The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024
By the light of the silvery cloud streaks Jamie Pollard of cortez wins the sixth and final week of the Islander’s 2024 top Notch contest with this photograph, taken July 3 in cortez about 5:40 a.m. of the moon and noctilucent clouds following a rocket launch on the Space coast. the photographer wins an Islander “more-than-a-mullet wrapper” t-shirt and entry into the finals, which offers a grand prize of $100 from the Islander and gift certificates from Islander advertisers. Look to the Aug. 28 issue for the grand-prize announcement.
Water quality concerns persist post-TS Debby
By robert Anderson Islander reporter
Tropical Storm Debby, which impacted the Manatee County area beginning Aug. 3, caused flooding and infrastructure damage throughout the region, including major disruptions to the area’s sanitary sewer systems.
the reports of sewage overfl ows into watersheds elevated ongoing concerns about polluted water.
according to reports from the city of Bradenton dated Aug. 4 and Aug. 5 and confirmed by the Florida department of Environmental protection, about 25 million gallons of untreated sewage overflowed into local water systems because of the storm.
another estimated 17 million gallons of spilled sewage was reported by the city of sarasota, making for combined estimates of about 42 million gallons or just under 100 Olympic-sized swimming pools worth of contaminated water entering Sarasota Bay. there also were reports of overflows from other counties in the region. the overflows entered waterways, resulting in millions of gallons of contamination spilling into bodies of water that flow into Sarasota Bay, leading to unease regarding the safety of recreating at beach and bay des-
A boy’s elbow shows signs of staph infection Aug. 11 acquired after tropical Storm Debby. Islander Photo: courtesy christy raulerson tinations.
The Islander spoke with Abbey Tyrna, executive director of suncoast Waterkeeper, a nonprofit organization that monitors local water quality through independent testing, about the storm’s impact.
About the Bradenton pollution, Tyrna on aug. 13 said, “that’s a lot of sewage and PLeASe, See water quality, PAge 2
Cortez fishers endure TS Debby hazards at sea
By robert Anderson Islander reporter
One cortez fishing fleet vessel spent Tropical Storm Debby at sea.
A rescue operation was launched Aug. 4 by the u.s. coast Guard to find the fishing vessel and rescue the crew.
the vessel, the she’s a Belle, is part of the a.p. Bell Fish co. fleet out of cortez. the boat and crew were adrift in hazardous conditions for several days.
Karen Bell, owner of Bell Fish co., 4539 124th court W., cortez, spoke to the Islander Aug. 14 about the ordeal that began aug. 2, before the storm’s arrival, with mechanical issues on the boat.
“the vessel had been out for about five or six days and started encountering problems with fuel,” Bell said. “i advised (the captain) to stay close to shore.”
the she’s a Belle and the four-person crew were fishing near the tortugas, engaging in bandit fi shing — a method requiring gear that drops long vertical distances. Bandit rigs are used to target reef species, such as grouper, snapper, triggerfish and amberjack. the gear gets its name from the resemblance to slot machines — aka onearmed bandits — in casinos.
the fishing was excellent, with the captain reporting catches of snapper.
However, the vessel began to experience communication difficulties and, as debby intensifi ed into a tropical storm, a call to return to port went unheeded.
Bell said offshore captains have multiple ways to communicate while at sea and she and the captain began using email. She also could see the boat through a vessel monitoring system that would use Gps to ping its location every hour.
“He emailed me saying his satellite phone wasn’t working. i advised him to move north and stay close to a larger boat, the lisa Bell, which was nearby,” Bell said.
As the storm neared, the She’s A Belle
2024 elections
At the polls
Island voters were headed to the polls tuesday, Aug. 20, to cast primary ballots, including in key manatee county commission races. Polling was to be 7 a.m.-7 p.m. results will be posted at votemanatee.com.
water quality coNtINueD from PAge 1 partially treated sewage, all mixed with rainwater. That goes into the manatee river and that moves with currents to the Gulf.”
tyrna said her group does not monitor Gulf of m exico sites but does administer testing in area bays.
Gulf site testing falls under the purview of the Florida Healthy Beach p rogram run by the Florida department of Health.
almost all Gulf beach testing sites monitored by the dOH showed no impairment and no high levels of enterococci bacteria in Aug. 11 and Aug. 13 testing.
However, palma sola Bay causeway North, tested by the DOH, produced higher than acceptable enterococci bacteria levels and was under a health advisory, according to the DOH website Aug. 13.
tyrna said the Gulf sites flush more readily due to their exposure to large volumes of open water.
“We can say for certain that the bay has a whole different hydrologic exchange rate than the Gulf,” tyrna said. “When we did (bay) sampling, we found there was high fecal indicator bacteria at almost all of our monitored locations and it has been consistently high.”
Waterkeeper tests at 11 bay sites in manatee and Sarasota County waters.
Test results in Manatee County Aug. 7 showed “don’t swim” levels at robinson preserve and palma Sola North in Bradenton.
the Historic Bridge street pier in Bradenton Beach and the longboat Key Boat ramp on longboat Key showed results in the “take caution” levels.
Tyrna said decaying plant matter can worsen the results of testing for enterococcus bacteria, which is indicative of fecal contamination and can pose health risks to people, including gastrointestinal issues and skin infections.
“When you have decaying plant matter, that can really concentrate those bacteria and it really can provide a nice refuge for it and you can get really elevated concentrations,” she said.
the elevated levels detected by suncoast Water-
the ear of Samuel raulerson, 8, Aug. 14, after exposure to the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, according to emergency clinic doctors. Samuel and other locals were exposed to staph after contact with flood waters associated with tropical Storm Debby.
keeper led tyrna to advise caution for people engaging in recreational activities in the bays.
“the health risks associated with these elevated bacteria levels are significant, particularly for vulnerable populations like children and the elderly,” she continued.
several families in anna maria, Holmes Beach and also in the palma sola area following the storm reported staph infections in their children, which they attributed to exposure to contaminated waters during flooding associated with debby.
christy raulerson of Holmes Beach said her children developed staph infections after playing in stand-
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ing water.
“We’ve been through many storms out here and usually we will let them take their kayaks out and paddle around in the storm waters,” raulerson said in an aug 13 interview with the islander. “the kids were playing in a puddle. This is water that had collected from overflow from the canal and rainwater from the street.”
raulerson, who lives on 74th street in Holmes Beach, said her son samuel, 8, had had a cut above his ear and a small cut above his eyebrow that she was monitoring before the storm.
the morning after the children had been playing in water, she checked the cut on samuel’s ear and found it was red and swollen, with puss-filled bumps.
raulerson took samuel to an emergency clinic and was told he had a staph infection and he would need antibiotics.
infections caused by the staphylococcus aureus can be caused by exposure to harmful bacteria in polluted water, including while swimming, canoeing or
The Islander poll
Last week’s question
By Lisa Neff
It’s back -to-school for local kids! When’s the last time you purchased writing paper?
15%. This past month.
13%. This past year.
73%. Can’t even remember. This week’s question
Do you celebrate the date you moved to the island area?
a. Of course.
B. Never thought about it.
c i’m a native.
d still dreaming about making the move. To answer the poll, go online to islander.org. To suggest a question, email lisa@islander.org.
PLeASe, See water quality, Next PAge
water quality coNtINueD from PAge 2
surfing, according to the National institute of Health.
raulerson’s older son, Jeremiah, 10, developed a staph infection on his arms and legs.
r aulerson connected t he i slander with friends who experienced similar infections, including the Hood family of palma sola, who reported their sons, Everett, 9, and charlie, 6, experienced symptoms of staph infections after playing in bay waters near Bayfront park in anna maria after the storm.
charlie’s infection was mostly healed aug. 15 but Everett was placed on a stronger course of antibiotics, according to raulerson.
the Kesten family in northwest Bradenton also faced health issues after the storm, when r uby, 9, developed staph-based cellulitis on her foot.
Kim Kesten, ruby’s mom, said she discovered the infection after she and her children visited Bishop point east of desoto National memorial in Bradenton, where they waded in the shallow river water near an area littered with dead fish.
raulerson said she submitted a report to the dOH about the infections.
The Manatee County Health Department issued
Coast Guard medevacs AMI boater
u . s . c oast Guard crews a ug. 16 medevaced a 51-year-old man from a fishing boat 45 miles west of Anna Maria Island.
An Air Station Clearwater aircrew and a Station st. petersburg boat crew coordinated the medevac, according to an aug. 16 news release, which said the man was transported to tampa General Hospital for medical care.
the patient was transferred from the fishing vessel to an m H-60 Jayhawk helicopter from a ir s tation Clearwater.
at 12:23 p.m. aug. 16, coast Guard sector st. p etersburg watchstanders received a call from the owner of the commercial fishing boat, team Galati,
advisories and warnings to avoid the potentially contaminated waters of palma sola Bay as of aug. 13.
the islander reached out to the dOH for comment aug. 12 but, as of press time, there was no reply.
meanwhile, suncoast Waterkeeper continued to monitor Sarasota Bay, encouraging people to exercise caution.
See more on water quality at islander.org.
For the record: Tropical Storm Debby’s details
the National Weather service for the tampa Bay region issued its “post tropical cyclone” report for tropical s torm d ebby, which impacted the island area aug. 3-6.
t he NW s reported: d ebby developed from tropical depression Four, which formed along the southern coast of cuba around 11 p.m. aug. 2.
the depression moved into the southeast Gulf of mexico and strengthened into tropical storm Debby at 5 p.m. Aug. 3.
Debby continued organizing while turning northwest then north Aug. 4, strengthening to a hurricane at 11 p.m. while centered about 100 miles west-northwest of tampa.
The hurricane gradually turned north-northeast while continuing to strengthen and made landfall near Steinhatchee around 7 p.m. Aug. 5.
“Debby produced storm surge and wind damage across west central and southwest Florida as it passed by the area to the west. However its most significant impact was river and flash flooding caused by torrential rainfall, which in parts of Manatee and Sarasota counties totaled between 15 and 20 inches, prompting the closure of numerous roadways and requiring water rescues from stranded vehicles, homes and apartments in area neighborhoods.”
— Lisa Neff
reporting a crew member suffered chest pains and needed medical attention.
“the teamwork of the captain of the distressed vessel, along with our partners at air station clearwater were paramount in ensuring the patient was able to access a higher level of care,” said petty Officer 2nd class Nick Jennings, a crew member from station st. petersburg’s 45-foot response boat.
the coast Guard did not release other information about the incident.
— Lisa Neff
A u.S. coast guard Station St. Petersburg crew medevacs a 51-year-old man Aug. 16 from the team galati boat about 45 miles west of Anna maria Island. Islander Photo: courtesy u.S. coast guard Station St. Petersburg
Holmes Beach treasurer resigns suddenly for move, city names successor
By ryan Paice Islander reporter
Family duties are calling Holmes Beach treasurer Cindy Dunham-Tozer back to Michigan. so the city searched for a successor — and found one in short order.
city commissioners unanimously voted aug. 16 to appoint Julie marcotte, a certified public accountant from connecticut, to succeed dunham-tozer as treasurer in September.
The city treasurer is a chartered position, so appointments and removals must be approved by the commission.
The municipality hired Dunham-Tozer to succeed retired treasurer lori Hill in February 2023. dunham-tozer came from michigan and formerly
worked in manufacturing and for the Fruitport charter Township.
after a year and a half with the city, she is set to return to michigan to help care for family.
“i fully supported her. Her family needs her,” mayor Judy titsworth told the islander aug. 15. dunham-tozer will work a couple of weeks into september and show marcotte the ropes before leaving for michigan.
titsworth expressed appreciation for dunhamTozer’s work to all but complete the municipal budget for fiscal 2024-25, which will go into effect Oct. 1.
“she’s been a great treasurer,” titsworth said. “i’m so thrilled and thanked her immensely for staying through the budget. … It actually worked out to be really good timing.”
Back in business
A parking lot administered by Beach to Bay LLc at 101 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach, is open Aug. 13. the city shut down the lot Aug. 9 but allowed it to reopen a few hours later — after reassurance of compliance from Beach to Bay’s legal counsel. Islander Photo: robert Anderson
city officials and staff praised dunham-tozer’s work during the meeting called to appoint her successor.
Building official Neal schwartz said he had become friends with dunham-tozer during her time with the city and would miss her at city hall.
“We hate to see you go,” commission chair terry schaefer said.
In Dunham-Tozer’s stead, Titsworth recommended the commission appoint marcotte, an “amazing” candidate, as treasurer.
marcotte graduated from the university of rhode Island with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, then obtained a master of Business administration degree in finance from the Nichols college in dudley, massachusetts.
According to her resume, Marcotte has worked as the finance director of the town of Griswold in connecticut and most recently as a controller for Webco Chemical Corp. in Massachusetts.
commissioner pat morton moved to approve titsworth’s recommendation to appoint Marcotte.
Commissioner Dan Diggins seconded the motion, which passed.
marcotte will begin work for the city tuesday, Sept. 3.
Beach treasurer cindy Dunham-tozer attends the Aug. 16 special meeting that was called to appoint her successor. Islander
Holmes
Photo: ryan Paice
experienced a problem with its radar system.
Karen Bell, owner of A.P. Bell fish co., 4600 124th St. court W., cortez, stands aboard the She’s A Belle — part of the A.P. Bell fishing fleet. the vessel as of Aug. 19 was undergoing repairs after the boat and its crew endured harsh conditions in the gulf of mexico during tropical Storm Debby. Islander Photo: robert Anderson
“the boat drifted and by the time lisa Bell reached it, the storm was already hitting cuba,” Bell said. “the (lisa Bell) crew had to tow the she’s a Belle at a slow pace due to the rough weather.”
“They were only going 4 knots because it was even rougher and the weather was deteriorating,” she added.
during the night, the crew of the she’s a Belle resolved their fuel issue while under tow and they were able to get back under way on their own power.
With the engine working again, the she’s a Belle detached from the lisa Bell.
1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 941-748-4501, mymanatee. org.
COrteZ FiSHerS coNtINueD from PAge 1 Plan now for the next holiday!
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A Belle continued their way toward Cortez through Saturday night, Aug. 3.
Bell said sometime during the night of aug. 3, the she’s a Belle began drifting east.
On the morning of aug. 4, Bell woke to find the lisa Bell within an hour of longboat pass.
But the she’s a Bell was just off Fort myers, roughly eight hours behind schedule.
after speaking with the captain, Bell said the she’s A Belle began tracking north. But the vessel suffered another setback — its anchor line became fouled in the prop.
Now, without power and with the lisa Bell too far away to render aid, the crew of the she’s a Belle had little recourse but to hold on and prepare to weather the storm without engines.
“The storm was right on their heels now and the weather was getting really foul,” Bell said.
Winds reached 40-50 knots and the boat and crew were tossed in 8- to 13-foot seas.
With no way to get the engine going, there was no way to keep the vessel’s bow into the waves and the captain had little control over the boat.
“she just floated, sometimes side, too,” Bell said. the waves were striking the boat from the side — heightening the risk of overturning.
“ i can’t believe she didn’t capsize but that boat’s very broad,” Bell said, referring to the width of the vessel’s hull. “it was a lot of rocking and really big seas.”
Despite the circumstances, Bell said the crew kept up efforts to maintain a positive outlook, taking inventory of repairs and damage to be assessed once the vessel was back to dock.
the first u.s. coast Guard attempts to aid the vessel were stymied due to the weather. a 45-foot vessel initially dispatched from station st. petersburg Aug. 4 turned back near Egmont Key due to harsh
conditions, Bell said.
Eventually a coast Guard cutter, the diligence, took over the rescue mission and, on the night of aug. 4, after enduring the storm’s fury and drifting offshore, the she’s a Belle was spotted near st. pete Beach pushed by strong winds about 100 miles north from where the vessel originally lost power.
the diligence watched over the she’s a Belle through the thick of the storm and the next morning, aug. 5, a 45-foot coast Guard cutter met the distressed vessel and began towing it toward tampa Bay.
Bell said she dispatched another fishing fleet vessel, the rachel Bell, to tow the vessel back to cortez.
“the coast Guard was incredible,” Bell said. “they went above and beyond and stayed close by to ensure the crew’s safety and assisted in the final stages of the rescue.”
Bell said the She’s A Belle was undergoing repairs in cortez and the crew, as of aug. 15, was back at work, at sea off the east coast of Florida on another vessel.
No rest for the weary.
the She’s A Belle out of cortez endures rough conditions Aug. 5 in the gulf of mexico. the vessel and its four-person crew were rescued by the u.S. coast guard after losing power. Islander Photo: courtesy uScg Southeast
77 days and counting
the primary voting will be tallied this week and for some offices, where only one party ran on the ballot, the races will be decided. For others, we must wait for the November polling to learn the winners. that time is less than 80 days away. Whew.
i’d sooner see it over tomorrow.
There are so many emails, so many texts, so many tV ads to come in the next 77 days that we’ll likely be screaming for peace and quiet before it’s all over. it will be important to sift the lies from the truth. But, where possible and practical for island voters, we will be fact-checking claims of candidates on local ballots.
“He said, she said” will have a watchdog at the Islander.
Any candidate in the local races who says they never raised taxes better be very sure of themselves. the basic requirements of candidates for office in the three cities will be scrutinized by the newspaper reporting staff and we expect you to call out discrepancies, too, if you see or hear them.
We’ve seen some fascinating “actors” in the past, and sometimes passions run high for friends or neighbors.
We don’t just want winners.
We want people ready to serve the community. They must be willing to do more than kiss babies and shake hands.
all three island cities face challenges from growth and development, a diminishing population of residents and a growing number of vacationers, and pressure to provide services and meet challenges.
A mayor or city commissioner must be able to do more than take a seat and nod.
they need to roll up their sleeves and pitch in, study the issues at home — especially as they compare to other cities across the state — and be aware of what is coming before the state to challenge our way of life on Anna Maria Island.
island officials may have batted their eyelashes in the past to get funding for pet projects or maybe they patronized this bar or that burger joint, or maybe they had no initiative at all.
OpinionYour Opinion
But for certain, much more is required of today’s public servants as far as integrity and morals go.
i’d like to think that in the 31-plus years i’ve watched elected officials come and go, they’ve become better stewards, more loyal to the ideals and demands of the island way of life.
Be prepared. Nov. 5 is not that far away.
— Bonner Joy, news@islander.org
Rules for who?
there are rules regarding life and living on anna maria island for the benefit of all.
But it seems there are some who ignore or bend the rules as they see fit, including:
Operations on the beach despite their proximity to sea turtle nests, disregard for planning requirements, developers obtaining after-the-fact permissions alcohol sales and various parking developments, coconut trees planted without permission along a state road, a multistory carpark being pushed on a municipality by the county and state.
Anna Maria: mayor dan murphy, 941-708-6130, cityofannamaria.com, ammayor@cityofannamaria. com.
Judy Loden Wasco
All others: news@islander.org
people come to the island to get away from such development.
so much has changed on the island. We’ve lost the little cafe on anna maria city pier and rotten ralphs, among other institutions.
We have lost character, the real Floridian character, as old cottages bought for peanuts are torn down to be replaced with totally inappropriate buildings occupied by tourists.
Come on people, wake up. You can protect the last few pieces of the real Florida.
Martin Hemming, Bradenton
Letters to the editor
The Islander welcomes your opinion letters Submit your opinion along with name, address and a contact phone number to news@islander.org.
Bradenton Beach : mayor John chappie, 941778-1005, mayor@cityofbradentonbeach.com.
Holmes Beach: mayor Judy titsworth, 941-7085800, hbmayor@holmesbeachfl.org.
Manatee County : republican commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge, 941-745-3705, kevin.vanostenbridge@mymanatee.org.
Florida Senate: republican Jim Boyd, 941-7426445, boyd.jim.web@flsenate.gov.
Florida House : republican William cloud “Will” robinson Jr., 941-708-4968, will.robinson@myfloridahouse.gov.
Florida Governor : republican ron desantis, 850-717-9337, flgov.com.
U.S. House : republican Vern Buchanan, 941951-6643, rep.vern.buchanan@mail.house.gov.
U.S. Senate: republican marco rubio, 305-5964224; republican rick scott, 786-501-7141.
President: democrat Joe Biden, 202-456-1111, whitehouse.gov/contact.
Check The Islander archives
some years ago, the islander was invited to take part in a pilot project with the university of Florida George a. smathers libraries. We donated the collection of newspapers beginning with the first issue in 1992 and they’re all there for you to explore. look for the islander in the uofF Florida digital newspaper collection at ufdc.ufl.edu.
Building in Bradenton Beach
A work crew lays the foundation for a new city hall in Bradenton Beach. the photo is not dated but the city’s website, cityofbradentonbeach.com, says the first city hall was constructed in the 1920s and the second and current building went up in the late 1970s. Islander Photos: manatee county Public Library System
A construction crew works at the Historic Bridge Street Pier in July 1995. the pier originally was fashioned from the wooden bridge built in the 1920s but was not needed after the drawbridge was built on cortez road.
Bradenton Beach city Hall, 107 gulf Drive N., stands in 1982. At the time, the building also housed the police department, according to manatee county Public Library System archives. the caption for the photo in the archives reads, “the mayor in 1982 was richard connick, one of the city’s longest and most colorful mayors.”
We’d love to mail you the news!
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We bring you all the news about three city governments, community happenings, people features and special events … even real estate transactions … everything you need if your “heart is on anna maria island.” if you don’t live here year-round, use this form to subscribe by snail mail for yourself or someone else. Sorry, we do not suspend mail subscriptions — you get The Islander free while you’re here!
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10, 20, 30 years ago
From the Aug. 18, 1994, issue
• the Holmes Beach police department was investigating a robbery at a gas station at 31st street and Gulf drive. the robber, carrying a gun and wearing a sweatshirt over their head, demanded a clerk hand over cash from a safe.
• Holmes Beach mayor rich Bohnenberger informed the city council he had the authority to select the city attorney and didn’t need approval.
From the Aug. 18, 2004, issue
• the islander’s headline read, “island dodges charley’s wrath.” the report read, “anna maria island defied the odds on Friday the 13th, drawing the proverbial inside straight and finding the magic card that pushed Hurricane charley east of its expected landfall.”
• manatee county commissioners freed up money for the restoration of the old cortez schoolhouse, with plans to open a maritime museum.
From the Aug. 20, 2014, issue
• Bradenton Beach mayor Bill shearon and former mayor John shaughnessy celebrated renovations of the Historic Bridge street pier with a ribbon-cutting.
• the public was invited to attend the first service of the rev. dr. robert d. O’Keef at roser Memorial Community Church in Anna Maria.
• manatee county staff went to Bradenton Beach City Hall to present what they termed a “ground zero, blank canvas” plan for coquina Beach renovations. the goal then was to make the beach easier to maintain and replace exotic plants and trees.
— Lisa Neff
Neff, calendar@islander.org
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
ONGOING OFF AMI
• First Fridays, 6-9:30 p.m., Village of the Arts First Fridays Artwalk, 12th Street West and 12th Avenue West, Bradenton. Information: villageofthearts.com.
• Second and fourth Saturdays, 2 p.m., Music on the Porch jam session, presented by the Florida Maritime Museum and Cortez Cultural Center, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Information: floridamaritimemuseum.org.
• Through August, Island Gallery and Studios “Anna Maria Island Life Through the Eyes of the Artists,” 456 Old Main St., Bradenton. Information: 941-778-6648.
• Through Aug. 31, Thursday-Saturday, 7 p.m., 9 p.m., Laser Light Nights, the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131.
• Through August, by appointment, Cortez Cultural Center Museum, 11655 Cortez Road W., Cortez. Information: 941-8400590, cvhs2016@aol.com.
Through Sept. 15, Selby Gardens’ “The Florida Highway Men: Interstate Connections,” 1534 Mound St., Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-366-5731.
• Through Oct. 20, “Reimagining Nature: Dali’s Floral Fantasies,” the Dali Museum, 1 Dali Boulevard St., St. Petersburg. Fee applies. Information: 727-823-3767, thedali.org.
SAVE THE DATES
Sept. 19-29, Island Players’ “Crimes of the Heart,” Anna Maria.
Oct. 4, Realize Bradenton’s Music in the Park concert, Bradenton.
August at the island gallery
Tuesday, Aug. 27
Nov. 14-24, Island Players’ “A Doublewide, Texas Christmas,” Anna Maria.
MARKETS & SALES
ONGOING ON AMI
Third Thursdays, 4 p.m., Sundown Get Down with the Bridge Street Merchants, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach. Information: 941778-8565.
SAVE THE DATES
Oct. 5, Bradenton Market opens, Bradenton.
Submit
10 a.m. — Family storytime, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.
ONGOING OFF AMI
Music Lessons: Guitar, Bass Piano, Ukulele, Saxophone and More compiled by Lisa
• First Wednesdays, SOAR in 4 family night, the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131.
• Second Saturdays, Quest for Kids, the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131.
CLUBS & COMMUNITY
Wednesday, Aug. 21
10:15 a.m. — Island Morning Book Club, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.
• Second Mondays, 2 p.m., Center of Anna Maria Island Adult Book Club, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-7781908.
SAVE THE DATES
“myakka tickweed in Bloom,” an oil painting by carolann garafola, is featured in an August window display along with other works at the Artists’ guild gallery, 5414 marina Drive, Holmes Beach. for more information about the gallery or the guild, call 941778-6694. Islander courtesy Photo
Sept. 14, Center of Anna Maria Island Greg LaPensee Bowling Tournament, Bradenton.
LESSONS & LEARNING ON AMI
Wednesday, Aug. 21
2 p.m. — Making Sense of Medicare & Medicare Enrollment, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941778-6341.
ONGOING ON AMI
• Tuesdays through August, 10 a.m., Anna Maria Island and Shorebird Monitoring Turtle Tracks and Shorebird Facts, Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: islandturtlewatch.com, info@islandturtlewatch.com, 941-3018434.
SPORTS & FITNESS
ONGOING ON AMI
• Most Fridays, 11:30 a.m., mahjong club experienced players, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941778-6341.
• Saturdays, 9 a.m., Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve, 10299 Ninth Ave. NW, Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923, mymanatee.org.
SAVE THE DATES
Aug. 28, Robinson Preserve oyster drilling, Bradenton.
ATTENTION RENTAL OWNERS!
We meet all your linen and cleaning needs with 5-star service. 18-plus years serving AMI. Our fleet will pick up/drop off daily.
Aug. 31, Florida Maritime Museum Planting Party, Cortez.
Island happenings
Community center finishes fiscal year $35K to the good
By ryan Paice Islander reporter
it went down to the wire but the center of anna maria island fi nished fi scal 2023-24 with a strong enough month to return to the black.
the community center finished $34,928.27 in the black for the fiscal year, which ended June 30, on the back of $117,597.91 net income gained over the final month, according to a report.
the nonprofit fell into a $164,755.25 hole after the first three months of fiscal 2023-24 and had since been teetering the line between black and red.
Through May, with only one month remaining in the fiscal year, the center was $82,669.64 in the red.
However, the month of June was big for the nonprofit, putting its finances back to black.
part of the $117,597.91 net income gained in June was due to a spike in programming income with the start of the center’s youth summer camps.
the center raised $63,501.25 in revenue through youth programs in June, which is the highest mark of the year for that category.
However, due to $51,729.01 in expenses for the same youth programs, the item is not the main reason for the nonprofit’s big month.
the biggest reason for the turnaround is June’s $203,802.32 fundraising revenue, compared to only $13,683.08 in fundraising expenses, resulting in $190,119.24 in income.
a chunk of the fundraising revenue — including a $90,000 grant from the Bradenton-based Bishop-
parker Foundation and $50,000 from the city of anna maria — was used to pay for the installation of new air conditioning units at the center’s facility at 407 magnolia ave., anna maria.
Overall, the nonprofit’s $1,091,719 in fundraising revenue for the year marked a 50% increase over the $725,801 it raised in fiscal 2022-23, with only a 10% increase in fundraising expenses.
“This incredible end to our year can primarily be attributed to a significant increase in support through donations and capital grants thanks to our dedicated fundraising efforts, led by our new development director, Jillian ptak,” executive director christopher culhane wrote in an Aug. 15 email to The Islander.
culhane also acknowledged that total program revenue was down about 8% from last year “due to the conclusion of cOVid-era youth program grants.”
Nevertheless, he wrote that the center was financially stable enough to move forward with numerous facility improvements over the year, such as new murals, fitness equipment, kitchen equipment, an ice machine, fresh paint and an upgraded electrical system for a sound booth — in addition to the new ac.
“these improvements are a testament to the center’s mission to enhance the overall well-being of our community by starting from within,” culhane wrote. “By upgrading our facility appearance, offerings and programs, the center can better serve the community.”
the center has yet to release a budget for fiscal 2024-25, which began July 1.
Fall stage set for concerts
realize Bradenton set the fall calendar for its music in the park concert series near the downtown riverwalk.
the series will run Fridays Oct. 4-25, with free concerts beginning at 5:30 p.m. at rossi park, 452 third ave. W., Bradenton.
the lineup includes:
• mama Fuma performing latin funk Oct. 4;
• aBBa Nova performing a tribute to the pop group Oct. 11;
• Eric Von performing country Oct. 18;
• Jah movement performing reggae Oct. 25. people are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs.
realize Bradenton is organizing food vendors for the shows.
For more information, call realize Bradenton at 941-301-8445.
Cortez museum plans planting party, seeks volunteers
the Florida maritime museum in Cortez will hold a planting party 9 a.m.-2 p.m. saturday, aug. 31.
A notice said the museum grounds, 4415 119th st. W., will be improved with help from the Friends of the Florida maritime museum, the longboat Key Garden club and other volunteers. to volunteer, email tori chasey at tori.chasey@ manateeclerk.com.
For more info, call 941-708-6120.
Laser Light Nights concluding laser light Nights at the Bishop museum of science and Nature in Bradenton will conclude Aug. 31. the summer series features laser shows set to music 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. admission is $15. the museum is at 201 10th st. W., Bradenton. For more information, go online to bishopscience. org or call the museum at 941-746-4131.
Through Oct. 31, sea turtle nesting season. Lights out! Through Nov. 30, Atlantic hurricane season. Be prepared! Aug. 26, Women’s Equality Day. Aug. 30, Jimmy Buffett Day. Sept. 2, Labor Day. Sept. 8, National Grandparents Day. Sept. 11, Patriot Day.
Send listings to calendar@islander.org.
Staff from the center of Anna maria Island pose during an Aug. 9 bonding trip to the Laser ops extreme fun center, 6283 W. Waters Ave., tampa. Islander Photo: courtesy cofAmI
New AME principal greets students on 1st day of 2024-25
By robyn murrell Islander reporter
students filled the halls of anna maria Elementary aug. 12 to start the 2024-25 academic year and a new principal welcomed them.
parents and guardians arrived on campus, 4700 Gulf drive N., Holmes Beach, where students were greeted by principal Katie Fradley, Holmes Beach police chief William tokajer, members of the Holmes Beach police department, as well as amE teachers and support staff.
“i am so excited to fi nally see the kids,” Fradley told the islander aug. 12, taking a moment from meeting students and their parents as they walked through the office door. “i’m looking forward to a great year.”
Virginia urbina and Jesus araujo dropped off their daughters, third-grader claudia and first-grader Eva. the girls have attended amE since kindergarten, and claudia won a Guy Harvey art contest over the summer at the academy’s summer camp. On aug. 10, the family met Harvey at a reception at Bealls Florida, 6355 manatee ave. W., Bradenton, where beverage cups featuring claudia’s drawing are offered for sale.
“We’re so excited and have high expectations for third-grade,” urbina said. “We’re also excited about the Guy Harvey academy and its programs.”
after dropping off their kids, parents of new gradelevel students and those of pre-K and kindergartners attended a meet-and-greet in the auditorium. Fradley introduced several teachers and staff, along with parent-teacher organization vice president Jessica patel, tokajer and school resource Officer christine O’Brien of HBpd.
during the reception, Fradley shared campus safety improvements, including the installation of a fence at the drop-off area and informed parents of their dismissal process for car riders.
Campus welcome
Anna maria elementary principal Katie fradley listens to a question during a meet-and-greet Aug. 12, the first day of class. the event provided an orientation for new parents, including pre-K and kindergarten parents.
Ame fifth-grade safety patrols Leo tyler, left, and grayson Hincklen pose Aug. 12, the first day of school, as they patrol the car dropoff area. A new safety fence is next to them.
the school now uses safedismissal, a computerized system that allows students to stay in their class until their ride arrives. drivers have car tags with codes associated with students and, when they arrive at
Holmes Beach continues to collect school supplies
the city of Holmes Beach is collecting school supplies for the 2024-25 academic year.
donors can drop supplies at city hall, 5801 marina drive, Holmes Beach, including crayons, markers, paper, pencils, notebooks, binders, folders, backpacks, glue, scissors and rulers, through Aug. 30.
Supplies sought by the city of Holmes Beach include crayons. Islander courtesy Photo
Ame principal Katie fradley greets students Aug. 12 as they enter the front office at the school, 4700 gulf Drive N., Holmes Beach. Holmes Beach police chief William tokajer is greeting students in advance of fradley. Islander
Photos: robyn murrell
campus for pickup, alerts are sent to an ipad notifying school staff, who escort kids to cars.
Fradley also said students cannot be on campus alone before 7:55 a.m. so parents or guardians must stay with their child until the first bell rings.
Additionally, Tokajer said speed cameras are being placed in the school zone on Gulf drive, which is being expanded.
“For the safety of your kids, anyone going over 11 miles of the speed limit will automatically get a citation sent to them,” said tokajer. the meeting concluded with dunkin’ coffee and doughnuts provided by the ptO.
PTO seeks sponsors
the anna maria Elementary parent-teacher Organization is conducting a partnership campaign, seeking sponsors for its work at the grade school in Holmes Beach.
With fundraising, the ptO provides teacher support, playground equipment, tutoring, reading programs, field trips, fifth-grade celebrations and more. sponsorship costs range $500-$5,000 and include multiple promotional opportunities, including company logos on ptO t-shirts, company names on the school’s Gulf drive sign and also logos on event banners throughout the academic year.
sponsorships must be received by Wednesday, Aug. 31.
checks can be made payable to amE ptO and sent to amE, 4700 Gulf drive, Holmes Beach, Fl 34217.
For more information, contact ptO president Jen serra at 614-937-2689 or email amepto@gmail.com.
Kids’ cleanup contest ongoing
islanders 4 clean Water is conducting a contest to encourage kids to help clean up beaches.
islanders 4 clean Water encourages kids to:
• collect litter in a 5-gallon bucket at any beach;
• share on social media a photo of collected litter and tag @cityofholmesbeach;
• stop by Holmes Beach city Hall, 5801 marina drive, Holmes Beach, to get a backpack for participating.
• participants will be entered into a raffle for a halfday inshore fishing trip with capt. logan Bystrom.
The contest will run through Aug. 31.
For more information, call city hall at 941-7085800.
— Lisa Neff
Creative waves
AME student wins Bealls contest
Anna Maria Elementary third-grader Claudia araujo won the Guy Harvey camp and Bealls Florida Cup competition.
Over the summer, students who attended Guy Harvey summer camps at anna maria Elementary in Holmes Beach and King Middle School in Bradenton participated in the competition, with a winner selected from each school.
Bealls judged the competition based on age-appropriate skills, replication of marine life and creativity in completing a Guy Harvey coloring page. the winners were announced aug. 10 during a meet-and-greet with Harvey at the Bealls store at 6355 manatee ave. W., Bradenton.
sixth-grader makyla mcdade won for King middle and claudia for amE.
By robyn murrell
their artwork was printed on 20-ounce stainless steel meteor cups offered at the store. the students also received store gift cards and, along with family members, met privately with Harvey.
Claudia has attended AME since kindergarten and her sister, Eva, attends first-grade at the school. during the event, Harvey presented amE and King with $2,000 each to support the program.
Bealls Inc. community outreach and philanthropy coordinator Krystel Beall, left, Bealls Inc. president tianne Doyle, Ame student claudia Araujo, Ame principal Katie fradley, Bealls eVP and chief people officer Dan Doyle, guy Harvey, King middle School student maykyla mcDade, Bealls ceo matt Beall, King assistant principal michelle clark, School District of manatee county superintendent Jason Wysong and School Board member cindy Spray. Islander courtesy Photo
AME Calendar
• Monday, Sept. 2, Labor Day, no school.
• Friday, Sept. 20, Peace Day.
• Monday, Oct. 14, record day, no school.
• Saturday, Oct. 26, PTO Fall Fest, Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.
• Wednesday, Nov. 6, early release.
• Monday, Nov. 11, Veterans Day, no school.
• Monday-Friday, Nov. 25-29, fall break, Thanksgiving, no school.
Anna Maria Elementary is at 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. For more information, call the school at 941-708-5525.
third-grader claudia Araujo, left, holds a cup featuring her artwork alongside guy Harvey, founder of the guy Harvey ocean foundation, during a meetand-greet Aug. 10 at Bealls florida, 6355 manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. claudia is a student at the guy Harvey Academy of Arts and Sciences at Ame. Islander Photo: courtesy Ame/Katie fradley
Tiki & Kitty’s
Tiki and Kitty are leading the way to their favorite shops and boutiques for summer fun.
Blessed and Distressed is a tastefully designed store — so inviting you’ll want to pull up a chair — with collectibles and work by local artists at palma sola square, around the corner from Winn-dixie. it offers vintage, upcycled, shabby chic and artsy vendors. You won’t be disappointed.
t&K love Cat’s Meow, an 8,000 square-foot marketplace! their vendors offer coastal, cottage, beach, antique, boho, midcentury modern and other home decor styles. they also offer vintage to fine jewelry and vintage albums.
You might want to lace up your skates, as this large, former skating rink has plenty to offer bargain hunters and anyone seeking antiques and unique decor. You don’t want to miss this collection.
We’ll definitely make a stop next door at Blue Flamingo , home to hip and trendy upcycled and
repurposed goods, furniture and decor, garden features, candles, jewelry and work by local artisans. They also offer dixie Belle paints.
We promise, you will find treasures aplenty.
Scavengers Marketplace has plenty of vendors to capture your wallet at the palmetto store, 2100 u.s. 301. there’s always something new to entice you among the vendors’ eclectic collections.
FYi: scavengers also carries Fusion paints.
The Vintage Vine Market is a favorite for tiki and Kitty, who love the fine vintage wares and items with a whimsical twist at this store in historic Old manatee along the newest section of the Bradenton riverwalk. the location in the 1910 building oozes charm. And they take select consignments by appointment.
And don’t forget, tell people you meet along the way, “The Islander sent me.”
Gathering
By Lisa Neff
LBK church plans fish supper
christ church of longboat Key will hold its “famous fish fry” at 5 p.m. thursday, aug. 22, in the fellowship hall, 6400 Gulf of mexico drive, longboat Key. also, at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, the church will hold a potluck supper and sunset beach vespers in the hall.
For more information, call the church at 941-3838833.
Roser seeks volunteers
roser memorial community church in anna maria seeks volunteers to help serve meals at Our daily Bread in Bradenton 9-11:30 a.m. the second monday and fifth sunday in a month.
the church seeks seven volunteers.
For more information, call the office at 941-7780414.
Summer hours for thrift store
the lord’s Warehouse at the longboat island Chapel is on summer hours.
the thrift store, 6140 Gulf of mexico drive, will be open 9 a.m.-noon monday, Wednesday and saturday through August.
the store will close for september.
For more information, call the chapel at 941-3834738.
Tidings compiled
by Lisa Neff
THIS WEEK
Wednesday, Aug. 21
1 p.m. — Roser Memorial Community Church Grief Share healing support, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Info: 941-778-0414. Thursday, Aug. 22
5 p.m. — Christ Church of Longboat Key fish fry, 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Information: 941-383-8833. Sunday, Aug. 25
2 p.m. — Christ Church of Longboat Key summer concert, 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Information: 941-383-8833. Tuesday, Aug. 27
5 p.m. — Longboat Island Chapel Gather and Give social, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Information: 941-383-6491.
Wednesday, Aug. 28
1 p.m. — Roser Memorial Community Church Grief Share healing support, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Info: 941-778-0414.
SAVE THE DATES
Sept. 18, Roser Church Golfing for God, Bradenton. Oct. 23, Christ Church book club resumes, Longboat Key.
Worship: Sundays, 9:30 a.m., followed by coffee and fellowship.
Good deeds, needs after a storm
after a storm strikes, people in disaster zones can find help while people outside disaster zones can lend aid using the following resources:
• state volunteer portal, volunteerflorida.org.
• National Voluntary Organizations active in disaster, www.nvoad.org.
• Florida’s donation site, www.volunteerflorida. org/donatefdf or text disastEr to 20222. Before collecting supplies to donate, people should connect with organizations in an affected area to identify what is needed, how much is needed
and when it is needed. Often, donating cash can be the best way to help after a disaster.
Storm readiness
• manatee county: mymanatee.org
• National Hurricane center: nhc.noaa.gov
• marine Weather portal: mwp.secoora.org
• the islander: islander.org
• BayNews9: baynews9.com/fl/tampa
— Lisa Neff
At your service
Bible Study: Monday @ 9:00
Women’s Bible Study: Wednesday @ 10:00
Watch Our 10:00 AM Ser vice Li ve: / or www.christchurchof ( k
Ongoing: First Sundays, food bank collections; Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m., women’s social gathering.
Harvey Memorial Community Church, 300 Church Ave., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-779-1912.
Worship: Sundays, 9:15 a.m.
Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0414, roserchurch.com.
Worship: Sundays, 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m.
Ongoing: Tuesdays, 2 p.m., women’s book study.
St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-4769, stbernardcc.org, office@stbernardcc. org.
• tingley memorial library in Bradenton Beach seeks volunteers for morning and afternoon shifts in the “fun and friendly” atmosphere. info: 941-7791208, bradentonbeachlibrary@gmail.com.
• the anna maria island privateers group seeks members and an indoor port for their boat-float. info: 941-896-0797.
• Wildlife inc. rescue and rehabilitation in Bradenton Beach seeks help tending to injured and sick animals. info: 941-778-6342.
• roser Food Bank seeks donations. roser memorial community church, 512 pine ave., anna maria, administers the pantry supported by All Island Denominations. info: 941-778-0414.
Obituaries are offered as a service to residents and families of residents, both past and present, as well as to those people with ties to the island. submit to news@ islander.org. Obituaries are provided free — a service of your community newspaper. paid obituaries can be discussed with our advertising consultant at 941-778-7978.
Assistance offered on AMI
• roser Food Bank welcomes applicants who live, work or attend school on anna maria island for food assistance, roser church, 512 pine ave., anna maria. info: 941-778-0414.
• aid offers financial help to those who live on the island, go to church on the island, attend school on the island and work on the island. info: 941-725-2433.
Get listed
do you work with a nonprofit in need of assistance on Anna Maria Island? Are you looking ahead to lining up volunteers for a new season on the island? do you offer free services to islanders or on ami and want to increase use? Email listings to lisa Neff at lisa@ islander.org.
Church of LBK is pleased to bring back, by
demand, Mr. Gerrit Paul Groen from Dvorak, Brahms, Vaugh Williams and George Herbert, from
Opera House
Florida Fish and Wildlife trespasses Gilligan’s Island camper
By robert Anderson Islander reporter
a legal notice from the state has a long-term camper on a spoil island in Anna Maria Sound breaking camp.
the Florida Fish and Wildlife conservation commission served lewis Whitaker, known to locals as “lucky lewy,” with a trespass warning aug. 12 at his camp on a spoil island known to locals as Gilligan’s Island.
located across the bay from Holmes Beach’s Key royale and neighboring the north end of perico Bayou just south of the manatee river bulkhead, the island has been used by recreational campers and boat-going sightseers for decades.
Whitaker said the officers allowed him some time to break down his camp.
He also said he felt singled out.
“I am just thinking, why is there only one person out of hundreds of people that come and camp here?” Whitaker asked during an aug. 13 interview with the islander. “Other than the fact that i am her more than anyone else.”
Whitaker, in another interview aug. 15, said the notice followed a may visit from the manatee county sheriff’s Office, acting a video posted to social media showing Whitaker’s extensive campsite after foul weather flooded the island.
the mcsO warning issued in may instructed Whitaker to “clean up the homeless camp.”
Whitaker says he is not homeless, he just leaves his tents in place between visits.
“i am not a homeless person. i have an address … every bank card, all my bills get sent to that residence,” Whitaker said, referring to his residence in west Bradenton.
According to the camper, he complied with the cleanup order and, when a county code enforcement officer came by boat later in may, the area was cleaned up. Whitaker said the officer waved and left, leading him to believe the matter was resolved.
With no known legal guidelines in place for length of stay or rules and regulations about the island’s use, Whitaker said authorities had never enforced any laws concerning his presence before this year.
during the height of the cOVid-19 pandemic, Whitaker said he faced homelessness after a housemate fell ill and the two couldn’t afford their rent. Whitaker, at the time, took refuge on Gilligan’s island, staying a few weeks while he figured things out.
Whitaker now resides with a friend in west Bradenton and visits the island. Now retired, he said he enjoys his time there and boats back and forth between the island and home.
Meanwhile, the May citation raised questions about what governing institution was responsible for oversight of Gilligan’s island.
inquiries initiated by the islander to various
authorities, including the Florida department of Environmental protection, the u.s. Bureau of land management, manatee county government and the office of the manatee county property appraiser revealed that the Board of trustees of the internal improvement trust Fund of the state of Florida is on the county tax roll as the party responsible for Gilligan’s island.
The trust is charged with the acquisition, administration, management, control, supervision, conservation, protection and disposition of state-owned lands.
the dEp’s division of state lands performs staff duties for the trust or tiitF and administers islands similar to Gilligan’s throughout the state.
However, Whitaker said until this year there had
Obituaries
Roger Walter Byron
cmdr. roger Walter Byron, 86, retired u.s. Navy, of anna maria island, died July 25.
He was born Oct, 29, 1937, in concord, massachusetts, to Walter Edmund and Jesse lilian (Knowlton) Byron.
He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
His distinguished career began when he joined the u.s. Navy in 1957 as a seaman recruit. He rose through the ranks, culminating in his retirement in april 1982 as a commander. during his Navy career, he attended purdue university 1960-65, earning bachelor and master of science degrees in electrical engineering.
He also obtained a master’s degree in business and retired as a commander in april 1982.
Following his military service, he applied his skills and knowledge at Hughes aircraft, where he worked until 1983.
in 1993, he retired and moved to anna maria island and joined the power squadron, teaching ham radio and volunteering with the american red cross.
mr. Byron is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Karin; daughter susan medina; son roger Jr.; sister marcia clark; grandson chase; and his loving “fur baby” maggie.
He also will be dearly missed by extended family, including danielle ulfers, Juergen Vogel and family, as well as Michelle Byron and Sam Medina.
Lewis Whitaker pauses Aug. 15 while breaking down camp on gilligan’s Island. He’s seated with his dogs, Black and Blu. Islander courtesy Photo
never been any kind of enforcement action nor was he told he was staying too long.
Whitaker said he will continue to try to have dialogue with the state but his main goal is to comply with the aug. 12 notice.
“i plan to be off the island with my structures and belongings by monday and it’s a lot of work,” Whitaker said Aug. 15.
although sad to be ordered to leave the island, Whitaker remained upbeat.
“Storms are there to make you a better person, stronger and smarter,” he said as he began disassembly of his camp. “When people start realizing happiness is a choice … they will know I am going to be happy no matter what storm comes my way.”
Andrew ‘Andy’ Place Mitchell
andrew “andy” place mitchell, 41, of Bradenton, and formerly of Holmes Beach, died aug. 12. He was born June 13, 1983, in charleston, West Virginia, to curtis Mitchell and Kathleen Quinlan. He spent most of his life in Holmes Beach and Bradenton. He graduated Manatee High school and furthered his education at Manatee Technical Institute. He served his country as a machinist in the u.s. Navy. He then pursued a career as an underwater welder, a profession that combined his love for adventure with his technical skills.
Known for his free-spirited and adventurous nature, he eagerly embraced new experiences and explored the world. His journey through life took him to many places but he always found his way back to Bradenton.
a funeral mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, aug. 21, at the chapel of ss. peter and paul the apostles church, 2850 75th st., Bradenton. a graveside service will follow at 11 a.m. at mansion memorial park, 1400 36th ave. E., Ellenton. a celebration of life is being planned in October. Donations may be made to help with funeral expenses at https://angelinkweb.page. link/3qV6ittoxK89f8ev9.
mr. mitchell is survived by his loving parents, curtis and Kathleen; brothers christopher and wife Heather of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and daniel and wife rosanna of Naples, Florida; nieces Julia, sara and Ainhoa, and nephews Matthew and Luken.
Byron
mitchell
Gilligan’s Island
Island police reports
Compiled by Robert Anderson and Ryan Paice Anna Maria
No new reports
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office polices Anna Maria.
Bradenton Beach
Aug. 7, 500 block of Gulf Drive South, Cortez Beach, near drowning. The MCSO, marine patrol and emergency medical services responded to a near drowning. Lifeguards rescued two people who jumped off a pier and were taken out by the current. The swimmers were brought to shore uninjured and taken to HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton.
The Bradenton Beach Police Department polices the city.
Cortez
Aug. 9, 12110 Cortez Road W., Cortez Bait and Seafood, fraud. An MCSO deputy responded to a fraud complaint. A staff member received a phishing text message and provided a fraudster with the accounts, usernames and passwords for accounts and that information was used to attempt two wire transfers. No money was lost. The deputy filed an incident report and opened a case for investigation.
The MCSO polices Cortez.
Holmes Beach
Aug. 7, 200 block of South Harbor Drive, missing boat. A man called the Holmes Beach Police Department to report that his boat went missing during Tropical Storm Debby. He said camera footage showed his boat being lowered on the lift without anyone operating it, then getting carried away by the water.
Aug. 9, 3000 block of Avenue C, trespass after warning. An HBPD officer responded to reports of a trespasser and spoke with the complainant, who said a woman given a trespass warning had returned and parked her vehicle in his driveway before walking away. The woman walked back to the property and
Cops & Courts
Venice man arrested for drug possession in BB
By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter
The Bradenton Beach Police Department, working in conjunction with Manatee County sheriff’s deputies, arrested Venice resident Bryan Peter Wells, 40, Aug. 12, after a traffic stop on multiple felony charges.
BBPD Officer Ryan Gagliano conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle displaying a tag associated with a seize tag order and a motorist’s name associated with two warrants for alleged probation violations.
The driver, according to a report, gave BBPD a name other than the one on his driver’s license based on the law enforcement database and said he had no other means of identifying himself.
So BBPD requested an MCSO unit with Rapid ID, a fingerprint scanner, which confirmed the driver’s identity as Brian Peter Wells of Venice.
After confirming the warrants for Wells, Gagliano placed the man under arrest.
During a vehicle search, police allegedly found four false identification cards, five credit cards registered to names other than Wells, an electronic credit card skimmer device, a small bag containing 4 grams
spoke with police. She said she had been invited back via text message from the man, but her phone showed no such message. The officer reiterated the trespass warning to the woman and she left in her vehicle. The officer filed a capias request for a potential misdemeanor charge against the woman.
Aug. 11, 100 block of 36th Street, domestic battery. An officer responded to reports of a disturbance and found a woman who said her boyfriend got upset while she was on the phone and pulled it away. She said he pushed her onto a bed but left when he heard she was talking to police. The officer found the man, who was arrested for domestic battery. He was trans-
of a substance that field-tested positive as methamphetamine, two meth pipes, $8,667, a laptop, multiple cellphones, multiple medical vials marked as steroids, gift cards and opened mail addressed to recipients other than Wells.
Wells was arrested and transported to the Manatee County jail in Palmetto. He faces the following charges:
• Possession of methamphetamine, which is punishable by up to five years in prison;
• Giving false information to a law enforcement officer, which is punishable by up to a year in jail;
• Possession of drug paraphernalia, which can be punishable by up to a year in jail,
• Driving with a suspended license, which can yield punishment of up to 60 days in jail;
• Five counts of possessing a fake ID, punishable by up to five years in prison.
Wells remained in custody at the Manatee County jail as of Aug. 16.
His arraignment will be 9 a.m. Oct. 4 at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
ported to the Manatee County jail.
Aug. 13, 100 block of 52nd Street, marijuana. An officer found a vehicle parked at a beach access around 3 a.m. and approached it to find two people in the back seat. The officer smelled marijuana. When backup arrived, police searched the vehicle and found marijuana and an open bottle of wine. One of the two occupants admitted ownership of both substances. The officers issued citations to one man and the pair left the area in an Uber.
The HBPD polices the city.
Streetlife is based on reports and narratives from the BBPD, HBPD and MCSO.
LBK man found guilty of DUI
Longboat Key resident Hal Christensen, 49, will be on probation through July 2025 following his conviction for a first-degree misdemeanor charge for driving under the influence and causing property damage.
Christensen was arrested Dec. 29, 2023, after he was found to be the sole occupant of a truck that crashed at the intersection of East Bay Drive and Manatee Avenue. A Holmes Beach police officer found the truck crashed into multiple objects before colliding with a pedestrian crossing signal and city generator.
Christensen was arrested on suspicion of DUI and asked for breath samples, which Christensen refused to provide.
Christensen initially fi led a not guilty plea but changed his plea to no contest during a July 19 court hearing.
At the same hearing, Judge Heather Doyle of the 12th Circuit Court ruled Christensen guilty of the misdemeanor charge.
Doyle sentenced him to complete 12 months of probation, 75 hours of public service work, DUI school and a victim impact panel, as well as suspended his license for six months.
— Ryan Paice
RoadWatch
Eyes on the road
• City center in Holmes Beach: Manatee County’s work is ongoing on a force main project on Holmes Boulevard, Marina Drive and side streets. The contractor is completing final punch-list items and cleanup. For the latest, go to amiprojects.io.
Did you know?
Before departing for a destination, travelers can check traffic cameras at many area locations, including on the Cortez and Anna Maria Island bridges. To view the road cameras, go to fl511.com.
— lisa Neff
HB breaks down new vacation rental codes
By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter
The city of Holmes Beach taught a crash course Aug. 14 in operating vacation rentals.
City staff, as well as representatives from Waste Pro and the West Manatee Fire Rescue district, hosted the workshop to educate short-term rental stakeholders about how to comply with municipal and state requirements.
About 22 people, mostly vacation rental property owners and managers, attended the workshop at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.
The workshop was led by code compliance supervisor JT Thomas, who said the city held off on holding it until August due to pending legislation.
Senate Bill 280 would have preempted vacation rental regulations to the state and its adoption would have precluded the need for such a workshop.
However, Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed the bill June 27, allowing the city to carry forward regulating shortterm rentals.
While much of the advice given at the workshop has been established for years, there were some changes to discuss.
Holmes Beach police Chief Bill Tokajer advised that the city’s noise ordinance had been changed to allow code and law enforcement officers to use the city’s plainly audible clause on a 24/7 basis.
They now determine noise violations for sounds plainly audible, or “clearly heard by a person using his or her normal hearing faculties,” 100 feet or more from a property line of the sound’s source, and while there used to be 10 p.m.-7 a.m. limits for the plainly audible clause, it was removed earlier this year.
Tokajer asked rental owners and managers to educate their tenants about the city’s noise rules.
Another change on the municipal level was the adoption of a sign ordinance that prohibits all shortterm rental signs.
One attendee asked if they could post a personal-
ized sign with their home’s name.
City planning and zoning administrator Chad Minor asked that examples of such signs be emailed to him at cminor@holmesbeachfl.org and he and city attorney Erica Augello could discuss it.
One of the bigger changes stressed at the workshop was WMFR’s new inspection program.
WMFR inspector Josh Adkins advised attendees that short-term rental units must be inspected for compliance with the Florida Fire Prevention Code.
Asked how property owners/managers should schedule inspections, WMFR inspector Nick Riffe answered from the audience. He said to contact him at 941-201-2627 or riffen@wmfr.org.
He also indicated a willingness to work with owners and managers to schedule bulk inspections.
Peter Motherway, the island and commercial route supervisor for Waste Pro, the city’s waste removal contractor, said that visitors sometimes are confused by the colors of the waste bins.
He asked attendees to educate visitors about the green bins used for garbage and blue for recycling to mitigate that confusion.
Kat Bailey, right, of vrboexpert. com and a vacation rental owner in Holmes Beach, talks Aug. 14 to city planning and zoning administrator Chad Minor about code requirements for shortterm rentals.
Islander
Photo: Ryan Paice
Sports recover from TS Debby with full week of action
By Kevin P. Cassidy Islander Reporter
After a slight delay due to extensive rain and flooded streets from Tropical Storm Debby, the summer indoor soccer league at the Center of Anna Maria Island concluded its season with Aug. 13-14 playoffs and championship games in the 11-14 and 8-10 divisions.
Positive Waves took first place in the 8-10 division with a 3-1 victory over Shady Lady Horticultural Services in the Aug. 14 championship game. Sebastian Cordova, Ryan Greenberg and Parker Svoboda each scored one goal to lead Positive Waves, which also received nine saves from goalie Kellen Reed to help preserve the victory.
Positive Waves advanced to the championship game Aug. 13 with a 6-2 victory over No. 3 seed Gulf Drive Cafe behind two goals each from Parker Svoboda and Ryan Greenberg, while Sebastian Cordova added a goal. An own goal completed the Positive Waves scoring, while goalie Kellen Reed made nine saves in the victory.
Gulf Drive Cafe received a goal each from Leo Burns and Joseph Caballero while Titus Moss and Everett Hood combined to make eight saves in the loss.
Gulf Drive Cafe advanced to the semifinal game with a 9-1 victory over No. 5 seed Progressive Cabinetry behind five goals from Leo Burns and two goals from Joseph Caballero in the second game of the night. Holden Lake and Titus Moss added a goal each, while Moss and Everett Hood combined to make seven saves in the victory.
Everly Chaplinsky notched the lone goal for Progressive Cabinetry, which also received 10 saves from Jackson Griffin, seven saves from Deacon and Bekkerus and six saves from Wesley Bekkerus in the loss.
AMI Outfitters captured the 11-14 division title Aug. 14 to complete an undefeated season. The No. 1 seed defeated No. 2 Jiffy Lube by a 3-0 score behind two goals from Wes Saxon and a goal and an assist from Matthew Darak. Mckenna Darak added an assist and Jordan Tobey came through with 11 saves in goal to help preserve the Outfitters victory.
Jiffy Lube was led by goalie Cohen Weber, who made 16 saves to help keep his squad in the game.
AMI Outfitters advanced to the championship game by defeating No. 4 Cloud Pest Control 7-1 in semifinal action Aug. 12. Mckenna Darak and Wes
Saxon scored three goals each to lead the Outfitters, which also received a goal from Matthew Darak and nine saves from Jordan Tobey in the victory.
David Zupa notched the lone goal for Cloud Pest Control, which also received 12 saves from Kyle Castanga in the loss.
Champs AMI Outfitters, 2024 summer indoor soccer 11-14 division
ABOVE: Interim coach Heather Cohen, Maggie Neidzwick, Mackenzie Cohen, McKenna Darak, Wes Saxon, Jordan Tobey and Grayson Cohen. Not Pictured: Coach Matthew Darak. Islander Photos: Courtesy CofAMI
Jiffy Lube advanced to the championship game by defeating No. 3 Solid Rock Construction by a 4-0 score in the second semifinal matchup of the night. Callin Westfall scored three goals and added an assist to lead Jiffy Lube, which also received a goal from Hudson West and three assists from Gunnar Maize. Cohen Weber completed the shutout victory with five saves in goal.
Hayden Eurice helped keep Solid Rock Construction in the game with 14 saves, while Luke Willing made three saves in limited action between the pipes.
Seedings set for football
The regular season of the adult flag football league at the community center is complete and final seedings
Floridian Mortgage secured the No. 1 spot and will take on No. 8 Solid Rock Air Conditioning at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22. The second game of the evening pits No. 3 Salty Printing against No. 6 Slim’s Place. No. 2 seed Fishing With Salty will take on No. 7 Prosper Bradenton at 8 p.m., while No. 4 Moss Builders will take on No. 5 seed Solid Rock Electrical at 9 p.m. Regular season action concluded Aug. 15, starting with Floridian Mortgage outscoring Salty Printing 35-27 thanks to five touchdown passes by Chase Richardson. Cory Banks was on the receiving end of three of those passes, while Tim Holly added two TDs on a game-high 10 receptions.
Tuna McCracken connected with Blake Balais for three TDs, while also adding a TD run in the loss.
The second game of the evening saw Slim’s Place outscore Solid Rock Air Conditioning 32-30 behind four TD passes and a receiving TD from Cruz Rodriguez and a TD pass and three TD receptions from Anthony Mannino. Roman Marintez added a TD grab and an extra point for Slim’s Place in the victory.
Solid Rock AC received three TD passes and a TD catch from Dominick Otteni and a TD pass and two TD receptions from Zaon Williams. Angelie Collazo added a TD catch, a 2-point conversion and a safety, while Karri Stephens finished with a pair of extra points and an interception on defense in the loss.
Fishing With Salty defeated Solid Rock Electrical 19-7 in the third game of the night. Jonathan Soultatos led the way for Fishing With Salty with a TD pass and a TD reception to go along with an extra point. Miguel Rodriguez threw two TD passes and Matthew Briley
Cassidy
Coach Brooke Svoboda, Silas Whitehead, Parker Svoboda, Kellen Reed, Alexander Czajkowski, Ryan Greenberg, Sebastian Cordova, Caroline Svoboda and Kayleigh Fountain.
Inshore, nearshore anglers adapt to Debby’s lingering impact
By Capt. Danny Stasny Islander Reporter
When the waters change, the fish and the anglers must adapt.
With the inshore waters surrounding Anna Maria Island showing a slow recovery after the recordbreaking rainfall and winds from Debby — a tropical storm here, a hurricane at landfall in the Big Bend area — many anglers are migrating to nearshore and offshore waters in the Gulf of Mexico for a consistent bite.
Targeting snapper in depths starting around 50 feet and extending to more than 100 feet is yielding the best action for those looking to find a bite and put some fish on the table.
In shallower depths, mangrove snapper are prevalent, as they seem to like the higher salinity levels that aren’t available in inshore waters with the influx of rain and stormwater drainage.
Other species, such as Key West grunts, juvenile grouper and Spanish mackerel, are inhabiting nearshore waters, as well as some unexpected guests, including mahi-mahi.
For anglers equipped to travel long distances in the Gulf to depths of 100-plus feet, yellowtail and American red snapper are abundant. Other species, such as rainbow runners and wahoo, also are being caught.
As far as inshore fishing goes, anglers are advised to pack some patience, as most of the waters show mass amounts of intrusion of fresh water draining out of rivers and creeks.
There are still fish to be caught, but consistency of the bite is something to be desired. Redfish are the most prominent, as they seem to be congregating along the shorelines and sandbars adjacent to creek openings and the mouth of the Manatee River. With the ability to withstand low salinity levels, the redfish are flourishing on the flats of the backcountry all the way to the Gulf beaches.
What is even better? Redfish are not particularly picky when it comes to bait. Live baits, cut baits and artificial baits are on the menu when it comes to targeting redfish, making them a favorite of the flats angler.
Other flats species, such as snook and spotted seatrout are found throughout the backcountry, although locating large concentrations of either species is challenging. Targeting the fish might require some determination, as well as fishing a spot thoroughly to maximize the bite. Live baits, such as shiners or pinfish, are recommended, although anglers are reporting success using artificials, such as soft plastics on a jig head.
On my Just Reel charters, I’m chipping away at the inshore bite. Targeting snook around mangrove shorelines is producing action, although in many instances, several moves throughout one area are required to keep the bite going. Spotted seatrout are following suit, with many fish falling in the keeper-size range of 15-19 inches. Finding concentrations of fish is challenging, although limits are attainable.
Redfish, on the other hand, are frequently being found and in respectable-sized schools. Rallies of 10-20 fish on a flat are occurring on some days when the tides are moving.
Lastly, I’m finding mangrove snapper around docks and other structure in Tampa Bay and they can add to a bountiful fish fry.
Capt. David White is working offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, while inshore and nearshore waters are recovering from Debby.
Limits of yellowtail snapper are being caught while anchoring and chumming over hard-bottom areas. Using small pieces of cut threadfin herring as bait is luring the tasty snappers up from the depths to quickly devour the bait and hook.
American red snapper are being caught in areas where hard bottom exists, with live pinfi sh as bait working best.
White is catching rainbow runners, which are not sports FROM PAGE 16
and Dylan Doyle added TD catches in the victory.
Jonathan Moss threw a TD pass to Lucan Lubore and Evelyn Long added an extra point catch to pace Solid Rock Electrical in the loss.
Ryan Moss threw fi ve TD passes and ran for a score to lead Moss Builders to a 38-12 victory over Prosper Bradenton to complete adult flag football action for the night.
Shawn Balvin had two TD catches to go along with a sack for a safety on defense. Donte Filletti, James Roadman and Peggy Smith each added TD catches in the victory.
Ray Gardner threw TD passes to Alex Besaw and Ramon Guerrero IV for Prosper Bradenton in the loss.
Key Royale golf news
With the golf course tidied up after the passage of Tropical Storm Debby, there was a full week of golf action at the Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach, starting Aug. 12 with the men’s modified-Stableford system match. Terry Schaefer fired a plus-4 to earn a 2-point victory over Ken Nagengast.
The women played a nine hole individual-lownet match Aug. 13 that saw Sue Wheeler ride a chip in on the second hole to an even-par 32 that gave her
clubhouse bragging rights for the day. Jana Samuels was two strokes back in second place, while Helen Pollock was alone in third place at 4-over-par 36.
Members played a nine-hole scramble Aug. 15 to close out the week of golf. The team of Ken Nagengast, Jana Samuels and Quentin Talbert matched the 2-under-par 30 carded by the team of Greg Jump and Deb and Dave Richardson for a tie for first place.
Horseshoe news
Two “teams” emerged from pool play and settled things in a playoff during Aug. 14 horseshoe action at the Anna Maria City Hall pits. The team of Tim Sofran and Tom Farrington edged walker Bob Hawks 23-19 to earn a trip to the winner’s circle.
There were two teams in a playoff for the Aug. 17 games, including the team of Dom Livedoti and Gersey Fernandes. They jumped out to an early lead and held on for the victory thanks to a game-ending double-ringer by Fernandes that gave them a 25-12 victory.
The action gets started at 9 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Anna Maria pits. Warmups begin at 8:45 a.m., followed by random team selection.
There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.
frequently caught in our area but are quite popular, especially for anglers who are sushi enthusiasts. And a bonus: White is encountering wahoo offshore. For those who know about the fish, they can put up a fight, and they’re one of the best-eating fish available. Moving inshore, White is finding spotted seatrout around deep grass flats. And he’s putting clients on mangrove snapper around docks and other structure in the bay.
Lastly, juvenile tarpon are being sighted and, although finicky, White is getting a few to take his bait. And the silver kings are a photo trophy fish.
Capt. Johnny Mattay also is running offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, which is yielding a variety of species. American red snapper are the most prominent bite, with limits easily attained. Other snappers, such as yellowtail and mangrove, are cooperating. In fact, Mattay says the snapper bite is as good as it gets. All three species are being caught on live or dead baits. For live baits, pinfish and shiners are working well. As for the dead baits, frozen sardines or threadfin herring are attracting plenty of attention for Mattay’s clients.
Fishing nearshore structure in depths of 40-60 feet is yielding snapper, although the yellowtails and red snapper are excluded. Mangrove snapper are prevalent in the shallower depths and being caught regularly while using live shiners on a knocker rig. Also present in these areas are Spanish mackerel, which are being caught by free-lining live shiners behind the boat.
Inshore, Mattay is seeing good numbers of redfish on the flats and around the stands of mangroves.
Juvenile tarpon, all catch and release, all the time, are making an appearance on the deeper flats and are occasionally being tricked into taking a bait. Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.
SportsShort
Spring ahead to baseball 2025
The Pittsburgh Pirates released their spring training schedule Aug. 15 for the 2025 Grapefruit League season.
The schedule includes a total of 31 games, 15 of which will be at played at LECOM Park in Bradenton.
Opening day will be Saturday, Feb. 22, when the team travels to Sarasota to face the Baltimore Orioles.
The Pirates will return to Bradenton for their home opener Feb. 23 against the Minnesota Twins.
Additional highlights of the 2025 schedule include:
• March 4, the Pirates will host the Boston Red Sox for the only time during spring training;
• March 7, the Pirates will host the Philadelphia Phillies for the first of two matchups;
• March 11, the Pirates will host the New York Yankees for the only time;
• March 17, the Pirates will host the Minnesota Twins on St. Patrick’s Day and travel to Lakeland to take on the Tigers in split squad action;
• March 22, the Pirates will play their final home game of the spring against the Baltimore Orioles. The schedule is at pirates.com/springtraining.
Information regarding times, ticket pricing and on-sale dates has not been announced.
— lisa Neff
Stasny
Nesting notes
By Masha Dolgoff
Least tern colony takes flight
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring has declared the least tern colony at the 27th Street North beach access in Bradenton Beach “a success.”
Kathy Doddridge, shorebird coordinator at AMITW, discovered the colony May 9.
The colony flourished for 88 days before Tropical Storm Debby caused the least terns to abandon the location, which Doddridge determined after visiting the area Aug. 5.
The colony fledged nine chicks.
The last time a least tern colony gathered on the island was in 2021 and fledged only two chicks before disbanding due to cat predation.
This year, predation was managed with help from Bradenton Beach and Manatee County officials and law enforcement officers.
Even with the intervention, 18 of 29 nests in the colony were predated or abandoned, drawing attention to just how fragile least terns are to the presence of laughing gulls, fish crows and domestic cats.
AMITW, in announcing the colony’s success, shared other details:
• The first hatch occurred June 14.
• The last hatch was July 23.
• The incubation time for one nest was 23 days. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the average least tern egg incubation period is 21 days — shorter than the two-month period of sea turtle eggs.
Kristen Mazzarella, executive director of AMITW, said Aug. 8 she is looking forward to applying the knowledge gained about how to best protect least terns next year.
“Our thanks to shorebird coordinator Kathy Doddridge, who managed these partnerships, took actions to mitigate predation and educated beachgoers on a
Kathy Doddridge, AMITW’s shorebird coordinator, attaches a sign July 3 at the posted least tern colony near 27th Street on the beach in Bradenton Beach.
Islander File
Photo: Masha Dolgoff
A least tern chick in the Bradenton Beach colony in early August near the 27th Street North beach access.
Islander
Photo: Kathy Doddridge
daily basis,” Mazzarella said.
AMITW also shared guidelines that are always relevant to helping keep shorebirds safe:
• Keep a distance. If birds become agitated or leave their nests, people are too close. A general rule is to stay at least 300 feet from a nest.
• Respect posted areas. Avoid posted nesting and resting areas and use designated walkways.
• Never force birds to fly. When birds are chased or disturbed, they use energy they need to reserve for
From the director’s report
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring completed its post-storm assessment of the remaining nests after Tropical Storm/Hurricane Debby.
The final tally — 479 nests were incubating on the beach at the time of the storm, which impacted AMI Aug. 3-6.
Of the 683 nests laid, 202 or 30% already had hatched by the time Debby hit.
Prior to the storm, we secured the nest stakes and made sure that all nests were marked with a special GPS.
After the storm passed, we picked up about 1,000 nest stakes that washed out in heavy surf.
We also assessed which nests remained on the beach and whether they had any tidal washover or inundation, as well as inventoried nests.
Nest inventories are conducted three days after a hatch. We count the eggs inside the nest to determine the hatch success.
Having missed two days of patrol, on Aug. 7 we had 27 inventories to complete — 19 were completed and we were unable to find eight.
Next, we used gPS to locate nests and determine which were washouts and which could be reposted. We documented 182 nests washed out and reposted 68 nests that might be viable.
We have continued to patrol for new turtle crawls, checking existing nests for hatch or disturbance and conducting inventories on hatched nests.
Aug. 10-16, we documented one new nest and three false crawls, as well as 31 hatches. We are hopeful for a near record season, with 255 nests incubating on the beach, combined with the 202 nests that hatched pre-storm.
— Kristen Mazzarella, AMITW
As of Aug. 16, there were 684 total nests, 835 false crawls and 233 hatched nests producing 17,444 hatchlings.
Mazzarella
Dolgoff
By Lisa Neff
Trying to chill
So island kids returned to school.
My parents came back to Florida from their summer in Illinois.
Forecasters have released their autumn outlooks. My wife planned fall travel.
But wait! I haven’t even ticked off any of the dozen books on my summer reading list. At No. 1 on the list is a reprint of John D. MacDonald’s 1962 novel “A Flash of Green” with an introduction by Dean Koontz.
The publisher describes “Flash of Green” as a “gripping story of smalltown corruption and two people brave enough to fight back.”
I think about the plot just about every time I sign on to the Bradenton Times digital news site to read a report on Manatee County commission actions.
I’ve read the novel but wanted to reread with eyes more fully opened to Florida politics and insight from Koontz, a master of horror and thriller fiction. What darkness does he see in MacDonald’s Sunshine State?
But I guess the summer reading list will become the fall reading list, as we’re a month from the equinox and less than two weeks to Labor Day.
With daytime temperatures still in the 90s, I’ve heard plenty of people mutter and wonder, When will it cool off?
Autumn officially begins Sept. 22 but that time of year in central and Southwest Florida feels a lot more like summer than fall.
High humidity with dew points in the middle 60s to mid 70s, along with high temperatures in the mid 80s to lower 90s persist into October, according to the National Weather Service.
Also, the first blast of cooler, drier air generally is short-lived — a day or two — barely providing relief from the heat.
The real cool down probably will come in November, after we’ve celebrated AMI life at Bayfest, made our way to the polls in the general election and welcomed back many snowbird neighbors.
The weather service in 2023 published a table showing dates in Florida for the first temps below 60 degrees in various locations.
A map from the National Weather Service’s Tampa Bay office shows when temperatures might hit below 60 degrees for west Manatee County and elsewhere. Islander Courtesy Image
For Sarasota-Bradenton, the earliest the thermometer fell below 60 was Sept. 19, 1981, and the latest was Nov. 23, 2015. The mean date is Oct. 19.
For St. Petersburg, the earliest was Oct. 1, 1920, and the latest was Dec. 4, 1986. The mean is Oct. 19.
For Tampa, the earliest was Sept. 19, 1981, and the latest was Nov. 23, 2015. The mean, again, is Oct. 19.
Not content with a cool 60?
The earliest freezing temp for Sarasota-Bradenton on record was set Nov. 17, 1940 — 27 degrees.
About least terns
Fresh ‘Flash’
A contemporary cover for John D. MacDonald’s 1962 novel “A Flash of Green,” a Florida tale pitting environmentalists against developers — yes, not all the snakes are in the swamps. The hero of the story? A reporter, of course. Islander Courtesy Image
By Lisa Neff
Water quality issues reported
The nonprofit Suncoast Waterkeeper conducted its latest enterococci survey during an incoming tide and that in all places with high enterococci results, there also was an abnormal amount of freshwater, especially during the incoming tide.
Suncoast Waterkeeper found high enterococci at Robinson Preserve in west Bradenton and the Palma Sola North Causeway beach. “Take caution” levels were found at the Historic Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach and the Longboat Key Boat Ramp on LBK.
Suncoast Waterkeeper, in an Aug. 10 notice, said the impact from Tropical Storm Debby was still evident in the water quality.
For more, go to suncoastwaterkeeper.org.
• Keep pets away from nesting areas. Pets are or can be perceived as a threat to birds and will disturb them. Keep cats indoors.
• Keep the beach clean and do not feed wildlife. Food scraps attract predators such as racoons and crows to the beaches. Litter on beaches can entangle birds.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, regarding least terns, says, “Everything about the least tern is sharp, from its brilliant yellow bill to its crisp black-andwhite head pattern, to its slender pointed wings and forked tail. This smallest of the world’s terns is a noisy presence around its breeding colonies and in coastal waters or broad inland rivers.”
— lisa Neff nesting and migration.
The species status is:
Florida: Threatened.
Federal: Endangered in Midwest and Great Plains states.
Where’s Henrietta?
For more information or ways to help protect nesting shorebirds and seabirds, visit islandturtlewatch. com.
International Union for Conservation of Nature: Least concern.
Henrietta, Anna Maria Island’s entry in the 2024 Tour de Turtles presented by the Sea Turtle Conservancy, has traveled about 34 miles since the “marathon” started Aug. 1. Henrietta was tagged with a satellite tracker June 24 at Coquina Beach for the researchfocused tour, in which nine sea turtles are monitored to see how far and where they travel. For more, go to tourdeturtles.org. Islander Screenshot
Neff
At the least tern colony in north Bradenton Beach in late June, a chick tries its wings. Islander Photo: Courtesy AMITW&SM/Kathy Doddridge
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FREEBIE ITEMS FOR SALE
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JRCC Home Improvement, handyman service can get the job done. Please, contact us at 413-246-2410. We would love to help.
TILE-TILE-TILE: All variations of ceramic tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship, prompt, reliable, many Island references. Call Robert, 941-726-3077.
DONALD PERKINS PAINTIN g LLC. Interior/exterior/pressure washing. Island references. dperkinspaint@hotmail.com. 941705-7096.
g ORILLA DRYWALL REPAIR LLC. Let’s solve your drywall problems together. give us a call at 941-286-0607.
CALL HYDRO CLEAN. Full-service pressure washing, sealing. Pavers, travertine and natural stone. Window washing too, up to three stories. Call Jacob, 941-920-2094.
ISLAND HANDYMAN: I live here, work here, value your referral. Refinish, paint. Just ask. JayPros. Licensed/insured. References. Call Jay, 941-962-2874.
RENTALS
ANNA MARIA gu LF beachfront vacation rentals. One- two- and three-bedroom units, all beachfront. www.amiparadise.com. 941778-3143.
AVAILABLE NOW AND season: 1BR/1BA, seven-night minimum. carlesvacationrentals. com Special rates are available. 941-8071405.
FOR RENT: Anna Maria Island condo. great value, beautiful upgraded 2BR/2BR. Incredible water view. Pool, tennis, walk to beach. Private carport. Excellent rental terms. Owner/renter. Call/email for pictures, 570-239-0431. marketreps@aol.com
FLAMINgO BY THE Bay condo for rent on Palma Sola Bay. Second floor with a view. 1BR/1BA with boat dock. Annual rental, $1,800/month. 941-224-0836.
SEASONAL RENTAL: Bradenton 55-plus community. Large 2BR/2BA condo on bay, exceptional views. Elevator and five minutes to bridge. No smoking, No pets. $4,650/month. Three-month minimum. Photos at https://barbaragillespie.wixsite. com/47872024. 732-748-0759
RENTALS Continued
SEASONAL RENTAL IN Holmes Beach available January-April 2025. Elevated townhouse 2BR/1.5BA. Three-month minimum. $4,100/ month plus tax, fees. Call Anna Maria Realty, 941-778-2259 or email dina@annamariareal. com
CONDO TO RENT in gated community (five miles from Anna Maria). Available July until end November, all included! 704-9930288. www.floridarentals.com/10943/
2025 SEASONAL RENTAL: Just one block from the beach, single-story 2BR/2BA private residence, screened patio. No smoking/ no pets. Monthly. January-April. 64th Street, Holmes Beach. Call 813-833-4926.
2BR/1BA ANNuAL LEASE: Electric/ac/heat all included. $2,975/month. Looking for 1 or 2 quiet adults with no pets or smoking. Steps to gulf. Owner-occupied duplex. Owner, 508496-8480. williamshomes@yahoo.com
JANuARY 2025 AVAILABLE: Snowbird special! Perico Island patio home, single floor, high ceilings, 3BR/2BA, privacy wall/gate, two-car garage. Call or text Alison, 859-7716423. www.pericoislandrental.com.
REAL ESTATE
WINNIE MCHALE, REALTOR, 941-5046146. Dalton Wade Real Estate. You need an aggressive and experienced Realtor in today’s market! Selling island homes, Sarasota and Bradenton areas. Multi-milliondollar producer! “Selling Homes - Making Dreams Come True.”
2BR/2BA HOME for sale. 3,000 sfur. 1,100 sf garage. Steps to beach. $1,449,000. 941518-6329.
CONDO FOR SALE or lease. 2BR/2BA at the west end of Bradenton Riverwalk. Downtown walk-a-bout community features library, performing art center, creative art center and galleries. Shoppes, fine and casual dining. $280,000. Florida Suncoast Real Estate, geri Kenyon, 941-725-4374.
PRIVATE SALE: THE perfect VRBO or private vacation home. Beautiful beachside bungalow direct marina front with peek-a-boo views of Palma Sola Bay. Private boat docks are available. Just off the SR 64 causeway at Palma Sola Bay in the highly sought-after community of Palma Sola Park. This beautiful 2BR/2BA, sleeps 8 with heated salt pool and large tiki bar. $1,200,000. Contact owner, 941-661-6196.
MOuNT VERNON uPDATED villa for sale. 2BR/2BA. 1,246 sf. $309,000. 55-plus vibrant community, heated pool, clubhouse, pickleball, kayak launch, plus more! Boat docks available: $25 application, $10 yearly. 9407 Andover Circle, Bradenton. Keller Williams on the Water, Cathy Roberson, 239-8989123.
REAL ESTATE Continued
OPEN HO u SE: 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25. Minutes to Anna Maria. Custom built 2BR/2BA, two-car garage with deluxe appointments. Private yard and garden, community pool, spa, clubhouse and boat docks. $795,000. 2107 89th St., NW Bradenton. Real Estate Mart, 941-720-7519 or 941-356-1456.
1BR/1BA MOBILE HOME with lanai. Appliances, including washer and dryer. Patio, awning, park amenities. Sarasota Bay RV Park, 55-plus. $20,000, firm. Five or sixmonth occupancy fee includes storage, all utilities. 765-265-5469.
OPEN HO u SE: NOON-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24. Deluxe, upgraded 2BR/2BA, pool and clubhouse ground-floor villa. Minutes to beach. 4169 66th St. Circle, Bradenton. Real Estate Mart, 941-356-1456.
THE ISLANDER OFFERS the best results for your classified advertising dollar. We really work for you! Submit your ad no later than noon Monday on the website, islander.org. For Monday holidays, such as Labor Day, the deadline is Friday.
Meet and greet
By Bonner Joy
The AMI chamber will hold a business mixer 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, at the Chateau Anna Maria that is sponsored by Anna Maria Island Real Estate and Islanders 4 Clean Waters.
The sponsors offer bites and beverages and an opportunity to learn about AMI’s clean water campaign.
Chateau Anna Maria is at the Waterline Marina Resort, 5325 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.
The cost is $5 for members and $10 for others.
People can RSVP to Ingrid McClellan at the chamber via ingrid@amichamber.org or 941-778-1541.
That’s not all.
The chamber suggests saving the date for its Sunrise Breakfast 8-9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 5 at Ginny’s & Jane’s Coastal Cafe, 9807 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, as well as an 11:30 a.m. luncheon at the Freckled Fin Irish Pub, 5337 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.
To wrap up the event notices: the chamber will host its 23rd Annual Bayfest on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19.
They are seeking vendors and sponsors.
Chamber taps recruiters
The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce announced in August a membership drive is underway through Nov. 30.
Chamber members are asked to recruit new members in exchange for a “free enhanced logo” in a 2025 visitor’s guide and business directory.
Also recruiters — for each new member brought in — will be entered into a drawing for a 2025 membership.
Additionally, three or more recruitments will earn a business a platinum website listing — a $200 value.
To learn more, check out the chamber website at amichamber.org or call 941-778-1541.
TAnd the nominees are …
The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce is collecting recommendations for its business of the year awards.
To be a successful nominee, a business must have been in operation at least three years and a member of the chamber for at least one year.
Businesses that previously won the award are eligible to win again if they fit into another award category.
Categories include small business, 1-4 employees; medium business, 5-14 employees; large business, 15 or more employees; and nonprofit business.
Nominations must be submitted by Saturday, Aug. 31.
For more information, call the chamber at 941778-1541.
Also, the Manatee Chamber of Commerce Aug. 14 announced 93 honorees in its business awards, including companies and nonprofits with island ties.
Awards will be presented at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto.
To see the list, go online to manateechamber. com.
For more, call the chamber at 941-748-3411.
BizCal
By Lisa Neff
THIS WEEK
Thursday, Aug. 22
5-7 p.m. — Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce business card exchange, Anna Maria Island Real Estate with Islanders 4 Clean Water, the Chateau, 5325 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-1541, ingrid@amichamber.org.
SAVE THE DATES
Sept. 5, 8 a.m., AMI chamber breakfast, Ginny’s and Jane E’s Cafe, 9807 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria.
Sept. 12, 11:30 a.m., AMI luncheon, Freckled Fin Irish Pub, 5337 Gulf Drive, Suite 600, Holmes Beach.
Oct. 19, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., AMI Chamber Bayfest, Pine Avenue, Anna Maria.
Send listings to calendar@islander.org.
Business news Does your business celebrate achievements? Maybe you’re new in business? Email news@islander.org.
PropertyWatch
By Carol Bernard
Island real estate transactions
207 Willow Ave., Anna Maria, a 1,915 square foot
3BR/2BA home on a 9,374 square foot lot built in 1987 sold 6/10/2024 by Snyder to Sicilia for $2,000,000, list price $2,195,000
403 S. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, a 2,115 square foot
4BR/3BA pool home on a 6,268 square foot lot built in 1991 sold 6/20/2024 by Dream Island LLC to Kunke for $2,155,000, list price
$2,299,000
608 Rose St., Anna Maria a 2,020 square foot
4BR/5BA pool home on a 5,001 square foot lot built in 2023 sold 6/12/2024 by Wilson AMI LLC to II Enterprises Inc. for $2,930,000 list price $2,999,999
407 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, a 3,022 square foot
4BR/5BA pool home on a 7,540 square foot lot built in 2018 sold 6/17/2024 by AMI Prop Limited to Klein Trust for $3,650,000, list price $3,849,000.
106 Beach Ave., Anna Maria, a 3,452 square foot 5BR/4BA home on a 9,540 square foot lot built in 2016 sold 6/27/2024 by Walter to Sandford Trust for $3,750,000, list price $3,949,000.
903 N. Shore Drive, #A, Anna Maria, a 2,971 square foot 4BR/5BA pool home on a 6,752 square foot lot built in 2020 sold 6/3/2024 by Beaches and Dreams Forever LLC to PLG5 Prop LLC for $5,500,000, list price $5,950,000.
2100 Ave. B, Bradenton Beach, a 2,880 square foot 8BR/5BA pool home on a 5,001 square foot lot built in 2000 sold 6/20/2024 by Grand Island Oasis to 2100 Avenue B LLC for $2,550,000, list price $2,699,999.
619 Point Drive, Holmes Beach, a 2,308 square foot 4BR/4BA pool home on a 8,973 square foot lot built in 1987 sold 6/5/2024 by Grau to Cote Family Business LLC for $2,300,000, list price $2,750,000.
116 White Ave., Holmes Beach, a 3,275 square foot 4BR/3BA pool home on a 12,576 square foot lot built in 1953 sold 6/28/2024 by Conner to Foster for $2,825,000, list price $2,950,000.
Compiled by Island Real Estate staff. IRE can be reached at 941-778-6066, islandreal.com.
Bradenton Beach P&Z reviews new business concept
By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter
A new business concept is making a wake in Bradenton Beach.
Kefton Schermerhorn, owner of Positive Waves, a boat rental and charter company, presented a business concept to the city planning and zoning board during a public hearing Aug. 8.
Schermerhorn wants approval to establish an electric hydrofoil and motorized surfboard rental business with accessory retail sales at 115 Third St. S. The business model includes captained charters aboard either a 26-foot boat or a 36-foot catamaran. Customers could rent a board or foil for the day or schedule a guided excursion.
The proposed location of the business would be 115 Third St. S., which is zoned C-1 for limited commercial, and falls within the Old Bridge Village planned development overlay.
City planner Luis Serna provided an overview of the proposal, noting the business concept conforms
to the city’s land development code. Serna’s opinion supported Schermerhorn’s application. However, P&Z members expressed concerns. Board member Ken McDonough questioned
Kefton Schermerhorn, owner of Positive Waves, a vessel charter and water sports rental company, appeals Aug. 8 to members of the Bradenton Beach P&Z for approval of his business in the Commercial-1 zone. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson
whether parking would be an issue, to which Schermerhorn said the location would serve more as a pickup and drop-off spot and most of the company’s charters would collect passengers at public boat ramps where there is ample parking.
Board member John Burns raised concerns about the possibility of allowing the charter to operate from the Historic Bridge Street Pier and asked that a clarification be obtained from city attorney Ricinda Perry about commercial use of the floating dock.
The board agreed to wait for advice and members are expected to revisit the proposal at their next meeting at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.
Yes, it’s open
Target at Beachway Plaza at 75th Street and Manatee Avenue is finally open. With no fanfare or ceremony, it opened to shoppers Aug. 13. Islander Photo: Bonner Joy
Islander archive 24/7
Some years ago, The Islander was invited to take part in a pilot project with the University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries. It’s all maintained on the library site, since our first edition in 1992, searchable by key word, name or date. Look for The Islander in the stacks at the UofF Florida digital newspaper collection at ufdc.ufl.edu.
CORTEZ FISHING VILLAGE
Adorable, recently renovated 2BR,2BA cottage in the Historic Fishing Village of Cortez. Located just a half mile to Anna Maria Island amd its pristine beaches and walking distance to some of the most iconic, local restaurants around. Two great, fresh seafood markets, the Florida Maritime Museum and the 96-acre, waterfront, nature preserve of F.I.S.H. are also within walking distance of this great home. Recent updates include NEW ROOF April 2024, new kitchen and bathrooms, and a great swim-spa. Offered for $605,000.
