island Luau Event is on Sunday, Feb 25, 2024, at Saint James City Civic Center 2024 Luau Meeting Schedule Nov 27, 2023 – All members – starting the sub-area discussions. Meeting begins at 6:00 pm, location TBD. Dec 18, 2023 (Christmas) – All members Jan 22, 2024 – All members Feb 19, 2024 (One week before the event) – All members Feb 24, 2024, Sat, Setup Crews Feb 25. 2024, Sun, Luau Event! Mar 25, 2024 – Financials Meeting (check presented April at General Meeting) Apr 22, 2024 – 2025 Luau Event Planning Here is how you can plan to help us: Put these dates on your calendar and show up. All are welcome! If you are not on our meeting notes email list, let us know. What are your talents and interests? Do you like to decorate? Do you have organizational skills or catering knowledge? We need your help. Call or text Sandy Kerr 305-849-1539. Linda Bohacek, Joanne Correia, and Sandy Kerr, Island Luau Co-Chairs |
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Reminder to please bring to every meeting: ~ any unwanted jewelry (for the Chic Boutique) ~ corks, which are needed for decor ~ regular size bottles of wine, value $10+ for the Mystery Wine (we need 200 for the event) 🌺 Thank you!!! 🌺 |
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It's time to start planning your basket idea for the Island Luau! We also could use items to put in baskets, gift certificates from eateries that you frequent, and basket making supplies such as toilet paper rolls, paper towel roles, krinkle paper, tissue paper, extra large basket bags, and clear scotch tape. Start bringing these items to the November, December, January, and February General Membership meetings. Questions? Contact Linda Bohacek 715-579-5009 or Lbrdh4pets@gmail.com |
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Pine Island Elementary Holiday House Shop |
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The Pine Island Elementary CPTO is excited to announce the dates for their Holiday House Shop! They will be open December 4 through December 8, and are asking for volunteers. This shop gives students a chance to shop for gifts for their family and friends and keep it a special surprise. They will only be open in the morning before school starts, except for December 7 when they will be open through lunch periods. There are multiple tasks they can help with including cashier, wrapping, and shopping assistant. Click the button below for more details and to sign up! Reminder: a volunteer form needs to be on file with the office. Questions? Contact Christy Rau 513-703-7433. |
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Pine Island FISH 2023 Basket Brigade |
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THIS YEAR'S CHRISTMAS BRIGADE IS UNDER WAY! This year we are returning to the Giving Tree model, where those wishing to provide gifts can select an "ornament gift wish" from trees placed throughout Greater Pine Island. Gifts will be distributed to registered families on December 16th at the Fishers of Men Lutheran Church, 10360 Stringfellow Road, St. James City. For details on how to donate or volunteer, please click the link below. Questions? Contact Darcy Conner 954-816-9779. |
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Bag 'n Tag and Pancake Breakfast |
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While this event is not until March 16th, 2024, we need a location to store items that are being donated to us. The Maxwell House, trailer, and storage unit are not available at this time. (Meanwhile, please hang on to your unwanted stuff!) If you can provide some storage, please contact Madam DJ 239-910-3829, Carolyn Ryzanych 707-291-0310, or Teresa Shattuck 239-738-5008. |
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Pine Island Food Pantry News |
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The Pine Island Food Pantry is in need of the following items: dry cereal, canned soup (NO cream soup), diced tomatoes, instant mashed potatoes, elbow macaroni, penne or ziti pasta, egg noodles, dried beans, saltines, crackers, individually wrapped kids' snacks. Please bring donations to the next General Meeting or drop off at one of the following locations: Winn-Dixie, V.F.W., American Legion, Moose, Centennial Bank, the Matlacha Post Office or at the pantry when it is open on Monday and Thursdays, 9 am - 11 am. Visit pineislandfoodpantry.org to learn more. Thank you! |
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New password for website was updated February 27th. Members Only Area Password: @HMP23 |
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Herald and website content submissions, along with questions or concerns, should be sent to Christy Rau at MHwebmistress@gmail.com. Please do not email Christy by replying to, or forwarding a Herald publication. Since we use the free version of WIX for both our website and emails, the Herald emails actually go out under a different email address, which she does not have access to. |
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