The 2013 graduating class of preschoolers at School For Constructive Play, 302 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, sing together during an outdoor ceremony in the school playground. Graduation was delayed a week by Tropical Storm Andrea, but the kids were excited, no matter the day. Before heading off to kindergarten, each student takes one last slide on the jungle gym to receive a certificate from their teachers. Islander Photo: Jo Ann Meilner

Green sea turtle eggs lay at the bottom of a nest discovered June 7 in Bradenton Beach. It is the fifth recorded green sea turtle nest on Anna Maria Island in 30 years.

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Parked vehicles line Manatee Avenue in Holmes Beach between the sidewalk and the road at Easter, before the city posted “no parking” signs on the north side of the road. Islander File Photo

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The Gulf of Mexico surged all the way to the back door of the Bradenton Beach Moose Lodge, 110 Gulf Drive S., during a brush with Tropical Storm Debby in June 2012. Flooding is a concern for property owners and the city governments on a barrier island. This week’s special Storm Avenger section provides tips and advice on planning for storm season. Islander Photo: Mark Young

Kids take off in the sack race at the 59th annual Snooks Adams Kids Day, hosted by the fun-loving Anna Maria Island Privateers May 17 at Anna Maria’s Bayfront Park. The event included free sodas, hot dogs and pizza for kids and plenty of games, beads and pirate tales. The annual event began in 1954, when the late Holmes Beach Police Chief Snooks Adams carried kids in his Jeep to Coquina Beach to celebrate the end of the school year. The Privateers took up sponsorship in the 1980s, while Adams continued to raise funds and make appearances at the event. It grew to accommodate hundreds of kids seeking summer fun. More kids and Privateers, page 11. Islander Photo: Edna Tiemann

Carol Soustek, left, AMITW volunteer beach walker, rejoices on learning the morning turtle crawl she found May 13 at 66th Street is indeed verified to be the first nest of the 2013 sea turtle nesting season. With her in front of the nest is section coordinator Debbie Basilius. The nest is projected to hatch around July 7. Islander Photo: Courtesy Suzi Fox

Sophia Belsito, grade 4, previews a book for sale at the Anna Maria Elementary School book fair held in the school media center, where new books were displayed for purchase. The May 1 event also featured science night in the auditorium, games for kids and art displays in the school hallways. Islander Photos: Bella Love

Chef Craig Chaskey provides seniors a tasty cooking lesson and lunch April 27 at the Annie Silver Community Center in Bradenton Beach. The menu featured guacamole, tacos and cinnamon flauta. Islander Photo: Edna Tiemann

Second graders in Karen Newhall’s class at Anna Maria Elementary School take part in the Great American Cleanup on the AME campus April 19, including Gianna Norton, Samara Dunn, Laila Singer and Izzy Witcom clean up the AME campus with help from parent Deb Singer. Students and parents collected litter from the waterfront on Anna Maria Sound to the entrance of the school on Gulf Drive. The program is sponsored at AME by Keep Manatee Beautiful. Islander Photo: Courtesy Karen Newhall

Capt. Logan Bystrom assists Dennis Crelling with showing off a 50-pound kingfish Crelling caught off of Anna Maria Island on a recent charter.