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Tag: The Center of Anna Maria Island

Lester Family Fun Day lives up to its name

Lester Family Fun Day lives up to its name

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Center of Anna Maria Island, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – Sunshine, warm weather, tasty food and plenty of attractions made the 20th Annual Lester Family Fun Day at The Center of Anna Maria Island the perfect event for families to get outside and enjoy themselves.

The event, sponsored by Holmes Beach residents Joey and Chuck Lester, took place Saturday, Dec. 3.

“This is so great, being out here in the sun with the kids, and it doesn’t cost a fortune,” said Anna Rotz, of Bradenton, who brought her daughter, Katie. “It’s December and it’s 80 degrees and the sun is shining; only in Florida!”

DJ Freeze did an excellent job of keeping the music upbeat with both kids and their parents dancing outside, as well as hosting a dance battle between Santa and the Grinch (spoiler alert, Santa won). There was a huge slide, bounce ball and other attractions that allowed the kids to burn off some energy while parents chatted and mingled.

The highlight of the event again this year was the helicopter golf ball drop. People could purchase a numbered golf ball which was loaded onto a helicopter. When the chopper hovered over a makeshift golf hole in the field behind the center, the balls were dropped. The ball that came closest to the hole won $1,000. The children loved the helicopter, and one lucky parent almost certainly loved their big win.

Inside, there were plenty of activities and crafts, a poinsettia sale and treats for all to enjoy.

Champs at The Center: LaPensee Plumbing, Progressive Cabinetry win

Champs at The Center: LaPensee Plumbing, Progressive Cabinetry win

Written by Monica Simpson on . Posted in Soccer, Sports.

ANNA MARIA – After weeks of amazing Island youth soccer, The Center lights lit up the fields as family and friends gathered to witness the U10 and U14 championship games.

In the U10 finale, underdogs Solid Rock Construction faced top-ranked LaPensee Plumbing. With only one loss going into the game, team LaPensee had the pressure of finishing the season at the top.

In the action-packed battle, Solid Rock’s Turner Worth scored the team’s two points, while goalie Isaac Roadman made five saves off the shots of the LaPensee strikers.

Roadman and Worth’s teammates Renan Kesten, Ruby Kesten, Luke Willing, Matthew Darak, Grayson Hinckle and Elijah Roadman supported their team during throughout the season.

Obi Roadman, the league’s recipient of this season’s U10 Sportsmanship Award, joined his Solid Rock teammates every week, working hard to get them to the final game of the season.

Team Solid Rock stayed in the championship game until the last second, but the offensive push by LaPensee was just too much.

On the other side of the soccer ball, the LaPensee team proved why they were the team to beat all season. Ending the regular season with only one loss, the back-and-forth battle was the nail-biter that soccer fans were wanting to see.

With three saves in the game, Owen Mahoney and the LaPensee defense made huge stops. Credited with goals for LaPensee, TJ Hagey and Preston LaPensee put two points on the scoreboard.

Luca Rosenkrans, the league’s Most Improved Player, scored a solo goal for the champions.

LaPensee Plumbing fought hard in the championship game and the matches lead- ing up to the final with the all-important field play of Elijah Agelus, Asher Patel and Chandler LaPensee.

LaPensee was joined by U14’s Progressive Cabinetry as the season’s youth soccer champions.

Champs at The Center: LaPensee Plumbing, Progressive Cabinetry win
Fall 2022 U10 youth soccer champions, team LaPensee Plumbing. From left, Preston LaPensee, assistant coach Jackson Pakbaz, Luca Rosenkrans, Elijah Agelus, Chandler LaPensee, TJ Hagey, Asher Patel, Coach Keith Mahoney and Owen Mahoney. – Monica Simpson | Sun

The Center’s oldest youth soccer players narrowed down their pack of three to Progressive Cabinetry and HSH. Meeting once again in the championship game, the two teams played in a hard-fought battle, ending with Progressive capturing the W.

Putting the single goal in the net for HSH was Jesse Zaccagnino. Zaccagnino’s older brother, Jack, played in goal. The Zaccagni- no siblings and their teammates Braelyn

Curtis, Ava Gitt, Austin Guess, Krosby Lamison and Jasmine Sparks brought their skills to the field week after week.

HSH’s hard work and dedication to their game was recognized by the coaches in the league with the awarding of Female and Defensive MVP, respectively, to Jayden Sparks and Sterling Holiday.

MaryTess Bolognone upped her game throughout the season, receiving the Most Improved Player award for the season. Bolognone proved why she received the award with a goal in the game.

Bolognone’s Progressive Cabinetry teammate Mason Moss also had a goal in the final game of the youth soccer season and night’s action.

The Progressive squad, including Gabe and Gavin Petrone, Aubrielle Clarke, Sarah Graham, Theo Aupelle and Grace Comegno along with Annie and Polea Vacek, who gave it their all for the team each time they took the field.

Included in the Progressive Cabinetry success in the season and the championship game, goalkeeper Charlie Serra made two game-winning saves, closing out another successful youth soccer season.

Adult soccer playoff games Nov. 17 narrowed the field from eight teams down to four.

Playing in semifinal action is Gulfview Windows & Doors after beating Pool America in first game of the playoffs.

Ross Built Construction was narrowly defeated after ending regulation play in a 2-2 tie against Wash Family Construction. In an overtime penalty kick scenario, Wash Family took the win and advanced to the next round of post-season play.

Shooting for Wash Family was Kevin Roman, Tyler Brewer, Austin Nutting, Amy Ivin and Ryan Hogan. Each got the soccer ball past keeper Steve Oelfke.

For Ross Built, Oelfke, Eduardo Schlueter, Dean Hinterstoisser and Kali Richardson each went to the line against Wash Family goalie Mark Long. Long’s stop of the shot of Richardson gave his team the win.

In addition to the match-up between Gulfview and Wash Family at 7 p.m., Sato Real Estate and Moss Builders will take to the pitch for the 8 p.m. game on Thursday, Dec. 1.

Sato earned the semifinal spot after finishing second in the regular season with a win against ServisFirst Bank.

Moss Builders took on Slim’s Place for their first playoff game.

The road to the Paul “Ace” Hayward Championship game is getting shorter but not easier as the two top-seeded teams are still in it to win it.

Youth Soccer Fall 2022 Awards

U10

Most Improved Players                   Luca Rosenkrans / Parker Svoboda

Goalie of the Year                          Salvatore Vera

Sportsmanship                              Obi Roadman

MVP Female                                  Adelaide McGraw

MVP Male                                     Callin Westfall

Defensive MVP                              Aidan Guess

U14

Most Improved Player                    MaryTess Bolognone

Goalie of the Year                          Jack Zaccagnino

Sportsmanship                              Dominik Zupa

MVP Female                                  Jayden Sparks

MVP Male                                      Jesse Zaccagnino

Defensive MVP                              Sterling Holiday

Youth soccer championship matchups set

Youth soccer championship matchups set

Written by Monica Simpson on . Posted in Soccer, Sports.

ANNA MARIA – Leading up to youth soccer semifinal playoff action, four teams in the U10 league took to the pitch at The Center of Anna Maria Island on Nov. 7. Cloud Pest Control lost 2-1 to Island Real Estate, advancing the team play against LaPensee Plumbing the following night.

The sure foot of Callin Westfall gave the Island Real Estate a goal and assist, while teammate Oliver Barr added a point to the scoreboard for his team.

On defense, goalkeeper Vincent Gollamudi made three critical saves in his team’s quarterfinal win.

The Island Real Estate offense kept Sawyer Leibfried busy with eight saves for Cloud Pest Control. Offensively for the Cloud squad, David Zupa had the team’s only goal in the game.

Solid Rock Construction easily defeated AMI Coconuts with the final score of 5-2. Solid Rock went on to play Sato Real Estate to determine which team made it to play in the championship game.

Despite a valiant effort by AMI Coconuts, Solid Rock Construction’s offense was too strong for their opponent.

With two goals, Renan Kesten led the scoring for Solid Rock with two goals. Kesten’s teammates Ruby Kesten, Turner Worth and Matthew Darak each had solo goals in the game.

Isaac Roadman protected his team’s goal in the quarterfinal game, saving two AMI Coconut shots. Roadman’s counterparts Jordan Steele and Sophia Kerr made a total of four saves against the strong Solid Rock offense.

The two AMI Coconut goals were made by Riley Karecki and Aidan Guess. Guess was credited with an assist to Karecki’s goal.

In a close one, LaPensee Plumbing went on to defeat Island Real Estate 2-1 in the second semifinal game on Nov. 8.

LaPensee’s big win comes after Solid Rock Construction’s narrow victory against Sato Real Estate. Taking the game into overtime, Solid Rock’s post-regulation play success gave the team the win, which clinched the first championship game slot for Solid Rock Construction in U10 play.

The U10 championship game was scheduled to take place on Nov. 14. After LaPensee Plumbing and Solid Rock Construction went head-to-head for the championship title, Progressive Cabinetry and HSH faced off for the U14 final win.

Progressive Cabinetry sealed the deal with a win against team Mac Parkman 3-2, paving the way to the team’s road to the U14 championship game Monday night.

 

Sun Scoreboard

Nov. 8

Youth Soccer – Semifinal Playoff Games
U10

 

Solid Rock Construction 4 OT PKs

Sato Real Estate 3

 

LaPensee Plumbing 2

Island Real Estate 1

U14

 

Progressive Cabinetry 3

Mac Parkman 2

 

NOV. 10

Adult Soccer – Quarterfinal Playoff Games

Postponed due to weather

Wash Family Construction, Slim’s Place top soccer rankings

Wash Family Construction, Slim’s Place top soccer rankings

Written by Monica Simpson on . Posted in Soccer, Sports.

ANNA MARIA – With one game left in the regular season, three adult soccer games were played Oct. 27 at The Center of Anna Maria Island. After six games, Wash Family Construction and Slim’s Place are at the top of the rankings with 4-1-1 records.

In what would have been the fourth game of the night, team Wash Family took the win by forfeit against Slim’s Place.

In the first game, team Sato Real Estate, currently ranked third, played team Ross Built Construction. With the loss, Ross Built fell to last place with a 1-5-0 record.

Despite the loss, the Ross Built squad put up impressive statistics and stayed in the game until the final whistle blew.

Both teams produced double hat tricks. Lindsey Styka and Jacek Czajkowski scored six points for Sato Real Estate, with three goals each.

On the other side of the field, Dean Hinterstoisser and Greg Ross each scored three points for Ross Built Construction. Hinterstoisser and Ross made the only goals for their team in the 6-8 loss.

Adding to the Sato Real Estate scoring were team captain Josh Sato and Danny Anderson, each with singles. In the goal, Steve Oelfke was credited with three saves, while Adam Mott’s incredible saves helped Sato Real Estate capture the W.

Ross Built faces Wash Family Construction Thursday, Nov. 3 in the first game, scheduled to start at 6 p.m. The Sato Real Estate team faces Slim’s Place in game three.

ServisFirst Bank met their match against Pool America in the second game of the night with a four-point loss.

Pool America’s Gerardo Urbiola Bolanos scored four goals of his own in the victory, with additional goals by Kris Yavalar and Jana Whitehead. Matt Staggs contributed to his team’s win with two goals of his own.

Selena Gonzalez-Salinas struck with two goals for ServisFirst Bank, along with solo goals by Ugur “Lucky” Durmaz and Joseph Keogh.

In the 8-4 game, Pool America’s goalkeepers helped with the big win. Chris Klotz led the charge with five saves, while Nate Welch stepped in to make two stops.

Welch’s time in goal allowed Klotz to play the field, earning an assist.

ServisFirst also put two players in the goal. Team captain Yuri Pereira was credited with one stop and Joseph Keogh made two big stops.

In week seven action, Pool America will face Moss Builders. Moss finished the week with a 2-2-2 record after losing to Gulfview Windows & Doors.

Gulfview, who handily beat Moss Builders, plays ServisFirst Bank in the last regular season week of adult soccer action in the 7 p.m. game.

Holding Moss Builders to four goals, Gulfview’s goalie Tuna McCracken made nine huge stops. On offense, McCracken’s teammates Raul Loera and team captain Keith Mahoney earned their own hat tricks. Asli Gunsel had two goals and Zach Long had a single in the 9-4 triumph.

Moss Builders’ scoring came off the boots of Damir Glavan and Jessica Williams, each with two goals. Olaf Krause, team captain for Moss Builders, supported his defense with four saves as keeper.

With the season’s schedule pushed a week due to Hurricane Ian, the much-anticipated Paul “Ace” Hayward Cup championship game is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m.

Sun Scoreboard

OCT. 14

ADULT KICKBALL – WEEK 2

 

The Salty Dolphins (2-0-0) 17

Paddy Wagon (1-1-0) 16

 

 

Captain Ron’s Crew (1-1-0) 18

General Bums (0-2-0) 13

 

OCT. 25

YOUTH SOCCER – WEEK 6

U10

 

Solid Rock Construction (2-3-1) 2
Cloud Pest Control (0-6-0) 0

 

LaPensee Plumbing (5-0-1) 4

AMI Coconuts (1-2-3) 0

 

Sato Real Estate (4-0-2) 1

Island Real Estate (3-2-1) 0

 

U14

 

Progressive Cabinetry (1-2-1) 2

Mac Parkman (0-3-2) 2

 

HSH (3-0-1) Bye Week

 

OCT.27

ADULT SOCCER – WEEK 6

Sato Real Estate (3-2-1) 8

Ross Built Construction (1-5-0) 6

 

Pool America (3-3-0) 8

ServisFirst Bank (1-4-1) 4

 

Gulfview Windows and Doors (3-3-0) 9

Moss Builders (2-2-2) 4

 

Wash Family Construction (4-1-1) Win by Forfeit

Slim’s Place (4-1-1) L

Team LaPensee Plumbing remains undefeated

Team LaPensee Plumbing remains undefeated

Written by Monica Simpson on . Posted in Soccer, Sports.

ANNA MARIA – With only one game left in the regular season, the U10 competition is heating up with the LaPensee Plumbing team going into week six undefeated.

After solidly defeating Cloud Pest Control last Tuesday, LaPensee will face the number two ranked team, Sato Real Estate, in the last game before the start of playoffs.

In the 7-0 game, TJ Hagey and Preston LaPensee each had a hat trick in the game, scoring six points. Luca Rosen- krans made a solo goal for his team, helping to secure a solid win.

On the Cloud Pest Control side of the field, goalkeeper Salvatore Vera made six big saves. Vera’s counterpart for team LaPensee, keeper Asher Patel, contributed to the team win by making three critical stops, keeping the opponents scoreless through two halves of play.

Despite neither team getting on the scoreboard, the AMI Coconuts versus Island Real Estate proved to be an exciting defensive game with both goalies kept on their toes.

Island Real Estate’s Oliver Barr had five big saves in the game, while Sophia Kerr made seven huge stops for AMI Coconuts.

Hoping to make a move in the standings, team Solid Rock Construction lost to a determined Sato Real Estate squad. With his four saves and a strong defense, Sato Real Estate prevented Solid Rock from scoring. Gunnar Maize’s four saves helped to ensure the shutout.

The hot feet of Sato Real Estate kept the Solid Rock goalie, Luke Willing, on his toes throughout the game. Willing had seven saves in the game as his opponents sailed rocket shots his way.

On offense, the Sato brothers, Dylan and Brandon, worked the pitch. Younger brother Brandon scored three goals, with an assist by Dylan, to help take their team to victory.

In U14 play, team Progressive Cabinetry won against Mac Parkman with a final score of 2-1. Dominik Zupa scored the single goal for team Mac Parkman, while Mason Moss had two goals for the Progressive squad.

Charlie Serra was credited with four stops as the Progressive goalkeeper. Keeping the game close despite the loss, Xane Flores made three saves to close out the night of soccer at The Center.

SUN SCOREBOARD

OCT. 17

RED CUP KICKBALL – WEEK 1

Paddy Wagon (1-0-0) 16

Capt. Ron’s Crew (0-1-0) 14

 

Sato Real Estate (3-0-2)

Solid Rock Construction (1-3- 1) 0

U14

Progressive Cabinetry (1-2-0) 2

Mac Parkman (0-3-1) 1

HSH (3-0-1) Bye Week

OCT. 20

ADULT SOCCER – WEEK 5

Wash Family Construction (3- 1-1) 5 Gulfview Windows and Doors (2-3-0) 4

Servis First Bank (1-3-1) 4 Ross Built Construction (1-4-0) 1

Sato Real Estate (2-2-1) 5 Pool America (2-3-0) 4

Moss Builders (2-1-2) 2 Slim’s Place (4-0-1) 2

Young soccer competitors eye playoffs at The Center

Young soccer competitors eye playoffs at The Center

Written by Monica Simpson on . Posted in Soccer, Sports.

ANNA MARIA – With fall youth soccer past mid-season, the coaches and players are looking toward playoffs and strengthening their records going into week 5 action.

LaPensee Plumbing and Island Real Estate are on top of the ranks for the U10 league with nearly identical records, with the win going to LaPensee last Tuesday night.

The 2-1 win against Island Real Estate put LaPensee Plumbing’s record to 3-0-1, while Island Real Estate’s record moved to 3-1-0. In the win, TJ Hagey and Preston LaPensee put the points up for their team.

Island Real Estate’s consistent striker and top scorer of the league, Callin Westfall, scored his team’s only goal, while Vincent Gollamudi continued to impress in goal with two critical saves.

Owen Mahoney worked his magic as the keeper for LaPensee Plumbing with three saves in the game.

In the second U10 game of the night, team Cloud Pest Control searched for their first win of the season, but the hot foot of Brandon Sato proved to be too much for the Cloud defense.

Scoring a hat trick with three goals in the game, Sato was the top scorer of the week. His brother, Dylan Sato, added a goal to the game statistics, giving him seven goals in the season.

Gunnar Maize prevented two Cloud Pest Control points with nice saves in the game to help his team to victory.

In a shutout, Solid Rock Construction won the last U10 game of the night against AMI Coconuts with a score of 2-0. Renan Kesten and Mathew Darak each had a goal for Solid Rock.

Goalkeeper Riley Karecki made four big saves against the Solid Rock Construction offense to help keep the AMI Coconuts squad in the game.

The U14 league is dominated by the undefeated HSH team. Winning against the Mac Parkman squad by two goals gave HSH a 3-0-1 record.

Scoring by Sterling Holiday, Krosby Lamison and Jayden Sparks for HSH and a solo goal by Ryk Kesten closed out the youth soccer action at The Center of Anna Maria Island for the week.

With three regular season games left to play, the title of champion is still up for grabs in the Island’s youth soccer leagues.

 

 

Sun Scoreboard

OCT. 11

Youth Soccer – Week 4

U10

 

LaPensee Plumbing (3-0-1) 2

Island Real Estate (3-1-0) 1

 

Sato Real Estate (2-0-2) 4

Cloud Pest Control (0-4-0) 0

 

Solid Rock Construction (1-2-1) 2

AMI Coconuts (1-1-2) 0

U14

 

 

HSH (3-0-1) 3

Mac Parkman (0-2-1) 1

 

Progressive Cabinetry (0-2-0) Bye Week

OCT. 13

Adult Soccer – Week 4

 

Pool America (1-2-0) 6

Ross Built Construction (1-2-0) 1

 

Sato Real Estate (0-2-1) 6

Servis First Bank (0-2-1) 5

 

Slim’s Place (4-0-0) 4

Gulfview Windows and Doors (2-2-0) 2

 

Moss Builders (2-1-1) 9

Wash Family Construction (2-1-1) 7

 

(scores and statistics provided by The Center)

Slim’s Place undefeated in adult soccer action

Slim’s Place undefeated in adult soccer action

Written by Monica Simpson on . Posted in Soccer, Sports.

ANNA MARIA – On the beautiful fall night at The Center, players, friends, family and referees all came together for a night of soccer, grateful to have been spared by Hurricane Ian. Even though the action on the pitch was a bit overshadowed by non-stop conversations of gratefulness on the sidelines and in the stands, the eight adult soccer teams played hard-fought battles.

In the first game last Thursday night, Joey Hutchinson had the hot foot for Slim’s Place. Scoring six of the nine goals in the game for his team, Hutchinson also made an assist in the team’s 9-6 win against Pool America.

Kris Yavalar, for Pool America, lit up the scoreboard scoring the first goal of the game, finishing with four goals and an assist. Yavalar and Hutchinson worked for position on the field throughout the match-up, ending with Hutchinson doubling his scoring record for the season.

At the end of week three, Hutchinson leads the scoring in the league with a total of 12 points and three assists.

Slim’s Place scored three additional goals with a single by Eliza Faillace and two by Eric Pullen. Early in the game, Pullen sailed his strikes over the crossbar. Making the necessary adjustments, Pullen moved into third for scoring. With five goals, Pullen is tied with four other players in the scoring ranks. Amy Ivin, Kevin Roman, Keith Mahoney and Yavalar each closed out the third week of play with five goals.

For Pool America, Gerardo Urbiola Bolano put up two points in the loss. These are the first two points of the season for Bolano.

In the goal, Jack Goodier was credited with two saves in the game. Goodier was relieved by Pool America teammate and captain Chris Klotz, who had an injury in the game. 

Slim’s Place’s P.J. Smargisso made critical saves for his team. Making six stops in the game helped his team to victory.

Ties and close scoring action was the name of the game for the rest of the night. Wash Family Construction tied Servis 1st Bank in game two. The third game of the night ended in a tie between Moss Builders and Sato Real Estate.

Wash Family Construction’s Kevin Roman had a hat trick in the game, while Yuri Pereira made three saves for Servis.

Pereira’s teammates put five goals on the scoreboard with solo goals by Luca Vecchio and Juan Carlo Perez.

Servis 1st Bank’s Ugur “Lucky” Durmaz matched Roman’s hat trick with three goals of his own.

In the keeper position, Mark Long made eight critical saves in the game for Wash Family, keeping them in the game.

Tyler Brewer’s two goals helped to get the Wash Family team to the tie.

Saving 11 shots, Ryan Moss kept the shooting power of Sato Real Estate to six goals. Moss’ team, Moss Builders, made their six shots count, with six points scored in the tie-ending game.

For Moss Builders scoring, Damir Glavan had four goals, with an additional two by Daniel Hampton and Jessica Williams.

Sato Real Estate’s points came at the foot of Danny Anderson with a hat trick and two by Lindsey Styka. Teammate Pedro Gonzalez added a goal in the 6-6 game.

Ending the night, Ross Built Construction matched up against Gulfview Windows & Doors. Gulfview eked out the win with two goals, scored by captain Keith Mahoney and Raul Loera.

In the 2-1 game, Gulfview’s goalie Tuna McCracken supported his team defensively with seven big stops in the game. Steve Oelfke made five critical saves. 

Avoiding the goose egg, off an assist by Raul Castano, Eduardo Schlueter scored Ross Builts’ only goal in the game.

After three games, Slim’s Place is on top with a 3-0-0 record. With more than half the season left to play, can the Slim’s crew stay on top?

Sun Scoreboard

OCT. 4

Youth Soccer

Week 3

U10

LaPensee Plumbing (2-1-0) 2

Solid Rock Construction (0-2-1) 1

 

 

Island Real Estate (3-0-0) 6

Cloud Pest Control (0-3-0) 0

U14

HSH (2-0-1) 4

Progressive Cabinetry (0-2-0) 1

 

 

Mac Parkman (0-0-1) Bye Week

OCT. 6

Youth Soccer

Week 3

U10

Sato Real Estate (1-0-2) 1

AMI Coconuts (1-0-2) 1

Adult Soccer

Week 3

 

Slim’s Place (3-0-0) 9

Pool America (1-2-0) 6

 

 

Wash Family Construction (2-0-1) 5

Servis First Bank (0-2-1) 5

 

 

Sato Real Estate (0-2-1) 6

Moss Builders (1-1-1) 6

 

 

Gulfview Windows and Doors (2-1-0) 2

Ross Built Construction (1-2-0) 1

New fiscal year off and running at The Center

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

ANNA MARIA – Anyone who’s been to The Center of Anna Maria Island recently has probably noticed a flurry of construction work.

The nonprofit is in the midst of a number of capital improvements, including having the exterior pressure washed and repainted, replacing the shade sails over the playground, remodeling the foyer, replacing flooring on the first floor and completely remodeling the second-floor bathrooms and showers, just to name a few. Executive Director Chris Culhane said the renovations have been long-planned and are being done in the off-season to lessen the impact on Center members.

The improvements began as summer camps drew to a close and the nonprofit’s new fiscal year began. The new fiscal year started July 1 and financial results from that first month have been released. While the numbers show The Center ending July with -$76,765 in net income after all expenses, it’s not necessarily a negative issue considering that historically, the late summer months are lean months for the nonprofit leading up to high season in the winter and spring with the return of snowbirds and several signature fundraising events.

In July, The Center brought in $105,617 from programs, with $65,696 in direct costs and $62,691 in general, indirect and administrative expenses to create a $22,769 loss from operations. Fundraising brought in $22,855, though coupled with direct costs of $44,385, that cost center ended the month with a $44,300 loss. After $32,465 in capital expenses for the ongoing improvements at The Center, the nonprofit ended with -$76,765 in net income.

To view The Center’s financial statements, visit www.centerami.org.

Center Notes

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

Increase your babysitting skills

For young people who are thinking about starting their own babysitting business or those who want to increase their skill level, The Center of Anna Maria Island is hosting a babysitting class on Saturday, Oct. 22. The class will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and participants will learn skills to help them babysit safely and effectively, including becoming certified in CPR and first aid. Skills covered in the course include getting started with a business, caregiving, working with parents and children and key safety measures. The class is open to young people from 11-17. The cost to attend is $85 for Center members or $100 for non-members. The deadline to register is Friday, Oct. 14. Participants are asked to bring their own lunch. For more information, or to register, call 941-778-1908.

Learn to play canasta

Come out to The Center of Anna Maria Island and learn to play canasta. The nonprofit is hosting a six-week class from Oct. 18-Nov. 22 to teach people of all ages how to play American canasta. Classes take place every Tuesday from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Players will be split into teams of four and will learn strategies and rules of play to help them beat their opponents. The cost for the class series is $90 for Center members and $100 for non-members. All classes take place at The Center, 407 Magnolia Ave. in Anna Maria, and the deadline to register is Friday, Oct. 14. For more information, or to reserve your spot, call 941-778-1908.

Center hosts capoeira classes for beginners

For anyone who’s ever wanted to learn the intricacies of the Brazilian dance fighting martial art, a six-week course on capoeira for beginners is kicking off on Monday, Oct. 17. Classes will meet every week on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-7:30 p.m. through Nov. 21. Participants will learn the basic movements of capoeira and how to apply them while also exploring some of the art form’s history, and will engage in a capoeira roda. The class is open to all ages; it’s recommended that a parent or guardian accompany students under 10 years old for their first class. The cost is $50 for Center members or $60 for non-members and the deadline to register is Oct. 14. For more information, or to register, call 941-778-1908.

Get CPR certified at The Center

Landes Emergency Training Services is offering an AED/CPR certification class this month at The Center of Anna Maria Island. The class is on Wednesday, Oct. 19 from 6:30-8 p.m. and participants will earn a two-year certification upon completion. The training session is open to all community members with a cost of $90 for Center members and $100 for non-members. Registration is required by Friday, Oct. 14. For more information, or to register, call 941-778-1908.

Learn improv skills at The Center

The Center of Anna Maria Island joins organizations from all around the country in offering GameOn programming, a course designed to help children develop their improv, theatrical, listening and public speaking skills through games. Classes take place every Thursday from Oct. 20-Dec. 15 with kids ages 6-8 meeting at 4 p.m. and children ages 9-11 meeting at 5 p.m. The cost for the series is $200 for Center members or $225 for non-members. All classes are at The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave. in Anna Maria. The deadline to register is Friday, Oct. 14. For more information, or to register your child, call 941-778-1908.

Attract pollinators with seed bombs

Teens in fourth through ninth grades are invited to come to The Center of Anna Maria Island and learn how to make seed bombs on Thursday, Oct. 13 from 6-7 p.m. During the class, created in partnership with the Manatee County Public Library System, students will learn how to create beautiful, functional seed bombs to brighten up their outdoor space and also create a food source for pollinating insects and birds. The cost to attend is $20 for Center members or $25 for non-members. All supplies will be provided. The class takes place at The Center, 407 Magnolia Ave. in Anna Maria. To register, call 941-778-1908.

Tumble Tots classes roll into The Center

Learn to flip, kick and tumble at The Center of Anna Maria this fall with tumbling classes for youth. Classes take place every Thursday from Oct. 20-Nov. 17. Tumble Tots classes for kids ages 2-4 will be held from 3-3:45 p.m., followed by youth tumbling for kids entering kindergarten through fifth grade from 3:35-4:30 p.m. and advanced youth tumbling for students entering kindergarten through fifth grade from 4:30-5 p.m. Students will be placed in the advanced tumbling class based on skill level and at the discretion of the instructor. The cost to participate is $100 for Center members or $125 for non-members. Registration is required by Friday, Oct. 14. To register, call 941-778-1908. All classes will be held at The Center, 407 Magnolia Ave. in Anna Maria.

Season opener ends in tie

Season opener ends in tie

Written by Monica Simpson on . Posted in Soccer, Sports.

ANNA MARIA – With a week of practice under their belt, eight youth soccer teams took to The Center fields for this season’s kickoff games last Tuesday night.

In the U10 league, LaPensee Plumbing’s TJ Hagey and Preston LaPensee each had a hat trick in the game, scoring all six of LaPensee Plumbing’s points in the night.

Cloud Pest Control answered back with a single goal by Gabriel Spann.

Both goalies, Owen Mahoney for LaPensee and Thadeous Daniels for Cloud, had two recorded saves in week one action.

Island Real Estate’s scoring came from Callin Westfall with a solo goal and Oliver Barr with two points. Aidan Guess prevented the shutout with a goal for AMI Coconuts.

In a hard-played week one game, Sato Real Estate and Solid Rock Construction ended their battle royale in a 1-1 tie.

Sato Real Estate’s Gunnar Maize had three big saves in the matchup, while his counterpart on the opposite end of the pitch, Isaac Roadman, made two essential stops for Solid Rock Construction.

Roadman’s brother, Obe Roadman, was credited with an assist with the single Solid Rock goal by Matthew Darak.

Veteran player Dylan Sato stuck with confidence, scoring Sato Real Estate’s only point in the closest matchup of the season opener.

The U14 league saw one game played on the big field at the community center – Progressive Cabinetry struggled against the dominance of team HSH. With no mercy rule in place, HSH won the first game of the season 11-0.

Scoring by Braelyn Curtis, Ava Gitt, Sterling Holiday, Krosby Lamison, Jasmine Sparks, Jack Zaccagnino and Jesse Zaccagnino took the HSH squad to victory.

At the end of week one action, it is too early to tell which teams will top the charts. With an entire season ahead of them, any of the dynamic and hardworking teams could go all the way to the championship games.

 

Sun Scoreboard

Sept. 13

Youth Soccer – Week 1

U10 (8- to 10-year-old league)

 

LaPensee Plumbing 6

Cloud Pest Control 1

 

Solid Rock Construction 1

Sato Real Estate 1

 

Island Real Estate 3

AMI Coconuts 1

 

U14 (11- to 14-year-old league)
HSH 11

Progressive Cabinetry 0

 

Sept. 15

Adult Soccer

 

Wash Family Construction 7

Pool America 5

 

Slim’s Place 5

Ross Built Construction 4

 

Moss Builders 6

Servis First Bank 0

 

Gulfview Windows and Doors 9

Sato Real Estate 1

The Center kicks off youth soccer season

The Center kicks off youth soccer season

Written by Monica Simpson on . Posted in Soccer, Sports.

ANNA MARIA – In the heat of the early evening sun, the Island’s U4 youth soccer league came to life Tuesday night at The Center.

Starting the season with a little bit of anxiety, the youngest ballers had a whole lot of fun as they learned from the volunteer coaches and parents who stepped up to help develop a whole new generation of Island soccer players.

Four age group leagues enjoyed the newly conditioned Center fields during the season kick off practices organized by The Center. With the fields split for simultaneous training and play, the energy at The Center felt like times of old.

This season the U4 league is four teams strong with local business sponsors All Clean Softwash & Pressure Cleaning, Bins Be Clean, Gulf Drive Cafe and Wash Family Construction.

The six teams that make up the U7 league are supported by the business sponsorship of Adrian Griffin Interiors, Beach Bums, Freckled Fin, Paradise Pools AMI, Shady Lady and The Ugly Grouper.

AMI Coconuts, Cloud Pest Control, Island Real Estate, LaPensee Plumbing, Pools & Air, Sato Real Estate and Solid Rock Construction sponsored the six U10 teams.

Representing the U14 leagues, HSH, Mac Parkman and Progressive Cabinetry provided business sponsorship for the three teen teams.

In the seven-game regular season, the U10 and U14 leagues look to Nov. 1 when the playoffs begin.

Marking their calendars, players, friends and family are looking forward to the championship games currently scheduled to be played on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Bowlers roll to raise funds for Center

Bowlers roll to raise funds for Center

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Entertainment, Events, Featured.

ANNA MARIA – Several hundred people gathered Saturday night with a common goal in mind – to support The Center of Anna Maria Island.

All 64 lanes of the Bowlero Bradenton bowling alley were sold out, filled with participants in the Greg LaPensee Bowling Tournament, a fundraiser for The Center. This year marks the first time that the tournament took over the entire bowling alley.

This year’s winners were Salty Dolphin for best team; Joey Newell won for top-scoring male with a 266-point single game and Cali Hanson won for top-scoring female with 184 points. The Gutter Ball winner was Dhaval Patel. Charlie Serra won the Top Kid award, and the Morey Foundation hippies team, sponsored by Laura King, won Best Costume.

“We sold out,” Center Executive Director Christopher Culhane said. “All of the proceeds will benefit The Center.” Culhane declined to speculate on the anticipated amount of funds raised by the event.

The cost of participation was $50 per person; $700 for Signature Lane sponsors; $450 for Lane sponsors with six players; and $250 for Lane sponsors without players.

The event also featured multiple silent auction items.

The tournament was named for Greg LaPensee, who passed away on Dec. 21, 2021 at the age of 39, and was sponsored by his family’s business.

“Thank you to LaPensee Plumbing • Pools • Air for sponsoring and to the LaPensee Family for all you have done to help grow this event into what it is now,” The Center’s Facebook page said. “A huge shout out to the committee – Carlee LaPensee, Ashley Chiles and Janae Rudacille – and staff for all of their hard work.”

A non-profit community center, The Center on Magnolia Avenue meets the needs of those living on or near the Island, and serves all ages, including youths, teens and senior citizens.

The Center’s Director of Development Jim McDaniel, local restaurateur and philanthropist Bob Slicker and Carlee LaPensee celebrate the life of her late husband, Greg, on Sept. 10 at the Greg LaPensee Bowling Tournament benefiting The Center of Anna Maria Island. - Shona Otto | Sun

The Center’s Director of Development Jim McDaniel, local restaurateur and philanthropist Bob Slicker and Carlee LaPensee celebrate the life of her late husband, Greg, on Sept. 10 at the Greg LaPensee Bowling Tournament benefiting The Center of Anna Maria Island. - Shona Otto | Sun

Team Salty Dolphin took home the trophy for best team during the bowling tournament. - Shona Otto | Sun

Team Salty Dolphin took home the trophy for best team during the bowling tournament. - Shona Otto | Sun

Team Duncan Real Estate brought a crowd, but it wasn’t enough to beat out the Salty Dolphin group for top team in this year’s bowling tournament. - Anne Yarbrough | Sun

Team Duncan Real Estate brought a crowd, but it wasn’t enough to beat out the Salty Dolphin group for top team in this year’s bowling tournament. - Anne Yarbrough | Sun

All 64 lanes at Bowlero Bradenton were sold out for this year’s Greg LaPensee Bowling Tournament. - Shona Otto | Sun

All 64 lanes at Bowlero Bradenton were sold out for this year’s Greg LaPensee Bowling Tournament. - Shona Otto | Sun

From left, Jane Engelke and Shona Otto get ready to try their luck bowling for top honors. - Anne Yarbrough | Sun

From left, Jane Engelke and Shona Otto get ready to try their luck bowling for top honors. - Anne Yarbrough | Sun

Carlee and Chandler LaPensee help Center board Chair David Zaccagnino and Shawn Shields with the awards at the 2022 Greg LaPensee Bowling Tournament. - Shona Otto | Sun

Carlee and Chandler LaPensee help Center board Chair David Zaccagnino and Shawn Shields with the awards at the 2022 Greg LaPensee Bowling Tournament. - Shona Otto | Sun

Even the younger bowlers got in on the costume contest fun during the bowling tournament. - Anne Yarbrough | Sun

Even the younger bowlers got in on the costume contest fun during the bowling tournament. - Anne Yarbrough | Sun

Center board Chair David Zaccagnino shows off one of his favorite costumes of the night. - Anne Yarbrough | Sun

Center board Chair David Zaccagnino shows off one of his favorite costumes of the night. - Anne Yarbrough | Sun

The trophies weren’t the only things up for grabs at the Center’s 2022 bowling tournament held at Bowlero Bradenton. - Shona Otto | Sun

The trophies weren’t the only things up for grabs at the Center’s 2022 bowling tournament held at Bowlero Bradenton. - Shona Otto | Sun

Long brings volleyball camp to The Center

Long brings volleyball camp to The Center

Written by Monica Simpson on . Posted in Sports, Volleyball.

ANNA MARIA – For over 14 years, Evelyn Long has brought her knowledge and love of the game, experience as a player and talents as a coach to youth volleyball.

Coaching in Tampa, Florida to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Long and her amazing sisters improved the skills of nearly two dozen players during the last week of summer camp at The Center of Anna Maria Island.

Playing volleyball with her sisters since elementary school, Long played in high school for her older sister, Cindy Stenberg, at Cambridge Christian School. Coach Stenberg, an All-American setter, set the bar for her sisters in the world of volleyball.

Among her many accomplishments and accolades during her volleyball career, both as a player and a coach, Long was the 2005 Rose Diaz Award Recipient and was the 2004-05 Florida All State Setter. The Hillsborough County Volleyball Officials Association gives the Rose Diaz Award to a player who exemplifies sportsmanship and leadership each year.

As a setter, Long played with her younger sister, Peggy Smith, for a year in high school and at Clearwater Christian College for two years. Smith, a right-side hitter, was later coached by Long at Lancaster Bible College.

“It was so amazing to share a bond on and off the court,” Long said. The bond continues as Long plays alongside Smith, including at The Center.

“We have a natural rhythm and flow because of our years playing together,” Long said.

Long has never had to play against any of her sisters during her long and successful volleyball career.

Her coaching career began when she was 19 years old. Long coached for Club Ignite in Brevard County and has continued coaching at all levels.

Long was named Northeastern Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2013.

Coaching for club volleyball teams, Long later coached alongside her sister, Katy Roadman. Keeping the family ties strong, Roadman and Christy Raulerson, Long’s oldest sister, both support the Inspiration Academy volleyball program as assistant coaches with Head Coach Long.

Long started the Inspiration Academy girls volleyball program.

This summer, Long and her assistant coaches conducted the four-day volleyball camp for The Center. With her sisters, Roadman and Raulerson, Long was joined by niece and Blake High School volleyball player Chloe Stenberg, who shared her experience and knowledge as an active competitive player.

The camp gave girls who attend Anna Maria Elementary School and King Middle School a chance to meet new players. Long’s reputation as a strong coach drew players from Inspiration Academy to the Island, as well as several players who are home-schooled.

The highlight of the camp for Long was seeing players support the accomplishments of others.

“I know I find a lot of joy in seeing new players progress and learn the sport, but it brought even greater joy to see one of my players find that same excitement,” she said.

For Long, the most important accomplishment in volleyball is “… seeing former players take what they have learned from the sport of volleyball and apply these principles of hard work, humility and team effort into their personal lives.”

The Center and Long plan to continue to bring the volleyball specialty camp to the summer program, as well as conduct high school volleyball clinics for higher-level players.

The future for Long includes building the volleyball program at Inspiration Academy after taking a hiatus to grow her family and help with the family business, Solid Rock Construction.

The next generation of volleyball players in the family is being nurtured now that Long is coaching her daughter, Estella.

Returning to coaching also allowed Long to reunite with her sisters in volleyball.

“Katy… lends me so much help,” she said. “She has many years of coaching experience in various capacities from club to high school. I truly couldn’t do it alone and love coaching alongside her and Christy.”

Long and her sisters continue to play volleyball together.

“Our love for Jesus, family and volleyball truly binds us together as sisters,” Long said.

U6 family fun closes out season

U6 family fun closes out season

Written by Monica Simpson on . Posted in Soccer, Sports.

ANNA MARIA – After an action-packed summer in The Center of Anna Maria Island’s gymnasium, the youth indoor soccer season came to a close last Tuesday night with the parents teaming up against the littlest ballers in the league.

Teams Cloud Pest Control and Wash Family Construction combined talents to verse the parents in a fun game of indoor soccer on one hard pitch while the Sandbar Restaurant and Mac Parkman Foundation teams came together against their parents.

Coaches Karri Stephens, Jillian Ptak and Brooke Svoboda not only played against their talented and enthusiastic players, but also cheered them on in the all-for-fun season-ending games.

Using the skills learned during the season each week, nearly half of the players will be moving on to the bigger indoor pitch next indoor soccer season, aging out of the U6 league.

The summer season finishes with players in U13, U9 and U6 leagues having enjoyed the fast-paced fun of indoor soccer.

The Center looks forward to starting its first season on the reconditioned outdoor fields to start the fall sports season. The players of the summer sport will take some of what they learned during the past two months onto the grass pitches during the next soccer season.

Solid Rock, Progressive indoor champs

Solid Rock, Progressive indoor champs

Written by Monica Simpson on . Posted in Soccer, Sports.

ANNA MARIA – After wins last Monday night by U9’s Ugly Grouper and Solid Rock Construction and U13’s Progressive Cabinetry and Moss Builders, the stage was set for the youth indoor championship games at The Center.

Solid Rock Construction faced Ugly Grouper the next night in the U9 big game. Solid as a rock, the Solid Rock team came out on top 4-2 in the championship game.

Playing strong for the Ugly Grouper offense, Landon Leach and Beau Sanson scored solo goals in the league’s final game of the season.

On the indoor pitch without key player Tess Bolognone, Solid Rock Construction’s Aidan Guess brought his striking leg into the hard-fought match-up, scoring a hat trick with three points in the record books.

Teammate Matthew Darak contributed to the championship game scoring with a single goal for Solid Rock for the big game win.

Moss Builders faced off with Progressive Cabinetry, the only undefeated team going into the playoffs, in the final game of the night and the season. After four quarters of play, U13’s Progressive Cabinetry just won over Moss Builders with the final score 4-3.

On one side of the line, Moss Builders’ Callin Westfall scored two goals, with a single by Mason Moss. Moss and Elisabeth ten Haaf each had an assist in the hard-fought loss.

Progressive Cabinetry’s championship win was not a cakewalk. The well-earned victory came at the feet of Jason Wyatt, putting a point in the record books.

Earning a hat trick of their own, Barrett Raina solidified the W with three scoring strikes.

The win not only gave Progressive Cabinetry the top accolade of the season, but it also placed the team as one of the only teams in the history of The Center sports to go undefeated and named champs.

The U6 league closed out the summer season with the players taking to the pitch against the parents, in a fun game of indoor soccer at Island’s community center Tuesday night.

 

 

Sun Scoreboard

July 18

Youth Indoor Soccer – Week Six

 

U9

Ugly Grouper (4-2-0) 5

Blalock Walters (3-3-0) 1

 

Solid Rock Construction (4-2-0) 9

Bridgetender Inn (1-5-0) 0

 

U13

 

Progressive Cabinetry (6-0-0) 10

Shady Lady (1-5-0) 3

 

Freckled Fin (3-3-0) 3

Moss Builders (2-4-0) 1

 

Youth Indoor Soccer – Championship Games

U9

 

Solid Rock Construction 4

Ugly Grouper 2

 

U13

 

Progressive Cabinetry 4

Moss Builders 3