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Jason Schaffer

Jason Schaffer

March 29, 2021
Sun correspondent Jason Schaffer covers tourism, the arts, Anna Maria Elementary School, law enforcement, and the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce. Email
Email Jason Schaffer
January 2, 2022
By Jason Schaffer
Shamrock Shiver is a New Year’s tradition

Shamrock Shiver a New Year’s tradition

BRADENTON BEACH – A large crowd gathered between Seventh Street and 10th Street on Jan. 1 for what’s become a New Year’s Day tradition, The Shamrock Shiver Charity Plunge. Participants dressed…
December 19, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Island Players announce latest play

Island Players announce latest play

ANNA MARIA – After having to cancel last year’s theater season due to COVID-19, the Island Players are thrilled with the response to their 73rd season, which continues with their third production, No…
December 19, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
State of tourism looking good

Tourism looking healthy

ANNA MARIA – Every other month, Research Data Services’ Anne Wittine addresses the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) to update them on the state of tourism not only for the Island, but…
December 19, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
CVB hires new Communications Manager

CVB hires new communications manager

ANNA MARIA – The Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) met the new Convention and Visitors Bureau Communications Manager, Nick Azzara, at its meeting last week. The communications manag…
December 13, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Candy canes take center stage on Bridge Street

Candy canes take center stage on Bridge Street

BRADENTON BEACH – From Main Street, Champaign, Illinois in 1898 to Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, Florida in 2021, a fourth-generation candy maker is making candy canes the old-fashioned way. A p…
December 12, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Annie Silver remains without a president

Annie Silver Center closer to electing permanent board

BRADENTON BEACH – The Annie Silver Community Center board met on Dec. 6 to address several issues, including replacing retiring president Linda Yarger, whose last official day was Sept. 30.  Jim H…
December 12, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Duffy’s “Toys for Tots Night” helps to fill Santa’s sack

Duffy’s ‘Toys for Tots Night’ helps to fill Santa’s sack

HOLMES BEACH – It was tough to get a parking spot and every seat was full inside and out at Duffy’s on Friday, Dec. 10 for the 6th Annual Toys for Tots Night. There was live music by Caroline McKe…
December 12, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Holiday Walk of Treasures packs Pine Avenue

Holiday Walk of Treasures packs Pine Avenue

ANNA MARIA – Shops stayed open late offering food and drinks, bands played and people mingled around Pine Avenue businesses at the 2021 Holiday Walk of Treasures, an event that encouraged locals and…
December 12, 2021
By Jason Schaffer

Art Walk returns to Holmes Beach

HOLMES BEACH – Art is alive and well in Holmes Beach. Friday, Dec. 10 marked the return of the Art Walk, and not only were the city’s two galleries open late for the event, but many of the other busi…
December 6, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Boat parade draws happy holiday crowd

Boat parade draws happy holiday crowd

BRADENTON BEACH – Locals and tourists flooded Bridge Street to watch the 3rd Annual Bradenton Beach Holiday Boat Parade on Saturday, Dec. 4. Boat owners were invited to show their holiday spirit by…
December 6, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Christmas comes to Cortez

Christmas comes to Cortez

CORTEZ – There was plenty of holiday cheer, and even the near 80-degree weather couldn’t stop kids from sledding down a snowy hill that magically appeared in the parking lot of the Florida Maritime M…
December 6, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Holiday fun the old fashioned way

Holiday fun the old fashioned way

ANNA MARIA – It’s worked for nearly two decades, and the 19th Annual Lester Family Fun Day at The Center of Anna Maria Island did not disappoint. Holmes Beach residents Joey and Chuck Lester sponsor…
December 5, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Privateers raise money for scholarships

Privateers raise money for scholarships

BRADENTON BEACH – The Anna Maria Island Privateers invaded the Drift In to raise money for their scholarship fund on Saturday. “I didn’t know what was going on, I just assumed people here dress as p…
December 5, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
AMI Chamber tree lighting a holiday highlight

Chamber tree lighting a holiday highlight

HOLMES BEACH – The weather was perfect on Friday evening, and people seized the opportunity to gather at the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce to light the Christmas tree, mingle with friends, si…
November 22, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Designing woman opens new studio in Anna Maria

Designing woman opens new studio in Anna Maria

ANNA MARIA – After eight years of doing business on the Island, designer Adrian Griffin has opened her new design studio on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria and she’s ready to take her business to the next…