Upcoming Events Mon, Oct 2- October Board Meeting starting at 6 pm. Salty Girls Island Cafe 10700 Stringfellow Rd in Bokeelia, close to the center. Sun, Oct 8- Dobie Darna Memorial Fundraiser 12- 7 pm. Jug Creek Marina and Fish House 16498 Tortuga St in Bokeelia. Volunteers needed. See details below. Mon, Oct 9- October General Membership Meeting starting at 6:30 pm. American Legion Post 136, 4106 Stringfellow Rd in Saint James City. Fri & Sat, Oct 13 & 14- Organizing and Cleaning the Storage Unit and Trailer Time TBD. More details coming soon. Stay tuned! 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. Volunteers needed. See details below. Mon, Oct 23- Island Luau Committee Meeting starting at 6 pm. Location TBD. See details below. All are welcome! 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, Wow. It's been just barely over a year since Hurricane Ian and it's still too raw for me. Meaning WE, we're just not fixed, but we'll get there!! I still see improvements every two or three weeks. It's truly amazing what the Matlacha Hookers have been able to give back to this island where we all love to live, and many raise their children. I mention children for a few reasons. Typically, we would be organizing and finalizing the Pine Island Fishing Tournament & Derby at this time of year. Sadly, without a place that makes sense we're in limbo for the remainder of 2023. But remember that we've already supported the teachers, students, and school from our PIE Derby in May and we will present another donation to the teachers in January for their Spring semester. Many of us attended the Pine Island Elementary Community Round Up. They invited community organizations that support PIE as a thank you and the Lee County Superintendent of Public Schools, Dr. Christopher Bernier, was one of the featured speakers. I believe that he spoke with at least one person from each organization, and he mentioned that he's attended other elementary school gatherings similar to this one, usually speaking to groups of seven to ten. There were at least 80 (yup, eighty) in attendance. He was impressed by the community involvement that groups have to offer the island children. We've been asked for volunteer support and donations for Fall Festivals on the island in October for the kids. More details to follow. Back to business. Dues are due in the month of October and they are still only $20 a year. This is important, because if your dues are not paid in October you cannot vote in the November Elections for the 2024 Board. Do YOU want to be on the Board, or nominate someone else? You can do that at our next meeting on Monday, October 9th at the American Legion. Be well and safe travels to those of you heading back and I am truly looking forward to seeing you soon, Hookers Rule! DJ |
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Letter from Genie Andrews |
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If you couldn't make it to the September General Meeting, you missed hearing the amazing letter we received from Genie Andrews. We would be remiss if we didn't share it with all of our members. August 26, 2023 To my dear Sisters, I am completely humbled and grateful for the prayers you have offered for Leigh and me! We had never before been the recipient of a prayer or card shower. I have mailed many cards and offered prayers for other Hookers and their families but, without giving it the thought the act deserved. Leigh was extremely ill. Not only does he have stage 4 cancer that was recently complicated by two minor heart attacks and a stroke, he also developed pneumonia, a UTI, kidney problems and a swallowing issue. When the first Hooker prayer request went out, he was being evaluated for palliative care/Hospice. Three days later, the tide turned and he decided he wanted to live. He rapidly got better and was able to come home, fully ambulatory shortly after the second prayer request. Many people were praying for us, including family, close friends, neighbors and associates. There were a couple of dark days when I could actually feel some force at work, giving me strength and healing Leigh. Please, my Sister Hookers, never underestimate the importance of prayer or its power, and how much it means to those on the receiving end. Always, always send prayers or cards when they are requested! Love to all of you from the bottom of my heart, Genie Andrews |
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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). They are asking area groups, including the Matlacha Hookers, for assistance at this fun event for the Pine Island community. . We are in need of some volunteers on the day of the event who can help set up, work at a kids' game table, and tear down. They plan on having a meeting for all volunteers, and more details will be provided when the event gets closer. Interested? We'll keep you in the loop as we learn more. Contact Christy Rau 513-703-7433 or Carolyn Ryzanych 707-291-0310 |
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Volunteers needed for Silent Auction and 50/50 Raffle Please contact Julia 239-298-1113 12thmadam.julia@gmail.com |
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General Membership Meeting |
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Monday, October 9, 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 6:30 pm. Please don't forget to bring food pantry donations! |
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Coming Soon: 25th Anniversary Shirts! |
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25th Anniversary shirts are coming soon!!! They will be revealed and available for purchase at the October general membership meeting. Shirts will be sold at a member discount and only available to members. So make sure your dues have been paid before the meeting! The merchandise team thanks you for your support. We hope you will wear your special edition Matlacha Hooker shirt with pride! Linda Bohacek, Merchandise Chair |
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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. Remember that the Bag 'n Tag typically provides at least two (2) Hooked on Education Scholarships each year. Julia will oversee the Pancake Breakfast, and Teresa Shattuck has volunteered to be one of the event Co-Chairs. We need at least one more Co-Chair and someone or some place to store donations. The Maxwell House, trailer, and storage unit are not available at this time. (Meanwhile, please hang on to your unwanted stuff!) For more information or if you can provide some storage, please contact Madam DJ at 239-910-3829. |
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Island Luau Planning Meetings Sept 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 Committee members and Leaders on October 23rd at 6 pm. We will be meeting on the fourth Monday of the month to avoid conflicting with the General Meeting schedule. 2024 Luau Meeting Schedule; the meetings start at 6 pm (Locations TBD) Oct 23, 2023 – Full Team Members Nov 27, 2023 Dec 18, 2023 (Christmas) Jan 22, 2024 Feb 19, 2024 (One week before the event) Feb 24, 2024, Sat, Setup 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 October 23rd. 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: Canned soups (NOT cream based), dry cereal, Hamburger Helper, diced tomatoes, instant mashed potatoes, elbow macaroni, penne or ziti pasta, egg noodles, dried beans, saltines, crackers. 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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