Pine Island Experience

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.

This is wonderful story of Sara Brinks who decided to move to Pine Island and start a business. With the help of her family and friends, Sara came up with the idea of The Frozen Flip Flop, a lovely frozen yogurt shop. The Frozen Flip Flop opened on July 21, 2022, and then Hurricane Ian hit. For more information, email pineislandexperience@gmail.com

This episode features Capt. Gregg McKee of Wild Fly Charters. Capt. Gregg started his fishing career as a young man after moving to Key West in 1992. Capt. Gregg started fishing the waters surrounding Pine Island in 2001 when his parents retired to beautiful Matlacha, Fl. He immediately fell in love with the area and now spends his time chasing tarpon, redfish and snook from Boca Grande to Sanibel...

This episode introduces Jim Coffey owner of Tackle Craft of Pine Island. Jim has been crafting custom fishing rods in St James City for over a decade. Jim turned a hobby into a business, and he couldn’t be happier. Arlene, Jim’s wife joined us on the interview, and you will hear how proud she is of her husband’s craft. To listen, use your favorite podcast app or use our website https://pineislande...

Jay Sanderson and Steve Soloway, Island Tactical business partners, speak of what they did immediately after Hurricane Ian and how they recently celebrated a grand reopening of their store. They discuss their dedication to the island and passion for customers. They talk about their commitment to providing great products and services while loving what they do and having fun. Jay and Steve share the...

Judd Payne and his daughter, Kaelyn from Island Bikeworks in Bokeelia describe starting up their family business on Pine Island. We learn how close they are as a family and how they strive to make their customers happy and get people riding again as quickly as possible. They live by their commitment, always going the extra mile to provide great services, sales, or rental experience at their shop....

The owners of Blondies Coffee Co., Rachel and Joe describe the journey to their dreams. We hear how they met and how they decided to move back to Pine Island right before Hurricane Ian. While dealing with the aftermath of Ian, they researched and created their coffee business opening in April 2023. They are enjoying their new business on Pine Island, “Striving to serve the community with great cof...

Chef and owner Reid talks about his new restaurant on Pine Island. You will hear his passion for creating great food and serving ice cold beer. We learn how he grew up in Florida, worked all his life in restaurants, graduated from Le Cordon Bleu and dealt with the challenges of Hurricane Ian. Reid is living his dream on the island with his motto, “Drink Local, Eat Local and Keep it Simple”. Listen...

This episode is a conversation with Joanne Lembo where we hear about her career of service and how her initiative and experience helped other Pine Islanders after Hurricane Ian. Joanne has an amazing life story that you will not want to miss. For more information, email pineislandexperience@gmail.com