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Paid Island parking rejected by local leaders

Paid Island parking rejected by local leaders

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – If there’s one thing the leaders of the four Island cities, including Longboat Key, can agree on, it’s that they don’t support paid parking at Manatee County beaches or at county boat ramps.

Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore attended the April 9 Coalition of Barrier Island Elected Officials meeting, held at Bradenton Beach City Hall, to gather the opinions of Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key elected leaders before beginning official talks with her fellow county commissioners.

Whitmore said she’s opposed to any paid parking on Anna Maria Island because she feels it takes away from the community feel of the area. If she had to choose a type of paid parking though, she said she’d rather have paid parking at county-maintained boat ramps than at the beaches.

Island community leaders said they’d rather see county commissioners find a different way to deal with the expense of required maintenance at boat ramps than charge people for parking.

Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth said she feels that there isn’t enough parking available at the county-maintained boat ramps, including Kingfish boat ramp on Manatee Avenue, to contribute in any real way toward the millions of dollars it takes to periodically renovate boat ramps.

Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie agreed, saying that there are only about two dozen parking spaces at the newly renovated Coquina boat ramp, not enough to be a good financial source for the county.

Whitmore said the county relies on general funds, West Coast Inland Navigational District (WCIND) grants and funds from boater registration to pay for maintenance and upgrades to the county-maintained boat ramps. Because of the limited amount of funds available, she said the county is behind on needed repairs to boat ramps like Kingfish and is now looking at spending a lot of time and money to get the newly-acquired Palma Sola boat ramp, located on the southwestern end of the causeway, back to a safe operating state. A large-scale renovation at Kingfish boat ramp also is on the horizon.

Bradenton Beach Commissioner Jake Spooner said that he’s not in favor of paid parking, tolls or anything that might discourage families, particularly those with limited financial means, from enjoying the outdoor activities offered for free at the local beaches and boat ramps.

“It’s not just about the money,” he said. “There’s other ways of finding the money.”

Holmes Beach Commissioner Carol Soustek added that having paid parking at public beaches would push parking into nearby residential neighborhoods, adding to the strain already felt by residents due to the increasing tourism on the Island.

Though the city leaders did not support paid parking, they did support signage for the Cortez Road and Anna Maria Island bridges that would alert motorists to parking availability at boat ramps and beaches.

While Whitmore pointed out that many people would ignore the signs, West Manatee Fire Rescue Commissioner Al Robinson said that even if only 5 percent of people turn around rather than crowd onto the Island’s streets when parking is full, the investment in the signs, controlled by local law enforcement, would be worth the funds.

Whitmore said she’d ask the county and the Manatee County Tourist Development Council about funding for the project.

No plans made for future Grassy Point development

No plans made for future Grassy Point development

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – There may be some improvements coming to Grassy Point Preserve in the future, but city commissioners want to weigh all of their options before making any decisions.

City Engineer Lynn Burnett appeared before commissioners at an April 10 work session to present an update on the passive park. She said that a survey of the city’s property and surrounding area is complete along with topographical elevations. With a normal high tide, she said the area of Grassy Point closest to the water remains relatively dry, however during king tides and other abnormally high tide events, the area floods. In her suggestions for the future development of the site, Burnett said a passive walkway, a raised boardwalk and building berms with culverts underneath and WaStop valves to combat sea level rise may all be good options for consideration.

“It’s a beautiful asset,” she said of the park.

Burnett is planning to present renderings of possible additions to the current park pathways to the city’s Parks and Beautification Committee during their Wednesday, May 1 meeting to get feedback before presenting the sketches to commissioners.

Commissioner Carol Soustek said she’s happy to know what property, submerged and otherwise, the city owns, however on second thought and after getting feedback from some residents, she’s unsure that a raised boardwalk or kayak launch are good options for Grassy Point.

With the renderings being presented at the commission’s first May work session, which is not yet scheduled, she recommended that any residents with suggestions or concerns email city hall or bring them before commissioners at that meeting.

Another topic for commission discussion is the nearly 30 unbuildable lots surrounding the city’s Grassy Point property. Attorney Patricia Petruff said the lots were declared wetlands and unbuildable by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection nearly 25 years ago, lowering the assessed value of each lot to somewhere around $500. Soustek suggested the city look into purchasing as many of the lots as possible to incorporate into Grassy Point as conservation lands.

Commissioner Kim Rash took the suggestion a step further, suggesting the city offer some sort of tax incentive to have people donate the land to Holmes Beach since it is considered unbuildable.

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Castles in the Sand

Real estate process speeding up

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

For me, a good recipe has three main components – less than five ingredients, less than 30 minutes and less than two pots. A good real estate transaction is not so different than a good recipe; the objective is to keep it simple.

One of the most tortuous aspects of buying a home has always been the mortgage application process. First, you are asked to provide the lender with W2s, pay stubs, tax returns and possibly your blood type. Then the “loan officer” does a credit check and pulls your credit score. He/she then rolls up their sleeves and adjusts their eye visor and starts plowing through your personal data trying to find why you may not be trustworthy with their money.

The first thing they’re looking for is credit score and if your score is hovering around 600 be prepared to renew your rental lease or pay a larger down payment and/or higher interest rate. Also, your income must support the amount of mortgage you’re applying for and your general credit report must show no serious late payments and hopefully no bankruptcies.

Naturally, while this process is under scrutiny, you will experience some of the most stress you will ever have especially if you’re a first-time buyer. But there is good news which may not take away all of the steps during the process but could speed up the process considerably.

Mortgage lenders are starting to outspeed themselves, that is promising quick mortgage confirmations and a more streamlined process, even offering cash bonuses if they don’t meet their target date. In 2018 it took an average of 43 days to close a home mortgage but now some lenders are doing it in 21 days or less.

One of the ways this is accomplished is of course through technology that can link banks to the loan application allowing the lender to obtain documentation and data directly. It may also be possible to have a remote closing, also speeding up the process.

In addition, with the blessing of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, some properties may be eligible for an “appraisal waiver,” the thought of which makes me shake in my sandals. Instead of Fannie and Freddie having more restrictions in the wake of the 2008 financial crises fueled by low down payments and many no documentation loans, the Housing Finance Reform recently issued has done the opposite, keeping the American taxpayer on the hook for loan defaults.

However, mortgage rates are approaching 4 percent which will hopefully jump-start the housing market. The average 30-year fixed rate mortgage during the first week of April fell to 4.06 percent, the lowest since January of 2018. Freddie Mac said the rates have been dropping quickly as much as a quarter point in one week, the biggest drop in over a decade. Naturally, mortgage applications increased by 8.9 percent in early April.

I’m not sure how I feel about the link to your bank but other than that I’m all for a speedy process, which can be very important if you have an all-cash buyer who has suddenly shown interest in the home you want. So future homebuyers, as you start stepping back into the market since you can’t resist the interest rates, just remember less is more, in mortgage processing and in cooking.

More Castles in the Sand:

Traffic, real estate sales up

Flood insurance rates changing

Should you digitally – or actually – renovate?

City manager amendment lacks supermajority support

City manager amendment lacks supermajority support

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – The quest to hire a city manager in Holmes Beach has suffered a significant setback, but the matter has not yet been officially decided.

Switching from a strong mayor to a city manager form of government would require a charter amendment recommended by the Holmes Beach Charter Review Commission (CRC) and supported by the city’s registered voters.

The Holmes Beach mayor’s responsibilities are set forth in Article IV of the city charter.

During the Thursday, April 4 CRC meeting, member Sean Murphy made a motion to leave Article IV as currently written.

“There shall be a mayor who shall be the chief executive officer of the city. The mayor shall be responsible to the electorate for the administration of all city affairs placed in his/her charge by or under this charter,” according to Article IV, §4.01.

“I recommend we make no changes to Article IV,” Murphy said when making his motion.

David Zaccagnino supported Murphy’s motion. CRC chairman Ed Upshaw and members Claudia Carlson and Nancy Deal opposed it.

Confusion then ensued as to what that 3-2 vote meant regarding the potential hiring of a city manager.

According to §13.03 of the city charter, “Any proposed amendment or amendments to the charter adopted by a vote of a supermajority of the charter commission shall be presented to the city commission which shall provide for its submission to the voters in the next city general election.”

A supermajority vote means at least four of the five CRC members must support a proposed charter amendment for it to move forward.

Filling in for City Attorney Patricia Petruff at Thursday’s meeting, attorney Thomas Thanus said, “There may be some confusion about the last vote. There were three ‘no’ votes and two ‘yes’ votes, which means the motion didn’t carry. The motion was to not make any changes to Article IV. That motion was defeated, which means that Article IV is still up for discussion. You’ve haven’t closed the door on any further discussion.”

The CRC members can continue debating the city manager question, but Thanus said any proposed amendment that doesn’t have supermajority support will not be included in the final recommendations presented to city commissioners.

“You still have the option of revisiting some or all of your decisions, but you will get to a point where you will have a final vote. At that point, it would take four ‘yes’ votes in order for something to be presented to the voters at a referendum,” Thanus said.

“You’ve had other 3-2 votes, which means you have not achieved the supermajority,” Thanus said regarding previous votes taken on other potential amendments.

City manager debate

During Thursday’s meeting, CRC members shared their personal views on the city manager issue.

“I think the process works. It is more democratic. Little towns like ours are the community garden of democracy and I think we need to do whatever we can to protect that,” Murphy said of the city’s current form of government.

“We have good strong department heads. I don’t think the chief of police needs another boss – and it’s expensive,” Murphy said of a city manager.

Carlson suggested it was undemocratic to prevent city residents from determining which form of government they want.

“The logic of that escapes me. The citizens have the right to make a choice,” Carlson said.

Zaccagnino said hiring a city manager would add another layer of government and make it harder for citizens to enact change through their elected officials. He also disputes the notion that a city manager can remain politically-neutral.

Zaccagnino and Murphy both noted citizens can still initiate by petition a city referendum if they wish to continue the pursuit of a city manager.

Upshaw said the CRC’s duty is not to set policy, but to present viable options to the public.

“There is a section of our citizens who favor this. Are they the majority, I don’t know? But the question keeps coming up. I think it should go before the citizens,” Upshaw said.

Upshaw said a citizen-initiated city manager referendum that does not fully address all aspects of the proposed hiring could cause “chaos.”

Recent hiring questioned

Deal questioned Mayor Judy Titsworth’s recent hiring of Barney Salmon as the city’s new development services director – and whether Salmon serves as a department head whose hiring should have required city commission approval.

“Some people think it was an end-around to avoid having a city manager,” Deal said. “As to adding another layer to the administration, isn’t that what the mayor just did?”

The charter states the mayor needs commission concurrence to appoint or remove a department head or charter official whose position is listed in the charter. The charter doesn’t reference a developmental services director.

Human Resources Analyst Mary Buonagura defended the recent hiring.

“Mr. Salmon is the director of five developmental services. He coordinates work, period. He reports to the mayor just like the rest of the departments do. Mr. Salmon is not going to be recommended to become a charter member of the city. It’s not necessary,” Buonagura said.

Fewer storms forecast, but it only takes one

Fewer storms forecast, but it only takes one

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

FORT COLLINS – The Colorado State University hurricane research team has issued its first prediction for the 2019 tropical storm season and it is good news, for now

The forecast, authored by Dr. Phillip Klotzbach, predicts a total of 13 named storms turning into five hurricanes and two major (Category 3 or more) hurricanes.

Last season, the region experienced 15 named storms, eight hurricanes and two major hurricanes. One of those major storms, Michael, was one of the most powerful hurricanes ever to hit the United States. It leveled buildings in Mexico Beach, Fla., and throughout the Florida Panhandle, with winds just shy of Category 5 strength.

On average, the Atlantic and Caribbean region gets 12 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes.

According to Klotzbach’s report, “During the past several months, El Niño conditions have developed in the Pacific Ocean, meaning that sea surface temperatures in the eastern tropics are warmer than normal. In general, El Niño conditions tend to suppress Atlantic hurricane formation, as a result of increases in upper-level winds that tear apart developing Atlantic hurricanes.

“Predicting changes in El Niño is extremely difficult during the spring season, so although we know there’s an El Niño now, we don’t know whether it will continue through the rest of the year,” the report says. “Very small changes in wind conditions can cause big changes in the ocean circulation at this time of year. Consequently, the models that forecast El Niño tend to have less skill, which is the measure of the accuracy of the prediction versus what really happens. Nevertheless, these models do have modest ability to predict conditions for the next several months.”

The CSU team will release updates to their predictions on June 4, July 2 and Aug. 6.

Related coverage

Hurricane Michael brushing Anna Maria Island

Hurricane Guide

Students learn about the bay beyond

Students learn about the bay beyond

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Community News, Schools.

Anna Maria Elementary School is unique because of its location on Anna Maria Sound and every year teachers take advantage of that to further educate students about life in an estuary.

Third graders took the tour Friday. Thanks to a grant, guides from Around the Bend Nature Tours were there to identify the critters that were netted, put in water-filled containers, observed and returned to their habitat.

Third-grade teacher Karen Paul‘s class brought in some starfish, a tiny seahorse, some whelps and other shells. Many of the kids knew something about the creatures of the sea because of living near the beach both on the Island or the mainland nearby.

AME Sunny Owens Livia Sauls
Olivia Sauls looks at some critters. – Karen Paul | Submitted
Castles in the Sand

Traffic, real estate sales up

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

If you want to know why you’re starting to analyze traffic patterns so you can plan your trips to the supermarket, doctor’s office and Trader Joe’s, here’s the reason. During 2018, Sarasota and Manatee counties had more closed sales, an increase in overall inventory and a rise in median prices compared to 2017.

Sarasota single-family median home prices increased by 5 percent to $282,500, and Manatee single-family median home prices increased by 1.9 percent to $300,475 from 2017. Sarasota median condo prices increased by 3.2 percent to $232,300, while Manatee median condos increased by 5.8 percent to $190,500.

Meanwhile, the volume of single-family home sales in Manatee increased by 7 percent and in Sarasota, the increase was 0.5 percent. Condo sales in both counties as reported by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee, recorded the highest number of sales over the last 10 years. Sarasota increased by 8.1 percent and Manatee increased by 11.1 percent.

These are great numbers especially when you look at them compared to last year’s sales number as reported by the National Association of Realtors. Nationally, last year was the weakest for home sales since 2015 with buyers pulling back because of rising mortgage interest rates, a shortage of starter homes and a volatile stock market. However, the February home sales of previously owned homes nationally were up 11.8 percent, the largest monthly gain since 2015, obviously due to the lowering of mortgage interest down to 4.28 percent in March from 5 percent at the end of last year.

Let’s take a look at Manatee County’s February closed sales reported by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee:

Closed single-family sales were up 4.8 percent, the median sale price was down slightly by 0.5 percent to $298,500 and the average sale price was up 2.6 percent to $389,119. Median time to sell was 97 days up a little from 93 last year and the month’s supply of available properties was 4.5 months – no real change.

Condo sales were down, closed sales were down 14.9 percent, the median sale price was down 11.4 percent to $189,000 and the average sale price was also down by 10.9 percent to $227,849. Median time to sell was up to 101 days from 94 and the number of months supply of available properties was up to five months.

Keep in mind these types of statistics are a snapshot in time and there are a variety of things that can influence sale prices and sale numbers in any given month. It’s the overall picture for a sustained period of time that really tells the story, and the year over year story for Manatee and Sarasota Counties is spectacular.

The months of March and April traditionally experience the most closed sales, so I look forward to when those numbers are compiled before we head into our slower summer season. That said I may have to revise that statement down the road since there doesn’t ever seem to be a slow season anymore.

It goes without saying that Florida’s Gulf Coast is one of the most beautiful areas in the country.

We have beaches, sun, culture, low taxes and great choices when it comes to purchasing a home. And what comes along with all that is more people, more cars and overbooked restaurants, even Sarasota Airport is reporting a 35 percent increase in traffic during February this year, but would you change anything?

It just might take a little better planning.

More Castles in the Sand:

Should you digitally – or actually – renovate?

Technology can’t replace real estate brokers

Grace period given for golf cart seatbelts

Grace period given for golf cart seatbelts

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – If you live in Holmes Beach and drive a regular golf cart around town, you now need seatbelts for yourself and every passenger.

Commissioners voted to approve a final reading of an ordinance requiring all golf carts to have seatbelts for drivers and passengers. The ordinance also requires that all children riding in the golf cart be strapped into a child restraint seat appropriate to their size, just like they are in a car.

To help residents understand the new requirements and implement the necessary changes to their golf carts, Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said that no tickets will be given to golf cart drivers whose vehicles are not equipped with seatbelts for a five-month period. The grace period is to allow owners time to get seatbelts installed and educate the public on just what the new ordinance means for them. The grace period began March 26.

Tokajer noted that residents can get a kit typically for less than $100 to install the seatbelts themselves or take the golf cart to a repair shop where they can be professionally installed.

The ordinance also clarifies language about where golf carts can be driven in the city. Golf carts are only allowed on streets with a speed limit of 25 miles per hour or lower. The regulations for low speed vehicles – those that are registered with the state, have a license plate and insurance – remain unchanged. Low speed vehicles can be driven through the city on streets with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or lower. A driver’s license is required to operate all golf carts and low speed vehicles in Holmes Beach.

For the purposes of the ordinance, a golf cart is considered a golf cart only if it does not have a license plate and insurance. If a golf cart is registered, it’s considered a low speed vehicle. Holmes Beach is the only Island city that allows unregistered golf carts to be driven on the road.

Related coverage

Letters to the Editor: Where did you go, “Island time?”

Holmes Beach considers golf cart regulations

New filing in tree house case

New filing in tree house case

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – A new battle is beginning in the ongoing war between the city of Holmes Beach and tree house owners Richard Hazen and Lynn Tran.

A summons was received at Holmes Beach City Hall March 27 informing city leaders that they have 21 days to respond to a new suit. According to the summons, Hazen and Tran have filed a case against the city and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection alleging violation of civil and constitutional rights.

The suit, filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa division, says the owners allege the violation of their rights due to the ongoing attempts by the city to remove the tree house and prohibit the construction of future similar structures on their property. The suit also alleges a violation of the couple’s rights due to ongoing efforts by the city to claim damages and relief for the ongoing legal fees incurred because of the case.

Due to a previous code enforcement board ruling, daily fines are stacking up against the tree house owners. Currently, those fines exceed $65,000 and are a part of the financial recompense city leaders are seeking from Tran and Hazen.

The two-story tree house was built beachfront near the Angelinos Sea Lodge in 2011 by Tran and Hazen and cost approximately $28,000 to build. Issues between the city and the owners arose when it was discovered that the couple did not get a permit from the city to build the tree house. The owners argue that they contacted the city’s building department and were told a permit was not necessary. When trying to get an after the fact permit, their application was denied by former Building Official Jim McGuinness because he said the structure could not be brought up to current codes and made ADA compliant as it is. The tree house also is located on the erosion control line, the line across which construction is not allowed without an FDEP permit.

On different matters in the tree house case, three trial dates have been set for Tran and Hazen versus the city beginning in mid-April in Manatee County Circuit Court.

Related coverage

Tree house case continues in court

City to pursue tree house demolition in court

Clydesdales visit the Island

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Entertainment, Parades.

Budweiser Brewery’s signature advertising logo – a bright red wagon with brass accessories pulled by a team of husky Clydesdale horses – visited Anna Maria Island this afternoon at the invitation of local legend, Duffy’s Tavern.

Co-owner Peggy Davenport, daughter of Duffy’s founder Pat Geyer, rode on the wagon as it moved slowly through the high season traffic between Holmes Beach City Hall Park and Duffy’s. Davenport said she had been trying to get the team of horses out to Duffy’s for years.

The team is one of three the brewery has, each one in a certain region of the country. The song Budweiser uses in its ads played from a red truck that carried the wagon and horses as a team member explained how they take care of each of the eight one-ton horses as a large crowd of locals and Island visitors admired the animals. As sightseers used their cell phones to capture the moment, the Budweiser team showed Davenport what it means when they say “This Bud’s for you.”

 

- Tom Vaught | Sun

- Tom Vaught | Sun

- Tom Vaught | Sun

- Tom Vaught | Sun

- Tom Vaught | Sun

- Tom Vaught | Sun

- Tom Vaught | Sun

- Tom Vaught | Sun

Tom Vaught | Sun

Tom Vaught | Sun

WMFR chooses a new chief

WMFR chooses a new chief

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, West Manatee Fire Rescue.

BRADENTON – When Chief Tom Sousa retires from the district in October, West Manatee Fire Rescue will have a new chief in Battalion Chief Ben Rigney.

When Sousa announced his early retirement from the district, board members decided to open the position first to internal candidates before considering allowing non-district employees to apply. Out of that first round of searching, one internal candidate emerged – Battalion Chief Ben Rigney. During a March 19 meeting, commissioners voted unanimously in favor of appointing Rigney as Sousa’s successor as fire chief, contingent upon contract negotiations with board Chair David Bishop. The terms of the contract will be brought before the board at a future meeting.

Commissioner Larry Jennis, who headed the selection committee, recommended the board do away with the final phase of the application process, presenting a short oral presentation to the board. Jennis said that with Rigney having already presented to the board numerous times there was no reason to ask him to do it again, something his fellow commissioners agreed with.

Rigney’s appointment to the fire chief position will be effective upon Sousa’s retirement, expected Oct. 17.

Commissioner Randy Cooper said he feels that Rigney is well qualified for the position and has good ideas to move the district forward in the future. “I’m looking forward to working with him,” he said.

“I think he’ll make a fine chief,” Commissioner George Harris said.

“I’m very pleased with the candidate,” Commissioner Al Robinson said.

For his part, Sousa said he’s very pleased with the choice of Rigney as his successor. “The district’s in great hands so everything’s going to work out great,” he said.

“I’m very excited,” Rigney said of the opportunity to be WMFR’s chief. “I’m very excited to work with the district and to further the goals of the missions of the department.”

Related coverage

WMFR board members plan for the future

WMFR celebrates excellence and career milestones

AMI goes green for St. Paddy parade

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Entertainment, Family fun, Parades.

HOLMES BEACH – If you were green with envy on St. Patrick’s Day, it’s only because you weren’t at the Island’s annual Beach Bistro St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The parade stretched from the intersection of Gulf and Marina Drives to Palm Drive. The festivities brought out hundreds of people who crowded in along the sidewalks to get a glimpse of this year’s participants, ranging from pirates and conquistadors to locals dressed in their leprechaun green best and a few live animals trotting down the parade route.

A lone bagpiper kicked off the parade along with Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer who led the parade with flashing lights and tossing beads to the crowd.

Several local bands participated, including the marching bands from Southeast High School, Rowlett Middle Academy and Lee Magnet Middle School. A New Orleans-style jazz band greeted with cheers along with a team of bagpipers, though the star was a little drummer boy playing along with the Lion Rampant Pipe and Drum.

The biggest roars from the crowd undoubtedly came when the area’s pirate crewes came on the scene. The Anna Maria Island Privateers led the pirate charge into the parade aboard the SkullyWag landbound pirate ship followed by the DeSoto crew of conquistadors from the Hernando DeSoto Historical Society, who closed out the parade on the San Cristobal landbound ship.

As usual, the parade was put on and sponsored by local restaurateur Sean Murphy.

Kristin Swain | Sun

Kristin Swain | Sun

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Mike Field | Sun

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Kristin Swain | Sun

Kristin Swain | Sun

Kristin Swain | Sun

Tour of Homes wows attendees

Tour of Homes wows attendees

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Entertainment, Events.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The 26th Annual Tour of Homes was so popular that attendees sometimes found themselves waiting for up to 10 minutes to enter one of the four beautiful Island homes featured on this year’s tour.

Attendees were graciously greeted in each home by volunteers who had stories to tell, highlighting the unique aspects of each area of the homes.

At the Willow House, the talk centered on the home’s unique paint colors, many of which attendees were marking down for redecoration of their own homes. The Willow House is the only one on the tour that was not inhabited. The four-bedroom home was designed by Beacon Home Designs, built last year by Moss Builders and is for sale through Gulf Bay Realty.

A favorite home on the tour was the Horne Home in Holmes Beach. The house, previously owned by Ann Horne to whom this year’s tour was dedicated, was opened by the family especially for the event. The beachfront cottage features woodgrain ceramic floors with no thresholds between rooms, handmade oyster shell wall sconces created from shells collected at Anna Maria Oyster Bar, owned by Ann’s son John, and nautical touches throughout.

“That’s my favorite one,” one attendee said as she exited the property.

The beachfront Fangmeyer Home in Holmes Beach also was a favorite, featuring beautiful Gulf of Mexico views from almost every room. The 14-year-old house was painstakingly decorated under the discerning eye of owner Belle Fangmeyer. European touches lend an understated elegance to each room in muted colors and beautifully carved furniture and décor pieces. The smell of fresh flowers followed attendees through each of the three bedrooms, floating through open windows on the sea breeze. Dan and Belle Fangmeyer purchased the home in 2017.

One of the homes that attendees said they were most excited to see was the Kerschner Home on Key Royale. Owner Kathy Kerschner said the home was “a labor of love” for herself and husband Dan. The couple carefully created the home with the help of local architect Gene Aubry and Shoreline Builders to reflect their personal style and showcase the work of local artists, including their latest acquisition, an original by painter Robert Johnson. Gorgeous views of the bay greeted visitors on one side of the house where the owners can view the sunrise. On the other side of the home, balconies adorn each room to allow for views of the sunset each evening. One of a kind light fixtures and chandeliers featuring glass artwork from Israel twinkle throughout the house. Handcrafted woodwork also is displayed throughout the first floor including the dining table created from a 100-year-old piece of sinker cypress and the Camphour wood countertop in the powder room created by Greg.

The final stop on the tour was The Center of Anna Maria Island’s Bazaar and the Tropical Treasures Boutique, sponsored by Duncan Real Estate. At the Center, attendees were treated to refreshments by Cupcake Delights and The Traveling Gourmet, local artwork in the silent auction and for sale in the Boutique, and items available from local vendors in the Bazaar. The quilt, created by the Eyeland Needlers for the event, also was on display with raffle tickets available for purchase. This year’s quilt was sponsored by Green Real Estate. The Ugly Grouper was the music sponsor for the Tour of Homes.

Kerschner said the home was “a labor of love” for herself and husband Dan. The couple carefully created the home with the help of local architect Gene Aubry and Shoreline Builders to reflect their personal style and showcase the work of local artists, including their latest acquisition, an original by painter Robert Johnson. Gorgeous views of the bay greeted visitors on one side of the house where the owners can view the sunrise. On the other side of the home, balconies adorn each room to allow for views of the sunset each evening. One of a kind light fixtures and chandeliers featuring glass artwork from Israel twinkle throughout the house. Handcrafted woodwork also is displayed throughout the first floor including the dining table created from a 100-year-old piece of sinker cypress and the Camphour wood countertop in the powder room created by Greg.

The final stop on the tour was The Center of Anna Maria Island’s Bazaar and the Tropical Treasures Boutique, sponsored by Duncan Real Estate. At the Center, attendees were treated to refreshments by Cupcake Delights and The Traveling Gourmet, local artwork in the silent auction and for sale in the Boutique, and items available from local vendors in the Bazaar. The quilt, created by the Eyeland Needlers for the event, also was on display with raffle tickets available for purchase. This year’s quilt was sponsored by Green Real Estate. The Ugly Grouper was the music sponsor for the Tour of Homes.

The Kerchner Home's main living area. - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Kerchner Home's main living area. - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Kerschner Home's kitchen, featuring an heirloom dining table. - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Kerschner Home's kitchen, featuring an heirloom dining table. - Kristin Swain | Sun

The kitchen at the Willow House. - Kristin Swain | Sun

The kitchen at the Willow House. - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Willow House. - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Willow House. - Kristin Swain | Sun

The entry way at the Willow House. - Kristin Swain | Sun

The entry way at the Willow House. - Kristin Swain | Sun

The dining area in the Willow House. - Kristin Swain | Sun

The dining area in the Willow House. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Owner Greg Kerschner shows off a dining table created from a single piece of sunken cypress. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Owner Greg Kerschner shows off a dining table created from a single piece of sunken cypress. - Kristin Swain | Sun

The chandelier in the entryway at the Kerschner Home. - Kristin Swain | Sun

The chandelier in the entryway at the Kerschner Home. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Attendees line up to enter the Kerschner Home on Key Royale. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Attendees line up to enter the Kerschner Home on Key Royale. - Kristin Swain | Sun

A ceramic iguana relaxes poolside at the Kerschner Home. - Kristin Swain | Sun

A ceramic iguana relaxes poolside at the Kerschner Home. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Volunteer Diane Phinney readies to drive attendees to the next house. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Volunteer Diane Phinney readies to drive attendees to the next house. - Kristin Swain | Sun

A bedroom in the Willow House. - Kristin Swain | Sun

A bedroom in the Willow House. - Kristin Swain | Sun

A guest bathroom in the Kerschner Home. - Kristin Swain | Sun

A guest bathroom in the Kerschner Home. - Kristin Swain | Sun

A handmade oyster shell wall sconce in the Horne Home. - Kristin Swain | Sun

A handmade oyster shell wall sconce in the Horne Home. - Kristin Swain | Sun

A memory board highlighting the Horne family. - Kristin Swain | Sun

A memory board highlighting the Horne family. - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Horne Home's living area. - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Horne Home's living area. - Kristin Swain | Sun

The kitchen in the Horne Home. - Kristin Swain | Sun

The kitchen in the Horne Home. - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Horne Home. - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Horne Home. - Kristin Swain | Sun

One of a kind pieces of artwork were available in the silent auction. - Kristin Swain | Sun

One of a kind pieces of artwork were available in the silent auction. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Attendees check out the unique offerings at the Tropical Treasures Boutique. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Attendees check out the unique offerings at the Tropical Treasures Boutique. - Kristin Swain | Sun

A beautifully carved mirror in one of the bedrooms at the Fangmeyer Home. - Kristin Swain | Sun

A beautifully carved mirror in one of the bedrooms at the Fangmeyer Home. - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Fangmeyer Home. - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Fangmeyer Home. - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Fangmeyer Home's French countryside inspired kitchen. - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Fangmeyer Home's French countryside inspired kitchen. - Kristin Swain | Sun

A living area in the Fangmeyer Home. - Kristin Swain | Sun

A living area in the Fangmeyer Home. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Attendees buy raffle tickets for the Tour of Homes quilt. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Attendees buy raffle tickets for the Tour of Homes quilt. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Belle Fangmeyer greets guests at her home. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Belle Fangmeyer greets guests at her home. - Kristin Swain | Sun

AME Super achievers

AME super achievers

Written by Sun staff on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News, Schools.

A team of five Anna Maria Elementary (AME) fifth-graders earned first place in the Manatee County School District’s countywide “Battle of the Books” competition on Friday, March 15 at State College of Florida.

The AME team had read all 15 books that are Sunshine State Readers for this school year. The school earned a trophy that will stay at AME until the battle next year. Each member of the team received their own personal trophy and a medal. Battle of the Books is a reading competition that Anna Maria Elementary has been doing every year for the last seven years. This was the first year that the county had a district competition.