Anna Maria Island Sun December 7, 2022

Guy Harvey visits AME to dedicate academy

World-renowned wildlife artist, conservationist and businessman Guy Harvey visited Anna Maria Elementary School to dedicate the new Guy Harvey Academy of Arts and Science.

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH - Prior to the start of the 202223 school year, Anna Maria Elementary School (AME) announced it would be home to the world’s first Guy Harvey Academy of Arts and Science, and Dr. Harvey dedicated the academy in person on Friday.

The academy, which focuses on marine sciences, conservation and the arts, is a collaboration be tween the School District of Manatee County and the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF).

With the academy up and running and students and staff beyond enthusiastic, Harvey met students and staff and saw the academy’s progress on dedi cation day.

Harvey has devoted his talent, time and re sources to protect oceans, fish populations and reef systems through the development of the Guy Harvey Research Institute at Nova Southeastern University and the GHOF. Those institutions have made numerous contributions to protecting fish resources and biodiversity in the world’s oceans.

Harvey is also an internationally known artist, and his artwork is regularly featured in galler ies, on his hugely successful line of apparel and many other products. He holds a degree in marine

Boat parade draws merrymakers to pier

The Fourth Annual Holiday Faire and Boat Parade brought crowds to a festive party on Bridge Street on Saturday.

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – Sparkling lights attracted a holiday crowd to the Bradenton Beach Pier to watch the Fourth Annual Bradenton Beach Holi day Boat Parade on Saturday.

Boat owners were invited to show their holiday spirit by decorating their vessels in the festive parade along the Intracoastal Waterway. In addition to being a lot of fun, cash prizes were up for grabs, and it was obvious to any

spectator that a lot of work went into decorating the boats.

The parade had 26 entries with the award for Best Decorated Vessel going

JASON SCHAFFER | SUN

Dr. Guy Harvey speaks to students and staff at Anna Maria Elementary School before taking a tour of the school, including the new Guy Harvey Academy of Arts and Science.

to Paradise Boat Tours and the award for Most Enthusiastic Vessel going to Ronald Lorfing on Knotty Times, “Cel ebrating Florida’s Space Heritage.”

Bridge Street closed to traffic starting at noon to allow the large crowd plenty

MIA STILL | SUBMITTED

The Holiday Boat Parade awarded the Best Decorated Vessel to Paradise Boat Tours (right) and the award for Most Enthusiastic Vessel went to Ronald Lorfing on Knotty Times (above), “Celebrating Florida’s Space Heritage.”

Lester Family Fun Day lives up to its name

Hundreds of people came to The Center of Anna Maria Island to enjoy the 20th Annual Lester Family Fun Day.

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA - Sunshine, warm weather, tasty food and plenty of attractions made the 20th Annual Lester Family Fun Day at The Center of Anna Maria Island the perfect event for families to get outside and enjoy themselves.

The event, sponsored by Holmes Beach residents Joey and Chuck Lester, took place Saturday, Dec. 3.

“This is so great, being out here in the sun with the kids, and it doesn’t cost a fortune,” said Anna Rotz, of Bradenton, who brought her daughter, Katie. “It’s Decem ber and it’s 80 degrees and the sun is shining; only in Florida!”

DJ Freeze did an excellent job of keeping the music upbeat with both kids and their parents danc

Above, kids and parents cheer on Santa and the Grinch as they have an epic dance battle at this year’s Lester Family Fun Day at The Center of Anna Maria Island. Right, there were plenty of activities and attractions for kids to enjoy at this year’s Lester Family Fun Day, including this slide that was a kid favorite.

ing outside, as well as hosting a dance battle between Santa and the Grinch (spoiler alert, Santa won). There was a huge slide, bounce ball and other attractions that allowed the kids to burn off some energy while parents chatted and mingled.

The highlight of the event again this year was the helicopter golf ball drop. People could purchase

a numbered golf ball which was loaded onto a helicopter. When the chopper hovered over a makeshift golf hole in the field behind the center, the balls were dropped. The ball that came closest to the hole won $1,000.

The children loved the helicopter, and one lucky adult almost certainly loved their big win.

JASON SCHAFFER | SUN

IN BRIEF

Bethlehem Walk returns Sunday

On Sunday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m., Roser Church will take to the streets of Anna Maria to re-enact the mystery and joy of that Holy Night! The Bethlehem Walk is exciting for people of all ages, from the littlest of angels to the wisest of men. Invite friends and neighbors to join the excitement. The journey begins in front of the Roser Church Sanctuary, with cookies and hot chocolate pro vided afterward. The walk consists of taking the journey to Bethlehem (one block in Anna Maria) with Mary, Joseph and the animals (a llama, donkeys, goats and more) in search of shelter. While traveling from “inn” to “inn” they will sing Christmas carols. Back at the church, there will be a celebration of the birth of Jesus followed by refreshments and fellowship. Costumes are avail able in the Fellowship Hall to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis. Everyone is also welcome to create their own costume, or just come and enjoy. Any weather cancellations will be posted at www.roserchurch.com.

Sun staffers finalists in Florida Press Club awards

Two Anna Maria Island Sun staff members are finalists for awards in the Florida Press Club’s 2022 Excellence in Journalism Competition. Reporter and Digital Editor Kristin Swain is one of three finalists in the Environmental News Writing category and cartoonist Steve Borggren is one of three finalists in the Editorial Cartooning category. The awards will be unveiled on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023 in Daytona Beach.

Parking tram, resiliency plans on CRA agenda

The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency meeting is set for Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 9:30 a.m. The agenda calls for a discussion on the Old Town Tram parking shuttle service and discussion about the plans developed for a potential flood resiliency project along Bay Drive South. The board will also be asked to authorize the payment of a $3,860 invoice from the Easy Parking Group that provides the Old Town Tram service and two invoices from Coastal Engineering Consultants totaling $23,885.

Price increased for new police vehicle

A pickup truck being purchased for the Bradenton Beach Police Department will cost $7,400 more than originally expected. On Dec. 1, Police Chief John Cosby told the city commission the vehicle was supposed to be part of the 2022 production line but that production line shut down and the 2023 production cycle has begun, so the cost of the vehicle has increased to $53,898. The new vehicle is being purchased using a portion of the American Rescue Plan funds the city received as part of the federal government’s COVID-19 recovery efforts.

Correction

The Anna Maria Island Christmas parade will begin Saturday, Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. A story in the Nov. 30 edition of The Sun stated otherwise.

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Island Rider offers free shuttle service

Island Rider owners also own the Island-based CabanUp and Loaded Kitchen businesses.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The new Island Rider shuttle service provides Island residents and visitors with another option to get around the Island.

Using street-legal golf carts, Island Rider is a free, tips-only, ondemand shuttle service that began operating in early November.

Co-owner Kevin Crump intro duced himself and the new shuttle service to the Anna Maria mayor and city commission on Nov. 11, saying that Island Rider was interested in providing ground transportation for the water taxi passengers who will arrive and depart from the Anna Maria City Pier if and when Manatee Coun ty’s downtown Bradenton to Anna Maria Island water taxi service be gins as anticipated in early 2023.

Crump owns Island Rider with his business partner and fellow Indiana native Camden Parkhurst. Island Rider golf carts don’t travel a specific pre-designated route in search of passengers, but passengers can book a ride anywhere on the Island by calling 941-301-8732 or by using the web and cell phone application found at IslandRiderAMI.com. To use the online app, pop-ups must be enabled in your web browser settings. Island Rider AMI also has a Facebook page.

“We just started this, but it was a year and a half in the planning,” Crump told The Sun, adding that Island Rider started operating with two six-seat golf carts and ordered a third cart after one week of operations.

“If somebody in Anna Maria wants to go to Bridge Street (in Bradenton Beach), we’ll take them down there. Island Rider came about because Camden and I would bring our families down here, pack up everything to go to

shuttle service on Anna Maria Island.

the beach, get there and there’s no place to park. Everybody would have to unload their stuff and Camden and I would have to go back to the house, park the golf cart and walk back to the beach. At the end of the day, we’d go back and get the golf cart and pick everybody up. We thought it would be great if there was a service to take us out there and back. We could order it online like an Uber ride or call and ask to be picked up. That was our original idea,” Crump said.

ADDITIONAL BUSINESSES

Crump and Parkhurst also coown the Island-based CabanUp company that rents, delivers and sets up beach cabanas, umbrellas, beach chairs, beach mats, boogie boards, coolers and more for its clients.

Crump and Parkhurst took over the CabanUp business started by a friend before the COVID-19 pan demic struck. CabanUp provides its services from Bean Point in Anna Maria to 22nd Street North in Bradenton Beach. He noted CabanUp doesn’t operate on the county-owned public beaches in Holmes Beach and Bradenton

Beach where the county already has longtime tenant/vendors in place.

“We just added 32 new umbrel las,” Crump said of those expand ing business operations.

Crump and Parkhurst also co-own the Island-based Loaded Kitchen grocery delivery service that primarily serves vacation rental guests, many of whom arrive at their rental destination with their groceries, drinks and supplies already delivered and put away.

“People love it. We’ve been doing that for a few years,” Crump said of the Loaded Kitchen operation, which also serves Longboat Key.

“Camden and I sell fireworks in Indiana. We’ve been in business together for 15 years,” Crump said.

He also said he and his wife, Anne, hope to move to this area after she completes her final year working as a teacher in Indiana.

ISLAND RIDER/FACEBOOK | SUBMITTED Island Rider now provides a free

Enjoy Christmas in Cortez on Saturday

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | leslielake@aol.com

CORTEZ - It will be looking a lot like Christmas at the Florida Mari time Museum’s (FMM) second annual holiday festival.

The free, family-friendly Christ mas in Cortez event is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 10 from 1-4 p.m. on the museum grounds at 4415 119th St. W.

Chase said the primarily outdoor festival will have a bounce house, carnival maze, face painting, crafts for adults and children and a visit from Santa Claus.

“There will be a ‘12 days of Christmas’ contest with a scav enger hunt,” FMM Director Torie Chase said.

Library booths from both Sara sota and Bradenton libraries will be open, and the Early Learning Coali tion will distribute children’s books.

Crystal River Boat Builders will hold boat demonstrations and sailing demonstrations will be ongoing.

“There really is something for ev eryone,” she said. “It’s a fun family event that won’t break the bank.”

The Christmas tree is decorated in nautical flags at the Florida Maritime Museum in Cortez.

Admission is free and food will be available for purchase.

“Kona Ice will be here as well as Gamble Creek Farms,” Chase said.

“The Cortez Village Historical So ciety will have hot dogs for sale.”

Chase said that the 2021 festival attracted upwards of 300 attendees.

FMM is a project of the Manatee County Clerk of Court’s Historical Resources Department with addi tional support from The Friends of the Florida Maritime Museum.

The museum will be closed the two days prior to and the morning of the festival to allow for preparations.

Wicked Cantina hearing rescheduled

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – The City Commission has delayed a public hearing regarding Wicked Cantina’s efforts to permanently expand its out door seating area until Thursday, Jan. 19 at noon.

In November, the Planning and Zoning Board expressed preliminary support for the permanent expansion of the outdoor seating area that is cur rently temporary in accordance with city ordinanc es adopted in 2020 and 2021 that allow establish ments to temporarily expand their outdoor seating areas to provide for more social distancing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the board meeting, it was suggested that board members need to conduct a separate public hearing while acting as the city’s zoning board of appeals to recommend to the city commission a formal interpretation of a section of city code that pertains to setback requirements for outdoor din ing areas.

The need for a zoning board of appeals hear ing contributed to the city commission hearing being delayed. The delays do not impact Wicked Cantina’s ability to continue using its temporarily expanded seating area.

During the Dec. 1 meeting, Bradenton Beach resident David Bell shared his thoughts on the re quested expansion. Bell lives on Bay Drive South

LESLIE LAKE | SUN

3909 East Bay Drive, Suite 210, Holmes Beach, FL, 34217

Phone: (941) 778-3986

email: news@amisun.com | ads@amisun.com | classifieds@amisun.com

Thank you, humans!

Hello, my name is Faith, and I’m one of the many pups waiting for our furever homes at the shelter with Manatee County Animal Services.

Thanks to all of the generous humans who donated and bought bones and blankets, we’re all having a better holiday season here at the shelter. You made our wish for a wonderful Thanksgiving come true.

If you have room in your life for an adorable little girl, I’m still hoping that I find my forever home soon. I’m a happy girl with lots of love and kisses to share.

If you’re looking for a new family member or friend, please come and see all of the dogs just wait ing to find a home for Christmas.

Thank you,

Drop us a line

Got an opinion, a complaint or a compliment? Is there something you need to get off your chest? Send us a letter to the editor and have your say. There are a couple of ways to do it. The easiest and most direct is to email The Sun at news@amisun.com. Remember to put Letter to the Editor in the subject field. Or you can snail-mail a letter to us at The Anna Maria Island Sun,

P.O. Box 1189, Anna Maria, FL 34216. Letters should be kept to 300 words or less and must contain your name and the city in which you reside. Personal attacks and obscene language will not be printed. The Sun reserves the right to edit letters for length or content.

Faith (with help from Renee Ferguson) Holmes Beach

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

SUBMITTED | RENEE FERGUSON Faith is waiting for her furever home at Manatee County Animal Services.

ANNA MARIA

10005 GULF DRIVE

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130

Please visit www.cityofannamaria. com or contact city hall for more information.

Dec. 15, 2 p.m. – City Commission meeting

Dec. 23, all day – City offices closed, Christmas holiday Dec. 26, all day – City offices closed, Christmas holiday

BRADENTON BEACH

107 GULF DRIVE N.

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005

Please visit www.cityofbradenton beach.com or contact city hall for more information.

Dec. 7, 9:30 a.m. – Community Redevel opment Agency meeting Dec. 7, 2 p.m. – Scenic WAVES meeting Dec. 23, all day – City offices closed, Christmas holiday Dec. 26, all day – City offices closed, Christmas holiday

HOLMES BEACH

5801 MARINA DRIVE

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800

Please visit www.holmesbeachfl.org or contact city hall for more information.

Dec. 7, 10 a.m. – Parks and Beautifica tion Committee meeting Dec. 7, 5 p.m. – Planning Commission meeting

Dec. 13, 5 p.m. – City Commission meeting with work session to follow Dec. 14, 9 a.m. – Clean Water Ad-Hoc Committee meeting Dec. 23, all day – City offices closed, Christmas holiday Dec. 26, all day – City offices closed, Christmas holiday

EVENTS

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 7

Mah-jongg for beginners, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m.

THURSDAY, DEC. 8

Sunshine Stitchers Knit and Crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.

FRIDAY, DEC. 9

Forty Carrots, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m. Santa Stops Here, City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 4-5:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, DEC. 10

Robinson Runners, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 7 a.m.

Saturday Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon.

Origami Club, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Stressless Holiday Cooking with Chef Warren, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m.

Christmas in Cortez, FISH Preserve near the Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, 1-4 p.m. Music on the Porch, Florida Maritime Mu seum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, 2-4 p.m.

SUNDAY, DEC. 11

Bethlehem Walk, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 6 p.m.

MONDAY, DEC. 12

Sunset Tai Chi, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 6:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, DEC. 13

Farmer’s Market, City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Family story time, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island meeting, Slicker’s Eatery, 12012 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, 11:30 a.m. Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m. One-on-one tech help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2-4 p.m.

SEE EVENTS, PAGE 23

Folks line up for the free burgers traditionally

Treasures Open House.

Celebrating Santa Stops and Holiday of Treasures

The city of Anna Maria’s annual Santa Stops event is scheduled at City Pier Park on Friday, Dec. 9 from 4-5:30 p.m. Santa Claus will have gifts for the children who visit him. The city-hosted event will also fea ture holiday music and the announcement of the residential and business winners of the city’s Bright Holiday Lights decorating contest. The event will be followed that evening by the annual Holiday of Treasures Open House on Pine Avenue from 5:30-8 p.m. The open house is an excellent time to browse merchants’ offerings and do some holiday shopping at the Pine Avenue busi nesses. Participating merchants and busi ness owners will offer free refreshments, beverages, snacks, sweet treats, burgers, hot dogs and other food samplings. Some businesses will have live music. The Anna

Maria Historical Museum will remain open until 8 p.m. that evening. The Holiday of Treasures Open House is sponsored by The Anna Maria Island Historical Society and The Anna Maria Island Sun newspaper.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

served at Beach Bums during the annual Holiday of

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN Santa Claus will have gifts for the youngsters who visit him at City Pier Park.

New detour for drivers

Drivers through Holmes Beach city cen ter have a new detour to deal with. Con struction crews have begun work on Gulf Drive between 52nd Street and Holmes Boulevard, a job that is expected to take six weeks to complete. To accommodate the construction, Gulf Drive between 52nd Street and Holmes Boulevard is

northbound only with southbound traffic redirected to Holmes Boulevard to 52nd Street then back to Gulf Drive, creating a one-way traffic rectangle around the city center area. All businesses in the city center area - the intersection of Gulf and Marina drives - remain open during the roadway construction.

SUBMITTED | HBPD

A new traffic pattern is in effect in Holmes Beach city center for the next six weeks.

Holly jolly market

The Episcopal Church of the Annunciation in Holmes Beach held its Holly Berry Market last Saturday. Pictured clockwise above left, church member Francis Miller handles the crafts table; sporting sparkly antlers, church member Regina Percy oversees the raffle table; Annunciation Church Deacon Bruce Gillies rocks a stylish holiday hat; volunteers sell vintage jewelry.

LESLIE LAKE | SUN

Peppermint permeates Bridge Street

It’s a trip back in time as a fourth-generation candymaker displays how his family has been making holiday candy canes for more than 120 years.

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRISPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACHOnlookers called it the sweetest tear gas ever, as fourth-generation candymaker Peter Vrinios returned to the Fudge Factory on Bridge Street on Saturday for one of this month’s demonstrations of the old-fashioned way of making quality candy canes.

When Vrinios adds pure pep permint extract to the molten hot candy cane base that is still in liquid form, many onlookers had to step back to avoid the minty fumes, that - while harmlessmake many gasp for breath. The end result, however, would be delicious.

Vrinios’ grandfather built and established a confectionary in 1898 on Main Street in Champaign, Illinois after immigrating to the U.S. from Greece. That confectionary not only stood the test of time churning out ice cream and candy for 120 years, but was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1983. Though the confectionary no longer operates in Champaign, the building has not changed and now operates as a wedding venue.

Florida in 2004, Vrinios knew he had to bring his 107-year-old marble candy-making table so he could continue to do what he loves upon arrival.

When Vrinios arrived in Florida, he contacted Ben Kaminecki, who was making chocolate in his chocolate factory on St. Armands Circle in Longboat Key. Kaminecki said he would love to have Vrinios make candy, so they started the tradition of making candy canes there.

Making candy canes is hard labor, and would exhaust even the most physically fit people. Vrinios has hands that feel like bricks when you shake them, and throughout the more than hour-long process of making a single batch, he has no option for a single second of rest. If the mixture isn’t molded by hand before it cools and hardens, the intense process is a total loss. For this reason, very few people in the

can’t do this anymore,” Vrinios said. “Candy canes started in Biblical times. It started with chil dren crying and being restless in church. The priests began making peppermint sticks to hand out to children to pacify them during the services. The red was later added to represent the blood of Jesus, then the hook was added to rep resent the staff of Christ. I really enjoy the history and the process.” While the ingredients of sugar, water and peppermint extract are very simple, the process is far from it. It begins with a large copper pot slowly cooking the sugar and water. When it’s ready to take off the heat is a secret Vrinios is keeping to himself, but he has it down to the second. No guesswork is involved, he just seems to know. When it’s time, lifting the kettle off the heat to pour onto the pre-oiled marble table is a two-person job. With the

the master candymaker adds the peppermint extract, a process that immediately makes the air almost unbreathable.

The key to the process is not allowing the mixture to harden. From the time the hot liquid sugar hits the marble slab and the time it is too hard to work with, multiple helpers have to perform their roles simultaneously or the batch is busted. The batch is cut into three large chunks and while Vrinios pulls a third of the mixture on a metal hook attached to the wall, one helper adds red dye to their section and the other adds green.

The final stage of the process involves the candymaker using the side of his hand to make four shallow ridges, one on each side of the large square of candy. The green and red cigar-shaped pieces are each cut in half and added to the shallow ridges, alternating color on each ridge. This huge

candy canes the oldfashioned way. Three separately prepared slabs of candy are dyed separately, then twisted together with enormous force by the skilled hands of Vrinios, the way his family has been doing it since 1898.

piece of candy is then hand-rolled on one end which gives the colors the swirl you are used to seeing as the size is pressed and rolled from about 8 inches to the quarterinch candy cane that is the final product. Assistants cut each cane by hand then continue the final rolling to get the proper size. The signature hook is bent, then the candy canes are placed on a tray to cool.

There will be demonstrations on Saturday, Dec. 10 and Friday, Dec. 16 at 6:30 p.m., so there’s still time to see this amazing confectionary work of art being made in person. Watch through the front window, or come inside and get the full nose- and throat-burning experience (recommended).

5344 Gulf Drive

Holmes Beac h (941) 779-BEER

5350 Gulf Drive

Holmes Beac h (941) 251-3681

5346 Gulf Drive Holmes Beac h (941) 778-5788

JASON SCHAFFER | SUN

Fourth-generation candymaker Peter Vrinios and Fudge Factory owner Ben Kaminecki pour the molten hot candy on the 107-yearold marble slab in the first step of making

Christmas tree lighting brightens Holmes Beach

Hundreds of people showed up to mingle, sing Christmas carols and watch the lighting of the Chamber’s Christmas tree.

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH - At nearly 80 degrees, it may not have felt a lot like Christmas weather-wise, but the spirit of friendship, carols and Santa with his sleigh made the annual Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce Christmas tree lighting ceremony a festive holiday event.

Hundreds packed the Chamber parking lot to listen to CrossPointe Fellowship’s live band entertain the crowd with traditional holiday carols. There were treats, wine and plenty of mingling among locals and visitors alike. Stores in Holmes Beach also stayed open later to allow everyone the opportunity to shop after the tree was lit just after sunset.

“We have so many elite, one-of-akind special businesses here,” Cham ber President Terry Kinder said. “This

gives people not only the opportunity to shop local, but to find items they just wouldn’t find anywhere else. The busi nesses here appreciate all the support they get from the people who visit.”

While the event went off flawlessly, Kinder said there is one tradition that will end after this year. The “tree” has

always been lights strung from a tall pole in the shape of a tree, but there hasn’t been an actual tree. In 2023, that will change, making this annual event even bigger and better.

“In partnership with the City of Holmes Beach, we will be accepting donations to get a real tree out here

next year,” Kinder said. “Any kind of sponsorships or donations anyone would like to provide would be greatly appreciated.”

Kinder said the chamber also is working on a plan to raise money throughout the year for the event and will release details soon.

JASON SCHAFFER | SUN

Left, a holiday crowd gathers at the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce parking lot in Holmes Beach for the annual Christmas tree lighting. Right, CrossPointe Fellowship warms up the crowd with festive holiday music before the lighting of the Christmas tree at the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce.

Art Walk returns to Holmes Beach

The monthly Art Walk and Shop in Holmes Beach is set for Friday, Dec. 9 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Explore what Island Gallery West and The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island have to offer. Many neighboring shops will remain open late with special offers. Most participating businesses are located in the area of Gulf Drive and Marina Drive. Some of the participating businesses include: the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, Island Gallery West, Vinny’s Italian Kitchen, Freckled Fin Irish Pub, Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island, How Lucky AMI, The Doctor’s Office and more.

Rio Bravo at Movies in the Park

Weekly Classic Movies in the Park at City Pier Park in Anna Maria are scheduled every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Bring a blanket, chair and refreshments and enjoy a classic film next to the bay. The Dec. 13 pre sentation will be the John Wayne classic, “Rio Bravo." All showings are free and subject to cancellation due to adverse weather conditions.

Privateers Christmas Parade this Saturday

The annual Anna Maria Island Privateers Christmas Parade is set for Saturday, Dec. 10 at 10 a.m., beginning at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach and ending at City Pier Park in Anna Maria. Immediately following the parade, the Privateers will host A Children’s Party with Santa. All children are welcome and this family-friendly event is free. There’s still time to enter the parade; visit www.amiprivateers.org for details. The Privateers remind participants that since they are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, no political advertising or endorsements are permitted.

New program helps owners of dilapidated boats

The FWC’s Vessel Turn-In Program helps boat owners dispose of unwanted vessels.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | leslielake@aol.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND - When boating in area waters, it’s not hard to find multiple abandoned, sinking, junked or mechanically unusable boats littering the local shores and waterways.

Known as derelict vessels, these watercraft are more than just eyesores. They can cause the destruction of seagrass resources and endanger ma rine life, and when they block navigable waterways, they pose a navigational hazard to the boating public.

To help boat owners dispose of unwanted vessels before they become derelict, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is accepting applications for a newly-created Vessel Turn-In Program (VTIP).

“Derelict vessels are a prior ity for the FWC,” said Ashlee Brahier Sklute, public informa tion coordinator for the FWC’s law enforcement division.

“The Division of Law Enforce ment’s Boating and Waterways Section is spearheading a multi-year effort to dramati cally reduce the backlog of derelict vessels currently on the waters of the state.”

Upon approval of an applica tion, VTIP will take a surren dered vessel and dispose of it at no cost to the boat owner.

“Removing the vessel before it deteriorates into a derelict condition will prevent legal ramifications for the ves sel owner and will protect Florida’s valuable seagrass resources, marine life, and hu man life, safety and property,” according to the FWC.

Leaving a derelict vessel in state waters is a criminal offense and can carry serious penalties, including fines and jail time.

“Acting now is the best way to prevent legal action from occurring if the vessel be comes derelict,” VTIP Admin istrator Phil Horning said.

To qualify for VTIP, a vessel must be floating in state wa ters and cannot yet be deter mined derelict by law enforce ment. The owner must have at least one written at-risk warn ing or citation and possess a clear title to the vessel.

“During the 2021-2022 fiscal

year, $3.5 million was ap propriated for derelict vessel removal, nearly twice the appropriation for the 20202021 fiscal year,” Sklute said.

“With this funding, the FWC has worked with county and municipal partners to remove more than 140 derelict vessels from state waters this year.”

“Derelict vessel” is defined in Florida Statutes as “A ves sel left in a wrecked, junked, or substantially dismantled

condition upon any waters of the state of Florida. A vessel is wrecked if it is sunken or sinking; aground without the ability to be removed absent mechanical assistance; or remaining after a marine casu alty including but not limited to a boating accident, extreme weather, or a fire.

“A vessel is junked if it has been substantially stripped of vessel components, if vessel components have substantially degraded or been destroyed, or if the vessel has been discarded by the owner or operator.

“A vessel is substantially dismantled if at least two of the three following vessel systems or components are missing, compromised, incomplete, in operable or broken: the steering system, the propulsion system or the exterior hull integrity.”

To apply for or view program guidelines, visit MyFWC.com/ VTIP or call the FWC Boating and Waterways Division at 850-488-5600.

LESLIE LAKE | SUN

A half-sunken boat off the coast of Cortez has become a home for birds.

'Beatlemania Now' invading Anna Maria

Tickets on sale for Center concert series

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – Saturday night’s "Beatlemania Now" show will transport concertgoers through the 1960s, the decade during which The Beatles became the most famous and influential rock band in the world.

"Beatlemania Now" takes the stage at The Center of Anna Maria Island on Saturday, Dec. 10.

Tickets are available for $40 or $30 at The Center website, www.centerami.org/ events.

Dressed in matching suits and still sporting relatively short hair, The Beatles made their first live U.S. television ap pearance on the Ed Sullivan Show on Feb. 9, 1964 – a legendary performance that help launch the Beatlemania phe nomenon and inspired many other future musicians to start playing music.

As the decade progressed, The Beatles’ hair grew longer, their clothes got wilder and more colorful and their political and religious views became more public. After

they stopped touring in 1966, their studio recordings became more sophisticated, experimental and at times psychedelic.

These musical and visual changes will be highlighted during the Beatlemania Now show that also features vintage musical instruments and historic video footage.

Scot Arch created and continues to produce the “Beatlemania Now” show, whose origins date back to the mid-1980s.

Arch played the John Lennon role for many years, performing Lennon’s guitar and vocal parts until he replaced himself with a younger musician in 2018.

“Beatlemania Now” features left-hand ed bassist Joshua Jones as Paul McCart ney, Paul Bryck as John Lennon, Christo pher Colon as George Harrison and Chris McBurney as Ringo Starr.

SEE BEATLEMANIA, PAGE 34

ANNA MARIA – Tickets are available for all the concerts in the Bradenton Gulf Island Concert Series at The Center of Anna Maria Island.

The season kicks off Dec. 10 with Beatlemania Now, a Beatles tribute band playing the fab four’s biggest hits on the Island stage.

Next up is Tommy DeCarlo, former lead singer of legendary rock group Boston. DeCarlo plays The Center on Saturday, Jan. 21.

Grand Funk Railroad comes to the Island stage on Saturday, Feb. 25.

Ending the season is The Orchestra, starring former members of the Electric Light Orchestra, on Tuesday, March 21.

All shows take place on The Center’s field, rain or shine, and participants are asked to bring their own chair or blanket. No outdoor food or drinks are allowed, however, there will be a cash bar each night. Street parking and free valet parking are available onsite.

Doors open at 6 p.m. for each show with an opening act taking the stage at 7 p.m. fol lowed by the headlining act around 8 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.centerami.org/events. The Center is located at 407 Magnolia Ave. in Anna Maria.

The 'Beatlemania Now' show replicates the sounds and sights of The Beatles.

BEATLEMANIANOW.COM | SUBMITTED “Beatlemania Now” replicates The Beatles’ early years and their legendary “Ed Sullivan Show” appearance.

ANNE YARBROUGH | SUN

Raffle offers great prizes for a great cause

‘Tis the season to help those in need and possibly win a fantastic prize. Love Bradenton Beach is proud to be the sponsor of the “Shop Dine Play & Stay Grand Prize Raffle.” More than a dozen merchants in Bradenton Beach have donated gift cards and prizes valued at more than $2,300 for one lucky winner. Only 500 tickets will be sold. Tickets can be pur chased at Sea-renity, Back Alley or the Bridge Tender Inn (all on Bridge Street) through Saturday, Dec. 17. Tickets are $20 each or three for $50 with proceeds going to Turning Points, which offers a variety of services to help eliminate homelessness and help families on their path to financial independence. For more information, contact Amanda at 941-896-2222.

Off Stage Ladies meeting scheduled

The Island Players Off Stage Ladies will hold their next lunch/meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at noon at Scarpino’s Restaurant in Bradenton. If anyone is interested in joining Off Stage Ladies, please contact Roe Duncan, vice president of membership at 941-932-2798. Dues are $20 per year from June 1 through May 31. All meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month, October through May.

EVENTS

FROM PAGE 7

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 14

Island Time Book Club, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 6:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, DEC. 15

Tree Tots: Size Wise, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 10 a.m.

Island Morning Book Club, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10:15 a.m.

Sunshine Stitchers knit and crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.

Wildlife Spotlight: Shorebirds, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 4:30 p.m. Thursdays in Paradise Stroll featuring local art, music and food, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 5-8 p.m.

Movie Night: “The Grinch,” Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 6 p.m.

FRIDAY, DEC. 16

Forty Carrots, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

Mah-jongg Club – Experienced Players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m. Sunset Tower Walk, Neal Preserve, 12301 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 5:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, DEC. 17

Robinson Runners, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 7 a.m. Saturday mornings at the NEST, Rob inson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon. Master Gardner Tour, Perico Preserve, 11700 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 9 a.m.

Families Flock Together: Nature Orna ments, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 10 a.m. Meditation, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11 a.m. Christmas on Bridge Street and out

door movie, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 3-9 p.m.

MONDAY, DEC. 19

Climate Smart Series: Landscape and Conservation, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m.

TUESDAY, DEC. 20

Farmer’s Market, City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Family story time, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island meet ing, Slicker’s Eatery, 12012 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, 11:30 a.m.

Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.

One-on-one tech help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2-3:30 p.m.

Movies in the Park, “The Polar Express,” City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd. Anna Maria, 6:30 p.m.

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October 2022 tourist tax collections compared to October 2021

Anna Maria 30%

Bradenton Beach 0.8% Holmes Beach 1%

Manatee County Total* 39%

*(Anna Maria Island, Bradenton, Longboat Key, unincorporated Manatee County, Palmetto)

Manatee County’s 5% resort tax, or tourist tax, is collected from owners of accommodations rented for six months or less who charge the tax to their renters, in most cases, tourists. About 50% of the tax proceeds are allocated to Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau tourism marketing efforts, with 20% allocated to beach renourishment. The tax also partially funds tourism-related attractions such as the Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria piers. Amounts shown were collected in October and paid to the Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office in November. Manatee County totals include Anna Maria Island cities, Bradenton, the portion of Longboat Key within Manatee County, unincorporated Manatee County and Palmetto. To anonymously report a rental owner who may not be paying the tax, call 941-741-4809 or visit http://www.taxcollector.com/tdt-evader.cfm.

Source: Manatee County Tax Collector

OUTDOORS

Reel Time on the Road: Frankie's Two Boys Inn

RUSTY CHINNIS

akes rippled the wa ter’s mirror-smooth surface, revealing the school of bonefish as they worked their way off the vast shallow flat. Moving towards open water on the quickly falling tide, they were track ing a coral edge that fed into the middle bight of Andros Island, the largest and least populated of the 700 islands in the Bahamas. When they were 30 feet away, I launched a roll

cast, made one false cast, and landed my Peterson’s Spawn ing Shrimp 2 feet ahead of the school. I started my retrieve with a long, smooth strip that got the lead fish’s attention. As soon as it changed direction to intercept the fly, I paused, letting the fly dive for the bot tom. When the bonefish got close and started to “tip” down on the fly, I made another long strip that was quickly inter cepted. A short, sharp, strip strike set the barbless hook and I immediately prepared for the laser-fast reaction I knew was coming. True to form, the bonefish streaked to deeper water, making the fly line “rooster tail” across the surface in what must be

one of the most electrifying experiences in fly fishing. The first long run went 50 yards into the backing before the fish reversed course and raced back towards me faster than I could recover the line. I thrust the tip of the rod in the water to prevent slack from forming that might loosen the barbless fly and left it there until I was able to “come tight” again.

The first run was followed by three more, each a bit shorter but equally thrilling before I was finally able to get the bonefish’s head above water and work it to the boat. Reaching into the water, I lifted it belly first, causing it to quiet down for a quick posed photograph and release. Wave

after wave of fish poured from the flat that morning on what would be my best day of bone fishing ever. My companion, Rallis Pappas, and I took turns landing fish until I decided to get out and wade. Rallis and I were able to land close to 20 bonefish between us before

the falling tide emptied the flat. In the water I had shots at multiple schools of fish, allow ing me to land three and hook a fourth in quick succession. This was Pappas’ first time bonefishing, and I was quick

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN

Jimmy Harris, owner of Unicoi Outfitters in Helen, Georgia, with a middle bight bonefish.

Reel Time

December fishing forecast bountiful

CAPT. RICK GRASSETT

In December, you may find reds along with big trout concentrated in potholes, along the edges of bars or tailing on shallow grass flats on negative low tides this month. This is a good month for catch and release snook action around lighted docks in the ICW. Some lights will also have trout and reds, making it possible to get a dock “slam.” There may also be good action in the coastal Gulf with false albacore (little tunny), Spanish mackerel and tripletail, depending on conditions.

Spotted seatrout has reopened to harvest in southwest Florida with a three-fishper-person bag limit and a six-fish boat limit. Trout must be from 15”-19” with one allowed per vessel over 19”. I feel that it’s important to protect these larger trout, which are usually female breeders.

Snook remains closed to harvest in the Charlotte Harbor area. Full regulations and details can be viewed at https://myfwc.com/. However, catch and release snook fish ing around lighted docks can be good this month unless it gets too cool. I won’t target snook following a strong cold front or if the water dips below 60 degrees, since they may be stressed at that time. However, it can be very good in December under normal condi tions. Larger baitfish will thin out and snook will gorge themselves on glass minnows and small shrimp in the ICW at night. I like docks that have a good tidal flow and deep water under them. CAL jigs with shad tails and jerk worms, DOA Tiny TerrorEyz and DOA Shrimp are my favorite lures for snook at night. Fly anglers should do well with sink tip fly lines and small white flies. Fish peak

tidal flows for the fastest action.

You might find reds in potholes or along the edges of flats and bars on negative low tides. They may also tail on shallow grass when the tide is low. Weedless rigged CAL shad tails and 4” jerk worms, DOA Shrimp and lightly weighted flies with weed guards will work well in that situation. As the tide rises, reds will spread out and feed on shal low flats. You may also find them around docks this month. I usually let the stage of the tide tell me where to look for reds.

You may also find big trout in skinny water this month in many of the same areas where you find reds. The same lures and techniques that I use for reds will also work for trout in the same areas. You should also find trout on deep grass flats this month along with blues, flounder or pompano. Blues may sometimes feed on the surface, so bird activity may give their presence

away. Pompano may skip when you drift or run past them and when that happens, circle back upwind and drift through the area casting ahead of your drift. Flounder prefer a mix of sand and grass, particularly in potholes or on the edges of bars. I like to drift and cast ahead of my drift with CAL jigs and a variety of plastic tails or DOA Deadly Combos. Fly anglers should score with sink tip fly lines and weighted flies, like Clousers or my Grassett Deep Flats Bunny fly, which behaves like a jig with a shad tail. I like to fish shallow flats for reds and snook and deep grass flats that are close to passes, on points and along sand bars for trout, blues, flounder and pompano in December.

There should still be some action in the coastal Gulf with Spanish mackerel, blues, false albacore and tripletail. Rough or cold water later in the month may slow the

action and move fish south or offshore. Look for terns either diving or hovering low over the surface of the water to find albies, blues and mackerel feeding on the surface. Once you’ve found them, cast top water plugs or CAL jigs with shad tails to catch them. Fly anglers should score with glass minnow fly patterns, poppers or Crease flies. Sometimes top water plugs or fly poppers will draw fish to the surface, especially over structure. You’ll need to add wire or heavy fluorocarbon to your leader when blues and mackerel are around. Look for tripletail around crab trap floats or channel markers. Once you’ve located a fish, work back into the wind or current with an electric trolling motor to get into casting range and cast a DOA shrimp, a weedless-rigged CAL shad tail or lightly weighted fly with a weed guard to them.

FROM PAGE 26 to let him know what an amazing first day he was experiencing.

I was fishing with a group of friends out of Frankie’s Two Boys Inn in the Behring Point settlement on Cargill Creek, situated on the southern edge of Andros’s northern island. The “middle bight,” a vast and pristine wilderness of mangrove-lined cays surrounded by azure channels

and seemingly endless flats, is just a short ride from the lodge’s docks. On days with good weather and tides, an glers can elect to make the hour-long run to the West Side National Park, arguably one of the most remote and un spoiled areas in the Bahamas chain. Having fished South Andros for many years I made my first trip to Frankie’s last March and the experience led to this return trip. Andy Grosso, a friend from Sarasota, and I made that first trip

where we met Greg Huffman from Sarasota and Dana Fogle from Deland. This year they joined us again with friends, Michael Riter and Jimmy Harris, owner of Unicoi Outfitters in Helen, Georgia. We were joined mid-week by my brother from another mother and father, (stepbrother) Rallis Pappas from Atlantic Beach, Florida.

Readers of this column know of my love of bone fishing in the Bahamas, an experience I was eager to share with new fly anglers Riter and Pappas. Harris and I have fished the rivers of north Georgia on mul tiple occasions over the years and he has introduced me to many memorable experiences hunting for trout, stripers and bass on his home waters. During our week at Frankie’s, owners Melinda and Frankie, the guides, and lodge staff looked after our every need and although we experienced some rainy and windy days (typical of all my fishing trips) everyone had outstanding fishing for bonefish. While the fish ing was the “main course,” afternoons and evenings around the bar and dining room table were memo rable for the hilarious jokes and camaraderie.

Frankie’s is a great value and while it isn’t on the water and doesn’t have amenities for the family, everything a dedicated bone fisher needs is provided. If you’ve never fished for bonefish or are a dedicated angler, Frankie’s is a great choice. Getting there was quick and easy flying from Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport with Makers Air. For more information, check out Frankie’s Two Boys Inn at www.twoboysinn.com.

CAPT. RICK GRASSETT | SUBMITTED

December is a great month to fish shallow water. Kyle Ruffing and Jon Yenari had good action catching and releasing reds and snook on CAL jigs with shad tails while fishing Tampa Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett in a previous December.

Mistletoe marketing

Shoppers did some holiday shopping for unique art and locally made crafts at the Mistletoe Market on Dec. 3-4 at City Field in Holmes Beach.

REAL ESTATE

Family, finance and Pearl Harbor

Today is Pearl Harbor Day, memorial izing the attack on our Naval fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941. I’m sure there are many people who still live on Anna Maria Island who will either remember the events of that day or learned about them in school like I did. But what does Pearl Harbor have to do with family and finance? Family has always been important and still is, but in the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attack and the subsequent entrance of the United States into World War II, family ties became even more important.

With rising interest rates and slowing real estate sales, home ownership remains out of reach for many buyers, especially first-time buyers. Here’s where family ties come into play. One option available to help young buyers, especially those with poor credit ratings, is to have parents cosign the mortgage. A qualified cosigner can mean the difference between a buyer getting a mortgage approved or staying in their

Castles in the Sand

LOUISE BOLGER

one-bedroom rental. However, parents who may be perfectly willing to take this leap need to understand what their liability is.

Individuals who cosign a mortgage are totally liable for repayment of the loan, but are not owners of the home. Therefore, if your children stop paying the mortgage, you have no way to force them to sell the property. You’re stuck with all of the monthly payments but don’t have the typi cal rights of a homeowner.

Parents can, however, have all the rights of an owner if they become an investor in the property instead of just a cosigner. This at least gives them co-ownership in the property and vastly more decision-making

ability. No matter what is decided within your family, cosigning is a risk for parents who may be getting ready for retirement and can’t afford to risk their investment if things don’t turn out as planned.

For family members who have the financial ability, holding the mortgage for a family member is another option to help out children or other family members get into a home. Basically, the parents would act as the bank, and the children would pay back the mortgage based on agreed terms. It could be a win-win situation for all; the parents have the opportunity to help their children and the children end up with a much lower interest rate than commercially offered. There are IRS regulations that set a minimum interest rate for loans between family members to be considered.

This type of arrangement should have the appropriate legal paperwork that will satisfy the IRS that it is not a gift. Cash gifts to anyone, including children, have specific regulations on the amount of a gift that can

be given without any tax due. Registering the loan as a mortgage on the property at the local government office provides more benefits as well. The children can claim a mortgage-interest deduction for the mortgage debt, again with a limit based on federal tax regulations and their personal tax bracket.

Under the best of circumstances, entering into a financial arrangement with family members can be a challenge. There could be arguments about the maintenance of the property, jealousy from other family members and possibly a big financial risk for the cosigner or lender of the funds. Not something to enter into without consider able thought and professional assistance.

Franklin Roosevelt’s famous speech shortly after the Pearl Harbor attack ends with “a day that will live in infamy.” Keep that in mind when entering into a business arrangement with family, try to avoid your day of infamy.

BEACH BEAT

BRADENTON BEACH

11/25, 4:23 p.m., property damage, 200 Bridge St. The officer responded to the parking area for Anna Maria Oyster Bar in response to a woman who said her rental car had been keyed between the time she parked and returned to the vehicle. The officer saw a long scratch down the side of the car that he

agreed was most likely made by a key or some other metal object. A report was made for the rental company and no further action was taken.

SEX OFFENDER RELOCATION REPORT:

Hector Toledo Herrera

1603 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach

HOLMES BEACH

11/25, 3:38 p.m., found property, 3200 East Bay Drive. The officer was dis patched to Walgreens in reference to a suspicious package that was delivered

to the store. The officer met with the assistant manager, who said FedEx dropped off a package, and when she opened it she found two jars of mari juana inside. The employee called a phone number on the box and reached a female, who said she was expecting the package, but would not identify herself. Using shipping information, the officer was able to identify both the sender and the intended recipient. The marijuana was booked into evidence and the case remains open.

OBITUARIES

Kevin Aloysius Tattam

Kevin Aloysius

Tattam, 68, of Anna Maria Island, Florida, passed away on Nov. 23, 2022. He was born in Jersey City, New Jersey and moved to Anna Maria Island in 1992. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Betsy; and brother, Timothy Tat tam. A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, Dec. 2 at 1 p.m. at St.

Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach, Florida 34217 with burial at Fogartyville Cemetery. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory, 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd St. W., Bradenton, Florida 34209 is in charge of the arrangements. Con dolences may be made to: www. brownandsonsfuneral.com.

Celebrating the life of Dr. André Renard

A celebration of life for longtime Holmes Beach resident Dr. André Renard is scheduled at the Sara sota Polo Club in Lakewood Ranch

11/27, 4:07 p.m., battery, 5410 Marina Drive. A man came to the police station to report a battery that allegedly hap pened to him at Dcoy Ducks bar around 1 a.m. He said his ex-girlfriend was in the bar and as he walked to the restroom they got into an argument and security separated them. The man said that when he walked past her after using the bath room, she punched him in the eye and the bartender witnessed it. The man said he wished to press charges, so the officer took photos of the injury and forwarded the case to the detective.

on Saturday, Dec. 17, in the midfield pavilion from 2-6 p.m. The polo club is located at 8201 Polo Club Lane in Sarasota. Renard passed away on Tues day, Nov. 22 at the age of 82 due to compli cations from Parkinson’s disease.

CAROL WHITMORE SUBMITTED Dr. André Renard lived in Holmes Beach for nearly 30 years.

WICKED CANTINA: Hearing rescheduled

FROM PAGE 5

has previously expressed both support and concerns about some of the establishments near his home that are still operating with tem porarily expanded outdoor seating areas. Bell does not live near the Wicked Cantina restaurant, which is located at 101 Seventh St. N.

Regarding Wicked Cantina’s re quest, Bell said, “I’m in favor of it. I think it’s a great thing. It’s a good thing for them, it’s a good thing for the city, it’s a good thing for the residents and a good thing for the visitors.

“There are a couple points I want to make as you work forward on this. Make it very site specific. It’s not going to apply to other busi nesses. It’s just for this place. Some times when you set a precedent

like this it’s used as a precedent for other examples and I’d like to see that that doesn’t happen.

“I’d like to make sure that you have an airtight definition of what is going to go on and what’s not going to go on here. I think the open-air dining section of our LDC (land development code) is very loose. It doesn’t cover things like canopies or roofs. I’d like to see them continue with the umbrellas, but I would hate it if they start putting up four-byfour posts, put a roof on it, electrify the thing, put televisions in it and put a stage in it as we’ve seen in other places. I think you need to define this very carefully about what they can do and what they can’t do,” Bell suggested.

FWC reports red tide-related fish kills in Manatee waters

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | leslielake@aol.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND - Based on water samples taken on Dec. 2, red tide in Manatee County waters remains present at low to medium levels with reports of fish kills and respiratory irrita tion.

A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) report shows fish kills off both Bradenton Beach and Longboat Key, including catfish, ladyfish, bait fish, mullet and sheepshead.

The FWC Red Tide status map on Dec. 2 showed red tide in low concentrations at the Rod and Reel Pier in Anna Maria, while Longboat Pass had medium concentrations of the toxic algae. Red tide was not present at the Palma Sola Bay bridge.

Respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide was reported at the Beach Conditions Reporting System over the past week in Manatee County, includ ing on Coquina Beach and Mana tee Beach on Anna Maria Island.

Concentrations in waters off

Sarasota County continue to show levels in the low to high range, according to the report.

Red tide is caused by high con centrations of the microscopic algae Karenia brevis.

The FWC collects and analyzes red tide samples and updates results at MyFWC.com/redtide map/; status updates are issued twice weekly during blooms.

To hear a recording about red tide conditions throughout the state, call 866-300-9399.

RED TIDE REPORT

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

BEATLEMANIA: Invades Anna Maria Island

“They’ve been playing together for sev eral years at this point,” Arch said.

“I’m the one that put ‘Beatlemania Now’ together,” Arch said. “I no longer perform as John Lennon and we’ve got younger guys doing it. I performed with many of the ‘Beatlemania’ cast members during the truck and bus tours after ‘Beatlemania’ finished its Broadway run (from 1977-79).”

“Beatlemania Now” covers The Beatles’ decade-long career that included the release of their debut album, “Please Please Me,” in the United Kingdom in March 1963, the release of their debut American album “Introducing… The Beatles” in January 1964 and up through to their breakup and the release of their final album, “Let it Be,” in 1970.

“They’ll be playing Beatles’ songs mostly in chronological order, with costume chang es that include the black suits they wore on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ and the costumes they wore on the ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ album cover. There will be videos that run along with the show and bring a historical reference to what was going on in the world while that particular music was being made,” Arch said.

“We use authentic instruments, authentic amps and drums – not only for the fact that

they look a certain way and to a certain degree are props, but also because they sound a particular way. We make the sound as realistic and as much like The Beatles as possible,” Arch said.

“They weren’t only making music, they were changing things around them. Fash ion followed them. They had political views at the end that people followed,” Arch said.

“I was a little young when they first came out. The first generation that heard them were teenagers at the time and the music was passed down to younger generations. My kids love The Beatles because they had to drive around with me in the car

listening to The Beatles. I still, to this day, love ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand.’ The sound of that record, there’s just something so wonderful about it. I hear it and I perk up; and sometimes I hear different little things I never noticed before,” he said.

EVENT INFORMATION

No outside food or drink is allowed and there’s no smoking or vaping allowed on The Center property. The Sandbar restaurant will have a cash bar on site. Free valet parking will be available at the main entrance on Magnolia Avenue. Street parking will also be available but vehicles

must be parked going with the flow of traffic and with all wheels off the pavement to avoid being ticketed.

The Bradenton Gulf Island Concert series serves as a fundraiser for The Center and is sponsored by Bradenton Area Arts & Culture, the Sandbar restaurant and Cedar Cove Resort & Cottages.

The Center is located at 407 Magnolia Ave. For Saturday’s show, the doors will open at 6 p.m., the opening act goes on around 7 p.m. and “Beatlemania Now” will begin around 8 p.m. For more ticket or event information, call 941-778-1908.

BEATLEMANIANOW.COM | SUBMITTED “Beatlemania Now” celebrates The Beatles’ musical legacy. Right, the show includes songs from “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.”

HARVEY: Visits AME to dedicate academy

FROM PAGE 1

biology from Aberdeen University in Scotland and a doctorate in fisheries manage ment from the University of West Indies.

“This is really a template, we’re just getting started on a very long journey of educating kids about the value of marine science and the value of con serving our marine environ ments,” Harvey said. “I’m not a tree hugger, I love to fish and I eat fish. I’m a normal human being, but I do see the devasta tion that people have caused in not only Florida, but the Carib bean where I live and other countries and I know that we can do better.”

The collaboration happened quickly after School Superin tendent Cynthia Saunders met representatives from GHOF

at a conference. The school’s waterfront location on Anna Maria Island made AME the perfect place to launch the academy, and it didn’t take long before both parties agreed to move forward with the project, which began at the start of the 2022-23 school year.

“Today is an exciting day for Anna Maria Elementary School and the School District of Manatee County to be able to formalize the establishment of the firstever Guy Harvey Academy of Arts and Science at Anna Maria Elementary School,” AME Principal Mike Masiello said. “Having this innovative program in Manatee County in partnership with such a well-respected name as Dr. Guy Harvey is an amazing opportunity. Students will be

able to participate in lessons that support a true STEAM approach, learning math and science through an art lens. The lessons also take learning about our marine environment and conservation to a deeper level.”

The program will benefit students from other schools as well with field trips and sum mer camps and will eventu ally expand to all elementary schools in the district as well as to complementary programs at King Middle and Manatee High, he said.

“I would like to acknowledge our teachers, staff, parents and the community here at Anna Maria Elementary for embracing this new initiative. Thank you to Superintendent Saunders, school district staff and The Guy Harvey

Foundation for all of their hard work in creating a program which will have a positive impact on our students and our community for generations to come,” he said.

After a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony with school officials, Harvey toured the school and

BOAT PARADE: Draws merrymakers to pier

FROM PAGE 1

of room to walk around and enjoy the shops and restaurants, most of which stayed open late to allow for shopping, dining, a visit with Santa and dancing to the music of several bands at local bars that went on all day and well into the night.

“We’re down here from Michigan for a couple of weeks,” Michelle Holt said. “We’re up there freezing our tails off and shoveling snow. We get down here and you guys are in shorts dancing in the streets. We know this place is great, but everything this Island does is just over-the-top fun!”

The best viewing point for the parade was the Bra denton Beach Pier, which was packed with specta tors on the north and south sides. The Anna Maria

Oyster Bar had beverages available on the pier, and music from local bars could be heard in the distance. Although alcohol was allowed on the street for this event, Bradenton Beach police said everyone was just having a good time and they hadn’t experienced any serious problems.

If you didn’t make it to the boat parade, don’t worry; there’s plenty of time to enjoy Bridge Street, which currently features the most Christmas lights ever placed on any single street in the history of Anna Maria Island. The almost 40-foot tree (also a record for the Island) and the lights will remain lit through the end of the month, and many shops are staying open late for holiday shopping.

the grounds before meeting several students participating in the program who showed him some of the projects they had completed in the academy.

“I love how excited they are about this, it’s incredible, and they’ve done some really good work,” Harvey said.

JASON SCHAFFER | SUN

AME fifth grader Penny Elizabeth Payne shows Dr. Guy Harvey some charts the students made showing how long it takes different materials to break down once they enter the ocean ecosystem.

JASON SCHAFFER | SUN

Boaters on a craft decorated for the holidays wave to a large crowd gathered on the Bradenton Beach Pier for the Holiday Boat Parade.

Underdog Gulfview advances to championship

BY MONICA SIMPSON SPECIAL TO THE SUN

ANNA MARIA – The Island cool air brought friends, family and fellow footballers to The Center to watch the semifinal adult co-ed soccer action last Thursday night. After weeks of leadup, the lineup for the championship game is set.

In the first game of the night, fifthranked Gulfview Windows and Doors defeated the top seed Wash Family Construction squad, with the single goal scored by Raul Loera.

With lots of action on the field for 44 minutes of regulation play, Gulfview captured the first spot in the final game of the season, the Paul “Ace” Hayward Cup championship game.

Gulfview’s victory included 10 saves by Gulfview’s Tuna McCracken and seven stops by Mark Long for team Wash Family.

Sealing the deal in a shutout, secondranked Sato Real Estate handily beat team Moss Builders. In the 7-0 game, the Sato offense kept Ryan Moss and the Moss Builders’ defense busy.

Goalkeeper Moss had seven brilliant stops in the game, but the shooting power of team Sato Real Estate was on fire.

Scoring a solo goal for Sato Real Estate, Will Kretzmann also made four critical stops in goal.

Lindsey Styka’s hat trick contributed to the Sato Real Estate scoring by Danny Anderson and Pedro Gonzalez. In addition to Gonzalez’s two goals, he is credited with an assist in the semifi nal game.

The season closing game is sched uled for Thursday, Dec. 8 at The Center.

Keith Mahoney winds up for a huge kick for Gulfview Windows & Doors last Thursday night.

SUN SCOREBOARD

NOV. 28

ADULT KICKBALL – WEEK 6 Captain Ron’s Crew (4-2-0) 19 The Salty Dolphins (5-1-0) 14

Paddy Wagon (3-3-0) 31 General Bums (0-6-0) 3

DEC. 1

ADULT SOCCER – SEMIFINAL PLAYOFF GAMES

#5 Gulfview Windows and Doors 1 #1 Wash Family Construction 0

#2 Sato Real Estate 7 #6 Moss Builders 0

Paddlers clean up

Paddlers from Paradise held a beach cleanup Friday on Anna Maria Island supported by team sponsor Olive Oil Outpost. The 74-degree sunny weather with a light breeze made for com fortable working conditions for the volunteers.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

BEACH YOGA ON Wednes days, Saturdays & Sundays at 8:30am at the end of Pine Ave by the Sandbar Restaurant by donation. Classes on Tues days & Fridays at 8:30 at 100 Broadway St. on LBK. www.thriveyogafit.com

TO PLAY BRIDGE Call 314324-5921 Kathleen

THE BEST VOLUNTEER position on the island. The AMI Historical Museum needs docents and bread makers. Call Kathy Primeau at 989-560-6381.

ROSER FOOD BANK needs donations of cash and non-perishable food, PAPER & PERSON AL HYGIENE PRODUCTS. Donations boxes are located at the Church, Moose Club, and Wal green’s.

HOSPITAL VOLUNTEERS

WANTED to assist at our in formation desk, especially weekends. Great for teens needing volunteer hours (16yrs+). Other assignments avail able. Please call the Blake Volunteer Office at 941-798-6151.

CARE GIVER

CAREGIVER LOOKING

TO provide help for that special someone. Cook ing, shopping, cleaning, Dr. appts. etc. Local on island. 30+ yrs. experience. Refer ences. Call 941-374-1227. 12/7 NEW Daniels

COMMERCIAL SALES, RENT & LEASE

HAVE YOU BEEN think ing of selling? We NEED properties to List for SALE!!! Duplexes, multi family, small resorts? Call BIG Alan Galletto of Island Real Estate to get it SOLD 941-232-2216

COMMERCIAL LEASE - 419 pine, Anna Maria - Island Real Estate - Larry Chatt 941-345-1288

CLEANING SERVICE

TOTAL HOME SERVICES

CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Rentals, VRBO. Professional and Reliable. Call 941-7564570 or 941-565-3931

ENDLESS SUMMER HOME SERVICES Cleaning & Maintenance. Call Angela for your home needs. 941577-3823

EMPLOYMENT

WANTED LICENSED REALTOR! Seeking real estate agent with island expertise to join our highly productive sales team! Contact us at 941-900-4974. All calls confidential

RESORT ASSISTANT MAN AGER needed for island resort and vacation rentals. 32 to 36 hours per week. Experience a plus but will train. Weekends are included in schedule. In terested candidates please email islands58@aol.com to schedule an interview.

The award-winning ANNA MARIA ISLAND SUN, a weekly newspaper on Florida’s Gulf Coast, is looking for a freelance reporter/photographer to cover events on this tourism-driven island. The ideal candidate will have reporting and photography experience at a commu nity newspaper and have some experience writing for a news website. Local residents or those with previous local knowledge and willing to relocate here a plus. Resumes and cover letters may be mailed to The Anna Maria Island Sun, P.O Box 1189, Anna Maria, FL 34216, Attention: Mike Field, publisher.

FISHING CHARTERS

CAPT. MAC GREGORY Fishing Charters. Full Day, Half Day, Night, Inshore & Near Shore. 941-809-5783 U.S.C.G. Certified/Insured

FOR SALE

TOPPER FOR F150 Long bed. $50 or Best Offer. Call 941-705-7560.

FOR SALE: 20” TV, 2 anten nas, remote $20. Animal carrier, bowl, toys $10. 20” high air mattress, queen sheets $30. Wheel chair $30. Call 808-213-5887. 12/7 NEW Ragan

GARAGE/YARD SALE

FABULOUS MULTI-FAMILY Yard Sale. December 10 & 11 Saturday & Sunday. 9am-1pm. 515 Magnolia, City of Anna Maria

HEALTH CARE

HOME CARE PROVIDER with Dennis Church a nursing assistant. 8+ years of experience. Licensed in Florida. SAFER at HOME. Call 815-519-3993 11/30 NEW Church

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

TILE! TILE! TILE! All varia tions of tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship. Prompt, reliable, many Island ref erences. Free estimates. Neil 941-726-3077

RENOVATION SPECALIST ALL carpentry repairs, Wash Family Construction, locally owned and operated CBC 1258250 Call 941-7250073.

KERN CONSTRUCTION NEW Homes & Remodel. Design/Build. Since 1968. License # CBC 1261150. Call Mike Kern 941-7781115

GET’R DONE DRYWALL, INC Specializing in Re models & Repairs. Island Resident for 20+ years. Call Neil. Cell 941-962-1194

JSAN CORPORATION Renovations Construc tion & Handyman Services 941-243-0995 Lic# CRC1332505 jsancorporation@gmail. com Flooring, Drywall, Painting, Repairs, Kitchen and Bath rooms, Trim & Doors. Free Estimates. Credit Cards Accepted.

API’S DRYWALL REPAIR 15+ years experience. Free estimates. No job too small. Love to help you. Call 941-524-8067.

HOME IMPROVEMENT Michigan General Con tractor 30+ yrs. experi ence. Large or small projects. Budget minded knowledgeable trades man will complete your project start to finish: On Time/On Budget. Call Mike 616-204-8822.

HOME SERVICES

CONCRETE FUSION, CRACK REPAIR sidewalks/ driveways. Why fix 95% of concrete when only 5% bad? Number 1 in concrete repair. Insured. Free estimate. Call Bobby 941-374-7670.

LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE

R. GAROFALO’S Interlocking brick pavers, driveways, pa tios, pool decks. Free esti mates. Licensed & Insured. Call Rafael 941-778-4823 or Veronik 941-526-7941

SHELL DRIVEWAYS & LANDSCAPE. Specializing in Old Florida Seashell and Lime rock driveways and scapes. Also River Rock, Sand, Mulch, & Soil. Call Shark Mark 941-301-6067

ISLAND RESIDENT. TREE/ BUSH Trimming, removal. Sweeping, blowing, weed ing. Weekly, bi-monthly or monthly schedule. Pressure washing. Call Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315

LAWN SERVICES. Local Island resident. Free Estimates. Call Danny 941-374-0352.

LOST & FOUND

FOUND: BICYCLE KEY on 52nd St. Call 941-778-9622 to claim.

MOVING & STORAGE

MARTIN’S MOVING YOUR Island movers! Of fering dependable, com petitive rates. No hidden costs. 941-809-5777.

PAINTING & WALLCOVERING

PAINT! PAINT! AND MORE 28 years of experienced interior/exterior custom painting. Pressure clean ing, drywall repairs and texture finishes. Many Island references. Please call Neil for free estimates. 941-812-0507

“WIZARD OF WALLS”

Established 1980 Prompt quality service. Wallpaper installation/ removal. Mary Bell Win egarden 941-794-0455

DONALD PERKINS ABRACADABRA PAINTING LLC fully insured. 30 years experi ence. Many Island refer ences. Call 941-705-7096

PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES. Prompt & Reli able. Island Resident. Qual ity Workmanship. Interior/ Exterior. Minor repairs & carpentry. Free estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315

POOL SERVICES

FOUR SEASONS POOL SERVICE AND CHEMICAL SERVICES. Certified Pool Operator. 10 + Years Experience. Residential/ commercial. Chemical Service Licensed & In sured. Call Dennis Clark 941-737-5657

COLE'S TROPICAL POOL SERVICE Call Cole Bowers for all your pool maintenance needs! Affordable and Depend able!! 941-713-1893

PRESSURE WASHING & WINDOWS

TOTAL HOME SERVICES

CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Construc tion, Vacation, VRBO Rentals . Also available Pressure Washing, Roof Cleaning, Paver Sealing and Windows. Call 941565-3931.

REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE

Have you been think ing of selling? We NEED properties to List for SALE!!! GULF FRONT, CANAL FRONT, BAY FRONT CONDOS or HOMES ASK for BIG Alan Galletto of Island Real Estate to get it SOLD 941-232-2216

LOOKING FOR A highly motivated real estate broker to buy or sell your next home? Darcie Duncan, Broker Duncan Real Estate a lifelong island resident bringing success to her custom ers for 30 years. Proven track record brings you results! 941-725-1589

ATTN REALTORS: Are you thinking about leaving the business to get a salaried job? If you love being a Realtor & need help navigating this new market, call us today for a confidential appt. Kelly Gitt The Gitt Team AMI KW on the Water 941-799-9299

HOUSE FOR SALE

4BR/3BA. 2274 s.f. 329 30th St W, Bradenton, FL 34205. $699,000. MLS # A4545595 Boyd Realty. Call 941-730-8589 bro ker@boydrealty.com

RENTALS: ANNUAL

ANNUAL RENTALS WANTED! We have well qualified tenants for beach and mainland annual rentals, Full man agement or Finders fee. Call today for details. Ask for Paige DUNCAN REAL ESTATE 513-3821992.

ANNUAL RENTAL-3BR/2BA, pool, canal w/ boat lift home on key Royale. 1700 sq.ft. $8500/mo. Call 941-713-1586

ANNUAL RENTALS – AVAIL ABLE NOW. 2BR/1BA, furnished. $4,500/month. 3BR/2BA, unfurnished. $5,000/month.1ST, Last, and Security Deposit required. Call Sato Real Estate, Inc 941-778-7200 or Email monica@satoreal estate.com

BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

PAINTING

TRANSPORTATION

RENTALS: SEASONAL & VACATION

TIFFANY PLACE Gulf Front Condo for Rent Incredible views from living room and master bedroom. 2BR/2BA Green Real Estate Call 941-778-0455

AMISUN.COM

SEASONAL RENTAL in PALMA SOLA. 3BR/2BA weekly or monthly rates. Contact Barb Grace 941201-2190

ANNA MARIA ISLAND CONDOS Large pool, beach access, free WiFi, 1&2 Bedroom $900 to $1200 per week redekercondosonami.com Tim 941-704-7525

VACATION RENTAL AVAILABLE Jan - March 2023- 2BR/1.5BA cute cottage in Holmes Beach, 1.5 blocks to the beach. Rates start at $110/nite or $4,500 for 4 weeks. Call Fran Maxon Real Estate 941778-2307.

WINTER SEASON 2023Vacation rentals avail able for January, Febru ary and March. Weekly, monthly or Seasonal. Call Fran Maxon Real Estate 941-778-2307 for details or visit www.fran maxonrealestate.com.

WALK TO BEACH: 4BR/2BA pool, large sunroom, garage, laundry $10,000/mo. 3BR/2BA sunroom, porch, ga rage, washer/dryer $12,000/ mo Call 347-510-8417

TRANSPORTATION

AMI TAXI credit cards, cash, Venmo accepted. Airport: Tampa $105, Sarasota $50, St. Pete/Clearwater $105, Orlando $220. Call 941447-8372, www.amitaxi. com GOLF CART RENTALS

ANYTIME TRANSPORTA TION to all Airports, Casino, etc. Tampa/St. Pete $80. Sarasota $40. Pets wel come. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne. 941-779-5095