Like the fictional Albus Dumbledore of Hogwarts School of Wizardry, Mike Murphy – headmaster of Shorecrest Preparatory School – also has a bit of magic up his sleeve.

His work shines throughout the school’s campus and in the pages of his new children’s book.

Recently, while recovering from knee surgery, Mike’s interests in travel, space (he had just been to Cape Canaveral), and his penchant for storytelling provided the perfect blend of ingredients for the creation of a children’s adventure series. The ideas came together so quickly that he was able to write not one, but three books, in rapid succession.… Read More

It was a flower. It was alive and wonderful. It gave the gardener hope and made him want to work even harder. And so he does – he toils day and night, tirelessly tending to his jungle of a garden.

– The Little Gardener, Emily Hughes

Bill O’Grady is a plant whisperer. Show him a plant and most likely he knows the plant’s common name, botanical Latin name, and country of origin. A passion for gardening runs deep. He’s also an avid collector. Which plant or flower of his favorite? “That’s like asking a parent which is his favorite child,” says Bill.… Read More

Dogs, as well as many other pets, become part of the family in most households. They share time, shelter, food – and most importantly, love and companionship. And once you have had the opportunity to share all that with a loyal pet such as a dog, it brings you much joy and happiness and can help to cure depression among other afflictions. Just the simple act of petting your pooch can stimulate positive chemical reactions in your system that make you feel better.

Dogs are used in children’s hospitals and senior centers alike to bring warmth and joy to the sick and infirm.… Read More

We sat on the porch, my neighbors and I – The stories grew wings, the time seemed to fly.

Shakespeare was a well-known bard, a storyteller intent on passing down traditions through the spoken word. My Northeast Park neighbors, Jimmy and Michelle Moore – a.k.a. Lady and the Bard – also use spoken words, along with their unique blend of folk, blues, and jazz to remind listeners of an oft-forgotten America. Oh, the stories I heard as we took a step back in time and spent a Sunday afternoon on the back porch…

Michelle’s Story

Michelle began singing in her church choir at the age of nine.… Read More

Much has been made of the success of the current ferry service operating between St. Petersburg and Tampa. But long before the current Cross-Bay Ferry, there was another ferry called the Bee Line Ferry.

St. Petersburg’s development has long been tied to transportation. Our city was the result of the Orange Belt Railway being enticed by local property owner John C. Williams to come to what is now St. Petersburg. Our early streetcar grid did much to expand the city beyond the downtown. In 1914, we experimented with an airline – the World’s first – between downtown St. Petersburg and downtown Tampa.… Read More

Last November, a small celebration of a pretty cool historic St. Petersburg event took place at the Baseline Bistro, the Racquet Club of St. Petersburg’s excellent onsite restaurant. Members, staff, teaching pros, and their families celebrated the 50th birthday of the private family-oriented tennis and swim club at 170 47th Avenue NE.

The history of the club and how the surrounding area of Northeast St. Petersburg developed is an interesting story. A half-century ago, this part of Northeast St. Petersburg looked very different than it does today. This was 16 years before the upscale, gated community of Placido Bayou went up just east of the club; and five years before Winston Park, the large, over-55 complex of 700+ condos were constructed across from the club on 47th Avenue NE and 1st Street NE.… Read More

Six years ago, I heard about the Sunscreen Film Festival, and as an aspiring animated children’s filmmaker who lives in the Old Northeast, I decided to find out more. I purchased the VIP pass so that I could attend as many workshops and discussions as possible. I wanted to learn more about how to write a proper screenplay and the process filmmakers had to go through to get their dreams on the big screen.

At one of the Sunscreen Film Festival cocktail parties, I happened to meet an Oscar-nominated successful screen writer and subsequently went home with great tips and a determination to write the next big animated children’s film.… Read More

In 1956, Mickey Mantle reported to spring training just after having his tonsils removed. In late February he played in the Tampa Palma Ceia Golf Club annual baseball-players-and-sports-writers golf tournament. Mickey was a late comer to the game of golf, and the Yanks were only allowed to play golf during spring training. Mantle was paired with pitcher Whitey Ford.

Perhaps Mickey’s most notable exhibition game that season occurred in mid-March against the Cardinals at Al Lang Stadium. Times sports writer Red Marston reported “The village blacksmith from Commerce, Okla., Mickey Mantle, muscled a hanging curve over the left field fence and on into Tampa Bay to give the New York Yankees three runs in the eighth inning.”… Read More

St. Petersburg’s Dali Museum might be the only museum in the country where a Southeastern Guide Dog helps out during docent tours. Patricia Allen is a docent at the Dali, and since Dave, her guide dog, goes everywhere Patricia goes, he’s part of the tour every Tuesday afternoon at 12:30pm. “When I ask if there are any questions, Dave knows to stand up and get ready to move on to the next painting,” says Patricia. “He knows the routine. If I make a mistake and go the wrong way, he’ll bark.”

A retired risk manager for a national insurance company, Patricia had already been a docent at the Dali for many years when her eyesight began to fail, a result of diabetic retinopathy.… Read More

When Kyle Taylor moved into a house on our block in the Old Northeast neighborhood, I figured he must be the college-age son of the new owners. He was that youthful looking, full of energy, friendly, and engaging. I soon learned it was not his parents who were the new homeowners, but it was Kyle himself, and he was building his business in St. Petersburg.

The Penny Hoarder began as Kyle’s hobby of finding different ways to earn money, and it has since grown to employ more than 100 people (and still growing) in a lively, fun-filled, sophisticated workspace in downtown St.… Read More