HOLMES BEACH – Blue Ribbon Events is bringing its 7th annual Anna Maria Winter Art & Craft Show to City Field in Holmes Beach on Saturday, Jan. 17, and Sunday, Jan. 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The free, two-day show will showcase the work of more than 40 artists and crafters and their paintings, pottery, jewelry, textiles, woodwork, sculptures, yard art and more. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the artists and purchase their original, one-of-a-kind pieces.
The show will also feature vendors selling sunglasses, beach hats, skincare products, bath and body products, furniture, handmade crepes and more.
According to Blue Ribbon Events CEO Danielle Lynch, the event is designed to support local creativity while providing the community with access to unique artwork.
“The event brings together talented makers and art enthusiasts in a welcoming Island setting,” she said in the event press release.
THE ARTISTS
According to the press release:
Painter Kristina Grillo is returning with her soothing boat scenes and “captivating ladies.”
Husband-and-wife duo Michelle Chang and Wayne Gao are bringing their innovative ceramic art and large-scale wall pieces.
Mixed media artist Rachel Wu returns with her dipped glasses, clocks, charcuterie boards and large wall art.
Photographer Jimmy Chadsey is bringing his nature-themed images.
Woodworker Tim Gillespie is bringing his turned bowls, “crazy Christmas trees,” large plates and mushrooms.
The show will feature seven talented jewelry designers, four of whom are returning fan favorites.
Heather, from Jewelry by Nature’s Stones, will offer unique natural gemstones.
Dawn will have her bohemian wraps and beachy beaded bracelets.
Maureen will have her handcrafted wire wrap creations.
Abby May Miller is returning for the for the first time in a couple years and bringing her “bold runway statement pieces.”
In the press release, Lynch said, “Stop by and support these amazing artists and makers.”
City Field is located at 6001 Marina Drive, next to Holmes Beach City Hall.
ANNA MARIA – The Island Players’ theatrical production of Edward Taylor’s “Murder by Misadventure” is chock full of murderous twists and turns.
The three-week production opened on Thursday, Jan. 8 and continues through Sunday, Jan. 25
Starring Eric Johnson as Harold “Harry” Kent, Sylvia Marnie as his wife, Emma Kent, Heiko Knipfelberg as Paul Riggs and Kristin Mazzitelli as Inspector Egan, the story unfolds in Harry and Emma’s new luxury flat located high above the English Channel, at a time when cell phones were not yet prominent parts of daily life.
Knipfelberg directed the play, and due to unforeseen circumstances, he was unexpectedly thrust into the role of Paul Riggs as well – a development that requires him to perform “on script,” which means he’s at times reading from the small script book he holds in his hand but often disguises.
Director Heiko Knipfelberg also stars as Paul Riggs. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Paul and Harry are longtime and prosperous television writing partners and their specialty is murder mysteries. Over the years, Harry’s grown tired of working with Paul and wants to split the team apart so he can pursue his own writing endeavors.
Having been frugal with his earnings, Harry is positioned to make a career move. Paul, on the other hand, is a hard drinking, less than successful gambler whose earnings are quickly squandered on booze and bad bets, leaving him with no nest egg to fall back on.
Unwilling to accommodate Harry’s request to part ways, Paul tells Harry he knows about a deep, dark and criminal secret from Harry’s past and he’s going to turn him in if Harry insists on breaking up the successful writing team.
Paul’s blackmail threat sets in motion of series of diabolical, murderous and entertaining twists that continue until the final seconds of the surprise ending.
Harry and Emma plot their perfect crime. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
As Harry, Johnson aptly portrays his character’s desire to expand his creative and financial boundaries, and he’s willing to kill to do so.
As Emma, Marnie, (a former magician in real life) perfectly plays the accomplice who’s willing to go along with her husband’s murderous intentions
As Paul Riggs, Knipfelberg nails the complacency, desperation and plot-devising acumen of his character.
Harry is befuddled by Inspector Egan’s interrogative ways. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
As the intrusive, clever and Columbo-like Inspector Egan, Mazzitelli helps bring the second act to its dramatic and unexpected conclusion.
The actors’ talents are enhanced by the work done by Stage Manager Denise Handley, Costume Designer Pamela Hopkins, Set Designer Jan Van Wart, Lighting Designer Ethan Vail, Sound Designer Mike Lusk, hair and makeup artist Rita Lamoreux and Backstage Manager Cheryl Jaroseiwicz, whose props and set changes set the scene for the action unfolding on the stage.
“Murder by Misadventure” is co-produced by Ginny’s & Jane E’s Café. Tickets are $28 for adults, $18 for students and available online at the Island Players website.
Tickets can be purchased at the Island Players box office Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Saturday, Jan. 27. Tickets can also be purchased at the box office an hour before showtime. For more ticketing information, call 941-778-5755.
The Island Players Theatre is located at 10009 Gulf Drive in Anna Maria.
“Murder by Misadventure,” Island Players Theater, 10009 Gulf Dr., Anna Maria.
Thursday, Jan. 15:
Friends of the Island Library Lecture and Travel Series: Peggy Donoho and Ron Prouty, authors of “The Pioneer Tale of Miguel and Frederica Guerrero,” Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.
“Transformational Oyster Restoration in Southwest Florida – Manatee River Case Study” presentation by Oyster River Ecology founder Damon Moore, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday, Jan. 17-18:
Anna Maria Winter Art & Craft Show. City Field, 6001 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 20, 27:
Anna Maria Community Farmers Market, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 21:
“Mastering the Art of Sourdough,” Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th Street W., Cortez, 1-3 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 24:
Storytime & Paint, Distractions On The Island, 5306 Holmes Blvd., Suite 800, Holmes Beach, 11 a.m.
CORTEZ – Slicker’s Eatery owner Bob Slicker is winding down his restaurant operations and the leased space he currently occupies will soon be transformed into Izzy’s Place, a family diner operated by new leaseholder Tom Theophilopoulos.
During separate interviews given on Thursday, Jan. 8, Slicker and Theophilopoulos discussed the upcoming transition.
Bob Slicker is passing the torch to Tom Theophilopoulos. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Slicker’s Eatery will continue operating under Slicker’s leadership through the conclusion of a catered event on Sunday, Feb. 1. Theophilopoulos will take over the following day and the gradual transformation from Slicker’s Eatery to Izzy’s Place will begin.
“We’ve been on a month-to-month lease, our rent increased, and with all of the health issues I had last year, and having another grandchild I would like to visit, we have decided it is in our best interest to not continue our lease,” Slicker said.
“I am retiring from the restaurant business. I’m going to take a little time to get closer to my grandchildren, and myself, and I’m going to let my faith lead me which way I should go.
Abby Coller, Jason Harris, Barb Jeffries and Bob Slicker on the day the restaurant transition was announced. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“We’re going to throw a pig roast and our five-year anniversary party on the last Friday of month (Jan. 30) and we’re hoping during the next few weeks everyone will come by for hugs of joy, drinks and food. Thanks for the support during the good times. Thanks for the support during the bad times. Please come out and see us because my team members could all use a little boost right now. Please watch our Facebook page. We’re still going to be doing our normal activities and events for the next couple weeks,” Slicker said.
An eatery and more
Slicker’s Eatery opened at 12012 Cortez Rd. W. in February 2021. In 2024, the leased building and its contents were badly damaged by Hurricane Helene’s storm surge and floodwaters and further damaged by Hurricane Milton’s winds.
Slicker’s Eatery opened in February 2021. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“Everything in the place was ruined. That was disheartening,” Slicker said of Hurricane Helene. “The second storm ripping the brand-new air conditioner off the roof was bad too.”
While closed for regular business, Slicker’s Eatery hosted several outdoor hurricane relief parties that helped Slicker’s employees and other local out-of-work employees earn some much-needed money. Slicker’s Eatery also hosted a free Thanksgiving dinner for the hurricane-impacted community.
“We wanted to help the Cortez village and its residents,” Slicker said.
Slicker’s Eatery remained closed for 128 days and reopened in February 2025. For several years, Slicker also dealt with painful kidney stone issues that were finally resolved in 2025.
“The last year has been difficult. In all my years in business, this was the most difficult time I’ve had with the factors I can’t control. I ran a good race here for five years and it’s time to start another race,” he said. “I’m proud of everything we have done and everything we have accomplished in five years as a team. And even though the team has changed, we all had the same goal: ‘To not look the other way.’ Some of the team I opened with aren’t here anymore, but they were all part of a wonderful journey.”
Slicker expressed special thanks to his daughter, Molly (Slicker) Parry, his life partner, Amy Coller, and Amy’s 26-year-old daughter, Abby Coller, for the help and support they provided before and after Slicker’s Eatery first opened its doors.
“With all the stuff I went through last year, this place wouldn’t have lasted this long if it wasn’t for Amy, Abby and Molly,” he said.
“I’ve made some tremendous friends here that will carry me through the rest of my life. I’m grateful for those. I also lost the best friends of my life: Scott O’Brien, ‘Grego’ (Greg Koeper) and my mom (Ellen Scott).
“We had some great parties here, some great celebrations of life and some great wedding receptions. We’ve been involved with multiple charities throughout these years that we’ve been able to help support with our time and our products. That’s a wonderful feeling,” Slicker said.
The Slicker’s Eatery menu was developed by his nephew, Kurt Clennan, an executive chef in California.
“Our concept was fresh, no fryers, no walk-in freezer. We wanted to provide chef-driven food at a reasonable price, using local products and healthy ingredients. Our Spicy Octopus flies off the shelf and our Smoked Old Fashioned is our best-selling drink because it’s so unique to the area. I’m proud of the quality of our product and we always got great reviews for our food.”
The eatery’s post-hurricane recovery process included patrons and supporters paying $500 to have personal messages painted in white on the back of the black restaurant chairs – some of which now serve as memorials to deceased friends and loved ones. The chair that honors Slicker’s mom says, “Down in Front,” and sits at the corner of the bar where Ellen watched many Tampa Bay Lighting, Buccaneers and Rays’ games.
Many of the message-bearing chairs will remain. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“The chairs are amazing and I’m grateful that the new owner is going to keep them. The chairs helped us put money back into the building and helped us keep our team members through the slow time of the year,” Slicker said.
Patrons and supporters paid $500 to have a message painted on a chair. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
In 2022, Slicker traveled to Poland as part of the Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island’s efforts to assist Ukrainians impacted and displaced by the war with Russia.
“I can’t forget the nine-and-a-half hours of interviews with Ukrainian refugees that I have on my phone. I want to get back to that kind of energy and this is a great move energy-wise,” Slicker said of his unknown future endeavors. “It’s going to be good for my soul and my health, and that is what I’m looking forward to. With my faith, I’ve never worried about the next step. Now I can look for the next step. I want to do what I like doing best: helping people.”
As for what he’ll miss about owning a restaurant, Slicker said, “The love that a family restaurant can provide. I’ll miss that. I’ll miss the comfortability of it. You get used to seeing the same people every day. I will miss my team. I will not miss the long hours.
“Tom will move right in and I will help with the transition. I’m excited about his concept and I’m excited that he wants to move forward with my team. Through these years, I’ve always taken care of my team. It’s a great way to walk away,” Slicker said.
Izzy’s Place
Speaking by phone, Theophilopoulos said, “I’m looking forward to it. I’ll be working with Bob for a week or so and get to know the staff. I’ll wait a month, month-and-a-half, before we switch over to Izzy’s and go from there. I’ll be turning it into a really good family diner. We’re going to change the décor a bit and lighten the place up with some different colors.”
Tom Theophilopoulos will transform Slicker’s Eatery into Izzy’s Place. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Izzy’s Place will serve breakfast, lunch, daily lunch specials and dinner.
“For $15, or less, you’re going to get a sit-down meal that’s fresh-cooked using good ingredients. We’ll have good food, a good family-oriented environment and good prices,” Theophilopoulos said.
The liquor license will transfer to Izzy’s Place and mimosas and bloody marys will be part of the breakfast and brunch offerings.
Izzy’s Place is named after Theophilopoulos’ dog, Izzy, a friendly, five-year-old Havapoo that’s a mix of the Havanese and poodle breeds.
“I bring 40 years of restaurant experience,” Theophilopoulos said. “I’ve been director of operations for four chains. I ran the Hard Rock Cafés in the northeast United States. I’ve opened 30-plus restaurants for different concepts. I’ve owned three of my own restaurants and this will be my fourth. Like a good Greek boy, I started at 13-years-old as a busboy working for my dad on weekends, summer vacations and Christmas vacations. I worked as a busboy, dishwasher, line cook and a waiter.
“I’ve been working with a real estate agent for the last couple years and I looked at a lot of places. Charles (Leduc) called me up and said this is perfect for you. We live five minutes away in San Remo, behind the Cortez Clam Factory, and I knew the place because my girlfriend (Marilyn Medo) and I have eaten there.”
Theophilopoulos shares Slicker’s passion for helping the community: “I want to do a lot of local stuff, a lot of family stuff and get involved with the churches too.”
Family, staff, friends
Molly lives in the Orlando area with her husband, Richard, but she played an integral role in the opening and promotion of her dad’s restaurant.
“I am incredibly proud of what my dad and the Slicker’s team has accomplished. Through all the attrition we’ve faced, and the odds that were often stacked against our little family restaurant, their loyal team and loving friends, family and patrons have seen them through five years of success,” she said.
Richard Parry, Bob Slicker, Molly (Slicker) Parry and Ellen Scott enjoyed many good times at Slicker’s Eatery. – Molly Parry | Submitted
“I still remember doodling the logo on an index card while my dad talked about wanting to make this place a reality, and so much has changed since then. What hasn’t changed is why we did it: for goodness’s sake. They’ve made a lot of difference in a lot of lives. Mostly, I’m excited for my dad to have a well-deserved breather and for him to be able to spend less time working and more time as ‘Gramps,’” Molly said.
The Slicker’s Eatery team includes Jason Harris, Barb Jeffries, Bob Slicker and Abby Coller. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Abby was 22 when she started working at Slicker’s four years ago.
“I’ve met a lot of really special people through this place; and I learned a lot about people and life in general,” she said.
The changing of the guard frees her up to pursue another career path.
“I’m moving on. I went to school for environmental science and I stuck around to help my family and ease their stress levels,” Coller said.
She hopes to find work related to wildlife conservation, ecology, land management or something similar that allows her to continue making positive changes in the world she lives in.
“I got into Turtle Watch (Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring) because Bob knew Kristen (Mazzarella) and we held a lot of events for them,” she said.
27-year-old head chef Jason Harris has been working with Slicker on and off for the past 10 years, dating back to his high school years; and he too will eventually be moving on.
“After almost a decade, it’s been a pleasure to be able to help so many charities and do what we’ve done,” Harris said.
When asked what he learned from his many years with Slicker, Harris said it’s more than he can boil down into a few sentences for a newspaper story.
After assisting with the transition, Harris hopes to temporarily relocate to the Fort Myers/Boynton Beach area to begin working as a move supervisor for Armadillo Relocations – a company that travels to different locations in Florida and throughout the United States and helps relocate low-income individuals and families who need to move due to redevelopment, disaster or other housing issues.
Barb Jeffries is Slicker’s Eatery’s newest bartender, in addition to her full-time job as an executive assistant for the city of Anna Maria. She met Slicker in October after they worked the AMI Chamber of Commerce beer tent together during Bayfest.
“I heard about Bob and all the fundraising he does. I wanted to be a part of that; and the vibe here is awesome, with the people that come in and the people that work here,” Jeffries said.
Kathy Shaw, Lynn Sutthoff, Bob Slicker, Liz Bergeron and Nancy Schroder during happy hour on Friday, Jan. 9. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Wood Dock & Seawall is located next to the Slicker’s Eatery; and while sitting at the bar after work that Thursday afternoon, owner Joey Newell said, “I’ve been next to this place as it’s changed management multiple times throughout the years and I can say I’ve never met a better human than Bob. During the storms, he was giving away free food and supplying water to people. I’ve never seen somebody do more for the community than Bob. I wish him the best. I wish all the people that work here the best. They’re good humans at heart.”
His dad (and co-owner), Brian Wood, said, “I’ve known Bobby a long time – for 20 years at least. I’ll reiterate what my son Joey said: Bob Slicker has done a fantastic job with this place. The staff’s always been pleasant, they take care of you and I couldn’t find a better place to sit in the afternoon to have a cocktail and a bite to eat. I wish Bob the best. He’s always been a striver of excellence; and in the long run, things turn out for people who are good-hearted. God bless him and thank you.”
On Friday evening, Bill Woodruff, a Slicker’s Eatery regular and a longtime friend, said, “Bob’s always called me ‘grandpa’ because I’m older than him. He is more positive and more beneficial to the people around him than most people you meet today. He’s real, he’s there all the time and I love him dearly. I hate to see him go, but I feel it will be a new opportunity for Mr. Slicker. The next chapter is what I’m interested in.”
BRADENTON BEACH – A planning and zoning board public hearing to consider a major development plan for the Bungalow Beach Resort property at 2000 and 2104 Gulf Drive will be held Wednesday, Jan. 7, at 1 p.m. at Bradenton Beach City Hall.
The proposed major development plan consists of a 15-guest room hotel with two habitable stories over parking, and an outdoor pool area.
The planning and zoning board is a recommending body to the Bradenton Beach City Commission. The city commission will hold a public hearing on the matter on Thursday, Feb. 5, at 6 p.m.
The meetings will be held in the Katie Pierola Commission Chambers at 107 Gulf Drive N.
Historical timeline
The property, owned by Gayle Luper and known as Bungalow Beach Resort, has been the subject of quasi-judicial hearings and a lawsuit filed against the city.
During Hurricane Helene, the older, original waterfront cottages at Bungalow Beach Resort were destroyed and subsequently condemned.
On March 14, Luper opened a portion of the razed parcel lot where the cottages once stood and began charging a resort fee of $50 per car to park and use the adjacent beach area. Code Enforcement Officer Evan Harbus told Luper all parking in that lot must cease, as it was in violation of city code.
Luper maintained that despite the bungalows being destroyed by the 2024 hurricane, the resort’s other two parcels were continually operational and she was entitled to sell resort passes that include parking, as she had done prior to the hurricanes.
Luper said she was advised by the city that she must file a parking permit to continue to charge a resort fee for parking, but she said City Planner Luis Serna advised her that a permit was not necessary.
On April 17, the city commission voted to require Luper to obtain a temporary use permit for parking, with a series of restrictions attached. The restrictions included no overnight parking and no parking past 9 p.m.
Luper filed a lawsuit against the city on April 25. The city then filed a request for dismissal of the lawsuit. That case remains open, according to the Manatee County Clerk of Court website.
On July 29, the attorneys representing Luper Enterprises and the city presented their opposing arguments regarding the commission’s decision to ban resort fee-based parking at the Bungalow Beach Resort. Special Master Marisa Powers presided over the quai-judicial hearing and later ruled she did not have jurisdiction to override the city’s decision.
HOLMES BEACH – The Holmes Beach-based Clean Water Ad Hoc Committee heads into 2026 riding a wave of positive momentum created in 2025.
Working in unison with the city-funded Islanders 4 Clean Water initiative, the city-funded volunteer committee is chaired by Holmes Beach resident and retired chemist, Dr. Jennifer Miller. The committee includes Holmes Beach residents Marty Hicks, Mike Pritchett and Bill Romberger, Anna Maria residents John Kolojeski and Scott MacGregor and Longboat Key Public Works Director Charlie Mopps.
City Commissioner Terry Schaefer serves as the commission’s committee liaison. He attends the committee’s monthly meetings at city hall and later provides the commission with meeting recaps.
Adopted in September, the city’s 2025-26 fiscal year budget contains $15,000 for Clean Water Committee expenditures.
Each committee member brings different water-related expertise and experience to the committee. Mopps, who was appointed to the committee in mid-2025, along with MacGregor (a retired marine biology teacher), provides the committee with a wealth of knowledge about water-related and environmental issues and the inner workings of municipal governments.
City Clerk Stacey Johnston swore Charlie Mopps in as a Clean Water Ad Hoc Committee member. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Dating back to its 2021 inception, the committee’s primary mission remains: “To research means by which to sustain and improve upon the condition and purity of the natural waters and drinking water around Anna Maria Island.”
The Clean Water Ad Hoc Committee’s monthly meetings sometimes feature guest presenters and the 2025 presenters included Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Executive Director Dave Tomasko in May and a trio of University of Florida researchers in September who spent nearly two hours discussing in great detail the PFAS chemicals present in drinking water and natural waters.
PFAS
The University of Florida researchers provided the committee with a 59-page presentation on the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances).
The trio included Dr. John Bowden, an associate professor at the University of Florida and the founder and namesake of the university’s Gainesville-based Bowden Laboratory. He was joined by fourth-year PhD candidate Tommy Sinkway and second-year PhD Student Isabella Cioffi. Much of their work involves collecting and analyzing drinking water samples and natural water samples. They also collect and analyze flesh samples taken from fish.
University of Florida researchers Isabella Cioffi, Tommy Sinkway and Dr. John Bowden addressed the Clean Water Committee in September. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
According to their presentation, 98% of the U.S. population has PFAS in their bodies. PFAS chemicals are found in tap water and natural waters and the potential health hazards include higher cholesterol, liver damage, kidney cancer, a higher risk of testicular cancer, developmental effects for unborn children, lower birth weight and reduced response to vaccines and more.
Bowden said PFAS chemicals have been around since the 1930s and their early uses include non-stick cookware and the the development of the hydrogen bomb as part of the Manhattan Project.
PFAS chemicals are now used in pesticides, propellants in various sprays, fast food packaging and wrappers, pizza boxes. clothing, cosmetics, popcorn bags, candy wrappers, shampoo, cleaning products, weather resistant clothing, non-stick cookware, nail polish, paints and solvents, eye makeup, dental floss, Band-Aids, toilet paper, plastic watchbands and much more.
“We don’t like products that leak, we don’t like things that stain. Because of this demand, all these chemicals were made. Unfortunately, once we’re done using those products they get disposed, end up in landfills, get reduced to run-off and wind up in our environment,” Bowden said.
He said the chemical bonds in PFAS are among the strongest in chemistry. He said the chemical properties that make PFAS great for the products they’re used in also make them bad for the environment because they take a very long time to break down and essentially stick around forever.
He said the most egregious use of PFAS is probably the fire-fighting foam used at airports and military bases to extinguish intense fires. Through rain and runoff, the PFAS contained in the foam later makes its way into the natural waterways.
Bowden said in the past 20 years or so scientists began researching the negative health effects of PFAS; and in the past decade or so, PFAS has been identified in drinking water sources.
“We’re exposed through our drinking water, we’re exposed through our food,” he said.
Bowden said water treatment plants only remove about 10% of the PFAS chemicals and a lot of PFAS-contaminated affluent materials end up in natural waterways too.
Bowden said he’s also growing increasingly concerned about airborne PFAS, because high levels of PFAS have been found in dust collected in air conditioning filters. He said the higher quality filters remove more of the potentially harmful airborne PFAS.
“There are a lot of concerns for PFAS. This is a problem that’s not going to go away,” he said. “Everybody in this room has PFAS in them. What’s unknown is what that means for your health.”
Bowden said the researchers use crowdsourcing to increase public awareness and garner assistance from volunteers. Bowden’s team developed standard operating procedures that instruct volunteers how to collect drinking water samples using kits provided by the Bowden Lab.
The presentation included several color-coded maps that identify PFAS hot spots, frequent spill areas and more. The maps show the Tampa Bay area as a PFAS hot spot and Bowden and his team plan to study the greater Tampa Bay area, which by proximity also includes Manatee County and Anna Maria Island.
Bowden and Kolojeski noted one of the drinking water taps with the highest concentration of PFAS was found at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach.
Mopps noted Manatee County provides the drinking water to Longboat Key and the three Anna Maria Island cities. He suggested testing the drinking water at the mainland point of origin and testing the water again when it comes out of the residential taps on the barrier Island cities to see if the PFAS levels increase as the water travels through the county’s water pipes.
Mopps said the drinking water transferred to Longboat Key spends time in holding tanks and the town further enhances the water treatment done by the county.
“I have plenty of public drinking spots where you can collect samples of your own at our parks,” Mopps told Bowden.
Kolojeski, a longtime proponent of in-home reverse osmosis water filtering systems, said, ‘I would never allow a child or anyone of child-bearing age, male or female, to drink my tap water until I had reverse osmosis to eliminate the PFAS.”
When asked if plastic water bottles release PFAS into the water they contain, Bowden said, “That’s a good question. I don’t know if it’s from the water or the bottle.”
Kolojeski recommends drinking water bottled by companies that use reverse osmosis. He said those companies include Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola and Nestle.
“Some of those ‘so-called’ very expensive spring waters do not use reverse osmosis. You’re paying a lot of money and you’re still getting PFAS,” Kolojeski said.
Sinkway’s portion of the presentation focused primarily on the increased presence of pharmaceuticals, prescription drugs and “drugs of abuse” found in natural waters. His research also focuses on the greater Tampa Bay region – an area he said includes multiple airports, a military base and has been subjected to multiple sewage spills.
“That heat map is bright red,” he said of the Tampa Bay area.
Fish & PFAS
Cioffi’s research focuses primarily on the presence of PFAS in fish consumed in the United States, and particularly in Florida.
Cioffi noted commercial and recreational fishing and seafood consumption is a large part of the Florida economy and the national economy – providing more than 121,000 full and part-time jobs and an estimated $24 billion economic impact.
“There’s not a lot of information on PFAS and fish,” Cioffi said. “I fish. I grew up fishing. That’s a big part of my life. I don’t want us to stop eating fish. I want us to be able to eat fish in a way that’s healthy. We have healthy fish and Florida should be known for having healthy fish.”
“We just want people to know which fish are safe to eat.” Bowden added.
“We still eat fish with mercury in it, but we have consumption advisories that say only eat this type of fish once a month, every two weeks or whatever it is,” Cioffi said, noting that her goal is to one day see data-supported, risk assessment-based consumption advisories issued for fish species containing high levels of PFAS.
Cioffi’s research includes analyzing 86 species of fish found in Florida waters. She said recreational anglers, charter captains and seafood markets have been contacted and crowdsourcing is being used to gather additional fish samples from anglers.
Cioffi said the lab has already collected 4,000 fish samples and she still seeks more. Her portion of the presentation included a chart of the 86 species to be analyzed. She already has enough samples for 45 of those species but she still seeks additional samples for the remaining species; and she particularly seeks additional samples of four species: Atlantic tripletail, mahi-mahi, Gulf flounder and southern flounder.
Cioffi said the fish samples only need to be 2-3 grams per fish and should be taken from the fatty muscle tissues rather than the organs.
The collected fish samples shipped to the Bowden Lab at the lab’s expense are freeze-dried, pulverized, extracted and concentrated as part of the data processing efforts.
Romberger suggested the Bowden Lab send the city fish sampling kits to be made available to local anglers. A short time later, the Holmes Beach city clerk’s office received a couple dozen sampling kits that are now available to local anglers and fishing captains at no cost. Interested angers can learn more at www.bowdenlaboratory.com/florida-fish.
Fish sample kits are available at the Holmes Beach city clerk’s office. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“We need more knowledge on this,” Cioffi said
Regarding PFAS as a whole, Bowden said, “If we have a better educated community, you can better educate your politicians and maybe get them to understand why this isn’t just a flavor of the month. This is something that’s going to affect your kids, it’s going to affect your pets, it’s going to affect anything exposed to them.”
CORTEZ – Fish house employees and fishermen are calling this mullet season one of the best in recent memory as Cortez fish houses are filling up with mullet brought in by private fishermen.
Two of those fishermen, Seth Miller and Wyatt Walker, were pulling in mullet for two straight days to sell at one of the two the Cortez fish houses: Cortez Bait & Seafood and A.P. Bell Fish Co.
Fishermen Wyatt Walker and Seth Miller sell their haul of mullet to Cortez Bait & Seafood. – Leslie Lake | Sun
“We didn’t sleep for the last two days,” Miller said on Dec. 31. “It’s been pretty good this year. We’ve been catching fish in the bay and offshore. We caught some up north last night.”
Miller said it seemed like the season got off to a late start and could go until February.
Private fishermen such as Miller and Walker can be seen in local waters pulling up nets full of mullet. Once their boats are loaded, they’re driven to either Cortez Bait & Seafood or A.P. Bell Fish Co., where the catches are weighed and the fishermen are paid.
“I’ve been doing this for 17 years and I would say this is the best mullet season I’ve seen in at least 10 years,” said Linda, an employee of Cortez Bait & Seafood, as she oversaw the weighing of the fish brought in by local fishermen. “There’s been no hurricanes and no red tide, so I think that’s why it’s been really good.”
She said on Jan. 1 that Cortez Bait & Seafood was taking a break for several days before accepting any more mullet.
“We’re so full right now,” she said. “We have no place to put any more fish. We’ll probably start up again next Monday (Jan. 5).”
Linda said the prices paid to the fishermen fluctuate, but a premium is paid for mullet with red roe and the rate was currently at $1.30 per pound. The red roe mullet is sent out to European and Asian markets.
The mullet with red roe is the most desirable and is shipped to European and Asian markets. – Leslie Lake | Sun
Karen Bell, owner of AP Bell Fish Co., closed on Jan. 1 to give her employees the day off, but that fish house started accepting fish again on Jan. 2.
“We have fish staged in coolers right now,” Bell said on Jan. 1. “Tomorrow we will be taking fish from fishermen who have been selling to us this year.”
Adult striped mullet typically weigh about three pounds. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has strict guidelines about how they can be caught.
“The use of any gear other than cast nets (no more than 14 feet long, and no more than two per vessel), beach or haul seines (no larger than 500 square feet, and no more than two, may be fished per vessel), hook and line gear; and by spearing is prohibited,” according to FWC.
BRADENTON BEACH – The spirit of altruism won out over the cold Gulf waters as dozens of participants took the plunge in the annual Clancy’s Irish Pub’s Shamrock Shiver charity event on New Years Day.
The participants, many in costumes, gathered donation pledges to jump into the 67-degree water at Coquina Beach to raise funds for local charities.
Into the 67-degree Gulf water the plunger went. – Leslie Lake | Sun
Since 2009, Clancy’s annual charity plunge has raised $470,567 for local non-profit organizations. In recent years, the event has raised more than $30,000 each year.
“We at Clancy’s are committed to keeping the ‘Give Where You Live’ spirit alive by supporting local causes, empowering our community and making a lasting impact right where we call home,” the Clancy’s website stated.
Costumed participants at the Clancy’s Shamrock Shiver pose before the plunge. – Leslie Lake. | Sun
The proceeds from this year’s event will benefit Healthy Teens Inc., The Blessing Bags Project and Hungers End – three non-profit organizations that help disadvantaged children in Manatee and Sarasota Counties.
Healthy Teens’ stated mission is dedication to empowering youth to make positive, healthy decisions for their success and wellbeing.
“We provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed choices about their physical, mental and emotional health. We do this primarily through the Teen Health Educator Program, training high school students to become peer-educators and mentors serving at-risk youth in their community,” the Healthy Teens website states.
The Blessing Bags Project provides basic, critical needs to the homeless and less fortunate.
Hunger’s End operates a food pantry and blessing closet serving 500-600 families each month. Hunger’s End also partners with other organizations to provide free groceries, clothing and personal hygiene products to those in need.
After-party attendees perused more than 60 silent auction items. – Leslie Lake | Sun
Following the plunge, an after-party at Clancy’s on Cortez Road featured live music, live and silent auctions and raffles. Those proceeds also benefited the three non-profit organizations.
the Shamrock Shiver after-party featured The Dr. Dave Band. – Leslie Lake | Sun
As of Jan. 2, the 2026 fundraising total had not yet been posted at the Clancy’s Shamrock Shiver website.
Participants in Clancy’s Shamrock Shiver charity event run into the chilly Gulf on New Year’s Day. - Leslie Lake | Sun
The folks plunged into 2026. - Leslie
A flock of flamingo-themed ladies made the plunge. - Leslie Lake | Sun
Participants in Clancy’s Shamrock Shiver charity event come out of chilly Gulf waters. - Leslie Lake | Sun
The Shamrock Shiver participants gathered at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach. - Leslie Lake | Sun
After making the plunge, Brady joined the after-party at Clancy’s. - Leslie Lake | Sun
A list of auction items was posted at Clancy’s during the after-party. - Leslie Lake | Sun
Winter can have a chilling effect on local anglers and limit their quarry, but those who know how to mine the riches of any season turn their attention to the species that actually thrives in cold water.
The best example locally are known for their bait stealing prowess and the stripes they dress in. Sheepshead, while shunned by some anglers, are hard fighting, challenging to hook and excellent to eat. Savvy anglers’ target sheepshead around structures like bridges, hard bottoms, oyster bars and dock pilings, where they feed on barnacles, crabs and other crustaceans. They know to use small, stout, sharp hooks; and for best success, they (tongue in cheek) advise to set the hook a split-second before they bite!
As a fly angler, I’ve caught a few sheepshead over the years, all accidentally while fishing for other species. The times I’ve seen them and actually made a presentation, they never seemed to respond to my efforts.
When Ryan Gandy, the new executive director of the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, recently mentioned he targeted them with a tiny fly I was slightly skeptical and all ears. Last week, Gandy and his son, Kyle, joined me for a day on the water and a chance for him to show me his technique.
Ryan Gandy with proof that his fly fishing concept works. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun
We started the day fishing the edge of Long Bar Point in Sarasota Bay, but a south wind had roiled the water, making it off-color and hard to spot fish. The tide was low and incoming all day, so we moved north where the water along the eastern shoreline was clear. For the next four hours, we were plagued by scudding clouds that made spotting fish hard, but we still managed three redfish and a trout.
The sheepshead we did find were spooky, and most were not seen until we were so close Gandy had to make a roll cast presentation. While we did get a few follows, the sheepshead that seemed interested were spooked by the boat before making a commitment.
After fishing a number of spots, I mentioned that I had seen some sheepshead in shallow water just off a seawall near where I launched the boat, so we decided to try and make that a learning opportunity.
Luckily, the sheepshead were obliging; and after two casts, Gandy got a take and landed a sheepshead just as he had predicted. In the process, I was given a first-hand demonstration of his technique. Key to his strategy was making a cast close enough so the sheepshead could spot the fly, but not too close to avoid spooking them. He mentioned what good eyesight they had and how they could spot a fly at a distance.
He demonstrated this by casting about three feet past the intended target and then slow stripping it until the sheepshead spotted it. When the fly was spotted, it rushed over to inspect the perceived prey and that’s when the next critical move, or lack thereof, was employed. Stopping the fly and letting it sink to the bottom mimicked a crab trying to hide from a predator it knew it couldn’t outrun. When the sheepshead rushed over and tipped up on to the fly, Gandy moved it with a small strip. Doing this allowed him to determine if the fly had been taken; and if not, would mimic a crab that had been discovered and was attempting to flee. This happened twice, and on the third strip the sheepshead was hooked.
This was a perfect opportunity to see his strategy in practice; and it reminded me of how a fly angler teases a permit, which is one of the hardest fish to entice to a fly. It also made me aware that sheepshead are predators; and, like when fishing for permit, patience and persistence are key.
Gandy ties a small version of the Merkin (a time-tested permit fly) on a #4 hook. Other flies, like the Alphlexo crab, are also effective.
A penny gives perspective on the size of Gandy’s sheepshead merkin. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun
It great to get insight on a new angle on sight fishing after so many years of fly fishing. If you haven’t been targeting sheepshead with a fly, I encourage you to give this technique a shot. I saw it in action and can’t wait to give it a try. Use your senses, experiment, be persistent and you can experience a whole new challenge during our cooler winter months.
Last week’s column was a bit of a downer. I’m not saying it wasn’t true, only that real estate sales need a sunnier pathway in order to encourage motion, so let’s see if we can let the sun shine in.
First of all, the fact that homeowners are sitting on more home equity than at any other time in history is not necessarily a bad thing. Not everyone wants to move and many Americans are just as happy to live in their current home atop a mound of equity with a low mortgage rate and wait to retire. Not exactly torture.
Second, the ultra-low interest rates we experienced five years ago gave many homeowners the opportunity of owning a home for the first time. This action could easily come back years from now as the one single thing that turned the United States housing market around.
Finally, between the years 2003 and 2008, mortgage interest rates floated between 6.5% and 5.87%, getting close to where we are now. And guess what? People bought houses every day.
After the third time this year the feds lowered interest rates, the market is finally starting to respond. As of early December, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate was hovering at about 6.2%. On December 24th, Freddie Mac gave everyone a Christmas gift, lowering the fixed rate to an average of 6.18%.
There are, however, buyers out there who think they’re entitled to a 3% rate and will refuse to buy unless they get it. I would direct these buyers to Freddie Mac’s mortgage rate history and they’ll see rates as high as 16%, and we didn’t lose the real estate structure of the country.
The housing market has been stuck in low gear for some time now, however, home sales rose in November nationally for the third straight month. These three consecutive months of rising sales is the longest streak since December 2024. In addition, mortgage rates have been falling in recent months, boosting home buying activity. Buyers are taking advantage of the slight improvement in affordability and more would likely jump into the market if mortgage rates fall further.
Florida recorded 17,674 closed sales of existing single-family homes in November, up 3.4% over last year. Condo sales were also up 1.6% in the state, totaling 6,099 sales. Although it’s difficult to transfer the end of year trends into the next year’s spring buying season, the economists are not seeing anything in these sales numbers that give us a reason to be pessimistic as the year turns over.
There’s a lot of demand in Florida waiting to be unlocked as affordability improves – and improvements we do see, if at a snail’s pace. Florida remains a very attractive destination for out-of-staters and the only impediment in the last couple of years has been affordability. All of this offers some hope that the housing market nationally may finally show signs of life in 2026; and I predict Florida will be leading the way.
If you’re a homeowner who is clinging to your 3% mortgage and come hell or high water you won’t give it up, you need a reality check: those rates aren’t coming back. Don’t sacrifice your family’s happiness and security because you’re frozen in place.
I thought I would end my first column of the new year on the light side. My friend who lives in New York City shared with me something she saw in the window of a liquor store while she was out for her afternoon stroll: “We don’t have flu shots, but we do have wine shots.” So, there it is, it doesn’t get any better than that … Happy New Year.
HOLMES BEACH – Fran and Wayne Derr started working on their 111th jigsaw puzzle on Sunday, Dec. 28.
The Holmes Beach residents live in the Key Royale community and they began doing jigsaw puzzles a little more than five years ago.
“In March 2020, the states began to implement shutdowns in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which forced us to stay at home for the most part,” Fran explained. “So, to find an enjoyable way to pass away the time that we were spending in our home, Wayne and I started doing puzzles. We called it our own little Happy Hour! Most days, in the afternoons, we’d start working on a puzzle, with Wayne fixing me a margarita and himself a bourbon.”
The couple shares photos of their completed puzzles on Facebook and Fran said their friends look forward to seeing their finished works.
“Our first puzzle was posted on Facebook on June 10, 2020. It was titled ‘Beach.’ How appropriate! Here we were stuck in our homes at the beach but we could still jump in our car and leave the house and go for a walk on the beach,” Fran said. “In July 2020, we actually did five puzzles that month! Most were 500 pieces, but we managed a couple of 1,000-piece puzzles as well.
“Over the past five years of doing puzzles, we did fall in love with one puzzle, ‘Cat Close Up,’ which we had framed and is on the wall in our foyer,” Fran said.
This framed “Cat Close Up” puzzle hangs in the couple’s foyer. – Fran Derr | Submitted
When asked about the most difficult puzzle they’ve attempted, Fran said an old friend in Atlanta sent them a classic wooden puzzle titled “Barcelona” that was so difficult they had to give up on it.
“However, we did complete some difficult puzzles and the ‘Cat Close Up’ puzzle we had framed is one of them,” Fran said.
Wayne working on the “Barcelona” puzzle that didn’t get finished. – Fran Derr | Submitted
“COVID-19 has long passed us by, but we are still enjoying doing puzzles and posting on Facebook. This hobby and pastime of ours has made it easy for friends and relatives to give us puzzles as gifts! We are now past 110 puzzles and we are still going!” Fran said.
PALMA SOLA BAY – As captain of Anne’s Calmwater Charters, Anne Huber enjoys sharing her knowledge about manatees, dolphins and the local waters, but there is one question she’s often asked that’s difficult to answer.
On a recent boat tour of Palma Sola Bay, Huber pointed out a number of moored boats – some were taking on water, some partially sunken and many with registration numbers removed.
“Sometimes people will ask me about these boats,” Huber said. “I just tell them they’ll be removed eventually and crushed.”
Huber pointed out seagrass in shallow waters and mangroves lining the shoreline that can be destroyed by drifting unmanned vessels.
Residents of nearby Flamingo Cay ask the same question as Huber’s customers: Why do the apparently derelict boats remain?
“The derelict boats have been an increasing concern to our neighborhood, as well as other neighborhoods around the beautiful Palma Sola Bay,” Flamingo Cay resident Keith Burchett wrote in an email to The Sun.
“I would say that the problem appeared to be worse once the county started to make preparations to replace the Cortez bridge,” he wrote. “As of this morning, there is a sunk boat in the bay without lights that is causing a safety hazard and another boat drifted to the beach last week. It has since been removed from the beach, but I do not know when or by whom.”
Burchett said at least one of the boats was listed on a short-term rental website.
“Twice people came to my door asking how to get on the boat,” Burchett wrote. “We have never seen the rented derelict boats move. One has to wonder what is happening to the wastewater after the rental. I shudder to think they might be dumping the waste into the bay.”
This cabin cruisier was recently demolished and removed at the Palma Sola Boat Ramp. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Burchett said government agencies are aware of the problem, but do not claim jurisdiction over the derelict boats.
“Unfortunately, this is a problem for all of Manatee County. Palma Sola Bay has a long history of reported pollution creating unsafe conditions for swimming,” Burchett wrote. “These boats contribute to the problem due to human waste, gas, and oil being leeched every time a derelict boat sinks or comes adrift onto the beach. I am not an expert, but everyone knows if a boat has become too expensive for the owner, and it is legal just to anchor the boat in the water and leave it, the problem becomes the taxpayers’ problem at the end of the day.”
Another Flamingo Cay resident who asked not to be named spoke to The Sun.
“I’ve called FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission), but nobody seems to want to do anything about this because they (the boats) are not blocking the channel,” he said.
Derelict boats come under the jurisdiction of the FWC and local law enforcement agencies.
“Derelict and at-risk vessels are a concern because they can endanger marine life and habitat, pose threats to public safety and cause property damage as they drift on or beneath the water’s surface. Derelict vessels that block navigable waterways can also pose a navigational hazard. Law enforcement officers with the FWC, as well as state, county and local officers, conduct periodic inspections and take appropriate actions to reduce the risk these vessels present,” according to the FWC website.
Derelict boats are tagged by local agencies and reported to FWC.
Intentionally dumping a vessel is a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine, according to FWC. It can also result in restitution to the state for the cost of removal, along with fines.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – An often-cited proverb says, “It takes a village to raise a child.”
In that same spirit, The Sun says, “It takes an entire Island to recover from back-to-back hurricanes.”
For that reason, The Sun names the entire extended Anna Maria Island community as its Persons of the Year for 2025. For an Island community that experienced such widespread damage and devastation, it would be impossible and unjust to honor a single individual or organization when so many did so much in 2025.
For many on the Island, much of the year was spent on the continued recovery from Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024.
The wide-ranging recovery, restoration and rebuilding efforts included city leaders, city staff members, hurricane-impacted residents, local builders, contractors, subcontractors and skilled trade workers, business and restaurant owners and employees, community event organizers, non-profit organizations, Realtors, real estate agents and their support staffs and the vacation rental owners, managers and support staff that helped accommodate the returning tourists and visitors that supported the Island’s hurricane-impacted, tourism-based economy.
Three cities, one Island
Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short, Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie and Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth helped lead the recovery and restoration efforts taking place in their cities.
The mayors were assisted by the city commissions and commissioners that govern the cities; and the mayors and commissioners were assisted by the volunteer committee members and advisory board members who provided their valuable insights and assistance.
Anna Maria General Manager Dean Jones, Bradenton Beach Public Works Director (and police chief) John Cosby and now-departed Holmes Beach Public Works Director Sage Kamiya played critical roles in guiding their departments through the recovery efforts.
The hurricanes also reminded us of the important work done by the Island’s building and planning departments, and the impacts their work has on the construction community and the Island’s residents, property owners and business owners.
Anna Maria City Planner Ashley Austin, Bradenton Beach Building Official Bill Palmer, Holmes Beach Development Services Director Chad Minor, Holmes Beach Building Official Neal Schwartz and Holmes Beach Development Services Coordinator Kim Charron were among those who played important roles in the recovery efforts.
The three building departments were greatly assisted by the code enforcement/code compliance departments led by Dave DeZutter in Anna Maria, Evan Harbus in Bradenton Beach and James “JT” Thomas in Holmes Beach.
City clerks Amber LaRowe (Anna Maria), Terri Sanclemente (Bradenton Beach) and Stacey Johnston (Holmes Beach) and their staffs assisted the mayors, commissioners and fellow staff members with the recovery efforts and the daily operations of their cities.
City treasurers LeAnne Addy (Anna Maria), Shayne Thompson (Bradenton Beach) and Julie Marcotte (Holmes Beach) played important roles in the reporting, tracking and accounting associated with the hurricane damage reimbursement process while also performing their regular financial duties.
In terms of hurricane-related public safety, the worst had passed by the time the calendar flipped to 2025, but throughout the year Sgt. Brett Getman (Anna Maria), Police Chief Bill Tokajer (Holmes Beach) and Chief Cosby (Bradenton Beach) led the law enforcement agencies that helped provide us all with a safe place to live, work, play and visit.
The Sun also recognizes the many other unnamed city staff members who helped their cities and citizens recover.
Return, restore, rebuild, recover
The Island’s return to relative normalcy couldn’t have happened without the determination, resiliency and emotional fortitude of the Island’s permanent residents and the financial sacrifices they made to reoccupy their beloved Island homes.
Some longtime residents made the difficult decision to move off the Island, but a large percentage of the Island’s already shrinking residential population returned when their homes were habitable again; and that’s a testament to their love for the Island.
Bayfest and other public events helped restore Anna Maria Island’s sense of community. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The numerous community events held in 2025 helped foster and rejuvenate the Island’s strong sense of residential community. Signature events included Bayfest, Lester Family Fun Day, the “Old Soldiers & Sailors” Veterans Day parade, Anna Maria’s symphonic Memorial Day salute, the city block parties at City Pier Park, the weekly farmers market, Holmes Beach’s 75th Anniversary celebration and a multitude of festive Christmas and holiday events held Island-wide.
The Island’s recovery would have been impossible without the construction firms, contractors, subcontractors, skilled trade workers, technicians, landscapers and service providers that repaired, restored and rebuilt the Island – a task that continues into 2026.
The Island’s return to normalcy would not have happened without the determined business owners who overcame significant financial losses and hardships to reopen their restaurants, bars, retail and rental operations and other businesses that faithfully serve the Island’s residents and visitors. And the business owners could not have done it without their faithful and determined employees.
And while recovering themselves, the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce assisted the Island’s business community in its return to normalcy.
Faced with hurricane-damaged structures and uncertain markets, the Island’s Realtors, real estate agents, vacation rental owners, vacation rental managers and their support staffs helped bring new residents to the Island and bring back the much-needed vacationers and visitors that support the Island’s tourism-based economy.
The Sun also recognizes all the Island residents, locals, day-trippers and other mainland visitors whose expenditures helped the Island’s businesses and establishments recover from the hurricanes.
As an Island business ourselves, The Sun express our utmost appreciation and sincere gratitude to every single business that advertised with us this year. Your support helped us weather the storms.
The Island churches welcomed their congregations back to worship, regroup and reconnect and the Roser Food Pantry provided food to those who needed it.
The Center of Anna Maria Island provided a place to exercise, compete, learn and gather with the community.
Wildlife Inc., Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch & Shorebird Monitoring and others helped care for and protect the Island’s animal kingdom and marine environments.
And for anyone not already recognized in this story, if you had anything to do with the Island and its recovery in 2025, thank you for anything and everything you did.
CORTEZ – The future of the Manatee County-owned Seafood Shack parcel remains to be seen but progress is being made on the 98-acre FISH Preserve in Cortez.
FISH Preserve
The 2024 hurricanes took their toll on the 98-acre FISH (Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage) Preserve. Allen Garner, a retired landscape architect who has been working on the preserve for many years, reported on the devastation at a Jan. 6 FISH meeting. He noted that multiple trees and plants were destroyed.
The Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage’s 98-acre preserve has undergone public accessibility improvements. – Leslie Lake | Sun
In June, the FISH board approved a proposal by Garner to complete a public accessibility project at the Preserve in fulfillment of a $165,000 grant from the Barancik Foundation.
By year-end, the project at the preserve on Cortez Road, which included foot trails, bridges linking the east and west sides of the preserve, signs and picnic areas, was nearly completed.
FISH festival
FISH’s 43rd Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival was appropriately themed, “Swamped but Never Sunk,” following the impact of the 2024 hurricanes on the village.
The Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival in February was a much-needed boost to the hurricane-impacted village. – Leslie Lake | Sun
Mindful of continuing recovery efforts, the FISH board asked for Cortez residents’ opinions in November 2024 about holding the annual festival. Many residents agreed that a festival would be uplifting for residents following the hurricanes that swamped many homes in the village.
Nearly 10,000 people attended the festival on Feb. 15 and 16.
“I’m so proud of Cortez right now,” Cortez Village Historical Society Vice-President Paul Dryfoos said at the festival. “After all that everybody has been through, to pull off a festival like this and make it successful is so great.”
Stone crab festival
The annual Cortez Stone Crab & Music Festival was cancelled due to the community members’ need to focus on rebuilding their businesses and homes. Organizers said the festival will be back.
Seafood Shack
On Dec. 31, 2024, Manatee County purchased the Seafood Shack parcel for $13 million, with the anticipated use of the property as a public boating access facility with a boat ramp, a dry storage facility and a marina.
In January, county commissioners voted to explore ways to bring the hurricane-damaged Annie’s Bait and Tackle Shop on the site up to code.
Following recommendations and reviews by a structural engineer, fire officials and the Florida Department of Emergency Management, Manatee County commissioners voted 6-1 in March to demolish the historic Annie’s to make way for the future Cortez Marina.
Annie’s Bait and Tackle on the Manatee County-owned Seafood Shack parcel was demolished in April. – Leslie Lake | Sun
The demolition of Annie’s on April 16 marked a sad day in Cortez, as years of memories for many were reduced to a pile of rubble. More than a 70-year-old building, Annie’s held a wide array of meaning for those who came to watch the demolition. For some, it was the first stop for a day on the water for ice, beer, gas and bait; for others, it was a spot to unwind on the patio for dinner and drinks; and for many, it was one of the last standing local tributes to Florida heritage.
The Seafood Shack, a waterfront restaurant and events venue, was demolished on April 21. The parcel, consisting of approximately 5.9 acres, remains fenced off.
The county conducted five informational community open houses attended by 313 people. Common concerns were traffic congestion, water quality, preserving the character of the area and a boat ramp’s traffic and noise impacts on adjacent neighborhoods.
A group of Cortez residents has mobilized in opposition to the proposed boat ramps at the former Seafood Shack property. The group, Concerned Citizens of Cortez Coalition (CCCC), represents 327 Cortez families. The CCCC is expressing concern about boat ramps in a residential area, citing issues including traffic and congestion, safety, environmental stress, impact on property values and noise issues.
Citing strong opposition from Cortez residents, along with lack of funding to complete a proposed boat ramp, Manatee County commissioners floated the idea on Dec. 16 of making the Seafood Shack site a public park, at least temporarily.
Commissioners asked county staff to return in February with two conceptual designs – one with a boat ramp and one without.
Slicker’s reopens
The doors to Slicker’s Eatery reopened 128 days after the flooding from Hurricane Helene swamped the restaurant.
“It feels tremendous to be open,” owner Bob Slicker said. “We’re all so relieved. After four months of money going out for the staff and myself, we’re just happy to put a Band-Aid on it and start moving forward.”
Slicker had been unprepared for the sight that greeted him after the September 2024 hurricane, when he found tables, chairs and dishes askew and floating, freezers flipped over, a dumpster pushed into the middle of Cortez Road and an ice machine broken in two and wedged against the door.
“My staff was here every day I needed them, from the day of the hurricane to opening back up. As a team, I haven’t lost one employee,” he said.
HOLMES BEACH – The city of Holmes Beach celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2025 and the Dec. 5 celebration at City Field was symbolic of the city’s return from the back-to-back hurricanes that struck Anna Maria Island in 2024.
The anniversary celebration occurred on the recently resodded City Field that one year ago contained a massive mound of hurricane debris while serving as the city’s hurricane debris management site.
Mayor Judy Titsworth gave a speech during the 75th anniversary celebration in December. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The anniversary celebration was preceded earlier in the year with Mayor Judy Titsworth unveiling the new sea turtle-themed city flag that now flies over city hall. The city also produced smaller versions of the new flag and similarly designed T-shirts and hats that also feature the sea turtle logo.
Post-hurricane permitting
During each city commission meeting and planning commission meeting in 2025, Development Services Director Chad Minor provided a post-hurricane permitting update that dated back to Hurricane Helene in September 2024.
On Dec. 16, Minor said the city, to date, had issued 3,764 post-hurricane permits and 79 demolition permits. He said 75 homes had been demolished and the city had issued 19 permits for new replacement homes. Minor said the city conducted 9,768 post-hurricane plan reviews and completed nearly 13,000 inspections. He also said there were currently 1,660 active, registered vacation rentals in Holmes Beach.
Gloria Dei property
On Jan. 18, a “Holy Closure” service was held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, marking the end of its time as an active church and local congregation.
The city’s $3 million offer to buy the Gloria Dei property was rejected. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
In late June, Taylor Rahdert, the real estate agent representing the property owners, informed Minor that the Florida Bahamas Synod Council declined the city’s $3 million offer to purchase the three-parcel church property for public use. The church building and property remain on the market with a $9 million asking price.
Speed control
In August, the recently installed automated speed cameras were activated near the Anna Maria Elementary school and dozens of warnings and citations were issued to drivers who failed to obey the 15-mph speed limit during the morning and afternoon hours when the students are arriving and departing.
Automated speed cameras were installed by Anna Maria Elementary before the new school year began in August. – Joe Hendricks | SunTwo speed tables were installed along the 500 block of Key Royale Drive in October. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
On Oct. 31, two previously debated speed tables were installed along the 500 block of Key Royale Drive. Some 500 block residents supported the new speed tables and some Key Royale residents who live on the other side of the Key Royale Bridge opposed them.
Millage, stormwater rates
In July, the city commission voted 3-2 in favor of setting the maximum property tax millage rate at 2.1812 mills rather than maintaining the current 1.99 millage rate. In September, the commission changed course and voted in favor of maintaining the 1.99 rate for another year.
During the same July budget meeting, the commission voted 3-2 in opposition to increasing the annual stormwater fee levied on Holmes Beach property owners from $2.95 per 100 square feet of property to $4.95 per 100 square feet and the $2.95 rate was maintained for another year.
Comings and goings
In February, longtime city commissioner Pat Morton announced his resignation, citing social media criticism of the city’s hurricane response as the primary reason. Later that month, the commission unanimously appointed planning commissioner Steve Oelke to fill the remaining months of Morton’s two-year term.
In the city election that concluded Nov. 4, Oelfke was the leading vote-getter in the election that resulted in first-time candidate Jessica Patel being elected and longtime commissioner Carol Soustek not being reelected.
In October, Public Works Director and City Engineer Sage Kamiya announced he had accepted an offer to serve as the city of Sarasota’s new city engineer. In December, Mayor Judy Titsworth announced Herb Raybourn, a stormwater consultant for the city, would serve as the city’s next public works director and city engineer.
In December, longtime City Clerk Stacey Johnston informed the mayor that she would be retiring in March.
On Dec. 16, City Attorney Erica Augello participated in her final meeting as the Holmes Beach city attorney and the commission supported the mayor’s appointment of Randy Mora to serve as Augello’s successor. Augello will continue to represent the city in code compliance matters and she’s also currently serving as the interim city attorney for the city of Bradenton Beach – an assignment that may become permanent in 2026.
In November, the Rod & Reel restaurant opened in Holmes Beach as an extension of the Rod & Reel Pier and restaurant in Anna Maria that was destroyed by the 2024 hurricanes. Owner Oliver Lemke hopes to one day rebuild and reopen the pier and restaurant in Anna Maria.
Solo’s Pizza closed in late November, Cheesecake Cutie closed in December and the True Value hardware store changed ownership in 2025.
