The Islander takes pride in recognizing members of the Anna Maria Island community for contributions and concern for making this slice of paradise an even better place to live.
Since the newspaper started in 1992, The Islander has sought to make its path by partnering with organizations and making their goals one and the same, by reporting the news of record and by telling the tales of people who live and work on AMI. If it’s not about the island or the people who live and flourish here, it’s not likely to be read here.
By the end of the first and second years of publishing, we sought a way to say thank you to the people who worked for a better island. And, in 1993, we found a worthy champion and launched an Islander-of-the-Year award.
The first award was presented posthumously to Cagnina for the year 1993 and the next to Ray Simches for 1994. Both served as mayors in Anna Maria.
Our third Islander of the Year is still striving for a better way, better bridges — especially a low, bascule bridge replacement for the Cortez-Bradenton Beach link for island-mainland traffic. She now lives on the mainland, but a big slice of her heart is with us in the battles we face to maintain paradise.
Seldom do we recognize people whose job it is to serve the community.
We look for those who give from the heart … our Islanders of the Year:
Katie Pierola, 1995: Katie Pierola had served six years as mayor of Bradenton Beach and her last term had just ended in 1995. She proved to be a bulldog at grant-getting, enacting improvements and bringing about positive change in office, and the city underwent a renaissance under her command.
She embodied the definition of a public servant in caring, tireless efforts to improve her city and the island.
Pierola fought to achieve the first beach renourishment program for the island and led the first round of the battles to prevent a proposed megabridge to replace the Cortez Bridge — both in the late 1980s.
Willis Howard “Snooks” Adams, 1996: Adams was born April 24, 1917, to settlers of Cortez and spent much of his life on the island as a police chief who used common sense as his guide.
He was a friend to local children, having started in 1954 an end-of-school party, celebrated now as Snooks Adams Kids Day.
In 1952, Bradenton Beach was incorporated and Adams became first assistant chief, then chief of police.
He is credited with helping set up the first Veterans of Foreign Wars post and was commander three times during the 1950s.
In 1956, Adams went to work for the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. “My job was to take care of the island,” he said.
From 1962-78, Adams was chief of police in Holmes Beach.
Charles and Jo Ann Lester, 1997: Charles Lester and Jo Ann Lester came from Wisconsin, fell in love with the island and, along with it, the Anna Maria Island Community Center, now the Center of Anna Maria Island. They put their money where their hearts are — here and in Wisconsin.
For this, and for the foresight to establish an endowment fund for the center, for their altruistic, unselfish willingness to put themselves at the foreground of a major fundraising campaign for the center, we honored them as 1997 Islanders of the year.
Jim Kronus, 1998: Jim Kronus, retiring in January 1999 after 25 years as Anna Maria Island Elementary principal, was named 1998 Islander of the Year.
He also was honored with his name on the school auditorium. Twenty-five years worth of admiring students, their parents, family and former and current staff honored him at that event.
Suzi Fox, 1999: With little funding to support Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch, Suzi Fox organized a group of volunteers to protect sea turtles.
A few years earlier, she took over the state permit for protecting nesting sea turtles, mostly loggerheads, and also their hatchlings.
Beach renourishment brought funding and necessary monitoring of turtles to AMITW and Fox, who continues as the group’s executive director, overseeing volunteers who track and monitor turtle activities on the shore.
Nancy Ambrose, 2000: Ambrose brought a passion for butterflies and butterfly gardening to Holmes Beach, where a peaceful retreat for butterflies and people was established at city hall.
Ambrose was later shamed with an arrest and plea agreement after she allegedly stole from the butterfly charity and the park. The park underwent a makeover in recent years as host to the Veterans Memorial Marker.
Carolyne Norwood, 2001: With so many people moving to our area daily from everywhere on the planet, our history was at risk of being lost in an avalanche of new faces, homes, businesses and things to do and see.
The keeper of the island’s history became Carolyne Norwood, who died in 2020. She set out on a quest to preserve our history and we think she was a champion at it, so much so that we selected her as the Islander of the Year for 2001.
The Anna Maria Island Historical Society, its museum and the preservation of the old jail and Belle Haven Cottage all are thanks to her vision.
Billie Martini, 2002: Billie Martini was just our cup of tea. She exemplified the charm and character of the island.
Martini came to AMI in 1944, residing 16 years in Bradenton Beach before settling in Holmes Beach.
She held various jobs, including post office clerk, bookkeeper for the water company and teacher’s aide at AME. She retired and rose to president of the grass-roots effort that became Save Anna Maria Inc.
She was elected to the Holmes Beach City Commission in 1993 for a two-year term, on the promise to be a voice for the people on the commission.
She sought recreational opportunities for residents, including a public swimming pool. Although that pursuit did not see reality — there is now a skate park, children’s gym and other amenities at the site adjacent to city hall.
Her finest achievement was the realization of the Grassy Point Preserve, fronting on Anna Maria Sound in the 3600 block of East Bay Drive (opposite Walgreens).
Another achievement to her credit is the play pavilion at AME. Martini envisioned the sheltered area and donated the funding to make it a reality.
Ilona and Jeff Kenrick, 2003: Ilona and Jeff Kenrick were Islanders of the year for 2003.
The Holmes Beach couple led an anonymous foundation that gave international aid amounting to about $1 million a year. The foundation’s mission was to “make contributions for religious, educational, charitable and scientific purposes.”
The Kenricks carried out the mission and created a local event that combined donations for a blood bank with a reward for blood donors, a cash payout to the blood donor’s choice of four island charities.
It was a win-win for everyone — although it no longer is held — and we thank them for their positive impact.
Jeff Croley, 2004: Jeff Croley of Holmes Beach symbolized all the good qualities we could ask for in a volunteer — and he symbolized for Anna Maria Island all the good folks who quietly went about doing anything and everything they could to aid those in need after Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne.
Croley, who worked a condo maintenance job on Longboat Key, took vacation days to drive with a cooler, cold drinks and a chainsaw to the hurricane-devastated areas in East Manatee, DeSoto and Charlotte counties, looking for folks who needed aid.
He came upon The Islander office early the first morning of his good Samaritan journey looking for a big cooler and some ice — and we were pleased to oblige.
It was rewarding for us to know and help a truly selfless human being and proud islander.
Anna Maria Island Privateers, 2005: If there is a symbol for Anna Maria Island, it is the sword-wielding, cannon-firing, ship-riding krewe, the Anna Maria Island Privateers.
They do good year after year, but 2005 stood out for the extra efforts on behalf of one unfortunate boy.
It only took a phone call to bring the Privateers and their ship to greet a boy with a failing heart on a “wish” trip to the island. And it wasn’t just a greeting for little Tyler and his siblings and parents. They were treated to a tour aboard ship, escorted to dinner and made honorary Privateers.
It was a selfless and remarkable gesture that symbolized hope for Tyler and filled his heart with love for our island. The Privateers gave him many reasons to return — and hope.
The Privateers also came to the rescue with Katrina relief, collecting needed items and transporting them to Tampa.
Next, the Privateers managed a memorial scholarship fund for an island teen killed in a car crash. The fund for Bridget Miller was a great addition to the many youth scholarships the Privateers award every year.
They hosted the annual Snooks Adams Kids Day, “thieves markets” in season, blood drives, Fourth of July and Christmas parades and many “captures” and visits to almost every event where their presence is requested.
They did all this and more — despite the death of their president, Greg “Shiprek” Davidson.
Dick Cline, who also died in 2005, aided him, working behind the scenes.
In spite of their losses, the Privateers continued to do great things.
The stated mission of the Anna Maria Island Privateers is “Pirates for children and community.”
They fulfill their mission and more, and we are all better for it.
Pete Lannon, 2006: If there was one person who touched the fabric of life that brought out the best in the island community in 2006, it was Pete Lannon.
He went far beyond his calling as a Holmes Beach community resource officer to become a mentor for our children, a confidant for those in need and a friendly face that even island visitors came to know as they passed AME, where Lannon was a fixture as a crossing guard for more than five years.
He fought cancer and eventually lost.
He is still missed by many, but the anti-drug program he taught at AME and his ideals live on. His character traits are heralded at the entrance to the school, Lannon Way.
Christine Olson, 2007: Christine Olson’s 22-year-old daughter Tiffiany died in 2005 in a motorcycle crash, after which Olson sought to connect people in emergency situations with loved ones and family members who “need to know.”
The quest led her to our office and then-state Rep. Bill Galvano, who just retired as a state senator.
Galvano led Olson to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, which allowed contact information in the existing Driver And Vehicle Information Database and law enforcement agencies to access information by “swiping” a driver’s license.
Registration was added to the DHSMV website in October 2006, and just like that, Tiffiany’s Initiative became reality.
There are now well more than a million registered Florida emergency contact participants.
We thank Olson for making a difference in the lives of many. For information or to register, visit the website at www.toinformfamiliesfirst.org.
Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage, 2008: Cheers to the organization that runs the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival and dedicates the proceeds to preserving the village, including the Burton store, the old schoolhouse and the 90-plus acre preserve that provides a buffer for the village from encroaching development.
Rhea and Ed Chiles, 2009: It was an honor for the island to be home to a first lady of Florida, Rhea Chiles, and to have her return after the death of Gov. Lawton Chiles.
AMI embraced Rhea. Little did we know she would bring with her culture, education, arts and artists, and a sense of nature and the beauty around us — the Studio at Gulf and Pine.
Combined with the generosity and vision of son Ed Chiles, owner of a trio of landmark restaurants on Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key, we have a legacy for the future.
The Geyers, 2010: The Geyer family was our 2010 Islanders of the Year. You may have known Pat Geyer as mayor or commissioner and, for many years, islanders loved her as Miss Duffy.
Patricia A. Geyer, the proprietress of Duffy’s Tavern, died May 1, 2010, at age 79, but she is remembered.
She served 18 years on the city commission and was elected mayor from 1990-94.
Her daughters — and now their families — contributed to community events, fundraisers and the family business. Geyer gave her family and the island a great gift of traditions.
Miss Duffy earned many accolades, but surely none pleased her more than the simple appreciation for her family, political service and burgers.
For those reasons, the Geyers were our choice for Islanders of the year 2010.
The Privateers, 2011: The Privateers are our only repeat winner.
They brought revelry and excitement during their 40th anniversary year under the leadership of Roger “Hoodat” Murphree. The captures at city halls were lifetime adventures for the city officials, some who found themselves shackled to the mast on the Skullywag with ransom to be paid.
It was a very good year for the Privateers, a crew that proved worth its weight in gold — raising more than $40,000 for college scholarships — and continuing service and entertainment on the island.
Arrrrrgh! Here’s to 40-plus years of Privateers.
Pam Leckie, 2012: In 2012, we came to recognize a crusade of sorts by one woman to fill the island pantry, the Roser Food Pantry.
The food pantry and its chair at the time, Pam Leckie, literally brought the pantry out of a church closet to a place of its own, where the pantry grew in its assistance to islanders.
In 2012, Leckie and other volunteers distributed almost 1,500 bags of food and gift cards for fresh foods.
Leckie and her volunteers proved they are among the best of the best by coming to the aid with groceries for employees of the Rod & Reel Pier after a fire closed the Anna Maria restaurant.
Gene Aubry, 2013: Former Anna Maria Commissioner Gene Aubry is a renaissance man, empowered with seemingly limitless knowledge, embracing a sort of great thinking.
He stepped up to serve the city — many times.
If you haven’t heard him play guitar, you may not recognize his range of talent. If you don’t know of his many architectural achievements, you might doubt this quiet man had reached such heights. If you don’t know of his art — the simple, fine lines and subtle colors that capture moments in time like no photograph could — you may not appreciate his refined taste.
He may no longer serve in city government, but he isn’t giving up. Surrender is not in his character.
Jeannie Bystrom, 2014: For 2014, we honored the effort of one woman — Jeannie Bystrom — to make a difference by not only saving seabirds day after day, freeing them from fishing line entanglement and other hazards encountered in their habitat but more so for pushing for better education and regulations to protect wildlife and our valuable environmental assets.
Sabine Musil-Buehler, 2015: As we searched for the person who made a difference in our lives in 2015, we came to realize the value of lessons learned from the loss of Sabine Musil-Buehler and for the closure she provided from her final resting place on the beach.
We pledged to honor her memory with the final sunset of the year.
Ernie Casali, 2016: In 2016, we recognized a grand figure in Moose International and at our local lodge in Bradenton Beach, Ernie Casali.
He made a difference for the lodge over the course of years as its manager and in the daily lives of people he helped — both through the Moose and through his own soft-hearted generosity.
You may never know who gave to a needy person or a cause, but it often was Ernie.
Hurricane Irma responders, 2017: For 2017, we recognized the people who made a safe return to the island possible after the evacuation for Hurricane Irma.
We saw damage but not devastation from the storm, and our “hurricane heroes” kept order, soothed and swayed our fears and led us back home.
Vern McGowin, 2018: And for 2018, serving among the heroes in law enforcement with grace, embracing our children in his duties at AME and always putting a caring manner behind the badge, there is Holmes Beach Police Sgt. Vern McGowin.
He was off to relish a much-deserved retirement and an adventure that put family first.
We celebrate Vern and wish him well.
Wildlife Inc. , Ed and Gail Straight, 2019: Who you gonna call with a wildlife emergency?
Ask an animal-, bird-, wildlife-lover and the answer comes readily: Wildlife Inc.
Gail or Ed Straight are founders and directors of Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, based in their home in Bradenton Beach since 1987.
Ed Straight, president and former Bradenton Beach commissioner, a retired law enforcement officer, started rescuing animals in need as a hobby.
The Straights now manage thousands of rescued birds and animals yearly, from laughing gulls and owls to Key deer, otters and many more, caring for their injuries or nursing them when they’re abandoned and returning them to the wild whenever possible.
Thanks to you, Gail and Ed, and to all the Islanders of the Year who came before you.
YOU DURING THE PANDEMIC: You were the Islander of the Year in 2020. You, the person who diligently wore your life-saving mask, repeatedly washed your hands and sanitized and, especially, respected other people’s need for personal space by social distancing for most of the past nine months in order to protect yourself and others, your family and the strangers you encounter, as you go about your essential business.
Cortez Bridge Battlers Joe McClash, Jane von Hahmann, Linda Molto and Joe Kane: For 2021, we honored the four who took the challenge to a high bridge on Cortez Road to the courts. They were four crusaders fighting for the preservation of the ambiance and historic character of Cortez and Anna Maria Island as they battled the Florida Department of Transportation’s proposed megabridge to replace the old 1957-built drawbridge connecting Bradenton Beach and the mainland at the fishing village.
Their challenge was new. Their battle was decades’ old, as one of the newspaper’s earliest Islander of the Year honorees also battled a megabridge.
Hats off to those four heroes.