Casa Coconut AMI does coin toss at Citrus Bowl!
Vrbo picks retired firefighter who housed first responders during pandemic to perform coin toss at the Citrus Bowl
ORLANDO, Fla. – Dec. 9, 2021 – Vrbo® selects vacation home owner Mike Wilcox to perform the coin toss at the 2022 Vrbo Citrus Bowl game. The inspirational host opened his vacation rental to first responders at no cost to help protect their families and loved ones during the pandemic.
Before retiring as a fire lieutenant in Ohio, Wilcox and his wife Jennifer purchased a vacation rental in Anna Maria Island, Florida where they planned to spend their retirement. The onset of the pandemic hit months later, and Wilcox lost three months' worth of business as travel came to a halt. Despite the significant loss of rental income, Wilcox offered his vacation rental as free housing for first responders who needed to quarantine. Not long after, a first responder was on his doorstep in need of a place to stay. Local first responders from Southern Manatee Fire Rescue have expressed deep gratitude for his generosity and are considering vacation rentals as a housing resource in the future.
“Having served as a fire lieutenant, I know firsthand the challenges that first responders have when it comes to exposure to the virus while on the job,” said Wilcox. “I have friends on the frontlines and wanted to help in this tough situation, and I also knew I was in a position to provide a solution.”
“Vrbo hosts embody hospitality and kindness every day by giving guests a place to relax and recharge,” said Kevin Locraft, Vrbo’s vice president of partner success. “We wanted to recognize Mike for his generosity and resilience during the pandemic. It’s inspiring and humbling to see Vrbo hosts go above and beyond for their communities.”
The Vrbo Citrus Bowl game between the Kentucky Wildcats and Iowa Hawkeyes will take place at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando and will air nationally on ABC on New Year’s Day.
About Vrbo
In 1995, Vrbo introduced a new way for people to travel together, pairing homeowners with families and friends looking for places to stay. We were grounded in one purpose: To give people the space they need to drop the distractions of everyday life and simply be together.
Since then, we've grown into a global community of homeowners and travelers, with unique properties around the world. Vrbo makes it easy and fun to book cabins, condos, beach houses and every kind of space in between.
Vrbo is part of Expedia Group and offers homeowners and property managers exposure to over 750 million visits to Expedia Group sites each month. To learn more, visit www.vrbo.com.
© 2021 Vrbo, an Expedia Group company. All rights reserved. Vrbo, HomeAway, the Vrbo logo, and the HomeAway logo are trademarks of HomeAway.
Climate
The island has ideal year round temperatures!
WINTER / SPRING [December, January, February, March, April, May]
Average Air Temperatures
DEC / 73.2—51.1 JAN / 71.8—50.0 FEB / 72.6—50.9 MAR / 77.1—55.7 APR / 82.0—59.6 MAY / 86.9—65.0
Average Water Temperatures
WINTER / 77—65 SPRING / 85—77
SUMMER / FALL [June, July, August, September, October, November]
Average Air Temperatures
JUNE / 89.5—69.9 JULY / 90.6—71.8 AUG / 90.7—72.1 SEPT / 89.4—71.5 OCT / 84.4—64.6 NOV / 78.3—56.8
Average Water Temperatures
SUMMER / 89—80 FALL / 86—68
The average annual rainfall is 55.7 in with heavy months of 7-9 inches in June, July, August & September and lightest months of 2-4 inches in January, February, March, April, May, October, November & December.
Welcome to our home on Anna Maria Island! We are retired from Ohio. a former school teacher, principal and retired Lieutenant in the fire service. We have three grown children and a grandchild. We moved to AMI to live our fullest and warmest life possible! We look forward to you staying with us. Please call us if you need special accommodations or if we can help in any way!
—Jennifer & Michael
“Anna Maria Island is a quaint Barrier Island nestled in the Gulf of Mexico. Beautiful turquoise waters and white sandy beaches are the main attraction here. It is a place where “old” Florida charm can still be found, flip flops are a way of life and the speed limit never exceeds 35mph. High rise condos and fast food restaurants are pleasantly absent from our pristine “get away from it all” island. Our accommodations and restaurants offer something for everyone. From quaint cottages by the sea to deluxe suites, from million-dollar villas to rustic cottages to own, One visit to Anna Maria Island and you will be calling it, “My island in the sun”.”
HISTORY OF ANNA MARIA
Old World Living & Old Florida Charm Island Inhabitants
The island was originally used for hunting and fishing by various Indian tribes and the only way on and off the island was by boat. Visit the Anna Maria Island Historical Society for a look at this island paradise in its original form when it was discovered by the local Timucan and Caloosan American Indian tribes and then by Spanish explorers (including Hernando DeSoto) in the name of the Spanish Crown. Ponce de Leon named it after Maria Anna, Queen of Spain in 1521.
In 1892 George Emerson Bean became the first permanent resident on the Island, followed by John Roser. Bean settled on the northern tip of the island, now known as Bean Point. It was Bean, his son Will along with Charles Roser who developed the area by adding streets, a water system and homes. Shortly after came a school and churches which lead to the beginning of an island community. A jail was built in 1927 for the drunk and disorderly visitors which is still standing today on Pine Avenue without a roof due to a fire in the 1940’s. Mr. Bean homesteaded much of what is now the City of Anna Maria. In the early 1900s, Bean began to develop the Island with the Anna Maria Beach Company, which laid out streets, built sidewalks and houses and installed a water system.
Early Construction
During this time, John Roser built the first house of worship, Roser Memorial Community Church, in memory of his mother. Roser was the creator of the Fig Newton, which he eventually sold to Nabisco Brands. Roser Memorial Community Church still stands and attends to the spiritual needs of Islanders.
Typical of the early buildings is the present Island Playhouse, which was built on the mainland. It was transported to the Island by barge and has served the community during its long life as church, school, social and city hall.
The Magnolia Avenue School was built in the early 1900s and has since been replaced with the Anna Maria Island Elementary School, which is located in the City of Holmes Beach. The present school draws students from north Longboat Key as well as Anna Maria Island; it has a student body of just under of 400.
First Bridges
Anna Maria first appeared as a barrier island on unofficial US maps in 1848. In 1911 the Anna Maria City Pier was built. In May of 2011 this bridge will be celebrating its 100 Year Anniversary with a big "City Pier Centennial" festival. In 1921 the first wooden bridge was built connecting the island to the mainland in the fishing village of Cortez. The Bradenton Beach fishing pier is the western end of that original bridge.
Throughout the developmental period of the Island, local city governments have worked diligently to preserve the heritage of This "Island In The Sun", Anna Maria Island.
Demographics
Our small, 7 mile island is home to 3 cities: The southern city of Bradenton Beach with a population of 2000, the central city of Holmes Beach with a population of just over 5,000 & the northern city of Anna Maria with a population of just over 1800.
The average age on Anna Maria Island is 53 years. There are families, children, singles and retirees all living on our pristine island. The island has an elementary school and child care facilities, music and nightlife, private golf clubs and wild life preserves. The ratio of males to females is nearly 50/50, with slightly more females.
Online Guidebook
Address
4104 4th Ave
Bradenton, FL 34217
Contact us
Facebook: Casa Coconut AMI
Email: contact@casacoconutami.com
Wifi
Network: casacoconutami
Password: weloveccami
Unit 1
Parking is the far left spot that is not under the carport. You can park up to two vehicles in tandem. In front of the parking spot is a set of stairs. Go up the to the platform and go left. You porch overlooks the backyard.
Unit 2
Parking is the far right spot, closest to the fence. You park up to two vehicles in tandem. The stairs to unit 2 are on the left side of the building. Go up the first few stairs to the platform and then turn right. Your porch overlooks the parking area.
Unit 3
Parking for unit 3 is in the middle. Your front door is right in front of your parking spot. You can park up to two vehicles in tandem.
Check-in
Check-in is a 4:00pm EST. Freckled Fin Irish Pub offers discounts to visitors that arrive early. Just stop by before 4:00 and have proof that this is your check-in day and they will give you 20% off of your order.
Check-Out
Check-out is at 10:00am EST. You can help that cleaning crew out big time by washing up those last minute dishes.
Laundry Facilities
Our laundry facilities are free to our guests. The entrance to the laundry room is on the ground floor, next to the door for unit 3. The code for the laundry room is 441044.
