The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, Jan 01, 2018 by The Anna Maria Islander Newspaper

Perico proposal. 7

Fresh-baked. 13

JAN. 3, 2018 FREE

VOLUME 26, NO. 10

AsTheWorldTerns look forward. 6 AM city pier’s ripple effect. 4

Meetings

On the government calendar. 4 Holmes Beach commission tackles 2018 with resolve. 5

Op-Ed

The Islander editorial, reader letters. 6

10-20 YEARS AGO

From the archives. 7

State senator takes another shot at ending vacation rental regs. 8

Happenings

Community events, announcements. 10-11 Make plans, save a date. 12-13

Obituaries. 16 Streetlife. 22 PropertyWatch. 22 Privateers make Christmas merry. 24

Save a date for nature. 26 Counting up to top sports story. 28 Winter brings stellar fishing action. 29

ISL BIZ

Will Freckled Fin migrate north? 30

BizCalendar. 31 CLASSIFIEDS. 32

Finally — mullet run. 21

The Best News on Anna Maria Island Since 1992

www.islander.org

Top tale of 2017: Hurricane Irma

By Bianca Benedí islander reporter Hurricane irma took a winding path through the florida Keys to anna maria island. after a busy year, commissioners in anna maria have a lot on their minds, but when it comes to the biggest story of 2017, there’s no dispute: Hurricane Irma. the September storm, which prompted a mandatory evacuation of the island and rendered the anna maria city pier “totally destroyed,” left a lasting impression. “There’s no question, Irma was the big story. irma in every way,” mayor dan murphy said — in terms of evacuations, power outages, debris removal and the damage it brought to the city pier. “that was the big hitter,” he said. commissioners carol carter and dale Woodland agreed. “mother nature probably trumps everything,” carter said. commissioner Brian Seymour said the damaged pier’s impact will continue to be felt by pier employees, who were put out of work by the closure. in addition to irma, murphy also named hiring a new building official as a top story for the year. david greenbaum was selected Dec. 7 to succeed ousted building official Jimmy Strickland. pLeaSe See toP tAle page 2

The T-end of the Anna Maria City Pier appeared Sept. 11 to have taken the brunt of Hurricane Irma’s wrath as the storm hit Anna Maria Island. Islander File Photo: Jack Elka

Bradenton Beach reﬂects on 2017

By chrisann Silver esformes islander reporter With a new face on the dais and plans for 2018 in full swing, most Bradenton Beach officials are optimistic about the city’s future. But, moving forward means change. commissioner randy White, elected in november, said he thinks the biggest challenge the city faces is getting residents’ voices heard. in august, commissioners voted to join a lawsuit filed by ex-mayor Jack clarke against several city board members for allegedly violating Florida’s Government-inthe-Sunshine Laws. clarke claims the board members discussed city matters at meetings pLeaSe See BB reflects page 3

Threat leads to ofﬁcer-involved shooting

the florida department of Law enforcement is investigating a shooting in anna maria after a 911 response by island law enforcement to a possible suicide near the playhouse at the intersection of gulf drive and pine avenue. a deputy from the manatee county Sheriff’s Office, an officer from Bradenton Beach and a Holmes Beach officer and Chief Bill Tokajer responded at about 7:25 p.m. dec. 30 to anna maria. mcSo public information director david Bristow said the call concerned a man threatening to harm himself. The subject, Douglas Schofield, 45, was found in a parked car near island players. When asked to exit the vehicle, Schofield allegedly complied, but held a weapon

in each hand — a hatchet and a knife — and made a verbal threat to the law enforcement officers gathered in front of him. Tokajer told The Islander that Schofield approached them, asking, “Which one of you wants to die tonight?” Bradenton Beach police officer eric Hill shot Schofield when he allegedly made a turn toward him. an mcSo deputy also used an electronic control weapon during the incident, Bristow said in a news release. Schofield was reported in stable condition after surgery at a local hospital. Tokajer said, “We hope Mr. Schofield can get the help he needs and deserves as a military veteran.” — Kathy Prucnell

Holmes Beach applauds progress

By Terry O’Connor islander reporter the islander asked six Holmes Beach city officials to look back on 2017 and name their top news stories. “good news” was the theme of all responses. for example, Holmes Beach police chief Bill tokajer said the island was safer in 2017 than in 2016. “It appears to me we’re going to have a reduction in crime, which we’re very pleased with,” tokajer said. “another big story for the HBPD is we’re pleased the commission pLeaSe See HB Progress page 3

Flashback ’17

Year in review Part 2

compiled by Lisa neff islander editor the atlantic hurricane season dominated the news in the second half of 2017 and one major storm in particular — Hurricane irma — dominated the news on anna maria island. for weeks after the Sept. 10-11 storm hit the area, irma blew other island news off page one. Still, other news did occur as residents eased back into island life, tourism resumed, voters headed to the polls, students returned to classrooms and the mechanisms of municpLeaSe See flAsHBAcK page 14

2 n JAN. 3, 2018 n THE ISLANDER

Anna Maria ﬁnishes 2017 with 2 service contracts

AM code enforcement manager to retire

after nearly three years of service in anna Maria’s code and building departments, code enforcement manager pamela gibbs is retiring. gibbs said her retirement should come in february or March. “It’s kind of up in the air,” she said. She was hired in May 2015 as a code enforcement manager before adding parking enforcement manager and building department management to her duties. Gibbs She said her favorite aspect of working in anna maria — apart from “everything” — is the people. “everyone here, residents, visitors, contractors — I’ve enjoyed working with the people here,” gibbs said. after retirement, she plans on performing consulting work for other agencies in the areas of code enforcement, parking and building permitting. — Bianca Benedí

for dredging services, city clerk Leanne addy told commissioners. energy resources made the lowest bid of $79,780, while duncan Seawall, dock and Boat Lift bid $117,300 and C&M Dredging bid $132,510. city engineer Lynn Burnett and murphy reviewed the bids before selecting energy resources inc. for the work. the commission unanimously approved a motion recommending murphy sign the contract. murphy and commissioner nancy Yetter were both absent dec. 28 with excuse. the commission also unanimously approved an interlocal agreement for law enforcement services at Bayfront park on north Bay Boulevard. during budget discussions in July and august, commissioners agreed there is a need for greater beach security, particularly in Bayfront park. the agreement to enhance safety at the park with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office is funded by manatee county. The agreement grants the city $5,280 in county funds to pay for an unspecified number of officers to patrol Bayfront Park. The agreement specifies the county’s funding is contingent upon its annual budget, which expires Sept. 30, 2018. deputies stationed in anna maria do not regularly patrol the beaches, although they provide enforcement. the agreement allows more deputies for beach patrol. the agreement was in the consent agenda and approved without discussion. other topics on the agenda, including discussion of what to do with the planks on the anna maria city pier, hosting more events at city pier park — viewed as an aid to business during the city pier’s closure — and a resolution on vacation rental fees, were continued to 2018 due to Murphy’s Dec. 28 absence. the next commission meeting will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.

... and hopes for 2018 the pier has remained at the forefront of commissioners’ minds since early September, when it was closed to the public, and it doesn’t seem as if the impression will soon change. murphy and commissioners agreed a top wish for 2018 is progress on rebuilding the pier. Seymour said he hopes to see the pier fast-tracked and re-opened as soon as possible in order to get people back to work. “that goes without saying,” agreed Woodland. “obviously, that we get” working on the pier. Woodland said progress appeared stalled on the project. “When you look back over the last couple of years,” he said, from the 2015 survey determining the pier needed to be repaired to the rebuild proposals, “we still haven’t made a whole lot of progress.” However, he said, the pier damage appeared to motivate people to engage with the community, which he hopes could provide momentum in 2018. “We really need to focus on working diligently to get the city pier back in as close to working order as we can,” Carter said. “I don’t know if it can all happen in 2018, but we need to make progress.”

Unique Pet Portraits

Composited images printed to stretched canvas

6HOƓHV Sunsets PRINTS FROM

By Bianca Benedí islander reporter anna maria city commissioners approved two contracts for services dec. 28. in a nov. 9 meeting, commissioner dale Woodland raised concern that Hurricane Irma’s passage Sept. 10-11 had pushed more sand into the Lake LaVista inlet channel, making navigation difficult for boats. mayor dan murphy said then that dredging work already was planned for 2018. on dec. 28, the city reviewed a contract with energy resources inc., a missouri-based dredging firm. three companies submitted bids to anna maria

toP tAle continued from page 1 Strickland was given a unanimous vote of no confidence in November after the city received notice in october from the federal emergency management Agency that Anna Maria’s 25 percent discount from the national flood insurance program was at risk due to his failure to provide documentation. murphy told commissioners the city provided FEMA with the required documentation, but must await a decision on whether the city and property owners will retain the discount. greenbaum is scheduled to start work in the new year. “commissioner nancy Yetter agreed the hurricane topped news, but she and Seymour both said coming to the end of Anna Maria’s 112 Bert Harris claims also was significant for the city.”

THE ISLANDER n Jan. 3, 2018 n 3

BB Reflects continued from page 1 that weren’t properly noticed, as well as through emails and phone calls. The now-defunct grass-roots group Concerned Neighbors of Bradenton Beach, which comprised some individuals named in the suit, placed three charter amendments on the November ballot, which were approved by the electorate. The amendments opened up the pool of candidates for the commission by loosening requirements to run for office and removed the commission’s ability to change the charter by resolution. According to White, the lawsuit has caused a division in the community, but passage of the amendments has created hope for change.

“Having campaigned door-to-door, I can tell you voters feel shunned,” White said. “Developers receive permits with ease, while homeowners face more red tape and interference in getting theirs. Party houses and talk of a parking garage really got to residents in lieu of this. The great accomplishment in 2017 is the people voted for a new and better system, created by those residents being sued by the city. The residents’ voice will be directly heard and that gives new hope in 2018.” In an effort to regulate party houses, voters adopted a six-month moratorium in November 2016, prohibiting the review of applications and issuance of permits for structures containing more than four bedrooms

Tokajer Johnson Cheshire HB Progress continued from page 1 approved hiring two additional officers.” Holmes Beach Mayor Bob Johnson focused on the big picture. “I think the city is doing pretty well,” Johnson said. “We’ve got some things to take care of but we’re moving forward and not standing still. That’s progress.” Holmes Beach government committee chair David Cheshire said the city could take on a new form of government in 2018, but the present format is doing well. “I think the city is and has been doing a better job of addressing multiple issues,” Cheshire said. “We’ve been dealing with an aging population, short-term rentals, parking and infrastructure costs. We’re in much better shape than we were.” Holmes Beach code enforcement officer JT Thomas said city government officials have been making good decisions for decades.

Thomas Hill Johnston “I want to give a big shout out to the building codes enacted in 1998 to make construction better,” Thomas said. “We would have had more damage to private property from Hurricane Irma without it. We didn’t have a lot of structural damage. We had tree damage.” Stacey Johnston, Holmes Beach city clerk, cited a December improvement. “We finally upgraded the Holmes Beach City Commission’s audio system,” Johnston said. “It’s been long overdue. We’re also getting a projector. It’s all computerized.” Lori Hill, the Holmes Beach treasurer who just became one of 453 certified government financial officers in the state, said the bottom line was 2017 was a good year. “It was our fifth perfect audit in a row,” Hill said. “That means everything we did all year was correct. It’s a major goal and we accomplished it.”

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in the R1 and R2 zoning districts. The commission approved three three-month extensions of the moratorium in 2017, with the most recent extension set to expire in February 2018. The city is using the moratorium as a breather — providing time to amend the land development code and comprehensive plan to strengthen local regulation of short-term rentals. The regulations — including a new transient public lodging establishment license — are nearly finalized. Commissioner Marilyn Maro said that in addition to giving the city time to institute new regulations, the moratorium has led to diminished interest in large vacation homes. “It’s the four bedrooms or less houses that are selling,” Maro said. “That’s what people want.” According to Mayor John Chappie, the moratorium is a step toward “maintaining the character of the city.” “It has given us time to get regulations in place, a lot of work has gone into it and I am confident in our plans,” Chappie said. Chappie, a former Manatee County commissioner and city commissioner elected mayor in November, said in the 43 years he has been in Bradenton Beach, the challenges have remained the same. He cited growth and development as constant concerns, as well as Tallahassee’s drive to overturn home rule. For the first time in the history of the city, Bradenton Beach hired a lobbyist for representation during the 2017 legislative session. The commission voted to renew the contract with lobbyist Dave Ramba for 2018. Along with lobbying against bills that would curtail local government, Ramba’s group also has filed bills for 2018 that could lead to state funding for projects to enhance the historic district of the city. “We’ve got some really exciting stuff in the works here that could be a great benefit to our city,” Chappie said regarding the state funding requests. “That’s why we’re here. It’s about serving community.”

4 n Jan. 3, 2018 n THE ISLANDER

Anna Maria city pier closure trickles down Pine Avenue

By Bianca Benedí Islander Reporter The Anna Maria City Pier has been closed for almost four months. Meanwhile, short-term and season visitors arrive to the island. For many retail businesses in Anna Maria, the pier’s closure is a point of concern. Residents, officials and shop owners throughout Anna Maria agree the pier’s closure is likely to negatively impact businesses until it reopens. When Hurricane Irma passed through Sept. 10-11, many surmised the island had been spared. However, an evaluation of the city pier determined the structure, built in 1911, was significantly damaged and would remain closed. The commission approved a plan to rebuild the pier but it may take up to 82 weeks, according to the contract. The wait for a new pier has many concerned that visitors will be dissuaded from visiting Anna Maria. Commissioner Brian Seymour, who owns the Anna Maria General Store on Pine Avenue, said the pier’s closure already has impacted his business. Seymour said his store at 503 Pine Ave. has seen a decrease in nighttime traffic of 15-20 percent and an estimated decrease in overall sales of 5-8 percent. “It’s definitely impacting my evening business,” he said. He said breakfast and lunch shoppers appeared consistent compared to previous years. Seymour said customers used to visit his shop for supplies and snacks before fishing on the pier in the evenings and now that the pier’s closed, fewer people are dropping by in the evening hours. Lauren Collins, owner of Island Charms, said her business opened in 2017 so she does not have a year of data to decide whether the pier’s closure is having an impact. However, she said it is a concern. “I do notice that end of the street, from here on, being a little quieter,” Collins said. The pier “was definitely a draw. The sooner the better,” she said about reopening the pier to fishing and the restaurant. Cindy Tutterow, owner of Hometown Desserts on Pine Avenue, said the holiday season is always a busy time for the store, but she also shares the concern of other business owners who fear the decrease in foot traffic will lower their seasonal income. “People will still come … but I am sure it will affect us somewhat,” she said. Numbers for November and December are not yet available, but the October lodging occupancy statistics from Bradenton Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau report show a 4.7 percent decline in occupancy compared to October 2016. The figures show a decrease from a 65.5 percent occupancy rate in October 2016 in Anna Maria to a 62.4 percent Anna Maria occupancy in October 2017. In September, the island saw the overall occupancy rate fall to 47.9 percent, a drop attributed to Hurricane Irma. Sue Carlson, broker/owner of Coastal Cottages AMI in Anna Maria, said she noticed interest in vacation rentals this past fall appeared to be particularly slow. “Some of my staff have said it’s the quietest fall they can remember,” she said. Foot traffic appeared to pick up around the week

Ruth Rauch, an employee at Anna Maria Rocks, adjusts a display of earrings at the store. Until Hurricane Irma hit, store owner Bill Arthur also sold jewelry from a kiosk on the Anna Maria City Pier. Islander Photo: Bianca Benedí

between Christmas and New Year’s, Carlson said, “so perhaps our concerns will be proven wrong.” However, she also voiced her concern that the pier rebuild “is going to be very drawn out without any decisions being made.” Bill Arthur, owner of Anna Maria Rocks, has been selling fossils and jewelry on the city pier since 1995. Since the pier’s closure, his business has been limited to a brick-and-mortar shop at 9908 Gulf Drive. Arthur said he thinks the pier closure affects all Anna Maria businesses. “Thousands of people used to walk down the pier every day,” he said. “Every day that trolley came by three times an hour and dropped 20 or so people off down there.” Arthur rented a storefront in 2015, when commissioners first began discussing rebuilding the pier after a survey found the pier was badly in need of repair. That early decision worked out for him when Irma unexpectedly closed the pier, he said. For now, his location in the old post office plaza on Gulf Drive has worked out. He said being on “the other end” of Pine Avenue, the foot traffic doesn’t affect him as much. “I’d like to see more urgency” in repairing and reopening the pier nevertheless, Arthur said. “I’d like to see them rebuild it with wood.” City response Mayor Dan Murphy said he has plans to arrange a meeting early this year to discuss ideas to help bolster foot traffic in the city. “I’m putting together a list of ideas of what we could do to alleviate what’s going on,” Murphy said. “Our businesses are suffering.” Murphy said a proposal for a regular farmers market at City Pier Park at the corner of Pine Avenue and North Bay Boulevard appeals to him. He said it would differ from what merchants in Anna Maria offer. Other proposals focus on bringing people to City Pier Park, Murphy said. In a city commission meeting Dec. 28, Commission Chair Doug Copeland said many business representatives have told him they will suffer as a result of the pier’s closure. Copeland said business people asked about the commission softening its stance on A-frame signs, which are banned in Anna Maria. “Anything that we can do that

Bradenton Beach to appoint vice mayor, CRA chair

With the New Year comes new assignments for Bradenton Beach city commissioners. Commissioners Jan. 4 will nominate and appoint a new vice mayor, Mayor John Chappie’s title during his term as a commissioner. The commission also will select a new community redevelopment agency chair and vice chair, and liaisons to municipal committees and Manatee County. Previously, Commissioner Ralph Cole was CRA chair and Chappie was vice chair. The first readings of several ordinances amending the land development code also are planned for the meeting, including a discussion of swimming pool decks and buffers. The commission also will hear the first reading of

an extension of the building moratorium. The moratorium, which was approved Nov. 8, 2016, by voters, halted permitting and construction for six months for homes containing more than four bedrooms in the R-1 and R-2 residential zones. It has since been extended three times, for three months each time, while the commission works with the planning and zoning board on land development code amendments — regulations to help curb future construction of large vacation homes. If the extension is approved on the final reading Jan. 18, the moratorium will extend to March 7. The commission meeting will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N. — ChrisAnn Silver Esformes

doesn’t harm the city to benefit those businesses during this time, we should consider,” Copeland said. Seymour said he supports the use of signs with careful enforcement, reiterating at the meeting that he’s seen a decrease in evening foot traffic for his business. Commissioner Dale Woodland said he didn’t see a downside to the proposal, since “we can change this anytime we want.” A topic on the agenda to discuss City Pier Park events was tabled until the next commission meeting due to Murphy’s absence.

Meetings

Anna Maria City • Jan. 9, 4 p.m., planning and zoning. • Jan. 11, 6 p.m., commission. • Jan. 25, 6 p.m., commission. Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, 941-708-6130, cityofannamaria.com. Bradenton Beach • Jan. 3, 11 a.m., pier team. • Jan. 3, 3 p.m., Scenic Waves. • Jan. 4, 6 p.m., city commission. • Jan. 10, 1 p.m., planning and zoning. • Jan. 11, 1 p.m., department heads. • Jan. 18, noon, city commission. • Jan. 23, 1 p.m., city commission. Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., 941-778-1005, cityofbradentonbeach.org. Holmes Beach • Jan. 3, 10 a.m., parks and beautification. • Jan. 3, 6 p.m., planning commission. • Jan. 9, 6 p.m., city commission. • Jan. 11, 6 p.m., city commission. • Jan. 23, 6 p.m., city commission. • Jan. 25, 6 p.m., city commission. Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, 941-708-5800, holmesbeachfl.org. West Manatee Fire Rescue • Jan. 16, 6 p.m., commission. WMFR administration building, 6417 Third Ave. W., Bradenton, wmfr.org. Manatee County • Jan. 9, 9 a.m., commission. • Jan. 11, 9:30 a.m., commission (land use). • Jan. 23, 9 a.m., commission. Administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 941-748-4501, mymanatee.org. Of interest • Jan. 14, 1 p.m., Island Transportation Planning Organization, Anna Maria City Hall. • Jan. 15 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day and most government offices will be closed. • Jan. 17, 2 p.m., Coalition of Barrier Island Elected Officials, Bradenton Beach City Hall. Send notices to news@islander.org.

THE ISLANDER n JAN. 3, 2018 n 5

Holmes Beach commission takes on 2018 with resolve

By Terry O’Connor islander reporter the Holmes Beach city commission is determined to leave no issues in limbo. the commissioners made a 2018 resolution to address their unresolved issues. for example, three thorny 2017 issues yet to be Johnson resolved include determining whether the format of city government should be updated, whether barring formula businesses will hold up in court and whether the building department properly issues permits. The commission appears unified in its approach to resolving issues quickly after assimilating two comKihm missioners elected in november.

The common goal: No more leaving residents and business owners in red-tape limbo. newcomer Jim Kihm, the leading vote-getter and fundraiser in the november 2017 election, was praised after the dec. 12 meeting by mayor Bob Johnson for posing a number of follow-up questions to business discussed earlier in the year. Kihm asked what had been done to resolve some ongoing issues. He also asked if solutions would be implemented before the next meeting. “good work,” Johnson said to Kihm. “We need that.” the previous commission has not always followed through with action after issues were raised by citizens, critics claimed. the new commission appears poised to take immediate action whenever possible. For example, Kihm questioned why it took months for the building department to issue a permit to revise the outdoor entertainment stage at the ugly grouper restaurant and bar, 5704 Marina Drive. after determining the owners had already met

all permit requirements, the commission directed the building department to immediately issue the paperwork. Kihm said his follow-up questions fulfill a campaign promise he made to continue pursuing all issues discussed by the commission to a proper resolution. no more limbo. New business will require attention, too. new commissioner rick Hurst is laying the groundwork for a community activities committee, which he believes can generate “several events” in 2018. He’s gained legal clearance from city attorney patricia petruff and is coordinating with the Holmes Beach Parks and Beautification Committee on use of city parks for events. Other commission hot-button issues include: Permits to renovate the AMI Plaza, 5306 Holmes Blvd.; the debut of a parking citation magistrate; and an agreement between the city and the Westbay point & moorings condominiums to allow Westbay workers to continue to trim a 25-foot-long section of mangroves on city property next to the 225 linear feet of mangroves on Westbay property. the commission will next meet at 6 p.m. tuesday, Jan. 9, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

Holmes Beach will observe 11 holidays in 2018

Paddlewheel poised to cruise

The Anna Maria Princess sits in dry dock Dec. 20 at Bradenton Beach Marina, 402 Church Ave. According to marina employee Cory Bullard, the paddlewheeler will be ready to launch from the marina early in 2018 for dining, sunset and event cruises on the Intracoastal Waterway. Islander Photo: ChrisAnn Silver Esformes

Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, memorial day, monday, may 28. will close 11 times in 2018 to observe holidays. independence day, Wednesday, July 4. Most office and public works employees will be Labor day, monday, Sept. 3. off during the holidays, but the police department Veterans day, observed monday, nov. 12, will maintain a full staff. although the holiday is Sunday, nov. 11. mayor Bob Johnson signed off dec. 7 on the thanksgiving day, thursday, nov. 22. following holiday schedule: thanksgiving friday, friday, nov. 23. New Year’s Day, Monday, Jan. 1. christmas eve, monday, dec. 24. Martin Luther King Day Jr., Monday, Jan. 15. Christmas, Tuesday, Dec. 25. presidents day, monday, feb. 19. — Terry O’Connor

6 n JAN. 3, 2018 n THE ISLANDER

Opinion

Our

Kicking the can down the road

cartoonist Joe Bird said someone texted him that they were thankful “this dumpster fire of a year is almost over.” Well, if there is a dumpster fire, the Anna Maria city pier is burning. I wasn’t impressed when I heard the people who own the controversial treehouse on the beach in Holmes Beach expect to get a “fair hearing” from the high court on putting the treehouse in good graces. Maybe that statement didn’t stop you in your tracks, but if they get a hearing before the highest court in the land, i think it will be more than fair. it will be a miracle. this year had its fair share of absurdities on the national political scene, with our new president tweeting insults, accusations and wildly erroneous claims almost daily. All year long. Remember this: “No collusion.” It’s no joke, but it fills late-night television monologues and broadcasts of “Saturday night Live” with fresh satire — at the expense of dignity in office. it also appears to trickle down to give some people with the delusion that their angry torrents are entertainment for the masses on twitter, Youtube and other social media outlets. We need to look forward and aspire to greater achievements, set an example for future generations and, if nothing else, teach them that good manners are important for an orderly society. if we really need something more to worry about, think about the high moon tide on Jan. 2 and speculate how high the water will rise in 10-20 years. And 50 years from now? In 50 years, islanders will be dealing with hotter summer, spring and fall days and colder days in the winter months, but only 3-5 days below 80 degrees. Islanders will still be fighting the Florida Department of transportation on building new bridges — to replace the ones they plan to build in the next 10 years to connect anna maria island to the mainland. They will be fighting off developers who insist that 10-story — and higher — condos are the only solution for the thousands of people who want to live here. and a roller coaster ride that runs the 7-mile length of the island might be the only cars traveling from one end to the other, but at least there will be a McDonald’s at every stop on the way. We might need good luck with 2018, but 2068 promises to be a doozy. I think I’ll skip it. — Bonner Joy

Opinion

Your

Riding along on memory lane

a thank you to Bonner Joy and your staff for your kindness to carolyn grubbs Badamo and me on our visit to The Islander newspaper office in search of a picture from the 1950s of Carolyn on an elephant that was in the islander. You and your staff were very kind to publish an article on two island kids in your paper. thank you to Sandy ambrogi for the article she wrote on our visit to the office. James F. Rowe, Greenville, North Carolina

JAN. 3, 2018 • Vol. 26, No. 10 ▼ ▼

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Publisher and Editor Bonner Joy, news@islander.org Editorial Lisa Neff, copy editor Sandy Ambrogi, sandy@islander.org Bianca Benedí, bianca@islander.org Joe Bird, editorial cartoonist Kevin Cassidy, kevin@islander.org Jack Elka, jack@jackelka.com ChrisAnn Silver Esformes, chrisann@islander.org Terry O’Connor, terryo@islander.org Kathy Prucnell, kathyp@islander.org Ed Scott, edscott@islander.org Contributors Jesse Brisson Karen Riley-Love Capt. Danny Stasny, ﬁsh@islander.org Advertising Director Toni Lyon, toni@islander.org Office Staff Lisa Williams, manager Christi Burton accounting@islander.org classiﬁeds@islander.org subscriptions@islander.org Distribution Urbane Bouchet Judy Loden Wasco Ross Roberts (All others: news@islander.org)

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A flock of red knots on the north end of Anna Maria Island. Islander Photo: Courtesy Neil Jones

Red knots on the north end

i wonder if you might be interested in this picture i took recently on the north end of anna maria island showing a flock of red knots. anna maria is a stopping off point for birds of this species on a 9,300-mile journey from arctic breeding grounds to tierra del fuego in southern South america. it is great to see them on ami in numbers. the island must continue to do all it can to provide a safe habitat for these birds and others. Neil Jones, Cardiff, Wales, and Bradenton Beach Editor’s note: The red knot is listed as a threatened species in the United States. The International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List lists red knots as near threatened.

www. islander.org

Reminder: Trafﬁc cop needed

i repeat my plea year after year and it routinely falls on deaf ears, and the citizens of anna maria Island fecklessly suffer the same consequences. My plea is simple: Have the police or designees take a proactive role in moving traffic on, off and through the island during peak times. Seems like a reasonable response to a serious problem but you’d think I was asking for Donald Trump to send in the 101st airborne division. Anyway, the first thing that needs to be done is to check the timing of the lights on manatee avenue and east Bay drive and at the manatee public Beach entrance. They seem to spend more time stopping traffic than moving it. next, get police to supplement the lights and intersections as necessary. I’ve made all the arguments before. So I won’t repeat them. the time is now, not next July. Bob McCaffrey, Holmes Beach

Write!

the islander welcomes your opinion letters. Submit your opinion along with name, address and a contact phone number to news@islander.org.

THE ISLANDER n JAN. 3, 2018 n 7

What’s the best place to pop the question?

By Kathy prucnell islander reporter She likes nature and sunsets. She loves Bryan Wilkie. preserve that thought. marissa garbacik, 23, of Brighton, michigan, said yes to Wilkie’s offer of marriage Dec. 27, 2017, on the bayfront overlook on a nature trail at neal preserve on perico island. Wilkie, 26, of plymouth, michigan, is an anna maria island regular, whose parents — michigan natives Jeff and mary — have lived in Holmes Beach for 14 years. Wilkie decided to propose while he and garbacik visited his parents for the holidays. in preparing for the trip, several weeks earlier he asked Garbacik’s parents for her hand in marriage. and he set out to arrange a surprise proposal. His mom, dad and sister helped with the details. at the appointed hour, the family placed framed pictures and some select mementos — past gifts from Wilkie to garbacik, each engraved over time with a letter, unbeknownst to her, from the phrase, “marry me” — on a railing in the neal preserve overlooking anna maria Sound. the pair had dinner plans that evening at island

ocean Star in anna maria. as they started out for dinner, garbacik said she was thinking the restaurant was in the opposite direction. But he suggested taking in the sunset at the overlook — a place they’d visited before. She agreed to the detour without suspicion. as they approached the overlook, she saw the gifts and mementos and, then, Wilkie on his knee. Both hands went to the sides of her face. it was the surprise of her lifetime. Garbacik is a graduate student, finishing her master’s in accounting at Michigan State and preparing for the last of her cpa exams. She will begin work as an auditor for deloitte in the summer. Wilkie is a senior project engineer at aristeo, a construction company in Livonia, michigan. they met online a year ago — on the Bumble social app — and became best friends. they also found they have mutual friends through her sister, Kayla. Wilkie shared his island stomping grounds and the preserve for the first time in March with Garbacik, so it seemed the stars were aligned for his island proposal. asked about her impression of anna maria island, she said she’s always liked it. “now i love it.” Bryan Wilkie proposes Dec. 27 at Neal Preserve to Marissa Garbacik, who accepts with a kiss. Islander Photo: Kathy Prucnell

We’d love to mail you the news!

10&20 years ago In the headlines: Dec. 31, 1997

• The Islander named Chuck and Joey Lester, major supporters of island organizations — especially the anna maria island community center — as islander of the Year for 1997. • A Lakeland man drowned in the surf off cortez Beach in Bradenton Beach. He was surfing with friends in 5-foot swells and apparently struck his head on his board or the bottom. • Bicyclists were urging Manatee County commissioners to support a system of bike lanes throughout the county, including on anna maria island. • Bradenton Beach commissioners adopted a new municipal logo that depicted the Historic Bridge Street pier clock tower and contained the motto, “Blessed with history, hospitality, spirit.”

In the headlines: Jan. 2, 2008

• The Islander’s Islander of the Year for 2007 was christine olson, who led a campaign to create a program for people to register and associate emergency contact information with their driver’s license following the death of her daughter Tiffiany in a motorcycle crash. • Local birders collected data about the types of bird species and the numbers of birds for the National Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird count. • Manatee County commissioners were making plans to hold a “sneak peek” at robinson preserve, the new 400-acre park in west Bradenton that was three years in the planning and planting. The issue archives for The Islander are at ufdc. ufl.edu. Archived stories are at islander.org.

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Bradenton Beach looks to future for historic district By ChrisAnn Silver Esformes Islander Reporter The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency is taking climate change and sustainability into consideration for its newly amended master hardscapelandscape plan for the district. The agency held a work meeting Dec. 13 with city engineer Lynn Burnett to discuss her suggestions. CRA chair Ralph Cole attended the meeting via Skype, and vice chair John Chappie chaired the meeting. Cole and Chappie, appointed chair and vice chair in 2016, will retain their positions until appointments are decided at the January meeting. CRA members Ed Chiles and John Horne were absent with excuse. Burnett began the presentation and said the intent of a master plan for the area — which is bounded by the north side of Cortez Road, Sarasota Bay, Fifth Street South and the Gulf of Mexico — is to avoid “piecemealing” hardscape and landscape components and to create a consistent and sustainable design. She said according the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, sea level is projected to rise 10-12 inches by 2040, citing the higher-than-usual “king tide” in October as the new norm. “What we experienced as that king tide as an anomaly today, becomes the norm for our high tides 20, 30, 40 years from now,” Burnett said. During public comment, former planning and zoning board member Reed Mapes, who lives on Bay Drive South, said flooding there has gotten worse in recent years, and he agrees that the city should plan for sea level rise. Burnett said Bay Drive South, which has a natural shoreline along Sarasota Bay, would be vulnerable in the future, even with stormwater drainage, and suggested adding a “knee wall” extending north from Fifth Street South to Bridge Street.

City engineer Lynn Burnett discusses master plan recommendations with the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Dec. 13. The knee wall, a low retaining wall, would extend along Bay Drive South on the upland side of the natural vegetation and, unlike a seawall, would not disrupt the riprap and mangroves, per the Florida Department of Environmental Protection regulations. Burnett’s plan also included installation of a 6-footwide bike lane, 8-foot-wide sidewalk and a 7-foot-wide strip of vegetation along Bay Drive South. Her plan incorporated similar components in other parts of the district. She said the plan would not require any taking of property. Chappie said the area along Bay Drive South between Third Street South and Bridge Street, where the Bridgetender Inn Dockside Bar is located, would be reclaimed by the city for the pedestrian walkway, which could cause a “world of hurt.”

“These cross-sections can be completely accomplished with what right of way the city currently has,” Burnett said. “If we don’t take it back, our rising tides will.” On the topic of landscape elements, Burnett said “street trees” would be planted to provide shade and she suggested installing a Silva Cell underground pavement system to support soil volume for large tree growth and stormwater management. Burnett said she spoke with a program manager with the Southwest Florida Water Management District, who said the use of the new system would support the current stormwater-drainage system and would not require additional permitting. Additionally, lighted crosswalks and water stations for people and pets would be located at points along the streets in the district that include pedestrian paths. Burnett also provided examples of architectural details, including signage, benches and bike racks and asked for commission direction on the design elements. She said the planters on Bridge Street, installed as part of a stormwater project in 2015, could be enhanced to match other architectural elements in the city. The CRA members agreed that they want a consistent look for the district, but reached consensus that they need more time and public input before making a decision. Burnett said Scenic WAVES Partnership Committee, an advisory board for beautification projects in the city, and the Bridge Street Merchants are stakeholders and should be given an opportunity to weigh in with suggestions. The CRA reached consensus for Burnett to share her suggestions with the stakeholders, then bring the plan back — with visuals — to the CRA in February.

State senator takes another crack at ending vacation rental regs By Terry O’Connor Islander Reporter It’s time for round two. After a political brawl over short-term rental legislation earlier in 2017, which infuriated many Anna Maria Island constituents, state Sen. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, is reigniting the debate in the 2018 legislative session. Steube withdrew his first shortterm rental bill, titled SB 188 vacation rentals, after numerous amendments failed to attract enough support and it was tabled May 2 by the Legislature. On Dec. 6, Steube filed Senate Steube Bill 1138, which targets minimumstay requirements for public lodging. Its main provision: Minimumstay requirements by cities for transient public lodging establishments Peelen would be prohibited. Steube has been critical of Florida’s attempts to regulate short-term rentals, comparing such efforts to Communism after China suspended home-sharing services. “Nothing would make the Florida hotel industry and local governments happier than if they could do the same and ban short-term vacation rentals in our

Heading north A family from Michigan — Grand Rapids and Sterling — vacationing on Anna Maria Island, bicycles Dec. 26 to Anna Maria in the 6600 block of Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Islander Photo: Kathy Prucnell

‘Once again, the man has too much time on his hands.’ — Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy

state,” Steube wrote in an op-ed published in several Florida newspapers. Steube did not return numerous calls for comment. Holmes Beach lobbyist Cari Roth, a Tallahassee attorney, said Steube’s bill is less onerous than the vacation rental legislation defeated earlier. Nonetheless, she will work to defeat it, she said. When the Legislature convenes Jan. 9, Roth said all Florida cities have work to do to preserve home rule. There is added opportunity in 2018, she said. “Big picture, it’s an election year,” Roth said. “There will be a lot of extra politics this year.” Steube’s stance on rental rooms is unpopular on Anna Maria Island, where three cities have taken differing approaches in determining the best way to balance the needs of residents with those of short-term rental property owners. Bradenton Beach approved a temporary moratorium on new houses with more than four bedrooms while reviewing its short-term rental regulations. Holmes Beach city commissioners restricted vacation rentals to two visitors per bedroom.

Anna Maria commissioners set the maximum number of people in any short-term rental home at eight. Former Holmes Beach Commissioner Jean Peelen, the island’s emeritus representative to the Florida League of Cities, said she’s not certain Steube’s bill is aimed at vacation rentals but is concerned it might be. Murphy “I know Steube is a mad dog and will do anything he can do to monitor and regulate vacation rentals,” said Peelen. “So I’m always suspicious of anything he proposes.” SB 1138 would also prohibit hotels and motels from requiring minimum stays of greater than one night and authorize the Division of Hotels and Restaurants of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation — not cities — to adopt rules regulating length of stays. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy. “People can stay for an hour, if they want to, at short-term rentals,” said Murphy. “Once again, the man has too much time on his hands. That’s absolutely preposterous, trying to interfere with free trade.” If SB 1138 is passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor, it would become effective July 1, 2018. Peelen said the bill bears watching. “Vacation rental properties are very separate and not defined as hotel-motels,” she said. “He may have found some tricky legal way to regulate vacation rentals, but I don’t see how. I don’t doubt, however, he will do a full-scale attack this year.”

Public lodging bill at a glance

What: Senate Bill 1138 Who: State Sen. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota. When: Filed Dec. 6. Intent: To regulate public lodging minimumstay requirements. Effective date: July 1, 2018, if passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor.

THE ISLANDER n JAN. 3, 2018 n 9

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Island happenings Art league presents â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Painting on Silkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

IGW sets weekly artist demonstrations

the anna maria island art League will host mark mizener leading a workshop titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;painting on Silk.â&#x20AC;? the workshop will be 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6. the fee is $60, with proceeds to benefit the nonprofit league. for more information, call Mizener amiaL at 941-778-2099 or visit AMIAL at 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach.

island gallery West will offer weekly art demonstrations Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. beginning Jan. 6 and continuing through march 31. the free events are open to the public and are held at the gallery, 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. A look at the schedule in January: â&#x20AC;˘ Jan. 6, Lee Mears, acrylics. â&#x20AC;˘ Jan. 13, Jane Keeling, painting water birds. â&#x20AC;˘ Jan. 20, Caroline Whitmore, watercolor. â&#x20AC;˘ Jan. 27, Candace Bennington, pastels. for more, call igW at 941-778-6648.

AMIAL continues meditation class

Kiwanis to discuss â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;meaning of Kiwanisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

the anna maria island art League will host Sheryl Spikes teaching a meditation class on select dates in 2018. the class will meet at 11 a.m. Saturdays, Jan. 27, march 24, may 26, July 28, Sept. 22, nov. 24. the donation-based class meets at the art league, 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach. Spikes is a resident of the island. Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a nurse with more than 45 years experience in â&#x20AC;&#x153;energy healing workâ&#x20AC;? and eight years experience teaching mediation. for more information, call amiaL ta 941-7782099.

the Kiwanis club of anna maria island will gather Saturday, Jan. 6, to hear club member Larry fowler speak on â&#x20AC;&#x153;the meaning of Kiwanis.â&#x20AC;? The program will be at 8:30 a.m. at the Anna maria island Beach cafe at the manatee public Beach, 4000 gulf drive, Holmes Beach. club members and guests will gather for breakfast at 8 a.m. for more information, call Sandy Haas-martens at 941-778-1383.

Watercolor class offered

the anna maria island art League will host Lori Heintz leading a workshop titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;introduction to Watercolors.â&#x20AC;? Heintz, who majored in art in college, has worked as an art instructor for Schoolcraft community Schools. the workshop will be 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20. The fee is $50 for nonmembers Heintz and $40 for members. for more information, call amiaL at 941-7782099 or visit AMIAL at 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach.

Off Stage Ladies to learn Painting with a Twist

the next off Stage Ladies lunch meeting will be at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10, at the Elks Lodge, 2511 75th St. W., Bradenton. the program will include remarks by an artist associated with the business painting with a twist in Bradenton. the cost for lunch and the program will be $16. the group provides volunteer support and funding Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s choice for the island players of anna maria. for more information, call president roe duncan â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ovis dalli,â&#x20AC;? a painting by Wendell Graham of Bradenton, received the peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vote for best painting at 941-932-2798. in the Punta Gorda Aqueous Show. Graham is president of the Artistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Guild of Anna Maria Island and St. B guild readying also is involved with ArtCenter Manatee, ArtCenter Sarasota, Florida Watercolor Society and Light the fashion runway Chasers Plein Air. Islander Courtesy Photo St. Bernard Catholic Church Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Guild will host an annual fashion show and luncheon AGAMI to present at noon, thursday, feb 1, in the church activity â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Dialogue of an Artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; center, 248 S. Harbor drive, Holmes Beach. The Artistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Guild of Anna Maria Island is calling The theme will be â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s A Birthday Party.â&#x20AC;? creatives to â&#x20AC;&#x153;dialogue of an artist.â&#x20AC;? Ginnyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Jane Eâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bakery cafe and gift the all-media, juried show at the Studio at gulf store, 9807 gulf drive, anna maria, will serve a and pine, 10101 gulf drive, anna maria, will open catered lunch. Jan. 10 and continue through feb. 4. Fashions will be by Ireneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Resort Wear, 5308 artists may submit work 9 a.m.-noon monday, marina drive, Holmes Beach. Jan. 8. Many raffle door prizes will be available. an exhibit reception for artists and guests will be Proceeds will benefit local area charities. 6-8 p.m. thursday, Jan. 18. The ticket donation is $25. for more information about the exhibit, go online for tickets and more information, call Justine to amiartistsguildgallery.com, email artistsguildami@ preis at 410-241-0481. gmail.com or call 941-778-6694. AGAMI operates the Guild Gallery at 5414 Marina Visit www.islander.org for the best news on AMI. drive, Holmes Beach.

Island happenings

THE ISLANDER n JAN. 3, 2018 n 11

Merry beach day

Anna Maria Island Privateer Tim “Hammer” Thompson, left, Privateer Susan Shoe, Privateer Kathy “Giggles” Pastorius, Miss Alaska Angelina Klapperich of Wasila, Privateers Kim “Guy Kim” Peltier, Linda “5-Names” Sullivan and kids celebrate Christmas morning at the Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach. Islander Photos: Courtesy AMI Privateers

Privateers seeking vendors for market

The Anna Maria Island Privateers first Thieves market of the new year will be 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach. organizers are booking vendor space now. a space is $25 and setup begins at 6:30 a.m. an announcement promised “treasures to be found, food to be eaten, fresh veggies to be bought” and pirates to hang with at the beach. additional markets will be held Saturdays, feb. 10 and march 10. proceeds benefit scholarships for collegebound youth and also the Privateers’ “kids and community” programs. for more information, call privateer cindy “Bubbles” Swagger at 941-747-5968.

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Time: 10:30 to Noon Jan. 6 - Join Lee Mears as she demonstrates her techniques in acrylics. Jan 13 - Jane Keeling demonstrates how she paints waterbirds in oils.

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Anna Maria Island Privateer Susan Shoe, left, Miss Alaska Angelina Klapperich and Santa celebrate Christmas morning at the Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach. The Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe hosted the celebration with carols.

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Cortez ﬁsh fest poster revealed by artist/chair

the branding for the 2018 cortez commercial fishing festival has been revealed. rose Lipke, an artist going into her fourth year as chair of the event, designed the artwork to promote the theme chosen for the 36th cortez commercial fishing Festival, Feb. 17-18. Lipke said it reflects the fishing community’s historical values: Rooted in History. The festival is the sole fundraiser for the nonprofit florida institute for Saltwater Heritage, which is dedicated to protecting the environment and the circa-1895 fishing village. Lipke estimated the festival will have as many as 60 art vendors and about 30 food booths. “We hope to draw upwards of 25,000 (patrons) if the weather is good over the weekend,” Lipke said. admission will be $4. — Terry O’Connor

The poster for the 2018 Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival designed by artist Rose Lipke. Islander Courtesy Image

Group to see ‘The Last Jedi’

Senior adventures will go to the movie theater to watch “The Last Jedi” at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 5. the group will depart from annie Silver community center, 103 23rd St. n., Bradenton Beach. also in January, the group will meet at the center of anna maria island friday, Jan. 12, for a lunch program on Sicily, venture to Sarasota for a concert and brunch friday, Jan. 19, and hold a book sale and potluck lunch at annie Silver friday, Jan. 26. For more info, call Kaye Bell at 941-538-0945.

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Submit your social news to news@islander.org. Please, include the time, date and location for events, as well as a contact name and phone number for publication. And, thanks for sharing!

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12 n JAN. 3, 2018 n THE ISLANDER

The Islander Calendar ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND

cert, Bradenton. March 25, Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra Opera Concert, Bradenton.

KIDS & FAMILY

ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND Saturday, Jan. 6 10:30 a.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Lee Mears demonstrates acrylic painting tech- Thursday, Jan. 4 nique, Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Infor10 a.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Mad Science program, Superhero Science, Island mation: 941-778-6648. Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-7786341. ONGOING ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND 2 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Feed the Pig: Thinking Money program for teens and â&#x20AC;˘ Throughout January, Marlane Wurzbach exhibits her artwork tweens, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Informain â&#x20AC;&#x153;New Horizons,â&#x20AC;? Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes tion: 941-778-6341. Beach. Information: 941-778-6648. Tuesday, Jan. 9 â&#x20AC;˘ Throughout January, Artistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Guild Gallery exhibits the work 10 a.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Preschool Storytime, Island Library, 5701 Marina of Mariarosa and Roger Rockefeller, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. Beach. Information: 941-778-6694. ONGOING ON AMI LOOKING AHEAD ON AMI â&#x20AC;˘ Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m., Wednesday Night Blast, CrossPointe Jan. 11-28, Island Playersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Beyond a Joke,â&#x20AC;? Anna Maria. Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778Jan. 28, Roser Memorial Community Church concert, Anna Maria. 0719. Feb. 18, Roser Memorial Community Church concert, Anna Maria. â&#x20AC;˘ Tuesdays, 3:15 p.m., after-school childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s choir, Roser March 8-25, Island Playersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Curious Savage,â&#x20AC;? Anna Maria. Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. InformaMarch 10-11, Anna Maria Island Art League Springfest juried arts tion: 941-778-0414. and crafts festival, Holmes Beach. March 11, Roser Memorial Comâ&#x20AC;˘ TerriďŹ c Tuesdays for community and families, 5:30 p.m., Roser munity Church concert, Anna Maria. March 25, Roser Memorial Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. InformaCommunity Church concert, Anna Maria. May 3-13, Island Playersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; tion: 941-778-0414. â&#x20AC;&#x153;An Inspector Calls,â&#x20AC;? Anna Maria.

GAMES, SPORTS & OUTDOORS

ONGOING OFF AMI

â&#x20AC;˘ Through Jan. 21, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Aftermath: The Fallout of Warâ&#x20AC;? exhibit feaON ANNA MARIA ISLAND turing work by Lynsey Addario, Jananne Al-Ani, Jennifer Karady, Gloriann Liu, Rania Matar, Eman Mohammed, Farah Nosh, Suzanne Saturday, Jan. 6 10 a.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; See the Sun solar telescope viewing, Island Library, Opton, Michal Rovner, Stephen Dupont, Ben Lowy and Simon Nor5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. folk, John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Wednesday, Jan. 10 Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-359-5700. 4 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Chess club gathering, Island Library, 5701 Marina LOOKING AHEAD OFF AMI Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. Feb. 17-18, 2018, Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritageâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ONGOING ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival, Cortez. Feb. 25, Anna Maria â&#x20AC;˘ Wednesdays and Saturdays, 9 a.m., horseshoes pitched, Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra Broadway and Beyond conAnna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. Information: 941-708-6130. â&#x20AC;˘ Fridays, usually at 1 p.m., mahjong games, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. â&#x20AC;˘ Mondays, noon, bridge, Roser Memorial Community Church, Ava Ehde, Manatee Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s library services 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0414. manager since 2011 and the â&#x20AC;˘ Tuesdays, 12:15 p.m., duplicate bridge, Episcopal Church former head of the island Library, of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: is now the interim director of the 941-779-0881.

Former Island Library leader promoted again

manatee county neighborhood Services department. the department includes probation, human, veterans, health Ehde care and neighborhood services divisions, as well as the library system. During Ehdeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tenure as manager of the library system, the county won the florida Library association 2013 Library innovation award and the 2016 Library of the Year. ehde received the associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Librarian of the Year for 2017. Her 21-year career began with the niagara falls, new York, public Library as a history librarian. She also supervised reference services in a college library and served as an adjunct professor for SuNY Buffaloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Library School. Ehde moved to Florida in 2002, first serving as a reference librarian at the central Library. Soon she was promoted to supervise the island Library. prior to her library career, ehde worked many years in the food and beverage industry.

12:45 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Gulf Coast Writers, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. Friday, Jan. 5 2 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Knit and crochet club gathering, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. Saturday, Jan. 6 8:30 a.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island meeting, with Larry Fowler discussing â&#x20AC;&#x153;the meaning of Kiwanis,â&#x20AC;? Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-7781383. 10:30 a.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Ask a master gardener program, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. Monday, Jan. 8 6:30 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Artistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Guild of Anna Maria Island meet-andgreet and program, Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6694. Tuesday, Jan. 9 2 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Tech help, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. Wednesday, Jan. 10 Noon â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Coloring club gathering, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. ONGOING ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND â&#x20AC;˘ Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Anna Maria Island Historical Society sales of Settlers Bread, 402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Fee applies. Information: 941-778-0492. â&#x20AC;˘ Second and fourth Wednesdays, 11 a.m. Just Older Youth/ JOY Brown Bag Lunch Series, Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0414. â&#x20AC;˘ Thursdays, 9 a.m.-noon, Manatee County Veteran Services Divisions counseling and assistance, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. â&#x20AC;˘ Third Thursdays, 11:45 a.m., Successful Women Aligning Together meets, Bridge Street Bistro, 111 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach. Fee applies. Information: 941-345-5135. â&#x20AC;˘ Fridays, Senior Adventures usually meets to carpool on an adventure or for an activity, Annie Silver Community Center, 103 23rd St. N., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-538-0945. â&#x20AC;˘ Saturdays, 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island breakfast meeting, Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-1383. â&#x20AC;˘ Tuesdays, noon, Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island, Bridge Street Bistro, 111 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941518-1965. LOOKING AHEAD ON AMI

Jan. 11, Friends of the Island Library Lecture and Travel Series begins, Holmes Beach. Jan. 13, Anna Maria Island Privateers Thieves Market, Bradenton Beach. Feb. 10, Anna Maria Island Privateers Thieves Market, Bradenton Beach. Feb. 15-17, Friends of the Island Library annual book sale, Anna Maria. March 3, Anna Maria Island Historical Society Heritage Day Festival, Anna Maria. March 10, Anna Maria Island Privateers Thieves Market, Bradenton LOOKING AHEAD Beach. March 21, Anna Maria Island Garden Club Penny Flower Jan. 13, Anna Maria Elementary Dolphin Dash 5K and 1 Mile Show, Anna Maria. April 18, Anna Maria Island Garden Club Fashion Fun Run, Holmes Beach. Show, Anna Maria. ONGOING OFF ANNA MARIA ISLAND OFF ANNA MARIA ISLAND â&#x20AC;˘ First and third Wednesdays usually, Roser Memorial Commu- Wednesday, Jan. 10 nity Church GolďŹ ng for God, IMG Academy Golf Club, 4350 El Con11:30 a.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Off Stage Ladies luncheon and program, Elks quistador Parkway, Bradenton. Fee applies. Info: 941-778-0414. Lodge, 2511 75th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941â&#x20AC;˘ Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 1-4 p.m., ACBL Open 932-2798. Pairs Duplicate Bridge, The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico ONGOING OFF ANNA MARIA ISLAND Drive, Longboat Key. Fee apples. Information: 941-216-9600. LOOKING AHEAD OFF AMI Feb. 24, 2018, Pittsburgh Pirates spring training home opener, Bradenton. April 4, 2018, Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island golf tournament, Bradenton.

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THE ISLANDER n JAN. 3, 2018 n 13

A dozen bakers prepare secret ‘historical’ recipe in home kitchens By Bianca Benedí islander reporter in december, the volunteer bakers of the anna maria island Historical Society get their supplies together, pull out their recipes and get to work making settler’s bread for the season, which began the first Wednesday of December and extends through march. the recipe is not shared with the public, but each baker has a precise list to follow in making the loaves. although they must follow the recipe to the letter, they can blend their own expertise into the bakes — some bakers have been making the same recipe for 15 years. Also, different tools, equipment and oven temperatures will affect the final product. Thus, every loaf of settler’s bread brought to the museum Wednesday mornings looks different from the loaf beside it. Lined up on the display inside the anna maria island Historical museum, the loaves differ in size, color and texture. Some are large, fluffy and golden brown. Others are denser and lighter in color. All sell for $5. there are 12 bakers making bread for amiHS, according to president Lynn Brennan, which means there are about 24 loaves on the shelf on Wednesdays for buyers. The number of bakers will grow to about 15 as the winter tourism season progresses and more snowbirds return to the island. each baker is expected to make two loaves a week, but some voluntarily make more, particularly in february, Brennan said. and almost every week, amiHS sells

Dolphin Dash set for Jan. 13

The Anna Maria Elementary Dolphin Dash 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run to benefit the AME Parent Teach organization will be Saturday, Jan. 13. Registration by Jan. 11 will cost adults $25 and children under 18 $10. Bradenton runners club members can register for $20 through Jan. 11. race day registration will be $30 for adults and $15 for children. race day registration and packet pickup will begin at 7 a.m. at the school. 4700 gulf drive, Holmes Beach. The 5K Dolphin Dash will start at 8 a.m. and the fun run will follow at 9 a.m. to register, print and complete the entry form online at runnergirl.com or runsignup.com and, mail it with a check payable to ame pto to dolphin dash, in care of ame, 4700 gulf drive n., Holmes Beach fL 34217. for more info, contact race coordinator Bonnie Ferran at 941-405-2972 or amibirdnerd.gmail.com.

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Volunteer baker Phillis Grey holds up her loaf of settler’s bread as she pulls it from the oven Dec. 12. Grey is joining a host of other bakers in producing loaves of bread weekly from a secret recipe that helps fill a need for the Anna Maria Island Hisorical Society.

out before noon. “In February, we’ll sell anywhere from 30 to 40 loaves of bread and have people saying, ‘Where’s the bread?’” However, the organization needs new volunteers to keep the bread coming and meet demand. as prices on anna maria rise and long-term rentals are replaced with weekly rentals, Brennan said, many bakers aren’t returning to the island. Last year, two new bakers joined and at least one new baker is joining the team this year, she said. phyllis grey is joining the amiHS bakers this year. and there are a couple more people interested in volunteering, Brennan said, but she’s still trying to seal the deal. new bakers must first make a pit stop at Brennan’s kitchen, where she shows them how to make the recipe. grey took a trip to the kitchen dec. 12 to receive a hands-on lesson. “Strong women had to make the most of what they had,” she commented after learning the recipe. “i feel very honored that they’re allowing me to bake.” plus, grey said, she loves the idea of creating homemade goods to sell to people. “We’re such a fast society. Isn’t the highest compliment when someone makes something homemade for you?” she asked. Brennan sent grey home with a bag of yeast and plastic bags, which she provides to every baker, and grey said she would immediately begin testing out the recipe on her neighbors. not all bakers decide to join the team. “Sometimes people express an interest in being a baker … and then they don’t follow through,” Brennan said. Bringing

them to her house to show them the recipe helps boost the volunteers’ confidence. “it is a commitment,” Brennan said. Bakers must set aside time every tuesday evening, or early Wednesday morning, to prepare two loaves of bread for roughly four months. “i appreciate their loyalty and their dedication,” she said. All the money goes to AMIHS’s annual $2,000 scholarship, which is awarded to an exceptional island student. That’s why the recipe must stay secret, Brennan said — to keep the settler’s bread exclusive and keep customers coming back.

Lynn Brennan shows Phyllis Grey, left, how to divide dough for settler’s bread into two loaves Dec. 12 for baking. Islander Photos: Bianca Benedí

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14 n Jan. 3, 2018 n THE ISLANDER

Flashback ’17

Flashback continued from page 1 ipal governments churned. A flashback to the second half of 2017, JulyDecember, as told from The Islander’s archives: July Grass-roots group organizes in Bradenton Beach: Concerned Neighbors of Bradenton Beach held its first meeting at the Annie Silver Community Center in Bradenton Beach. Anna Maria ‘audits’ community center finances: Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy asked the Center of Anna Maria Island for its financial records so the city could audit spending. The records request included bank statements, property and equipment leases, credit card statements, petty cash reimbursements and general ledger records, among other items. Holmes Beach to crack down on short-term rentals: Holmes Beach Commission Chair Judy Titsworth asked for clarification regarding the Holmes Beach enforcement policy on vacation rentals. She got it at a July commission meeting. Holmes Beach had been allowing property owners with permission to rent for 30 days to offer stays of shorter duration provided only one rental transaction is made during the month despite an ordinance against it. Titsworth said it’s time to enforce the ordinance. Island school earns top grade: The Florida Department of Education announced its yearly school grades and AME was among eight elementary schools in Manatee County to earn the highest rating. Anna Maria approves watercraft ordinance: Boats and other watercraft exceeding idle speed were permanently banned from the area adjacent to Bayfront Park on Tampa Bay in Anna Maria. Commissioners adopted an ordinance also prohibiting anchoring or launching watercraft at Bayfront Park. Island leaders want in loop on DOT barrier island traffic study: Concerns about an ongoing traffic study dominated the Barrier Island Elected Officials meeting. The BIEO serves as a steering committee for

Lizzy Hannon and Alexis Burt, students at Anna Maria Elementary, as pirates, ride on the Anna Maria Island Privateers’ Skullywag ship-float for the Privateers’ Fourth of July parade. The parade kicked off Independence Day. Islander Photo: Karen Riley Love

the barrier islands traffic study, which is underway by the Florida Department of Transportation, but communication had been lacking, members said. Outrage, investigation continue in ‘shark drag’ abuse case: A video showing four men on a boat gleefully dragging a shark went viral, quickly appearing on news websites around the world — from The Guardian to The New York Post — and prompting a criminal investigation. Anna Maria Island property tax equation adds up: The Manatee County property appraiser’s office said there were 1,922 properties in Anna Maria, 1,728 in Bradenton Beach and 4,907 in Holmes Beach. Anna Maria adopts historic preservation ordinance: Anna Maria city commissioners unanimously adopted a historic preservation ordinance, changing the city code to identify and protect historically significant structures. August City joins Sunshine investigation of BBP&Z members: The city of Bradenton Beach joined a legal review of planning and zoning board members who allegedly violated Florida’s Government-in-the-Sun-

shine Laws. At an Aug. 3 city meeting, commissioners and Mayor Bill Shearon voted to join the investigation initiated by paralegal consultant Michael Barfield of P&Z members involved in a meeting outside the government. Waterline faces ‘significant crisis’ to open: A “significant crisis” was developing as a deadline approached for permits to open the Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club. Attorney Robert Lincoln, representing developer mainsail Lodging and Development of Tampa, complained to the Holmes Beach city attorney and mayor about difficulties in obtaining final construction inspections and approvals. CNOBB initiates petitions for change: At an August meeting, Concerned Neighbors of Bradenton Beach member Reed Mapes brought copies of three petitions for charter amendments to be circulated among registered voters in the city. Tropical Storm Emily makes landfall: Tropical Storm Emily formed in the Gulf of Mexico overnight and made landfall on Anna Maria Island July 31. The surprise storm soaked the island. DEP probe clears developer of dune destrucPlease see FLASHBACK page 15

Bettye Purvis of Holmes Beach drops off mail at the contract post office at 5354 Gulf Drive, which in July was undergoing a change in operators. Islander File Photo

Comfort is offered July 11 at the scene of the drowning death of Emma Thompson, 2, at 207 Sycamore Ave., Anna Maria. Islander Photo: Kathy Prucnell

Longboat Key Police Chief Pete Cumming announces an arrest in the Aug. 14 double homicide at the Zota Beach Resort during an Aug. 10 news conference at Bill Vincent, Concerned Neighbors of Bradenton Beach chair, speaks during an organizational meeting in July at the Annie Silver Community Center. Islander town hall. Cumming said more information and witnesses were being sought in Photo: ChrisAnn Silver Esformes the investigation. Islander Photo: Kathy Prucnell

THE ISLANDER n Jan. 3, 2018 n 15

Flashback ’17

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Florida, follows the campaign trail to the Beach Bistro Aug. 21, where he mingled and dined with supporters, including Bob Blalock, center, and Bob Barnett, at a fundraiser for his 2018 U.S. Senate re-election bid. Hosts Sean Murphy and wife Susan Timmins, Bistro owners, made introductions and Nelson spoke on the stakes for the next election and his continued support for “Obamacare” and opposition to offshore drilling interests in the Gulf of Mexico. Islander Photo: Bonner Joy

Flashback continued from page 14

tion charge: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection ruled no dune destruction took place at a Holmes Beach property where an older home was being demolished to make way for new. Remediation was required by the DEP, but no fines or criminal charges were assessed. County planners, staff denies: The stage was set for a showdown at a county land-use meeting. Manatee County planners flipped their position on the Aqua by the Bay development, recommending denial of the massive project on 529 acres southeast of Cortez. Former BB mayor, city sue board members: The city of Bradenton Beach joined forces with a Sarasota legal team representing Jack Clarke, a former mayor and commissioner, in a lawsuit against planning and zoning board member John Metz and former city board members involved with Concerned Neighbors of Bradenton Beach. Bradenton Beach approves VRO: The Bradenton Beach City Commission approved the first reading of an amended quality-of-life ordinance, a measure similar to vacation rental ordinances in Anna Maria and Holmes Beach. Cortez hopes to sway DOT to spare village, repair bridge: The Florida Department of Transportation announced it was leaning toward the largest replacement option for the Cortez Bridge. The DOT emphasized it had not decided to build a $72 million, 65-foot vertical-clearance fixed bridge, but that was the favored option. BB loses board members to Sunshine suit: A lawsuit sparked a polarity between city officials and staff and some volunteer board members in Bradenton Beach. Eight board members resigned after the city voted to join a lawsuit filed by former Mayor Jack Clarke against citizen volunteers. Anna Maria rolls out franchise prohibition: The ordinance created to place a moratorium on formula

business entities enacted in Anna Maria last July was codified. Anna Maria votes to retain building official: A public records request in Anna Maria revealed building official Jimmy Strickland failed to collect required documents before issuing a building permit in December 2016. However, Anna Maria commissioners voted in an emergency commission meeting to give Strickland a vote of confidence. September Readying for Irma’s arrival: With the threat of Hurricane Irma, a mandatory evacuation was issued for Anna Maria Island Sept. 8. Before leaving, residents filled sandbags and collected re-entry passes, as well as stocked up on supplies — especially water and gasoline. First-responders, elected officials and municipal employees reviewed plans and prepared to return to a disaster as Irma was a major hurricane. A waterspout forms just offshore of Bradenton Beach Charter initiatives head to ballot: City commis- Aug. 24. Three waterspouts formed just offshore. Please see FLASHBACK page 17 Islander Photo: Courtesy Liza Kubik

13th Annual

Coquina Beach Winterfest Arts & Crafts Show 10-4:30 Saturday & Sunday

Jan. 6-7 Located at south end of Coquina Beach • Artists and Crafters from 12 states! • FREE admission and parking. • To benefit Wildlife Education & Rehabilitation Center of Bradenton Beach

Information: 941-716-1951

16 n JAN. 3, 2018 n THE ISLANDER

Obituaries

robert Walter elliott, 102, of Holmes Beach, died dec. 22, 2017. He was born Jan. 2, 1915, in Hartford, Connecticut, to the late robert Walter and isabel degrouche. He served in the u.S. army air corps during World War ii and completed his military career with the u.S. air force, retiring with the rank of colonel. Elliott He volunteered for some 40 years at the Key royale club, where he served the members in many ways, including shooting the starter pistol for tournaments. a remembrance was held dec. 28 at the Key royale club in Holmes Beach. Burial will be at a later date at arlington national cemetery in Virginia. condolences may be made online at shannonfuneralhomes. com. col. elliott is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Beatrice (Giles).

mind. He admired creativity. He and life partner casey Hoffman were living their dream. the two came to anna maria island with a business plan scratched in the sand and started ami radio, an online streaming music service, and Zegway by the Bay, offering Segway tours. He was passionate about people. His intention was to help make people famous. He was dedicated to helping creative people build their music careers and was determined to give them a voice and opportunities. He lived by some of his favorite song lyrics: “i need never get old” and “always be humble and kind.” A celebration of life and concert will be held 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28, at the center of anna maria island, 407 magnolia ave., anna maria. all are welcome to attend. donations may be made to p.o. Box 267, Bradenton Beach fL 34217 or to gofundme — for which a link can be found on the ami radio facebook page. He is survived by his life partner, Casey Hoffman; children Robert and Lauren; siblings Raymond, Patricia and theresa of pennsylvania and new York.

Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey. In June 1956, he received the highest security clearance as the anesthesiologist for President Dwight David Eisenhower’s surgery. He retired from robert Wood Johnson medical School while serving as professor of clinical anesthesia and clinical director. His wife said, “Howard was hermetically sealed in the operating room and then turned his attentions toward golf, giving him a new zest for life.” A service with a rifle salute will be held at 10 a.m. thursday, Jan. 11, at Sarasota national cemetery, 9810 State road 72, Sarasota. a celebration of life service will be 1-3 p.m. thursday, Jan. 11, at Key royale club, 700 Key royale drive, Holmes Beach. Memorial donations may be made to benefit anesthesiology students via the alumni association at SunY Downstate College of Medicine, 450 Clarkson Ave., Brooklyn nY 11203. condolences may be offered online at nevergone.com. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Patricia; sister Lori Mudrick of River Edge, New Jersey; and sons phillip, Bryan and edward.

Robert J. Herman

Dr. Howard Irving Kortis

Jeanne Taylor Rozamus

Col. Robert Walter Elliott

robert J. Herman, 61, of Bradenton and formerly dr. Howard irving Kortis, 89, of Holmes Beach, of Holmes Beach, died dec. 19. died dec. 18, 2017. He was born in Queens, new York, to roman and He was born in the Bronx in new frances. He graduated from chamiYork city in 1928 to rose and david nade High School on Long island, of Brooklyn, new York. new York, and later earned an engiHe married his wife, Patricia, Feb. 25, neering degree. 1972, in Plainfield, New Jersey. He was skilled in information and He graduated from midwood High technology. in many ways, he was a Kortis School in three years and went on to Herman free spirit with an entrepreneurial the university of Wisconsin, where he was a phi Kappa phi honor society graduate. as an alpha omega alpha honors graduate of SunY dmc, he earned his medical degree and completed his internship, as well as an anesthesia residency at the Walter reed army Hospital. He served as director of anesthesia at u.S. army Hospital in nurnberg, germany, Walson army Hospital in fort dix, new Jersey, and newark Beth israel

Flashback ’17

Jeanne taylor rozamus, 97, of Holmes Beach, died Dec. 25. She was the daughter of Harry e. and Helen taylor. She grew up in Honolulu, where she lived until her marriage in 1940. She lived for many years in alexandria, Virginia. When her husband michael retired from the fBi in 1970, they moved to Holmes Beach, where they enjoyed an active retirement life. She was beloved by family and friends and will be sorely missed. a memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, at Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 pine ave., anna maria. memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation army. She is survived by brother Harry e. taylor Jr.; daughters Cynthia and Kathy and husband Bill Michaels; nine grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

At your service

obituaries are provided as a community service in the islander newspaper to residents and family of residents, both past and present, as well as to those people with ties to anna maria island. information may be submitted to news@islander. org. paid obituaries are available by calling sales rep toni Lyon at 941-778-7978.

Kathleen Crowell, left and her father, the Rev. Neil Crowell, serve berry punch Nov. 23 as the annual Roser Church Thanksgiving feast gets underway. Islander Photo: Sandy Ambrogi Bryan Shanks, the new youth and music minister at Anna Maria Island’s CrossPointe Fellowship, feels right at home in his new church sanctuary. Islander Photo: Sandy Ambrogi

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WORSHIP WITH US SATURDAY AT 5 PM SUNDAY AT 9:30 AM Fellowship follows Sunday worship 6608 Marina Drive ~ Holmes Beach ~ 941-778-1813 www.gloriadeilutheran.com “All are welcome”

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“new Beginnings”

THE ISLANDER n Jan. 3, 2018 n 17

Flashback ’17

Flashback continued from page 15 sioners and the mayor unanimously voted to approve a resolution placing three proposed charter initiatives to be placed on the November ballot. Concerned Neighbors of Bradenton Beach prepared the ballot initiatives and collected petition signatures. Treehouse facing demolition, appeal to high court readied: Treehouse owners Lynn Tran and Richard Hazen faced another city deadline to remove the beachfront structure in a large Australian pine at their home and resort in Holmes Beach. And it came after their attorney filed a petition to be docketed with the U.S. Supreme Court. FEMA brings post-Irma aid: Six Federal Emergency Management Agency representatives arrived in September to the Island Library to help people prepare applications for disaster aid. Anna Maria declares city pier ‘totally destroyed’: Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy declared the Anna Maria City Pier “totally destroyed” per the terms of the lease agreement with Mario Schoenfelder after an initial assessment conducted by a Tampa-based engineering firm. The pier was in bad shape after Hurricane Irma. The storm ripped off decking and shredded some roofing. Stringers and beams had shifted and no longer provide walkway support. Commissioners and the mayor, discussing the damage, promised to work as quickly as possible to repair the pier. Possible Gloria Dei land purchase spurs commission debate: Gloria Dei Lutheran Church asked Holmes Beach commissioners to consider purchasing church-owned property.

Let me see! Let me see! A group of visitors to the Anna Maria City Pier Aug. 21 pass around a pair of safety glasses supplied by City Pier Restaurant employee Brian Blaine, left. Islander Photo: Bianca Benedí

Sheema Gollamudi, right, and brother Vincent look sunward Aug. 21 during the solar eclipse, which occurred on Sheema’s 11th birthday. Islander Photo: Courtesy “Mom,” Nenita Daguinotas

October County approves Aqua development: Manatee County commissioners gave the green light to the large-scale development along the longest stretch of pristine mangrove-lined shoreline on Sarasota Bay. Please see FLASHBACK page 18

Shenandoah 7:30 pm Jan. 12

Phil Vassar Colton Dixon 7 pm Jan. 14 7:30 pm Jan. 19

FUN FUNFOOD Daily Entertainment The Dennis Lee Show Rock-It the Robot Show-Me Pig Racer

Irma strikes with full Cat. 5 force at the Florida Keys as the hurricane turned north Sept. 10 toward landfall at about 3:45 p.m. at Marco Island near Naples. Anna Maria Island saw Category 2 winds after 9 p.m. Sept. 10 and through the early morning Sept. 11. Islander Courtesy Image

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18 n JAN. 3, 2018 n THE ISLANDER

Flashback ’17

flAsHBAcK CONTINuED FROM PAGE 15 the general development plan and 191-acre rezoning request gained unanimous commission approval. HBPD arrests boyfriend for child’s death: an investigation into the death of a 17-month-old in Holmes Beach led to the arrest of the mother’s live-in boyfriend on charges of second-degree murder and aggravated child abuse. AM chooses longevity for pier: Anna Maria commissioners voted to move forward with plans to rebuild the anna maria city pier, indicating the reconstruction might involve the use of composite material instead of wood and a lengthy closure. DeP orders cortezian to remove house built over state waters: The Florida Department of Environmental protection ordered raymond “Junior” guthrie Jr. to remove his house on stilts in Sarasota Bay and assessed $6,500 in fines. November environmentalists sue Manatee county over Aqua development: Suncoast Waterkeeper Inc., boat captain Kathe fannon and former manatee county Commissioner Joe McClash were suing over the Aqua by the Bay development. they called on the court to nullify county approvals. Developer settles Anna Maria lawsuit for $1 million: Shawn Kaleta and the city of Anna Maria reached a $1 million settlement in the developer’s federal lawsuit alleging discrimination. the parties signed off on an agreement and florida municipal insurance trust delivered a $1 million check to Kaleta’s law firm. cNoBB faces election complaints from exmayor: Former Bradenton Beach Mayor Jack Clarke filed two complaints against CNOBB and some of its members with the florida elections commission, raising concerns the group operated as a political action committee before official forming a PAC. AM commissioner raises concerns about event

The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales eight-horse hitch and beer wagon circles the roundabout Oct. 14 on its way to Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach. The horses traveled from St. Louis for the appearance on Bridge Street in celebration of Gold Coast Eagle Distributing of Sarasota winning the Anheuser-Busch “Red Jacket Award.” Islander Photo: Jack Elka security: Anna Maria Commissioner Brian Seymour raised concerns about instructions to private security officers and how the annual Bayfest event impacts businesses on pine avenue, in particular his business at the anna maria general Store. Bradenton Beach voting results in turnabout, 3 charter amendments: Voters in Bradenton Beach elected John chappie as mayor, ousting Bill Shearon.

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Voters also elected newcomer randy White, who defeated incumbent ralph cole — later appointed by the commission to fill Chappie’s vacated commission seat. Voters also approved three ballot measures amending the city charter. Anna Maria retains 3 commissioners: Carol carter, doug copeland and dale Woodland were reelected to the city commission in anna maria. political newcomer Laurie Jo Higgins lost her bid for a seat. pLeaSe See flAsHBAcK page 19

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THE ISLANDER n JAN. 3, 2018 n 19

Mayor-elect John Chappie and outgoing Mayor Bill Shearon shake hands at city hall Nov. 16 before Shearon left the office and Chappie took office. Islander Photo: ChrisAnn Silver Esformes

Flashback ’17

flAsHBAcK continued from page 18 Newcomer tops in Holmes Beach race: Firsttime candidates Jim Kihm and rick Hurst won their races for city commission in Holmes Beach. incumbents carol Soustek and pat morton also were elected. Incumbent Marvin Grossman finished fifth and lost his seat. HB to high court on treehouse: Deny precedent: “I’m confident it’s the end of the line.” That was how Holmes Beach special counsel richard Harrison described the the treehouse dispute a day before filing with the u.S. Supreme court. the treehouse owners petitioned the court for a writ of certiorari. funding allocated for Holmes Beach dog, skate parks: Holmes Beach finance pros fished around in november in various pots of money and hooked $100,000 for skate park improvements and $50,000 for dog park upgrades. feMA discount in jeopardy in Anna Maria: missteps in reporting to the federal emergency management Agency by the Anna Maria building official got him fired. A unanimous vote of no confidence from anna maria commissioners resulted in the termination of building official Jimmy Strickland’s employment. President voted out of AMI chamber: Deb Wing, who served in various positions at the anna maria island chamber of commerce, including two years as president, was handed a termination letter. Bridge openings reduced by coast guard: The u.S. coast guard reduced the number of bridge openings from three times to twice an hour at the anna maria island and cortez drawbridges, as well as drawbridges at Stickney point road and Siesta drive in Sarasota county. Holmes Beach mayor denies license for franchise: Plaza co-owner Mike Hynds applied to open Finnegan’s Bar & Grill in the plaza he owns that formerly housed Lobstahs restaurant. Holmes Beach mayor Bob Johnson said research indicated it could be a violation of the city’s temporary moratorium against pLeaSe See flAsHBAcK, neXt page

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Angela Monetti, 7, impressed party emcee, JT Thomas, left, city treasurer Lori Hill, Officer Josh Fleischer and the crowd with her “mad skills” at the Oct. 3 Night Out. She “hooped it up” through the entire song “Thriller” by Michael Jackson — and she won a bike! Islander Photo: Bonner Joy WMFR goes pink for awareness West Manatee Fire Rescue firefighters Josh Adkins, Brian Gaskill and Derek Bill wear pink T-shirts Oct. 6 in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Islander Photo: Bianca Benedí

Third-grader Charlie Hawkins sits still as Island Roser Food Pantry volunteers Charles Wade and Tattoo & Piercing artist Kai Blackwood paints her Helen Brown sort nonperishable foods Sept. 22 at face Oct. 28 during the annual AME-PTO Fall Fest. the pantry, across from Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., The “temp tattoo” booth is always a popular stop at Anna Maria. Islander Photo: Bianca Benedí the event.

20 n JAN. 3, 2018 n THE ISLANDER

Some fared well, some suffered damage and some saw minor impact. Overall, Anna Maria Island and Cortez residents and businesses were counting themselves as very lucky to have been spared the brunt of Hurricane Irma. The storm meandered east in the hours before heading north overnight Sept. 10 from landfall at about 3:35 p.m. at Marco Island in Collier County with wind gusts of 130 mph. Anna Maria Island authorities reported wind gusts of about 90 mph, trees down and power out to all but a few areas in the three cities.

flAsHBAcK continued from page 19

franchise or “formula businesses.” Bradenton Beach political group closes its books: A special meeting was called to resolve CNOBB’s debt and dissolve the group, following a decision earlier in november that disagreements between members regarding the group’s status as a political or education group could not be settled. Waterline opens, sets high mark in island lodging: Fraught with fits and starts, the Waterline Marina resort and Beach club in Holmes Beach opened. the hotel checked in its first guests Nov. 30. “We have 27 rooms booked next weekend already,” resort host Suzanne arbanas said on opening day.

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the news that the anna maria city pier was destroyed by Hurricane irma reverberated far and wide. The Islander’s Facebook announcement Sept. 20 about the pier’s closure received 4,200 reactions and was shared 4,543 times, reaching more than 630,000 people. It’s still going around the world. meanwhile, one employee, baitmonger and bartender Brian Blaine, decided to take action, raising contributions on gofundme to support the former pier staff — his island family. the leaseholder-business owner for the pier operations and many other people contributed to the fund, and Blaine made sure the money was distributed before christmas. — Bianca Benedí

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December Investigation nets 3 arrests for ‘shark drag’ abuse: three men were arrested for animal cruelty, resulting from a shark-dragging video that drew widespread public outrage this summer. robert Benac iii of Sarasota and michael Wenzel and Spencer Heintz of palmetto face two felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty against a blacktip shark in the waters near egmont Key. Benac and Wenzel also were charged with a misdemeanor. A fourth man on the fishing trip, nicholas Burns easterling, was not charged. Holmes Beach advised to soften formula business ban: Holmes Beach planner Bill Brisson advised the city commission that it was overstepping legal bounds in its attempt to regulate formula businesses. He said he wouldn’t back commissioners in court if they insisted upon overreaching against his advice. “i won’t be able to support it,” he said. “Because I know what i will be asked at trial.” Ho, ho, ho! Holiday hoax: three prank signs touting “McDonald’s Coming Soon” were found Dec. 20 at a former bank site near the intersection of east Bay drive and manatee avenue in Holmes Beach. “the phone was ringing off the hook,” said code enforcement officer Nate Brown, who soon determined the phony signs were posted illegally.

THE ISLANDER n Jan. 3, 2018 n 21

It must be Christmas! Finally — the mullet run

By Kathy Prucnell Islander Reporter The start of the 2017-18 mullet season is looking good, although a bit late. Fishers count on the mullet cash to sweeten their Christmas shopping. At least the Cortez fish houses were kept busy for Christmas. Cortez Bait & Seafood Co. is “a little bit in the weeds,” John Banyas, owner of the Cortez fish house, Swordfish Grill and N.E. Taylor Boatworks on 119th Street West, said Dec. 27. Banyas reported the mullet season picked up with “a good Christmas Day run.” “Too busy” with “lots of mullet” is how Karen Bell described her fish house in a Dec. 26 text. Bell is the president of A.P. Bell & Fish Co., 4600 124th St. W., Cortez. She also owns the Star Fish Company, a market and restaurant next to the larger Bell fish house and docks on the waterfront. The mullet runs annually in the Gulf of Mexico off Florida coasts, including Anna Maria Island, between late December to February. Jupiter fisherman William Modaffari, now in his 12th year of mullet fishing in Cortez, predicts a good mullet season despite the late start. Fishers, including Modaffari, estimated they casted 3,000-4,000 pounds of mullet from their vessels Dec. 26, and brought the fish to Banyas’ 119th Street dock. The red roe — the female eggs popular overseas in Europe and Asia — demands the highest price, yet

John Purdy of Bradenton sorts female mullet from the males Dec. 26 on his vessel, Skipzilla, to meet the market price for females of $1.30 per pound at Cortez Bait & Seafood Co. in Cortez.

Fishers Hilario Martinez and daughter Mary Martinez smile after a good day mullet fishing Dec. 26 at the Kingfish Boat Ramp in Holmes Beach.

all of the mullet is popular, say processors. Banyas and Bell said the prices per pound are $1.30 for females and 20 cents for males. With “tall orders” for white roe this year, Banyas doesn’t expect mullet waste as in past years. Male mullet littered the beaches during a bumper mullet harvest in 2015 blamed on fishers discarding the male mullet, in favor of the more valuable females. Returning mullet to the water before they perish is key to preventing the problem. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission increases patrols during mullet runs to ensure fish are properly handled and stored on ice, and to prevent mullet waste, according to Robert Klepper, FWC law enforcement spokesman. FWC spokesman James Boogaerts believes mullet waste hasn’t been a problem because with the “slow year,” fishers were keeping and selling their entire catch. State law prohibits spearing fish and limits gear to two cast nets, no longer than 14 feet, and two beach or haul seines per vessel. Hook-and-line fishing is allowed, but mullet are not attracted to bait.

No problems were reported Dec. 26 by FWC officer Joel Buckson at the Kingfish Boat Ramp. “It’s holiday season,” said Buckson. “You can see it’s busy out here. We’re here to make sure they’re playing by the rules.” Fishers, processors and the FWC say the laterthan-usual mullet run is a response to weather. Falling water temperatures signal the start of the spawning trek. Cold fronts with northwesterly winds and a dropping barometric pressure trigger mullet migration from canals, backwater and shallows in large schools to spawn in the Gulf of Mexico. Catching the mullet before they spawn is the fishers’ goal. The male and female mullet are in the process of congregating and traveling some 100 miles to the continental shelf to spawn, according to Fish & Wildlife Research Institute researcher Ed Matheson. The migration slows after a cold front, with the mullet awaiting the next cold snap to move offshore. “Now we’re waiting on the next weather system, hoping for a new year’s run,” Banyas said Dec. 27.

Mullet fishers wave from their boat near the northern tip of Anna Maria Island Dec. 26 during a mullet run.

Joe Caputo sorts mullet Dec. 26 into boxes at Cortez Bait & Seafood in Cortez. Islander Photos: Kathy Prucnell

From their boat Skipzilla, Bradenton fishers John Purdy, Paul Ling and John Vandiver sort their catch into bins for the male and female mullet at Cortez Bait & Seafood’s 119th Street dock. Purdy estimated the crew caught 4,000 pounds near Bean Point.

22 n Jan. 3, 2018 n THE ISLANDER

Cops & Court By Kathy Prucnell, Islander Reporter

Christmas altercation ends in arrest

An argument at a family’s Christmas lunch in Holmes Beach escalated when a man grabbed and squeezed a relative’s throat to stop an argument. Police arrested Michael Grayson, 50, at his Bradenton residence for domestic battery by strangulation. Holmes Beach police responded Dec. 25 to the 100 block of 51st Street, where the lunch took place minutes after the 2:36 p.m. call, and found Grayson had left. Grayson allegedly threw the male victim through a screen onto the ground, where he hit his head. The

Streetlife

report said Grayson attempted to choke the victim and family members intervened. According to a Holmes Beach police report, the victim had a quarter-size lump on his head and a cut lip. Jacob Sauer, Manatee County chief of emergency communications, said the 911 callers denied there were any injuries and EMS assistance was not requested. Grayson was transported to the Manatee County jail. A $15,000 bond was assigned at a first court appearance. The jail website reports Grayson was released Dec. 26. His arraignment is set for 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 26, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

Holmes Beach DUI subject sentenced to probation

A Bradenton man arrested for driving under the influence in May 2017 was sentenced to 12 months probation. Timothy Andricks, 27, pleaded no contest to the DUI charge Dec. 21 in the 12th Circuit Court. Judge Mark Singer ordered Andricks to attend a DUI program, perform 50 hours of public work and serve on a victim-impact panel. The judge also suspended his driver’s license for six months and impounded his vehicle for 10 days. Police stopped Andricks for speeding and charged him with the DUI after conducting field tests in the 600 block of Manatee Avenue in Holmes Beach. Andricks was assessed more than $2,300 in court costs and fines.

By Kathy Prucnell

Island police blotter

Anna Maria Dec. 16-18, 100 block of White Avenue, suspicious incidents. Used linens led a keyholder and owner to suspect unauthorized use of a rental unit. The vacation rental home was initially found secured but, after two days, was found unsecured. The owner told Manatee County sheriff’s deputies a former renter possibly had a key and used the residence from time to time. Anna Maria is policed by MCSO. Bradenton Beach Dec. 22, Circle K, 103 Gulf Drive S., trespass warning. A clerk flagged down a Bradenton Beach police officer to trespass a 31-year-old man who had caused problems with customers. The clerk also told police the man may have stolen items from the store. Bradenton Beach is policed by BBPD. Cortez Dec. 4, 3800 block of 116th Street West, battery. Two women consumed a few beers together, after which one woman went to the other woman’s residence to retrieve her bike. There, the woman struck the woman who came for her bicycle several times in

Flashback ’17

the face and hit her in the head with a beer bottle. The victim was taken to Blake Medical Center in Bradenton. The aggressor was arrested and transported to the Manatee County jail. Cortez is policed by MCSO. Holmes Beach Dec. 18, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, trespass/alcohol. Holmes Beach police arrested a 57-year-old Bradenton man sitting at a picnic table with a bottle of vodka. The man also had a smaller bottle of vodka and some personal items on his bicycle. He was cited for an alcohol ordinance violation and arrested for trespass after previously being warned. Police transported the man to the Manatee County jail. Dec. 19, 3900 block of East Bay Drive, 0.02 violation/drugs. Two 18-year-old men were stopped at 3:20 a.m. for a traffic violation. Police determined the driver possessed contraband, including a Xanax pill and 7 grams of cannabis. The driver also was cited under the 0.02 driving-impaired law for those under age 21. The passenger was cited for unlawfully possessing alcohol. They were transported to the Manatee County jail.

Dec. 21, 200 block of 72nd Street, noise. Holmes Beach police responded at 10:51 p.m. to a complaint of a loud party. Police took meter readings, measuring 47, 54 and 55 decibels. A 29-year-old male vacationing from Washington, D.C., was issued a noise citation. A city ordinance prohibits noise louder than 50 decibels after 10 p.m. Dec. 24, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, marijuana possession and trespass. Police observed two males in the beach parking lot after hours. While an officer was issuing trespass warnings, one man handed him 2.6 grams of marijuana. The officer arrested the man for possessing the drug. Dec. 24, Jessie’s Island Store, 5424 Marina Drive, trespass/warrant. A 23-year-old Bradenton woman was warned for trespass after a clerk observed her trying to steal a $1.75 cigar. She was arrested on an outstanding Manatee County warrant. Dec. 25, 200 block of 65th Street, noise. Police were called for people yelling and laughing in a pool area at 4:03 a.m. A vacationer from Illinois was issued a noise violation. Dec. 26, 100 block of 78th Street, burglary/criminal mischief. A burglar broke a door jamb, entered a residence and stole a TV stand. The television was left on the floor. Holmes Beach is policed by HBPD. Streetlife is based on incident reports and narratives from the BBPD, HBPD and MCSO.

PropertyWatch

Real estate transactions

By Jesse Brisson Special to The Islander 7316 Gulf Drive, Unit 8, La Casa Costiera, Holmes Beach, a 2,136 sfla / 2,352 sfur 3bed/3bath/2car condo with shared pool built in 2005 was sold 10/27/17, Greenwood to Porterfield for $1,225,000; list $1,290,000. 504 75th St., Holmes Beach, a 2,564 sfla / 3,432 sfur 3bed/3bath/2car canalfront pool home built in 1965 on a 11,430 sq ft lot was sold 10/31/17, Balais to Pearce for $1,175,000. 2502 Ave. B, Bradenton Beach, a 3,360 sfla / 5,394 Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer, right, coordinates re-entry at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 11 with a Bradenton sfur 5bed/5bath/2car pool home built in 1993 on a police officer following the evacuation for Hurricane Irma. Islander Photo: Michael Stahr 5,000 sq ft lot was sold 10/31/17, Barron to Kane for $979,000; list $989,000. 526 72nd St., Holmes Beach, a 1,388 sfla / 1,792 Holmes Beach Police sfur 2bed/2bath/1car canalfront home built in 1967 on Chief Bill Tokajer and a 11,700 sq ft lot was sold 11/04/17, Soler to Runo for his all-officer “grill $715,000; list $715,000. team” keep the grub — 315 62nd St., Unit A, Coastal Cottages, Holmes hot dogs and hamburgers Beach, 1,294 sfla / 1,717 sfur 3bed/2bath condo with — rolling into the chow pool built in 2012 was sold 11/07/17, Litchfield to 315 line Oct. 4 for AME Literacy Night. Islander 62nd St LLC for $700,000. 111 Eighth St. S., Bradenton Beach, a 1,606 sfla / Photo: Sandy Ambrogi 1,950 sfur 4bed/4bath triplex built in 1930 on a 5,000 sq ft lot was sold 11/08/17, Bayne to Mitchell for $525,000. Jesse Brisson, broker/associate at Gulf-Bay Realty of Anna Maria, can be reached at 941-778-7244.

Flashback ’17

THE ISLANDER n JAN. 3, 2018 n 23

isl

biz

BY SANDY AMBROGI

Island businesses end 2017 with cheery outlook

What goes up, hopefully will stay up. the moaning and groaning of slow growth in the first part of the decade has given way to an optimistic, steady flow of customers and greater revenues all over the island of anna maria. “Business was good at both my businesses, definitely up from 2016,” chris Smargisso said dec. 28, as he reflected on the year ending. Smargisso owns ami Beach fun rentals in the anna maria island centre, 3228 e. Bay drive, Holmes Beach, and the neighborhood bar and grill Slim’s Place, 9701 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. “the rental business is 100 percent tourist driven,” Smargisso said. “We had slight growth, but with the storms and the shopping center construction, we kind of battled through the last three months of 2017.” The plaza owner, Benderson, removed the stores’ signs to replace the facia and also replaced the sidewalk with a wider promenade and new landscaping. Smargisso says he plans to increase his rental inventory in 2018 — more bikes, umbrellas and paddle boards and a plethora of beach gear — and feels revenues will go up. He said business at Slim’s has gone up every year since he purchased the restaurant in July 2013. “more and more locals have found us and, with the big houses being built around us in anna maria, bigger groups and families are coming in. Just like last night. it was crazy in there.” “We also have seen a bump in business — like many of the north-end restaurants — because the city

pier restaurant is gone due to irma,” Smargisso said. “i hate to say that.” As for improvements at Slim’s or changes in 2018, it’s more a matter of keeping up with repairs than remodeling, the owner said. So the homey feel of Slim’s will remain in 2018. Though lots of people questioned the need for a garbage bin cleaner, seems nate and rather Welch were on to something when they had a custom vehicle built in miami to clean bins on anna maria island. they began their service in mid-2016. a year-and-a-half later, Bins Be clean is busy scrubbing garbage cans and has expanded service to Bradenton and Lakewood ranch. “Business is good, especially for a young company,” nate Welch said dec. 27. “it takes a while, but now we feel we are getting the recognition and acceptance for what we do in the community.” Bins Be clean plans to continue extending its customer base, concentrating on rental properties on the island and picking up customers in east manatee county. “We have no plans for another truck yet in 2018, but maybe one day,” Welch said. Ali Severson Pullen had a “great year” at Acqua Aveda Salon, 5311 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, and has increased staff since she purchased the salon in the spring of 2016. “I’m still needing more staff as we continue to grow,” she said Dec. 27. The 2,600 square-foot spa added more massage, facial and body treatments to the menu of hair, makeup, waxing and nail services. also, the salon teamed up with the new Waterline marina resort and Beach club with a direct line to the spa for booking. “We’re excited about working with Waterline and all the new clients. in addition, we are seeing an increase in walk-ins lately,” said Severson-pullen, attributing this to more vacationers on the island. “In 2018, I will need to hire more staff. That’s a good place to be,” she said. The traffic increase on area roads hasn’t escaped Dan Alderson. He said Dec. 28 his Tyler’s Homemade

ice cream stores in cortez, Longboat Key and on manatee avenue were in high gear for christmas and the week after. “We’ve been busier than all get out,” Alderson said. Visitors “are not just on the road, they are in the store, too.” the ice cream man said 2017 as a whole was up and down for his stores, especially in the fall. “Last several years in the fall it’s been pretty steady, but this year, so slow. We closed down for a couple of weeks because nothing was happening. I’m thinking maybe the storm.” for 2018, alderson has an enthusiastic outlook. “We always have our eyes open for opportunity and we want to be ready to jump on it when it comes along,” he said. If the final few weeks of 2017 are any indication of business on the island, 2018 looks sunny and hot, with a high in business revenues.

Chamber searches for new leader in new year

the end of the year proved rocky for the group that melds the island business community. anna maria island chamber of commerce president deb Wing found herself without a job as december began. Vice-president Terri Kinder is filling the top position in the interim of a replacement being named. in a letter dated nov. 8 to the chamber of commerce executive board, consisting of appointed local business leaders, Wing tendered her resignation from the chamber. on dec. 1, board president eric cairns gave Wing a letter from the board accepting her resignation effective that day. the board announced it would conduct a local and national search for a new president but, at year’s end, there was no announcement regarding interviews or a prospect for hire.

Tiki & Kitty’s Adventures in Shopping … Antiques, Art-Tiques and Chic Boutiques!

Let’s go shopping! Welcome! Welcome to 2018 and another year of fun shopping with tiki and Kitty. Shabby chic, beachy/coastal, heirloom home furnishings and decor are in vogue and plentiful at the must-not-miss monthly vintage market, Vintiquity

lane, 1540 N. Lime Ave., Sarasota. The Vintage Market will open Jan. 20 and Jan. 21. Open now: the cottage at retro rosie’s! formerly known as the Warehouse, the cottage is under new management and will feature a shabby-chic style emphasis. it will incorporate kitchen and garden decor, a beach-themed area and a special spot for “mantiques.” Check out Retro Rosie’s on Facebook for more infor-

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mation about the grand opening! You won’t want to miss it! Be sure to stop often for the changing array of home decor, furnishings, jewelry and shoes and clothing for the entire family at community thrift shop on manatee avenue. they are the spot for consignment bargains, including books and collectibles. Kingberry estate finds in palmetto offers home furnishings and decor, emphasizing quality, comfort and style at affordable prices. the estate inventory includes items for inside and outside your home. as an added bonus, you’ll find Annie Sloan Chalk Paint exclusively in manatee county at Kingberry. Please, be sure to tell our friends in the shops, “The Islander sent me.”

Community Thrift Shop Bradenton’s Original Thrift and Consignment Shop

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24 n JAN. 3, 2018 n THE ISLANDER

Privateers double gifts, adopt two families for Christmas

By Bianca Benedí islander reporter the anna maria island privateers have given two families the gift of christmas this year. as part of their annual seasonal celebrations, the privateers adopt a family in need to put together a christmas miracle. the organization donates a christmas Eve dinner, fulfills the family’s wish list and delivers presents in Santa’s sleigh, along with an appearance from the big man himself, on christmas eve. this year, the privateers decided they had enough funds to select two families: the Allens and the Thomases. tai and Kelly thomas already had a christmas tree, so the privateers did not supply one for them. However, the privateers did provide them with a christmas eve dinner, and brought lots of toys for their four kids, ceira, 17, Xzavion, 13, Justice, 11 and dezarea, 2. referred to the privateers by chris Smargisso, owner of Slim’s Place in Anna Maria, the couple takes odd jobs to support their family, said privateers member Missy ‘Lilbit’ Miller. “They both work seven days a week anywhere and everywhere they can,” she said. this year, the drift in on Bridge Street helped the privateers raise funds for the christmas donations, and staff and patrons also helped out by purchasing items on the families’ wish lists. Fundraising from the Privateers’ Christmas in July party and christmas party also helped them pay for their christmas sponsorships. the thomases “said it was the best christmas they ever had,” privateers member rose nelson said. Skylar Allen, 2, in his great-grandmother Brenda Wisell’s arms, poses for a photo beside Tony Allen, his wife Jessica, Shelly “Fireball” Hill, Anna Maria Island Privateers member, Preston Allen, 8, and Stone Allen, 5, on Santa’s sleigh with Santa Claus. Islander Photo: Courtesy AMIP/Kimberly Chauncey-Boyd

The Thomas family – Kelly, Tai, Justice, 11, Xzavion, 13, Dezarea, 2, and Ceira, 17, smile for a photo Dec. 24 around Santa Claus, played by Jamie “One Eye” Van Deusen, on his sleigh outside their Bradenton home. Islander Photo: Courtesy AMIP/Rose Nelson tony and Jessica allen, and their three kids prestin, 8, Stone, 5, and Skylar, 2, were also the lucky recipients of a privateer-funded christmas. tony allen received a brain cancer diagnosis in February 2016. After battling for two years, Tony’s doctors informed him in october that he had two months left. “His local oncologist said his time is up to god,” said Kimberly chauncey-Boyd, a former high school classmate of Tony’s who helped organize the Privateers’ donation to the Allens.

Chauncey-Boyd said she became aware of Tony’s diagnosis through facebook. tony resigned from his job as a Sysco driver due to his diagnosis, while Jessica had returned to work in a pediatrician’s office. “We were so fortunate and blessed by many people and the drift that we could sponsor two families this christmas,” chauncey-Boyd said. the privateers provided the allens with a christmas tree, a full christmas eve dinner and a bag full of presents for the kids, as well as a meeting with Santa claus on his sleigh. By Sandy Ambrogi, sandy@islander.org

AME calendar

• Monday, Jan. 8, classes resume. • 7 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, Dolphin Dash at ame. • Monday, Jan. 15, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, no school. • Tuesday, Jan. 23, second-grade field trip to Van Wezel performing arts Hall, Sarasota. • 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, STEM night with Holmes Beach police department chief Bill Tokajer’s grill crew and Mad Science presentation in the auditorium. • Saturday, Feb. 24, AME-PTO Fling. anna maria elementary is at 4700 gulf drive, Holmes Beach. for more information, call the school at 941708-5525.

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THE ISLANDER n Jan. 3, 2018 n 25

Kelly Crawford’s kindergarten class at AME adds hand-painted, colorful rocks to the school’s peace garden in preparation for International Peace Day. The school’s peace pole is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island. It became a tradition at the school following the terrorist attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001, long before these young students were born. Islander Photo: Nenita Daguinotas

AME students Blaize Fronzak, left, and Levi Patton stand for the Pledge of Allegiance Sept. 22 for Peace Day, Students sang, read poetry and presented essays on peace at the annual event sponsored by the Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island. Anna Maria Elementary fourthgraders fill the school stage with song and dance Nov. 14 in their performance of “Rock Around the Fifties,” a musical tribute to the 1950s. Islander Photo: Sandy Ambrogi

26 n JAN. 3, 2018 n THE ISLANDER

gray foxes, bobcats and raccoons are breeding. June Look for cedar waxwings and robins in trees with Black skimmers hatch young on the beaches. berries. gopher tortoise nesting season reaches a high. cicadas emerge. february female alligators are building nests. greater sandhill cranes already begin to migrate Snook begin moving out to inlets and passes. north to michigan and Wisconsin. indigo snakes are laying eggs. Watch for manatees in spring runs. Snowy plovers start nesting. July Wild turkeys and quail mate in South Florida. Sea oats are flowering on some beaches. nesting season begins for florida burrowing Baby raccoons, foxes and bobcats are venturing owls. from their mothers. Woodpeckers begin their mating season. Sea turtle hatchlings begin emerging from nests. Black crappie and striped bass are spawning in lakes. august march alligators hatch out. Swallow-tailed kites return from South american Yellow warbler migration begins. wintering areas. Wild hog breeding begins. great blue herons may be seen on their nests. corals along the coast spawn in conjunction with Brown thrashers are singing. the full moon. Scrub jays begin to mate and build nests in scrub oaks. September purple martins begin nesting. Warblers are migrating south. Litters of raccoons, bobcat and armadillos are the atlantic hurricane season peaks. born. Bald eagles return to nest sites and begin courtHorseshoe crabs lay eggs on the shallow shore- ship. line when the moon is full and the tide is high. Florida scrub-jay fledglings lose their brown plumghost crabs come out of hibernation. age and have blue heads.

By Lisa Neff

Save a date for nature

a moleskine 12-month daily planner with a soft black cover and clean ivory pages topped my christmas wish list. Yes, I’m long past the age when I’d want a Daisy Red Ryder BB gun. So I wasn’t disappointed to see the small gift wrapped in plain red paper and placed under the poinsettia on christmas eve. the planner is pocket-sized and formatted to show one page for each of the days in the year. each page has enough space for journal entries, Neff doodles, tasks and reminders. While the apple app store offers dozens of tools to chart and document a day, my old-school moleskine planner is irreplaceable. one task with the arrival of the new year is to fill my new planner with places to go, adventures to undertake and nature to experience. Before you read on, be sure your 2018 planner, april october migrant warblers concentrate on the coasts. calendar or app is at hand — you have one, right? Monarch butterfly migration nears its peak along common loons head north from florida. these notes to add come from a variety of sources, the gulf coast. manatees are dispersing. including the national audubon Society, Sea turtle turkey vultures return. Stingrays move closer to shore. conservancy, mote marine Laboratory and especially alligators begin moving about, looking for new ter- november the florida fish and Wildlife conservation commisritories and mates. sion’s “Wildlife through the Year” fact sheets. greater sandhill cranes arrive to winter. cedar waxwings, robins, phoebes and other birds may January arrive from the north for the winter. Bald eagles begin migrating north. January is one of the best months to watch waterflorida manatees begin moving to warmer waters. red-cockaded woodpeckers are breeding. fowl on wetlands, lakes and prairies in florida. White pelicans begin migrating south to florida. alligators are mating. nesting season begins for sandhill cranes, hawks, cypress trees turn a rusty color. Least terns begin nesting on the beaches. owls and roseate spoonbills. Young brown pelicans and white ibis can be seen december manatees, during cold spells, can be found congregating in natural springs and the unnaturally warm in their nests. National Audubon Society’s annual Christmas bird Sea turtles begin nesting on the beaches. water found at power plants and other industrial count takes place. Breeding begins for many resident songbirds. sites. ospreys can be seen preparing to nest. parks and nurseries offer opportunities to buy live christmas trees, including pine, holly and red cedar. $10 each @ The And it’s time to wish for another Moleskine daily Islander, planner. 3218 E. Bay Drive, HB. Happy exploring in 2018.

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THE ISLANDER n JAN. 3, 2018 n 27

Flashback â&#x20AC;&#x2122;17

Snooty, the famous manatee, dies

A hatchling discovered Sept. 26 during a nest excavation in Holmes Beach crawls to the Gulf of Mexico, but appeared sluggish to observers. Anna Maria Island Turtle watch section 6 coordinator Annie Camp noticed the hatchling was still attached to its yolk sack and retrieved the tiny loggerhead for rehab. Islander Photo: ChrisAnn Silver Esformes

Snooty, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest captive manatee and Manatee Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own, died July 23, a day after the South Florida Museum in Bradenton celebrated his birthday. SFM found Snooty dead, leaving a community to mourn and the museum to investigate. Islander Courtesy Photo

Flashback â&#x20AC;&#x2122;17

Mote Marine takes a look back to 2017

In 2017, Mote Marine Laboratoryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s research and education programs took on some of the oceansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; toughest challenges and set the stage for decades of discovery and positive impacts. the Sarasota institution provided the following flashback to 2017. January: Mote deals with the mass stranding of false killer whales. a mote scientist is featured on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mythbusters: The Search.â&#x20AC;? And Mote scientists tested Barnacle Stop product. February: SCuBAnauts Sarasota Chapter is announced. a study shows feeding wild dolphins can hurt them. a donation helps expand red tide research in Boca grande. â&#x20AC;&#x153;the teeth Beneathâ&#x20AC;? exhibit opens in the Mote Aquarium. March: A grant supports climate change studies with marine organisms. the ocearcH expeditions track sharks. A Mote study highlights manateesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; super sense of touch. mote scientists study coral immune systemsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; susceptibility to disease. April: Moteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s digital learning program gets honors. Scientists and students tag 34 sharks. Seven years after

the Bp oil spill, research is making great progress. May: Mote opens its new Keys facility. Mote invents a patented method for distinguishing male and female fish. June: The state budget contains appropriation for mote coral restoration. a study looks at acidifying oceans and coral disease. an app for reporting red tide gets released. July: Divers protect more than a million fish from invasive lionfish. A Mote-rehabilitated dolphin is seen with second calf. August: Mote touts fish farming research with almaco jack. September: A study finds u.S. fin ban wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help save sharks. October: The Barancik Foundation supports coral reef restoration. mote reports a record year for dolphin calves in Sarasota Bay. November: Whale shark hotspots are identified with help from citizen scientists. the Keys lab earns LEED Gold certification for sustainability. Mote scientists study how ocean acidification could affect stone

crabs. High schoolers find plastic in southwest Florida waters and fish. December: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sea Debrisâ&#x20AC;? exhibit opens at the aquarium. Mote tests a system for reducing red tide in canals. the stormwater systems of phillippi creek can support snook and bass, a study suggests. EAT-IN OR TAKE-OUT

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28 n JAN. 3, 2018 n THE ISLANDER

Counting up to top Islander sports story of the year By Kevin p. cassidy islander reporter It’s hard to believe another year has passed and, oh boy, this one was a doozy! Weather played a big role in making 2017 difficult on sports enthusiasm with Hurricane irma the leading culprit, but there were other weather issues as well. As I’ve stated more than once in my 25-plus years writing an Islander sports year in review, there’s nothing scientific in how I come up with my top 10 list. Cassidy entertainment value, excitement level, drama, uniqueness and even cuteness factor into my rankings. this is a sports column and sports are supposed to be fun, so having fun leads off my top-10 sports stories for 2017. Happy reading and happy new year. 10. Key royale golf news The Key Royale Club’s golf results are a regular staple of my weekly contribution to the islander. the club played host to several special events in the year. The annual Men’s Club Championship was one such event reported in the feb. 21 issue. gary risner defended his championship with scores of 69, 68 for a 9-over-par 137 that easily surpassed the 152 (75, 77) carded by runnerup ron pritchard. also in the feb. 21 reporting, the women held a special Valentine’s Day member-guest event titled for the Love of golf. Sixty-eight members and guests particpated in the feb. 14 four-person scramble. In first place, tied with a low-net score of 18.75, were the teams of debbie richardson and guest Sharon ellen and Jana Samuels and guest Barbara Krueger. the march 28 issue was highlighted by the annual President’s Cup tourney, when Gary Risner cinched his clubhouse bragging rights with a 2-under-par 30 to win the low-gross score, while club president mike gillie recorded the low-net score of 6-under-par 26. the april 4 issue reported on greg Shorten surviving five weeks of grueling match play, ermerging as the 2017 club champ after rolling past tom nelson by a four and three score. the club women held their annual Spring doe day April 5 with a theme of “The Royals.” Costumes and decorations reflected the royal touch as reported April 11. the golf action mirrored the ryder cup with twosomes competing over three holes of best ball, three holes of best shot and three holes of alternate shot play. Jane perkins and marty clark were the big winners on the day with a net score of 12-under-par 20. The April 25 issue, we reported on the April 19

Sam Samuels, Dom Livedoti, Fred Gelderman, Bob Palmer, John Crawford, Gene Bobeldyk, Bill Fox and Neil Hennessey show off the medals they won at the Gulf Coast Senior Games held at G.T. Bray Park Feb. 16. Islander Photo: Courtesy Bob Lee action at the Key royale club that attracted 43 golfers to Spring Stag day. dave richardson posted the best low-gross score with a 2-over-par 34 while chet Hutton and paul phillips tied for the best low-net score with matching 4-under-par 28s. the team of John Kolojeski, phillips, gino diclemente and Vince mercadante combined on a 4-underpar 124 to win the team low-net competition. Last but not least, the Key royale club hosted an oktoberfest Scramble oct. 14 that included a traditional german buffett enjoyed that evening by more 60 club members. 9. Anna Maria pitchers another staple of my sports column is the weekly reports sent in by the anna maria city Hall horseshoe pitchers. The following are some of the year’s highlights, which begins with the second annual ron pepka memorial Horseshoe tournament march 4, reported in the march 14 edition. fourteen teams showed up to honor the late pepka, a long-time participant and leader of the group. the team of rod Bussey and Jay disbrow took first place with a 23-7 victory in the finals over mason and nigg. the march 14 edition reported on several members of the anna maria horseshoe group venturing off the island to participate in the 28th annual gulf coast Senior games at g.t. Bray park in Bradenton. they brought home some serious hardware. dom Livedoti, Bob palmer and gene Bobeldyk won gold medals, while Sam Samuels, Bill fox and neil Hennessey brought home silver. fred gelderman

Anna Maria Island Tides

Date

Jan 3 Jan 4 Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7 Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 10

2:34p 1:41p 2:42p 12:05a 12:55a 1:53a 3:05a 4:42a

HIGH

1.2 — 1.4 11:20p 1.4 — 2.6 3:43p 2.4 4:41p 2.2 5:30p 1.9 6:12p 1.6 6:51p

— 2.7 — 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.6

7:05a 6:21a 7:12a 8:03a 8:57a 9:51a 10:46a 11:40a

LOW

Moon

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LOW

3rd

AM City Pier tides; Cortez high tides 7 minutes later — lows 1:06 later

Fiona McCarthy breaks three boards with her elbow during the May 6 Gladiator Dojo Kid’s Karate Championship at the Center of Anna Maria Island. Islander Photo: Kevin P. Cassidy

and John crawford completed the medal haul for the group with bronze medals. The Sept. 5 issue saw Tim Sofran run his winning streak to four at the anna maria city Hall horseshoe pits. Sofran grabbed his third successive victory during the aug. 30 games when he walked his way to the only 3-0 pool-play record and was the day’s outright champ. on Sept. 2, Sofran teamed up with Jay disbrow to defeat neil Hennessey and Steve doyle by a 21-13 score to earn yet another trip to the winner’s circle. However, Sofran’s streak was eclipsed in the Nov. 11 issue when dom Livedoti ran his winning streak to five in a row during Nov. 1 horseshoe action. He teamed up with Jay disbrow to defeat Sofran and Hank Huyghe by a 21-3 score. 8. Winning isn’t everything When the parents of players who signed up for the age 6-7 division of the youth soccer league at the center of anna maria island received the game schedule and saw only one team listed, they probably had a few questions. Consider them answered. the center revamped its instructional league — the 4-5 and 6-7 players — in order to put the focus on instruction. Even though the center hadn’t kept track of wins and losses and didn’t kept standings for the young players, there was still too much focus on winning the game. coach nathan Kragt led a group of about 20 youngsters through a series of ball drills called coerver Skills. Coerver skills develop first touch and dribbling by getting kids to feel comfortable with the ball at their feet. the skill drills continued for a while and then the kids were split up into teams for scrimmages. Watch out for these up and coming players when they move up to the big field. They’ve got skills. 7. gladiator Dojo karate takes over center the may 9 edition of the islander highlighted the Gladiator Dojo Kid’s Karate Island Championship at the center may 6. the tournament gave students of the dojo a chance to show off the skills and disciplines. the student competitors ranged in age from 4 to 12 and competed in empty-handed katas or forms, weapons forms and breaking pro-force boards. Sensei omar Schwanzer leads the island contingent with classes at the center with about 13 students. Schwanzer also holds classes at ami fitness for kids, as well as self-defense courses for women and seniors. 6. sato runs up perfect season Sato real estate completed an unblemished season in the adult soccer league July 6 at the center with a dominating 8-2 victory over moss Builders. after rolling through the regular season, Sato won three consecutive playoff games by a combined score of 23-5 to finish with a 10-0 overall record and the championship. Kevin roman and Jake parsons both had two goals and an assist to lead Sato real estate in the championship game, which also saw a pair of goals from chris Klotz. Josh Sato and Lyn clark added a goal each, while adam mott chipped in with an assist and goalie Jordan demers came through with 11 saves. matt Kretzman and diego felipe each scored a goal for moss Builders, while goalie Shawn mccarthy finished with eight saves in the loss. Next week: 2017 stories 1-5.

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THE ISLANDER n Jan. 3, 2018 n 29

Mild winter temps produce stellar fishing action By Capt. Danny Stasny Islander Reporter For yet another week, mild temperatures and stellar fishing conditions make the little paradise we call Anna Maria Island attractive to visiting and local anglers alike. Fishing nearshore and offshore is producing a variety of species, ranging from bottom dwellers — grouper, snapper and hogfish — to migratory fish — cobia, amberjack, kings and tuna. Things are sure to change soon Stasny when old man winter blows the cold weather down from the north. But until they do, it’s time to celebrate where we live and our easy access to the beautiful emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. On my Southernaire charters, I’m cashing in on the light winds and calm seas. Venturing out to the 40-50 foot depths is resulting in numerous catches fit for a fish fry. Key West grunts — the most abundant — are taking shrimp. Mangrove and lane snapper, gag grouper and hogfish are being reeled up with frequency. And, when we get tired of bottom fishing, there is an abundance of kingfish on the surface to keep us occupied. There’s great action for wintertime fishing in west-central Florida. Moving inshore, I’m finding pompano and permit along channel edges and deeper grass flats and freshcut shrimp added to a pink jig is like candy for both species. The hardest part is finding these fish but, once you do, it’s game on. Have a happy new year and keep your lines Tom Young of Pennsylvania shows off a 15-pound kingfish caught Dec. 22 on a guided fishing trip with Capt. Aaron Lowman. Young had a live blue runner for bait. Lowman said Young and his group also caught a mess of hogfish, mangrove snappers and red grouper.

Mary Allen Murray of Bradenton and Alan Brown, visiting Anna Maria Island from Maryland, show off a pair of pompano they caught using live shrimp on a Dec. 27 charter with Capt. Danny Stasny. tight! Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says determined anglers are finding a few sheepshead and some black drum with shrimp on their hooks. With water temps in the 60-70 degree range, there are mangrove snapper to be caught. Fishing early morning, when the bait schools are present at the pier, is producing Spanish mackerel and ladyfish. Capt. Aaron Lowman is heading offshore for a variety of fish. Fishing ledges and hard bottom is leading to bent rods with Key West grunts, hogfish, gag grouper and snapper at the end of the line. In the same areas are king mackerel and a few bonito. Porgies and flounder are being taken by some lucky anglers. Moving inshore, Lowman is targeting sheepshead, black drum and redfish around residential docks and canals.

Flashback ’17

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Capt. Warren Girle is taking his anglers offshore with good results. Using live shrimp as bait is producing good-eating species — the most predominant bites from Key West grunts, mangrove and lane snapper. Hogfish and big gag grouper are rounding out the bite. Kingfish are present offshore for anglers looking for drag-screaming action. Moving inshore, Girle is hooking numerous redfish on fresh-cut chunks of ladyfish. He also said catchand-release snook fishing is productive. Lastly spotted seatrout and bluefish are being caught on the deeper flats. Capt. Jason Stock is working offshore when the seas are calm and the winds are down. While fishing reefs and wrecks, Stock is encountering a variety of fish, including red and gag grouper, amberjack, permit and kingfish. Goliath grouper are present in these areas for anglers who think they have the strength to pull one up from the depths. While in transit from spot to spot, Stock is spotting tripletail around floating debris. Casting live shrimp to these fish can result in an instant hookup. Capt. David White of Anna Maria Charters is on beach patrol in search of kingfish. Cruising along within a mile of shore, White is finding numerous kings in the 25-pound class. Slow-trolling threadfin herring or anchoring and chumming with live shiners is attracting a bite. On the flats of Sarasota and Tampa bays, White is finding over-slot redfish, catch-and-release snook and plenty of keeper-size trout. Structure in the bay is holding sheepies, according to White, which are readily taking shrimp. Lastly, pompano are being caught on shrimp-tipped jigs along the edges of the flats and along sandbars. Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.

Hook a shark, catch a crowd

An unidentified man catches a 4-foot shark off the Anna Maria City Pier the evening of Aug. 10. A crowd of nearly 100 people watched as he pulled the shark to shore and then released the animal back into the bay. Islander Photo: Jack Elka

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30 n JAN. 3, 2018 n THE ISLANDER

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biz

BY SANDY AMBROGI

Oh, they come and they go

Bradenton Beach eatery swims upstream to HB Here or there? Some speculate it will go into the old Lobstahs location, while other’s wonder, where else could it go? Scott Lubore, former operator of the freckled fin, which closed abruptly in february, posted on his facebook page that the name of the business has changed to freckled fin irish pub and music Hall — and he anticipates a Feb. 1 opening in Holmes Beach at 5337 gulf drive, leaving the grumps and grinds of running a music venue in Bradenton Beach to others. Lobstahs property owner mike Hynds wrote in an email dec. 28, “no one has signed a lease for the restaurant space at 5337 Gulf Drive as of today.” Hynds said Lubore expressed interest along with two other prospects for the Lobstahs space. Hynds was turned away by Holmes Beach commissioners last month when he applied to open a Finnegan’s Bar and Grill in the space. Mayor Bob

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prgress northward. mar Vista dockside, 760 Broadway St., went through a remodel on the north end, finishing off the updates for Ed Chiles’ trio of restaurants. Meanwhile, it’s been a slow but sure rise for the Shore Longboat. the restaurant, under construction adjacent to Mar Vista on the former site of Moore’s Stone crab restaurant at 800 Broadway St., Longboat Key, is due to open in early 2018. At the site of former Pattigeorge’s Waterfront Restaurant further south at 4120 gulf of mexico drive, a new sign says “coming soon, Buccaneer.” the original Buccaneer restaurant was before my time, but I’m told it was a legendary, secluded northend spot with a peg-legged pirate valet car parker. the original Buccaneer opened in 1957. the gonzmart family of restaurants plans to The windows of the Bradenton Beach location open the new Buccaneer in 2019. they also own the formerly leased to the Freckled Fin are covered columbia restaurants, ulele and goody goody Burgwhile the owner undertakes remodeling. Meanwhile, ers, among others. former Freckled Fin operator Scott Lubore posted richard gonzmart said his goal is to pay homage his plans on Facebook for a Feb. 1 opening of the to some of the original Buccaneer’s menu favorites and new Freckled Fin Irish Pub and Music Hall at 5337 build an architectural gem for Longboat Key. there Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. The site formerly housed also will be dockage on the property — as there was Lobstahs. Islander Photo: Sandy Ambrogi at the original — for those arriving by water. moving north to Bradenton Beach, the Bridge Johnson said the franchise would violate the city’s Street Bistro and island time Bar and grill at 111 gulf temporary moratorium on formula businesses. drive S. sold in october. Both continue as usual as of facebook posting has been brisk and positive on islander press time. the freckled fin feed. But no lease? tommy Knockers clam Stand opened in the old A year of open, close, relocating eateries castaways location at Seventh Street north in BradenWe start with Longboat Key, a shorter list, and ton Beach, a third tommy Knockers opened on cortez road in Bradenton. island Spice moved from its storefront at 1701 EXPERIENCE REPUTATION gulf drive n., Bradenton Beach, to the spot next to RESULTS Salon Salon on east Bay drive in Holmes Beach in SALES/RENTALS the spring, making way for Smoqehouse AMI at the 43 Years of Professional Service to Anna Maria Island 1701 address and an array of smoked sandwiches. HERON’S WATCH 10 minutes to beaches. 4 BR + Den. Excellently maintained, in Holmes Beach, Lobstahs closed its doors, along tastefully decorated. No rental limitations. MLS A4142821. $359,000. with Maria’s Family Place under the cell tower at 5904 BAY PALMS 3BR/2BA well-maintained, recent roof and other improvements, marina drive. isola Bella italian eatery opened dec. garage, pool, spa, private rear yard. $583,500. VACATION/SEASONAL RENTALS GULFFRONT PROPERTIES BOOKING NOW 1 in Maria’s old location. 941-778-0807 and, we would be remiss not to mention eliza tdolly1@yahoo.com • www.tdollyyoungrealestate.com Ann’s Coastal Kitchen started serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in the newly opened Waterline marina Resort and Beach Club, 5325 Marina Drive. Last, but not least, Sean murphy opened the doctor’s Office — his third AMI installment— at 5312

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THE ISLANDER n JAN. 3, 2018 n 31

Holmes Blvd. in January and has been treating patients with craft cocktail prescriptions formulated to cure whatever ails its patrons. It quickly became the place to see and be seen in 2017. anna maria saw several eatery changes. Some apparently are still searching for dips, which vacated the Sun plaza on gulf drive and relocated to the anna Maria General Store, 503 Pine Ave. The Anna Maria Island Creamery filled the void at 298 Palm Ave., offering bakery goods, chocolates and gelatos, among other treats . ed Spring departed his Sign of the mermaid establishment in July after a number of good years and new owners dean and dione mattheus stepped in. The shuttered Rudy’s Subs, 9906 Gulf Drive, sprang back to life in 2017 as new owners renamed it my ami and added some french fare. Better hurry for these goodies — it’s breakfast and lunch only, mon petites. dizzy yet? the city pier restaurant was closed in September until the pier is rebuilt, leaving the crew scrambling for work. in store for next year? that remains to be seen. But some opening, closing and moving will surely be involved. Happy new year!

Flashback ’17

The Rev. Frank McGrath, left, of CITI Ministries, Rather Welch of Bins Be Clean, and Maureen Kraker of 2 Herons Landing enjoy the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce holiday breakfast Dec. 13 at Harry’s Continental Kitchens on Longboat Key. The Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe at the Manatee Public Beach will host the first breakfast of the year at 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10. The cafe is at 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Cost is $8 for members. Islander Photo: Courtesy AMICofC/Cathy Pizzo

BizCal

Chambers set events for celebrations, networking

the anna maria island chamber of commerce is welcoming a new member, the donut House-espresso and more, with a ribbon-cutting at 11 a.m. thursday, Jan. 4, at the new store, 3211 manatee ave. W., Bradenton. the shop will offer samples of doughnuts and croinuts and also features Vietnamese banh mi and spring rolls. chamber members and guests will celebrate a new

A celebratory ribboncutting with representatives of the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce launches year 26 at The Islander newspaper 25-year anniversary celebration Nov. 15 at the office, 3218 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach. Islander Photo: Courtesy Sugar Beach Digital/ Kenny Heidt

location of former board president Cindy Thompson’s business, Inhale Salt Spa, 4815 Manatee Ave., Bradenton, 5-7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5. A ribbon-cutting will take place at 5:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. the rod and reel resort, 877 n. Shore drive, Anna Maria, will be the site of a re-opening party at 5 p.m. thursday, Jan. 11. the ami chamber will hold a ribbon-cutting at the property at 5:30 p.m. and appetiz-

ers, beverages and tours of the property will be offered. the public is invited. the Longboat Key chamber of commerce has no January events scheduled as of islander press time. for information about the LBK chamber or reservations for events, call the chamber at 941-383-2466, visit the website at longboatkeychamber.com or the office at 5390 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key.

32 n JAN. 3, 2018 n THE ISLANDER

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ISLANDERCLASSIFIEDS ITEMS FOR SALE

BOATS & BOATING Continued

COMPUTER: DELL DUAL core, refurbished, $50. 941-756-6728.

PONTOON BOAT RENTAL Create life long memories. Call 941-778-2121 or see boatﬂorida.net.

ANTIQUE PARTNER DESK: All wood, $1,000. See at The Islander ofﬁce, 3218 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach.

FOR SALE: 2010 Tohatsu 20-hp outboard motor. Low hours, very good condition. Cortez. 540270-7666.

FOUR OAK OFFICE chairs: Antiques, perfect for eclectic dining set. The Islander newspaper, 3218 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach.

HELP WANTED

FREEBIE ITEMS FOR SALE Individuals may place one free ad with up to three items, each priced $100 or less, 15 words or less. FREE, one week, must be submitted online. Email classiﬁeds@islander.org, fax toll-free 1-866-3629821. (limited time offer)

ANNOUNCEMENTS WANTED: WORKOUT DVDs and retired but working XBox, Wii units with games for Ministry of Presence for kids and teens in Haiti. Deliver to The Islander, 3218 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach. WANTED: YOUR OLD cell phone for recycling. Deliver to The Islander, 3218 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach. AERIAL PHOTOS of Anna Maria Island. View and purchase online: www.jackelka.com. FREE GUN LOCK courtesy of Project Childsafe, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Holmes Beach Police Department. Pick up at The Islander ofﬁce, 3218 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach. Don’t be sorry, be safe.

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ROSER THRIFT SHOP: Open 9:30 a.m.-2p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m.-1p.m. Saturday. Donations preferred 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Wednesdays. 511 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. 941-779-2733.

AMI CENTRE, 3218 E. BAY DRIVE, HOLMES BEACH 941 778-7978 • WWW.ISLANDER.ORG

AdoptA-Pet

LOST & FOUND LOST: WEST MARINE dinghy 10-foot, 2.3 Honda gray motor. Broke loose during storm. May be southbound toward Sarasota Bay from Historical Pier. Cortez Coast Guard, 941-794-1607, or Capt. Thomas, 941-718-2329.

rollo is a happy boy! He’s a 3-year-old mixed breed. He has all his shots and he’s in great health. Available to adopt: www.moonraceranimalrescue.com or email moonraceranimalrescue@gmail.com call lisa Williams at 941-345-2441 or visit the Islander next to Walgreens in Holmes Beach for more …

PETS PET PAL PET sitting: Short and long term, in your house or mine. 18-year Island resident. 941-7045937. e.davies5937@gmail.com. YOU CAN HELP! Fosters, volunteers, retailtype help needed for Moonracer No Kill Animal Rescue. Please email: moonraceranimalrescue@ gmail.com.

TRANSPORTATION WANTED: RELIABLE, CLEAN, low-mileage, inexpensive used sedan or small SUV for grandchild. Call 941-778-7978.