My mom went to work at the CIA in the late 1950s, beginning her career in what was commonly referred to as the secretarial pool. After a few years, she left to start a family, then returned to work at the CIA about 10 years later. By then, she had my brother, three sisters, and me. I was two years old. With five little ones to feed and clothe, both she and my dad worked.

Growing up, the best part for me was being able to reply to the near daily jibes I got regarding my family last name, Bond. Good jibes to be sure, as my response became the fun part.… Read More

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

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

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

One of the things that defines St. Petersburg is its museums. When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit our shores, the thought of closing down these landmark institutions seemed incredible, but what was impossible to imagine in early March soon became the new reality. Even so, as these cornerstones of our community sat dark, the creative people at the helm were busy.

One local couple keeping the pulse alive was Laura and Hank Hine. The two are powerhouses in the museum scene. Hank has been the director of  The Dali Museum since 2002, leading it from its days on 3rd Street S.… Read More

There are remarkable people in St. Petersburg, and one of them is Dr. Anna Loyd. Not only is she multi-talented with a wide range of achievements, she is a world traveler, physician, athlete, and humanitarian. She also speaks four languages.

Anna was born in Oklahoma, where her father was an emergency-room doctor. When she was nine, the family moved to Belgium so her dad could study in a one-year tropical medicine program. He had a deep desire to bring healing to people in impoverished areas of Africa, and when his program was completed, the family moved to Zaire in Central Africa.… Read More

I discovered St. Pete Rocks when I found a painted rock in Crescent Lake Park. On the back of this lovely little piece of art, it said, “Please post on FB @st.peterocks, then re-hide, or keep.” I took the rock home with the intention of doing exactly that; take a picture, post it on Facebook, then re-hide it. Little did I know that this would be the start of a creative endeavor for me.

My first attempt at painting a rock was not successful, since I used what I had on hand, nail polish. Definitely not my best work. Within weeks after this failed attempt, I went to the Earth Day Festival in Williams Park and saw a booth with ‘rock’ artists painting up a storm, both adults and kids.… Read More

There are certain tragic occasions in our country’s history that will forever linger in our collective memory. The bombing of Pearl Harbor. John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Hurricane Katrina’s destruction in New Orleans. And 9/11.

Placido Bayou resident Jo Brower is making it her life’s mission to keep the memory of 9/11 alive by honoring and supporting our military, veterans, first responders, and their families. Over the past six years, her nonprofit organization RHS (Remember, Honor, Support, Inc.) has raised more than $500,000 for this worthy cause.

The funds raised directly benefit local nonprofit organizations that provide valuable services to injured or fallen veterans, police, and first-responders, including the Gold Shield Foundation, Special Operations Warrior Foundation, Stay in Step Spinal Cord Injury Recovery Center, Warrior2Warrior R.A.C.E.… Read More

“Keeping time, time, time,
In a sort of Runic rhyme,
To the tintinnabulation that so musically wells
From the bells, bells, bells…”
Edgar Allan Poe

It’s early evening and the lights are on inside. I exit my car, walk up a few steps, and open the door. I know that I’m in the right place because the music seems to draw me inside. The piano plays as angelic voices chime through the hands of members of the Vesper Bells hand ringers. Here at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Shore Acres, the outside world seems far away as the sanctuary fills with the bells’ wordless message.… Read More

How many times have you questioned your career path? As we mature, we often think about finding a job that is more rewarding, does more to help others, or would make a difference for our community or society. But how many of us would be willing to actually take that risk once our careers are firmly established and successful? The Rev. Dr. Dawn Conti, the new senior pastor at First Presbyterian Church on Beach Drive, was willing.

When I asked Rev. Conti what gave her the inspiration, courage, and confidence to answer a call to ministry and change careers, she responded: “Soren Kierkegaard says that life is lived forward, but understood looking back.”… Read More