On a “golly it's great to be here” sunny Saturday, February 19th, the Pine Island Garden Club celebrated its 20th Annual Garden Gala at Phillips Park. Hundreds of local islanders and visitors participated in its “Gardening For Health” theme. Over 70 vendors exhibited multiple home and garden products. Also to entertain were silent auctions, raffle tickets (featuring gifts from supporting local merchants) and spin-the-wheel prizes. The emcee, Herb Smith, enlivened the crowd while Frank Tuma charmed all with his island music and Pine Swine's Nauti Tiki tempted the participants with pork taste treats.  Garden Gala chairperson, Beth Smith, commented “What a tremendously successful gala, resulting from the efforts of so many of our members and local businesses. We raised funds for the Club's support of island organizations and had fun and camaraderie in the process. This is a day we recognize that Pine Island and its people are truly special.”Initial tallies conclude this is the Garden Club's best ever gala with net proceeds in excess of $10,000. These funds will be utilized not only to maintain the grounds at the Phillips Park, Museum of the Islands, Bokeelia Post Office and the PI Elementary School, but also financially support many benevolent local organizations such as the Calusa Land Trust, PI Food Pantry, CROW, Beacon of Hope and the Kiwanis Children's Park.