by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino You couldn’t find a more Island Insider than Nicole Decker-McHale, currently Executive Director of Community Housing and Resources, where she’ll be celebrating her one-year anniversary later this month. A 30-year islander, Decker-McHale started her volunteer career at the Sanibel School. “My kids attended there, so I was with the PTA,” Decker-McHale explained, “Then the kids were in Optimist Junior Club...

by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino In 1958 Deb McQuade (Gleason), her parents, brother Mark and sister Judi arrived on Sanibel Island in the family Chevy station wagon, which was soon converted to be a mosquito fogging vehicle. Change came quickly in so many ways as the family built cottages next to their gulf-front home, met island families at the bayside Bailey's General Store, joined the...

by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino Recently, the Santiva Chronicle put out a call for nominations to highlight the wonderful people we have in our community who make our island a special place and a better place to live. We received several nominations and as part of this feature are writing about Billy Kirkland, a true Island Insider. Billy Kirkland has touched many lives on Sanibel....

by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino Recently, the Santiva Chronicle put out a call for nominations to highlight the wonderful people we have in our community who make it a better place to live. We received several nominations and are beginning this feature with beloved island character Ranger Toni Westland of the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Toni Westland is known as the cheerleader for...