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🥬✨In this episode, we sit down with Bill and Benet Kazokas of Flor-Da-Lee Farm in Bokeelia.  In 2013, they stepped away from corporate life, purchased 2.5 acres of agricultural land, and began growing specialty artisan lettuce — now supplying hotels, country clubs, and restaurants across Naples and Fort Myers. Today, they nurture 60 varieties for seven months each year, while Benet has expanded the farm’s offerings with her growing passion for ornamentals, herbs and artistic planters.🌸🌿

🌱With agricultural experiences that span Mexico, Australia, Brazil, and Argentina, and a deep commitment to the Pine Island community through the Garden Gala, Island Market, Potters Guild and Friday Night Art Walk, their story blends global perspective with local purpose. Join us as they share the challenges, inspirations, and unexpected joys that shaped Flor-Da-Lee Farm — and the vision they carry into the island’s future.🌴

✨“It spoils you.  Once you start to taste flavorful food, it’s hard to accept anything else.”   —Bill Kazokas✨

💚”It’s nice to get feedback from other people and encouragement and to see that people really like what you’re doing.” —Benet Kazokas

🎧 Listen on any podcast app or at pineislandexperience.com

🌐 Learn more at flordaleefarm.com

📧 We’d love to hear your thoughts: pineislandexperience@gmail.com

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:57 — 43.4MB)

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⚓️📚This week, we dive into mystery, law, and life along Pine Island Sound with author and attorney John D. Mills.

🌅🐟 A fifth-generation Fort Myers native, John grew up fishing these waters — and today, he channels that deep local knowledge into his nine-book fictional mysteries set right here in our coastal backyard.  In his first three books, his main character is Detective Doug Shearer with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Detective Shearer solves murders set on islands in Pine Island Sound in these books: Reasonable and Necessary, The Manatee Murders, and The Objector. The fourth book, Sworn Jury, is a legal thriller about a murder at the Historic Edison Home in downtown Ft. Myers.  John’s characters in his recent five books: The Trophy Wife Divorce, The Hooker, the Dancer and the Nun, Pineland Gold, Cayo Costa Cross and Captiva Coven are divorce attorney, Beth Mancini and longtime boyfriend, Frank Powers, prosecuting attorney. 

🏝️💛 John’s writing blend courtroom tension with the heritage and heart of the islands we love. From years in the legal field to a lifetime on the water, his stories carry the depth of real experience.  From his years as a prosecutor and defense attorney to his passion for preserving local stories, John gives us a rare glimpse into the real people and places that inspire his thrillers.

✨ On fishing Pine Island Sound, “Going out on the water, it reminds me of my younger days and it uses a different part of my brain.”  — John D. Mills✨

🎧 Listen on any podcast app or at pineislandexperience.com

📚 Learn more at pineislandsoundmysteries.com

📧 We’d love to hear your thoughts: pineislandexperience@gmail.com