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Tom Vaught

Tom Vaught

February 23, 2016
Sun contributor Tom Vaught covers obituaries. Email
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November 7, 2017
By Tom Vaught

It’s artsHOP time

Every year, Anna Maria Island’s arts community comes together to present artsHOP, a celebration of the arts, and this year, the big event is the Holmes Beach Gallery Walk on Friday, Nov. 10, from 5 t…
November 7, 2017
By Tom Vaught
stone crab

Cortez celebrates stone crabs

CORTEZ – The beginning of stone crab season is a highly anticipated event to those who crave the colorful claws after they come out of the pot, and for the past five years, Swordfish Grill and Tiki B…
November 1, 2017
By Tom Vaught

Spooks and ghouls invade Holmes Beach

The parking lot at the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce looked like a nightmare Saturday as ghosts, monsters and some odd creatures gathered around. Judges decided who were the scariest and most…
November 1, 2017
By Tom Vaught
Island Players Promo

Comedy thriller at Island Players

The Island Players’ second play of the season is a murder mystery comedy directed by Preston Boyd. It also is part of the annual Island-wide artsHOP event showcasing the arts of Anna Maria Island…
October 31, 2017
By Tom Vaught
Trail of Treats

Tykes travel Trail of Treats

Cooler than normal weather brought kids and parents out to the Anna Maria Chamber of Commerce Trail of Treats. Chamber President Deb Wing said the entries in the costume contest were amazing. The…
October 31, 2017
By Tom Vaught

Time to get crabby

CORTEZ – The Swordfish Grill and Tiki Bar at 4629 119th St. W. hosts its Sixth Annual Cortez Stone Crab Festival on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 11 and 12, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The music will continue…
October 31, 2017
By Tom Vaught

Run for the turtles

Bradenton Beach Code Enforcement Officer Gail Garneau celebrated the end of sea turtle nesting season by running in the 2017 Great Turtle Trail Run on Mackinac Island sporting an Anna Maria Island Tu…
October 28, 2017
By Tom Vaught

Canine costume contest cute, cuddly

Spirited dogs – and their owners – dressed to the teeth for the 14th Annual Anna Maria Island Sun Canine Halloween Costume Contest on Saturday, Oct. 28. Twenty-five pooches entered the contest, ra…
October 24, 2017
By Tom Vaught
Bayfest

Bayfest draws crowds, cars

  ANNA MARIA – The festival season got off to a good start on Saturday, Oct. 21 with huge crowds, flashy hot rods and performance cars, the aroma of Island foods and music, music, music…
October 24, 2017
By Tom Vaught
Canine costume contest

Canines come a-haunting

Dogs will fill the AMI Sun Plaza, 202 Palm Ave., Anna Maria, on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 1 p.m. for the 14th Annual Anna Maria Island Sun Newspaper Canine Halloween Costume Contest. All participants m…
October 18, 2017
By Tom Vaught
Halloween parade 2016

Kids get ready for Halloween

HOLMES BEACH – Island kids are lucky during Halloween because they have two opportunities to wear their costumes and win a prize. This practice has been going on for years and it gives trick-or-tr…
October 17, 2017
By Tom Vaught
Bayfest green car

Taste the flavors of the Island at Bayfest

ANNA MARIA – It’s time for the 17th annual Bayfest, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21 on Pine Avenue, sponsored by the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce. The sound of music will be i…
October 17, 2017
By Tom Vaught
David Vickers

Arrest made in child’s death

HOLMES BEACH – updated Oct. 17, 2017 – The wait is over for an Island mother whose young son died while she worked and her then-boyfriend was babysitting.   The ex-boyfriend, David Earl Vicker…
October 17, 2017
By Tom Vaught
Turtle Watch luncheon

Turtle Watch sets goals for future

HOLMES BEACH – Turtle Watchers gathered Saturday to assess accomplishments and discuss goals at their annual potluck luncheon at CrossPointe Fellowship. Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch Director Suz…
October 17, 2017
By Tom Vaught

‘Petal Away’ at Island Gallery West

Island Gallery West’s November featured artist, Marti Salerni, presents “Petal Away,” an exhibit of brightly colored watercolor and acrylic paintings of whimsical bicycles and flowers. The highlight…