MAKE A WISH COME TRUE AND A HOLIDAY MERRY
The holidays are the time to take an extra
moment to offer someone a smile or send a greeting, to give a hug or share words of praise. And, as we approach the 12th month of another difficult year, we need the smiles, greetings, hugs, praise — and help — even more. In our annual Wish Book, we present the wishes and needs of some dedicated and deserving organizations in our community. These community groups provide assistance to families and individuals, teach and mentor children, assist the elderly and the less fortunate, all with the goal of making Anna Maria Island a better place to live for all. With the Wish Book, we offer a special way for
you to share the holiday spirit and help others. We present their wishes. Your contribution, however small or grand, is deeply appreciated. Please, take time to peruse our Wish Book and select a gift — or two, or more — to add to your holiday shopping list. A small contribution can make a big difference. And to our generous sponsor advertisers, we offer thanks for making this publication possible. We hope you receive the same return as we have each year from The Wish Book — the joy of giving. Here’s wishing you all the happiest holidays and best wishes for 2022! — The Islander
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Celebrate our Anna Maria Island community with a donation to these deserving community groups
For your convenience, The Islander is collecting donations from The Wish Book. Please, include a tag listing the organization(s) to receive your gifts and your name and contact information. We suggest calling ahead — 941-778-7978 — to confirm the office is open. The Islander is at 315 58th St., Suite J, Holmes Beach. We hope to see you soon!
To: Moonracer
To: AMI Kiwanis
Moonracer No Kill Animal Rescue is a nonprofit dedicated to the rescue, care and rehabilitation of homeless pets for placement in forever homes. Moonracer believes all animals deserve love, dignity, proper care and a home. Moonracer believes no animals should be killed because they are homeless and provides comfortable and safe shelter and work for them until homes can be found. Moonracer wishes for: • Training treats. • Cleaning supplies, including bleach and detergent. • Dog food and cat food, both dry and canned. • Front-clip harnesses and leashes. • Chew toys. • Towels and blankets. • Tiles and pavers. • Fencing and materials for dog cottages, as well as curtains, rugs, plywood, insulation, paint and paint brushes. For more information, contact Lisa Williams at 941-345-2441 or moonraceranimalrescue@gmail.com.
Saturday mornings, members and guests of the Anna Maria Island Kiwanis Club gather for breakfast meetings. The group gathers to share news, trade jokes, sing songs, make friends, listen to speakers and plan civic projects. Outside the meetings, members host the Easter sunrise service on the beach, sponsor K-Kids at Anna Maria Elementary and the Builder’s and Key clubs at State College of Florida and help the Salvation Army with bell-ringing for holiday donations at the Publix Super Market in Holmes Beach. The club wishes for: • New members. • Volunteers to ring the bell for the Salvation Army at the island Publix Super Market through the Christmas season. • Nonperishable food and diapers and other items for the island’s food bank. For general info, contact John Chappie at jchappie2@tampabay.rr.com or 941-9201826. For information about ringing bells, contact Roger Domme at 941-761-0082.
The Sunday before an opening night at the Island Players’ playhouse in Anna Maria is known as “Long Sunday.” This is when the actors and the stage crew gather for a lengthy rehearsal to perfect the production and the Off Stage Ladies serve a feast. The group supports the Island Players in other ways and also meets during the fallwinter-spring season for social lunches. Off Stage Ladies wishes for: • Local restaurants to donate entrees or gift cards to support Long Sunday feasts. • New members. • Flashlights for ushers in the theater. • $5-$10 donations to help keep theater beautiful. For more information, contact vice president/membership Roe Duncan by email at roeduncana@gmail.com or via phone at 941932-2798.
The Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island wishes for bell-ringers. Islander Courtesy Photo
The Anna Maria Island Privateers wishes for toys to give for Christmas. Islander Courtesy Photo
Moonracer No Kill Animal Rescue wishes for pet food — for dogs and cats. Islander Courtesy Photo
To: Off Stage Ladies
Nov. 24, 2021 — A special section celebrating community and our 30th year of providing “the best news” to AMI.
A merry Christmas sunset to you all from The Islander and Jack Elka Islander Photo: Jack Elka
Merry Christmas! Boyd Realty Brenda Boyd May, Real Estate Broker
941.750.8844
Happy Holidays from the guys at Grooms.
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The Wish Book is made possible thanks to our generous advertising sponsors and the extra effort of Islander team members Joe Bird, Toni Lyon, Lisa Neff and Lisa Williams.
Please, join me in thanking them ... Publisher Bonner Joy To: AMI Privateers
The mission of the Anna Maria Island Privateers is to “develop, promote and support activities for the betterment of youth and community in Manatee County.” Anna Maria Island Privateers wish for: • Toys for the Christmas celebrations. • Bottled water. • Parade beads. • Folding chairs. • Gift cards for fuel. • Home Depot and Lowe’s gift cards. • Walmart gift cards. • Canopy. • Members and volunteers. • 30-gallon trash bags. • Donations for a new Privateers flag. For more, go online to amiprivateers.org or email president@amiprivateers.org and past_president@amiprivateers.org.
To: Roser Food Pantry
The Roser Food Pantry, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, is stocked largely with donations from island residents and island churches. Operators of the pantry provide groceries on weekdays to islanders in need. The Roser Food Pantry wishes for: • Canned fruit, vegetables, meat and meals. • Crackers, cookies, drinks, cereal and snacks. • Dry rice, potatoes and pasta. • Paper goods — toilet paper, tissues and paper towels. • Bottled water. • Laundry detergent. • Volunteers for the food pantry. For more information, contact the pantry at 941-778-0414.
To: AME
Anna Maria Elementary School operates with a professional staff of administrators, teachers and support personnel and a large coalition of parents and community organizers. AME wishes for: • Reams of white letter-size paper. • Reams of color letter-size paper. • Sticky notes — multiple sizes and colors. • No. 2 pencils. • Pump hand-sanitizer • Letter-size file folders in various colors. • Clear plastic 3-ounce cups. • Boxes of tissues. • Sanitizing wet wipes. For more information, call the school at 941-708-5525 or drop off items at the school office, 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.
A wish for AME: No. 2 pencils.
To: Library Friends
The Friends of the Island Library exists to help the Holmes Beach branch of the Manatee County Library system achieve its mission to “nurture imagination, promote lifelong learning and enrich the community.” The group will mark 40 years of friendship with the library in 2022 and plans a series of special events. The group wishes for: • Puzzles. • Canvas tablecloths for crafts. • Support to fund book clubs, lectures, technology and programming, as well as furniture and refurbishing children’s areas. For more, call the library at 941-7786341 or visit at 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.
0??H >;830HB 5412 Marina Drive Island Shopping Center Holmes Beach 941.778.2253
To: AMICCO
The Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra traditionally performs concerts and creates performance opportunities for professional and volunteer musicians. AMICCO also fosters the development of youth musicians through an annual competition. AMICCO, as of Nov. 16, had not posted details of a 2022 concert season. AMICCO wishes for: • Volunteers for the board of directors. • Students to compete in the annual Youth Competition. For more information, email info@ amicco.org.
To: FISH
The Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage is “dedicated to the promotion, education and preservation of Cortez and Florida’s commercial fishing and other traditional maritime cultures including the environment upon which these communities depend.” FISH takes care of and oversees the 90-plus acre Cortez FISH Preserve, as well as runs multiple programs and hosts the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. FISH wishes for: • A push-mower for small areas. • A weedwhacker. • A leaf blower. • Volunteers at the fishing festival. For more, call FISH at 941-301-4000 or email fishpreserve@gmail.com.
Wishing you a blessed Christmas and happiness in the coming year. Merry Christmas Happy New Year 9906 Gulf Drive Anna Maria 941.778.2259 dina@annamariareal.com www.annamariareal.com
Wishing you and yours a happy and joyous holiday season!
1FBDF
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Merry Christmas from the CREW! 'ULF $RIVE (OLMES "EACH s WHERE THE LOCALS GATHER!
WESTBRIDGE VETERINARY CLINIC www.WestbridgeVeterinaryClinic.com
941.92O.4O1O
Happy Holidays from the staff
Service Repair, Showroom, Remodeling, Pool Service 401 Manatee Ave., Holmes Beach. 941.778.5622 LaPenseePlumbing.com
CFC1426956, CAC1818472, CPC1458908
To: Senior Adventures
To: Tingley Memorial
To: Ministry of Presence
Senior Adventures is a group that traditionally meets Fridays for an adventure — either an outing or an activity at the Annie Silver Community Center, 103 23rd St. N., Bradenton Beach. Outings, which were put on hold in 2020 and most of 2021, will resume this month. Senior Adventures wishes for: • Volunteers to sort books, care for the grounds and update member lists. • A van driver for outings. • A program coordinator. For more information, contact Peg Miller at 941-447-5076 or pm3h@yahoo.com.
Tingley Memorial Library, 111 Second St. N., Bradenton Beach, is a nonprofit organization that exists to provide books, meeting and reading spaces, and other library services to people in the island cities and the surrounding population. The library’s goal is to provide patrons with friendly and helpful assistance. Tingley wishes for: • Magazine and newspaper subscriptions. • Florida-themed books. • Gift certificates for book purchases. For more information, please call the library at 941-779-1208.
The Ministry of Presence Inc., established in 1995 in Bradenton by a Haitian-born priest and a sister, is a nonprofit dedicated to providing a better life for children. The Ministry of Presence wishes for: • Tents and canopies. • Sleeping mats and/or bags. • Linens. • Outdoor games, especially soccer balls. • Indoor games and toys for infants and young children. • Cash donations. For more information, contact The Islander newspaper at 941-778-7978.
AMITW wishes for used, clean towels. Islander Courtesy Photo
To: FMM
The Florida Maritime Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the region’s maritime history. The museum is housed in the renovated 1912-schoolhouse at 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, and is home to the Folk School at Florida Maritime Museum. The museum and folk school wish for: • Yard games that can be repurposed. • Nautical knickknacks to lend a maritime vibe, including buoys, crab traps, anchors, ship’s wheels, fishing gear, retired channel markers, deck lines and dock pilings. • Tablecloths in solid colors, nauticalthemed, winter-themed. • Large plastic storage tubs. • Christmas decorations For more information, go online to floridamaritimemuseum.org, email fmminfo@ manateeclerk.com or call the museum at 941-708-6120.
Tingley Memorial Library wishes for magazine and news subscriptions. Islander Courtesy Photo
To: AMITW
The volunteer-driven Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring protects and collects data on nesting sea turtles and shorebirds on the island. In partnership with the island community, through public education and cooperation, the nonprofit’s mission is “to assure a suitable habitat for people, sea turtles and shorebirds, the ecosystem of the island and surrounding waters.” Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring wishes for: • Donations to the ATV fund to maintain the vehicles used for beach surveys, as well as purchase a new ATV. • Adopt-a-Nest sponsors. • Cloth and paper towels. • Gas cards. For more information about AMITW, contact executive director Suzi Fox at 941778-5638 or suzilfox@gmail.com.
Ministry of Presence wishes for soccer balls and other kids gear. Islander Courtesy Photo
To: KMB
Keep Manatee Beautiful, the local chapter of Keep America Beautiful, is fulfilling its mission to help prevent litter in our beautiful environment. KMB accomplishes this with its AdoptA-Shore locations covering the entirety of Anna Maria Island. KMB also conducts cleanups throughout Manatee County, including on streets and highways and preserves. KMB is involved in beautification projects along the Palma Sola Causeway, the scenic highways in Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach and provides trees for Arbor Day celebrations. KMB wishes:: • Those nonprofits that do need things get their wishes fulfilled. For more information, contact KMB at 941-795-8272 or keep@manateebeautiful. com. Also, visit www.manateebeautiful. com.
Nov. 24, 2021 THE ISLANDER WISH BOOK | islander.org Page 5 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
FLOWERS BY EDIE
Happy Holidays from the Cannons Marina Crew
Merry Christmas
SEASONS GREETINGS! /// -ARINA $RIVE (OLMES "EACH -ICHAELSAUNDERS COM
4607 Cortez Road W. Bradenton 941.755.1549, 800.794.9111 www.flowersbyedie.com
The Center of Anna Maria Island
To: AID
All Island Denominations unites the island churches — CrossPointe Fellowship, the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Harvey Memorial Community Church, Roser Memorial Community Church and St. Bernard Catholic Church — to help those in need. Organized and funded by the island churches, AID has been serving Anna Maria Island since 1982 and expressly sent a wish that all have a “very blessed Christmas and a happy and safe holiday season.” AID wishes for: • Financial contributions to the Roser Food Pantry, P.O. Box 247, Anna Maria FL 34216. • Donations to AID for rental assistance, P.O. Box 305, Anna Maria FL 34216. For more information, call the office of any of the island churches.
The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, operates with the support of donors, the sale of memberships and program fees. The center hosts a variety of programs for adults and children, including educational and after school programs, camps, sports leagues and fitness opportunities. The center also hosts events throughout the year. And, the center provides low-income families access to youth programs. The center wishes for: • Craft supplies, including tissue and construction paper, white glue, glue sticks, tape, scissors, washable paint, paint brushes, markers and colored pencils. • Legos. • Magnet blocks. • Fantasy fort kit. • Plastic jump ropes. • Frisbees. • Basketballs. • Soccer balls. • Tennis balls. • Kickballs. • 17-inch computer monitor. • Resistance bands from Spri.com. • Rubber hexagon dumbbells. • Stereo system with speakers. For more information, contact the center at 941-778-1908 or centerami.org.
To: Wildlife Inc.
Wildlife Inc., Education and Rehabilitation Center is a nonprofit in Bradenton Beach. About 3,000 injured, sick and displaced birds, mammals and reptiles are rescued each year. Ed and Gail Straight, with a corps of wildlife-loving volunteers, run the operation from their home, with a mission to preserve and protect native wildlife through education and rehabilitation. Wildlife Inc. wishes for: • Gift cards for food, supplies and gas. • Paper towels and toilet paper. • Canned dog and cat food and bags of dry dog food. • Pecans, almonds, nuts in shells. • Pedialyte electrolyte powder packs for dehydrated animals. • Mini Miracle Nipples for feeding newborn animals. • Loctite Repair Putty. • Microwave heating pads. • Letter-size computer paper. • Postage stamps. For more information, call 941-778-6324 or go online at www.wildlifeinc.org.
Santa is checking his list twice but there is no question about islandbased nonprofits and charities being good. Who will help Santa deliver nonperishable food and financial contributions to the Roser Food Pantry on behalf of All Island Denominations? Who will help fill the sports equipment closet at the Center of Anna Maria Island? Who will help fuel the Wildlife Inc, rescue vehicles and the Privateers’ ship? Islander File Photo
Odd Duck Designs Shop
Whimsical Florida themed T-shirts by local artist Connie Wolgast
Happy
Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Holidays
www.etsy.com/shop/OddDuckDesignsShop oddduckdesignsshop@gmail.com
Longboat Hardware 4030 Gulf of Mexico Dr. Longboat Key, FL 34228 Phone: (941) 383-1313 Fax: (941) 383-2170
Holmes Beach Hardware 3352 East Bay Dr. Holmes Beach, FL 34217 Phone: (941) 778-0999 Fax: (941) 778-1717
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Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays from Sunny Florida! Cindy Jones
941-773-9770 cindy@cjonesre.com Anna Maria 941.778.0444
North Bradenton Beach 941.779.2222
North Longboat Key 941.383.2391
IslandDining.com Chiles - Islander Holiday Wishbook-6.625x2.indd 1
To: Cultural Center
310 Pine Ave. ~ P.O. Box 1299 ~ Anna Maria FL 34216 11/16/16 2:22 PM
To: Mayors Feed
Cortez Cultural Center continues to update and create new exhibits to keep the story of the Cortez village interesting. CVHS’s main need is for people to help in various jobs for three hours a day. The historical society wishes for volunteers to: • Greet visitors. • Create exhibits. • Input data. • Make maintenance repairs. • Send out notices and newsletters. The historical society also wishes for donations of service photos and historical materials. For more, contact Kaye Bell at 941-5380945 or cortezbell@tampabay.rr.com.
The Mayors Feed the Hungry conducts community food drives. Since its beginnings in 1987, the program has collected and distributed more than 600 tons of food and more than $3,600,000 in food gift cards given to the hungry in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Implemented by former Sarasota Mayor Fredd Adkins, the program is endorsed by local mayors and county commission chairs. Contributions are 100% tax deductible. The Mayors Feed the Hungry wishes for: • Cash donations for food gift cards • Grocery donations to pantries. For more information, go online to mayorsfeedthehungry.org or call 941-350-6075.
The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island wishes for art supplies to donate to school programs. Islander Courtesy Photo
All Island Denominations and other groups wish to keep the Roser Food Pantry stocked with household supplies. Islander Courtesy Photo
To: Island Players
The Island Players stages productions in its cozy little theater at the corner of Gulf Drive and Pine Avenue in Anna Maria. The group’s mission is “to continue to bring high quality and professional entertainment to the community for the cultural enrichment of all and to provide a stage for young people to learn and enhance their experiences in the performing arts.” The Island Players wishes for: • Volunteers, including as actors and for props, sound and light, stage and house management, social media promotions and dealing with technology. For more, go to theislandplayers.org or call 941-778-5755.
To: Artists’ Guild
The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island, in the Island Shopping Center, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, supports local artists and promotes arts education. AGAMI provides scholarships, sponsors tours to local art museums, contributes funding to school art programs, hosts art demonstrations and operates the Guild Gallery, where local artists display their work for sale. The artists wish for: • Art supplies to be passed on to school art departments, especially clay, paste and all kinds of art-project papers. For more information, call AGAMI’s gallery at 941- 778-6694.
To: Rotary Club
The Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island meets Tuesdays for lunch and remarks at the Compass Hotel on Perico Island. The club is a network of business, professional and community leaders, both active and retired. Money raised through fundraising efforts supports about three dozen projects, many of them at Anna Maria Elementary School in Holmes Beach. The Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island wishes for: • Printer paper. • New members. For more information about the Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island, go online to www.amirotary.org.
The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce wishes for toys to give tots. Islander Courtesy Photo
To: AMI Chamber
The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, representing 500-plus members and operating a visitor’s center at 5317 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, helps newcomers settle, businesses thrive and tourists navigate on the island. The chamber wishes for: • Gifts for the Toys For Tots holiday drive. • Sponsorships for additional lights on the holiday tree. • Continued health, safety and recovery for our community. For more information, call the office at 941-778-1541.
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Custom New Pool Construction
Pool/Spa Renovation Equipment Repairs & Installation
Chantelle Lewin Broker Associate Licensed since 1983
941.713.1449
www.tomsangerpools.com
WWW.CHANTELLELEWIN.COM
To: Annie Silver
The Annie Silver Community Center at 23rd Street and Avenue C in Bradenton Beach was founded by entrepreneur Annie Silver to promote friendship among neighbors. The center’s 2020-21 season was canceled and, as of Nov. 16, details of the 2021-22 were not announced. But during normal times, there are celebrations with song and music, bingo and potluck dinners. Annie Silver’s wishes have included: • Shell for the parking area. • Benches for the garden. For more, contact Linda Yarger at 941778-3580 or email lyargerl@aol.com.
941-932-1414
CPC1458020
To: AMIHS
The Anna Maria Island Historical Society operates a museum at 402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, where visitors can learn about the island’s history and see local antiques, collections and collectibles from the early days. AMIHS also recognizes preservation achievement and provides speakers for organizations wishing to present the island’s history. AMIHS wishes for: • Bakers to make Settlers’ Bread. • Volunteers for society committees. • Docents for three hours per week. For more information, call Kathy Primeau at 989-560-6381.
To: Save the Manatee
Save the Manatee Club Inc. was established in 1981 to protect the marine mammal through education campaigns, research, rehabilitation and legislation. The nonprofit’s principle source of funding comes from the Adopt-A-Manatee program. The friendly seacows frequent the waters of Tampa Bay, especially the warm water area at Tampa Electric Company, in need of parents/patrons. They are seen frequently in the bay waters off Anna Maria Island. The club’s wish list includes: • Gift certificates to office supply stores. • Office supplies. • Tax-free donations. For more information about the Save the Manatee Club, go to www.savethemanatee. org. To contact the club, call 800-432-5646.
GoodDeeds
Wildlife Inc. wishes for postage stamps. Islander Courtesy Photo
The Center of Anna Maria Island wishes for tennis balls, footballs, basketballs, soccer balls and pickleballs. Islander Courtesy Photo
Merry Christmas, y’all!
Pasta is on the list for the Roser Food Pantry. Islander Courtesy Photo
Island
Mail & Print and receive!
Assistance sought on AMI • The Island Players seeks volunteers for the theater, including house managers, backstage and prop crews, website experts and actors. Information: 508 965-5665. • Ministry of Presence Inc. seeks donations to aid earthquake victims in Haiti, donations to The Islander, 315 58th St., Suite J, Holmes Beach, or mail to MoP, P.O. Box 770, Oneco, FL 34264. • Moonracer Animal Rescue seeks volunteers to offer foster and forever homes. Information: 941-345-2441. • The Roser Food Bank seeks donations. Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, administers the pantry, supported by All Island Denominations. Information: 941-778-0414. • Keep Manatee Beautiful seeks volunteers for cleanups. Information: 941-7958272. Assistance offered on AMI • The Roser Food Bank welcomes applicants who live and/or work on Anna Maria Island for food assistance, 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.
GREAT FOOD·COCKTAILS·CRAFT BEER
Merry Christmas from everyone at Hurricane Hanks and Hurricane Liquors. S&S Plaza. 5346 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach 941.778.5788
Mike Norman Realty INC
800-367-1617 941-778-6696 31O1 GULF DR HOLMES BEACH www.mikenormanrealty.com
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THE ISLANDER WISH BOOK SHOPPING LIST
Have you always wanted to be Santa? We encourage you to use this space to make your Wish Book shopping list. Check it twice. You know they’re nice! Make a wish come true and brighten the holiday for more than a few. Joy to all! And to all, be well! — The Islander Shopping list: __________________________
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*And don’t forget to shop small! The mom-and-pop shops on AMI are counting on you!
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PROUD COMMUNITY NEWS SPONSOR SINCE 1992
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