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VOL 22 No. 13
January 5, 2022
The Shamrock Shiver Charity Plunge was a great time for a great cause. BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com
Shamrock Shiver a New Year’s tradition JASON SCHAFFER | SUN
BRADENTON BEACH - A large crowd gathered between Seventh Street and 10th Street on Jan. 1 for what’s become a New Year’s Day tradition The Shamrock Shiver Charity Plunge. And while the weather was anything but polar – sunny, 71-degree air temperature, 70-degree water – the enthusiastic bunch of “plungers” managed to overcome a few shivers and get wet for all the right reasons. Participants dressed in their most festive attire and jumped into the Gulf of Mexico for a great cause. The event, sponsored by Clancy’s Irish Pub and Grill, is in its 14th year and has raised more than $306,000 to date. This year’s goal was $40,000, and organizers think that goal is attainable. “Customers could fill out a paper and make a donation through Clancy’s, or just come out here and make a donation,” said Danny Moore, a Clancy’s employee who used his megaphone to move the crowd from land to sea at the stroke of noon. “Employees, loyal customers and anybody else in the community who wanted to come out were more than welcome.”
Participants gather for a group photo before hitting the water in the 2022 Shamrock Shiver Charity Plunge. SEE SHIVER, PAGE 23
From beach parking and proposed giant bridges, to new elected leaders and the loss of too many old friends, 2021 on Anna Maria Island likely will be remembered as a slightly strange and active year in which everything was overshadowed by the specter of the COVID pandemic. Here is a look back at some of the stories that made headlines on AMI.
2021 in Holmes Beach BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – Anna Maria Island’s biggest city was home to some of the Island’s biggest issues in 2021. The year began in the same manner as some previous years, with city leaders facing off in legal battles with the owners of the two-story beachfront treehouse at Angelino’s Sea Lodge. With legal issues still pending in Manatee County Circuit Court, tree house owners Lynn Tran-Hazen and Richard Hazen getting no relief on fines from the Holmes Beach special magistrate during hearings, the fate of the treehouse is still up in the air after almost a decade of legal battles. At the beginning of 2022, the treehouse is still right where it was a year ago – aloft in its beachfront perch with its future undecided, though Tran-Hazen did state in mid-2021 that if once all legal options are exhausted, the court decides in the city’s favor, the couple will have the treehouse removed. SEE HOLMES BEACH, PAGE 23
INSIDE NEWS OUTDOORS CASTLES IN THE SAND REAL ESTATE RESTAURANTS CROSSWORD CLASSIFIEDS
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Person of the Year:
Peggy Nash
At 90 years young, Peggy Nash’s commitment to the community and her faith keeps her busy with volunteer work.
Anna Maria: The Year in Review Several community events returned to Anna Maria in 2021.
BY KRISTIN SWAIN
BY JOE HENDRICKS
ANNA MARIA – If you’ve ever stepped into the Roser Guild Thrift Shop or attended one of the church’s events, you’ve likely seen Peggy Nash hard at work volunteering, taking photos or helping someone else out with whatever they need. If you’re lucky, you’ve had one of her famous orange cookies. Known affectionately as Mrs. Peggy, Nash has been a force for good in the Anna Maria community for more than 40 years. After moving to Anna Maria in June of 1977 with her husband, Bob, Nash said she joined Roser Memorial Community Church the first Sunday after they arrived. In speaking with The Sun on Dec. 30, Nash recalled the move to Anna Maria fondly, noting that
SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – The pending Reimagining Pine Avenue safety improvements and the pending Mote Educational Outreach Center were among the projects initiated in Anna Maria in 2021. The year was also marked by the return of several community events that were canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
JANUARY
In early January, a fishing trawler sank offshore of Anna Maria and littered the Bean Point beach area with debris that required a significant clean-up effort by the city and Manatee County. SEE ANNA MARIA, PAGE 28
SEE NASH, PAGE 26
BRIDGE Street
BALD eagles among those found
sparkles on New Year’s Eve. 11
in Christmas Bird Count. 3 ISLAND Players ready to present ‘Blithe Spirit.’ 8
Anna Maria Island, Florida
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Sing along with the Christmas Bird Count The 112th Christmas Bird Count is underway, with Anna Maria Island’s count uncovering bald eagles and parakeets.
Here are the rest of the AMI bird numbers for the day: sandwich tern fish crow European starling laughing gull sanderling royal tern willet ring-billed gull brown pelican common grackle double-crested cormorant red knot mourning dove osprey Eurasian collared-dove herring gull Forster’s tern nanday parakeet brown-headed cowbird
BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – On the eighth day of Christmas, the Audubon Society counted 12 palm warblers, 11 (plus eight) northern mockingbirds, 10 red-bellied woodpeckers, nine blue-gray gnatcatchers, eight common loons, seven house finches, six snowy egrets, five white ibis, four (plus two) house sparrows, three American white pelicans, two wood storks and a lesser blackbacked gull. The birds, and many more, were tallied on a warm Jan. 2 by volunteers with the Manatee County Audubon Society during the annual Fort De Soto Christmas Bird Count, which includes birds on Anna Maria Island. The team of Stu Wilson, John
KATHRYN YOUNG | SUBMITTED
Clockwise above, a spotted sandpiper, a shorebird that winters in Florida. A blue-headed vireo was identified. A red-breasted merganser swims off the Anna Maria City Pier looking for fish during the Christmas Bird Count. Ginaven, Kathryn Young, Marcy Klein and Pam Koepf scoured the Island north of 46th Street and found shorebirds commonly seen on AMI’s coastline, but also unusual finds, such as two bald eagles. They identified 48 species, a little low compared to the average
of 54 species, Wilson said, attributing the decrease to continued warm weather in the northern U.S., keeping some birds from migrating south. Each count takes place in a 15-mile-wide circle and is led by a compiler responsible for safely
180 140 130 130 110 87 57 45 42 32 24 24 23 21 20 20 18 17 14
organizing volunteers and submitting observations to Audubon. Within each circle, participants tally all birds seen or heard that day - not just the species, but individuals, to provide a clearer idea of the health of that particular population.
ruddy turnstone 9 great blue heron 8 turkey vulture 6 red-breasted merganser 5 rock pigeon 5 great egret 3 downy woodpecker 2 black-bellied plover 2 prairie warbler 2 American kestrel 1 red-shouldered hawk 1 spotted sandpiper 1 magnificent frigatebird 1 blue-headed vireo 1 gray catbird 1 yellow-rumped warbler 1 Like birds? Try the Audubon app at www.audubon.org/app. The 112 years’ worth of data collected during the Christmas Bird Counts contributes to one of two large sets of data that inform ornithologists and conservation biologists about what conservation action is required to protect birds and their habitats.
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ISLAND NEWS
IN BRIEF
Murphy named Rotary Club’s Businessperson of the Year Anna Maria resident Barbara Murphy is the Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island’s Businessperson of the Year. Murphy owns and operates the Travel Now travel agency that specializes in cruises and tours. When asked about the recent honor, Murphy said, “I was totally caught off guard FACEBOOK | SUBMITTED and speechless. I was Barb Murphy recently reso honored by the ceived the Businessperson of Rotary. I have been the Year award involved in the local business community and the chambers of commerce of Anna Maria Island and Manatee County for over 35 years, and I know about the good works of the AMI Rotary Club and the help they provide when called upon.” The Rotary Club’s award ceremony was held at the IMG Academy Golf Club clubhouse.
Beach clean-up this Saturday If you would like to do your part to ensure our beaches stay beautiful, join The Center of Anna Maria Island’s Beach Clean-Up this Saturday, Jan. 8, from 9 to 11 a.m. Participants will meet at The Center and walk to the Gulf to clean up from Magnolia to White Avenue. Trash bags and gloves will be provided. For more information, contact Jillian at 941-778-1908 ext. 232 or customerservice@centerami.org.
Visit our website, www.amisun.com. Scan this code with your smartphone to go there.
JANUARY 5, 2022
Street-side parking rules set to alternate in Anna Maria
Parking signs indicate where street-side parking is allowed along the beach access ends of the impacted streets. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – The side of the street where parking is allowed will soon change on several beach access streets. The alternating street-side parking changes will go into effect beginning Monday, Jan. 17 and will remain in effect for the rest of 2022, with violators subject to parking citations. The city’s Public Works department will relocate parking signs along the impacted streets. The regulations, detailed in the city of Anna Maria Code of Ordinances Sec. 58-66, were first implemented in 2005-06. Effective Jan. 17, parking along the beach access ends of the following streets will be allowed on the even-numbered sides of the streets only: Gladiolus Street, Elm Avenue, Fern Street, Magnolia Avenue, Newton Lane, Palm Avenue, Fir Avenue, Palmetto Avenue, Coconut Avenue, Jacaranda Road and Sycamore Avenue.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Anna Maria’s alternating street-side parking regulations began in 2005 and were expanded in 2006. These signs indicate which sides of the beach access streets allow parking. According to the parking document posted on the city website, “These changes affect only certain areas of these streets and parking is allowed only where signage permits. Always park in the direction of the flow of traffic with all tires off the pavement.” More detailed explanations for each affected street can be found in Sec. 58-66 of the city ordinances at https://library.municode.com/ fl/anna_maria. Additional information can also be obtained by calling 941-708-6130 ext. 111.
Anna Maria nominees sought for Citizen of the Year The city of Anna Maria is accepting nominations for its annual Citizen of the Year award. Nomination forms can be downloaded at the city website, www.cityofannamaria.com, or obtained from the city clerk’s office. “Anyone in the city, or even outside the city, can nominate a resident or an entity that’s within the city of Anna Maria for consideration for this award,” Mayor Dan Murphy said, during last week’s city commission meeting. Nomination forms must be submitted by 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 14. Past winners include Lynn Brennan, Jack Brennan, Margaret Jenkins, Bob Carter, Dick York, Ed Chiles, Pat Copeland, Doug Copeland, Carolyne Norwood and George Norwood. A city-appointed selection committee will decide the winner of this year’s award.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
City hall entry enhanced The main entrance to Anna Maria City Hall was recently enhanced by the installation of the brick pavers that now cover the previously unpaved area that leads to city hall’s front steps.
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Testing site to stay at Convention Center Manatee County leaders had planned to relocate the county-run COVID-19 testing site from the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto to a smaller location in downtown Bradenton. However, a rise in the demand for COVID-19 testing over the holidays has changed those plans, keeping the testing center open right where it is at the convention center. With the demand for COVID-19 testing rising more than 300% in the final weeks of December, Manatee County leaders announced that their plans to relocate the testing center to make way for the construction of a hotel on the convention center property were canceled, at least for the time being. Construction plans for the hotel are still going forward on the opposite side of the convention center from the COVID-19 testing site.
MANATEE COUNTY SCHOOLS COVID (ONE WEEK COMPARISON)
Dec. 27 AME - 0 staff, 0 students Manatee County - 1 staff, 0 students Total since first day of school (AME) - 0 staff, 13 students Total since first day of school (county) - 386 staff, 2626 students
For the foreseeable future, the county-run COVID-19 testing site will remain open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the convention center, 1 Haben Blvd. in Palmetto. Tests at the walk-up site are offered to the public free of charge. Rapid and PCR tests
Jan. 3 AME - 0 staff, 0 students Manatee County - 1 staff, 0 student Total since first day of school (AME) - 0 staff, 13 students Total since first day of school (county) - 386 staff, 2626 are available. There is no residency requirement to receive a test though a
MANATEE COUNTY COVID (ONE WEEK COMPARISON)
Dec. 27 Cases 228 %Positivity 4.83% Deaths <10 % Eligible population vaccinated 61.5% New hospital admissions 8 Jan. 2 Cases 819 %Positivity 12.31% Deaths <10 % Eligible population vaccinated 61.8% New hospital admissions 26 Source: Manatee County Schools, CDC valid photo I.D. is required to be presented before being tested.
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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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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 Jason Schaffer 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 Leslie Ketchum Distribution Bob Alexander Tony McNulty Connor Field Contributors Tom Vaught Steve Borggren Monica Simpson
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
The importance of Rattlesnake Point I would like to make a point on how important it is for the state of Florida, with Manatee County’s financial assistance, to acquire the land at the Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area, which runs all the way to the Skyway Bridge and the edge of McGill Bay in Terra Ceia Bay. I would like to commend our state representatives and county commission on their leadership
and management of the parks. The nearby Emerson Point Preserve is also very important to our community. I have encouraged people for years on the importance of preserving and protecting Emerson Point. I would like to continue to raise awareness and conservation efforts in the community so everyone knows that it is a natural reef and that it runs around one of the greatest fishing-producing areas we have left in Florida. Manatee County is very fortunate that we have these areas and
we need to educate people of their importance, and preserve and protect these areas to the best of our abilities. Captain Scott Moore Holmes Beach Editors note: Manatee County plans to spend up to $3 million to assist state officials in their $30 million effort to acquire the land needed to create a state park on approximately 1,000 acres of mangrove forest on Rattlesnake Key, along Tampa Bay.
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ON THE AGENDA ANNA MARIA
10005 GULF DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130
Please visit www.cityofannamaria.com or contact city hall for more information. Jan. 13, 2 p.m. – City Commission meeting Jan. 17, all day – City offices closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day Jan. 27, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting
BRADENTON BEACH
107 GULF DRIVE N. FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005
Please visit www.cityofbradentonbeach.com or contact city hall for more information. Jan. 5, 9:30 a.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency meeting Jan. 5, 2 p.m. – Scenic WAVES meeting Jan. 6, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting Jan. 17, all day – City offices closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day Jan. 19, 1 p.m. – Planning and Zoning board meeting Jan. 20, noon – City Commission meeting
HOLMES BEACH
5801 MARINA DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800
Please visit www.holmesbeachfl. org or contact city hall for more information. Jan. 5, 10 a.m. – Parks and Beautification meeting
Jan. 11, 5 p.m. – City Commission meeting with work session to follow Jan. 12, 10 a.m. – Clean Water AdHoc committee meeting Jan. 12, 5 p.m. – Planning Commission meeting Jan. 17, all day – City offices closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day Jan. 19, 10 a.m. – Code Compliance special magistrate hearing Jan. 25, 5 p.m. – City Commission meeting with work session to follow Jan. 27, 11:30 a.m. – Police officers pension board
annamariaislandchamber.org RoserRobics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m., no cost but donations welcome. Sunshine Stitchers knit and crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m. Reserve online www.manateelibrary.libcal.com/ event/8486572 Thursdays in Paradise Stroll featuring local art, music and food, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 5-8 p.m.
ISLAND-WIDE
Forty Carrots, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Reserve online www.manateelibrary.libcal.com/ event/8486846 Mahjong Club, experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, 11:30 a.m. Reserve online www.manateelibrary.libcal. com/event/8486609 Recycled wallet and T-shirt bags, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m. Reserve online www.manateelibrary. libcal.com/event/8486943
Jan. 18, 2 p.m. – Coalition of Barrier Island Elected Officials meeting, Holmes Beach City Hall Jan. 19, 6 p.m. – West Manatee Fire Rescue District board meeting, administration offices, 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton MARKYOUR CALENDAR
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 5
Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
THURSDAY, JAN. 6
AMI Chamber Sunrise Breakfast, Blueberries Café and Wine, 5337 Gulf Drive #300, Holmes Beach, 7:30 a.m. Reserve online www.
FRIDAY, JAN. 7
SATURDAY, JAN. 8
Robinson Runners, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 8 a.m. Saturday mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest,
THE SUN
840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon. Face masks required. DeSoto/Riverview Pointe Preserve tour, DeSoto National Memorial Park, 8300 DeSoto Memorial Hwy., Bradenton, 9 a.m. Origami Club, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Reserve online www.manateelibrary.libcal.com/ event/8486404 Holmes Beach Winter Arts & Crafts Show benefitting the Roser Food Pantry, city field, 5901 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tortoise Talk, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 12:30 p.m. Seeing Stars, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 6:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, JAN. 9
Farm stand, Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 8-10 a.m. Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Holmes Beach Winter Arts & Crafts Show benefitting the Roser Food Pantry, city field, 5901 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Battle of the Brides, bridal expo, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, ages 18 and up only, $5 for a bride or groom or $25 per squad member. Register online www.eventbrite. com/e/171614001097
TUESDAY, JAN. 11
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Farmer’s market, City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. RoserRobics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m., no cost but donations are welcome. Family story time, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Register online at manateelibrary.libcal.com/ event/8486807 Mahjong Club, beginners, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m. Reserve online www.manateelibrary.libcal. com/event/8486589 Tech Help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2-2:30 p.m. Register online manateelibrary.libcal.com/ event/8486245 Movies in the Park, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12 Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ukulele Instruction Beyond Beginner, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m. Register online manateelibrary.libcal.com/event/8486411
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JANUARY 5, 2022
FWC investigating grounded sailboat at Palma Sola Causeway The person who claims to own the sailboat is currently in jail. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
BRADENTON – The Florida Wildlife and Conservation Commissioner (FWC) is still trying to determine the ultimate fate of an abandoned sailboat that remains grounded along the south shore of the Palma Sola Causeway. On Monday, Dec. 20, Alan Lai Hipp, Environmental Program Manager for the Ecological and Marine Services Division of the Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department, provided Parks and Natural Resources Director Charlie Hunsicker with an email update. “I wanted to provide you with an update on the grounded sailing vessel on the south side of the Palma Sola Causeway,” Lai Hipp wrote. “I recently learned that there is an individual apparently claiming the deceased owner of the vessel ‘willed’ it to them and that they possess the title to the vessel; according to law enforcement, this individual is currently in
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
The fate of this grounded sailboat has not yet been determined. the Manatee County jail. FWC law enforcement has opened a criminal derelict vessel investigation on this vessel. My understanding is that they will attempt to contact any individuals claiming ownership and/or next of kin of the deceased owner. Once FWC has completed its investigation, they will officially declare the vessel
‘derelict’ under FS 823 and provide authorization to the county for its removal. “The investigation by FWC law enforcement is more appropriate in this situation due to the complicated circumstances surrounding it and also allows for removal and destruction based on that investigation. I will
$13.50
keep you updated regularly as to the status of the FWC investigation,” Lai Hipp stated in his email. Hunsicker then forwarded Lai Hipp’s email to the county commissioners and noted the vessel suspected to be derelict remains under investigation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and that state agency will make the final determination on its ultimate disposition. “The actual determination has yet to be made by the active FWC investigation,” Hunsicker noted in his email. On Wednesday, Dec. 22, County Commissioner Carol Whitmore provide the local mayors, including those on Anna Maria Island, with an update on the removal of the grounded sailboat. “Many of your residents are asking what is going on with the abandoned sailboat on the southeast end of the causeway. If any citizens ask, here is the current update. Kevin (Van Ostenbridge) and I have been getting calls, so staff pulled together an answer,” Whitmore stated in her email to the mayors, which included the email exchange between Lai Hipp and Hunsicker.
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MAKE THIS YEAR
A FRESH START WITH
fresher starters
SandBarDining.com @TheSandbarAMI (941) 778-0444
THE SANDBAR STORY Many islanders know that The Sandbar on north Anna Maria Island has been serving incredible seafood in a truly unbeatable spot for as long as they can remember. What many don’t know is just how far back its history goes. The Sandbar’s tradition of entertainment and relaxation began in 1911. Back then, Anna Maria was only accessible by boat, and therefore many vacationers came from Tampa. They would land on the bayside of the island and make the walk down Pine, eventually ending up at “The Pavilion,” where The Sandbar is today. In fact, the event space there is still called The Pavilion in its honor. $IWHU D P\VWHULRXV ¿UH FODLPHG 7KH Pavilion in 1946, The Sandbar was born. 0DQ\ GL൵HUHQW RZQHUV SXW WKHLU RZQ VSLQ RQ the business over those early years, like an DGGHG GDQFHÀRRU DQG EDU UHORFDWLRQ WR WKH north side of the building. All of these changes lead up to current ownership taking the reins in 1979. While Anna Maria’s locals were shaping the longstanding traditions of the restaurant, Ed Chiles was learning the tricks of the trade from Joe’s Stone Crab Restaurant in Miami, credited with peparing stone crab claws as we know them today. There are a lot of similarities between Joe’s and The Sand-
JANUARY 5, 2022
bar’s origin stories, beginning with opening in the early nineteenth century as small, local watering holes. Ed’s early time there no doubt LQÀXHQFHG 7KH 6DQGEDU¶V FXUUHQW FXOWXUH Some of the more apparent parallels that still VWDQG DUH WKH WHQXUHG VWD൵ GHGLFDWHG WR DQG trained in quality, and a systemic commitment to sourcing top-notch products. The latter includes the iconic stone crab claws and accompanying dipping sauce. Today, old Florida tradition meets a more global point of view. Chef Horacio Eagan, born in Venezuela and trained in Spain, brings a new perspective to classic seafood dishes found on The Sandbar menu. You’ll VHH KLV LQÀXHQFH LQ LWHPV OLNH WKH RFWRSXV escabeche and arguably the best ceviche in the area. With stone crab season well under way, visitors can stop by and get a taste of the Sandbar’s beginnings and sample the future of the restaurant as well.
Content provided by: The Chiles Group.
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JANUARY 5, 2022
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Bridge Street revelers usher in the New Year Bridge Street was the epicenter of the New Year’s Eve celebrations in Bradenton Beach. On a foggy Friday evening, the festivities extended all along the street as residents, locals and visitors welcomed the arrival of 2022 and bid farewell to 2021 – another year in which many experienced joy, sorrow and stress while facing the challenges presented by the ongoing recovery and response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Trevor Bystrom (center) and his band perform at the Blue Marlin Grill.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Still in uniform, Santa visited Bridge Street on New Year’s Eve
SHANNON DUNNAN | SUBMITTED
The Bridge Tender Inn bartenders carry a “cash only” message on their backs.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Sports Lounge bartender Courtney McGough serves up plenty of shots on New Year’s Eve.
Left, Karen Mackay, David Lenox, Eric Shine, Laura Shine, Laurie Berry and Mike Boyd celebrate New Year’s Eve at Island Time. Right, champagne glasses were lifted at Island Time as 2022 arrives.
AMY CUNNINGHAM | SUBMITTED
Drift In bartender Sharon Bell hopped on the bar during the New Year’s Eve celebration.
5346 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach (941) 778-5788 | hurricanehanks.com
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Sheri Rusilowicz and her dog, Arlo, celebrate New Year’s Eve at the Drift In.
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Visit us for a cold one! We’ve installed 5 Fresh-Aire UV units to provide 1_;lb1-ѴŊ=u;; -bu -m7 v u=-1; 7bvbm=;1ঞomĺ
5344 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach (941) 779-2337 | hurricaneliquorami.com
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Center tops annual fund goal BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA - Thanks to the generosity of the community, The Center of Anna Maria Island’s staff is starting 2022 on a happy note. Donations to The Center’s annual fund during an end-ofthe-year fundraising driving have far exceeded the nonprofit’s $100,000 goal. As of Christmas, the total, including $60,000 in matching funds from the Cohen family, came to $150,509. The gift that pushed the fundraising challenge over the top was a $20,000 donation from an anonymous donor. Contributors to the fundraiser include: Bob and Carol Carter, David and Maureen Cote, Drigan Silver Lining Fund, Mark and Mary Catherine Melancon, Chris van Zandt, Richard and Maren Cohen, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Gordon, Melanie and Dick Knowles, Mr. and Mrs. L. Gifford Kessler Endowment Fund of MCF, Tony and Kathy Soletti, Jennifer Kaleta, Neville Clarke, Daniel Anderson, Christine Major Hicks, David and Mauri Zaccagnino, Robert and Janet Kingan, Vanguard Charitable, Good Samaritan Foundation, Dark My Light/Bob Smith, LaPensee Plumbing, Pool & Air, Richard
and Barbara Penn Foundation, Margaret Scott, Chris Aaron, Carol Buskirk, Eric Cairns/Cedar Cove, Andria Ludlum, Phyllis McGrady and Chris Antoniacci, David Johnson and Kathy Morgan-Johnson, Charlie Salem and Scott Toland, Bill and Maureen Shuman, Elizabeth Young, Janet and Paul Davis, Barbara Quinn, Scott and Janae Rudacille, Mark and Pat Short, The Patterson Foundation, Roser Memorial Guild, First Trush Portfolios, Arthur Hibbs, Chuck and Joey Lester, Rick and Lyn Puskas, Rich Meyer, John Domsy, Dana Buskirk, Barbara Zdravecky, Karla and Clint Hurdle, Abbie Libman, Richard and Joanne Brown, Marjorie Berger and a few donors who wished to remain anonymous. The fundraising push for the annual fund goal began Nov. 21 and continues through Jan. 14. Donations to the annual fund go toward programming at The Center for children, local seniors, athletic teams, cultural programs and the nonprofit’s environmental efforts to go green and clean. Donations can be dropped off at The Center, 407 Magnolia Ave. in Anna Maria, mailed to P.O. Box 253, Anna Maria, FL 34216, or made online at https://interland3. donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.
Concert series continues with Lou Graham If you’re a fan of the classic rock band Foreigner, you’ll want to come out to The Center of Anna Maria Island for the next show on the Bradenton Gulf Islands Concert Series calendar. Taking the stage on Jan. 22 will be Lou Graham, former lead vocalist for Foreigner. Graham was the voice of many of Foreigner’s biggest hits including “Waiting for a Girl Like You”, “I Want to Know What Love Is”, “Hot Blooded”, “Cold as Ice” and many more. Tickets for the show can be purchased online at www. centerami.org/events and start at $80. The show will be held outside on the
field at The Center, rain or shine, with doors opening at 6 p.m. and the show beginning at 7 p.m. All participants are asked to bring lawn chairs for the event. No outside food or drink is permitted. The Sandbar will have a cash bar on site. Smoking is not permitted on The Center’s property. For more information, contact The Center at 941778-1908. The Bradenton Gulf Island Concert Series is sponsored by The Sandbar, Cedar Cove Resort and Cottages and the Bradenton Area Convention Center and Visitors Bureau.
Find your elusive ancestors Join the Manatee Genealogical Society for a virtual seminar designed to help anyone who is having a hard time finding information on their ancestors. The seminar, “Finding your Elusive Ancestors,” will feature four, one-hour lectures by nationally recognized genealogical speakers D. Joshua
Taylor, Judy G. Russell, Karen Stanbary and Gena Philibert-Ortega. The cost to attend the seminar is $40 for members of the Manatee Genealogical Society or $50 for non-members. The lectures will take place from 10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 29. For more information, or to register, visit www.mgsfl.org.
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NEWS BRIEFS Chamber to host sunrise breakfast The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce will host a sunrise breakfast on Thursday, Jan. 6 at Blueberries Cafe and Wine, 5337 Gulf Drive #300, Holmes Beach. This event will take place from 7:30 to 9 a.m. For more information call 941-778-1541 or visit www.annamariaislandchamber.org.
Art, wine and cheese at the museum The Anna Maria Island Historical Society Museum invites you to its wine and cheese reception featuring the artwork of three local talents; Karen Beach, Angie Prindle and Janet Razze. This event will take place Jan. 21 at the museum. For more information, call 941-778-0492 or email amihs4315@gmail.com.
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The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce will be printing the new 2022 Passport Explorer Program passports soon, but there is still time to have your business included. Requests need to be submitted by this Friday, Jan. 7, to the Chamber. To take part, the passport holder visits participating businesses and gets a stamp at each one. The participant must get five stamps from each city: Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, Anna Maria and the Village of Cortez. It’s like a scavenger hunt that will bring the pass holder to new businesses they may have never visited and connect businesses to the community. After 20 stamps are gathered, the pass holder can exchange them for a free Locally Owned and Island Explorer T-shirt. 45 Stores For more information, contact the AMI Chamber at Natio 941-778-1541 or info@amichamber.org.
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Artists’ Guild scheduling January classes The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island will be offering its first classes of the new year on Jan. 9-10. Anne Abgott will teach a two-day watercolor class featuring a rubber plant as the subject. The class will cover form and dimension, creating turns and twists in the plant with value changes and dynamic colors. To reserve your spot, visit amiartistsguildgallery.com/book-online.
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Three new artists join Island Gallery Island Gallery West in Holmes Beach welcomes three new member artists. BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH - Island Gallery West welcomes their three newest members, Dawn Gerardot, Steve Oliver and Renee Pagan. Gerardot loves to teach, and this background provides the tools to share her knowledge of multiple mediums, including painting on silk fabric. She has taught classes, workshops and seminars for the past 20 years Geradot and has won numerous awards in a variety of media. “From a very early age, the passion to create has always been present in all that I see and do. I feel a creative energy that tugs at the artist in me and this is where happy accidents happen,” Gerardot said. Oliver is a flintknapper, primitive artist and painter. His flintknapping
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Steve Oliver journey began 15 years ago while traveling in Denmark, and the art form continues to intrigue him. He takes rock, glass and other materials in the raw form and chips (or knaps) it into tools and weapons. What was an absolute prehistoric necessity for survival is now a beautiful art form, one that links the past to the present. Spray painting is a much newer medium, which allows Oliver to express himself in a whole new way. Pagan loves capturing the beauty of the world through an imaginative lens of brilliant color. “There is creativity within every individual and as an educator and therapist, I strive to help others tap
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Renee Pagan into this expression by cultivating talents and increasing skills,” said Pagan, who discovered her love for watercolors about 10 years ago. She prefers to paint landscapes, nature, seascapes and the animal kingdom. The gallery is at 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All artists have work on display and for purchase. For more information, visit www. islandgallerywest.com or call 941778-6648.
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JANUARY 5, 2022
Island Players prepare for season’s third production The Island Players in Anna Maria continue their 73rd season with their third play, Blithe Spirit, which will premier January 6. BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – The Island Players 73rd season has gotten off to a great start with productions of “The Savannah Sipping Society” and “Same Time Next Year” that showcased the talent in our area and brought plenty of laughs to theatergoers. The third play of the season is Noel Coward’s comedy, “Blithe Spirit,” which will run from Jan. 6 through Jan. 23 at The Island Playhouse in Anna Maria. Written in 1941, “Blithe Spirit” was the longest-running comedy in British theater for many years and broke London box office records before hitting Broadway. In the play, skeptical Charles Condomine invites the eccentric Madame Arcati to his home for a seance. Soon after, he is haunted by the spirit of his first wife, Elvira, who turns his life to shambles
JASON SCHAFFER | SUN
(left to right) Cast members Maggie Carter (Edith), Jeffery Steiger (Dr. Bradman), Sylvia Marnie (Mrs. Bradman), Abby Deenik (Elvira), Jan Wallace (Ruth) and Seva Anthony (Madame Arcati) prepare for the upcoming Island Players performance of Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit. as she hilariously torments his second wife, Ruth. “If you can imagine how difficult it may be for some-
one living with one spouse to suddenly be living with two spouses, you can understand the comedy of Blithe Spirit,”
said Jeffery Steiger, who is the play’s director as well as the character, Dr. Bradman. Five cast members return for
Blithe Spirit; Mark Shoemaker as Charles, Heiko Knipfelberg as Doctor Bradman, Sylvia Marnie as Mrs. Bradman and Abby Deenik as Elvira. Making their Island Players debut are Jan Wallace as Ruth, Seva Anthony as Madame Arcati and Maggie Carter as Edith. “One of the things that’s great about the Island is there’s quite an international flair,” said Steiger, speaking about being able to cast British actors in this local production of a British play. “There are a lot of different people from many backgrounds. It’s so nice to have a wonderfully diverse cast in a show.” Tickets are $25 each and are available at the box office, which is open Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. and one hour before each show. Visit www.theislandplayers.org or call the box office at 941-7785755. The theater is at 10009 Gulf Drive in Anna Maria. For everyone’s protection, masks are required and hand sanitizer will be available. Additional parking is available at CrossPointe Church, 8605 Gulf Drive. The AMI free trolley stops in front of the church and runs about every 20 minutes north toward the theater.
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JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Anna Maria’s Movies in the Park film screenings take place each Tuesday at City Pier Park.
Movies in the Park series continues The city of Anna Maria’s free weekly Movies in the Park will continue at City Pier Park through Tuesday, March 8. Each Tuesday, the movies begin at 6:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs, blankets, beverages and snacks. The movie schedule is: Tuesday, Jan. 4: A Dog's Journey. Tuesday, Jan. 11: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. Tuesday, Jan. 18: UglyDolls.
Tuesday, Jan. 25: Paw Patrol: The Movie. Tuesday, Feb. 1: Raya & The Last Dragon. Tuesday, Feb. 8: The Kid Who Would Be King. Tuesday, Feb. 15: The Princess Bride. Tuesday, Feb. 22: The Sandlot. Tuesday, March 1: The Greatest Showman. Tuesday, March 8: Big.
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OUTDOORS
JANUARY 5, 2022
A New Year’s resolution Reel Time RUSTY CHINNIS
I
’m guessing that when it comes to making and keeping New Year’s resolutions, your average isn’t much better than mine. When I look back, I don’t sweat most of them. Resolutions like losing weight or exercising more aren’t so critical. Then there are other resolutions that one just can’t take for granted or put on hold anymore. The resolution to work to protect the habitat and water quality of the Suncoast rises to that level. If you think that’s an overstatement, I encourage you to speak to any one of the professional fishing guides, like Captain Justin Moore, a secondgeneration guide on Anna Maria Island who spends more than 200 days on the water every year. As a keen observer by trade and nature, Moore is alarmed with what he’s seeing. It was Moore and his dad, Captain Scott Moore, who first alerted me to the fact that vast stretches of Sarasota Bay had lost seagrasses after the devastating red tide of 2018. How did they know almost a year before the official notice was released by the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program? They saw it with their own eyes. Thousands of acres of lush grasses that they had fished for decades were suddenly just bare sand. I heard the same concerns from veteran anglers like Captain Todd Romine, who has been fishing Sarasota
RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN
Lyngbya blocks a kayaker from entering Robinson Preserve in 2021. Bay for more than three decades. Romine was so concerned he sacrificed a day of fishing to take Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Executive Director Dave Tomasko to show him. Tomasko made an initial determination that grass beds that had been in water 5 feet or deeper were essentially gone. This was six months before the results from the Southwest Florida Water Management District seagrass survey documented an 18% decline in seagrass across Sarasota Bay, Roberts Bay and Little Sarasota Bay from 2018 to 2020. The decline equates to a loss of 2,300 acres of seagrass. The total acreage of seagrass coverage in the area is down from 12,853 in 2018 to 10,540 in 2020. By comparison, seagrasses in the 1950s covered about 10,246 acres, a low after dredge and fill operations and sewage systems devastated a once-vi-
brant ecosystem. The coverage steadily built from there as municipalities converted to central sewer systems and stormwater runoff began to be managed. Now the loss we’ve experienced in two years means the area basically has to start over. Tampa Bay, linked directly to Anna Maria Sound, didn’t fare much better, losing 13% of its seagrass, more than 5,400 acres. When you consider that 2.5 acres of seagrass supports up to 100,000 fish and 100 million invertebrates like clams, crabs, starfish and snails, the impact of the loss becomes more evident.
If that wasn’t enough to alarm observers of the bay, the debacle at Piney Point - which released more than 200 million gallons of phosphate process wastewater into Tampa Bay in the spring of 2021 - should have been. That release likely led to the most devastating red tide event in upper Tampa Bay in more than 30 years, killing more than 1,711 tons of sea life. On top of these devastating events, two years of massive and unprecedented lyngbya (cyanobacteria) blooms in Anna Maria Sound and Tampa Bay in 2020 and 2021 blanketed thousands of acres of seagrass with a foul-smelling mass that blocked life-giving light. While local waters have become clear as they cool during the winter, keen observers will notice that the bay is still choked with a variety of algae. Why is that a problem? For an answer, we only have to look to the east coast of Florida SEE REEL TIME, PAGE 21
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Plan January fishing on tides, weather CAPTAIN RICK GRASSETT
You may find reds and big trout concentrated in potholes in January. Action with trout, blues, Spanish mackerel, pompano and more on deep grass flats can be good depending on conditions. There should also be good catchand-release snook action in rivers, creeks and canals this month, although fishing docks for snook and other species is also a good option. It may be worth checking the coastal Gulf for tripletail, cobia, false albacore (little tunny) and more when it’s warm. Snook and reds remain closed to harvest south of State Rd 64 in Manatee County on the west coast of Florida, south to the south bank of Gordon Pass in Collier County. Reds and snook are catch-andrelease only in that zone until May 31. Spotted seatrout has reopened in that zone with a three-fish per person bag limit and a six-fish boat limit. Trout must be from 15”-19” with one allowed per vessel over 19”. Full regulations and details can be viewed at https:// myfwc.com/ . Snook are very temperature sensitive, so I won’t target them if the water temperature dips below 60 degrees. However, fishing lighted docks in the ICW at night with lures and flies can be very good in January. Small white flies, like my Grassett Snook Minnow, Gurglers
and shrimp fly patterns will work well for fly anglers. Spin anglers should score with CAL jigs with shad tails or 4” jerk worms, DOA Tiny TerrorEyz and DOA 2-3/4” and 3” Shrimp. Fish the peak tidal flows for the best action. You should also find snook in rivers, creeks and canals this month. Fish deeper water in outside bends to locate snook where you may catch them with CAL jigs and shad tails or jerk worms, DOA Baitbusters or diving/suspending plugs. You may also find reds, juvenile tarpon and even largemouth bass in the same areas depending on salinity. Reds should be a good option this month. You’ll find them concentrated in potholes when the tide is low. Fly anglers should score with lightly weighted flies fished on a 10’-12’ leader with a floating fly line. Reds feed on crustaceans this time of the year, so crab and shrimp fly patterns should work well. They may tail on shallow grass flats when the tide is low. You’ll need weedlessrigged plastic baits or flies with weed guards to target tailing reds. A CAL shad tail on a weedless hook or a DOA shrimp rigged weedless and fished backward are a couple of my favorite lures for tailing reds. You may also find reds around docks, along with snook,
CAPTAIN RICK GRASSETT | SUBMITTED
There should be good action and variety on deep grass flats during January. Dylan Lewis, from Colorado, caught and released this pompano on a fly while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt Rick Grassett. sheepshead, flounder and more. Little Sarasota Bay has numerous oyster bars and docks that often hold reds in January. Work CAL jigs slowly along the bottom for the best action. You’re likely to find big trout in many of the same areas that you find reds. The same lures, flies and techniques that are used for reds will also work for big trout. You’ll also find trout on deep grass flats in January along with blues, Spanish mackerel, pompano, flounder and more. I like to drift and cast ahead of my drift with CAL jigs and a variety of plastic tails and DOA
Deadly Combos. Since trout can sometimes hold very tight to a particular spot or area, try to cover as much water as possible to find them. Once you’ve located fish you can shorten your drift or anchor on them. A GPS can be useful for this type of fishing since the breadcrumb trail will allow you to duplicate your drift. A drift anchor will slow your drift so you can fish it more thoroughly or make it easier for fly anglers to move their fly. My favorite deep grass flats have a good mix of grass and sand with a strong tidal flow. Even though there may not be
much happening in the coastal Gulf this month in the way of sight fishing it may be worth a look when it is warm. Migratory species such as king and Spanish mackerel, cobia and tripletail probably have moved further south, however, they could reappear during warm-ups. Also, look for false albacore (little tunny) when it’s warm since they may move from offshore to inshore depending on where baitfish are located. January can be one of the toughest months of the year to fish. However, if you can choose when to fish based on tides and weather, it can be good. Action is usually good as weather fronts approach. Following fronts, fishing may be tough for a couple of days so afternoons may fish better at that time. I’ll let the stage of the tide determine where to look for fish. When the tide is low, look for reds tailing on shallow grass or reds, trout and more in potholes or around docks. Look for reds or big trout cruising on shallow grass flats on sunny afternoons when the tide is high. Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by agricultural, industrial and residential runoff, toxic spills and discharges, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation, please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!
REEL TIME: A new year's resolution FROM PAGE 20
and the sad saga of the Indian River Lagoon (IRL). Once one of the most vibrant marine ecosystems on the planet, the IRL in recent years has seen massive die-offs of marine life and most recently an unprecedented loss of Florida manatees.
This is not an issue that should concern only fishermen. This has the potential to devastate an economy dependant on clean water and a vibrant ecosystem. People move to our area and buy homes because of the water and natural environment. It’s time for Realtors, developers, builders, anglers
and every segment of our community to pull together to demand accountability, purchase and protect vulnerable habitat and demand improvements in infrastructure that protect this environmental engine of progress. There are solutions if we can affect the political will. Yes, they will be expensive, but if
we don’t act, the cost in the future will be overwhelming and may be too late. Resolve to be part of the solution. “If you work to save the world and the world is lost, no regrets.” - The Dalai Lama.
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REAL ESTATE
JANUARY 5, 2022
Did you get a 3D printer for Christmas?
I
f you’re old enough, you may remember the 1970 book by Alvin Toffler with the title, “Future Shock.” In the book, Toffler explained that future shock was too much change in too short a period of time. In other words, our culture and scientific discoveries are changing so quickly that your brain can’t assimilate it all, and this was before most people even heard of a computer. Additive manufacturing or additive layer manufacturing is the industrial production name for 3D printing. This is a controlled process that creates three-dimensional objects by depositing material, usually in layers, and is quickly infiltrating the home building market in the country. Now I’m not saying that you’ll find a 3D manufactured home being built on the beach in Anna Maria, but what I am saying is we’ll all start hearing more about this technology not too many years in the future.
Castles in the Sand LOUISE BOLGER Lennar Corp., one of the country’s major builders, is ready to start building 3D homes on a site in Austin, Texas. Another company, Mighty Buildings, in Oakland, Calif., plans to start construction of a 3D printed home community on 15 lots next year. Both of these companies are attempting to fill the chronic shortage of homes for sale nationwide. They may certainly be onto something, since Freddie Mac estimated the national deficit of single-family homes stood at 3.8 million units at the end of 2020. They say that 3D homes can fill the loss of skilled tradesmen for starters as well as open up the supply chain of affordable homes.
So how does this technology work? I can tell you what I researched, but don’t expect to fully understand it – I certainly didn’t. My understanding is a 15.5-foottall printer will be on site and require only three workers when printing a wall system, replacing as many as six to 12 framers and drywall installers needed for conventional construction. The printer and its three workers can build an exterior and interior wall system for a 2,000-square-foot, one-story house in a week. The printer squeezes out concrete in layers like toothpaste and has the ability to program creative house designs. Some buyers may not like the look of a 3D printed home since they have horizontal ridges in the exterior and some interior walls from the layered printing technique. There is, however, less waste, more cost savings and environmental benefits. The technology is already being used in Amsterdam to create small bridges and other non-residential projects.
If 3D printed homes are just a 3D bridge too far, you can opt for a factorybuilt home, which is having a big revival because of the shortage of homes. Factorybuilt homes could be the answer for older people downsizing as well as young families. According to government data, a new single-family home not including land sold for $309,000 in 2020 as opposed to a manufactured home costing $87,000. Financing can be a challenge, usually requiring a personal loan. However, in recent years Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have approved conventional financing on certain manufactured homes. If you’re on information overload like me, get used to it. It’s easy to wrap your brain around manufactured homes, but a home created with a 3D printer boggles the brain. Technology is changing the world faster than we can keep up; just look how remote work has changed the real estate market in less than two years, and we’re not done yet.
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HOLMES BEACH: 2021 revisited FROM PAGE 1
The relationship between Holmes Beach city leaders and Manatee County commissioners also took a hit in 2021 over public beach parking. To resolve issues from the overcrowding of vehicles in residential areas, city leaders enacted a permit parking program, allowing public parking on some city streets near beach accesses only after 5 p.m. daily. Starting with the Memorial Day holiday weekend in 2021, Manatee County commissioners pushed back, demanding that Holmes Beach leaders reopen all residential streets to public parking to allow for more beachgoers to park in those areas. City leaders held firm to their stance and the argument is continuing in 2022, with a meeting planned to be held between the two parties to discuss issues in the coming months. In good news, the city’s multiple Bert Harris lawsuits were concluded in the fall of 2021 with a global settlement option. In exchange for the owners to be able to develop three properties in the city to sizes beyond what is allowed by Holmes Beach building codes, all of the outstanding Bert Harris Jr. Act lawsuits against
KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN
Golf cart/low-speed vehicle safety and the future of businesses renting the vehicles was a hot topic in Holmes Beach. the city were dismissed. This brought more than three years of litigation to a close, though the residential neighbors of one of the properties weren’t too happy about a large vacation rental being allowed to be constructed in their neighborhood. Golf cart and low-speed vehicle safety and regulations were a topic among commissioners and business owners all year. With a six-month moratorium stopping the establishment of golf cart and LSV brick-andmortar rental companies in Holmes Beach set to expire in February, commissioners ended 2021 still discussing how to best regulate businesses
and the booming use of the vehicles by visitors and residents in the city. While the discussion moving into 2022 is still on safety, commissioners have largely decided that preventing a business from opening up shop in Holmes Beach won’t stop the influx of the vehicles in the Island city as they can simply be trucked in from another location. To address safety issues, commissioners are considering lowering the speed limit city-wide to 25 miles per hour, requiring every seat on the vehicles to have a seat belt and looking at insurance concerns. The Nov. 2, 2021, election brought a familiar face back to the city commission dais as Commissioner Pat Morton was re-elected after losing his seat in 2020 to newcomer Commissioner Jayne Christenson. Also re-elected for additional two-year terms were Commissioners Terry Schaefer and Carol Soustek. This year’s election brought out more than one challenger for the incumbents as residents Renee Ferguson and John Monetti also tossed their hats in the ring for one of the three seats up for grabs on the city commission. Incumbent Commissioner Jim Kihm opted to not run for an additional term.
JASON SCHAFFER | SUN
Ruth Ann and Barry Hopkins not only took the plunge, but were also winners of the best costume contest at the 2022 Shamrock Shiver Charity Plunge.
SHIVER: A new year's tradition FROM PAGE 1
The proceeds from the Shamrock Shiver will benefit The Blessing Bags Project, Feeding Empty Little Tummies, Healthy Teens Coalition of Manatee County Inc. and Nutrition Initiative. All of the organizations are 501(c)(3) nonprofits. “We do this every year, we love it,” said Ruth Ann Hopkins, dressed as the Statue of Liberty, who along with her husband, Barry, dressed as Uncle Sam, were winners of best costume. A post-plunge party took place at Clancy’s on Cortez Road following the festivities on the beach. The Dr. Dave Band performed and more money was raised through raffle tickets, a silent auction and live auction.
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Bingo returns to The Center If you’re feeling lucky this new year, join your neighbors and friends at The Center of Anna Maria Island to play bingo for gift certificates to local restaurants. The games take place from 6-8 p.m. the second Friday of every month through April. Game dates are
Jan. 14, Feb. 11, March 11 and April 8. All ages are welcome to join in on the fun. Bingo cards are $10 for 10 cards and $1 for blotters. Beer, wine, soda and snacks will be available during game play for a donation. The Center is at 407 Magnolia Ave. in Anna Maria.
Perico Bay Club—As Good As It Gets!!
Business As Usual…..Just A Li le Differently. If you’re looking to buy or sell in Perico Bay Club, or know someone who is, please give me a call!
Give me a call today if you yo ou u’re ’ree lookin looking ngg to Buyy or Sell on Anna Maria Maria Island Mari Islaand or the surrounding ounding ngg aarea! rea eaaa!!
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BEACH BEAT BRADENTON BEACH
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www.franmaxonrealestate.com SERVING THE ISLAND SINCE 1970
12/27, 1:10 p.m., property damage, 1325 Gulf Drive N. The officer was dispatched concerning property damage by a vehicle. An employee of Tortuga Inn was with the driver of the vehicle in question when the officer arrived. The employee stated the subject in the car drove slowly through the property hitting fencing. She continued into Bay Watch Condos hitting buildings and a structural pole. The subject appeared intoxicated, but after the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office was called to the scene for a DUI test, the driver was found to be sober. The driver was withdrawing from anxiety medication she had failed to take, which mimicked DUI. She was taken to Blake Hospital for treatment. 12/29, 4:04 p.m., trespass warning, 111 Gulf Drive S. An officer was dispatched to Island Time Restaurant and Bar about a former
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employee who had returned and locked himself in the bathroom. When the officer knocked on the door and identified himself, he heard the man screaming that the toilet paper was the wrong kind, among other things. The subject denied being on any narcotics but was rambling and not making sense. The subject was trespassed from the premises and left the Island on MCAT. The officer said the subject appeared to be unstable mentally.
HOLMES BEACH
12/22, 11:48 p.m., COV/camping, 3900 6th Ave. The officer responded to the location directly behind Regions Bank to a suspicious person sleeping on a public bench. The man admitted to drinking too much and sleeping on the bench illegally. The subject was issued a notice to appear for illegal camping then sent on his way. 12/23, 10:55 p.m., burglary, 303 67th St. A. The officer responded to a burglary in progress after the complainant advised someone was going through his vehicle and he was holding the subject down. The
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officer took over and handcuffed the subject. When searching his pockets, the officer found some quarters and a $2 bill in his possession that had been taken from the vehicle. The subject refused to talk to police and was arrested for burglary. 12/24, 8:40 p.m., DUI, 100 52nd St. Officers stopped a vehicle for running a red light on Gulf Drive. The officers and another vehicle had to brake hard to avoid a collision. Officers said the vehicle was slow to come to a stop and pull over. After stopping the vehicle, the driver opened the door instead of rolling down the window, and didn’t provide license, insurance or proof of registration. The driver was also being belligerent with officers and not cooperating. After refusing field sobriety tests, the driver was taken to the police station and placed under arrest for DUI. By the time officers were done at the station, the driver had urinated on himself three times and continued to not cooperate with police. The driver was taken to the Manatee County Jail.
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JANUARY 5, 2022
NASH: Sun's Person of the Year FROM PAGE 1
her son, Clark, encouraged the couple to relocate to the Island community and that her husband bought their first home before she’d even seen it. They relocated to another home in Anna Maria to accommodate the tower needed for Bob’s tarpon fishing in 1982 and Nash has lived there ever since. “I feel very blessed,” Nash said. “It’s a nice community.” Though the community has changed over the years, Nash said she embraces the change, including the visitors who frequent the homes on either side of hers. “To me, it’s the best place in the world to live,” she said. The location close to the church, Nash said, has been a blessing because it allows her to spend her days doing what she loves – volunteering to help better the church and community. As one of the founders of the Roser Guild Thrift Shop, Nash can frequently be spotted checking in new merchandise, straightening shelves and helping customers. In addition to her volunteer work at the thrift shop, Nash is an active member of the women’s guild, the Roser missions committee, which distributes funds to local nonprofits, the Naomi Circle, All Island Denominations, Church Women United and the church’s Grief Share ministry. She’s also a Stephen Minister and volunteers with the Roser-Robics senior workout group. When she has a free moment, Nash can be found taking photographs at church and local events, writing
KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN
Peggy Nash takes a break after a day of volunteering at the Roser Guild Thrift Shop. press releases to accompany those photographs to local media outlets or baking batches of her orange cookies to give out at events. In celebration of her 90th birthday, Nash made dozens of orange cookies and packaged them individually to be given out to everyone in attendance that Sunday at Roser. The urge to volunteer and give back to the community is something Nash learned from her grandmother and mother and something she’s passed on to her four sons and their families, who she said help out their communities in any way they can. Speaking about Nash, Roser financial administrator Matt Meehan said her strength, especially in how she approaches life changes, is an inspiration to many.
“I’ve learned a lot from her,” Charles Wade, facilities administrator at Roser, said of Nash. “She’s very, very, very active. We appreciate her and everything that she does.” “She’s so involved in almost any event, any church event that’s going on. If you go there, you’ll see Peggy there. She’s always around and very engaged. She has a really, really amazing energy,” Brandon Kouri said. Kouri is the assistant director of music ministries at Roser. “She just seems like she’s doing so much all the time. She always has her camera; she’s always snapping wonderful pictures all the time.” “When I came here in November of 2020, she was one of the first people to greet me. She was sending me emails before I even got here saying ‘we can’t
wait for you to be here.’ Every week she’s checking in with me to make sure I’m okay,” Roser pastor Rev. Dirk Rodgers said, commending Nash for her involvement in the church. “If I described her in one phrase, she’s a constant encouragement. I hope I have that energy in five years, let alone when I get to be her age. I wish I had that energy now,” he said. “She’s definitely an encouragement and example to all of us.” “She does a lot to bring the community to Roser and Roser to the community,” office administrator Nikkiah Jaworski said. “She just does a ton, as much as she can possibly do, she’ll do and then some. She’ll go the extra mile and never complains.” “She’s just really, really an amazing lady,” Craig Ramberger, director of music ministries at Roser, said of Nash, adding that he’s nicknamed her the Energizer Bunny because she “just never seems to stop.” Though she doesn’t see herself stepping away from her volunteer work in the community that she loves, Nash said she hopes to slow down a little bit in the coming year to allow other people to step up and get involved. Wherever people feel led to volunteer, if it’s in a local church, with a theater group, with animals, at a community center or any other organization, she said she hopes they will embrace the challenge and work to make a positive difference in their communities. “Groups, churches, they always need volunteers,” Nash said. “I hope more people will step up and get involved.”
JANUARY 5, 2022
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Kingfish remodel receives funding MANATEE COUNTY – Plans to renovate the Kingfish Boat Ramp in Holmes Beach are moving forward now that the project is getting more funding. Manatee County received $4,500,000 in Restore Act funding, administered by the Gulf Consortium and earmarked for the renovation and expansion of the Kingfish Boat Ramp at its current location. Plans include increasing the number of launch ramps, replacing the aging seawall, increasing dock area, paving the parking area and potentially installing permanent restroom facilities. Once completed, the boat ramp will have three launch lanes to help accommodate the growing number of boaters
coming to Kingfish. The $4,500,000 Restore Act funding does not require any matching funds and is for construction only, though if a bid for the project is received above the awarded amount, Manatee County officials will have to look elsewhere for additional funding. The county has already received $540,000 from the Florida Boater Improvement Program for the design phase of the boat ramp project. As of December 2021, the project was at 60% design completion. The Restore Act funding for Kingfish was officially accepted by Manatee County commissioners Dec. 14 as a part of the consent agenda.
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JANUARY 5, 2022
Bradenton Beach: The Year in Review Dock expansion, utility line undergrounding and stormwater improvements were among the city projects pursued in 2021.
OCTOBER
BY JOE HENDRICKS
SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – The city of Bradenton Beach embarked on some important public projects in 2021 and also welcomed a familiar face as the city's new police chief.
JANUARY
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
The long-desired floating dock expansion project was placed under contract in 2021.
JUNE
Phase II of Manatee County’s drainage and parking lot improvements commenced at Coquina Beach.
helped rescue the personal watercraft driver and passenger from the water. The accident resulted in two people being taken to the hospital. The city commission authorized a request for proposals seeking a third-party review of the Master Drainage Study and stormwater and drainage systems designed by longtime City Engineer Lynn Burnett. The commission ultimately selected Utility Consultants of Florida and the subcontracted Colliers Engineering.
MARCH
MAY
JULY
In January, the mayor and city commission learned of the Florida Department of Transportation’s plans to begin construction in 2026 on the new fixed-span bridge that would provide 65 feet of vertical clearance as the replacement for the existing Cortez Bridge drawbridge.
FEBRUARY
Former county commissioners Joe McClash and Jane von Hahmann asked the city to join their federal lawsuit that opposes the construction of a fixed-span bridge to replace the Cortez Bridge drawbridge constructed in 1956. The commission ultimately declined.
APRIL
A personal watercraft and a boat collided on the Intracoastal Waterway near Longboat Pass. Tour boat captain Mike Draayom
The commission selected Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift to expand the floating dock, install finger piers perpendicular to the expanded dock and replace the public dinghy dock near the foot of the Bridge Street Pier boardwalk. The CRA members agreed to increase the CRA’s holiday decorating budget from $15,000 to $40,000. The Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge’s renovated kitchen reopened.
ANNA MARIA: Year in review FROM PAGE 1
FEBRUARY
The COVID Ribbon Memorial of Florida was unveiled along the beach near the Sandbar restaurant. Created by Anna Maria resident, photographer and artist Cathy Tobias and some of her friends, the colorful art installation consisted of a string of brightly colored plastic ribbons that stretched more than 250 yards and represented each of the more than 27,000 Florida residents who had died of COVID-19 at that point. The commission voted 4-1 in favor of Mote Marine’s proposed educational outreach center occupying the vacant City Pier building, originally built in 2020 with the expectation of being leased to the operator of a full-service restaurant. Longtime Anna Maria resident Margaret Jenkins passed away at the age of 90.
MARCH
Anna Maria resident Jennifer Kaleta addressed the city commission regarding the notification she received from the city
informing her that her outdoor chicken coop violated city ordinances and had to be removed, much to the chagrin of her and her children.
APRIL
Commission Chair Carol Carter, Mayor Dan Murphy and lobbyist Chip Case played key roles in defeating the Florida Legislature’s latest attempts to preempt vacation rental regulations to the state. Utilizing the city-owned Home Rule Florida website, www.homerulefl. com, the city and its supporters helped defeat Senate Bill 522 and House Bill 219.
MAY
The commission authorized a $50,274 consulting fee for the Reimagining Pine Avenue study that later produced several recommended pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements to be made in 2022, including new sidewalks and new and improved crosswalks.
The city commission extended the expanded outdoor dining allowances enacted in 2020 as part of the city’s COVID-19 pandemic response. The commission also stated live music would be allowed to continue in the expanded outdoor seating areas. The Manatee County Commission agreed to provide up to $850,000 in matching county funds for the dock expansion and dinghy dock replacement project. Accompanied by Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper, the Stanley Cup visited the Bradenton Beach Police Department as part of Cooper’s multi-stop victory lap around Anna Maria Island.
AUGUST
CRA members approved a $595,905 dock expansion project contract with Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift. The dock expansion project will provide short-term public docking for approximately two dozen vessels when the project is completed in 2022 using components pre-manufactured by Golden Marine Systems. John Cosby was sworn in as the city’s new police chief. The CRA extended the Old Town Tram pilot program for an additional year. The CRA members’ desire for the tram service to be primarily funded by advertising revenues remains a work in progress. In November, advertising revenues accounted for $4,775 (48%) of the CRA’s $9,975 monthly tram operation costs.
NOVEMBER
Incumbent Mayor John Chappie defeated first-time challenger David Galuszka in the mayor’s race. Running unopposed, incumbent commissioners Jake Spooner and Jan Vosburgh claimed additional two-year terms in office. City voters maintained the existing term limits, which means Chappie and Spooner will term limit out of office in 2023. A Christmas tree lighting ceremony took place at the Bradenton Beach Post Office as part of the CRA and the Bridge Street merchants’ enhanced holiday decorating efforts.
Former Drift In employee and wellknown Island personality David Marshall was struck by a car and seriously injured on Aug. 24 and he passed away on Sept. 5.
DECEMBER
JULY
its seasonal operations and will continue each Tuesday through mid-May.
Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan celebrated her company’s 20th anniversary.
AUGUST
The Florida Department of Health and the city of Anna Maria hosted a free COVID-19 vaccination clinic at City Pier Park. Bortell’s Lounge reopened after a threeyear renovation project that was delayed in part by the pandemic. Sea-level rise expert John Englander recommended the city create a “30-year Rising Seas Master Plan” as part of the efforts to prepare for the sea-level rise and higher tides anticipated in the coming decades.
SEPTEMBER
The city and Mote Marine Laboratory entered into a lease agreement for the Mote Educational Outreach Center. Mote Marine representative Kevin Cooper said he expected the interior buildout and installation to be finished in March, with the facility to open soon thereafter.
OCTOBER
The city’s weekly farmers market resumed
The annual Christmas on Bridge Street celebration and the Bradenton Beach Holiday Lighted Boat Parade resumed after being canceled in 2020.
NOVEMBER
The city’s Old Soldiers & Sailors Veterans Day parade and recognition ceremony returned after being canceled in 2020. The second annual Thanks-Living community gathering took place at City Pier Park after being canceled in 2020. Former longtime Anna Maria resident and tour boat operator George Glaser passed away at his Bradenton home at the age of 78. Anna Maria resident Jana Samuels was seriously injured when the golf cart she was driving was struck by a car that crossed into her travel lane in Holmes Beach.
DECEMBER
Operating with a new name, Santa Stops Here, the city’s annual holiday event returned to City Pier Park after being canceled in 2020. That evening, The Holiday of Treasures Open House holiday event took place at many participating businesses along Pine Avenue. The city also hosted its third annual Bright Holiday Lights decorating contest.
JANUARY 5, 2022
FUN IN THE SUN
Across 1 Half a poverty-towealth metaphor 5 Shows affection, dogstyle 10 Amt. rarely paid by a car buyer 14 Came down 15 Puget Sound, e.g. 16 Elevator name 17 Building emergency exit 19 Takes too much for oneself 20 Natural skill 21 Ark landing site: Abbr. 23 P&L part 25 Injure badly 26 Pay 29 Letters at the end of a proof 32 Fish with a net 35 German gent 36 Stalin-era prisons 38 Green acres 39 Some nest egg comAnswers to 12-29-21 Crossword Puzzle.
ponents 40 Only monosyllabic U.S. state 41 Weighty Brit. references 42 Tease 43 "Ars Poetica" poet 44 Craving 45 Time off 47 From S.F. to Vegas 48 Aquarium cutie 49 Math subj. 51 Palm starch 53 "Spring Symphony" composer 57 Be released 61 West Virginia resource 62 They're holstered in old Westerns 64 Forget to include 65 Connoisseur 66 Provide the bank blueprints for, say 67 Even civil ones aren't friendly
THE SUN
68 Bedding component 69 Flu fighters Down 1 Finn conveyance 2 Et __: and others 3 "Atta __!" 4 Heinz Field NFL team 5 Grocery shoppers' aids 6 Ltd. relative 7 Refuse to talk, with "up" 8 Didn't give away 9 Iron output 10 Angora goat fabric 11 Severe weather warning 12 Latvian capital 13 Sibilant "Hey!" 18 First chimp in orbit 22 "Peanuts" word of frustration 24 With 31-Down, hoedown activities, and a hint to the circled letters 26 Pirouette 27 Elevated dwelling 28 "Sit, sit" 30 Sports bureau cofounder Al or Walter 31 See 24-Down 33 Golfer's "pitching" club 34 Surgical cutter 36 Controversial crop alteration, for short 37 "Golly!" 41 Too tired to go further 43 Big wheel on a ship 46 Gymnast's jumps
48 Prayer opener 50 Settles 52 Contract negotiator 53 Flat-bottomed garbage hauler 54 Deep sleep
55 Builder who lived to be 950 56 Central church part 58 Cartoonist Goldberg 59 The "E" in DOE: Abbr.
60 Spanish pronoun 63 Actress Wallace of "E.T."
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CLASSIFIED
ANNOUNCEMENTS BEACH YOGA ON Wednesdays, Saturdays & Sundays at 8:30am at the end of Pine Ave by the Sandbar Restaurant by donation. www.thriveyogafit.com THE BEST VOLUNTEER position on the island. The AMI Historical Museum needs docents and bread makers. Call Kathy Primeau at 989-560-6381. ROSER FOOD BANK needs donations of cash and non-perishable food, PAPER & PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS. Donations boxes are located at the Church, Moose Club, and Walgreen’s.
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 THC CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Rentals, VRBO. Professional and Reliable. Call 941-756-4570 or 941565-3931
EMPLOYMENT LANDSCAPE WORKER AT ISLAND CONDO. 40 hours per week plus benefits. 941-778-5915 westbaypoint@verizon. net
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
AMISUN.COM
Call us today! 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 GET’R DONE DRYWALL, INC Specializing in Remodels & Repairs. Island Resident for 18 years. Call Neil Cell 941-962-1194 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. API’S DRYWALL REPAIR 15+ years experience. Free estimates. No job too small. Love to help you. Call 941-524-8067. HOME IMPROVEMENT Michigan General 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.
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, weeding. Weekly, bi-monthly or monthly schedule. Pressure washing: driveways, walkways, fences, pool decks/ cages. Call Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315.
LOST & FOUND FOUND TURTLE INLAYED silver/platinum ring with inscription ( Pease identity text to confirm). Found on Palm Harbor Dr near Manatee Public Beach. Call 540-312-5299.
LOST ON MANATEE BEACH. 18" herringbone chain (4mm thick, square link, round clasp, 10k) with 3/4" Spanish gold coin pendant. Please call 585-755-3894. Contact Dennis LOST MEN'S GOLD wedding band in shallow water just south of new rock groin on beer can island. Very sentimental. Reward, call 941-504-0526
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
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
JANUARY 5, 2022
PRESSURE WASHING & WINDOWS
RENTALS: SEASONAL & VACATION
AUTHORITY ONE CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Construction, Vacation, VRBO Rentals . Also available Pressure Washing, Roof Cleaning, Paver Sealing and Windows. Call 941565-3931.
TIFFANY PLACE Gulf Front Condo for Rent Incredible views from living room and master bedroom. 2BR/2BA Green Real Estate Call 941-778-0455
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
REALTOR FOR HIRE BUYING OR SELLING on AMI? 17 years experience & USAF Veteran. Call Kelly Gitt Keller Williams Realty today 941-799-9299.
RENTALS: ANNUAL 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.
RENTAL WANTED SEEKING 2BR/2BA on AMI. Clean, quite married couple. 20 year island residents in search of unfurnished house or apartment. Long term rental, excellent references. Call 941-704-2357
TRANSPORTATION 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 VACATION RENTALANNA MARIA 3BR/2.5BA beautiful home west of Gulf Drive just steps to the beach. Available January and February 2022. Fran Maxon Real Estate 941-778-2307.
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. Reasonable rates! Call or text Anna 941-932-1600
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BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY HOME IMPROVEMENT
HOME IMPROVEMENT
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Call today to place your ad: 941-778-3986 PAINTING
TRANSPORTATION
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the Team Duncan Difference! Local-Area Expertise Outstanding Customer C t S Service i Experienced Professionals Proven Performance
Darcie Duncan Broker - Owner
Cindy Jones Sales Associate
Michelle Laade Sales Associate
April Green Martha Jones Robel Sales Associate Sales Associate
Robyn Hawk Paige Rogers Joey Hutchinson Katie Self Sales Associate Sales Associate Sales Associate Sales Associate
Nancy Howle Sales Associate
William Romberger Sales Associate
Lindsey Leech Strickland Mary Anne Muniz Sales Associate Sales Associate
Home & Condominium Sales • Investment Properties • Vacation Rentals
BOUTIQUE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Vacation Rentals • Annual Rentals • Association Management • Home Watch Service
• Dedicated, multi-lingual rental team • Performance tailored to your needs and expectations • Cutting-edge technology • Trusted by generations of Islanders, property owners, and visitors 310 Pine Avenue Anna Maria, FL 34216
Providing a top-no guest experien tch ce You call and we answer – 2 4/7 Always there for our owners Maximize yo ur revenue
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