Local pilot club installs new member/attends event
The Pilot Club of Fort Myers Beach held its monthly dinner meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Art Association. Highlights of the meeting included special guest Susan Lester of Naples, Pilot’s SW FL District Lt. Governor, and installation of new member, Maggie LeBlanc.
The club also assisted with Monofilament Madness on Oct. 25, and is in preparations for the second annual Casino Night to be held on Jan. 23. More information on this major fund raising event will be coming soon. For information on the Pilot Club, a local volunteer service organization, or membership, please call 463-4877.
Every year the Pilot Club of Fort Myers Beach assists the Keep Lee County Beautiful organization with their annual marine cleanup program, Monofilament Madness. On Sunday, Oct. 25, over 150 volunteers went out in boats and kayaks to remove monofilament fishing line and other harmful debris from the mangrove area in Estero Bay. Participants came from across the county including students from the Volunteer Corps at Florida Gulf Coast University, the Oceanography class from Edison College, Phi Theta Kappa (International Honor Society) from Edison College, the Fort Myers Area Kayaking Group, the Florida Paddling Trail Association, employees from the Timberland Store at Coconut Point, the Fort Myers Beach Pilot Club, as well as members of the community.
A large amount of monofilament line was collected, in addition to hundreds of pounds of other debris. Some of the more unusual items were a nearly full can of paint, a fire extinguisher, a tire, a large fiberglass bait well, two extremely large tarps, two 20 pound boat anchors, garden edging, a submerged, damaged inflatable dinghy, lots of lumber, carpeting, ropes, garbage cans and many, many other items. The total estimated weight exceeded 2200 pounds. Members and spouses of the Ft. Myers Beach Pilot Club were recognized for bringing in over 675 pounds of debris. Professor Ross’s Oceanography Class from Edison College was second with approximatly 400 pounds, and the Elrubaie family (father and two small sons) brought in over 300 pounds. Phil Nedeau from the Fort Myers Area Kayaking group brought in the most unusual item, a child’s Sit and Spin toy.
An Appreciation cookout, provided by Sam Galloway Ford and prepared by Rib City, was enjoyed by all the volunteers. Kayaks for the event were donated by GAEA Guides of Fort Myers.