The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022 by The Anna Maria Islander Newspaper

FEB. 16, 2022 FREE

VOLUME 30, NO. 17

The best News on Anna Maria Island Since 1992 Astheworldterns. 6

Q&A 021622.

bb hunts tram update. 4

Meetings. 4 Tourism trends up. 5 Hb steps up for support animals. 5

Will a citywide slowdown improve roadway traffic and safety? Holmes Beach may get an answer to that question. City commissioners voted 3-1 Feb. 8 to approve a resolution establishing a citywide speed limit of 25 mph — effective the week that began Feb. 14 — in an effort to improve traffic safety and better integrate golf carts and low-speed vehicles on city roads. Commissioner Jayne Christenson voted “no.” Commissioner Kim Rash was absent with excuse. There have been several golf cart and LSV-related traffic accidents in the city over the past year. A hit-and-run incident May 20, 2021, resulted in surgery for the driver of a golf cart. A July 23, 2021, golf cart rollover resulted in a broken ankle for the driver. And a Nov. 29, 2021, head-on collision left golf cart driver,

10-20 YEARS AGO

Looking back. 7

AM officials discuss Pine Avenue projects. 8 Hb magistrate fines noisemaker. 9

Happenings Community events. 10-12

Lace up for AMe race. 13

Gathering. 14 Obituaries. 15 GoodDeeds. 15 Where’s Tuna Street.

Motorists drive Feb. 11 by a sign posting the speed limit — 35 mph — on Gulf Drive in Holmes beach. City commissioners approved a resolution Feb. 8 to establish a citywide 25-mph speed limit, a change taking effect this week. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

TURN TO SPEED, PAGe 2

Cortez historians avert shortcake calamity by Kane Kaiman Islander Reporter

These civic-minded volunteers refuse to succumb. Cops & Courts. 18-19 When Cortez Village Historical Society president and longtime Cortez ComStreetlife. 19 mercial Fishing Festival booth organizer Local server competes for Kaye Bell fell ill in early February — only weeks before the Feb. 19-20 celebration — Miss Florida. 20 a group of volunteers sprang into action to Scenic highway work ensure their strawberry shortcake continues underway. 22 its decades-long festival legacy. “It just has to be done because that’s our big moneymaker,” Cortez Village Historical Sweet Florida-friendly Society treasurer Pat Potts said Feb. 9. debate. 23 Since the early 1990s, sales from the booth have produced a significant portion KRC men’s champ of CVHS’s operating budget. crowned. 24 The organization is dedicated to preserving Cortez’s history and the stories of the Anglers need patience, founding families of the fishing village. persistence. 25 CVHS helped secure the village’s 1995 Isl Biz: 26-27 designation in the National Register of Hiseuphemia Haye sells to toric Places and, in conjunction with the staffer. Organized Fishermen of Florida, saved the Albion Inn, a historic building, from demoCLASSIFIEDS. 28-29 lition in 1991 by raising $12,000 through PropertyWatch. 30 shortcake sales and other fundraisers. Potts is the captain of this year’s makepuzzle. 31 shift shortcake team and has already bought 16-17

NYT

HB lowers speed limit citywide by Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Opinions. 6

Save a date. 10-11

islander.org

Cortez Village Historical Society founder Mary Fulford Green prepares strawberry shortcake at the 2004 Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. Islander File Photo

the necessary dry goods. Peg Miller is tasked with securing the cakes, whipped cream and strawberries. On Feb. 7, Miller ordered about 132 pounds of berries from Goodson Farms, a produce wholesaler in Balm. Karen Carpenter is recruiting volunteers

to ladle berries over the cakes and sell books related to Cortez’s history in the booth. About a dozen volunteers from the Cortez Mobile Home Park plan to spend roughly five hours Feb. 18 cutting, sugaring and bagging the strawberries. According to Mary Fulford Green, who founded CVHS in 1984, Bessie Lou Mora Kromery and husband Herb are responsible for the festival’s shortcake tradition. The couple, who sold shortcake at the Manatee County Fair as a church fundraiser, shared ideas with Green, who hand-baked shortcake and organized sales until 2018. Bell took over in 2019 and streamlined the process into a two-day job. Bell has been involved with the fundraiser since about 2002. “It’s fun; it’s meeting people. And I think it’s showing people something really nice about Cortez,” she said Feb. 7. Bell is grateful for the volunteers and hopes to join the them on strawberry cutting day. In early February, the Florida Legislature unanimously voted to make strawberry shortcake the state’s official dessert. “The timing couldn’t be better,” Potts said. For more on the fest, see pages 4, 11.

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SPEED CONTINUeD FROM PAGe 1

Anna Maria resident Jana Samuels, hospitalized in critical condition, she remains in the ICU. Commissioners began discussing changes last August, when they approved a six-month moratorium on new golf cart and LSV rental businesses due to safety concerns. The moratorium expired Feb. 1 and, while commissioners haven’t explored a continuation or re-issuance, they agreed to test Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer’s and city engineer Sage Kamiya’s proposed speed limit reduction as a means to address the issue. Tokajer and Kamiya have said reducing the speed limit would eliminate confusion for golf cart and LSV drivers since the vehicles could be driven almost anywhere, as well as improve traffic safety by setting a slower pace. The change impacts three stretches on Gulf, Marina and Palm drives, where the city speed limit is 35 mph. Golf carts and LSVs remain prohibited on Manatee Avenue and East Bay Drive — both state roads regulated by the Florida Department of Transportation — where the speed limits are 35 mph. The DOT has stated in memos to the city that golf carts and LSVs are not permitted to operate on the two state roads, which includes the Anna Maria Island Bridge. Three people asked commissioners to reject the resolution during public comment. Resident Aaron Drake said the change could increase the number of golf carts and LSVs on city roads, worsening the problem instead of mitigating it, as well as further slow traffic. He said the city should improve pedestrian safety, such as adding flashing lights to crosswalks. Resident Chandler Hardy said golf carts and LSVs are “out of control” on city roads and suggested the city require operators to drive on backroads instead of on main roadways, such as Gulf and Marina drives. The reception was opposite what the city received during its last discussion on the issue, when eight

Sharing the road Tourgoers follow their guide on Segways Feb. 11 on the roadway alongside southbound vehicles on Gulf Drive near CrossPointe Fellowship, heading from Anna Maria into Holmes beach. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

people spoke in support of the reduced speed limit. Christenson, who voted against the resolution, said it would penalize residents by costing them travel time and would not address issues caused by the use of golf carts and LSVs in conventional traffic. Commissioner Terry Schaefer supported the reduction as an experiment. He said rerouting golf cart and LSV traffic off main roads would have benefited some people and negatively impacted others, but reducing the speed limit could improve safety everywhere. Commission Chair Carol Soustek also supported the resolution, saying the city should test the reduction and adjust if necessary.

“It’s the only thing I see sensible and reasonable enough to do at this time,” Soustek said. Tokajer told The Islander Feb. 11 that he and city staff had marked all 35-mph signposts for removal or replacement, which would start the week beginning Feb. 14. He said staff also was creating new signage to go on the 25-mph sign posts regarding the citywide speed limit. The commission will meet next at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive. The meeting will be open to the public with masks recommended. Directions to attend via Zoom can be found online at holmesbeachfl.org.

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Scientist casts doubt on AM clam proposal by Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Not everyone’s in favor of a proposal to seed clams along Anna Maria’s shoreline. Randy Edwards, a retired marine scientist who previously worked at Mote Marine Laboratory and resides in Bradenton, told city commissioners Feb. 10 the proposal would result in minimal environmental benefits. The clam project was proposed by a collection of four contractors and supported by Palmetto-based Gulf Shellfish Institute, a nonprofit that would provide collaborative oversight. It would involve seeding 1 million-2 million southern hard clams along the city’s northern shoreline on Tampa Bay and in Bimini Bay. The project would be funded with $50,000 of the $740,432 the city received from the U.S. American Rescue Plan that the city earmarked to spend on addressing environmental issues such as red tide. Proponents say seeding filter feeders such as clams could improve water quality and marine resilience to

red tide, a higher-than-normal concentration of naturally occurring algae, specifically Karenia brevis, which produces brevotoxins that can kill marine life and be harmful to humans. However, after Edwards argued otherwise and emailed Commissioner Jonathan Crane Jan. 17 to express concern about the proposal, commissioners invited him to speak on the issue. Edwards told commissioners Feb. 10 he was retired and had “no dog in this fight,” and only wanted to prevent the city from spending money on an effort that would provide little return. He said red tide had worsened over the years due to a humanmade increase in Tampa Bay’s nitrogen levels, leading to the accelerated development of phytoplankton and algae. by Lisa Neff “But clams are not the solution to pollution,” Edwards said. “The scientific fact of the matter is that, The Islander poll in the long-term, even a large population of clams will This week’s question The Legislature is considering designating a state not remove significant amounts of nitrogen out of the dessert. What should it be? bay.” A. Strawberry shortcake B. Key lime pie. it didn’t scrap the park-by-permit system, which the C. Orange cake. city implemented to reduce parking along some resiD. Banana pudding. dential streets. Last week’s question Ostenbridge now serves as chair of the county I hope spring training starts as scheduled commission. because… Both parties have sought a joint workshop over 23%. Baseball is the best sport. the past few months and, while a Jan. 4 joint meeting 17%. It’s good for tourism. fell through, they finally have a chance to talk. 19%. I’m hungry for a hot dog. City commissioners also have prepared several 41%. Love to catch a game at LECOM Park. other items for discussion at the workshop, including To answer the poll, go online to islander.org. county funding for beach patrol, use of tourist development taxes, the county’s plans to redevelop Kingfish Boat Ramp, dredging and more. The workshop is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 1, at the Manatee County Administration Building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

Q&A 021622

County, Holmes Beach ofﬁcials to tackle issues Will there be a meeting of the minds? A meeting scheduled between Manatee County and Holmes Beach officials may hold the answer. Holmes Beach city commissioners unanimously voted Feb. 8 to approve a resolution allowing them to attend a March 1 joint workshop with the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners to discuss several issues, including the city’s park-by-permit system. County commissioners also voted Feb. 8 to approve a resolution allowing them to meet as a board with Holmes Beach officials. The two sides have been at odds since County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge was elected to the board in November 2020. Soon after joining the board, Ostenbridge threatened to withhold renourishment funds from the city if

Edwards said the proposal’s claims about the bivalves’ ability to remove significant amounts of nitrogen from the water lack “scientific validation or experimental evidence” proving their benefits. He said at least a billion clams would need to be seeded to make an impact on the area’s waters — and that quantity is not feasible. Edwards suggested commissioners explore other options. Crane, who said he thought the clam seeding proposal was “iffy,” thanked Edwards for speaking. Commissioner Robert Kingan suggested directing staff to explore options for improving the local marine environment with the earmarked $50,000. Commissioners reached consensus to approve his suggestion.

— Ryan Paice

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FISH discusses upcoming elections, boatworks moneymakers by Kane Kaiman Islander Reporter

It’s all about votes and boats. At a Feb. 8 meeting at Fishermen’s Hall in Cortez, the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage board appointed a nominating committee for its election and heard about three fundraising projects undertaken by volunteers at the nonprofit’s Boatworks, a nautical workshop off Cortez Road on 116th Street West. The board selected David Cadmus, Steve Baker and Tim Caniff for the nominating committee. Four board members — Karen Bell, Susan Buckland, Lance Plowman and Pat Potts — are up for reelection. Bell — owner of A.P. Bell Fish Co., Star Fish Company Market and Restaurant and a share of Tide Tables Restaurant — said she’s unsure if she will run again, citing a busy work schedule. Plowman, a first-year board member, and Potts said they would run for reelection and Buckland did not attend the meeting. The nominating committee will meet before the March 7 board meeting to issue its recommendations for the four seats. The recommendations serve as a voting guideline for members but do not restrict the ballot. FISH leadership will send letters with election information to the organization’s approximately 190 members before the nonprofit’s mid-April annual meeting, where votes will be cast. Members can vote anonymously by absentee ballot and publicly by email before the annual meeting. In late 2020 and early 2021, three board members left the board and another, Michael Northfield, died. In April 2021, the board opted to reduce its mem-

Joe egolf, right, and bill Curto pose Feb. 9 with a refurbished canoe in the boatworks maritime workshop in Cortez. The duo restored the boat, which will be rafﬂed at the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival Feb. 19-20. Islander Photo: Kane Kaiman

bership from 15 to 11 people after the body struggled to form a quorum at its meetings. Treasurer Jane von Hahmann said Feb. 8 other FISH members are welcome to throw their hat in the ring for board positions. Paddle your own canoe At the Feb. 8 meeting, FISH Boatworks manager Joe Egolf reported volunteers at the nonprofit’s maritime workshop and boat yard, 11655 Cortez Road W., had finished refurbishing a canoe and wood sculpture. The 12-foot blue and sand-tone canoe will be raffled at the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival Feb.

19-20. The winning ticket will be drawn at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20. Egolf and fellow boatworks volunteer Bill Curto spent about 40 hours repairing, sanding, painting and varnishing the canoe. Curto also restored a pelican woodcarving that will be auctioned at the festival. During the celebration, a 14-foot Penobscot sailboat Egolf renovated in 2020-21 will be on display at the shop, with a price tag for purchase. Proceeds from the projects go to FISH. And the shop will be looking for volunteers. The workshop is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from around 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. FISH members can bring their vessels to the shop for active cleaning and maintenance for a $25 per week donation, however they cannot store their boats at the workshop. To reach Egolf, call 941-704-9403. For more on FISH, call 941-301-4000 or visit cortez-fish.org.

About the fest

The Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival runs 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, and Sunday, Feb. 20, along 119th Street West south of Cortez Road and along the adjoining waterfront in Cortez. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children 12 and under. For more on the Cortez Village Historical Society, visit cortezvillagehistoricalsociety.org or call 941-840-0590. For more on the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival, visit cortez-fish.org/fishing-festival. html.

CRA goes hunting shuttle operator for updates, tram reports by Kane Kaiman Islander Reporter

Absent with excuse. Easy Parking owner Joshua La Rose, who contracted with the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency to operate a parking shuttle program in the city, was slated to give the CRA board a monthly report at city hall Feb. 2. La Rose has not attended a CRA board meeting since October 2021. He is obligated to give monthly updates, but did not appear, leading board members to express their discontent. “Maybe we need the chair, somebody, to call him up and say, ‘Josh, you need to show up,’” said Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie, a member of the board along with city commissioners and non-elected members, resident David Bell and businessman Ed Chiles. Despite La Rose’s absence, the board unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included two Easy Parking invoices — December 2021 and January 2022 — totaling $9,470. Commissioner Ralph Cole, who chairs the CRA, said he would call La Rose and request he attend a meeting in March to discuss staff concerns, as well

Meetings

bradenton beach tram drivers bob Connelly, left, and bob Duffett pose with their shuttles Feb. 2 on Highland Avenue near the bradenton beach Police Department. Islander Photo: Kane Kaiman

as efforts to sell advertising space on the trams and ridership metrics related to the program. In a Feb. 8 text message, La Rose told The Islander he made an agreement with Perry to attend meetings on an as-needed basis and had not received a request in months to appear before the board. The shuttle program, a free park-and-ride service for users, began in November 2020.

Compiled by Lisa Neff, calendar@islander.org

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

West Manatee Fire Rescue None announced. WMFR administration building, 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton, 941-761-1555, wmfr.org.

Bradenton Beach Feb. 16, 1 p.m., planning and zoning. Feb. 17, noon, commission. Feb. 23, 2 p.m., ScenicWAVES. Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., 941-778-1005, cityofbradentonbeach.com.

Manatee County Feb. 17, 1:30 p.m., commission (land use). Administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 941-748-4501, mymanatee.org.

Holmes Beach Feb. 22, 5 p.m., commission. Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, 941-708-5800, holmesbeachﬂ.org.

Also of interest Feb. 21, Presidents Day, most government offices will be closed. Feb. 28, 9:30 a.m., Sarasota/Manatee MPO, Holiday Inn Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, 8009 15th St. E., Sarasota. Send meeting notices to news@islander.org.

The two low-speed vehicles in use operate 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and 5-10 p.m. daily within the district — Bridge Street and surrounding streets — and travel as far south along Gulf Drive as Coquina Beach. In October 2021, the CRA board voted to extend La Rose’s contract to November 2022. La Rose markets signage on the outside of the shuttle vehicles to offset operating costs and lighten the financial burden on the CRA. He told the board in March 2021 that if he sold all the advertising space on the LSVs it would offset costs by 90%. It appears La Rose is more than halfway there. He provided the board with a January invoice for $4,580, which represented the cost of operating and sanitizing the two vehicles minus $4,775 in revenue from eight advertisers. In January 2021, La Rose secured only $900 in advertising revenue for a $7,370 invoice. According to reports La Rose sent the board, 4,603 riders used the service in January 2022, up from 2,859 in December 2021. Peak ridership over the two-month period was 5-9 p.m. In February 2021, 2,761 people utilized the service with peak hours in the late morning to early afternoon and around 6 p.m. The next CRA meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 2 at Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach. For more on the tram, visit oldtowntram.com. Riders can call 941-404-6240 for a pickup.

Presidents Day closes ofﬁces

Local and county government offices will be closed Monday, Feb. 21, to commemorate Presidents Day. Public schools also will be closed, as will banking institutions and some other businesses. Also, depending on the service provider, trash, recycling and yard waste collections may be pushed back a day through the week. Manatee County Area Transit services, including the fare-free island trolley and the Longboat Key shuttle, will operate normal daily routes. The holiday will not impact operations outdoors at public parks.

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Holmes Beach steps up for support animal permits by Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

display in a public forum,” Augello said. Instead, Augello said many municipalities handle ESA permitting as an administrative process and suggested the planning and zoning department tackle applications on a case-by-case basis. She said she would assist city staff with legal questions associated with the applications. In the administrative process, the accommodation would run with the life of the property owner’s support animal instead of the property, according to Augello. The commission will meet next at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive. The meeting will be open to the public, with masks recommended. Directions to attend via Zoom can be found at holmesbeachfl.org.

Holmes Beach residents with emotional support animals soon may have an avenue to keep their fuzzy friends despite zoning codes to the contrary. City commissioners reached consensus Feb. 8 to direct city attorney Erica Augello to create an administrative process for residents to apply for public accommodations allowing support animals. Emotional support animals are pets that provide companionship and therapeutic benefits to people who may suffer from psychological disorders. The city has discussed an ordinance that would allow the commission to permit ESAs — which have some protections under state law but not Manatee County or the U.S. Americans with Disabilities Act — after a Key Royale resident asked them last October to consider permitting a Nigerian dwarf goat. However, Augello noted several issues with such a policy. She said ESA owners currently must request variances since some animals, such as livestock, aren’t allowed within city limits. She also said variances are not an ideal way to permit ESAs since they run with the land instead of with the relevant party, such as the property owner or a support animal. Augello added that a previously proposed ordinance would make permitting support animals a city legislative issue, inappropriately forcing applicants’ medical and mental health conditions into the public A Nigerian dwarf goat and other farm animals at a residence in the Key Royale neighborhood sparked eye at commission discussions. “We don’t want to put someone’s mental health on a debate about support animals in November 2021.

HB planning board ﬁnalizes comp plan revisions by Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

After two years of discussion, revisions to Holmes Beach’s comprehensive plan soon may be finalized. Planning commission members unanimously voted Feb. 9 to recommend their comp plan revisions for city commission consideration. Comp plans were initiated by the state in 1989 to determine community goals and aspirations regarding development, as well as guide future legislation. The city’s comp plan lists 10 elements, including future land use, housing and infrastructure, which the P&Z has reviewed with the help of LaRue Planning, a Fort Myers-based consulting firm.

Milestones

The Islander welcomes stories about islanders and island life, as well as photographs and notices of the milestones in readers’ lives — weddings, births, anniversaries, travels, obituaries and other events. Submit your announcements and photographs with captions for publication — along with contact information — to news@islander.org. Also, visit us on Facebook and join the 13,800plus friends who “like” The Islander and share their social news.

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.

Among the planning commission’s many recommended changes are the addition of value and vision statements establishing the community’s intended character. Value statements include: • “We resolve to preserve our single-family residential character,” • “We protect our environment and keep our air, beaches and waterways clean and healthy,” • “We support ongoing improvements to pedestrian, bicycle and alternative mobility systems to relieve traffic and parking difficulties.” Their recommended vision statement begins by stating “Holmes Beach is an irreplaceable authentic Florida coastal community providing a safe small-town environment with a balance of full-time residents and visitors.” Now that the planning commission’s work is complete, the board will begin a review of the city’s land development code, which provides regulations for zoning, development and land use. Planning commissioners will meet next at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive. The meeting will be open to the public, with masks recommended. Directions to attend via Zoom can be found at holmesbeachfl.org.

Tourism trends up, up, up by Lisa Neff Islander editor

Manatee County Tourist Development Council members will see lots of plus signs when they review new visitor data. The TDC was to meet at the county administration building in Bradenton Feb. 14, after The Islander went to press. Council members were to review a “State of Tourism” report prepared by Research Data Services’ Anne Wittine, who analyzes Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau expenses, tourist tax collections and tourism statistics. Wittine reviewed the November 2021 data and her report to the TDC shows tourism in every category outpacing November 2020. The estimated number of visitors was 77,500 in November 2021 compared with 60,900 in November 2020. Room nights in November 2021 were at 171,200, 23.2% higher than in November 2020, and direct expenditures by tourists were 40.2% higher at $59,919,900. The estimated economic impact of tourism in November 2021 was put at $94,631,500 and the tourist tax generated that month was $1,432,991. Occupancy for the month was at 64.1% in Manatee County, up 18.7% from November 2020, and room rates averaged $167.39, up 16% compared to the year before. The largest number of visitors to the county came from Florida, but the largest increase in the market came from the Midwest. The number of visitors from the Midwest climbed 49.4% from November 2020. At the Feb. 14 meeting, the TDC also was expected to discuss marketing efforts in Germany and the UK and possibly plans for a water taxi service between the mainland and AMI. Last summer, Research Data Services conducted a survey that asked about interest in a water taxi and found about 35.3% of Manatee County residents would be “very likely” to ride a water taxi from a Bradenton parking location. Interest in a hop on, hop off service was about the same. About 1.9% of respondents with an interest in using a water taxi said they’d only use a free service. More than half of the respondents said they’d pay $10 or more per person per day. Potential taxi stops include the Anna Maria City Pier in Anna Maria, the Kingfish Boat Ramp in Holmes Beach, the Historic Bridge Street Pier and Coquina Bayside boat ramp in Bradenton Beach and downtown Bradenton. Tourism officials want to look into whether workers would be interested in using a water shuttle, solicit proposals from taxi operators and consider whether Manatee County Area Transit could operate the service.

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Opinion

Our

Bring it down

So. You will slow down. Finally, after seven years, the arguments are moot. The city of Holmes Beach again is lowering the speed limit on city roads from 35 to 25 mph. Mind you, the impact of a 10-mph reduction for three city roads is minimal. It’s what our chief of police, Bill Tokajer, tried to accomplish in 2015 — to the ire of some commissioners who felt left out of the process. He lowered speeds in 2015, and the city ordered the 35-mph limit restored in 2017. But what a difference it can make in terms of safety — changing driver behavior and reducing the severity and likelihood of crashes and injuries. According to the National Transportation Safety Board: “The relationship between speed and injury severity is consistent and direct. Higher vehicle speeds lead to larger changes in velocity in a crash, and these velocity changes are closely linked to injury severity. This relationship is especially critical for pedestrians involved in a motor vehicle crash.” Tokajer says he’s “hopeful” the change to 25 will increase safety. “Reduced speed equals reduced injuries,” according to the chief and the NTSB. The lower speed limit might alert some motorists who insist on hurrying past crosswalks. It will improve safety in the business district, where pedestrians and bicyclists grow in number with every season. And it will allow for easier integration of golf carts and LSVs. And for the people who insist the lower speed is a disruption to their lives, well, you can still go 35 mph on Manatee Avenue between the beach and Perico Island, where the speed increases to 45 and the danger of a crash increases proportional to the number of vehicles darting into traffic from the hotel, restaurant and residential developments. And how many times do we already creep along in traffic at little more than 10 mph? With a look at the numbers below, wouldn’t you rather give up a minute of your time to improve the odds on Anna Maria Island?

Your

Opinion Skimming online …

— bonner Joy, news@islander.org

A logo proposed for Manatee County by Larry Grossman.

How about a manatee for Manatee County logo? FEB. 16, 2022 • Vol. 30, No. 17 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 brook Morrison, brook@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) ▼

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I’m proposing an addition to the Manatee County logo that includes the sea mammal for which the county is named. It seems odd that the manatee was omitted from the logo when manatees images are displayed on bicycle racks, welcome carpets, the greeting sign at the entrance to Holmes Beach and numerous other places but not the county logo. The current graphic, with an artsy orange sun and a blue wave, lacks anything living, like a manatee. Have your say My proposal is a gesture not a solution to the The Islander accepts letters of up to 250 words. manatee’s plight. Putting the manatee in the county Please, email news@islander.org. logo will raise awareness of manatees and incentivize citizens to be active participants in helping manatees the road in front of you. survive and thrive. I recommend to go to 25 mph and take the 1 1/4 Larry Grossman, Bradenton minutes as a daily relaxation program while driving. Meditating and motoring As soon as you cross the bridge headed to the I see all the angry people who are against a general mainland, you can speed up, but give “island time” speed limit of 25 mph in Holmes Beach — like exists and “island speed” a chance to come back! I always thought that’s why we choose to live here in the city of Anna Maria, from where I have never and not in a big city. heard any complaints about the limit. Enjoy 1 1/4 minutes of quality time! We already have several zones of 25 mph in Is there really a significant negative impact on us Holmes Beach and a citywide limit would increase the travel time from the Manatee Public Beach up to if we go slower? Daniel Lamprecht, Holmes Beach Anna Maria by 1 1/4 minutes — if nobody else is on

Feb. 16, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 7 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

10&20 years ago

From the Feb. 13, 2002, issue

On the waterfront AbOVe: A postcard shows docks in the Cortez fishing village. The back of the card reads, “Cortez, Fla. Largest commercial fishing village on Florida’s West Coast. Thousands of pounds of fresh seafood are shipped from here daily to eastern and Midwest cities.” The postcard is dated 1940s1950s. RIGHT: A map dated to 1938 plats Cortez village in west Manatee County. Feb. 19-20, the village will celebrate its commercial fishing heritage with a festival near the waterfront. Islander Images: Manatee County Public Library System

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We mail The Islander weekly for a nominal $54 per year. We also offer online e-edition subscriptions — a page-by-page view of the weekly news for only $36 per year, but you must sign up online. It’s the best way to stay in touch with what’s happening on Anna Maria Island. We bring you all the news about three city governments, community happenings, people features and special events … even real estate transactions … everything you need if your “heart is on Anna Maria Island.” If you don’t live here year-round, use this form to subscribe by (snail) mail for yourself or someone else. (Sorry, we do not suspend mail subscriptions — you get The Islander free while you’re here!)

• Great Lakes Dredge and Dock delayed the start of island beach renourishment, pushing the project to late February or early March. Business owners had wanted to see the work completed before the spring-summer tourist season. • SueLynn defeated Tom Skoloda by a wide margin in the race for mayor in Anna Maria. When polled, many voters said their decision was based on fights between Skoloda, as a city commissioner, and the previous mayor. • The Bradenton Beach Scenic Highway Entity agreed to support “stockpiling” sand on the beach by the contractor, possibly creating new dunes to assist a stormwater project along Gulf Drive.

From the Feb. 15, 2012, issue

• Dredging was underway in the Bimini Bay channel near Galati Marine in Anna Maria. The West Coast Inland Navigation District funded the project, which would place dredged material near the Anna Maria City Pier. • Roser Memorial Community Church resurrected a plan for a cell tower at its Pine Avenue location as the Center of Anna Maria Island pitched a proposal for an income-generating tower at its Magnolia Avenue site. • The owners of Angelinos Sea Lodge in Holmes Beach sought an after-the-fact permit exemption for the treehouse they built on their beachfront property. — Lisa Neff

Find The Islander dating to November 1992 online at the UofF Digital Newspaper Collection at ufdc.uﬂ. edu.

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AM ofﬁcials discuss Pine Avenue changes, project updates by Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Anna Maria has a lot on its plate. Between dredging and paving work, as well as planned changes to Pine Avenue and the Anna Maria City Pier, the city is set to receive a bit of a makeover in 2022. City commissioners reached consensus Feb. 10 to direct Mayor Dan Murphy to work with city staff to create a request for proposals to install pervious paver sidewalks and to add new and enhance existing crosswalks on Pine Avenue. The proposed work is the first part of the city’s plans to improve the commercial strip, which also involves: • Adding and enhancing street lighting; • Converting the trolley turnaround at the east end of Pine to provide access for delivery trucks; • Adding bicycle paths on both sides of Pine Avenue. City commissioners approved up to $125,000 for design and engineering for the improvements, and hired St. Petersburg-based engineer George F. Young Inc. to perform the work. Traffic engineer Gerry Traverso detailed plans for the sidewalks, which will stretch along both sides of Pine and meander from the roadway at certain points to avoid development. The meandering sidewalks will be constructed of permeable pavers — with commissioners to determine color and material at a later date — and vary in width between 5 feet and 6 feet, depending on location. Traverso also detailed crosswalk improvements consisting of raising all crossings by 3 inches and installing in-road blinking lights on both sides to increase visibility. Commissioners also agreed to add new crosswalks boxing off the intersections of Pine with North Shore and Crescent drives at the suggestion of Commissioner Mark Short. The crosswalk improvements are projected to take four weeks after construction begins, while sidewalk improvements will take 12 weeks. Commissioners also discussed George F. Young’s plans for solar-powered lighting on Pine Avenue but Services Provided: • • • • • • • • •

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A motorist drives Feb. 11 over the double yellow lines on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria to overtake a pair of bicyclists sharing the roadway. The city plans to improve the road by adding new sidewalks, crosswalks, lighting, bike lanes and a trolley/ bus loop. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

agreed not to include lighting in the request for pro- completion by Feb. 18, according to an update posted posals. Instead, the commission will revisit the design, to the city’s website, cityofannamaria.com. which did not include replacements for Florida Power The channel must be dredged regularly due to sedi& Light streetlights. ment flowing from the bay, limiting water depth in the inlet and navigation by boats. Mote outreach center Sediment removed from the channel was redistribCity staff are reviewing two options from the Mote uted to the beach north of the city pier and leveled out Marine Laboratory educational outreach center at the with an excavator. Anna Maria City Pier, 100 N. Bay Blvd., according to Public works manager Dean Jones, who has overMayor Dan Murphy. seen the project, said work had gone smoothly. The outreach center would occupy the 1,800“They’ve done a terrific job,” Jones said. “We square-foot empty space at the pier’s T-end that Mote haven’t had any hiccups whatsoever.” agreed in September 2021 to lease for 10 years. Also, the city was set to finish under its $250,000 Mote’s options for the outreach center include one budget for the project, with a final bill of $242,927.70, with four marine live display tanks featuring different according to Jones. fish and crustaceans visitors can view and touch. The city has submitted a state appropriation A second option replaces the live tanks with inter- request for $2 million over the next two years to fund active media displays, such as livestream video of the development of a permanent solution to maintain marine life from beneath the pier. the channel. Despite concerns over the weight of the live tanks, a “cursory study” by city staff found no issues with the Paving projects option as long as the pier passes a structural inspection, Bradenton-based Superior Asphalt was set to finish according to Murphy. the first phase of the city’s 2021-22 paving improveMurphy said the city contacted an inspector, which ments by Feb. 11, according to Jones. would allow the city to move forward and present Work involved milling, resurfacing and restripMote’s plans to the commission for consideration. ing Pelican Avenue, Gull Drive, South Bay Boulevard, Palmetto Avenue and Gulf Drive from Willow Avenue Dredging to the city’s southern limits. Clearwater-based Gator Dredging’s work clearIt also involved the addition of three speed tables ing the Lake La Vista inlet of silt and sand was set for and accompanying signage on South Bay Boulevard. Jones said that, despite the city’s decision to have work done at night, they hadn’t received any complaints about noise. Work cost $573,049.75 of the $778,073.36 budgeted by the city for paving improvements this fiscal year. Jones said work on a second phase of paving improvements, which he did not detail, will begin in August or September.

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Holmes Beach magistrate ﬁnes noise violator by Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Partying too loudly, even on a Saturday afternoon, is worthy of a noise violation in Holmes Beach. Special magistrate Michael Connolly ruled Feb. 10 to fine Justin Daniel Clark $185 for violating the city’s noise ordinance last November at his father’s property, at 240 S. Harbor Lane. Holmes Beach Police Officer Michael Van Horn and Sgt. Tom Fraser said they visited the property around 2:50 p.m. Nov. 27, 2021, in response to a neighbor’s complaint about excessive noise. The officers provided body camera video of the incident in which loud music can be heard coming from the property as they approached. The footage also shows Clark accepting a noise violation from police and admitting there had been underage drinking at the party. Van Horn issued a citation for excessive noise based on the plainly audible standard and called Clark’s father, who responded to break up the party. Attorney Michelle Grantham, of the BradentonAM PROJECTS CONTINUeD FROM PAGe 8

In other matters… City commissioners also: • Reached consensus to spend $4,000 to explore purchasing and installing a weather station display at the base of the city pier; • Unanimously approved a resolution establishing vacation rental registration fees for 2022 based on

based Najmy Thompson law firm, represented the defendant and said a noise violation without a decibel reading on a Saturday afternoon was unreasonable to uphold. “It was 2:50 in the afternoon. Frankly, that’s the argument,” Grantham said. She added that Clark was not aware of the city’s new noise ordinance, which was adopted Sept. 15, 2021. Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said the property had been the subject of 12 noise complaints since 2019, but had only garnered warnings since police found no violations. City attorney Erica Augello said the violation was due to unreasonably excessive noise regardless of time and date and met several of the seven standards for a violation established in city code. She asked for Connolly to issue the city’s maximum $175 for such a violation, a $10 administration fee and undetermined “reasonable investigation costs.” Connolly found a violation had occurred and granted all but Augello’s final request. maximum occupancy allowed for each registration at $74.47 per occupant. The commission will meet next at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive. The meeting will be open to the public, with masks recommended. Directions to attend via Zoom can be found on the city’s website. The Pine plan prepared by St. Petersburgbased engineer George F. Young Inc. Courtesy Photo: Anna Maria

Bradenton Beach takes up phosphate mining resolution Holmes Beach is mining for support to protect natural resources from phosphate mining. Bradenton Beach commissioners will meet for a regular meeting at noon Thursday, Feb. 17, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N. Their agenda includes the routine business of paying bills from contractors that total $22,950, consideration of a grant request to the Sarasota Bay Estuary Project for wildlife education signs, department reports and possible action on a resolution regarding phosphate mining that Holmes Beach commissioners adopted in December 2021. The resolution calls on Manatee County and the state to “review and strengthen as deemed appropriate the statutes, regulations, rules and ordinances which regulate the mining of phosphate and the operation of phosphate fertilizer processing plants.” The resolution states that Holmes Beach and other communities were adversely impacted by the wastewater discharged from the Piney Point phosphate site into Tampa Bay last spring and cautions that “there are tons of phosphate reserves remaining in Manatee, DeSoto and Sarasota counties which may be mined in the future.” The resolution calls for the county commission to review its phosphate ordinance to protect air and water quality. The resolution also calls for the state to increase the severance tax on mined phosphate to fund cleanups and require that mine operators use “the best possible technology that is protective of the environment.” — Lisa Neff

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Island happenings

Page 10 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 16, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Compiled by Lisa Neff, calendar@islander.org.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ON AMI Thursday, Feb. 17 2 p.m. — Friends of the Island Library Winter Travel and Lecture Series, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-778-6341. Friday, Feb. 18 6:45 p.m. — Center of Anna Maria Island 13th annual Murder Mystery play and dinner, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Fee applies. Tickets required. Information: 941-778-1908. Saturday, Feb. 19 6:45 p.m. — Center of Anna Maria Island 13th annual Murder Mystery play and dinner, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Fee applies. Tickets required. Information: 941-778-1908. Sunday, Feb. 20 7 p.m. — Don Felder concert, Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Fee applies. Information: 941-7781908. 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, 941-778-6648. Second Fridays, Art Walk, downtown Holmes Beach around Gulf and Marina drives. Information: 941-778-6648, 941-7786694. AHEAD ON AMI March 1, Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island “Art Unites Us” online juried show opens. March 3-20, Island Players’ “A Comedy of Tenors,” Anna Maria. March 11, Center of Anna Maria Island bingo night, Anna Maria. March 13, Island Players’ “The Psychic” auditions, 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. April 2, Center of Anna Maria Island concert with Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals, Anna Maria.

Historical society sets lunch date with members

Love Florida history and lunch? The Anna Maria Island Historical Society will hold its annual luncheon and meeting at noon Wednesday, Feb. 23. The luncheon will be held outdoors on the historical society’s museum grounds, 402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, with box lunches provided by Ginny’s and Jane E’s in Anna Maria. Attendance is limited to 40 people and reservations are required by Friday, Feb. 18. The program will include AMIHS president Elizabeth Hager reading a report on the founding of the organization, docent Judy Hildman sharing the organization’s history and corresponding secretary Evelyn Hoskins providing details about the museum. For more information, call the Anna Maria Island Historical Society museum at 941-7780492. April 8, Center of Anna Maria Island bingo night, Anna Maria. OFF AMI Saturday, Feb. 19 10 a.m.-6 p.m. — Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Fee applies. Information: cortez-fish.org. Sunday, Feb. 20 10 a.m.-6 p.m. — Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Fee applies. Information: cortez-fish.org. ONGOING OFF AMI First Fridays, 6-9:30 p.m., Village of the Arts First Fridays Artwalk, 12th Street West and 12th Avenue West, Bradenton. Information: villageofthearts.com. Saturdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Bradenton Farmers Market, Main Street, downtown Bradenton. Information: realizebradenton.com, 941-301-8445. Second and fourth Saturdays, noon-2 p.m., Chickee Hut Jammers session, presented by the Florida Maritime Museum and Cortez Cultural Center, outdoors, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Information: floridamaritimemuseum.org, fmminfo@manateeclerk.com. “Battles of the Boneless” exhibit, the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 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. AHEAD OFF AMI March 5, Manatee Pride Festival, Bradenton. March 12, Palma Sola Botanical Park Spring Plants and More Sale, Bradenton. March 12, Florida Maritime Museum’s “Movies at the Maritime” features “Jaws,” Cortez.

KIDS & FAMILY ON AMI Friday, Feb. 18 10 a.m. — Forty Carrots, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-7786341.

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Tuesday, Feb. 22 10 a.m.— Family storytime, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-7786341. ONGOING ON AMI Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m., Anna Maria Movies in the Park, City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria. Information: 941-708-6130.

CLUBS & COMMUNITY ON AMI Wednesday, Feb. 16 Noon — Anna Maria Island Garden Club member meeting and luncheon, Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-920-5929. Thursday, Feb. 17 10:15 a.m. — Island Library Book Club, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-778-6341. 2 p.m. — Sunshine Stitchers Knit and Crochet, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/ library, 941-778-6341. Saturday, Feb. 19 11 a.m. — Meditation session, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-7786341. Tuesday, Feb. 22 5-7 p.m. — Annie Silver Community Center pizza dinner, 103 23rd St. N., Bradenton Beach. Fee applies. Information: 941-7576029. Wednesday, Feb. 23 11:30 a.m. — Anna Maria Island and West Manatee Democratic Club meeting, Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Information: bbeckwith02@gmail.com. Noon — Anna Maria Island Historical Society members luncheon, museum grounds, 402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0492. ONGOING ON AMI Thursdays, 6 p.m., bingo night, Annie Silver Community Center, 103 23rd St N., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-757-6029. Fridays, 11:30 a.m., Mahjong Club, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-7786341. Saturdays, 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island meeting, Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-778-1383. Mondays, 12:30 p.m., Anna Maria Bridge Club, Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 205-910-6344, 941-778-0414. Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Farmers Market in the Park, City Pier Park, Pine Avenue and Bay Boulevard, Anna Maria. Information: 941-708-6130. Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m., Mahjong Club, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-778-6341. Tuesdays, noon, duplicate bridge, Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Fee applies. Information: 703-582-7755. Through March, Friends of the Island Library 40th anniversary celebration, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, and other venues. Information: 941-778-6341. PLeASe, See CALENDAR, NeXT PAGe

Island happenings

Feb. 16, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 11 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Cortez nonproﬁt casts for crowds The Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage will present the 40th annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival in the village Feb. 19-20. The festival celebrates the fishing way of life and raises money for FISH’s efforts to protect the village and a nature preserve on the east end of Cortez. Festival plans include live music, arts and crafts booths, food and beverage 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. The entertainment lineup includes: • Saturday, Feb. 19: Shanty Singers, 10 a.m.; Karen and Jimmy Band, 11:30 a.m.; Eric Von Band, 2 p.m.; Soul-R-Coaster, 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20: Soupy Davis and the Band, 10:30 am.; Manatee River Blue Grass, 12:30 p.m.; Koko Ray Show, 2:30 p.m.; Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones, 4:30 p.m. Also Eric Von will play at 1 p.m. outside the Florida Maritime Museum. Also, organizers will sell raffle tickets for chances to win a refurbished canoe restored at the FISH BoatAHEAD ON AMI Feb. 26, Friends of the Island Library Book Sale, Holmes Beach. March 15, Anna Maria Island Historical Society Heritage Day, Anna Maria. March 16, Anna Maria Island Garden Club Flower Show, Anna Maria.

OUTDOORS & SPORTS ON AMI Friday, Feb. 18 5:30 p.m. — Sunset Bird Walk, Coquina Beach, Bradenton Beach. Reservations required. Information: 941-742-5923. ONGOING ON AMI AMI Dragon Boat Team—Paddlers from Paradise practices and meetups, various times and locations. Information: 941-462-2626, mrbradway@gmail.com. OFF AMI

Kiwanis to meet Feb. 19, schedules author talk

Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island will hear Feb. 19 from Bob Wolf, author of “The Awakening of the Silent Majority,” regarding inflation. At the Feb. 12 meeting, members of the Kiwanis Club of AMI Foundation presented $1,000 to students Jade Nall and Mira Benitez of Take Stock in Children for scholarships. The club meets Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. in the commission chambers at Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N. ONGOING OFF AMI For more information, call Sandy Haas-Martens Saturdays, 8 a.m., Robinson Runners running club, Robin- at 941-778-1383.

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The Center of Anna Maria Island will offer three nights of entertainment on Presidents Day weekend. The center’s annual murder-mystery theater and dinner will be Friday-Saturday, Feb. 18-19, followed by a concert Sunday, Feb. 20. The murder-mystery event will include a performance of an original play with a “Space Odyssey” theme, dinner, a cash bar, raffles and a space-themed costume contest. Each evening the murder-mystery ending will be different. Tickets are $55 per person. The program will begin about 6:45 p.m. The concert will feature Don Felder, former lead guitarist for the Eagles, performing outdoors, weather permitting. The gates open at 6 p.m. and the concert will begin at 7 p.m. Concertgoers should bring chairs or blankets. For more information or to purchase tickets, go online to centerami.org or call 941-778-1908.

works. The festival will take place on and around 119th Street West. 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 transport festivalgoers Concert orchestra conducts to and from the parking lot at the Cortez Road Baptist young artist contest Church, 4411 100th St. W., Bradenton. The Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and For more information, go online to cortez-fish. Orchestra is holding its annual Young Artists Solo org. Competition, inviting Manatee and Sarasota county musicians to participate. Annie Silver to set tables Due to the pandemic, the competition will be held Annie Silver Community Center volunteers virtually, with results announced March 1. invite people to enjoy a slice of pizza and socialize The winner will receive a cash prize of $500, Feb. 22. funded by the Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island, and The center, 103 23rd St. N., Bradenton Beach, an opportunity to perform with AMICCO when public will hold its second community dinner of the performances resume. season, offering pizza provided by the Anna Maria Wind and string instrumentalists, as well as piaIsland Moose Lodge, salad, dessert and beverage nists and vocalists, can compete by emailing a comfor $5. pleted application and the $20 fee along with a link to The Tuesday night dinner will be served 5-7 their video-recorded performance to stoltie@verizon. p.m. net by Friday, Feb. 26. A third dinner, set for Wednesday, March 23, For guidelines and the application, go online to will feature pulled pork and chicken entrees prewww.amicco.org. pared by Bigg Dogg BBQ of Sarasota, as well as For more information, call James Stoltie at 941side dishes, dessert and drink, for $10. 727-9886. For more information, call Donna Kirkpatrick at 941-757-6029.

Friday, Feb. 18 6 p.m. — “The Lighter Side of Photographing Manatee County’s Birds” program with photographer Courtland White, Robinson Preserve expansion, 840 99th St. NW, Bradenton. Information: mymanatee.org, 941-742-5923. Saturday, Feb. 19 8:30 a.m. — Manatee County Audubon birding tour, Perico Preserve, 11700 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. Reservations required. Information: 386-279-3789.

Feb. 26, Pittsburgh Pirates spring training home game, Bradenton. April 12, Marauders home opener, Bradenton.

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Page 12 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 16, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Patrons visit the Island Library in 1982. books and periodicals were loaned from a storefront in the Island Shopping Center before a new library building opened at 5701 Marina Drive. Islander Photos: Courtesy Manatee County Public Library System/bradenton Herald

Friends ready for book sale

The Friends of the Island Library, celebrating a milestone anniversary, plans to sell “gently used” books and other items. The sale will be 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, outside the Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. An early-access sale for friends members will be at 9 a.m. Memberships can be purchased at the library during regular hours.

The Friends of the Island Library will continue its winter Lecture and Travel Series with a talk Thursday, Feb. 17, on “Walking the Inca Trail.” Joe Arena will deliver the lecture, discussing his preparations and experiences in the Andes and traveling the Inca Trail. The lecture will be at Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Proceeds from the annual sale support the nonFor more information, call the library at 941-778profits’ campaign for library improvements and enrich- 6341. ment. For more information, call the library at 941-778Island Players to audition 6341.

Double the fun

for ‘The Psychic’

The Island Players will hold auditions for Sam Bobrick’s “The Psychic” Sunday, March 13. Director James Thaggard will hold auditions at 7:30 p.m. at the playhouse. The performers will take the stage May 5-15. The theater is at 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. For more information about the Island Players, call the box office at 941-778-5755.

Island residents Jenny Oelfke and Kristen Coffman celebrate Coffman’s second bingo win Feb. 11 during the community game night. “I can’t believe I won twice,” said Coffman. A full house showed up for bingo night at the Center of Anna Maria Island in Anna Maria, where bingo cards and daubers were $1 each. Snacks and drinks — including alcoholic beverages — were available for a donation. Winners received gift certificates to local restaurants. bingo is scheduled again at the center March 11 and April 8. Islander Photo: brook Morrison

Box ofﬁce to open for ‘A Comedy of Tenors’

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The Island Players will open their box office Tuesday, Feb. 22, for tickets to the fourth play in the 73rd season — Ken Ludwig’s “A Comedy of Tenors.” The play’s run will be March 3-20, with performances at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sundays. The theater is dark Mondays. Preston Boyd is the director and stage manager is Priscilla Boyd. The cast includes James Thaggard, Mikey Lynch, Valerie Lipscomb, John Andruzzi, Katie Zanders, Colin Brady and Sharon Bartley. Tickets cost $25. The theater is at 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. For more information, call the box office at 941-778-5755.

Feb. 16, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 13 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Lace up your kicks, get in the AME race See you at the finish line. Anna Maria Elementary’s Dolphin Dash 5K and 1-mile fun run takes place Saturday, Feb. 19. After a two-year hiatus, the 14th annual Dolphin Dash is returning to AME to benefit the Parent-Teacher Organization. The 5K race and 1-mile run will begin at 8 a.m. Feb. 19 in the school’s south parking lot, 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, where both registration and the finish line are set for the race. Race day registration and packet pick up begins at 7 a.m. The 5K runners will start at 8 a.m. and the fun runners take their marks at 9 a.m. Race co-organizer and AME-PTO vice president Alana Fleischer gives thanks to “the wonderful AME

AmE NEWS by brook Morrison, brook@islander.org

staff and the AMI Dragon Boat Team for volunteering at the race.” St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach, welcomes runners to park and walk to campus. Awards and refreshments will follow the race. Race fees are $35 per adult and $25 under 18. People can learn more about the event, donate or volunteer by contacting event coordinator Kelly Gitt at 941-799-9299 or runnergirl.com.

Rosemary and volunteer time Anna Maria elementary Garden Club volunteers plant rosemary Feb. 5 at the school, following instruction from AMe organizer and first-grade teacher Maggie Van Wormer. Islander Photos: Courtesy AMe

Friday, April 1, April Fool’s Day. Friday, April 15, Tax Day. Friday, April 22, Earth Day. Sunday, May 1, May Day. Thursday, May 5, Cinco de Mayo.

AME Calendar

Saturday, Feb. 19, 8 a.m., Dolphin Dash 5K and 1-mile fun run, benefits AME-PTO. Monday, Feb. 21, Presidents Day, no school. Tuesday, March 1, third-grade play, 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Wednesday, March 2, spring picture day. Friday, March 11, record day, no school. March 14-18, spring break. Monday, April 4, 3:30 p.m., PTO general membership meeting, in the cafeteria. Friday, April 15, Good Friday, no school. Tuesday, April 19, first-grade play, 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Wednesday, April 20, early release. Staff Appreciation week, May 2-6. Tuesday, May 17, second-grade play, 6:30 p.m., in the auditorium. Friday, May 20, field day. Tuesday, May 24, fifth-grade luncheon. Wednesday, May 25, fifth-grade awards ceremony. May 24-26, early release. Thursday, May 26, last day of school for students. Friday, May 27, last day of school for teachers. Anna Maria Elementary is at 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. For more information, call the school at 941-708-5525. AMe Garden Club members gather for a photo opportunity Feb. 5. AMe ParentTeacher Organization president Nicole Plummer said the “students and parents participated in a plant scavenger hunt, weeded and planted lavender.”

AMe Garden Club volunteers. The club works at the Holmes beach campus one Saturday a month.

School days

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

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Page 14 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 16, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Gathering by Lisa Neff

Blood donors welcome after worship at Roser

Roser Church will host a OneBlood blood drive To make an appointment, go to roserchurch.com 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20. and use the following information: sponsor code Donors will receive a T-shirt, $20 gift card and a #37502 and sponsor name “Roser Memorial Commuwellness checkup for blood pressure, pulse, cholesterol nity Church. and more. Roser is at 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. A volunteer assists customers at a white elephant sale at the episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes beach. The church will host such a sale 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26. Islander File Photo: bonner Joy

Annunciation plans white elephant sale Feb. 26

Clean out the trunk. The Episcopal Church of the Annunciation will return this year to hosting a white elephant sale 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26. Organizers say shoppers will find “bargains of treasures and gently used household goods.” The church is 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. For more information, call the church office at 941-778-1638.

LBK thrift store open for sales

The Lord’s Warehouse at the Longboat Island Chapel is stocked with apparel, jewelry, antiques, books and more. The thrift shop is open 9 a.m-1 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Also, volunteers are organizing The Lord’s Warehouse Fashion Show for noon Thursday, March 10, and inviting supporters to “save the date.” For more information, call the church at 941-3836491.

Roser music series continues

Roser Memorial Community Church continues its winter concert series, presenting musician Brandon Kouri at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20. There is no admission charge but a free-will offering supports the series. Roser invites people to hear Kouri play piano favorites — from Liszt to Chopin, Billy Joel to ragtime — as well as other instrumentals, featuring organ, piccolo and slide whistle. Kouri was involved in a music ministry at Faith United Methodist Church of Bradenton and then joined the Roser staff in December 2019. A Sunday, March 20, concert will feature Barry and the Boomers. Roser is at 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. For more info, call 941-778-0414.

At your service

2022

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.

Tidings

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 Island Chapel Shifting Sands 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 sales. Mondays, 4 p.m., Longboat Island Chapel choir practice. Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m., Roser Church Roser Robics ﬁtness. Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m., Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Pastor’s Book Group Zoom meetings.

REGULAR WORSHIP

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. Information: 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. SPECIAL DATES 9:30 a.m. — Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive. Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-1813, gloriadeilutheran.com. Feb. 20, 4 p.m., Roser winter concert with Brandon Kouri. 10 a.m. — Roser Church. SAVE THE DATES 10 a.m. — Christ Church of Longboat Key Presbyterian USA, 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Information: 941-900Feb. 26, Roser pancake breakfast. 4903, christchurchoﬂbk.org. Feb. 26, Annunciation white elephant sale. 10 a.m. — Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, March 1, Shrove Tuesday. Longboat Key. Information: 941-383-6491, longboatislandchapel. March 2, Ash Wednesday. org. March 10, Longboat Island Chapel Lord’s Warehouse Garden 10:15 a.m. — Episcopal Church of the Annunciation. Party. 10:30 a.m. — St. Bernard. March 20, Roser Winter Concert with Barry and the Boomers. ONGOING EVENTS March 27, March Madness Basket Bonanza at St. Bernard. Wednesdays, 7:15 a.m., St. Bernard Rosary on the Beach, April 2, Ramadan begins. Manatee Public Beach, Holmes Beach. April 10, Palm Sunday. Wednesdays, 7 a.m., CrossPointe Fellowship men’s Bible April 10, Roser cantata. meeting. April 15, Good Friday. Most Wednesdays, 8 a.m., Episcopal Church of the AnnunciaApril 15, Passover. tion men’s breakfast meeting. April 17, Easter.

Roser Concert Series

8th Annual Scottish Service • Kirkin’ O’ The Tartans • February 27 • 1O AM Growing in Jesus’ Name

SUN, FEB 20 • 4:00 PM

Doors open at 3:00 • Free-will offering

Brandon Kouri IN CONCERT

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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. 16, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 15 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

GoodDeeds

Compiled by Lisa Neff

Assistance sought on AMI

• The Island Players group seeks volunteers for 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. • The Friends of the Island Library seeks storage space for books donated for the annual sale. Information: 941-778-6341.

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. Send listings for GoodDeeds to calendar@islander. org.

Obituaries

Taking care of business Lela Kern of Palmetto displays her “red shirt,” earned from the Anna Maria Island Privateers and presented during the nonprofit’s February business meeting at the Annie Silver Community Center in bradenton. Islander Photos: Courtesy Valerie “Dallas” Mabry

Kelly “Mulan” Sparkman of bradenton attends a February business meeting of the Anna Maria Island Privateers. Sparkman has achieved a privileged “gold shirt” status. The Privateers’ membership levels include “red shirt” for applicants, “gray shirt” Terry Christopher Bugna, 56, of Ingliss and forfor new members, “black shirt” for full and active The Anna Maria Island Privateers are collecting members and privileged for lifetime memberships merly of Anna Maria Island and Cortez, died Feb. 9 at applications for the nonprofit’s scholarship awards. home. granted by virtue of service.

Terry Christopher Bugna

Yo ho ho!

Privateers seek scholar apps

Students graduating from high school in 2022 or He was born in St. Petersburg attending a post-secondary school can apply for scholSept. 30, 1965. He lived an idyllic young life, arships for the 2022-23 academic year. Applications must be posted by March 1. growing up on the beach, fishing, surfThe awards usually are presented in July. ing and later working as a commercial For more information, go to amiprivateers.org. fisher and with his brother Tim in a bugna lawn maintenance business. No service is planned. He is survived by his dad, Robert “Bobby” of Ing- Rose Quin Bare Rose Quin Bare, 81, of Bradenton, died Feb. 6. liss; sister Kim Hoatland of Bradenton; brothers Tim of She was born March 10, 1940 in Brooklyn, New Gainesville and Bobby of St. Pete; and several nieces York. She moved to Anna Maria in 1973. and nephews. She wrote her obituary, stating Edward John O’Neil that she died “to start a new life in heaven.” Edward John O’Neil, 73, of Bradenton, died Jan. “I will miss my daughters, Jackie 27 in the care of hospice. and Kelly; grandchildren Rachael, He was born Dec. 6, 1948, to Caitlin and Clint; brothers and sisters, Florence and James O’Neil. Caroline, Claude, Lorraine, Renie, He loved reading and visits to Quin bare Johnny and Arthur, as well as the Skinny’s Place in Holmes Beach to meet with his closest friends over a rest of my family. I will always watch over and love them.” beer and burger. O’Neil Arrangements were entrusted to Rose Quin bare Skyway Memorial Funeral Homes served in the in Palmetto. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery MCSO in 1980 in in Westfield, New Jersey, alongside his parents and Anna Maria and brother. To make a memorial donation or contribute later for Waste to memorial comments, visit skywaymemorial.com. Management as a Mr. O’Neil is survived by his daughters, Lindsay community consuland husband Rob Vadakin, and Sarah O’Neil; four tant and governgrandchildren; numerous extended family members; ment liaison. the Manzella family; and many close friends.

Milestones

The Islander welcomes photographs and notices of milestones. Submit announcements and photographs to news@islander.org. “If anyone reading this knew me, if we’ve laughed, shared a meal or just had a good time together, you’ve already been a part of my celebration in life, a joy in my life and I love and thank you all for it.” She gave special thanks to Waste Management, where she was employed until her final day. Everyone is welcome to a celebration of life for Mrs. Quin Bare at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 9, at the Palma Sola Botanical Park, 9800 17th Ave. NW, Bradenton.

Mark Romeo 7.

Mark Romeo, 68, of Bradenton Beach, died Feb.

He was born Oct. 25, 1953, in Tampa. Mr. Romeo operated an irrigation business. A service for Mr. Romeo will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, at Bayside Community Church, 6609 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. Memorial donations may be made online to Wounded Warrior, support.woundedwarriorproject.org Mr. Romeo is survived by his three sons, Jason, Justin and Christopher; and granddaughters Emma and Elianna.

SUPER WINNER The Islander guess-the-score winner in the Feb. 13 SUPER Super Bowl Contest is … Edd Coney Sr. Claim your prize at The Islander, 315 58th St., Holmes Beach

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

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Page 18 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 16, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Cops & Courts

Staff reports

Bradenton woman arrested in Bradenton Beach for DUI Manatee County sheriff’s deputies arrested Elizabeth McBride, 38, of Bradenton, for allegedly driving her truck under the influence of alcohol and colliding with another vehicle Feb. 1 in Bradenton Beach. Bradenton Beach police were first to the scene. According to the BBPD report, McBride’s truck was in the middle of the road in the 1400 block of Gulf Drive South and nearly missing its left tire, while the Jeep she collided with was about 150 feet away. At the scene, the BBPD officer observed a woman yelling into the truck at McBride to stop and turn the engine off and then observed McBride behind the wheel of the truck with blood on her hand and face. McBride was struggling to communicate with the officer, according to the report. When the officer told her to turn the vehicle off, she instead repeatedly attempted to pull the truck forward. The officer reached into the truck cabin and killed the engine. When McBride exited the vehicle, the officer and his partner smelled alcohol on her person and in the

truck, according to the report. The officers asked the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office to send a traffic unit to assist with the investigation. While awaiting the MCSO, the witness told the officer she and McBride were headed in separate cars to a cleaning job on Longboat Key when she saw McBride’s truck veer into oncoming traffic and collide with the Jeep. When the MCSO deputies arrived and tested McBride, she registered 0.142 and 0.133 grams of ethanol per deciliter of blood in two breath blood/ alcohol level tests. In Florida, the legal blood/alcohol content limit for driving under the influence is 0.08. McBride was arrested for misdemeanor DUI and transferred to the Manatee County jail. The Jeep’s two occupants waited for the vehicle to be towed before leaving the scene. Neither required medical attention. McBride was released from jail Feb. 1 after posting a $500 bail bond. McBride is slated for a hearing at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 8, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. — Kane Kaiman

Manatee County Area Transit: Island Trolley

e d i R E FRE

Take a ride on AMI. Schedule info is a public service of

Island watch 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.

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.

Feb. 16, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 19 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Streetlife

Staff reports

Island police reports

Anna Maria Jan. 31, 403 Pine Ave., Island Cabana, found property. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a wallet found. The owner was located and the wallet returned. Jan. 31, 600 block of Bay Boulevard, petit theft. The MCSO investigated a report from a woman who left her iPhone in a ride-share vehicle and then noticed merchandise purchased through Amazon using the phone. The MCSO went to the Bradenton address where the merchandise was delivered and recovered three packages and the iPhone. A resident at the property told the MCSO that a former tenant sometimes returns for packages. The investigation is ongoing. The MCSO polices Anna Maria. Bradenton Beach No new reports. Bradenton Beach Police Department polices Bradenton Beach. Cortez No new reports. The MCSO polices Cortez. Holmes Beach Feb. 2, 5300 block of Gulf Drive, no license. A Holmes Beach police officer saw a motorist drive through a crosswalk with pedestrians. The officer conducted a traffic stop and spoke with the driver, who did not have a license. The officer issued a court summons and a licensed passenger drove the vehicle. Feb. 3, 4200 block of Gulf Drive, grand theft. An officer responded to reports of a stolen electric bicycle and found the caller, who said the bike went missing from a storage closet. He said he last saw the bike, estimated to cost $6,000, about a week earlier. The officer found no signs of forced entry. Feb. 4, 3200 block of Gulf Drive, no license. An officer saw a motorcyclist fail to stop at a red light, so he conducted a traffic stop. The driver did not have a

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Cortez Bridge incident results in multiple charges

A Bradenton man faces multiple charges after his arrest Feb. 2 at the Cortez Bridge. The arrest was initiated by Longboat Key Police Chief George B. Turner, who was traveling west on Cortez Road at about 9:20 a.m. when a motorist passed his unmarked vehicle traveling at about 65 mph. A Longboat Key Police Department report said Turner was at the bridge headed to Bradenton Beach when a motorist in a Mercedes passed, traveling west in the eastbound lane. Turner activated emergency signals and pursued the driver, who came “to an abrupt stop a few feet from a head-on collision,” according to the LBPD report. The motorist exited the Mercedes and was yelling threats as he approached Turner’s vehicle. The report said the man kneeled to the sidewalk, raised his hands and again yelled at Turner. The report said the man refused to lay down, as ordered by Turner, who called for additional police support, including the Bradenton Beach Police Department and Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. After he was handcuffed, the man refused to stand up, stating, according to the arrest report, “I’m not going anywhere until the president of the United States comes here.” “We attempted to escort the suspect to the caged rear seat of the BBPD vehicle. Suspect resisted and went limp, now yelling, “I can’t breathe.” A witness statement from an MCSO deputy said the man resisted arrest, refused to stand and due to his weight, about 350 pounds, had to be lifted onto the bed of a BBPD truck. The motorist, later identified as Frederick T. Chinwuba, 24, faces charges of reckless driving, resisting arrest without violence and aggressive careless drivIsland watch: In an emergency, call 911. To report ing. Arraignment is set for March 8 at the Manatee information, call the MCSO Anna Maria substation, 941-708-8899; Bradenton Beach police, 941-778-6311; County Judicial Center in Bradenton. or Holmes Beach police, 941-708-5804. license or motorcycle endorsement. The officer issued a written warning, citation and court summons. The officer supervised as the driver parked the motorcycle so it could be picked up by a licensed driver. Feb. 5, 500 block of 83rd Street, assist EMS. An officer responded to reports of a man who fell out of a golf cart and was bleeding from his head. The officer found the man, who said he was intoxicated and not using a seat belt when he fell out of the vehicle. Emergency medical services arrived and transported the man to Blake Medical Center in Bradenton. Feb. 6, 3000 block of Gulf Drive, no license. An officer saw a motorist who was speeding so he conducted a traffic stop. The driver did not have a license, so the officer issued a citation and court summons. Feb. 6, Kingfish Boat Ramp, 752 Manatee Ave., arrest warrant. Two officers responded to investigate a boat tied off in front of the ramp. The officers found the boat unoccupied but registered to a Colorado resident who had an arrest warrant out of Pasco County for failing to appear in court. The officers waited until they saw a pair of men return to the boat. The officers identified and arrested the boat owner, then transported him to the Manatee County jail. Feb. 8, 700 block of Manatee Avenue, no license. The Holmes Beach Police Department’s license plate recognition system pinged a vehicle for having unpaid traffic citations. An officer located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. The driver did not have a license, so the officer issued a court summons. Holmes Beach Police Department polices Holmes Beach. Streetlife is based on incident reports and narratives from the BBPD, HBPD and MCSO.

IT ALL BEGINS ON A SMALL SCALE Horatio Eagan, Executive Chef at The Sandbar Restaurant in Anna Maria is looking to the past to take the world to a better WRPRUURZ 7R FUHDWH OHVV ZDVWH D VLJQL¿FDQW DPRXQW RI WKH ¿VK RQ WKH PHQX DW WKH restaurant is being used to create fascinating dishes that are delighting patrons from across the globe. Civilizations throughout history have known how to utilize all the parts of an animal so that none of it is wasted. Native Americans consumed animal meat for nutrition, bones were used as tools and jewelry and animal skins were used for clothing. In the fast-food world of today, little thought is given to the less common parts produced by specialty uses of meats, vegetables, entrees, and snacks. The Sandbar Restaurant (as well as sister restaurants the Beach House in Bradenton Beach and the Mar Vista on Longboat Key) are committed to environmentally sound practices. Sustainably sourced seafood is managed under a system of enforced environmentally responsible practices. A perfect example is the Open Blue cobia used in the restaurants and raised through aquafarming. Additionally, the restaurants collect, clean, and transport used clam and oyster shells from its three seafood restaurants to the local Manatee County Preserve to aid in restoration of oyster/clam habitat. A new menu section called Fish Parts features Fish Collars, full of KLJK TXDOLW\ SURWHLQV DQG ÀDYRUIXO IDWV Served with piquillo pepper sauce and pickled papaya locally grown at Gamble Creek Farm, they are earning rave reviews. It’s

based on the Spanish chicharrón dish where SLHFHV RI WKH ¿VK DUH ERLOHG GHK\GUDWHG and then fried. Guests delight in the crispy ÀDNHV RI WKH ¿QV WKDW DUH DQ DIWHU SURGXFW RI the process. Salmon Rillette Points feature salmon belly as the key ingredient and are served with Anna Maria Bake House’s Head Baker, Teddy Louloudes’ house made ciabatta bread and crispy salmon skin. While these delicacies please the WDVWHEXGV WKH UHDO EHQH¿W FRPHV IURP knowing that with intentional cooking, less waste is being discarded and that is ultimately helping the environment. Chef Horatio explains, “our mission is to use RI WKH ¿VK ZH VHUYH LQ RXU NLWFKHQV as often as possible. For many years, some RI WKH WDVWLHVW SDUWV RI WKH ¿VK KDYH EHHQ discarded and we aim to change that with our signature dishes”. Composting from the three restaurants fertilizes the crops at Gamble Creek Farms which then provides fresh produce back to the restaurants, to help close the food loop. It all begins with small steps that can transform the world. Know where food comes from and how it is harvested and prepared. Use public transportation like the trolley, or bicycle around the island to enjoy the jewels that make the island so special. Support local businesses on Pine Avenue, often called the “greenest little Main Street in the US”. Little changes can make a big impact. Content provided by: The Chiles Group

Page 20 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 16, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Local server heads to Miss Florida pageant to serve kids by Nicole Quigley Guest Writer

Most days, you can find Hosanna Clark serving diners a smile, a mug and a burger at island favorite Skinny’s Place. But in the evening, after catching up with her college classes, Clark can be found preparing for a chance to compete for a dream title — Miss Florida. Clark, 21, was crowned Miss Parrish in January and will compete for the Miss Florida crown May 27-29, taking part in a tradition that has provided scholarships to women since 1935. Clark will use her journey to raise awareness of children with learning disabilities, as she hopes her story will inspire children and educators alike. Learning disabilities have been a part of Clark’s life long before her pageant days. Born in Sarasota, Clark’s parents were missionaries and moved to India when she and her twin brother were only a month old. She lived in Delhi until she was 8 years old, attending an embassy school. It was there, in first-grade, that Clark’s parents discovered something was different with the way she learned. “My first-grade teacher would bop me in the head. And then when I got home and was trying to concentrate, I started hitting myself in the head very hard. My parents knew something was wrong. They took me into someone who could diagnose me at the school. We did all the testing to find out what learning disability I had,” Clark said. Clark, who lives in Parrish, was diagnosed with dyslexia and challenges with short-term memory learning. The diagnosis was helpful but it was only the beginning. Clark and her parents learned that it can be difficult to find accommodations for learning disabilities, even once diagnosed. Many times, Clark’s teachers did not understand the challenge she was Hosanna Clark is on a path for success in the Miss Florida pageant, in college and for kids with learning disabilities. Islander Photo: Nicole Quigley

Hosanna Clark, the reigning Miss Parrish USA, serves a customer at Skinny’s Place in Holmes beach, where she works while attending college and pursuing her dreams. Islander Courtesy Photo

facing. In eighth-grade, a math teacher called Clark stupid in front of the class. Another announced a failing grade in front of the room — although she didn’t understand the assignment. “Learning disabilities are invisible. You can’t really tell. A lot of people can think you are just making it up. It’s not something you can see. So if you can’t see it, it’s not real,” Clark said. “The schools I went to had no resources to help me with accommodations. They would hire someone to monitor you so you could sit in a different room. It wasn’t someone who was taking the time out of their day to sit down, to break it down. It was never the help someone really needs when they have a learning disability,” Clark said. At her lowest point, Clark wondered if she would be able to graduate high school. “My parents could only help me so much. My dad was great and always advocated for me no matter what, and my mom is a psychologist who would help me with mental health and help me calm down,” Clark said. Their persistence made all the difference. They

found Sarasota-based Amy Weinberger, co-founder of the Lean on Me Project with National Alliance of Mental Illness, an initiative that helps bridge mental health wellness and academics in school communities. Weinberger helped the family create a plan for moving forward and find the resources that Clark needed. “When people struggle with learning, it doesn’t mean they’re being defiant. It means it’s hard for them,” Weinberger said. “It doesn’t surprise me that general ed teachers might think a student who is lagging behind seems to be not interested or isn’t showing diligence. We have not equipped our teachers with the resources they need to better help students who struggle with a particular subject,” Weinberger said. Clark credits her personal turn-around to Weinberger and some remarkable high school teachers. “Amy helped me tremendously. I would go to her office in Sarasota and she would help me memorize certain steps for things,” Clark said. Weinberger advocated to teachers to explain Clark’s needs and educate them on what was happening for her in the classroom. “I was begging my parents to let me go to Manatee,” Clark said. When she arrived, she met Alan Melnick and Jacqueline Watkins, two teachers who would have a profound impact on her development and position her for her first successful years in school. “They changed my life. Mr. Melnick was the person who took his time. He had a meeting to tell us he could help us. Mrs. Watkins was my personal help. She would help me advocate for myself or come up with a plan to study for a test. And you could walk into her room during school hours and teachers wouldn’t ask you any questions. It was like having a tutor who stayed at school. Mr. Melnick and Mrs. Watkins were my saving grace,” Clark said. Clark is now at Tallahassee Community College and is soon to be enrolled at Seminole State College. She attends classes virtually and, when she’s not studying, she follows a pageant prep schedule as she approaches the Miss Florida contest. “I pretty much wake up early morning, work out, PLeASe, See PAGEANT, NeXT PAGe

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Have a heart for moose!

Moose Lodge 2188 members and friends of the Moose gather at the lodge for a Valentine barbecue beach party for a cause — to benefit a Moose childcare facility and a retirement home, as well as for local women’s shelters. The event included live music, rafﬂes, vendor giveaways and more. Islander Photos: Courtesy betsy benac

People climb to the rooftop deck and spread across the beach at the Moose Lodge in bradenton beach to enjoy libations, food, music and a great view.

go to work, go home and I have training at night. How to walk, wardrobes, hair and makeup. It’s a lot of training, dedication and determination. And also networking to fundraise and find sponsorships,” Clark said. Clark Freeman, owner of Skinny’s Place, said of Clark, “We love Hosanna. She’s such a sweetheart and a hard worker. We’re hoping all the best for her and have high hopes for her. We know she’ll do great. We’re behind her 100%.” He added that donations to support Clark’s quest are welcome at the restaurant. The pageant requires Clark to raise the money she needs to compete in Miss Florida and donations beyond her fees will go to the Lean on Me Project. Pageant needs include a ball gown and bikini.

There also is an event that asks contestants to create an outfit that represents their hometown — with sunset inspirations a popular theme among Florida contestants in years past. Clark says she is eager to share her message to raise awareness for children with learning disabilities. She wants to help ensure that students have the resources they need, and she wants to inspire kids who may be struggling to find hope. “A lot of public schools struggle with funding, and one of the top things that doesn’t get funding is learning disability facilities for student that need accommodations,” Clark said.

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Her hope is to see more resources in schools for learning disabilities and she wants to reach kids most of all with her message of hope and perseverance. “I want to give students a sense of hope. Now I’m a junior in college. Never give up,” Clark said. “At the end of the day it’s not about me. It’s about making a change for kids that really struggle. I was blessed to have parents who pushed for the best for me. And I know that there are some kids who don’t have that. I want to help make sure there is a support system for kids at school.” Nicole Quigley is the award-winning author of “Like Moonlight at Low Tide,” a novel set on AMI.

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Palma Sola committee seeks scenic highway extension in ’22 by Lisa Neff Islander editor

Drivers of the Palma Sola Scenic Highway could deliver a request to the state this spring. The Palma Sola Scenic Highway Committee met Feb. 9 to discuss projects dealing with the scenic highway, which is the stretch of State Road 64/Manatee Avenue between 75th Street West in Bradenton and East Bay Drive in Holmes Beach. For years, the committee has worked to extend the scenic highway in Holmes Beach. The extension would run from the intersection of

State Road 64/Manatee Avenue and State Road 789/ East Bay Drive in Holmes Beach west to the entrance of the Manatee Public Beach at the intersection of Manatee Avenue and Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach. The extension also would run south along on East Bay Drive to 27th Street in Bradenton Beach. That is the point where the 3-mile Bradenton Beach Scenic Highway begins. The committee has work to complete before delivering a revised extension request to the state, including addressing comments and questions from staff with the Florida Department of Transportation, which adminis-

The view looking south on east bay Drive from Manatee Avenue could be enhanced as part of the Palma Sola Scenic Highway. The scenic highway ends at the intersection but could be extended along east bay Drive to the bradenton beach limits as well as west on Manatee Avenue to the public beach. Islander File Photo

ters the state scenic highways program. The program, in its 25th year and involving 27 scenic highways across the state, is intended to celebrate Florida’s resources and inspire tourism. The Palma Sola Scenic Highway earned its designation in May 2004. Darryl Richard, landscape architect with the DOT, said a state board could consider the Palma Sola extension request in June. Before then, committee chair Ingrid McClellan said the Palma Sola group would seek support letters from local officials. In other business, the committee: • Responded to a question about the lack of crossings on the scenic highway. Richard said the DOT might consider ways to improve pedestrian safety as it advances the new Anna Maria Island Bridge project. McClellan responded, “That’s 10 years out” and Richard said the project could be moved up with federal investments in infrastructure. • Approved an annual report on the scenic highway for submission to the DOT. • Reviewed maintenance and cleanup efforts on the scenic highway, including involving students and artists in a campaign to repaint waste receptacles, monitoring a homeless camp on the east end of the causeway and trimming overgrown vegetation on both sides of Manatee Avenue before “spring break” season. The next meeting will be at 3:30 p.m. April 13, at the Bradenton public works building, 1411 Ninth St. W.

Bradenton Beach scenic highway committee tackling business of beautiﬁcation A Bradenton Beach scenic highway committee is making inroads on municipal projects. Bradenton Beach’s ScenicWAVES members are scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N. The advisory committee, with recent member appointments by the city commission, makes recommendations and guidance to improve the Gulf Drive scenic highway, city waterfront and treescape. Agenda items for Feb. 23 include setting a 2022 meeting calendar, planning a celebration for National Arbor Day on April 29, reviewing a $10,000 grant application for educational signs that’s due March 1,

discussion of beach access and bike signs and an evaluation of a scenic highway corridor management plan. The agenda also includes reports from liaisons to the committee, including representatives from the Florida Department of Transportation, Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization and Manatee County. At a meeting earlier in February, the committee voted to approve its 2021 scenic highway report, which must be submitted to the DOT. At the Feb. 2 meeting, the committee also elected officers: Ingrid McClellan as chair, Terry Gebhardt as vice chair, Cathy King as secretary. For more information about the committee, go online to cityofbradentonbeach.com or call city hall at 941-778-1005.

Terri Kinder, president of the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, attends a Feb. 3 bradenton beach City Commission meeting, where commissioners unanimously voted to appoint her to the city’s ScenicWAVeS Committee. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

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Debbie Wolgast of Rock Island, Illinois, celebrates a winter visit to Florida Feb. 11 with sunshine and a slice of Key lime pie from Hometown Desserts, which operates two storefronts, one in Anna Maria and another in bradenton. Islander Photo: Lisa Neff

By Lisa Neff

Sweet Florida-friendly debate

My mother-in-law flew in from Illinois with February’s arrival, testing her snowbird wings, learning the migratory pattern of many other Midwesterners. She arrived with a must-do list that includes reading through several “Harry Potter” books borrowed from the Island Library, relaxing on the island’s beaches, dining at favorite island and Cortez eateries and indulging with a slice of Key lime pie. Any area grocer and most local restaurants serve the sweet-tart pie and if they don’t, they probably put Neff Key lime flavor in their ice cream, cookies, shaved ice and cakes, even soda pop. Key lime pie is as “Florida” as sunshine and alligators. My Webster’s New World College Dictionary even says so: “Key lime pie. Originally made in the Florida Keys with the juice of the Key lime. A custardlike pie with a light, tart filling made traditionally with condensed milk and lime juice.” So with good reason Key lime pie was designated the state’s official pie in 2006 and it made our visitor’s must-do list. Strawberry shortcake is not on the list but maybe the must-do list needs amending. Reporter Kane Kaiman writes in this issue of The Islander about the all-volunteer effort to keep a Florida-friendly sweet treat on the seafood-centric menu at the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. The Cortez Village Historical Society again will sell strawberry shortcake at the Feb. 19-20 festival and

the volunteers are getting some marketing help from an unexpected source — the Florida Legislature. Lawmakers made headlines this past month with a show of bipartisanship, Sunshine State unity and good taste. The House and Senate unanimously advanced a measure designating strawberry shortcake as the official state dessert effective July 1. The legislation, sponsored by Lawrence McClure in the House and Danny Burgess in the Senate, states, “Strawberry shortcake is a dessert consisting of a base of shortcake, which resembles a biscuit with a touch of cake, a layer of sweet, sliced strawberries, and a healthy dollop of whipped cream.” The lawmakers represent the Plant City area, where, as the measure states, 10,000 acres of strawberries are planted annually to produce about 75% of the U.S. winter crop. Their advocacy for the state designation included assurances that the “berry important piece of legislation” wouldn’t take the “key limelight away” from everyone’s favorite pie. There were critics of the votes in Tallahassee, including in a lighthearted Change.org petition to “keep Key lime pie as Florida’s dessert.” The Conch Republic Key Lime Pie Council launched the petition, claiming, “Key lime pie is a native Floridian dessert that originated in the Florida keys and strawberry shortcake is a nonnative dessert that originated in Europe.” The petition said Key lime pie reminded people of sun, sand and tropical breezes while strawberry shortcake reminded people of a 1980s cartoon character owned by a Canadian corporation. The council acknowledged in the petition’s final “whereas” that both Key lime pie and strawberry shortcake are delicious and suggested a compromise — des-

ignate strawberry shortcake as the state’s official cake instead of the state’s official dessert. Should their compromise not be realized, the council wanted a dessert duel between the Key West and Plant City vice mayors, but the Legislature has acted and sent the “berry important” bill to the governor. Yes, there’s nothing left to do but have our Key lime pie and shortcake, too. Yum. Did you know? In Florida, strawberries generally are available from November until the beginning of April, with peak season in February and March. Strawberries are a member of the rose family. The introduction of limes to the United States began in the 16th century when Spanish explorers brought the West Indies lime to the Florida Keys. Key limes often are picked when they are still immature and green. If allowed to ripen, key limes will turn a buttery yellow, not quite as garish as lemons. Strawberries are the main ingredient in strawberry shortcake, which may be designated Florida’s official state dessert July 1. Islander Photo: bonner Joy

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Football, soccer progress at center, KRC men’s champ crowned by Kevin P. Cassidy Islander Reporter

There’s some clarity among the haves and havenots after five weeks of action in the adult flag football league at the Center of Anna Maria Island. Solid Rock Construction is on top of the standings at 4-1, followed by TBT, which has fashioned a 3-1-1 record. Prosper Bradenton and Moss Cassidy Builders follow at 3-2, We The Best Lenders at 2-2-1 and Shady Lady at 2-3. Cortez Deep Sea Fishing and Sandbar Restaurant complete the standings at 1-4. Action Feb. 10 kicked off with Moss Builders pounding out a 26-12 victory over Prosper Bradenton. Quarterback Ryan Moss hooked up with Jesse Griffin nine times, including three for touchdowns and a pair of extra-point catches. Michael Bolognone completed the scoring with a touchdown catch for Moss. Prosper Bradenton received a pair of touchdown passes from Jonathan Moss, including one to veteran player Ed Moss. The second game of the evening saw We The Best Lenders crush Sandbar Restaurant by a 40-8 score. Dominick Otteni and Jaret Rojas both finished with three TD passes and a receiving touchdown to lead We The Best Lenders, which also received touchdowns from Tyler Brewer and Anthony McCance. Matt Manger connected with Jayce Berzowki for Sandbar. Shady Lady knocked Solid Rock Construction from the unbeaten ranks with a resounding 32-19 victory in the third game of the evening. Jonathan Soultatos threw four TD passes to Shawn Balvin to lead the offense. Balvin also added a pick-six, while Soultatos and Jasmine Muldoon added quarterback sacks in the victory. Solid Rock received three touchdown passes from Anthony Mannino, including two to Octavious Cole and one to Peggy Smith. TBT then cruised to a 32-6 victory over Cortez Deep Sea Fishing to culminate the action for the evening. Matt Briley threw four TD passes and added a touchdown reception for good measure. Nick Cinelli had a pair of TD grabs and Jeremy Rodriguez finished with a TD pass and a TD catch in the victory. Tuna McCracken connected with Luis Campos for the lone touchdown for Cortez Deep Sea Fishing.

bob Mason, center, forged a perfect 10-0 record for the week, teaming up Feb. 9 with Del Reese, left, to forge the win. Tom Farrington took the win for the Feb. 12 games. Islander Photo: AMI Pitchers

Josh Sato helped preserve the victory with nine saves in goal. Jessica Williams scored three goals and Austin Nutting added two for Slim’s Place, which received a combined 18 saves from Ryan Moss and Andrew Sullivan. Beach Bums cruised to a 10-6 victory over Mi-Box thanks to nine goals from Mauro Vecchio. Kevin Roman added a goal, while Osvaldo Cabello and Yuri Pereira combined on 20 saves in the victory. Gerardo Urbiola Bolanos scored a pair of goals for Mi-Box, which also received a goal each from Kali Richardson, Lindsey Styka, Selena Gonzalez and Josh Sato, while Steve Oelfke came through with 16 saves in the loss.

Key Royale golf news It’s championship season at the KRC. Twenty-three Key Royale Club golfers challenged for the annual men’s club championship in a 36-hole scratch (no handicap) tournament that got started Feb. 2 and concluded Feb. 9. Eric Lawson successfully defended his 2021 championship by carding a 1-over-par 129, earning his second-in-a-row club championship. Second place went to Steve Pfeil at 13-over-par 141, while Tim Donnar was another two strokes back in third place. The men then played their weekly modified Stableford system match Feb. 7. The team of Bob Blaser, Art McMillan, Blake Ress and Quentin Talbert combined on a plus-6 to win the team competition. Herb Clauhs and Sam Major matched their team score with individual plus-6s to share clubhouse bragging rights for the day. Tom Perkins was another point back in second, while Joe Tynan nailed down third Indoor soccer kicks up After three weeks of action in the adult indoor with a plus-4. soccer league at the center, Sato Real Estate is atop the standings with a 2-0-1 record, just ahead of secondplace Gulfview Windows & Doors with a 1-1-1 record. Progressive Cabinetry, Beach Bums, Mi-Box and Slim’s Place complete the standings with 1-2 records. With two weeks of season action remaining, anything can happen. Action Feb. 10 kicked off with Progressive Cabinetry edging Gulfview Windows & Doors 9-7 behind a hat trick from Daniel Anderson and two goals each from Sean Flynn and Josh Sato. Damir Glavan and Omar Polar each added goals to complete the Progressive scoring. Luca Vecchio had five goals and an assist to lead Gulfview, which also received a goal each from Keith Mahoney and Daniel Aden in the loss. The second match of the evening saw Sato slip past Slim’s Place by a 6-5 score behind four goals from Damir Glavan and two goals from Olaf Krause.

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The members were back on the course Feb. 10 for a nine-hole shamble with a par of 74. The team of Gary Domanski, Marty Hicks, Ken Nagengast and Tom Solosky combined on a 4-overpar 78 to grab first place by one stroke over the team of Clint Hurdle, Chuck Patrick,Terry Tarras and Debi Wohlers. Tim Friessen, Jim McParland and Joe Tynan finished in third at 6-over-par 80. Horseshoe news Four teams produced 3-0 records at the Feb. 9 pool play horseshoe matches and advanced to the knockout stage at the Anna Maria City Hall horseshoe pits. The team of Bob Mason and Del Reese held on for a 21-17 victory over Bob Rowley in the first semifinal, while Norm Good and Tom Skoloda were too good for Ron Gagaon and Bob Palmer, who were eliminated by a 21-9 score. Mason and Reese cruised into the winner’s circle thanks to a 21-14 victory over the Good-Skoloda team to earn bragging rights for the day. Four teams again managed 3-0 pool-play records at the Feb. 12 games. Mason again found himself in the mix, this time teaming up with Tom Farrington to advance to the finals with a 21-18 victory over Bob Palmer, thanks to six consecutive ringers from Farrington. Rod Bussey and Skoloda advanced to the championship match with a 22-8 victory over Bob Lee and Ron Hooper. The finals were all Mason and Farrington, as they rolled to a 21-5 victory giving Mason a perfect 10-0 record for the week. 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.

How to train your dragon paddlers Rookie paddlers prepare to shove off and practice their rowing skills at a Jan. 15 new paddler day at Sarasota’s Nathan benderson Park. About 35 new paddlers attended the event, promoted by Holmes beach resident Rickard Jensen. Jensen, a founding member of the park’s veteran dragon boat racing team, said Feb. 2 the event yielded two new paddlers. Islander Courtesy Photo

Fishing Charters Capt. Warren Girle

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Feb. 16, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 25 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Patience, persistence required for winter fishing success By Capt. Danny Stasny Islander Reporter

Now that winter has settled in, finding success while fishing around Anna Maria Island requires patience and perseverance. While fishing the inshore waters, you might find it hard to locate fish and a lengthy process to get them to bite. Finding water temperatures above 60 degrees is a good place to start. Stasny Residential canals and docks are great areas in which to concentrate your effort. These waters stay slightly warmer than the open bays. They are generally deeper and the concrete seawalls that line the canals help keep them warm from the sun. The warming might not be extreme but you’ll find that a couple of degrees can make a difference. Casting live shrimp will attract sheepshead, black drum and redfish to the hook and, if you’re lucky, you’ll encounter mangrove snapper, spotted seatrout and a motivated snook. Once you’ve located the fish, patience and perseverance come into play. Since the waters are chilly, the fish are not looking to exert a lot of energy. The bite may be subtle and you may experience longer periods between bites. The key is to keep presenting bait until the fish meander over and decide to feed. Stealth is another factor. Since the fish are cold, they’re likely to become spooked. When casting your bait, try to use the least amount of weight possible to minimize the splash as the bait enters the water. In fact, if you can get away with no weight, it would play to your advantage. If patience isn’t your thing, try fishing on calmer days when you can comfortably get around in the Gulf of Mexico. The deeper waters around the artificial reefs and wrecks are producing good action on sheepshead, snapper and grunts. In deeper water, these fish are more comfortable due to the steady water temperature and the structure where they hide. Live shrimp on the bottom rig of your choice should attract these fish to bite. And, if fishing in the cold is not your thing, don’t be discouraged — spring fishing is around the corner. The warm comfortable days of sunny Florida will be back soon enough and the excellent inshore fishing we enjoy will return with the sun. On my Just Reel charters, I’m going for the action around the local reefs and wrecks in Tampa Bay and in the Gulf of Mexico. Sheepshead, mangrove snapper and Key West grunts are plentiful in these areas. The

George Benington, visiting from Ohio, shows off a nice hogfish he caught Feb. 12 on a guided offshore fishing trip with Capt. Warren Girle. Benington also reeled up several sheepshead and mangrove snapper while using shrimp for bait. Girle said, “All fish were released for another day!”

key to this bite is having light breezes and calm seas. On windier days, I’m confined to the inshore waters and fishing the canals and docks is providing

action — but it depends on the day. Redfish, spotted seatrout, sheepshead and black drum are being found in the sheltered canals. Capt. Warren Girle is targeting a variety of species while working charters in Sarasota Bay. When fishing in canals around docks, Girle is putting anglers on redfish, black drum and sheepshead. To catch the fish, Girle has the clients cast a live shrimp on a weighted rig under the docks and around the edges of seawalls. Moving out of the canals and into open water is producing action in the peak warmth of the day on free-lined shrimp or fresh-cut pieces of shrimp. Spotted seatrout and pompano are taking the bait and Jack crevalle also are in the mix. Lastly, fishing structure in the Gulf with live shrimp on a bottom rig is yielding sheepshead, mangrove snapper and Key West grunts for Girle. Capt. David White is concentrating his efforts on catching pompano along the Gulf beaches and throughout the flats of Sarasota Bay. Casting jigs tipped with fresh-cut shrimp is yielding the best action although, in some instances, live shrimp on the hook is working. Targeting sheepshead is producing action when over reefs and wrecks in Tampa Bay and the Gulf. Mixed in are mangrove snapper and Key West grunts. Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says fishing is a little slow, but he anticipates the arrival of the sheepshead to occur in the next few weeks. As of now, persistent pier fishers are catching sheepshead, although not in large quantities. Live shrimp is working as bait to hook up a tasty convict-striped fish. Casting shrimp out from the pier in the shallows is producing a bite on whiting. Using a split shot 12 inches above the hook with a live shrimp — or even half a shrimp —is working well to entice the whiting to bite, reports Malfese. Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.

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

Share the fun.

Anna Maria Island Tides

Date

Feb16 Feb 17 Feb 18 Feb 19 Feb 20 Feb 21 Feb 22 Feb 23

1:00p 1:07p 12:13a 12:58a 1:47a 2:44a 3:58a 6:05a

HIGH

1.2 11:30p 1.3 — 2.0 1:20p 1.9 1:39p 1.7 2:03p 1.4 2:33p 1.1 3:08p 0.9 3:52p

2.1 — 1.4 1.5 1.7 1.9 2.0 2.1

6:11a 6:37a 7:03a 7:29a 7:55a 8:19a 8:38a 8:33a

LOW

Moon

-0.6 5:14p 0.7 -0.4 5:56p 0.5 -0.3 6:40p 0.3 -0.1 7:29p 0.2 0.1 8:25p 0.0 0.4 9:31p -0.1 0.6 10:52p -0.2 0.8 — —

LOW

Full

3rd

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

Gary Hunt of Bradenton is all smiles with his whopper of the day. He’s showing off the 42-inch redfish he caught and released Feb. 12 while fishing the Tampa Bay waters north of Anna Maria Island with Capt. Scott Moore of Holmes Beach. Capt. Danny Stasny chimed in, “I witnessed it.”

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Page 26 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 16, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

isl

biz

By Kane Kaiman

Designs, esthetics, baking

Come on down A multi-skilled designer has her heart set on fulltime Florida living. In January, Stephanie Alger, owner of Refined Designs & Landscapes, began marketing her services in the area. With the winter dip in work in New York, Alger traveled to Florida in December to scout out markets in the Sunshine State. With a cousin nearby, Alger setKaiman tled on the Bradenton area and began drumming up business with letters to new homeowners, Facebook ads, networking and advertising in The Islander. RDL offers interior and landscape design services for residential and commercial buildings. Alger, who ran a commercial flooring company for 11 years, has 15 years of interior design and construction experience. “People don’t know that I do all the work myself, too. So, they’re a little thrown off, but I am kind of a one-man band,” she said. Alger can do cabinet carpentry or install a kitchen back splash. On the landscaping side, she’s right at home digging and setting plants, shoveling stones or

breezy bakery owners bri “breezy” Suzano and Travis Roy show off their infant son Feb. 11 at their pastry shop in Cortez. Islander Courtesy Photo

building retaining walls and fire pits. “What makes RDL unique is that I know both aspects. I know the building aspect but I also know the design and functionality portion of it,” she said. “I have that niche where I can see from both sides of the spectrum to put the whole package together.” Alger said she will continue to operate the business seasonally in New York and Florida until she can fully relocate to Bradenton. For more information, visit refineddesignandlandscapes.com or call 518-466-3353.

nent makeup, facials, microdermabrasion and other services. Her mission is to restore confidence. “Being confident, it shouldn’t stop just because you turned 50 or 60,” Winner said. “I’ve had clients come to me that were in their 90s to get permanent makeup, which was very cool, because they just wanted to feel themselves again.” Winner is trained in permanent makeup modalities; including microblading and shading eyebrows, permanent eyeliner and lip blush. Her work has boosted self-esteem, including her first client, a woman who lost her eyebrows to cancer treatments. She looked in the mirror and was amazed, Winner said. Her reaction was “Wow, I look like I did in high school!” The Pennsylvania native also takes pride in her shop, 8208 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, and creating a soothing environment for her clients. “I want people to feel so comfortable that they think coming back to get a service here will change their mood. I want it to be uplifting,” she said. For more information, visit skintherapybyjessica. com or call 724-301-7313.

Snowbirds enjoy local breeze Seasonal residents are bolstering a new baker in Cortez. Breezy Bakery, 11904 Cortez Road W., opened in April 2021, at the tail end of tourist and snowbird season in the area. This year marks its first full “season,” and coowner Travis Roy said the influx of snowbirds has made for some busy days at the pastry shop he founded with his life partner, Bri “Breezy” Suzano. “We still have our regular locals and a little bump A timeless look up in tourists but it’s more snowbirds than anything Jessica Winner takes pride in making people feel from the RV parks and all the rentals that are around better about themselves. here in Cortez and Bradenton,” Roy said. A licensed esthetician, Winner owns Skin Therapy Demand is high for the bakery’s top-sellers: Key by Jessica in Cortez, a beauty studio offering perma- lime pie, coconut macaroons and almond croissants. Roy and Suzano, who welcomed a son into the

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Euphemia Haye sale puts staﬀ member on top by Kane Kaiman Islander Reporter

It’s a recipe for consistency. Ray and D’Arcy Arpke, 41-year owners of Longboat Key’s Euphemia Haye restaurant, sold the eatery to Amy Whitt, a 15-year employee, for an undisclosed sum Dec. 13, 2021. “She was almost handpicked,” Ray Arpke said Feb. 4. “She had been here probably 10 years and she just kept working hard and working her way up and you could see she had the capability.” Whitt’s dedication made an impression on the Arpkes, who began to talk seriously with the Illinois transplant about buying the restaurant two years ago. “This is the kind of work ethic she has: In the winter, instead of her wanting to leave early so she could get home, she went and got another job at night so she could work on the key until the traffic was gone,” Ray Arpke said. News of the sale leaked earlier than the trio preferred. They’ve been working to demonstrate continuity at the eclectic restaurant, known for its roasted duck, pepper steak, Caesar salad, an extensive wine list and a dessert room. “We were hoping to do this a little later in the year ISL BIZ FROM PAGe 26

world in December 2021, are a two-baker army with reinforcements in the form of Suzano’s relatives. “It’s just me and Bri doing all the production and decorating,” Roy said. “So, we try to focus on more of an array than just one specific item.” The shop offers cookies, Danish and cinnamon rolls, cheesecakes, pies and custom-decorated cakes. “Some people will just come in and watch Bri decorate a cake for 10-15 minutes,” Roy said. Roy and Suzano also do wedding cakes. For more on the bakery, visit breezybakery.com or call 941-900-1011. And as always… Contact Kane Kaiman at kane@ islander.org or call The Islander at 941-778-7978.

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AMI Chamber THIS WEEK

Wednesday, Feb. 23 5-7 p.m. — Business Card Exchange and “Meet the Directors,” Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., 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 Saturday, Feb. 19 5:30-7 p.m. — Savor the Sounds Concert, Town Center Green, euphemia Haye owner Amy Whitt, left, smiles for a Longboat Key. photo Feb. 4 with her predecessors, 41-year owners Save the date Ray and D’Arcy Arpke, in the white wine cellar at the Feb. 24, Longboat Key Chamber Annual Meeting, chamber Longboat Key restaurant. Islander Courtesy Photo ofﬁce, Longboat Key. Fees may apply for events. so everybody could see that everything has stayed the For more LBK Chamber information, visit longboatkeychamber. same — the staff, the food, the service,” Whitt said. com or call 941-383-2466.

The Arpkes will remain at the restaurant for the year to assist with the transition process. “We’re here for the next 10 months more or less to teach Amy some of the things that we’ve been doing for the last 40 years, as she does not want to change anything,” Ray Arpke said. “I’m hoping to carry on everything they built as far as their traditions and values,” Whitt said. “They built this amazing restaurant with what we call our ‘Euphemia Haye family,’ and I want to keep the family in place and happy and make everyone proud.” The restaurant, 5540 Gulf of Mexico Drive, has a staff retention legacy. A few employees have worked at the eatery since around the time the Arpkes purchased the Longboat dining destination from Leslie R. Buntin in 1980. Buntin named the restaurant for a well traveled, well heeled aunt, and then sold it to engage his own travel lust. “It’s an amazing thing,” D’Arcy Arpke said. “A

lot of these employees are getting to be our age; we weren’t much older than them when we started.” Ray, 69, and D’Arcy, 70, said it was time to let go of the restaurant they cultivated their entire adult and married lives. “We’re 70 years old, if that isn’t reason enough,” Ray Arpke said. “It was just time. We’re a little bit tired and we haven’t seen our family enough over the years, so we want to do all of the above.” For more, go to euphemiahaye.com or call 941383-3633.

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Page 28 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 16, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

ITEMS FOR SALE Continued

KIDS FOR HIRE Continued

FISHING ReeLS: MASTeR #189, Ocian reel, Daiwa SG47LC, direct-drive line counter, Penn 650ss power drive, US made, Daiwa power disc G4000, Quantum snapshot LS30. excellent condition, asking $250 for all. George, 941-387-0457.

ANTIQUe PARTNeR DeSK: All wood, $500. Inquire at The Islander office, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes beach. 941-778-7978.

KIDS FOR HIRe ads are FRee for up to three weeks for Island youths under 16 looking for work. The Islander office, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes beach.

ANTIQUe OFFICe CHAIRS: Perfect for eclectic dining set. Circa 1950 from Anna Maria City Hall. Inquire at The Islander newspaper, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes beach. 941-778-7978.

FOR SALe: DeeP brown leather recliner in excellent condition. Pick up in Holmes beach. $325 or best offer. Call 973-2190335.

ANNOUNCEMENTS WANTeD, GARAGe FOR storage of golf cart and bikes. Need electric. Call Dave, 716545-0887.

NeW, TWIN MATTReSS, $100, cruiser bike, helmet, seven gears, $75, chandelier, brown metal, bulbs included, $20. 941-920-2494.

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

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AdoptA-Pet

HeLP ReSCUeD PeTS! Volunteer, foster, computer help needed! Moonracer Animal Rescue. email: moonraceranimalrescue@ gmail.com. BOATS & BOATING HAVe A bOAT and wanna catch more fish, better bait or learn the water? 50-year local fisherman, your boat, my knowledge. Captain Chris, 941-896-2915.

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.

HELP WANTED

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

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 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.

GOOD GRIeF: eXPeRIeNCeD Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) providing help for individuals and families working through end-of-life issues. Also Advance Care Directive assistance. Call or email Dawn, 207-6155876. goodgrief.dawn@gmail.com.

bAYLINeR 185 bR, 2004 with trailer. Runs well, needs upholstery. $5,600. 941-5040520.

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.

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RePORTeR WANTeD: Full- to part-time. Apply via email with letter of interest to news@islander.org. KIDS FOR HIRE DePeNDAbLe, ReSPONSIbLe, FUN babysitter for hire. 13 years old, island local. Available in June. 941-526-9090.

bICYCLe RePAIRS: Just4Fun at 5358 Gulf Drive can do most any bicycle repair at a reasonable cost. Pick-up and delivery available. 941-896-7884. COMPANION/HOMeMAKeR: Honest and reliable offering help with running errands, grocery shopping, house sitting, pet and plant care, light cooking/cleaning, transportation. References available and licensed. Call Sherri, 941-592-4969. LOOKING FOR AN eARLY bIRD? You can read Wednesday’s classifieds on Tuesday at islander.org. And it’s FRee!