Upcoming Events Fri, Oct 13- Organizing and Cleaning the Trailer 9 am. Across from 7830 Lobean Ln in Bokeelia. Volunteers needed. See details below. Sat, Oct 14- Organizing and Cleaning the Storage Unit 9 am. Pine Island Storage 5111 Doug Taylor Cir in Saint James City. Volunteers needed. See details below. Sat, Oct 21- Halloween Festival hosted by the Pine Island Food Pantry 12- 3 pm. Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church 12175 Stringfellow Rd in Bokeelia. See details below. Sat, Oct 21- Matlacha Hooker Mixer at the Halloween Costume Paddle starting at 4 pm. Knight's Landing 16499 Porto Bello St in Bokeelia. See details below. Mon, Oct 23- Island Luau Committee Team Leaders Meeting starting at 6 pm. Saint James City Civic Center, 3300 4th Ave in Saint James City. See details below. Fri, Oct 27- Fall Festival at Pine Island Elementary 5360 Ridgewood Dr in Bokeelia, close to the center. Volunteers needed. See details below. Sat, Nov 4- Christmas Bazaar starting at 8 am. Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church 12175 Stringfellow Rd in Bokeelia. Volunteers needed. See details below. Mon, Nov 6- November Board Meeting starting at 6 pm. Salty Girls Island Cafe 10700 Stringfellow Rd in Bokeelia, close to the center. 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. 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, It was so nice to see so many of our Sister Hookers back for the season. Welcome Home! For those who were unable to attend the October General Membership Meeting last evening, you can see that volunteers are needed starting as soon as Friday and Saturday to clean out our Trailer and Storage Unit. And that's just the beginning; please volunteer when you can. It's truly a great way to give back to our community and events are already scheduled darn through the end of the year. More opportunities to follow, so keep your eyes on the Hooker Heralds, our website, and Facebook page. President Larry, of the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce, shared some great news and thanked all of you who have helped over the years, but especially those of us who have made such a difference around the greater Pine Island area in our recovery since H. Ian. Looking better all the time! The great news? They have decided to purchase their own trailer, tents, and tables. That means that there's more resources for both the Matlacha Hookers and the Chamber when we schedule events. Congratulations to the Chamber! Are YOU interested in running for the 2024 Board of Directors?! Have questions? Feel free to call any current or past Board Members; note that Board position responsibilities are posted on our website or forward questions regarding one of the positions to matlachahookers@matlachahookers.org and your question will be addressed by a current Board member in that position. Remember that we truly have fun at everything that we do! For those who will be heading back to SW Florida in the next few months, the weather is getting noticeably better about every other week. The month of October is one of my favorite months because, believe or not, there is truly a change of seasons around here. For one, it's almost time to start planting herbs and vegetables to enjoy until late into the Spring. Stay healthy and travel safe, with hopes of seeing more of you back in Southwest Florida soon. Madam DJ |
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For those of you who missed the October General Membership meeting, we are proud to announce we are sponsoring Fall Ball 2023 shirts for Pine Island Youth Baseball! All 91 of our island baseball players and coaches will be sporting these cool shirts, thanks to the Matlacha Hookers. Additional shirts may be available to order. Please contact Nicki Swift, Pine Island Youth Baseball President, at 239-288-8488. |
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Trailer and Storage Unit Clean Out |
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We'll be organizing and cleaning out the trailer and storage unit this week! On both days, we are beginning at 9 am. We'll break for lunch at 11:30, then continue until completed. Five volunteers are needed each day.
Friday, October 13, 9 am
Our trailer is located at 7830 Lobean Ln in Bokeelia. Contact DJ Ruscik 239-910-3829 Saturday, October 14, 9 am Our storage unit is located at 5111 Doug Taylor Cir in Saint James City. Contact Linda Bohacek 715-579-5009 |
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Pine Island Food Pantry Halloween Festival 🎃 👻 10/21 |
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The Pine Island Food Pantry will be holding their Halloween Festival on October 21, 12- 3 pm. This will be held indoors, at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church, in the Parish Life Center (where the food pantry is located). Many area groups, including the Matlacha Hookers, will be assisting at this fun event for the Pine Island community. There will be a silent auction, raffle baskets, and a bake sale. All are welcome! Questions? Contact Christy Rau 513-703-7433 or Carolyn Ryzanych 707-291-0310 |
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Questions? Contact Julia 239-298-1113 |
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Fall Festival at Pine Island Elementary |
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The Kiwanis Club of Greater Pine Island will once again be hosting the Pine Island Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat (Halloween Party). The event will be held on Friday, October 27, 5- 7 pm. Volunteers are needed in all areas. Please contact Darcy Conner 954-816-9779 for more information. Pine Island Elementary also needs volunteers during the school day, to help monitor bounce houses (make sure students are taking their shoes off before entering, following max capacity rules for that specific bounce, playing safely, etc). Click the button below for more information and to sign up. The school needs to have a volunteer form on file for all volunteers. Questions? Contact Christy Rau 513-703-7433. |
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OLMM Christmas Bazaar 11/4 |
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Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Ladies' Guild is holding their annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, November 4, 9 am - 1 pm. This well-attended island event features many local vendors, including our very own Matlacha Hookers Merchandise team. It will be located inside at the OLMM Parish Center, next to the Food Pantry. Volunteers are needed to help out at our merchandise table. We'll begin set up at 8 am, and break down by 2 pm. Two hour shifts will be available: 8- 10 am, 10- 12 pm, 12 pm- 2 pm. Please contact Linda Bohacek 715-579-5009 lbrdh4pets@gmail.com |
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Coming Soon: 25th Anniversary Shirts |
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Congratulations to Cindy Walton for submitting the winning design! This limited edition shirt comes in your choice of Purple and Navy, and the cost is a discounted price of $25. It is only available to members, so make sure you are current on your membership. Orders are being taken now, and shirts will be available for pick up at the November meeting. The merchandise and membership teams thank you for your support. We hope you will wear your special edition Matlacha Hooker shirt with pride! Linda Bohacek, Merchandise Chair 715-579-5009 lbrdh4pets@gmail.com |
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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 awarding the Hurricane Ian grants at 6 pm. We are also holding elections at this meeting. Please make sure your dues are paid no later than 10/31 so you can vote! As always, please don't forget to bring food pantry donations! |
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!!Renewals and Elections!! |
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The renewal process is in full swing! If you are interested in participating in the elections, your membership must be renewed by October 31st. Also, name tags have gone up 50 cents and now are $7.50 to order. Nominations will be accepted in September and October. Have questions? Please reach out to Lorie Tidwell at Lorah.Tidwell@gmail.com or Julia Gaylor at 12thmadam.julia@gmail.com |
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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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Island Luau Planning Meetings October 2023 – April 2024 Island Luau Event is on Sunday, Feb 25, 2024, at Saint James City Civic Center We will start regular meetings with all Sub-Committee Leaders only on October 23rd. The meetings begin at 6 pm- doors open at 5:30 pm. Location: Saint James City Civic Center No remote calls for meetings unless it is necessary. Bring a dish to share, or $$ for pizza from Froggy's, and your drink if you want something other than wine.
2024 Luau Meeting Schedule Oct 23, 2023 – "Only" Team Leaders who have managed an area, like 50/50 Ticketing, Wine Serving, or if you are interested in being a Team Leader Nov 27, 2023 – All members – starting the sub-area discussions 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 in to your schedule, think about running an area, and come to the meeting on November 27th. All are welcome! Joanne Correia and Sandy Kerr, Island Luau Co-Chairs |
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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: Crackers, saltines, dry cereal, canned soup (NO cream soup), Hamburger Helper, instant mashed potatoes, elbow macaroni, penne or ziti pasta, egg noodles, dried beans, pork & beans. 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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