Category Archives: Podcast

S1E28, Jasmina Pirganoski, Owner of Tropical Jewelry and Matlacha Hammock Co, Living Her Island Dream



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 her little store because she enjoys meeting happy people everyday from all around the world.

For more information, email pineislandexperience@gmail.com


S1E27, Onofrio Demattia, Owner of Onofrio D Oro Fine Jewelry Boutique, Award Winning Master Jeweler Designing Original Jewelry



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 Boutique in Matlacha and he was quickly greeted with hundreds of customers.  He is living his vision of designing  an extraordinary boutique.

For more information, email pineislandexperience@gmail.com


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.


S1E22, Pamela McCarty, Licensed Massage Therapist, Voted Best of Pine Island Three Years in a Row



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 her 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

 


S1E21, Annisa Karim, Randell Research Center Operations Manager, A Wildlife Ecologist and Conservationist Living her Dream



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@gmail.com


S1E20, Claude and Debbie Memoli, Uni-Scape Landscape & Design and Calusa Bug Spray, Your Backyard is Your Sanctuary



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 sanctuaries.

For more information, email pineislandexperience@gmail.com


S1E19, Bryan and Diana Stockbridge, Gulf Coast Kayak, Promoting Paddle Sports Safety and Environmental Stewardship through Education and Outreach



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 just going to keep pushing forward and with faith, we know good things will happen.”

For more information, email pineislandexperience@gmail.com