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Island loses a dear friend in Courtney Call

Island loses a dear friend in Courtney Call

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Community News.

HOLMES BEACH – Anna Maria Island lost a good friend with the recent passing of Courtney Call.

Call, 43, was a Holmes Beach resident who spent several years working as a bartender at the Anchor Inn in Holmes Beach and at TommyKnockers Saloon in Bradenton Beach. She leaves behind her 16-year-old son, Matthew Curry.

Christina Redden created a GoFundMe fundraising account for Matthew.

“On Saturday, June 5th, we lost a beautiful soul, Courtney Call. Courtney passed suddenly in her sleep overnight, leaving behind her 16-year-old son, Matthew. This page was created in advocacy of Matthew for his mother’s cremation and for his financial needs moving forward. Any and all contributions are greatly appreciated. Many thanks to all for your love and support,” says the statement Redden posted at the fundraising page.

The GoFundMe page can be found at: https://au.gofundme.com/f/courtney-call-memorial-benefitting-matthew-curry.

A celebration of life will be held at TommyKnockers Saloon in Bradenton Beach at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 18 – with a sunset memorial on the beach across the street from the Wicked Cantina and TommyKnockers.

The Anchor Inn in Holmes Beach will host a small memorial ceremony and a large fundraising event and auction for Matthew at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 23.

According to Anchor Inn owner Darla Tingler, Matthew was visiting family members in Maine at the time of his mother’s passing. Tingler said Call worked off and on at the Anchor Inn for eight years.

“Courtney would do anything for anybody. She would help someone else before she took care of herself,” Tingler said.

Regarding the June 23 fundraiser, Tingler said, “We’ve had a tremendous response to our request for donations. William Annis, from Island Vacation Properties, had one property owner donate a two-night, weekend stay at a beachfront home; and Jeff Higgins is helping us set up an online auction. Check the Anchor Inn’s Facebook page for fundraiser updates and donation opportunities.”

Island loses a dear friend in Courtney Call
Courtney Call, (fifth from right/black T-shirt), was tending bar at TommyKnockers in June 2020 when Florida’s bars were allowed to reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

When asked about Call’s passing, TommyKnockers’ owner Frank Commendatore said, “I loved her like family. That fiery redhead will be sorely missed. She was a beautiful, kind-hearted soul.”

Courtney remembered

Call’s passing prompted several Facebook posts from those who knew and loved her.

In her post, Pamela Lazaroff wrote, “Our friend Courtney Call had one of the biggest hearts on the Island! She will be greatly missed! Feels like we have misplaced a key puzzle piece in our community. To honor her, we can support each other and carry on her unwavering kindness to those around us.”

Patrick Hannigan’s Facebook post said, “Courtney was one of the first people I met on the Island, she introduced me to many good people, told me ‘who was who,’ helped with whatever came up and always had food and water for Tulley (the lab) at TK’s so he wouldn’t feel left out. She made a fellow ‘Yank’ feel very welcome on AMI! Terrible, terrible loss to the Island, condolences to all.”

Billy Lavelle’s Facebook post said, “She was way too young to leave. Courtney always put everyone else first – sometimes too much, but that was Courtney. If someone needed to eat, she fed them. If someone needed a ride somewhere, Courtney would take them. If you just needed a phone call or a visit, Courtney was there. She had a heart as big as the moon. The few times she would express her anger, that Boston Irish accent would come out and was quite funny to listen to. I will miss you. Fly High with all the angels up in Heaven. Say Hi to Jimmy Heat, Kyle, Rich, Sabrina and all the others gone too soon.”

In her Facebook post, Call’s cousin, Lindsey Umeh, wrote, “She was just a couple months older than me. She was one tough cookie who always spoke her mind and was unapologetic for it. I admired that. She was a great mom to her son and did whatever needed to be done. She lived a tough life but never made excuses. She loved family. I absolutely took for granted her age and time because I thought she had decades left. My heart absolutely breaks for her son and brother. Love ya Court! Hope you’re causing a ruckus already! I have no doubts that you are…”

State's reopening order of little consequence to Island bars

State’s reopening order of little consequence to Island bars

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s (DBPR) decision to allow Florida bars to reopen at 50% capacity Monday is not expected to have an impact on Anna Maria Island.

That’s because five of the Island’s six stand-alone bars are already open and have been for quite some time.

On Sept. 10, DBPR Secretary Halsey Beshears issued Executive Order 2020-10, which repeals the bar restrictions he set forth in EO 2020-09 on June 26.

No longer in effect, Beshears’ June 26 order said, “All vendors licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises who derive more than 50% of gross revenue from such sales shall suspend sales for consumption on premises. Vendors also licensed as public food service establishments or restaurants may continue to operate for on-premise consumption of food and beverages at tables so long as these vendors derive 50% or less of gross revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption.”

Beshears issued his June order after the number of individuals testing positive for COVID-19 increased significantly, especially among younger individuals.

“Some of these cases involving younger individuals are suspected to have originated from visits to bars, pubs or nightclubs,” his order said.

On July 1, Beshears amended EO 2020-09 and allowed bars with food licenses to resume the sale of alcohol for on-site consumption.

Beshears’ actions were preceded by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ March 17 executive order that prohibited bars from selling alcohol for on-site consumption. On June 5, DeSantis allowed bars to reopen at 50% capacity, but that allowance ended with his blessing when Beshears issued his own executive order in June.

Island bar openings

On July 16, Anchor Inn owners Darla and Bobby Tingler figured out a way to open their Holmes Beach bar at 50% capacity under their existing liquor license.

“With our 4COP license we have a pre-packed food license. That means we can serve any type of pre-packaged food. This was an existing part of our license that we weren’t aware of until this morning. We didn’t have to go get a food license,” Darla Tingler said that night.

Tommy Knockers in Bradenton Beach opened in a similar fashion later that day, followed later by the Drift In and the Sports Lounge in Bradenton Beach and Dcoy Ducks in Holmes Beach.

The Tinglers later obtained a DBPR-issued food license that fully secured their ability to operate at 50% capacity.

On Aug. 4, DBPR shut down the Drift In for not having a food license – an enforcement action taken in response to a complaint lodged by an unknown person.

On Aug. 14, the Drift In reopened for the third time since the pandemic began, this time with a DBPR-issued food license.

When contacted Sunday and asked about Beshears’ latest order, Darla Tingler said, “We’re thankful the other bars that played the loophole are now legal and won’t be shut down. But everyone still had to play by the rules and capacity limits.”

Drift In manager Doreen Flynn felt the same and said, “I’m waiting for him to say restaurants can be increased to 75% so I can put 12 more barstools back in our bar.”

At 50% capacity, The Drift In is operating with 28 indoor seats and a doorman who monitors capacity and ensures masks are worn when walking around or dancing inside the establishment.

Bartender Courtney McGough said Beshears’ latest order has no impact on the Sports Lounge: “We’ve been open. We enforced strict rules and followed them during every shift. We always stuck to 50% capacity, which for us is 30 people. We did not apply for a hospitality/restaurant license.”

Tommy Knockers bartender Courtney Call said, “We have been open with ready to eat foods and have been doing our best to keep to rules. We’re just hoping everything gets back to normal soon.”

Dcoy Ducks general manager Richie Brown did not respond to The Sun’s request for comment.

According to its website, The Doctor’s Office in Holmes Beach remains closed but is operating a “pop-up clinic” with a limited classic cocktail menu at its nearby sister establishment, Eat Here.

Anna Maria Island bars ordered to close again

Anna Maria Island bars ordered to close again

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Business, Restaurants | Bars.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – On Friday, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) enacted an emergency order that once again prohibits bars, pubs, night clubs and other non-restaurant establishments from selling alcohol for consumption on premises.

In an effort to curtail the spread of COVID-19, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order on March 17 doing the same, but lifted it on June 5.

On Anna Maria Island, the second round of statewide bar closures impacts the Drift In, Sports Lounge, Tommy Knockers and the AMI Moose Lodge in Bradenton Beach and the Anchor Inn, Dcoy Ducks and The Doctor’s Office in Holmes Beach.

Issued late Friday morning and effective immediately, DBPR Order 2020-09 says, “All vendors licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises who derive more than 50% of gross revenue from such sales of alcoholic beverages shall suspend such sales of alcoholic beverages for consumption on premises. Such vendors may continue to sell alcoholic beverages in sealed containers for consumption off premises in accordance with Executive Order 20-71.

“Vendors who are also licensed as public food service establishments or restaurants may continue to operate for on-premise consumption of food and beverages at tables so long as these vendors derive 50% or less of gross revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages for on premises consumption,” the order says.

The DBPR order explains the reasoning behind these actions.

“Under Phase 2, bars and other vendors licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises were given permission to operate at 50% of their indoor capacity so long as they provided seated service only.

“The governor directed the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to enforce restrictions in Executive Order 20-139. During the month of June, the number of individuals testing positive for COVID-19 increased significantly in the State of Florida, especially among younger individuals, and some of these cases involving younger individuals are suspected to have originated from visits to bars, pubs or nightclubs who have disregarded the restrictions set forth in Phase 2 of the Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step plan for Florida’s recovery.

“Non-compliance by bars and other vendors licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on premises is suspected throughout the state to such a degree as to make individualized enforcement efforts impractical and insufficient at this time,” the DBPR order says.

During his Friday afternoon press conference, Gov. Ron DeSantis mentioned the increased number of younger people testing positive for COVID-19 but he did not directly address the bar closures. He simply made a passing reference to an unnamed action taken that day by the DBPR president.

Local reaction

With no advance notice, Sports Lounge bartender Courtney McGough finds herself unemployed again.

“This is so devastating to bartenders and bar owners. We followed all the guidelines that were asked of us and we even hired a door man seven days a week to help us stay at 50% capacity. It’s just not fair,” she said Friday afternoon.

Anna Maria Island bars ordered to close again
The Sports Lounge in Bradenton Beach was among those forced to close on Friday. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Anchor Inn owner Darla Tingler said, “There’s nothing to say except this is unbelievable.”

“I’m so upset I can barely comment,” Drift In manager Doreen Flynn said.

Flynn said Drift In owners Joe and Angie Cuervo were equally surprised and upset.

“Our employees are all texting me and they just can’t believe this is happening again. They are wondering how they’re going to pay their bills and whether they go back on unemployment,” Flynn said.

Flynn questions the fairness of restaurants still being allowed to sell alcohol while the bars are forced to close.

“This is not going to slow the spread of the virus. All this does is change where our customers go to drink,” Flynn said.

The AMI Moose Lodge reopened on Friday, June 12 – one week after the other Island bars reopened.

“I am very disappointed in our system,” Lodge Administrator Byron Dalton said. “It appears the right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing. How are we supposed to pay our employees and pay our bills? We just restocked our coolers and freezers and there’s a lot of money invested in the products we will lose.”

Jason Benn is the bar manager at the Anna Maria Island Beach Café at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach. That establishment remains open, but Benn sympathizes with others in the industry.

“With the spike in cases, I can understand taking steps to get the numbers back under control, but I do not feel it is right to take away one type of business. I think it is wrong for those to suffer who are doing to the right things and taking extra steps to be safe,” Benn said.

“I hope the bar owners and bar employees are able to get help and assistance much easier this time. I know some that have still not heard or got anything from the first shutdown. And the bars have only been back open since June 5,” he added.

DBPR order 2020-09 can be viewed or downloaded here.