HOLMES BEACH – The city of Holmes Beach donated $5,000 to the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center Inc. to assist that non-profit organization’s ongoing hurricane recovery efforts.
In February, Wildlife Inc. volunteer and Holmes Beach Planning Commissioner Gale Tedhams encouraged the city and the Island community to support the struggling animal rescue and rehabilitation center that Gail and Ed Straight have operated from their Bradenton Beach home for nearly 40 years.
The Straight’s home and property were severely damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton at a time when Ed was already dealing with significant health issues. Tedhams encouraged folks to make an online donation at the “Hurricane Relief Fund for Wildlife Inc” GoFundMe page.
Wildlife Inc. volunteer Gale Tedhams encourages the community to support the Bradenton Beach-based organization. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
During the Feb. 25 city commission meeting, Commissioner Terry Schaefer suggested the city immediately increase its annual $750 donation to $2,500. “They are experiencing terrific financial difficulties and most of here are aware of what they do in our community,” he said.
Mayor Judy Titsworth suggested continuing the $2,500 donation in future years to support the area’s primary animal rescue organization. Commissioner Carol Whitmore suggested making a $5,000 contribution now and donating $2,500 in future years.
“They’ve lost everything. I really think they need help,” Whitmore said.
The commission unanimously supported Whitmore’s suggestion. As of March 19, the “Hurricane Relief Fund for Wildlife Inc” GoFundMe page had raised more than $38,000 and donations are still being accepted.
BRADENTON BEACH – Bill Palmer, the city’s new building official, began work on March 5 and has laid out a timeline for the order of business as he steps into his new role.
“My initial focus as building official will be reviewing the permits we have in backlog for storm-related repairs so people can get back into their homes and then work on new construction permits,” Palmer wrote in an email to The Sun. “Once that is all caught up, I plan to review the building department forms and checklists. After that I plan on creating standard operation procedures (SOP) for the department.”
The city is under FEMA review for its post-hurricane practices under previous Building Official Darin Cushing, including the absence of standard operating procedures.
“Bill Palmer is doing a lot of reviews. He’s moving things through as quickly as humanly possible,” Mayor John Chappie said at a March 6 city commission meeting. “He’s doing a great job.”
Hurricane Helene badly damaged this Bradenton Beach home. – Leslie Lake | Sun
Palmer has issued 38 permits, mostly storm-related, he said.
“There are 143 total uncompleted applications,” Chappie said. “So when a project is brought forward by an applicant, they have a big application and they have to fill out a lot of things that have to be done to make an application complete. If it’s not complete, it doesn’t go to the building official. All of the applications that are sitting in the queue right now, everyone has been emailed telling them what needs to be done. It doesn’t go anywhere until it’s a complete document so the building official can review it.”
Chappie said that Palmer has requested that the city continue to pay M.T. Causley, the contract employer for the previous building official, for a few more weeks to assist in reducing the backlog, which is nearly all hurricane-related.
“We all talked about the overlap that’s going to be necessary with M.T. Causley as we make the adjustments, as he goes through these plans reviews and these permits that are backed up to get things done,” Chappie said. “He’s competent. He knows his stuff.”
“He hasn’t issued any new construction permits so far, and once he gets caught up, he wants to review the building department forms and checklists, then he will be starting on SOPs, which is one of the things that the department never had by the previous building official or officials,” he said.
BRADENTON – Featuring two new members and a new chairperson, the reconfigured Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) recently met for the first time this year.
On Feb. 24, the council welcomed Holmes Beach City Commissioner Dan Diggins and Palmetto Marriott Resort Managing Director Tony DeRusso to the council now chaired by County Commissioner Amanda Ballard and steered at times by Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (BACVB) Executive Director Elliott Falcione.
Topics of discussion included the post-hurricane decline in tourist development tax revenues, post-hurricane tourism marketing efforts and a request to use $570,000 in tourist tax revenues for the Gulf Islands Ferry operations.
Tourist tax revenues
Michele Shulz, Director of Field Services and the Collections Department for the Manatee County Tax Collector, provided an update on the tax revenues generated by the 6% tourist development tax levied on hotel, motel, resort and short-term vacation rental stays (including Airbnb and Vrbo rentals) of six months or less in Manatee County. A significant portion of tourist tax revenues is generated on Anna Maria Island.
Michele Shulz provided an update on the hurricane-impacted tourist development tax revenues. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
In November, Manatee County voters approved increasing the 5% tourist tax to 6%. The increase took effect on Jan. 1 and is expected to generate an additional $7.8 million in tourist tax revenues during the current fiscal year. The 6% tax is paid by lodging guests, collected by the lodging providers and remitted to the tax collector’s office monthly.
TDC members review proposed tourist tax expenditures and make recommendations to the county commission that controls the use of the tax revenues, which, by state statute, can only be used to promote tourism and fund tourism-related projects and improvements.
Last year, tourist tax revenues exceeded $30 million for the first time.
“Out of 67 counties, we feel like we’re now in that elite group,” Shulz said. “That’s a testament to Elliott and all the work he’s been doing.”
She then addressed the hurricane impact on tourist tax revenues and said the county collected $1.21 million in November and $1.83 million in December.
“For November, we were down 17.71% and for December we were down 16.6%. I think January through April’s really going to tell the tale on how those areas are recovering that were really hard hit,” she said.
Shulz said the tax collector’s office had 8,645 active tourist development tax accounts in its system. She said about 100 accounts were deactivated between October and December because account holders were unable to rent their properties but 200 new accounts opened up.
“It’s a very fluid number. In a week, we might have a different number,” she said, noting that short-term rental units continue to come online as repairs are completed.
Comparing January 2024 to January 2025, Shulz said tourist tax collections countywide decreased about 9.3%, from $2.64 million to $2.4 million. She said the 1% tax increase and tourist tax revenues generated elsewhere in unincorporated Manatee County helped lessen the revenue gap.
Post-hurricane marketing
Falcione said he’s often asked why the BACVB continues to market Anna Maria Island and Bradenton when these areas are already so well-known on a national and a global level.
“My consistent response is to prepare for the next adversarial occurrence,” he said.
He mentioned the severe red tide outbreak in 2017 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 as past adverse events that have impacted tourism.
Regarding the back-to-back hurricanes, Falcione said, “It could have been a lot worse.”
BACVB Marketing and Communications Director Kolby Gayson then discussed the tourism-related marketing strategies employed as recovery efforts continue.
Kolby Gayson discussed Manatee County’s post-hurricane marketing efforts. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“These storms left us with a wake of damage we had not seen before. It left our barrier islands with devastation we have never experienced,” Gayson said.
Gayson said she and her team focused on three main points: Perception, messaging and how to recover lost visitation.
Gayson said two particular images symbolize the hurricane damage on Anna Maria Island: the fallen yellow multi-story home in Bradenton Beach and the destroyed Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria.
“This yellow house was on its pillars after Helene. Milton came through and knocked it off. Still to this day, people love to take pictures of it. This one image continues to perpetuate a negative image of destruction,” Gayson said.
She then referenced the Rod & Reel Pier that was badly damaged by Hurricane Helene and destroyed by Hurricane Milton.
The iconic Rod & Reel Pier was destroyed by the back-to-back hurricanes. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“You have a landmark that also is no longer in existence. That is something that has an emotional connection to visitors. When they see that it’s gone, they associate that with the state of the entirety of the destination,” Gayson said.
She noted the county used and uses social media influencers and out of state media outlets and publications to help promote the current status of the Island and the Island businesses.
Ferry expenditures
The TDC members unanimously recommended county commission approval of Falcione’s request to spend up to $570,000 in tourist tax revenues for county-contracted Gulf Islands Ferry operations.
Falcione seeks $350,000 for operational costs for the ferry operations that will soon include a larger third ferry boat that’s expected to begin service in July. He also seeks $120,000 to upgrade the Riverwalk Day Dock in downtown Bradenton for the overnight docking of the third ferry boat and up to $100,000 for renovations to the floating dock at the Bradenton Beach Pier that serves as a ferry landing.
Holmes Beach City Commissioner Dan Diggins and Cedar Cove Resort manager Eric Cairns serve as TDC members. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
When welcoming Diggins to the council at the beginning of the meeting, Falcione referenced the ongoing efforts to implement a Gulf Islands Ferry stop in Holmes Beach.
“Dan was an incredible steward working with our team to try to accommodate the water ferry in Holmes Beach. He hasn’t given up yet and we haven’t given up yet. We’re excited that you’re on the TDC,” Falcione said.
Ferry service to Anna Maria is discontinued until the hurricane-damaged City Pier is repaired and reopened or the county installs a standalone ferry landing between the pier and the Lake La Vista jetty.
To say that a combination of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton less than two weeks apart changed the lives of everyone on Anna Maria Island and most of the coastal areas of Manatee County would be a gross understatement. Some areas came back sooner than others, but everyone was influenced by the storms and shocked at the amount of cleanup and repairs needed to get their lives back fully on track.
Last week we reviewed the Manatee County sales statistics provided by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee along with their accompanying news release. Essentially, they’re saying our real estate market all over the county is changing to a buyer’s market, no surprise there. The surprise is how fast it happened and how fast fortunes can disappear.
I haven’t made a comparison of listings compared to pending properties in a long time, but in view of this month’s numbers, it’s probably time; please note the listings include all variety of properties.
Starting with the City of Anna Maria, as of this writing, there are 70 properties available for sale ranging from $20 million to $549,900. There are nine in the upper range above $6 million, 38 in the mid-range and 23 at $2 million and lower. The upper range listings had no pending properties, the mid-range had three pending properties and the lower range had five pending properties, for a total of eight pending properties out of 70 listings.
The combined cities of Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach had 232 listings as of this writing, ranging from $16,750,000 to $60,000. There were 14 properties in the upper range above $6 million, 46 properties in the mid-range and 30 properties in the lower range below $2 million. The upper range did not have any pending properties, the mid-range had two pending properties, and the lower range had 32 pending properties. The total listings combined in the three cities on Anna Maria Island were 302 with 40 pending – you do the math.
The village of Cortez had 32 properties listed ranging from $3,899,000 to $79,500 with two pending.
Although we experienced devastating storms, giving our real estate market an unexpected blow, the country as a whole is also experiencing a downward market. Data from the real estate analytics firm CoreLogic shows nearly 73,000 homes were pulled from the market after they failed to find a buyer in the final month of last year.
Sellers are reluctant to take lower prices especially if it means giving up their ultra-low mortgage rates. Home sales in 2024 were at their lowest level in nearly 30 years. Eventually sellers will slowly be more realistic if they need to sell because of a job, growing family or other life events that can’t be delayed. Green Street, another analytics firm, predicts that U.S. home prices are vulnerable to a correction.
On the other hand, the luxury home market is putting a lot of pressure on the entry level home market. As prices go up in the luxury market, it takes everything below right along with it. This is true in the Miami area with their influx of the super-rich moving the annual number of home sales above $1 million up 147% compared to 2019.
Sometimes life-changing events are good to reset our priorities in life and remind us how quickly things can change. Keep cleaning, keep painting and be happy – you still can.
BRADENTON BEACH – The city commission discussed a Florida law at its Feb. 20 meeting that allows hurricane-impacted homeowners to place a temporary shelter, including an RV or trailer, on their residential property for up to three years following the governor’s declaration of a state of emergency.
“A lot of people in our community have been displaced from their homes and what’s been happening is the FEMA money to supplement the cost of a hotel is running out, so where are our people going to go?” Mayor John Chappie said. “They have a perfectly good lot, the house is being repaired, or, hopefully not, but unfortunately in some cases, probably demo’d (demolished).”
Florida Statute 125-023 outlines the following stipulations that allows homeowners to place a temporary structure on their property as their home is being repaired following storm damage:
“1. For the purposes of this section, the term “temporary shelter” includes, but is not limited to, a recreational vehicle, trailer or similar structure placed on a residential property.
Notwithstanding any other law, ordinance, or regulation to the contrary, following the declaration of a state of emergency issued by the Governor for a natural emergency as defined in s. 252.34(8) during which a permanent residential structure was damaged and rendered uninhabitable, a county may not prohibit the placement of one temporary shelter on the residential property for up to 36 months after the date of the declaration or until a certificate of occupancy is issued on the permanent residential structure on the property, whichever occurs first, if all of the following circumstances apply:
(a) The resident makes a good faith effort to rebuild or renovate the damaged permanent residential structure, including, but not limited to, applying for a building permit, submitting a plan or design to the county or obtaining a construction loan.
(b) The temporary shelter is connected to water and electric utilities and does not present a threat to health and human safety.
(c) The resident lives in the temporary structure.”
“People are paying taxes on their residential properties that have been destroyed. I would like to make it clear to the public that this is allowed,” Chappie said.
City Attorney Ricinda Perry called into the meeting by telephone.
“You have to have some type of form prepared through the building department, and I would have a suggestion for language on there that follows the statutory requirements,” Perry said. “One, that it’s a primary structure, two that it was damaged, three it’s uninhabitable. The question is who makes that determination and that’s something staff would have to discuss.
In my opinion, it would be conditioned upon a valid application for repairs that is deemed both complete as well as in compliance with floodplain development standards, specifically substantial damage repair costs on any and all other improvements, and if authorized the motor home must be for a primary resident. Because I don’t think the intent when I read the statute, is for rentals. There should be tie down for winds and hooked up to utilities then I think you could force it’s for temporary use only, not for permanent residence and not for vacation rentals. There’s nothing in the statute that prohibits the city from regulating size, location and I think that you could even establish reporting inspections and timeframes for the use of that temporary housing.”
Chappie noted that he spoke with the city’s new floodplain manager, Sandy Tudor.
“The only comment she made was something to the effect if there’s a storm coming to get it out at the appropriate time,” Chappie said. “I’m hopeful the commission will allow our city attorney to work with our new building official and floodplain manager to put something together as quickly as possible so we can help people out.”
Commissioner Deborah Scaccianoce said Holmes Beach already has this in place.
“(They are) following this statute and I’m a firm believer in not reinventing the wheel and maybe we reach out to Holmes Beach and say we’re considering allowing this, what’s your process and what’s your requirements and we can build off of that,” Scaccianoce said.
Chappie asked Scaccianoce to work with Perry and the building department and reach out to Holmes Beach and bring back the results of that discussion to the commission.
CORTEZ – The doors to Slicker’s Eatery, 12012 Cortez Road W., reopened 128 days after the flooding from Hurricane Helene swamped the restaurant.
“It feels tremendous to be open,” Slicker said. “We’re all so relieved. After four months of money going out for the staff and myself, we’re just happy to put a Band-aid on it and start moving forward.”
Slicker had been unprepared for the sight that greeted him after the September hurricane, when he said he found tables, chairs and dishes askew and floating, freezers flipped over, a dumpster pushed into the middle of Cortez Road and an ice machine broken in two and wedged against the door.
“My staff was here every day I needed them, from the day of the hurricane to opening back up. As a team, I haven’t lost one employee,” he said. “They all wanted to come back.”
Bob Slicker (standing), owner of Slicker’s Eatery, welcomes friends back to the newly-reopened restaurant. – Leslie Lake | Sun
When the storm hit, Slicker said the restaurant had been projected to have its best year ever in its four years of business.
“Our restaurant was finally where it needed to be,” Slicker said. “We were going on our fourth anniversary, we were excited. Everything was starting to click. We thought the world was finally catching up to us. Well, it caught up to us a little quicker than we thought.”
He said the staff pitched in with cleanup and even helped to build new tables using YouTube videos.
“We made all these tables ourselves,” Slicker said. “They’re polyurethane over plywood. We redid the floors together. Basically, we rebuilt the entire place as a team. Everything had to be replaced.”
The welcome home sign in front of Slicker’s Eatery says it all as the restaurant reopens following hurricane damage last September. – Leslie Lake | Sun
Slicker’s is currently serving a limited menu of sandwiches, salads and flatbreads, but the new menu will be rolled out slowly, he said.
“Our new hours aren’t out yet so we’re going to open every day at 4 o’clock,” he said. “In time, we’ll be able to do brunch again. Some of the music will start next week.”
While Slicker and his team were working on putting the restaurant back together, and he was repairing damage to his home, he found time to engage in charitable activities.
On Thanksgiving Day, hundreds gathered under tents in front of Slicker’s Eatery to enjoy a free turkey dinner with all the trimmings.
The event was co-sponsored by Mark Hoffman, Slicker’s Eatery, Bring on the Ministry, the Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island and the Blessing Bags Project.
“I just know my whole life my mother taught me to be charitable,” Slicker said. “I’ll just put it this way, I’m surrounded by great people.”
Slicker was involved in Rotary initiatives to give away bicycles, donate cars and provide refrigerators to those impacted by the hurricanes.
“The restaurant itself, we had so many people come in here and help clean up, help gut the place after the first storm,” Slicker said. “Not only that, but I have also so many people, I can say hey, man, I want to give some cars away and we were able to give a couple of cars away. Those kinds of things are what is truly humbling to me.”
Supporters donated $500 to buy a personalized bar chair to support Slicker’s recovery.
“One of my relatives bought a chair and they put my mom’s favorite saying on it, which was, ‘Down in front,’ ” he said.
Slicker’s Eatery was recently named 2025 Small Business of the Year by the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce.
None of us on Anna Maria Island born since the storm of 1921 have ever been through anything like the hurricanes of 2024, Helene and Milton, including building officials.
We had our hurricane plans in place, such as they were, but found ourselves overwhelmed and struggling to meet our most minimal survival needs, with some obligations taking a back seat to simply finding a place to eat and spend the night.
Bradenton Beach was by far the hardest-hit of Anna Maria Island’s three cities, so comparing what they did in Anna Maria and Holmes Beach is not fair to Bradenton Beach Building Official Darin Cushing.
He was faced with inspecting hundreds of buildings, some of which had floated down streets and fallen over sideways and collapsed with only the roof showing, while the worst damage to the north initially observed by reporters after Hurricane Helene was a house fire.
With little help in the early days after both hurricanes hit the Island, he was undoubtedly overwhelmed like the rest of us, but showed up to a hazardous workplace where buildings threatened to collapse and vehicles took on nails in their tires and got stuck in sand dunes that had been transferred from the beach to the neighborhoods.
In short, it was a disaster area.
It remains to be seen if Cushing made a mistake or was negligent in applying the statutory Native American exemption for chickee huts at the Drift-In on Bridge Street, which the city has suspended him for.
Any shortcomings in the application of the statute could potentially be reversed, such as taking out plumbing and electric and clearing the easement.
Cushing has suggested in Facebook posts that there is far more to it than that, and there usually is. The Tuesday, Jan. 28 city commission meeting at 9 a.m. at city hall may shed more light on the issue.
But at minimum, we expect the city to presume Cushing’s innocence and give him an opportunity to clear his name in a fair and impartial hearing before making a rush to judgment and terminating his employment.
And we thank him for his service during this difficult time.
BRADENTON BEACH – Pines Trailer Park residents who recently received city approval to repair their hurricane-damaged mobile homes received a letter on Jan. 4 from Pines Park Investors LLC stating that the park will be closed.
The letter from Pines Park Investors LLC, whose manager is Shawn Kaleta, was received by Pines homeowners on Jan. 4 and reads in part:
“Over the past months, we have conducted extensive financial modeling and assessments to determine the viability of maintaining the park,” according to the letter. “Unfortunately, we have come to the difficult conclusion that Pines Park is no longer sustainable as a trailer park and must be closed.”
The letter does not make it clear what the plans are for the park but states that one option being considered, pending city of Bradenton Beach approval, is allowing continued month-to-month tenancy for some residents, possibly extending up to a couple of years, depending on the overall timeline for vacating the property.
Several Pines residents contacted by The Sun on Jan. 4 chose to reserve comment on the letter.
The letter goes on to state that formal notices will be distributed in the coming weeks in accordance with state law.
“These notices will include all necessary legal information and details to guide you through this process,” the letter continues. “Along with these notices, we will provide agreements designed to assist you in transitioning out of the park, as well as information about resources available to support you during this time.”
How it happened
On Sept. 26, storm surge from Hurricane Helene caused water intrusion into the 86 Pines Trailer Park mobile homes, some of which are directly on the Intracoastal Waterway.
On Oct. 17, city building officials said that FEMA guidelines related to hurricane-related water intrusion classified the properties as having “major” damage. Pines residents were told that regulations state that if the cost to repair a mobile home to its pre-storm state is 50% or more of the structure’s value, then the entire structure must be brought into current floodplain compliance. The city’s floodplain ordinance requires the mobile homes to be elevated to a height of 12 feet. Many residents objected that they were unable financially or practically to comply.
On Oct. 29, fire code and setback regulations were outlined by West Manatee Fire Rescue District Fire Marshal Rodney Kwiatkowski, who stated that all new mobile home installations must follow setback guidelines between structures.
At a Nov. 7 city commission meeting, Kaleta said, “The units obviously took on water. There are fire separation issues, there’s mold, there’s structural stability, there’s elevation of the buildings, there’s all these questions. I’ve made a commitment to the residents from our side to keep the park there whatever it can be inside the code. I think that’s a vital part of the community, having residents and having everybody in that community as it exists. I think it’s an important piece of the community to achieve that.”
On Dec. 9, Pines residents received good news from City Building Official Darin Cushing when he notified 83 of the 86 Pines Trailer Park owners that they could repair their hurricane-damaged mobile homes with the proper permits without elevating them.
“We previously provided you with a notice that your property may have been affected by flooding due to hurricanes Helene and Milton, and that a second, more thorough inspection would be performed to gather data critical to making a formal determination as to whether the cost of repairs necessary to restore your building to its pre-damage condition might rise to an amount constituting ‘substantial damage’ as defined in the City’s Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance 21-538,” Cushing’s letter stated.
Following the second inspection, and with a review of the data and of the property values, the city notified residents that repairs could be made with the applicable permits.
“The data suggests that costs to perform repairs and restoration will not constitute a substantial damage repair,” Cushing’s letter stated.
However, some residents remained hesitant to move forward with repairs, saying that questions about the ownership’s intent for the park were still unanswered.
In early December, the parking lot for Pines Trailer Park residents at 201 First St. N. was converted into a public paid parking lot, with a pay-by-plate system in place. Pines residents who required parking had paid $750 per year to park in the lot. A representative for Pines Park Investors told The Sun that residents could continue to park in the lot until Dec. 31 and said a letter would be going out to the residents about its conversion.
Why it happened
The Pines Trailer Park property is currently zoned M-1 (mobile home park).
The Jan. 4 letter gives the following four reasons for the decision to close the park:
“Financial challenges: The park is operating at an unsustainable income level, with high delinquency rates (approximately 75%). While some residents have expressed concerns about amenities needing restoration, such projects – such as waterfront docks – would take years to complete and require significant investment. Combined with delinquency issues, it is not financially viable to operate under these conditions.
Restoration and Compliance: The required renovations for many units to meet the 50% rule for updates would involve considerable investment, which we are aware many residents are unwilling or unable to make, if permits were to even be issued. Additionally, the park’s compliance with fire codes presents a complex and costly challenge, as addressing one unit’s compliance issues often triggers a chain reaction requiring others to come into compliance.
Resident Concerns and Safety: We have received numerous requests from residents wishing to relinquish their deeds, but as a property management team, we are not in the business of owning trailers. Furthermore, the park has faced yearly flooding and other storm-related damages that create unsafe conditions for residents and untenable liabilities for management. This, coupled with instances of harassment toward our team and city officials, has exacerbated the challenges of maintaining operations.
Long-Term Viability: The cumulative impact of delinquency, loss of units, and the need for significant investments makes it clear that the park’s current model is no longer feasible. Additionally, management cannot continue to bear the risk of another storm coming and once again losing almost all income, all of which is essential to remain afloat.”
The letter ends with: “We want to express our heartfelt apologies for the inconvenience and stress this decision may cause. Please know that we are committed to supporting you through this transition and will provide all available resources to ease the process.”
BRADENTON BEACH – Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge #2188 sustained heavy damage during hurricanes Helene and Milton, but lodge administrator Byron Dalton and the lodge officers hope to reopen the social quarters in late April or May.
In late September, Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic storm surge crashed through the dining room windows that face the Gulf of Mexico and destroyed the exterior walls and interior contents in its path. But the social quarters and bar area at the south end of the building fared a little better.
Hurricane Helene tore through the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge’s beachfront windows. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
During the children’s Christmas party held this year at Bradenton Moose Lodge #1223 on Dec. 14, Dalton discussed the damage sustained and the recovery plans being formulated for the beachfront lodge in Bradenton Beach that has more members than any other Moose lodge in the world.
Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge administrator Byron Dalton will help lead the recovery efforts. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“The two hurricanes were quite devasting,” he said.
Dalton and the lodge officers got together, reviewed contractor proposals and decided which contractor they wanted to lead the permitting process and restoration efforts.
The plan is to construct a wall between the social quarters in the south half of the building and the more heavily-damaged dining room and the north half of the building. The social quarters, bar area, restrooms and office area in the southern half of the bright blue building will be repaired first. And when the social quarters reopen, so will the second story deck above it.
The AMI Moose Lodge faces the Gulf of Mexico. – Joe Hendricks | SunThe hurricanes created debris piles inside the Moose lodge. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“Hopefully, at the end of April, possibly May, we’ll have the social quarters open and we’ll be serving cocktails, refreshments and meals of some sort. We’ve been looking at possibly putting a food trailer in the parking lot,” Dalton said.
Hurricane Helene’s water and sand intrusion destroyed and displaced the Moose lodge furnishings. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Dalton said the saltwater storm surge damaged the coolers and kitchen equipment that will eventually be replaced, but due to FEMA’s 50% repair value restrictions, he doesn’t envision the kitchen reopening when the social quarters reopen. Due to FEMA annual repair limits, the repair and/or reconstruction of the dining room and the north half of the building will likely be put on hold for another year.
“We’re hoping to get that area stabilized and leveled and possibly use it as an outdoor seating area as people come off the beach,” Dalton said.
The north half of the lodge, on the left, received the most significant damage. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Recovery funds
Dalton said the lodge was fully insured and its insurance claims and FEMA claims are going well. The Moose International fraternity and the Florida Moose Association may also be able to provide some disaster relief funds.
The AMI lodge established a Zelle account to accept monetary donations from Moose members and others who want to help support the repair and restoration efforts. Zelle users can use the “lodge2188@mooseunits.org” email address to donate.
The “Help AMI Lodge #2188 Workers Recover” GoFundMe page raised $3,615 as of Dec. 22 and that money is being used to provide financial assistance for the AMI Moose Lodge employees currently out of work.
When asked what else Moose members can do to help, Dalton said, “The best thing you can do to help is pay your dues, sign new members up and talk about the Moose organization. Your Moose card and Moose membership are good at any Moose lodge in the United States, Canada and Great Britain. Be a Moose. Visit other Moose lodges.”
A beautiful mural still graces the Moose lodge’s main entry area. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
In closing, he said, “We’re going to be OK. It’s going to be a long road, but we will be back bigger and better than we were. God bless the Moose and thank you everybody.”
Mayor Dan Murphy, City Commission Chair Mark Short, General Manager Dean Jones and City Clerk LeAnne all played vital roles in the city of Anna Maria’s privately-contracted hurricane debris removal efforts that earned praise from residents and state officials. Agnelli’s Pools & Construction owner Frank Agnelli and his crew also played a significant role in the debris removal efforts.
Bayfront Park served as the city of Anna Maria’s debris collection and processing center. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
PIERS DAMAGED
Hurricane Helene badly damaged the Rod & Reel Pier’s wooden walkway. Hurricane Milton then finished the destruction of the iconic pier and restaurant/bar owned by Germany-based brewer and restaurateur Oliver Lemke, who hopes to rebuild the pier and restaurant. As of Dec. 27, the “Help Us Rebuild Rod and Reel Pier” GoFundMe page received $86,702 in donations.
This was all that was left of the Rod & Reel Pier after Hurricane Milton. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
After Hurricane Milton, Ross Built Construction co-owner Lee Ross reunited United Kingdom residents Shira and David Schiller with a memorial plaque recovered from the pier wreckage. The plaque honors the Schiller’s deceased 10-year-old son, Max.
United Kingdom residents David and Shira Schiller were reunited with their son’s memorial plaque, which Hurricane Milton displaced from the Rod & Reel Pier. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The city-owned Anna Maria City Pier survived Hurricane Helene with minimal damage but Hurricane Milton then destroyed a 75- to 100-yard section of the pier walkway completed in 2020 as part of the pier replacement project necessitated by the pier damage that Hurricane Irma inflicted in 2017.
The Anna Maria City Pier walkway sustained heavy damage during Hurricane Milton. – Joe Hendricks | SunThe Anna Maria City Pier and pier buildings will remain closed until the needed repairs are completed.
The City Pier will remain closed until the repairs are completed. Mayor Dan Murphy initially estimated the repair costs might be in the $3 million range. In November, the city commission approved a $347,660 contract for the inspection, engineering, permitting and project oversight services to be provided by the George F. Young engineering firm. The city has not yet solicited bid proposals from contractors seeking the pier repair contract.
FERRY SERVICE
Manatee County’s Gulf Islands Ferry service began in January with stops at the Riverwalk Day Dock and the Anna Maria City Pier. Service to the Bradenton Beach Pier began in February.
In January, 8-year-old Marlon Haoui was the first Gulf Islands Ferry passenger to disembark on the Anna Maria City Pier, assisted by crew member Mike Pollard. – Joe Hendricks | SunManatee County had a temporary ferry landing installed near the hurricane-damaged Anna Maria City Pier. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
After being disrupted by hurricanes Helene and Milton, ferry service between Bradenton and Bradenton Beach resumed on Nov. 1. Ferry service resumed at the recently installed temporary ferry landing near the hurricane-damaged City Pier on Dec 26.
RENTAL REGULATIONS OPPOSED
Assisted by a Tallahassee-based lobbyist, and using the city-owned Home Rule Florida website that generated more than 20,000 opposition letters and emails sent to state legislators and Gov. Ron DeSantis, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and City Clerk LeAnne Addy were at the forefront of the successful campaign waged statewide in opposition to the Florida Legislature’s latest attempt to preempt short-term vacation rental regulation to the state and strip Florida cities of their local regulatory rights. In late June, DeSantis vetoed the proposed vacation rental legislation.
Mayor Dan Murphy led the city of Anna Maria’s vacation rental legislation opposition campaign. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
COMMISSION RECONFIGURED
In January, Kathy Morgan-Johnson and Gary McMullen were appointed to fill two vacancies on the Anna Maria City Commission. In November, Dan Murphy ended his 10-year tenure as Anna Maria’s mayor.
Dan Murphy served five consecutive two-year terms as Anna Maria’s mayor. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
After defeating former commissioner Brian Seymour in the mayoral election, former City Commission Chair Mark Short became Anna Maria’s new mayor. Running unopposed, McMullen and first-time candidate Chris Arendt also earned two-year terms in office.
Mark Short is Anna Maria’s new mayor. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
In November, citing hurricane displacement, damage and a desire to leave the Island, Commissioner Jon Crane tendered his immediate resignation and vacated the remaining year of his current commission term. In late-December, Seymour and John Lynch submitted applications seeking the commission appointment to be made in early January.
MILLAGE REDUCED
In June, Mayor Dan Murphy proposed reducing the city of Anna Maria’s ad valorem property tax millage rate from 2.05 to 1.82 mills. When discussed again in late July, Murphy proposed lowering the millage rate to 1.75 mills. The city commission majority later adopted an even lower 1.65 millage rate – the largest known millage reduction to ever occur on Anna Maria Island, according to Murphy.
COMMISSION ACTIONS
In 2024, the Anna Maria City Commission supported allowing leashed dogs in City Pier Park (except during city-hosted special events), temporarily allowing business owners to use two sandwich boards signs and one flag or banner to promote their businesses during the ongoing hurricane recovery period, allowing three Anna Maria businesses to continue selling otherwise prohibited CBD and hemp products and supporting the yet-to-be-installed shade sails over the children’s playground at City Pier Park.
Dogs are now allowed in City Pier Park. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
In response to concerns expressed by some business owners, the city commission in March pledged that the city would not impact the existing parking spaces along Gulf Drive by extending to the north the multi-use path that currently ends at Willow Avenue.
RESTAURANTS SOLD
In July, Ed Chiles sold his Sandbar, BeachHouse and Mar Vista restaurants to the Pinellas County-based Beachside Hospitality Group. The Manatee County Property Appraiser’s website lists the Daytona Beach-based Pine24 Oceanside SB LLC as the property owner for the Sandbar property in Anna Maria that sold for $16.4 million, the BeachHouse property in Bradenton Beach that sold for $9.6 million and the Mar Vista property in Longboat Key that sold for $5.4 million.
Hurricanes Helene and Milton damaged the Sandbar restaurant in Anna Maria, after it was sold earlier in the year. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
OPPAGA STUDY
2024 came and went without Anna Maria Island officials and residents being provided copies of the OPPAGA consolidation study requested in late 2023 by state legislators Jim Boyd, Will Robinson Jr. and others.
PASSINGS
In March, Bradenton Beach and Pines Trailer Park resident Ellen Scott passed away at 85. In May, Holmes Beach resident and Nautilus condominium complex manager Fritz Dahlquist passed away at 70. In June, LaPensee Plumbing, Pools and Air co-founder Mike LaPensee passed away at 79. In August, former City Pier bait shop bartender and longtime Bradenton resident Brian Blaine passed away at 51. In May, drummer John “Duncan” Edgar passed away in his early 60s. In July, lead singer, lead guitarist and bass player Zack Yoder passed away at 32.
Mike LaPensee was among the notable Anna Maria Island community members who passed away in 2024. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
BEYOND ANNA MARIA ISLAND…
COUNTY ELECTIONS
2,316 Manatee County voters switched their party affiliations to be eligible to vote in the Republican primary races that were decided in August. In the primary election, Island voters helped Tal Siddique defeat April Culbreath in the District 3 Manatee County Commission race. Island voters helped incumbent District 7 at-large County Commissioner George Kruse defeat then-District 3 Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge in the countywide District 7 race.
George Kruse, Tal Siddique and Scott Farrington won their primary and general election races. – George Kruse | Submitted
Island voters also helped former Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office Chief of Staff Scott Farrington defeat Gov. Ron. DeSantis’ appointee, James Satcher, in the supervisor of elections race. After his primary defeat, Satcher had four elections office employees terminated. In November, Siddique, Kruse and Farrington won their general election races.
SEWAGE DISCHARGES
In August, during and after Tropical Storm Debby, the city of Bradenton’s water reclamation facility discharged an estimated 25 million gallons of partially treated or raw sewage into the Manatee River. During that same period, the city of Sarasota discharged an estimated 18 million gallons of partially treated or raw sewage into Sarasota Bay.
The city of Bradenton’s water reclamation facility discharged millions of gallons of partially treated or untreated wastewater into the Manatee River in 2024. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
In November, the city of Bradenton Beach discharged an additional 825,000 gallons of partially treated or raw sewage into the Manatee River and 2,000 gallons of raw sewage into Wares Creek.
In November, a 66-year-old Bradenton man had his leg amputated after contracting vibrio vulnificus (flesh eating bacteria) while fishing in Sarasota Bay near the El Conquistador Parkway.
Throughout the year, the Florida Department of Health issued multiple no-swim advisories for the Palma Sola Causeway area in west Bradenton and the Bayfront Park area in Anna Maria.
FORM 6 CHALLENGED
In February, the South Florida-based Weiss Serota law firm filed federal and state lawsuits challenging a new Florida law that required Florida mayors and city commissioners to file Form 6 financial disclosure forms that include the disclosure of one’s net worth, tangible assets and debts. Mayors and city commissioners were previously required to file the less intrusive Form 1 disclosure form and approximately 100 city officials statewide resigned before the new law took effect on Jan. 1, 2024. In June, a federal judge issued a temporary injunction suspending the Form 6 disclosure requirements for mayors and city commissioners. As of Dec. 31, the Form 6 disclosure requirements remained suspended pending a final verdict.
ANNA MARIA – Ginny’s and Jane E’s Café reopened on Dec. 18 at 7 a.m. The café and retail business had been closed since the pre-Hurricane Helene evacuations took place in late September.
Paul and Tammy Foster bought Ginny’s and Jane E’s in 2012 and the café’s indoor and outdoor seating areas are popular gathering places for residents, seasonal visitors and vacationers alike.
Paul and Tammy Foster have owned Ginny’s and Jane E’s since 2012. – Joe Hendricks | SunPaul Foster, Tammy Foster, daughter-in-law Briana Foster, employee Morgan Lowe, daughter Amanda DeLeo, granddaughter Elody DeLeo and son-in-law Mike DeLeo were among those on hand for the reopening. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“It was great to see people come back and we had a lot of familiar faces,” Paul Foster said late Wednesday morning. “Most of the folks in here today are locals, or regulars that come every year.”
The reopening day clientele also included the Gimlin family, from Missouri, who enjoyed a late breakfast while visiting Ginny’s and Jane E’s for the first time.
The Gimlin family paid their first visit to Ginny’s and Jane E’s. – Joe Hendricks | SunGinny’s and Jane E’s is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Regarding the sense of community that permeates Ginny’s and Jane E’s, Foster said, “Some of these people have been coming to Ginny’s for a long, long time. There’s so many folks that just love to sit in here and see what’s going on and we love that. We have a lot of positive energy here.”
Ginny’s and Jane E’s is located in the old IGA grocery story building owned by the Cagnina family. Hurricane Helene’s floodwaters ruined the old wooden floor that’s now been replaced by a new tile floor. Much of the drywall had to be replaced, as did the kitchen equipment and the coolers.
Ginny’s and Jane E’s features an eclectic array of retail offerings. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“We moved the inventory out before the storms came, so we lost no inventory,” Foster noted.
The coffee bar previously located along the north wall is now located along the south end of the inside dining area, near the sunroom entrance that’s currently boarded as that area still awaits repairs.
The coffee bar has been relocated. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The sunroom has long served as a regular Tuesday and Thursday morning gathering place for the informal Ginny’s and Jane E’s coffee club members, some of whom returned Thursday morning for their much-missed coffee and conversation.
On Wednesday, the iconic Ginny’s and Jane E’s sign was still stored in the sunroom, but the following night it returned to its familiar perch above the main entrance at the corner of Gulf Drive and Magnolia Avenue.
The Ginny’s and Jane E’s sign went back up on Dec. 19. – Paul Foster | Submitted
When discussing the economic impacts of the back-to-back hurricanes, Foster said, “We were a week shy of being closed for three months. There was no revenue for three months, but you still have a lot of the operating costs. I’m just thankful and happy that we’re open. There was a minute or two when I wasn’t sure we were ever going to get here. The place looked like a bomb went off and yesterday we were still putting it back together. But it all came together and we had a lot of our staff helping us.”
Foster said they retained most of their staff but did lose a few employees during the extended closure.
When asked about his expectations for the Christmas holidays and the peak tourist season to soon follow, Foster said, “There’s still a lot of vacation rentals that aren’t open yet, so occupancy’s going to be less. I don’t know what to expect.”
The hopeful message on this retail item seems quite appropriate. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The Fosters live in the Key Royale community in Holmes Beach and like many Anna Maria Island homeowners are temporarily displaced from their home. They are currently living in their fifth-wheel trailer at the Holiday Cove RV resort in Cortez as their home is being repaired.
BUSINESS NEIGHBORS
The two-story Cagnina-owned commercial building is also occupied on the ground level by Snips Hair Design and upstairs by Body & Sol Spa and Wellness, with Island Yoga Space sharing some of the Body & Sol space torn apart by Hurricane Milton.
Also located in the old IGA building, Body & Sol Spa and Wellness, Island Yoga Space and Snips Hair Design remain closed. – Joe Hendricks | SunHurricane Milton severely damaged the upper level of the old IGA building. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Body & Sol owner Amanda Escobio said she hopes to reopen in March and her Sea-renity Beach Spa and Bou-Tiki in Bradenton Beach reopened in late November. Island Yoga Space owner Cindy Phillips looks forward to her March or April return to the building she’s occupied for more than 17 years.
“The owners of the building have been incredibly proactive in getting the ball rolling with repairs so we can be in business again by springtime,” Phillips said.
As of last week, Snips Hair Design remained closed, with plywood still covering the ground-level entrance.
Ginny’s and Jane E’s opens daily at 7 a.m. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Ron Vanderman stopped by to say hello to Paul Foster when Ginny’s and Jane E’s reopened. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Longtime Island resident Neville Clarke dropped by to say hi to Paul Foster. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
The retail inventory was removed before Hurricane Helene hit. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Emmett Tresaugue and the rest of the staff are glad to be working again. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
ANNA MARIA – FEMA financial assistance may be available to Anna Maria Island homeowners who wish to elevate their ground-level homes to avoid future flooding.
Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short made this announcement during the city commission’s Dec. 12 meeting. He told commissioners he invited the city’s FEMA consultant, Del Schwalls, to address the commission and the public on Thursday, Jan. 9. Schwalls assists the city with its flood insurance-related Community Rating System compliance efforts that help provide Anna Maria property owners with reduced flood insurance rates.
Short said it’s been brought to the city’s attention that there are FEMA programs that may benefit Anna Maria and Anna Maria Island residents, including a program that may possibly help fund a significant percentage of the cost associated with elevating a ground-level home for flood prevention purposes.
Short said he asked Schwalls to make a presentation about the elevation assistance program, what it entails, what would be required of the city and what it would mean for residents and property owners interested in pursuing FEMA assistance.
“This all came out in the flood of information we’ve received since the hurricanes. I do think it could be of interest to some of our property owners,” Short said.
Commission Chair Charlie Salem suggested promoting the Jan. 9 presentation on the city’s Facebook page so residents and property owners are aware of it. The meeting is scheduled at 2 p.m. at city hall.
“I know this would be of interest to a number of people in our community,” Salem said.
Anna Maria General Manager Dean Jones agreed and said the presentation might also be of interest to property owners elsewhere on Anna Maria Island.
ANNA MARIA – Operating inside a large trailer parked at City Pier Park, the temporary Anna Maria Post Office is now operating as a full-service postal facility.
Anna Maria Postmaster Sheila Brunger said on Dec. 11 that full-service postal operations began inside the trailer about three weeks ago. Prior to that, limited mail service was conducted out of mail trucks parked under the City Park shade sail.
The temporary post office now operates inside this trailer at City Pier Park. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Home mail delivery has never been available in Anna Maria and residents, property owners and business owners historically have retrieved their mail at the post office.
Brunger said the temporary post office contains 780 post office boxes. The hurricane-damaged post office building across the street on Pine Avenue contained approximately 2,000 and approximately 900 of those were in use when Hurricane Helene hit.
The temporary post office contains 780 P.O. boxes. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“If they had one over there, we transferred it over here. So, they have the same number, the same address and we reissued the keys to them beginning the Monday before Thanksgiving so they can pick up their own mail again,” Brunger said as a steady flow of residents passed through the temporary post office.
“It’s nice to be inside, but we’d rather be at home in our post office again,” she added.
Some restoration work has taken place at the main post office building. – Joe
Brunger doesn’t know yet when the hurricane-damaged post office will reopen but some restoration work has been done. On Dec. 12, an Andy’s Carpet Cleaning van was parked outside the post office building with a hose extending into the post office building. The storm surge-damaged drywall has been removed.
Time is running out to mail those Christmas gifts. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
When asked about holiday mailing, postal worker Kristen Gray said, “It’s Christmas time. Mail early.”
“Do it ASAP,” Brunger added. A sign affixed to the front door of the temporary post office lists Dec. 18-21 as the deadlines for gifts to arrive in time for Christmas using priority USPS shipping services.
BRADENTON BEACH – After nearly three months of uncertainty, 83 of the 86 Pines Trailer Park owners received a notice from the city that they may repair their hurricane-damaged mobile homes with the proper permits.
Some residents remain hesitant to move forward with repairs, however, saying questions about the Pines ownerships’ intent for the park are still unanswered.
Pines residents received a letter from Bradenton Beach Building Official Darin Cushing on Dec. 9, which stated in part: “We previously provided you with a notice that your property may have been affected by flooding due to hurricanes Helene and Milton, and that a second, more thorough inspection would be performed to gather data critical to making a formal determination as to whether the cost of repairs necessary to restore your building to its pre-damage condition might rise to an amount constituting ‘substantial damage’ as defined in the City’s Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance 21-538.”
Following the results of that second inspection, and with a review of the data, as well as a review of the property values, repairs may be made with the applicable permits, according to the letter. Permits include, but are not limited to, structural repairs to the foundation or building envelope, including roof repairs, electrical repairs, plumbing repairs and mechanical repairs.
“At this time, the data suggests that costs to perform repairs and restoration will not constitute a substantial damage repair,” Cushing’s letter stated.
Cushing, former city building official Steve Gilbert and a team of 20 inspectors provided by the state conducted the inspections.
To track and document costs, a Floodplain Development Permit application, including building permits as needed, must be submitted to the city building department, Cushing’s letter stated.
The Pines mobile homes had varying levels of water intrusion during the storm surge from Hurricane Helene in September.
At an Oct. 17 city commission meeting, Pines residents had been told that FEMA guidelines related to any water covering the floors caused by a hurricane deemed their structures as having major damage. Based on those guidelines, and prior to interior inspections, they were deemed substantially damaged and subject to a city floodplain ordinance requiring elevation of the mobile homes.
”After the city’s initial reaction to what FEMA representatives said, the city has been fair, especially Darin Cushing,” Pines mobile homeowner Elayne Armaniaco said on Dec. 13. “Darin has been an advocate for fairness in the FEMA process.”
On Dec. 13, a representative for Pines ownership, Pines Park Investors LLC, had no comment on the matter.
Pines homeowner Ryan Pfahler said on Dec. 5 that he and others were hesitant to move forward with repairs until they receive guarantees from the park ownership about the continued existence of the park, along with having other issues addressed.
One of those issues included parking.
Owned by Shawn Kaleta, one of the owners of the Pines Trailer Park, the parking lot at 201 First St. N., used by close to half of the Pines residents, was recently converted to a public paid parking lot. Those Pines residents’ annual paid parking passes, at a cost of $750 a year, will expire on Dec. 31.
“Many of the residents currently have no parking available,” Pfahler wrote in a Dec. 13 text message to The Sun. “It appears that the LLC park owners have converted the only parking lot into a public pay-by-the-hour parking lot, further inconveniencing residents and creating logistical challenges.”
Pfahler said on Dec. 13 that he is awaiting clarification about the parking issue and said other issues at the park also need to be addressed.
“There is no park manager in place, nor has any plan been communicated regarding who residents should address for concerns or emergencies,” he wrote and he is asking park ownership for the following:
• “Provide immediate clarification on who is managing the park and how residents can raise concerns or issues;
• Clearly communicate the landowner’s long-term plans for the park;
• Provide written guarantees or commitments regarding lot rent stability and park longevity;
• Address plans for repairing and maintaining shared facilities and services;
• Restore resident parking or provide an alternative parking solution; and
• Commit to consistent, transparent communication regarding park developments and resident concerns.”
ANNA MARIA – The first of two city-sponsored “Ring in the Recovery” events drew residents and visitors to Pine Avenue on Saturday afternoon.
A second “Ring in the Recovery” event is scheduled on Saturday, Dec. 21 from 1-5 p.m.
The events are a celebration of the Anna Maria businesses that have reopened since the city was struck by hurricanes Helene and Milton in late September and early October.
‘Barb the elf,’ Mrs. Claus and Santa welcomed Mayor Mark Short. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Mayor Mark Short invited Santa Claus to sit outside the Anna Maria Historical Museum and visit with youngsters, who were also given gifts. Santa (played by Anna Maria General Manager Dean Jones) was joined by Mrs. Claus (his wife, Laurie) and a helpful elf (Administrative Assistant Barbara Jeffries), whose son, Jackson, handed out candy canes while Mike Sales performed Christmas songs.
Mike Sales performed Christmas music. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“We’re trying to show how much we’ve recovered from the hurricanes and we want to promote the businesses along Pine Avenue and throughout Anna Maria. The city is helping get the word out that they are open for business,” Short said. “This is our first celebration. We’ll have another one next Saturday and we hope to see more people here as we ring in the holiday season.”
Short was joined on the museum grounds by his wife, Pat, and several family members who later visited many Pine Avenue businesses.
Attendees included London residents Kelly and Ramanan Rajamanohara and their infant son, Rory.
London residents Kelly and Ramanan Rajamanohara and their infant son, Rory, visited Santa. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Originally from Scotland, Kelly said she’s been visiting Anna Maria since she was 17 or 18 years old. She said they considered postponing their trip, but ultimately decided to vacation on Anna Maria Island as planned.
“My uncle came in the middle of November and said everything was quickly cleaned up,” she said. “It seems a lot quieter, but more businesses are up and running than I expected, which is impressive.”
Ramanan noted more businesses have reopened since they arrived.
Retired U.S. Marine Christian Ulanch and Michigan resident Laurie Schaal said hello to Santa. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Anna Maria resident and retired U.S. Marine Christian Ulanch posed for a photo with Santa, joined by his friend Laurie Schaal, who made a weekend escape from the winter weather in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Schaal asked Santa for some sunny weather before she returned to Michigan on Monday.
BUSINESS RECOVERY
Across the street from the museum, The Island Cabana retail store that reopened on Black Friday had several customers inside browsing and buying.
The Island Cabana is open for business. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Next door, AMI Outfitters owner Jennifer Hagey said she and her husband, David, also reopened their store on Black Friday. She said business has been slow but she hopes business will pick up as more vacation rental guests return.
AMI Outfitters owner Jennifer Hagey is happy to be open again.- Joe Hendricks | SunSloane, Harlow and Emmy Self visited AMI Outfitters. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“It’s just nice to be open again,” she said.
Like most ground-level businesses along Pine Avenue, AMI Outfitters suffered storm surge-related water damage.
“A week before Thanksgiving, we had 4 feet of drywall cut out. We lost furnishings and we lost inventory. We weren’t starting from scratch, but it was pretty close. We appreciate the visitors and the local support we’ve been getting and it’s great to see the locals coming back in,” Hagey said.
Olive Oil Outpost owner Kelly Kari reopened her business on Dec. 10. – Joe Hendricks Sun
Olive Oil Outpost owner Kelly Kari said, “We opened on Tuesday and today we’re just getting things more in order, having our doors open, welcoming everybody back and trying to get our rhythm back that we’ve had for the last 15 years. We took on about 2 feet of water. We had to have the drywall replaced and mold mitigation done. We had to buy new refrigeration equipment and new fixtures but it feels good to be open again. We specialize in olive oil, but we also have wine, cheeses, meats, pastas and pasta sauces,” she said.
She’s keeping her fingers crossed for the upcoming holiday and tourist seasons and she said, “Come on out to Pine Avenue.”
AMI Beach & Dog Supply owner Janalee Gallagher’s dog, Dante, joined her for a photo-op.
AMI Beach & Dog Supply owner Janalee Gallagher said, “We got a foot-and-a-half to 2 feet of water – just enough to take out the drywall and the electrical. We lost most of our dog food and dog treats and our dog shirts, dog bandanas and those kinds of things absorbed a lot of the smell.
“We reopened two weeks before Thanksgiving and we were the first retail store open on Pine Avenue. I don’t know that it did us a lot of good, because there was no traffic, but we’re starting to see a lot of local folks coming out, which is fantastic. And I make sure to thank the people who are coming from out of town. I say thanks so much for not canceling your vacation. We’re glad to be here because some places aren’t coming back. We’re lucky.”
Kiersten Blandon and Hometown Desserts owner Cindy Tutterow worked outside the dessert shop, next to a pink Christmas tree. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Hometown Desserts owner Cindy Tutterow and her employee, Kiersten Blandon, had a table set up outside the dessert shop, next to a pink Christmas tree.
“Today we’re just taking Christmas orders and selling gift certificates and our pretty coffee mugs. We’re going to try to open next Saturday, the 21st,” Tutterow said. “We make all kinds of cakes, including our best seller, key lime coconut cake. We also make pies, cookies, decorated Christmas cookies and some gluten-free items too.”
Blandon said, “I’m excited. I miss working and seeing everybody coming into the shop.”
Shiny Fish Emporium owner Rebecca Preston reopened for Thanksgiving weekend after about 3 feet of water flooded the emporium and damaged her inventory, drywall and displays.
Shiny Fish Emporium owner Rebecca Preston appreciates being open again. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“It’s been quiet, but weekends are better and we are seeing some tourists,” she said.
When describing the emporium’s offerings, Preston said, “A little bit of wonderment. Resort wear, Christmas ornaments, comic books, crafts, European toys, sunglasses from Paris and artisan jewelry.”
Looking ahead to the holidays and the hoped-for peak tourist season, she said, “I’ve had people reach out and say they’re excited to come back and they’re excited the Island is coming back so quickly.”
On his 12th birthday, Gabriel Vasser and his loved ones visited Shiny Fish Emporium. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Imari Deadrick was part of a group of visitors from Detroit who were vacationing in Bradenton while celebrating Gabriel Vasser’s 12th birthday. They took a day trip to Anna Maria Island on Saturday and enjoyed lunch at the BeachHouse restaurant in Bradenton Beach before heading to Anna Maria, where they painted sand dollars while sitting outside Shiny Fish Emporium.
When asked if they had any concerns about their vacation plans, Deadrick said, “We were a little bit nervous, but we have social media now and that kept us updated on how it was looking down here. This is our first trip here and it looks really good. We’re checking off everything we had planned on our itinerary and we leave tomorrow.”
New York residents Kelly and Harper Blanco painted sand dollars at Shiny Fish Emporium. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Kelly Blanco and her daughter, Harper, also sat outside Shiny Fish Emporium painting sand dollars. They traveled from New York, were staying in Tampa for a soccer tournament and decided to take a day trip to Anna Maria.
“I’ve never been to Anna Maria. I love it. We’ll have to come back and stay with our whole family,” Kelly said.
Pizza Social owner Andrew Simonetti offers discounts for local customers. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Pizza Social owner Andrew Simonetti said they reopened the Sunday before Thanksgiving after suffering about 2 feet of water intrusion that damaged their equipment, coolers and the electrical components in the pizza oven. He and his manager did all the restoration work themselves to avoid being on someone else’s timeline.
“It feels good to be open and running a pizzeria again,” Simonetti said. “Business isn’t what it was, but we’ll build back up as more vacation rental homes become available. And we offer a year-round discount to locals. Let us know you’re a local and we’ll apply a discount to your order.”
Nong Klainthind, Woody Tajawandee and Ton Ton Chueakuna represented Sushi Ramen. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The Sushi Ramen restaurant on Gulf Drive is now open and during Saturday’s event, owner Woody Tajawandee and employees Ton Ton Chueakuna and Nong Klainthind set up a table in front of Lazy Turtle Beach Rentals on Pine Avenue and served free samples of chicken curry on rice.
Lazy Turtle Beach Rentals and Anna Maria Island Tours Operations Manager Tom “T-Bone” Anderson said he reopened soon after Hurricane Milton.
“Our building was just high enough that we’ve been able to be open the whole time,” he said. “We had a good Thanksgiving week but the lead up to Christmas is always slow. We’re looking to be busier the week after Christmas.”
Looking ahead to the peak tourist season, he said, “We’ll be back on track just like every other year.”
Pineapple Marketplace vendor Sam Heil is pleased with the progress made. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The multi-vendor Pineapple Marketplace reopened on Dec. 11, and Reclaimed Soul vendors Sam (Samantha) and Jim Heil were there Saturday.
“We’re just excited to be open again. I think we look good considering how we looked a couple months ago,” Sam said, noting some vendors are still bringing back their inventory.
Jim said he and AMI Guy vendor Mark McConnell replaced all the water-damaged display walls that also help separate the vendors.
Kristen Curtis is part of the Beach Bums team. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Next door, the floors inside Beach Bums are being replaced but their golf cart, bike and kayak rentals and limited retail sales are still taking place out on the front deck. Manager Kathy Manning said they hope to be back inside again by Christmas.
The Anna Maria General Store, Dips Ice Cream and gRub Tropical BBQ are open. At the nearby Bayview Plaza, Two Sides of Nature and AMI Cool Beans have reopened and Two Scoops ice cream will reopen this week. The neighboring Waterfront restaurant also recently reopened. At the other end of Pine Avenue, North Shore Café, Poppo’s Taqueria and The Donut Experiment have reopened.
BEYOND PINE AVENUE
Around the corner, The White Egret home interior store at 10006 Gulf Drive owned by Barbara and John Jaeger reopened Saturday. They also own the Egret’s Nest clothing boutique next door.
The White Egret lost its roof during Hurricane Milton.
“All the merchandise we had was put upstairs because we thought we’d get a bigger surge than Helene, so we lost tons of inventory,” John said.
On a brighter note, he said, “We’ve been open since 10 o’clock today. It feels great. We scrambled for a good month trying to get this place ready to go. We were going to try to open the Egret’s Nest first, but the roof leaked during the last rainstorm. We hope to reopen that in January.”
White Egret employees Pamela Kimmey, Cindy Wright and Jackie Wurster are thrilled to be open again. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Director of Operations Pamela Kimmey said, “We are thrilled to be here. It’s been a great day. We have a great team that worked tirelessly to get it to look like this today. We combined the two stores for now, so we have clothing, jewelry, handbags, home interior items, artwork, lamps, gift cards and all our Christmas items. People come in year-round to take a Christmas ornament home as a token of their vacation.”
The reopened businesses along Gulf Drive also include the Nomad Collection, Bortell’s Lounge, Harry’s Grill, the Mademoiselle Paris restaurant, The Porch restaurant, the Beach Hut convenience store, Q’s Beach Boutique, Robin Hood Rentals and Slim’s Place, with Ginny’s and Jane E’s Café reopening on Wednesday, Dec. 18. The Grand Pavilion at Sandbar, at the end of Spring Avenue, has also reopened.
