With the close of youth flag football, all of the focus is on adult flag football and adult volleyball. The hardcourt saw week five regular-season action with team Freckled Fin paired up against team ACE Hardware.
Freckled Fin dominated the first game with a strong service game by Sean McCarthy and perfect sets by John Coleman and Colleen McCarthy. Teammate Nate Talucci shut down long rallies with perfect placement over the net time and time again.
Mackenzie Kosfeld, for ACE Hardware, prepares for the set during last Tuesday’s adult volleyball game against Freckled Fin. – Monica Simpson | Sun
Mackenzie Kosfeld showed her volleyball talents along with Jenna Duvall for ACE Hardware. Finding their groove in the first game, after some long strikes and miss-hits, Team ACE Hardware fought the good fight in the second game, leading most of the battle to take the win.
To start the second game, Duvall was in the service area and immediately put four points on the scoreboard with her serving prowess.
The scoring stayed tight the entire game where mistakes made the difference. Another miss-hit by ACE Hardware gave Freckled Fin’s Oskar Coba the scoring opportunity taking the score to 20-16.
In turn, the perfect serve by Kosfeld resulted in a long return by Coba.
To end the second game of the night, ACE’s perfect serve could not be returned by Coleman, taking the match to the third and final game.
Rally scoring in the league lends itself to lots of volleyball action on Tuesday nights at The Center. In the tiebreaking game, first to 15 wins.
The final game was close with great play on both sides of the net. Freckled Fin’s Mike Kaleta and Susie Quinby provided much-needed team support and strong hits. The ACE Hardware team just got a little too far behind to make the comeback they needed to take the match, losing by five points.
The playoff and championship games are scheduled for Tuesday, March 26 starting at 6:30 p.m.
In the teen 14- to 17-year old league, many of the boys who have played flag football on the Island since preschool return each season just to have fun with friends. Although each team has an adult coach on the sidelines, most teams and players go out onto the field without set plays and no longer look to their coach for guidance.
Weather delays and forfeits finally brought the top seed and undefeated Team ACE Hardware to the championship game against Team Blue Lagoon last Thursday night at the Center.
Playing with confidence and Offensive MVP Chris Snyder as the quarterback, Blue Lagoon quickly took the lead in the game with a 51-yard pass to Rutger Langley for the touchdown. The unsuccessful point after try left the score 6-0.
Blue Lagoon’s defense stopped the run of ACE Hardware’s Morgan Horesh and caused the incomplete pass of Tyler Brewer to Tuna McCracken, league Defensive MVP. On the third snap of the possession, Roman Langley sacked Brewer, voted the league’s most improved player, giving his team the football.
ACE Hardware returned the defensive favor with a three and out attempt by Blue Lagoon with speed and a flag pull by Connor Ludwig.
After seven minutes of play, the short yardage by David Daigle and first down by McCracken was not enough. Flag pulls by Jenard Dunbar and Roman Langley once again prevented the ACE Hardware score.
Each team had another possession with no luck before the spectacular flag pulls by Daigle and McCracken gave ACE Hardware two points on the stop in the Blue Lagoon end zone resulting in a safety.
With the score at 6-2, Team Ace Hardware went on offense and in five plays found the end zone to go ahead with a score of 6-8. McCracken connected with Ludwig on a bomb with three defenders, putting the football on the Blue Lagoon seven-yard line.
Lining up tight on the line of scrimmage, Horesh snuck out of the crowd to nab the touchdown pass.
The second half of the championship game started with Team ACE Hardware with the football, but Team Blue Lagoon quickly took it back with an interception by Dunbar off of the Brewer pass.
Rutger Langley was Snyder’s target on the first pass of the series. Daigle quickly got the flag pull. The next pass by Snyder bounced off the hands of Rutger Langley taking the game to third down.
Trying to take the football past the midfield line, Snyder was called for pushing against McCracken, turning the ball over on downs.
Brewer’s cousin Travis Bates made the next catch but the team could not make the first down happen, letting Team Blue Lagoon have another crack at the end zone.
A high snap to Dunbar got the pass off, but after being tipped by his receiver ACE Hardware’s Ludwig found the football in his hands and crossed the line for the pick six. The extra point attempt was no good, leaving the score at 6-14.
Blue Lagoon returned the favor with a touchdown interception by Aaryn Scalone. Going for two points, McCracken intercepted the ball in the end zone, preventing the tie.
On their next possession, an incomplete pass led to a bad snap by Roman Langley forcing a third-down play by Blue Lagoon. Bates applied the rushing pressure on the quarterback leading to another interception and touchdown by Team ACE Hardware. Brewer’s runback put the score to 12-20.
The point after the catch in the end zone by Daigle with 54 seconds left in the game solidified the win for his team, ending the season with Team ACE Hardware solidly on top of the league standings with the championship.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – One of the biggest events of the year is just around the corner and tickets are on sale now. The Center of Anna Maria Island’s annual Tour of Homes takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 16. This year’s tour features four of Anna Maria Island’s most elegant homes along with a stop at The Center of Anna Maria Island where attendees can shop, grab a bite to eat, tour the facility and buy raffle tickets for a chance to win this year’s tour quilt. The tour is dedicated to the memory of Island resident Ann Horne.
The Willow House – 222 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria
Simplicity, softness and grace welcome you to this new home, built last year by Moss Builders. This home features four bedrooms, four baths and two half-baths. The upper level of the home has an inviting living area complete with bedrooms, a TV room and a small kitchen. Don’t miss the beautiful tree trunk table!
The interior of the home is complete with hand-scraped, wire-brushed oak floors throughout. Most of the home is painted in Sherwin Williams “Extra White.” The kitchen and upstairs bar area were done by Progressive Cabinetry and the accent color cabinetry is called “Aegean Teal.” This color can also be found on the walls of the guest bedroom at the end of the hall. The powder bath and accent wall in the guest bedroom are painted with “Twilight Blue.” The dining room table and living room coffee table were custom-made by local fabricators. The upstairs bathroom color is “Sea Salt.” The master bedroom is painted in “Tradewinds Blue.” The exterior of the home is painted “Harbor Haze” with “Vanilla Bean” accents and dark glazed natural cypress tongue and groove.
222 Willow Avenue was designed by Beacon Home Designs with the selections and interior design done by Emily Moss. Lancaster Designs did the landscaping and Sanger Pools did the pool. It is currently for sale through Gulf Bay Realty of Anna Maria, Inc.
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Horne Home – 8403 Marina Dr., Holmes Beach
Purchased 31 years ago by John Horne during his tenure at the iconic Fast Eddie’s, this traditional 1960s block home sitting on Bimini Bay was completely renovated in 2017, maintaining the small island charm in the of design.
John’s parents, Ann and Lynn were riding their bikes around the island and came across the house “for sale by owner (Gus Kent.)” They told John that they had found the perfect house for him to buy on the island and in usual Momma Ann style she ended her “pitch” with “…because I’m going to live there when I get old.”
Fast forward 29 years and her wish became a reality upon the sale of their two-story home on the north end of the island. John and Amanda renovated the one-story home with an eye to their parents being able to live there for many years.
We had “imagineered” many times over various projects with the talented Mike Carter and his construction team and this project was no different. We focused on a floor plan that had no doorway thresholds and in the master bedroom, again, no shower threshold to reduce the chance of tripping.
One of our favorite features is the Brazilian pecky cypress in the walls in the living and dining areas – it added warmth and a nautical cottage feel to the house paired with the oyster shell sconces and candelabras. Enhancing the nautical feel is the mother of pearl backsplash in the kitchen. Be sure to check out the kitchen cabinet handles.
The back of the house overlooks beautiful Bimini Bay and has pavers and flowerbeds. The garden was designed and implemented by Jeff Gilchrist with much input from Lynn, Sr. who requested multiple citrus trees and lychee to compliment the famous old mango tree. This mango tree is a favorite of the old islanders. Snooks Adams was known to stop by to take samples and ensure there was a tasty crop!
This home has so many special memories of celebrations over the years: oyster stew on Christmas Eve, Momma Ann and Papa Lynn’s 60th wedding anniversary celebration, birthdays … family and friends. We hope you feel the aura of love and happiness created by Ann and Lynn.
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Kerschner Home – 637 Key Royale Drive, Holmes Beach
The owners, Greg and Kathy Kerchner, local architect Gene Aubry, and Shoreline Builders collaborated on the design of this coastal contemporary. The custom Sapele doors match both the garage doors and two garden gates. Wiederhold Creations custom made some of the woodwork. The eight aluminum balconies cannot be missed as you walk up to the home.
The two-story foyer draws your attention to the incredible perimeter overflow and infinity-edged pool and spa. Overhead in the foyer hangs a 32-pendant chandelier. The globes were hand blown in Israel. The wood artwork on the wall is Fever Tree, indigenous to Africa but grown at Selby Gardens in Sarasota. Floating black walnut stairs lead to the first living area. The 14-foot dining room table was created from a single slab of sinker cypress. This massive log was underwater for over 100 years and was created by Mother Nature and embellished by local craftsmen. The second chandelier features raindrop shaped globes as a paean to the natural beauty on display outside.
The kitchen tabletop was custom built for the owners for their previous home. Greg refinished it to coordinate with the quarter-sawn black walnut flooring throughout the home. The cypress mantle over the fireplace was also handcrafted by Greg. Be sure to take notice of the of the Camphor wood countertop in the powder room as Greg, again, designed and built it himself.
The owner’s wine collection rests in a climate-controlled room of cypress racking. A wet bar incorporates a local nautical chart as a backsplash. An expansive guest suite makes a perfect in-law suite with an oversized tub, sitting space and twin balconies. The second living level includes an exercise room and office. The master suite affords a view of the sunrise from a private balcony. The master bath features marble flooring and counters. A unique tub circulates air through its jets. Bedrooms three and four are also on this level. Both feature en-suite and private balconies.
An inviting bar awaits outside with full outdoor kitchen. A water feature graces one side yard and provides a soothing visual interest.
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Fangmeyer Home – 92 52nd Street, Holmes Beach
When you enter this beachfront home get ready to be swept away to the French countryside. Belle Fangmeyer designs all the charming interior. Her love of flowers and birds are ever present. As you come through the front gate be sure to see the iron sailfish artwork. This sculpture was originally a fountain in front of a bank in Tampa. You will also have an opportunity to peek over the gate at Belle’s herb garden and potting shed. Gardening is her favorite pastime. Hand-painted palm trees grace the border near the foyer ceiling, and waves greet you as you enter.
Upstairs, in the living area, is a breathtaking view of the Gulf of Mexico. A large “birdhouse” in the kitchen makes you smile as you see the wine bottles tucked into the holes of the birdhouse. A handyman friend from North Carolina made the large arch over the kitchen stove as well as the mantle over the fireplace in the living room.
Dan and Belle’s favorite room is the small room off the living room they call the porch. The table in the center of the room is from Paris. In fact, many pieces of furniture throughout the home are antiques from Europe. You will notice a dry sink in their lounge room which came from their horse stable in North Carolina. Their Tennessee Walker horses are stabled there along with Boer goats they call their big pets. Belle and Dan have a 60-acre farm in North Carolina which also doubles as a wedding venue.
As you slowly stroll and take in the serenity of this home, notice the burst of flowers as you enter each of the three bedrooms. Sunset can be viewed from two of the up or downstairs porches. The backyard and pool offer a relaxing respite. Another impressive iron sculpture of a humpback whale and calf sits close to the 149 feet of beachfront property. An outdoor kitchen is near the pool alongside the “Margarita” room. This is another guest room with an en-suite bath. Murphy beds are enclosed along one wall. The Margarita “feel” flows into the bath with shower doors that are etched with a margarita glass and shaker of salt. Olé!
Dan and Belle purchased this 3300 sq. ft. home in 2017. The builder was Whitehead Construction in 2014.
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Photos by Jack Elka
Center Bazaar
The Center Bazaar is open to all and is located at The Center at 407 Magnolia Ave in Anna Maria Island. The Bazaar will be open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is sponsored by Duncan Real Estate. The Bazaar will feature local vendors selling art, pottery, jewelry, and more. There will be food vendors for those looking for a quick bite during the tour. The Tropical Treasures Boutique will also be located at The Center with The Bazaar. The boutique includes crafts, art, and homemade jellies all donated to The Center. The quilt created by the Eyeland Needlers will be on display at The Center and tickets can be purchased for the raffle. The quilt is titled “Mermaid’s Garden” and is sponsored by Green Real Estate.
Photos by Jack Elka
Tickets for the Tour of Homes are $25 each and can be purchased at The Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, or at each stop of the tour on the day of the event. For more information, call the Center at 941-778-1908 or email info@centerami.org.
Going into the fifth week of adult co-ed flag football action at The Center of Anna Maria Island, two of the three games were not played due to forfeits but the friendly rivalry between Ray Gardner and Tim Shaughnessy did not disappoint.
Missing his late pick-ups, Don Purvis and Lexi Sato, Gardner was forced to play with just four men on the field against the nearly full Lancaster Design squad. Gardner’s Progressive Cabinetry team showed it did not need the fifth player or the quarterback strength of Purvis to take the win last Thursday night.
As castmates in the annual Murder Mystery fundraiser at the Center, members of Team Progressive Cabinetry, Ray Gardner and Don Purvis, and Team Lancaster Design, Brianna Roberts, Mike Shaughnessy and Caleb Roberts, work together and have team chemistry, but on the gridiron, the individuals play hard for their respective teams.
To start the action after four minutes of play, quarterback T. Shaughnessy, brother of Brianna Roberts, found his favorite target, brother-in-law Caleb Roberts, for the first touchdown of the game. League veteran Karri Stephens caught the extra point throw in the end zone to take the early lead at 7-0.
Gardner and company quickly met the challenge with a touchdown and extra point of their own. On the second snap of the series, Ben Sato caught a short pitch but gained significant yardage for a first down.
League newcomer Connor Haughey scored the first touchdown for Progressive Cabinetry despite immense defensive pressure by B. Roberts on quarterback Gardner. Sato made the reception for the point after tying the game at 7-7.
Haughey showed his defensive ability by getting a reaching hand between the football and Stephens on the first down play. Haughey disrupted Lancaster Design’s offensive push by nabbing the C. Roberts pass intended for Shaughnessy.
The flag pull by C. Roberts prevented the pick six, but Progressive Cabinetry quickly found the end zone and put six more points on the scoreboard with a Sato touchdown catch.
Looking to tie the ball game, if not pull ahead, Lancaster Design struggled to put together plays. After a reception by Lane Burnett, two incomplete passes put the football back into the capable hands of Gardner.
With 26 seconds left on the first half clock, Haughey and Sato put the Progressive team in scoring position. Haughey took the ball after the snap and hit Zachary Holder for the touchdown and point after, advancing the score to 7-20.
Lancaster Design had another chance to score, but Sato’s speed led to a quarterback sack on the first down. The second down and last play of the half showcased the speed and agility of both the ball carrier Stephens and defender Gardner.
The second half started with Progressive Cabinetry on offense, but the Lancaster defense and non-stop effort by B. Roberts quickly gave the football back to Shaughnessy’s team.
Keeping the win within reach, C. Roberts and Shaughnessy both hit Stephens to gain big yardage. Haughey’s flag pulls temporarily kept the Lancaster Design squad out of the end zone. Stephens’ moves led him to the score, closing the Progressive lead to seven points.
Flag pulls by Jake Parsons stopped Haughey and Gardner on the first two plays of Progressive’s possession. After taking the ball to the 10-yard line, a scrambling Gardner finally found Holder at the back of the end zone for the team’s fourth touchdown of the game with less than six minutes left to play.
Unable to score, with incomplete passes by the team patriarch Mike Shaughnessy and C. Roberts, Progressive Cabinetry took over on offense for another Haughey touchdown with 47 seconds left on the clock.
Roberts closed out the game with a nice reception, ending with the final score at 13-33.
ANNA MARIA – The youth flag football season is coming to an end, and semifinal playoff games dominated the sports schedule last week. The youngest competitive players took to the field Wednesday night.
After beating #3 team Slim’s Place the week before, underdog #6 team Bins Be Clean faced the #2 team Progressive Cabinetry in the semifinal game of the week. Coach Troy Kosteinik led the Progressive Cabinetry team to victory in a nail biter against Coach Joe Peery’s Bins Be Clean squad.
Early in the game the two teams put points on the scoreboard. Connar Henderson put six points in the statistics book with a touchdown for Progressive Cabinetry to start the scoring. Cyrus Ryan followed for Bins Be Clean, getting into the end zone for the touchdown and the point after, giving his team a one-point lead.
The Progressive Cabinetry defense covered the field and stumped the Bins Be Clean quarterback, forcing him play after play to make a play right at the seven-second count down by the referee.
The first half of the game ended with the score 6-7.
Going into the next 20 minutes of play, Kosteinik’s team started on offense. Henderson looked like he was going to weave in and out of traffic for the score but was stopped 10 yards from the Bins Be Clean end zone.
Mary Harrison put the football into action as the Progressive Cabinetry center on a number of plays. On the second down play, Gabriel Conn made a critical flag pull for Bins Be Clean, forcing a third down play that had to end in a touchdown.
The Progressive Cabinetry quarterback finally found Henderson at the front pylon for his team’s second touchdown, moving the score to 12-7.
Bins Be Clean started its next set of downs with a reverse to Conn, who sped down the sideline, taking the football just short of the first down. Conn’s team could not cross the midfield line, turning the ball over to the opponent.
Landon Snyder made quick work of the field with a touchdown. The Progressive Cabinetry point after conversion gave the team a 12-point lead in the game with the score at 19-7.
Assistant coach Josh Conn, along with Coach Peery, encouraged the Bins Be Clean to continue the fight on the field, resulting in a critical score in three snaps of the ball. The series started with a short reception and important yards after by G. Conn.
Connor Samblis was the quarterback’s choice for the third play of the possession. Samblis evaded defenders, with flags slipping through many hands, before finding the end zone. Going for two points, Ryan made the sliding catch taking Bins Be Clean within four points of the tie.
Back on defense, big brother Conn was assisted by Tyler Conn to box in the Progressive Cabinetry quarterback, preventing the first down. Despite the efforts of the Bins Be Clean defense, Progressive Cabinetry scored its final points of the game, taking the score to 25-15.
Working the clock with a never say quit attitude, the Bins Be Clean quarterback scored a touchdown with 45 seconds left on the game clock. G. Conn scored the extra point to make it a three-point game.
T. Conn, back on defense, rushed in to put the pressure on the Progressive quarterback, eventually leading to a key sack. The second down incomplete pass forced the third down push to the midfield line. Despite a nice pass, Progressive Cabinetry could not cross the line.
Bins Be Clean got the football back with 14.8 seconds on the clock. The team made every effort to get back into scoring position, but time was not on its side. On third down, Henderson made what might have been the most important flag pull of the game for Progressive Cabinetry to end the game, keeping the opponent from scoring what would have been the game-winning touchdown.
ANNA MARIA – The Center of Anna Maria Island’s annual Murder Mystery is a favorite night out for many Islanders, but this year’s festivities were particularly interesting with a nostalgic 1980s theme and a real-life onstage proposal ending the night.
The play, written by Brianna Roberts and Beth and Mike Shaughnessy, began with a trip down memory lane for the cast, all 1978 graduates and staff from Ben Dover High School gathering for a 10-year reunion. Things quickly took a turn to the sinister when Principal John Hughes, played by Will Schenerlein, dropped dead after having a drink from the bar.
As various characters tried to find out who the murderer was, more antics ensued including the musical stylings of Marty McGoldblum, played by Clay Spangler, to 80s classic songs and a dance-off between Coach Dick Diggler, played by Don Purvis, and high school football great Ray Rodney King Jr., played by Ray Gardner. A prom court was voted in and a prom king and queen were awarded $50 gift cards to Slim’s Place in the costume contest.
Other cast members included Jillian Cacchiotti and Leah Purvis as mean girl cheerleaders Jillian Ryder and Leah Lockler, Chris Scott as nerd Judge Brinehold, Mike Shaughnessy as stoner bus driver Mike, Monica Simpson as exchange student Short Swan Chow, Brianna Roberts as undercover CIA agent Regina Jacobs and Caleb Roberts as George Michael look-alike Caleb Michael.
As the cast of the Center’s Murder Mystery take their final bows Feb. 23, cast member Ray Gardner proposes marriage to long-time girlfriend and castmate Jillian Cacchiotti onstage. – Kristin Swain | Sun
Sponsors for the event included The Ugly Grouper, Slim’s Place, Progressive Cabinetry, Abrahamson and Uiterwyk Personal Injury Law Firm, Island Photography, Beach House Real Estate, Eason Builders Group, Moss Builders, ALSCO Linen and Uniform Rental Services, Johnson Homes, Key 2 Life Training, Steam Designs, the Freckled Fin and the Traveling Gourmet.
In keeping with the high school theme, food for the event was served on Styrofoam cafeteria trays in a lunch line setting, including a serving of mystery meat. Guests also were treated to a dessert table featuring cupcakes and mini mud pies, and appetizers including shrimp cocktail, spinach artichoke dip and salad.
Friday’s festivities topped out with around 170 attendees while Saturday night’s final performance drew a crowd of about 350.
Ending the final night of the Murder Mystery was a surprise onstage marriage proposal. As the cast took its final bows, Gardner proposed to longtime girlfriend Cacchiotti, ending the evening on a happy and celebratory note.
ANNA MARIA – In the final games of the regular season for the high school boys that play on the gridiron at The Center, Team Cloud Pest Control could not put a win in its season statistics against Team Blue Lagoon.
The first four series of play resulted in no score by either team. For Blue Lagoon, incomplete passes by Chris Snyder and strong defensive play by Roman Langley, including a sack, was on par with dropped passes by Cloud Pest Control and big yardage gains by Julius Petereit.
Snyder found his rhythm hitting Jeremiah Sculco for a first down reception. Despite a sack by Ben Barreda, Team Blue Lagoon was the first to put points on the board with a beautiful one-handed catch by league newbie Jernard Dunbar. The failed extra point conversion gave the team coached by Randy Langley a 6-0 lead.
Three and out was the next possession for Cloud Pest Control, giving the football back to Snyder. Dunbar effectively moved the ball down the field, weaving in and out of defenders, putting his team on the Cloud 10 yard line.
With a huge defensive stop by Cloud, Blue Lagoon had to find the end zone on third down. Snyder scored the second touchdown of the game and Rutger Langley caught the ball for the point after, advancing the score to 13-0.
Cloud Pest Control could not make anything happen in the last minute on the scoreboard, taking the game to the halftime.
Six points finally made its way into the record books for Cloud Pest Control to start the second half of play. Getting away with flag guarding, Silas Banyas made it past the midfield line on the first snap of the football.
Jackson Hayes made the touchdown catch for Cloud, but the failed extra point attempt to Evan Christenson left the score at 13-6.
Blue Lagoon quickly marched down the field for another touchdown and an extra point by Dunbar.
Leading the game by 14 points, Blue Lagoon’s defense did not allow Cloud Pest Control to move down the field. Barreda tried to juke out the defense, but could not get by Roman Langley, who was credited with the flag pull.
The Cloud defense gave the ball back to its offense, leading to the touchdown by Hayes and taking the score to 20-12.
Blue Lagoon sealed the deal by taking the football into the end zone with 12.6 seconds left on the clock, ending the game with the score 26-12.
The playoffs are underway for the eight- to 10-year-olds. The older ballers start this week with semifinal action between #2 Island Charms playing #3 Beach House Real Estate for the 11-to 13-year old league, and #4 Grooms Automotive versus #5 Tyler’s Ice Cream on Wednesday, Feb. 20, at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m.
ANNA MARIA – It’s not an April Fool’s joke. The Marshall Tucker Band is coming to The Center of Anna Maria Island for a one-night-only intimate show Monday, April 1. The Southern rock band will take the stage to play new songs and their hits, including such songs as “Can’t You See,” “Take the Highway,” “Fire on the Mountain” and “Heard it in a Love Song” at 8 p.m. A local band that has not been named yet is planned to open for the award-winning, multi-platinum group.
Tickets range from $50 to $65. All seats are reserved. Tickets can be purchased from the Manatee Performing Arts Center by phone at 941-748-5875 or online at www.manateeperformingarts.com. Space is limited so get your tickets early. Only 750 tickets will be made available for this event. The Marshall Tucker Band appears in conjunction with the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Manatee County Tourist Development Council. The Center is at 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.
The Center of Anna Maria Island’s youth sports program has always been known as the place to have fun, play sports and develop athletic skills. Over several decades, a lot has changed at what is now known as the Center, but children playing sports with adult volunteer coaches has not.
As the youth flag football season progresses on the big field with good competition with kids from 8 to 17 years old, the little field is the place where the younger ballers work both sides of the football in the youth flag football clinic.
Once again Ryan Moss of Moss Builders is enthusiastically taking the time out of his busy schedule to work with nearly 20 5- to 7-year-olds on the gridiron, including Moss’s two sons, Mason and Miles. Last Tuesday night, Moss was joined on the field by his father, Pastor Ed Moss of CrossPointe Fellowship.
The coaches separated the players into two teams to warm-up and practice some of their skills. With flags and pennies on, the scrimmage game ensued. On one side of the football was Dylan Sato, with younger sibling Brandon Sato on the other.
Pastor Moss helped get one of his players in the right position on the football field by gently picking him up and placing him in the correct spot.
Miles Moss played the center position most of the scrimmage, snapping the ball to B. Sato stepping into the footsteps of his father, Jason Sato, who played at the community center as a child and as QB in the adult flag football league.
Carrying on the family legacy, Camden Rudacille took the field with big brother Cale and dad Scott watching from the sideline. S. Rudacille, also an Island native, played many games over the years at the community center.
Brother and sister Boman and Tinley Sears saw action on the field with big plays for their teams. The Bomans were joined by Eli Lewis, who showed his defensive prowess during the scrimmage. Duncan Cloutier took the football down the field on a number of plays, gaining yardage for his team.
Over the past two months, the Moss Builders football clinic has seen football action by Guiliana Bankert and Brooklyn Melancon continuing the co-ed sports spirit of the Center. Preston Brighenti, Drew Buky, Hayden Eurice, Wade Kasten, Jack Melancon, Marcus Quinn and Landon Reuter worked to hone their skills in the clinic sessions before hitting the big field in the coming seasons.
The culmination of lessons learned in the clinics is progression onto the large field in the 8- to 10-year-old flag football league. Those playing in this age group are moving into playoff action, with semifinal play on Wednesday, Feb. 20, with #2 seed Progressive Cabinetry playing either #3 Slim’s Place or #6 Bins Be Clean.
In the second semifinal game #1 Beach Bums will go against the winner of the quarterfinal matchup between #4 Planet Stone and #5 Ugly Grouper.
The age group championship game is scheduled to play on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 5:30 p.m.
ANNA MARIA – Soulful songs, the pounding of piano keys and cheering Phil Vassar fans shook the rafters of The Center of Anna Maria Island Friday night.
Sponsored by the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Vassar played the rich chords of his songs on his piano with boundless energy. His style, a mixture of Billy Joel and Randy Newman, had his fans cheering as he played both sitting and standing, accompanied by guitarist Jeff Smith.
Between songs, Vassar stopped for liquid refreshments bought by fans, brought to the stage by servers and supplied by The Chiles Group for sale by The Center.
Vassar’s career began in the mid-1990s, composing songs for country singers like Collin Raye (“Little Red Rodeo”), Alan Jackson (“Right on the Money”), Tim McGraw (“For a Little While”) and others.
He was named ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year in 1999 and was the Academy of Country Music’s Top New Male Vocalist in 2002.
Later, his career turned to performing and he recorded 27 top 40 hits and 10 number one songs. He remains active in performing and composing.
Heading into the second half of the youth flag football season, the four teams in the 11- to 14-year-old league took to the field at The Center of Anna Maria Island. In the first game of the night, Coach Jim Collins lead his Island Charms team to a big win last Wednesday night against Groom’s Automotive, coached by Tom Baugher.
The battle on the football field was a good one with the two teams each making key plays and keeping the opponent on their toes.
Team Island Charms started on defense with a strong stand against Team Groom’s Automotive offense. Three snaps and out, along with an impressive flag pull by Jackson Pakbaz, gave the football to Island Charms.
Isaiah Mondon started the play for Island Charms, taking the football just short of the midfield line. Payton Harlan was the team’s QB’s next target. Harlan moved the ball to the Groom’s three-yard line. Despite the march down the field, Island Charms could not cross the goal line, leaving the score 0-0.
On the second possession, Kieran Cloutier gained 15 yards before the flag pull by Evan Talucci. Groom’s continued to gain critical yardage on the second down with a touchdown pass on the third snap of the possession.
Nicholas Yatros caught the extra point pass giving Groom’s a seven-point lead.
On the fourth play of the series, Island Charms scored its first touchdown, shrinking the Groom’s lead with the score at 7-6.
With six seconds left on the scoreboard for the first half of the game, Groom’s began working on offense, but could not make it to midfield. Mondon ended the possession with a near interception.
Mondon, on offense, made a first down play for Island Charms on the first snap. Teammate Julian Lazzara followed up with a nice run taking the game to the one-minute warning.
Island Charms’ late penalty and a short run by Mondon ended the half without putting points on the board.
Looking to increase its lead, Island Charms started the final half of the game with a nice play by Talucci that took the football just short of the first down line. After gaining the first down, Yatros’s flag pull stopped the play before his opponent entered the end zone.
At the quarterback position, Harlan showed great patience, allowing Mondon to break away from the defense with a beautiful reception at the back of the field for the touchdown, pushing the score to 12-7 with Island Charms in the lead.
Brilliantly reading the play, Island Charms’ Harrison Schenerlein nabbed the pass by Yatros for a pick six, scoring the final points of the game.
Despite strong efforts by both teams, neither team could find its way into the end zone, ending the game with the score of 18-7 and a victory for Island Charms.
The second week of adult co-ed flag football action on the Island took place last Thursday now that the adult soccer finally came to a close last week.
Gulfview Windows, a new sponsor in the league represented by a veteran team led by Ryan Moss, took the field by storm against Hashmark Sports. Young new team captain Tim Holly for Hashmark Sports started his team on offense in the second game of the night.
Moss quickly showed the members of the Hashmark Sports team how things are done in the adult league with an interception on the first snap of the ball. The pick-six put Gulfview Windows in the early lead.
Missing the point after, Moss’s team once again took the defensive field position. Hashmark Sports Joey Carder gained short yardage on first down. On third down, Moss grabbed the pass and took it to the end zone.
Going for two points, Tyler Lancaster returned to the league with a nice catch for the two-point conversion and 14-point lead for Gulfview Windows.
Taking the field with possession of the football, Hashmark Sports answered back with a bomb to Chris Smith and touchdown by Carder.
Jordan DeMers became Moss’ favorite go-to guy in the game reception with a long run to score six points. Going for two points, Moss was diligently chased by Carder causing the incomplete pass.
Claudia Perez had her first reception opportunity in the game, but the Hashmark Sports quarterback could not quite get the ball to her hands. Her team gained a critical first down on second down and took advantage of the momentum taking the football downtown for another touchdown.
Both teams had unsuccessful offensive series until the scoreboard showed 55 seconds left in the half. Lancaster made a first down reception that set up another long ball to DeMers and touchdown. With the score 26-12, Holly sacked Moss on the point after attempt.
The quick effort by Holly’s team came up short as Gulfview Windows’ Joe Ball knocked down the ball right in front of the intended receiver to end the half.
The last 25 minutes of the game started with a touchdown catch by Lancaster, followed by an extra point, advancing the score to 33-12.
Three snaps and out for Hashmark Sports gave the football back to Gulfview Windows. The DeMers-Moss combination gave their team another touchdown and two-point conversion with an on the run pass by Moss to Lancaster.
With a 30-point lead, the Gulfview defense could not rush the Hashmark quarterback Matteo Ferris. After an incomplete pass, Ferris hit his receiver with a bomb, putting him into the end zone, shrinking the point spread to 24 points.
Moss’s next target was Eliza Faillace. The pass was long and out of the reach of the soccer powerhouse. A turnover by Gulfview Windows gave Hashmark a scoring opportunity. With the extra point, the score moved to 42-24, keeping the game open for anyone to win.
The first play in the Gulfview series allowed Moss to run the football all the way to the end of the field, putting six more points on the board.
After the Perez reception and Faillace flag pull, DeMers made an interception. Stopping another touchdown, Holly chased the Gulfview Windows game MVP to prevent another score.
Ed Moss made the next catch of the night with the stop by Smith. The rolling game clock sparked a strong defensive effort by Hashmark Sports.
Ferris sacked R. Moss on third down to put the football back into his team’s hands. Trying to close the gap before the end of the game, Ferris hit Smith for yardage and then threw an uncatchable pass to Carder.
In the final end zone toss-up, Gulfview Window’s Ball knocked down the football to end the game.
Thursday night, Gulfview Windows faces Ray Gardner’s Progressive Cabinetry at 6:30 p.m. In the second game of the night, Hashmark Sports goes against Tim Shaughnessy’s Lancaster Design team. The late game puts Team Ugly Grouper, lead by Charles Buky, on the field with Beach House Real Estate in the third week of flag football action at The Center.
ANNA MARIA – The Center of Anna Maria Island greeted the new year with good news and the nonprofit’s board members hope it will just keep getting better.
During a January board meeting, board Treasurer Christine Hicks reported that at the close of December, the midpoint of the fiscal year, the Center had a net ordinary income of $100,304, which was $67,114 over budget and $94,281 over the previous year. Net ordinary income excludes capital income.
In capital income, the Center closed out at -$65,450, primarily due to an expected $50,000 reimbursement from Manatee County, which has not yet been received from the excess concession funds awarded in 2018 for capital improvements to the Center’s facilities. The organization closed out the month with a net income of $34,854, $28,831 over the previous year and $1,664 over budget.
Outside of cost-cutting measures, one of the items keeping the Center’s costs down, board Chair David Zaccagnino said, is that there are still two open positions on the nonprofit’s staff that he hopes will be quickly filled. The Center board is seeking an operations director and a development director to join the staff.
“Everything’s going good,” Zaccagnino said of the Center’s operations headed into season.
With The Outlaws concert oversold at about 600 tickets, he said he expects the estimated gross from the concert to the Center to be about $30,000. The concert was the first of three at the Center presented by the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and Manatee County Tourist Development Council. The Sandbar restaurant provided food and drinks for the event. Local musician Trevor Bystrom served as the concert’s opening act.
The next act to take to the Center stage will be Phil Vassar on Feb. 8 followed by B.J. Thomas on March 21. Other upcoming events include the two-night annual Murder Mystery Dinner Theater, the Tour of Homes and a fashion show.
The Center’s board members also are looking into starting a green initiative to improve the building for the environment with the added bonus of saving on utilities. The first part of the initiative being considered is refitting the exterior lights with LED bulbs to help improve visibility on the ground and lessen the light intrusion on the surrounding residences. If the board chooses to go with the LED lights, Executive Director Chris Culhane said it could potentially save the Center $1,000 per month in electricity costs.
The much-anticipated championship co-ed soccer game for the adults was finally played as the adult flag football season kicked off Thursday night at The Center of Anna Maria Island. After the final whistle of the first football game of the season blew, the gridiron turned into a pitch for the seven-on-seven soccer action.
Josh Sato brought his team out onto the field ready to defend their title. Kris Yavalar’s team went into the game ready to play hard, looking for the second title for Yavalar.
Sato Real Estate took the first shot, which went just left of the post. Zackary Lieb, for Team Lancaster Design, came back from the holidays ready to play, making strikes early in the game.
Goalkeeper Scott Bear prevented the goals finishing the game with 11 saves.
In the early defensive battle, Lancaster Design’s Cemal Duzgan’s first shot of the night was blocked by Sato. Yavalar’s follow-up shot went wide left of the post.
After eight minutes of play, Sato Real Estate’s Eric Pullen attempted to score with a header that went just over the crossbar.
Pullen’s tough offensive play gave him another scoring opportunity a minute later. His shot found the net, giving Sato Real Estate the first of five goals in the night.
Near midfield, Sato Real Estate’s Matthew Staggs made a quick strike that gave the ball to Francisco Oliviera. Trey Horne made the save for Team Lancaster Design.
Lancaster Design’s Nick Bouchard scored his team’s first goal after shot attempts from both teams. The goal that resulted from a great pass by Lieb to Sumiko Chipman, who made the assist, tied the game that would finally bring the season to an end.
The start of the second half of play brought about a shooting match. Lieb scored his second point of the night, kicking the ball between the two Sato Real Estate defenders Alta Bujarski and Nate Welch.
Welch once again tied up the matchup with a missile strike four minutes into the half. Sato Real Estate went ahead soon after, taking the score to 3-2.
Getting his second goal of the night, Welch put two points between Sato Real Estate and Lancaster Design.
Ryan Hogan answered back with less than seven minutes on the clock for Lancaster Design.
Oliviera put the final Sato Real Estate goal on the scoreboard for his team after 42 minutes of play.
Lancaster Design fought hard for the last four minutes of the game hoping to score two quick ones but to no avail. The Paul “Ace” Hayward Cup was to be for only one team: Sato Real Estate.
Center athletes traveled north to Brandon last weekend to compete on the wrestling mat as a part of a competitive wrestling team. Two champions came from the Center of Anna Maria Island’s team, Andrew Harwood and RJ Phelan.
Phelan’s sister, Savannah, brought home third place along with William Pakbaz and Jay Harrison.
In a strong showing additional team members Riley Karecki, Bam Gartman, Victoria Phelan, Clancy Cusack and Ceegan Cusack finished fourth in their divisions.
The Island wrestlers are expected to only get stronger as the season progresses one tournament at a time.
