Pine Island Experience

Matt Anderson, Licensed Beekeeper is the owner of Anderson Bee Removal and a firefighter and paramedic living in Bokeelia, Florida.   Matt is a state licensed beekeeper trained in the safest and most effective ways to remove bees and relocate them to a new, safe environment. Matt says he loves this island and loves the community and getting to meet people, getting to help people and just do right...

This episode features Nicole Cicchino photographer and owner of the  Matlacha Post Office and Gallery & Gifts.   Nicole has worked in the Matlacha Post Office for over 22 years and has owned the business for over 6 years.   Nicole loves taking pictures of nature on Pine Island because it makes her happy and she loves making the pictures the best they can be for other people to enjoy.

This episode features Joe and Lisa Perry, the owners of Carmen’s Kayaks.   This is the story of how they discovered Pine Island and met Carmen.   From their very first meeting with Carmen to multiple trips with their family and Carmen over many years,   you will discover this journey was meant to be.   Joe and Lisa purchased Carmen’s Kayaks in May 2022. To listen to the podcast, use your favorite...

This episode features Dennis Borcky, the owner of Froggy’s.   Dennis knew Froggy’s was a great place thanks to the culture that Romana built.   Six months after taking over Froggy’s, hurricane Ian brought 4 ft of water into the building.   Dennis used his construction experience and turned the disaster into an opportunity, redesigning and rebuilding Froggy’s while maintaining the vibe of Pine Isla...

This episode features Captain Cathy, Charter Boat Captain and owner of Captain Cathy Eagle Boat Tours .   Captain Cathy has spent more than 40 years delighting her passengers with her wildlife knowledge and her talent for attracting dolphins during her tours. Captain Cathy, known as the Dolphin Whisperer, is also a musician and writer for The Pine Island Eagle and Nautical Mile Magazine. To listen...

This episode features John Petrus, owner of That BBQ Place in Matlacha.   John creates Central Texas-style barbecue using salt and pepper smoked slow over oak wood.   After hurricane Ian,   the restaurant needed to be rebuilt however, his smoker survived.   John felt he had a responsibility to feed people stating,   “People needed to be taken care of and I had the equipment to feed people”.   John...

This episode features Jeff Abbott a painter and figurative artist from Bokeelia, Florida. Jeff has been delighting people with his Figurative Artwork for more than twenty years.   Much of Jeff’s life-sized 3D artwork surrounds his home in Bokeelia and he says half the fun is in finding his home.   Jeff believes in this saying, “Whatever you can imagine, you can create” which is why there are no li...

This episode features Jasmina Pirganoski describing how she and her husband Artur discovered Matlacha, Pine Island. They were so impressed, they found themselves visiting just about everyday and they decided to open their new store in Matlacha called, Tropical Jewelry and Matlacha Hammock Company.   Jasmina is amazed by the friendliness and closeness of the Matlacha island community.   She loves h...

This episode features Onofrio Demattia, an award winning master jeweler who designs and creates original jewelry. Onofrio tells his amazing story of being a master jeweler.   After being born in Italy, studying and working in New York, and cruising throughout the world, he talks about discovering Pine Island and how he fell in love with Matlacha.   Onofrio opened Onofrio D Oro Fine Jewelry Boutiqu...

This episode features Larry and Linda Solinger telling their story of how they transformed their gift shop into a Matlacha gift shop gallery.   It’s a wonderful story of a resilient couple who love Matlacha and how they built a new shop in Matlacha’s honor. For more information, email pineislandexperience@gmail.com

This episode features a courageous woman, Marnie Wiszewski, who dreamed of creating an animal shelter and then one day her dream came true.   Learn about her inspiration, Thomas O’Malley, a beautiful stray black cat who needed an isolation room when none existed.   Thomas brought good luck changing the outcome for cats lucky enough to be brought to Helping Paws Animal Sanctuary. For more informati...

This episode features Michael Dillevig and Brittney Bransfield, Owners of Hook’d Up Bait Co and Art Gallery, Hook’d Up Fishing Charters and Hook’d Up Home Solutions. They are Pine Island Locals and Entrepreneurs with a Devotion to Pine Island.   Their latest business is both a Bait Shop and an Art Gallery in Matlacha designed for locals and tourists.   Michael and Brittney are busy selling bait an...

This episode is about the Calusa Land Trust.  The purpose of the Calusa Land Trust is to protect the natural diversity and beauty of the Pine Island region by acquiring, managing and preserving in perpetuity environmentally sensitive or historically important land and to foster appreciation for and understanding of the environment and our past.   Robert Ballard talks about his life and his role as...

This episode is about Pam McCarty an award winning Licensed Massage Therapist.   Pam is focused on making people feel better through massage therapy.   When Pam received h er first massage she said, “This is the best thing I have ever had in my life and if I can  make people feel like this, that would be wonderful.” For more information, email pineislandexperience@gmail.com  

This episode is about Annisa Karim and the Randell Research Center.   Annisa is the Operations Manager and, as a wildlife ecologist and conservationist, she has a love of nature, a love of wildlife, and a love of teaching.   As you listen to the passion and excitement in her voice, you will realize she has found the job of her dreams on Pine Island. For more information, email pineislandexperience...

This episode is about Claude and Debbie, the owners of Uni-Scape Landscape & Design and Calusa Bug Spray.   They delight their customers with beautiful landscapes building waterfalls, fountains, ponds, Koi fish ponds, hardscape, flagstone and outdoor kitchens.   They invented the popular all-natural Calusa Bug Spray to keep the bugs away so people can enjoy the outdoors and backyard sanctuarie...

This episode is about Bryan and Diana, a fearless couple who changed their lives and followed their dreams by purchasing Gulf Coast Kayak eleven years ago.   Their dedication, innovation and hard work made it successful and award-winning.   After Hurricane Ian, they are rebuilding and operational while in search of a waterfront location.   As they said in the episode, “Time will tell and we’re jus...

This episode is about a delightful couple, Jerry and Cindee, owners of The Traders Hitching Post in Matlacha. Traders Hitching Post has been in business for more than 45 years offering fine handcrafted American Indian Jewelry and Art. Jerry and Cindee tell their wonderful story and share how much they enjoy meeting people who come into their store. For more information, email pineislandexperience@...

This episode features Patti Sweeney, owner of Sweeney’s SOS in Bokeelia on Pine island. This is a story about a very courageous and determined woman who follows her passions. Patti taught herself how to create all natural soaps, open and grow a lovely business on Pine Island and fill it with beautiful products and gifts. Patti’s focus is about community, the residents of Pine Island, and earning a...

This episode features Steve Cucura who together with his partner, Jesus “Jessy” Avalos created a tropical fruit paradise, FruitScapes on Pine Island. Steve talks about his passion for farming, how he discovered Pine Island and how he is always searching for new fruits.

DJ Ruscik, Madam President of the Matlacha Hookers and Julia Gaylor, Vice Madam sat down with us to discuss the Matlacha Hookers, a very wonderful organization serving Pine Island. We learned that the Matlacha Hookers are celebrating 25 years of service with a mission that has never changed, “Striving to make a positive difference in our community”. This constancy of purpose is one of the many rea...

Chuck and Nancy from Koucky Studios tell their remarkable story of how they have been creating art together for years. They describe their adventures owning galleries in Michigan and Florida until moving to Bokeelia. They have a new studio in their Pine Island location where they create art, develop new products, teach classes and host the Pine Island Potters Guild Shows. For more information, ema...

Lisa Dence, owner of the new restaurant Salty Girls Island Café describes her life and journeys on Pine Island before and after Hurricane Ian. She is a determined courageous women who figured out how to create a business in new locations. In this new journey, her next chapter, Lisa is thrilled to be where she belongs, back serving the community, greeting and feeding her customers. For more informa...

Jim Griffiths is an entrepreneur, an author and the owner-writer-publisher of the monthly Nautical Mile Magazine and the quarterly Destination Pine Island Visitor and New Resident Information Guide. In this episode, Jim shares his adventuresome life across the country and introduces his book, Don’t Tell Me I Can’t Do It! where he explains what it’s like to be an entrepreneur. As Jim explains, entr...

This episode introduces Tommy Kramer, owner of Kramer’s Kutting Edge.  Tommy can sharpen just about any knife or blade.  He is a certified locksmith, and he can duplicate the most difficult to find keys.  Tommy believes that Pine Islanders should never have to leave the island just to have something sharpened or to replace watch batteries.