Anna Maria Island Sun December 30, 2020 by Anna Maria Island Sun

~ 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION ~

VOL 21 No. 12

December 30, 2020

Lynn Tran and Richard Hazen have another problem with the city – until the fines and code compliance issues with their treehouse are cleared up, they can’t get VRCs for their four rental units. BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

Treehouse owners clash with city over VRC renewals CINDY LANE | SUN

The Holmes Beach treehouse is causing new problems for its owners, who can’t get permission from the city to lease their vacation rentals until it’s torn down or comes into compliance.

HOLMES BEACH – The beachfront treehouse built by Lynn Tran and Richard Hazen is the story that just keeps on giving. While the owners are still appealing a court ruling ordering the destruction of the treehouse, they now have a new issue – they can’t renew their vacation rental certificates. Code Compliance Officer James Thomas said that he’s been working with the owners of Angelinos Sea Lodge - the home of the controversial treehouse - to get the issues resolved between them and the city so that they can get the VRCs, which allow them to rent the four short-term vacation rental units on their property. While Angelinos previously had VRCs for the units, Thomas said that city code prevents him or his fellow officers from renewing the certificates due to the outstanding code violations and fines on the property related to the treehouse, which is under a court order to be torn down. He added that the code compliance department has been advised by the attorney handling the treehouse case for the city, Randy Mora, to not issue any VRC renewals on the property until the code issues are cleared up. SEE TREEHOUSE, PAGE 28

Jack Brennan, Kathy Smart share Sun Person of the Year honors BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – Roser Food Pantry chairman Jack Brennan is one of those people who feels obliged to take on tasks others are unwilling or unable to do. In addition to chairing the food pantry, Brennan also serves on the city of Anna Maria’s Historic Preservation Board. In recognition of his communityminded efforts, Brennan has been named as one of the Sun’s Persons of the Year for 2020. The Roser Food Pantry was founded in 2010 under the leadership of Roser Memorial Community Church members Pam and Major Leckie. Brennan was not part of those formative efforts, but

he’s served as the church’s food pantry chairman for the past four years. In that role, he guides the operations that provide free food for Anna Maria Island residents in need. The food pantry also assists Island Brennan employees who live off-Island. It also provides Publix gift cards to residents and workers who qualify. During a recent visit to the food pantry, Brennan was asked how 2020 compared to past years in terms of donations received and the demand for assistance. SEE BRENNAN, PAGE 27

Kathy Smart enjoys giving back to the community through food, friendship and love at Minnie’s Beach Café. BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH – When you walk into Minnie’s Beach Café you’re not just walking into another of Anna Maria Island’s amazing restaurants, you’re walking into a family’s home. And that family is helmed by Kathy Smart. The staff at Minnie’s treats everyone coming in, from local regulars to vacation first-timers, as family while the staff really is extended and chosen family. That is something Smart says

INSIDE STEVE BORGGREN 4 QUIRKY FLORIDA STORIES 15 OUTDOORS 18 CASTLES IN THE SAND 20 REAL ESTATE 20-25 RESTAURANTS 26 CROSSWORD 29 CLASSIFIEDS 30

COVERAGE of our 20th Anniversary begins on Page 3.

Anna Maria Island, Florida

is especially important when bringing someone new onboard. She’s been working with some of the same people since before she, her spouse Mary and other business partners, Smart who’ve since retired, bought the café when it was Brian’s Sunny Side Up many years ago. Smart moved to Florida in 1989 from Cape Cod and when she came to check on a friend’s house on the Island, it was love at first sight. She relocated from Holiday a few days later in 1991 and never looked back. Smart first started working at the local restaurant, now known as Minnie’s Beach Café, SEE SMART, PAGE 27

STAFFERS SHARE MEMORIES OF

THEIR TIME IN THE SUN. 8, 11, 12 A COLLECTION from 20 years 20 YEARS

of Sun photographs. 16-17

The Island’s award-winning weekly newspaper www.amisun.com

THE SUN

www.amisun.com

DECEMBER 30, 2020

~ 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION ~

DECEMBER 30, 2020

THE SUN

20 years under The Sun SUN STAFF REPORT It’s funny how much you can forget to remember over 20 years. In 2000, the big news on Anna Maria Island was a new newspaper, The Anna Maria Island Sun, founded by Mike Field and Maggie McGinley Field, both formerly of the Tampa Tribune. Their first reporters, Pat Copeland and Tom Vaught, were quickly joined by Susan Kesselring, Laurie Krosney and Debra Russo. Cindy Lane joined the team in 2002, with Joe Hendricks joining in 2012 and Kristin Swain in 2017. Some of the stories they covered over the past two decades may bring a smile to your face, make you roll your eyes, give you pause, or make you say, “Oh, yeah, I remember that!” The year after The Sun first hit the street, - 2001 - was overshadowed by 9-11, an attack on New York City, Stonycreek Township, Pennsylvania and Washington D.C. by terrorists that affected local lives in unforeseen ways, making us temporarily afraid to go out and live life. In 2002, an Island institution closed - Duffy’s Tavern, - but we were happy

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

In Sept 2017, Hurricane Irma damaged the Anna Maria City Pier and ripped the roof off the bait shop building. The Bradenton Beach shoreline was littered with dead fish and sea life in August of 2018. to report that it later reopened in a new spot. The new skate park in Holmes Beach was big news for skateboarders in 2003. Hurricane Charley caused flooding and some damage in 2004. In 2007, beloved Police Officer Pete Lannon died and was memorialized at Anna Maria Elementary School with the entryway named for him. Hotel owner and friend of The Sun, Sabine Musil-Beuhler, went missing in 2008; her boyfriend later confessed to killing her and burying her on the

beach. In 2009, Sheena Morris died in a local hotel room, with the police calling it suicide and her mother taking the case to the Dr. Phil show, insisting it was her fiancé who killed her. Charges were never filed. We lost the crumbling iconic Holmes Beach Pier in 2009, with promises that it would be rebuilt, but lifeguards said things were safer at the public beach without it. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 did not taint our shores, but it had a pronounced impact on our tourist economy, making visitors afraid to

travel here and resulting in payouts to local businesses from a BP fund set up for restitution. A couple built a tree house partly on the public beach in 2011 and has spent a small fortune to keep it; the case is still in litigation. Also that year, the Florida Legislature passed a law banning local governments from adopting ordinances that would prohibit short-term vacation rentals, resulting in the redevelopment of small, single-family homes into large, rental homes. SEE 20 YEARS, PAGE 24

THE SUN

Hard to believe the SUN is celebrating its twentieth anniversary season already! For me, that’s two decades of creating both local editorial cartoons, and the always zany antics of the BEACH NUTZ gang for this award winning publication. Though premiere cartooning awards from the Florida Press Association and Florida Press Club are my editorial achievements, I find great satisfaction in just knowing that the award winning SUN is the publication in which all my editorial illustrations appear. It’s quite an honor to illustrate a regionally significant event in a lighthearted manner. Then, get a little sand in your shoes with BEACH NUTZ. The fun-loving life of everyone’s favorite island family: Foster and Ethel Dribbles. Oh, and let’s not forget their brilliant but often mischievous cat, Tobert. It always gives me great pleasure whenever I hear how my cartoons made someone smile, laugh, or even made their day. Hopefully, I have tickled your funny bone more than once through the years. If not, well…just keep reading. I have plenty of humor left. Congratulations on your first 20 years of publication. A big shout-out to Michael and the staff, as well as the readers for making the SUN a huge success.

Maggie would be proud!

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DECEMBER 30, 2020

IN BRIEF Art show opens to submissions The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island’s Art Unleashed annual juried art show is now open to submissions. This year’s show will be held online and is open to all artists and types of media from paintings and mixed media pieces to photographs and everything in between. Awards will be given for Best in Show, first, second and third place, Excellence in Photography, Met Awards and Honorable Mentions, all of which have corresponding cash awards. The deadline for entries is Jan. 15 with the virtual show debuting online Feb. 1. For more information or to submit a piece for consideration, visit www.amiartistsguildgallery.com/exhibition-entry.

Library to create new hotspots The Manatee County Library system has been awarded a grant from the Manatee Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund. Since March, library branches have adapted to a new way of working and supporting members of the community

~ 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION ~ by enhancing virtual services and programming. The $30,400 grant will be used to purchase an additional 30 hotspots to increase digital access for students, families and individuals. It will also pay for audio and video equipment to record programming, including story time, community knowledge and history and digital literacy programming. In addition, the funds will be used to convert space at the Downtown Central Library so that community members, organizations and small business owners can record their own projects.

Free Movies in the Park resume The city of Anna Maria’s weekly Movies in the Park film screenings were scheduled to resume with a free showing of “Onward” at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 29. The weekly Movies in the Park screenings will take place each Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m., weather permitting, at City Pier Park, at the intersection of Pine Avenue and North Bay Boulevard, across the street from the Anna Maria City Pier. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets and refreshments. Proper social distancing and masks or face coverings are required. The current movie schedule is as follows: Dec. 29:

THE SUN

“Onward;” Jan. 5: “The House with a Clock in its Walls;” Jan. 12: “UglyDolls;” Jan. 19: “Playing with Fire;” Jan. 26: “SING;” Feb. 2: “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood;” Feb. 9: “Frozen 2;” Feb. 16: “A Dog’s Journey;” Feb. 23: “Abominable; March 2: “Dolittle;” and March 9: “Trolls World Tour.”

Distinguished Citizen of the Year nominees sought The city of Anna Maria seeks nominations for its annual Distinguished Citizen of the Year award. The nomination form seeks the name and address of the nominee and two or three reasons why the nominee deserves consideration. Nomination forms are now available at the city website, www. cityofannamaria.com. Forms can also be obtained from the city clerk’s office at city hall. Nomination forms must be returned by noon on Friday, Jan. 15. Completed forms can be returned by mail to City of Anna Maria, P.O. Box 779, Anna Maria, FL 34216 or by email to amadmin@cityofannamaria.com. Past winners include Jack Brennan, Ed Chiles, Pat Copeland, Doug Copeland, Margaret Jenkins, Dick York, Bob Carter, Carolyne Norwood and George Norwood. For more information, call the clerk’s office at 941-708-6130.

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

Holmes Beach offers reward in sea grape destruction case The city of Holmes Beach is offering a $500 reward for any information leading to charges in the case of the destruction of sea grapes and other native vegetation on city property at the 48th Street beach access. The damage was caused when the vegetation was destroyed around Nov. 28. Anyone with information on who cut down the vegetation is asked to contact Crime Stoppers of Manatee County at 866-634-8477 or Holmes Beach Det. Sgt. Brian Hall at 941-778-2677.

THE SUN

OPINION

The Anna Maria Island Sun newspaper 3909 East Bay Drive, Suite 210, Holmes Beach, FL, 34217 Phone: (941) 778-3986 email: news@amisun.com | ads@amisun.com | classifieds@amisun.com

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DECEMBER 30, 2020

The Anna Maria Island Sun Staff Publishers Mike Field Maggie Field Editor/CEO Mike Field Layout Ricardo Fonseca Reporters Cindy Lane Joe Hendricks Kristin Swain Columnists Louise Bolger Outdoors editor Rusty Chinnis Advertising director Shona Otto Ad assistant Pamela Lee Classified ads Bob Alexander Graphics Elaine Stroili Ricardo Fonseca Digital/Social Media editor Cindy Lane Accounting John Reitz Distribution Bob Alexander Tony McNulty Connor Field Contributors Tom Vaught Pat Copeland Steve Borggren Monica Simpson

MARKYOUR CALENDAR

SATURDAY

THURSDAY

Saturday mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon. Face masks required. New year coastal cleanup, Coquina Beach Bayside, 1465 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 9 a.m. to noon. Reserve to 941-742-5923 ext. 6035 or michelle. leahy@mymanatee.org.

Archaeo Paddle, Robinson Preserve, north entrance, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon. Paddlers must supply their own canoe or kayak and safety gear. Reserve to www.eventbrite.com/e/132965372007. Wildlife Spotlight: Osprey Outing, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 9 to 10:30 a.m. Reserve to elena.burke@mymanatee.org or 941742-5923 ext. 6036. Farmer’s Market, Holmes Beach city field, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays in Paradise Stroll featuring local art, music and food, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 5 to 8 p.m.

JAN. 2

The Island Branch Library is open at 40% capacity. Please wear a face mask/covering. The Tingley Memorial Library is open. The Center of Anna Maria Island is open with social distancing and face masks required. The Holmes Beach dog park (Scentral Park), skate park, basketball courts, pickleball courts and tennis courts are open. Local preserves are open, including Grassy Point Preserve, Neal Preserve, Perico Preserve and Robinson Preserve. Local beaches are open. Wednesday Dec. 30 Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

THURSDAY DEC. 31

Robinson Preserve Sunrise Paddle, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 6:30-8:30 a.m. Participants must provide their own paddle and safety gear. Reserve to www.eventbrite. com/e/129596337133. Farmer’s Market, Holmes Beach city field, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays in Paradise Stroll featuring local art, music and food, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 5 to 8 p.m.

FRIDAY JAN. 1

Happy New Year! Seashell Shore Walk, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 9 a.m. Reserve to 941-742-5923 ext. 6036.

SUNDAY JAN. 3

Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rise and Shine Power Flow Yoga, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., $10 fee payable online or by cash at the door. Bring your own yoga mat. Register at https://parks. mymanatee.org/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/ search.html?primarycode=110006 or call 941-742-5923 ext. 6042 for more information.

TUESDAY JAN. 5

Farmer’s Market, City Pier Park, 101 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Movie in the Park, City Pier Park, 101 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 6:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY JAN. 6

Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

JAN. 7

SATURDAY JAN. 9

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

SUNDAY JAN. 10

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DECEMBER 30, 2020

COMMUNITY CHURCH

Essential Truths WHO IS GOD?

Human beings throughout history have believed in some sort of divine power.

SUNDAY WORSHIP 8:30 AM or 10:00 AM

In the SANCTUARY and ONLINE Go to www.RoserChurch.com Click WORSHIP-SIGNUP , WATCH LIVE or WATCH LATER Text ROSER to 22828 to receive the weekly eBulletin. The CHAPEL is open during

Does belief in God still make sense in our changing world? office hours for prayer & meditation. 941-778-0414 • 512 Pine Ave, Anna Maria • FOLLOW us on Facebook @RoserChurch

ON THE AGENDA ANNA MARIA

10005 GULF DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130

City hall is open to the public with limited capacity and safety protocols in place. Please visit www.cityofannamaria.com or contact city hall for more information. Jan. 1, all day – City offices closed, New Year’s Day holiday

BRADENTON BEACH

107 GULF DRIVE N. FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005

City hall is open to the public with limited capacity and safety protocols in place. Please visit www.cityofbradentonbeach.com or contact city hall for more information. Dec. 31, 9:15 a.m. – City Commission emergency special meeting

THE SUN

Jan. 1, all day – City offices closed, New Year’s Day holiday Jan. 6, 9:30 a.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency meeting Jan. 6, 2 p.m. – Scenic WAVES meeting Jan. 7, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting

HOLMES BEACH

5801 MARINA DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800

City hall is open to the public with limited capacity and safety protocols in place. Please visit www.holmesbeachfl.org or contact city hall for more information. Jan. 1, all day – City offices closed, New Year’s Day holiday Jan. 6, 10 a.m. – Parks and Beautification Committee meeting Jan. 6, 6 p.m. – Planning Commission meeting Jan. 12, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting with work session to follow

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THE SUN

DECEMBER 30, 2020

My journey with The Sun My eight years at The Sun make me feel like I’m a member of the Island community. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – My time as a freelance reporter for The Anna Maria Island Sun began in September 2012. I was playing a Sunday afternoon band gig with Ted Stevens and the Doo-Shots at the Swordfish Grill in Cortez. During the show, I said something over the mic about some stories on homeless I’d recently written for This Week in Sarasota. Former Sun advertising director Chantelle Lewin approached me on our break and said The Sun needed a fill-in reporter immediately because Sun reporter Cindy Lane had been injured in a surfing accident. The first story I wrote for The Sun was about the Anna Maria Island Privateer’s grog-off contest at the Drift In. During my time at The Sun, I’ve covered hurricanes and hurricane relief efforts; ongoing vacation rental issues; the deaths of several prominent Island area residents – including a beloved dog named Buddy; city politics and the ongoing affairs of the Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria city

commissions and the Island-pertinent affairs of the Manatee County Commission. My government coverage for The Sun began in 2013, when I was asked to temporarily cover the Holmes Beach City Commission while Sun reporter Pat Copeland was out of state caring for her first grandchild. Around then, I also began covering the Manatee County Commission meetings pertaining to Carlos Beruff’s proposed Long Bar Pointe development – which later morphed into his current Aqua by the Bay development. In late 2013, I was assigned to cover the city of Bradenton Beach that included a reconfigured city commission and incoming mayor Bill Shearon. In 2015, the city of Anna Maria was added to my beat on a temporary basis – which later became permanent. That year, I covered the city’s adoption of a new vacation rental ordinance that included occupancy limits and annual vacation rental registrations and inspections. Beginning with the Hurricane Irmanecessitated closing of the old Anna Maria City Pier in 2017, I’ve spent the past three years covering the now-completed efforts to replace the old pier with a new pier. The recent story I wrote about the City Pier Grill & Bait Shop opening essentially brings that

SUBMITTED

As a Sun reporter, I spend a lot of time at city commission meetings. three-year saga to a close. In July 2017, I was the first to report on and raise awareness of the Sunshine Law violations that occurred during a non-cityaffiliated Concerned Neighbors of Bradenton Beach meeting. That initial reporting prompted an investigation by paralegal Michael Barfield and attorney Robert Watrous. In 2019, Judge Edward Nicholas ruled the six former city advisory board members who participated in those 2017 CNOBB meetings did indeed violate the Sunshine Law. My reporting on the Sunshine Law violations, the investigation and the legal proceedings earned me two first place awards from the Florida Press Association.

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In 2020, I find myself writing about new Sunshine Law and Public Records Act compliance concerns raised by Michael Barfield – who is currently investigating the private communications of county commissioners Vanessa Baugh, George Kruse, James Satcher and Kevin Van Ostenbridge. Over the past eight years, I’ve written many stories about the people and places of the Island and in Cortez that have nothing to do with local politics. Many of those stories pertained to community events and/or local folks doing good deeds to assist others. I believe a key to my success as a Sun reporter – in addition to hard work – has been the wide variety of sources I’ve cultivated and earned the trust of over the years. These sources include Island residents, government officials and employees, law enforcement personnel and business owners and their employees. I’d like to thank all those who’ve provided me with sought-after information, a tip on a breaking story and/or photos of a breaking story or newsworthy event that I could not get to in time. Although I’ve never lived on Anna Maria Island, my eight years with The Sun make me feel like I’m also a part of the Island and Cortez communities I care so much about. And for that, I am eternally grateful.

DECEMBER 30, 2020

www.amisun.com

THE SUN

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‘Our Little Secret’ is now everyone’s BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com

Once upon a time, Anna Maria Island was “Our Little Secret,” which was the official tourism slogan in 1981, when little white cottages and small motels lined the beach on the Gulf of Mexico. The affordable cottages and motels are mostly gone now, and large, high-end rental homes have replaced them and many of the duplexes and single-family homes off the water, too. In the 20 years that The Anna Maria Island Sun has been covering life on the Island, AMI has changed from being mostly residents with some visitors in the

winter to mostly visitors all year around with some residents. The shift has created many new, unique and interesting businesses that never would have been able to survive on AMI in the old days – a definite upside that visitors and residents alike appreciate and enjoy. It also has meant that neighborhoods with people who wave and know your dog’s name and are there to help you in a hurricane have shrunk, and in some cases, disappeared, with people moving out when three-story vacation rentals begin to surround them, canyonlike. The transformation has made us appreciate the neighbors and

friends we still have on the Island, and the visitors we have met over the years who became friends as they returned over and over to our home. Through the years, we have told the world that we are Florida Like It Used To Be; The Closer Caribbean; Pure Florida, Nothing Artificial; Florida’s Quiet Side; and Real. Authentic. Florida. In the uncertainty of 2020, the Island’s newest visitor slogan is “Unwind with Peace of Mind.” If there is peace to be found anywhere, it is here on AMI. Have a peaceful New Year. Wish you were here.

DECEMBER 30, 2020

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DECEMBER 30, 2020

THE SUN

The Sun: A retrospective perspective BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com

In a profession in which it’s common to change jobs and cities every few years, I never thought I would work for the same news outlet for nearly two decades in the hometown I’d left far behind. It turns out that playing on The Sun team has been more professionally and personally rewarding than I ever imagined. I joined The Sun in its second year as a freelance reporter and photographer, working for its founders, Mike and Maggie Field. Maggie took photos for some of my stories at The Tampa Tribune, and in the small world of Florida newspapers, had now become my publisher. Since then, I have added managing our website (amisun.com), social media (facebook.com/AnnaMariaIslandSun) and YouTube channel (youtube.com/amisunnewspaper) to the environment and tourism beats I cover. If anyone had told me in journalism school that someday I would work on a news website and make videos for YouTube – well, we were still using manual typewriters back in those prehistoric days, so nobody would have said that! Technology has come a long way during my career from a linotype to a laptop, working from home, years before COVID-19 necessitated it (Reporter Joe Hendricks and I were in a competition to see who could hold out the longest without a smart phone. We never got to finish the contest because our editor said he needed to be able to text us at the same time, so we got smart phones simultaneously). But with all the technological changes, the basics of good journalism remain the same. It’s all about telling true, accurate, timely, useful, interesting stories,

CINDY LANE | SUN

Izzi Gomez at the 28th Annual National Kidney Foundation Rich Salick Pro-Am Surf Festival on Labor Day weekend 2013. Right, Jared Stewart and Brittany Norris, of Ohio, were engaged in Bradenton Beach. We were there. and The Sun has been a forum for those stories for two decades now. Especially on a small island like AMI, it’s important to the community to have a newspaper that knows its readers, and the management and several staff members have lived in the community and worked at The Sun for all or most of its two decades. The now-retired Pat Copeland, a Sun staffer from Day 1, took our stories and archived them at the Anna Maria Historical Society, which she helped to found. Our reporter, the late Laurie Krosney, and real estate columnist, Louise Bolger, started a Sun Readers book club to chat with community members. I volunteered at Anna Maria Elementary School with my dog, Teddy, to help kids improve their reading confidence. Our semi-retired reporter, Tom Vaught, lived on the Island and played Santa for kids at Christmas. Editor Mike Field coached Little League at the community center. Our Holmes Beach reporter, Kristin Swain, attends an Island church, and Joe plays drums at Island entertainment venues. We’ve all

been woven into the fabric of the Island together with the people we cover and the people who read our stories. And some stories during these past two decades are especially memorable for me. A series about duck hunting near preserves was prompted by hearing a gunshot while walking in Perico Preserve one Thanksgiving afternoon. People had been upset about it for years, but few knew other than adjacent residents. Decades-long coverage of the commercial fishing gill net ban has prompted my respect and admiration for many Cortez residents, and I’m sad to think of how many have passed during the past two decades - Blue, Wyman, and many more. Reporting on who killed Sabine Musil-Buehler was sad, because she was a trusted source, and scary, because I gave my phone number to her boyfriend for an interview, and he later confessed to killing her. But most stories have been happy. Once, a vacationer asked me to casu-

ally show up on the beach at sunset and shoot photos of his surprise wedding proposal to his girlfriend. They let me publish them, and they came back for their one-year anniversary and looked me up to celebrate. In a series on cemeteries on Egmont Key, I tracked down a grave that the deceased’s grandson thought was on Egmont, but appeared to be in St. Augustine instead. He met me in St. Augustine, and we found it. And I have been able to follow AMI’s surfing stars, Izzi and Giorgio Gomez, the grandkids of Jim and Ronee Brady of West Coast Surf Shop, from their little-kid days of skateboarding in their parking lot to their international paddleboarding championships and Olympic dreams. So many memories. So much more to write about. So, for all our readers, near and far, The Sun will continue to cover everything under the Sun. Stay tuned!

Offering the largest selection of spirits, wine & beer on AMI.

5344 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach 941.779.2337 Shop & earn discounts at Hurricane Hanks! Delivery service now available!

THE SUN

~ 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION ~

DECEMBER 30, 2020

My time on The Sun BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

I’ve been with The Sun for only a few of its 20 years, but I can honestly say it’s one of the best jobs I’ve ever had and that’s because of all of you. Looking back on all of the stories I’ve written, the ones that stand out the most to me are the ones about people. Anna Maria Island has such an amazing community full of incredible people. Over the years, I’ve met a NASA engineer, a business owner who’s also an Olympic athlete, award-winning artists, philanthropists and some of the kindest, most wonderful people who are willing to do anything they can to help make this Island and the world a better place. Our little stretch of paradise is full of very talented people from all walks of life and I think that’s part of what makes this area so special.

Our beaches are beautiful but it’s really the people who give this place its soul and a sense of community. We might not always agree on everything, but if someone needs help, the entire Island rallies behind them to help out. It’s a very special thing to see and not something that you find very often. It's also wonderful to be included in everything from holiday celebrations to veteran remembrance services, parades, community parties, pirate shenanigans and other events. Another part of my job that I love is being able to write something that helps the community. To bring attention to something, to help issues get addressed, to raise awareness; it’s something I’m very proud of. It’s truly a privilege to know you all and to be trusted with telling your stories.

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

A Marine Corps honor guard displays the United States and Marine Corps flags at Anna fMaria City Pier Park during a 2018 Veterans Day ceremony.

DECEMBER 30, 2020

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THE SUN

SUBMITTED | MELISSA RASH

Merry Christmas from Kim Rash! Holmes Beach Commissioner Kim Rash took to the streets Christmas Eve to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.

THE SUN

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DECEMBER 30, 2020

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THE SUN

That is so AMI BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com

Florida is portrayed in the news as an odd place, where a cigar-chomping man holds an alligator’s jaws open so his dog can break free and a developer relocates protected gopher tortoises in the middle of the night so he can get approval to build on his land. Being part of Florida, Anna Maria Island is no different. We’re, well, a bit quirky. We have Roger the mannequin, a second-floor patio resident who was kidnapped and dismembered with his head left on the beach, only to be returned in pieces after The Sun publicized his plight (Roger is reassembled and now has a girlfriend). In the “What a way to run a government” category, Bradenton Beach mayoral candidates Bill Shearon and Jack Clarke got the same number of votes in 2015 but didn’t have a runoff. They cut playing cards to decide the winner. Shearon drew the ace of clubs and won. We have folks who built a tree house partly in their yard and partly on the public beach on phone poles disguised as tree

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

Roger the mannequin was returned – albeit in pieces – to the second-floor balcony of Maggie Patall’s home after his kidnapping and dismemberment. He has now settled down with Gretchen. trunks that faked out a city inspector and has been in litigation for years now, and a guy who built a net camp on phone poles in the middle of Sarasota Bay, which also has been in litigation for years now. The U.S. Supreme Court finally had to weigh in on a case involving local

commercial fisherman John Yates, who was taken to court by wildlife officials for tossing undersize fish overboard after he was caught. He was prosecuted under a law prohibiting document shredding, and the case became known as the “fishshredding” case. After being jailed for 30

days, he won, but quit fishing and opened a gift shop with his wife. Even trash is treated differently here. Artist Wendell Graham picked up trash from the beach and turned it into a turtle sculpture to demonstrate how much junk we throw away, polluting our environment. We had long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad train here to swim from Cuba to Florida, hiring Sun staffer Dee Brady and her boat, Voyager, to be her chase boat. She successfully fought her way into hostile Cuban waters only to be defeated by box jellyfish stings. Three years later, Nyad triumphantly made the swim, again accompanied by Brady and Voyager. We had a perfectly good baseball diamond on AMI that we turned into Scentral Park, where dogs instead of outfielders now chase balls. We’ve had a coyote walk down the beach like someone’s dog; razorbills – which look like penguins – swimming in the Gulf due to a lack of food in their northern waters; and octopus raiding fishermens’ stone crab traps. It’s an interesting Island. Pick us up or visit us at amisun.com and see what happens next!

DECEMBER 30, 2020

~ 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION ~

DECEMBER 30, 2020

Shining bright for 20 years The Anna Maria Island Sun is pleased to share with you some memorable images of life on and around the Island over the past 20 years. We hope you enjoy them as much as we enjoy bringing them to you!

MAGGIE MCGINLEY-FIELD FREE

VoL 15 No. 43

www.amisun.com

THE SUN

DUKE MILLER

August 26, 2015

JANUARY 24, 2018

School Days Summer is over, and it’s back to school time at anna Maria Elementary. Page 12

CINDY LANE | SUN

Vacation rental ordinance revised

TOM VAUGHT

The revised ordinance will be discussed again on Sept. 2.

Opponents, supporters weigh in on ordinance. Page 15.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SuN COrrESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – Taking recent Planning and Zoning Board recommendations into account, city commissioners further modified the vacation rental ordinance during Thursday’s special meeting and public hearing. The meeting began with Holmes Beach Commissioner Jean Peelen thanking commissioners.

INSIDE

MAGGIE MCGINLEY-FIELD

NEWS OPINION SuN SurvEy buSINESS OuTDOOrS KOKO ray rEal ESTaTE SPOrTS

4 6 7 14 22-23 27 26-31 32

“We are dealing with many of the same issues you are. Bradenton Beach is just beginning to deal with the same issues, having their neighborhoods invaded by huge short-term rental houses. I know you’re catching all of the flack … and I know your goal is the same as ours – to save our neighborhoods, while putting the least amount of burden possible on our long-term renters. Thank you for taking the lead,” she said. see RENTAL, page 13

ENjoy A summer ceviche with Chef rich Knowles, of Enrich bistro. 20

Anna Maria Island, Florida

CINDY LANE Mainsail developers ready to begin hotel project The project, near the intersection of Marina and Gulf drives, includes a lodge, a restaurant and the marina. BY PAT COPELAND SuN STaFF WrITEr | pcopeland@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH – Joe Collier, president of Mainsail Lodging and Development Company, said his company is ready to begin on the Waterline hotel, lodge and marina project in the heart of the city as soon as it receives permits from the city.

MAGGIE MCGINLEY-FIELD

“We submitted site plans in May and construction drawings in June,” he said last week. “I expect to have permit in hand soon, then we’ll be off and running. We’re ready to rock and roll.” The project, located near the intersection of Marina and Gulf drives, includes a lodge with two wings that feature two-bedroom lodging units, an 80-seat restaurant and meeting rooms; a 50-boat slip marina and a separate building with two-bedroom lodging units. The process to approve the project see wATERLiNE, page 31

ISLAND PrOPErTy valuES SOar aS FlOrIDa SETS TOurISM rECOrD. 4 Be prepared with The Sun’s Pet

Evacuation Guide. 17-18

The Island’s award-winning weekly newspaper

www.amisun.com

ANNA MARIE HAYDEN

ANNA MARIE HAYDEN | SUBMITTED

A sweet flight A hummingbird hovers above a flower and drinks sweet nectar on Anna Maria Island.

RUSTY CHINNIS

TROY MORGAN

MIKE FIELD

TOM VAUGHT

THE SUN

OUTDOORS

DECEMBER 30, 2020

Make your New Year’s resolutions Reel Time RUSTY CHINNIS

ew Year’s resolutions have spawned more jokes than life changes. Still, it’s a good idea to look back on the past year and reflect on what worked and what didn’t. An example might be remembering a fish lost to a failed knot. Resolve to always carefully tie knots, wetting them and carefully tightening them. The same applies to sharpening hooks, checking the drag and inspecting line for nicks and abrasions. Tackle and organization are certainly places to start, but extend that same thinking to other equipment like your boat and motor, waders, push pole, trolling motor and wading boots. As experi-

ence teaches us, it’s the little things that we overlook that come back to haunt us. On the water, consider thinking out of the proverbial “box” by altering your routine strategy. Many anglers go fishing with a plan and never deviate from it. They start at one spot and hit all the usual “holes” during the day. A different option? Try planning to fish only places you’ve never explored before. I’ve done this and been amazed at how many unique areas and new opportunities I’ve found. Make a note of the moon phase, tide stage, wind direction and water temperature. Looking at the same places with this information and “new eyes” can be revealing. Also consider trying a new place altogether. There are lots of beautiful and productive destinations within a few hours north and south of Anna Maria. Drive two hours north and you can explore the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge and just north of there, Homosassa, Crystal River, and Yankeetown. Less than two hours south and

you’re in Charlotte Harbor and adjacent to Pine Island Sound. Too far? Anyone with a boat can leave Anna Maria and be fishing in fresh water in less than an hour. The Manatee and Braden rivers provide anglers with a variety of fish from tarpon to catfish, redfish to bass. Both rivers also have numerous launch sites for boats, kayaks and paddleboards. It might even prove useful to review how you approach fishing. If you’re a fly caster, look at ways you might improve your casting and consider learning how to cast with your non-dominant hand and tie flies. Anglers who use conventional tackle might want to try artificial lures instead of always relying on live bait. I have a final suggestion that might be the most important. Get involved in working to keep our waters fishable and swimmable. Join with like-minded individuals, write letters to policymakers, attend commission meetings and lobby state officials to protect our water quality, habitat and fisheries. All the well-intended resolu-

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN

Mark McBride, Bobby Lopez and Dan Madole found these impressive grouper in Tampa Bay. tions won’t amount to much if we don’t. No matter how long you’ve been fishing or what your level of competency, there’s always room for improvement. Environmental advocacy, a general review of your tackle, technique and the opportunities available to you can only improve your enjoyment of fishing moving into 2021 and beyond. Happy New Year!

DECEMBER 30, 2020

~ 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION ~

THE SUN

CINDY LANE | SUN

Always new Clouds make the sunsets on Anna Maria Island different every evening. CAPT RICK GRASSETT | SUBMITTED

Denny Clohisy, of California, with his first tripletail caught and released on a DOA Shrimp while fishing the coastal Gulf recently with Capt. Rick Grassett.

Persistence pays in tracking tripletail CAPTAIN RICK GRASSETT

Anglers fishing with me out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key had good action with trout, Spanish mackerel and blues in Sarasota Bay and tripletail in the coastal Gulf of Mexico on flies and DOA Lures recently. Fly anglers scored with Clouser flies fished on sink tip fly lines over deep grass flats. Spin fishing anglers also had good action with CAL jigs with a variety of tails and DOA Deadly Combos. Denis Clohisy and his daughter, Cecilia, from Wisconsin, and son, Denny, from California, fished a couple of days with me recently. Denis and Cecilia had some action with trout in Sarasota Bay on CAL jigs and shad tails and flies on one trip. Conditions were very good when Denis and Denny hunted tripletail with me in the coastal Gulf on another trip. The fish were very picky that day, refusing our flies and lures

often, but we fished hard until Denny caught and released his first tripletail with a DOA Shrimp. Great job! Tripletail fishing usually requires persistence and commitment to be successful. You never know if and when you’ll find them, but when conditions are good, it’s worth the effort! Fish the coastal Gulf for tripletail when conditions are good. Fishing deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay is a good choice for action with a variety of species including trout, blues and Spanish mackerel. Shallow water action for reds and snook is also a good option now. Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by industrial, agricultural and residential runoff, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation. Please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!

ROB CARR | SUBMITTED

Northern mockingbird

Local birds flourishing

The 121st Audubon Christmas Bird Count is underway and so far, it looks like local birds are thriving, according to Kathy Doddridge, a compiler with the Bradenton Circle, which covers Cortez, Perico Preserve and Harbor Isle. A preliminary compilation of results shows a record number of species - 158 - and a record number of birds - 52,836.

THE SUN

REAL ESTATE

DECEMBER 30, 2020

Real estate sales surge continues

appy New Year, are we all just about done with this year? I certainly am. Nevertheless, Anna Maria’s real estate market is not done, and this year has been an immensely successful one in spite of the pandemic. Anna Maria’s popularity has exploded during the last 10 years, much of it fueled by newspaper and magazine articles about our “Florida Postcard, Old Florida” island. The latest love affair with Anna Maria is in Coastal Living Magazine’s end-of-year issue, just in time for tourist season, if we indeed have one this year. Coastal Living has written before about Anna Maria, but this particular version has to be the purple prose of Anna Maria stories. The writing is so elaborately infused with the glory of our beaches, “near-dizzying,” the lure of Pine Avenue “hums with the old and the new simultaneously,” with restored homes that are now galleries, restaurants, bakeries, museums and bike rental shops.

Castles in the Sand LOUISE BOLGER Now, to be fair, all of this is true, but if I were reading this right now in snowy shutdown New York City, I would be fighting my way down I-95 to get here. In fact, I might just fight my way over the Cortez Bridge to see what I’m missing. I think it’s great that all of the businesses mentioned in the piece are getting credit and exposure for making Anna Maria such a sought-after island, but “double-decker building of delights” – please. I’ll let you figure out which restaurant they mean. Practically every month this year, when I review the closed sales numbers in Manatee County, I get excited, and this month is no exception. So, let’s look at the Novem-

ber Manatee County closed sales reported by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee. Single-family homes closed 40.3% more properties in November this year compared to last year. Cash sales were up 52%, the median sale price was $350,500, up 7.2%, and the average sale price was $463,015, up 15.6%. The median time to contract was 19 days, up 55.8% and the month’s supply of properties was only 1.6 months, down 51.5%. Condos closed 58.9% more properties in November this year compared to last year. Cash sales were up 77.4%, the median sale price was $237,250, up 10.3%, and the average sale price was $265,013, up 5.3%. The median time to contract was 34 days (no change from last year) and the month’s supply of properties was only 2.3 months, down 45.2%. The month’s supply of available properties hit a new low, meaning if you’re looking for a single-family home or a condo,

you will have slim pickings. Because of this, the median and average sale prices continue to push up with no end in sight. Fortunately, with mortgage rates also at an all-time low, buyers can qualify for a higher amount of financing. In addition, the percentage of cash transactions is extraordinary. Cash continues to be king and will easily make or break a deal. I expect December’s numbers will be slightly lower based on the surge of COVID-19 infections combined with the holidays, but we’ll see if that’s true. Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the recent Longboat Key sale of $16.5 million – the highest registered sale in the history of Sarasota and Manatee. Even if my writer’s critical eye has taken some exception to Coastal Living, I’m still happy they wrote about Anna Maria. It’s good for business and great for real estate. I just wonder what George Emerson Bean and Charles Roser would have thought. Happy New Year and stay safe.

~ 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION ~

DECEMBER 30, 2020

THE SUN

Coquina Beach renourishment slated for early 2021 Manatee County is also partnering with the Town of Longboat Key on a beach renourishment project.

Pierro estimated the Coquina Beach renourishment project will cost approximately $3 million. He said the project plans are complete, and expects the contract to be awarded in January and the work to begin in February or March. Pierro said the project must be completed by the end of May to preserve the FEMA funds.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County has a FEMA-funded, county-managed beach renourishment project planned for Coquina Beach in early 2021. The county is also partnering with the Town of Longboat Key on a beach renourishment project that includes the construction of five permeable rock groins. The Town of Longboat Key also plans to conduct an emergency dredging operation on Greer Island, also known as Beer Can Island, at the northern tip of the key. These projects were presented and discussed at the Tuesday, Dec. 15 Manatee County Commission meeting.

COQUINA BEACH RENOURISHMENT

Tom Pierro, principal engineer with Coastal Planning and Engineering, presented the county’s Coquina Beach renourishment plan.

GREER ISLAND DREDGING

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Manatee County will conduct a FEMA-funded beach renourishment project at Coquina Beach. The county-owned beach is located in Bradenton Beach at the southern end of Anna Maria Island. Pierro said the Coquina Beach renourishment project pertains to a mile-and-a-half stretch of beach in that area. Pierro said the beach area is managed locally by the county and does not contain the required infrastructure elements to have been included in the recently-completed Anna Maria Island beach renourishment project that received significant federal funding.

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Pierro said the beach sand lost during Hurricane Hermine in 2016 and Hurricane Irma in 2017 qualified the Coquina Beach renourishment project for FEMA funds. About 200,000 cubic yards of sand can be removed from Longboat Pass, he said, adding that the county plans to use about 70,000 cubic yards of that available sand for the Coquina Beach renourishment project. He said the rest could possibly be made available to the Town of Longboat Key to renourish the beach at the end of Gulfside Road.

Representing the Town of Longboat Key, Senior Project Manager Charlie Mopps presented the Greer Island emergency dredging plan. Mopps said the purpose of the dredging operation is to improve and restore boat and kayak access to Greer Island lagoon near the Longboat Pass Bridge. Mopps said the emergency dredging project calls for the removal of about 1,000 cubic yards of sand in a 30-foot stretch of the lagoon. Mopps said the dredging contract has been awarded to Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift. The dredging project is expected to begin soon and take only a few days to complete once started. Mopps said the sand removed from the lagoon will be stored for later use with the Longboat Key beach renourishment project. SEE RENOURISHMENT, PAGE 22

THE SUN

~ 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION ~

DECEMBER 30, 2020

RENOURISHMENT: Slated for early 2021 FROM PAGE 21

BEACH RENOURISHMENT AND GROINS

On behalf of the Town of Longboat Key, Al Browder, vice president of the Olsen Associates firm, provided county commissioners with an overview of the Longboat Key beach renourishment project. The project is divided into three segments. Occurring first, segment 1 will include the north end of the key and Greer Island. The segment 1 plans call for the installation of five permeable groins and the addition of approximately 200,000 cubic yards of beach sand. Browder said the beach renourishment sand will come from the town’s permitted borrow areas more than a mile offshore of Passage Key. Browder said the low-crested permeable rock groins will complement two existing concrete groins located near the street end at North Shore Road. He said the goal is to slow the rate of sand flow and erosion in that area. “The purpose here is to maintain sandy beach conditions along the

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The Greer Island lagoon will be dredged to improve accessibility for boaters and kayakers. Gulf. It has been a running battle to protect the north tip of Longboat Key and maintain the recreational value and the environmental habitat in the lagoon itself,” Browder said. Browder said the segment 1 proj-

ect is anticipated to start in February or March and take about 180 days to complete. When the segment 1 work is complete, some additional dune vegetation and mangrove restoration will take place along the Greer Island lagoon.

The segment 2 plan calls for 350,000 cubic yards of beach sand to be placed in the center section of the key’s Gulfside beach areas. Listed in the Town of Longboat Key’s presentation as optional and dependent on available funds, the segment 3 plans call for 160,000 cubic yards of beach sand to potentially be placed at the south end of the key. These discussions resulted in the county commission authorizing the county administrator to execute an interlocal agreement with the Town of Longboat Key that provides $2.69 million as the county’s contribution to the town’s renourishment project. The accompanying adoption of Resolution 20-199 authorized a shortterm loan not to exceed $1.99 million from the county’s general fund to its beach erosion control fund. The remaining $700,000 of the county’s contribution to the town project will come from the county’s beach renourishment reserve fund. The commission also approved the town’s request for the easements needed for groin installations.

~ 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION ~

DECEMBER 30, 2020

THE SUN

Fundraising poised to rescue Center financials The Center’s leadership hopes November and December fundraising, along with cost cutting, brings the nonprofit’s financials back into the black for the start of the new calendar year. BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – The Center of Anna Maria Island’s October financials are in and while it’s not all good news, the nonprofit’s leadership is hopeful that, once the numbers are added up from November and December, the books will be in the black for the start of the new calendar year and second half of the fiscal year. Fiscal year to date at the end of October, The Center’s financial statements show $98,720 in program revenue, a $33,394 drop from the previous year but $7,564 over budget for the current fiscal year. After direct costs of $70,837, the program cost center brought in $27,882, $3,756 better than budget. While higher than budget, it’s still $4,938 less than the $32,821 from the previous year. General, indirect and administrative

expenses came in at $160,782 at the end of October, $25,853 less than the previous fiscal year and $19,520 less than budget. Center Executive Director Chris Culhane said that while the nonprofit has faced issues with closures and low enrollment in programs due to COVID-19, cost cutting has helped to make up some of the difference in revenue. Where he hopes the rest of the difference will be made up is in fundraising. Fundraising revenue ended October with $73,338 with $53,537 in direct costs for a total income of $19,801. And while fundraising is up $17,024 from the same time the previous fiscal year, it still fell far below a budgeted amount of $27,608. After all expenses and revenues were calculated, The Center ended October with a net income of -$118,421, a negative number but still better than the planned budget by $15,470. Culhane said that after everything was taken into consideration, The Center has lost about 25% of program revenue compared to the previous fiscal year but is still $37,938 better off. Due to COVID-19, he added that all capital improvements have been put on hold though thanks to a donation from Detweiler’s Propane, Culhane

said The Center will be able to replace a 1,000-gallon propane tank. In fundraising, he said that the calendar year end Annual Campaign is going well, though no numbers were released regarding that fundraising effort. As of Dec. 9, total fundraising from the July 1 start of the fiscal year was at $192,645.21 before costs. Those funds are going toward The Center’s operating budget, new endowment fund and scholarship funds. Center Director of Development Jim McDaniel said that as a part of the nonprofit’s Go Green 2 campaign, taking place from Nov. 14 through Dec. 31, a $50,000 matching challenge was launched and met on Dec. 16 with a $10,000 donation from Chuck and Joey Lester. The couple usually hosts The Center’s Lester Family Fun Day in December though this year’s festivities were canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. A $30,000 extension of the original matching challenge was given by the Eisenbarth Foundation and as of Dec. 17, The Center was $12,000 closer to reaching that goal thanks to the generosity of the community. “The Center continues to effectively serve our patrons in this COVID year

because of the generosity of our Island community,” McDaniel said in an email to The Sun. “These (financial) goals have been hit by over 100 donors committed to helping The Center serve Anna Maria Island residents, visitors and businesses. Thanks to each community member who has participated whether by giving $5 or $30,000.” In partnership with Ocean Habitats, Inc., The Center has seen 166 reefs distributed in local waters since November 2019 that has raised $29,300 so far for the nonprofit and filtered about 1.8 billion gallons of water. The reefs give a place for new fish, crabs and other sea life to be born and grow. Starting in January 2021, McDaniel said that the Go Green 2 Initiative will have two objectives: develop a citizen science corps of volunteers to train with Mote Marine and contribute to red tide research, and to conduct a scientific study on the mini reefs with concentrations in water filtration and habitat restoration in canals. This research study is a joint effort between The Center, Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute and the Gulf Shellfish Research Institute.

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~ 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION ~

THE SUN

Shamrock Shiver spreading out this year BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@ amisun.com

CORTEZ – Hosted and organized by Clancy’s Irish Pub & Grill, the 13th annual Shamrock Shiver Charity Plunge is going to be a little different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, instead of all the participants running into the Gulf of Mexico on New Year’s Day in one large group, they will be socially distanced between Fourth Street South and 12th Street South in Bradenton Beach. Rayma and Mel Stowe own and operate Clancy’s, and Rayma said this year’s Shamrock Shiver will benefit four local charities that assist children and youngsters: The

Blessing Bags Project, Feeding Empty Little Tummies (F.E.L.T.), the Healthy Teens Coalition of Manatee County and Parenting Matters. Stowe said the goal each year is to raise at least $25,000 and more than $273,500 has been raised since the Shamrock Shiver started. The financial pledges Shamrock Shiver participants receive from friends and family members in exchange for plunging headlong into the notquite-frigid Gulf are a key component of the fundraising activities that will continue with a postplunge party at Clancy’s, 6218 Cortez Road W. The fundraising activities will include silent and live auctions, prize raffles, a 50/50 drawing and the sales of commemorative T-shirts that this year feature a hula

girl and leprechaun wearing masks and the phrase, “We’re all in this together.” The Dr. Dave Band will provide the musical entertainment and you can also donate online at www.clancysirishsportspub.com/ shamrock-shiver-charity-plunge/, or by mailing a check to Clancy’s, made out to The Blessing Bags Project, to be divided equally among the four charitable organizations.

DECEMBER 30, 2020

20 YEARS: Under The Sun FROM PAGE 3

A former Island restaurant owner, David Viens, murdered his wife, Dawn, in 2012 and disposed of her body by cooking it until there was little left. Correspondent Joe Hendricks joined The Sun staff in 2012. In 2013, local residents banded together to fight a proposed development on pristine property bordering Sarasota Bay called Long Bar Pointe. Due to the opposition, developer Carlos Beruff withdrew his plans and later submitted new plans for Aqua by the Bay, now under construction. In 2014, the Legislature lightened the prohibition on local governments regulating vacation rentals, allowing ordinances to regulate noise, parking, trash and lifesafety issues. In 2015, Bradenton Beach Mayor Bill Shearon was recalled from office, then ran and won in the November election when he received the same number of votes as his opponent, Jack Clarke, and cut cards, winning the election. Bert Harris because famous in 2016 when property owners began filing suits under an act he authored to get local governments to compensate them for any loss of value resulting from the government’s restrictions on private property. AMI’s biggest developer, Shawn Kaleta, won a lawsuit in 2016 against the city of

Anna Maria for singling him out in code enforcement actions. In 2017, reporter Kristin Swain joined The Sun. A Sunshine Law case began that year in Bradenton Beach when six city advisory board members were accused of discussing official matters in private. All but one settled in 2020. Another Hurricane – Irma – sideswiped Anna Maria Island in 2017, causing the aging Anna Maria City Pier to be demolished in 2018. The new pier opened in 2020. Red tide plagued AMI in 2018-19 for 14 months, causing respiratory issues and fish kills that decimated the fishing and tourism industries. And this year, 2020, is all about COVID-19, which also decimated local tourism beginning in March, with a state shutdown of bars, restaurants and vacation rentals. Like 9-11 nearly two decades ago, COVID-19 is keeping people fearful and isolated. But we went on after 9-11, and we will do so again after the coronavirus pandemic blows over. And when the smoke clears, Anna Maria Island will still have beautiful white beaches, blue skies and blue-green water, the one constant amid all the changes.

DECEMBER 30, 2020

~ 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION ~

THE SUN

Commissioner Van Ostenbridge produces call log Paralegal Michael Barfield was still reviewing County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh’s private call log as of Monday afternoon. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

MANATEE COUNTY – County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge has provided paralegal Michael Barfield with a call log that details calls made and received on his personal phone. As the District 3 county commissioner, Van Ostenbridge represents Anna Maria Island, Cortez, the Manatee County portion of Longboat Key and west Bradenton. Van Ostenbridge provided Barfield his phone records last week in response to the public records request Barfield made on Nov. 20. As of Monday afternoon, Barfield said he had identified most of the calls listed in Van Ostenbridge’s call log, but he was still reviewing those records. Van Ostenbridge’s phone log reveals who he talked to, when he talked to them and for how long, but it does not provide any details on the content of those phone conversations. The Florida Sunshine Law prohibits members of the same county or city commission from discussing official or foreseeably official county business in any setting other than a properly noticed public meeting. The Sunshine Law does not prohibit members of the same

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge’s personal call log indicates he and Commissioner Vanessa Baugh spoke 15 times for a total of 129 minutes. County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh has provided paralegal Michael Barfield with a copy of her personal call log. Paralegal and Sunshine Law expert Michael Barfield continues to investigate the private communications of four Manatee County commissioners. elected body from discussing matters unrelated to their official government business.

VAN OSTENBRIDGE AND BAUGH CALLS

Van Ostenbridge was elected to the commission on Nov 3. According to the call log he provided to Barfield, Van Ostenbridge and Baugh communicated by phone 15 times between Nov. 4 and Dec. 1. Their calls totaled 129 minutes and ranged in length from one minute to 23 minutes. Van Ostenbridge and Baugh spoke for 17 minutes on Nov. 5, 23 minutes on Nov. 12, 14 minutes on Nov. 13, 10 minutes on Nov. 16 and for six minutes and 11 minutes on Nov. 18. One day later, during the special county commission meeting Van Ostenbridge requested, Van Ostenbridge made a mo-

tion to put County Administrator Cheri Coryea on notice that her termination would be discussed on Jan. 6. Baugh, Satcher and Commissioner George Kruse supported the motion made by Van Ostenbridge with no advance notice given to the public. But on Dec. 10, Kruse withdrew his support for further discussion on Coryea’s termination and those efforts have now ceased. During the Nov. 19 meeting, Baugh also introduced a county resolution pertaining to commission meeting procedures, which was adopted by the same 4-3 vote with no advance notice given to the public. When contacted Monday, Van Ostenbridge provided the following response via text message: “Vanessa Baugh is a very good friend and we speak regularly. I turned over all my calls with the

other commissioners in the spirit of transparency. I did not discuss county business on any of those calls.” When contacted Monday, Baugh provided a similar response: “Just personal conversations between two people who became friends on the campaign trail. We campaigned very closely together and forged a friendship.”

CALLS WITH OTHER COMMISSIONERS

According to Van Ostenbridge’s call log, he engaged in five phone conversations with Satcher between Nov. 7 and Nov. Nov. 24. Those calls totaled 39 minutes and included a 21-minute call on Nov. 7 and a 13-minute call on Nov. 24. According to his call log, Van Ostenbridge initiated two phone conversations with Commissioner Misty Servia: a nine-minute call on Nov. 8 and a SEE VAN OSTENBRIDGE, PAGE 26

~ 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION ~

THE SUN

VAN OSTENBRIDGE: Produces call logs FROM PAGE 25

13-minute call on Nov. 17 – the same day Van Ostenbridge, Satcher and Kruse were sworn in as commissioners. Regarding her phone conversations with Van Ostenbridge, Servia said, “I endorsed Kevin and we had a friendly relationship, with messages of ‘Congratulations on being sworn in,’ and, ‘Are you getting settled into your new office?’ I wanted to see him grow and succeed. It goes without saying that I was extremely disappointed when he suggested firing our county administrator, and I had no idea that he planned to do that just hours after being sworn in.” According to his call log, Van Ostenbridge engaged in three phone conversations with Kruse between Nov. 4 and Dec. 1, for a total of 15 minutes. According to his call log, Van Ostenbridge initiated a one-minute call to Commissioner Carol Whitmore on Nov. 16 and Whitmore initiated consecutive one-minute and five-minute calls to Van Ostenbridge on Nov. 18.

ADDITIONAL CALLS

Private citizens who do not hold public office or work for a local governmental agency are not subject to the Sunshine Law, but Van Ostenbridge’s call log provides additional insight into those he’s in frequent contact with. According to his call log, Van Ostenbridge and developer Carlos Beruff had nine phone communications for a total of 67 minutes between Nov. 11 and Nov. 21. The pair spoke for 15 minutes on Nov. 11, for 17 minutes at 7:25 p.m. on Nov. 17, for seven minutes at 1:24 p.m. on Nov. 19 and for a total of 14 minutes on Nov. 20 during three consecutive calls that occurred between 6:39 a.m. and 7:17 a.m. According to Van Ostenbridge’s call log, he spoke to developer Michael Neal six times for a total of 91 minutes between Nov. 12 and Nov. 20; and to developer Pat Neal three times for a total of 21 minutes.

According to his call log, Van Ostenbridge and Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown engaged in 10 phone conversations for a total of 80 minutes between Nov. 16 and Nov. 20. According to his call log, Van Ostenbridge and campaign supporter Bob Spencer, from West Coast Tomato, spoke nine times for a total of 55 minutes.

BARFIELD COMMENTS

When contacted Monday, Barfield commented on the calls made between commissioners. “They would have you believe that all these calls were completely about friendship, but it appears they were taking steps behind the scenes to terminate Cheri Coryea, and to bring forth Commissioner Baugh’s resolution,” Barfield said. “There’s still pieces of the jigsaw puzzle that are missing. Unfortunately, the picture coming into focus raises very troubling concerns about commissioners routinely chatting with each other on key dates surrounding the efforts to terminate the county administrator,” Barfield said. He also commented on some of the other phone calls that took place. “When you start piecing everything together, it tells me there are some key people acting as conduits between the commission, as well as the commissioners talking among themselves,” Barfield said. Barfield said he was still reviewing the call log he received from Baugh on Christmas Eve. His partial review of Baugh’s calls between Nov. 3 and Nov. 11 indicate Baugh engaged in four calls with Van Ostenbridge and 12 calls with Kruse during that period. According to Barfield, attorney George Levesque, from the GrayRobinson law firm in Tallahassee, is representing Baugh, and attorney Morgan Bentley is representing Van Ostenbridge.

DECEMBER 30, 2020

~ 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION ~

DECEMBER 30, 2020

BRENNAN: Sun’s Person of the Year FROM PAGE 1

“It’s been very surprising. Demand has been low and donations have been high. The donations have been terrific. It’s only now picking up to our average of 100 bags of food distributed per month. For a while it was 40-50 bags a month. I’m not sure why demand this year has been low, except that so many food banks and food kitchens have opened up because of COVID-19,” Brennan said. As chair, Brennan often purchases needed food items at Publix. While shopping, he tries to find ‘buy one, get one free’ offerings that save the pantry money. He also helps organize the volunteers. “At first, I did it because my wife, Lynn, volunteered and I assisted her. Then Lynn got so busy with the museum and other things and I took it over more or less by default. I enjoy it. I enjoy the people and I enjoy the volunteers,” Brennan said. He noted the food pantry could currently use a few more volunteers because some of the more vulnerable volunteers have taken a temporary hiatus due to the pandemic.

$30,000 DONATION

Brennan recently learned the Roser Food Pantry would receive up to $30,000 from the Mayors Feed the Hungry organization that’s been assisting Manatee County with the distribution of COVID19-related federal CARES Act funds. The $30,000 contribution is intended to offset food distribution expenses the pantry has incurred since the pandemic arrived in Manatee County in March. Brennan recently met with Roser Memorial Community Church Financial Administrator Matt Meehan to ensure

that the food pantry services justified a $30,000 donation. They did. “I don’t feel right taking a $30,000 donation if I didn’t do what was necessary to get that donation. The donation is going to help a lot,” Brennan said.

BLESSING BOX

Located at 511 Pine Ave. in Anna Maria, the food pantry has a new Blessing Box affixed to the exterior wall that faces the street. Inside the Blessing Box are food items that can be taken at any time by those in need. The inspiration for the Blessing Box occurred in August, when the Brennans were vacationing in the Hendersonville, N.C. area and Jack saw a newspaper story about a local church’s Blessing Box. “It dawned on me that that’s my way of being open not just Mondays and Wednesdays, but 24/7. This is something that will always be available every day, 365 days a year,” Brennan said. Brennan said the Blessing Box might provide free food for those who are reluctant to visit the food pantry during regular hours. If you’d like to volunteer, donate food or money or need food assistance, call 941778-0414 or visit www.roserchurch.com/ food-pantry/.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Brennan serves as the acting chair of the three-member Anna Maria Historic Preservation Board which also consists of Thom Wagner and Gary McMullen. Brennan said the volunteer board should ideally consist of five members and two alternates. This year, the board has nearly completed its efforts to formally certify The Island

Players theater and the Anna Maria Historical Museum as historic structures. The board can also assist a homeowner or building owner or property owner who wishes to have their structure or property voluntarily certified as historic. Brennan said a historic designation could provide a homeowner with property tax relief and may also provide relief from FEMA’s 50% renovation rule – a federal rule that limits the value of the annual improvements that can be made to an existing ground-level structure. Brennan serves on the preservation board in part because of a previous research request that Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy made of him. Murphy made his request after the Urban Land Institute released its Anna Maria Island report in 2015. The report recommended a greater Island-wide emphasis on historic preservation. “I did almost two years of research,” Brennan said. “I like being involved with the city, but I do not want to be a commissioner and I do not want to be the mayor.”

PRAISE OFFERED

Charles Wade serves as facilities administrator at Roser Memorial Community Church and works closely with Brennan on the food pantry operations. “Jack is a very good person. He’s very close with us as a Christian and as a fellow man who loves to help people. The food pantry is his passion,” Wade said. “Jack’s into so many different things but he’s always got humanity in mind and he’s always looking to do good things. He’s just a great person,” food pantry volunteer Dale Dohner said. “Jack is the ‘Jack of all trades.' He is the foundation of our Historic Preserva-

SMART: Person of the Year FROM PAGE 1

back when it was Brian’s Sunny Side Up in 1995. Though she’s moved from the Island to West Bradenton, Smart’s commitment and dedication to the Island community remains as strong as ever, something that really shines through the darkness of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It all happened so fast,” she said of watching the effects of the pandemic on her restaurant, which Smart said was packed on St. Patrick’s Day, the day restrictions on restaurants and bars were announced in Florida. Immediately afterward, she said restrictions kicked in quickly with occupancy dropping to 50%, then 25% and then to nothing as dining establishments were forced to close their doors to customers. The closure of the restaurant didn’t stop Smart and her staff from trying to reach the community, however. During the pandemic, Minnie’s was open

for takeout customers. It was also open to anyone in the community who needed food or some grocery items and couldn’t get to the store or afford to pay for food. Smart offered free breakfast and lunch to children, no questions asked, noting that parents would otherwise have to take their children to King Middle School, the closest pickup location for food from Manatee County Schools, for “a sack lunch with a sandwich. They weren’t going to do that. I have a restaurant. Why not help?” She also offered free meals to local seniors and grocery items for sale through the restaurant for anyone who didn’t want to take their chances in a local grocery store. And when someone needed something and wasn’t able to get to Minnie’s to pick it up, Smart and her staff made sure that person got what they needed. “I don’t think I did anything that anyone else wouldn’t do,” she said.

And while Smart was working to help the community, when Minnie’s was in financial trouble over the summer due to the pandemic shut down and restrictions, the community reached out and helped the restaurant and its staff in return. Smart said the outpouring of support and love from the community was both overwhelming and wonderful. “Without the community we would’ve shut down in August,” she said. “You do what you can do. Maybe I did help some people out but they help me out a lot.” Now, though the restaurant is open for dine in and takeout customers, Smart said things are still tough financially but she hopes for a better future for herself, her staff and the restaurant that she loves. “It’s scary. It’s very scary,” she said of the ongoing pandemic She added that when the shutdowns and restrictions began in March, she thought it would only be

THE SUN

Sun Persons of the Year 2020 – Rev. Jack Brennan, Roser Memorial Community Church and Kathy Smart, Minnie’s Beach Cafe 2019 – Doug Copeland, Anna Maria commissioner 2018 - Dan Murphy, Anna Maria mayor 2017 - Bob Slicker, Swordfish Grille manager 2016 – Rev. Ed Moss, CrossPointe Fellowship 2015 – Kenneth A. (Andy) Price Jr., chief, West Manatee Fire Rescue 2014 – Gail and Ed Straight, Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Inc. 2013 - Charlie Hunsicker, director, Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Dept., and Rick Spadoni, Coastal Planning 2012 – Mike Selby, Anna Maria mayor 2011 – Roser Food Pantry 2010 – Rex Hagen, Hagen Family Foundation 2009 - Charlie Hunsicker, director, Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Dept. 2008 - Cindi Harrison, Anna Maria Elementary School 2007 - The Legacy III - Emily Anne Smith, Lea Ann Bessonette, John Chappie 2006 - Suzi Fox, director, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch 2005 - Cindy Thompson, Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce 2004 – Gene and Elizabeth Moss, Roser Memorial Community Church 2003 - Officer Pete Lannon, Holmes Beach Police Dept. 2002 - Sean Murphy, Beach Bistro 2001 - Carol Whitmore, Manatee County Commissioner; former Holmes Beach mayor

tion Board and he is literally doing God’s work with the food pantry. What a wonderful world it would be if we had more Jack Brennans,” Murphy said.

a month or so before things were under control and went back to normal. Now, nearly 10 months later, she hopes that the COVID-19 vaccines will help bring things back to a semblance of how they were. “I hope that by spring the Island can go back to the way it was,” Smart said, adding that she also hopes that people will soon be able to visit without fear of catching the virus and that her staff will be able to work without having the same fear. For right now, she said the restaurant is doing more takeout business than it used to and her plan is to “go with the flow and hope that things work out for the best for everyone.” Smart’s hope going into the new year is that the pandemic will bring people closer together rather than pushing them apart, that she can keep Minnie’s Beach Café going, that the virus goes away and that everyone will finally be safe. To the community that has embraced her and her business, Smart simply said, “Thank you so much.”

THE SUN

~ 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION ~

DECEMBER 30, 2020

TREEHOUSE: Owners clash with city FROM PAGE 1

Thomas said that Tran and Hazen will have to work with the city’s building department to make the treehouse a legal structure on the property, which is unlikely, since they tried to get afterthe-fact permits for the structure a few years ago and were given a long list of reasons why former Building Official Jim McGuinness denied those permits. Some of those issues are that the supporting posts are not buried far enough in the sand to appropriately support the treehouse structure according to code, the treehouse is not accessible to the disabled and it’s located too close to the erosion control line to be legally permitted. Holmes Beach Building

BEACH BEAT HOLMES BEACH

12/16, larceny, Sunbow Bay Condos, 3705 East Bay Drive. A locked bicycle worth $800 was stolen from the parking garage. The victim said thieves stole another bike the day before. 12/19, 11:05 p.m., code violation, marijuana, Manatee Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive. Two officers were talking with the occupants of a car parked in the beach parking lot after hours when they detected the “overwhelming odor of cannabis” in the vehicle. When asked if they had marijuana, the subjects produced some, less than 20 grams. They were cited for a code violation and the officers confiscated the marijuana. 12/20, 11:57 p.m., noise violation, 210 72nd St. The offenders were fined. 12/20, petit theft, 3601 East Bay Drive. A

Official Neal Schwartz did not return a request for comment from The Sun. Thomas said their other option is to pay the code compliance fines and remove the treehouse to clear the code issues on the property. If the treehouse is either made legal under city permits or torn down, he said the VRC renewals for the four vacation rental units can be processed. Until those renewals are granted, Thomas said that the units have to remain closed to visitors. As of Oct. 15, the daily accrued code fine against the treehouse owners was $95,600. With fines accruing at $50 per day, that adds about another $3,650 through Dec. 27. As of Dec. 22, City

Treasurer Lori Hill said the treehouse owners owe the city $184,914 in legal fees. In response to the city’s Oct. 16 denial of the renewal of the VRCs, Tran and Hazen submitted a letter to the city Oct. 19 stating that they had received a legal opinion on the renewal denials and believe they were issued in error for several reasons. One of those reasons is that there are still three pending appeals in Manatee County Circuit Court, and the owners also are appealing to the United States Supreme Court for a second time to review the case. Another reason is that the treehouse isn’t a habitable structure on the property and is for the personal use of the

owners, not vacationers at the property. The other listed reasons are the loss of income due to lost reservations on the property with the VRCs not renewed on time and the fact that the VRCs were both initially issued and renewed once by the city during the time that the treehouse has been standing on the property. The owners’ legal opinion came from attorney David Levin. Thomas said that he’s found both Tran and Hazen to be receptive to efforts to resolve the situation but until a resolution is reached, the Angelinos Sea Lodge remains closed to guests. Tran and Hazen did not return requests for comment from The Sun.

mountain bike was stolen. 12/22, 11:43 p.m., noise violation, 200 N. Harbor Drive. The officer was dispatched to the house and recorded noise above the legal limit. The occupants were fined.

sional Photography at the New York Institute of Photography and was a professional photographer. Her love for the outdoors included rollerblading, SCUBA diving, snow skiing, sunrises and sunsets on the beach. She also enjoyed singing in the church choir, attending Bible studies and volunteering when she could. She was drawn to Florida, where she had resided for over 30 years and met and married Randall Stover. They enjoyed traveling together to many wonderful places but enjoyed returning to the nature and beauty of Anna Maria Island, where they resided for many years. Brenda is survived by her father, Richard Heitzwebel (Edie) of Cortland, OH; Phyllis Heitzwebel of Leavittsburg, OH; Jody (Ed) of Boardman, OH; Tim Heitzwebel (Tami) of Houston, TX; Rick Heitzwebel (Cathy) of Temecula, CA; Edward (Roseann) Dugic of Rancho Cucamonga, CA; Shelly Dugic of Villa Park, IL; Trish (Paul)

Sullivan of Thornton, CO; Tim Wayne (Janet) Thompson of Cortland, OH; four nieces and four nephews. Along with her extended family, Vicky (Lynn) Hineman, she leaves behind many friends who were inspired by her love and testimony for our Lord and Savior. Throughout her courageous battle with cancer, she retained her joy, knowing God was always with her. Brenda was predeceased by her husband, Randall Stover; mother, Georgia (James) Dugic; brother, Tab Thompson; and nephews, Mark Odom and Dustin Heitzwebel. A Celebration of Brenda’s Life was held Dec. 26 at The Tabernacle Church, 4141 Desoto Road, Sarasota, FL. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her name to the Tidewell Hospice, 3355 26th St. W., Bradenton, FL 34205. Condolences may be made to www. brownandsosnsfuneral.com.

OBITUARIES Brenda Stover The family of Brenda Stover is saddened to announce her passing, peacefully, Dec. 19, 2020, at the age of 61 years, at her home in Bradenton, FL, with the love of her family surrounding her. Brenda loved sports, played basketball for Youngstown State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Her passion included photography combining with her artistic talents; she earned a Certificate in Profes-

DECEMBER 30, 2020

FUN IN THE SUN

Across 1 "__ your age!" 4 Many 4WD autos 8 Oafish 14 Feel badly about 15 Slightly 16 100-lawmaker group 17 *Secret stage exit 19 Gets ready to drive 20 Tempe sch. 21 Out of the wind 23 A, in many orgs. 24 Frosts, as cupcakes 25 *Forte of Savion Glover and Gregory Hines 28 Comes clean? 30 Persuaded 31 Northern Iraqi city 32 Indian flatbread 34 Botch the job 35 *Impractical hope 39 Brief writer, briefly 42 Blew away 43 Pick up the tab

Answers to 12-23-20 Crossword Puzzle.

47 Low-cost product 50 Midsize Chevy 51 *Pass/fail metaphor 54 Cruise stopover 55 Night in Paris 56 Array in a British pantry 57 Lobster dinner accessory 58 Become fond of 60 '70s covert White House intelligence group ... and, in a more conventional sense, a hint to the starts of the answers to starred clues 63 Singer who was 15 in 2009 when his debut EP "My World" was released 64 "Downton Abbey" title 65 Droop 66 Passions 67 Salon colors

THE SUN

68 "Inside the NBA" network Down 1 Sotheby's showing 2 Liqueur named for an island 3 Dollhouse dishes 4 Downcast 5 WWII subs 6 It's tuned an octave higher than a cello 7 Penicillin target 8 Omaha winter hrs. 9 Womack of country 10 Worldwide cultural org. 11 Enormous 12 Major upset, say 13 Slangy "Sure" 18 Pecs builder 22 Name of eight English kings 24 PC pioneer 26 Tops 27 Watchdog warning 29 New Haven collegian 32 Most recent 33 Fruit drink suffix 36 Pliers unit 37 Bill-filled device 38 Onetime Dr Pepper rival 39 Apt. coolers 40 Vanishing point? 41 Like many veteran professors

44 Least challenging 45 High-fiber Kellogg's cereal 46 __ kwon do 48 With hands on hips

49 Wizard with a scar 50 Confident reply 52 Cleaned with a cloth 53 Woodwork pattern 58 Fighters' org.

59 "Grey's Anatomy" sets, briefly 61 D.C. United org. 62 Police dept. rank

THE SUN

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BEACH YOGA ON Wednesdays, Saturdays & Sundays at 8:30am at the end of Pine Ave by the Sandbar Restaurant by donation. www.thriveyogafit. com

ISLAND CONDOMINIUM - All phases of landscape and general maintenance worker needed. . Full time plus benefits Drug Free Workplace. Call 941-778-5915

BECOME A CERTIFIED YOGA TEACHER! Heal yourself, your family, and friends. Our program is February 19th- August 1st at Thrive Yoga & Fitness. Call 570-497-7801 or visit https://www.thriveyogafit. com/ryt200-2021 ANNOUNCEMENT: Who wants to play bridge outside on the patio, or in the park, social distanced and face-masked, Call Kathleen at 314-324-5921 THE BEST VOLUNTEER position on the island. The AMI Historical Museum needs docents and bread makers. Call Lynn at 813758-3234 or lbrennan47@ gmail.com ROSER FOOD BANK needs donations of cash and non-perishable food, PAPER & PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS. Donations boxes are located at the Church, Moose Club, and Walgreen’s.

CARPET CLEANING QUALITY COUNTS. CARPET cleaning. Upholstery cleaning. Tile & grout cleaning. Island's favorite cleaner. Manatee Chamber Member. Great price/free estimates. Call 941-7561082

CLEANING SERVICE THC CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Rentals, VRBO. Professional and Reliable. Call 941-756-4570

COMMERCIAL SALES, RENT & LEASE 4 UNIT RESORT style 4-plex: $1,999,900 Holmes Beach fixer upper with View of beach on Gulf Dr. Duplex Near Beach Totally renovated near Beach $795,000. Island Real Estate Call Alan Galletto 941-232-2216

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ANNA MARIA ISLAND business is seeking a part time Accountant/Bookkeeper. Approximately 15-20 hours per week. Must have experience with QuickBooks. Able to work from home or office. Please call 941-778-3986

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 MASTER CARPENTER. Decks-Docks-FencingStairs & Railing. Free Estimates. Handyman Work. Call Richard 941448-3571 JSAN CORPORATION Renovations Construction & Handyman Services 941-243-0995 Lic# CRC1332505 jsancorporation@gmail. com Flooring, Drywall, Painting, Repairs, Kitchen and Bathrooms, Trim & Doors. Free Estimates. Credit Cards Accepted.

HOTEL ON ANNA MARIA seeking Housekeeper Full time, Part time. Must have two years experience. We drug test. Must speak English. If no Answer, leave message. 813-735-4373. THE AWARD-WINNING ANNA MARIA ISLAND SUN, a weekly newspaper on Florida’s Gulf Coast, (https://amisun. com; www.facebook. com/AnnaMariaIslandSun), 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 community 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 emailed to news@amisun.com or by U.S. Postal Service to The Anna Maria Island Sun, P.O Box 1189, Anna Maria, FL 34216, attention: Mike Field, publisher.

ISLE TILE EXPERT INSTALLATION of floors, custom showers, backsplash, deck/lanai. Licensed and insured. References available. Call Chris at 941-3028759 please visit website: isletileservices.com “HAMMERED HOMES” (SAVING HOMES SINCE 1984) Handyman services, renovations. Free Estimates & Consulting. Call before making decision, save money. 941-778-3206 HOME IMPROVEMENT Michigan General Contractor 30+ yrs. experience. Large or small projects. Budget minded knowledgeable tradesman will complete your project start to finish: On Time/On Budget. Call Mike 616-204-8822.

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

HOME IMPROVEMENTS TILE! TILE! TILE! All variations of tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship. Prompt, reliable, many Island references. Free estimates. Neil 941-726-3077

LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE

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

DECEMBER 30, 2020

STRAIGHT SHOT LANDSCAPE. Specializing in Old Florida Seashell driveways and scapes. Also Rock, Mulch, & Soil. Free estimates. Call Shark Mark 941-301-6067 ISLAND RESIDENT. TREE/ BUSH Trimming, removal. Sweeping, blowing, weeding. Weekly, bi-monthly or monthly schedule. Pressure washing: driveways, walkways, fences, pool decks/ cages. Call Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315.

MOVING & STORAGE MARTIN’S MOVING YOUR Island movers! Offering dependable, competitive rates. No hidden costs. 941-809-5777.

PAINTING & WALLCOVERING PAINT! PAINT! AND MORE 28 years of experienced interior/exterior custom painting. Pressure cleaning, 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. Paperhanging/removal Faux finishes. Interior painting. Mary Bell Winegarden 941-794-0455 PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES. Prompt & Reliable. Island Resident. Quality Workmanship. Interior/Exterior. Also minor repairs & carpentry. Free written detailed estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315 CUSTOM PAINTING, Residential-Commercial, Interior/Exterior Professional quality work for over 40 years. Free estimates. Call Larry at 941-400-8754. References available. 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE. Professional and quality painting interior or exterior. Many local references, insured, and free estimates. Call Rick at 941-932-0940.

POOL SERVICES FOUR SEASONS POOL SERVICE AND CHEMICAL SERVICES. Certified Pool Operator. 10 + Years Experience. Residential/commercial. Chemical Service Licensed & Insured. Call Dennis Clark 941-7375657 COLE'S TROPICAL POOL SERVICE Call Cole Bowers for all your pool maintenance needs! Affordable and Dependable!! 941-7131893

PRESSURE WASHING & WINDOWS AUTHORITY ONE CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Construction, Vacation, VRBO Rentals . Also available Pressure Washing, Roof Cleaning, Paver Sealing and Windows. Call 941565-3931.

REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE GULF FRONT CONDOS Vista Grande, WestWinds– CANAL FRONT HOME Holmes Beach –DUPLEXES & MORE Island Real Estate ASK big Alan Galletto 941-232-2216 IMMACULATE WATERFRONT HOME 520 Kumquat Dr. 4BD/5BA 3928sf Coastal Beauty! Prime location on AMI. $2,750,000 Call Charles Buky Coldwell Banker 941-228-6086 HOLMES BEACH 4BR/3.5BA home for sale. 1 ½ blocks from Beach. $1,399,000. Call 724-263-6390 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 customers for 30 years. Proven track record brings you results! 941-725-1589

REALTOR FOR HIRE. Are you looking for a results driven Realtor to sell your home or condo? 16 Years experience & proven track record of success. USAF Veteran. Call Kelly Gitt Keller Williams Realty 941.357. GITT(4488)

RENTALS: ANNUAL PERICO BAY CONDO Short term rental available for this season. Nice 2bd 2bath with lanai overlooking the lake. $2,800 per month available until the end of May. Resort style living close to Anna Maria Island. ANNUAL RENTALS WANTED! We have well qualified tenants for beach and mainland annual rentals, Full management or Finders fee. Call today for details. Ask for Paige DUNCAN REAL ESTATE 513-3821992. COZY COTTAGE SANDPIPER 55+ Resort. 1 ½ minute walk to Beach or Bay. 1BR/1BA. Washer/ dryer For Sale or Rent. Call 941251-4767. Leave number on machine. ANNUAL RENTALHOLMES BEACH 2BR/2BA, W/D hook ups, storage. Non-Smoking, No Pets. $1,900/mo. Fran Maxon Real Estate 941-778-2307. ANNUAL RENTAL: AVAILABLE NOW 3BR/2BA steps to beach & shopping. Washer/dryer, security, internet, trash included. No smoking, small dog considered. $1850/mo. First last & security. Call 860-9223857. ANNUAL RENTAL AVAILABLE FEBRUARY 1, 2021. 2BR/2BA + Den. One block to beach. Washer/dryer hookup. $1950/mo. First, last & security plus utilities. No smoking/no pets. Call 860-922-3857.

RENTAL WANTED SEEKING AMI LONG TERM RENTAL 4+ BRs for professional family. Call Kelly Gitt Keller Williams Realty 941-357-GITT(4488)

~ 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION ~

DECEMBER 30, 2020

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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 $700/$800/$900 a wk. redekercondosonami. com Tim 941-704-7525 2BR/2BA CONDO FOR RENT – Ironwood Golf Course Community Available Dec 2020 – May 2021 -$2,400 /month plus taxes. Fully Furnished - First Floor Unit Application and background check required. Contact Karen 401-9323402 or galipeaukl21@ gmail.com

ANNA MARIA BOOKING 2021 - 2022 winter seasons. Beautiful 2BR/2BA ground level home with carport. 1 1/2 blocks to Gulf. Updated granite counter tops, patio w/outdoor furniture, plantation shutters, flat screen TV's in every room & more. Call 941565-2373

TRANSPORTATION AMI TAXI metered-on-callcards accepted. Airport: Tampa $95, Sarasota $40, Clearwater $85, Orlando $195. Call 941-447-8372 or 941-447-8376. amitaxi4u@ gmail.com, www.amitaxi. com ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all Airports, Casino, etc. Tampa $70. Sarasota $35. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne. 941-779-5095 AIRPORT RIDES- Tampa, St. Pete, Sarasota. Mask & gloves provided. Reasonable rates! Call or text Anna 941-932-1600

~ 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION ~

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DECEMBER 30, 2020

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