BRADENTON BEACH – The 2024 hurricanes may have taken the animatronic figures, the bubble machine and the hearse that the Bridge Tender Inn was known for at Halloween, but the party will still go on this year.
“The animatronics were destroyed in the storms, and we haven’t had the funds or time to replace them. The priority was fixing the building,” said manager Sue Shinka, adding, “It took us 15 years to get all the animatronics.”
This giant skeleton greets those who enter the haunted alleyway. – Leslie Lake | Sun
The Bridge Street alley on the west side of the Bridge Tender is decorated with skeletons, and, as in years past, there will be a kids’ costume contest, a dog costume contest and an adult costume contest, all with cash prizes.
The costume contest for dogs starts at 5:30 p.m. – Leslie Lake | Sun
“We’re still doing Halloween, but it’s going to be a little more low-key,” Shinka said.
The Bridge Tender Inn party on Friday, Oct. 31 at 135 Bridge St. features Brigid’s Cross playing music at 2 p.m., a kids’ costume contest at 5 p.m., a dog costume contest at 5:30 p.m., Justin Rector playing music at 6 p.m. and an adult costume contest at 10 p.m.
BRADENTON BEACH – The Bridge Tender Inn in Bradenton Beach threw a spectacular party on Halloween night.
With that end of Bay Drive South closed for the occasion, the Halloween street party featured a pet costume contest, an adult costume contest, an afternoon trail of treats for youngsters, a multitude of larger-than-life automatons, smoke-filled bubbles, a haunted house, palm readers, live music by Brigid’s Cross and more.
Wayne, from ‘Wayne’s World,’ had a stare-down with one of the Bridge Tender Inn automatons. – Joe Hendricks | SunThis wicked automaton stood watch at the tiki bar entrance. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
And once again, the fun-filled party raised more than $1,000 for the Sarasota-based Vintage Paws Sanctuary that provides homes, medical treatment and assistance for older dogs and terminally ill dogs, including some who’ve been orphaned by the deaths of their senior owners.
Tommy Folmar and Sharon Parker dressed as America’s most popular couple – Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
While enjoying a cocktail, Bridge Tender Inn owner Fred Bartizal said, “We’ve been hosting our Halloween party for about eight years and it gets bigger and better every year. The haunted house is in the dining room and it’s the best we’ve ever had… We do this to draw people to the area and some who’ve never been here before. People have a lot of fun and we raise a lot of money for Vintage Paws.”
A Halloween-themed Jeep and a ghoulish automaton were part of the lavish Halloween decorations. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Paulie Baker, from Brigid’s Cross, served as the master of ceremonies and announcer for the pet costume contest that started around 5:15 p.m. He served in the same role for the adult costume contest that started around 8:30 p.m.
‘Abby the Halloween Witch’ won the pet costume contest. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“Abby the Halloween Witch” won the pet costume contest that featured four decked-out dogs.
“It was a knockdown drag-out decision by the judges between ‘Abby the Halloween Witch’ and ‘Molly the Racecar Champ,’” Baker announced.
Abby’s win earned her a dog bowl and a Frisbee. Molly finished a close second. Sunrise (dressed as Santa’s helper) and the stylish canine tandem of Ocean Lee and Lovey Lee tied for third place.
‘Molly the Racecar Champ’ finished second in the pet costume contest. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
After the contest, Bridge Tender Inn General Manager Sue Shinka said, “We put everything into our party and it shows. It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it.”
Shinka said she expected the party to attract 500 or more revelers, adding, “We had a bunch of kids here this afternoon for the trail of treats. We put the lights on and everything and some of them got a little scared.”
The haunted house featured this spooky, skeletal gathering. – Bridge Tender Inn | Submitted
Assistant General Manager Shannon Dunnan said, “This is our best haunted house. It’s very creepy and scary.”
Bridge Tender Inn employee Beth Murphy said, “I’ve been here six years and this is the best one yet, for kids and adults.”
‘Lieutenant Dan’ won the adult costume contest. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Dressed as Lieutenant Dan from the “Forrest Gump” movie, Frankie won the adult costume contest and took home a $100 Bridge Tender Inn gift certificate.
Sporting canes and cocktails, a trio of women dressed as “Three Blind Mice” finished second.
‘Three Blind Mice’ finished second in the costume contest. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Adorned in green evening gowns and dressed as “Saturday Night & Sunday Morning” Lory and William claimed third place in the costume contest.
William and Lory’s costumes represented the difference between Sunday morning and Saturday night. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
When contacted the next day, Shinka said, “As we walked around, people told us it was the best Halloween party ever. We had people coming out of the haunted house laughing and smiling. Victor spent two and a half weeks working on the haunted house and he did a great job.”
Smoke-filled bubbles filled the Halloween air. – Joe Hendricks | SunCostumed party-goers danced in the street. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
BRADENTON BEACH – This Halloween, when the hearse rolls up, the road will shut down as the Bridge Tender Inn Dockside Bar & Grille, 135 Bridge St., throws a spooky party with costume contests and larger-than-life animated creatures.
“We take our Halloween seriously here,” Bridge Tender General Manager Susan Shinka said.
Located at the corner of Bridge Street and Bay Drive South, Shinka said Bay Drive South adjacent to the restaurant will close to vehicular traffic on Tuesday, Oct. 31 at 2 p.m., when the festivities begin.
“People can bring their kids at 2 p.m. for treats and then at 5 p.m. we have a doggie costume contest,” Shinka said. “At 8:30 p.m. we have an adult costume contest with gift certificates for first, second and third prizes.”
A hearse is parked outside the Bridge Tender Inn at the 2022 Halloween party. – Submitted
In addition to the hearse and coffin which will be parked outside, decorations will include a 12-foot tall witch and automatons – moving mechanical devices – including a ghost that jumps out at passersby, a witch and a demon.
“There will also be a haunted house people can access from Bridge Street,” Shinka said.
She said that she has had people tell her they plan their vacations around this Halloween party.
“It’s really a good time,” Shinka said. “We have people calling to ask if we’re having the party each year.”
Brigid’s Cross will be providing music.
“We typically wind down around 10 p.m., after the costume contest,” Shinka said.
There is a charitable component to the party as funds will be raised to benefit the non-profit Vintage Paws Sanctuary, which provides a home-like setting for older dogs.
“We’ll be selling items such as Halloween cups and the money we raise will be donated to Vintage Paws,” Shinka said. “Over the years, we’ve raised thousands of dollars for them.”
“Our goal is to raise enough money to build a ‘retirement home’ where senior dogs can live comfortably surrounded by love and getting the veterinary care they need,” according to the Vintage Paws website.
BRADENTON BEACH – A busy night on Bridge Street came to an abrupt halt due to what was believed to be a natural gas leak.
As people wandered among bars, shops and restaurants on June 7, customers at the Bridge Tender Inn were enjoying dinner and drinks by the bay when fire trucks and police began to arrive on Bay Drive South. Bystanders were told to leave the area and Bridge Tender Inn customers were evacuated from the property due to a reported gas leak.
“They narrowed it down to a car. There was a young girl from Georgia that had driven up here from Siesta Key,” said Shannon Altier, assistant general manager at Bridge Tender Inn. “The fire department had really sensitive equipment to detect leaking gas, but they didn’t find anything. It turned out to be a belt from the young lady’s car that eventually had to be towed away.”
According to multiple bystanders, the smell was almost identical to that of natural gas. Altier and the rest of the Bridge Tender Inn staff were relieved to hear the situation posed no danger, but it did cost the establishment a great deal of money due to orders that had already been placed and prepared when patrons were evacuated, as well as about two hours of lost revenue.
“We lost a little bit, but I was honestly just worried about the little girl in the car,” Altier said. “She had no idea what to do. I told her to not drive more than a block, and the car died on Bridge Street a few feet later.”
The incident started around 8 p.m. and according to Altier, fire officials were still on the scene until after 10 p.m. Nobody was injured and no property other than the vehicle with the faulty belt was damaged.
BRADENTON BEACH – The city’s expanded outdoor seating allowances for restaurants and bars will remain in effect for the foreseeable future.
On May 19, the city commission reached the unanimous consensus that it was not ready to set an expiration date for the temporary outdoor dining and seating allowances adopted in a 2020 city ordinance and renewed and clarified in 2021 to assist local restaurants, bars and retail businesses with their recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thursday’s decision allows establishments to continue using their expanded outdoor seating areas, including those that feature live music.
Thursday’s discussion was prompted by comments that Old Bridge Village condominium residents Bruce Herard and David Bell made during the commission’s May 6 meeting. Herard and Bell urged the commission to allow the temporary seating allowances provided for in Ordinance 21-533 to expire because there are no longer any federal, state or local social distancing requirements imposed on restaurants, bars and other establishments.
Herard also expressed concerns about the volume and location of the live music at the nearby Bridge Tender Inn. Bell expressed concerns about temporary tents that are not allowed by city code becoming permanent fixtures.
Debate and discussion
When Thursday’s discussion began, Commissioner Jan Vosburgh said, “I’m all for helping the businesses, but I think it’s time we helped the citizens.”
Vosburgh said she recently received a phone call from a resident on Fifth Street South who said he and his wife are having “a terrible time with the noise” that is diminishing their enjoyment of their home. However, after hearing from business owners, employees and other commission members, Vosburgh changed her mind and expressed support for continuing the expanded seating allowances.
Commissioner Jake Spooner said COVID-19 cases are surging again and this is not the time to reduce outdoor seating. He suggested the expanded seating allowances remain in effect at least until the summer tourist season slows in mid-August. He said this would also benefit the employees who rely on their June and July earnings to help get them through the slower late summer and early fall months.
The Drift In’s expanded outdoor seating includes tents that provide shade and shelter from the rain. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
During public input, Drift In manager Doreen Flynn said many customers don’t want to sit inside anymore and feel more comfortable sitting outside in the expanded, tent-covered seating area. Flynn said residents experiencing noise issues need to call the police.
Bridge Tender Inn owner Fred Bartizal shared his views with the city commission. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Bridge Tender Inn owner Fred Bartizal said, “I love the Bridge Tender and I hate to see it attacked. Our seating is approved. We did not add any seating. The seating would not change. We would still have outside entertainment because we had that before COVID. All we added were the tents.”
Bartizal compared the residents’ noise complaints to those made by people who purchase homes near an airport and then complain about the noise.
Drift In owner Joe Cuervo encouraged the commission to leave the temporary seating allowances in effect. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Drift In owner Joe Cuervo said he lost more than $800,000 in revenues during the pandemic and is just now starting to catch up on those losses.
Wicked Cantina owner Mike Dolan said the additional outdoor seating keeps customers and employees safe.
“70% of our business is on the patio. We have empty tables inside. People will wait up to an hour to sit outside because of COVID,” he said.
He then held up a copy of that day’s Wall Street Journal which featured a story about the current surge in COVID cases.
Wicked Cantina owner Mike Dolan referenced a Wall Street Journal article about surging COVID cases. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Bell said most residents are pro-business and like being close the Bridge Street businesses. He then reiterated his concerns about the tents covering the expanded seating areas.
“A lot of the restaurants didn’t take this tent option because their kitchens and their staffs are limited and they can’t serve food to that many people, but the bar can expand. The tents are permitting the expansion of alcohol sales. If we want to open the front door to expanding liquor sales then let’s do it the right way. Let’s not do this back door way,” he said.
Police Chief John Cosby said the Bridge Tender Inn has not been cited for any noise violations and when residents have asked for decibel meter readings, those readings were within the allowed noise limits.
Mayor John Chappie asked City Attorney Ricinda Perry to explain the commission’s options. Perry said the temporary ordinance must expire at some point but it’s up to the commission as to when that happens.
According to Ordinance 21-533, “This ordinance shall expire and be deemed to have been repealed once all COVID-related limitations to the operations of restaurants and retail locations impacting capacity of occupancy loads or social distancing requirements are no longer a recommendation by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Alternatively, the city commission may sunset the ordinance at a noticed public hearing.”
When asked about current CDC recommendations, Perry checked the CDC website and said it still references social distancing and avoiding crowded places and indoor spaces that do not have fresh air circulating through them. The CDC website notes those recommendations pertain to individuals at high risk and/or not up to date on their vaccinations.
“In my opinion, CDC is still recommending social distancing,” Perry said.
Chappie reminded business owners that the extra seating is temporary and will expire at some point. He encouraged those who wish to make their seating allowances permanent to do so through the city’s codes and permitting processes.
Commissioner Ralph Cole said Bridge Street has always been the main commercial district and past and present commissions worked hard to implement a noise ordinance that requires compromise from businesses and residents and requires outdoor music to stop at 10 p.m.
When offering his final thoughts, Spooner said, “Getting rid of this expanded seating does nothing for noise.”
After noting the commercial district has made past concessions to residents, Spooner said, “If you’re not happy where you live, nobody’s forcing you to live there.”
BRADENTON BEACH – City officials have made significant changes to the plans for a shoreline resiliency project along Bay Drive South from the south side of the Bradenton Beach Pier to Fifth Street South.
The revised plans no longer call for a concrete resiliency wall and now propose using riprap barriers made of rocks and sand instead. The revised plans also eliminate the proposed installation of reef balls in Sarasota Bay across the street from the Old Bridge Village condominiums.
The project is being designed and engineered by the Tampa-based Environmental Science Associates (ESA) firm, with senior scientist Brett Solomon and engineer Bryan Flynn working closely with city officials.
The proposed project area includes the Bradenton Beach Pier and the Bridge Tender Inn shoreline. – ESA | Submitted
In an effort to address king tides, rising tides and future sea level rise, the Bradenton Beach City Commission and the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) are jointly pursuing the resiliency project that city attorney and CRA liaison Ricinda Perry says has evolved into a shoreline renourishment project.
ESA presented the 30% completed plans in early January. In late January, Solomon and Flynn conducted publicly noticed on-site meetings with city officials and potentially impacted property owners.
During the March 17 joint city commission/CRA meeting, Solomon and Flynn presented the 60% completed plans that included revisions based on input received from city officials and potentially impacted property owners.
Wall removed
The 30% completed plans proposed installing a concrete wall and/or earthen berm along the Bay Drive South shoreline. That concept was met with much resistance from city officials and potentially impacted property owners.
Throughout the engineering process, city commissioner and CRA Chair Ralph Cole has expressed his desire for a shoreline project that uses natural materials as much as possible.
“We don’t want the wall. That’s pretty much what everybody’s decided. They don’t want a concrete barrier,” Cole said during the March 17 meeting.
The 60% completed plans approved by the city commission and CRA members that day no longer include a concrete wall.
Riprap
There’s already an existing riprap barrier about 2.5 feet high along the length of Fred Bartizal’s Bridge Tender Inn & Dockside Bar property. The revised plans propose extending the existing riprap 10 feet to the east and possibly raising it by another 1.5 feet to get to the 4-foot elevation recommended by ESA.
According to Perry, the proposed project would result in the extended Bridge Tender Inn shoreline having a beach-like appearance, with the rocks being covered by sand. Trees, mangroves and other erosion-controlling plants might also be placed in the expanded shoreline area.
The coral-colored line indicates the location of the proposed riprap barrier. – ESA | Submitted
Matching riprap and a similarly extended shoreline would continue south to the small city-owned pocket park at the east end of Third Street South.
To accommodate the existing mangroves near the pocket park, a slightly elevated walkway would be installed between the landward side of the mangroves and the edge of Bay Drive South, with riprap placed under the walkway and along the mangroves and existing vegetation that already help absorb and dissipate wave energy. The existing mangroves will not be removed.
The engineering plans propose a slightly elevated walkway alongside Bay Drive South. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The walkway built over the riprap would continue south along Bay Drive South to Fifth Street South and Perry said Bartizal is amenable to the walkway continuing north on his property to Bridge Street.
The riprap (illustrated in coral) and the elevated walkway (illustrated in yellow) would extend to Fifth Street South. – ESA | Submitted
“People won’t see the rocks,” Perry said of the riprap.
The revised plans propose small stairways or ramps that go up and over the riprap to provide uninterrupted access to the privately-owned docks along Bay Drive South.
Flynn said the riprap barriers could be raised in 10-15 years by adding more rocks and sand if conditions warrant doing so.
Reef balls
The 30% completed plans proposed installing reef balls in the bay across the street from the Old Bridge Village condominiums. The reef balls were proposed to dissipate incoming wave energy and reduce the amount of sand and sediment that washes away from the shoreline. Some condo owners expressed concern about aesthetics and visibility.
In late January, Old Bridge Village condo owners used this prop to express their concerns about the anticipated size and visual impact of the proposed reef balls. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The revised 60% completed plans now propose installing reef balls only along the south side of the Bridge Street Pier and clock tower walkway. Reef balls would not be placed near the condos.
The blue circles indicate where reef balls would be placed near the Bradenton Beach Pier. – ESA | Submitted
Made of oyster shells, smaller oyster bags and oyster pyramids would be placed in the water throughout the project area to help dissipate wave energy and reduce sediment washout.
Public input
During public input at the recent joint meeting, Bartizal and residential property owners Krista Czajkowski and Marvin Taake expressed support for the revised plans.
Czajkowski said her biggest concern was maintaining the ability to install or replace boat lifts and docks. Flynn said the riprap barrier would not negatively impact boat lifts, docks or navigation.
Taake said drainage and flooding were his biggest concerns. Flynn said the proposed project will include drainage elements that improve the flow of rainwater to the outfalls that discharge into the bay.
“I think it’s win-win for everybody,” Bartizal said.
Funding
The design and engineering phase is being funded with a $92,433 resiliency grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). For state and federal permitting purposes, the design and engineering must be 100% completed in August.
The current grant does not include funds to construct the engineered project and no cost estimates to construct the proposed project have been provided. During the joint meeting, ESA and Perry were authorized to work together to pursue additional FDEP resiliency grants to construct the fully engineered and shovel-ready project. There is currently no estimated timeline as to when the proposed project would be constructed.
Bridge Street was the epicenter of the New Year’s Eve celebrations in Bradenton Beach. On a foggy Friday evening, the festivities extended all along the street as residents, locals and visitors welcomed the arrival of 2022 and bid farewell to 2021 – another year in which many experienced joy, sorrow and stress while facing the challenges presented by the ongoing recovery and response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Champagne glasses were lifted at Island Time as 2022 arrives. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
David Higgins and Dana Chaves stopped at Island Time during their New Year’s Eve travels along Bridge Street. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Shots were shared and glasses were lifted at Island Time as midnight arrives. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Still in uniform, Santa visited Bridge Street on New Year’s Eve. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
The Sports Lounge was one of Mike and Amy Cunningham’s New Year’s Eve stops. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Sports Lounge bartender Courtney McGough served up plenty of shots on New Year’s Eve. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
The Drift In’s lighted ball awaits its midnight drop on a foggy Friday evening. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Baby New Year pays his annual visit to the Drift In. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Sheri Rusilowicz and her dog, Arlo, celebrate New Year’s Eve at the Drift In. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Dos-Macs rocked the Drift In. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Trevor Bystrom (center) and his band perform at the Blue Marlin Grill. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
This vehicle was towed from one of the three designated post office parking spaces reserved at all times for post office customers only. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
While visiting from Detroit, Phil Valleaum Steve Perye, Shari Perye and Deanna Rush celebrate Steve’s birthday and New Year’s Eve at the Drift In. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Drift In bartender Sharon Bell hopped on the bar during the New Year’s Eve celebration. - Amy Cunningham | Submitted
The Bridge Tender Inn bartenders carry a “cash only” message on their backs. - Shannon Dunnan | Submitted
BRADENTON BEACH – A celebration of life for longtime Bradenton Beach resident and employee David Marshall will be held Saturday, Sept. 25 at 2 p.m. at the Drift In, 120 Bridge St.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a covered dish and their David stories to share with others.
David was struck by a car while crossing the street near his Bradenton home on Aug. 24. On Sunday, Sept. 5 he passed away while hospitalized with the injuries he suffered. As of last week, the accident remained under investigation by the Bradenton Police Department.
Life lived to the fullest
David was born in Dover, New Hampshire in 1947. He graduated from Dover High School in 1966 and enlisted in the Navy the next day. He celebrated his 74th birthday in August.
He’s survived by his wife, Martha Kelley Marshall, whom he married in June, his sister Nancy, brothers Roland and Bob, his stepdaughters Roberta Perella and Martha Michael and several grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other family and friends who loved him dearly.
Martha has known David for most of her life.
“The first time I met him I was seven and a half. The second time I met him I was eight and a half. Then, when I was 13, I saw him playing with his band, The Mad Hatters, at the clubs along the seaside in New Hampshire. The doorman would let me and my girlfriends peek in when the manager wasn’t around. He was rhythm guitarist and lead singer. They’d start out wearing hats, with a big antique trunk full of more antique hats on the stage. Throughout the show, they’d throw their hats out into the audience and put on another. At the end of the night, everybody had a hat on – and when they left, they’d put the hats back in the trunk,” Martha said.
“I used to rip his psychedelic, handprinted, mimeographed Mad Hatter posters off the telephone poles because I was an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ freak,” she added.
Martha said The Mad Hatters opened for The Kingsmen, who had the hit song “Louie Louie.”
And while in Los Angeles in 1967, David auditioned for The Monkees television show.
“He was first runner up under Peter Tork,” Martha said.
Martha said David came to Anna Maria Island for the first time in 1978, when he helped refurbish the concrete and steel patios and balconies at the Martinique condominium complex in Holmes Beach.
Martha later moved to Anna Maria Island as well.
“I worked with him at The Dancing Bear on Cortez Road. He worked in the dish room and I was the closing bartender. Then I worked with him again at the Drift In in 1994. I was a bartender and he worked there all night cleaning the bar. He was also doing the Pier Walk late-night breakfast so everybody could sober up and get home from all the bars on Bridge Street. He also had his own antique shop on Bridge Street called Redbeard’s Treasure Chest,” Martha said.
David and Martha Marshall got married earlier this year. – Submitted
“We became friends and then we started going out on Jan. 23, 1998. We got married on June 28th, 2021.
Martha said David stopped working at the Drift In when the couple moved to Bradenton in 2019.
“But he would still ride the bus to go out there to see his friends on Tuesdays and Thursdays,” Martha said.
Over the years, David and Martha also worked together at the old Sun House restaurant – now the Bridge Street Bistro. Each evening, in recognition of the green flash phenomenon occasionally seen at sunset, David passed out Green Flash shots concocted by Martha.
“It was a recipe I came up with that looks like a green flash. He’d pour them into little black cups and go around the room handing them out to everybody of age. Then he would choose someone to ring the gong and he’d start out singing, ‘You Are My Sunshine,’ ” Martha said.
David also worked at The Bridge Tender Inn, delivered pizza for Oma’s and valet-parked cars at The Buccaneer Inn in Longboat Key.
The Bridge Tender Inn was one of David Marshall’s Anna Maria Island workplaces. – Submitted
When asked what she’ll miss most about her husband, Martha said, “His presence.”
She said she hopes he’s remembered for his good heart and the many acts of kindness he performed for others.
“He’s saving you all a seat in heaven,” she said.
When asked how she’s doing, Martha said, “I’m doing alright. I’m getting wonderful support from the owners and my co-workers at The Island Trader outfitters in Holmes Beach.”
Drift In legend
David performed a wide variety of duties during his four decades or so at the Drift In.
“He worked for me for probably 15 years and he was there before I got there. He was the best barback I ever had. He knew exactly what I needed and when I needed it. He had his Bloody Mary bar every Sunday morning. He had shrimp and bacon and whatever else he brought. That was a fantastic Bloody Mary bar,” Drift In manager Doreen Flynn said.
David also played Santa Claus during the Drift In’s holiday events. He did the same for holiday events hosted down the street at the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge. David played “Father Time” during the Drift In’s annual New Year’s Eve celebrations. He also made the ball that drops at midnight and for many years it was he who dropped the ball to ring in the new year.
David Marshall played “Father Time” on New Year’s Eve. – Submitted
When not in costume, David constantly wore a feathered hat that was decorated with pins and other trinkets. That hat, and his flowing beard, added to his legacy and legend.
He also came up with the slogan featured on their souvenir T-shirts: “Drift In by the bay, where there’s a party every day.”
“David was such a good person. He had a good heart and will be deeply missed by all of us,” Flynn said.
Drift In patron and now-retired BeachHouse chef Donald White said, “David loved his bacon-wrapped scallops. He said they were like a bite of heaven. The world will be a worse place with him not in it.”
Holmes Beach resident and Drift In patron Scott Moore said, “What a great guy. I really enjoyed my conversations with him at the Drift. People knew him because of the way he dressed and the hat he always wore. He stood out. It’s a loss to the Island. We all loved him. He worked all his life, retired and this happens. It’s sad.”
David Marshall was on the cover of The Sun in 2015.
In 2015, David waged a peaceful protest when he had himself taped to a black olive tree between the Drift In and the Sports Lounge that was to be removed by the city. That morning, he told Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale he didn’t want the red tape removed until he addressed the media.
After Speciale contacted The Sun by phone, David said, “I’m taped to a tree. I’m trying to save the trees and the birds and bees. They’re taking down trees and it makes me upset.”
Speciale then said, “David said he’s watched this tree grow up and that’s why he’s trying to save it.”
When contacted last week, Speciale said, “We lost another legend.”
Loyal Moose member
David became a member of the AMI Moose Lodge in 1998. According to Lodge Administrator Byron Dalton, David earned a fellowship degree and held a third degree of that loyal order. He enrolled in the Moose Legion in 2001 and obtained his fellowship degree in 2006. He was also a prelate – a role that is similar to a chaplain. He held the office of prelate in 2001, was re-elected as prelate in 2002 and was elected treasurer in 2003. Between 2009 and 2015 held six appointed offices. As a Moose member, David signed up 110 new members.
Lodge member and administrative assistant Debbie Snook said, “Dave was awesome. He was a great Moose member. He would help anyone who needed help and he was always the first to volunteer. I’ll miss him.”
Beloved family member
Martha has two daughters from a previous marriage and they loved their stepdad, David.
Speaking by phone from Haverhill, Massachusetts, stepdaughter Roberta Perella said, “He was with my mom for 23 years, but I first met him in 2018. I fell in love with him right away. He was so sweet to my mom and she was so good to him. I could tell how much they loved each other. He took care of my mom and they wanted to grow old together but was cut tragically short.”
For the celebration of life, Roberta plans to create a memory table with memory cards upon which folks can share their memories of David, and some of his often-spoken colloquialisms.
By text message from Manchester, New Hampshire, stepdaughter Martha Michael said, “I am deeply saddened for the AMI community. David was a kind and sensitive man that loved the Island and everyone here. I can’t believe we lost him so tragically. I have friends from New England that didn’t even know David was my stepdad and they came home talking about him. I would say ‘Oh my gosh, you met my stepdad!’ I don’t think people truly understand the magic my mom and David gave to the Island. David had a huge impact on the locals and visitors worldwide!”
David Marshall walked his step-daughter, Martha Michael, down the aisle when she got married in Bradenton Beach in 2016. – Submitted
David’s sister Nancy Marshall lives in Sun City Center.
“David was an awesome guy and you couldn’t ask for a better brother. He beat the drum to his own music and everybody loved him. I don’t think he had a mean bone in his body and he will be missed by everyone in our family so much. We loved each other and he loved his family. He loved everybody,” she said.
“He was a unique guy. One day he got that hat and he started putting little pins on it, and the feather, and it went from there. He always wore it. Almost every picture I have of him he had his hat on. He was a happy guy. I don’t think I ever really saw him down in the dumps,” Nancy said.
David’s nephew, Erik Marshall, lives in Bradenton.
“He was the sweetest soul. He got along with everybody and he loved the Island. He was the most relaxed soul, and he was soft-spoken. I always looked forward to seeing him and I already miss him smiling at me. I learned a lot from him – like don’t let a lot of stuff get to you. He didn’t. He let the ocean calm him. He was an Island boy. New Hampshire wasn’t for him. He was the original beach bum soul. His hat was an icon and all my friends called him Uncle Dave. He touched a lot of people in his 40 years out there. Him and his hat and his feathers,” Erik said.
David Marshall lived life at his own unique pace. – Submitted
Erik said he plans to wear a hat in David’s honor during the upcoming celebration of life.
David also is survived by a stepson, Scott Murray, and two children, Sara DiGiacomo and Donald Marshall.
Online fundraiser
While David was in the hospital, Roberta started the “David Marshall Recovery” GoFundMe online fundraiser (https://gofund.me/3a8ad3f1) to assist David and Martha with their medical bills and living expenses. The money being raised at the still active fundraising page will now assist Martha as she moves forward with her life.
BRADENTON BEACH – A new ordinance allows businesses to continue using the expanded outdoor seating areas allowed during the pandemic, with no prohibition on live music in those areas.
On Thursday, June 3, the Bradenton Beach Commission unanimously adopted on second and final reading Ordinance 21-533, which allows previously expanded outdoor business operations to continue until further notice as local businesses continue to recover from the financial losses suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic. In doing so, the commission decided live music would no longer be prohibited in those expanded outdoor areas.
Establishments that wish to continue using their expanded outdoor seating areas must submit a new application to the city building department. If the establishment features live music, the application must show where the live music will be performed.
The new ordinance is an amended version of the original Ordinance 20-516, adopted in May 2020, which allowed the temporary expansion of outdoor dining spaces but prohibited live music in those expanded areas. The live music prohibition was never enforced.
With its approval, the commission reversed its stance on the May 20 first reading of Ordinance 21-533, when it agreed that the live music prohibition contained in the previous ordinance would be enforced if the new ordinance was adopted on second reading.
The live music prohibition did not apply to live music performance areas used before the pandemic struck; the expansion of outdoor seating areas was first allowed in 2020.
Notice of enforcement
On Friday, May 28, Bradenton Beach Building Official Steve Gilbert and members of the Bradenton Beach Police Department crafted a written notice that was distributed to impacted and potentially impacted establishments prior to Thursday’s meeting.
The notice of prohibition stated, “Ordinance 20-516, adopted on May 21, 2020, provided for an expansion of outdoor dining due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ordinance provided for a number of regulations pertaining to the expanded areas allowed. The ordinance also provided for several prohibitions. Section 5 expressly prohibits live entertainment and bands in the expanded outdoor dining areas.”
The notice included an acknowledgment form for the business owner or manager to sign which said, “I hereby acknowledge that I have read this document and agree to cease live entertainment and bands in my expanded outdoor dining area.”
The Drift In can continue using its expanded seating area for live music. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“The city has received complaints of live entertainment and bands in those expanded outdoor dining areas and is responding to these complaints. Be advised that effective June 4, city police and code enforcement officers will begin enforcement of this prohibition. Violations will result in the loss of any expanded outdoor dining areas,” the city notice stated.
Businesses opposed
The Bridge Tender Inn, the Drift In and the Wicked Cantina feature live music in their expanded outdoor seating areas. During Thursday’s commission meeting, Drift Owner Joe Cuervo, Drift In manager Doreen Flynn and Bridge Tender Inn owner Fred Bartizal asked the commission to reconsider its position on prohibiting live music in the expanded outdoor seating areas.
“It’s nonsense to me that you can’t have a tent and you can’t have a band,” Flynn said. “You guys are the ones that promoted Bridge Street to be a destination of fun and nightlife. Why do you want to take that away from us, and take that away from Bridge Street? Most people don’t want to sit inside. They want to be outside.”
Drift In manager Doreen Flynn encouraged the commission to allow live music to continue in the expanded outdoor seating areas. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Cuervo said most of the Drift In’s live music occurs indoors and their outdoor music usually takes place on Saturday afternoons. He said his establishment has never been cited for a noise ordinance violation and the additional outdoor seating is helping him rebuild his bank account.
“I’ve lost over a million and a half dollars in those seven to eight months. I took all my savings out to keep things going. You tell me what I need to do to keep my tents and have my band in the daytime, from two to six. Anything you all can do to help me I would appreciate,” Cuervo said.
Bartizal said he’s loved Bridge Street since 1953 and it’s become a highlight of Anna Maria Island.
“I really don’t appreciate people who move here lately who try to change it. It doesn’t make any sense. The places we put our bands have always been there. They’re going to stay there. We have gone through thick and thin to keep this thing going,” Bartizal said.
During Thursday’s meeting, Commissioner Jan Vosburgh said, “I think we should do everything possible to help our businesses. They’ve gone through a lot.”
Commissioner Ralph Cole said he sees no reason to prohibit live music in the expanded outdoor areas.
Commissioner Jake Spooner noted the city’s noise ordinance still applies to live music.
“I’m all for continuing the expansion of outdoor dining. If there’s a noise ordinance violation, there’s a noise ordinance violation,” he said.
The Wicked Cantina’s expanded outdoor seating area features umbrellas and temporary fencing. – Joe Hendricks | SunLt. John Cosby said the Bradenton Beach Police Department currently only has two decibel meters, which the officers share. Cosby said the department plans to purchase additional meters so each officer has one.
The only public comment against live music in the expanded outdoor seating areas was at a May 20 meeting, when Old Bridge Village condominium resident Mary Bell expressed opposition to the Bridge Tender Inn continuing its live music in its expanded seating area.
BRADENTON BEACH – A windy, cloudy afternoon didn’t stop the father-son team of David and David Wolff from coming out to the dock behind the Bridge Tender Inn Dec. 20 to install four mini reefs as a part of The Center’s Go Green initiative.
The four reefs were only a part of the six reefs purchased by the Bridge Tender’s owner, Fred Bartizal, who purchased two additional reefs to be placed in the water near his home.
In a statement emailed to The Sun, Bartizal said, “The Bridge Tender Inn takes great pride in going green. Everyone should be doing it; it is essential for the earth and future generations.” He added that the restaurant participates in recycling and is switching over to biodegradable napkins, straws, cutlery and to-go containers.
David Wolff Jr. carries two of the mini reefs down the dock to be installed at the Bridge Tender Inn. – Kristin Swain | Sun
The mini reefs, the brainchild of David Wolff of Ocean Habitats LLC, are made almost exclusively of sustainable materials designed to hold around 150 pounds with a lifespan of 10-15 years. The reefs are installed underneath docks, attached by floating marine ropes, and bob just underneath the surface where they provide a home for fish and other marine life. Ocean Habitat’s mini reefs can be used in salt and brackish water. They filter over 30,000 gallons of water per day and can provide a nursery home for fish and crabs, producing around 300 fish per year and 200 crabs per year.
Wolff said the idea for the reefs came out of a college research project. Once he shrunk the initial reef down to its current 24x36x24 inch size and rethought all of the materials with longevity and sustainability in mind, he developed the current mini reef and a fish crib to be used in freshwater lakes and ponds.
Though the mini reefs are available through the Ocean Habitats website, they’re also available through The Center of Anna Maria Island at a discounted price, including installation.
David Wolff Jr. secures two of the mini reefs underneath the dock at The Bridge Tender Inn. – Kristin Swain | Sun
The reefs are being made available as a part of The Center’s Go Green campaign, encouraging community members to live a more sustainable life while also supporting the nonprofit. Each reef can be purchased for $350 with $150 going to support The Center’s annual fund. Through Jan. 15, a private donor is sponsoring a donation match up to $130,000, so any reefs purchased by the deadline produces an additional $150 donation for a total of $300 back to The Center.
Center Director of Development Jim McDaniel said that as of Dec. 20, 52 mini reefs had been purchased and were planned to be installed around Anna Maria Island by the New Year. He said an additional four were in-process. The goal, he said, is to not only see what kind of positive impact these mini reefs can have on local waters but also to see how many new donors will come forward to help out The Center.
Once all of the reefs are installed, McDaniel said The Center plans to create a map of the reef locations and hopefully will be able to use the project for research purposes in the future.
For people who want a different, but still tangible, way to support The Center, there’s the Giving Reef, located in the nonprofit’s lobby. For the Giving Reef, program directors priced and placed tags with items needed, from soccer balls to new fitness equipment, on the reef. Anyone can come in, find something that they feel passionate about supporting or that fits into their budget and provide the funds to purchase that item. McDaniel said that items range from about $130 to $3,500 and are all currently included in The Center’s budget. By community members purchasing those items, those budgeted funds can go back into the annual fund for use in other areas or for saving for the future of the nonprofit.
For more information on the mini reefs and the Giving Reef, visit The Center online.
BRADENTON BEACH – Bridge Tender Inn & Dockside Bar owner Fred Bartizal is seeking City Commission approval for a six-slip, 100-foot extension of his existing commercial dock.
After reviewing the dock request on Wednesday, Nov. 14, the Planning and Zoning Board recommended commission approval.
City Planner Alan Garrett told the planning board members the request comes with a stipulation proffered by the Bartizal that states the expanded dock cannot be used for overnight mooring and the slips cannot be rented to others.
Garrett said he would only recommend approval of the permitting requests if the mooring and rental stipulations are included. A Nov. 1 memo Garrett included in the meeting packet said the dock is to provide temporary docking slips for patrons of the establishment.
During the meeting, Garrett said the dock expansion would not interfere with any future dredging projects in that area.
“I think that’s very important,” he said.
Tom Glancy, from Duncan Seawall, Dock and Boat Lift, represented Bartizal at the public hearing. As a planning board member, Bartizal recused himself from the public hearing discussion.
“It’s strictly to allow additional patrons to come and go from the restaurant,” Glancy said of the dock.
The permitting process requires three City Commission approvals:
A special permit use for the expansion of a commercial boat dock in the General Commercial (C-2) zone district;
A special permit use for a commercial dock exceeding 65 feet in length from the mean high-water line;
A special permit use for a commercial dock exceeding 500 square feet in area.
Glancy, a former marine biologist, said the dock extension was also being reviewed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and their permitting is pending.
“None of the slips or any of the structures will be over any seagrass. They’re all in deep water. Nobody will be prop-drifting out there,” Glancy said, noting that there is another nearby dock that extends further into the bay.
Board member Bill Morrow asked if the state agencies require an extended dock to be lighted for the safety of passing boaters. Glancy said that’s not a state requirement for a dock that length. He said for the safety of patrons however, the dock would likely be lighted using solar lighting or by extending the current dock’s existing electrical lines.
Distance requirement?
Morrow asked Glancy if there’s a defined distance that must be maintained between the end of the dock and navigable waters near the pier, which he referred to as a “mooring field.”
Glancy said he didn’t know that the city ever actually delineated a designated and authorized mooring field, but there would be at least 15 feet of space between the dock and that area.
“I think those are actually illegal moorings as the State of Florida would look at them. If you’re going to have an established mooring field, you have to show that you have pump outs and things to show that people basically aren’t squatting out there,” Glancy said.
“So, your contention is the boats on the far western edge of the mooring field might be illegally parked?” Morrow asked.
“I would think any boat that’s parked there for a long time is probably illegally parked. You can pick up and move anchor and work around some of those rules, but when people start putting down roots for more than 30 days they’ve established, basically, an illegal mooring,” Glancy said.
Barbara Baker, president of the nearby Old Bridge Village Condominium Association, was the only meeting attendee to provide public input. Baker said she was glad efforts were being made to protect the seagrass. She said she doesn’t oppose the dock expansion request as presented with the stipulations, but she asked the city to be diligent in making sure the dock is used as requested, with no additional commercial uses.
Ken McDonough, Andrew Mincieli and Morrow then voted in favor of recommending City Commission approval of the three permitting requests made. Garrett said he expects the dock request to be heard by the City Commission in January.
BRADENTON BEACH – An electrical fire left the Bridge Tender Inn closed for business Wednesday evening, but the damage was apparently limited to the electric meter and the electrical system on the outside of the main building.
Bradenton Beach resident Steve Schewe was at the Bridge Tender Inn’s Dockside Bar shortly after 4 p.m. when the short-lived fire started.
“I was across the street when it suddenly started making huge popping sounds like it was ready to explode. Flames leapt from the breaker box and the pole on the roof,” Schewe said.
City Commissioner Jake Spooner was playing trivia inside the Bridge Tender Inn dining room at the time. The fire that ensued was on the outside wall at the west end of the dining room.
“It was crazy. First the lights dimmed inside and I said, ‘That’s not good.’ Alaska Joe said, ‘This thing’s about to blow.’ We started smelling smoke and everybody was saying ‘Get out of the building,’ ” Spooner said.
“I walked around to the Drift In and that’s when the electric meter blew. There was a flash and a loud bang. It was nuts. They got real lucky,” he added.
This is what remained of the Bridge Tender Inn’s electric meter after the fire. – Shannon Dunnan | Submitted
Spooner said only the meter box and the feed pole were on fire.
When asked if the outdoor bar remained open, Spooner said, “The fire department made everybody leave the entire premises.”
The Bradenton Beach Police Department was the first to respond. Lt. John Cosby said the fire was contained to the electrical connections at the west end of the building.
“The inside of the restaurant wasn’t damaged other than smoke,” he said.
Bridge Tender Inn manager Shannon Dunnan was there when the fire began, as was owner Fred Bartizal.
“As far as we know the building’s OK. They won’t let me in, so I can’t go and look,” she said.
Fire Marshal’s insight
A few hours later, West Manatee Fire Rescue Fire Marshal Jim Davis discussed what happened.
He said three engine companies from West Manatee responded and another from Longboat Key was canceled en route. Davis said the fire was out by the time they arrived.
“A couple bystanders hit the electrical box with dry chemical extinguishers. There was smoke and we had to check out the whole building. Electricity’s kind of funny. You never know where it’s going to start or end, so we had to check the whole building out to make sure there was no extension,” he said.
Fire Marshal Jim Davis was told wires might have shorted inside this elbow-shaped pipe. – Shannon Dunnan | Submitted
“It was definitely electrical and it occurred between the street power where the transformer is and the building’s electrical system. It appears to have occurred from an electrical short in the weatherhead – the pipe that sticks up and has an elbow on the top where the wires come off the pole,” Davis explained.
“The FPL (Florida Power & Light) guy said it looks as though the hot wire where that elbow is got together with the ground wire and energized the ground wire. That caused the power to go back and forth from the building and the pole, increasing the surge every time. It acts as if the building needs more power, so it will keep sending more until something gives.
“The fuse on the pole did what it was supposed to do and gave way, but it had already burned out the electric meter and everything in the box behind the meter,” Davis said.
Davis said the meter cover was thrown more than 10 feet by the power surge.
“You couldn’t even recognize it. It was just a blob of melted plastic,” he said.
“We stood by until Florida Power got there to completely kill the power to the building. Once they did that we were clear to go. When we left, their electrician, United Electric, was already trying to evaluate the situation to get them up and running as soon as possible,” Davis said.
The damage was limited mainly to the electrical equipment on the outside wall at the west end of the dining room. – Shannon Dunnan | Submitted
Davis said it was unlikely the Bridge Tender Inn would be open first thing Thursday morning.
He said FPL will not restore power to the building until they check the electrician’s work.
“They won’t put another meter on it until they’re positive everything is ready,” Davis said, noting that Bradenton Beach Building Official Steve Gilbert would also be part of that process.
Bridge Tender Inn owner Fred Bartizal is trying to bring his Dockside Bar into full compliance, but some Planning and Zoning Board members may have exceeded their limited authority when reviewing his requests on June 21.
As an extension of the Bridge Tender Inn, the Dockside Bar was approved for open-air dining in 2012. The area was originally permitted for 24 seats, but over the years has expanded. Bartizal is now seeking city approval for 120 outdoor seats along the waterfront east of Bay Drive South, across the street from the establishment’s primary structure.
Last week, the board was asked to recommend City Commission approval or denial of the comp plan amendment and major development plan that would bring the establishment as it now exists into compliance.
Bartizal was represented by planner Darenda Marvin, with members of the management team and an attorney also present. When the hearing began, Marvin asked Garrett if either the comp plan amendment or the major development plan would be considered as a quasi-judicial matter. Garrett said both were legislative.
A major development plan is generally quasi-judicial and a comp plan amendment is generally legislative. A legislative hearing allows the board much greater latitude and a quasi-judicial hearing is more restrictive.
Board Concerns
Board member John Metz questioned whether the Dockside property physically abuts Bridge Street, which is a required to receive parking exceptions. Marvin said the two properties are tied together by a unity of title which means the rights of the main structure extend to the Dockside area. Garrett said the city accepted the two areas as unified in 2012 when the permit was issued, but board chair John Burns noted that permit was based on 24 seats rather than 120.
Metz cited safety concerns about patrons and employees crossing South Bay Drive where there is no crosswalk and only a short stretch of sidewalk. He also cited concerns about Bay Drive being the only north and south alternate to Gulf Drive in that area. Marvin said it was the city’s responsibility to install sidewalks and/or a crosswalk, not Bartizal’s.
Metz fears increasing the permitted use from 24 seats to 120 seats would intensify problems and he suggested the waterfront bar and dining area be moved across the street to the vacant space used for parking.
Board member Reed Mapes suggested there needs to be some give and take in order for the property owner’s requests to be approved. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Member Reed Mapes cited concerns about parking, pedestrian safety, the number of bathrooms, the number of seats and more.
“There’s got to be some negotiations to get through this and some of that’s going to be parking, bathroom repairs, facilities upgrades and a sidewalk. If we’re going to give you what you’re asking for then we get a little bit back,” he said.
Lingering concerns
The hearing was continued, but on Thursday Vice Mayor John Chappie, having attended the hearing, requested a memo from City Attorney Ricinda Perry that clarifies general hearing practices and procedures.
As of Monday, the memo had not been issued, but Perry e-mailed Garrett and informed him that she’d been contacted by Bartizal’s legal team.
“They shared with me a number of issues that came up yesterday at the hearing, specifically that the proceeding was legislative and that the major development application was not treated as quasi-judicial, therefore opening up a number of things outside of the confines of the review criteria. They mentioned that they were asked by a P&Z member what they were offering the city in exchange for the approval and have been given a laundry list of new items to prepare for the board,” Perry wrote.
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