The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, June 29, 2022 by The Anna Maria Islander Newspaper

VOLUME 30, NO. 36

Happy Fourth of July

JUNE 29, 2022 FREE

The Best news on Anna Maria Island Since 1992 Astheworldterns. 6

Q&A 062922

Top Notch

Holiday closings. 3

islander.org

Criminal charge pursued for political sign removal By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

1st responders ready-set for July 4. 4

A clash between a Manatee County commissioner and a man gunning for the seat could escalate to a criminal charge. Lakewood Ranch resident Jason Bearden pro10-20 YEARS AGO vided a sworn statement Looking back. 7 June 22 to the Holmes LBK restricts motorboats Beach Police Department at north end. 8 seeking charges against County Commissioner Bearden County seeks 2 for enviCarol Whitmore for removronmental group. 8 ing three Bearden campaign WMFR awards, signs that were posted in promotions. 9 Holmes Beach. Bearden is challenging Whitmore in the Aug. 23 Randy Johnson of Lakeland wins the first week of The Islander’s 2022 Top notch photo Republican primary elecWhitmore contest with this photograph of the sun rising at 6 a.m. June 3 from the canal between Save the date. 10-11 tion for the at-large District 67th and 68th streets in Holmes Beach. The photographer wins an Islander “More6 seat on the county board of commissionthan-a-mullet wrapper” T-shirt and entry into the finals, which includes a grand prize of Happenings ers. $100 from The Islander and gift certificates from Islander advertisers. What’s up on AMI? Whitmore, a Holmes Beach resident 10-11 and 16-year incumbent on the county commission, delivered three Bearden campaign Top signs to the HBPD June 11 and said she had notch removed them from private property near invite. 12 her home and a public right of way, according to a police report. GoodDeeds. 13 By Kane Kaiman The expected influx of drivers — 4% The signs remained as of June 24 at the Islander Reporter TuRn TO POLITICAL SIGNS, PAGe 2 more than last year — likely will be bolGathering. 14 Washingtons, Hamiltons, maybe even stered by air travel from Sarasota-Bradenton Franklins — the Founding Fathers will be International Airport, which has expanded showing their faces on the island the three- flight offerings in recent years. day July Fourth holiday. The net result is solidly booked shortArea man trains on AMI Tourism and business insiders expect term accommodations on the island July 1-4, for trail hike. 14 traditional crowds but Anna Maria Island Falcione said. July 4 events. rental managers are scrambling to fill vacan“And at this point for the July Fourth 15 cies that buck historical trends. holiday, we’re expecting a status-quo type of Meanwhile, business owners are putting weekend pretty similar to last year. Bookings Streetlife. 16 forth individualized approaches to the holi- look pretty solid,” he said. Cops & Courts 16 day. Silver Resorts general manager Angela Woman sentenced in fatal “We’re expecting a busy Anna Maria Rodocker corroborated Falcione’s findings, HB hit-and-run. Island,” Bradenton Area Convention and telling The Islander in a June 21 email that Visitors Bureau executive director Elliott the outfit’s sister sites in Bradenton Beach esther on tour. 18 Falcione said June 22. — Bridgewalk Landmark Resort and Silver “Every national holiday weekend in Surf Gulf Resort — were nearly sold out. the summer is always strong. Whether it’s “I expect us to be completely full by Testing the water. 19 Memorial Day or the Fourth of July or Labor the time the weekend gets here,” she added. Day, unless the weather is really bad, it’s “The following week is also very busy. This Three campaign signs for Jason Bearden, Indoor soccer tops AMI sports. 20 going to be strong,” he said. “Because not is very common year after year.” who is challenging for the Manatee only do you have a strong driver market Rodocker reported that about 80% of County District 6 commission seat, Seize your catch. 21 coming in, it’s augmented by summertime hotel guests filling the resorts’ 78 combined remained at the Holmes Beach code flights that we have now that we probably rooms will be from Florida, with the remain- enforcement office as of June 24. County Isl Biz: 22 didn’t have 6-8 years ago.” Wraps, welcomes, rigs. ing 20% hailing from the Southeast, Midwest Commissioner Carol Whitmore, who is Despite high fuel prices, the American and Northeast — another standard summer running to retain her District 6 seat, pulled TDC meets on AMI. 23 Automobile Association anticipates the sec- trend. the signs from properties where they were ond-busiest Fourth of July in Florida since Most guests are families staying 3-4 posted and dropped them at the Holmes CLASSIFIEDS. 24-25 with 2.6 million Floridians expected days and arriving on Saturday, July 2, or Beach police station. Bearden called for PropertyWatch. 26 2000, to travel 50 miles or more during the holiday Sunday, July 3, she said. a criminal charge. Islander Photo: Ryan weekend. TuRn TO SUMMER TOURISM, PAGe 5 Paice puzzle. 27

Meetings 4 Opinions 6

Week 1 winner: Dawn’s early light

Island plots sparkling July 4 sales, tourist inﬂux

NYT

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2022 Elections Voter registration for August primary closes July 25

Voter registration ahead of Florida’s primaries was set to close Monday, July 25. The Republican and Democratic primaries will be Tuesday, Aug. 23, and there will be ballots for voters in all the island cities. Mail ballots are expected to be sent to voters who requested them in the last week of July. Early voting before the primary will begin Saturday, Aug. 13, and end Saturday, Aug. 20. Registration ahead of the general election will close Tuesday, Oct. 11. Early voting will begin Saturday, Oct. 29, and close Saturday, Nov. 5. Election Day will be Tuesday, Nov. 8. For more information about the 2022 elections, visit the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office website at votemanatee.com. — Lisa neff

POLITICAL SIGNS COnTInueD FROM PAGe 1

city’s code compliance office for Bearden to recover. Whitmore told police she called developer Shawn Kaleta, who owns private property where two of the signs were posted, and he told her he hadn’t given permission for the signs to be posted. In his sworn statement, Bearden disputed Whitmore’s argument, writing that the people who posted the signs were given permission by “various property owners.” Whitmore told police she removed the signs because they were in violation of city code, which states that the posting of political signage more than 45 days before an election is prohibited. However, it’s not up to residents to enforce the code, which may be defunct, according to Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer.

HBPD Detective Josh Fleischer wrote in a June 22 police report that Bearden’s complaints about the “unconstitutional” code led city attorney Erica Augello to agree that “the way the current ordinance reads needed to be changed.” Earlier in the month, June 13, Chief Bill Tokajer issued a news release, asking residents to report potentially noncompliant signs to city code and law enforcement officers instead of removing signs. The HBPD completed a capias request June 22, including a potential second-degree misdemeanor charge against Whitmore for petit theft. The capias request goes to the state attorney’s office, which reviews the case and determines if Whitmore will be charged. The SAO can then issue a court summons or a warrant for Whitmore’s arrest. If Whitmore is convicted of such a charge, she could face up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. Whitmore downplayed the issue June 22, reading from a prepared statement outside Holmes Beach City Hall. “You got me, I confess,” Whitmore said. “To the people of Manatee County, I want you to know, I did pick up a few illegally placed yard signs per Holmes Beach ordinance. “Let me ask my fellow citizens of Manatee County: Do you want a commissioner who is going to call the cops on you for jaywalking? Jason Bearden would. Do you want a commissioner with such a weak jaw that he starts crying over a few illegally placed signs? Jason Bearden did,” she added. Whitmore also accused Bearden of committing election fraud by “paying his friends to run against me.” Bearden countered Whitmore’s claims in a June 23 text message to The Islander. Bearden wrote, “Carol’s accusation is completely fictitious and manufactured. It’s almost as good a fiction of her lying about turning herself in. “The only candidate breaking the law in this race is career Commissioner Carol Whitmore. She’s the

only candidate with a police report; Carol is the only candidate who can be charged of a crime and the only candidate who could face jail time.” “Carol isn’t just a criminal, she’s a pathological liar. She knows sign ordinances have been ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. I look forward to full charges being levied by an impartial state attorney and the maximum penalty being levied,” Bearden added. Two county commissioners decried Whitmore’s actions on social media despite their own controversies. Commissioner Vanessa Baugh tweeted June 21 about the matter, writing “I wonder if this is how many political signs for Baugh and Kruse disappeared in 2020, calling Carol Whitmore!” Baugh called the same day for Whitmore to resign in another tweet. Last December, the Florida Commission on Ethics found probable cause against Baugh for abuse of office for her role in organizing a pop-up vaccine clinic in violation of the county’s vaccine lottery system. An ethics commission hearing to discuss Baugh’s case will be held Aug. 9-11. Commissioner George Kruse joined in, calling the sign incident “dirty politics” in a June 21 tweet. “At least now I know where all my signs went in 2020 ….” Kruse wrote in one tweet responding to a post about the sign removal incident. The SAO charged Kruse the next day with a second-degree misdemeanor for driving under the influence of alcohol in an April 20 single-vehicle crash in Bradenton. An arraignment for Kruse’s DUI charge was scheduled for July 19. Find The Islander dating to november 1992 online at the uofF Digital newspaper Collection at ufdc.ufl.edu.

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June 29, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 3 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

BB resident’s commission challenge fails, incumbents retake seats — for now By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

The race was over before it began. David Galuszka informed The Islander June 22 that he is not a candidate in Bradenton Beach for Ward 4 commissioner. Galuszka planned to run in the Nov. 8 municipal election against incumbent Commissioner Ralph Cole. He filed paperwork by the June 17 deadline to run but later learned Galuszka he’s not qualified for the ballot. Galuszka’s address, 300 Second St. N., is outside the Ward 4 boundaries. Galuszka resides in Ward 3, where the commission seat won’t be up for election until 2023. Bradenton Beach uses a four-ward system for representation on the city commission. In order to run for a ward seat, a candidate must be a full-time resident of the ward. “Each ward commissioner candidate shall be a resident of and be primarily domiciled at the time of filing in the ward in which the candidate has filed their candidacy,” per the city charter. “Each ward commissioner shall at all times remain primarily domiciled in the ward in which the candidate is elected.” The Ward 3 voting district contains the whole of the downtown community redevelopment agency district and is bordered by Cortez Road, Sarasota Bay, the Gulf of Mexico and the southern city limits. Ward 4 is bordered by 17th Street North, Sarasota Bay, the Gulf of Mexico and Cortez Road. Galuszka, who ran unsuccessfully in 2021 against incumbent John Chappie for mayor, is out of bounds and out of the running. Cole is now uncontested in his bid for reelection, as is Ward 2 Commissioner Marilyn Maro.

Cole has served three nonconsecutive terms as a city commissioner. He was elected in 2015 for Ward 3, appointed to a one-year term in 2017, elected in 2018 and again in 2020. Cole lost his race for reelection in Cole 2017 but was appointed by the commission to fill the seat left vacant after Chappie was elected mayor. While Maro is uncontested, her ability to retain her office will be determined at the polls, as voters on Election Day will decide whether to Maro eliminate term limits. Maro has served as Ward 2 commissioner for three consecutive terms, having been appointed to a two-year term in 2016 and elected in 2018 and 2020. The commission-appointed charter review committee recommended asking voters to eliminate term limits and, in May, commissioners voted to accept the CRC’s recommendation. The commission has placed five charter-related questions on the Nov. 8 ballot. If voters do not eliminate term limits, Maro will not be able to remain as an elected official. The charter committee also considered the ward system in its review of the charter but decided not to recommend changes. One committee member, Jim Hassett, was outspoken in his belief the ward system is not needed in Bradenton Beach. But, in the end, the committee voted 4-1 to retain ward representation. For more information on the 2022 election, go online to votemanatee.com.

Visit islander.org for the best news on AMI.

July 4 brings closings

Independence Day will be observed on the holiday, Monday, July 4. Most government offices will be closed, including city halls in Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach. The fare-free island trolley will operate as normal throughout the holiday weekend. The Manatee County Area Transit Beach Express will operate Sundays and July 4, but buses will not operate fixed-route services or the Handy Bus service on July 4. Residential trash or recycling pickups regularly scheduled for Mondays will be pushed to Tuesdays, and collection services may be pushed back through the week. County preserves and beaches will be open. Where’s the trolley? MCAT riders, including those hoping to catch the fare-free island trolley, can track vehicles on their route using the myStop app for smartphones.

Q&A 062922

By Lisa neff

The Islander poll Last week’s question

On July 4, I look forward to … 35%. Fireworks displays. 35%. Family gatherings. 12%. Independence Day parades. 19%. No work.

This week’s question

My summer vacation involves a … A. Roadtrip. B. Domestic flight. C. International flight. D. Staycation. E. Don’t get a break. To answer the poll, go online to islander.org.

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1st responders ready-set for July 4 holiday challenges By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

Expecting mega crowds on Anna Maria Island for the July 4 holiday, local law enforcement are putting on extra staffing. “We are going to be vigorously patrolling the beach and the city,” said Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer. Law enforcement also will be beefed up in Anna Maria, where a fireworks display will take place at 9 p.m. Saturday, July 2. Another large event will be the Anna Maria Island Privateers’ Independence Day Parade, which will step off at 10 a.m. Monday, July 4, from Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach and travel north to City Pier Park in Anna Maria. And throughout the holiday, law enforcement expects crowds of beachgoers. “We’ll be having a zero-tolerance policy on alcohol on the beach,” Tokajer said. “We are going to be monitoring for people using illegal fireworks and we’ll handle those on a case-by-case basis.” Exploding, launching or projectile fireworks are illegal on Anna Maria Island without a permit and their use can carry up to a $500 fine. Sky lanterns also are prohibited. What’s allowable? Sparklers, smoke devices, party poppers, snappers and snakes. Illegal fireworks — anything that goes boom and shoots in the air — will be seized and citations can be issued to those who possess them. Some other general rules: No pets, fires, grills, glass bottles or alcohol on the beach. The Manatee County Sheriffs’ Office, which is contracted to police Anna Maria, will assign extra deputies to the island for the long weekend, according

access, mainly emergency vehicles, your vehicle will be towed.” MCSO public information officer Randy Warren, in a June 24 email to The Islander, said the county’s marine patrol vessels will be on the water, doing safety checks and monitoring the “no wake” and “manatee” zones. Marine deputies will be reminding boaters to slow down in the restricted zones and also ready to arrest people who are boating under the influence. It is unlawful to operate a vessel with a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or higher. The July 2 fireworks and the July 4 parade will increase traffic congestion and demand for parking, and motorists can expect heavy, slow traffic throughout the holiday weekend. “People who are leaving and need to get to an airport, need to make sure that they leave early,” said Tokajer. In addition to parking at public beaches, off-site beach parking will be open at Anna Maria Elementary School, 4700 Gulf Drive N., Holmes Beach, through Beachgoers set up flags for the July 4 holiday. an agreement between the county school district and Islander File Photo: Brook Morrison the county. “There’s going to be a lot of people out here. Drive to MCSO-Anna Maria substation Sgt. Brett Getman. carefully, pack your patience,” Tokajer said, “And The MCSO plans to have a horse-mounted patrol remember you are coming to paradise so enjoy your at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach July 3-4. stay.” Lifeguards also will be on duty at the county beaches in Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach. Bradenton Beach Lt. Lenard Diaz told The Islander June 25 that he recommends beachgoers arrive early for parking. “There is no parking on the rights of way” in BraIndependence Day on Anna Maria Island can be a denton Beach, Diaz said. “It’s a $75 fine if you park beautiful spectacle. in the right of way and if your vehicle is blocking But the mess left on the beach can be almost equally spectacular — although not in a good way. Holmes Beach code compliance supervisor JT Thomas told The Islander June 24 the city will host a beach cleanup the morning after the celebration. The cleanup will begin at 8 a.m. Tuesday, July 5, on the beach at the 52nd Street access in Holmes Beach, and is open to anyone willing to pitch in and help. Thomas said the city would provide trash pickers to people who attend, as well as T-shirts in appreciation. Waste Pro employees and members of Keep Manatee Beautiful will assist in the cleanup, according to Thomas.

Holiday cleanup scheduled in Holmes Beach

About congressional services HB clerk recognized for achievement Holmes Beach city clerk Stacey Johnston, left, hands a certificate of recognition June 14 to records manager/deputy city clerk Michelle Lowe for obtaining the International Institute of Municipal Clerks’ designation of certified municipal clerk. Islander Photo: Courtesy Scotty Lynn Kelly

Meetings

Chloe Conboy, a deputy director for u.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, speaks June 16 at a Bradenton Beach City Commission meeting about congressional initiatives and services. Buchanan’s Manatee County field representative, Paige Morrison, will be available to meet with constituents 2-5 p.m. Friday, July 8, at Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive n. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

— Ryan Paice

New Anna Maria ‘staffer’

By Lisa neff

Anna Maria City July 14, 2 p.m., commission. July 28, 6 p.m., commission. Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, 941708-6130, cityofannamaria.com. Bradenton Beach July 6, 9:30 a.m., CRA. July 7, 6 p.m., commission. July 12, 9 a.m., commission (budget). July 13, 1 p.m., department heads. July 21, noon, commission. Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., 941-778-1005, cityofbradentonbeach.com. Holmes Beach July 6, 10 a.m., parks and beautification. July 12, 9 a.m., commission (budget). July 13, 6 p.m., planning. July 14, 9 a.m., clean water. July 20, 5 p.m., commission (budget).

July 28, 11:30 a.m., police pension. Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, 941-708-5800, holmesbeachﬂ.org. West Manatee Fire Rescue None announced. WMFR administration building, 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton, 941-761-1555, wmfr.org. Manatee County July 26, 8:30 a.m., commission. July 28, 9 a.m., commission (budget). County administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 941-748-4501, mymanatee. org. Also of interest July 4 is Independence Day. Most government offices will be closed. Please, send meeting notices to calendar@ islander.org and news@islander.org.

Holmes Beach resident Destin Gollamudi introduces himself June 23 to Anna Maria city commissioners while attending his first public meeting as an intern for the city. Gollamudi — the son of nenita Daguinotas Gollamudi, a contributing photographer with The Islander — graduated from Manatee High School earlier this spring and will attend the university of Florida in Gainesville in the fall to study computer science, specifically software engineering. Gollamudi told The Islander he developed an interest in politics in his seventh-grade civics class. He began interning at city hall earlier in the week. The city has accepted other islanders for summer internships in the past so they can gain experience ahead of college. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

June 29, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 5 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

SUMMER TOURISM COnTInueD FROM PAGe 1

While short-term rental and hotel bookings appear solid, the number of weeklong reservations at rentals is down compared to previous years. Duncan Real Estate vacation rental manager Sybille Petereit told The Islander they began offering short-term stays at their managed properties June 22 to fill Independence Day vacancies. “We used to book Saturday to Saturday with the holiday week fully booked at this time without the need to allow short stays,” she said. “Currently, we are only booked about 85%, which is very slow compared to any other previous year.” June 22 search results showed July 2-9 vacancies at 29 of Island Real Estate’s 96 rental properties and 36 of Anna Maria Island Accommodation’s 263 units. Petereit theorized that recent island rental price hikes, international travel opportunities and rising transportation costs have deterred visitors from longer stays at Duncan’s 100 rental properties. The market factors also may be driving another unusual trend — fewer summertime visitors from Florida. While Duncan usually sees a 50/50 in-state/outof-state renter split, the outfit has seen the number of Floridian renters decrease by 50% this year. Petereit said Floridian renters may have opted to find cheaper accommodations on the mainland that allow them to drive to the island Independence Day weekend. Checking-in at restaurants While most island restaurants will be enjoying an uptick in business July 1-4, some will close Independence Day to give staff a breather. “We’re open the weekend, just closed on the actual holiday,” Pizza Social owner Andrew Simonetti said June 21. “We wanted to give our staff a much-needed rest and enjoy the holiday with family and friends.” The Anna Maria pizzeria, which celebrated its twoyear anniversary June 17, also closed for the holiday last year. Holmes Beach’s Beach Bistro also will close July 4. “We are always closed July Fourth,” James Hager, Beach Bistro general manager, said June 22. “We give our employees an opportunity to celebrate this wonderful country and that’s just what we’ve always done.” Hager anticipates an influx of business July 1-3 and said he’s seen more families and large groups come through the bistro’s doors this summer compared to previous years. The eatery’s business volume has been solid but trails behind last year’s late-pandemic boom, an islandwide trend Hager attributes to market normalization. Bradenton Beach’s Wicked Cantina, Holmes Beach’s Ugly Grouper and Anna Maria Island’s Poppo’s Taqueria and Two Scoops ice cream parlor will be open July 4. Staff and owners said the businesses will benefit from the Anna Maria Island Privateers’ Independence Day Parade, which will pass by their doors 10:30-11

Ready for summer season? Are you getting ready for the summer on AMI? You can improve your odds for success and reach The Islander’s readers — residents, seasonal visitors and vacationers — looking for things to do. Shop, dine, events and indoor and outdoor fun. For advertising info, call or text 941-778-7978.

John Hudak, left, Lani Knoch, Scott Knoch and Steve Martz — visiting for a friend’s Anna Maria beach wedding from Medina, Ohio, — enjoy beverages and conversation June 24 at a crowded ugly Grouper seafood restaurant. The eatery is expecting a busy Independence Day weekend. Islander Photos: Kane Kaiman

a.m. along Gulf Drive, Marina Drive, Palm Drive and Pine Avenue. Shawn Culhane of the Ugly Grouper indicated June 21 they may open as early as 10 a.m. July 4, “because people are going to flock everywhere during and after the parade.” Culhane said he expected the eatery, known for its grouper tacos, to be slammed that day, when two musical acts — the Stockton Brothers and the Tequila Boys — will be performing. Two Scoops owner Taylor LaBell said the Anna Maria ice cream joint will offer a Captain America flavor and patriotic dipped cones July 4 weekend. The eatery also will have “plenty of chili dogs ready to go,” LaBell added.

Nature and Two Sides of Nature Too — Two Scoops’ sister beach boutiques — also will cater to parade attendees. “It will be busy on Fourth of July but our team is trained to get through lines quickly and we are ready to make our customers’ holiday memorable,” LaBell said. On Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach, Kelly Headley will hold down the fort at Cove, her art gallery and boutique, with an early closing July 4. Headley said Bridge Street vendors will benefit from this year’s extended holiday weekend timetable. “It’s a good schedule for business, people taking the whole weekend off,” she said. “Typically, on holidays, the day of we aren’t that busy, it’s usually the Ringing in retail days surrounding the holidays.” Retail outfit owners also are employing a mixed “I look forward to closing early to enjoy time with strategy for the holiday weekend. family,” she added. “Holidays, they’re a time to relax Original Sand Dollar owner Julia Duytschaver said and enjoy life, time to let go of business and have some June 20 the Holmes Beach boutique likely will close fun.” July 4 after a slow Independence Day last year. Howie BanSun and Surf Beach Shop, across the parking lot field covers from the Sand Dollar in the Island Shopping Center, the song will open 9-7 p.m. July 4, offering patriotic T-shirts, “Ol’ 55” by mugs and tote bags, salesperson Karen Klages said Tom Waits June 22. June 23 While foot traffic to the shop has been heavy for patrons throughout the summer, the three-year salesperson listening, said she expects even more visitors July 4 weekend. visiting and Q’s Boutique will celebrate its first Independence dining at the Day at its new location in Anna Maria. T-end of the The shop moved from Bradenton Beach’s Bridge Anna Maria Street to Gulf Drive in the island’s northernmost City Pier in municipality in May. Anna Maria. Owner Lisa Luu said the shop — which carries Islander sunscreen, water and other beach-related items — will Photo: Ryan open 9 a.m. July 4 to accommodate paradegoers. Paice In Anna Maria’s Bayview Plaza, Two Sides of

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Opinion

Our

Freedom

With this issue of The Islander, we celebrate Independence Day. The Fourth of July in the United States marks the annual celebration of nationhood. It commemorates the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, finalizing our separation from Great Britain. The American colonies were the British colonies — established during the 17th and early 18th centuries — in what is now the eastern United States. The American Revolution — the U.S. War of Independence— was fought 1775-83, as the colonies threw off British rule to establish the sovereign United States of America. British attempts to assert greater control over colonial affairs after a long period of neglect and the imposition of unpopular taxes contributed to an estrangement between the crown and the colonists, who ultimately saw rebellion as their only recourse. America fought for its freedom and sacrificed more than 217,000 lives, according to online sources. We celebrate our freedom from British rule on July 4 with picnics, barbecues, beach time, boating and fishing, cold beer and iced tea and, throughout the day and especially at night, a barrage of fireworks. At a glance, they can be a spectacular site. Sparkle, sizzle, shooting stars. Boom, boom, boom. But for many military veterans, people suffering mental issues or behavioral problems, autism, PTSD or other disorders and issues, and for pets and wildlife, it’s a nightmare. The trash left behind by revelers on our beaches present dangers for marine life and beachgoers. Illegal sky lanterns can fall in the water and can kill dolphins, sea turtles and other creatures that mistake them for jellyfish and other food sources. So if you go to the beach to watch or shoot fireworks — please, be respectful. We’re celebrating the birth of our nation, not to be mistaken with the ruin of the environment or the place we call paradise. We should all celebrate our freedom. Some of us, will begin anew the fight for freedom. For equal rights for all. Addressing pedestrian danger Women must fight again for the rights they have Among short- and long-term solutions to address enjoyed for almost 50 years. The right to control our the ongoing danger of pedestrians crossing the 45-mph bodies and our health. Our right to choose. causeway at Palma Sola Bay, one solution might be to My body. My life. My freedom. Boom! eliminate one reason for pedestrians to cross over to I’m in for the fight to regain women’s rights. the other side. — Bonner Joy, news@islander.org We all know of one important and urgent reason to cross the road. Being certain there are plentiful toilet facilities on both sides of the causeway could reduce the number of dangerous crossings. JUNE 29, 2022 • Vol. 30, No. 36 There do not appear to be any facilities along long ▼ Publisher, Co-editor Bonner Joy, news@islander.org stretches on the south side of the causeway, and it ▼ Editorial should not cost a lot of coin for temporary facilities editor Lisa neff, lisa@islander.org to be placed there to immediately have an impact. Robert Anderson, robert@islander.org Joe Bird, editorial cartoonist Lawrence Dudzik, Bradenton

Your

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Opinion

Governmental blackmail

Skimming online …

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I am a resident of Anna Maria. I want our leaders to know that we support their stance opposing a parking garage on the island. We do not want our home turned into a parking lot for Manatee County. Blackmail of our island elected officials is beyond the pale. With regard to Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge: He should be removed from office at the first opportunity available to the voters. Van Ostenbridge has shown he is nothing more than a bully. Our theme, “We’re Glad You’re Here,” originated in Louis Pagano, Anna Maria the 1980s with a restaurant trade group. We hope everyone feels welcome on AMI. — The Islander

Have your say The Islander accepts letters up to 250 words. Letters must include name, address

and a contact phone number. Please, email news@islander.org.

June 29, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 7 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

At watch on the waterfront A lifeguard occupies a chair in the shade of an Australian pine tree. The photo in the county library archives is not dated.

Early warning sign Two young men dig into the sand to place a sign, “Danger no Swimming To-Day,” near a lifeguard stand in Bradenton Beach in June 1966. Swimming was closed in the wake of Hurricane Alma.

Looking back

Find The Islander dating to november 1992 online at the uofF Digital newspaper Collection at ufdc.ufl.edu.

We’d love to mail you the news!

We mail The Islander weekly for a nominal $54 per year. We also offer online e-edition subscriptions — a page-by-page view of the weekly news for only $36 per year, but you must sign up online. It’s the best way to stay in touch with what’s happening on Anna Maria Island. 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!)

10&20 years ago

From the June 26, 2002, issue

• Attorney Dan Lobeck, who represented parties in a lawsuit against the city of Bradenton’s approval of a 686-condominium project for north Perico Island by Arvida Inc., said that after talking with Arvida attorneys, the company appeared to be losing interest as a result of the litigation. • Several locations in Cortez were designated film locations for “Out of Time,” said a spokesman for owners of the former Sigma fishing house, where a number of scenes were to be filmed. • An escarpment along portions of Anna Maria Island’s beach from Bradenton Beach to Anna Maria was leveled by county workers after Anna Maria Island Turtle said the drop-off was hindering the ability of sea turtles attempting to nest.

From the June 27, 2012, issue

• Tropical Storm Debby delivered heavy rainfall to the island as it meandered northeast through the Gulf of Mexico the night of June 23 and parked approximately 190 miles southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River. • A Holmes Beach man faced felony cruelty to an animal charge after what police said was a deadly attack on a great white heron. • Manatee County natural resources director Charlie Hunsicker was planning what he called the “central beach” renourishment project for Anna Maria Island starting in 2014 or early 2015. • Tourism to the area increased 11.6% in May 2012 compared with the same month in 2011, reported Walter Klages, head of Research Data Services, the firm hired by the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau to follow tourism and prepare its monthly and quarterly reports. — Lisa neff

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Page 8 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 29, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

LBK deﬁnes bathing area, restricts motorboats at Greer Island By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

Looking southwest from the land accrued under the Longboat Pass Bridge, boaters beach their boats June 21 at Greer Island, where signs will warn boaters await signage from Longboat Key. Islander Photos: Robert Anderson

Work begins anew at beach parking lot By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

It’s full steam ahead. Work began June 23 at Coquina Beach, where Manatee County has hired Woodruff & Sons of Bradenton to complete a $5 million parking project at the county-run public beach. In April 2019, the county began improving stormwater drainage and parking conditions at the largest beach parking area on the island at the south end of Bradenton Beach. The project — which came under fire for removal of numerous Australian pine trees — is funded with county tourist development tax revenues. The county board of commissioners selected Woodruff & Sons Inc. to complete the stalled project after the former contractor, American Pipeline of Miami, went out of business.

Work is taking place in Phase 4 and Phase 1 sections of the property, which are between finished sections of the parking lot from the Coquina Beach Cafe, 2650 Gulf Drive S., to the recently finished spaces in the southernmost section near Longboat Pass. The original completion date was December 2022 and the new target is April 2023. In a June 21 email to The Islander, county information outreach manager Bill Logan shared a revised timeline, showing updates for the south parking area beginning in June and ending October 2022. The north section work will begin in October 2022 and extend to March 2023, covering most of the busy visitor season on Anna Maria Island. The final completion of the project should occur by April 18, 2023. For more information, go online to amiprojects.io/ projects/coquina-beach-improvements.

need a good laugh? visit the emerson quillin signature store. humor, art, gifts 317 Pine Ave., Anna Maria • emersonshumor.com

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LONGBOAT PASS BRIDGE

Boaters must steer clear of Greer Island. Longboat Key commissioners adopted an ordinance June 20 designating two restricted boating areas on Greer Island. Greer Island is a spit of land at the north end of Longboat Key, commonly referred to as Beer Can Island, that has been a popular boater’s hangout. The ordinance prohibits motorized vessels from anchoring or beaching on the sand at Greer Island. The intent for the town is to protect bathers who wade or lounge in the shallow waters surrounding Greer Island. Longboat Key staff worked with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on the permitting for waterway buoys to indicate the boat prohibition and reported at a June 20 commission meeting that the designated areas will be marked and closed for the July 4 holiday. Staff also indicated signs for Greer Island, including signs regarding warning of potential hazardous swimming conditions, will be placed by the holiday A diagram defines the public bathing and weekend. swimming areas in Boaters who violate the restrictions face a $250 red, where motorized fine for a first offense and a $500 fine for a second or vessels are banned. any subsequent offense. The ordinance revisions went Islander Photo: Courinto effect immediately and fine citations will be issued tesy Longboat Key by Longboat Key Town Police beginning with the July 4 holiday. The commission also plans an outreach campaign, informing businesses, homeowners and rental agents about the changes. “The ability of staff and counsel and everyone to step up and pull this thing together before the Fourth of July has been heroic,” Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier said.

County seeks members for environmental lands group Manatee County residents interested in helping protect land and water resources, preserve fish and wildlife habitats and provide for passive recreation are invited to apply for one of two positions on the environmental lands management and acquisition committee. Applicants should either be a member of an environmental group or engaged in banking, finance or real estate work. Terms for both seats will be three years. The county commission appoints people to the committee, which makes recommendations on environmental land acquisition and management issues, including recreational planning, and establishes programs for public lands. ELMAC is responsible for implementing the community-initiated conservation and parks projects referendum approved by voters in November 2020 to authorize up to $50 million in tax proceeds for the acquisition, improvement and management of land to protect natural resources and provide parks. The committee meets the first Monday of the month at 6 p.m. at the county administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. Applications are due by Monday, July 11. For more information, including applications, go online to mymanatee.org or contact ELMAC liaison Debra Woithe at 941-742-5923, ext. 6052. — Lisa neff

Visit islander.org for the best news on AMI.

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June 29, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 9 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Awards, moving up at WMFR West Manatee Fire Rescue firefighter Crystal Tucciarone stands June 21 with firefighters and administrative staff on receiving a promotion to third-class firefighter. Islander Photo: Courtesy WMFR Chief Ben Rigney

Crystal Tucciarone, right, kneels June 21 for her brother, Jerry Tucciarone III, and niece, emma, to pin the badge on her uniform signifying her promotion from probation to third-class firefighter with West Manatee Fire Rescue. Islander Photo: Courtesy WMFR Chief Ben Rigney

WMFR firefighters Lisa Sedilla, left, and William “Buddy” Bowen and Lt. Dan Tackett, right, stand June 21 with Jake Seubert, second from right. The WMFR crew rescued Seubert Sept. 19, 2021, after he crashed his Onewheel on Anna Maria Island. Seubert suffered a broken clavicle, skull fractures and a traumatic brain injury. Tackett and crew, including firefighter nate Bergbom, received a unit citation for their roles in saving Seubert’s life. Islander Photo: Courtesy Laura Siemon Seubert

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Island happenings

Page 10 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 29, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Compiled by Lisa neff, calendar@islander.org.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ON AMI Wednesday, June 29 2 p.m. — Online author event presented by the Friends of the Island Library, featuring Helena Rho, author of “American Seoul.” Information: manateelibrary.libcal.com/calendar. ONGOING ON AMI Throughout June, artist Sharon Lennox Woelﬂing’s “Coastal Impressions” painting exhibit, Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: islandgallerywest.com, 941-7786648. Throughout July, artist Terri Westbrook’s “Serene Scapes” painting exhibit, Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: islandgallerywest.com, 941-778-6648.

Library continues ‘Oceans of Possibilities’ for kids The Island Library continues to present “Oceans of Possibilities.” The library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, participates in the Manatee County Public Library Systems’ summer reading program. This summer’s theme is “Oceans of Possibilities,” with programs taking place through July 30. For every two hours a child reads or gets read to, they get a prize. And for every 20 hours of reading, they get a free book and an entry into a contest for a grand prize. To claim prizes, children must bring a reading log to the library. “Oceans of Possibilities” programs at the library

KIDS & FAMILY ON AMI

ONGOING OFF AMI Through Aug. 5, “Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience,” Starry Night Pavilion at University Town Center, 195 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: vangoghsarasota.com. Through Aug. 13, Thursday-Saturday, Laser Light Nights at the Bishop, Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131. Through Aug. 28, “Metadata: Rethinking Photography in the 21st Century,” The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-360-7390. 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, 2-4 p.m., Music on the Porch jam session, presented by the Florida Maritime Museum and Cortez Cultural Center, outdoors, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Information: ﬂoridamaritimemuseum.org, fmminfo@manateeclerk.com. SAVE THE DATE Dec. 2-3, Bradenton Blues Fest, Bradenton.

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include: • Sea Life Origami, 10 a.m. Thursday, June 30; • Oceans of Pottery painting, 10 a.m. Thursday, July 7; • “Rumpelstiltskin” presented by Bits and Pieces Theater, 10 a.m., Thursday, July 14; • Sea Turtle Shell-abration with Mote Marine Laboratory, 10 a.m., Thursday, July 21; • Mad Science Fire and Ice, 10 a.m. Thursday, July 28. For more information, call the library at 941778-6341.

5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. Information: nathanbendersonpark.org, 941-358-7275. Monday, July 4 9 a.m. — Rotary Club of Longboat Key Hot Diggity Dog! Parade and Contest, beginning at 510 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Information: 941383-2466. 9-11 a.m. — Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce Freedom Fest, Bicentennial Park, 500 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Information: 941-383-2466. 6 p.m. — Red, White and Boom at the Bishop holiday celebration and ﬁreworks viewing, Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131. 5 p.m. — Independence Day concert, Sutton Park, 1036 Sixth St. W., Palmetto. Information: 941-723-4570. Sunset — July 4 ﬁreworks, Bradenton and Palmetto riverfronts. Information: 941-708-6300.

Thursday, June 30 10 a.m. — Sea Life Origami and Stuffy Sewing, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/ library, 941-778-6341. Friday, July 1 10 a.m. — 40 Carrots for ages 0-5, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-7786341. Saturday, July 2 Sunset — Sandbar Restaurant Independence Day ﬁreworks display, 100 Spring Ave., Anna Maria, and the beach north and south. Information: 941-778-0444. Monday, July 4 10 a.m. — Anna Maria Island Privateers 4th of July Parade, Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach north to Bayfront Park in Anna Maria. Amiprivateers. org. ONGOING OFF AMI Tuesday, July 5 Through Aug. 7, “Sharks: On Assignment with Brian Skerry” 10 a.m.— Family storytime, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/ exhibit, Mote Marine Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, City Island, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-388-4441. library, 941-778-6341. First Wednesdays, “SOAR in 4” family night, The Bishop ONGOING ON AMI Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Information: 941-746-4131. Throughout July, summer reading program, Island Library, 5701 SAVE THE DATE Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, Aug. 4-7, Anna Maria Island Privateers Pirate Invasion Week941-778-6341. end, various locations. OFF AMI Sunday, July 3 Sunset — Fireworks on the Lake, Nathan Benderson Park,

CLUBS & COMMUNITY ON AMI

Thursday, June 30 Noon — Seaside Quilters. Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive,

Island Gallery West Fine Art, Photography, Ceramics, Jewelry 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, AMI 941-778-6648 Hours Tues-Sun 10-5

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Island happenings

June 29, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 11 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Senior Adventures setting out for Red Barn

Featured artist Terri Westbrook is the July featured artist at Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Westbrook works primarily in pastel media and her style leans toward impressionism. Where she’s lived and where she’s visited inspire her work. “My paintings are journal entries,” she said. “My response to what I see when I’m out there in nature or my emotions about a place I visited many years ago. Making art is like mediation for me.” For more, call IGW at 941-778-6648 or go to islandgallerywest.com. Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-7786341. 2 p.m. — Sunshine Stitchers Knit and Crochet, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/ library, 941-778-6341. Friday, July 1 9 a.m. — Senior Adventures’ outing to Red Barn Flea Market, Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-1908.

Island Players set 2022-23 performance schedule

OUTDOORS & SPORTS OFF AMI Sunday, July 3 6:30 p.m. — Bradenton Marauders Independence Day Celebration with ﬁreworks, LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-747-3031.

ONGOING ON AMI

Fridays, 11:30 a.m., Mahjong Club, Island Library, 5701 Marina AMI Dragon Boat Team-Paddlers from Paradise practices and Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-778- meetups, various times and locations. Information: 941-462-2626, 6341. mrbradway@gmail.com. Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m., Mahjong Club, Island Library, 5701 ONGOING OFF AMI Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-778-6341. Saturdays, 9 a.m., Robinson Runners run, walk stroll, Robinson Preserve NEST, 10299 Ninth Ave. NW., Bradenton. Information: ONGOING OFF AMI 941-742-5923, crystal.scherer@mymanatee.org. Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m., Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island lunch Saturdays, 9 a.m., Mornings at the NEST, 10299 Ninth Ave. meeting, Slicker’s Eatery, 12012 Cortez Road W., Cortez. Informa- NW., Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923. tion: 512-944-4177. SAVE THE DATE SAVE THE DATE July 15, Anna Maria Island Privateers scholarship night with July 13, Senior Adventures group outing to Sarasota Jungle the Bradenton Marauders, Bradenton. Gardens, departing from Anna Maria. July 18-24, International Dragon Boat Federation 13th Club July 20, Senior Adventures group outing to Solomon’s Castle, Crew World Championships, Sarasota. departing from Anna Maria. GOOD TO KNOW July 20, Anna Maria Island and West Manatee Democratic Club Summer Chat, Holmes Beach. KEEP THE DATES July 23, Anna Maria Island Privateers Christmas in July at the Monday, July 4, Independence Day. Drift-In, Bradenton Beach. Sunday, July 17, National Ice Cream Day. July 30, Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island meeting, Bradenton July 24-31, Shark Week. Beach. Monday, Sept. 5, Labor Day. Aug. 17, Anna Maria Island and West Manatee Democratic Sunday, Sept. 11, Patriot Day. Club Summer Chat, TBD. Sunday, Sept. 11, Grandparents Day. Aug. 27, Kiwanis Club meeting, Bradenton Beach.

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The schedule is set with a “Cliffhanger.” The Island Players will open their 2022-23 season in September with Mike Lusk directing “Cliffhanger,” a thriller in two acts by James Yaffe. Auditions for the play will be at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 31, at the theater, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. The box office will open Sept. 5 and the production runs Sept. 15-25. Other productions on the schedule: • “I Ought to be in Pictures,” written by Neil Simon, directed by Kelly Wynn Woodland, opening Nov, 3; • “The Odd Couple,” written by Neil Simon, directed by Preston Boyd, opening Jan. 12, 2023; • “The 39 Steps,” written by Patrick Harlow, directed by Heiko Knipfelberg, opening March 9, 2023; • “How the Other Half Lives,” written by Alan Ayckbourn, directed by James Thaggard, opening May 4. For more information, call the box office at 941-778-5755.

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The Senior Adventures group will start July with an outing to the Red Barn Flea Market in Bradenton. The outing, originally scheduled for June 22, will be Friday, July 1. The group will depart at 10 a.m. from the Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Also, the group will visit the Sarasota Jungle Gardens Wednesday, July 13, and Solomon’s Castle in Ona Wednesday, July 20. There is a fee to participate. For more information, call the center at 941778-1908.

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Page 12 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 29, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Top Notch tips Focusing on fireworks Why do some fireworks photographs pop and others fizzle? Shooting fireworks can be tricky especially on an island beach during sea turtle nesting season, when there should be no other artificial lighting along the shore. So, some tips for the best results, collected from Islander photographers and the pros at Nikon USA: • Use a tripod and consider using a cable release or other shutter-release tool to snap the photo. • Think through your framing. Where do the fireworks’ bursts usually appear? What elements can

Photo contest launched June 29, enter now

you incorporate into the foreground or background? Where’s the horizon? • Consider whether to use a wide-angle or telephoto zoom lens to capture the show. • Turn off noise and vibration reduction, as well as HDR and flash, unless the desire is to illuminate a foreground object. • If you can set a shutter speed, don’t use a higher ISO setting than 100 or 200. • If you can set an aperture, use a mid-range set-

ting, f/11 or f.8, for sharp results. • Look through camera settings for options to try, including image overlay and the obvious one, “fireworks mode.” • Use the highest-quality file setting. • Try taking video, from which photographs can be captured on smartphones. • Fans of apps might consider installing —and testing ahead of time — Pro Camera, Manual and Halide.

Top Notch

The Islander’s Top Notch contest is open. The contest celebrates what still is known as the “Kodak moment,” despite Kodak’s downfall in the switch from film to digital technology. This weeks news includes the first of six featured cover winners and don’t forget your July 4 holiday photos in the coming weeks. Be sure to follow the rules and send in your “winners” at topnotch@islander.org. The weekly deadline is Friday, with the next submissions due by 8 a.m. July 1. The contest continues for a total of six weeks. Each weekly winner will claim an Islander “More than a mullet wrapper” T-shirt. And one weekly shot will take the grand prize in the contest, earning the photographer a $100 prize from The Islander and certificates from local merchants. A pet photo winner will be announced in the final the photo was taken, location and description, names of recognizable people and the address and phone number week. Look online this week for complete rules and of the photographer. details. Please, note, each original JPG must be included in a single email with the name of the photographer, date

Katy Roadman won the grand prize in the 2020 Top notch contest with this photograph of cousins elijah Roadman, Jeremiah Raulerson, Isaac Roadman, Sam Raulerson and Obadiah Roadman lighting sparklers July 4 on the beach. The photographer won an Islander T-shirt for being a finalist and then $100 from The Islander and gift certificates from Islander advertisers.

All rules at islander.org must be observed. — Bonner Joy

Send top notch entries to topnotch@islander.org.

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June 29, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 13 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Traveler

Distressed boaters rescued The u.S. Coast Guard June 17 rescued three people from a 22-foot vessel taking on water about 25 miles west of Anna Maria. Coast Guard Station Cortez responded to a distress call and transferred the boaters from the sinking vessel to a rescue boat. Islander Courtesy Photo

Milestones Islanders at heart — siblings Theresa Cassidy Collins, Kevin Cassidy and Mo Cassidy, raised on AMI — pose in June with The Islander at the 1,800-yearold “Grandfather Tree” in Humboldt Forest, California. Kevin Cassidy is The Islander’s sportswriter.

GoodDeeds

The Islander welcomes photographs and notices of milestones. Submit announcements and photographs to news@islander.org.

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Assistance sought on AMI

• Tingley Memorial Library, 111 Second St. N., Bradenton Beach, seeks volunteers for morning and afternoon shifts. Information: 941-779-1208. • Friends of the Island Library seeks storage space for book donations. Information: 941-778-6341. • Moonracer Animal Rescue seeks volunteers to offer foster and forever homes for rescued animals. Information: 941-345-2441. • The Roser Food Bank seeks donations. Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, administers the pantry, supported by All Island Denominations. Information: 941-778-0414.

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Page 14 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 29, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Area man attempts Appalachian Trail, gains ‘tramily’ along the way By nicole Quigley Islander Guest Writer

Local Bernie Molenda once rode his bicycle crosscountry. He also sailed his boat for his move from North Carolina to Longboat Key in 2013. This spring, he set out to hike the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. Molenda, 62, said it was the hardest adventure he has attempted. “I’ve always been a hiker and a backpacker. I’ve always enjoyed hiking. It’s just the 2,193-mile trail that intrigued me,” Molenda told The Islander. It also was the camaraderie that drew him. “They call is ‘tramily’ — your trail family. And just being in the mountains,” Molenda said. More than 3,000 hikers attempt to hike the AT every year. One in four succeed. Molenda knew preparation would be critical. After living on his sailboat at Longboat Key for many years, Molenda move into Bradenton. He conducted his training on Anna Maria Island, hiking 6-10 miles on the beach regularly, while carrying his walking poles and a 37-pound backpack. “What I liked about hiking on the island was the interest I got from people,” Molenda said. His reasons for the journey were many. “I was divorced, but I lost my wife three years ago. I was trying to reconcile so it was a tough time for my kids and myself. They were mental, spiritual, and of course physical because you’re hiking 20 miles a day. So for the physical, you’re drinking clean spring water out of the mountains. I figured the water would provide a lot of healing. And I was also raising money for Samaritan’s Purse,” Molenda said. The charity sponsors clean water projects. Molenda hiked significant sections of the AT in the past, including hikes near Grayson Highlands, Virginia, where he averaged 150-170 miles per week. “Of course, I was 50 years old. I was with some younger guys and they pushed me. I had no injuries back then. Those were the good old days,” he said. Molenda started May 4 from Amicalola State Park, Georgia — 2022’s 3,228th hiker to start the trail.

Gathering By Lisa neff

Gloria Dei collects for pantry

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church will collect nonperishable food items Sunday, July 3, to donate to local food pantries. An announcement from the church read, “As you are shopping or cleaning out your pantry … consider what you could contribute. Nonperishable items of any type or quantity are welcome. We have learned there is currently a special need for breakfast cereal and nonrefrigerated juice.” The church, 6608 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, also is launching its annual shoe collection for Project Heart, providing kids with shoes for the new school year. New shoes can be donated mornings, SundayThursday. For more information, call the church office at 941-778-1813.

Local Bernie Molenda embarked on a hiking adventure for this view on the Appalachian Trail. Islander Courtesy Photos

Bernie Molenda on the Appalachian Trail.

He averaged about 12 miles a day, with some zero days. He even passed the “Tree of Lost Souls” near Neels Gap, Georgia. The tree is where hikers hang their boots from the branches, along with their dream of completing the trail. Some estimate that 35% quit the trail at this point. The tramily kept Molenda going. “When you pull up to the shelter, there will be anywhere from 5-15 people. Some people light fires. There’s a lot of fires going. Everybody is winding up their day with food preparation using all their dehydrated foods and cook stoves. Everyone talks and shares stories,” Molenda said. Molenda said that hikers were not the only part of the support system. “People just want to help out through hikers and there’s a lot of people out there giving them rides, food, and primarily food that they can’t get like fresh fruit,” Molenda said. “I hiked 90% of the time by myself. And it got very lonely. And you try to connect with people who are doing the same mileage as you are. And we encourage each other,” Molenda said. “Everybody was just very helpful. … They had a lot of things called trail magic. I bought the wrong propane tank for my cook stove and another couple left one behind that worked. I had a craving for trail mix and

Tidings

there was a bag of trail mix and a banana left waiting for me. And they call that trail magic,” Molenda said. At some points, Molenda hiked into a town for supplies. “That was fun. I want to bring back hitchhiking. Florida is a terrible place for hitchhiking. No one picks you up,” Molenda said. Deeper into the hike, Molenda fractured his right foot. Two nurses and a doctor advised him to quit the hike. It wasn’t until a father and son team met him on the trail and convinced him to call it quits. He had made it 210 miles and reached Tennessee. He’s not sure if he would try it again. “Maybe. I would put a maybe on it. And that is only because of the tramily I met,” Molenda said. “I probably met two or three life-long friends on the trail, so it was worth it.” Molenda said the hardest part was doing it alone. He is single, but if he found a wife who wanted to try it, he said he would go again. Molenda’s advice to others thinking of hiking the AT is to note, “It’s extremely difficult. It’s extremely strenuous. Ninety percent of it is just walking through the woods. My advice would be for someone to go out for a week on the trail and see what you like, see what you think. One week on the trail, you’re going to get rained on. You’re going to go through elevation changes. And see what you think.” About a week after Molenda left the trail, a comment on his Facebook page read: “You tried and failed. Congratulations. Most people don’t even try.” “That was it,” Molenda said. “You got to dream. And I dream a lot. But when I do get something going, I’m going.” Nicole Quigley is the author of “Like Moonlight at Low Tide” and an alumna of Appalachian State University.

Compiled by Lisa neff ON AMI

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: First and third Wednesdays, 9 a.m., Hope Seeds packing; Sundays, 8:30 a.m., adult Sunday school. St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-4769, stbernardcc.com. Worship: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.; Saturdays, 4 p.m.; Sundays, 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.

CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-0719, crosspointefellowship.church. Worship: Sundays, 9 a.m. Ongoing: Wednesdays, 7 a.m., men’s Bible meeting; 9:30 a.m. women’s Bible study. Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-1638, amiannunciation.org. Worship: Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.; Sundays, 9:15 a.m. through Labor Day. OFF AMI Ongoing: Wednesdays, 8 a.m., men’s meeting. Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive. Holmes Christ Church of Longboat Key Presbyterian USA, 6400 Beach. Info: 941-778-1813, gloriadeilutheran.com. Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Info: 941-900-4903, christchurWorship: Sundays, 9:30 a.m. choﬂbk.org. Ongoing: Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m., social gathering, Manatee Worship: Sundays, 10 a.m. Public Beach. Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Harvey Memorial Community Church, 300 Church Ave., Key. Info: 941-383-6491, longboatislandchapel.org. Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-779-1912. Worship: Sundays, 10 a.m.

Worship With Us At Our Church Sunday Service 10:00 AM

The Rev. Dr. Norman Pritchard Men’s Bible Study: Monday @ 9:00 Women’s Bible Study: Wednesday @ 10:00 Visitors & Residents Welcome Watch Our 10:00 AM Service Live: www.bit.ly/cclbksermons or www.christchurchoflbk.org (follow YouTube link)

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June 29, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 15 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

AMI to show off patriotic pride at Independence Day events Light the sky. Fire the cannons. And, yes, aim those water guns. Independence Weekend arrives July 2 with fireworks over the beach presented by the Sandbar Restaurant. The show — free to the public and with special seating offerings for a price at the restaurant, 100 Spring Ave., Anna Maria — will begin after sunset, about 9 p.m. The best public viewing will be on the beach north and south of the restaurant. For more information about the fireworks, call the Sandbar at 941-778-0444. On Monday, July 4, the Anna Maria Island Privateers will present their traditional Independence Day Parade. The parade is set to begin at 10 a.m. at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach, with participants due to arrive at 8 a.m. to organize the procession. The parade will travel north on Gulf Drive. In Holmes Beach, the parade will travel on Gulf, East Bay, Marina and Palm drives. In Anna Maria, the parade will travel on Gulf Drive, then Pine Avenue east to City Pier Park. Participants must be on wheels, as the route is too long and the parade moves too fast for walkers. Some other encouragements and cautions: • Entries with a generator must be equipped with a fire extinguisher; • Firing of black powder is allowed; • Entries must feature a banner identifying representation; • Political advertising is not allowed and; • Entries should be decked out for the holiday. Previously the Privateers announced that water cannons and water guns would not be allowed but the policy was changed in the weeks prior to the event. The Privateers issued an announcement: “This parade involves water. Many spectators like to use

We’re

Growing.

All-American Privateer Parade The Anna Maria Island Privateers in 2016 take the lead aboard the Skullywag in their Fourth of July parade from Bradenton Beach to Anna Maria. This year’s parade will begin at 10 a.m. Monday, July 4, at Coquina Beach and travel north. Islander File Photo

low-powered water guns and squirt shots at the parade participants and, in return, many of the parade participants do the same. If you don’t like the idea of being wet, please stand back from the road or use some kind of shield.” The Privateers still caution against using water balloons. Entry in the parade is free but the Privateers welcome donations, which will support the Roser Food Pantry. For more information about the island parade, go online to amiprivateers.org or contact Kim “Syren” Boyd at 931-639-0986. Off-island ﬁreworks and July 4 revelry Celebrations also are planned on Longboat Key and on the mainland, including: • Sunday, July 3, fireworks at LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton, will follow the Bradenton Marauders baseball game. The game will begin at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call the box office at 941747-3031. • July 3, Fireworks on the Lake will begin about 9

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p.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. For more information, go online to nathanbendersonpark.org. • July 4, 9 a.m., the Rotary Club of Longboat Key presents the Hot Diggity Dog Parade and Contest, beginning at Truist Bank, 510 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. The parade will coincide with the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce’s Freedom Fest, 9-11 a.m. at Bicentennial Park, 500 Bay Isles Road. For more information, call the chamber at 941383-2466. • July 4, fireworks will begin after dark along the riverfront in Bradenton and Palmetto near the Green Bridge. Additionally, the annual Fourth of July concert will be 5-10 p.m. in Sutton Park, 1036 Sixth St. W., Palmetto, and the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton, will offer special seating for the fireworks during “Red, White and Boom at the Bishop.” For more about the museum event, 941-746-4131. For more information about the festival, call the city of Palmetto at 941-723-4570.

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Page 16 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 29, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Cops & Courts

Streetlife

Staff reports

Island police reports HB resident gets minimum Anna Maria sentence for lethal hit-and-run June 11, 200 block of Willow Avenue, larceny. By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

A fatal hit-and-run traffic collision resulted in a prison sentence of four years. Judge Lon Arend of the 12th Judicial Circuit Court June 20 sentenced Holmes Beach resident Cierra Shannon, 28, to four years in state prison. She was found guilty of committing a first-degree felony — leaving the scene of a Feb. 10, 2021, hit-and-run traffic incident causing death. The incident resulted in the death of 83-year-old Madelyn Dakin, a Michigan resident vacationing in Holmes Beach with her husband of 67 years, Gerald. Dakin was hit while walking across Gulf Drive around the 2700 block and was pronounced dead at the scene. Shannon turned herself in Feb. 11, 2021, after she was identified as the driver of the vehicle involved in the incident, and she was released Feb. 16, 2021, into pretrial probation after posting a $15,000 bond. Shannon initially pleaded not guilty but changed her plea to “no contest” the morning before her trial was set to begin. A first-degree felony charge carries a minimum mandatory prison sentence of four years, the sentence handed down to Shannon. The sentence also requires Shannon to complete three years of probation following her release from prison, 120 hours of community service in a trauma center, as well as revokes her driver’s license for 10 years. It also requires Shannon to undergo a mental evaluation and complete “appropriate” treatment, such as a prescribed medication. The sentence is lenient for Shannon, who was facing up to 30 years in prison. A criminal punishment code score-sheet — a staterequired document providing mathematic sentencing recommendations for all but capital felonies — computed a 111.15 “lowest permissible prison sentence in months” for Shannon’s case. Sarasota-based attorney Ronald Filipkowski, who represented Shannon, did not respond to a June 23 call from The Islander. Island watch: In an emergency, call 911. To report information, call the MCSO Anna Maria substation, 941-708-8899; Bradenton Beach police, 941-7786311; or Holmes Beach police, 941-708-5804.

A Manatee County sheriff’s deputy responded to a call concerning the theft of a rug. The property owner alleged a delivery-style truck arrived to the address and took a rug from outside the door. A case number was issued. June 16, 100 block of Pelican Street, fraud. The MCSO responded to a complaint that counterfeit checks were cashed against an account. An incident report was issued and a case number assigned. The MCSO polices Anna Maria Island. Bradenton Beach June 16, 100 block of Bridge Street, Marchman Act. While patrolling the Bridge Street area, a Bradenton Beach Police officer came across an intoxicated man sleeping between a walkway and a parked vehicle. The subject was uncooperative and was taken to a Centerstone facility under the Marchman Act. June 16, Baywatch condos, 1301 Bay Drive N., larceny, grand theft. BBPD was dispatched regarding the theft of a kayak. A complainant alleged an unknown person entered the property and took from a truck bed a kayak and pedal assembly valued at more than $3,500. The officer checked surveillance camera footage, as well as issued a victim’s rights pamphlet and case card. June 16, Cortez Beach, 900 block of Gulf Drive South, damaged property, criminal mischief. A BBPD officer responded to a report of criminal mischief. The complainant said after visiting the beach, they returned to find their vehicle had a slashed tire. The owner gave the officer a handwritten note left on the vehicle windshield that read, “GOT U BACK.” The complainant said that when parking, they had an argument with another motorist over a parking space. The officer took the note as evidence, took photos and checked the area for any video cameras. A victim’s rights pamphlet and case number were issued. June 21, Herb Dolan Park, 2501 Ave. A and 25th Street North, drug overdose. An officer responded to an abandoned 911 call at the park. The officer encountered a woman kneeling next to an unconscious man. The woman said she believed the man overdosed. The officer performed CPR and the man recovered consciousness. EMS arrived and transported the man to HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton. The officer recovered a capped needle from the pocket of the man and an uncapped needle from the ground. The BBPD polices Bradenton Beach. Cortez No new reports.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office polices the village. Holmes Beach June 15, 100 block of 43rd Street, warrant arrest. The Holmes Beach Police Department’s license plate recognition system pinged a vehicle with a registered owner that had an arrest warrant. An officer located and identified the motorist, arrested and transported him to the Manatee County jail. June 15, 100 block of 51st Street, domestic disturbance. An officer responded to reports of potential Baker Act and found a woman who said her ex-boyfriend refused to leave her home. The officer spoke with the man, who said the woman was intoxicated and threatened him. The officer suggested the two separate for the day and the pair declined to press charges. June 16, 700 block of Manatee Avenue, speeding. An officer saw a fast-moving vehicle and clocked it’s speed at 65 mph in a 35-mph zone. The officer initiated a traffic stop and issued a mandatory infraction citation and court summons, as well as two uniform traffic citations. June 17, trolley stop, 3900 E. Bay Drive, camping. An officer found a woman sleeping on a bench at night, when the trolleys were out of service. The officer spoke with the woman, who had been cited for camping on two previous occasions this year. The officer issued a court summons and a Monkey Bus provided the woman a ride to Bradenton. June 17, Walgreens Liquor Store, 3200 E. Bay Drive, shoplifting. An officer responded to reports of shoplifting and spoke with an employee, who said two women exited the store without paying for $527.92 worth of alcohol. The employee provided descriptions of the pair and their vehicle. A manager told the officer she wanted to press charges and could provide security footage. The officer gave the manager a case card. June 17, D.Coy Ducks Bar & Grill, 5410 Marina Drive, medical emergency. An officer responded to reports of a medical emergency and found a man unconscious and suffering mild convulsions. Emergency medical services treated the man, administering Narcan, then transported him to HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton. The man asked hospital staff to contact police to report that a man he was with may have drugged him since he does not take narcotics. The officer spoke with a bar employee about obtaining security footage. June 19, Walgreens, 3200 E. Bay Drive, trespass warning. An officer responded to reports of shoplifting and found a man who denied trying to steal anything. A manager requested a trespass for the man and the officer agreed. The man left without issue. June 20, 3900 block of Sixth Avenue, alcohol/ camping. An officer saw two people sleeping on a bench around midnight — the same people he’d given both verbal warnings about alcohol and camping violaPLeASe, See STREETLIFE, neXT PAGe

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June 29, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 17 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

AM receives paid parking proposal, discussion pushed to later date By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Discussion about a paid parking lot in Anna Maria has hit a speed bump. After failing to reach a quorum at a June 22 meeting, the city’s planning and zoning board was set to meet June 27 to discuss a proposed site plan that would allow paid public parking and signage in a lot at 9902 Gulf Drive. The P&Z is an advisory board that reviews proposed land uses and policies and provides recommendations to the city commission. The lot in question is owned by Weld Inc., headed by president Ed Chiles, operator of the Sandbar Restaurant, and is posted as customer parking for the restaurant, 100 Spring Ave. The proposed site plan would continue to allow restaurant parking and also paid public parking, which would be facilitated by a payment kiosk installed at the lot, in conjunction with a smartphone app.

The plan came to the city’s attention in February, after the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office relayed a complaint to code enforcement that the restaurant lot was being used for beach parking. Code enforcement officers investigated and found the restaurant “hired a company to do a ‘test run’ of kiosk-style paid parking,” according to the city staff’s site plan review. Due to concerns with paid parking at the lot and the Sandbar’s ability to maintain minimum-required parking standards, the city requested a site plan for review. A discussion for the proposed site plan was set for June 22 but, with Chair Jose Erbella and members Bob Carter and Barbara Zdravecky absent, the P&Z failed to reach quorum and opted to revisit the item. Without a P&Z recommendation, city commissioners voted June 23 to continue the item to their next meeting at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 14, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive. Directions to attend via Zoom can be found at cit-

yofannamaria.com. The motion also continued a second reading for an alcohol beverages ordinance, which the P&Z also failed to review June 22, that would reestablish invalidated code and allow special use permits for commercial establishments hoping to sell alcoholic beverages.

STREETLIFE FROM PAGe 16

tions earlier the same day. There was an open bottle of alcohol between the pair. The officer issued a court summons to each of them. June 21, 700 block of Manatee Avenue, speeding, underage possession of alcohol, refusal to submit breath test. An officer clocked a motorist traveling 67 mph in a 70-mph zone and conducted a traffic stop. The officer spoke with the male driver, an unnamed juvenile, who appeared intoxicated. The driver twice refused to take a breath test, so the officer seized the driver’s license and issued a notice of suspension. The officer also seized the alcohol, issued court summons and citations to the driver. The vehicle was towed and the driver’s father picked him up. June 21, 200 block of South Harbor Drive, fraud. A woman entered the HBPD to report potential credit card fraud. She said her grandson stole and cashed

her checks and she showed two months of purchases on her credit card she claimed not to have made. She said she would make copies of her bank statement and verify which charges were fraudulent. June 21, 500 block of 67th Street, marijuana. An officer responded to reports of trespassing and found a vehicle parked in the complainant’s driveway. A chain that was blocking the driveway was broken. The officer approached the vehicle, smelled marijuana and spoke with the driver, who handed over a bag of marijuana and a burnt joint. The officer issued a citation for marijuana possession of less than 20 grams. The driver said he would pay for a new chain and the homeowner agreed. HBPD polices Holmes Beach. Streetlife is based on incident reports and narratives from the BBPD, HBPD and MCSO.

A pay-to-park kiosk in a Sandbar Restaurant remote parking lot at 9902 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. The restaurant, 100 Spring Ave., is requesting site plan approval from the city to allow paid public parking in the lot. Islander Photos: Ryan Paice

You can read it all online at islander.org

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Page 18 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 29, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Nesting notes By Samara Paice

Esther is tagged to tour

A competitive swimmer named Esther is headed south. Hundreds of people gathered June 20 at Lifeguard Tower No. 10 at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach to witness the return of a loggerhead to the Gulf of Mexico. The release was the culmination of hours June 19-20 for Sea Turtle Conservancy employees and Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers who walked the beach in the rain, with lightning in the distance, looking for the right nesting sea turtle for the Tour de Turtle research and awareness campaign. The STC is dedicated to the research, education and protection of sea turtles around the world. The nonprofit started Tour de Turtles in 2008 to further education efforts and gather data. Esther, an estimated 250-pound loggerhead named for the competitive swimmer turned Hollywood star Esther Williams, crawled to the dunes, laid eggs and was held to be observed. Then, early June 20, Daniel Evans, senior research biologist of the Sea Turtle Conservancy, and Kristen Mazzarella, a senior biologist from Mote Marine Lab-

As of June 25, AMITW had identified 343 nests and 323 false crawls on the island.

A crowd gathers June 20 at Lifeguard Tower no. 10 at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach to see esther the loggerhead crawl to the Gulf. LeFT: A loggerhead named esther crawls June 20 into the Gulf of Mexico near Lifeguard Tower no. 10 at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach. A tracking tag is attached. Islander Photos: Samara Paice

oratory and Aquarium, cleaned barnacles, algae and debris from Esther so a tracker could be secured to the turtle’s shell. The cleaning took more than an hour, during which Evans and Mazzarella answered questions. Esther crawled into the Gulf at 8:30 a.m. as a crowd watched from a distance. The conservancy started the Tour de Turtles for leatherback sea turtles June 16 and has started tagging hard-shell sea turtles for the chelonian category for a distance-contest to begin Aug. 1. The conservancy plans to tag 12 turtles. Esther is the first turtle for the chelonian category. The turtle that travels the most miles Aug. 1-Oct. 31 will be the winner of the Tour de Turtles marathon, which can be tracked online at tourdeturtles.org.

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In the first three days after being tagged, Esther swam about 26 miles at an average speed of 0.40 mph. The Waterline Resort, Mainsail Vacation Rentals, both located on Marina Drive in Holmes Beach, and AMITW worked with the conservancy to make the tagging possible. For more information on AMITW, contact volunteer Barbara Riskay at snqqpy24@aol.com. Did you know? Esther, Anna Maria Island’s entry in the Tour de Turtles, is named for Esther Williams, the competitive swimmer and actress featured in a genre all her own — aquamusicals. She starred in the rom-comedy “On An Island With You,” filmed in part on Anna Maria Island in 1948.

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About AMITW AMITW is a nonprofit focused on collecting data on threatened or endangered sea turtles. The organization also collects data on seabirds and shorebirds. The nesting data is required to meet beach renourishment contracts and AMITW is compensated by the county. For more info, Barbara Riskay can be reached at

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Make it a litterfree holiday The morning after a July 4 past, garbage receptacles overflow with trash at Spring Lane in Anna Maria. Island cities plan extra trash pickups for the holiday weekend and volunteers typically turnout on the beach July 5 for cleanups but holiday revelers can do their part and take home their trash and other items. Islander File Photo

By Lisa Neff

Testing the water

I never just plunge into the water. I’m not a strong swimmer, not even a good swimmer. I’m also no fan of cold water or water in my eyes, ears and nose. So I ease in — a toe, then a foot, another toe, then the other foot. And you can be certain that I do more than dip my toe in the water if I’m going into Bradenton’s Palma Sola Bay, whether to wade, kayak or paddleboard. neff I check the Florida Health Department’s site for the healthy beaches program for details on beach conditions, including water quality for harmful algal blooms and bacteria — especially bacteria. In a check on the healthy beaches site made June 23, one local beach’s test showed “poor” water quality — the Palma Sola South beach, where an advisory had been in place at least since June 8. In fact, in the past 10 tests for Palma Sola South, “poor” water quality was found five times. What’s in the test samples? The June 15 sample showed the level of enterococci or enteric bacteria exceeded a level set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, making the water unsafe for swimming. The EPA says if an enterococci result exceeds

Palma Sola beach reopens to swimmers

The Florida Department of Health in Manatee County lifted a “no swim” advisory June 24 for the Palma Sola South beach along the Palma Sola Causeway on Manatee Avenue/State Road 64. The notice, issued June 10, was continued the week of ending June 19 and then lifted June 24. Other beaches located in Manatee County were not under an advisory. An advisory indicates water contact might pose an increased risk of infectious diseases to humans. The health department said multiple water samples showed an elevated level of enterococci bacteria. For more information, call the health department at 941-714-7593 or visit www.floridahealth.gov.

70 colony forming units per 100 milliliters of beach water sampled and a resampling result also exceeds the value, then an “advisory” should be issued for the location. The June 15 result for Palma Sola South showed 70.5 colony forming units. Enteric bacteria normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals. In marine water, the presence of enteric bacteria can be an indication of fecal pollution — maybe from stormwater runoff, maybe from pets, maybe from other animals and maybe from human sewage. There’s an ick factor here. But beyond the “ick” is the sick. In high concentrations in recreational waters, the bacteria can be ingested while swimming or enter the skin through a cut or sore, possibly causing disease, infections or rashes. For years, there’s been a lot of speculation and talk about the causes of the pollution at the causeway beaches but why don’t we have better sciencebased or health-based information about the source or sources? Meanwhile, environmental groups continue to work every year to secure legislative support to fully fund the healthy beaches program. The state program dates to 1998, when five coastal counties began monitoring for enterococci bacteria under a grant-funded pilot program. In early 2000, 11 counties were participating in the pilot effort and by August of that year, state legislation expanded the program to 30 coastal counties and provided about $525,000 in annual funding.

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The expanded program also added sampling for fecal coliform. But funding has been like an ebb and flow. In 2002, a U.S. Environmental Protect Agency grant allowed for an expansion of the program to weekly sampling. Then the program shrank in 2011, when the Legislature cut all state money, leaving only EPA funding, resulting in fewer sample locations, the elimination of fecal coliform sampling and suspended sampling at beaches north of Pinellas and Brevard counties in the winter. Partly to shrink the gap in sampling, nonprofit groups such as the Suncoast Waterkeeper created their own monitoring programs, which June 22 included an advisory against swimming in the waters along Bay Drive at Fifth Street South in Bradenton Beach. The Legislature appropriated $500,000 in 2019 for the program but for most of the past decade, Florida funding for the healthy beaches program has been a zero. Zero, for the Sunshine State’s best-known attractions. On the web For more information about the Healthy Beaches Program, go online to www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/beach-water-quality.

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Page 20 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 29, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Indoor soccer tops AMI sports action By Kevin P. Cassidy Islander Reporter

It’s summer, so, of course, there’s action indoors. Two teams have jumped to the top of the standings after two weeks of action in the youth summer indoor soccer league at the Center of Anna Maria Island. Solid Rock Construction surged to the top of the U9 division with a Cassidy 2-0 record, a game ahead of Ugly Grouper and Blalock Walters, both 1-1. Bridgetender Inn is in fourth place and still in search of their first victory. Progressive Cabinetry is on top of the U13 division with a perfect 2-0 record as Shady Lady and Freckled Fin follow at 1-1. Moss Builders holds down fourth place at 0-2. Action for the U13s kicked off June 21 with Progressive Cabinetry cruising to a 5-0 victory over Moss Builders behind three goals from Ethan Angel and a goal each from Barrett Raina and Alonso Valle. The second U13 game was a back-and-forth affair that saw Freckled Fin hang on for a 7-5 victory over Shady Lady. Chandler McRae led the way for Freckled Fin with four goals, while David Zupa added a pair of goals. Tucker McRae completed the Freckled Fin scoring with a goal. Alex Monserrate scored three goals to lead Shady Lady, which also received two goals from Ava Mason and an assist from Jesse Zaccignino in the loss. Action for the U9s got started with Blalock Walters easing past Bridgetender Inn by a 5-4 score thanks in part to a hat trick from Olivia Wyatt. Gavin Angle added two goals and Evita Moyer finished with an assist in the victory. Colton Cook scored two goals to lead Bridgetender, while Campbell Collins and Paul ten Haaf each scored goals.

Center rebounds from rocky 2021-22 ﬁnancial start By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

The Center of Anna Maria Island’s financial struggles from the start of 2022 may have subsided. The community center was $114,476.59 in the black through April, according to a financial report. The figure ends a three-month streak of financial losses for the nonprofit that ran $193,951.72 in the black through December 2021. The center proceeded to lose $28,687.32 in January, $71,791.36 in February and $3,582.78 in March before righting the ship and logging $24,586.33 in April. The center’s shifting fortunes largely can be attributed to its fundraising efforts. In January, the nonprofit’s fundraising expenses exceeded revenues by $32,503.12, dragging down an otherwise fiscally positive month. February was even worse, as fundraising spending exceeded revenues by $48,815.91, but the center also lost $21,731.79 from operations due to middling program revenue. The center’s program revenue and fundraising efforts evened out by March, when it took in $16,769.92 in operations and $17,609.59 in fundraising. However, $37,962.29 in capital expenditures brought the month’s net income down to a negative.

match June 21 in two flights. Sue Wheeler captured first place in Flight A with a 1-over-par 33 — a twostroke victory over Helen Pollock, who had a birdie on the second hole to highlight her round. Terry Westby’s even-par 32 was the low-net round of the day, good for first place in Flight B. Marilyn Niewjk was alone in second place with a 6-over-par 38. Club members played a shamble June 23 where two scores from the foursome were counted on four holes and one score was counted on five holes. First Club news Golf action at the Key Royale Club got started place went to the team of Art McMillan, Diane Miller, June 20 with the men’s nine-hole modified-Stableford Scott Mitchell and Kent Newbold with a score of 45. system match. Art McMillan found himself atop the leaderboard on a score of plus-4. A quartet of golfers Horseshoe news The weather was hot on AMI, but so was Tim finished a point back in second, including Mike Clements, Cliff Lanning, Fred Miller and Dave Richardson. July 4 family tradition The women played a nine-hole individual-low-net

While program revenue suffered in April, leading to a $39,954.45 loss in operations, the center’s fundraising efforts more than made up for it. Over the course of April, the nonprofit collected $112,375.25 and spent $46,590.81 in fundraising, resulting in revenue of $65,784.44. Despite its ups and downs, the 2021-22 fiscal year has been kind to the center. The nonprofit’s $114,476.59 net income through April exceeded projections by about $74,606, and exceeded net income through the same period last year by $168,775. With the center’s fiscal year ending June 30, the nonprofit could be close to recording another consecutive fiscal year in the black. Executive director Chris Culhane wrote in a June 7 email to The Islander that the center was hoping to fund some items from a list of capital improvement needs, including: • $300,000-$400,000 for a tennis/pickleball court; • $150,000-$200,000 for repairs to AC; • $100,000 to upgrade the facility’s showers; • $75,000 for deferred facility maintenance; • $20,000 for plumbing repairs; • $15,000 to add shade to the playground; • $10,000 for field maintenance. “Many of these minor capital repairs are in the works while the strategic planning committee reviews and assesses some of the larger capital projects that face us in the near future,” Culhane wrote.

Sofran at the June 25 games at the Anna Maria City Hall pits. Sofran walked his way to the day’s championship by posting the lone 3-0 record during pool play. Sofran then teamed up with Steve Doyle for the June 25 games to post the only 3-0 pool-play record, though they did have to work for it. The duo squeaked out a pair of close wins, captured one victory by a 21-20 score and followed up with a 21-19 come-frombehind victory to earn the day’s bragging rights and keep Sofran perfect for the week. Play gets underway at 9 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Anna Maria pits. Warm ups begin at 8:45 a.m., followed by random team selection. There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.

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Anna Maria Island Tides

Date

June 29 June 30 July 1 July 2 July 3 July 4 July 5 July 6

11:41a 12:18p 12:59p 4:32a 4:47a 5:09a 5:36a 6:07a

HIGH

2.7 2.7 2.6 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.9

— — — 1:44p 2:32p 3:27p 4:30p 5:45p

HIGH

— — — 2.6 2.4 2.2 2.0 1.8

LOW

Moon

7:54p -0.3 — — New 8:28p -0.3 — — 9:02p -0.2 — — 6:57a 1.3 9:36p -0.1 8:05a 1.3 10:12p 0.0 9:17a 1.2 10:50p 0.2 10:34a 1.1 11:28p 0.4 11:54a 1.0 — —

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

June 29, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 21 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Calm breezes, seas prevail offshore, time to seize your catch By Capt. Danny Stasny Islander Reporter

Offshore fishing is where it’s at for Anna Maria Island anglers wanting to get out on the water and pull on some big fish. American red snapper season is in full swing, with limits of the tasty fish being caught daily. And, with light breezes and calm seas, now is the time to seize the moment and venture into the Gulf of Mexico. Stasny Once a limit of red snapper is caught, there are many other options. Bottom fishing is yielding red and gag grouper, as well as various types of snapper — mangrove, yellowtail and vermilion. And, if you’re hunting for pelagic species, the amberjack, blackfin tuna and wahoo bite is firing up. Moving inshore, the bite is slightly more challenging as morning tides during the half moon phase are resulting in slow tidal flow. Most inshore species, such as snook, redfish and trout, bite during swift moving tides. So you want to target the peak currents of the tide to find success. During the slower tides, you might try anchoring over your favorite wreck or reef to target mangrove snapper. Chumming is helpful in this scenario, but not necessary. If you’re chumming, try freelining baits with the chum. If you don’t chum, try working baits on a weighted rig on the bottom. Tarpon fishing is another option while inshore fishing. Schools of tarpon are being found around the passes of Longboat Key and Anna Maria’s Bean Point as well as along the beaches. Live crabs as bait are working well during afternoon outgoing tides or early in the morning before sunrise. In between, try using threadfin herring.

David Klis of Chicago poses June 21 with a common snook, also known as a “linesider” and “robalo,” caught just off the rock breakwaters at Beer Can Island on the north end of Longboat Key. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

Tom Desjardin, visiting from Montreal, shows off a juvenile tarpon he caught June 25 near shore using live shiners for bait while on a guided fishing trip with Capt. Warren Girle. After a quick trophy photo, the fish was released.

On my Just Reel charters, I am still putting clients on snook during swift morning tides. On slower tides, we’re managing to hook up with the snook, but the bite is not as abundant as when the tide is strong. The same applies when trout fishing. Smaller shiners as bait are working better than larger baits when targeting trout. The smaller shiners also attract attention from mangrove snapper, which are always welcome additions to the cooler. Capt. David White is fired up on American red snapper while working offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. With the waters being calm and clear, White is chumming the red snapper up from the bottom, then rigging clients with free-lined chunks of frozen-cut sardines to attract a bite. Once on the hook, the enormous snapper are quickly swimming toward the bottom — 100 feet down — where they feel safe among the limestone ledges. With a rod bent over double and the drag screaming, it takes every bit of strength the angler can muster to turn these powerful snappers. Also while offshore, White is boating some red grouper on a rig consisting of 8-ounces of lead on a leader combined with a circle hook. Live pinfish as bait are working best for this technique. Another option for White is producing wahoo and blackfin tuna while high-speed trolling. On days when White is not offshore, he’s working the inshore waters with sport-fishing clients along the beaches for silver kings. Capt. Jason Stock is working the offshore wahoo bite in the Gulf. Trolling live baits and artificial lures are working to intrigue these high-speed predators to hit. Bottom fishing while offshore is yielding some prize catches for clients, such as American red snapper, red grouper, mangrove snapper and yellowtail snapper. Moving inshore, Stock is pursuing tarpon and large sharks along the Gulf beaches of Egmont Key, Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key. Tarpon catches are averaging 100 pounds. As for jaws, bull sharks and hammerheads are the targeted species. Capt. Warren Girle is catching his share of tarpon while working along the beaches of Longboat Key. Girle is finding the best action for clients before daylight, casting live crabs into schooling fish. Once the sun rises, he’s switching to live threadfin herring as bait.

When the tarpon fishing cools off, Girle is working the flats of Sarasota Bay. Snook are the most abundant bite and they’re taking live shiners. He says spotted seatrout also are taking their bait on the flats, as well as a handful of mangrove snapper and jack crevalle. Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier reports observing plenty of snook lurking around the deck and under the pier. Unsuspecting anglers leisurely fishing with light tackle are frequently shocked when they hook into a 30-inch plus snook that burns out their drag and cuts their line on the barnacle encrusted pilings. Anglers in the know are using stout gear with heavy line and leader in preparation for the large fish. Soaking baits such as pinfish, ladyfish and mojarras are working well when targeting these large inshore predators. And even then, some still get away. Other catches at the R&R this week include mangrove snapper, Spanish mackerel and jack crevalle. Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to

Capt. Warren Girle guided Mat Youngblood, visiting from Orlando, to an “awesome almost white and very beautiful snook” he caught while fishing with live shiners near the shoreline June 21. After a quick trophy photo, Girle released the fish.

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Page 22 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 29, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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Los Chiludos owners Jose and Tera Lemus pose June 22 with sons Alonzo and Anthony in the restaurant’s new Anna Maria Island Centre shopping plaza location.

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By Kane Kaiman

Burritos, bistro, anglers

Wrapped with ﬂavor, love June 28 will be like Christmas for island burritolovers. Los Chiludos — a new-to-Holmes Beach CalMex eatery featuring large-portion burritos, tacos and salads — will throw open its doors for the first time at 11 a.m., after The Islander’s press time. “We are so excited,” owner Tera Lemus said June 22. “The last few months, we’ve kind of been in vacation mode but also getting to know Kaiman people on the island. Everybody’s been friendly and so welcoming.” “It’s been incredible. But my sons (Anthony and Alonzo) and husband, Jose, are excited to get back to work and feed a new clientele.” The Lemus opted to move their 14-year family-run business from Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, earlier this year. Tera Lemus said the family wouldn’t have been able to open the establishment, 3232 E. Bay Drive, so quickly without the hard work of RTM Solutions general contractors. In addition to meaty Cal-Mex fare, the eatery, open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday for brunch, will offer vegetarian and vegan options upon request, including cauliflower tacos topped with pickled onions, mango salsa and an avocado sauce. The Lemus’ plan to utilize the eatery’s quick-serve interior counter and kitchen configuration to help build

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a strong takeout customer base. Groseclose said June 23 the restaurant’s team is For more information, visit loschiludos.com, Los “excited to usher in a new era at the Beach Bistro while Chiludos on Facebook or call 941-345-4102. upholding the award-winning standards that have been established over the last 36 years.” Bistro chef welcomed back For more on the eatery, visit beachbistro.com or Seth Groseclose is back in the kitchen at Beach call 941-778-6444. Bistro as executive chef. The 23-year cook began his fine dining career in The Haden Rig 1999 at the bistro, 6600 Gulf Drive. He’ll get you rigged and ready. While working seasonally at the upscale eatery, Fisher Haden Durant, 15, has worked at Pine Groseclose summered in kitchens on the East Coast Avenue Bait and Tackle for three months, outfitting and overseas, including a stint at Roscoff Restaurant, fishers with a simple but — apparently — highly effeca Michelin-starred establishment in Belfast, Ireland. tive rig for the Anna Maria City Pier. Groseclose had a hand in opening several area resHaden advises his customers to tie a one-aught taurants in the past two decades, including Eat Here, circle hook onto a 20-lb-test monofilament leader and Mangrove Grill, Concession Golf Club’s Bistro and affix a split shot about a foot back from the hook before Boca Grande’s Boca Bistro. baiting the rig with live shrimp. He also worked at Cork and the Bottle Shop on St. At the pier, anglers using his rig can catch “just Armands Circle and 5 One 6 Burns in Sarasota. about every fish that swims in the Gulf of Mexico,” Groseclose said his favorite career highlight is the Dallas native said. cooking dinner at New York City’s James Beard House In April, Haden applied for a summer job at the with the Beach Bistro team in 2007. fishing store, 501 Pine Ave., after a visit to nearby Dips Sean Murphy, creator and 36-year owner of the Ice Cream. Beach Bistro, sold the establishment to island busiFor more information, visit pine-avenue-bait-andnessmen Shawn Kaleta, Bradenton attorney Louis tackle.business.site or call 941-281-2330. Najmy and partners in January. And as always… …Got biz news? Contact Kane Kaiman at kane@ WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED. islander.org or The Islander at 941-778-7978.

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June 29, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 23 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

TDC receives maintenance, island historical society reports By Kane Kaiman Islander Reporter

They’re keeping beaches spick-and-span — bathrooms, water and sand. At a June 23 meeting at the Center of Anna Maria Island in Anna Maria, the Manatee County Tourist Development Council heard reports about custodial service improvements at public beaches, the utilization of algae-collecting boats to clean waterways and the history and status of the Anna Maria Island Historical Society, which is seeking TDC funding to revamp its facilities. Parks operation manager Carmine DeMilio gave a presentation on the fruits of the county’s decision to terminate its relationship with a private sector custodial service in January and take cleaning services inhouse. Trash cans and bathrooms at island beaches that had been cleared out and cleaned infrequently and unsatisfactorily due to increasing visitor use in recent years are now properly maintained, DeMilio said. His team implemented higher standards than the previous custodial service and can respond more quickly to safety concerns and damaged fixtures. The county has received compliments about the cleanliness of beach facilities and restroom and clean up complaints have decreased by 90%, DeMilio said. The property management department also is implementing an online lost-and-found service that will utilize QR codes posted on signs at island beaches. Following the custodial presentation, DeMilio reported on two Weedoo environmental workboats purchased in October 2021. The 11-foot boats — complete with hydraulic arms for lifting algae blooms and fallen trees from the water — are akin to floating skid-steer loaders. The vessels can be used to skim the water for dead fish and detritus that builds up due to red tide and remove invasive plants from waterways. To date, the county park’s maintenance division has employed the boats about 20 times at various locations, including Holmes Beach’s Kingfish Boat Ramp, DeMilio said. The Weedoos are the latest addition to the county’s beach-and-park cleanup fleet, which includes three tractor-mounted sand rakes. Anna Maria Island Historical Society board member Barbara Murphy and Doug Copeland, who served on the TDC and as an Anna Maria commissioner, gave a presentation on the nonprofit society at the behest of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, which is considering a partnership opportunity with museum as early as August.

BizCal

Compiled by Kane Kaiman

AMI Chamber SAVE THE DATES

July 14, chamber luncheon, Harry’s Grill, Anna Maria. July 28, business card exchange, Brookdale Palma Sola, Bradenton. Info, RSVP: 941-778-154, info@amichamber. org.

LBK Chamber THIS WEEK Monday, July 4 9-11 a.m. — Freedom Festival, Bicentennial Park, 500 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Info, RSVP: longboatkeychamber.com, 941-383-2466.

Former tourist development council member Doug Copeland gives a presentation June 23 on the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum to the TDC. Islander Photo: Kane Kaiman

“Our third-party research would tell us that it’s beaches, food and history that are the top three appeals to visitors,” BACVB executive director Elliott Falcione said. “So, we asked Barbara (Murphy) to come and give us and update and then our team will work with them.” Copeland chronicled the history of the organization, founded in 1991, telling the TDC that the historical society-run museum, 402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, hosts 600-800 visitors a month. In March, more than 1,000 visitors toured the museum for the annual Heritage Day celebration and, in 2021, the Anna Maria Chamber of Commerce named the organization its nonprofit business of the year. “With increasing traffic at the museum due to the reopening of the (Anna Maria City) pier, the development of businesses, the Green Village, the soon-to-be Mote Marine complex, the reimagining of Pine Avenue project and, when Elliott (Falcione) launches the water taxi … the museum expects to serve more visitors than in the past,” Copeland said. “I hope you can see what a valuable resource the Anna Maria Island museum has become for the community and an attraction for our visitors,” he said. “The questions become: How do we enhance it going forward to better serve the community and make it more attractive for our visitors?” Tourism update Consultant Anne Wittine briefed the council on tourism, telling members that in April, a record 99,900 people visited the county. Compared to April 2019, a pre-pandemic reference time frame, visitation increased about 20%, while economic impact increased about 36%. Wittine, a director of quantitative research at Research Data Services, reported an 8.2% increase in the number of short-term rental units in the area. Despite the uptick in supply, the average rental unit commanded about a 23% higher rate than it would have in April 2019. Compared to 2019, the county experienced massive growth in the number of visitors from the Northeast, up 57.8%, and Midwest, up 72.4%.

T hinking about what

EST. 1978

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The number of in-state visitors to the area was down 31.8% from 2021 levels, a trend Wittine said reflected post-pandemic normalization. Preliminary May reports from rental property managers indicate rates and occupancy numbers continue to top 2019 and 2021 levels. “We are hearing lots of great comments,” Wittine said. “Considering gas prices and all of the things that are going on, we are not hearing from property managers that that is affecting their summer business.”

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Page 24 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 29, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

I S L A N D E R C L A S S I F I E D S ITEMS FOR SALE

ITEMS FOR SALE Continued

KIDS FOR HIRE

MASTeR MASSAGe CHAIR, folding massage table. $50 each. 321-408-6148.

AnTIQue BABY CARRIAGe: Wood and wicker. Proceeds benefit Moonracer Animal Rescue. email for photos: moonraceranimalrescue@gmail.com.

n e e D A n A D u LT n i g h t o u t ? C a l l M a t y ’s B a b y s i t t i n g S e r v i c e s . I’m 16, love kids and have lots of experience. References upon request. 618-977-9630.

FREEBIE ITEMS FOR SALE

DePenDABLe, ReSPOnSIBLe, Fun babysitter for hire. 13 years old, island local. Available in June. 941-526-9090.

BIKe CRuISeR, neW tires and seat, $75, chandelier brown, like-new, $20, 941-9202494. PRISCILLA VInTAGe 1968 ivory wedding gown. Size 3 junior petite. Cleaned and stored until recently. $150. Text 816-7215524. Tune uP YOuR rental! Paula Deen cookware, Cuisinart, Pyrex, roasting pan. Great shape, sold as 1, $50. 404-307-3630. MOVInG: MuST SeLL three-piece living room set, $200, large cabinet, $175, bikes, $60. Text, 816-721-5524. AnTIQue PARTneR DeSK: All wood, $500. Inquire at The Islander office, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes Beach. 941-778-7978.

Sandy’s Lawn Service Inc. ESTABLISHED IN 1983

Residential & Commercial Full-service lawn maintenance. Landscaping ~ Cleanups Hauling ~ Tree Trimming. LICENSED & INSURED

Paradise Improvements

941.792.5600

Kitchen and Bath Remodeling Specialist Replacement Doors and Windows

Andrew Chennault

CBC 1253471

FULLY LICENSED AND INSURED Island References Lic#CBC056755

RDI CONSTRUCTION INC. Residential & Condo Renovations Kitchens • Bath • Design Service Carpentry • Flooring • Painting Commercial & Residential

References available • 941-720-7519

AdoptA-Pet Perry needs YOU!

Perry is a male blonde Florida mix, 8 years old, about 65-pounds, fully schooled and well behaved. To meet this cutie, call Lisa Williams at 941-345-2441 or visit The Islander ofﬁce in Holmes Beach. For more about pet adoption, visit moonracer-animalrescue. com. SPOnSOReD BY

ANSWERS TO JUNE 29 PUZZLE

Individuals may place one free ad with up to three items, each priced $100 or less, 15 words or less. FRee, one week, must be submitted online. email classifieds@islander. org, fax toll-free 1-866-362-9821. (limited time offer) PETS HeLP ReSCueD PeTS! Volunteer, foster, computer help needed! Moonracer Animal Rescue. email: moonraceranimalrescue@ gmail.com. TRANSPORTATION GOLF CART RenTALS: Fun for residents and tourists! www.GolfCartRentalAMI.com.

KIDS FOR HIRe ads are FRee for up to three weeks for Island youths under 16 looking for work. Ads must be placed in person at The Islander office, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes Beach. SERVICES neeD A RIDe to airports? Tampa, St. Pete, Sarasota. Gary, 863-409-5875. gvoness80@ gmail.com. IS YOuR HOMe or office in need of some cleaning? Well, I’m your girl! Local, reliable, professional! Please, give me a call or text, 941-773 -0461.

2002 e4 GeM Car. Gel batteries, upgraded motor, controller and charger. AM/FM Sirius Bluetooth radio, 205/14 in tires/wheels. $6,500. Gary, 813-431-7904.

CLeAnInG: VACATIOn, COnSTRuCTIOn, residential, commercial and windows. Licensed and insured. 941-756-4570.

2008 CHRYSLeR SeBRInG sedan: Silver, runs well. $3,000. 139,800 miles. 941-3452441.

PReSSuRe WASHInG, PAVeR sealing, driveway, roof, fence, pool area. Also, window cleaning. Licensed and insured. 941-5653931.

BOATS & BOATING HAVe A BOAT and wanna catch more fish, better bait or learn the water? 50-year local fisherman, your boat, my knowledge. Captain Chris, 941-896-2915. FISHING LIVe PInFISH-SHIneRS delivery available. 941-705-1956, text only. HELP WANTED TInGLeY LIBRARY In Bradenton Beach is looking for volunteers. Fun and friendly atmosphere. Morning and afternoon shifts. If interested, please, contact library clerk eveann Adams 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at 941-7791208. OLIVe OIL OuTPOST seeks an individual for a customer experience representative. Flexible hours, very competitive compensation with store discounts. For information, contact Bill at 941-544-5400. THe ISLAnD CABAnA career opportunity: Full-service boutique specializing in Lilly Pulitzer. Full- and part-time positions available, $15 for inexperienced part-time positions. Compensation increases depending on sales experience. Please, email karsen@ islandcabana.com if interested! RePORTeR WAnTeD: Full- to part-time. Print media, newspaper experience required. Apply via email with letter of interest to news@islander.org.

BICYCLe RePAIRS: Just4Fun at 5358 Gulf Drive can do most any bicycle repair at a reasonable cost. Pick-up and delivery available. 941-896-7884. COMPAnIOn/HOMeMAKeR: Honest and reliable offering help with running errands, grocery shopping, house sitting, pet and plant care, light cooking/cleaning, transportation. References available and licensed. Call Sherri, 941-592-4969. API’S DRYWALL RePAIR: I look forward to servicing your drywall repair needs. Call 941524-8067 to schedule an appointment. HAnDYMAn AnD CLeAnInG services. Move-ins and outs. Affordable. Call Fred, 941-356-1456. PReSeRVe YOuR MeMORIeS: Transfer video tapes, slides, photos and old movie films to DVD, Blu-Ray or flash drive in digital format. All work is done in our lab in Bradenton. Mention the Islander for ten percent off. Phone, 941-758-3077. Web: www.videotechniques.com. SHeRMARKS SeRVICeS LLC: Looking for handyman for your property maintenance needs from flooring, painting, pressure washing? Free estimates. Holmes Beach. Local, license and insured. Mark Manning, 239-240-2573. ALMOST LIKe HOMe pet boarding, Days, overnights, weekends, longer periods of time. Pets are accepted on short notice, small, medium size pets only. Location west Bradenton. $20 per day. 941-896-5512.

EARLY DEADLINE: Signature AMI gifts! White and tie-dye “More-Than-a-MulletWrapper” T-shirts, $10-$15, and AMI stickers, $2. Come shop at The Islander, 315 58th St., Holmes Beach. And we’ve got Jack Elka calendars!

Deadline noon Fri., July 1, for classifieds for July 6 edition.

June 29, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 25 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

I S L A N D E R C L A S S I F I E D S SERVICES Continued

HOME IMPROVEMENT Continued

REAL ESTATE

ONLINE NOTARY AND mobile notary now serving Manatee County. Call to book, 941301-8262. Available evenings and weekends.

HOLLANDS PAINT, DRYWALL and handyman services: Interior/exterior paint, drywall repair, wall/ceiling textures, stucco repair, pressure washing. Over 25 years’ experience. All work guaranteed. References. Licensed/insured. Call Dee, 256-337-5395.

WINNIE MCHALE, REALTOR, 941-5046146. Rosebay International Realty Inc. 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.”

GETTING MARRIED? I will be your wedding officiant. Call Rev. James Mcubbin, 941253-6649. KNOWLEDGEABLE CARE LLC! In-home care and support, private duty only. We are here to help, please, give us a call, 941-5678499.

SCREENING SERVICES: Replace your old or ripped window, door or porch screens. Many screen types available. Retired veteran here to serve our community! Free estimates, call Lane, 941-705-5293.

P O O L M A I N T EN A N C E : F R EE e s t i mates! Stellar Pool Service LLC. Veteran owned and operated! “Stellar” service at affordable rates! 941-524-1173. stellarpoolservice1@gmail. com. www.stellarpoolservicellc.com.

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.

BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS JD’s Window Cleaning looking for storefront jobs in Holmes Beach. I make dirty windows sparkling clean. 941-920-3840.

ANNA MARIA GULF beachfront vacation rentals. One- two- and three-bedroom units, all beachfront. www.amiparadise.com. 941778-3143.

BEACH SERVICE AC, heat, refrigeration. Serving the Island since 1987. For dependable, honest and personalized service, call Bill Eller, 941-795-7411. CAC184228.

LUXURIOUS ANNA MARIA Island condo for rent: Upgraded granite, stainless-steel kitchen. Incredible water views through floor length windows. Waterfront patio, luxury furnishings, 2BR/2BA. King beds, pool, tennis, walk to the beach, private carport. Monthly rental, July-December. Owner/renter. Flexible terms. 570-239-0431. Email now: marketreps@aol.com.

LAWN & GARDEN CONNIE’S LANDSCAPING INC. Residential and commercial. Full-service lawn maintenance, landscaping, cleanups, hauling and more! Insured. 941-778-5294. BARNES LAWN AND Landscape LLC. Design and installation, lawn and landscape services, tree trimming, mulch, rock and shell. 941-705-1444. Jr98@barneslawnandlandscape.com.

COLLINS LANDSCAPE LIGHTING: Outdoor lighting, landscaping, irrigation services and maintenance. 941-279-9947. MJC24373@ gmail.com. SEARAY SPRINKLER SERVICES. Repairs, additions, drip, sprinkler head/timer adjustments. 941-920-0775. HOME IMPROVEMENT VAN-GO PAINTING residential/commercial, interior/exterior, pressure cleaning, wallpaper. Island references. Bill, 941-795-5100. www.vangopainting.net. TILE -TILE -TILE. All variations of ceramic tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship, prompt, reliable, many Island references. Call Neil, 941-726-3077. GRIFFIN’S HOME IMPROVEMENTS Inc. Handyman, fine woodwork, countertops, cabinets and wood flooring. Insured and licensed. 941-722-8792. BLINDS, SHUTTERS, SHADES: Motorization. 30 years on AMI. Call Keith Barnett, Barnett Blinds, 941-730-0516. ISLAND HANDYMAN: I live here, work here, value your referral. Refinish, paint. Just ask. JayPros. Licensed/insured. References. Call Jay, 941-962-2874. HANDYMAN AND PAINTING. No job too small. Most jobs just right. Call Richard Kloss. 941-204-1162. EARLY DEADLINE: Deadline for July 6 edition classifieds is NOON, JULY 1.

RENTALS

ANNUAL RENTAL IN Perico Bay Club. 2BR/2BA, bay views. $2,800/month, including water and Spectrum. second floor, no pets, one-car garage. Island Vacation Properties, 941-778-1000.

TIRED OF 800 numbers? We provide local face-to-face real estate services at internet commission prices. Buy, sell, property management and rentals. Call us. Real Estate Mart, 941-356-1456. EARLY DEADLINE: Deadline for July 6 edition classifieds is NOON, JULY 1.

AMI TAXI

professional, metered, on-call, gps, cards accepted www.amitaxi.com • amitaxi4u@gmail.com holmes beach, bradenton beach, anna maria

941-447-8372 airports • shops • dining

Landscape Design Lawn Care Cleanups Stone Paths Licensed and Insured

We do the wash! Airbnb & Commercial Accounts.

NEED ROOM TO rent: Bradenton area, on bus route. Retired, single 50-year-old with friendly dog. $800/month. Please mail with information. Suzanne. 3547 51st. Ave. W., Bradenton, FL 34210. 941-345-2441. CONDO: SHORT-TERM rental. 2BR/1BA furnished. 55-plus community. 90-day minimum stay. $1,250/monthly. Real Estate Mart, 941-356-1456. 2BR/1.5BA FURNISHED, SHARED laundry and swimming pool. One block from beach. Available July 1-Dec. 31. $2,500/month plus utilities. First and last. Call 941-718-3311. WESTBAY COVE CONDO: Holmes Beach. Second floor, 2BR/2BA, large lanai. Pools, tennis, one block to Gulf beach. July, August, September, $3,000/month. 30-day minimum. terryaposporos@gmail, 941-778-8456. FULLY FURNISHED 1BR/1BA at 55-plus Sandpiper Resort Park. $1,495 a month, plus utilities. Long-term. No pets! Steps to beach. Text, 831-212-2606. WINTER 2023: BOOK now! 2BR/1BA furnished, heated pool. Steps away from Gulf beach and restaurants. 90-day rental for $13,000. 55-plus. Real Estate Mart, 941356-1456. 2BR/1BA FURNISHED SERENE cottage. Two miles from AMI. Sleeps six. Pets welcome. Terms negotiable. 941-920-7284. WINTER SEASON 3BR/2BA rental located on a canal in Anna Maria City. Available December through April 2023. Threemonth minimum. $4,200/month. Call Anna Maria Realty for more information, 941-778-2259.

Rick Turner

Personal Driver 941.504.2894

Place classified ads online at islander.org You can read it all online at islander.org

Page 26 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 29, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

PropertyWatch

MarketWatch

1801 Gulf Drive, #190, Bradenton Beach, a 1,080 By Lisa neff sq ft 2BR/2BA condo in Runaway Bay built in 1978 Island real estate transactions sold 5/12/2022 by Folkerts to Diedrich for $676,000, Anna Maria Median listing home price: $3.5 million. 1801 Gulf Drive, #252, Bradenton Beach, a 1,080 list price $669,000. Median sold home price: $2.4 million. 2813 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, a vacant lot with sq ft 2BR/2BA condo in Runaway Bay built in 1978 Listings: 55 properties, $659,000-$8.5 million. sold 5/27/2022 by Flint to Brekovsky for $635,000, 5,001 sq ft sold 6/3/2022 by Del Ferro to Zendko LLC Bradenton Beach for $600,000, list price $649,000. list price $649,000. Median listing home price: $749,000. 1801 Gulf Drive, #253, Bradenton Beach, a 1,080 Median sold home price: $1 million. sq ft 2BR/2BA condo in Runaway Bay built in 1978 Listings: 34 properties, $265,000-$6.5 million. sold 5/31/2022 by Lukas Trust to Villegas for $550,000, Holmes Beach list price $559,000. Median listing home price: $2 million. 6300 Flotilla Drive, #100, Holmes Beach, a 1,151 Median sold home price: $1.7 million. sq ft 2BR/2BA condo in Shell Point built in 1973 sold Listings: 79 properties, $80,000-$28.5 million. 5/23/2022 by Holmes to Harrell for $501,000, list price Source: Realtor.com $525,000. 204 Church Ave., #15, Bradenton Beach, a 590 sq ft 1BR/1BA condo in Coquina Reef built in 1982 sold OFFERING THE BEST SELECTION 5/27/2022 by Parkerson to Odgen for $439,000, list OF SALES & RENTALS ON price $429,000. ANNA MARIA ISLAND SINCE 1978 Compiled by Island Real Estate staff. IRE can be reached at 941-778-6066, islandreal.com. Carol Bernard

Mike Norman Realty INC

www.mikenormanrealty.com 31o1 Gulf Drive, Hholmes Beach 800-367-1617 | 941-778-6696

PLACE CLASSIFIED ADS ONLINE AT ISLANDER.ORG

Visit islander.org for the best news on AMI.

3BR/2BA den plus private pool and hot tub. $725,000.

Chantelle Lewin Broker Associate Licensed since 1983

941.713.1449

When it comes to buying or selling your home, Please, CALL ME FIRST! Let my years of experience work for you. —

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5BR/4.5B LUXURIOUS FLORIDA LIVING in this stunning waterfront doublelot home on Sarasota Bay's Tidy Island! Enjoy the natural beauty and spend your days kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, fishing, dolphin watching, and relaxing all from your own backyard. This home offers 3 levels of indoor/outdoor living space with a total of 11,330 square feet! www.aryeo.com/v2/39-tidy-island-blvdbradenton-fl-34210-2096241/branded

RELEASE DATE: 6/26/2022

New York Times Sunday Magazine Crossword

June 29, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 27 No. 0619 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

DIDN’T WE JUST HAVE THIS?

BY WILL NEDIGER / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ

1 Poses 5 ____ palm (tropical tree) 9 Drive (around) 13 Composer Bernstein who was unrelated to Leonard 18 Doohickey 20 Home to the Dole Plantation 21 Industry show 22 Late singer Judd 23 Contest with lots of ‘‘tied’’ scores 24 In a fight 25 Body part that humans have that other primates don’t 26 Term to drop in a serious relationship, informally 27 Argument extender [ref. 18-Across] 30 Tiny amounts 31 Terse denial 32 What seat selection on an airplane often comes with 33 Eerily familiar feeling 35 Scottish refusal 36 Focused on the bull’seye 39 State fiction as fact 41 Supervise 45 Slowly makes its way through 47 Fun functions Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more Answers: than 4,000 past puzzles, page 24 nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year).

48 With 87-Across, ‘‘I’ve been around the block a few times’’ [ref. 23-Across] 53 Yoga pose 55 Covering 56 Rock’s C. J. or Dee Dee 57 Currency of Qatar 59 Package in Santa’s sleigh 61 18+, say 62 Danger 65 Sun block 67 Molecular messenger 70 Classic Yogi Berra quote [ref. 33-Across] 74 Whole bunch 75 Fiber made from cellulose 76 Chemical ingredient in flubber 77 Did some secretarial work 78 The last thing a Mississippi cheerleader wants? 79 Land divided at the 38th parallel 81 Former name for the N.B.A.’s Thunder, informally 82 Crib-sheet user 85 Team building 87 See 48-Across 91 Consolidated for easier reading, as a Twitter thread 93 Composer Luigi who pioneered noise music 95 Like some arts 96 Be an agent for 97 Broadway composer Jule

99 Crop that might be insect-resistant, in brief 102 Sleep inducer 104 ____ particle 106 Came next 108 Algonquian people 111 Debut album by Britney Spears [ref. 82-Across] 115 Beginning 116 French pronoun 117 Word implied in ‘‘I haven’t the foggiest’’ 118 Crenshaw or casaba 119 ‘‘That makes two of us’’ 120 One with a nose for gnus? 121 A pan might come with just one 122 Elusive giants 123 Tread + riser 124 Becomes less taut 125 Seemingly forever 126 Instrument for Orpheus

Will Nediger is a professional crossword constructor from London, Ontario. He contributes regularly to The New Yorker, The Times and other outlets. He says, ‘‘I enjoy architecturally challenging constructions — like this puzzle, which was tricky to create, because the theme content had to be placed in a specific order.’’ — W.S.

AC RO SS

12 Doughnut similar to an éclair 13 Spice up 14 Canadian observance also called Fête du Travail 15 Not worth arguing about 16 Goldman who crusaded for birth control access 17 Barbecue order 19 ‘‘Never ____ Give You Up’’ (Rick Astley song) 28 Useless 29 Prefix with medicine 34 One whose work goes over your head 37 Web portal with a Bing search bar 38 Ambulance pro 40 Monocle-dropping exclamation 42 Be on the bottom? 43 ‘‘____-Tripping’’ (Nikki Giovanni poem) 44 Sixth of five? DOWN 46 Home country of the 1 Transport in a Billy poet Adonis Strayhorn standard 47 Mouth-watering? 2 Showrunner Rhimes 3 ____ pool 48 Park way 4 Sam with 82 P.G.A. 49 Was given no other Tour wins option 5 Lay it on thick 50 ‘‘There’s no other option’’ 6 Pledge 7 Political unit of ancient 51 Persuaded Hawaii 52 Starting position, maybe 8 Highly unconventional 9 Sector for many start- 54 Relish ups 58 ‘‘Goodness me!’’ 10 Durable leather 60 Sojourner Truth or 11 Give a take Frances Harper

5 19

23 27

57 63

102

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106 113

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72 Lazes around 73 Doc who performs Pap smears 78 Black Lives Matter co-founder 80 Valuable to collectors, say 81 High-minded sort? 82 Depress, with ‘‘out’’ 83 Santa ____ winds 84 Comment with a shiver 86 Marks down, maybe 88 Gave officially

115

62 It’s illegal for employers to prohibit workers from discussing this 63 Called to mind 64 Talk at length 66 ‘‘On the Basis of ____’’ (2018 legal drama) 67 Swift 68 Goddaughter, often 69 ‘‘It therefore follows that . . . ’’ 71 Sport played on a fronton

103 111

110

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108

59 66

78 84

47 53

30 33

13 22

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126

89 Deteriorate 90 Guileful 92 Cholesterol-lowering drug 94 ____ and including 96 Share on Tumblr, say 98 ‘‘You can learn from anyone — even your ____’’: Ovid 99 ‘‘Yep, you got me’’ 100 Story of one’s life 101 Danish city where Hans Christian Andersen was born

103 ____ al Ghul (on-and-off lover of Batman) 105 Fennel-like flavoring 107 Material for some drums 108 Online forum V.I.P.s 109 Still having a shot at winning 110 ‘‘The Thin Man’’ dog 112 Itches 113 Far from friendly 114 Rest on one’s ____

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Page 28 THE ISLANDER | islander.org June 29, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................