Home Values Rising On Anna Maria Island
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Kids Surf Camp On Holmes Beach
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Sunsets – An Anna Maria Island Ritual
Sun Setting Through the Pine Trees Just South of the Sandbar Restaurant
It only takes about three minutes for the sun to disappear after it touches the horizon, but perhaps nowhere on the planet is that time celebrated with more passion than Anna Maria Island.
Watching the sunset is a cherished ritual on this sleepy barrier island, about 20 miles west of Bradenton in Manatee County. Visitors and locals alike gather on the beaches to savor the dimming of the day, an ordinary event extraordinary enough to inspire spontaneous applause.
“In Anna Maria, the sunset is a celebration,” says Kathy Wooten, manager of the Queen’s Gate Resort, one of the many mom-and-pop hotels that dot the three towns — Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach and Anna Maria — on the seven-mile slip of island. “If you come here, it’s the one thing you have to do.”
Clapping is optional, of course.
It always seems to happen, though, whether on a secluded stretch of sand or at the iconic Sandbar restaurant on the north end of Anna Maria. In this spot, diners have gathered to watch the ritual since 1913, when a restaurant known as “The Pavilion” entertained guests who could only reach the island by boat.
Nowadays, the Sandbar features dining either indoors or on an outdoor deck with some of the tables perched on the sand itself. Employees and patrons alike stop to watch the show on the horizon, which is acknowledged by the ringing of a bell — and applause, of course.
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Duffy’s Tavern Owner Was Island Institution
By Tiffany Lankes – Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Published: Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at 1:00 a.m.
HOLMES BEACH – There was one place in Holmes Beach where residents knew they could get a captive audience with the mayor.
Over a burger and a cold beer, they could vent their concerns at Duffy’s Tavern, where owner and former mayor Pat Geyer would always listen.
Miss Duffy - Pat Geyer
Everyone called her “Miss Duffy,” because of her close connection to the tavern. She died Saturday at the age of 79.
“She was always very involved with the community,” said her daughter, Pamela Geyer. “She called them all family.”
Pat Geyer’s story in Holmes Beach started in 1960, when she and her husband moved their family there from Cincinnati. The couple had been vacationing on the island for years and fell in love with its laid-back scene and beachy culture.
About a decade later, the family bought Duffy’s Tavern, already an island institution that opened in 1958 in a cracker shack on the beach.
“My father worked the first 40 years of their marriage,” Pamela Geyer said. “She figured she would work the rest of it.”
Geyer used to joke that she bought the restaurant at 5808 Marina Drive to keep her five daughters out of trouble by putting them all to work at the restaurant.
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Tourist Still Flocking, But Spending Less
Tourist numbers are on a par with last year, said Kathy O'Bryan, manager of Peach's Restaurant on Holmes Beach.
By RICHARD DYMOND – rdymond@bradenton.com
ANNA MARIA ISLAND — Every year for the past 25, Mark Short and his family leave the suburbs of Detroit for a week and come to Anna Maria Island for a vacation.
Sometimes it’s for Easter week like this year, sometimes it’s in the summer.
Still, some things have changed.
For one, the Shorts now plan out everything they will spend for the week instead of just letting spontaneity rule.
And instead of spending the whole week at a rented condo or house at the beach, they now save money by spending half their vacation with either Short’s sister-in-law, Nancy Haller, or his father-in-law, Jim Tyrrell, both of Bradenton.
Occupancy levels for hotels and motels in Manatee County showed small incremental increases over last season, starting in December, said Jessica Grace, marketing and public relations director for the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
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Islanders Invade Tampa for Gasparilla 2010
On Saturday, January 30, a small yet determined group of islanders joined a flotilla of boats for the annual Gasparilla invasion of Tampa.
Our Vessel, the Bella Vita (meaning the “good life”), was captained by Mr. Robert Harper of Holmes Beach. Once loaded with plenty of food and beverage, we pushed away from Anna Maria Island at approximately 9:30 AM.
Our mission…eat, drink and be merry.
Although it was an overcast day, the temperature was seasonably warm and the beverages were cold and delicious.
After achieving our stated mission, the Krewe returned to Anna Maria around
2 PM and took part in additional festivities.
Thanks to everyone for making this a memorable day.
A special thanks to Robert and Amy Harper for being such gracious hosts, both at their home and on the high seas.
We look forward to Gasparilla 2011.
Click on any photo to enlarge. There are 4 Pages in Total.
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2010 Anna Maria Island Calendar by Jack Elka
Jack Elka is a master of beach photography and has maintained a studio on beautiful Anna Maria Island for three decades serving clients worldwide.
Jack Elka
With a film background, Jack’s experience and thorough knowledge of light, timing, posing and a sense of style and composition all combine to create classic beach portraits, wedding and commercial photography.
Each of the following 2010 Calendar photos are available as enlargements suitable for framing to decorate your home or office.
For more information or to purchase a calendar, call 941-778-2711 or go to http://www.annamariacalendar.com/
Please Click on any photo to enlarge.
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Miscellaneous Anna Maria/Longboat Key Photos
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Upcoming Events
Downtown Holmes Beach – Holiday Open House
Santa
Where: Downtown Holmes Beach – Marina and Gulf Drives
When: December 4 5:00-8:00 PM
What: Holiday walkabout with participating merchants in the area of Marina and Gulf dirves, including tree lighting at 5pm at the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce.
Prize giveaways & refreshments. Join the Anna Maria Island Privateers, visit the Scallywag ship and Santa Sleigh at the Islander. Santa visits and treats for children. Sponsored and organized by The Islander newspaper.
Anna Maria Island Art League Winterfest
Where: Holmes Beach City Hall Fieldon Marina Drive
When: December 12 & 13
Living Statue - 2008 Winterfest
What: Festival of Fine Arts and Fine Crafts featuring more than 100 juried artist and fine craftsmen.
Musical entertainment by Gumbo Boogie Band and Howie Banfield & the Anna Maria String Band. ”Young at Art” Children’s Exhibit.
Food Court featuring area restaurants. Prize drawings for over 50 pieces of original artwork.
Free admission and parking. Sponsored by Anna Maria Island Art League, The Bradenton Herald and Edward E & Lillian H. Bishop Foundation. For more information call 941-778-2099.
Anna Maria Island Privateers Christmas Parade
Where: Bayfront Park to Coquina Beach
When: December 12 at 10 AM
Other Notable Events
• Dec. 12, Holiday Boat Parade on Manatee River.
• Dec. 13, Pancake breakfast at St. Bernard Catholic Church.
• Dec. 19, Holiday open house and lighted boat parade, Bradenton Beach.
• Dec. 19, “Where’s Woody Candish” sidewalk art sale in the Island Shopping Center.
• Dec. 20, Anna Maria Island Community Chorus and Orchestra holiday concert.
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