It’s time again for our annual “Taste of Pine Island”, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Greater Pine Island, Inc. This year’s Taste will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 25, at Phillips Park, Pine Island Center.

Kiwanis holds the event for the following reasons:

1. The Taste of Pine Island is the primary fund-raiser for the Kiwanis Pine Island Youth Scholarship Fund. Each year deserving high school graduates, who either live on Pine Island or attended Pine Island Elementary School, are offered the opportunity to apply for scholarship funds to assist them in their ever-increasing costs of education. Since 1985, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Pine Island has provided more than $100,000 in scholarships. It’s more necessary now than ever and is an investment in the future of our community. Participation in The Taste of Pine Island helps support this important effort.

2. To provide an event for local businesses to showcase their businesses, products and services to other area residents.

3. Is to provide a full day of nothing but, food, drink and fun…

This is a family event with live music all day, Pine Island Trio, Skeeterland Band and Dogfish the Band. Also a wide selection of arts and crafts and Island Information, games and rides for the kids, rock-climbing, train rides, bounce houses, cotton candy, popcorn and ice cream from a double decker bus as well as some of Southwest Florida’s best food.

All food vendors will be offering portion sizes, so that attendees can try different fare for a true

“Taste of Pine Island” adventure.

Some of this year’s restaurants are Jackies Restaurant, in St. James City, Moretti’s Seafood Restaurant in Matlacha, Waterfront Restaurant & Marina, in St. James City, Sandy Hook Fish and Rib House, in Matlacha, Port of Peace, in Bokeelia, Domino’s Pizza, in St. James City, Pork Bellies BBQ in St. James City, Winn Dixie, in St. James City, Liberty Concessions, out of Punta Garda.

Organizers still have room for additional vendors. For an application to showcase your restaurant and guarantee your spot at the “Taste of Pine Island,” call the number below.

In addition to the Taste, Kiwanis will hold its sixth annual Chowder Cook-off Contest with a Peoples’ Choice award. Each year the Chowder Cook-off has grown in popularity with cooks vying to be the “best”.

Early sign ups for the Chowder Cook-Off for 2009 is Jackies Restaurant, in St. James City, Perfect Cup, in Matlacha, which was the winner in 2008, Winn Dixie, in St. James, Port of Peace, in Bokeelia and Lazy Flamingo Restaurant in Bokeelia who was the chowder winner in 2007.

Perfect Cup won for 2008, Lazy Flamingo Restaurant won in 2007 and Waterfront Restaurant win in 2006, 2005 and 2004. If you would like to enter your winning chowder just call Pat at 283-0777 and the Kiwanis will get you all the paperwork you need to try to be the 2009 winner.

The culmination of the day’s activities is the ever-popular “fish drop”. You’ll see 2,500 brightly colored plastic fish drop from a crane, high above the ball field at Pine Island Center. Three cash prizes are awarded for the fish closest to the target. The grand prize is $1,000, second place is $500 and third place is $250. Call for locations to purchase your winning ticket.

The following businesses are samples of who will participate in 2009:

Matlacha/PI Firefighters, with their famous Margaritas, Traders Hitching Post, in Matlacha displaying her Native American Jewelry; Caloose Land Trust, Island information; Capt. Richard May, charters and more; Clarence Hester displaying woodwork; Oh Soap, with Handmade Natural Soaps; Kingfisher Aerial & YouCanFly.com, Information, Paradise Gardens, with her Jared Tropical Fruits; Randell Research Center, with Calusa Heritage Trail Items; Order of the Golden Brush, Artwork; Pine Island Community Church Youth Group, Sell Water, Florida In A Jar, Mango Butter, Key Lime Jelly, Gvava Jelly and more, Dottie Krenzke, Hand Painted Purses, Stephanie Martin, Dichroic Jewelry, MPI Properties Inc., FREE STUFF, Pine Island Cycles, Inc., Information, Juanita D’Anna, Arts and Crafts, Laura DeVoe, Hand Crafted Jewelry, Mike Woods, Gems, Phillis McGormick, Chair Massages, Alison Laccetti, Fussed Glass Pendants, Sue Eslinger, African Butterfly Hair Clips, Karen’s Kreations, Fused Glass Jewelry, Champ Planet, Gourmet Pickles and more, Mariner High School, cakes and cookies, Kiwanis Koolies, Collectibles, Snow Cone’s, I Like it Like That Bakery, Cheese Cakes, Tooth Fairy, Shamrock Ice, ENR Enterprises Solar & Electric Solutions Solar, Information, N. Kae Creation, Hand Painted Furniture, Pine Island Winn Dixie, Sweets and More Roger & Sue Bowery, Angl’s Bracelets, Creative Coast Preschool, Games for the Kids, Beacon of Hope, Raffle, Pine Island Garden Club, Raffle, Douglas Loccisano, Fashion & Sports, Ad&PrintCraft, Website Design & Printing, These are some of the vendors at the time of this publication. Check the Web site for Vendor Updates. Web site sponsored by Ad&PrintCraft of S.W. Florida www.PineIslandKiwanis.com

Kiwanis would like to extend a special thank you to all that helped sponsored this great event. Stage Sponsors: SunTrust Banks, Greater Pine Island Water Association and Honc Industries, Chowder Sponsor: LCEC, Event Sponsors: Budweiser, Carl’s Services, Pine Island Realty, Inc. CoveFarms, Riverside Bank, Ad&PrintCraft of SW FL., SW Capital Bank, Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce, Nautical Mile Enterprises, Vesuvio Italian Grille, & Brinson G. Melville, Attorney at Law.

Tickets will be available the day of the event and can be purchased at the gate. $5 per adult, children under 10 admitted free. Parking and Bus Shuttle is included in ticket price.

If you have any questions about the “Taste of Pine Island” contact Pat at 239-283-0777 or email Printing@AdandPrintCraft.com Check out the Web site for updates. www.PineIslandKiwanis.com

Source: Kiwanis Club of Greater Pine Island