ANNA MARIA – At the end of a two-month search for a new executive director, The Center of Anna Maria Island’s board of directors is choosing from their own ranks.
In a May 4 press release, Center board members announced the promotion of Chris Culhane to executive director.
To fill the executive director void, more than 170 applicants were screened and interviewed by human resources consultant Margaret Beck before finalists were interviewed by the Center’s hiring committee. Committee members included board members Karen Harllee, David Zaccagnino and John Munn, County Commissioner Steve Jonsson and local business owner Barbara Sato. Culhane will take over Center leadership from interim executive director Carl Weeks.
“After an extensive search and many months of committee work Chris Culhane came out as our top choice,” Zaccagnino said in the press release. “He has proven himself over the years and has earned the opportunity of executive director. During the past couple months Chris has been working closely with interim Executive Director Carl Weeks, the finance committee, the board of directors, and several grant and fundraising committees. He is a natural and has stepped into the leadership position with purpose. We are pleased to have Chris as our new executive director.”
Culhane began his career at the Center as a coach and volunteer before taking an administrative position three years ago. Prior to working at the Center, he attended the Center and participated in sports as a child and teenager. Now his three children attend the Center.
New Center Executive Director Chris Culhane takes to the field with his family. – Submitted | Center
“It is with great pleasure that I have accepted the offer which has been bestowed upon me by The Center’s board of directors and the hiring committee to become The Center of Anna Maria Island’s next executive director. I am humbled and ultimately grateful for the opportunity and I would like to thank the board, the committee, local business owners that participated in the search, the dedicated staff, and the AMI community as a whole,” Culhane said in the press release. “I love this community and I love the Center. With the goals set high we will be working with our integral community leaders, the board, and the center team to review the strategic plan in order to build a sustainable model that drives the Center to success and truly leaves a legacy…a legacy that will hopefully inspire executive directors all the way down the line.”
Taking the field for the second game of the night on Thursday, April 26, Team Legler Flynn, without team captain and versatile player Sean Flynn, pulled out the win of the season against Eric Pullen and Team Acqua Aveda.
Working the field down a player and without their speed and endurance player Scott Eason, Acqua Aveda took a 3-0 lead thanks to shots by team captain Pullen.
Pullen’s first goal came five minutes into the game past goalkeeper Diego Felipe.
Legler Flynn played strong offensively, keeping the soccer ball on the Acqua Aveda side of the field for most of the first half, but shots taken were stopped with nerves of steel exhibited by one of the league’s top keepers, Jason Sato.
Jeremias Gramajo works to handle the ball for Team Acqua Aveda with Amy Ivin applying the pressure for Team Legler Flynn. – Monica Simpson | Sun
Despite a strong presence at the net, Diego was not able to stop the second missile shot by Pullen three minutes later, moving Acqua Aveda’s lead by two points.
Both teams moved the ball well, but defensive pressure at midfield prevented scoring until one breakaway play by Acqua Aveda that left Pullen all alone for his hat-trick shot.
Starting the second half of play with the league seeing the return of Jeff Walker on the field for Acqua Aveda, it is always interesting to see if a team with no one on the bench can keep the pace for the second 20 minutes of play.
After seven minutes ticked off the clock, Legler Flynn’s energy sparked with a goal by Shay Coleman. The Flynn-less team scored its second goal one minute later to close the scoring gap to 3-2.
As the game became more exciting and onlookers were on their feet, Christophe LeClainche hit the tying shot with one minute on the scoreboard clock.
On the official’s clock, both teams scrambled on the field with Acqua Aveda working to close out the game in a tie and Legler Flynn fighting to put the winning goal in the net.
With all of her shots blocked for more than 40 minutes, Amy Ivin hit her shot for the go-ahead point to finish the head-to-head with Legler Flynn victorious.
Week two of the adult co-ed soccer season started out with a game that showed why Team Legler Flynn Law is at the top of the leader board. The dominating win by team captain Sean Flynn’s squad was followed by an exciting come from behind game by Team Moss Builders.
The tied ballgame gave Team Slim’s Place its second draw in the season after what looked like a game that would give it its first win.
Moss Builders Jessica Williams’ goal eight minutes into the first half gave her team the early lead. In less than five minutes, Renee Rupp shot a goal of her own to tie the game for the first time.
Slim’s Place’s Nate Welch gave the team a go ahead goal a couple of minutes later to be followed by another goal by Welch in a penalty kick.
Welch was given the chance for the second goal after a handball in the box by Ivan Gaeta off a corner kick.
The fourth goal for Team Slim’s Place came in the beginning of the second half by team captain PJ Smagisso advancing the score to 1-4.
With less than eight minutes left in the game, Chris Scott found his groove for Moss Builders. Scoring his first goal with 7:40 on the clock, Scott hit the net again leaving five minutes on the scoreboard.
Scott’s second goal came after a Moss Builders throw-in to Williams. Williams passed the ball to Gaeta in front of the net. Gaeta found Scott open for the third goal of the game for Moss Builders.
Speedy Ray Gardner handled the soccer ball on the field, moving past Moss Builder’s Josh Bernet, who makes his return to the league this season. Gardner could not quite get in scoring position after taking the ball down the field.
Team captain Ryan Moss held his position in the goal in the last minutes of the game, giving his teammates the opportunity to tie the game with less than two minutes left.
A free kick call for Moss Builders put the ball to Williams’ feet in front of the goal. Williams found Scott for the eighth goal of the game, tying the score 4-4.
Zero seconds were on the scoreboard clock, leaving the official game time in the hands of the referees. Extra time was played in the game due to delays, giving Williams the chance to score.
Shots desperately taken by both teams in the last 45 seconds of play failed to get in the goal, ending the game in a tie after 46 minutes of hard played soccer.
Down players due to injuries and absences, Team Ross Built lost its second game to a dominating Sato Real Estate team. In a show of good sportsmanship, team captain Josh Sato played a man down matching the Ross team.
The final game of the night gave Acqua Aveda its first win of the season while handing Team Mar/Kis Insurance its first loss.
With six regular season games to go, the season is still too early to predict who will be at the top of the winner’s bracket for the Paul “Ace” Hayward Cup.
ANNA MARIA – A perfectly sunny day dawned on Saturday, March 17, helping to make The Center of Anna Maria Island’s 25th annual Tour of Homes a success.
More than 700 people came out to view the interiors of five elegantly appointed homes before making a final stop at The Center for the Tropical Treasures Boutique and Center Bazaar.
While attendees could start at any of the six stops, the first listed stop in the official Tour guide is Sand Dollar Cove, the dream home of Ron and Peggy Jude. The Holmes Beach house was completed in March 2017 by Moss Builders. The house features four bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths in 2,800 square feet. To help comfortably house their seven grandkids, one unique feature of the home is a secret staircase connecting the kids’ bunk room to another bedroom where parents can keep an eye on the little ones. The house is complete with a large, open living space and doors opening directly to the outdoor living space and pool deck.
“This is just a beautiful house,” one attendee gushed. “If I had this house, I’d move here.”
Another stop on the Tour was the home of Don and Leah Purvis in the enclave of Key Royale. The couple’s love of New Orleans is evident throughout the home, from the wrought iron sconces to the antique mirror backsplash in the kitchen. Each room of the home features a unique piece of furniture chosen especially by the homeowners for its beauty and back story. One of the most talked about pieces is a large 100-year-old armoire purchased by Don’s mother and refinished by her in the 1980s.
“It’s incredible, just a beautiful piece,” an attendee said while admiring the armoire. “You’d never believe it used to be painted pink.”
The winter home of Tom and Jane Gauld, also on Key Royale, was another stop on this year’s Tour of Homes. The home features high ceilings with wood details and a second-floor media room with a wall-sized screen and cozy sofa seating. The chef’s kitchen opens to a dining room, living room and the expansive outdoor area with a pool and seating area overlooking the lovely water views. An indoor/outdoor living area leads to a separate kitchenette and staircase to a master suite where the owners’ adult children can escape but still view their children playing with their grandparents in the pool.
Right across the street from The Center is the Magnolia Home, the only house on the tour that attendees can purchase and make their own. For a mere $1.49 million, the newly-built elevated home has covered living space around the pool and hot tub and just under 2,000 square feet of indoor living space.
“If I could take anything out of these houses, I’d take the bedrooms from this one,” one woman commented.
Each of the four bedrooms features its own en suite bathroom with unique wooden chandeliers throughout. All of the bathrooms feature a distinctive distressed wood or brick decor.
The final stop on this year’s Tour was the newly renovated home of Art and Wooley Dutton. The single-story home features three bedrooms, four bathrooms, an open floor plan with high ceilings, a separate art studio and a secret passage to the master bedroom.
“It’s just art,” volunteer Sandee Pruett said of the home.
At the Center, attendees could sample food from the Travelling Gourmet and Italian Culinary Tours or check out items for sale at the Center Bazaar and Tropical Treasures Boutique.
More than a dozen local artists contributed to the Tropical Treasures Boutique, sponsored by Duncan Real Estate, including Susan Anderson, Jan Bryant, Judy Christensen, Erin Hughey, Joyce Hunt, Monique Marlow, Joan Pettigrew and Sandee Pruett. Local artisans and merchants joined the Boutique in the Bazaar, offering everything from handmade soaps to unique jewelry and decor items for sale. Nearby was this year’s quilt raffle, created by the Eyeland Needlers and sponsored by Green Real Estate. The winner of the quilt, titled “See You By The Sea,” was Chris Smargisso.
Organizer and board member Karen Harllee said she was pleased with how the Bazaar and Boutique went this year and hopes for an even better turnout next year.
“We want to make it bigger and better next year,” she said.
The media room at the Gauld’s Key Royale home. – Kristin Swain | Sun
Enterprising leprechauns set up shop, selling lemonade across from the Jude house in Holmes Beach. – Kristin Swain | Sun
The amoeba-shaped pool is at the 420 Magnolia Ave. investment home belonging to Mike Ross. – Kristin Swain | Sun
The annual quilt raffle, created by the Eyeland Needlers and sponsored by Green Real Estate. – Kristin Swain | Sun
New to the Tour of Homes this year was the Center Bazaar. – Kristin Swain | Sun
ANNA MARIA – Feb. 19 marked former Center Executive Director Kristen Lessig’s official last day on the job, but she didn’t leave the organization without a plan for the future.
During her final board meeting at the Center, Lessig gave board members an update on ongoing projects as well as an update on the search for her replacement. While a permanent executive director candidate had yet to be identified, Lessig and board member John Mann said they had both spoken with a candidate to fill the position part-time for the short-term.
Peg Beck, of Creative Consulting Associates, who’s heading up the search for a new executive director, said three months should be the perfect amount of time to find and install someone in the roll. The human resources specialist said she’s conducting a local search for candidates to encourage someone to move into the role quickly and narrow the pool of prospective replacements for Lessig. Interviews for the position could begin as early as the week of March 19.
Once Beck works through the first round of interviews, the search committee will interview the finalists in person. The search committee members are Mann, Karen Harllee, Barbara Soto, Steve Johnson, Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie and Center board chair David Zaccagnino.
In the meantime, the interim director will serve as a liaison between the board members and Center staff, though decisions and policy will primarily be left in the hands of the board.
Lessig will return to the Center as a volunteer for this year’s Tour of Homes March 17.
Throughout the meeting, board members expressed their support for Lessig in her new endeavor and thanked her for her work over the past three years. For her part, Lessig said there are some things she’ll miss about being at the Center every day.
“It’s a great place and a great resource for the Island,” she said of the Center. “It truly is a community in here. I love seeing the same faces come in. I especially love when the snowbirds return. I love the people that work here and have served on the board. They all put themselves out there for the betterment of the community. I’ll miss seeing everyone on a daily basis.”
Lessig did say one of the things she’s looking forward to is coming to the Center as a member with her daughter and being able to enjoy the facility “from the other side.”
Members of the Center also are sad to see Lessig go, but they’re hopeful for the future of the organization.
“She’s just been a godsend to us on the Island,” member Janet Kingan said of Lessig. “I watched her turn this place around. I hope everyone continues to support the Center and we get a great new executive director. We have something special here.”
Mary Zion agreed with Kingan. “The Center needs a lot of support, and I hope they get it,” she said, adding that she hopes new staff and new board members coming into the organization are “passionate about the Center.”
Member Liz Hager said she hopes that the community maintains its newly positive attitude toward the Center long after Lessig is gone.
“I hope that when Kristen takes this very positive move for her that the support remains,” she said.
ANNA MARIA – The Center of Anna Maria Island’s board of directors is beginning the search for a new executive director after the resignation of Kristen Lessig.
Lessig, who has served as executive director of the nonprofit since December 2014, said she would be leaving Feb. 19 to pursue an opportunity as executive director of youth development, a newly created position with the Sarasota YMCA. She said working with the YMCA has long been a dream of hers and the position “was too good to pass up.” Though she is leaving the Center, Lessig feels that she’s leaving it on a high note, in a good position, and in good hands with the current staff and board.
“It really has been a team effort,” she said. “I’m extremely happy for where we are. I really think we’re set for great things.”
Kristen Lessig
“The Y cast a big net nationally and had more than 200 resumes submitted for the executive director position,” Sarasota YMCA Vice President Keith Quick said in a Feb. 2 press release. “After phone interviews and personal interviews, it was very clear that the perfect leader was actually right down the road on Anna Maria Island. We are so thankful and feel extremely fortunate to have Kristen Lessig as our new executive director of youth development for the Sarasota Y.”
“We’re sad to see her go but happy for her,” board chair David Zaccagnino said of Lessig. “She stuck it out for us.”
“What’s been done here is just phenomenal,” retiring board treasurer Jim Froeschle said. “Now it’s up to this board to make it last.”
“Thank you for everything you’ve done,” Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie said to Lessig. “The whole Island is going to miss you. You’ve done an amazing job and it’s not easy to do what you’ve done. It’s a big job and I thank you for that.”
Though Lessig is leaving her position at the Center, she said she isn’t moving and will continue to remain a part of the nonprofit through volunteerism, including serving as a committee member for this year’s Tour of Homes.
While no candidate has yet been identified to take Lessig’s place at the Center, the soon-to-be former executive director isn’t leaving the nonprofit without some guidance for the future.
As part of a departure timeline accepted by board members, Lessig suggested that a search committee be created to work with an outside human resources consultant to identify and interview potential candidates. She also recommended the hiring of former grant consultant Heather Darling as the Center’s new development and marketing director.
Lessig plans to formally hand over her responsibilities during a Feb. 19 board meeting to either a new or interim executive director.
Froeschle said he hopes the community will rally around whoever succeeds Lessig, offering support as the new person comes onboard with the Center.
“We will miss Kristen and wish her well in her new endeavor,” former board member Mike Thrasher said in a Feb. 2 press release. “Kristen has always put herself last, as she is all about other people and the community first. She has indeed made the Center great again.”
Kristen Lessig letter to community
Dear Center Community,
It is a bittersweet feeling that I write to you all to let you know from me, personally, that I have accepted a position as executive director of youth development for the Sarasota YMCA. Though I am extremely excited to have been offered this amazing opportunity to grown in my professional career, I know it would not have been possible to accept it without all that I have learned over the past three years serving the Anna Maria Island community in my role as managing director and then as the Center’s executive director.
I vividly recall relocating to the island and my first experiences in enrolling my daughter, Madeline, into summer camp prior to beginning kindergarten at our precious Anna Maria Elementary School. I quickly saw that the Center would play a major role in our lives. I was very eager to put my nonprofit experience to work upon hearing about the Center’s financial struggles, initially just as a volunteer working with special events.
Volunteering quickly lead to being fortunate enough to join the team. I honestly had no idea what lay ahead, but do not regret my experience at all. Everything that has transpired during the past three years has helped me to grow both personally and professionally. I know where the Center stood upon my arrival, and I am so very proud of where it is today.
I cannot overstate enough that the Center’s success and improvements would not have been impossible without the enormous support, collaboration and teamwork from the Center’s dedicated staff and current and former members of the board. (These true supporters know who you are:) The staff specifically has been equally as passionate about, and committed to the Center of Anna Maria Island as I have been, and continue to be passionate and committed. I hope that they will each continue to grow in their roles through continued support from their community. They work hard to serve you and I can attest that a little smile or thank you goes a long way! I am grateful and lucky to have worked with such a dedicated and talented team.
I am thrilled to be able to take on an exciting, new opportunity with the Sarasota YMCA, while continuing to be a part of this special community as a member.
My transition began a few weeks ago when I met with each individual staff and board member, followed by public notification at last week’s board meeting. I will be working very closely with them throughout the next few weeks of this transition. At that meeting, the board accepted my resignation and a detailed plan for the transition period and beyond.
Next steps include forming a search committee to fill the executive director position, which will include key members of the community, and hiring an HR professional to lead the process. In addition, after strong recommendations, the Center will explore utilizing resources within Manatee Community Foundation for the placement of an interim Executive Director and whatever additional assistance can be provided to ensure the Center’s staff remains supported while the best candidate is selected for the organization in its current stage its life cycle.
I will look forward to celebrating this next new chapter for the Center at our Murder Mystery event, Feb. 16 and 17. This is truly an exciting time for the Center, having finally turned the corner thanks to the everyone coming together and stepping up to support our community’s gathering place – a true jewel on this island!
HOLMES BEACH – Commissioners have more discussion to do before they come to an agreement on how they would like to apply beach concession funds in the city.
The three Island cities have access to a percentage of funds that Manatee County collects from beach concessionaires. The account totals more than $1,144,000 and is growing. In order to access the funds, the commissions of all three Island cities must approve a project benefiting the public before it is presented to county commissioners for approval and release of the funds. Holmes Beach commissioners are working on their wish list to see which project they’ll propose for funding.
Some of the ideas floated on the dais include supporting the Anna Maria City Commission if it should ask for funds to help rebuild the city pier, recreating a dune system along the Island’s beaches and purchasing mats to make the beach sand more accessible by people with physical limitations.
Commissioner Jim Kihm said he would support a dune restoration project if Manatee County approved the project.
“I think that would be a great benefit to the three Island cities,” he said, adding that a dune line down the Island beaches would help protect property during storm events.
Because the beaches belong primarily to Manatee County, the county would have to be on board with the project for it to move forward. Other considerations include the cultivation and maintenance of dunes if established, along with how the project could potentially impact ongoing beach renourishment efforts.
Picking up where discussions left off in 2017, Commissioner Judy Titsworth said she was most interested in obtaining funds for improvements at the city’s skate park. Because it is the only skate park on Anna Maria Island, and, according to Police Chief Bill Tokajer, visitors account for a large percentage of the applications the HBPD receives to use the skate park, Titsworth said it would be a project benefiting all three communities.
Because visitors used the skate park before it was closed for repairs, Titsworth said she’d like to find out if the Manatee County Tourist Development Council would be willing to put forward some funds for the park.
“I don’t want to use concession funds on something the TDC will fund,” she said.
Commissioners agreed to approach the TDC for skate park funds before moving forward with a request for concession funds for the project.
Titsworth had another idea for use of concession funds, one that City Attorney Patricia Petruff wasn’t sure is allowed under the terms of the fund use agreement.
With ongoing financial recovery moving in a positive direction, Titsworth said she’d like commissioners to consider requesting some of the concession funds monies for The Center of Anna Maria Island. Her argument is that the nonprofit’s facilities are used by residents from all three Island cities and she received verbal confirmation the use of funds would be allowed from an attorney representing the county.
Petruff said she doesn’t think that use of the monies toward the Center would be an accurate interpretation of the agreement governing the fund. Mayor Bob Johnson agreed, stating that funding the Center wouldn’t be a one-time project, which is what the fund was set up to help with.
“I think it’s a convenient interpretation,” he said.
Without receiving that legal opinion in writing, Petruff said she would be hesitant to move forward with such a request. She added that there is $25,000 in the city’s current fiscal year budget which could be given to the Center if commissioners decide to help fund the nonprofit.
Commissioner Rick Hurst, liaison to the Center and a soccer coach at the nonprofit, said he’d like to readdress the potential for city funding once leadership at the organization produces a revised budget for the current fiscal year.
After a rough start to the year in July, Hurst said he’d received word that the Center was finally operating in the black as of December due to the receipt of large private donations. Financial documents obtained from Center Executive Director Kristen Lessig show the nonprofit ending the first half of its fiscal year $6,023 in the black, $19,481 better than forecast in the current budget. The financials show the Center benefitted from lowered program costs, higher program revenue, and a leap in donations that put the organization $99,580 better than budget in that area with a total of $266,330 in donations, sponsorships and ticket sales from July 1 through the end of December.
“I’m glad to hear they’re doing better, but I think it’s still early in the process with them,” Kihm said.
Commissioners agreed to move the conversations concerning TDC and concession funds to a future work session agenda. Discussions on whether or not the city will donate to the Center remain on hold.
ANNA MARIA – Just in time for the holidays, auditors delivered good news to board members at The Center of Anna Maria Island – the nonprofit passed its annual independent audit.
Auditor Eric Troyer with the accounting firm of Kerkering, Barberio and Co. said the audit closing out the 2017 fiscal year, which ended June 30, was nearing completion and “went very well,” with an unmodified opinion result.
The good news from the audit was in the program service fees received and 2017 expense breakdown. Troyer said received program fees were at an all-time high in the 2017 fiscal year at $384,000. One anomaly in the results is the difference between overall revenue for the 2016 fiscal year and 2017, a more than $800,000 reduction that Troyer attributed to the mortgage payoff for the Center’s building and funds received from the BP oil spill. Center Executive Director Kristen Lessig said the mortgage payoff resulted in about $800,000 in debt forgiveness while BP oil spill funds came in at around $260,000.
The Center’s asset value dropped from $4,386,643 in 2016 to $3,868,838 due to depreciation, of which building depreciation accounts for $184,000 annually. In cash received, the Center gained year over year from 2016 by more than $111,000 in 2017.
Expenses in the 2017 fiscal year were “a little better than industry standards,” Troyer said. The audit expense breakdown showed 88 percent of funds going to programming, 7 percent on fundraising and 5 percent on management.
“Out of every dollar donated, 88 cents goes to program expenses,” Board Chair David Zaccagnino said.
Board Treasurer Jim Froeschle said one area where the Center can improve its expenditures is in fundraising, which hasn’t brought in the numbers board members hoped for so far in the 2018 fiscal year. He said part of the reason the numbers aren’t there could be that the Center isn’t investing enough in its fundraising efforts. Through November, fundraising revenue totaled $64,727 with $30,045 in expenses, including donations, grants, and government support. The Center’s budget projected $219,877 in fundraising revenue with $46,415 in fundraising expenses through November, creating a variance of $155,150 in revenue.
The Center also is beginning to close some financial gaps, most notably in general and administrative expenses where cost-cutting has resulted in $31,407 in savings over budget predictions. However, Froeschle’s reports show the nonprofit ending November $126,811 in the red versus a budgeted positive income of $15,572. With the winter busy season beginning, a new partnership with Island Fitness up and running, and a $30,000 matching donation drive on through the end of December, both Lessig and Froeschle said they feel positive about the financial future of the Center.
“Overnight the numbers could change if someone writes a check,” Froeschle said, adding that the Center isn’t giving up on obtaining government financial support and is redoubling efforts to win grant funds.
Center financial results can be viewed online by visiting this link.
At the end of regular season play, the final two slots in the championship bracket could have been filled by any of the eight teams in the Island’s adult co-ed soccer league. Only the top two odd ranked teams remain after nine weeks of action on the pitch, first seed Slim’s Place and third seed Jiffy Lube.
Slim’s Place held the top of the record sheet throughout the season, while Jiffy Lube held its own despite injuries and losses to finish the season strong as it showed why the Anderson brothers and the rest of the solid team roster put it in the final game of the season.
The final score of the first game Thursday night does not clearly depict the struggle and fight that Team Mulock Flynn Law had to put up against Team Jiffy Lube in the second half of the game. With team captain Sean Flynn in the goal for most of the game, it was up to the rest of the team to put points on the scoreboard.
Mulock Flynn’s defense just could not stop Ricky Anderson who finished the game with four goals.
Jiffy Lube started the game off with the first goal of the night five minutes into the semi-final game with a hot shot by Eliza Faillace after strong passing down the field.
Mulock Flynn Law quickly tied up the game with the cross-field pass by Aaron Parkin, taking Jiffy Lube goalkeeper Jason Sato out of position, allowing sister-in-law Lexi Sato to hit the net.
Three minutes later, Chris Scott made his move with the soccer ball against Jiffy Lube defender Brad Laudicina to allow Sarah Greene to score her single goal of the night, moving Mulock Flynn ahead 1-2.
Chris Klotz landed his tying goal in the 15th minute of the game, showing the caliber of play by both teams.
In the last few minutes of the game, Scott was all by himself at the Jiffy Lube end of the field with defender Chris Culhane sprinting full speed trying to catch him before he got the shot off. Scott’s goal put Mulock Flynn Law ahead once again, but not for long.
Working the other end of the field, Culhane made a beautiful pass to Anderson, who was in perfect position in front of the goal, with less than 30 seconds on the scoreboard to once again tie the game 3-3.
Right before the halftime whistle blew, Anderson once again struck in front of the net, temporarily leaving the score 4-3 after 23 minutes of play.
With the game’s momentum on its side, Team Jiffy Lube started the second half of the game with the Anderson brothers connecting after three minutes of play. Team captain Danny Anderson found R. Anderson who made a huge strike for another goal, putting Jiffy Lube up by two points and giving R. Anderson a hat trick.
Minutes later, off the hands of goalie Flynn, R. Anderson hit his fourth and final goal of the night, advancing the score to 6-3.
In the last six minutes of the game, Team Mulock Flynn rallied, putting two more goals on the scoreboard. Ivan Gaeta hit the net in the 41st minute of the game. Gaeta’s girlfriend and league veteran Jessica Williams scored her goal with no time left on the board.
Only down by one goal and with the soccer ball on Jiffy Lube’s end of the field, Flynn’s team kept fighting in the last minute of official game time, hoping to take the game to a shootout. As the 60 seconds click down, J. Sato slowed the game down for Jiffy Lube, preventing the shot and the score, giving his team the win and capturing the first spot in the championship game.
Playing without their team captain Josh Sato, Team Sato Real Estate came up two goals short in the second semi-final game of the night against Slim’s Place.
Sato Real Estate’s Bobby Troxler started of the scoring after four minutes of play, putting the ball past goalkeeper David Greene. Matt Kretzmann answered back for Slim’s Place a few minutes later with his shot that whizzed by Adam Mott in goal.
After leaving the field with a nagging injury, Slim’s Place’s team captain Kris Yavalar put another point on the board, followed by Kretzmann’s second goal of the game four minutes later to end the half with a two-point lead.
With the score 3-1, Kretzmann started the second half of play with another goal in the 27th minute of play.
Defense and missed shots dominated the next 13 minutes of the game until Zoran Kolega came alive for Team Sato Real Estate. Hitting the net with six minutes on the scoreboard, “Z” moved the score to 4-2.
Kretzmann used his strong strike against Mott for another goal. Teammates Lyn Clarke and Angela Wiles scored their single goals giving Slim’s Place a four-point lead, 6-2.
A quick energy shift came too late for Sato Real Estate with a goal by Junior Guerra and a gorgeous pass from Nate Welch to Kolega for the header into the net.
Down by two goals with two official minutes left in the game, Sato Real Estate fought hard for the next goal, but just could not make it happen.
Can Yavalar once again lead a team against the “curse of the first,” that has plagued so many first place teams in the past? The healthy Jiffy Lube team looks hard to beat.
The match-up Thursday, Dec. 7 at 9 p.m. is surely not to disappoint. Who will take home the Paul “Ace” Hayward Cup?
Saturday marked the second day of fall 2017 with beautiful warm weather on Anna Maria Island. The fall season launched the start of youth soccer at the Island’s community center with more than 30 little players between the age of 3 and 7 years old taking to the small fields.
As the tiny, cleat-wearing players started gathering on the fields, the sea of pink socks, shin guards, shorts and hair ties easily showed how the sport is evenly loved by boys and girls alike.
For five weeks, the youngest players will complete eight fun-filled training sessions with volunteer coaches, learning basic skills with friends. Coaches Sean Flynn and Danny Anderson, who both play adult co-ed soccer on the Island, included singing the ABCs during their clinic session with the 12 preschoolers and kindergartners Saturday morning as they motivated even the shyest little players to move their boots.
In the scoring drill Dylan Sato strikes against Stryder Pettit in goal for Team Beach Bums. – Monica Simpson | Sun
The challenge for the coaches of the wee ones is to keep them focused and engaged. At this age, picking daisies is their strong suit. Flynn and Anderson put smiles and looks of determination on the cute faces of the players wearing Team Beach Bums jerseys, including daughter Maggie Flynn and son Nolen Anderson.
Working with the older instructional league soccer players, coach Patty McBean, mother of player Duncan Cloutier, and coach Nathan Kragt, father of Brooke and Ella Grace Kragt, conditioned their players with a short run around the field and soccer drills before putting pennies over their Team Planet Stone jerseys for a few scrimmage games.
Part of the goal of the six-to seven-year old age group is to ensure the older players are ready to move up to the competitive recreational leagues, where certified referees are used and the score is kept. These young elementary school aged players range in skill from the first time player to those who have played for a number of years.
The challenge for the coaches is keeping the skills clinics is working with different skill levels while keeping everyone engaged and teaching new skills along the way. These coaches bring a special dynamic, as a mom with McBean and an experienced adult co-ed league player with Kragt. Together, more than 20 players spent the first 60 minutes of the youth soccer season having a blast and learning.
Fall soccer starts for the six competitive recreational teams on Tuesday, Sept. 26. The eight-to 10-year old league has nearly 40 players making up the four teams: Team Wash Family Construction coached by Darrin Wash, Team Blue Lagoon coached by Sean McCarthy, Team Progressive Cabinetry coached by Rick Cloutier, and Team Bins Be Clean coached by Rick Hurst.
With games on Tuesday and Saturday during the regular season, the older elementary school players will see their season end on Saturday, Oct. 21, with the much-anticipated championship game.
A champion will be named for the 11-to 14-year old league just before their younger counterparts on Oct. 21. With only two teams in the league, Darrin Wash and Kris Yavalar, coaching Team Slim’s Place, and Nate Talucci and Jesse Brisson, coaching Team Truly Nolen, will each work with a six players team during the eight game season.
Regardless of the age group, by mid-season, each group of kids will start coming together as a team. Coaches, family, friends and spectators will begin to see team unity and player trust develop. The players will realize by the end of the season their hard work has developed their game for future seasons and future play on and off the Island.
Most importantly, the coaches and players on the Island, as well as the fans, will develop a love of the game of soccer that can continue for years to come as has been done for years and generations in the past.
ANNA MARIA — The Center of Anna Maria Island is weathering more than a little upheaval of its board of directors.
Board Chair Bill Shuman resigned as chair June 12, electing to remain on the board as a member. Center Executive Director Kristen Lessig said Shuman’s reasons for resigning were primarily his health due to the stress of the position and scrutiny from the community.
“It weighs on him,” she said.
The move placed Vice Chair Patty McBean in the interim chair position and caused a rift between board members, as she was usurped by newly-minted board member David Zaccagnino in an emergency vote. Zaccagnino joined the Center board in April.
Events began unraveling when an emergency meeting was called June 12, attended by 12 board members with four attending by telephone. The meeting was not open to the public.
During that meeting, McBean made a number of suggestions as part of a plan to help the Center get a better hold on its finances. The plan was to allow the board to closely analyze finances to help the nonprofit better operate within its means and understand the Center’s sources of revenue and expenditures.
As a part of the plan, McBean requested copies of all of the Center’s credit accounts, employee expenses and bank statements for the board. She also suggested the Center’s budget be cut by $20,000 per month and the board review all employee benefit packages.
The next day, according to McBean, she met with former board member Mike Coleman. During that meeting, “Coleman told me I need to step down as chair and let David Zaccagnino be the chair to instill confidence in the board.”
She added that Coleman said that if she stepped down in a timely manner he would give $10,000 to the Center. Zaccagnino called this a “lobbying effort,” but McBean, who refused to step down, said she felt threatened. Minutes from that meeting also show that Shuman confirmed his resignation as chair.
Lessig said she has released some requested information to board members, including account passwords, to allow for board review of finances.
Part of the discussions during the Jan. 12 meeting included how or if the Center should use its endowment fund to help the nonprofit work through its financial problems and assist in building reserves before adding funds back into the endowment.
While the Center considers whether or not to use endowment funds, McBean suggested putting the funds in an escrow account until a board committee can scrutinize the finances.
McBean also said she feels that using the endowment funds should be a “last resort.” Instead, she hopes the board upholds its commitment to study the finances before accessing the funds.
Though she didn’t seek to be board chair, McBean said she felt very strongly that the Center’s finances need to be scrutinized and someone “needs to be held accountable for making sure that happens.”
Lessig said there is a plan in place to provide the board with a forensic accounting of the Center’s revenue and expenditures once the fiscal year ends June 30. The nonprofit has hired the Certified Public Accountant firm of Kerkering, Barberio and Co. of Sarasota to do an in-depth analysis of the books in conjunction with the Center’s accountant, Laura Chirichigno. The audit is expected to take several weeks to complete.
Use of the endowment funds is still a matter under consideration by the board with the leadership of its new chair, Zaccagnino.
Zaccagnino was elected in a 10-4 vote conducted via email after the June 12 meeting. In accordance with the Center’s bylaws, the vote will be confirmed at the board’s June 21 meeting.
While he didn’t seek the position, Zaccagnino said he hopes to bring stability to the board and help mend rifts between board members.
“We all have the same goals, to see the Center succeed,” he said. Additionally, Zaccagnino said he hopes to shift the board’s focus from his hasty election to the budget process currently underway. Both Zaccagnino and Lessig said they’re encouraged by the work being done to help cut expenses and identify revenue sources.
“Exciting things are coming in the next fiscal year,” Lessig said.
Though the June 21 meeting is closed, an open meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 28, at the Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.
Lessig also addressed concerns that she is buying drinks for people at local watering holes and taking others out on party cruises and using Center money to pay for it all. She said such rumors are “totally false.”
“We’re operating very leanly right now,” she said. “Right now it’s important to get a handle on the budget.”
Zaccagnino said he hopes that once the new budget is in place and the audit is complete, the Center will have a sustainable financial plan to show its “strength” to the Island community.
HOLMES BEACH — Commissioners agreed to help financially support The Center of Anna Maria Island, but the amount wasn’t quite what the nonprofit and its supporters were hoping for.
After much discussion, questions and passionate arguments on both sides, commissioners agreed to donate $10,000 to the Center and to leave the door open to donate more to the nonprofit in the future.
Holmes Beach Mayor Bob Johnson was among those disappointed by the amount.
Johnson said he budgeted $45,000 to donate to the Center for the current fiscal year and argued that commissioners should release the entire amount to the nonprofit.
“I think it’s time for this city to support the community center,” he said.
Commissioner Judy Titsworth agreed.
“I think it’s time to move on and show we’re all in for the community,” she said.
Commissioners Marvin Grossman, Jean Peelen and Carol Soustek had a different opinion.
“I’m not for handing you the money,” Soustek said to Center Executive Director Kristen Lessig. “My residents aren’t happy.”
Grossman said the back and forth between commissioners, Center leaders and the community during the meeting left him feeling “badgered.”
“I think at this time I couldn’t vote for more than $5,000 to 10,000,” he said. “I have to go with what the community wants.”
Public comments
Community members took to the podium during public comment to speak for and against funding the organization.
“I think people are a little skeptical about the Center, not the community center,” Holmes Beach resident Nancy Deal said. “The ‘community’ is out of it, I guess.”
She questioned how the nonprofit operates.
“There’s a lack of trust in this community center,” Deal said.
Center board member and local restauranteur Ed Chiles asked commissioners to look beyond the nonprofit’s past to the future.
“To have a healthy community, you need healthy community organizations,” he said. “The Center needs your support.”
Center board Chair Bill Shuman also spoke in favor of funding the Center.
“We do struggle,” he said. “We struggle for your support.”
Bradenton resident and Center member Robert Ball said the nonprofit helped his family find a sense of community after relocating to the area. “It’s a big deal to have a place for my wife and kids to feel safe.”
Holmes Beach resident Jim Kihm said he was concerned with the Center’s financial reports, management practices and using “public money to support the Center” because of its fitness center.
Center Treasurer Jim Froeschle said he’s tired of the negativity often associated with the nonprofit.
“It time to quit throwing rumors around,” he said.
Froeschle added the organization’s fitness center was expanded at the request of members and with the help of then-board members. None of the Center’s funds were used in the expansion.
Not a good fit
Local business owner Jen Crady of AMI Fitness also addressed commissioners, citing issues with the Center’s fitness center damaging her business with its day pass program.
For $10 per day anyone can purchase a day pass to the Center, including vacationers, which Crady said make up 80 percent of her business.
According to Crady, the vacationers using the Center’s fitness facilities instead of her gym is having a significant negative impact on her business.
“It’s killing us,” she said.
Crady said she supports the Center and believes it should have a fitness center, but tapping into the short-term rental market was “unfair.”
While Center leadership maintains there is no formal vacation rental program or agreements for use of the fitness center, two Island realty companies, Sato Real Estate and AMI Accommodations, have an informal agreement with the nonprofit. Vacationers staying at properties managed by the two companies are allowed to go to the Center to use its facilities. The management companies are invoiced for each use at the $10 daily rate.
In an April 26 e-mail, Lessig said the amount of day passes sold is negligible, with $6,800 paid by the two rental companies since the beginning of the fiscal year in July.
Local business owner Jen Crady of AMI Fitness asks Holmes Beach commissioners to consider withholding city donations to the Center, citing damage to her business caused by the nonprofit’s day pass program. – Kristin Swain | Sun
“The renters generate little income,” Froeschle said.
Titsworth asked Froeschle and Lessig if the nonprofit would be willing to give up the revenue from the rental industry in exchange for a commitment of more money from the city. “That’s the biggest objection we get from the community, that you’re taking business away from the local gyms,” she said.
Lessig said because there’s no formal agreement with the rental agencies, going to them and asking passes for the two Island gyms be included in their offerings to renters or passes for the Center be discontinued was out of the question. “I cannot tell someone how to run their business,” she said.
Froeschle said he would be uncomfortable shutting off one of the Center’s revenue streams due to a projected year end loss of more than $200,000 for the nonprofit. As of March 31, the Center reported a $190,000 loss for the year, ending June 30, due to less support from local governments and lower payouts from fundraisers coupled with high overhead costs. At the end of March the fitness center had generated $74,500 in income with $100,500 in direct and indirect expenses, leaving the program operating at a loss.
Center supporters and staff gathered at the meeting left city hall before the vote, uttering comments including “disgusting,” “despicable,” and “you should be ashamed of yourselves,” directed at commissioners.
“I’m really disappointed the commission won’t support the community center,” Titsworth said before the vote, which passed unanimously.
Commissioners agreed to consider additional future funding for the Center, possibly targeted toward support of youth programs, if presented with a plan from the nonprofit.
ANNA MARIA — Come out to the old ballgame at the Center of Anna Maria Island.
Just in time for baseball season, the rededicated field is sporting new sod, an updated irrigation system and an improved clay area at home plate. Pirates Charities Funding provided grant funding for the project. Blue Lagoon Landscaping of Bradenton completed the work in time for the March 22 rededication.
Members of the Scanio, Cagnina and Hutchinson families joined the Center’s staff, which honored them for their families’ contributions to baseball and sports programming at the Center.
The Center rededicated three plaques at its Scanio-Hutchinson field during the festivities. Each plaque represents a man instrumental in creating the original baseball diamond, Benji Scanio, Fred Hutchinson and Michael Cagnina.
Center recreation director Will Schenerlein thanked members of each family for their continued dedication to the organization’s sports programs. He also recognized Pittsburgh Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle for his support of the Center.
“We couldn’t have done this without the Pittsburgh Pirates,” Schenerlein said.
“We’re honored to serve and happy to help,” Hurdle said.
Beginning May 20, youth can participate in T-ball season and machine pitching. Contact Schenerlein at 941-778-1908, ext. 205, for more information, or visit https://centerami.org/sports/
