One horse died in the accident and seven others were injured.
BY LESLIE LAKE
SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
BRADENTON – A Nov. 29 collision involving a Florida Beach Horses trailer left two people and seven horses injured and one horse dead. Florida Beach Horses posted the following on its Facebook page: “With the heaviest heart we come to share that our truck and trailer was involved in a wreck where it was t-boned and flipped last night after the beach rides. All horses are injured and we lost our beloved Hoss.” Hoss, also known as Big Boy Hoss, was described on the Florida Beach Horses website as a “Jaw-dropping buckskin draft with long flowing curly locks and little feathers on his ankles. And a big boy with a toddler personality.”
Florida Beach Horses provides horseback rides in and along Palma Sola Bay.
“Many of our horses are rescues from all different types of environments all over the country. We take pride in being able to offer them the
BEACH HORSE, PAGE 11
Octogenarians survive Hurricane Helene ordeal
After experiencing a nightmarish hurricane scenario, the two storm survivors encountered several acts of random kindness.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – Ohio residents and childhood friends Dick Kuhlman and Nancy Schrier, both in their early 80s, are thankful they survived the Hurricane Helene storm surge that destroyed Kuhlman’s beachfront cottage while they were in it.
In 2023, Kuhlman’s wife, Judy, passed away and he and Schrier, a widow, later reconnected and began spending time together.
In the late 1940s, Judy’s grandparents, Floyd and Florence Myers, had purchased a 29-foot Airstream trailer, towed it to Bradenton Beach and parked it on a vacant beachfront lot they owned at 2214 Gulf Drive N.
PAGE 8
Christmas comes to Bridge Street on Saturday
The street party will celebrate the city’s recovery from two hurricanes.
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH –Christmas on Bridge Street on Saturday, Dec. 7 will bring food, music and a celebration of the city’s hurricane recovery to its main shopping district.
“We’re having Christmas on Bridge Street like we’ve not had Christmas on Bridge Street,” City Attorney Ricinda Perry said at a Nov. 21 city commission meeting.
The city is partnering with the Bridge Street Merchants for the event.
“The merchant’s group said we’re overwhelmed, financially we’re
tapped out. We’re just trying to stand back up and move ourselves forward,” Perry said. “And so we are making it happen.”
Budweiser will sponsor the event with a stage and alcoholic beverages. Perry is reaching out to local bands to provide music. A lineup of activities has not yet been announced.
“I’m still planning on having the Table of Hope,” she said. “We’re having a video where people can submit pictures of things they have seen or have experienced and we’re going to be playing that on a loop for people to see what we’ve done; we’re going to get that banner signed by anybody who wants to write anything they want on it.”
Perry said there will be limited free food offerings and attendees are also
CHRISTMAS, PAGE 11
SEE
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
The Hurricane Helene storm surge ripped apart the street side of Dick Kuhlman’s historic beachfront cottage.
SEE
FLORIDA BEACH HORSES | SUBMITTED Hoss died in the Nov. 29 accident.
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
Beach restoration planned for 2026
BRADENTON BEACH – Beach renourishment after Hurricanes Helene and Milton is planned for 2026, commissioners learned on Nov. 21.
“We talked to (Manatee County Director of Natural Resources) Charlie Hunsicker today and the Army Corps is going to put the beach back, but it’s not going to happen until 2026," Police Chief and Public Works Director John Cosby said.
“Charlie did indicate today that it’s going back to the original beach the first time, in 2009, then 2014 was the extra,” he told commissioners. "It’s going to go back to the ’09 and that’s important because that’s when the dunes were put in and that will include replanting (sea oats) there also.”
Cosby said the beach is insured through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
“That’s why we’re getting it back,” he said.
Commissioner Deborah Scaccianoce asked Cosby about the status of the beach walkover replacements.
Beach erosion exposed long-buried rocks on Bradenton Beach following Hurricane Helene.
“We discussed the walkover with Charlie. I don’t want to put them in and you come back in a year or year and a half and say you’ve got to move them because we have to put the dunes in, so we would be better off to wait,” he said. “There’s no sand dunes,
there’s nothing to walk over.”
Cosby said there will be a meeting after the first of next year to discuss a solidified plan for restoration of the beaches and replacement of walkovers.
“We’re going to have some conversa-
tion about that, and we need to get some preapproval for that from DEP (Florida Department of Environmental Protection) to say this is hurricanerelated, but it doesn’t make sense to do those until the work is done,” he said. “Otherwise, we’re duplicating efforts, putting it in and taking it out; that’s a waste of taxpayer money.”
Cosby said the walkovers are insured and a claim has been filed.
“Once we get those insurance proceeds, I’ll have Shayne (city treasurer Shayne Thompson) set up a separate line item within the budget for the capital improvements and we’ll just put the money in there until the dunes are put back and there’s actually some kind of dunes to walk over,” Cosby said.
The walkovers ended at the erosion control line.
“That line’s probably going to shift a little until the beach is back in and we cannot go past that,” Cosby said. “So I have to wait until that’s done or I see the plan for the beach renourishment, which they’re still working on.”
It ’s A/C Maintenance Season!
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
ISLAND NEWS
IN BRIEF
City commission applicants sought
The city of Anna Maria is accepting applications from those interested in serving the remaining year of former city commissioner Jon Crane’s two-year commission term. Due to a temporary injunction granted by a federal judge in June, city commission applicants, candidates and commissioners are not currently compelled by state law to file a Form 6 financial disclosure form, but those financial disclosure requirements could be reinstated if a federal judge ultimately rules in favor of doing so. Applications can be downloaded at the city website, www.cityofannamaria.com, or obtained in person from the city clerk’s office. Friday, Dec. 20 is the deadline to submit an application. On Tuesday, Jan. 7, the city will host a public forum at city hall during which the commission applicants will answer written questions submitted in advance by the public and the media. The four sitting city commissioners will then appoint Crane’s successor on Thursday, Jan. 9.
P&Z applicants sought
The city of Anna Maria seeks applicants to fill two vacant seats on the city’s Planning and Zoning Board. Meeting once a month and serving as an advisory board, members review building, development and other regulatory matters and provide recommendations for city commission consideration. Applications can be downloaded at the city website, www.cityofannamaria. com, or obtained in person from the city clerk’s office.
Bradenton Beach working on legislative priorities
City officials have until Tuesday, Jan. 7 to determine their legislative priorities for the spring legislative session.
City commissioner Deborah Scaccianoce attended the Nov. 7 Manasota League of Cities meeting and she spoke at the Nov. 21 commission meeting.
“They’re still looking for our legislative priorities,” Scaccianoce said. “We put it on hold obviously for good reason. The legislative session is in March next year, but they would like something from us before Jan. 7.”
She said the league wants the Island cities to be represented in Tallahassee.
“That’s for the simple reason they need to understand what we’ve been through in these two back-to-back storms,” she said. “That’s something I would like for us to work on.”
Bradenton Beach commission meetings canceled
The Bradenton Beach commission meeting scheduled on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. has been canceled. Commissioners also voted on Nov. 21 to cancel the Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 meeting. A Community Redevelopment Agency meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 19 at 9:30 a.m. and a city commission meeting remains on the schedule that day at noon. Meetings are held in the Katie Pierola Commission Chambers, 107 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach.
Scan this code with your smartphone to go there.
Damage assessments continue in Bradenton Beach
The building official has asked the city to retain an additional inspector.
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – The team of 20 state inspectors of hurricane-damaged properties is expected to be finished with their assessments this week, and the city’s inspector is asking for help replacing them with at least one inspector.
“It is a slow, arduous process. The inspectors promised both Chief (John Cosby) and I this morning that they would be finished with their work at the end of the first week of December,” Building Official Darin Cushing said at a Nov. 21 city commission meeting. “They’re doing every single building in the city, whether it’s elevated houses that probably got very little damage all the way down to some that are destroyed.”
Cushing asked the city to approve retaining another inspector to assist him when they leave.
“There’s me and one helper,” he said. “I’m going to request the commission to up the contract you have with our company to get an inspector here to help me, because I need somebody to just go do inspections while I can do all the administrative work.”
Cushing will be evaluating properties based on the FEMA 50% rule, which states that the cost to repair hurricane-related damage to a structure must fall below 50% of the structure’s value or it must come into compliance with current FEMA regulations.
“Ultimately if you know and you feel like you’re pretty sure you’re not anywhere near close to 50% of the value of your structure, just give me a call and I will come by,”
Cushing said. “I will personally look at it, give you a thumbs up, and either say keep going or we better wait until these numbers come in. I don’t want people to throw good money after bad by doing a bunch of work to the house and then find out you’re
Ultimately if you know and you feel like you’re pretty sure you’re not anywhere near
close to 50% of the value of your structure, just give me a call and I will come by. I will personally look at it, give you a thumbs up, and either say keep going or we better wait until these numbers come in. I don’t want people to throw good money after bad by doing a bunch of work to the house and then find out you’re over 50% and have to elevate.”
Darin Cushing
Bradenton Beach Building Official
over 50% and have to elevate.”
Cushing said every property’s FEMA-appraised value is posted ,on the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s website.
“It’s written in red right in the front. They did this because they know everybody in the county is going through a similar situation,” he said. “That’s the number we use as floodplain managers to make our determination.”
Using the example of a structure with a value of $500,000, he said the repairs can be up to $250,000 without triggering the 50% rule.
“I don’t think it’s going to cost anybody in this entire city $250,000 to fix what they have,” Cushing said. “There’s some that are going to be close, but I feel confident after all the driving around, all the looking, all the going inside and all the climbing over debris that I’ve done over the last month and a half, there’s not going to be a huge number of those.”
Cushing said permits are not required for replacing drywall, flooring and baseboards, but permits are required for electrical, plumbing and structural replacement of floors and walls.
“If you have things that need permitting, turn permit applica-
tions in and I’ll come take a look,” he said. “I want people to get stuff back together.”
He said the city is turning permits around every day.
“We’ve already done a second run of those folks who were on an early part of those inspections and we’re trying to do more and more every day,” Cushing said.
“Darin asked for another inspector,” Cosby said. “Let’s get that on the agenda for next Wednesday’s emergency meeting so we can get this moving along.”
The following guidelines pertaining to residential homes, but not condos or commercial buildings, were posted on the City of Bradenton Beach Building Department Facebook page:
“You can replace your drywall if it did NOT go over your electrical outlets. (You do NOT need a permit for this). If it went over the electrical outlets then you need an electrician to do an inspection, to see if you need electrical work performed. If you need electrical work completed, you will need a permit for the electrical work. If the electrician says your electrical outlets are safe, you can then put your drywall back in (You do NOT need a permit for this).”
Island community gives thanks together
Darcie Duncan and many others helped bring the hurricaneimpacted Island community together on Thanksgiving.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – Approximately 400 free Thanksgiving meals were served during the “Let’s Give Thanks Together” community gathering held at The Center of Anna Maria Island on Thanksgiving Day.
Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan conceived and helped organize the hurricane-inspired community gathering and approximately 80 volunteers assisted with the cooking, meal service, decorating and event set-up and breakdown. The gathering took place in and around a large tent on The Center property.
“We served 300 pounds of turkey breast, 150 pounds of dark meat, 60 pies and countless side dishes,” Duncan said in the written statement she provided.
“We also paid local restaurants to make our side dishes to help those get back on their feet. Some restaurants still just wanted to donate and we appreciated that as well,” she added, noting that numerous silent financial and in-kind donors also
helped cover the event costs.
The idea for a community gathering and Thanksgiving dinner came to Duncan on a Saturday morning in early October while she was watching the “College Game Day” college football pregame show.
“That is when I heard the first Christmas commercial and I said to myself, ‘It’s going to be Thanksgiving soon and many won’t have their kitchens and homes back together,’ and from there, this event came to life. My first call was to Chris Culhane at The Center. He said, ‘Why not?’ Then I started making some calls and the event came to life,” Duncan explained.
“I must give a huge shout out to Bethany
Carter and Jenn Sayko. I could not have pulled this together without them, as well as the countless donors and volunteers,” Duncan said in her statement.
“To see all our neighbors and friends come together over a meal and be able to visit, share stories and talk about what they are going through while enjoying some music and beautiful weather. It was perfect; and truly the best gift ever!” she wrote.
The gathering also served as a food drive
for the Food Bank of Manatee.
“Let’s Give Thanks Together” was sponsored by Duncan Real Estate, O’bricks Irish Pub & Martini Bar, Chateau 13, Anna Maria Oyster Bar, Duffy’s Tavern, gRub Tropical BBQ, Mermaid Pies, Graze Street AMI, Lola Wines/Gamble Creek Farms/Ed Chiles, The Mike Carter Family, US Foods, Sysco, Edward Don, Grooms Motors & Automotive, Barnes Walker, Whitney Patton Photography, Gold Coast Eagle Distributing and Tropicana.
DARCIE DUNCAN | SUBMITTED
The gathering took place at The Center under a large tent. Community members gathered for dinner and a celebration of community.
We wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to Darcie Duncan and to all participating local businesses and volunteer workers for organizing and staging the extraordinary “Thanksgiving
Together” celebration. Their exemplary generosity and kindness are truly remarkable. We compliment everyone involved for their outstanding spirit of togetherness in shining a light on the strength, resilience and compassion of our unique community.
Christine Steyer Holmes Beach
Clarification
On Nov. 19, the Anna Maria City Commission approved a $347,660 contract with the George F. Young engineering firm for services related to the repair of the hurricanedamaged City Pier. The contract amount was not included in a story that appeared in the Nov. 27 issue of The Sun.
Drop us a line
Got an opinion, a complaint or a compliment? Is there something you need to get off your chest? Send us a letter to the editor and have your say. There are a couple of ways to do it. The easiest and most direct is to email
The Sun at news@amisun.com. Remember to put Letter to the Editor in the subject field. Or you can snail-mail
a letter to us at The Anna Maria Island Sun, P.O. Box 1189, Anna Maria, FL 34216. Letters should be kept to 300 words or less and must contain your name and the city in which you reside. Personal attacks and obscene language will not be printed. The Sun reserves the right to edit letters for length or content.
ANNA MARIA
10005 GULF DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130
Please visit www. cityofannamaria.com or contact city hall for more information.
Dec. 11, 9 a.m. Planning and Zoning board meeting
Dec. 12, 2 p.m.
City Commission meeting
Dec. 24, all day City offices closed, Christmas Eve
Dec. 25, all day City offices closed, Christmas Day
BRADENTON BEACH
107 GULF DRIVE N. FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005
Please visit www. cityofbradentonbeach. com or contact city hall for more information.
Dec. 5, 6 p.m. City Commission meeting
Dec. 19, 9:30 a.m. Community Redevelopment Agency meeting
Dec. 19, noon City Commission meeting
Dec. 24, all day City offices closed, Christmas Eve
Dec. 25, all day City offices closed, Christmas Day
HOLMES BEACH
5801 MARINA DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800
Please visit www. holmesbeachfl.org or contact city hall for more information.
Dec. 4, 5 p.m. – Planning Commission meeting
Dec. 11, 9 a.m. – Clean Water Ad-Hoc Committee meeting
Dec. 17, 2 p.m.
City Commission meeting with work session to follow
Dec. 24, all day City offices closed, Christmas Eve
Dec. 25, all day City offices closed, Christmas Day
ISLAND-WIDE
Dec. 16, 9 a.m. – Tourist Development Council meeting, Administration Building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton
Preschool yoga, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.
One-on-One Tech Help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 3-4 p.m.
THURSDAY, DEC. 5
Sunshine Stitchers Knit and Crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m.
FRIDAY, DEC. 6
Forty Carrots toddler playtime, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.
Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.
Tree lighting, Hancock Bank, 5324 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 5:45 p.m.
SATURDAY, DEC. 7
Ask a Master Gardener, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.
Lester Family Fun Day, The Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Santa arrives at noon.
Hometown Hope Community Table and Sunset on the Beach, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 1-4 p.m.
Christmas on Bridge Street, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 2 p.m.
MONDAY, DEC. 9
Just Believe Polar Express Challenge, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, all day
TUESDAY, DEC. 10
Family story time, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.
Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 11
Making sense of Medicare and Medicare enrollment, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11 a.m.
One-on-One Tech Help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2-4 p.m.
Island Time Book Club, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 6:30 p.m.
THURSDAY, DEC. 12
Seaside Quilters, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.
Winter Painting: ‘Tis the Season, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 5 p.m.
FRIDAY, DEC. 13
Forty Carrots toddler playtime, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.
Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.
Paper Crafting, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.
Holiday cookie decorating, Robinson Preserve Mosaic NEST, 840 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 4-5 p.m. and 5-6 p.m., $10
SATURDAY, DEC. 14
Saturday Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic NEST, 840 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon
Paddle cleanup, Neal Preserve, 12301 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon
Paper Crafting, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.
Family movie night, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 3:30 p.m.
Starry Night Astronomy, Robinson Preserve expansion, 840 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 6-8 p.m.
MONDAY, DEC. 16
Just Believe Polar Express Challenge, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, all day
Intro to Herbal Remedies, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.
TUESDAY, DEC. 17
Family story time, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.
Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.
SURVIVORS: Octogenarians survive Hurricane Helene ordeal
In the years that followed, Floyd built a cottage around the trailer, transforming the cottage Judy later inherited into the 1,180-square-foot “3 Pines Cottage” that served as a family vacation home and a vacation rental managed by Wagner Realty.
HELLISH HELENE
When contacted separately at their Ohio homes on Nov. 27, Kuhlman and Schrier recounted their survival saga and the kindness they encountered along the way. Kuhlman, who first visited the family cottage in 1965, enjoys coming to Anna Maria Island in September. Schrier had never visited the west coast of Florida, so they drove down to spend a week or so at the cottage. They knew there was a potential hurricane brewing near the Yucatan Peninsula but they didn’t expect it to impact them the way it did.
When Hurricane Helene’s arrival on the Island was predicted, Schrier suggested evacuating. Kuhlman told her the cottage had been there for 75 years and the only hurricane-related water intrusion it ever experienced occurred in the mid-1980s, when 14 inches of water made its way in.
Kuhlman convinced Schrier to stay, but
looking back on that decision, he said he should have heeded her advice.
As Hurricane Helene arrived on Sept. 26, the pair watched the Gulf of Mexico waters begin trickling through the sea oats and toward the cottage. When they later saw 4-5 inches of water accumulated on the beachfront porch, they retreated to the kitchen area that was part of the original Airstream trailer.
“The wind is really starting to howl and all the sudden a floor lamp by the window tips over. As I stepped out of the ‘trailer’
Left, shown here during a past visit to Chicago, Ohio residents Dick
and
once-in-a-lifetime experience during Hurricane Helene. Above, the storm surge crashed through the
beachfront windows, leaving a demolished home in its wake.
and into the living room, I was walking in 2 or 3 inches of water under the carpet.”
Large waves began crashing against the beachfront windows. The fourth or fifth wave shattered the southernmost window and the cottage began to flood.
“Within five minutes, we had 4 feet of water throughout the house,” Kuhlman said.
Kuhlman opened a small kitchen window on the street side of the cottage to allow the water out if it got that high.
“For the wrong reason, that was a
good thing to do. All the water trying to escape through that very small window created an intense pressure that blew a hole in the trailer wall about 5 feet square,” Kuhlman said.
The refrigerator began to float and the quartz countertop buckled and fell to the floor. The countertop became wedged against the refrigerator and created a slide-like point of exit to the large hole in the wall.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Kuhlman
Nancy Schrier shared a
cottage’s
NANCY SCHRIER | SUBMITTED
SURVIVORS: Octogenarians survive Hurricane Helene ordeal
Kuhlman called 911 but was told the conditions were too bad to dispatch rescuers.
Schrier climbed atop the refrigerator, slid down the countertop and swam and crawled her way out of the cottage. When Kuhlman tried to follow, his foot got stuck between the refrigerator and the stove. After freeing himself, he too made his way out of the cottage.
Now exposed to hurricane force winds, the pair caught their breath while clinging to the Wagner Realty sign. They decided to seek shelter in Kuhlman’s van, which had already moved about 30 feet from where it was parked. Fortunately, the van was unlocked, because they left the flooded house with no keys and without Kuhlman’s wallet and Schrier’s purse, which would later present additional challenges.
After calling 911 and an unsuccessful attempt to walk to a nearby friend’s home, the pair resigned themselves to riding out the storm in the van, where they eventually fell asleep. Around four in the morning, two police officers arrived in an ATV and drove them to the Bradenton Beach Police Station, along the way driving up and over the large sand piles that accumulated atop Gulf Drive. They were then transported to HCA Florida Blake Hospital, where Kuhlman was examined for a wound on his arm.
POST-HURRICANE KINDNESS
At the hospital, they were given dry scrubs to change into before being taken to a shelter at a nearby public school, which Kuhlman entered wearing yellow hospital socks and no shoes. At the
shelter, two different women offered them a place to stay after the shelter closed. They were later transferred to a Red Cross shelter on Manatee Avenue. Kuhlman’s son, Bret, called from out of state and told his dad an Uber driver would be arriving in five minutes to take them to a friend’s condo in Sarasota. As they headed to their ride, a Red Cross representative who knew Kuhlman had lost his wallet handed him two $20 bills so he had some pocket money. After initially declining the money, Kuhlman got the man’s address so he could later repay him.
After settling in at the condo, Kuhlman went to a bank without any identification and eventually convinced a bank vicepresident to allow him to withdraw $400, needed in part to fill some much-needed prescriptions. He also encountered a sympathetic pharmacist who filled the prescriptions without him having any proper identification.
Because the condo owner was returning, Bret had an Uber driver take the pair to the Hyatt Regency hotel, where they were
given a significant discount on their room.
At breakfast the following morning, a fellow hotel guest overhead Schrier say she needed a charger cord for her phone.
The man opened his briefcase and gave her one of the many he had. Unsolicited, he also gave Kuhlman $100 cash, which Kuhlman later repaid.
“The kindnesses we experienced along the way were incredible. We had wonderful encounters in that hotel,” Kuhlman said.
They later faced the daunting challenge of getting through airport security with no physical copies of their drivers’ licenses.
“The hospitality of Florida disappeared there and they were rough on both of us,” Kuhlman said of their encounter with TSA personnel.
After resolving those matters, Bret booked them a flight through Atlanta to Detroit and a driver then took them to Kuhlman’s home in Elmore, Ohio.
“It was a life experience. I wouldn’t want to do it all again, but I think it had the best possible outcome,” Kuhlman said, noting
that the cottage was insured and he will be compensated.
After filing an auto insurance claim, he leased a new Mercedes Benz to replace his totaled van.
Kuhlman and his son later returned to the cottage to further assess the damage. The cottage is condemned and it will soon be demolished. The father and son agreed to leave the lot vacant for a couple of years to see how the real estate market unfolds before deciding what to do with the property.
Schrier said, “It was an experience I don’t want to ever go through again. I was leery about going in the first place because I knew it was around hurricane season, but everybody said we’d be alright, just do what they say. Well, I didn’t do what they said and I paid for it. I told Dick I’m never coming to Florida again.”
She too expressed her appreciation for the kindness they experienced during their adventure.
“It was quite an ordeal. I have lots to be thankful for,” she said.
WAGNER REAL ESTATE | SUBMITTED
The ‘3 Pines Cottage’ was built around an Airstream trailer that arrived in the late 1940s.
Hurricane permit fee waiver ends on Dec. 31
The Hurricane Affidavit form that waives Bradenton Beach permit fees for hurricane damage will no longer be available after Dec. 31. City building
officials advise homeowners to get permits in for storm-related damage prior to the deadline, ensuring that city permit fees are waived.
Debris removal finished
The city of Anna Maria ended its hurricanerelated household and landscaping debris collection and removal efforts on Nov. 20. No more debris should be placed in the city right of way and property owners or property managers are now responsible for all debris removal.
efforts.
Keep Manatee Beautiful assists with hurricane cleanup
Over a 25-day span in October, 280 Keep Manatee Beautiful volunteers helped clean up and remove hurricane debris left behind by the commercial debris haulers. Keep Manatee Beautiful volunteers cleared streets, parks and waterways and helped remove 145,000 pounds (72.5 tons) of debris, including 68,500 pounds of debris on Anna Maria Island. Keep Manatee Beautiful Executive Director Jennifer Hoffman was the driving force behind the organization’s cleanup efforts. Learn more about the organization and how you can help at www.manateebeautiful.com.
| SUBMITTED
Holiday Jeep convoy passing through AMI
The Sarasota and Bradenton Jeep clubs’ Annual Jeep Convoy will pass through Anna Maria Island on Saturday, Dec. 7 between 7:15-8:15 p.m. After gathering at the DeSoto Mall, the holidaydecorated Jeeps will start rolling at 7 p.m. The convoy will travel down Manatee Avenue, make a left turn in Holmes Beach and travel south through Bradenton Beach, with a 20-minute stop at Coquina Beach. The convoy will then roll through Longboat Key and St. Armands Circle en route to its final stop at the Siesta Key Beach parking lot. All holiday-decorated Jeeps are welcome and the entry fee for each Jeep is five non-perishable food items to be donated to the
The holiday-decorated Jeeps will pass through Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach.
Food Bank of Manatee. Visit the Sarasota Jeep Club or the Bradenton Jeep Club Facebook page for more information, including the rules for convoy participants.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Agnelli Pools & Construction owner Frank Agnelli and his team played a significant role in Anna Maria’s debris removal
KEEP MANATEE BEAUTIFUL
Keep Manatee Beautiful volunteers helped clean up Anna Maria Island.
CHRISTMAS: Comes to Bridge Street on Saturday
encouraged to support area restaurants. The street will be closed, and she invites local businesses, including those throughout the Island and Cortez, to participate as pop-up vendors.
“I don’t care if you’re in Holmes Beach or Anna Maria or Cortez, you were part of all this and I want you to be part of our celebration,” Perry said. “It will be a little food festival, with our Table of Hope to remind people to respect us in what we’ve been through but celebrate us because we’re strong and will come back stronger.”
The event kicks off at 2 p.m. and there will be kid-friendly activities early in the day. As the event progresses into the evening there will be an alcohol and noise ordinance waiver.
“People can have a great time celebrating, taking a breather from the reality of what you have been through, the hurt you have experienced,” she said.
Perry said, in addition to Budweiser, other businesses have made donations.
“Publix gave us $1,000,” she said. “We’re getting food and water from Wawa. I ran into Shawn Kaleta this morning and he asked me how much money we need. He will make sure his parking lot, and it is a business too, will reduce his parking fees down to something that is easier for people to pay.”
Perry said she was still working out details of the event, but said, “We know we’re not perfect, but it’s that imperfection that is perfect. And we want to celebrate that, so Dec. 7 is our big party that we’re back.”
Tingley Library temporarily closed
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – The Tingley Memorial Library will be closed to the public until late January 2025 and will be used meanwhile for post-hurricane city meetings.
“The building is being utilized right now by our recovery team by ISC, which is Integrated Solutions Corporation, and the parking lot is also being utilized for parking for debris management people a little bit longer,” Mayor John Chappie said at a Nov. 21 city commission meeting. “Once we no longer have that, we’ll go back to the commission for discussion.”
“In the upcoming months we’re going to have a site visit from the state and FEMA as our projects move forward,” Police Chief and Public Works Director John Cosby said. “And we’ll be meeting over there so there are no interruptions. There’s a lot going on here in City Hall. That will allow us the space that we need to continue to
BEACH HORSE: Trailer involved in collision
happiest and healthiest lives as beach horses,” according to the Florida Beach Horses website.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist with veterinary care for the injured horses along with medical costs for the two people in the truck, and burial expenses for Hoss.
“We are reaching out for support after a devastating accident that has left a community reeling…
The two individuals transporting the trailer also sustained serious injuries with one requiring surgery and a long road to recovery,” the GoFundMe post states.
The page has a goal of $30,000 and funds will be used for veterinary care for the injured horses, surgeries, rehabilitation and ongoing medical treatment. The people injured in the accident are facing hospital bills, surgical costs and extended recovery time, which will affect their ability to work and provide for their families.
conduct business for getting the city back up and running.”
The library did not sustain damage from the hurricanes, Cosby said.
Cosby asked what the commission would like to do about the one library employee, a part-time librarian aided by volunteers.
The commission decided the employee will be laid off until the Jan. 16 noon city commission meeting.
collision involving a horse trailer left one horse dead and seven others injured.
Boat parade canceled
The annual Christmas Boat Parade will not be held this year due to concerns about post-hurricane debris in the water. The parade, in which decorated vessels motor from Longboat Pass to the Bradenton Beach city pier, is typically held in conjunction with Christmas on Bridge Street, which will be taking place on Saturday, Dec. 7 beginning at 1 p.m.
•
• Beach Bums
• Bortell’s Lounge
• Cool Beans AMI
• DBTB Juice Bar & Bakery
• Dips Ice Cream
• gRub Tropical BBQ
• Gypsy Soul
• Harry’s Grill
• Lazy Turtle Beach Rentals
• Mademoiselle Paris
• North Shore Café
• Pine Avenue Bait and Tackle
• Poppo’s Taqueria
• Slim’s Place
• Sushi Ramen
•
• The Donut Experiment
•
BRADENTON BEACH
• Anna Maria Oyster Bar
• Back Alley
• Bamboo Island Bar
• BeachHouse Restaurant
• Blooms by the Beach
• Bridge Street Jewelers
• Bridge Tender Inn
• Circle K
• Daiquiri Deck
• Island Donut Company
• Island Time
• Monetti Apparel
• Pane e Amore Italian Café
• Salt Bar & Table
Open for business
• Shore Thing Tiki Cruises
• Smoquehouse
• Tommyknockers Saloon
HOLMES BEACH
• ACE Hardware
• Alvin’s Island
• AMI Coconuts
• Anchor Inn
• Anna Maria Island Beach Café
• Anna Maria Island Coffee Shack
• Anna Maria Island Dolphin Tours
• Anna Maria Island Sun
• AMI Boat Tours
• Artists Haven
• Baskin Robbins
• Blueberries Café
• Cheesecake Cutie
• China 1
• CrossFit Anna Maria
• Dollar Tree
• Duffy’s Tavern
• Dunkin Donuts
• Edibles & More Country Store
• Fifty-Three Fifty The Pourhouse
• Freckled Fin
• Fun and More Rentals
• Graze Street AMI
• Grooms Auto Repair
• Gypsea Tides
• Holmes Beach Automotive Service
• Holmes Beach Post Office
• Holy Cow Ice Cream
• Hurricane Hanks
• Hurricane Liquor
• Island Animal Clinic
• Island Bazaar
• Island Mail & More
• Isola Bella Italian Eatery
• Kiwi’s Fish & Chips
• La Creperie
• Los Chiludos
• Paradise Bagels
• Pizzano’s Pizza & Grinders
• Publix
• Reed Physical Therapy
• Salon Salon
• Sand Dollar
• Scott’s Deli
• Skinny’s Place
• Small Town Creamery
• Solo’s Pizza
• The AMI Airport Shuttle Guy
• The Chateau
• The Doctor’s Office
• The Doctor’s Garden
• The Hot Dog Guy Boat
• The Ugly Grouper
• Time Saver
• Topsail Steamer
• Vintage Beach
• Walgreens
• West Coast Surf Shop
• Zen Nails
CORTEZ
• Anna Maria Oyster Bar
• A.P. Bell Fish Co.
• Breezy Bakery
• Clam Factory
• Coastline Dolphin & Snorkeling
• Cortez Café
• Cortez Kitchen
• Foxi Coffee
• Pig Out Food Truck
• Star Fish Co.
• Swordfish Grill and Tiki
• The Beach Shop
• The Fox Mercantile
• Tide Tables
• Tyler’s Ice Cream
COOLEST CHRISTMAS
City hosts annual tree lighting
The holidays look a little different on Anna Maria Island in the wake of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, however, the city of Holmes Beach is adding a little normalcy to the mix with the annual tree lighting ceremony. This year’s tree will be lit on Friday, Dec. 6 at 5:45 p.m. at Hancock Whitney Bank, 5324 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach.
The public is invited to come out and watch as the lights on the big tree come on for the first time this season.
Walk to Bethlehem at Roser Church
Journey with the Holy family on Roser Memorial Community Church’s Bethlehem Walk. The annual holiday walk begins on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Roser sanctuary and
continues for two square blocks through the streets of Anna Maria with stops at different locations to tell the Christmas story of the birth of Jesus. Costumes are available for those who want to dress up. Live animals also take part in the walk. Participants are advised to bring flashlights to help light the way. Cookies and drinks will be served after the walk. Roser is located at 512 Pine Ave. in Anna Maria.
A MusicalISLAND Christmas
OUTDOORS
Marine debris cleanup effort planned
he effects of the 2024 hurricane season have been all too apparent to Anna Maria Island residents since the passing of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in a two-week period in late September and early October. The devastation broke the record for the shortest amount of time between two major hurricanes in Florida. Collapsed buildings, mountains of sand and huge piles of debris lining local neighborhoods and coastal highways have served as constant reminders. Since then, local municipalities, along with FEMA, deployed over 1,000 incident management personnel, while other federal and state agencies deployed 1,200 additional search and rescue
Unfortunately, those storm surges and winds pushed massive amounts of detritus into local waters, littering grass flats and choking local mangrove forests with the shattered remnants of island life. Now local environmental nonprofits and concerned citizens, watermen and sportsmen are banding together to clean up area waters. On Saturday, Dec. 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., you can join Suncoast Waterkeeper, Suncoast Aqua Ventures, the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, the Tampa Bay
crucial cleanup of marine debris in our waterways and mangroves.
TERRA CEIA BAY AND MANATEE RIVER
The cleanup will focus on the waters of the Manatee River out of Blenker Boatworks and Marina at the mouth of the Manatee River in Bradenton and Terra Ceia Bay at Tropic Isles Marina on Terra Ceia Bay in Palmetto. Organizers are calling for help from kayakers, shallow draft boat owners and shoreline helpers. The cleanup will focus on mangroves, so volunteers are encouraged to wear protective clothing, eyewear and shoes. Lunch, gloves and other collection supplies will be provided to participants, who are being asked to bring a reusable water bottle. Exact meet up locations
dec_14_cleanup.
As I’ve reported through the years, our local waters have been increasingly stressed by loss of habitat, sewage releases, storm water runoff and what I’ve described as “death by a thousand cuts.” While we often hear how fragile our marine resources are, the fact is they are extremely resilient, to a point! To recover from these insults and the natural disasters that are becoming more common, we must understand these critical issues and their importance to our health and the economy and work to protect them. Lending a helping hand and supporting these organizations in the field and through the legislative process has never been more important.
RUSTY CHINNIS
OBITUARIES
Luis Kristian “Kris” Wisniewski
Luis Kristian “Kris” Wisniewski, 65, of Anna Maria, died on Aug. 28. He was a thirdgeneration resident of Anna Maria. His grand father originally settled on the Island in 1959. Although he was born in Germany, he spent most of his life as an islander. His mother, Helen RomeikieWisniewski was a local artist. Shortly after graduating from USF he received a commission in the U.S. Army and served for 22 years. During that time, he deployed to the first Gulf war, receiving a bronze star. After retiring he returned to the Island to take his dream job, working at the city pier bar before Hurricane Irma shut it down. He also volunteered at the Roser Thrift Store and was an active member of the church. He loved spending time at the Island Ace Hardware store, D Coy Ducks reading trivia and telling horoscopes on the pier. He is survived by his wife, Sharon; daughter, Andrea; daughter, Ammanda (Andrew)
Simonetti; and two grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held at Roser Memorial Church on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 11 a.m., followed by a reception in the fellowship hall. Roser Church is located at 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria.
Deborah Jean Klein
Deborah Jean Klein passed away unexpect edly and peacefully at home on Oct. 27, 2024, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her last day was spent connecting with siblings, and in the evening, attending her book club, doing two of the things she loved the most - spending time with smart, accomplished women and sharing her opinions.
degrees. While in Madison, she was politically and socially active, becoming a mainstay of the Madison scene while bartending at the Stone Hearth.
After passing the bar, Debbie pursued a legal career in Minneapolis, where she formed more lifelong friendships, initially practicing with Robbins Zelle Larson & Kaplan and ending her legal career with Northwestern National Life Insurance.
Debbie had recently celebrated her 71st birthday with friends and leaves behind a legacy of love, loyalty, laughter, discernment and resilience. Debbie was born to Jane and Reinhold (Ron) Klein on Sept. 28, 1953. She graduated from Wausau East High School in 1971 where she forged many friendships that continued throughout her life.
After high school, Debbie attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison, earning her undergraduate and law
Debbie volunteered as a docent with the Walker Art Center for many years, reflecting a lifetime dedicated to travel and the arts. She also served on the board of The Family Tree. Debbie’s daily life centered on family and friends. She is survived by her son, Will Lund, of St. Petersburg, Florida; sister, Vicki Ardern, of Las Vegas, Nevada; nephews, Colin and Ethan; brother, Greg (Chi) Klein, of Bradenton, Florida; nephew, Grey; sister, Heidi Juiris, of Park Ridge, Illinois; nephew, Jake; and niece, Mackenzie. She also leaves her decades-long friends from school days, her legal career, neighborhoods in Minneapolis and Anna Maria Island, Florida, the Walker Art Center, and book club - all of whom meant so much to her.
A service with family and close friends will be held to honor Debbie’s life in late Spring 2025 in Three Lakes, Wisconsin.
Red tide detected off AMI
The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was observed at very low to medium concentrations in AMI waters by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) on Nov. 26.
Medium concentrations were reported at the former location of the Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria. Low concentrations were reported at Coquina Beach and Cortez Beach. Very low concentrations were reported at the Palma Sola Bay Bridge in Bradenton.
Fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported to the FWC's Fish Kill Hotline over the past week offshore of Manatee County, according to the FWC.
Medium concentrations of red tide can cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and fish kills.
The FWC uses satellite imagery to help track nearshore and offshore conditions. To track statewide reports, visit: https://myfwc.com/ research/redtide/statewide/ or call 866-300-9399 to hear a recording about red tide conditions.
REAL ESTATE
Home sales in the time of storms
There is nothing normal about Manatee County’s sales statistics for September and October. The sales reporting, of course, includes Anna Maria Island, the coastal communities and even homes and communities further east.
It’s almost impossible to provide accurate information, especially since most of the closings in September and some in October were already in contract before our devastating storms. As we move along through the end of the year, the sales will be more accurate and they won’t be pretty.
Castles
in the Sand
Let’s start with September sales statistics reported by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee:
Single-family home sales were down by 14.2%. The median sale price was down 6.7% and the average sale price was down 5.1%. The median time to contract was 47 days compared to 29 last year and the month’s supply of available properties was 3.9 months compared to 2.9 last year.
Condos closed 25.5% fewer properties.
The median sale price was down 8.6% and the average sale price was down 12.7%. The median time to contract was 73 days compared to 46 days last year and the month’s supply of available properties was 6 months compared to 3.3 last year.
The key points for September are a decrease in sales volume, a price adjustment and a growth in inventory.
These are the October sales statistics: Single-family homes closed 22.8% fewer homes. The median sale price was down 0.2% and the average sale price was down 7.3%. The median time to contract was 60 days compared to 29 days last year and the month’s supply of available properties
was 3.9 months compared to 3.3 months. Condos closed 24.7% fewer properties. The median sale price was down 11.4% and the average sale price was down 13.7%. The median time to contract was 75 days compared to 30 days last year and the month’s supply of available properties was 6 months compared to 3.8 months last year.
The key points for October are similar to September, with a decrease in closed sales, increase in inventory, longer time to sell and a decline in cash sales, which did not show up in September.
In spite of our local September and October statistics, an index of new mortgage loan applications in the U.S. rose 2% a few weeks ago. The rates climbed back above 7% for the week ended Nov. 15, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. This indicates that higher mortgage rates aren’t slowing down buyers who really want to get into a home.
In addition, Redfin reported that
single-family home prices nationally rose 5.9% in October, which is the lowest annual increase since last December. Higher mortgage rates have slowed price increases that have been surging since the pandemic.
Unfortunately, younger buyers are competing with wealthier, all-cash buyers whose share of home purchases has increased from 20% to 26% in the past year. The average age of home buyers in the country has risen by six years since July 2023.
The Realtor Association made this statement at the end of October: “With the challenges of three hurricanes this summer, rising interest rates, higher insurance premiums and a dip in consumer confidence in our area, we are still in a strong position heading into 2025.”
Let’s hope they’re right and we do get back to a strong and more normal market now that the storms are gone and the holidays are upon us.
LOUISE BOLGER
Holiday shopping events scheduled in Anna Maria
Due to the ongoing hurricane recovery efforts, the annual Holiday of Treasures Open House will not take place in Anna Maria this year. Instead, the city of Anna Maria invites residents and visitors to ring in the recovery and support the Anna Maria business community during two celebratory holiday shopping events on Saturday, Dec. 14 and Saturday, Dec. 21. Both events will take place along Gulf
Drive, Pine Avenue and South Bay Boulevard from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.
On both dates, Santa Claus will visit with youngsters at the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum, 404 Pine Ave., from 1-3 p.m. A portion of Pine Avenue will be closed during the holiday shopping events, businesses will be allowed to use pop-up tents as part of their expanded holiday sales efforts and a choir will sing Christmas carols.
Enjoy Lester Family Fun Day
The 22nd Annual Lester Family Fun Day will fill the field at The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave. in Anna Maria on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Offering “old-fashioned fun at old-fashioned prices,” the fun-filled holiday event will include a special visit from Santa Claus at noon and feature pony rides, crafts, inflatables and live performances by the Manatee High School Drum Line and DJ Freeze. The food offerings will include hot dogs and Duffy’s Tavern's legendary burgers. At 2 p.m., a Golf Ball Drop 50/50 raffle will take place, with the ball closest to or in the hole taking half the pot. Golf balls are $50 each or three for $100. Golf balls can be purchased online at www. centerami.org/events/ or
by calling The Center at 941-778-1908.
the Leaf a Legacy cam paign in memory of event founders Chuck and Joey Lester, whose generosity left a lasting impact on The Center. Each donation will add a new leaf to the community tree, representing the support that sustains The Center and its programs. This
year, a gift will go twice as
provide diverse programs sports and Family Fun Nights to serve the community. Visit The Center to purchase a leaf, email hello@centerami.org or call 941-778-1908.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
The annual Holiday of Treasures Open House is being replaced this year by two smaller holiday shopping events.
Skoloda, Hawks, Mason win at AMI Horseshoes
From left, Tom Skoloda walked his way into the winner's circle on Nov. 27 after posting the only 3-0 record during pool play at AMI Horseshoes. On Nov. 30, Bob Hawks and Bob Mason were down 14-7 then rallied for a 21-15 win over Gersey Fernandes and Adin Shank in the final and earned the day’s bragging rights thanks to a pair of double-ringers by Hawks down the stretch.
FUN IN THE SUN
CLASSIFIEDS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
THRIVE BEACH YOGA: All Levels Welcome! 100 Pine Ave on AMI. 8:30am every Saturday & Sunday, Wednesdays (Oct-May).
$15 Pre-Registration required at ThriveYogaFit. com
BOATS
FIRST, I WISH ALL MY ISLAND FRIENDS WELL. This to shall pass. Yes, boats are selling. Yes, we will buy damaged boats. Yes, we need boats as folks are getting insurance checks.
Dave Struber/Owner 24 Years, Islandboatsales. net-941-288-3489
CARE GIVER
ELDER CARE by Longtime resident. Many References. Part time to help with shopping, companionship, cooking etc. Call Cheryl 941-685-0045
COMMERCIAL SALES, RENT & LEASE
HAVE YOU BEEN thinking of selling? We NEED properties to List for SALE!!! Duplexes, multi family, small resorts? Call BIG Alan Galletto of Island Real Estate to get it SOLD 941-232-2216
CLEANING SERVICE
TOTAL HOME SERVICES CLEANING: Residential, Commercial, Rentals, VRBO. Professional and Reliable. Call 941-756-4570 or 941-565-3931
HOME IMPROVEMENTS
RENOVATION SPECALIST ALL carpentry repairs, Wash Family Construction, locally owned and operated CBC 1258250 Call 941-725-0073.
KERN & GILDER CONSTRUCTION, INC New Homes & Remodel. Design/Build. Since 1968. License # CBC 1261150. Call the Office. 941-7781115
GET’R DONE DRYWALL, INC Specializing in Remodels & Repairs. Island Resident for 20+ years. Call Neil. Cell 941-9621194
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.
GORILLA DRYWALL REPAIR, LLC. 15+ years of experience. Free Estimates. Let’s solve your Drywall problems together. Call 941-286-0607.
BMF INTERIORS Home repairs and more, No job too small. Please call 786318-8585
A.R.E. Renovation’s WHOLESALE KITCHEN CABINETS DIRECT., Remodeling, Bathrooms. Trim Flooring and Decks Tile and more Free quote, references available. Lic. # CRC.1334176 941-4653045.
CCS DRYWALL REPAIRS
We are local. Family owned & operated since 1991. Free Estimates. Licensed/Insured/Bonded. License # SCC131149803 Call 941-713-6531.
HURRICANE DAMAGE?
I’m an Island resident. Pressure washing, tree work, fence repair, mailbox replacement. Also see ads under “Landscaping & painting. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315
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
ISLAND RESIDENT. TREE/ BUSH Trimming, removal. Sweeping, blowing, and weeding. Weekly, bi-monthly or monthly schedule. Pressure washing. Call Bill Witaszek 941307-9315
SHORTDOG TREE & LAWN SERVICE Free Estimates. Remove trees; trim palms, yard work, hauling everything. Call 941-746-3373 or 941-730-2694
SHELL DELIVERED AND spread. Hauling all kinds of gravel, mulch, top soil with free estimates. Call Larry at 941795-7775, "shell phone" 941-720-0770
SHELL DRIVEWAYS & LANDSCAPE. Specializing in Old Florida Seashell and Lime rock driveways and scapes. Also River Rock, Sand, Mulch, & Soil. Call Shark Mark 941-301-6067
MOVING & STORAGE
MARTIN’S MOVING YOUR Island movers! Offering dependable, competitive rates. No hidden costs. 941-8095777.
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
DONALD PERKINS ABRACADABRA PAINTING LLC fully insured. 30 years experience. Many Island references. Call 941-705-7096
PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES. Prompt & Reliable. Island Resident. Quality Workmanship. Interior/Exterior. Minor repairs & carpentry. Free estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315
PEST CONTROL
ANNA MARIA PEST CONTROL Call 941-7781630
POOL SERVICES
FOUR SEASONS POOL SERVICE AND CHEMICAL SERVICES. Certified Pool Operator. 18 + 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
TOTAL HOME SERVICES CLEANING: Residential, Commercial, Construction, Vacation, VRBO Rentals . Also available Pressure Washing, Roof Cleaning, Paver Sealing and Windows. Call 941-5653931.
REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE
Have you been thinking of selling? We NEED properties to List for SALE!!! GULF FRONT, CANAL FRONT, BAY FRONT CONDOS or HOMES ASK for BIG Alan Galletto of Island Real Estate to get it SOLD 941-232-2216
LOOKING FOR A highly motivated real estate broker to buy or sell your next home? Darcie Duncan, Broker Duncan Real Estate a lifelong island resident bringing success to her customers for 30 years. Proven track record brings you results! 941-725-1589
BRADENTON CONDO FOR SALE end unit 55+ community. Pet friendly. Split 2BR/2BA. Walk in shower in Master, newer paint, laminate flooring, white travertine tile, new blinds, bonus room, W/D, central air with heat, carport, patio. Close to heated pool & community building. 8 miles from AMI. Available now, immediate possession. $179,900. Call 616648-1648 or 616-340-5669
RENTALS: ANNUAL, SEASONAL & VACATION
ON ISLAND CONDO Available immediately for up to one year! Ready to move in. Great Value. Beautiful Upgraded 2BR/2BA Incredible water View! Waterfront Patio, Pool, tennis, pickle, walk to beach. Private carport. Excellent Rental terms. Owner/ renter. Please Call or email for details. drchristines@ yahoo.com or 570-2390431
ANNUAL RENTAL BRADENTON BEACH 1BR/1BA condo. Block to beach, large pool, parking. $3000/mo. 6 month minimum. Call 941-447-3071
ANNA MARIA ISLAND CONDOS Large pool, beach access, free WiFi, 1&2 Bedroom $900 to $1200 per week redekercondosonami.com Tim 941-704-7525
TRANSPORTATION
ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all Airports, Casino, etc. Tampa/St. Pete $85. Sarasota $40. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne. 941-7795095
