Finally the season had changed in Florida! It was crisp, sunny day in early November and I was outside enjoying the fresh air while building a new shed in my backyard. My neighbor, Donna Carpenter, was also out in her backyard and she came to the fence to admire the large plastic shed I was finishing up. We began chatting and she told me that she would like to get a plastic shed. Her old aluminum shed was damaged in a storm last year and had to be taken down. The contents of said shed were piled on her pool deck and in her dining room.… Read More

This is the second of a two-part series on the Vinoy Renaissance Hotel. The first part told the story of the Vinoy’s restoration, reopening in 1992. The second part deals with the Vinoy restoration’s impact on the revitalization of downtown St. Petersburg. The current era of downtown revitalization may be divided into four phases: The Events Prior to 1999; The First Wave of Downtown Condominiums; A Second Wave of Downtown Construction; and The Present Boom Period.

Phase 1: The Vinoy Restoration Era

The restoration of the Vinoy is credited by many with being a major catalyst for the downtown revitalization, particularly near the waterfront.… Read More

Every two weeks, the Ronald McDonald house door bursts open to reveal a spunky and spirited Cavalier Spaniel named Lacie who could not be happier to be there – and of course, her owner, Ann Goldman, who is equally thrilled.

Lacie’s visits to the Ronald McDonald house are a welcome diversion for the residents and guests, especially for the siblings of sick children who remain there with their families while a sibling receives treatment. When she’s not showering her audience with joy and many kisses, Lacie puts on quite a show, too.

Ann Goldman explains: “When we go in, most of the kids are so excited to see her – and she’s excited to see them, too.… Read More

One can’t help being charmed by Richard Montague. He defines the term “bon vivant.” And he is clear about his approach to life over nearly a century: “When life presents an opportunity, take advantage of it.”

His life story bears that out. As a young man with a scholarship at stake, he entered a piano competition in high school and won a full ride to Syracuse University. Next, inspired by a Teddy Roosevelt speech, “The Strenuous Life,” he went west to teach at Southern Idaho College of Education in Albion. While there and leading its tiny music department, he broke horses, learned to rope, and performed in rodeos as “The Professor.”… Read More