After 11 years of fighting, treehouse owners Lynn Tran and Richard Hazen are reaching out to the city to obtain demolition permits for the structure.
BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.comHOLMES BEACH – The battle over the fate of the treehouse is finished with 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Edward Nicholas dealing the final blow in court.
Spring break season has begun on Anna Maria Island, with many Michigan students among the first spring breakers in the country.
BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.comANNA MARIA ISLAND - While recent temperatures on Anna Maria Island have been in the 80s, many college students north of Florida are cold and in need of some island time to reset, refresh, then finish out the 2023-24 school year.
While most students get seven to 10 days of spring break, for the Island, spring break is six weeks long. The reason is that different states and regions of the U.S. have spring break during different times. Spring breakers will be on the Island from now through the second week of April, depending on where they’re coming from.
All the students The Sun found last week during the Island’s first week of spring break were from Michigan.
“We’re Michigan Wolverines, we’re national champs and we’re here to keep the party going,” Shawn Martin said. “I’m here with a bunch of my friends and we’re staying at a house owned by a relative. We’re here to have fun, but if we wanted the crazy party club scene we’d be in Daytona Beach or Miami. We actually like the vibe of AMI, it’s a chill place and the cops aren’t breaking up riots in the streets every night. Not all spring breakers are crazy; we have a heavy course load and we just want a vacation like everybody else.”
Martin’s sentiment was echoed by a pair of sorority sisters from Ferris State University, also in Michigan.
“Yesterday (March 1) was our first day of spring break, and we’re off until the 10th,” Grace Westenfeld said. “I SEE SPRING BREAK, PAGE 21
In the final hearing of the last court case in Manatee County, Nicholas ruled in favor of the city’s request for a court order to have the treehouse removed from its Australian pine perch on the beach in front of Angelinos Sea Lodge. While he said that owners Richard Hazen and Lynn Tran could appeal his decision to the Second District Court of Appeal, the only way to stop the demolition of the treehouse is an order staying the removal order.
In speaking with The Sun on Feb. 29, Tran said she’d already submitted the engineering plans for the treehouse to the city for evaluation and requested applications for demolition permits.
The City of Bradenton water reclamation facility failed, according to the Department of Environmental Protection.
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.comBRADENTON - Shortly after noon on Feb. 28, the City of Bradenton’s water reclamation facility experienced an operational failure, causing 1.2 million gallons of partially treated wastewater to be discharged into the Manatee River, according to a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) pollution notice.
The mouth of the Manatee River flows into the Intracoastal Waterway and the Gulf of Mexico at the north end of Anna Maria Island.
According to FDEP, the filter system at the facility at 1810 First St. W. had a blockage, causing the bypass of the water into the river. The bypass was closed at 5:10 p.m. and river water sampling was started.
City staff cleaned the areas affected and normal operation resumed, according to FDEP.
A Feb. 29 City of Bradenton Instagram post stated: “City of Bradenton’s Wastewater Treatment Facility faced an operational failure, leading to a 90-minute tank overflow due to blockages. A seized bypass valve was manually reopened, and the surrounding curb and gutter area on 17th Avenue, approximately 200 yards, swiftly returned to normal after cleaning and treatment. The city is investigating the system
After more than two years, the legal battle between the city and developer Shawn Kaleta over the Bali Hai is settled.
BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.comHOLMES BEACH – City leaders may not be completely happy with the terms, but a settlement agreement has been reached between them and developer Shawn Kaleta concerning the Bali Hai Beach Resort, Islands West and the developer’s properties at the Coconuts Beach Resort.
Commissioners voted unanimously on Feb. 27 to approve the agreement reached during a recent shade (private) meeting, bringing to an end several different lawsuits. As a part of the agreement, each party is responsible for their own legal fees.
“Our position as a city is compliance,” Mayor Judy Titsworth said. “We felt really strongly on our side that regardless of where this took us, we didn’t have a site plan on Bali Hai. That’s why it was so important to me
number one, to move on, but also to address all the different properties and have closure and compliance and something to move forward with.”
“It’s a fresh start and I think it’s good for both of us,” Commissioner Terry Schaefer said.
In resolving the code compliance and permitting issues with the Bali Hai, the settlement agreement states that city leaders will cancel any outstanding fines and refund any fines already paid. In return, Kaleta agreed to submit a site plan for the property at 6900 Gulf Drive to the city’s building department within seven days to be processed as a minor site plan review.
City leaders also agree to review and sign off on any liquor license request for the hotel.
The hotel’s ownership also agrees to obtain any necessary after-the-fact permits needed for construction on the property.
Titsworth said that she was happy that the city will finally have a full site plan on file for the hotel.
Regarding three units at the Coconuts Beach Resort, both parties agree to disagree on length of stay, however they agree that the units are allowed to be legally rented on a nightly basis. In return for Kaleta dismissing related lawsuits, city leaders agree to refund all code enforcement fines and administrative costs paid due to code compliance special magistrate hearings.
The Islands West property at 3605 Gulf Drive received legally nonconforming status as a result of the settlement, allowing the eight units on the property to be rented on a nightly basis. City leaders agreed to refund all fines and waive any unpaid fines incurred for renting the units on a nightly basis.
Kaleta and city leaders also agreed to issue a joint statement to be printed in both Anna Maria Island newspapers at the city’s expense. The statement, bearing both Kaleta’s and Titsworth’s names, states, “The city of Holmes Beach and Mr. Shawn T. Kaleta wish to publicly express their
shared regret concerning any real or perceived animosity or ill-will between them. Although the current mayor and commissioners do not believe they have personally acted in this regard, no favor is gained by any city employee or official treating Mr. Kaleta or his partners and related entities differently than anyone else or unequally and targeting Mr. Kaleta and his properties will not be permitted as may have happened in the past. No benefit is gained by violating the city’s ordinances or performing work without appropriate permits. Compliance with all applicable statues, ordinances and regulations is expected of every citizen, property owner, business, visitor and the city. The city and Mr. Kaleta are committed to moving forward to working together to balance and advance the interests of all the city’s residents, visitors, tourists, businesses, property owners and stakeholders.”
Attorney Jay Diagnault, representing the city, said his office would monitor the actionable items in the agreement to make sure all of the terms of the settlement are properly executed.
As of press time, vacation rental bill HB 1537 had not yet reached the floor of the Florida House of Representatives for a final vote by the House members, nor had the House bill been amended to become an identical match with Senate Bill 280, which the Senate members adopted on Feb. 1. If the House and Senate fail to adopt identical matching bills by Friday, March 8, the Florida Legislature’s latest annual attempt to preempt vacation rental regulation to the state will fail.
The Bradenton Beach Planning and Zoning Board will meet on Wednesday, March 6 at 1 p.m. to discuss Ordinance 23-551, which revises the city’s land development code to provide for permeable pavement regulations and credits and address landscaping regulations for one- and two-family dwellings. The meeting will be held at the Katie Pierola Commission Chambers, 107 Gulf Drive N.
Anna Maria’s wall and fence regulations will be reviewed and discussed as a workshop agenda item during the Wednesday, March 13 Planning and Zoning Board meeting at city hall at 9 a.m. Anna Maria’s current wall and fence regulations are set forth in Section 114-423 of the city’s code of ordinances.
A paid parking request for proposal is on the agenda at an upcoming Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting on Wednesday, March 6 at 9:30 a.m. Also on the agenda are the Bay Drive South adaption project review, multi-use trail location discussion, the future of CRA parking, a discussion of a pocket park at Bridge Street and Bay Drive South, renaming a city park, an Anna Maria Historical Society off-site museum exhibit in the Bradenton Beach CRA district, and the Anna Maria Island Garden Club’s donation of $6,000 for purchase of a wind sculpture. The meeting will be held at the Katie Pierola Commission Chambers, 107 Gulf Drive N.
Holmes Beach commissioners have updated the city’s noise ordinance to reduce vagueness. Commissioners made the update after receiving a June 7, 2023 order from Judge Amanda Arnold Sansone of the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division. In that order, the judge found the city’s noise ordinance to be void due to vagueness in the enforcement wording. To avoid any further issues with the noise ordinance if challenged in court, commissioners added additional definitions to the ordinance to clarify enforcement for officers and the public. The changes to the ordinance passed a second and final reading on Feb. 27.
Deborah Trotter’s 86-year-old mother was killed in an accident at Marina Drive and Gulf Drive.
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.comHOLMES BEACH – Deborah Trotter returned last week to the site of the May 12, 2023 accident that took the life of her mother, Miriam Trotter, to warn others of safety issues inherent in construction zones.
Trotter has avoided the intersection of Gulf Drive and Marina Drive since she and her 86-year-old mother were struck by an oncoming truck while in the crosswalk. On Feb. 28, she and her attorney spoke at a news conference there about what she said was a preventable tragedy if the onsite construction team had maintained proper safety precautions.
“This shouldn’t have happened and I would never want this to happen to anybody else,” Trotter said.
“This is all about the construction that’s going on not only in this area, and the contractors really need to start doing their job better,” said Trotter’s attorney, Douglas McCarron, of the Haggard Law Firm. “They need to make sure they’re not putting pedestrians and the driving public at risk.”
McCarron has filed a wrongful death negligence lawsuit on behalf of Trotter against the driver of the truck, Michael Ritchie, and C-Squared General Contractors, which was working on the intersection.
“On the day of the incident, May 12, the driver Mr. Ritchie had the green light, Deb and her mom had the signal that it was safe for them to cross to street and there was the crash that cost Miriam her life,” McCarron said. “You’re never going to be able to replace Miriam, you’re never going to be able to give Deb back the time she’s missing from her mom. But the fact is, she doesn’t want this to happen to anybody else. Contractors are responsible to keep people safe, it’s that simple. At the end of the day, we’re just trying to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
“I remember the whole thing, we were walking from where we live at the Martinique two blocks down. Mom wanted to go to a painting class at the library that afternoon, and so we were walking, she was still getting her steps in, she walked about five miles every day,” Trotter said.
Trotter recalled hitting the button at the crosswalk and when it turned white with the walk symbol, she said to her mother, “OK mom, we can cross now.”
“As we stepped off the curb, I turned ever so slightly to say something to her - she was about a foot behind me - and when I turned I actually saw the truck in my face hit me. I remembered hearing the noise, my eyes closed, I went backwards,” Trotter said, holding back tears. “But the thing I remember the most is that was my mother’s last conscious breath right next to me. And she was… I never spoke to her consciously again.”
Trotter said as she lay on the ground paramedics asked who her mother was and said, “She’s in worse shape than you are, we’re going to tend to her first.”
The Trotters were transported to Blake Hospital, where Deborah was released later that day. Her mother was placed on life support and died five days later.
“My mom was my best friend, she was my hero,” Trotter said. “She was the light of our family, she was the matriarch, she loved life. Hard pressed to find her not smiling and she loved coming for long visits here on the Island. She was so happy to be here, and the fact that she’ll never be here again, I’ll never understand why she was killed.”
Trotter expressed the hope that the incident will be an awakening for contractors and visitors to the Island.
“It’s clear to me that it wasn’t safe that day, the lights at the intersection itself wasn’t safe,” Trotter said. “We thought it was, that’s why we used the crosswalk, it’s clear to me the contractors who were working on it for so long didn’t take the right safety precautions. It’s clear to me that the driver didn’t take the correct safety precautions to yield to pedestrians in a marked active crosswalk.”
McCarron said construction site safety is the responsibility of the contractor.
“Body-worn cameras by police and sheriffs show barricades and things of that nature were either down or weren’t in an area where you were walking up the street,” he said. “There were no signs, there was a sidewalk closed sign in the parking lot facing down and there was a sidewalk closed sign on the other side of the street facing that way. The maintenance of traffic is the responsibility of the contractor. There was no reason for anyone to think the sidewalk was closed.”
“This didn’t need to happen and she and I should be sitting on the beach right now watching the waves,” Trotter said.
“The police investigation was very clear that the signalization was wrong,” McCarron said. “My understanding is that the lights have been changed and when the sign says people can walk, every light is a red light, as it should be.”
homeowners seek to leave Longboat Key boundaries.
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.comJEWFISH KEY – The proposed de-annexation from the Town of Longboat Key of homes on Jewfish Key could potentially open the door there for the less restrictive short-term rental policies of unincorporated Manatee County.
Jewfish Key is currently zoned for residential use.
vacation rental ordinances.
Parsons said that 22 properties would be impacted by de-annexation.
“In general, unless a property is zoned for tourism uses, minimum stays are required to be for a month or more,” Allen Parsons, director of the Longboat Key Planning, Zoning and Building Department wrote in an email to The Sun.
Manatee County has no short-term residential or
The town is conducting a feasibility study, which Parsons defined: “Per the Florida Statutes, a “feasibility study” means an analysis conducted by qualified staff or consultants of the economic, market, technical, financial and management feasibility of the proposed de-annexation.”
The Jewfish Key Preservation Collective (JKPC) presented the de-annexation petition to the town on Dec.
19, 2023 with the goal of disengaging from the town’s boundaries.
Attorney Aaron Thomas, of the Bradenton-based Najmy Thompson law firm, is representing the applicants. An email request from The Sun for comment was answered with the response that Thomas had no comment. JKPC President Michael Mincberg is listed as a principal in Sight Development, a Tampa-based multi-family development company. Mincberg did not respond to The Sun’s email request for comment.
The Gulf Islands Ferry service that features stops in Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and downtown Bradenton now operates on Thursdays too, as of Thursday, Feb. 29. The ferries now run Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., weather permitting.
“As we press forward with the Gulf Islands Ferry service, it’s imperative we increase the availability to accommodate our residents and visitors during peak season,” Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione said in a county-issued press release. “Adding Thursdays allows those in the Bradenton area to have four days per week
The
to enjoy our stops in downtown Bradenton, the Anna Maria City Pier and the historic Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach,” Falcione said.
Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge said, “This is part of our continued commitment to boost
multi-modal transportation in our community, helping families spend less time in traffic and more time together.” For information on times, tickets and scheduling, call 941-357-2587, text 727-200-6487 or visit www.gulfislandsferry. com.
Anna Maria Island beachgoers lost their beloved fishing pier at Manatee Beach in 2009. There were some good reasons; principally, it was a safety hazard due to its deteriorating condition, lifeguards said. But for those who remember learning to surf there, it was like a death.
Within the next three months, the Island is about to lose the beloved treehouse at Angelino’s Sea Lodge. There are some good reasons for that too – for one, the owners never got a permit from the city of Holmes Beach before building it. But fans who come back year after year always ask the same thing: “Is the treehouse still here?”
Last week, we lost the beloved red train caboose at Anna Maria Elementary School, which for nearly 40 years was the school’s unofficial mascot (the official mascot is the dolphin). There was again a good reason; it was deteriorating due to the salt air.
Old Australian pines were recently removed on Coquina Beach, leaving pedestrians in the sun instead of the shade, but the good reason was that their roots were buckling the sidewalk.
Pines Trailer Park residents in Bradenton Beach - and many islanders - fear losing the old-Florida-style park now that new, development-minded owners have purchased it. Progress may be a good reason to some, but not so good to others.
Losing the Gregg Allman-era vibe on Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach with the recent demolition of the historic Magnolia Inn and several other buildings soon to be replaced with a bigger, better hotel – ditto.
When they got rid of the automobile ferry to Anna Maria Island after the first bridge to the island was built – which happened within the lifetime of some elders who are still with us – those folks shook their heads, but they faced the strange changes.
Y’all, listen up.
The only constant in life is change.
Sometimes, it’s for a good reason. Sometimes, a bad one. Sometimes, it’s for an anguished but necessary reason, like using the nuclear bomb to end WWII. Sometimes, it’s for a selfish reason. Sometimes, a greedy reason. Sometimes, for no apparent reason at all.
Back in the day, Anna Maria Island used to be pronounced Anna “Mar-eye-ah” Island. That changed too.
Love AMI now, because – like everything else in life – we will eventually lose what we thought it was to the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. And again and again, we will have to let it go.
Like us on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AnnaMariaIslandSun
I strongly object to political signs on the public beach! Lately there has been a man who erects a rather large political banner directly in front of the Manatee County Beach Café. The last four times we have been at the café, the sign has been there. It ruins the natural beauty of the beach and sunset. The county needs to figure out how to address this problem before more signs start popping up in response to the one that's there.
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6
Holy Yoga, Roser Church outdoor stage, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 11:30 a.m.
One-on-one tech help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2-4 p.m.
THURSDAY, MARCH 7
AMI Chamber Sunrise Breakfast, Cortez Café, 12108 Cortez Rd. W., Cortez, 8 a.m., $15 for members or $25 for prospective members
RoserRobics, Roser Church fellowship hall, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m.
One-on-one tech help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to noon
Sunshine Stitchers Knit and Crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m.
Bingo, Annie Silver Community Center, 103 23rd St., Bradenton Beach, 6 p.m.
FRIDAY, MARCH 8
Forty Carrots, 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.
Bingo, The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, 6-8 p.m.
SATURDAY, MARCH 9
Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon
Sign up for St. Patrick’s Day parade by Friday
The 2024 St. Patrick’s Day parade is scheduled for Sunday, Mar. 17, starting at 2 p.m. at Holmes Beach city hall, 5801 Marina Drive. Parade entry forms are due at The Center of Anna
SUNDAY, MARCH 10
Mission Fest, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 8:30-11 a.m.
MONDAY, MARCH 11
Gentle yoga, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.
TUESDAY, MARCH 12
Farmer’s Market, City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
RoserRobics, Roser Church fellowship hall, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m.
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, MARCH 13
Creative Aging: Figurative Drawing Series, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.
Tram tour, Robinson Preserve north entrance, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 10 a.m.
Maria Island by Friday, Mar. 8 at 7 p.m. Float fees range from $10 for a personal vehicle or golf cart to $150 for a business float. For the float registration form, visit www.centerami.org. Contact Chris Culhane at 941-778-1908 for more information.
Holy Yoga, Roser Church outdoor stage, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 11:30 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, MARCH 14
Tree Tots: Leaves, Leaves, Leaves, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 99th St. N.W., 10 a.m. RoserRobics, Roser Church fellowship hall, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m.
One-on-one Tech Help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to noon.
AMI Chamber Luncheon, Isola Bella Italian Eatery, 5904 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m., $22 for members or $30 for prospective members
Game Night, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 5:30 p.m. Bingo, Annie Silver Community Center, 103 23rd St., Bradenton Beach, 6 p.m.
10005 GULF DRIVE
FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130
Please visit www.cityofannamaria.com or contact city hall for more information.
March 13, 9 a.m. – Planning and Zoning Board meeting
March 14, 2 p.m. – City Commission meeting
107 GULF DRIVE N.
FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005
Please visit www.cityofbradentonbeach.com or contact city hall for more information.
March 6, 9:30 a.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency meeting
March 6, 1 p.m. – Planning and Zoning Board meeting
March 7, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting
March 12, 9:30 a.m. – City Commission work meeting
March 20, 1 p.m. – Scenic WAVES meeting
March 21, noon – City Commission meeting
5801 MARINA DRIVE
FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800
Please visit www.holmesbeachfl.org or contact city hall for more information.
March 12, 2 p.m. – City Commission meeting with work session to follow
March 13, 9 a.m. – Clean Water Ad-hoc Committee meeting
March 11, 2 p.m. – Island Transportation Planning Organization meeting, Anna Maria City Hall
March 14, 9:30 a.m. – ManaSota League of Cities meeting, Longboat Key Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
In recognition of her contributions to Cortez, Bell received the Pioneer of the Year Award at the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival last month.
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.comCORTEZ – Five days after receiving the Pioneer of the Year Award from the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) at the Feb. 17 Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival, former Cortez Village Historical Society (CVHS) president Kaye Bell passed away at the age of 81.
“She was very passionate about Cortez, CVHS and FISH,” current CVHS President Cindy Rodgers said. “I have heard her talk about the many hours and hard work she, Sam (her late husband Sam Bell) and others put into restoring what is now the Cortez Cultural Center.
I think she was very proud of that work and loved being in the Center. She certainly spent many, many hours there, greeting visitors and talking about this community that she loved.”
Rodgers said Bell had a very gentle nature, but also a determination to get things done.
“She provided leadership for many years; I think several times she had planned to step down from the board presidency, but changed her mind at the last minute - clearly, it was precious to her,” Rodgers said.
After stepping down as CVHS president in 2023, she remained an active board member.
Born in New Hampshire, Bell lived in Cortez for many years following her marriage to her Cortez native husband.
“I met a Cortez boy and here I am,” Bell told The Sun in 2023.
Dale Beaumariage, a longtime friend of Bell and her late husband, summed her up with a quote:
“You’d be surprised what you can get done when you don’t care who gets the credit,” he said. “That described her perfectly.”
As president of CVHS, Beaumariage said that Bell led from behind the scenes.
“She would discuss and listen and
Former CVHS president Kaye Bell (seated with Linda Molto, standing) holds her Pioneer of the Year plaque at the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival on Feb. 17. She passed away five days later.
encourage, but she didn’t want credit for herself,” he said. “She just wanted to get things done.”
Beaumariage said Bell’s last project was to get a memorial bench placed
on Miller Dock in memory of John McDonald.
Sam Bell was instrumental in the refurbishment of the Cortez Cultural Center cottage after it was moved from its original location in Bradenton Beach, Beaumariage said.
“He and Kaye were in there shellacking the walls in the summer heat,” he said.
When Bell’s Feb. 22 passing was announced on the Cortez Cultural Center Facebook page, many paid tribute to her accomplishments.
“An amazing woman. She will be missed and the efforts she made in preserving the history of Cortez will never be forgotten,” wrote Friends of the Florida Maritime Museum.
Carol Brigham wrote, “Rest in Peace. Everyone recognized what you have done in making the preserve and Cultural Center what it has come to be.”
“So happy that Kaye was able to receive her well-deserved award,” Lee Zerkel wrote.
Services for Bell have not been announced.
The AMI Garden Club has more than 120 members, many of whom live in Anna Maria.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.comANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria Island Garden Club is the winner of the city’s Distinguished Citizens of the Year award.
The club will receive its award during the March 14 city commission meeting that begins at 2 p.m.
The annual award selection process is guided by a 2010 city resolution that states, “The purpose of this committee is to recognize citizens of the city of Anna Maria who have made outstanding contributions to the community of Anna Maria.”
Each year, the mayor and commission appoint a Citizens Recognition Committee that considers the nominations and declares a winner.
On Feb. 29, the two-member committee consisting of Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan and former Anna Maria Commissioner Doug Copeland met for the first and only time, joined by Mayor Dan Murphy, Deputy Clerk Fran Berrios and semi-retired city employee Debbie Haynes.
The nominees also included To Inform Families First (TIFF) founder Christine Olson and a joint nomination of the Island’s two weekly newspapers, The Anna Maria Island Sun and The Islander.
from Olson’s home, but it took law enforcement more than six hours to notify her of the fatal accident. This inspired her to create the To Inform Families First (TIFF) emergency contact system that utilizes emergency contacts associated with a person’s driver’s license or state identification card. First implemented in Florida, the TIFF program is now in place in more than a dozen states. Olson also spent many years working at the Rod & Reel Pier while living in Anna Maria.
“Christine used the personal tragedy of the death of her daughter to create TIFF. Christine worked hard to create a solution that allows families to receive more timely notification in an emergency,” the nomination form says.
City Commission Chair Mark Short nominated the Garden Club, where his wife, Pat, is an active member. The nomination form notes the AMI Garden Club has 120 members, focuses on beautification and education projects throughout the Island, and has improved City Pier Park in Anna Maria by co-funding the installation of two wind sculptures. The club recently initiated a similar wind sculpture installation in Holmes Beach and has another planned for Bradenton Beach.
Bradenton resident Amy Hill nominated Olson, who in 2005 lost her 22-year-old daughter, Tiffany, in a motorcycle accident. The accident occurred 15 minutes
In their nomination of the two Island newspapers, John Kolojeski and Suzanne Seiter stated, “In this era when over 2,500 weekly publications have gone out of business around the U.S. over the last 20 years, our little community here on Anna Maria Island has not one, but two, thriving weekly publications filling all the needs of the community. Both papers have excellent journalists who should be working at major publications. We get opinions on the important political issues affecting the Island, as well as current events, sports, entertainment and environmental updates. People tend to take a newspaper for granted until it’s gone someday.”
The deadline to apply for the Island Players’ Scholarships is Friday, March 15. The Players will award four $2,000 scholarships to graduating seniors in the Manatee County School District who have demonstrated excellence in art, dance, music or theater and who plan to continue to develop these talents at a higher level of education next school year. Current GPA transcripts (within 90 days of submitting the application package) must be included. Winners will be announced on Monday, April 15. To apply, visit www.theislandplayers.org/ scholarships.
The Center of Anna Maria Island is accepting applications for the John van Zandt Scholarship, which offers tuition assistance for Class of 2024 high school graduates seeking education for careers in construction, construction trades, marine services technology, food services, cosmetology, medicine, law enforcement or firefighting. Applicants or their parents must live or work on Anna Maria Island. The application deadline is Friday, Apr. 12. For more information, call 941-778-1908 or visit www. centerami.org/events or The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave. in Anna Maria.
941-778-0414
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Anna Maria Elementary
School has removed the red train caboose because of safety concerns due to its deterioration.
BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.comHOLMES BEACH - Anna Maria Elementary School (AME) is unique for many reasons - a caring and dedicated staff, its spectacular location on the bay and the recent addition of the world’s first Guy Harvey Academy are just a few things that make the Island’s only school something special.
For the past 37 years, students, staff and visitors have also been treated to the unmistakable sight of the school’s unofficial mascot, its train caboose, which has been as much a fixture of the school since 1987 as teachers, principals and homework. Unfortunately, due to years in the salty air that makes the school’s location one of the best in America, the caboose had to be removed on Feb. 24.
The caboose spent nearly four decades on a short stretch of track near the main entrance of the school. It all began in 1987 when a former student and parent, Joan Pettigrew, read about CSX Railroad phasing out their cabooses. With some help from members of the community, she convinced the school’s administration and the Manatee County School Board to allow it to be moved to the school.
Billie Coles, AME’s curriculum specialist from 1988-1992, led the successful effort to make the caboose a computer lab in 1988, and the caboose was later dedicated to her. According to current Principal Mike Masiello, Coles was instrumental in getting parents involved in students’ computer education at a time when most schools had limited access to computers.
“ This place has an amazing collection of spirits.” Josh
Former AME students reminisce on Facebook
“Mrs. Coles computer lab, very fond memories. How old am I that I can say I played Oregon Trail on a 3 1/2” floppy disc in a caboose!”
- Beau Smith-Kerr“First place I ever saw a computer.” -
Jeremy Purvis“Oh my gosh I remember when this was my school store, I have all my erasers still.”
- Mara RennaeFor many, Feb. 24 was a sad day as an Anna Maria Elementary School landmark was removed as a safety precaution after years of deterioration in the salty air. It was loaded on a large semi-truck and moved to the Florida Railroad Museum in nearby Parrish, where train enthusiasts hope to restore it.
the speech classroom and later the school store. Even once the caboose was no longer being used as a classroom, it remained a source of pride for students and staff, as well as a backdrop for plenty of class pictures. So the question for many has been, why remove it?
“It’s a safety hazard at this point,” Masiello said. “It was too rusty, it was falling apart to the point where nobody could go inside of it. The roof was shot, it leaked, causing mold and mildew. Nobody has been in it for years. It just kept rusting and rusting and rusting because of the salty air here on the Island.”
Early in the morning on Feb. 24, a crew from the Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish arrived at AME with a large crane and an extended-length “wide load” semitruck to remove the caboose. They chose a Saturday because of safety concerns associated with such an undertaking when children and staff were on the campus.
its track and onto the truck without incident. It was then taken to Parrish, where Florida Railroad Museum staff will evaluate whether it can be restored and join the museum’s five other vintage cabooses currently on display.
“I remember drinking hot chocolate and hearing my teacher read The Polar Express to us during Christmas. All of the kids would pack into the caboose for the story.”
- Nick St. John“My mom taught speech in that caboose for years. I remember playing in that thing all through school. Sad day for all AME kids.”
- Matt Bobo
“Spent t he week in Anna Maria Island and out of all the liquor stores on t he island, t his is by far t he best one, wit h t he best prices and t he most selection. The staf f was very friendly ” Heat her
“ The guys here was very helpful and knowledgeable. They had some great choices on bourbon.
“ These guys had t he best selection , decent prices, and were overall just good people.” Matt hew
JASON SCHAFFER | SUN
“Great
“Amazing
ANNA MARIA – The 15th Annual Murder Mystery event at The Center of Anna Maria Island opened the month with music, laughter and murder. The fundraiser event presented by Beach House Real Estate brought in a packed house last Friday and Saturday night.
American Cover, written and directed by Brianna Roberts, included the usual cast of characters - Don and Leah Purvis, Ray Gardner, Mike Shaughnessy, Chris Scott, Clay Spangler, Caleb Roberts and Brianna Roberts. With the retirement of veteran murder mystery cast members Monica Simpson and Jillian Gardner, Jessica Patel joined the fun on stage this year in her debut.
The music-themed event included performances and music by contestants competing for the opportunity for stardom amidst a mysterious murder. Attendees dressed in their best music-themed costumes. With a 7-foot-tall Willie Nelsen look-alike, as well as Justin Timberlake and Brittney Spears in denim, Jelly Roll, Taylor Swift, and Shania Twain, the costume contest was won by Erica Benarroch as Amy Winehouse. With every tattoo in place and hair done up just right, Erica brought down the house with her impersonation of the late music talent. Top prize for the best look of the night was sponsored by Blue Marlin.
Breaking out in a choreographed dance number, Don Purvis and Ray Gardner moved to the beats of Michael Jackson as “Pelvis Presley” and “Ray-Ye East.” As “Reginald Clayborn,” Clay Spangler brought his British accent to the stage as one of the judges.
Special guest star 5-year-old Reef Roberts returned to the stage as “Reef Rose.” Reef stopped the show with his rendition of Guns N Roses’ Sweet Child of Mine to help open this year’s show.
“Stash,” played by Caleb Roberts, the show’s handsome judge, was murdered Saturday night by the mystery killer. After musical numbers and auditions by the show’s contestants, Chris Scott as “Deputy Dangles” came up empty-handed with no suspects, but thanks to the crimefighting skills of undercover agent “Lick Dagger” (Mike Shaughnessy), the mystery was solved.
“Penny Lane,” Stash’s stalker/ obsessed fan, portrayed by Leah Purvis, was the murderer. Casey Anderson was the big winner of the night, selected at random as the 50-50 raffle winner and the winner of the grand prize, as the selected successful guesser of this year’s murder mystery.
Once again, the local humor of The Center’s Murder Mystery play entertained a sold-out crowd, filling the Island’s community center gymnasium, with proceeds going to programs at the nonprofit.
Saturday night’s dinner, provided by Poppo’s Taqueria, filled stomachs while bars sponsored by Erik Abrahamson kept the libations flowing.
The whodunnit production was supported through sponsorships by Anna Maria Charters, Sato Real Estate, Anna Maria Landscaping, Once Upon A Beach, Aqua Aveda, 82 West Home Inspections, Emily Moss Designs, Gulf Current Electric, Shady Lady Horticultural Services, Tom Sanger Pools, Island Psychiatric, Moss Builders and Johnson Homes.
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malfunction and collaborating with environmental agencies on discharge and drainage issues.”
“At a time when cities are working to reduce nitrogen overflow into the waters to curb red tide and algae blooms, this spill of partially treated wastewater is high nitrogen water filled with bacteria entering a public water body,” Suncoast Waterkeeper Executive Director Anney Tyrna said.
In 2022, Suncoast Waterkeeper and other environmental groups sued the City of Bradenton following a prior spill. The settlement stipulated that the city improve the wastewater treatment system.
“The city is working toward improving the infrastructure so this doesn’t happen again,” Tyrna said. “The infrastructure is old and in need of repair. Repairs are long overdue, but it takes time to make these repairs.”
Tyrna said with the latest spill, and based on the 2022 settlement terms of the lawsuit, there may be stipulated penalties due from the city to the Tampa Bay Estuary Program.
ANNA MARIA - The Island Players’ upcoming production of Alan Ayckbourn’s “Communicating Doors” was set to debut on Thursday, March 7, but due to five out of six of the cast members becoming ill and unable to rehearse, the play has been rescheduled to open on Tuesday, March 12 at 7:30 p.m.
“The show will go on regardless,” director Preston Boyd said. “I’m hopeful that our cast will recover and be able to use the extra time to rehearse and put on a great play, but if I have to re-cast in order to put on the show, I will do whatever it takes to make sure this show happens.”
Boyd said that “Com-
municating Doors” is a story about time travel, sex, murder and mystery. Having directed over 100 plays in his career in the theater, he’s excited to present this latest production that Boyd guarantees will keep audiences guessing.
Tickets for “Communicating Doors” are available online at www. theislandplayers.org. The box office is open for in-person and telephone sales from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and one hour prior to the 2 p.m. Sunday matinees for will call tickets only. Evening performances are at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. For more information, call 941-778-5755.
The mostly-classical “Lost at Sea” album features two vocal performances by his daughter, Lana Del Rey.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.comANNA MARIA – Seventy-year-old pianist, composer and part-time Anna Maria resident Rob Grant released his debut album, “Lost at Sea,” in June and it went to number one on the United Kingdom’s Official Charts in the Classical Artist Albums category.
Twelve of the album’s 14 nauticalthemed songs are instrumental compositions featuring Grant on piano and additional orchestration composed and recorded by Luke Howard. The soothing, ethereal and somewhat haunting instrumentals include “The Poetry of Wind and Waves,” “Setting Sail on a Distant Horizon,” “The Mermaids Lullaby,” “Song of the Eternal Sea” and “Reflections of Light on Water.”
The songs “Lost at Sea” and “Hollywood Bowl” feature Grant’s daughter on vocals, 11-time Grammy nominee Lana Del Rey. The two singles featuring Del Rey charted in the top five of the UK’s Official Charts and a techno-inspired remix of “Lost at Sea” created by the Brazilian DJ “Anna” is doing well on various music streaming services.
Grant and his wife, Patty, bought a home in Anna Maria 20 years ago and have been seasonal residents since, with their primary home still in the Adirondack mountains in upstate New York.
Grant recently discussed his music, his love of the water, his well-known daughter and his successful entrepreneurial career while piloting his 19-foot Parker powerboat around Egmont Key.
“Being out on the water is what inspired the album. We came out here and anchored the boat by this beauti-
he played piano on the recording.
Seeking feedback on some of his other compositions, Grant sent five instrumental songs to Ben Mawson and Ed Millet at the TAP Management firm that manages his daughter.
“I didn’t really have any intention of doing a record deal, because I didn’t think I could do a record. A day later, Ben called and said, ‘Rob, this is beautiful. I can get you a record deal.’”
He later signed a two-record deal with Interscope Records, joining the same label as his daughter.
ful sandbar with the breaking waves in the background and shot several promotion videos. We had this huge school of stingrays sweep in under the boat and it made for a really cool video,” he said.
Grant began playing piano as a teenager but didn’t pursue a music career. Instead, he worked as copywriter for a major advertising firm in New York City where he came up with the “Thank Goodness It Fits” marketing slogan for Playtex bras.
“That became a $100 million advertising campaign,” he said.
Before burning out in the hypercompetitive world of advertising, Grant transitioned into his current role as a real estate broker. In the 1990s, when the internet was still in its infancy, he was also an early and highly successful worldwide investor in then-unused internet domain names related to the auto industry, education, music, publishing and especially real estate. Years later, he sold the TorontoRealEstate.com
domain for $140,000 and he just recently sold the TampaRealEstate. com domain.
“I never had a piano lesson. I can’t read sheet music and I play entirely by ear. I begin to hear chords and notes that I like and I’ll intuitively put them together to create an interesting composition. Often my music has been described as almost sad and haunting, but it’s very relaxing,” Grant said.
Grant and Del Rey wrote their first song together in 2021.
“I was in the living room of Lana’s house and I was just randomly playing a song I was improvising. She came down and said do it again. She asked if could create a bridge so I fooled around for a minute, created a bridge and she began to sing. Within 35-40 minutes we had written ‘Sweet Carolina,’ the last track on her ‘Blue Bannisters’ album,” Grant said.
Released in 2021, “Sweet Carolina” earned Grant a songwriting credit and
“The song ‘Lost at Sea’ happened when we were in the Henson recording studio, where Jim Henson recorded the Muppet movies. I was recording with Jack Antonoff and Laura Sisk and Lana’s watching me through the glass. Lana told Jack to get a microphone out and she began to sing. As I’m playing, she’s improvising these lyrics and within an hour we’d written this beautiful, hypnotic song,” Grant said. “The way I play, which is essentially improv and spontaneous, is essentially the way Lana creates lyrics. When you put us together, you get this fascinating chemistry.”
The “Lost at Sea” music video features Grant and Del Rey on a 55foot sailboat in the Pacific Ocean and includes old VHS footage of the Grant family.
“Hollywood Bowl” was composed in Del Rey’s Los Angeles home and includes the lyric “Twice I sang at the Hollywood Bowl and my dad plays just like Billy Joel.”
Regarding that song, Grant said, “I told her I’ve got this new song I wanted to play for her. She’s got a baby grand in her living room. I sat down and began to play and right away she got a mic and began to sing. She looked around her living room and saw an old picture of the Hollywood Bowl. She incorporates that
Proceeds from the sold-out show will go toward Island beautification projects.
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.comANNA MARIA – The sold-out Anna Maria Island Garden Club fashion show at The Center of Anna Maria Island on Feb. 28 was not only a celebration of Island fashion, but a fundraiser for Island-wide beautification projects.
Garden Club members Marykate Scott and Krista Nurnberger welcomed 280 attendees to the annual luncheon and show.
“This is the Garden Club’s major annual fundraiser,” Nurnberger said. “It allows us to raise money so we can live out our mission of beautification. We have beautification projects across all three Island cities.”
More than 45 gift baskets were donated by local businesses as silent auction items.
“This is our third year here at The Center,” Garden Club member Pat Short said. “We used to have it at Roser but it got too big.”
“Every year this event is more and
more fabulous,” Becky Sirigotis said. With a Grammy Award theme, Scott Munro and Brennan Marilla wore tuxedos and interjected humor as they presented “AMIs” to the models in the show.
“I’ve always wanted to see what the garden club actually does,” Munro said. “I want to see some topsoil in
those well-manicured nails out there.” Munro and Marilla presented the 12 models with award-show-themed awards such as Best Ladies Luncheon Chic, Best Wine Club Charm and Best Girlfriend Shopping Trip Style. Local retailers whose products were represented at the fashion show were
AMI Outfitters, Monetti Apparel, Irene’s Resort Wear, Island Cabana, Nomad and Pink & Navy.
“The proceeds from the show will go toward funding the third year of our wind sculpture project - we’re in discussions with Bradenton Beach - as well as supporting Arbor Day events and the purchase of park benches,” Nurnberger said. “The committee is in the process of prioritizing other projects.”
Platinum sponsors for the event were Becky Sirigotis with Compass Real Estate, Intuitive Foundation, Kathy Morgan Johnson with Johnson Law, ReMax Alliance Group, Remi Drigan with Sato Real Estate, Renitia Bertoluzzi with RedInnovations and Prime Vacations AMI Locals.
Gold Sponsors were Sato Real Estate and Darcy Duncan Real Estate. Food and Beverage sponsors were Hometown Cupcakes, Hurricane Liquors and Olive Oil Outpost. Décor, Hair and Venue Sponsors were Blooms by the Beach, Salt & Scissors and The Center of Anna Maria Island.
just heard my first whippoorwill last night, a harbinger of spring. While we might still be a few cold fronts away from spring, now is a great time to prepare for the upcoming season, getting tackle in order and keeping an eye on the sky for diving birds and breaking fish.
Under those birds, you might find Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, cobia, little tunny, jack crevalle and any number of other predators that come together to feast on schools of baitfish that migrate to nearshore waters this time of the year. Every one of these predators will ambush live bait, lures or flies and can be caught on spinning, bait casting or fly tackle. Except for king mackerel and cobia, most can be landed with light (8- to 10-pound test) tackle, adding to the excitement.
Depending on the species you’re targeting, you’ll want to rig accordingly. Since it’s possible to encounter such a diversity of fish in a single outing, multiple outfits are a good idea. After a long winter, tackle can fall into disrepair and need to be replaced. However you fish, take care to avoid the number one way fish are lost – improperly tied knots. To assure you’ll never lose a good fish to inferior knots, moisten and tighten all knots. Properly sharpened hooks and outfits with the appropriate bite tippet and
leader are also key. Options include wire, monofilament, long-shanked hooks or a combination of these. It’s possible to catch a kingfish without wire but your odds aren’t good. The same applies with certain exceptions to Spanish mackerel. Mackerel can sometimes shy from wire. That’s the time to switch to a long shank hook and/or a heavy (60-pound) monofilament leader. Even then, it’s possible to get cut off, but you’ll be guaranteed more action if the fish are feeding.
When using wire or heavier mono for a bite tippet, an 8- to-12-inch trace can be tied to monofilament using an Albright Special knot (best) or a swivel. If you use a swivel, use a black one as opposed to silver to prevent fish from mistaking it for forage. American Fishing Wire makes a product called Surflon Micro Supreme that is
extremely flexible and kink-resistant. This wire can be knotted to your lure, hook or fly like monofilament. It also provides greater flexibility and less stretch than monofilament. Umpqua makes a product that’s ideal for fly anglers. Their Re-Twistable Haywire Twist wire is reusable and will allow you to change flies in a snap. This is the quickest and most painless system to rig wire for toothy fish. A wire is less likely to deter a bite under low light conditions like early morning, overcast days and late in the day.
One of the most effective ways to find schooling fish in the spring is to look for surface action
and diving birds in the inshore Gulf waters. Predators can also be present without revealing themselves around structures, reefs and wrecks, so a few exploratory casts around these areas are advisable. When you find baitfish schools and feeding fish you can approach them by trolling, drifting or with the use of a trolling motor. Whatever method you employ, never let your boat pass through or get too close to the action. With more and more boats and anglers pursuing feeding fish, they are likely to sound and move away. The best bet is to stay outside the action but within casting distance. If trolling, make wide turns so only your lures pass through the action. On species like little tunny that surface, feed and then sound suddenly, only to resurface yards away, learn to watch hovering birds. The birds track the finicky fish as they move from between baitfish schools.
Live bait anglers target schooling
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fish in several ways. By anchoring upcurrent from a likely area, they may deploy a chum bag and then toss wounded live baits to draw fish into casting range. This can be an extremely effective method. Those who prefer artificial lures find spoons particularly effective as well as jigs like the DOA CAL or the Berkley Gulp. One of the most exciting and effective types of lures are top water models like the MirroLure Top Dog, the Heddon Zara Spook or the Rapala Saltwater Skitter Pop. Not only is the strike visual and often explosive, but the surface action can attract target species. Fly fishing is also an effective and exciting way to target spring species from cobia to triple tail, Spanish mackerel and even kingfish. The same rigging applies and top water flies like the Crease fly or Garthside Gurgler can produce some memorable strikes. Clouser Deep Minnows are also a great choice for Spanish mackerel and little tunny. This would be a good time of the year to have a 10- or 11-weight rod rigged with a big black fly should a cobia make an appearance.
Whatever your fishing style, take advantage of the great action you’ll find in area waters in the next couple of months. If you’re new to the game, consider hiring a guide. This is a great way to learn the ropes and a great value when shared with a friend. Tight lines!
CAPT. RICK GRASSETT
There should be good action with reds, trout and snook in skinny water in March as baitfish become more plentiful. Look for Spanish and king mackerel, cobia, tripletail and false albacore (little tunny) in the coastal Gulf of Mexico. Night snook fishing in the ICW should also be a good option this month.
Spotted seatrout regulations have changed in southwest Florida to 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”. In my opinion, it’s important to protect larger trout, which are usually female breeders. Full regulations and details for all species can be viewed at https://myfwc.com/.
This should be a good month for snook fishing at night around lighted docks and bridge fenders in the ICW. DOA Shrimp, CAL jigs with shad tails and small white flies, like my Grassett Snook Minnow, usually work well at night since glass minnows and shrimp are the predominant bait. Focus on shadow lines where light meets dark and fish strong tides for the best action. Although snook may be found in rivers, creeks or canals
CAPT. RICK GRASSETT | SUBMITTED There should be good action in skinny water in March. Dave Reinhart, of Massachusetts, had good action in Sarasota Bay with reds (pictured) and snook on CAL jigs with grubs while fishing with Capt. Rick Grassett on a couple of trips in a previous March.
in March, they will also start to move onto shallow flats, particularly on sunny afternoons when it’s warm. I like larger lures like CAL jigs with jerk worms, CAL 4” Shad Tails, DOA Baitbusters and the DOA PT soft plastic top water lure or wide profile flies like Clousers, Deceivers and EP flies, for snook on the flats.
Look for early-season tarpon that may start to show in backcountry areas. These are usually adult resident fish that are making their way out of rivers and creeks. They may be “laid up” or rolling on deep grass flats, on
edges of shallow flats or along bars when it is calm. An accurate cast with a DOA Shrimp, a Deceiver or Tarpon Bunny fly may result in an explosive strike! Look for them in areas of Sarasota Bay, lower Tampa Bay or in Gasparilla Sound on some of the same deep grass flats where you find trout. Reds should be more active as the water warms and baitfish become more plentiful. Higher tides, as we head into spring, will allow them to spend more time feeding in shallow water. Look for them over shallow grass, along mangrove shorelines and around oyster bars when the tide is high. You should find them in potholes and along sandbars when the tide is low. I like the shallow flats of north Sarasota Bay for reds this month. I like 1/16-ounce CAL jigs with shad tails and jerk worms to locate reds. Fly anglers should score with my Grassett Flats Minnow fly, fished on a 10’-12’ leader. When using a long leader, be sure you are able turn it over, otherwise you’ll need to shorten it until you can. The butt section should be at least 50% of the total length of the leader and stiff enough to transfer energy from your fly line to the leader.
2/14, 1:29 a.m., trespassing, 5410 Marina Drive. The officer responded to D Coy Ducks bar in reference to an intoxicated patron attempting to fight the staff. Upon arrival, a staff member was restraining the male suspect.
The man had been told to leave after attempting to swing his fists at bar staff, but refused. The officer said in his report that the male suspect was visibly intoxicated and belligerent. The staff member told the officer he wanted the man trespassed from the property and he was no longer welcome in the bar. The intoxicated man was told if he returned to the bar, he would be subject to arrest. The suspect was transported home by the officer without further incident.
have family that lives here and I have a free place to stay. I love the Island and it’s just a great place to be. I don’t like the big giant party places, this is kind of mellow and I like it.”
“I also have grandparents that live in Ellenton, which is not far,” said Westenfeld’s friend and sorority sister, Samantha Stanek. “I like that when you’re here, you get to know people more personally than if you’re in a big club jumping up and down to the loud music.”
Just because AMI is not known as a party place like Miami or even nearby Siesta Key, it doesn’t mean there aren’t problems this time of year. Any time a large number of people descend on the Island, there are issues that arise and precautions that should be taken.
“As usual, we’ll have extra patrol day and night during the spring break season,” Bradenton Beach
Police Lt. Lenard Diaz said. “We’ve been pretty lucky throughout the past few years. We haven’t really had any serious problems, and most of the issues we have had have been taken care of then and there and not become a bigger issue.”
Diaz did say his department will be watching for people publicly intoxicated, and said most of the crimes during the busy times of year, such as spring break, are crimes of opportunity, and simply using common sense like walking in groups and securing valuables while enjoying beach time will prevent most problems before they begin.
Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer offered a list of concerns and issues:
• Allow extra time when coming onto the Island. There’s already been a lot of traffic, so be patient;
• Park in designated spaces, and always parallel park with all four tires off the road in spaces where that is required;
ing people where you’ve secured your belongings;
• Don’t leave valuables under or on your towel at the beach. If you go for a walk, take them with you.
“We will be monitoring the beach for illegal activities such as alcohol, pets and grills,” Tokajer said. “We want everyone to know that this is a family atmosphere and that’s the way we intend to keep it. We will be monitoring parking and enforcing all parking violations.”
• If you want to park at the public beach, get there early;
• Pay attention to signs. The city has worked hard to make it obvious where parking is permitted;
• When you go to the beach, don’t leave valuables visible in your car. Also, secure items in your trunk before you arrive at beach parking so you’re not show -
Island police departments also agree that oftentimes, visitors see how beautiful and laid back AMI is and sometimes let their guard down. While violent crime is not common among strangers on AMI, even in paradise, it’s important to remain aware of one’s surroundings and use the same common sense as if visiting a major city. Most problems are preventable, police say, with a bit of vigilance and awareness of the surroundings.
You should have warmed up from the unusually cold Florida winter.
Now the question is, has the housing market unfrozen? The entire country has been gripped in an exceptionally cold and stormy winter, including sec tions of the south like Texas, Tennessee, Georgia and, of course, Florida. In January, more than 93 million people across the country were under windchill advisories as low temperatures stretched both north and south.
We don’t know yet what effect the cold Florida weather has had on the tourist season; it could work both ways. However, make no mistake about it, weather during the winter in the northern states has a profound effect not only on our tourist market but also on our real estate market.
The success of the Florida real estate market depends to a good degree on the northern markets and their ability to sell their homes. True, falling mortgage rates
have encouraged home shopping activity in January, bringing buyers back in the market, but first they must get here, and many of our buyers are frozen in place.
Since last year was the worst year for existing home sales since 1995, anything will look good. It’s predicted that home purchases won’t return to normal levels unless mortgage rates fall further. A rate below 6% is a key level to attract more buyers and, despite the recent increase in activity, we are far from a healthy housing market. A lower mortgage rate will also likely attract current homeowners who want to move up or down but feel
frozen, that word again, at their ultra-low mortgage rates.
On Anna Maria Island, the number of available listings compared to those pending are as follows as of this writing:
Anna Maria has 112 properties available and six pending. Listing prices range from a low of $895,000 to a high of $12,000,000.
The combined cities of Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach have 217 properties available and 40 pending. Listing prices range from $100,000 to $31,750,000.
Cortez has 19 properties available and seven pending. The listing prices range from $595,000 to $1,900,000.
Keep in mind available and pending properties are just a snapshot in time. The figures can change daily and frequently do, nevertheless it’s still interesting to see the movement of the real estate market.
The above numbers represent properties ranging from building lots, boat slips, mobile homes, condos, single family homes and duplexes. And it clearly explains what a diverse area we’re living in with a wide range of price points and the choice of lifestyles available.
Listings are up and we’ve been waiting for that to happen so that’s the good news. Let’s hope when the thaw comes, so will the buyers. I’ll leave it to you to interpret these numbers however you like. Typically, the busy selling months are March, April and May before the real buyers go back north, so let’s assume our market is only experiencing a temporary pause.
The country is thawing out and we certainly are too. In our typically strong selling season, the time when lookers turn into buyers is still ahead. After the thaw, the statistics will tell the real story about the effects of the winter of 2024.
Dr. Lee Hoyt Miller, M.D.
Dr. Lee Hoyt Miller, M.D., age 87, of Cortez, Florida passed on Feb. 26, 2024.
Hoyt was the son of G.L. Hoyt Miller and LaVerne M. Miller.
He was born on Nov. 16, 1936 at Danville, Illinois. Soon thereafter, the family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where, at Howe High School, he met the love of his life, Katheryn A. Wilkens, daughter of Dr. Irvin W. Wilkens, M.D. and Delta M. (Newton) Wilkens. They were married on June 20, 1959.
Hoyt graduated from Wabash College in 1959 where he sang first tenor with the Wabash College Glee Club under the direction of his mentor and close friend, Bob Mitchum. At
Wabash, he was a proud member of his social fraternity, Sigma Chi. He remained close with his Sigma Chi brothers and his fellow Class of ’59 classmates over the years. In 1963, he graduated from Indiana University School of Medicine and, after completing a residency in family medicine at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, he joined Drs. Dan McLaren and Hal Williams in their medical practice, Devington Family Physicians. He later formed Castleton Family Physicians with his medical partners. He was a staff officer at Community Hospitals of Indianapolis where he also served as Clinical Director of the Family Practice Residency Program. He was a member of the Indianapolis Medical Society, Indiana State Medical Association, Indiana Academy of Family Physicians, American Medical Association and was a Fellow in the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Hoyt was a veteran of the Indiana National Guard, 38th Medical Battalion, and served as a medical officer during the Vietnam War.
He was a member of Millersville Masonic Lodge #126, Indianapolis Valley of Scottish Rite and Murat Shriners. For several years, Hoyt was chairman of the medical clinic at Murat Shriners, which identified children who could benefit from medical treatment at Shriners Children’s Hospitals.
Hoyt and Kathy purchased a condominium at Cortez, Florida upon their retirement in 2001. They began wintering in Florida. They eventually became full-time residents of Florida. Hoyt obtained his medical license in Florida and staffed the medical clinic for students enrolled at IMG Sports Academy at Bradenton, Florida.
Hoyt’s avocation was music. He and Bob Mitchum formed the “Sound Foundation” at Carmel, Indiana. Their performances raised money to fund an annual college scholarship for teens who had been active in musical performance in high school. In Florida, he formed and led the jazz band “The Sea Notes.” The Sea Notes performed for several years in the Bradenton, Florida area.
Hoyt was a member of Harvey Memorial Community Church in Bradenton Beach, Florida, where he sang in the choir and served as deacon, trustee and chairman of the board. He was also a member of the Key Royale Golf Club on Anna Maria Island, Florida.
He is survived by his loving wife, Kathy, and their three children, Gregory Hoyt Miller (Laura) of Crawfordsville, Indiana, Julie Ann Phelps (John) of Cortez, Florida and Dr. Kristen Lynn Ward, M.D. (Curt) of Empire, Michigan; seven grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.
Memorial services in Florida will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Children's Hospitals c/o Murat Shriners, 510 N. New Jersey St., Indianapolis, IN 46204, or to Harvey Memorial Community Church, 300 Church Ave., Bradenton Beach, FL 34217.
Try beginner and intermediate line dancing at The Center of Anna Maria Island Thursdays at 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Adults can learn this fun genre of dance with Crystal Kruse at 407 Magnolia Ave. in Anna Maria. The cost is free for members and $10 per class for non-members.
Adults are welcome at no cost on the second Monday of each month at 2 p.m. The first book to be discussed on Monday, March 11 is Educated by Tara Westover.
The next co-ed adult soccer season starts on Thursday, March 28. Register by Friday, March 8 for the draft to be held on March 13. A pickup game is scheduled for 6 p.m. for new players prior to the draft. The
cost is $20 for members and $130 for non-members.
Using breathing to create movement from pose to pose, the class taught by Gayle Prebis is for all levels. The class is on Wednesdays, starting March 13 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The cost is free for members and $25 for non-members.
The Child and Babysitting Safety (CABS) program gives teens and pre-teens everything they need to know for safe and successful babysitting from getting started with a business to working with parents and children to safety, caregiving and getting certified with CPR and First Aid training through the American Heart Association. For ages 11- to 17. The class is Friday, March 15 from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The cost is $85 for members and $100 for non-members. Pre-registration is required.
The Center’s youth fall soccer season is kicking off with the season starting on Monday, April 1. The program is for children ages 3-14. The cost is $20 for members and $150 for non-members. The deadline to register for this season is Friday, March 15.
Experience four weeks of positive reinforcement dog training with Katie Mae Hart, owner and trainer at SIT! Social Interactive Training. Starting on Wednesday, March 20 from 6-7:30 p.m. The cost is $100 for members and $120 for non-members. Preregistration is required.
Learn about vertical oyster gardens at the free workshop by the Gulf Shellfish Institute on Wednesday, March 20 at 3:30 p.m.
To register for Center programs or for more information, email The Center at customerservice@ centerami.org or call 941-778-1908.
GRANT: ‘Lost at Sea’
FROM
into her lyric. And then, what rhymes with Hollywood Bowl? Billy Joel,” Grant said.
Joining the interview by phone from Los Angeles, Del Rey said she hasn’t yet performed “Lost at Sea” or “Hollywood Bowl” in concert yet, but she hopes to perform “Hollywood Bowl” someday with her dad on piano.
“With a song like ‘Hollywood Bowl,’ I heard him play a few chords and I was looking at my old black and white picture of the Hollywood Bowl and I just started singing everything that was on my mind,” she said.
The lyrics for “Lost at Sea” include the lines, “I was lost at sea ‘til you found me … Happily, I was found, lost at sea.”
“Maybe there’s an element of making lemonade out of lemons by choosing some of those words,” Del Rey said. “Also, he is out on the ocean so much of the time. Water really is his happy place. As a realist, I also think it serves as a warning to not isolate.”
Del Rey treasured the extra quality time she got to spend with her dad while writing and recording “Lost at Sea” and “Hollywood Bowl.”
“At first it felt kind of like an extension of everything we do, because we’ve done so many little non-musical things together. It could just be playing a song or taking a walk, because no time spent together is ever lost on me. So, that was very special. And Dad’s had the wind at his back. He’s had a better experience putting out a record than anyone I know,” she said.
Del Rey has a new album out, “Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd,” and she’s headlining the Coachella music festival in California in April, 10 years after she first played it.
The song “Hollywood Bowl” was also released as a single.
“It will be a very sad day taking it down,” Tran said.
During the Feb. 28 hearing, Nicholas sanctioned Tran and Hazen for filing a third amended complaint in the case, calling the move a stall tactic to prevent the case from moving forward.
Representing the city during the most recent hearings was attorney Randy Mora.
“It’s not about what the city wants but about legal requirements,” he said. “It’s time to resolve this. All litigation must come to an end. This is that end.”
For the treehouse to be permitted as a recreational structure, it would require site plan approval, permits and to be properly set back from the erosion control line, none of which Mora said was possible given the circumstances.
“The treehouse is located within 30 feet of the erosion control line,” he said, noting that wasn’t the city’s only issue with the structure. “That structure still stands because the owners refuse to comply with enforcement. There is no version of the treehouse that will be allowed. No plans are or were approved. The city seeks an end to these proceedings here today. We are here because the city is without any other recourse.”
Tran represented herself and Hazen during the proceedings.
When making his ruling at the end of the more than three-hour hearing, Nicholas said that he agreed with a statement made by Tran at the beginning of the session that the case was, in fact, pretty simple.
“The saga of the treehouse is over,” he said, adding that the case was, at its core, an appeal of a code enforcement administrative order.
“Ultimately the bottom line is that the treehouse is within the ECL (erosion control line) setback and in violation of the city code and remains uncompliant after 11 years,” he said. “The respondents (Tran and Hazen) are unwilling to accept that they have lost. This is not about taking anyone’s property. This is about the respondents’ unreasonable unwillingness to accept the inevitable. The city is entitled to the injunctive relief it seeks.”
Nicholas gave the owners 90 days from the recording of his filing, expected within days of the hearing, to apply for demolition permits and remove the treehouse. Otherwise, with 72 hours’ notice, the city can enter the property and remove the treehouse with the cost of removal charged to the owners.
After the hearing, Tran and Hazen both said they were unsure what their next move would be, but Tran told The Sun on Feb. 29 that they would be pursuing removal of the treehouse.
Hazen said he first approached Holmes Beach city staff in April of 2011 about building a treehouse on the property he shares with Tran. At the time, he said he didn’t have a plan for the structure, he just knew he wanted to build something, and was told by thenbuilding official Bob Schaefer that he just needed to build something that was safe
and that people wouldn’t easily fall out of, and that there was nothing explicitly in the city’s codes about a treehouse.
Construction on the two-story beachfront structure began in May 2011 with the treehouse being supported by an Australian pine tree and several pilings disguised as tree trunks. Tran said that construction was primarily completed in November 2011 when the city received an anonymous complaint about the treehouse. She said the couple received the first notice of violation from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on Nov. 29, 2011. She added that FDEP staff was looking at either an exception for a permit for the structure or a way to approve it with an after-thefact permit.
Thinking that the issues with the structure were only with FDEP, Tran said the city had given verbal approval for the construction. It wasn’t until 2013 that the couple say they learned that wasn’t the case.
Tran said they had to get a letter from the city stating that staff didn’t contest FDEP issuing a permit for the treehouse. When they tried in early 2013 to get that letter, she said they received a first notice of violation from the city in April 2013, the first time she said she and Hazen learned about a 50-foot required setback for construction from the erosion control line. Unfortunately for them, the treehouse was constructed within that setback and no exemption could be given by the city or FDEP staff.
In June 2013, the couple received the first of several code violations on the property, this one at $100 per day until the property was brought into compliance. Though a judge later reversed that violation, the property still has an
ongoing daily code violation of $50 per day, along with fines for operating a vacation rental without a city-issued vacation rental license. Over the years, the amount owed in code violation fines has swelled to well over $300,000 in addition to attorney fees and court costs.
Litigation between the city and the treehouse owners spanned more than a decade between 2013 and 2024.
The treehouse isn’t the only structure on Tran and Hazen’s beachfront property. The couple also owns and operates Angelinos Sea Lodge, a short-term vacation rental with four units. Though they had previously had vacation rental certificates issued by the city for the operation of those units, in 2021 they were unable to renew the certificates because of a code violation at the property - the treehouse was the code violation. In addition to removing the treehouse, the couple was required to pay all fines, at that time amounting to about $200,000, before vacation rental certificates for the units could be issued.
City staff took the couple before the code compliance special magistrate in April 2021 where a $125-per-day fine was assessed for renting without a vacation rental certificate. In June of that year, Tran appeared again before the special magistrate, breaking into tears because in refusing to allow them to rent the units, city leaders were taking away their source of income.
During the Feb. 28, 2024 hearing, Tran said the couple could pursue litigation against the city due to the non-issuance of vacation rental certificates and the ensuing fines if needed to settle that dispute with Holmes Beach city leaders.
ANNA MARIA – With no adult indoor soccer play last week, the sports focus on Anna Maria Island was flag football. Ending February with youth gridiron action and starting the month of March with adult flag football play, the Island’s community center moves into round one of the playoffs this week.
In the 8- to 10-year-old league, team Sato Real Estate had a smooth game against AMI Coconuts, winning 34-6. Brandon Sato made his mark with two throwing touchdowns and running himself for two.
Teammate Grayson Cohen scored 14 points, catching for two TDs from Sato and successfully finding the end zone for a one- and a two-point conversion against the AMI Coconuts defense.
Bodhi Silenzi put his mark on the game with a big point after, adding to the Sato Real Estate scoring.
For AMI Coconuts, Paul ten Haaf threw for a touchdown to Camden Rudacille. Ten Haaf finished the game with three flag pulls and an interception. Rudacille added to his game stats with two defensive stops.
In a surprising loss to Adrian Griffin Interiors, the younger Moss Builders team had their first loss of the season by a single touchdown. Jordan Steele hit Silas deWitt for the single team score for six points. Steele and DeWitt had three big interceptions to stop the Moss offense.
Moss’ offense just could not click and did not find the endzone in the regular season closer.
In the third game of the week, the Cheesecake Cuties team defeated the Beach House Waterfront Restaurant
squad by a touchdown. QB Jermaine Goode threw two touchdowns for Beach House, with the ball finding Leo Tyler and Asher Patel. Defensively, Aiden Guess and Tyler each read the play of the Cheesecake Cuties QB for interceptions.
Patel put five flag pulls into the record books for Beach House, helping to keep the game close despite the loss.
Team Chick-fil-A eked out the three-point win against Solid Rock Construction. Quarterback Prince Izear threw for two touchdowns, both to Ruby Kesten.
Parker Svoboda and Kesten each added one point to the scoreboard with a point after the team’s TD. Nolan Anderson scored on the ground for Chick-fil-A finding the endzone.
Rushing the football for 18 points, Matthew Darak and Carson Long ran for three touchdowns, two by Darak. Jedi Smith had a one-point conversion, contributing to the Solid Rock scoring.
Defensively, the Solid Rock crew held their own and kept the team solidly in the game with a total of 20 flag pulls. Stops by Eligh Roadman, Darak, Long and Smith helped make it a three-point win for the Chick-fil-A team.
The middle schoolers in the 11- to 14-year-old league had four highscoring games with plenty of action to close the regular season. With the final score of 38-37, HSH Design beat Progressive Cabinetry.
Tanner Miller threw for six touchdowns, splitting the catches between Landyn Dowell and Kaleb Romagnino. Dowell and Romagnino each had a point after conversion for a
total of two points.
On defense, in addition to the team’s 17 stops, Daniel Lukens sacked Kellan Hunt, Progressive Cabinetry QB. Teammate Sterling Holiday broke up the opponent’s offensive drive with a beautiful interception.
On the other side of the football, the Progressive Cabinetry team played hard and held their own. Hunt finished the game with five touchdown passes, splitting them between Braxton Anderson, Jackson Goodhue and Jack McCarthy.
Scoring one point for his team after a critical touchdown, Theo Aupelle was Hunt’s successful target. McCarthy and Hunt each had two interceptions against the HSH offense, along with one for six points by McCarthy.
Turner Worth was the offensive option for Moss Builders, throwing for one TD, mixing up the plays along with QB Mason Moss. Moss added an interception to his game status. Also working on defense, Solid Rock Electrical’s Estella Long had an amazing game. Long finished with four catches and three defensive stops. In addition, Long had her own pick six of an interception of a Moss Builders’ throw.
The Solid Rock scoring included a touchdown from Charlie Serra to Dominik Zupa, as well as an additional one-point conversion by Elijah Casciani.
With solid flag football action in the three leagues, the semifinal games next week should continue to entertain players, friends and families at The Center.
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.
HOSPITAL VOLUNTEERS
WANTED to assist at our information desk, especially weekends. Great for teens needing volunteer hours (16yrs+). Other assignments available. Please call the Blake Volunteer Office at 941-798-6151.
BRIDGE AT ROSER HALL, Friday’s Noon to 3pm. Call 314-324-5921
BOAT DOCK WANTED
ISO BOAT DOCK W/LIFT. Kelly Gitt The Gitt Team Keller Williams on the Water 941-799-9299
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
SALON SUITE / TREATMENT ROOM Available in Anna Maria Body & Sol Spa and Wellness has a private office for rent. Perfect for a hair stylist (shampoo bowl and plumbing in place), acupuncturist, or counselor/therapist. Looking for a monthly rent, not a per use fee. Please text the biz owner, Amanda, at 941-896-2222.
TOTAL HOME SERVICES CLEANING: Residential, Commercial, Rentals, VRBO. Professional and Reliable. Call 941-756-4570 or 941-565-3931
TWO SIDES OF NATURE
- Anna Maria Island's Largest Little Beach Shoppes... is now hiring full time and part-time associates. Varied shifts available must be able to work nights and weekends.
Retail Experience Preferred. Great Pay, Great Fun! Apply today Two Sides of Nature 101 S. Bay Blvd. Unit A-1, Anna Maria.
A/C SERVICE TECH, seasoned, able to work well with others. Input is appreciated, hard work is rewarded. Salary negotiable. 40hr + work week. Paid Holidays and vacation. West Coast Air Conditioning & Heating. Call 941-778-9622
A/C INSTALLER. Change outs. Experienced, High work ethical standards a must. Year round work. No layoffs. Benefits. West Coast Air Conditioning & Heating. Call 941-7789622
ROSER CHURCH SEEKS part-time nursery attendant, 8:15-11:15 every Sunday. Must be dependable and enjoy being with children. 941-778-0414
AMI TURTLE WATCH OFFICE ASSISTANT. 20 hours/ week. Work from home in vicinity of AMI. Scheduling, Inventory, Purchasing, Data Entry, Website. Local travel required. Email director@islandturtlewatch. com.
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.
API’S DRYWALL REPAIR 15+ years experience. Free estimates. No job too small. Love to help you. Call 941-524-8067.
ISLE TILE specializing in Custom Bath/Shower & Backsplash installation. Pressure washing available. Call 941-302-8759 isletileservices.com
GORILLA DRYWALL REPAIR, LLC. 15+ years of experience. Free Estimates. Let’s solve your Drywall problems together. Call 941-286-0607.
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.
BMF INTERIORS Home repairs and more, No job too small. Please call 786318-8585
R. GAROFALO’S Interlocking brick pavers, driveways, patios, pool decks. Free estimates. Licensed & Insured. Call Rafael 941-778-4823 or Veronik 941-526-7941
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
ISLAND RESIDENT. TREE/ BUSH Trimming, removal. Sweeping, blowing, and weeding. Weekly, bi-monthly or monthly schedule. Pressure washing. Call Bill Witaszek 941307-9315
LOST & FOUND
FOUND BICYCLE that fell off back of car on Cortez Road Call 941-518-1078
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
“WIZARD OF WALLS”
Established 1980
Prompt quality service. Wallpaper installation/ removal. Mary Bell Winegarden 941-794-0455
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
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.
T & B PRESSURE WASHING Licensed & Insured. Driveways/sidewalks, Roofs, Pool cages, Fences, House (soft wash/ downstream). Call 813638-7636. tandbpressurewashing@yahoo. com Family owned and operated.
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
NEW ROOF! RENOVATED CONDO for sale, 2BR/2BA, 1639 SF, 6904 10th Ave. W., Village Green on cul-de-sac. 1-car garage, large Florida room, dine-in kitchen plus dining room, large pantry, built-in china cabinet, walk-in closet, lots of storage, laundry room, lush landscaping, pool, walking/running track, 5 miles to AMI, near medical, shopping, preserves, $364,900. Lisa Varano, Wagner Realty, 941-730-9060.
FOR SALE - PERICO BAY CLUB Waterfront Beauties! 2 & 3 bedroom models w 2 car garages! Call Today for more info! Erin Leathem at The Anna Maria Sales Team at Island Real Estate 941-448-5616
FOR SALE - 5400 GULF
Completely updated coastal beauty! Gulf Front 55+ neighborhood community! Call Erin Leathem at The Anna Maria Sales Team at Island Real Estate 941-448-5616
FSBO NORTH-END ANNA MARIA 3BR/3BA, canal home, 2 car detached garage, fireplace, dock, quiet dead-end street 941-3457429.
$774,900 CANAL WATERFRONT HOME 3 bedroom. Boat dock- 2 car garage- 2 miles to beach.
Christine Kourik Re/max Alliance 314-440-7574
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 513-382-1992.
ANNUAL 2BR/2BA SINGLE
FAMILY, 1 car garage, 1/2 mile to the beach. $2000 monthly 941-778-4800
ANNUAL RENTALS 407
76th B Holmes Beach, FL1BR/1.5BA, unfurnished on canal $3000/mo. 804 S Bay Blvd. Holmes Beach, FL- 3BR/2BA, furnished, Bayfront $5,500/mo. Call Sato Real Estate 941-778-7200
IN OVER 55 COMMUNITY ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND.. Totally remodeled 2BR/1.5BA, ground level cottage with adjacent parking. Stacked W/D and three air/heat mini splits. Heated pool on site; pickleball courts one block away. Gulf is 300 steps and the bay 200 steps from your porch. Rent includes all utilities and Wi-Fi. Annual rent $2,500 per month. 6 month rent is $4000 per mo. Call Tim 507-382-8880.
Annual Rental $2800. 3BR/2BA fenced back yard. tile floors, fresh paint, new ac, new roof, updated kitchen and bathrooms. Bayshore garden area. Sharon Hightower RE/MAX Alliance Group 941-330-5054 Email to sharonsellsbeaches@yahoo.com
RENTALS: SEASONAL & VACATION
TIFFANY PLACE Gulf Front Condo for Rent Incredible views from living room and master bedroom. 2BR/2BA Green Real Estate Call 941-778-0455
SEASONAL RENTAL in PALMA SOLA. 3BR/2BA weekly or monthly rates. Contact Barb Grace 941-201-2190
ANNA MARIA ISLAND
CONDOS Large pool, beach access, free WiFi, 1&2 Bedroom $900 to $1200 per week redekercondosonami.com Tim 941-704-7525
AMI VACATION RENTAL
2025 2BR/1.5BA. Water view. 3 min walk to beach. jamesk95@ netzero.com, or Call Jim 941-226-4008
FOR RENT (SUMMER AT THE BEACH) AMI updated 5 star condo. Available May to November (monthly with Multi-month discount). Million$ water view, first floor, 2BR/2BA, beautiful water view deck, walk to beach, pool, tennis (smoke free/no pets) Owner/ renter email NOW marketreps@aol.com or 570-239-0431
TRANSPORTATION
ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all Airports, Casino, etc. Tampa/St. Pete $80. Sarasota $40. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne. 941-7795095
