Shelly, John and Kathleen Pine. PHOTO PROVIDED<\/p>\n
Islander Shelly Pine said she would describe herself as a retired public educator. She taught high school and admits she finds youth of that age fascinating. <\/p>\n
She and her husband, retired firefighter John Pine, are fairly new to Pine Island from Virginia. Because of their surname, Pine said, when friends find out that she and John have moved to Pine Island, she\u2019s often asked jokingly whether they have purchased an island.<\/p>\n
Pine said she also identifies as a member of FISH and the Friends of the Library as she enjoys volunteer positions with both organizations.<\/p>\n
The idea that the island was somewhere entirely unique came right away, she said. <\/p>\n
\u201cAbout 4 years before we found Pine Island, we would come on vacation. We went to Miami, Naples, Marco, Fort Myers Beach- all the things. We drove to Sanibel but when we drove onto Pine Island, well, we knew that minute it was home,\u201d Pine said. <\/p>\n
Feeling as though Pine Island was as close as possible to the agricultural aspect they loved about Virginia came easily, as she said, the couple noted cows in fields on the side of Stringfellow Road as they drove along. <\/p>\n
When it comes to making a contribution to the island, she said her volunteer work, such as what she does with the FISH organization, has offered her an opportunity to meet a tremendous number of people. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe thing about this island that\u2019s so incredible is the ability to have the best neighbors and the greatest people around me. I find myself amazed at the beautiful community we\u2019ve moved into,\u201d Pine said.<\/p>\n
She began with FISH as one of the volunteers who answers the phone, she said, admitting the position brought her too much stress. Now she\u2019s taken the position as secretary, which she concedes is far less pressure, and therefore a far better way to spend her retirement years.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fact that FISH does things for children as well as all the other services during the year \u2014 we get to do Basket Brigade for Christmas and back to school ,so we get to reach so many people on the island and I think that is incredibly important,\u201d Pine said. <\/p>\n
If having to describe Pine Island to someone unfamiliar with it, she said she would tell them it\u2019s a tight-knit community of people who care for one another with many organizations to back them up, many of which they have joined, she said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a place for everyone. You can find your place here,\u201d Pine said.<\/p>\n