RESTAURANTS

Historical Society hosts annual luncheon

BY VALERIE WILSON

SPECIAL TO THE SUN

ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria Island Historical Society held its annual meeting and luncheon on Feb. 23.

The event took place in the picnic area behind the museum and the old jail at 402 Pine Ave. During the luncheon, all of the society’s current officers and board members were reelected by those in attendance.

The year’s entertainment featured two speakers who reported on the people who kept the history of Anna Maria Island. Historical Society President Liz Hager read a report written by Historical Society co-founder Pat Copeland. Copeland’s report explained how the Historical Society was started and how activities of the society members help bond the residents of the Island.

Museum docent Judy Hildman then discussed one of those activities - the plays written and produced by Carolyne Norwood, who along with Copeland co-founded the Historical Society. During the first 10 years of the Historical Society’s existence, Norwood wrote and produced a new play every other year. Some of the titles included the “History of the Firemen,” the “History of the Elementary School,” and the “History of Holmes Beach.”

At the end of each show, a group of dancers and singers would perform “By the Sea.” At the end of Hildman’s speech, she was joined by other docents and officers of the Historical Society who then performed the song and dance.

As a special surprise, the performance was followed by four of the eight original performers from the “History of Holmes Beach” play, who re-enacted their song and dance. The singers in that show all held important positions in the Island community: Sandy Haas-Martens, a fire commissioner and city commissioner; Mary Ann Brockman, president and executive director of the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce; Denise Johnson, president of the Friends of the Library and Carol Whitmore, mayor of Holmes Beach and currently a Manatee County Commissioner.

VALERIE WILSON | SUBMITTED Some of the original “By the Sea” dancers performed at the luncheon.

VALERIE WILSON | SUBMITTED Liz Hager spoke at the AMI Historical Society’s annual meeting and luncheon. The boxed lunches were supplied by Ginny's and Jane E's Cafe.

Street closures planned during St. Patrick's Day parade

There will be temporary street closures in Holmes Beach and Anna Maria on Sunday, March 13 due to the St. Patrick’s Day parade, which runs through both cities from 4-6 p.m. According to Sgt. Brett Getman, with the Anna Maria Unit of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, Pine Avenue will be shut down at 2 p.m. that day and remain closed until about 6 p.m. There will also be brief street closures from Gulf Drive to Tarpon Street as the parade makes it way to The Center of Anna Maria Island.