BRADENTON – The Greg LaPensee Bowling Tournament at Bowlero in Bradenton on Sept. 6 was a fun-filled community event that raised funds for The Center of Anna Maria Island.
Holmes Beach-based LaPensee Plumbing, Pools and Air is the primary sponsor of the annual tournament that honors the late Greg LaPensee, and his father and company founder, Mike LaPensee.
Island kid Saylah Harding bowled on the kids’ lane with help from fellow Island kid Charlie Serra. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The tournament featured teams with up to six bowlers and many teams sported costumes or matching attire.
For the first time, a team representing LaPensee rolled the highest collective one-game score, 872, to claim the top team trophy – a customized bowling pin. The winning team featured Scot Atkinson, George Babcock, Chad Schweitzer, Tara Dawson, Todd McCollum and Roland Orrbach.
Joey Newell was the top male bowler. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Rolling an impressive 240 game, Joey Newell claimed the top male bowler trophy. Bridgette Latessa rolled a 144 to claim the top female bowler trophy and Alex Serra claimed the kids’ trophy with a 210 series.
The Lorax from Duffy’s Tavern showed up to bowl. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
A team of jellyfish-themed bowlers from Bubble Binz and Anna Maria Charters took first place in the costume contest, followed by The Minions from MG Construction and The Lorax from Duffy’s Tavern. A special Spirit Award was given to The Full Send team that bowled in honor of recently-deceased charter fishing captain Jason Stock. Awarded to the least skillful (yet still enthusiastic) bowler, The Gutter Ball Award went to Dina Franklin.
MG Construction came as The Minions. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The fundraising efforts included a silent auction, a 50-50 raffle and raffles that included a sunset cruise for 30 passengers donated by AMI Dolphin Tours.
Joined by her daughter, Shawn Shields, her grandson, Preston LaPensee, and her daughter-in-law, Carlee LaPensee, LaPensee family matriarch Karen LaPensee said, “I’m so proud that we’re able to do this year after year. It’s a fantastic turnout, everybody has fun and I just love this community. Greg was a great bowler and Michael and I just offered our support. It’s a good fundraiser for The Center and it’s grown into something substantial.”
Shawn Shields, Preston LaPensee, Carlee LaPensee and Karen LaPensee gathered beside a photo of Greg and Mike LaPensee. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Carlee said, “I appreciate everyone coming out and supporting The Center. We love Greg (her late husband), and Mike and I’m here in honor of them.”
The Center’s Chris Culhane, Janae Rudacille and Tyler Bekkerus helped organize the tournament. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The Center’s executive director, Chris Culhane, said, “The O’Connor Bowling Challenge started in 1990 to support youth programs at The Center and we’re so happy LaPensee Plumbing, Pools and Air kept it going; and thanks to all the sponsors and all the bowlers. The community has been devastated over the past year and it’s amazing how the community always steps up to support The Center and each other. It’s not about The Center; it’s about our community.”
Bowlers of all skill levels participated in the fundraising tournament. - The Center/Jeff Higgins | Submitted
Clayton Gunn was part of MG Construction's Minion bowlers. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
The Pinheads bowled to support The Center. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
The Full Send team bowled in honor of the late Jason Stock. - The Center | Submitted
The School for Constructive Play preschool operates at The Center and the teachers bowled in the tournament. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
These youngsters expressed their exuberance. The Center/Jeff Higgins | Submitted
Dina Franklin won the Gutter Ball Award. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
This bowler wore a bowling pin on her head. - The Center/Jeff Higgins | Submitted
Carol Whitmore, Amanda Horne, Darcie Duncan, John Horne and Alex Harllee had a good time. - Joe Hendricks | Submitted
This team represented The Center. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Holmes Beach City Commission candidate Jessica Patel and her husband, Dhaval, enjoyed the tournament. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
This team represented The Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
The Franklin family's attire included some clever bowling-themed T-shirts. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
The silent auction included an e-bike.- Joe Hendricks | Sun
The spirit of the late, great gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson enjoyed a beer at the bowling alley. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
PALMETTO – The current members of Kansas and The Outlaws did their predecessors proud during the stellar concert they performed at the Bradenton Area Convention Center on May 2.
Having both surpassed their 50th anniversaries and experienced many lineup changes along the way, the present versions of both bands proudly continue the musical legacies that began with the commercial success first experienced by both bands in the mid- to late-1970s.
With The Outlaws (headliners in their own right) as the opening act and Kansas as the headliner, the convention center crowd was treated to an evening of beloved songs, exceptional musicianship, outstanding instrumental soloing and exquisite lead and harmony vocals projected through a pristine sound system.
Both bands were fully engaged and appreciative of their current status and their joyous and energetic performances were as genuine and authentic as any new or long-time fan of either band could wish for.
The Outlaws
Founded in Tampa, The Outlaws are led by classic 70s-era member Henry Paul, who grew up in Tampa. After leaving The Outlaws in 1977 to pursue a solo career, Paul formed the successful country/rock band Blackhawk in the mid-1990s.
In 2008, Paul returned to The Outlaws. As lead vocalist and acoustic and electric guitarist, he guides the current band that includes Blackhawk founding member Dave Robbins on keyboards and vocals, Blackhawk alumni Jeff Aulich (lead guitar, lead and backing vocals), Jimmy Dormire (lead guitar and backing vocals), Randy Threet (bass and backing vocals) and Mike Bailey (drums). Paul’s son, Henry Paul IV (lead guitar, lead and backing vocals) rounds out the current seven-member lineup.
The Outlaws opened their 40-minute set with a one-two punch of two of their biggest hits: “There’s Goes Another Love Song” and “Hurry Sundown,” both from their mid-70s heyday.
Next was the up-tempo “Freeborn Man” that featured a half-tempo, jazzy, jam band-style instrumental breakdown in the middle that started with a slow-burning organ solo followed by tasty guitar licks from a trio of talented axe slingers.
After a quick hello to the audience, Paul turned the lead vocals duties over to his son for “Born to be Bad.”
Classic era member Henry Paul now leads an equally talented version of the southern rock stalwarts. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Before the next song began, Paul said, “I’ve been looking forward to this evening for a while. We first played with Kansas in Atlanta at a club called Alex Cooley’s Electric Ballroom and we were immediately knocked out by their music and their songs. And in my opinion, Kansas is one of the best bands that came from the 70s and we’re really thrilled and honored to be here tonight to play with them.”
Bailey then played a thunderous drum roll on his floor toms to kick off the band’s 1980 hit, “(Ghost) Riders in the Sky” – covering an old Stan Jones and his Death Valley Rangers song from the 1940s that features a galloping rhythm, twangy, cowboy-inspired guitar licks and the “Yippie-Yi-O, Yippie-Yi-Yay, Ghost Riders in the Sky” sing-along chorus.
When the applause ended, Paul noted the band was playing close to home and he expressed his thanks to all those who’ve been Outlaws fans during the past 50 years.
The Outlaws brought the “Florida Guitar Army” to Palmetto. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
To close their crowd-pleasing opening set, the band launched into their signature song, an epic 16-minute version of “Green Grass and High Tides,” during which Paul, Threet and the three lead guitarists lined up at the front of the stage in salute of The Outlaws’ “Florida Guitar Army” moniker that dates back to their legendary past.
Intermission
The concert was organized and hosted by The Center of Anna Maria Island and the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (BACVB) and co-sponsored by Cedar Cove Resort & Cottages in Bradenton Beach.
When addressing the crowd immediately after The Outlaws’ set, BACVB Executive Director Elliott Falcione said, “We’re finishing the sixth year of the Gulf Islands Concert Series that raises money for the kids at The Center of Anna Maria Island.”
BACVB Executive Director Elliott Falcione addressed the crowd after The Outlaws’ opening set. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Falcione name-checked several bands that performed at The Center during the past six seasons and he made a pitch for additional sponsors for the upcoming seventh season of The Center/BACVB concert partnership.
When addressing the renovations currently taking place at the convention center, Falcione referenced a Kansas song and said, “Sorry about the construction outside. There’s a little bit of dust in the wind out there; and we’re going to have some great ‘Dust in the Wind’ in here.”
Kansas
The Kansas lineup featured Ronnie Platt on lead vocals and keyboards, Joe Deninzon on violin, rhythm guitar and backing vocals, Tom Brislin on keyboards and lead and backing vocals, Zak Rizvi on lead guitar and backing vocals, Eric Holmquist on drums, Dave Edwards on bass and backing vocals (filling in for Dan McGowan, whose wife just had a baby) and Scott Bernard on lead guitar and acoustic guitar, filling in for founding member Rich Williams.
When talking to The Sun a couple of weeks before the Palmetto concert, Platt said the band still rehearses constantly.
“This band drills relentlessly,” he said. “The music demands it, but we are our own worst critics and we really strive to not only make the show perfect but to also give it that live element that enhances the studio versions. It’s a great feeling to do a show and everyone’s firing on all cylinders; and that comes from relentless rehearsing.”
Violinist Joe Deninzon and lead singer/keyboardist Ronnie Platt help carry on the Kansas legacy. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
That commitment to excellence was clearly evident during the 90-minute display of complex, neoclassical progressive rock music that features majestic and soaring lead and vocal harmonies, frequent tempo changes and dynamic musical shifts that range from a solitary keyboard, violin or acoustic guitar to full-band music interludes with blazing violin, keyboard and guitar solos and some good old-fashioned classic 70s guitar riffs.
The 13-song set kicked off with four well-known Kansas songs: “Point of Know Return,” “What’s On My Mind,” “Play the Game Tonight” and “Fight Fire With Fire.”
The band then journeyed back to their pre-commercial success third album, “Masque,” for a rocking version of “Child of Innocence.”
Setting up the next song, Platt told a story about original lead guitarist Kerry Livgren sitting in his living room playing a finger-picking exercise on his acoustic guitar. His wife heard the beautiful melody he was playing and suggested he turn it into a Kansas song.
“He thought about it, and he listened to his wife, and this is what he came up with,” Platt said before the band performed a beautiful and extremely well-received version of “Dust in the Wind.”
Afterwards Platt said, “So, you’ve heard that song before, have you?”
Kansas member Tom Brislin dazzled the audience with his keyboard prowess. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The band then launched into the 10-minute prog-rock title track from their second album, “Song for America,” which featured Brislin’s dazzling keyboard soloing, Deninzon’s fiery violin soloing and some fantastic guitar work by Rizvi and Bernard – all supported by Edwards’ rock solid bass playing and Holmquist’s powerful and technically proficient drumming.
Drummer Eric Holmquist and bass player Dave Edwards held down the bottom end during the Kansas concert. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Next was “Can I Tell You,” from the band’s 1974 debut album, “Kansas,” followed by the inspirational ballad, “Hold On” that includes the lyric, “Hold on baby, baby hold on, because it’s closer than you think and you’re standing on the brink.”
In addition to being a great singer, Platt, who joined the band in 2014, was gracious and appreciative when interacting with the audience. As he does at every show, Platt dedicated “Down the Road” to original violinist and vocalist Robby Steinhardt, who died of natural causes at the age of 71 in Tampa in 2021.
The main set ended with two more classics from the “Leftoverture” album: “The Wall” and “Miracles Out of Nowhere.”
The members of Kansas brought their vast musical talents to Palmetto. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
After leaving the stage briefly and returning for the encore, Platt thanked The Outlaws’ and Kansas production crews that “worked their butts off” to put the show on.
Saving the best for last, the encore began with the instantly recognizable vocal a capella: “Carry on my wayward son, there’ll be peace when you are done, lay your weary head to rest, don’t you cry no more.” Kansas then rocked the convention center audience to a satisfactory conclusion.
Before exiting the stage, Platt said, “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much for making Kansas a part of your life for more than 50 years. And the final question of the evening is: Ladies and gentlemen, did you have a good time tonight? We love you. Please be safe, please stay healthy and we will see you next time.”
ANNA MARIA – Community members filled The Center of Anna Maria Island gymnasium on Feb. 22 to celebrate the life of Ross Built Custom Homes founder Greg Ross.
Greg, 59, passed away unexpectedly at his Holmes Beach home in the overnight/early morning hours of Feb. 15 after celebrating Valentine’s Day with wife, Lee. He’s also survived by their twin sons, Jake and Andrew, and the family’s beloved dogs, Buddy and Daisey.
Friends and family members filled The Center gymnasium for the Greg Ross celebration of life. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Greg grew up in Holmes Beach in neighboring homes owned by his father, Jim, and his grandfather, Anthony. Greg and Lee later built their own home on a lot Anthony bought in 1966.
Greg Ross grew up on Anna Maria Island. – Lee Ross | Submitted
Greg’s lifelong friend, Mike Galati, was the first speaker at the celebration of life. He recalled the many adventures he and Greg shared growing up on the Island – from bicycles and canoes as youngsters to fast cars and fast boats as teenagers and adults.
“Greg was the only child, but he had a brother in me. He’ll be missed, remembered and loved forever.”
Mike Galati grew up on the Island with Greg Ross. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Lee’s sister, Merrill Romanik, accompanied Lee and Greg when they looked at the small bungalow in Tampa that would become their first home and renovation project.
“Lee and I were over the top in love with this place and we expressed our admiration way too much. We met Greg the businessman that day. When we got back in the car, we got lectured. He paid more for that house than he probably should have but we knew that was the house they needed.”
Merrill Romanik expressed love and respect for her brother-in-law. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Greg’s post-college career in pharmaceutical sales brought them from Tampa to Charlotte, North Carolina and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While living in Portland, Oregon, they decided to move to Holmes Beach.
“Greg wanted his boys to experience this place,” Merrill said. “He started to get out of pharmaceuticals and began buying homes, renovating them and ultimately getting his G.C. (general contractor) license.”
Greg Masters was among the many Ross Built homeowners at the celebration of life. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Lakeland resident and Ross Built homeowner Greg Masters said that Greg Ross once braved a vicious storm to search for Masters’ son, who was 20 miles out to sea with his boat engines not working.
“Greg said, ‘I’ll get in my boat and find him.’ That was Greg Ross,” Masters said.
Jake and Andrew
“Greg was a very simple man and only focused his time on a few things: his family, his friends, his business, his health and, most importantly, his dogs,” Jake said.
“I grew up in this gym with Greg as my coach. After college, he was my boss, mentor and teammate on the soccer field. Last season, we ended up winning the championship here and that really meant a lot to him then; and now, a lot to me.
Andrew and Jake Ross spoke glowingly of their late father. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“He was a provider, protector, coach, mentor and friend. I’ll be forever grateful for the man he was. I’m not sure what life will be like without him by my side, but I’m confident he’s prepared me for what’s ahead,” Jake said.
“I’m thankful and grateful for all the time we got to spend together, for everything he taught me,” Andrew said. “He set a great example for the kind of man I want to be. After I graduated college, I had no clue what I wanted to do. So, I came back and started working with him. It was probably the best choice I’ve ever made.”
Andrew noted that Greg grew up playing sports at The Center, coached his sons there and last fall, the three of them competed on the Ross Built adult soccer team.
“He was the second oldest guy out there. We won the championship and you’d have thought he won the World Cup. It meant a lot to him,” Andrew said.
Ross Built Custom Homes closed out Center sports as adult soccer champions last Thursday night. From left, top row, Andrew Ross, Greg Ross, Mack Heitchue, Jake Ross, Kevin Roman, Sydney Cornell and Zacharieah Anabtawi; bottom row, Jack Gibson and James Noblett. – Monica Simpson | Sun
He recalled how Pastor Ed Moss recently told him he and his brother were lucky to have a man like Greg as their father.
“I didn’t think much of it at the time but I’ll remember that forever,” Andrew said.
Lee Ross
Speaking last, Lee said, “The past week has been filled with shock, sadness, fear, heartbreak and more tears than I could have possibly imagined. But because of each of every one of you, I’m turning my sadness and heartbreak into pride and joy and optimism.
Lee Ross expressed gratitude for the life she and Greg shared together. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“Greg has been making friends and playing sports here for 55 years. He started playing baseball when he was about five and he ended his AMICC sports career just last month winning the ‘World Cup,’ ” she said, noting that Greg came home that night filled with immense pride after winning the soccer championship with his sons.
Greg and Lee Ross raised their sons on Anna Maria Island. – Lee Ross | Submitted
Lee expressed thanks for the day she, at the last minute, jumped in a car headed for New Orleans and Mardi Gras. Greg was a University of Florida student and Lee was a Santa Fe College student.
“Greg and I bumped into each other at the fountain at Pat O’Brien’s and the rest is history.”
Greg and Lee Ross met when they were in college. – Lee Ross | Submitted
Regarding Greg’s love for dogs, Lee said, “He was an only child, so a dog became more than just a pet to him. Our two dogs, Buddy and Daisey, are about as important to him as me and the boys,” Lee said, noting that Daisey was in attendance.
A few years ago, Greg turned a ski trip to Wyoming to celebrate Lee’s 55th birthday into a road trip so Buddy could see snow.
“I said, ‘No, we are not driving to Wyoming so a dog can see snow.’ After a few minutes, we started shopping for a Sprinter van. This was the start of working our way through ‘Buddy’s list,’ a list that included eating beignets in Louisiana, sleeping in a ghost town in New Mexico, pulling a slot machine arm in Las Vegas and, at the age of 14, jumping into the Pacific Ocean.
“It didn’t occur to me until this week that we weren’t working Buddy’s bucket list at all. It was Greg’s. At the end of the day, Greg and I had a dream life. While there were many moments that felt less dreamy than others, we never held back with our gratitude and immense appreciation for each other.”
Lee Ross intends to carry on with the Ross Built family business. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Before they left for their Valentine’s Day dinner, Lee and Greg realized neither had done anything special for the romantic holiday, but they shared this realization: “We love each other. We love our life. Everything’s perfect,” Lee said.
After asking the Ross Built employees to stand, Lee said, “Greg loved you all. We’re so proud of everything you do and we look forward to moving forward together.”
After asking the Ross Built subcontractors to join them, Lee said, “I thank you very much for your contributions and we’ll be at work Monday morning. In my commitment to him, I will continue to move forward, as I know that’s exactly what he would want me to do.”
Additional thoughts
Before the ceremony began, Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short said, “Greg was a wonderful man and a great family man. Greg built our house back in 2015-2016 and it was quality work all around. Greg is a true testament to a professional builder and he’ll be missed by all of us.”
Center Executive Director Chris Culhane said, “Greg was on The Center board for many years and he served as board chair. We lost an incredible human and a huge supporter of The Center. It was too soon and he’s going to be missed.”
Lyn Clarke is The Center’s senior soccer player. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Bradenton Beach resident Lyn Clarke was the oldest player to compete in The Center soccer matches last season, and he’s done so since the soccer programs began many years ago.
After the ceremony ended, Clarke said, “What a gentleman Greg was, a brilliant man. I ran into him a couple times on the field, bounced off him and he picked me up.”
When contacted later, Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth said, “I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Greg Ross. He was a champion of the Island community and a friend to many. I offer my condolences to his family and friends.”
Holmes Beach Commissioner Carol Whitmore said, “Greg was a kind man and loving husband. He loved our Island. Greg loved being part of our community center. He will be missed.”
Sato Real Estate co-owner Jason Sato said, “Greg lived the Island life to the fullest. He raised a family here, started a business here and was an active member of the community center with philanthropy and playing adult sports. He lived the Island dream and the Island will miss him.”
Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan said, “I have known Greg since we were kids playing sports at The Center. He was always kind and had a smile on his face. To see what he has created in his family and business is truly special. He was a true Islander whose legacy will live on.”
ANNA MARIA – Under a clear winter sky last Tuesday night, families and friends cheered on the 8- to 10-year-old flag football players at The Center who took the field for the first night of competitive play. After the season kickoff jamboree night, the flag football play was interrupted by a winter storm, delaying week one play.
Last week, the elementary school-age youth took to Field 1 at the community center while the 4- to 5-year-old players learned the game on the small field. Running the field before sundown, team AMI Coconuts and the Slim’s Place squad warmed up with volunteer coaches Bobby McGraw and Sammy Romero and ran plays.
The older kids took their first snaps of the season in games leading to the playoffs starting in March. Solid Rock Construction and The Fish Guy Aquarium Services teams faced each other to start the season, with Solid Rock taking home the first win, 24-7.
Elijah Roadman, the Solid Rock quarterback, threw four touchdown passes for the victory. Ruby Kesten and Samuel Raulerson each made two scoring catches for their team. On the other side of the football, Kesten caught the pass of The Fish Guy’s QB for an interception.
Everett Hood passed for a touchdown to receiver Bruno Peerani, giving The Fish Guy team six points. Adding to the team’s score, Graeme Bekkerus caught the only point after conversion pass in the game for either team.
Despite the deficit on the scoreboard, The Fish Guy Aquarium Services team fought hard on the field for two halves of play.
The Moss Builders team could not find the end zone in their matchup against Adrian Griffin Interiors, who won their on-field battle 18-0. In the three-score game, Grayson Hinckle threw a scoring pass to Jackson Kesten. Kesten added six more points to the score with a rushing TD.
Teammate Asher Patel used his speed to run the football into the end zone while playing on offense. Defensively Patel dominated with four flag pulls and an interception, helping to secure the team’s first win of the season.
Moss Builders’ Owen Mahoney was his team’s standout defensively with nine big stops. Parker Svoboda showed he has reliable hands with three catches and an interception. Juliette Sato and Louis Bacon had defensive stops, exemplifying the efforts of the Moss team despite the loss.
Team Diamond Turf had the bye week to start the winter youth flag football season for the division.
SUN SCOREBOARD
JAN. 27
11- TO 14-YEAR-OLD DIVISION – WEEK 3
Jiffy Lube (3-0) 27
Salty Printing (1-2) 10
Solid Rock Air Conditioning (2-1) 34
Poppos Taqueria (1-2) 26
Sato Real Estate (3-0) Win by Forfeit
Shady Lady Horticultural Services (0-3)
Moss Builders (2-1) 34
Sandhoff Construction (0-3) 12
14- TO 17-YEAR-OLD DIVISION – WEEK 3
Solid Rock Electrical (2-1) 12 Winner by OT Rule
Moss Builders (2-1) 12
Solid Rock Air Conditioning (2-1) 26
Reel Coastal Properties (0-3) 12
HSH Design (1-2) 26
Cortez Florida Vacations (2-1) 24
JAN. 28
8-TO 10-YEAR-OLD DIVISION – WEEK 1
Solid Rock Construction 24
The Fish Guy Aquarium Services 7
Adrian Griffin Interiors 18
Moss Builders 0
JAN. 29
ADULT CO-ED FLAG FOOTBALL – WEEK 5
Moss Air 49
Slim’s Place 6
Gulf Drive Café 33
Floridian Mortgage 21
Ross Built Custom Homes 47
MI-Box 25
Coaster Continent 27
Reel Coastal Properties 19
Moss Builders 41
Solid Rock Construction 27
JAN. 30
ADULT INDOOR SOCCER – WEEK 2
Solid Rock Construction (2-0) 12
Bubble Binz (0-2) 6
Pool America (2-0) 18
Moss Builders (0-2) 9
Sato Real Estate (2-0) 7
Hampton Painting (0-2) 5
ADULT CO-ED FLAG FOOTBALL – WEEK 6
Gulf Drive Café (4-1) 43
Slim’s Place (0-6) 13
Slicker’s Eatery (2-3) 33
Ross Built Custom Homes (2-4) 26
Solid Rock Construction (3-3) 40 Winner by OT Rule
ANNA MARIA – The winter chill kept the 8- to 10-year-old players from taking the field last week, but the older kids and adults battled it out during a slight break in the weather.
On Monday night, the Sato Real Estate team only allowed Sandhoff Construction to score eight points in the 20-8 game. Quarterback Blake Bower threw the touchdown pass to Grady Sandhoff for six points. The additional two points came from a David Evans sack in the Sato Real Estate end zone for the safety.
QB Brandon Sato dominated the game statistics on offense and defense for the Sato Real Estate team. Ashton Bennet was Sato’s target for a touchdown and two single point-after conversions.
Sato ran for a TD and intercepted a Bower pass for a pick-six, helping lead his team to victory. Defensively, the Sato team had 15 recorded flag pulls compared to the six defensive stops by the Sandhoff squad.
Team Shady Lady could not take advantage of the 10 catches made by Stone Mitchell in their loss to Moss Builders. With the final score of 39-6, the arms of Mason Moss and Austin Guess just could not be stopped.
Renan Kesten caught the three scoring passes by Moss and Guess. The receiving statistics for the Moss Builders team speak volumes about the depth of the team. Putting two additional points on the scoreboard were Guess and Bryson Frady, scoring a one-point conversion.
Working as a receiver, Guess had six catches in the game, while Kesten nabbed five of Moss’ throws. Teammates added five additional catches totaling 17 compared to 11 by the Shady Lady Horticultural Services team.
Shady Lady showed their potential with a throw from Charlie Neri to Stone Mitchell for the six points in week two action.
Team Jiffy Lube defeated Solid Rock Air Conditioning 15-6 in a closer matchup. Kyle Mims hit Carson Long for the touchdown and six points for Solid Rock.
Luke VanDuinen, playing for Jiffy Lube, threw to Braelyn Curtis and Callin Westfall for 12 points. Curtis sacked the Solid Rock QB in the end zone resulting in two points for Jiffy Lube.
Adding a point for Jiffy, Tyler Trout caught a VanDuinen throw for a successful point after a touchdown to help with the team win.
Poppos Taqueria and Salty Printing played a tough game, ending with Salty coming out on top 13-7. Tyler Higman found Grayson Cohen for Poppos in the week two loss. Teammate Sawyer Leibfried found the end zone, adding a point to the scoreboard.
Quarterback Jahkari Steele made the difference in the game for Salty Printing, throwing a touchdown pass to Turner Worth and intercepting the Poppos quarterback for a six-point run back after the turnover.
Securing an extra point in the game, Asher Patel was Steele’s go-to to help secure the W.
The teens and adults took to the gridiron last week with victory posted in the statistics for Cortez Florida Vacations, Moss Builders and Solid Rock Air Conditioning.
Playing back-to-back nights last week, the adults go into weeks 5 and 6 this week again with games on Wednesday and Thursday nights.
ANNA MARIA – Featuring 28 vendors, the new Anna Maria Community Farmers Market enjoyed a successful opening day at The Center of Anna Maria Island on Jan. 14.
Accompanied by sunshine and cool-to-moderate temperatures, the market offerings included produce, specialty mushrooms, steaks, poultry, sausage, pasta, fish dip, guacamole, baked goods, coffee, smoothies, nutritional juices, coconut water, licorice, clothing, essential oils, candles, apothecary items, massages, art and more.
The Center’s athletic fields provide space for a weekly farmers market. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The Jan. 21 market got rained out but the market is set to resume on Tuesday, Jan. 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and continue every Tuesday, weather permitting, through May 27. The Center is located at 407 Magnolia Ave. in Anna Maria.
The Anna Maria Community Farmers Market being held on The Center’s outdoor athletic fields temporarily replaces the city-hosted seasonal farmers market held at City Pier Park since 2018. The park cannot currently accommodate a farmers market because the hurricane-displaced Anna Maria Post Office is operating a temporary office there.
Ted Louloudes and Dev Whittaker had a successful opening day as market vendors. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Devinne “Dev” Whittaker and Ted Louloudes co-own the DBTB juice bar & bakery that operates inside The Center. Both were vendors at last year’s city-hosted market and Whittaker organized the new market because she didn’t want the season to pass without a farmers market in Anna Maria.
When visited at their DBTB juice bar & bakery booth at 12:30 p.m. on opening day. Whittaker said, “It’s a beautiful sunny day. We already sold out of our baked goods but we still have some juice and coffee left.”
Louloudes, a former Chiles Group baker, said their baked good offerings included sourdough breads, muffins, scones and cookies.
“We pride ourselves on using organic flour, produce and coffee and there’s no preservatives or seed oils in it,” Whittaker noted.
“Come out and support these local businesses. Everyone was impacted by these hurricanes and this is a beautiful way to get some life back out here. Our vendors are doing well today and it’s been busy. It was a group effort,” she added.
The city-hosted market focused primarily on food, beverages and other consumable products. The new market features many vendors displaced from the city market and several additional vendors selling items not previously sold at the city-hosted market.
Whittaker knows many of the additional vendors from other markets she participated in.
“We made it available to everybody,” she said.
Tillman Thomas was the original produce vendor at the currently displaced city-hosted farmers market. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
T.J. Produce owner Tillman Thomas was an original vendor and annual participant at the city-hosted market that began in 2018.
“We’re glad to be back,” he said. “A lot of our old customers came by to visit and sales were good for the first day.”
Milagros Produce is glad to be selling produce in Anna Maria again. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Milagros Produce is another longtime city market vendor who can now be found at The Center on Tuesdays.
“It’s been really good day. She (Whittaker) did a great job,” Milagros’ vendor Yvette Nunez said.
Paulie Slovak sold his Finn’s smoked fish dip. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Set up near the Hippie Comfort clothing and Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch booths, former South Hampton, New York vendor Paulie Slovak made his Anna Maria market debut selling gourmet smoked fish dip at his Finn’s vending booth.
“I think the market was successful for its first day,” he said, noting he was having a great time.
Alexandria Lowe-Mains and James Mains brought their SeaMonkey Apparel to the market. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
At the nearby SeaMonkey Apparel booth, James Mains and Alexandria Lowe-Mains said they were donating 10% of their sales back to The Center as a small token of appreciation for all the nonprofit has done for the community.
“We’re excited to be here and we’re excited the market’s back in Anna Maria,” Lowe-Mains said.
BroccoBabe owner Lelia Tavrides is one of the displaced city-hosted market vendors. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
BroccoBabe owner Lelia Tavrides, another previous city market vendor, was happy to again be selling her nutrient and antioxidant-rich broccoli sprouts and other microgreens.
“It’s wonderful to see the community back,” she said.
Island Aura owner Carly Burdick is a first-time market vendor. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Making her first-ever market appearance, Island Aura owner Carly Burdick sold handmade body oils, essential oils, bath salts and more. Burdick also practices Reiki healing.
“I’ve never done a market before and this is a great way to get started. I love it,” she said.
WicksNWax owner Patrick Allen enjoyed his Anna Maria market debut. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
At the neighboring WicksNWax booth, Patrick Allen sold custom and decorative candles he and his wife, Gina, made using 100% recycled glass.
“I’ve had a lot of customers today and we’re excited to watch this market grow,” he said.
Surfing Coconut owner Amanda Champ served fresh coconut water from her customized coconuts. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Surfing Coconut owner Amanda Champ served fresh coconut water in a custom-stamped coconut shells she taps open for each order, accompanied by an edible coconut/vanilla straw.
“These are the sweetest coconuts in the world,” she said of the coconuts grown in Thailand.
“We travel all over keeping people hydrated,” she said of her many market and private event appearances.
Jay Horak sold Circle 6 steaks and more. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Jay Horak, from the Circle 6 farm and ranch in Duette, said he’d already sold most of the filet mignon, New York Strip and ribeye steaks but he still had some organic eggs and beef tallow products left, including a beef tallow balm.
Body & Sol owner Amanda Escobio gave this market-goer a massage. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Currently displaced from her hurricane-damaged space above Ginny’s and Jane E’s café, Body & Sol Spa and Wellness owner Amanda Escobio provided massages and other services in the market’s fresh air setting.
“It’s been a nice day and I’ve talked to a lot of people who are still recovering,” Escobio said.
ANNA MARIA – The winter break is over, school is back in session, and the youth flag football season started last Monday night on the Island.
Winter flag football action ensued on The Center gridiron with the tweens and teens. The younger players played their first games with preseason fun and action jamboree-style.
The eight 11- to 14-year-old league teams played their first games of the season. Poppos Taqueria, Jiffy Lube, Sato Real Estate and Solid Rock Air Conditioning took home the first wins of the season for the age group.
The teens, rostering a full league with six teams, played three games last week to start the season. Cortez Florida Vacation and Moss Builders handily defeated their opponents, Solid Rock Air Conditioning and Reel Coastal Properties, respectively.
In the second 14- to 17-year-old league match-up, Solid Rock Electrical faced team HSH Design. Both teams struggled to find the end zone on offense during two halves of play, but defenses for each squad had their shining moments in the 7-6 nailbiter.
The one-point conversion by Henry Dugan after his touchdown catch from quarterback Victor Albrecht made the ultimate difference in the game for team Solid Rock Electrical.
On defense, Solid Rock’s Dugan had three sacks on the HSH Design QB and three flag pulls to his credit. Albrecht added an interception to his season statistics, while teammates Kegan McGlade and Kaleb Romagnino had a total of three defensive stops.
Making his mark on the field for HSH Design was Jack Mattick on defense. In addition to two flag pulls, Mattick picked off the pass of the Solid Rock quarterback. His interception resulted in the six points his team put on the scoreboard.
Playing hard to keep HSH in the game on offense, Chase Castagna had three catches. Teammate Jaxon Kagin caught a pass to gain critical yardage.
Additional defensive pressure by Sterling Holiday and Kyle Castagna with big flag pulls helped keep their team in the game. C. Castagna only enhanced his game stats with two defensive stops of his own.
Despite the continued efforts of both teams, at the final second of the game, the missed point after the HSH Design TD gave Solid Rock Electrical their first win of 2025.
ANNA MARIA – Under the lights of The Center field, the coin toss opened the winter flag football season last Thursday night on the Island. The big kids took to the gridiron with 11 adult co-ed flag football teams playing this season.
The first game started with a 47-6 Moss Builders blowout over the Slim’s Place squad. With Richard Fosmore returning to the field as the Slim’s Place quarterback after many years, his touchdown pass to Dave Kesten just was not a match for the talents of the Moss Builders team.
Offensively, Moss Builders used the arms of team captain Ryan Moss, throwing for four touchdowns, and James Roadman, who also completed four TD passes.
As the scoring targets, Evelyn Long, Zachary Long and Logan Heath all caught two touchdown throws. Roadman was hit by Moss for a six-point catch, as well as a point-after conversion for one point.
Heath and the Longs also helped add points to the scoreboard with post touchdown extra points. The win puts Moss Builders on top after week one play along with teams MI-Box, Floridian Mortgage, Moss Air and Ross Built Custom Homes.
MI-Box showed up to win over the Gulf Drive Café squad 25-12. Matthew Briley led his team to victory as the team captain and QB, throwing for two TDs and taking two to the endzone with rushing yardage.
On the other side of the football, Briley had three interceptions against the Gulf Drive quarterbacks. Christian Hampton had the hot hands for the MI-Box team, catching the two Briley TD passes.
Silas Banyas put statistics in the books with two sacks and a one-point conversion.
Gulf Drive Café’s Cody Allen shut down a MI-Box drive with an interception, picking off Briley. Never giving up, the Gulf Drive team scored 12 points with passes by Jeremy Rodriguez to Steven Pavina, and Pavina to Jaden Grant.
The result of game three was no surprise as team Floridian Mortgage handily won against Reel Coastal Properties. Scoring six points, new Reel Coastal team’s QB Sequiel Marintez threw to Roman Marintez for the team’s only score in the game.
Slicker’s Eatery could only find the endzone once in their match-up against Moss Air. With the final score 20-7, Dominick Otteni connected with Donte Filletti for six points and the one-point conversion to end the team’s scoring.
Chad Woods, Jesse Skipper and Jonathan Soultatos were hit by QB Jonathan Moss. Team captain Moss threw for two extra points, including one to Skipper to seal the win.
Closing out the night in the only nailbiter in week one, Ross Built defeated team Solid Rock Construction by two points. Solid Rock showed their promise this season with team captain Charles “Tuna” McCracken at the helm as the QB. Throwing for two TDs and rushing for 12-points, McCracken led his team to near-victory.
Connor Ludwig and Tyler Brewer caught the McCracken passes, but failed point-after attempts were the ultimate demise of the Solid Rock team.
Ross Built Custom Homes converted on all four extra point plays, while also scoring four touchdowns, with four successful passes by Miguel Rodriguez and Corey Vonborstel. Zaon Williams, Vonborstel and Rodriguez each had solid hands, receiving for 24 points.
Making the difference, Andrew Ross scored one point along with teammate Williams, while Rodriguez scored two additional points to put the first W in the books for their team this season.
ANNA MARIA – Pending city commission approval, the hurricane-displaced, city-hosted farmers market at City Pier Park will be temporarily replaced by an expanded farmers market at The Center of Anna Maria Island.
A promotional flyer provided last week by The Center’s volunteer market coordinator, Devinne “Dev” Whittaker, lists a Tuesday, Jan. 14 start date for the Anna Maria Community Farmers Market scheduled on The Center soccer fields from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The proposed weekly market requires a city commission-approved special event permit and The Center’s permit application is included on the agenda for the commission’s Thursday, Jan. 9 meeting. If approved by city commissioners, The Center will host the Anna Maria Community Farmers Market every Tuesday through May 27.
Located at 407 Magnolia Ave., The Center operates on city-owned property. When contacted by The Sun, Mayor Mark Short said the city is not involved with The Center-hosted market other than considering The Center’s special event permit application.
MARKET DISPLACED
After debuting with four vendors on a stormy day in March 2018, the city-hosted farmers market at City Pier Park became an annual seasonal tradition that began in October every Tuesday, weather permitting, until early to mid-May; and the vendor roster grew to a dozen or more vendors, most of whom returned each year.
Hurricanes Helene and Milton prevented the city-hosted farmers market from resuming in October. After Hurricane Helene struck in late September, City Pier Park was used as a staging area for utility crews and other recovery personnel.
In late October, the U.S. Post Office established a temporary post office under the City Pier Park shade sail structure, where postal workers provided basic mail services out of parked mail trucks. In late November, the temporary post office moved into a large, mobile home-like trailer that remains parked next to the shade sail structure, where it will remain until the hurricane-damaged post office building across the street is repaired and reopened, preventing the market from staging in its former space.
MARKET REIMAGINED
Whittaker and former Chiles Group head baker Ted Louloudes co-own the DBTB Juice Bar & Bakery they operate inside The Center. Whittaker recently proposed relocating the city-hosted farmers market to The Center rather than cancel it for the season. She also offered to help organize and coordinate The Center-hosted farmers market.
Whittaker sold protein shakes and other natural and nutritional beverages at her Dev’s Bevs vending tent during the city market’s 2023-24 season; and Louloudes and his co-workers sold freshly baked bread and other baked goods at Chiles Hospitality group’s Anna Maria Bake House city market vending tent.
In recent years, Deputy City Clerk Fran Berrios coordinated the city-hosted farmers market originally coordinated and managed by previous Deputy City Clerk Debbie Haynes. With some initial assistance from Berrios, Whittaker reached out to the vendors who participated in last year’s city-hosted market. She also reached out to other vendors she knows from other markets she’s participated in. Whittaker said the city is limiting The Center’s market to 30 vendors and all 30 vendor slots have already been filled.
Featuring a dozen or more vendors, the city-hosted market focused primarily on fresh produce, other natural and organic food and beverage items, flowers, plants, herbs and things of that ilk. In an effort to not compete with the local restaurants and retail businesses along Pine Avenue, the city-hosted markets have not featured prepared meals and have not been open to arts and craft vendors or retail vendors whose offerings more resemble those sold at a flea market.
If approved, the Center-hosted Anna Maria Community Farmers Market will offer a wider array of vendors and vendor offerings. According to the promotional flyer, the market offerings will include art, produce, coffee, juice, baked goods, meat, poultry, massages, clothing, pickles, micro-greens, beverages and more.
“We have opened this market up to all vendors, not just food and beverage,” Whittaker said.
According to Whittaker, The Center vendors are not being asked to pay a weekly or annual participation fee, but they are required to have liability insurance that protects The Center and the city-owned property.
