The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, Feb. 09, 2022 by The Anna Maria Islander Newspaper

MI A e W ❤

VOLUME 30, NO. 16

FEB. 9, 2022 FrEE

the best news on anna maria island Since 1992 astheworldterns. 6

Q&A 020922.

islander.org

‘Our Dream’ goes out in ﬂames

trolley ridership below pre-pandemic levels. 3

Meetings. 4

by ryan Paice islander reporter

‘new’ hires roundout staffing at Hb city hall. 4 december tourist tax tops prior years. 5

Opinions. 6

10-20 YEARS AGO

Looking back. 7

Cops & Courts. 8 Streetlife. 9 West manatee Fire rescue capt. tyler macdonald helps to knock down a blaze on a boat overnight Feb. 3 at the Parrot cove marina, 11510 36th ave. W., cortez. no injuHappenings ries were reported, Fire marshal rodney Kwiatkowski told the islander, adding a space community events. 10-13 heater caused the $35,000-$40,000 in damages to the 36-foot carver. check page 3 for the aftermath. islander Photo: courtesy WmFr Gathering. 14 Save a date. 10-13

Obituaries. 14 GoodDeeds. 15 coVid-19 help. 15

School days, school dates. 16

county bolsters museum project in cortez. 17 Hb parks committee seeks garden grant. 18

birders unite for the count. 19 game time on the gridiron. 20 anglers score on sheepshead. 21

Isl Biz: 22-23 CLASSIFIEDS. 24-25

PropertyWatch. 26

NYT puzzle. 27

Water taxi makes splash at gov’t meeting

Sweet on Anna Maria Island by Lisa neff islander editor

People leave their hearts in San Francisco. And Chicago can be a sweet home. But just about anyone who visits Anna Maria Island can’t help falling in love — with the place. Some vacationers romanced by AMI rush in to relocate whether from up north, over the border or across the pond. Others plan and prepare, arriving for their golden years. Ahead of Valentine’s Day, The Islander invited its social media fans to share why they’re “sweet” on AMI. And the island’s lovers responded. “I come from a family that goes back four generations on the island,” wrote Robert Anderson. He lives in Bradenton and grew up on the island. “I’ve seen a lot of change, the islander invited readers on social media to share for Valentine’s day what they love about ami. We pinned the invitation and welcome additional responses via Facebook — @islandernewspaper— and instagram — @theislanderami. not on social media? email news@islander.org.

not all of it good. But to me I feel deeply connected to the island and even though it’s overcrowded and a lot of people don’t take the time — or even know how yet — to see it, I feel like you can still find those places where the island kind of shows off its soul a little when you’re looking. It’s a place of history, full of life and incomparable beauty.” Petra van der Eerden added, “The beach, the sunrise, the sunset, the seafood, the dolphins. Need I go on?” She lives in Rotterdam in the Netherlands. “One, it’s beautiful. Two, it’s fun and exciting. Three, there’s much to do and you won’t get bored,” vowed Cynthia Steuart. Stephanie Katz of Holmes Beach wrote, “The parrots! And the library.” Lonna Hanley of Watkinsville, Georgia, mentioned a special place, the White Sands Beach Resort in Holmes Beach. “Parents

Another public transit service linking Anna Maria Island to the mainland soon may make waves — literally. Elliott Falcione, director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, told local officials at their Feb. 1 Manatee County Council of Governments meeting that a pilot program for a water taxi could launch by the end of May. “This is an exciting time,” Falcione said. “We really want a service launch really no later than Memorial Day weekend. …It’s time to move this forward.” Manatee County transit manager Bill Steele said the water taxi could become an important resource as major bridge and roadway projects, such as replacements for the Cortez Road and Manatee Avenue bridges, exacerbate traffic congestion to and from the island over the next decade. Steele said the county must determine stops for the water taxi, but recommended the service begin by linking downtown Bradenton and at least two island cities. The county conducted a study that found 60% of visitors who stay in downtown Bradenton also visit the island’s beaches, and providing alternative transportation could ease some congestion caused by those visitors, according to Falcione. To launch the pilot program, the county must issue an invitation to negotiate with interested private vendors and formalize partnerships with interested cities so taxi turn to taxi, Page 2

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turn to LoVE aMi, Page 5

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Here’s your chance to win $100 check out the islander’s final football contest of the 2021-22 nFL season on pages 12-13 for your chance to guess the score of the Super bowl matchup Feb. 13 between the cincinnati bengals and L.a. rams and win $100 from the islander and its season-winning sponsors.

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A floating dock pictured Feb. 3, was installed by Bradenton Beach at the Historic Bridge Street Pier to serve a water taxi, tour boats and private boaters, providing access from the pier to restaurants and shops on Bridge Street. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

A map shows a “conceptual” water taxi route prepared by the BACVB for a Manatee County Council of Governments meeting. A second route shows the taxi traveling from the Bradenton riverfront to the island. Islander Courtesy Graphic

taxi continued from page 2

stops can be determined. Manatee County public works director Chad Butzow said he hoped to issue the ITN by the end of the week. Falcione said he’d spoken with every mayor in the county except Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier about the water taxi and that county commissioners “wholeheartedly support” the idea. He added that every city would have its own preferences for the service, but urged officials to find a balance so the project could effectively move forward. “We’re moving as aggressively as possible, but we cannot do this alone,” county administrator Scott Hopes said. “It’s going to take a partnership.” County Commissioner Misty Servia said she is “so excited” the concept is moving forward and enthusiastic about launching a trial program. “I like the idea of doing something new at a slow

pace to identify the challenges and correct them before we expand it,” Servia said. Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie said the city has plans to expand its floating dock at the Historic Bridge Street Pier that would well serve as a landing for a water taxi. He added that he knows a vendor that is “very interested and very serious” in partnering with the county to provide the taxi, but did not provide a name. Paradise Boat Tours general manager Sherman Baldwin, whose business operates from the Historic Bridge Street Pier, was previously approved to operate a shuttle between the pier and downtown Sarasota. Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy wrote favorably of a water taxi in a Feb. 3 email to The Islander, saying it would reduce traffic. Without a tourist destination like the piers in Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach may be the odd one out, according to Mayor Judy Titsworth.

Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth chairs a Feb. 1 Manatee County Council of Governments meeting, where officials from local municipalities discussed a water taxi. Islander Screenshot: YouTube

“They have not approached me on a location in Holmes Beach,” Titsworth told The Islander Feb. 2. She said the county may bypass the city by using Kingfish Boat Ramp — which is operated by the county — as a taxi stop, but hoped the county would provide a shelter in case people get stuck at the ramp during inclement weather. Titsworth added that she wants to see more data showing the water taxi’s impact on traffic congestion before she supports a partnership with the county.

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Total loss

a baseball card for Fred Hutchinson, a major Leaguer who lived on ami and whose family still resides here.

“our dream,” a 36-foot carver owned by Karen bailey and moored at Parrot cove marina in cortez, is afloat but a “total loss” Feb. 3 after an overnight fire. “in spite of the water supply challenges our crews faced at the marina, they executed a flawless fire attack, extinguished the fire quickly and with very minimal exposure damage,” said West manatee Fire marshal rodney Kwiatkowski, who also noted there were no injuries. islander Photo: courtesy WmFr

Q&A 020922

by Lisa neff

The Islander poll this week’s question

I hope spring training starts as scheduled because … A. Baseball is the best sport. B. It’s good for tourism. C. I’m hungry for a hot dog. D. Love to catch a game at LECOM Park.

Last week’s question

Trolley ridership remains below pre-pandemic levels Ridership on the fare-free island trolley has not rebounded to pre-pandemic numbers, but is on the rise. Ridership for the trolley operated by Manatee County Area Transit for December 2021 was 29,332 compared with 19,164 riders in December 2020 but 38,456 riders in December 2019. So for December 2021, ridership increased 53% over December 2020 but decreased 12% compared with December 2019. The December 2021 numbers are even lower than the numbers for the month in 2012, the oldest data provided by MCAT. In December 2012, MCAT reported 32,191 riders on the trolley. Cumulative ridership for fiscal 2020-21, which runs Oct. 1-Sept. 30, was 345,816.

I celebrate Valentine’s Day with… 20%. A beach stroll 30%. Dining out. 6%. Candy. 13%. Flowers. 32%. Other. To answer the poll, go online to islander.org.

Cumulative ridership for fiscal 2019-20 was 319,850 and for 2018-19 the number was 476,671. The lowest month of ridership was April 2020 with 2,195. April 2020 was the first full month after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, a pandemic. The island beaches were closed for a period that spring, transit operations were interrupted and restrictions were imposed on vacation rentals and other operations. The fare-free trolley operates seven days a week 365 days a year between Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach and the Anna Maria City Pier in Anna Maria. a graph shows changes in trolley ridership in recent For more information about the trolley, go online years. the gray is fiscal 2019-20, orange is fiscal 2020-21 and blue is fiscal 2021-22, which began to mymanatee.org. — Lisa neff

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941.778.1515 | 111 South Bay Blvd | Anna Maria Island, FL.

oct. 1. islander Screenshot

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‘New’ hires round out stafﬁng for HB building department by ryan Paice islander reporter

The city of Holmes Beach has welcomed some new staffers since the pandemic started. One was a summer hire, permit tech Shannon Cooper. Cooper, a Bradenton native and Southeast High School graduate, told The Islander Jan. 26 she worked as a department supervisor at Lowe’s Home Improvement on 14th Street West in Bradenton before she joined the city team in the summer of 2021. Cooper said she used to handle permits at Lowe’s so, by joining the city as a permit tech, she got to learn about both sides of the business. “I’m excited to be here,” Cooper said. “I love it. …I’ve learned a lot since coming here.” Cooper said she learned from code compliance supervisor JT Thomas that she was the building department’s first black employee after she began working for the city. And Thomas likes to celebrate the diversity he sees in the city since he was hired by Chief Bill Tokajer to take over code enforcement in 2015. At that time, code enforcement operated under the guidance of the HBPD. “I was totally flabbergasted,” Cooper said. She added, “How they accepted me when I came in here was like I’d been here for years.” Mayor Judy Titsworth complimented Cooper in a Feb. 2 interview with The Islander.

brown

cooper

“She’s amazing,” Titsworth said, adding that Cooper “brings sunshine to work with her every day.” Building department analyst Madison Brown was hired around the same time as Cooper. She told The Islander Jan. 26 that the city employs many women, while some municipalities are run like boy’s clubs. Holmes beach welcomed a new deputy clerk, chrissy Whelton in november 2021. Whelton, a bradenton resident, previously worked as assistant town administrator for the town of Lincoln, massachusetts.

Holmes Beach development services director resigns by ryan Paice islander reporter

A spot has opened on the city of Holmes Beach’s staff. Eran Wasserman, director of development services, resigned Jan. 28, according to a letter he wrote to Mayor Judy Titsworth. “Thank you for the opportunities for professional and personal development that you have provided Wasserman me the last three years,” Wasserman wrote in the letter. “I have enjoyed working for the city of Holmes Beach and appreciate the support provided by city staff.” The city hired Wasserman in 2019 to fill the position created the same year to direct and coordinate community services regarding land use and development. Titsworth said Wasserman had done an “exceptional job” at filling the role but struggled with some planning aspects. “It was a great parting of ways,” Titsworth said.

Meetings

compiled by Lisa neff, calendar@islander.org

anna maria city

Feb. 10, 2 p.m., commission. Feb. 23, 2 p.m., commission. Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, 941708-6130, cityofannamaria.com.

bradenton beach

Feb. 16, 1 p.m., planning and zoning. Feb. 17, noon, commission. Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., 941-778-1005, cityofbradentonbeach.com. Holmes beach

Feb. 9, 10 a.m., clean water. Feb. 9, 5 p.m., planning. Feb. 10, 10 a.m., code compliance. Feb. 22, 5 p.m., commission. Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, 941-708-5800, holmesbeachﬂ.org. West manatee Fire rescue

“He has the city at heart. … It was a huge role for someone without a planning background to grasp and he was working hard at it.” “I was sorry to see him go but I understand completely because his heart lies in the engineering field,” she added. Wasserman offered to provide notice before leaving, but Titsworth said she allowed him to use remaining vacation days to instead leave the week ending Jan. 28. Wasserman told The Islander Feb. 1 that he is happy to have worked in the city and is excited to pursue other aspirations. He did not provide details. He said he left the city on good terms and volunteered to continue assisting the Clean Water Ad Hoc Committee due to his passion for the environment. Titsworth said she would not immediately begin searching for Wasserman’s replacement since contract planners could cover essential responsibilities. She said she would keep an eye out for a candidate who “will be here for a while.” “I’m going to take my time,” Titsworth said. “It’s nothing I’m going to fill instantly.”

Feb. 15, 6 p.m., commission. WMFR administration building, 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton, 941-761-1555, wmfr.org.

manatee county

Feb. 14, 9 a.m., tourist development council. Feb. 15, 9 a.m., commission (work). Feb. 17, 1:30 p.m., commission (land use). County administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 941-748-4501, mymanatee. org. also of interest

Feb. 9, 3:30 p.m., Palma Sola Scenic Highway committee, Bradenton Public Works, 1411 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Feb. 14, 9 a.m., Manatee County Tourist Development Council, county administration building. Feb. 15, 2 p.m., Coalition of Barrier Island Elected Officials, Holmes Beach City Hall. Feb. 21, Presidents Day, most government offices will be closed.

2022 Elections Tuesday, Aug. 23, primary election. Tuesday, Nov. 8, general election.

“I came from the construction industry,” Brown said. “And I’ve never worked with this many women in my entire career.” Brown said she and Cooper started working separately but became a team when they were left to run the building department when the city was short-staffed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She said she was happy to work more closely with Cooper and build camaraderie. “It’s like girl power!” Cooper said. “We have a really, really good team here at the building department,” Brown said. “We both got here last summer and I can’t believe it’s already been 7-8 months.” Brown and Cooper said it was encouraging to have a woman for a mayor, with Titsworth there for support. “I think it’s badass,” Brown said. “She’s a very strong female and I love her in that role. She’s so genuine and so nice,” Cooper said. Titsworth said she’s happy the city’s search for qualified employees has resulted in a team. “We’ve been blessed to have the diversity that we have without even trying,” Titsworth said.

❤

our moose Lodge .... anonymoose.

Moose invites public to lodge valentine’s party

The Moose will make merry Feb. 12. The Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge, 110 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, will host an outdoor party to celebrate Valentine’s Day. The event will be in the south parking lot Saturday, Feb. 12, noon-10 p.m. and is open to the general public. The event will feature music by the Mama Kin and the Zack Yoder Group. The event also will feature raffles, vendor giveaways and more. There is a $15.95 admission cost, with proceeds raising money for Moose causes, including a residential childcare facility and a retirement home, as well as women’s shelters in the area. For more information, call the Moose Lodge 2188 at 941-7784110.

Democratic club to meet at community center

The Anna Maria Island and West Manatee Democratic Club will meet at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, at the Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. The event involves a day change — Wednesday instead of Monday — and location change — the center instead of the beach. The program will include Holmes Beach Commission Chair Carol Soustek speaking on bipartisan dialogue. Attendees must wear masks and bring vaccination cards. They also may bring a brown-bag lunch. For more information, contact Barbara Beckwith at bbeckwith02@gmail.com. Find the islander dating to november 1992 online at the uofF digital newspaper collection at ufdc.ufl. edu.

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December tourist tax tops prior years by Lisa neff islander editor

Ho, ho, ho! The tourist tax revenues for December 2021 show local accommodation hosts and business owners had reason to be merry during the holidays. The month that Santa stuffed his bag with presents also packed government coffers with tourist tax dollars. The Manatee County Tax Collector’s office earlier this month released December 2021 collection numbers for the tourist development or bed tax — the 5% tax collected on overnight rentals of six months or less. The third month of the 2021-22 fiscal year generated $1,996,281 in tourist development tax in Manatee County. The amount is 41.41% more than the $1,414,742 generated in December 2020. November’s numbers also were strong — $1,432,990 collected compared with $972,617 in November 2020. Holmes Beach topped collections on Anna Maria Island in December, generating $496,573, about 24.85% of the countywide total. Anna Maria accounted for about 9.61% of the collections, bringing in $192,144, and Bradenton Beach generated $129,762 or 6.49%.

The tax is collected by landlords and property managers on rentals of six months or less. Some other numbers for December: • Unincorporated Manatee County generated $791,130 or 39.58%; • Bradenton generated $207,374 or 10.38%; • Longboat Key generated $173,662 or 8.69%; • Palmetto generated $8,009 or 0.4%. The collection fee or commission on the tax is 3%, so the net collection for the Manatee County Tourist Development Council in December 2021 was $1,936,392. Collections for the first quarter of the fiscal year total $4,866,646. According to state law, resort tax revenues must be used to boost and develop tourism, including funding for the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Bradenton Area Convention Center and tourism-related entities such as Realize Bradenton and the Pittsburgh Pirates, as well as supporting projects, such as island beach renourishment and construction of the new Anna Maria City Pier. The TDC, which will meet at 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 14, at the county administration building in Bradenton, recommends how to spend the money to the county commission. The January numbers will be released in March.

AMI TOURISM: Endless Season

December tourist tax collections december 2017: $1,036,875 december 2018: $1,139,445 december 2019: $1,177,171 december 2020: $1,414,742 december 2021: $1,996,281 Source: manatee county tax collector

On the TDC The Manatee County Tourist Development Council includes representatives from local governments, the tourism industry and citizenry. The council consists of citizens Jack Rynerson of Bradenton and Vernon DeSear of Palmetto; hoteliers Jiten Patel of the Holiday Inn SarasotaBradenton Airport in Sarasota, Eric Cairns of the Cedar Cove Resort in Holmes Beach, Ed Chiles of the Waterline Hotel in Holmes Beach and Rahul Patel of the Red Roof Inn in Ellenton; and Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown, Palmetto Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant and Manatee County Commissioner Misty Servia, who chairs the board.

We❤AMI

beachgoers settle in on the sand mid-morning Feb. 4 at the manatee Public beach in Holmes beach. islander Photos: Lisa neff LoVE aMi continued From Page 1

started coming in the ’80s and now I do,” she said. Businesses also delivered AMI valentines. Cheeseanglers arrive early Feb. 4 to the Historic bridge Street Pier, 200 bridge St., bradenton beach, where cake Cutie in Holmes Beach shared a love for “the Kyle bradley, bradenton fishing enthusiast, spoke of community,” adding, “The community has been so welcoming and supportive of us newbies coming in. his love of anna maria island, saying, “three piers, sunshine, clean air and fishing. What’s not to love?” We have made some great friends both in business and without, people who come in the store that aren’t the pier also has a restaurant and docking.

Ready for Season? Are you taking full advantage of the winter season 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.

just customers. This entire community has been an additional blessing to us. We are forever grateful!” In a joint post, Travis and Brandi Frye of Newcomerstown, Ohio, summed up their love for AMI: “Everything!” Ditto for Louise Wolf and Jo Harvey. Harvey, who lives in the United Kingdom, wrote, “Absolutely everything.”

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Opinion

Our

Little red valentine

I was recalling recently a Valentine’s Day long ago when my mother was scuttled from the kitchen as my stepfather arrived home from work to join us outdoors in the driveway. Surprise, a little red convertible — was it a Mustang? — sat in the driveway and John put the key in mom’s hand. Happy Valentine’s Day, Joyce. Sweet. Yes. But short-lived, as we soon learned mom’s sweet gift was a short-term rental. I’m guessing the family budget and scheduling for four kids was more suited to the stationwagon. Since my mother and stepfather’s wedding anniversary was on Valentine’s Day, the little red car was a bigger sentiment for them. It seems my stepfather — no matter how hard life was for me in the household under his dominance — was soft-hearted when it came to holidays. He liked to make a “big show” of his generosity. Even if the gift had to go back to the car dealer in a few days. I recall finding a 33 1/3 vinyl recording of “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” in my mother’s treasures, which she explained was made in a downtown Norfolk record shop — way back when you could step into a small sound booth and record your own — and the voices on the recording were theirs. Another sweet gesture. I’m not sure where the treasures went, but my mother passed away in 1972, and what I’m left with are memories of the sweetest person in my life. I remember how she loved the beach. She loved her independence — a job, a car, time to play cards, shop and bask in the sun with friends. So I grew up thinking valentines are special. Sadly, some years ago, our effort at The Islander to sponsor “Promise Day,” a renewal or a new commitment for partners and husbands, wives, lovers at the beach for Valentine’s Day, went by the wayside for lack of interest. Maybe the post-pandemic year — hopefully next year — will be a revival year for Promise Day. Meanwhile, I hope you celebrate all there is to love about Anna Maria Island. Maybe you’d like to read on our website an original 1956 story by Wyatt Blassingame — a resident author in the early years — published first in Ford Magazine: “Anna Maria, I Love You.” And if you’re dining at the Waterfront Restaurant on V-Day, you’re likely enjoying the warmth of the fireplace in Blassingame’s original home. The story is a must-read for islanders. I hope you love it. I (heart) AMI. — bonner Joy, news@islander.org

FEB. 9, 2022 • Vol. 30, No. 16 Publisher, Co-editor bonner Joy, news@islander.org ▼ Editorial editor Lisa neff, lisa@islander.org Joe bird, editorial cartoonist Kevin cassidy, kevin@islander.org Jack elka, jack@jackelka.com Kane Kaiman, kane@islander.org ryan Paice, ryan@islander.org ▼ Contributors Karen riley-Love Samara Paice amber Sigman capt. danny Stasny, fish@islander.org nicole Quigley ▼ Advertising Director toni Lyon, toni@islander.org ▼ Webmaster Wayne ansell ▼ Office Manager, Lisa Williams info@, accounting@, classifieds@, subscriptions@islander.org ▼ Distribution urbane bouchet ross roberts Judy Loden Wasco (All others: news@islander.org) ▼

Single copies free. Quantities of five or more: 25 cents each. ©1992-2022 • Editorial, sales and production ofﬁces: 315 58th St., Suite J, Holmes beach FL 34217 WebSite: islander.org text or call: 941-778-7978

I M A We❤ We❤A M

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Your

Opinion

Fast and furious

The Islander reported in its Feb. 2 issue that Holmes Beach city commissioners reached consensus at a Jan. 25 work session to move talks forward on a resolution that would establish a citywide speed limit of 25 mph in an attempt to improve traffic safety. The commission was expected to take up discussion of the issue at its Feb. 8 meeting. The meeting, after press time for The Islander, was to begin at 5 p.m. at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive. The following are responses on Facebook to the commission conversation about a speed limit of 25 mph — except for on state roads, where the speed limit is 35 mph. Some are islanders, some mainlanders, some visitors: Beth Drawdy Reilly: I live 9 miles from my job and it’s getting to be a hassle to get to work on the island. When February hits, I have to leave 70 minutes to get to work and struggle with finding a place to park. Take care of the tourist and the heck with the workers who work on the island. Going through the city of Anna Maria is tough enough. I’m just frustrated with it all. So with this I’ll have to add another 10 minutes to my drive. John Wright: This is dangerous and shortsighted. It will do nothing more than encourage more golf carts and LSVs sharing the roads with cars, trucks and trolleys. When an accident happens, the trolley will win at 25 mph or 35 mph. Golf carts and LSVs should not be legal on any road the trolley operates on. That’s the solution. Well, that and enforcement. Richard Foust: All that is going to do is turn the island into one giant parking lot. Andrew Murdock: How about a multiuse path like they have in Sun City. Clay Wallin: Let’s go with no cars. Chris Munzo: Everyone needs to show up at the

Skimming online …

Web (register for free news alerts) islander.org Facebook @islandernewspaper Twitter @ami_islander Instagram @theislanderami Pinterest @islandernewspaper E-edition For $36 a year, e-edition subscribers have access to the weekly e-edition with page-by-page views of all the news, photos, columns, community announcements and advertisements. And subscribers receive breaking news notices. To subscribe online, visit islander.org. For other subscriber services, call our newspaper office at 941-778-7978. commission meeting and make their feelings known. Angry Facebook posts don’t do the trick. If our main problem is slow golf carts, not sure why the solution is lowering the speed limit. Seems like legalizing drugs when you don’t want to bother getting the junkies off the street. Patrick Oxenham: Speed limit won’t solve a thing. It’ll just make the residents struggle more Dennis Ellsworth of Anna Maria: Golf carts are for golf courses, where the proper pathways exist. They have done a complete turnaround all to accommodate the tourist and not to offend them.

Have your say The Islander accepts original letters of up to 250 words. Email: news@ islander.org.

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Fishing village foursome Fishing boats at the docks in the fishing village of cortez in the early 1900s, according to the archives of the manatee county Public Library System. the village celebrates its heritage this month with the cortez commercial Fishing Festival.

Drive slow, stay late a welcome sign at an entrance to coquina beach in bradenton beach states the closing time — midnight — and the speed limit — 15 mph. the photograph in the county library archives is not dated. islander Photos: manatee county Public Library System

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!

10&20 years ago

From the Feb. 8, 2002, issue

• Anna Maria Mayor Gary Deffenbaugh and supervisor of public works George McKay talked with Manatee County officials about returning management of Bayfront Park to the city. • A study on the state of the Anna Maria Island Bridge on Manatee Avenue/State Road 64 was ongoing. A Florida Department of Transportation official said the results would come soon and a new structure would be a last resort. • Southwest Florida Water Management District officials refused to approve a plan to provide stormwater improvements to 49th and 52nd streets in Holmes Beach until the city’s engineering firm provided calculations on reductions in standing water.

From the Feb. 8, 2012, issue

• Dredging in some Holmes Beach canals was taking place, with the dredged sand being trucked to Anna Maria to renourish the shore north and south of the Anna Maria City Pier. • A former clerk at an island convenience store was arrested by the Holmes Beach Police Department for stealing lottery tickets valued at $2,223. • Manatee County officials said the county’s beach renourishment account couldn’t be tapped to fund the construction of a pier at the Manatee Public Beach. The county said renourishment funding couldn’t be used even if the pier was built to prevent erosion. • A Republican primary election brought voters to the polls in Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach. Turnout for the presidential primary was down in Bradenton Beach and up in Anna Maria and Holmes Beach. — Lisa neff

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Cops & Courts

Staff reports

Pittsburgh man arrested in Holmes Beach for DUI

Holmes Beach police arrested Pittsburgh-resident Aaron Archibald, 36, Jan. 26 on a second-degree misdemeanor for driving under the influence of alcohol. The HBPD officer observed a vehicle being driven recklessly on Manatee Avenue and conducted a traffic stop. The officer spoke with the driver, Archibald, who smelled of alcohol and slurred his speech, according to the police report. The officer requested backup and, after it arrived, had Archibald perform field sobriety exercises, which he failed. Police arrested Archibald and transported him to the HBPD for processing, where he registered 0.182 and 0.176 grams of ethanol per deciliter of blood in two blood/alcohol level tests. The legal blood/alcohol content limit for driving under the influence is 0.08 in Florida. An officer transported Archibald to the Manatee County jail, where he was released Jan. 27 after posting a $120 bail bond. The charge carries varying punishments, including fines and up to nine months in prison for a first conviction. An arraignment will be at 8:55 a.m. Tuesday, March 1, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. — ryan Paice

Arrest incident slows Cortez Bridge travel He’s always on the job. Longboat Key’s police chief arrested a Bradenton man during a Feb. 2 incident on the Cortez Bridge that delayed travel between Anna Maria Island and the mainland. A Manatee County Sheriff’s Office report on the incident said at about 9:30 a.m. Feb. 2, Longboat Key Police Chief George B. Turner was traveling west on Cortez Road. When Turner reached the Cortez Bridge, a motorist

Depositions planned in 2019 aggravated battery

Depositions are planned in the case involving a Bradenton man accused in 2019 of critically injuring a Cortez man. David Lynn Nichols, 59, was arrested Nov. 18, 2019, accused of hitting and dragging a man underneath his vehicle for nearly a block in the area of 101st Street West near Cortez. Fred Gilliland, known in Cortez as “Fat Freddy,” suffered critical injuries and Nichols faces charges of aggravated battery with great bodily harm and leaving the scene of a crash with serious bodily injury. Most recently, Nichol’s attorney and the state prosecutor have posted notices for deposing witnesses in the case. Several trial dates have been canceled over the years and no new trial date is set. — Lisa neff

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passed his unmarked patrol vehicle traveling at about 65 mph. The speeding motorist was in a no-passing zone, according to the MCSO report. The report said the motorist in a Mercedes ML350 “nearly collided with oncoming traffic at which time Chief Turner activated his emergency lights and sirens. The defendant stopped his vehicle, exited the driver seat and began yelling.” He was yelling, “Shoot me, shoot me,” according to the MCSO. Turner took the 24-year-old man into custody and the MCSO filed the arrest report filed at the courthouse. A report from the Longboat Key Police Department was expected to be released Feb. 7, after The Islander went to press. The man was transported to the Manatee County jail, where he was released on $120 bond. He faces a second-degree misdemeanor charge of reckless driving and is scheduled for a March 8 arraignment at the Manatee County Judicial Center. — Lisa neff

BB resident wants sidewalks

Some Bradenton Beach roadways leave little room for pedestrians. Resident David Bell, who serves on the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, asked commissioners Feb. 3 to explore adding sidewalks to several streets. Bell said the city should work with an engineer to identify areas where sidewalks could be added to improve safety. He said adding new sidewalks wouldn’t change the city’s “character” or “charm.” City Commissioner Jan Vosburgh said she supported the idea. Mayor John Chappie said he would work to schedule a work meeting. — ryan Paice

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Feb. 9, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 9 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Streetlife

Staff reports

Island police reports

Anna Maria Feb. 2, 500 block of Pine Avenue, pedestrian injury. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office responded at about 2 p.m. to the 500 block of Pine Avenue, where a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle. The pedestrian was transported to Blake Medical Center in Bradenton with non-life threatening injuries. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office polices Anna Maria. Bradenton Beach January 27, 100 Block of Second Street North, traffic arrest. An officer pulled over the driver of a sedan because the vehicle had a cracked windshield, missing tail light and expired registration. Upon further investigation, the officer learned the female driver had been operating the vehicle with two suspensions on her license — one for financial obligation and another for criminal failure to pay a citation. The driver, who told the officer she was on a payment plan for the citations but missed some installments, was arrested for knowingly driving with a suspended license, taken to the Bradenton Beach Police Department for processing and transported to Port Manatee Jail. The car was towed. The tag was removed from the vehicle and placed into evidence. January 9, Via Roma Resort, 2408 Gulf Drive N., information. A renter at a resort in Kissimmee told the BBPD in a Jan. 9 email that two handguns had been stolen from a duffle bag in his car Jan. 5, while he was a guest at the Via Roma Resort in Bradenton Beach. On Jan. 19, the renter located the guns in a different duffle bag and informed the department via voicemail. BBPD polices Bradenton Beach. Cortez No new reports. The MCSO polices Cortez. Holmes Beach Jan. 24, Publix Super Market, 3900 E. Bay Drive,

Island watch shoplifting. A Holmes Beach officer responded to reports of shoplifting and spoke with a store manager who provided a written statement and video from an incident. Two employees also provided statements. The officer contacted the suspect, who also provided a statement. The officer completed a capias request and the subject, a man, was arrested. Jan. 26, La Playa Encantada, 6006 Gulf Drive, burglary. An officer responded to reports of a burglary and found a woman who said keys to the house and her vehicle went missing while she was gone for the day. Jan. 28, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, disturbance. An officer responded to reports of a disturbance involving alleged intoxicated women and met the caller, who identified the vehicle they left in. The officer found the vehicle stopped in an intersection and determined the driver showed signs of intoxication. The officer called for backup, but no traffic units were available to investigate. The driver’s friend was called to drive her home. Jan. 28, 100 block of 52nd Street, fireworks. Officers responded to reports of a group launching fireworks from a beach access. The officers tried to make contact, but some people fled in a vehicle, which the officers later found and stopped. The vehicle’s passengers said it was high school students that set off the fireworks. The officers confiscated marijuana and paraphernalia from the vehicle called the passengers’ parents for pick up. Jan. 29, Holmes Beach Police Department, 5801 Marina Drive, violating no-contact order. A woman called the HBPD to report that a Holmes Beach resident was contacting their daughter via social media despite having a no-contact order. Jan. 29, Freckled Fin Irish Pub, 5337 Gulf Drive, property damage. An officer responded to reports of a road rage incident and found the caller, who said she passed a slower vehicle earlier that day and the vehicle followed her and honked the horn. She said

In an emergency, call 911. To report information, call the MCSO Anna Maria substation, 941-708-8899; Bradenton Beach police, 941-778-6311; or Holmes Beach police, 941-708-5804. the motorist followed her to the pub, where they had a confrontation in the parking lot. She said, after returning to her vehicle, she found its windshield smashed. The officer provided a case number and took pictures of the damage. Jan. 30, The Feast Restaurant, 5406 Marina Drive, recovered firearm. An employee called the HBPD to report that a firearm was found in bushes behind the restaurant. An officer responded and recovered the firearm, which was rusted and unloaded, and placed it in storage. Jan. 31, 100 block of 51st Street, property damage. An officer responded to reports of a potential vehicle burglary and found a vehicle with a broken rear window. The vehicle’s owner said nothing was missing. The officer found no signs of entry or explanation for the broken window. Jan. 31, Shell Gas Station, 5424 Marina Drive, warrant arrest. Officers responded to reports of an employee with an active arrest warrant. The officers found and arrested the male employee and transported him to the Manatee County jail. Holmes Beach Police Department polices Holmes Beach. Streetlife is based on incident reports and narratives from the BBPD, HBPD and MCSO.

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Island happenings

Page 10 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 9, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: bishopmuseum. org, 941-746-4131. Through August, “Seeing the Invisible” augmented reality exhibit, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St., Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: selby.org, 941-366-5731.

compiled by Lisa neff, calendar@islander.org.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ON AMI

AHEAD OFF AMI

Thursday, Feb. 10 2 p.m. — Friends of the Island Library lecture series, Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-6341. Friday, Feb. 11 4-6 p.m. — Bradenton Beach author Bob Gumson reads from his memoir, “In Blind Sight,” Sandpiper Resort Coop, 2601 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach. 5-7:30 p.m. — Holmes Beach Art Walk, around Gulf and Marina drives. Information: 941-778-6648, 941-778-6694. 6-8 p.m. — Bingo night, Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Fee applies. Information: 941-778-1908. Saturday, Feb. 12 Noon-10 p.m. — Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge Valentine’s Party, 110 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach. Fee applies. Information: 941-778-4110.

Feb. 19-20, Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival, Cortez. March 5, Manatee Pride Festival, Bradenton. March 12, Palma Sola Botanical Park Spring Plants and More Sale, Bradenton. March 12, Mote Marine Party on the Pass, Sarasota.

KIDS & FAMILY ON AMI

ONGOING ON AMI Throughout February, Anne Abgott exhibit, Artists’ Guild Gallery, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6694. Throughout February, Joanna Karpay’s “For the Birds” exhibit, Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: islandgallerywest.com, 941778-6648. Second Fridays, Art Walk, downtown Holmes Beach around Gulf and Marina drives. Information: 941-778-6648, 941-7786694. AHEAD ON AMI

At the movies

Friday, Feb. 11 10 a.m. — Forty Carrots, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-778-6341. Saturday, Feb. 12 10 a.m. — Origami Club, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-778-6341. Tuesday, Feb. 15 10 a.m.— Family storytime, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-7786341.

“the Sandlot” will be shown tuesday, Feb. 22, part of the movies in the Park series presented by the ONGOING ON AMI city of anna maria. the internet movie database describes the film: “in the summer of 1962, a new Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m., Anna Maria Movies in the Park, City Pier kid in town is taken under the wing of a young base- Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria. Information: 941-708-6130. ball prodigy and his rowdy team, resulting in many Note: Except Feb. 15. adventures.” the show will begin about 6:30 p.m. at ONGOING OFF AMI city Pier Park, 103 n. bay blvd. For more, call city hall at 941-708-6130. islander courtesy Photo First Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m., “Soar in 4 Family Night, the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenliere’s Rascals, Anna Maria. ton. Fee applies. Information: soarin4.org, 941-746-4131. April 8, Center of Anna Maria Island bingo night, Anna Maria. Saturdays and Sundays, 3 p.m., Tales Under the Tree, the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. ONGOING OFF AMI Fee applies. Information: bishop.org, 941-746-4131. First Fridays, 6-9:30 p.m., Village of the Arts First Fridays ArtCLUBS & walk, 12th Street West and 12th Avenue West, Bradenton. InformaCOMMUNITY tion: villageofthearts.com. Saturdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Bradenton Farmers Market, Main ON AMI Street, downtown Bradenton. Information: realizebradenton.com, Wednesday, Feb. 9 941-301-8445. 6:30 p.m. — Island Time Book Club, Island Library, 5701 Second and fourth Saturdays, noon-2 p.m., Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, Chickee Hut Jammers session, presented by the 941-778-6341. Florida Maritime Museum and Cortez Cultural Thursday, Feb. 10 Center, outdoors, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Informa2 p.m. — Sunshine Stitchers Knit and Crochet, 5701 Marina tion: ﬂoridamaritimemuseum.org, fmminfo@ Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-778manateeclerk.com. 6341. “Battles of the Boneless” exhibit, the

Feb. 18-19, Center of Anna Maria Island murder-mystery night, Anna Maria. Feb. 20, Center of Anna Maria Island concert with Don Felder, Anna Maria. March 1, Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island “Art Unites Us” online juried show opens. March 11, Center of Anna Maria Island bingo night, Anna Maria. March 19-20, Art League of Anna Maria Island’s Springfest, Holmes Beach. March 23, Center of Anna Maria Island concert with Richard Marx, Anna Maria. March 23, Friends of the Island Library 40th anniversary open house celebration, Holmes Beach. Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 April 2, Center of Anna Maria Island concert with Felix Cava-

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Island happenings

Feb. 9, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 11 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Seniors Adventures bound for Ringling Museum The Senior Adventures will travel from Anna Maria Island to Sarasota at 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 11, to visit the John And Mable Ringling Museum of Art. The Center of Anna Maria Island in Anna Maria and the Annie Silver Community Center in Bradenton Beach are partnering during the winter-spring season to provide Senior Adventures activities. Adventurers will be departing for the Ringling by

van from the Silver Center, 103 23rd St. N. Space is limited and reservations are required. Also, there is a $3 ride fee and a fee for admission to the museum. Plans in March include a visit to a festival to celebrate the Florida strawberry crop. For more information or reservations, call the Center of Anna Maria Island at 941-778-1908 or email Will Lund at youthcoordinator@centerami.org.

Cortez ‘gearing up’ for ﬁshing festival The Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage will host the 40th annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival in the village Feb. 19-20. The 2021 festival was canceled due to the pandemic, but every other year over the past four decades crowds have assembled in the small fishing village for the two-day celebration along the commercial docks in Sarasota Bay to celebrate the fishing way of life. Proceeds support FISH’s efforts to protect that way of life, the historic nature of the village and a nature preserve at the east end of Cortez. Festival plans include live music, arts and crafts booths, food sales, “Dock Talks,” educational sessions presented by the University of Florida and Florida Sea Grant and tours of the Florida Maritime Museum and the Cortez Cultural Center. Also, organizers will sell raffle tickets for chances to win a boat restored at the FISH Boatworks. The festival will take place on 119th Street West.

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Admission is $5 for adults. Children under 12 can enter free. Parking is available at the FISH Preserve off Cortez Road for $5. Buses will service parking locations at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach and G.T. Bray Park in Bradenton. The cost is $1.50 per trip. Also, the Monkey Bus will be moving festivalgoers to and from the parking lot at the Cortez Road Baptist Church, 4411 100th St. W., Bradenton. For more info, go online to cortez-fish.org.

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Don Felder of Eagles fame will headline the next show in the 2021-22 Bradenton Gulf Island Concert Series at the Center of Anna Maria Island. The concert will be Sunday, Feb. 20, with gates opening at 6 p.m. and the music beginning at 7 p.m. According to the center website, the concert is outdoors and attendees should bring chairs or blankets. Other performers in the series include Grammy winner Richard Marx March 23 and Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals April 2. For more information and ticket purchases, go online to centerami.org or call the center at 941778-1908.

Center plans dinner theater

Friday, Feb. 11 Anna Maria. 9 a.m. — Senior Adventures group tours John and Mable RingFeb. 26, Friends of the Island Library Book Sale, Holmes ling Museum of Art, departing Annie Silver Community Center, 103 Beach. 23rd St. N., Bradenton Beach. Fee apples. Information: 941-778Feb. 16, Anna Maria Island Garden Club member meeting and 1908. luncheon, Anna Maria. Feb. 23, Anna Maria Island Historical Society members’ lunONGOING ON AMI cheon, Anna Maria. Thursdays, 6 p.m., bingo night, Annie Silver Community Center, March 15, Anna Maria Island Historical Society Heritage Day, 103 23rd St N., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-757-6029. Anna Maria. Fridays, 11:30 a.m., Mahjong Club, Island Library, 5701 Marina March 16, Anna Maria Island Garden Club Flower Show, Anna Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-778- Maria. 6341. April 20, Anna Maria Island Garden Club member meeting and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island meet- luncheon, Anna Maria. ing, Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach. OFF AMI Information: 941-778-1383. Mondays, 12:30 p.m., Anna Maria Bridge Club, Roser Memo- Wednesday, Feb. 9 rial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: Noon — Off Stage Ladies luncheon and meeting, Pier 22, 1200 205-910-6344, 941-778-0414. First Ave. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-932-2798. Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Farmers Market in the Park, City ONGOING OFF AMI Pier Park, Pine Avenue and Bay Boulevard, Anna Maria. Information: Tuesdays, noon, Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island lunch 941-708-6130. Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m., Mahjong Club, Island Library, 5701 meeting, Compass Hotel by Margaritaville, 12324 Manatee Ave. Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, W., Perico Island. Second Tuesdays at 5 p.m. Information: 941-9202505. 941-778-6341. Tuesdays, noon, duplicate bridge, Episcopal Church of the OUTDOORS & Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Fee applies. InforSPORTS mation: 703-582-7755. Through March, Friends of the Island Library 40th anniversary ONGOING ON AMI celebration, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, and AMI Dragon Boat Team—Paddlers from Paradise practices and other venues. Information: 941-778-6341. meetups, various times and locations. Information: 941-462-2626, AHEAD ON AMI mrbradway@gmail.com. PLeaSe, See CaLENDar, Page 13 Feb. 23, Anna Maria Island-West Manatee Democratic Club, CUSTOM . HANDCRAFTED . VINTAGE

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The center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, scheduled its 13th annual evening of murder mystery for Friday-Saturday, Feb. 18-19. The evening will include a performance of a play with a “Space Odyssey” theme, dinner, a cash bar, raffles and a space-themed costume contest. Brianna Roberts wrote the play with “help and inspiration from her mother, Beth Shaughnessy.” The cast includes Don and Leah Purvis, Ray and Jillian Gardner, Monica Simpson, Mike Shaughnessy, Chris Scott, Clay Spangler and Caleb and Brianna Roberts. Tickets are $55 per person or $400 for eight. For more information, call 941-778-1908.

Garden club to gather

Anna Maria Island Garden Club members will gather at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16, for a general meeting. The club usually meets monthly October-April at Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. For more information about the garden club, call Gerry Mills at 941-920-5929.

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Island happenings

Page 12 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 9, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

robert “bob” gumson wrote a memoir and plans to read aloud from “in blind Sight” during an “open mic” he’s hosting 4-6 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Sandpiper resort coop, 2601 gulf drive n., bradenton beach. islander courtesy Photo

BB author plans reading

Bradenton Beach author Bob Gumson said the public is invited to attend a reading4-6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, from his memoir on the bayfront at Sandpiper Resort, weather permitting. The author and wife Pat honeymooned on Longboat Key and retired to Anna Maria Island after careers in Albany, New York. Gumson grew up in Brooklyn and was a child when he went blind. He was inducted into the New York State Disability Rights Hall of Fame in 2020. He writes about all this and more in “In Blind Sight,” which will be sold at the reading and also is available on Amazon and bookstores.

Service dogs subject of talk

The Friends of the Island Library will continue its winter Lecture and Travel Series with a talk Thursday, Feb. 10, on Southeastern Guide Dogs. Mary Scharf will talk about her experience with the Palmetto-based operation that helps to breed, raise Milestones and train service dogs. The Islander welcomes stories about islanders The lecture will be at Roser Memorial Community and island life, as well as photographs and notices of Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. the milestones in readers’ lives — weddings, births, The Thursday, Feb. 17, lecture will feature Joe anniversaries, travels, obituaries and other events. Arena talking about travels in the Andes. Submit announcements to news@islander.org. For more info, call the library at 941-778-6341.

Galleries set art walk

Two Holmes Beach galleries — Island Gallery West and the Artists’ Guild Gallery — will extend its hours Feb. 11, for the season’s third art walk. The Friday night art walk might involve additional businesses in the city center at Marina and Gulf drives, but no listing for participants was provided at The Islander’s press time. Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive, will host an open house for painter Joanna Karpay’s “For the Birds” exhibit. Also, IGW will host musicians Andy Karpay and Mike Vrable, playing Americana and bluegrass favorites. A news release said the extended hours will be 5:30-7:30 p.m. The Artists’ Guild Gallery, 5414 Marina Drive, will host an open house for painter Anne Abgott’s exhibit, “Florida Flora and Fauna.” She recently received honors from Artists Magazine. A news release said the extended hours will be 5-7 p.m. For more information, call 941-778-6648.

Kiwanis to meet

Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island will hear Feb. 12 from an Anna Maria Island Historical Society representative, docent Judy Hildman, who will speak about the founding of the island cities. The club meets Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. at Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N. For more information, call Sandy Haas-Martens at 941-778-1383.

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Off Stage Ladies to meet

The Off Stage Ladies auxiliary that supports the Island Players will meet for lunch and a program at noon Wednesday, Feb. 9. The cost to attend is $26. For more information, call Roe Duncan at 941932-2798.

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Feb. 9, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 13 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Looking back as library, friends group turns another chapter Left: a sign in Holmes beach in the early 1980s advertises a coming attraction: “Future home of the new island branch Library.” right: manatee county staff tour during construction of the “new” island Library, 5701 marina drive, Holmes beach. the library operated from a storefront in the island Shopping center until the new facility opened. now the library and the Friends of the island Library are celebrating a 40th anniversary at the current building. islander Photos: courtesy mcPLS

CaLENDar From Page 11 OFF AMI Thursday, Feb. 10 5 p.m. — Palma Sola Causeway Cleanup and Seaside Safari, Palma Sola Causeway, Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923. Saturday, Feb. 12 8:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. — Bradenton Area River Regatta, Bradenton and Palmetto riverfronts. Information: bradentonarearegatta. com. 2 p.m. — Oyster shell volunteer workday, Robinson Preserve expansion, 840 99th St. NW, Bradenton. Information: mymanatee. org, 941-742-5923. ONGOING OFF AMI Wednesdays, 4 p.m., Tortoise Talk education program, Rob-

inson Preserve north, 1704 99th St NW, Bradenton. Information: denton. mymanatee.org, 941-742-5923. April 12, Marauders home opener, Bradenton. Saturdays, 8 a.m., Robinson Runners running club, RobinGOOD TO KNOW son Preserve expansion, 840 99th St. NW, Bradenton. Information: mymanatee.org, 941-742-5923, ext. 6047. KEEP THE DATES Saturdays, 9 a.m., Saturday Mornings at the NEST nature Sunday, Feb. 13, Super Bowl Sunday. exploration, Robinson Preserve expansion, 840 99th St. NW, BraMonday, Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day. denton. Information: mymanatee.org, 941-742-5923, ext. 6047. Monday, Feb. 21, Presidents Day. Saturdays once a month, Manatee County Audubon Society Thursday, March 17, St. Patrick’s Day. workday, Felts Preserve, 4600 24th Ave. E., Palmetto. Information: Sunday, March 13, daylight saving time begins. manateeaudubon.org, zholmes003@gmail.com. Friday, April 1, April Fool’s Day. AHEAD OFF AMI Friday, April 15, Tax Day. Friday, April 22, Earth Day. Feb. 26, Pittsburgh Pirates spring training home game, Bra-

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___ Rams vs ___Bengals Name__________________________________________________ Address/City_____________________________________________ Phone/Cell_____________________________________________ _____

The Islander will pay $100 to the person with the correct or closest game-winning score for the Feb. 13 Super Bowl. All entries must be handwritten (original) on the published form or copy of the form. Entry must include name, address and phone number. Only one entry per person. All entries must be delivered to the newspaper office either in person or by mail by 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11. In the event of a tie, a winner will be drawn from tying entries. The decision of The Islander football judge is final. Mail or deliver to The Islander, 315 58th St., suite J, Holmes Beach 34217. INFO: 941-778-7978

Page 14 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 9, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Gathering by Lisa neff

Roser to host Mission Fest

Missionaries will arrive Sunday, Feb. 13, to Roser Memorial Community Church for a festival celebrating good works and faith. Mission Fest takes place following the worship services at 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. at the church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. “Meet ordinary people that give of their time and talents to serve as missionaries and volunteers around the globe from Anna Maria to Africa,” read a news release. “Following the service you are invited to browse the booths, talk to the missionaries and find out how you can participate in hands-on missions right where you live.” A directory of the missions the event supports is online at roserchurch.com/mission-fest. For more information, call the church at 941-7780414.

Tidings

Practice for pitch perfect craig ramberger directs the chancel choir and orchestra at roser memorial community church, 512 Pine ave., anna maria. the choir is rehearsing thursdays at 6:45 p.m. at the church for “the body of christ” cantata, to be performed april 10, Palm Sunday. Singers are invited to join. For more information, call the church at 941-781-0414. islander courtesy Photo 4903, christchurchoﬂbk.org. 10 a.m. — Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Info: 941-383-6491, longboatislandchapel.org. 10:15 a.m. — Episcopal Church of the Annunciation. 10:30 a.m. — St. Bernard.

REGULAR WORSHIP

ONGOING EVENTS

Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. — St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-4769, stbernardcc.com. Thursdays 9:30 a.m. — Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-1638, amiannunciation.org. Saturdays 4 p.m. — St. Bernard Catholic Church. Sundays 8 a.m. — Episcopal Church of the Annunciation. 8:30 a.m. — St. Bernard Catholic Church. 8:30 a.m. — Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0414, roserchurch.com. 9 a.m. — CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-0719, crosspointefellowship.church. 9:15 a.m. — Harvey Memorial Community Church, 300 Church Ave., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-779-1912. 9:30 a.m. — Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive. Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-1813, gloriadeilutheran.com. 10 a.m. — Roser Church. 10 a.m. — Christ Church of Longboat Key Presbyterian USA, 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Information: 941-900-

Wednesdays, 7:15 a.m., St. Bernard Rosary on the Beach, Manatee Public Beach, Holmes Beach. Wednesdays, 7 a.m., CrossPointe men’s Bible meeting. Most Wednesdays, 8 a.m., Episcopal Church of the Annunciation men’s breakfast meeting. Wednesdays, 9 a.m., Roser Church Hope Seeds packing. Wednesdays, 9 a.m., Roser Freedom through Faith Meditation program. Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m., Gloria Dei social gathering, Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe, Holmes Beach. Wednesdays, 6:45 p.m., CrossPointe Fellowship Wednesday Night Blast. Thursdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Roser Thrift Shop sales. Thursdays, 10 a.m., Longboat Chapel support meeting. Thursdays, 4 p.m., Roser Church handbell class. Thursdays, 7 p.m., Roser Church chancel choir rehearsals. Thursdays, 9:30 a.m., Roser Church Roser Robics ﬁtness. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Roser Thrift Shop sales. Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Longboat Island Chapel thrift store. Mondays, 4 p.m., Longboat Island Chapel choir practice. Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m., Roser Church Roser Robics ﬁtness.

SPECIAL DATES Feb. 10, 11:30 a.m., St. Bernard Women’s Guild meeting and luncheon. Feb. 13, 11 a.m., Longboat Island Chapel Super Bowl lunch. Feb. 13, 9 a.m.-noon, Roser Church Mission Fest. Feb. 14, noon, Longboat Island Chapel Book Club meeting, Lazy Lobster on Longboat Key. SAVE THE DATES Feb. 20, Roser Winter Concert with Brandon Kouri. Feb. 26, Roser pancake breakfast. Feb. 26, Annunciation white elephant sale. March 1, Shrove Tuesday. March 2, Ash Wednesday. March 10, Longboat Island Chapel Garden Party. March 20, Roser Winter Concert March 27, March Madness Basket Bonanza at St. Bernard. April 2, Ramadan begins. April 10, Palm Sunday. April 15, Good Friday. April 15, Passover. April 17, Easter.

Obituary

Dan D. Magee

Dan D. Magee, 80, of Anna Maria, died Jan. 23. He was born in Tampa, where he graduated from Hillsborough High School, and later from Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota. A memorial service will be planned for a later date in the spring. Mr. Magee is survived by brother Jim; children Cam, Jesse, Steven and Katie; and multiple nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

roser church celebrates mission Fest 2019. this year’s festival will be after the worship services Sunday, Feb. 13. islander courtesy Photo

At your service

Obituaries are offered as a community service to residents and families of residents, both past and present, as well as to those people with ties to the island. Submit to news@islander.org. Obituaries are provided free — a service of your community newspaper. Paid obituaries can be discussed with advertising specialist Toni Lyon at 941-778-7978.

Growing in Jesus’ Name

Worship With Us at Our Church Sunday Service 10:00 AM The Rev. Dr. Norman Pritchard Masks Are Optional Visitors & Residents Welcome Watch Our 10:00 AM Service Live: www.bit.ly/cclbksermons or www.christchurchof lbk.org (follow YouTube link)

6400 Gulf of Mexico Dr.

Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m., Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Pastor’s Book Group Zoom meetings.

•

941.383.8833 (oﬃce)

•

www.christchurchlbk.org

Roser Church

“...a beautiful place to explore your faith...”

SUNDAY WORSHIP 8:30 AM or 10:00 AM IN PERSON in the Sanctuary Nursery • Children’s Church ONLINE � Watch LIVE or LATER

RoserChurch.com

Text ROSER to 22828 to receive the weekly eBulletin The CHAPEL is open during office hours for prayer and meditation 941-778-0414 • 512 Pine Ave, Anna Maria • FOLLOW us on Facebook @RoserChurch

Feb. 9, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 15 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

GoodDeeds

compiled by Lisa neff

Assistance sought on AMI

For the love of parents and the love of Florida Bradenton Beach resident donates $800 to memorialize parents

by tomas gomez • The Island Players group seeks volunteers for islander reporter

the theater, including house managers, backstage and prop crews, website experts and actors. Information: 508 965-5665. • 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. • Keep Manatee Beautiful seeks volunteers for cleanups and other efforts. Information: 941-7958272.

Assistance offered on AMI

• The Roser Food Bank welcomes applicants who live and/or work on Anna Maria Island for food assistance, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0414. • AID offers help to those who live on the island, go to church on the island, attend school on the island and work on the island. Information: 941-725-2433.

Resources for COVID-19 Testing the Florida department of Health provides free testing for coVid-19 — rapid or Pcr — at the bradenton area convention center, 1 Haben blvd., Palmetto, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. the doH offers free,

testing in bradenton at 13801 eighth ave. W., 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Vaccines the doH offers free vaccines by appointment 8 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays, 410 Sixth ave. e., bradenton. call 941-242-6646.

Laura Shaw wanted a way to honor the memory of her parents. So the Bradenton Beach resident donated $800 to the city to inscribe a bench at the beach access near Third Street South and Gulf Drive, down the block from her home, with: “Harry and Ellie Hetzel. Your daughter, Laura, son-in-law, Kevin and grandchildren.” “They didn’t know a stranger,” Shaw said of her parents. “They’d give you the shirt off their backs. They wanted to bless their family before they wanted to bless themselves.” Childhood sweethearts, Harry and Ellie were together since they were 10. They were each other’s first loves, raised two daughters and lived to see six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, moving to Palm Harbor around 1987 to enjoy their golden years as snowbirds. “Mom was decked up every day,” Shaw said. “She got her hair done every Saturday, always wore her little heels. You would not catch her without her makeup, even at 93.” Shaw recalls two of her fondest memories of her parents, each taking place on their 90th birthdays. For her mother’s birthday Shaw flew her home to Brooklyn, N.Y., and her mom walked the old neighborhood, toured her childhood home and sat on the same porch she did as a girl. Her father’s 90th birthday present was a longtime wish come true. “My dad always wanted a 1940 Packard,” Shaw said. “I always said if I had enough money, I’d get him the car. For his 90th birthday, I found an absolutely gorgeous original — the whole thing, the interior, everything was original. We sat him in front of the garage, put him in a chair, put a 40s hat on him, played 40s music, then we opened the garage door and

Harry and ellie Hetzel ride in their 1940 Packard. islander Photo: courtesy Laura Shaw

the Packard was in the garage with a big red bow. It brought him to tears.” Shaw’s father didn’t get many chances to drive his Packard, but he loved to sit in it and took pride in waxing and polishing the car. Harry Hetzel died at 92 and Ellie Hetzel died at 93. The city commission considered and approved Shaw’s request for the memorial in early January. An original inscription for the memorial bench was revised for length. It read, “Your selfless love is an example to us all. You are forever in our hearts.”

Milestones

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

ROMANCE IS IN THE SALT AIR CELEBRATE LOVE WITH YOUR

only fish in the sea.

IslandDining.com

Beach days are the best days and that makes spending Valentine’s Day here extra special. Sunsets seem more vivid. The salt air is oh-so-refreshing. And the sound of the gentle waves is the perfect backdrop for a special date. Wondering how to spend the holiday on the Island? There are plenty of options. On the north end of the island in Anna Maria, head to The Sandbar. This waterfront restaurant features stunning views of the beach and the romantic Gulf waters. Many of the menu selections include locally grown fruit and vegetables from Gamble Creek Farms, an organic farm located in neighboring Parrish. A stroll on the beach before dinner is an idyllic way to work up an appetite. Or beat the crowds and come for lunch. Then, head to nearby Pine Avenue to shop. Discover a little local history and then check out what’s biting on the Anna 0DULD &LW\ 3LHU ZKHUH ¿VKLQJ LV SRSXODU DOO day and all night. Many of Pine Avenue’s businesses use environmentally friendly practices, helping this street earn its title of “The Greenest Little Main Street in America”. A short distance to the south, but still on the Island, is the Beach House, a trendy waterfront restaurant right on the beach that’s the perfect backdrop for Valentine pictures and posts. Featured appetizers like Oysters Rockefeller or Vegan Lettuce Wraps are served bar side and include locally grown, house made ingredients.

“Cheers” with Lola wines from Northern California-based boutique vineyards. Nearby Bridge Street features many fun shops and pubs and is a great choice for a night on the town. For the hopeless romantic, on the north end of Longboat Key is a hidden gem called the Mar Vista. An evening of pure romance is waiting there. Situated on the Sarasota Bay, the tranquil waters provide a beautiful view from the tables that are tucked away under a canopy of Buttonwood trees. Reserve a spot with Shore Thing Tiki Cruises or other local charter tours to arrive by boat and pick up take out to dine “al fresco” onboard the vessel. The menu features specialties like Grilled Cobia Risotto, and the Mar Vista 14oz. hand-cut NY Strip. It promises to be a night to remember. Anna Maria Bake House’s Pastry Chef, Leilana Haas, creates the amazing baked goods for all three restaurants. Haas points out that “special meals deserve a special ending” and she and her team pride themselves on using fresh ingredients for their hand-made cheesecakes, pies, and other specialties. With so many options, this Valentine’s Day promises to make everyone “happy as clams.” Be sure and snap a picture to look back at a magical day on the island! Content provided by: The Chiles Group

Page 16 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 9, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

AmE NEWS

At the starting line runners take off in the 2016 anna maria elementary dolphin dash. the race was canceled last year due to the pandemic. this year’s event, organized by the school’s Parent-teacher organization, will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, at the school, 4700 gulf drive, Holmes beach. the 5K will start first and the 1-mile Fun run will start at 9 a.m. Volunteer tom orehowsky from the sponsoring bradenton runners club is coordinating the races. People can learn more about the event, donate or volunteer by contacting event coordinator Kelly gitt at 941-799-9299 or kelly@gittsoldit.com. islander File Photo: Karen riley-Love

Hometown honors

Holmes Beach Charles Strine made the dean’s list at James Madison University in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley for the fall 2021 semester. Students who earn the honor must carry at least 12 graded credit hours and earn a GPA of 3.5-3.899. Strine is a kinesiology major.

School days

The Islander welcomes photos and notices of student achievements, accolades and just old-school good times. Email news@islander.org

AME Calendar

• Feb. 19, 8 a.m., Dolphin Dash. • Feb. 21, Presidents Day, no school. • March 1, 6:30 p.m., third-grade play. • March 7, 3:30 p.m., PTO board meeting. • March 11, record day, no school. • March 14-18, spring break. • April 4, 3:30 p.m., PTO member meeting. • April 15, Good Friday, no school. • April 19, 6:30 p.m., first-grade play. • April 20, early release day. • May 9, 3:30 p.m., PTO board meeting. • May 17, 6:30 p.m., kindergarten and secondgrade play. • May 24-25, early release days. • May 26, last day for students. • May 27, last day for teachers. Anna Maria Elementary is at 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. For more information, call the school at 941-708-5525.

Island happenings Center of AMI calls for family fun at bingo night

The Center of Anna Maria Island is calling bingo Friday, Feb. 11, as well as March 11 and April 8. Play will be 6-8 p.m. Refreshments will be available for donations. Bingo cards will cost $1. Prizes will include gift cards to local restaurants. The center is at 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. For more info, call the center at 941-778-1908. bingo players turn up to the center of anna maria island in anna maria hoping to win a round. islander File Photo

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Feb. 9, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 17 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

County bolsters FMM’s Lake Minnie-net camp project by Kane Kaiman islander reporter

Is Cortez ready for another net camp? Manatee County commissioners unanimously voted Jan. 11 to increase U.S. RESTORE Act funding for a project at the Florida Maritime Museum in Cortez that calls for the construction of a net camp replica on Lake Minnie, a pond on the museum grounds. The net camp will be constructed on the northeastern shore of the pond and serve as a classroom for the museum’s folk school, a program that teaches visitors the fishing history of Cortez through heritage crafts, such as net mending and net casting. The project also calls for improvements to Lake Minnie, including a shoreline adjustment, aeration system upgrade and the addition of a dock to the western shore of the pond. Phaedra Dolan, director of the historical resources department at the Manatee County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller office, oversees the project. The department also is considering the formation of an underground connection between Lake Minnie and the tidal waters of the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage nature preserve to the east of the museum, Dolan said Feb. 2. The project “is really supposed to bring in more of our natural wildlife and just create a more natural environment for that lake so that it’s not just a stagnant body of water,” Dolan said. “There are fish in there now, but this would really increase the variety and health of what’s in there — the flora, the fauna, everything,” she added. At the Jan. 11 meeting, the commissioners voted to increase the project’s initial $225,000 budget by $166,170 and extend its deadline to 2025. The initiative, almost 10 years in the making, was delayed due to construction on Cortez Road and 119th Street and material shortages.

a mock-up — a graphic replica — depicts a net camp on Lake minnie, a pond at the Florida maritime museum in cortez, where manatee county intends to build to enhance education opportunities. islander courtesy graphic

The budget needed to be increased due to rising material costs and a change of plans. The additional project funds came in the form of uncommitted grants from the RESTORE Act, 2012 legislation aimed at helping coastal communities recover from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2010. The project was the brainchild of 38-year Manatee County Clerk of Court R.B. “Chips” Shore, who grew up in Cortez, along with Dolan’s predecessor, Cathy Slusser, and museum staff. Shore, who died in 2015, championed the application to secure RESTORE Act funds for museum projects in 2012. The project initially called for the expansion of the Pillsbury Boat Shop building on the museum grounds until Slusser and former museum supervisor Kristin Sweeting settled on the idea of a net camp replica. Dolan took over for Slusser in February 2020. “The project is important to me because I grew up on Anna Maria Island. So I crossed through Cortez every day on my way to school and it’s just home to

me,” Dolan said. Museum happenings The Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, is seeking greeters, supervisor Tori Chasey told The Islander in a Feb. 3 email. The volunteer role is perfect for people interested in sharing Cortez’s maritime heritage, she said. The museum is hosting a special interactive Music on the Porch event 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12. In addition to enjoying live music, visitors can play instruments provided by the Island Library and craft their own instruments to take home. The performances, crafts and activities are free, and Kona Ice will be on-site selling frozen desserts. The museum offers a variety of ways for visitors to interact — plein-air watercolor kits are offered at the front desk, as well as instructions for a scavenger hunt. For more information, visit floridamaritimemuseum.org or call 941-708-6120.

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Page 18 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 9, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

HB parks committee moves forward with ‘butterﬂy’ grant by ryan Paice islander reporter

A lot is happening at Veterans Park in Holmes Beach. Parks and beautification committee members unanimously voted Feb. 2 to direct member Mary Lange to apply for a grant of up to $500 from the Florida Native Plant Society to purchase and place plants to attract butterflies to the park, located south of city hall, 5801 Marina Drive. The committee is waiting for the city to rezone an empty lot south of Grassy Point Preserve, 3021 Avenue C, where it aims to establish a community garden where people can rent plots to sow and work the soil. However, work on the garden may not begin this year due to permitting requirements and the city’s ordinance adoption process, which requires at least two public hearings. In the meantime, the committee has focused on improving Veterans Park. So far, the committee has spent $2,500 of its $10,000 annual budget on installing 11 planter boxes around the park’s central fountain to conduct a trial run for the community garden. Public works staff began installing the planter boxes in early January but work was delayed until the committee’s Feb. 2 meeting so city engineer Sage Kamiya could gather additional input. Kamiya told The Islander Feb. 3 that it would take some time to finish the trial community garden at Veterans Park. He said city staff would need to install a new irrigation system, add soil to the planter boxes and create a registration system for people interested in renting the plots. The $500 grant from the Florida Native Plant Society would fund plans master gardener Norma Kisida provided the committee to attract butterflies to the a drawing shows plans for a butterfly garden at Vetpark’s central fountain and planter boxes. Kisida’s plans involve adding pollinator-friendly erans Park. islander Photo: courtesy Holmes beach plants around the central fountain, including sea lavender, white indigo berry, calamint shrubs, milkweed and goldenrod. Her plan also involves planting herbs on one level the central fountain and carving four paths through Visit islander.org for the best news on AMI. of the garden to the center.

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Mon-Sat 11-8:30

a sprinkler waters Holmes beach Veterans Park, 5801 marina drive, Feb. 2. city staff is constructing planter boxes in the park for a trial community garden. islander Photo: ryan Paice

Lange said the Anna Maria Island Garden Club might be willing to spend $200-$300 to improve the park by adding educational signage for the plants. However, she said the committee may need to secure additional funds to purchase new soil for the space. She said the current soil tested too acidic for some of the proposed plants. Kamiya said the city could use some of its remaining $7,500 budget for fiscal 2021-22 to purchase the soil. Another $5,000-$6,000 of the committee’s budget could be used to build a stone wall in the park memorializing military veterans from the island who sacrificed their lives. The project would involve setting a foundation, installing the wall and planting surrounding vegetation. Committee members unanimously voted to continue investigating the addition of the memorial wall, which Lange said she hoped could be unveiled by Veterans Day in the fall. The committee’s next meeting will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 2, at city hall. The meeting will be open to the public. Directions to attend via Zoom can be found online at holmesbeachfl.org. • Bradenton’s 10 Best Local Eats from 635 by Tripadvisor • Voted Best German Restaurant in Bradenton • 4.9 Stars of 5 on Facebook

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Feb. 9, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 19 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

We asked, ‘How cold?’

The National Weather Service in Ruskin recorded a low of 26 degrees for the Bradenton area early Jan. 30. On Anna Maria Island, a home-based station in Bradenton Beach reported a low of 34 degrees early Jan. 30. A forecaster with the NWS said that low probably was representative of the island. Elsewhere, recorded lows Jan. 30 included: 25 degrees at North Port, 26 at Land O Lakes, 28 at Arcadia, 28 at Lakeland, 27 at Tampa and 28 at Port Richey.

By Lisa Neff

Birders unite for count

Got 15 minutes for science? The 25th annual Great Backyard Bird Count will take place Feb. 18-21 around the globe, uniting birders from Anna Maria Island to New Guinea for a citizenscience project to track the health of species. “The Great Backyard Bird Count is a wonderful way to get your feet wet, feel the warmth of the community and start to realize the wonders in your own neighborhood. The tools and resources are free,” says Patrick Nadeau of Birds Canada, which coorneff dinates the count along with Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society. “And you are helping birds when you get involved,” he adds. In 2021, participation broke count records, as about 300,000 people submitted checklists reporting 6,436 species. In 2020, 268,674 participants submitted checklists reporting 6,942 species. Participation is worldwide but highest in the United States, where more than 250,000 people — from the 50 states, District of Columbia and five territories — got involved in last year’s count. Florida ranked fifth among the states in terms of participation and you could help push the state to No. 4 or higher this year. To participate takes just 15 minutes and requires no travel, just step outdoors, observe and count. Participants submit their checklists via one of two apps — Merlin Bird ID or eBird — or by using a computer and visiting birdcount.org. “The GBBC is about the birds, but it’s also about the people,” says David Bonter, Cornell Lab’s co-director at the Center for Engagement in Science and Nature. “It’s clear from scientific studies that getting outdoors or connecting with nature — even watching or listening to birds from home — does people a lot of good.” I grew up at a home where feeders attracted birds

Milestones

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

Manatees struggle in 1st month of 2022

In the first month of the new year, 97 Florida manatees died. The deaths followed a year of record loss, as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported in 2021 1,100 manatee deaths — about 15% of the entire estimated manatee population of 7,520. Counting the days until the count “The manatee emergency is not abating and the a poster — available at birdcount.org — promotes remaining population cannot afford to sustain conthe great backyard bird count, which will be tinuing losses at these levels,” said Tim Whitehouse, conducted Feb. 18-21 and involves cornell Lab of executive director of Public Employees for Environornithology, national audubon Society and birds mental Responsibility, a national environmental watchcanada. Participants dedicate at least 15 minutes dog group. during the four-day period to counting birds and The dynamics behind the continuing mortality bird species at one location — a yard, a park, even surge include cold weather, watercraft collisions, pola street corner. islander courtesy image lution and starvation. One manatee died in Manatee County in January. to the backyard throughout the year, through all the It was recovered Jan. 17 from the Manatee River in seasons. Bradenton. The cause of death is unknown. In fact, a reporter mentioned the feeders in a fea— Lisa neff ture story about my family for the local newspaper back in the 1970s. The article was supposed to be about my mom and her community work but my dad, a high school football coach, dominated the interview and the headline read, “Sports rule the world in the Neff household.” In the bit about the feeders, the reporter said my younger brother Mark liked to gaze out the window at the birds. That 11-year-old boy took a lot of teasing from other kids in the neighborhood and he denied the claim, but it wasn’t fake news. We all watched the birds from the kitchen window and the backyard provided an introduction to the wild world and an appreciation for science and nature. I don’t remember counting birds back then but I’ll be joining this year’s Great Backyard Bird Count. And you? Got 900 seconds to spare for the birds?

manatees are here. boat with care.

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Page 20 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 9, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Athletes punt, pass, putt and pitch at AMI sporting venues by Kevin P. cassidy islander reporter

LeFt: We the best Lenders’ Julia King goes high to defend a pass Feb. 3, but the ball found its way to Shady Lady’s Shawn balvin, who caught it for a touchdown, resulting in a 38-27 loss. islander Photo: Kevin P. cassidy

The adult players at the Center of Anna Maria Island had another week of play on the gridiron. And the standings tightened following the Feb. 3 flag football lineup. Prosper Bradenton and Solid Rock Construction are in the lead with matching 3-1 records. After them, there are a trio of teams with two victories, including Moss Builders, cassidy Sandbar Restaurant and TBT. We The BestLenders comes in next with a 1-2-1 record, while Cortez Deep Sea Fishing and Shady Lady — each with one victory — complete the standings. Action Feb. 3 kicked off with We The Best Lenders outscoring Shady Lady by a 38-27 score behind a strong game from Tyler Brewer, who had eight catches, three for TDs. Dominick Otteni threw three touchdown passes and added a touchdown reception, while Brandon Kull threw two touchdown passes and added a touchdown catch. Julia King completed the scoring for the Lenders with a touchdown grab. Shady Lady was led by Jonathan Soultatos, who threw for three TDs and ran for another. Shawn Balvin had seven receptions — three for touchdowns. Tim Holly added to the loss with four catches on offense and two interceptions on defense. Prosper Bradenton cruised to a 47-12 victory over Cortez Deep Sea Fishing thanks to five touchdown passes by Jonathan Moss, including three to Greg Moss. Tuna McCracken threw a pair of touchdown passes to lead Cortez Deep Sea Fishing, which also received TDs from Cole Carter and Shepard Condon in the loss. Matt Briley connected with Yandy Rocamora for five touchdown passes to propel TBT to a 31-28 victory over Moss Builders in the third game of the night.

The 11-13 division standings are hardly as cut and dried as the 8-10 standings. While Blalock Walters is on top with a 3-0 record, HSH Designs is on their heels at 2-1. Miz & Hiz Biz, Investigative Law Group and Nissan of Bradenton follow at 1-1 in a third-place tie. Fourth place is held down by Moss Builders at 1-2, while Wash Family Construction is 0-3. Miz & Hiz Biz got into the win column with a 32-24 victory over WFC to open the divisions Feb. 2 action. Frankie Coleman sparked the winners with a rushing touchdown and a pair of receiving scores. Reef Marin and Carson Clover both ran for a score to lead WFC, which also received touchdown receptions from Alcie Despard and Chase Signor in the loss. The second game of the night saw Moss Builders and HSH Designs battle to a 26-26 tie through regulation and overtime. Moss Builders was awarded the victory due to an overtime rule — if no one scores in overtime, the winner will be based on the total number of yards gained after the line of scrimmage. The final 11-13 game of the night saw Blalock Walters remain unbeaten thanks to a 25-8 victory over Nissan of Bradenton behind four TD passes from Ashton Hovda. He connected twice with Cale Rudacille and once each with Peyton Hovda and Liam Proud.

Ryan Moss finished with four touchdown passes in the loss, including two to JB Shuck and one each to Jesse Griffin and Lyndsey Styka. The last game of the evening saw Sandbar Restaurant ease past Solid Rock Construction. Matt Manger threw a pair of touchdown passes to Bradley Coleman and Donald Dietch III to lead the Sandbar victory. Anthony Mannino connected with Joey Carder for Key Royale golf news Golf action at the Key Royale Club in Holmes a touchdown and ran it in himself for another to lead Beach kicked off Jan. 31 with the men’s weekly modSolid Rock Construction in the loss. ified-Stableford system match over nine holes. The team of Cliff Lanning, Jim McParland, Greg Youth football action gets going After three weeks of action in the 8-10 division of Shorten and Quentin Talbert took home the team chamthe youth flag football league at the center, it appears to pionship with a combined score of plus-5. Individual honors went to Larry Davis and Ron be a battle of the haves and the have-nots. Moss Builders, Solid Rock Construction and Beach Bums have Vandeman with matching plus-3s. Peter Lund, Jack surged to the top of the standings with 3-0 records. Lowry, Brian Comer, Mike Clements, Chuck Patrick Second place is currently shared by Bradenton Beach and McParland tied for second place with matching Parasailing and Prosper Bradenton with 1-2 records, scores of plus-2. The women were on the links Feb. 1 for a ninewhile third place is shared by Shady Lady and Progressive Cabinetry at 0-2-1. Finally, Mac Parkman Founda- hole individual-low-net match in three flights. Phyllis Roe rode a chipin birdie on the fourth hole tion completes the standings at 0-3. Moss Builders crushed Shady Lady in the Feb. 2 to a 1-under-par 31 to capture first place in Flight A, 8-10 action, thanks to a hat trick from Mason Moss, edging Nina McSparren and Debbie Devernay by a who threw and ran for TDs, and caught a touchdown stroke. Margrit Layh’s 1-under-par 31 gave her first place in the 33-14 victory. Preston LaPensee and Jesse Zaccagnino scored in Flight B by one stroke over second-place finisher Annette Hall. TDs for Shady Lady in the loss. Jackie Gorski took home first place in Flight C Solid Rock Construction stayed unbeaten thanks to a 21-15 victory over Prosper Bradenton behind a rush- with — you guessed it — a 1-under-par 31. Beth Lining touchdown and two receiving touchdowns from deman and Peggy Clauhs finished in a tie for second place with matching even-par 32s. Nixon Conner. Sarah Pfeil had a chipin on the third hole, while Grady Sandhoff and Kyle Mims scored for Prosper We the best Lenders player tyler brewer tries to Helen Pollock did the same on the eighth hole. elude the flag pull of Shady Lady defender Jonathan Bradenton in the loss. Golf action at the club concluded Feb. 3 when the Bradenton Beach Parasailing got into the win Soultatos during Feb. 3 football action at the center. column with a 7-0 victory over Progressive Cabinetry members convened for a nine-hole scramble. The team islander Photo: Kevin P. cassidy — thanks to a touchdown pass from Luther Sasser IV of Herb Clauhs, Tim Friessen and Dave Rinckey combined on a 4-under-par 28 to earn clubhouse bragging to Tess Bolognone. The final 8-10 division game for Feb. 2 saw Beach rights for the day. Second place was shared by Ken Date AM HIGH PM HIGH AM LOW PM LOW Moon Bums remain perfect for the season with a 20-0 shutout Butler, Mike Cusato, Ken Nagengast and McParland Feb 9 5:17p 1.8 — — 12:48a -0.1 — — victory over Mac Parkman Foundation. Wade Kasten, and the team of Gary Alvord, Bill DiMenna, Larry Feb10 6:14p 1.8 — — 2:03a -0.3 — — Dylan Sato and Brook Melancon scored TDs to lead Pippel and Bill Shuman with a score of 3-under 29. Feb11 7:18p 1.9 — — 3:04a -0.4 — — Feb12 8:20p 1.9 — — 3:54a -0.6 — — PLeaSe, See sports, neXt Page the victory.

Anna Maria Island Tides

Feb13 Feb14 Feb15 Feb16

12:47p 12:52p 12:56p 1:00p

1.2 9:15p 1.2 10:03p 1.2 10:48p 1.2 11:30p

2.0 2.0 2.1 2.1

4:36a 5:11a 5:42a 6:11a

-0.6 -0.7 -0.6 -0.6

2:55p 3:49p 4:33p 5:14p

1.1 1.1 0.9 0.7

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

Full

SportsShort

Bradenton Area River Regatta fuels riverfront crowds Go speed racer go. The Bradenton Area River Regatta is set to roar back Saturday, Feb. 12, bringing crowds to the riverfront for racing, fireworks and other festivities. The 2021 regatta was canceled due to the pandemic. This year, the regatta will feature high-speed watercraft racing before a crowd of about 100,000 spectators. Musical performances will take place on both the Bradenton and Palmetto riverfronts, including Almost Abba, an ABBA tribute band performing on the Bra-

denton Riverwalk at 5:30 p.m., and a Blues Brothers tribute band at 4:15 p.m. In Palmetto, the Soul Circus Cowboys will perform at 3:30 p.m., followed by the Andy Pursell Band. Other attractions: food truck vendors and a children’s fishing tournament. The day will end with a fireworks display over the Manatee River presented by Zambelli International. For more information, go online to bradentonarearegatta.com. — Lisa neff

Feb. 9, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 21 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Anglers seeing black-and-white payoff — sheepshead By Capt. Danny Stasny Islander Reporter

With water temperature settling in around the mid to upper 50s, many species we target in the back country are becoming slightly harder to target. Snook and trout are retreating to deeper water, making them difficult to find. And even the redfish seem to be far and few between at the moment. Stasny But, don’t be discouraged. Now is the time to target sheepshead, which seem to thrive in the cooler water temps, making them a winter-time favorite throughout our local waters. The fish also put up quite a battle when on the end of your line. And, when beer-battered and fried, they are one of the best eating fish I’ve found. There is a slight learning curve to catching sheepies but, once you’ve got the basics, you should be able to find success. The first thing you need to know is sheepshead love crustaceans. This means you can put the cast net away — you won’t need to find shiners for bait. Gathering bait for sheepshead can be as easy as going to your local bait shop and grabbing a bucket of live shrimp. If you prefer catching your own bait, you can look for fiddler crabs, oyster crabs or sand fleas. Catching them can be labor-intensive but, if the sheepies are being picky, carrying an assortment of baits may be in your best interest. Now that you have bait, the next step is to locate the fish. Sheepshead tend to gather around structure — rocks, reefs, bridges and piers. And they love nibbling on barnacles. So finding areas where their favorite food proliferates is advantageous. Fishing bridges, piers and docks can be productive for sheepies, which makes them attainable to every angler. For anglers with a boat, reefs, wrecks and rock piles are great spots. Rigging? A simple bottom rig will suffice in most scenarios. I like using a 1/2-ounce egg sinker that rests on top of a 2/0 circle hook — known as knocker rig.

Retired sheepshead? Drew Hyman, a retired Penn State professor and Holmes Beach resident, shows off a 4-pound sheepie he caught on a live shrimp Jan. 28 on a trip to the Manatee reef in Tampa Bay with neighbor Mark Howard. Howard is a retired fishing guide and the pair are neighbors on 71st Street. Islander Courtesy Photo

You can use a fish finder rig, which consists of a small piece of fluorocarbon leader with a swivel on one end and a hook on the terminal end. For this rig, slide an egg sinker onto your main line and then tie your line to the swivel with the leader and hook attached. And, if you want to take it a step further, you can try a long shank hook as opposed to a regular hook. Some say this makes the hook easier to remove from the sheepshead’s bony mouth. The last thing you need to know is that sheepshead sports from page 20 must be 12 inches from the nose to the tip of the tail. Horseshoe news The daily bag limit is eight per person per day. And, if Two teams advanced to the knockout stage during you’re looking to have a fish fry of sheepshead, you’ll Feb. 2 horseshoe action at the Anna Maria City Hall want to take home your limit. pits after carving the only 3-0 records in pool play. In a tight battle befitting a championship match, Tom Farringtona and Steve Doyle edged Del Reese and Bob Palmer 21-19 to earn the day’s bragging rights. Three teams went 3-0 in pool play during the Feb. 5 games and settled things in a playoff. The lucky bye into the finals went to Palmer and Adin Shank who watched as Doyle and Reese advanced with a 23-15 victory over Tom Skoloda and Tim Sofran. Doyle and Reese stayed perfect for the day with a 22-15 victory over Palmer and Shank to win the day’s proceedings. The victory was the ninth in a row for Doyle, who finished the week with an unbeaten record. Play begins at 9 a.m. at the Anna Maria pits. Warmups begin at 8:45 a.m., followed by random team selection. There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.

Send your fishing, sports news and photos to news@islander.org.

Share the fun.

On my Just Reel charters, we’re absolutely targeting sheepshead. Fishing around wrecks and reefs along the Gulf beaches is producing good numbers of keeper-size fish for my clients. Mixed in with the sheepshead are mangrove snapper, Key West grunts and an occasional gag grouper — all good stuff. On days when the Gulf is unattainable due to wind, I’m staying in the back country to target pompano and spotted seatrout. We also are hooking into redfish and black drum while fishing around residential docks and canals. Capt. David White also is targeting sheepshead over wrecks and reefs in Tampa Bay and in the Gulf of Mexico. Using live shrimp as bait is working well, reports White. While targeting sheepies, White is encountering mangrove snapper and Key West grunts. Fishing along the Gulf beaches is yielding action for White, too. He reports catching pompano, black drum and redfish in these areas. Capt. Warren Girl is working nearshore structures such as ledges and hard bottom areas, where using a bottom rig combined with live shrimp for bait is resulting in sheepshead, mangrove snapper, lane snapper and plenty of Key West grunts. On windier days, Girle is finding action in residential canals by casting shrimp under and around docks, pilings and seawalls. In these areas, redfish, black drum, sheepshead and mangrove snapper are being caught, as well as an occasional catch-and-release snook. Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Piers reports that due to frequent cold fronts and rough seas, most anglers visiting the pier are targeting sheepshead. Live shrimp is the bait of choice, although sand fleas and fiddler crabs also work on the pier nibblers. While in search of sheepshead, anglers are reeling up an occasional black drum or redfish. Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.

Fishing tip! If you hook a bird, remember: Reel, remove, release! Double the pleasure Kelsey Traylor and fiance Mike Vito, who recently moved to Bradenton from Maryland, visited the Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria in October 2021 and hooked up a couple of nice redfish at the same time. Traylor posted the photo Feb. 2 to Facebook with an inquiry about wedding advice, hoping her post wouldn’t go unnoticed with the redfish picture. Traylor and Vito are hooked on AMI but the redfish were released. Islander Courtesy Photo

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Page 22 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 9, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

isl

biz

By Kane Kaiman

Record number, European ﬂair, new management

Closing machine Locals Realty managing broker Jessica Adair topped the Manatee County real estate sales rankings in 2021. The first-year broker sold more than $192.5 million worth of real estate. “I do think it probably is a record for the island because (an island agent) set the record last year, and it Kaiman was maybe 50% off of what we did this year,” she said. Developer Shawn Kaleta founded Locals Realty in 2021, recruiting Adair for her strong sales and communications background, as well as her passion for real estate. Included in Adair’s county-topping sales figure is Kaleta’s $46 million purchase of Anna Maria Beach Resort. Adair made 80 sales in 2021 and credits her success to working with a group of large investors, developers and AMI Locals, a vacation rental property management company that also is headed by Kaleta. “Our office is right next door to theirs. It’s just a really good plug-in because investors are all about the

Locals realty managing broker Jessica adair, who sold more real estate than any other agent in manatee county in 2021, smiles for a photo in June at one of her listings — “grande Haven,” a rental home at 804 n. Shore drive, anna maria. islander courtesy Photo

Florida in 2021. They fell in love with Cremesh after sharing a meal at the Beachway Plaza eatery, known for its schnitzels, beef stroganoff, pork shank, duck, rouladen, wine-tasting dinners and baked goods. The Antals have retained their predecessor’s core menu, while adding daily specials and other items, including creme brulee and mango bread pudding. “We’re always trying to broaden the whole menu to really touch every part of Europe,” Daniel Antal said Feb. 2. Daniel, 21, said he’s gotten over the initial shock of being a first-time restaurant owner. “You can work in a restaurant, but owning one is a completely different story. After these first few weeks, I feel like I’ve gotten it down pat and we can start really experimenting with other things in the restaurant,” he said. For more information, visit cremeshrestaurant. com or call 941-896-9422. For more on the weekly specials, visit Cremesh on Facebook. daniel antal — who purchased cremesh, a european restaurant in bradenton’s beachway Plaza, in mid-January with his mother — talks wine at the eatery Feb 2. islander Photo: Kane Kaiman

numbers,” Adair said. Access to AMI Locals’ data and expertise allows Adair to paint an accurate picture of the profitability of rental properties on the island. Adair said she expects her team to post even better numbers in 2022 and hopes all her agents crack Manatee County’s top 10 sales list. For more on Locals Realty, 9801 Gulf Drive, Suite 4, Anna Maria, visit localsrealtygroup.com or call 941300-5469. Mother and son mesh Another duo is spicing things up at Cremesh European restaurant. Maria and Daniel Antal, a mother-and-son team, purchased the European restaurant, 7232 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, Jan. 18 for about $100,000. Maria crunches numbers and handles paperwork while Daniel manages the front of the house. The Antals moved from Stouffville, Ontario, to

Don’t forget… You can read it all online at islander.org

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date. COMPILED BY KANE KAIMAN The restaurant also will offer beer and wine. The duo opened their first Mademoiselle Paris in AMI Chamber the University Town Center in University Park in 2016, THIS WEEK followed by a second location on Main Street in Sarasota in October 2021. Thursday, Feb. 10 The UTC location sells more than 2,000 croissants 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. — Member luncheon, Harry’s Grill, 9903 Gulf a month, Jean Dandonneau said. Drive, Anna Maria. For more information, visit mademoiselleparis. SAVE THE DATE com.

restaurateurs myriam and Jean dandonneau stand in the patio area at mademoiselle Paris, a Parisianstyle cafe and bakery they will open in anna maria in march. islander Photo: Kane Kaiman

Croissants on the beach Anna Maria soon will be getting another taste of Paris. Husband-and-wife restaurateurs Myriam and Jean Dandonneau were hard at work Feb. 2 converting the former My AMI French Food storefront, 9906 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, to their a Mademoiselle Paris location — their third endeavor. The Parisian-style cafe and bakery, which will feature croissants, crepes, sandwiches, espresso and more, will soft-open near the end of February with a full opening in March, the Dandonneaus said. The French couple, Bradenton residents and frequent visitors to the island, purchased My AMI from “amis” — “friends” in French — Laurence and Thierry Rouxel Feb. 1 for $86,000. “When we got into the place, we fell in love. We’re really happy because this is paradise. This island. What more can you ask for?” Jean Dandonneau said Feb. 2. The restaurant will serve breakfast and lunch all day with traditional dinner specials at night. The Dandonneaus plan to introduce a full dinner menu at a later

A new latitude Beth Muzik now will lead the way at Compass by Margaritaville. Margaritaville Enterprises named the 25-year food and beverage industry and property operations veteran general manager of the 123-room hotel in a Feb. 1 news release on hospitalitynet.org. Muzik recently converted the Flamingo Hotel in Costa Rica and the Tan Tar A Resort in the Lake of the Ozarks to the Margaritaville portfolio, the release said. The hotel, 12324 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, borders Anna Maria Sound and is a 3-minute walk from the Neal Preserve. Amenities include a waterside lounge and grill, an outdoor pool and a 24-hour gym — and views of Anna Maria Island. For more information, visit compasshotel.com/ anna-maria-sound or call 941-741-9700. And as always… …Got biz news? Contact Kane Kaiman at kane@ islander.org or call The Islander at 941-778-7978.

Feb. 23, Business Card Exchange and “Meet the Directors,” the Center of Anna Maria Island, Anna Maria. Fees may apply for events. RSVP for the networking events by contacting the chamber at 941-778-1541 or info@amichamber.org.

LBK Chamber THIS WEEK Wednesday, Feb. 9 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. — Networking @ Noon luncheon, Zota Beach Resort, 4711 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Tuesday, Feb. 15 8-9 a.m. — Business Before the Bell, Turtle Coffee Bar, 3172 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Save the date Feb. 19, Savor the Sounds Concert, Town Center Green, Longboat Key. Feb. 24, annual meeting, chamber ofﬁce, Longboat Key. Fees may apply for events. For more LBK Chamber information, visit longboatkeychamber. com or call 941-383-2466.

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

Tiki & Kitty’s Let’s go shopping!

Tiki and Kitty are wishing for spring — with the winter chill that’s been on us and they want it to be over. Kitty says, “Let the shopping begin!” Cat’s Meow has 7,700 square feet of vintage, unique and repurposed items. You may want to lace up your skates, as this large vintage skating rink has plenty to offer bargain, antique, unique hunters. Plus, there’s a mancave and a cool clothing boutique. You

Your place for fun, funky

don’t want to miss this vast collection of vendors. Blue Flamingo offers hip and trendy upcycled and repurposed goods, furniture and decor, from antique cameras to garden features, candles, jewelry and work by local artisans. They also offer Dixie Belle paints. Blessed and Distressed is a tastefully designed store — so inviting, you’ll want to stay and visit — filled with collectibles and work by local artists. The store is in Palma Sola Square, around the corner from Winn-Dixie. It offers 30-plus vendors, including vin-

quirky!

Great work from Local Artisans Upcycled, Repurposed, Vintage Dixie Belle Paint, Fun Gifts & More! theblueflamingo.biz

10 to 5 Tues-Sat | 941.227.1936 4229 26th St. W. | Bradenton

You Never Know Thrift R Thrift and Consignment R

You never know what you might ﬁnd!

☛5529 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton 941-526-9197

Adventures in Shopping … Antiques, Art-Tiques and Chic Boutiques!

tage, upcycled, shabby chic, fanciful frocks and local crafts and art. You won’t be disappointed. You Never Know Thrift has everything you could want: clothes, kitchenwares, small appliances, furniture, DVDs and autographed sports memorabilia. The inventory is constantly changing. We keep going back. You never know what you will find. Scavengers Marketplace welcomes you to peruse the goodies for a good cause at the Island Shopping Center in Holmes Beach. Purchases at the store benefit Moonracer No Kill Pet Rescue — our favorite pet rescue group. Founder Lisa Williams is The Islander office manager and, along with board member/Islander sales rep Toni Lyon, leads the rescue efforts. FYI: Scavengers also carries Fusion Paints. And don’t forget, tell people you meet along the way, “The Islander sent me.”

4307 26th St. W. Bradenton 941.782.8883

30 + VENDORS & LOCAL ARTISTS Wed-Sat 10-5 Thur 10-6 615 59th St. W. Bradenton

941-896-8800

Facebook Blessed & Distressed Vintage Bradenton

Indoor market with 15 vendors & artisans Vintage, Unique & Shabby Chic Furniture Coastal, Nautical & Rustic Home Décor Antiques & Collectibles Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm Sunday 12-5pm Fri-Sat 10am-7pm Sunday 12pm-5pm Island Shopping Center

5402 Marina Dr. Holmes Beach 941-900-1552

Page 24 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 9, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

KIDS FOR HIRE

For SaLe: deeP brown leather recliner in excellent condition. Pick up in Holmes beach. $325 or best offer. call 973-2190335.

Wanted, garage For storage of golf cart and bikes. need electric. call dave, 716545-0887.

dePendabLe, reSPonSibLe, Fun babysitter for hire. 13 years old, island local. available in June. 941-526-9090.

GARAGE SALES

biKe: motobecane Suntour, $15. 413441-6823.

iSLand ViLLage muLti-condo garage sale: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12. Furniture, clothing, bikes, decor and much more. 4255 gulf drive, building d, Holmes beach.

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.

La-Z-boY PoWer recLiner: Power headrest, like-new brown leather. asking $600, new, cost $1,500. bradenton. 815566-5816.

muLti-FamiLY garage sale: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 11-12. Furniture, household, bikes, clothing, childrens, variety of miscellaneous! 8008 18th ave. W., bradenton, off Palma Sola boulevard.

neW, tWin mattreSS, $100, cruiser bike, helmet, seven gears, $75, chandelier, brown metal, bulbs included, $20. 941-920-2494. antiQue babY carriage: Wood and wicker. Proceeds benefit moonracer animal rescue. email for photos: moonraceranimalrescue@gmail.com.

LOST & FOUND Found: Wedding ring. Found at Walmart on cortez road, bradenton. 518-8227315.

Sandy’s Lawn Service Inc. ESTABLISHED IN 1983

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

PETS

LICENSED & INSURED

Paradise Improvements

941.792.5600

Kitchen and Bath Remodeling Specialist Replacement Doors and Windows

Andrew Chennault

HeLP reScued PetS! Volunteer, foster, computer help needed! moonracer animal rescue. email: moonraceranimalrescue@ gmail.com. BOATS & BOATING

FULLY LICENSED AND INSURED Island References Lic#CBC056755

RDI CONSTRUCTION INC.

CBC 1253471

PreScriPtion SungLaSSeS in gucci black case lost thursday, Jan. 27. along the beach. call 847-563-8365.

Residential & Condo Renovations Kitchens • Bath • Design Service Carpentry • Flooring • Painting Commercial & Residential

References available • 941-720-7519

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 HELP WANTED SaLeS aSSociate Wanted: Full-time. call, email or apply in person at Sun and Surf, 5418 marina drive, Holmes beach. 941-778-2169. sunandsurfjenn@aol.com.

AdoptA-Pet

got a Van or SuV? deliver flowers for local bradenton florist. Part-time, 3-4 days week. extra days at holiday. 941-755-1540.

Bobby needs YOU!

Bobby is a male lab/dobie mix, 8-9 months old, about 50-pounds and needs a caring family. 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 moonraceranimalrescue.com.

rePorter Wanted: Full- to part-time. Print media, newspaper experience required. apply via email with letter of interest to news@islander.org. tHe iSLander oFFerS the best results for your classified advertising dollar. We really work for you! Submit your ad no later than noon monday on the website, islander. org. For monday holidays, the deadline is Friday.

HEALTH CARE good grieF: eXPerienced Licensed clinical Social Worker (LcSW) providing help for individuals and families working through end-of-life issues. also offering assistance crafting your advance care directive. call or email dawn, 207-615- 5876. goodgrief. dawn@gmail.com. eXPerience cna For hire! 1. Skilled. 2. respite. 3. Long-term 4. Home health. i have 22 years in the medical field, i love what i do, serving the elderly. contact information: 941-580-4440. tee0123@yahoo.com. breaKtHrougH counSeLing center: Jim rimi, Karen gallo rimi, Licensed christian counselors. marriage, anxiety, depression, life coaching. breakthroughcounselingcenter.org. Free initial consultation. email breakthroughcounselctr@gmail.com. call 908-689-2021. SERVICES need a ride to airports? tampa $65, St. Pete, $55, Sarasota, $30. gary, 863-4095875. 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. cLeaning: Vacation, conStruction, residential, commercial and windows. Licensed and insured. 941-744-7983. PreSSure WaSHing, PaVer sealing, driveway, roof, fence, pool area. also, window cleaning. Licensed and insured. 941-5653931. 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. LooKing For an earLY bird? You can read Wednesday’s classifieds on tuesday at islander.org. and it’s Free!