ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s (DBPR) decision to allow Florida bars to reopen at 50% capacity Monday is not expected to have an impact on Anna Maria Island.
That’s because five of the Island’s six stand-alone bars are already open and have been for quite some time.
On Sept. 10, DBPR Secretary Halsey Beshears issued Executive Order 2020-10, which repeals the bar restrictions he set forth in EO 2020-09 on June 26.
No longer in effect, Beshears’ June 26 order said, “All vendors licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises who derive more than 50% of gross revenue from such sales shall suspend sales for consumption on premises. Vendors also licensed as public food service establishments or restaurants may continue to operate for on-premise consumption of food and beverages at tables so long as these vendors derive 50% or less of gross revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption.”
Beshears issued his June order after the number of individuals testing positive for COVID-19 increased significantly, especially among younger individuals.
“Some of these cases involving younger individuals are suspected to have originated from visits to bars, pubs or nightclubs,” his order said.
On July 1, Beshears amended EO 2020-09 and allowed bars with food licenses to resume the sale of alcohol for on-site consumption.
Beshears’ actions were preceded by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ March 17 executive order that prohibited bars from selling alcohol for on-site consumption. On June 5, DeSantis allowed bars to reopen at 50% capacity, but that allowance ended with his blessing when Beshears issued his own executive order in June.
Island bar openings
On July 16, Anchor Inn owners Darla and Bobby Tingler figured out a way to open their Holmes Beach bar at 50% capacity under their existing liquor license.
“With our 4COP license we have a pre-packed food license. That means we can serve any type of pre-packaged food. This was an existing part of our license that we weren’t aware of until this morning. We didn’t have to go get a food license,” Darla Tingler said that night.
Tommy Knockers in Bradenton Beach opened in a similar fashion later that day, followed later by the Drift In and the Sports Lounge in Bradenton Beach and Dcoy Ducks in Holmes Beach.
The Tinglers later obtained a DBPR-issued food license that fully secured their ability to operate at 50% capacity.
On Aug. 4, DBPR shut down the Drift In for not having a food license – an enforcement action taken in response to a complaint lodged by an unknown person.
On Aug. 14, the Drift In reopened for the third time since the pandemic began, this time with a DBPR-issued food license.
When contacted Sunday and asked about Beshears’ latest order, Darla Tingler said, “We’re thankful the other bars that played the loophole are now legal and won’t be shut down. But everyone still had to play by the rules and capacity limits.”
Drift In manager Doreen Flynn felt the same and said, “I’m waiting for him to say restaurants can be increased to 75% so I can put 12 more barstools back in our bar.”
At 50% capacity, The Drift In is operating with 28 indoor seats and a doorman who monitors capacity and ensures masks are worn when walking around or dancing inside the establishment.
Bartender Courtney McGough said Beshears’ latest order has no impact on the Sports Lounge: “We’ve been open. We enforced strict rules and followed them during every shift. We always stuck to 50% capacity, which for us is 30 people. We did not apply for a hospitality/restaurant license.”
Tommy Knockers bartender Courtney Call said, “We have been open with ready to eat foods and have been doing our best to keep to rules. We’re just hoping everything gets back to normal soon.”
Dcoy Ducks general manager Richie Brown did not respond to The Sun’s request for comment.
According to its website, The Doctor’s Office in Holmes Beach remains closed but is operating a “pop-up clinic” with a limited classic cocktail menu at its nearby sister establishment, Eat Here.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Anna Maria Island lost a true friend and a champion of the people when Brad Lisk passed away on Wednesday, March 25.
Brad had a massive heart attack on Friday, March 20 and never regained consciousness. He was 51 years old and had experienced previous heart failures.
At the time of his death, Brad lived in Bradenton, but he spent much of his life living and working on Anna Maria Island. Most folks on the Island knew Brad as the fun-loving bartender at D Coy Ducks, but he was much more than that.
Sons of Brad
Brad leaves behind two sons, Shane Pelkey Lisk and Tanner Pelkey Lisk, both of whom also have strong ties to the Island. The brothers grew up in Bradenton Beach and Shane still lives there with his wife Annie. Tanner lives in Cortez.
“He was a very hard-working individual. When my mom was pregnant, he had three or four different jobs going on at a time, but he was still able to go to MCC (Manatee Community College) and ace his tests,” Shane said.
“He made sure he got everything done. He made sure there was a roof over our heads and food on our plates. He made sure everyone was happy and he always gave what he could.”
“I’m going to miss him. Anytime I had issues with anything he was always the first person I leaned on.” – Shane Pelkey Lisk, son
“He was more than just a bartender. He was a person that helped out in the community.” – Tanner Pelkey Lisk, son
When asked what his dad taught him, Shane said, “I learned how to be a good human being. I learned the difference between right and wrong, how to treat others and how to be polite. He taught me money wasn’t everything.
“He taught me how to fish and how to play baseball and other sports. He was a coach for many years for the kids out here on the Island. He would put us all in the back of the truck and pick up three or four different kids on the way to practice or games. He always made sure those kids got there and got home.”
Brad Lisk coached baseball at the community center in Anna Maria for many years. – Facebook | Submitted
Shane said his dad started working at D Coy Ducks as a barback and poker dealer about 10 or 12 years ago.
At various times in his life, Brad sold beer at Raymond James Stadium, delivered newspapers for the Tampa Tribune, worked with Donzi Marine and Wellcraft boats and sold 3M products as an industrial supplier before becoming a bartender.
“In the last five years or so, he became an ordained minister. That was huge for him because growing up they always called my grandpa ‘Preacher Dave,’ ” Shane said.
“I’m going to miss him. Anytime I had issues with anything he was always the first person I leaned on,” Shane said.
Tanner Pelkey Lisk, Brad Lisk and Shane Pelkey Lisk shared strong father and son bonds. – Shane Pelkey Lisk | Submitted
Tanner said, “He was more than just a bartender. He was a person that helped out in the community. He was very smart. He taught me to treat others the way you want to be treated and to always listen before you speak. I’ll miss not being able to watch sports together and go to the games and go to the beach.”
Sisterly love
Brad’s sister, Summer Phillips, lives in Millsboro, Delaware.
“He always took care of our family when I was growing up. He was 12 years older than I am and he always made sure I had a good Christmas, because our mom was a single mom and didn’t have a lot of money. He always took care of me and he took care of things when my mom couldn’t,” Summer said.
Brad Lisk loved his job as a bartender at D Coy Ducks in Holmes Beach. – Facebook | Submitted
“He lived his life the way he wanted. He was unapologetic for who he was, he stayed true to himself and he always told it like it was. And he always stuck up for those that needed it the most. He did that even in high school. He was friends with everyone. He wasn’t part of a certain group. He made everyone feel good about themselves and he made everyone feel welcome,” Summer said.
Brad’s other sister, Stacey Lisk, lives in Los Angeles, California.
“The thing I’m most proud of is Brad’s willingness to be of service, his empathy and his ability to rouse the troops,” Stacey said.
Uncle Fred and Aunt Mary Ann
Brad’s uncle and aunt, Fred and Mary Ann Lisk, live in Delphos, Ohio.
According to Fred, Brad was born in Lima, Ohio and spent the first few years of his life in Delphos before Brad’s family spent short periods of time in Kokomo, Indiana, and Rockford, Illinois.
“Brad’s dad worked for Montgomery Ward, in sales.” Fred said.
“You always heard how friendly Brad was, but he was a very intelligent man. When he was in the third grade, he had a teacher who told my wife that Brad was one of the brightest students she ever had. Brad never did his homework, so she’d have to keep him after school or during recess, but she said he knew all the answers and he didn’t have to study,” Fred said.
Brad Lisk loved the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, even in their lean years. – Facebook | Submitted
“He was a very open and friendly person. He was very giving and would do anything for you. We always looked forward to seeing him when we came to Florida. We saw him five days before the heart attack. We spent a week with him,” Mary Ann said.
“On Saturday night, he had a barbeque for us, his two boys and Lucy. That night was the last time we saw him. We left Sunday morning and we got the call from Shane Friday morning saying he’d had a very serious heart attack,” Fred said.
“When we came to Florida, we always stayed with Brad. We always had a nice time, but this last time just seemed to be extra special. It was really a great time,” Mary Ann said.
In love with Lucy
Brad and Holmes Beach resident Lucy Spoon were a couple for the past three and a half years, and they were friends for two years before that.
Lucy works at Siesta Beach in Sarasota as a member of the Sarasota County Beach Patrol.
She was working Monday afternoon when she shared her thoughts on Brad.
“He was so proud of me when I got this job. Right now, he would be making fun of me for getting paid to go play on a Jet-Ski when everyone else is out of a job,” Lucy said.
“He was my guardian angel on Earth. I’ve always been super naïve and innocent, and he was the opposite, so he protected me. I always called him my ‘sweet angel.’ I know nobody thinks of him that way because he was always such a smart-ass and every other word was the F-word. He was the kindest person I’ve ever known, besides my little boy, Michael Dean,” Lucy said.
“Michael Dean and Brad used to play and do boy’s night out and go get McDonald’s, play Nerf Ball, watch funny shows and movies and do all the guy stuff. Brad called Michael ‘Squid’ and he took him to baseball games, helped him with his basketball, taught him how to play Frisbee and helped him with his math and reading homework. He was so good at that and he was very helpful with my son,” Lucy said.
Brad Lisk and Lucy Spoon dressed to the nines when they attended the Elton John concert in Tampa in 2019. – Lucy Spoon | Submitted
“Brad was the kindest, most loving person. He was always about protecting the underdog. He was a big activist, helping with the benefits and giving away Publix gift cards during the holidays. And he never wanted to take credit for it, he always wanted to be anonymous,” Lucy said.
“One day he was walking past the Art Guild gallery next door and he saw a picture of a mermaid in the window. It was me. I used to model as a mermaid. My pictures are all over the gallery as a mermaid and he’s obsessed with mermaids. He would tell his customers he was dating a mermaid. I was his mermaid,” Lucy said.
“I’m going to miss not being able to hold him, hug him, kiss him and talk to him every day. I’m going to miss the trips we were meant to take together to Italy and Spain. Those were the two places he wanted to go to before he died. Unfortunately, he’ll have to go there as a spirit now.
“He was the best friend, the best lover, the best everything. I’m going to miss my soul mate. I’m going to miss going to concerts with him. I’ll miss his beautiful soul,” Lucy said.
“He had his first heart failure six months after we started dating. Heart failure runs in his family.
The last day we spent together was that Thursday afternoon. Michael Dean was there, and they played video games together. I gave him a hug and a kiss when I left. He called me at 7:22 a.m. Friday morning and said, ‘Baby, baby I need help.’ I was on my way to his house and the last thing he said to me was, ‘I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry.’ And that was it. He was never able to breathe on his own after that. They were already doing CPR when I showed up at his house,” Lucy said.
“I couldn’t go to the hospital because of the coronavirus. When I knew he was not going to make it, I talked to his doctor and said please let me see him. I got to see him for an hour on Saturday talking to him, kissing him and that was last time I saw him,” Lucy said.
A friend to all
In his dual roles as an ordained minister and a family friend, Brad presided over the celebration of life for Anna Maria Island Sun Co-Publisher Maggie McGinley-Field after she passed away in 2019.
“Brad was one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. In my time of loss, he comforted me. His presence at Maggie’s service was something I will never forget,” Sun Publisher Mike Field said.
Monkey Bus owner Roque Pastorius said, “Brad loved the Island, the local sports teams, his family, his friends and chilling on the beach. His big, friendly smile and his ability to speak for others will be missed.”
Brad Lisk loved spending time at the beach. – Summer Phillips | Submitted
Bradenton resident Nadia Tryciecky said, “Brad truly made everyone feel special in their own way. He’d slide you your favorite drink as you walked in and give you a huge hug or sarcastic comment. He will be so missed by all of us.”
Holmes Beach resident David Zaccagnino said, “Brad was a friend to everyone and always ready to help anyone that needed it.”
Bradenton Beach resident Gayden Shell recently lost her son, Kyle Shell, who was friends with Brad.
“We have lost another islander – one that had the kindest heart and welcomed you with open arms anytime he saw you. He was so proud of his sons and he was a great father. Brad always made sure I was OK, and he gave Kyle an opportunity to explore his music talents in different ways at D Coy Ducks. I had the utmost respect for Brad. He never wanted anyone to know how ill he was, and he was always all about the other person,” Shell said.
The bench outside of D Coy Ducks now serves as a shrine to Brad Lisk – Joe Hendricks | Sun
HOLMES BEACH — One of Anna Maria Island’s most recognizable personalities needs your help to keep walking toward his goals.
JD White, a Holmes Beach resident, is trying to raise funds to help pay for a device to keep him walking.
To help White in his quest to raise the $10,000 to purchase two WalkAides, D Coy Ducks Bar is hosting a May 21 fundraiser party. The party from 2 to 5 p.m. includes live music, a 50-50 raffle, food and raffles.
At press time, $2,300 has been raised using GoFundMe, an online fundraising site. Buster Powers started the online fundraiser.
The WalkAide works to stimulate leg muscles to help patients like JD who suffers from cerebral palsy, which can lead to drop foot, a condition where the front part of the foot and toes do not lift without assistance. The WalkAide device straps to the calf and uses functional electrical stimulation to help the muscles work better and return lost mobility to the foot.
If White is able to get two of the devices, one for each leg, he said he would be able to walk with better posture, less pain and, most importantly, without the cumbersome metal braces he’s worn for most of his life.
White has been working with physical therapist Jason Grabiak of On the Go Therapy Services for two weeks using a loaned device to judge its effectiveness. Grabiak said the device is helping to strengthen White’s leg muscles and assist with his posture which helps relieve some of the pressure on his knees.
“I’m already a lot better,” White said.
“It’s crucial to get the WalkAides now,” Grabiak said. Without the WalkAide devices, White will have to begin wearing the leg braces again, which don’t allow his feet to move and would undo much of the progress made in his therapy sessions.
Community members can help show their support for White by coming out to D Coy Ducks, 5410 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, May 21 or by visiting his GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/jds-walk-aides.
