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VOL 20 No. 10
December 18, 2019
Contest winners shed light on their efforts The city’s holiday decorating contest featured a residential category and a business category. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Assisted by the Public Works Department, Santa Claus emerged from a cloud of orange smoke.
Holiday Carols in the Park not dampened by rainy weather Holiday Carols in the Park is the city of Anna Maria’s signature Christmas season event.
ANNA MARIA – The Craft family and Duncan Real Estate won the city of Anna Maria’s inaugural Bright Holiday Lights holiday decorating contest. The resident and business category winners received their trophies during the Holiday Carols at City Pier Park event on Friday, Dec. 13. The Crafts’ prize-winning lights and decorations are currently on display at the couple’s home on Gladiolus Street, and their elaborate decorating themes incorporate driftwood, yard decorations, scenic vignettes, a candy canethemed arch and much more. When attending Friday’s trophy presentations, Larry Craft said his wife, Carol, who was not present, deserved most of the credit. “I think the main motivation behind this is the smiles on the faces of the little children that come by and also to get more people to decorate their homes,” he told The Sun. He said their Christmas decorations feature an eclectic mix of primarily vintage elements. Speaking by phone Sunday evening, Carol Craft shared her thoughts on winning the holiday decorating contest and the couple’s long-standing tradition that predates it. “To us, it’s not about the contest. We’re hoping it encourages other people to decorate,” she said. SEE LIGHTS, PAGE 17
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – Despite a steady rain, the city of Anna Maria’s Holiday Carols in the Park started with a bang, when Santa magically appeared through a cloud of orange smoke at the west end of City Pier Park. The annual city-sponsored holiday event took place on Friday, Dec. 13, and began at 4 p.m. After making his way to the shade sail structure to the delight of the awaiting youngsters, Santa first joined Mayor Dan Murphy and helped announce the winners of the city’s inaugural Bright Holiday Lights holiday decorating contest.
INSIDE NEWS 4 CALENDAR 7 OUTDOORS 22-23 REAL ESTATE 30-33 SPORTS 34 POLICE REPORTS 42 CROSSWORD 36
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
The choir from the Roser Memorial Community Church performed several Christmas carols, including some sing-alongs. Deputy City Clerk Debbie Haynes, artist and Emerson’s Studio Store owner Emerson Quillin and AMI SEE CAROLS, PAGE 35
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
This Craft family holiday vignette promotes peace on earth.
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