Upcoming Events Mon, July 24- School Supply Drive Organizing/Sorting starting at 10 am at Pine Island Elementary 5360 Ridgewood Dr in Bokeelia, close to the center. Sat, July 29 *NEW DATE*- Stuff the Trailer event to collect school supplies and donations, starting at 11 am Moose Lodge 8903 Stringfellow Rd in Saint James City. See details below. Mon, July 31- School Supply Drive Organizing/Sorting starting at 9:30 am at Pine Island Elementary 5360 Ridgewood Dr in Bokeelia, close to the center. Tues, Aug 1- School Supply Drive Organizing/Sorting starting at 12 pm at Pine Island Elementary 5360 Ridgewood Dr in Bokeelia, close to the center. Sat, Aug 5- Blood Drive 10 am- 3 pm at Pine Island United Methodist Church 5701 Pine Island Rd in Bokeelia, close to the center. Mon, Aug 7- August Board Meeting starting at 6 pm Salty Girls Island Cafe 10700 Stringfellow Rd #20 in Bokeelia, close to the center. Tues, Aug 15- August General Membership Meeting starting at 6:30 pm. Street Eatz & Ale 5508 Avenue A in Bokeelia, close to center. 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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Julia Gaylor: Sunny 106.3 Most Outstanding Woman 2023! |
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Our very own Matlacha Hooker Vice Madam, Julia Gaylor, was recognized by Florida radio station Sunny 106.3 with their 2023 Outstanding Woman award last week. Julia received four nominations and was chosen to receive this honor. She was selected for her generous and tireless work following Hurricane Ian. Julia is a well-known volunteer in the Pine Island and Matlacha communities, who emerged as perhaps the most prominent contact with the ability to connect resources to those who needed them most. Her communication was critical in the early days and continues to be integral to the rebuilding effort. Julia has a big heart for her communities and works tirelessly to support and protect them. She has an amazing spirit, as well as energy and compassion. It was amazing to see how Julia reached out to individuals, businesses, and political leaders to organize help for those in need. She made it her personal mission and devoted herself to helping others. Thank you, Julia, for all you've done and continue to do. We're proud of you and proud to be counted as your Hooker sisters! |
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Stuff the Trailer Event *New Date* 7/29 and Some Exciting News! |
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Our Stuff the Trailer Event (collecting school supplies and donations) and Island 50/50 Drawing has been changed to Saturday, July 29th beginning at 11:00am at the Moose Lodge in SJC. We'll head north from there into Bokeelia and then on to Matlacha ending at Miceli's. We'll be picking up the donation bins, accepting monetary donations and will have $5 - 50/50 tickets available for purchase. They will have to write their name and phone number on the back, and they do not need to be present to win. One lucky winner will win half of the pot and the school supply drive will benefit from the other half. Please contact DJ at 239-910-3829 if you are able to help out that day; and we have special shirts for you to wear. I'm sure that we'll stop along the route to enjoy a little food and drink as well. This is a fun event and very well received throughout the island. But wait, there's more! The Matlacha Hookers are recipients of a Do Good Grant in the amount of $1,250 thanks to SJC resident Julie Falconer. Exciting!! Julie will be meeting us at the Stuff the Trailer starting point on Saturday, July 29th at 11:00am at the Moose Lodge for a photo. It would be great to have a lot of Hookers on hand to say Thank You. Spread the word!! |
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PIE School Supply Drive 2023 |
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Pine Island Elementary students will be returning to school on August 10, and they need our help to make a strong start to the school year! We have a few volunteer opportunities for sorting and organizing supplies at PIE 5360 Ridgewood Dr, close to the center: Monday 7/24 10 am- 11 am Monday 7/31 9:30 am- 12:30 pm Tuesday 8/1 12 pm- 3 pm, if needed If you're able to help out, or have any school supply donations, please contact: Christy Rau 513-703-7433 or Joyce Boyer 314-401-9354 |
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General Membership Meeting |
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Tuesday, August 15, 2023 Street Eatz & Ale 5508 Avenue A in Bokeelia, close to the center Doors open at 5 pm to start ordering food and beverages. The meeting begins promptly at 6:30 pm. Please don't forget to bring food pantry donations! |
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Hey all you trashy Hookers! Our July date has been postponed due to road work and construction. We will try again in August. Stay tuned! Lorie Tidwell and Shirley Noble Adopt A Road co-chairs |
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Special Discounts for Matlacha Hookers at Pine Island Auto Care! |
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Pine Island Auto Care, at 8336 Stringfellow Rd in Saint James City, is offering all Matlacha Hookers some awesome discounts! During the summer months, they are offering 25% off oil changes and 15% off major repairs. Pine Island Auto Care is open Monday thru Friday, 8:00 am- 5:00 pm, and they can be reached at 239-282-5599. |
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Hurricane Ian Rebuilding Committee Update |
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Congratulations to our first set of Hurricane Ian Business Grant recipients! Let's keep it local and help support and patronize these well-deserving island businesses: AdPrint Craft, Calusa Bug Spray, Creative Coast Preschool, Frank's Bobcat Services, Kinetic Touch Massage & Wellness, Matlacha Gallery and Gifts, Nauti Tiki Seasonings, Premier Growers Inc, Sacred Souls, Sweeney’s SOS, Salty Girls Island Café, Trader's Hitching Post. |
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The generator raffle was great success at MangoMania! We raised $2,000 for a scholarship, ear-marked for a student interested in emergency management or becoming a first responder. Congratulations to the winner: new Matlacha Hookers member, Ila Valcarcel! |
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New Drop Off Location for Baskets |
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Please drop off all of your unwanted or extra baskets to Trader's Hitching Post 4547 Pine Island Rd in Matlacha. Cindee Tolliver has graciously volunteered to house them for us, to be used in our future silent auctions. Select Matlacha Hookers merchandise will also be available there soon! |
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Matlacha Hookers Rocked MangoMania! |
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Thank you to all Matlacha Hookers who volunteered for Mango Mania: Lorie Tidwell, Billie Young, Kathleen Marquis, Linda Lee, Sherry Howerton, Thelma Holzfield, Gwen Kaushagen, Sherri Davis, Marian Hogan, Tracy Chapple, Emily Pancoast, Chris Buntin, Cheryl Neary, Mary Ann Elmore, Louise C Farra, Cindy Walton, Joyce Boyer, Kristin Schelwat, Christy Rau, Heidi Lutz, Debbie Memoli, Julia Gaylor, Darcy Connor, Linda Bohacek, Jill Filgut, Jean Fromm, DJ Ruscik, Michelle Browne, Anna Van Kirk, Jennifer Holmes, Elida Byrd, Kimmy Rasmussen, Donna Trusik, and Sandy Reynolds. Also, thank you to Ed Dyche, Kent Kolegue, and Maria Sostre - Hooker supporters. Apologies to those whose names are not here, as there were last minute substitutes. Your volunteering made the event very successful! |
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Kind Words from the Chamber: |
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I wanted to say thank you for everything that the Hookers did to help us, without you we would be lost. ~Cynthia |
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Matlacha Hookers 25th Anniversary Commemorative T-Shirt Contest |
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The merchandise committee is soliciting tag lines and designs for a Matlacha Hookers 25th anniversary T-shirt. When designing the shirt, consider the design placement for a tank top, sleeveless, short-sleeved, and long-sleeved styles. Contest winner will receive a one year Matlacha Hookers membership and T-shirt that will include the designer's name on the shirt! Deadline is August 1. Questions? Please contact Linda Bohacek 715-579-5009 or Lbrdh4pets@gmail.com ATTENTION: We will need a committee of 7 MEMBERS ONLY to judge entries and then finalize our Matlacha Hookers 25th Anniversary T-shirt design and tagline. Volunteer members must be available during the month of August. Please contact Linda Bohacek 715-579-5009 or Lbrdh4pets@gmail.com and include preferred days and times. Thank you! |
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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: laundry detergent, canned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, dried beans, instant mashed potatoes, all types of crackers (saltines, Ritz, Townhouse, oyster/soup), egg noodles, and pasta (elbow macaroni, penne, ziti). 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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Huge shout out to Tania Watkins for making it all come together for us at the Fourth of July parade this year!! |
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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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