Winter fun? Try islandstyle wet & wild
Tommy Daniels of Holmes Beach blasts the backside of a wave on the Gulf of Mexico Feb. 27 at White Avenue. Daniels is a well known waverider, while son Christian is an up-and-comer in tournaments on the east coast. Islander Photo: Curtis Hightower. Click Here for more pics.
All hail the chief
Retired Holmes Beach Police Chief Jay Romine is recognized with a standing ovation by more than 250 invited guests at his retirement party Feb. 22 at the Stoneybrook Golf Club. Romine was roasted, toasted and honored by family, fellow law enforcement, and officials from all over the state. He resigned his 19-year tenure as chief Jan. 31 and his law enforcement career of 33 years. Click here for more images
AME celebrates sweet hearts
AME fourth-grader Ryann Price enjoys time with her older brother at the traditional Father-Daughter Dance, honoring the men in the lives of AME students. Islander Photo: Nick Leduc. Click Here for more pics
Islander takes up Everglades python hunt
Jeff Fabb, of Animal Planet shows participants at the Python Challenge the power of a 15-foot Burmese python and why hunters should use caution during the first-ever Everglades python hunt. Islander Photo: Michael Jaworski
AME readers bond with therapy dogs
Second-grader Kiera Johnston reads to golden Labrador retriever, Daisy, as encouraged by Shirley Jaffee of Longboat Key, in the Anna Maria Island Elementary media center, 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Volunteers from Therapy Dogs Inc. give their time and dogs to the school program on Monday mornings. Islander Photo: Kathy Prucnell
Turtle travel time
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring executive director Suzi Fox loads a Kemp’s ridley juvenile sea turtle Jan. 23 for a ride to Dunedin to be released. “Marsha” was struck by a boat and injured in Collier County during nesting season. More, page 7. Islander Photo: Mark Young
Dead fish litter beaches
Dead fish, mostly mullet, line the Holmes Beach-Anna Maria shoreline the morning of Jan. 16. Islander Photo: Bonner Joy
Ready, set … they’re off!
The Anna Maria Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization Dolphin Dash 5k run gets its start Jan. 12 at the school, 4700 Gulf Drive.
2012 Islander of the Year
Pam Leckie brought the Roser Food Pantry from a closet in 2009 to a larger, more efficient and beneficial facility at Roser Memorial Community Church. It serves a much-needed purpose in the island community with excellence.















