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PGA Championship, but I gave it to my brother who was having brain surgery and a big fan of Jack.” –Roy Parker, former Vice President of the National Golf Foundation showing this writer his golf memorabilia collection

“How fast did you run that 5k?” –Don Ardell, Gulfport’s seven-time world triathlon champion, asking this writer about his performance in a miniscule 3.1-mile race

“Scotland the Brave” in the parking lot, signaling the official start to the Town Shores Thursday Happy Hour

“I’ve been in and around golf my whole life. I did have Jack Nicklaus sign a scorecard at the 1987

“I didn’t realize that Gulfport was the fashion hub of Florida.” –Justin Grindstaff after meeting a lady wearing a one-of-a-kind eclectic dress made out of cool t-shirts

“Lots of people don’t know that everyone in Gulfport can vote for town council candidates in every ward, not just the ones you live in.” –one of the candidates running for Gulfport City Council

Puppies Galore!

Gulfport’s Get Rescued and Puppies + Pancakes

Puppies and Pancakes

The Gulfport Lion’s Club hosted its second annual “Puppies and Pan- cakes” fundraiser. Members, guide dogs, and guests came together for a pancake breakfast.

But here’s the catch: People had to eat blindfolded. They had to step into the shoes of the visually impaired by doing an everyday task such as eating breakfast.

“You quickly learn how much we take for granted,” the Lion’s Club told The Gabber.

The group raised $1,316.22. All of the proceeds go toward needed services including eye surgeries, eye exams, eye glasses, and guide dogs.

Paw-some Fundraiser

Gulfport “got rescued” on Feb. 25 – here are some shots from the people and pets!

This fun-raiser hosts more than 50 animal rescue groups. Each year, pet-friendly vendors and animal rescue groups set up activities such as raffles, pet food and supply drives, pet training demos, and the famous wiener dog derby.

Thrifted Books Carved Into Art

St. Pete Artist’s Journey With Book Sculpting

By Cameron Healy

After 25 years of performing as a musician around Tampa Bay, Ted Wray decided to turn his creative juices elsewhere. Wray had stopped making music for a living and was working as a bartender. He saw a version of himself he didn’t enjoy anymore. This led him to find a new creative outlet: Book sculpting.

“I turn damaged books into magic,” Wray said. “Books have always been magical. I think we forgot. Books shape our culture, and they’re so meaningful and for so many people they escaped from hell through the power of books.”

Essentially, the art of book sculpting is carving, cutting, painting, or folding pages within one or multiple books to create an illusive piece of art.

Wray described his form of book sculpting as the “sub-genre of book excavation.” He tested various techniques by looking at artists he admired.

“In 2014, I started playing around with a knife and books, and I found my style about 2016,” Wray said.

Some artists may insert pages from other books to create a three-dimensional collage. Wray creates collages by only using the pages within that book. The book’s front cover is cut to show the inside collage.

“I will easily spend a day driving to all the thrift stores in Pinellas County and just flipping through pages,” Wray said. “Basically what I look for are books in good condition. Heavy – the heavier the paper inside, the better. And the more colorful the imagery, the better. So, you know, very often it’s art books.”

Wray said the carving process varies. Sometimes if he is in the zone, time flies by. Not all days feel that easy.

“There are some books that I’ve cranked out from the first cut to the last cut in less than 24 hours. There are other books that might have taken weeks or even months. I have some that I started a couple years ago,” Wray said. “I easily have more than two dozen books that I’m in the middle of working on. And I might get stuck and I might leave it behind for a while and then come back to it.”

His carving process ranges from 20 to 80 hours, depending on how elaborate the book is.

Wray explained that he has always been an artistic person. At 19, he went to Connecticut Institute of Art where he expanded his natural talents; today, he continues online art courses with an artist advisor.

At the moment, Wray displays his art in two places: the DRV Gallery in Gulfport and Gilmer Arts Gallery in Ellijay, GA.

The DRV Gallery will host Wray for a book-sculpting demonstration on Mar. 18 from 1-3 p.m. Attendees will learn about his process, materials, journey, and inspiration, according to the gallery’s website.

Keep up to date with Wray and his book carvings on his Instagram @ tedwrayartist

Pets

Star of the Show This 2-yearold, 50-pound Siberian husky has a stellar personality. Star loves hanging out with everyone. She loves going on walks and adventures, and playing fetch. You must own your home to adopt Star.

Ellie the Entertainer This sweet girl will definitely dance for treats. Ellie is an outgoing 6-year-old, 12-pound Chihuahua mix who loves to dance and run around with you.

Handsome Dutch This 1-year-old male tabby would love to lay in your lap. Dutch is so curious. He loves to gaze out the window at watch birds and butterflies. Meet Dutch at Pet Food Warehouse, 1830 61st Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 727-521-6191; petfoodstpete.com

All pets spayed, vaccinated, micro-chipped and dewormed. Pet Pal Animal Shelter, 405 22nd Ave. S., St. Pete. 727-328-7738; petpalanimalshelter.com.

Solution on page

Truly Stars

Sudoku

Solution on page 30

Gabber On Vacation

World traveler David Shiner’s at it again, this time from the South Pacific. He took The Gabber to Easter Island, Chile where he had his photo taken with the Moai at Ahu Tongariki. Have you taken The Gabber somewhere? We want to see your pictures! Please send a high-resolution photo and a brief description to news@thegabber.com.