HOLMES BEACH – The holiday season is a time for giving, and that’s exactly what was going on at A Paradise Reality last Friday as the staff held their Toys for Tots drive and holiday party. The event coincided with the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s tree lighting ceremony, which brought hundreds of people to the area.
“We raffled off a Yeti and made $2,100 for Toys for Tots,” Director of Marketing Sharon Hoatland said. “They’ve already dropped off three loads of toys for Toys for Tots. It’s great.”
Bob Slicker of Slicker’s Eatery in Cortez provided food for the event and Tonya McCormick provided live music, making the party even more festive. Although they were seeking as many toys as possible at the party, A Paradise Realty will accept donations of new, unwrapped toys through Friday, Dec. 15 at their office at 5201 Gulf Drive. Cash donations are also welcome and 100% of donations go to purchase toys for the campaign.
“This is our sixth annual party and we have always been involved one way or the other, but this seems to be the most successful,” Hoatland said.
Toys for Tots has a close relationship with the U.S. Marine Corps and Marine Corps League 588 was on hand at A Paradise Reality assisting with the event. The Marine Corps also assists with the distribution of the toys.
For more information on Toys for Tots and their mission and relationship with the Marine Corps, visit www.toysfortots.org.
ANNA MARIA – The Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island, The Center of Anna Maria Island, Bob Slicker of Slicker’s Eatery, A Paradise Realty, Painting with a Twist and others are joining forces to assist the war-torn people of Ukraine.
The local Campaign for Ukraine fundraising efforts will culminate with a Concert for Peace fundraising event at The Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., on Sunday, June 12 from 4-8 p.m.
Twinkle and Rock Soul Radio will headline the free Concert for Peace, with The Billy Rice Band also performing as part of the musical roster still being finalized.
Twinkle and Rock Soul Radio will headline the June 12 Concert for Peace. – TwinkleRockSoulRadio.com | Submitted
A preliminary We Can for Ukraine fundraising happy hour is set for Wednesday, June 8 from 4-6 p.m. at Slicker’s Eatery, 12012 Cortez Road W., Cortez.
Co-hosted by A Paradise Realty, this event will include a raffle featuring as its grand prize a Yeti cooler filled with cheer and valued at $550. A Paradise Realty donated the cooler, the spirits and other goodies contained within. The company is also providing a free drink ticket to the first 80 attendees of the happy hour. Raffle tickets are now on sale at Slicker’s Eatery and can also be purchased during the event that will feature live entertainment by Tanya McCormick, “The Singing Realtor.”
A Paradise Realty donated this cooler and its contents to be raffled off on June 8. – Bob Slicker | Submitted
Painting with a Twist is partnering with Slicker’s Eatery for the Painting with a Purpose: Painting for Ukraine event at the restaurant on Sunday, June 5 from 3-5 p.m. Some of the paintings created during this event will be raffled off during the Concert for Peace.
“We have a Rotary president in Czestochowa, Poland who bi-weekly meets and assesses the needs,” AMI Rotary Club President-Elect Jim McDaniel said. “In addition to helping the refugees who relocated to Poland, he has drivers that have been taking supplies into Ukraine. The funds raised here will be held by the AMI Rotary Foundation and distributed in small amounts, probably $5,000 to $10,000 at a time, for specific purposes identified by the Rotary Club Czestochowa and their club president on the ground in Poland.”
The fundraising event organizers are still seeking additional sponsors for the June 12 Concert for Peace. Sponsorship levels range from $500 to $5,000. For more information about sponsorship, email jim@centerami.org or call 941-778-1908, ext. 201.
“We need as much community support as possible in order to make a tangible impact for our friends from the Rotary in Czestochowa,” Slicker stated in an email seeking support. “These volunteers are serving tirelessly and bravely. They are helping to house and care for Ukrainian refugees in Poland and transport specific medical supplies, goods and food for those still maintaining the defense of their country. It is a brave and necessary endeavor that offers hope in a dark time. We are so humbled at the opportunity to help support them. No matter what your involvement, your willingness to help is greatly appreciated. We are grateful for your partnership in this meaningful work.”
HOLMES BEACH – A Paradise Realty and Vacation Rentals will host a Holiday Open House that also serves as a Toys for Tots collection drive at their Holmes Beach office at 5201 Gulf Drive from 5-6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 3.
The open house will feature wine donated by Hurricane Hanks and appetizers donated by Hanks and Slicker’s Eatery. The fundraising efforts will include a raffle for a Yeti cooler filled with holiday cheer, with the proceeds going to Toys for Tots. Donations can also be made with checks made out to Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.
Performing solo, Ted Stevens will provide the live music.
A Paradise Realty is one of several Island-area businesses accepting new, unwrapped toys for underprivileged youngsters through Wednesday, Dec. 15. The other locations include Hurricane Hanks (5346 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach), Slicker’s Eatery (12012 Cortez Road W., Cortez), the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce (5313 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach), Duffy’s Tavern (5808 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach), the Holmes Beach Post Office (5354 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach), Grooms Motors & Automotive (5608 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach), The Waterline Resort (5325 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach), The Feast (5406 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach), Publix (3900 East Bay Drive, Holmes Beach), The Center of AMI (407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria), the Anna Maria Post Office (101 S. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria) and the AMI Sun office (3909 East Bay Drive, Holmes Beach). The A Paradise Realty office at 945 25th Drive E., Suite 10, in Ellenton also serves as a collection point.
For more information, please call Sharon at 941-729-2381 or email sharon@paradiserealty.com.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – In the midst of a global pandemic, 2020 was a stellar year for Anna Maria Island real estate agents.
For the sixth consecutive year, Sato Real Estate Realtor, broker and co-owner Jason Sato led all Manatee County and Anna Maria Island Realtors in total sales and listing volume.
According to the 2020 Agent Market Share Report for Manatee County, Sato sold 48 properties, listed 58 properties and generated roughly $153 million in total combined volume. Forty-seven of the properties Sato sold were on Anna Maria Island, where he does most of his business.
Judy Kepecz-Hays ranked second on the Island with $52.4 million in combined total volume, followed by Gregg Bayer at $43.6 million.
Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan ranked eighth in Manatee County with 18 properties sold, 34 properties listed and a total combined volume of $46.6 million. She ranked fourth on the Island with nine properties sold and 23 listed for a combined volume of $37.3 million.
Rounding out the top 10 on the Island were George DeSear at $35.5 million, Liz Blandford at $29.2 million, Hannah Hillyard at $25.6 million, Shellie Young at $22.9 million, Trevor Bayer at $22.6 million and Ryan Sheck at $22 million.
Alan Galletto, from Island Real Estate, ranked 11th with four properties sold, 17 listings and a total volume of $17.5 million.
Market insight
Sato, Duncan and Galletto shared their thoughts on the year that was.
“My total was $153.9 million. It was double what I did last year. Last year was a good year, this year was just incredible,” Sato said.
“There was so much demand to be on the Island. I think part of it was the fact was that Florida was open and people can come here. Florida has been as close to normal as you can get in a pandemic. People in the stricter lockdown states wanted to get away. I think for people buying a second home, this pushed them to do it sooner rather than later. People can use their second homes a lot more right now because you can work remotely, and the kids are in school remotely.
Here, there’s natural social distancing on the beach and you have the ability to move around outside and enjoy the Island. If you’re going to buy a second home and can only be here a few weeks a year you’re not as included to make that jump,” Sato said.
“This year my team did $105 million in sales. It was a great year,” Duncan said. “We’re seeing younger people with families buying second homes, and we’re seeing retirees, too.”
Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan and her team had another excellent year in 2020. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“It was a fantastic year,” Galletto said. “There were more properties sold on the Island in 2020 than any other year, by far. The previous highest number on the Island was back in 2005 or 2006, when 438 properties were sold. In 2020, 579 properties were sold. Everybody wants to move to Florida.”
“The buyers we’re seeing are not so much rental-driven,” Duncan said. “They’re here to live, with second homes. Obviously, COVID created more demand because of our outdoor lifestyle and we’re seeing people working remotely and schooling remotely. We’re seeing people relocating their families here, which is wonderful thing.”
“My typical buyer isn’t buying it for the return on investment, it’s a second home,” Sato said. “If you’re buying a house just to rent – and trying to get a 5-10% return on investment – that’s not happening because the prices are where they are. A lot of people rent out their second homes to help pay the taxes, insurance and upkeep, but the house is for them.”
Island Real Estate’s Alan Galletto has been analyzing the Anna Maria Island real estate market for decades. – Alan Galletto | Submitted
“I’ve been out here 30 years and the demand has never been this high and the inventory has never been lower,” Galletto said. “The previous low was something like 300 properties for sale on the Island back in 2003, 2004 and 2005. Right now, the inventory is 135 properties for sale.
Thirty years ago the buyers were in their 60s. Now they’re in their late 40s and early 50s. They’re all second and third homes. The majority of the buyers are from the Midwest – and a lot of people in Tampa have second homes here,” Galletto said.
“When you’re buying here, two-thirds to three-quarters of what you’re buying is the land and not the house. An acre on the Gulf now is $6 million. A hundred-by-hundred lot on the Gulf is $3 million. A lot in middle of the Island, four blocks from the beach, is $400,000. I expect the prices will continue to rise. They’ve been going up on average about 7% per year since 2000. And sales may be a little slower in 2021 because there’s not enough inventory.
Team efforts
“Grace Wenzel, my sales assistant, is a big part of my success,” Sato said. “Monica Reid, our office manager, is too. And I have really loyal customers that have confidence in me and pass my name on to other people. I want to thank them too. Overall, this was our best year. Our agents did well and we love that. We’re able to provide them with a lot of opportunities and they’re making the most of it,” Sato said.
Duncan credited some of her team’s continued success to their knowledge of the Island market and their longevity in it.
“We are a hard-working team and our team is doing very well,” she said.
A Paradise Realty
A Paradise Realty real estate agents Al and Helen Pollock provided their market insight via email.
“2020 started out normal until covid-19 hit then was quite slow until mid summer when sales picked up dramatically and they have been extremely strong the rest of the year. Anna Maria Island, back in 2012, had about 700 listings at any time. In the last several years it has been about 350 listings. Right now it is 116,” their email said.
“It is definitely a seller’s market, with prices going up, and it should continue to remain quite strong. With the inventory low, the trend will be for closing prices to be close to or above the asking prices. Lately, when buyers have made an offer on a property, there have been multiple offers on the same day. With low inventory, one can expect multiple offers and prices to continue to increase,” the Pollocks said.
Updated Oct. 4, 2019 | HOLMES BEACH – The Second Annual Turtle Watch Wednesday this afternoon at Hurricane Hanks raised money and the spirits of the volunteers who monitor Anna Maria Island beaches for turtle and bird nesting.
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring Director Suzi Fox was thrilled at the community’s support and their participation in the fundraiser for the not-for-profit organization.
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring Director Suzi Fox, left, with 50/50 raffle winner Laura Bell Adams. – Cindy Lane | Sun
“This is amazing,” she said, tearing up as she addressed the crowd, which produced $11,000 in donations, more than tripling last year’s $3,000 in donations. “Thank you so much!”
Mike Sales set a tropical mood with live music and emceed the event, which featured both silent and live auctions, a 50/50 raffle and specially-designed T-shirts available for a donation.
Jeannie Sowers, a frequent Island visitor from North Carolina, donated a live auction item, a Robert Wyland giclee on canvas of a sea turtle in Hawaii that brought $800 from Jennifer Lipham.
Mike Sales set a tropical mood and emceed the second Annual Turtle Watch Wednesday. – Cindy Lane | Sun
Harbor Lane vacation rentals in Holmes Beach donated a free stay won by high bidder Tracey Edwards for $1,100, and more than 50 local businesses provided items for the silent auction.
Laura Bell Adams won the 50/50 raffle and donated her half of the $770 back to Turtle Watch.
Nicole Skaggs won a prize basket from Waterline Marina Resort in Holmes Beach for $550.
Proceeds from the event will go towards turtle-friendly lighting and community education about the importance of following turtle lighting laws to keep nesting mothers and hatching turtles from becoming disoriented, Fox said.
Turtle Watch has documented 52 disorientations of turtle mothers and hatchlings so far this season. More than 30 turtle nests are still on the beach waiting to hatch between now and the end of the season on Oct. 31.
A Paradise Realty and Vacation Rentals, Hurricane Hanks, J&J Graphics and the Anna Maria Island Sun sponsored the event.
Jeannie Sowers donated a Robert Wyland photo on canvas for the Turtle Watch Wednesday live auction. - Cindy Lane | Sun
The AMI Paddlers turned out en masse to support Turtle Watch. - Cindy Lane | Sun
T-shirt sales were brisk at Turtle Watch Wednesday. - Cindy Lane | Sun
The silent auction at Turtle Watch Wednesday drew crowds. - Cindy Lane | Sun
Sharon Hoatland, left, of A Paradise Realty and Vacation Rentals, holds up an auction item as auctioneer Bob Slicker sells it for $800. - Cindy Lane | Sun
Casper the rescue dog enjoyed people watching at Turtle Watch Wednesday. - Cindy Lane | Sun
HOLMES BEACH – A Paradise Realty and Vacation Rentals and Hurricane Hanks are following up last year’s fundraising efforts with this year’s Second Annual Turtle Watch Wednesday fundraiser.
Taking place Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Hurricane Hanks, 5346 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach, Turtle Watch Wednesday will again benefit the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring organization. J & J Graphics and The Anna Maria Island Sun are serving as co-sponsors.
Last year’s inaugural Turtle Watch Wednesday fundraiser coincided with the Island’s red tide recovery efforts and raised more than $3,000 for the Turtle Watch organization.
J & J Graphics is assisting with the promotional efforts that include this event poster. – Submitted
As was the case last year, the first 75 guests greeted by an A Paradise team member will receive a free drink ticket. Hurricane Hanks will offer 50 percent discounts on appetizers and will donate $1 for every food and drink item sold during the event.
The fundraising activities will include a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle and specially designed T-shirts that will be available for a $20 donation.
To donate silent auction items or get more information, please call Sharon Hoatland at 941-729-2381.
Lighting the way
When discussing the upcoming event, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring Executive Director Suzi Fox said, “We are concentrating funding at this time to go into lighting retrofits and community outreach. Those are our two main focuses for fundraisers for the rest of this year.”
The outreach efforts include developing new graphics for the educational materials distributed each spring in preparation for the sea turtle nesting season that begins May 1 and ends Oct. 31.
“The biggest problem we have with sea turtles is lighting. It directs the hatchlings away from the beach and it deters the mothers from nesting,” Fox said.
Fox said she frequently receives calls from property owners who want to buy turtle-friendly bulbs and fixtures but have a hard time finding them.
“We encourage them to go to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) website and visit the turtle lighting pages,” Fox said, where turtle lighting guidelines, specifications and detailed ordering information can be found.
“They can order fixtures and bulbs there and I’m going to stock them here too. If they can pay us back, that’s great. If not, maybe we can do a 50/50 cost-sharing? The best thing for me to do is to order them and people can stop here can get them at our cost – and you don’t have to pay sales tax because we’re a non-profit,” Fox said.
Fox encourages people to light their beachfront properties with turtle-friendly lighting as opposed to not lighting them at all, and she can also provide additional insight on the various types and colors of turtle-friendly bulbs and fixtures sold by local retailers. For more information, contact Fox at 941-778-5638 or visit the Turtle Watch website.
Eliminating plastics
Turtle Watch will also be campaigning for local stores, restaurants and other Island businesses to eliminate or reduce their use of single-use plastic bags.
“One thing we are really focusing on this year is getting rid of plastics and one of our main focuses is going to be plastic bags. Any businesses that are giving out plastics, we’d like them to stop. We moved mountains with our plastic straw campaign last year and phase two is we want people to start using reusable bags,” Fox said.
As part of this campaign, J & J graphics will be printing reusable cloth bags that Turtle Watch can then share with local businesses.
Community’s embrace
Working with Hurricane Hanks owner Brian Mathae, A Paradise Realty and Vacation Rentals Marketing and Public Relations Director Sharon Hoatland is again doing much of the planning for this year’s Turtle Watch Wednesday event.
Fox said she greatly appreciates the support Hurricane Hanks, A Paradise, J & J Graphics and the general public provide the Turtle Watch organization.
Turtle Watch Wednesday will take place at Hurricane Hanks in Holmes Beach. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“I didn’t know Sharon and Brian until last year and they’ve become dear friends. I’m overwhelmed by the way they’ve encouraged the community to put their arms around Turtle Watch. And J & J Graphics has been doing business with Turtle Watch for the past 20 years,” Fox said.
“I know everyone wants to help us, but we work under state-certified guidelines so we can’t let just anyone help with the nests. But when people come to this event, they feel like they’re giving back to Turtle Watch just by showing up. I love it,” Fox said.
HOLMES BEACH – As part of their ongoing efforts to offset the economic challenges created by red tide, A Paradise Realty and Vacation Rentals and Hurricane Hank’s are partnering in their efforts to bring locals and visitors out to Anna Maria Island.
A Paradise Realty and Hurricane Hank’s will host a Turtle Watch Wednesday fundraiser from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, September 5. The fundraiser will benefit the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch & Shorebird Monitoring organization.
“Red tide has severely affected our beloved sea life and people who rely on the tourism industry for their livelihood,” says a press release issued jointly by the two Island businesses.
“We’ve had some bookings that have canceled, but we’re keeping positive by doing these kinds of events. If people aren’t coming to the Island it affects the other businesses and their staff members too, but we can pull together and support one another as businesses on the Island. We support and encourage that and we know others are doing the same,” said A Paradise Marketing Director Sharon Hoatland.
The first 75 guests to arrive at the Turtle Watch Wednesday event will be greeted by a member of the A Paradise Realty team who will hand them a ticket for a complimentary drink. Hurricane Hank’s will offer a 50 percent discount on appetizers. For every food item and drink sold, Hurricane Hank’s will donate $1 to the Turtle Watch organization. The fundraiser efforts will include raffles.
Hurricane Hank’s is located at 5346 Gulf Dr. in Holmes Beach. For more information, call A Paradise Realty at 941-729-2381 or Hurricane Hank’s at 941-778-5788. Or visit VistaAParadise.com or HurricaneHanks.com.
Turtle Watch
On Monday, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch & Shorebird Monitoring Executive Director Suzi Fox discussed the impact red tide is having on the Island’s turtle and bird populations.
“Red tide has certainly compromised the adults and the juvenile sea turtles because we’re getting one a day coming in either sick or dead, so we want to bring attention and awareness to that so people keep their eyes open for it,” Fox said.
Fox asks those who encounter a sick or dead turtle to call her office at 941-778-5638.
Fox said she and the Turtle Watch volunteers are often asked about how the red tide is impacting the baby sea turtles as leave the shore and head out to sea.
“We still have over 200 nests on the beach right now. They’re born with food in their belly and they’re not looking to eat. They’re looking to swim like crazy,” Fox said of the hatchlings initial efforts to swim to safer waters.
“So far, we’re not seeing any dead hatchlings, so it’s more important than ever for people to keep their lights off for the rest of the season so we can get these babies offshore quickly,” she said.
When asked about the shorebirds, Fox said, “We did a shorebird count Friday. The birds seem to be hanging out up at Bean Point by the thousands. It’s phenomenal to watch, but we’ve seen some that didn’t look like they feel good up there. They looked a little sluggish, so we’re working with Wildlife Inc. to get them transported up there.”
Headed by Gail and Ed Straight, Wildlife Inc. is headquartered in Bradenton Beach.
When expressing her appreciation for the upcoming “Turtle Watch Wednesday” fundraiser, Fox said, “The volunteers are so tired right now, so anytime anyone can cheer them on, especially with any kind of gathering, I think it’s going to give them the boost they need to finish out our season. A special shout out and thanks to A Paradise and Hank’s for thinking about the wildlife on the Island.”
