Monthly Archives: October 2023

S1E26, Larry and Linda Solinger, Owners of Matlacha Menagerie, Loving Creators of a Matlacha Gift Shop Gallery



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


S1E25, Marnie Miszewski, Executive Director Helping Paws Animal Sanctuary, How a Lucky Black Cat Made her Dream a Reality



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 information, email pineislandexperience@gmail.com


S1E24, Michael Dillevig and Brittney Bransfield, Owners of Hook’d Up Bait Co and Art Gallery, Pine Island Locals and Entrepreneurs with a Devotion to Pine Island



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 and adding fishing-related items to the shop and artwork created by local artists.  Their dream is that their customers visit often and join them in their journey as they grow.

For more information, email pineislandexperience@gmail.com


S1E23, Robert Ballard, President of the Calusa Land Trust, A 3rd Generation Pine Islander Dedicated to Preserving Pine Island



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 CLT President. Robert presents the history and current activities of the Calusa Land Trust.  He talks passionately about the challenges of trying to acquire land.