Freshening up at Robinson
“Splash, splash, the roseate spoonbills were taking a bath on our recent walk through Robinson Preserve,” says Bruce McFadden of Holmes Beach, who shared photos of the birds he took in late January while hiking in the park with wife Janice and friends. More than 200 species of birds — ospreys, eagles, songbirds, woodpeckers and wading birds — have been documented at the preserve, which islanders can access from an entrance in the 10600 block of Manatee Avenue West. Islander Courtesy Photos
HB treehouse ‘coming down,’ judge ends ‘saga’
“The saga of the treehouse is over,” said Judge Edward Nicholas of the 12th Circuit Court. “The treehouse is coming […]
The caboose leaves its station
TOP: Paul Chapman, vice president of the Florida Railroad Museum, inspects train wheels Feb. 24 as the traincar hangs on a crane above him at Anna Maria Elementary, 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.
MIDDLE: AME principal Mike Masiello shoots photos Feb.24 of the school’s caboose as it is lifted by a crane from its home on the campus to a flatbed trailer in the parking lot at the Holmes Beach school.
BOTTOM: Johnson House Moving pulls onto Gulf Drive with AME’s red caboose — a former computer lab and school store bound for a new home at the Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish. Islander Photos: Robyn Murrell
Cortez, it’s a way of life
Festivalgoers gather alongside the Cortez Fishermen’s Memorial Feb. 17 to celebrate the commercial fishing industry and the historic village of Cortez at the 42nd annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. The fundraising event was organized by the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage and went on Feb. 17 in the village. Rain prompted FISH to cancel Feb.18. Islander Photos: Robert Anderson
All aboard to Bradenton Beach!
Manatee County’s Gulf Islands Ferry made waves of the historical variety, landing Feb. 9 for the first time in Bradenton […]
Marine outing
Anna Maria Elementary first-graders Trey Ellison, left, Cooper Patel and Aiden LaMountain observe a spiny lobster during a Jan. 31 field trip to Mote Marine Aquarium on City Island in Sarasota. Principal Mike Masiello noted the field trip was associated with the Guy Harvey Academy at the school. He said students traveled to Mote to learn about the negative impacts of invasive species, such as lionfish, and about positive actions that can be taken to restore or preserve Earth’s natural resources.
Croce entertains at center
A.J. Croce performs a sold-out show Jan. 26 at the Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, as part of the Croce Plays Croce 50th Anniversary Tour. The show marked the third concert in the 2023-24 Bradenton Gulf Island Concert Series. Croce played some songs made popular by his late father, Jim Croce, who died in a plane crash in Louisiana 50 years ago. Islander Photos: Robyn Murrell
Derelict boats challenge law enforcement
The waters surrounding Anna Maria Island are littered with derelict boats, prompting concerted efforts by government agencies to address the […]
It’s finally ferry time!
The Miss Anna Maria, one of two 49-passenger catamarans in Manatee County’s Gulf Islands Ferry fleet, arrives Jan. 14 at the Anna Maria City Pier after several startup delays. Six passengers rode the first trip from downtown Bradenton despite the weather, which was windy and damp with temperatures in the low 60s. Islander Photos: Ryan Paice
Splashing into 2024
Participants in Clancy’s Shamrock Shiver Charity Plunge storm into the Gulf of Mexico at Cortez Beach in Bradenton Beach. The annual New Year’s Day event put on by Clancy’s Irish Sports Pub and Grill, 6218 Cortez Road W., Bradenton raised $36,051 for nonprofits Feeding Empty Little Tummies, Healthy Teens Coalition and Take Stock in Children. The event has raised more than $400,000 since its inception in 2009. Islander Photos: Robert Anderson