A Life Well Lived
By Peter Roos
Zelda Troiano was a special woman. We were introduced by Richard Seviur, a veteran weather forecaster from the second war, and fellow publisher who had started newspapers for several local communities, including Feather Sound, Davis Island and Tierra Verde. At the time, Richard was a healthy 90something year-old, who was working on a book with a working title “How to stay healthy to 100 years old.” He was researching at the St. Pete Beach Library, where he had recruited a volunteer to type his handwritten manuscript. Richard and I were friends and colleagues, and Richard raved about what a treasure Zelda was on several occasions. As she was completing his manuscript, Richard turned Zelda over to me, saying she needed a new project. That was the best thing Richard ever did for us. We met in March, and Zelda enthusiastically accepted the challenge of updating the Paradise NEWS Arts & Leisure and Events section each issue, starting in April 2017. Over the ensuing months and years, as Zelda’s long-time husband declined and passed away, her three daughters, Amy, Emily and Liz, each visited at least annually. COVID-19 came and went, changing everything. She celebrated her 76th birthday in February and Zelda turned in her “column” religiously, right on schedule. Last month, on March 21, 2021, Zelda turned in her April column saying, “someone else needs to do the proof my column this month. I’ve been feeling lousy all month and I am going in the hospital for a few days to find out why.” When I emailed to ask how she was a few days later, her daughter Amy answered. She was not doing well. They had to stabilize her just to do a biopsy. She was soon diagnosed with liver cancer that had spread, and before the month was over, she was gone. Amy told me her folks made a courageous move to Florida in the mid-eighties, to satisfy dad’s dream to live on the water. They loved it here. “Just Another Day In Paradise” was practically their motto. After Zelda retired as a guidance counselor, she wanted to stay busy and volunteered with the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Amy had been a page at the library during high school, and her sisters followed her footsteps. Zelda followed their example too. It led her into her work with Paradise NEWS. The girls all agree that was a blessing for Zelda and the whole family.“ When we came to visit, Mom knew EVERYTHING that was going on in the entire area, and we benefitted from that knowledge. Her work ethic never faltered. Even at 75, she would say “I need some time to work on my column.” The universe seems to bring us the people we need when we need them. This is our acknowledgement to the contributions of Zelda Troiano over the past four years. Rest in peace Zelda. We love you. 46
MAY 2021 | ParadiseNewsFL.com
Arts & Leisure The Palladium 253 5th Ave. N, St. Petersburg 727.822.3590 mypalladium.org May 2 – St. Pete Opera: The Return of Grand Opera 7 – This Bird Has Flown: A Jazz Tribute to The Beatles USF Yuengling Center 4202 E Fowler Ave., Tampa 813.974.3004 yuenglingcenter.com Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall 777 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 941.953.3368 vanwezel.org May 2 – Titanique: The Maiden Voyage Concert streaming 8 – Yesterdaze 9 – A Tribute to the Beatles 14 – CAL: Pink Floyd Tribute West Coast Players 21905 US 19 N, Clearwater 727.437.2363 wcplayers.com June 4-20 – Daniel’s Husband
MUSEUMS Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum 2240 9th Ave. S, St. Petersburg One City Chorus – Mondays 7pm woodsonmuseum.org Florida Holocaust Museum 55 5th St. S, St. Petersburg 727.820.0100 flholocaustmuseum.org Florida Museum of Photographic Arts 400 N Ashley Dr., Tampa 813.221.2222 fmopa.org Gulf Beaches Historical Museum 115 10th Ave., St. Pete Beach 727.552.1610 gulfbeachesmuseum.com Only museum dedicated to the preservation of history of the local barrier islands. Preserving island history for tomorrow’s generation! Gulfport History Museum 5301 28th Ave. S, Gulfport Free Admission 727.201.8687 gulfporthistoricalsociety.org Henry Plant Museum 401 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa 813.254.1891 plantmuseum.com Heritage Museum 100 Beekman Ln., Tarpon Springs tarponarts.org History and culture of the Greek community
May 18 – The History & Mystery of the Sponge 23 – Folk Music Favorites Sing-Along June 4-19 – Steel Magnolias Imagine Museum 1901 Central Ave., St. Petersburg imaginemuseum.com Contemporary American Studio Glass Thursdays $5 after 5pm John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota 941.359.5700 ringling.org Mondays: Free admission all day Thursday – Art After 5 Tuesday & Thursday– ROAR! – Ringling Order of Art Readers Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art 600 E Klosterman Rd., Tarpon Springs 727.712.5762 leeparattner.org May 7 – Artist Talk with R.J. Kern Museum of Fine Arts 255 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg 727.894.4638 mfastpete.org Thursdays $10 after 5pm Museum Minis, Explore More! Family Days, Fall Camps Through Aug. 22 – Antioch Reclaimed: Ancient Mosaics at the MFA Through Sept. 26 – From Margins to Mainstays: Highlights from the Photography Collection May 22-Aug. 22 – Skyway 20/21: A Contemporary Collaboration June 5-October 17 – From Heath to Hedgerow: Doulton Lambeth Ware and the British Counrtryside National Comedy Hall of Fame Museum 2435 U.S. 19, Holiday 727.944.4453 nationalcomedyhalloffame.com Safford House Museum 23 Parkin Ct., Tarpon Springs Restored Victorian home built in 1883 tarponarts.org May 1 – Victorian Garden Party St. Petersburg Museum of History 335 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg 727.894.1052 spmoh.com Tampa Bay Automobile Museum 3301 Gateway Centre, Pinellas Park Unique collection of vintage cars and vehicles. 727.579.8226 tbauto.org
