Not long after I arrived at Michelle Passoff and Andre Kupfermunz’s home in the Old Northeast, Andre informed me that although he was born in 1943, he’d just received the first copy of his actual birth certificate. The reason that Andre was born with a false birth record and the harrowing circumstances of his birth were just one of the many reasons I was there to talk to this fascinating, creative couple. 

Both Andre and Michelle see obstacles as opportunities. And in Andre’s case, it might just be in his genes. He was born in Nazi-occupied France during World War II to Polish-Jewish parents who were Resistance fighters in the French “M.O.I.”… Read More

While the City of St. Petersburg was developing its reputation over the past two decades as a premiere arts destination in the southeast, a budding native-daughter poet was set on filling the literary cultural void. What began as an effort to design and promote reading and writing events blossomed less than a year later into a nonprofit supporting the literary arts through ongoing education and creative events. Keep St. Pete Lit celebrated its seventh anniversary this past August.

Maureen McDole, Keep St. Pete Lit’s founder and executive director, spearheaded the organization’s growth from its inception to the present where it is now regarded as one of Florida’s leading literary arts groups providing low-cost, high-quality writing classes to people of all ages – from elementary school on up to seniors – and all skill levels from beginners to professionals.… Read More

As the 2020 holiday season approaches, we turn back the clock to pay a visit to the Christmas season of 100 years ago. In 1920, the nation and St. Petersburg were still coping with the post-World War I depression, although St. Pete was seeing good signs of recovery. World War I had come to an end in late 1918 as had the devastating Spanish Flu. In November 1920, Republican Warren G. Harding had been elected president. However, as of Christmas, Democrat Woodrow Wilson was still serving. His term would not end until March 1921. 1920 was a “Dry” year, at least officially.… Read More

As a master in the Ichiyo School of Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, Jeanne Houlton’s arrangements are a study in minimalism, balance, graceful lines, space, and proportion. More than a simple decoration, Ikebana arrangements are three-dimensional floral sculptures.

“In Ikebana, the idea is less is more,” says Jeanne. “By taking away, a more powerful effect is achieved. Negative space is part of the art. It’s also transient, which is represented in our use of all stages of the plant, from seed to flower to the dried form in death.” Jeanne also points out that western floral design is symmetrical, but Ikebana uses asymmetrical balance.… Read More

I once met the esteemed author, Jack Kerouac, at Haslam’s Bookstore. It was an exciting experience for me, especially since he had been dead for several decades. This meeting took place during a ghost hunt performed by the SPIRITS of St. Petersburg. I was there as a paranormal investigator and he was a mysterious mist that manifested on film. This was my first photographic evidence of the spirit world, setting the stage for what has now become a 23-year career as a paranormalist.

After reading about my interest in the paranormal, many people might shake their head in wonder. But SPIRITS of St.… Read More

On August 18, 1920, the 19th amendment to the US Constitution passed, giving American women the right to vote. Now 100 years later, Linsey Grove, president of the League of Women Voters of the St. Petersburg Area (LWVSPA), says the best way for women to celebrate this milestone is to exercise their own right to vote. She also points to the interesting similarities between this year’s election, which is taking place during the global COVID-19 pandemic, and what was happening during the women’s suffrage movement in the early 20th century.

Ratification of the 19th amendment followed two devastating world events: the 1918 flu and World War I, both of which severely reduced the population of young men and created a labor shortage in the US.… Read More

COVID-19 may have put a halt to many community and social events, but we are wired to be social, and somehow we always find a way to adapt through challenges. Snell Isle resident Dawna Stone is a local example of someone who has shown the discipline and determination to overcome any obstacle in her way, even a global pandemic. Empowered women empower women, and Dawna Stone – an accomplished author, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and health, fitness and wellness expert – is that kind of woman.

With her sister Michele, Dawna recently launched the Virtual Women’s Half Marathon, with proceeds benefiting the Feeding America COVID-19 Response Fund.… Read More

Our grandmother, Luisa Bernarda Jimenez was born on Friday, August 20, 1920, in Meneses, a small town in what was then known as the Las Villas Province in north central Cuba. But that’s not what her birth certificate says. It claims she was born in 1921, not 1920. And the reason for that discrepancy is more relevant today than ever. 

The Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918-1920 was raging throughout Cuba the year Luisa was born, causing fearful locals to stay home and delay trips to larger municipalities, where birth certificates were recorded. So our grandmother’s birth wasn’t officially recorded until a year after she was born.… Read More

It’s hard to say who enjoyed the attention more: Mindy, the white cockatoo at Sunken Gardens with the big personality, or the students from Bear Creek Elementary. Mindy ruffled the feathered crest on top of her head as the students crowded around, eager for a look at the exotic bird and hoping she’d say hello.

Back in February, before coronavirus social distancing guidelines, the students were there for the official launch of Sophie & Zack at Sunken Gardens, a colorful, interactive book published by the Sunken Gardens Forever Foundation. It’s part of a new innovative educational program in partnership with the Pinellas County School System.… Read More

My husband Mark and I weren’t sure what to expect when we attended the media preview of the new St. Pete Pier on behalf of the Northeast Journal. I wasn’t convinced the old pier needed to be replaced with something new. But when we saw the amazing transformation of our downtown waterfront, we were astounded. It took creative vision to make this new venue possible.

As Mayor Rick Kriseman noted, the new pier is so much more than a building that stretches out over the water. “This is one of the biggest projects the city will undertake. It’s an entirely new 26-acre development for the community, for everyone to enjoy,” said Kriseman.… Read More