The Gabber: March 16, 2023

O’Hara Wins

By Cathy Salustri

For the first time in a decade, Gulfport’s Ward IV has a new representative: Ian O’Hara. Christine Brown will keep her seat in Gulfport’s Ward II.

“I want to thank my wife for putting up with this nonsense,” O’Hara

said from the stage at the North End Taphouse Tuesday night. He also thanked the Ward III Councilmember, Paul Ray, and Ray’s husband, Wes, then thanked everyone who supported him.

The crowd of revelers and well-wishers, including Christopher Butler-Jones, were in high spirits after O’Hara’s speech. Jones lost his bid for the Ward II seat to incumbent

Elections continued on page 8

Former Gecko Queen Brian Liggins smiles with Ian O’Hara shortly after O’Hara learned he’d defeated incumbent Michael Fridovich for Gulfport’s Ward IV council seat.

CATHY SALUSTRI

2908-B Beach Blvd. S. Gulfport, FL 33707

727-321-6965

Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

Cathy Salustri Loper cathy@thegabber.com

Advertising Director

Barry Loper barry@thegabber.com

Creative Director

Joey Neill joey@thegabber.com

News & Politics

Monroe Roark monroe@thegabber.com

Features & Events

Cameron Healy cameron@thegabber.com

Operations

Patrick Graney patrick@thegabber.com

Reporters

Mike Sunnucks, Crime

Amanda Hagood, Books & Environment

Jon Kile, Columnist

Serving

Gulfport, South Pasadena, St. Petersburg West, Downtown St. Petersburg, Kenneth City, Tyrone, Tierra Verde, St. Pete Beach, Pass-A-Grille, Treasure Island, Pinellas Point, Madeira Beach, Pinellas Park

Owners

Barry Loper and Cathy Salustri Loper

Deadlines Friday at 5 p.m.

Gardening With Toffer

I thoroughly enjoyed Toffer’s column in this week’s Gabber . It was most informative and humorous. Long live the oaks of Gulfport… and the squirrels! Looking forward to her next column. –Susan Masztak, Gulfport

A Crime Scene

Thousands of dead bodies. The stench would sting the nose and lodge itself behind the throat. One could taste death. It was evident from the beginning that this crime was going to be complicated to solve. So many unanswered questions how? Why? And who? What could have led to these deaths? Different theories were thrown about by laymen and specialists alike. They were poisoned, they were asphyxiated, they were starved; all terrible ways to go. With piles of decomposing bodies in full sight, peo-

ple went about their normal day. There seemed to be little uproar, no community organization to demand finding the cause, a cure.  None of that seemed to be happening. Perhaps because the environment was so idyllic and people were able to shut their doors, their windows and their eyes.

How could the collective suffering of thousands, perhaps millions in all surrounding areas be met by a general apathy? Or was it jadedness? powerlessness? Weren’t these the same people who had suffered so much under COVID, another disease linked to the inability to breathe. They call it red tide. Does it have anything to do with the blood that lay on the hands of the collective polluters of the water, the ground, the air? How can I not be on the guilty side by becoming a do-nothinger? How much longer before the water evaporates into toxic air that could kill thousands, perhaps millions of us humans? –Claudine

Fle, Gulfport

The Gabber Newspaper encourages letters (one per person, per month). Include your real name and city, and please keep it short – <250 words. We may edit letters for content, clarity, and length. We don’t print letters that incite violence, include attacks on private citizens, or that intentionally mislead people. Letters may appear online and/or in print. Comments on The Gabber’s website and social media may get printed. Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the views of The Gabber owners, advertisers, or staff. Send letters to news@ thegabber.com or 2908-B Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport, FL, 33707.

The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers, advertisers, or employees of the Gabber. The Gabber is not liable for any errors in advertising beyond the cost of the first printing of any advertisement. Contents of this publication may not be reproduced or copied without permission of the publisher.

Gulfport Clerk Lesley DeMuth Will Retire Council Promotes Deputy Clerk

By Monroe Roark

Every meeting of the Gulfport City Council has an agenda item titled “City Clerk’s Report.” During the report, Gulfport City Clerk Lesley DeMuth can share any news from the Clerk’s office. The vast majority of the time, the DeMuth has nothing to report.

That was not the case at the Mar. 7 meeting. DeMuth announced publicly that she would retire, effective May 8. The ensuing discussion led to a council consensus regarding her successor.

DeMuth noted that a number of people at city hall already knew she didn’t want to work past the age of 62, so the announcement didn’t come as a complete surprise to everyone. She then pointed out that, while council could proceed as it wished, she had some suggestions.

“If you want to hear my recommendations, I know the workload and how to do a smooth transition in the clerk’s office,” she said.

Mayor Sam Henderson did not hesitate before replying, “I would like to hear your recommendations.”

DeMuth suggested promoting Deputy City Clerk Theresa Carrico to fill her role and then advertising for someone to step into the deputy position.

“Theresa has been with the city for five years, and by July she will have been in the clerk’s office for a year,” said DeMuth. “I think she is more than capable of serving the city in this capacity.”

She described how Carrico has been continuing her education since first joining the clerk’s office, attending relevant conferences and taking classes to lead up to the certifications required for whomever assumes DeMuth’s role on a permanent basis. DeMuth said this typically takes about three years from the first day on the job.

According to DeMuth, Carrico

has already done a considerable amount of work with the Planning and Zoning Board, the Board of Adjustment, and the Site Plan Review Committee in addition to the City Council. DeMuth also praised Carrico’s “excellent” customer service skills.

“I really appreciate the time that she’s been here already,” said Henderson. “There is a certain amount of toughness you have to have to do that job, so I think she has that as well. Her experience with the city is what encourages me. I’d very much like to go with your recommendation.”

The City Clerk does not have to live in Gulfport. DeMuth, who served as city clerk in Gulfport from 1984 to 1998 and then returned to the post in 2009, said she has never lived inside city limits. DeMuth has also worked as city clerk in other municipalities.

The city clerk in Gulfport serves at the pleasure of the City Council

by contract, the same as the city manager and city attorney. DeMuth’s contract required that she give 60 days’ notice should she decide to step down; this prompted her announcement at the Mar. 7 meeting. Councilmembers agreed this time span provides for a good transition period.

“It’s a charter position,” said City Manager Jim O’Reilly. “The council can make a decision at any given time if they want to do something different. There is not a need to advertise. You can make that determination yourself.”

City Attorney Andrew Salzman echoed that comment.

“All charter officers work directly for the board,” he said, “so it’s however the board chooses to hire.”

After hearing council consensus to promote Carrico to fill DeMuth’s post, Salzman recommended that he and O’Reilly be allowed to draft a contract which would be brought back to the council for approval.

Gulfport City Clerk Lesley DeMuth announced she will retire in May.

CATHY SALUSTRI

South Pinellas Election Results

From South Pasadena to Madeira Beach, Here’s Who Won

By Cathy Salustri

Across South Pinellas, voters had elections in almost every city in The Gabber’s coverage area. Here’s how the vote went in each of those local elections.

South Pasadena

Vice-Mayor Tom Reid held onto his seat on the South Pasadena City Commission, and Gail Neidinger won the seat vacated by Bonnie Quick. South Pasadena started the 2023 election season with seven candidates for two seats on the city commission, but by election day, the candidates had winnowed down to five: Michael James Burgmaier, Marj Lorand, Gail M. Neidinger, Felix Day Pretsch, and Tom Reid. Incumbent Bonnie Quick, whose name appeared on the ballot, withdrew from the race, and any votes cast for her did not get counted.

The two candidates with the most

votes will serve on the South Pasadena City Commission. Each commissioner oversees a different department in the city.

South Pasadena has one voting precinct – 214. Here’s how the voters cast their votes.

• Tom Reid: 645 (32.41%)

• Gail M. Neidinger: 637 (32.01%)

• Marj Lorand: 394 (19.8%)

• Michael James Burgmaier: 182 (9.15%)

• Felix Day Pretsch: 132 (6.63%)

St. Pete Beach

St. Pete Beach will have a new mayor at its next meeting. Challenger Adrian Petrila took home 343 more votes than Johnson. Voters cast 1,880 votes for Petrila (55.02%) and 1,537 for Johnson (44.98%). With 3,417 votes cast by St. Pete Beach voters, that’s nearly a 10% lead for the challenger.

In St. Pete Beach’s District Two election, Mark Grill had no opposition and will thus serve as that dis-

trict’s commissioner. District Four also had only one candidate, Chris Marone, who will serve his district. Melinda Pletcher did not qualify to run for re-election.

During the race, Petrila, new to elected life with his swearing-in later this month, alleged to The Gabber that the larger hotels on St. Pete Beach had received special treatment from the commission.

Voters from across the city elect the mayor.

Madeira Beach

In Madeira Beach, voters not only chose a mayor, but voted on two charter amendments.

Jim Rostek defeated Doug Andrews by a scant 40 votes, with 518 votes (52.01%) to Andrews’ 478 (47.99%). The race had grown somewhat unfriendly, with Rostek filing complaints with the Florida Attorney General and the Florida Ethics Commission. Rostek complaints

South Pasadena, unlike other South Pinellas cities, has no individual districts. Instead, the candidates who win the most votes get the open seats.

JUNE JOHNS

centered around what he said was an improperly released video. He filed the complaints against both the city manager and Andrews.

Andrews, who chose to leave his District Three seat to run for mayor, will step down from his commission seat. Eddie McGeehan will step into that role; he ran unopposed. Anne-Marie Brooks also ran unopposed and will represent District 4.

Madeira Beach residents voted on two charter amendments.

Voters overwhelmingly passed Amendment One, which changes the city charter to require anyone who wants to serve as mayor or a commissioner  “be an elector and resident” of the city for at least one year before they qualify to run for office. Of 976 voters, 812 (83.2%) voted yes and 164 (16.8%) voted no.

Charter Amendment Two didn’t fare as well. It would have amended the city charter so that the commission could hire a contractor or third-party firm to serves as the city’s finance director and treasurer. Of 964 votes cast, 537 (55.71%) voted no and 427 (44.29%) voted yes.

Treasure Island

Treasure Island election results are in, and incumbent Deb Toth held onto her District One seat. Toth won with 65.02% (368 votes) of the vote; her challenger, Ashley Wagner, received 34.98% of the vote (198 votes)

While voters elect the mayor at large, only District One voters may vote for the District One representative.

Toth received the Sierra Club’s endorsement.

Voters citywide voted down two amendments to the Treasure Island charter. Amendment One would have allowed the city to pass a resolution rather than an ordinance to borrow money, while Amendment Two would change the City’s accounting process, “to delete restric-

tions on borrowing by the City while retaining those restrictions required by the Florida Constitution.”

964 voters (60.51%) cast their votes against Amendment One, while 629 (39,49%) voted yes. The votes broke almost the same way for Amendment Two, with 912 (57.58%) voting against and 672 (42.42%) voting yes.

In South Pasadena, Gail Neidinger and Tom Reid ran as a team.

GAIL NEIDINGER AND TOM REID

Spirit of Jimmy Council Honors Jimmy Oswain with Spirit of Gulfport Award

By Monroe Roark

Jimmy Oswain had a big smile on his face as he sat up front before the start of the Gulfport City Council’s Mar. 7 meeting. Oswain attended at the City’s invitation, and for a special reason.

Mayor Sam Henderson awarded Oswain the Spirit of Gulfport Award at the meeting’s start. Henderson suggested the move at a previous council meeting, and all of the councilmembers agreed that it was an excellent idea.

Henderson pointed out how the meeting started on a good note, then began reading from the plaque: “With the representative symbols

of STAR, your value to Gulfport, the sailboat, Gulfport’s ties to the sea, the rising sun ever looking toward the future, and winging birds, the soaring concept of spirit … we hereby present the Spirit of Gulfport Award to Jimmy Oswain, who has demonstrated the true spirit of Gulfport.”

Henderson added, “And if we were going to amend this a little bit, I’d put a bowling ball on there for you.”

As the two men met in front of the dais for photos, Henderson also presented a bag containing a small amount of swag that came with the award.

“We’ve got a bag of goodies for you,” said Henderson. “It’ll keep that sun off your head when you’re riding that bike.”

As Oswain turned toward the exit, Henderson added, “Good luck bowling tonight, buddy,” a reference to Oswain’s appointment that night with his favorite sport.

“Yes,” he replied. “I’ve got to go.” He walked straight out of the meeting room after that comment.

Oswain has been a fixture in the city for decades. The Gabber featured him in a 2010 article. At that time, he’d worked at the former Sweetbay supermarket for 15 years. When the Sweetbay became Winn-Dixie, Jimmy kept working there.

People know Jimmy around town for riding his trusty bike anywhere he needs to go – except during bad weather. He learned to bowl from his father and has an outstanding record, including several perfect scores (300.) Numerous people inside and outside City Hall consider him a friend.

As many have often said – including at recent City Council meetings – Jimmy Oswain is Mr. Gulfport.

Jimmy Oswain with Gulfport Mayor Sam Henderson.

CITY OF GULFPORT

Save the (Feral) Cats

MEOW Now Joins Friends of Strays

By Cameron Healy

One cat and her kittens, left un-altered, can create almost 5,000 cats in seven years. MEOW Now and Friends of Strays want to change that.

Friends of Strays welcomed MEOW Now to the shelter’s programs to enhance their Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release (TNVR) efforts in St. Pete and Gulfport. The shelter received a grant to continue these efforts.

Both nonprofits came together to help spay/neuter and vaccinate free-roaming cats so they can live healthier lives.

MEOW Now began their TNVR efforts in 2015. The program’s helped more than 10,500 cats receive treatment. Friends of Strays has a similar program, but the two programs have underlying differences.

Friends of Strays has ‘Pinellas Cats Alive!’ which is a TNVR program “designed for an individual who may have one or two free-roaming cats around their neighborhood that they would like to have spayed or neutered.” MEOW Now does the same thing, but for colonies of community cats. A “colony” refers to four or more cats in one group.

What Is a Community Cat?

Jessica Salmond, Communication & Marketing Manager of Friends of Strays, explained “a community cat is an unowned, free-roaming outdoor cat, not someone’s pet. Sometimes people call them strays or feral, but ‘community cat’ kind of includes all of that in one.”

MEOW Now works with the caregivers of these community cats in order to strategically trap them for vaccinations. Caregivers are people who tend to feed the cats on a schedule, which makes it easier for volunteers.

“We go out, we work with these people and we trap them. Then we always return them back to the field because that’s where they live,” said Athena Kemske, MEOW Now volunteer.

Volunteers receive information from caregivers about the community cats. Kemske said she talks with the caregivers to figure out a plan to trap every weekend, which timing varies from early in the morning or early evening.

Volunteers use humane live traps that lure cats with food. Over the weekend, they trap the cats, then on Monday or Tuesday, the cats go into Friends of Strays for their surgeries.

MEOW Now and Friends of Strays help fix and vaccinate free-roaming cats so they can live healthier lives.

They cannot return to the field until their left ear gets clipped.

“This means like a little part of their ear’s clipped off and that’s to let everybody know that cat has been through our program so it doesn’t need to be bothered again,” Salmond said.

MEOW Now is a program only for caregivers, which they can request assistance online, and others cannot  request this program on the caregiver’s behalf. With Pinellas Cats Alive! you don’t have to be a caregiver to have one or two cats in your neighborhood go through the program.

“There’s no cost to the general public. We only take donations. So if they have a lot of cats or even just a couple of cats that are around that they feed, we would do more than happy to come in and trap them,” Kemske said.

JESSICA SALMOND

Elections continued from cover

Christine Brown, but congratulated O’Hara before addressing the crowd. He pledged to stay involved in Gulfport.

“I have a loud voice and plan on using it,” Jones said shortly after conceding the election. He then called Brown to congratulate her.

While O’Hara sipped a mocktail at what became his victory party, Brown spoke to The Gabber as she and her husband collected campaign signs from around the city.

“Thanks Gulfport, for the birthday love,” Brown, whose birthday is Mar. 14, said, adding: “I can’t wait to get back to work.”

Brown estimates she spent roughly 40 hours a week campaigning during election season. She said she wants to get Butler-Jones – whose campaign signs read simply “Jonesy” – involved in city boards over the next two years.

“I like him. He’s doing it for the right reasons,” Brown told The Gabber.

Fridovich told The Gabber he had “not a thing” to say about the election.

Past Election Results in Gulfport

Fridovich and O’Hara faced off once before – in the 2021 race for Ward IV. Fridovich won that race with 48.58% (1,319) of the votes cast to O’Hara’s 40% (1,086). A second challenger for Ward IV, Richard Fried, took 11.42% (310) of the votes.

Fried opted not to run in the 2023 election.

In that same election, Brown had only one challenger: Mike Bauer. She defeated him by a scant 130 votes. Brown had 1,435 votes cast for her in that election, or 52.37% of the votes, while Bauer had 1,305 votes, or 47.63%.

2023 Gulfport Election Results

Overall, 2,315 voters cast votes in

Ward II. Brown took home the lion’s share, with 1,405 votes (60.69%). Christopher Butler-Jones came in second with 507 votes (21.90%), and Greg Simek finished third with 403 votes (17.41%). In Ward IV, 2,323 voters cast ballots – 1,286 for O’Hara (55.36%) and 1,037 for Fridovich (44.64%).

The Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections has only released unofficial results; the SOE will certify the elections at a later date.

Christine Brown, who teaches math at Boca Ciega High, celebrated her birthday on “Pi Day” (Mar. 14) while campaigning outside the polls. Her birthday gift ? A victory in her race.

CATHY SALUSTRI

“Thanks Gulfport, for the birthday love,” Brown, whose birthday is Mar. 14, said.

Said and Done at the Mar. 7 Meeting

Overheard at Gulfport City Council Things

By Monroe Roark

Here’s some of what we overheard at the Mar. 7 Gulfport City Council meeting.

Here’s some of what people said at the Mar. 7 Gulfport City Council meeting.

About Local Transit

“A couple of weeks ago I took the SunRunner to St. Pete Beach. Then I took a Freebie here, I took a Freebie there, and it was delightful. It is kind of amazing. I know we had a presentation here from Freebie. I hope you are taking it very, very seriously. Not only do we need it because people don’t want to park at Hoyt Field or wherever – they don’t even want to park at the library to go downtown –if we had something like that, better than the Gecko, I think it would be used nonstop.

“What they did in St. Pete Beach was extend it, and they cut their ties with the PSTA. I know none of the details, but what he [SPB mayor] told me was as they made that transition, they saved money. People love it. … In order to make life affordable for working people, transit is an extremely important part of the whole picture.” – Caron Schwartz

About the State Legislature and Home Rule

“I’m concerned we are not doing enough to stop this overreach. I would encourage you as leaders of Gulfport to speak out in The Gabber, your social media, and the City web page. Educate all Gulfportians with what’s going on with home rule and

the impact it has on our city and all our lives. The keys to city hall, and the decisions affecting Gulfport, belong right here. Not in Tallahassee.”

– David McCormick

About Upcoming Council Meetings

“You may have some scheduling issues in April. Two of your col-

leagues are going to attend the Florida Legislative Days in Tallahassee on April 4. We would want to schedule the RV ordinance and also the discussion and possible action on the BCYC lease. You’ll have some Board of Adjustment appointments. Rules and procedures would normally be scheduled for that April 4 meeting.

“I’m going to ask you to schedule those for April 18, and if it would even be necessary to have that April 4 meeting. That’s up to council. I just wanted to let you know we have those items pending, and there are issues you wouldn’t want to address without a full council.” – City Manager Jim O’Reilly

“If there’s nothing from a time standpoint that is critical, I’ve got no problem canceling the April 4 meeting.” – Mayor Sam Henderson, just before council reached consensus to cancel that meeting

Was Gulfport a Sundown Town? Historical Records Say Yes

By James Schnur

Long known as the “Gateway to the Gulf,” Gulfport has welcomed visitors and newcomers for more than a century. Pioneers who arrived during the Disston City and Veteran City days before the current city incorporated in 1910 also enjoyed fishing and relaxing along the shoreline.

Underneath the surface, however, a less hospitable reality also existed. Largely lost to the historical record, remembered only piecemeal by some, and increasingly forgotten as time passes, Gulfport had a dark past that leaves the city with an unfavorable legacy. As of February 2023, Gulfport is the only municipality in Pinellas County that was once considered a “sundown town,” according to the History and Social Justice Website, a nationally recognized resource hosted by Tougaloo College.

An Unwelcoming Legacy

Sundown towns existed throughout the United States during the 19th and 20th centuries. These communities used a variety of tactics to encode and enforce segregation. Some localities passed ordinances, others posted signs as a warning to outsiders, and many enforced

unofficial or unwritten restrictions through intimidation and threats of violence.

The most brazen settlements included signs at the town or city limits with a stern warning. The wording varied slightly, but often used a racist or derogatory term, along with a warning to those targeted, such as, “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On You.” In Florida, as well as much of the South and Midwest, Black Americans became obvious targets. In some states, Asians, Jews, Mexicans, and Native Americans also faced similar warnings.

Sociologist James W. Loewen wrote the first book-length study of this phenomenon. Published in 2005, Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism shed light on this practice where communities used both legal and extrajudicial tactics to prevent certain people from visiting or living in particular areas.

Inconsistent Criteria

Deeming a community a “sundown town” involves more than

reviewing local ordinances and regulations, especially in Florida. Until the mid-20th century, Florida’s municipalities lacked “home rule,” the ability to enact ordinances or regulations at the local level without legislative consent. Segregation laws and policies from Tallahassee did the “dirty work,” allowing city officials to exclude people without passing local ordinances.

In his exhaustive study, Loewen found little direct evidence implicating Florida communities as sundown towns. He did not mention Gulfport, though he asserted that many larger cities in peninsular Florida – including Tampa and St. Petersburg – had historically experienced some of “the highest levels of residential segregation in America.”

Loewen passed away in 2021. Tougaloo College, a private, historically Black college in Mississippi, continues Loewen’s work by maintaining a database of known and suspected sundown towns.

Gulfport joined Tougaloo’s list of sundown towns after a January 2015 article in Creative Loafing by The Gabber’s current owner and publisher Cathy Salustri Loper ad-

IF EVERY HEAD OF STATE WERE A WOMAN WOULD THERE BE A. MORE WARS

B. THE SAME NUMBER OF WARS

C. FEWER WARS

THOUGHT EXPERIMENT EMPOWERED WOMEN OUR ONLY HOPE

Now a nature preserve along Boca Ciega Bay, St. Petersburg once hoped to create a segregated beach for Blacks in what is now the South Pasadena Habitat Extension.

JAMES SCHNUR

dressed the topic. Since then, additional evidence has reconfirmed Gulfport’s legacy.

When Did Gulfport Become a “Sundown Town”?

It’s still unclear when, exactly, Gulfport officials quietly began to enforce “sundown town” exclusions. John Donaldson and his wife, Anna Germain, became the first permanent Black residents of lower Pinellas in 1868, living a little east of present-day Gulfport. Though few records exist, it appears this family interacted peacefully with pioneers in the area.

Black people occasionally fished and picnicked along Boca Ciega Bay near the site of Gulfport’s beach in the early 1900s. These visits occurred during daylight hours and away from white-owned establishments. For example, a May 1906 Emancipation Day picnic near the waterfront in Veteran City attracted Black people from St. Petersburg, Tampa, and Manatee County. White people monitored this event, which peacefully ended – before sundown.

The arrival of the streetcar line that connected St. Petersburg to Veteran City allowed for an easy commute for those from the Sunshine City who wanted to visit the Casino or take a passenger boat to Pass-a-Grille before bridges connected the mainland and Gulf Beaches.

Although the number of Black passengers who took the streetcar between St. Petersburg and Gulfport before service ended in May 1949 is unknown, one thing is certain: Police enforced St. Petersburg’s segregation rules outside of the city limits.

Section 354 of the 1917 revised ordinances of St. Petersburg required mandatory separation of white and non-white passengers. Conductors who failed to enforce separate seating on any St. Petersburg streetcar line, even within

Gulfport’s municipal limits, faced a $50 fine and possible imprisonment for failing to do their job.

Gulfport Bathing Beach Battle

Gulfport officials never codified sundown racial restrictions into any ordinance or government document known to exist today. However, they tacitly embraced this unwritten regulation with unwavering resolve. Discussions about a possible swimming beach for Black residents of St. Petersburg in 1937 led a Gulfport councilmember and former mayor at the time to act and speak on behalf of the city, and the desire to preserve its status as a sundown town.

During the early 1900s, a majority of white St. Petersburg residents condemned any plan to open a swimming area for that city’s Black community. Mayors such as Al Lang and Noel Mitchell tried unsuccessfully to create a segregated swimming spot along Tampa Bay in then-remote areas of Bayboro Harbor in 1916 and 1920.

Protecting St. Pete Segregation

By the late 1920s, an all-white group known as the Southside Improvement and Protective Association condemned efforts to allow Black people to have a public beach. This informal group reappeared on and off for the next few decades. They protested attempts by Black people to live outside of the segregated Gas Plant and Methodist Town communities or attend white schools. Members hoped to limit any integration into northside neighborhoods.

Group representatives held rallies and flooded public meetings condemning any attempt to allow Black residents to set foot in Tampa Bay. They even compelled police to arrest Charles Lester Harvey – a developer of the Bayboro area – when he allowed Black people to enter the Sundown continued on page 12

“...Gulfport has never receded from the position it took ... that no Negroes would be allowed within the town limits after sundown.”

Sundown continued from page 11 water from his private property at 15th Avenue Southeast during the summer of 1929.

In early 1937, city leaders in St. Petersburg looked for a remote place beyond the city limits to create a bathing beach for Black residents. One site they considered sat immediately east of where the Corey Causeway touches the mainland, now home to the South Pasadena Habitat Extension, near Shore Drive South. At the time, nobody lived within a half-mile of that location.

Gulfport’s Leaders Respond

Hearing rumors of this possible plan for a bathing beach, Andrew E. Potter – a former Gulfport mayor – joined a lawsuit to keep St. Petersburg from gaining management of this property. St. Petersburg and Gulfport segregationists expressed their displeasure, making the oft-repeated claim that nearby property values would plummet if St. Petersburg opened a bathing beach near the Corey Causeway.

Walter P. Fuller, a noted developer in Pasadena and western St. Petersburg and a state representative at the time, tried unsuccessfully to get his colleagues in Tallahassee to pass a bill during the 1937 legislative session that would have allowed Gulfport to annex the land. Fuller’s proposed legislation would have had the effect of allowing whites-only access.

Speaking the “Truth”

In mid May 1937, Bruno Beckhard, a member of the Gulfport town council, put into words what was known and accepted, but almost never spoken. Calling the proposed bathing beach a “betrayal of the town of Gulfport,” Beckhard told a reporter for the St. Petersburg Times (now Tampa Bay Times) that Gulfport’s city council had discussed concerns about how the creation of a “Negro playground” at this undeveloped beach would adversely affect Gulfport.

Beckhard’s statement that appeared in the May 17 issue of the Times stated the commission’s consensus: “In the first place Gulfport has never receded from the position it took when most of the men were fishing and women and children were left alone, that no Negroes would be allowed within the town limits after sundown. This is not a matter of statute; it is merely a condition that no St. Petersburg Negro questions.”

Amplifying the concerns of nearby beach settlements as well, Beckhard added, “We in Gulfport cannot help feeling that St. Petersburg, as the largest of the group of Pinellas communities, has betrayed or shown a willingness to betray the rest of us” with this proposal.

Additional newspaper coverage during late May and early June 1937 demonstrated that Gulfport leaders wanted the proposal stopped at all costs to keep out “undesirable elements.” St. Petersburg’s leaders abandoned the bathing beach proposal in June 1937.

Gulfport’s existence as a “sundown town” continued long after this incident.

Next week, we will explore additional examples of Gulfport and other Pinellas municipalities maintaining patterns of purposeful exclusion.

Passengers on streetcars that reached Veteran City (now Gulfport) sat in segregated seating arrangements.

FLORIDA MEMORY

Bogie Wrestler Comes Up Big Moore Brings Home State Title for Pirates

By Monroe Roark

Kinea Moore is a soft-spoken and polite teenager whose friendly smile reveals a set of braces.

According to Tobey Alvarez, she is also a bully.

He means it as a compliment. Alvarez is Moore’s wrestling coach at Boca Ciega High School. He used the term to describe how the sophomore overpowered opponents to capture the Florida High School Athletic Association state championship.

This is only the second year that the FHSAA has sanctioned girls-only wrestling, Alvarez said. All females compete together in a single classification.

Moore wrestled in the 235-pound category, the highest weight class. But she was about 40 pounds below that standard while many opponents were right on the border.

So she didn’t have the typical struggle of many wrestlers to maintain a certain weight each week before a meet.

“I eat whatever I want,” she said with a smile during an interview with

The Gabber at school. Her coach confirmed that her weight situation gives him significant peace of mind going into each meet.

Alvarez has coached wrestling for 23 years at Boca Ciega and Moore is his first state champion.  She went out for the team last year, the first year with official girls wrestling, as a freshman. She had zero experience. Moore’s only previous athletic participation was swimming, she said.

But some family members convinced her to give the mat a try. “They said I should try it because I’m strong,” she said.

Three dozen or so young women from around the state would likely agree. Moore compiled a 41-8 record this season.

As a freshman she qualified for the state tournament but missed the end of the season after dislocating her shoulder in a match. She needed rotator cuff surgery and the 2022-23 season was just starting by the time she recovered.

At the state meet Moore defeated an opponent from Orlando, who was one of the favorites to win the title, in less than two minutes. She then dominated another wrestler who was favored to reach the state semifinals.

The semifinal match was the toughest of the tournament, going into four overtimes against an opponent who was more than 30 pounds heavier and very near the weight limit. After winning that one, Moore pinned her opponent in the championship round in less than one minute.

Needless to say, she had no idea two years ago that she would be sitting for a newspaper interview with a half-dozen or so medals draped across her lap. But Moore says she enjoys the sport and is looking ahead at possibly being a collegiate wrestler.

As for how she is handling the extra time in her schedule now that the season is over, she shared her favorite pastime to stave off boredom: “I eat.”

Kinea Moore with her coach, Tobey Alvarez.

MONROE ROARK

Award-Winning Beer & International Study

Gulfport Brewery Takes Home Honors; St. Pete Beach Study Goes Global

By Cameron Healy

Not only did they receive a trophy, but a gold, silver, and bronze medal for the best craft beers in the state. For the Best Florida Beer Pro 2023, 839 brews entered the contest for 59 medal groups.

One of the owners, Matt Acree, explained every brewery could submit up to eight craft beers for the contest. Judges from all over the nation blindly taste the beers and award accordingly.

“Hippie Oasis” won the brewery the gold for the juicy and hazy pale ale category. The brewery’s light American wheat beer without yeast “Gulfport Gold” won silver for American wheat or rye beer category. “Unsteady Freddy IPA” won bronze for American India pale ale.

“It’s amazing since we are a new brewery and to be recognized by the entire state of Florida for our accomplishments. It’s just an amazing feeling,” co-owner Doc Kane said.

Gulfport Brewery + Eatery, 3007 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport 727-9544109.

St. Pete Beach Dementia Study Goes Global

In June, Dr. Denise DuPree of Homewatch Caregiver of St. Pete Beach will present at the second International Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia Conference in Rome, Italy. Her presentation is on Aging in Place with Dementia: Strategies for Successfully Aging in Place

DuPree co-owns Homewatch Caregiver’s St. Pete Beach location. Homewatch Caregiver provides “24hour assistance, elder care, dementia care, Alzheimer’s care, senior transportation, and more” to clients in Pinellas.

Top Three in Small Breweries

On Mar. 5, Gulfport Brewery & Eatery placed in Best Florida Beer’s 21st annual Brewer’s Ball. The brewery took home a 2nd runner up trophy for best small brewery.

Owners Echo Bartlett, Doc Kane, and Matt Acree opened Gulfport Brewery & Eatery in June 2020. Since opening, Head Brewer Jason Toft created the brewery’s awarded best craft beers.

“Especially opening during the pandemic and how far we’ve come in such a short time, getting third best small brewery in the state is pretty sweet,” Acree said.

For more than 21 years, DuPree worked in the health field as an acupuncture physician. According to her conference biography, “she has extensive experience in elder care, oncology, women’s health, and postpartum care.”

According to her scientific abstract, “aging in place” describes “seniors who are able to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible.”

The objective is “to help family members and caregivers who support older adults understand the complexities of dementia.”

She shares the strategies for making a plan for older adults with memory loss who want to age in place. These strategies help older adults live independently.

DuPree’s presentation touches on “the challenges that come with each stage of dementia” and addresses possible solutions. She covers essential topics to solutions including “safety concerns, home modifications, environment management, communication issues, behavioral episodes, and tools for maintaining independence.”

The Gulfport Brewery’s Head Brewer Jason Toft holding all the awards from Best Florida Beers 2023 Brewer’s Ball.

GULFPORT BREWERY + EATERY

Courts, Crawfish, and Cars

What Gulfport’s Talking About This Week

By

What’s on everyone’s minds this week? More pickleball courts, crawfish, and cars, and other things said in and about Gulfport. Gulfport opened its much-awaited new pickleball courts this week, and people had lots to say about the sport, even going so far as to call it an “epidemic.”

“I’m gonna learn. “ –Dave McCormick’s answer to Matt Oliver, admin of the Gulfport Pickleball social media group

“It’s an epidemic.” –Tennis player Kevin McGuire talking about the rise in pickle players nationally

“This is a tennis group that has been playing here for 30 years and we are glad to be here.” –Kay McGuire having a first game on the new courts

“Loud!” –Bonnie Harrison talking about watching the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

–M.E. Doody, talking about night yoga on the Gulfport Beach with more than people

“We are out here commemorating the new courts. See, there are more women out here playing

pickleball than men.” –Jean Bauer on International Women’s Day, March 8

Chris Shablak writes According to Gulfport. He’s taken a winding road to end up here through small towns in New York, Ohio, and Washington. An eternal optimist, he likes sailing, pickleball, disc golf, ice cream, and wine (he’s teaching a class on wine later this month), but mostly ice cream.

Chris Shablak

“We watched the red full moon come out and it was beautiful.”

ForaLimitedTimeOnly, GiftCardsareAvailable!

There's never been a better time to quit with Group Quit

Tobacco Free Florida's Group Quit Sessions (in-person or virtual) now offer participants $50 - $125 in gift cards for their attendance.*

Group Quit offers free, expert-led in-person or virtual sessions for all Florida residents regardless of insurance status. Upon class completion, participants are eligible for nicotine replacement therapy such as gum, patches or lozenges.**

CRIMSON SAILS

An original play with music by Richard J. Budin. Taking place in an unnamed country in a world long ago, it follows the lives of a Prince and a young woman as they mature. This play was inspired by “Scarlett Sails,” a book by Russian author, Alexander Grin.

MARCH 23 -APRIL 2

Thursday, Friday, Saturday @ 8 pm, Saturday and Sunday @ 2 pm

Catherine Hickman Theater 26th and Beach Boulevard South

Gulfport Street Paving When Will Gulfport Fix Ward IV Streets?

Question: When will Gulfport re-pave the streets, specifically, 54th [Street] and 19th [Avenue]?  –JJ, Gulfport

Answer: According to Gulfport Public Works Director Tom Nicholls, the City of Gulfport has a plan.

“Great question! The city contracted five years ago to have all paved roads inspected and graded with a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) rating,” Nicholls told The Gabber. “The PCI rated the roads from

‘Excellent’ through ‘Very Poor’ and we have concentrated our annual paving budget on the roads in most need.

“To your specific question regarding 54th Street South and 19th Avenue South, we have this scheduled for the 2023-2024 budget year. The exact locations planned for re-paving in this area are 54th Street South, from 19th Avenue South to Gulfport Boulevard, and 19th Ave-

nue South, from 52nd Street South to 58th Street South.

“City council has typically allocated $400,000 annually for re-paving, which allows for approximately two miles of paving.”

Do you have a question about something in your community? Send it to The Gabber, and we’ll do our best to get you the answer. Email your questions to news@thegabber.com.

One Woman. One Lens. Seven Continents.

Gulfport Photographer Jude Bagatti’s Hickman Exhibit

By Amanda Hagood

For Gulfport photographer Jude Bagatti, taking pictures isn’t about the camera – it’s about the eye.

“Everywhere you go,” she says, “look around you and behind you. Try to see beyond what is right in front of you.”

In her case, there has been a lot to see. Her show, Power Places, Sacred Spaces, and Unforgettable Faces is on display in the Hickman Theater Lobby through Mar. 31. It features 35 photographs from her journey through all seven continents.

Bagatti’s travels began with a trip to the Andes in the 1980s. This voyage is captured in a remarkable photograph of the “lost city” of Machu Picchu. “I was on a four-day trek along the Inca Trail,” she says. Upon arriving, she decided to climb just a bit further, scaling the iconic Huayna Picchu peak (known to hikers as the “Stairs of Death”) that towers over the ancient ruins. Turning back, she finally saw it: the famous walls and terraces, embraced by the lofty green and blue mountains, all framing a tiny line of pilgrims winding through the ruins below. Her picture.

“Patience is the other thing with photography,” she says. “Sometimes you have to let things fall into place.”

Gulfport Photographer Jude Bagatti’s A-Ha Moments

You could say that photography was in her blood. Growing up in New Jersey, Bagatti remembers her father transforming the family bathroom into a darkroom so he could process his own prints. She, too, has enjoyed photography as long as she can remember. But the idea of pursuing it as an art only came to her after a massage client – Bagatti is a licensed massage and reiki practitioner) saw a photo of hers hanging on the wall and wanted to buy it. “It was an ah-ha moment for me,” she says.

Many shows and two photography books later, she has finally accom-

plished a longtime goal of traveling to all seven continents (that includes Antarctica!) and mounting a show that captures the incredible breadth of that experience.

There’s the “Bronze Lady,” an artfully composed look at the Statue of Liberty capturing the wavelike hem of her robes and the spiky corona of her crown. Bagatti took the shot just hours after she had finished running the New York City Marathon. A landscape shot shows Cape Town, South Africa, emerging like a silver mirage between the sea and Tabletop Mountain. A close up shows the hair-raising rows of teeth in the mouth of a barking Tasmanian Devil – a shot she waited about 20 minutes to capture.

One image of a giant peace sign painted like an American flag hung along winding path of trees and delightfully ramshackle furniture takes a moment to snap into recognition: Gulfport’s own Blueberry Patch. “I had to include it in the show!” Bagatti says with a grin.

One Last Look

If you’re noticing a theme of peregrination – what Bagatti would call “being adventuresome” – then

you’re starting to tune in to this photographer’s artistic philosophy. Capturing the perfect image is just part of her larger avocation of seeking out the many shades of beauty and strangeness cast by the world. Whether it’s the deep-lined smile on the face of a Greenland seal hunter or the dance-like motion of two Greek soldiers at mid-salute, Bagatti’s work captures more than amazing sights. It captures a whole way of seeing.

And what more fitting emblem could there be than the image which greets visitors to the show: a profile of an Egyptian pyramid with a gauzy eye of Horus formed in clouds beside its peak. “I had taken pictures for hours and was about to leave,” she recounts. “Then I turned back for one last photograph, and there it was!”

“Patience, curiosity, a sense of adventure – I think that’s what good photography requires,” she says. “And just a little bit of luck!”

Power Places, Sacred Spaces, and Unforgettable Faces Catherine Hickman Theater lobby, 5501 27th Ave. S., Gulfport. Through Mar. 31: Mon.Thurs., 8 a.m.-4 p.m. mygulfport.us, 727-322-6211, or heyjudebagatti@ gmail.com

World traveler and Gulfport photographer Jude Bagatti collects a patch wherever she visits for her black wool travel cloak. Her show “Power Places, Sacred Spaces, Unforgettable Faces” is on display in the Hickman Theater Lobby through March 31.

AMANDA HAGOOD

Pineapple Belongs on Pizza

Slice of Gulfport: Try the Pineapple Express

By Cameron Healy

Slice of Gulfport officially opened Feb. 22, serving a menu of specialty pizzas, salads, subs, wings, and dessert. With all of those fantastic options, I took a trip to taste what the pizzeria has to offer.

Owner John McLachlan said their two most popular pizzas share popularity: The Boca Ciega ultimate (pepperoni, Italian sausage, bacon, mushrooms, green peppers, onions, black olives) tied with the white out pizza (alfredo sauce, topped with Wisconsin mozzarella, ricotta, and spinach) for “most ordered.”

McLachlan continued by stating the “build your pizza” placed second, which is followed by the pineapple express (ham, pineapple, Wisconsin mozzarella, and ricotta). Fourth place goes to the cauliflower gluten-free pizza.

Now, what I’m about to say may cause distress, but I ordered the pineapple express.

I know! I know! You might call me an animal, but I beg to differ.

This pizza had a mix of sweet but savory flavors from the combination of sliced pineapples and creamy ricotta cheese with small chunks of ham and red sauce. I say

“don’t knock it ‘til you try it.” My 10-inch pizza which was a perfect size for a small lunch. I enjoyed the thin, crunchy crust.

The pizza was ready in less than 20 minutes. As I waited, I tried one of their dessert options, the salted caramel brownie with pretzel crust. It was absolutely amazing. The brownie had a crumbly pretzel bottom with a sticky caramel and

smooth chocolate fudge drizzle on the top.

I loved my little pineapple pizza for one and the brownie and definitely will continue to order from this family-owned pizzeria.

Slice of Gulfport, 1414 58th St. S, Gulfport. Tues.-Thurs., 1:30 p.m.-8 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 2 p.m.-8 p.m.; Sun. 2 p.m.-7:30 p.m. 727-329-8697, slicegulfport.com

This absolutely delicious Slice of Gulfport masterpiece is called The Pineapple Express.

CAMERON HEALY Slice of Gulfport has officially opened.

CAMERON HEALY

Which Conspiracy Theory Do You Believe?

Photos by Cameron Healy

Penh Alicandro, St. Pete: “The Ohio train derailment was not an accident.”

Svea Listmann, St. Pete: “Aliens are in Area 51.”

Isaac Madden, Clearwater: “Biden is a puppet.”

Rachel DiMartino, Waltham, MA: “I believe there’s aliens in Area 51.”

Solution on page

sudoku

Solution on page 26

gabber on vacation

This happy trio decided they’d take The Gabber to Mexico –specifically, Cozumel. While we live vicariously through these intrepid travelers, their smiles tell us they had a great time on their trip, and we’re glad they decided to take The Gabber to Mexico with them. You can’t tell in this photo, but they’re standing in front of giant letters that spell out “Cozumel” in an assortment of bright colors. Pictured: Mickey Reeves, Daniel O’Neil, and Robert Reeves.

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.

ROBERT REEVES

St. Patrick’s Day, Clam Bayou Cleanup, and Art

Friday, March 17Sunday, March 19

St. Patrick’s Weekend  Spend St. Patrick’s Day weekend with friends at Mastry’s Brewing by the beach. Celebrate with their food and beer specials. Enjoy live music from performers such as Gruvas on Friday, DJ Norton and The Gearz on Saturday, and Chris Manings on Sunday. Mastry’s Brewing Co., 7701 Blind Pass Rd., St. Pete Beach. 12-11 p.m. 727-2028045, mastrysbrewingco.com

Friday, March 17

Irish Dinner + a Show Here’s your chance to experience traditional Irish cuisines, drinks, and an Irish song open mic night. Some of these Irish dishes include Irish beef & Guinness stew, colcannon (a mashed potato with cabbage and bacon), Scotch Eggs, and Irish soda bread. Sit back and enjoy people try to sing their favorite Irish tunes or modern pop with an Irish twist to it. North End Taphouse + Kitchen, 2908 1/2 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport. 5 p.m.-12 a.m. 727290-9682, thenorthendtaphouse.com

O’Maddy’s Waterfront Party The annual daylong celebration returns, with the restaurant’s tried-and-true corned beef, cabbage, and green

beer menu. The party starts at 10 a.m. with live music, including Pred Shredz (11 a.m.-1 p.m.), Pete & Dean & Dennis (1-4 p.m.), Horses Wild (4-6 p.m.), and Hornet Toads (6-10 p.m.).

O’Maddy’s, 5405 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. 727-3238643, omaddys.com.

Paddy Fest Jameson Irish Whiskey and the City of St. Petersburg presents Paddy Fest, an all-day celebration. Eat Irish food, play Celtic games, and check out Celtic art and attire. Watch March Madness games and enjoy live entertainment from Chad McDonald, First Of The Day, Gilleoghan Irish Step Dancers, Guinness Lake,Lucid Druid, Jimmy Bragg, Mac Tier, My 3 Kilts, Stormbringer,

and World Champion Dunedin Pipe Band. Williams Park, 350 2nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. paddyfeststpete.com

All Shook Up Elvis fans, you’re going to want to see this!  All Shook Up is a musical that uses the music of Elvis to tell the story of a small midwestern town. The town comes to life after a handsome motorcyclist with a guitar on his back arrives. St. Petersburg City Theatre, 4025 31st St. S., St. Petersburg. Mar. 17-26: Fri.Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. $12-$30. 727-866-1973, spcitytheatre.org

NOPE! Jordan Peele fans will love this! Have an afternoon watching the sci-fi horror film Nope with some friends. A man and his sister witness something sinister in the skies above their inland California horse ranch. Meanwhile, their neighbor tries to profit off the mysterious phenomenon. St. Pete Beach Public Library, 365 73rd Ave., St. Pete Beach. 2 p.m. 727-363-9238, spblibrary.com

Saturday, March 18Sunday, March 19

Artist Studio Tours Art in the ‘Wood’ explores the art and culture of Historic Kenwood. Experience 21 exhibits from 30 artists on this self-guided tour. Enjoy work of ceramics, sculptures, jewelry, photography, mixed multi-media, fine art paintings, and performing art. Watch

Located In The Village Courtyard, We Are The Live Music Venue For Gulfport.

Among the Mar. 16-22 things to do: St. Patrick’s Day. Pictured: John Muir and Jerome Samedi dancing in the street for St. Patrick’s Day 2021.

ABBY BAKER

some live demos, talk with artists, and learn about their creative processes. Kenwood Gables, 2801 7th Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. kenwoodartistenclave.org

Saturday, March 18

Clam Bayou Cleanup Join Keep Pinellas Beautiful and Gulfport Grassroots for a community cleanup of Clam Bayou Nature Park. Volunteer to remove litter from this park and/ or locations throughout Pinellas for the day. Wear closed-toed shoes, bring a reusable water bottle, and the organizers provide cleaning supplies. Clam Bayou Nature Park, 29th Ave. S. & Miriam St. S. Gulfport. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. 727-893-7441, eventbrite.com

Health & Wellness Gulfport’s Health & Wellness Expo returns, bigger and better. Receive free health screenings, watch demonstrations, and taste healthy food. Learn about your health, legal information, insurance providers, assisted living options, and recreational activities. Gulfport Casino, 5500 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 727-893-1244, gulfportseniorfoundation.org

Kid’s Literacy Festival Spend a day full of reading and fun with your kids at the 11th annual literacy festival. Have a blast with the bounce houses, puppet shows, face paint-

ing, free books, and poetry readings. All the proceeds benefit the James Weldon Johnson Community Library. 1059 18th Ave. S., St. Petersburg. 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. 727893-7113, fojbl.org

Sunday, March 19

Volunteer Opportunity Make a difference in someone’s life. Come to Menorah Life’s volunteer info session and learn how to provide high-quality care to residents at this nonprofit nursing center. The volunteer opportunities include wheelchair transportation, resident visitations, and much more.  Samson Nursing Center, 255 59th St. N., St. Petersburg. 10:30 a.m. 727-3023729, menorahlife.org

Jazz For Lunch  Enjoy jazz by the beach. Le Jazz Trio features some of Tampa Bay’s best jazz musicians. This jazz group plays a combination of styles and feels that everyone will love. If you consider yourself a jazz enthusiast, you won’t want to miss this afternoon performance.  Boulevard Burgers & Taphouse, 5905 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. 11:30 a.m.-2:30 pm. 727201-4906, blvdburgers.com

Social Justice Story The Leif Nissen Social Justice Lecture Series presents author Saket Soni of The Great Escape: A True Story of Forced Labor and Immigrant Dreams in America

Soni’s book takes us into the lives of immigrant workers in the United States. Hear more about one of the largest human trafficking cases in twenty-first-century American history and the heroic journey for justice. Stay for Q&A and a light dinner after. Temple Beth-El, 400 Pasadena Ave. S., St. Petersburg. 4:30 p.m. 727-3476136, templebeth-el.com

Tuesday, March 21

Yoga in the Garden End your day with a peaceful yoga session surrounded by nature. Join instructor Casey Jones for this month’s yoga theme: Warriors of Change. You learn to focus on courage, flexibility, and strength through breath work, movement, and sound. Sign up online and pay what you want; this is a donation-based class. The Herb Scoop Shop, 140 49th St. S., St Petersburg. 6 p.m. 651-2527654, bbycooperative.com

Wednesday, March 22

My Verse, My Voice Get your creative juices flowing at My Verse, My Voice . Join Sara Ries Dziekonski from Keep St. Pete Lit with a pen and notebook to unleash your creativity. Learn writing techniques you’ve always wanted to try. Call to save your spot. Gulfport Senior Center, 5501 27th Ave. S., Gulfport. 10:30 a.m. 727-893-5657

Kurt Beem 1955-2023. Celebration of Life Mar. 18, 2023 12-5 p.m., Gulfport Lions Club. Please come celebrate my father’s life. There will be live music and food. BYOB. We do ask that everyone bring one unwrapped toy so we can donate them to Toys for Tots. My dad played music every year for them, so I thought it would be good to donate in his honor one last time.

Pete High School and St Pete Junior College. She later moved to Nashville, TN, where she met and married the love of her life. She worked in all phases of the music industry. Former employers include Col Tom Parker, Hubert Long Talent Agency, and Sawgrass Publishing (Mel Tillis). She also worked at WSM and WENO Radio Stations. After returning to St. Petersburg to be near her parents she worked for the St. Petersburg Times and the City of St Petersburg. She was an avid baseball fan and loved her Tampa Bay Rays. Gi Gi is survived by her son Buddie Emmons II (Patti); grandchildren Buddie Emmons III (Celena); Crystal Ankrum; and great-grandson ,Tommy Hoffman. She is predeceased by her daughter Tami Emmons. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. alifetribute.com

also a long-time social justice activist for peace, racial justice, women’s equality and reproductive freedom, and les/bi/gay/trans equality.

Born in Boston, second-generation in a Russian Jewish immigrant family, and living much of her life in the northeast, Jackie moved to Pinellas County in 1997. She was active with Womyn’s Energy Bank, a lesbian feminist collective in St. Petersburg; served on the board of the Sonia Plotnick Women’s Health Fund; the inaugural Women’s Studies Advisory Board at the University of South Florida; was a board member of Southerners on New Ground; and a member of Old Lesbians Organizing for Change, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Equality Florida, and a life-member of the Gulfport Library LGBTQ+ Resource Center, who has chosen to name a Returning Student Scholarship for LGBTQ+ students in her name.

In 2004-2005, she and wife Edie were co-chairs of the Gulfport Citizens Committee in the successful effort for a Human Rights Ordinance protecting rights of les/bi/gay/trans people in employment, housing, education and hospital visitation, before those rights were assured by marriage. Together 26 years, Jackie and Edie were legally married in 2008.

Georgene Marie Emmons (Gi Gi) passed away on Thursday, Mar. 2, 2023 at the age of 90. She spent her final days in the home of her son where she was surrounded by the love of her family. Born in Angola, Indiana on Feb. 13, 1933, she grew up in Madeira Beach. She attended St.

Jacqueline ‘Jackie’ Mirkin lesbian, activist, died in the comfort of her home with loved ones by her side in Gulfport on Feb 27, 2023. She was 92. Jackie was a retired social worker with many years of serving children, adolescents and families in inner-city New Jersey schools, six years on the faculty at Rutgers Graduate School of Social Work, and several years in private counseling, mostly with lesbian/gay/bisexual people and people who were homeless and had HIV or AIDS. She was

She is survived by: wife, Edith F. Daly of Town Shores of Gulfport; sister, Enid L. Mirkin of Town Shores of Gulfport; niece and family, Sharon, Jeffrey, and Emma Charloff of Medway, MA; David Charloff of Fort Bragg, NC; children, Stephen Daly of Mesa, Arizona, Peter and Cathy Daly of La Grange, N.Y., Philip and Donna Daly of Teaneck, NJ; and extended family.

Deborah A, Russell February 21, 1950 - December 25, 2022. Deborah A. Russell formerly of St. Louis, MO passed away on December 25, 2022. She is survived by her husband of 45 years Greg; her son, Peter; daughter Kelly; sister Linda; brother David; and three grandchildren, Miguel, Angela, and Otis. She will be dearly missed.

MIRKIN FAMILY

BEEM FAMILY EMMONS FAMILY

worship

17th St. & 29th Ave N St. Petersburg 345-7777

Friday 7PM

Beth-El Shalom

Messianic Congregation

ShalomAdventure.com

Good Shepherd Old

Unitarian Universalist United Fellowship

During the pandemic join us Sundays on Zoom.

Discussion -10:30 Program - 11:00

For Zoom directions email us at uuunited@earthlink.net

“You need not think alike to love alike.” - Francis David, 1534 uuunited.org

ADVERTISING DEADLINE FOR NEXT THURSDAY’S ISSUE IS FRIDAY BY 5 p.m.

CLASSIFIEDS

If you have questions about advertising, please email us at advertising@thegabber.com or call 727-321-6965! Deadline: Friday 3 p.m.

ST. PETE BEACH

Serving the greater St. Petersburg area. Family owned and local business. Providing in-home personal aid companion care, after surgery care, 24-hour care, dementia care, postpartum support, childcare, to name a few. 727-914-7472. hwcg.com/ St-Pete-Beach AHCA #299995153

THE

Reliable and dependable. Residential only. Weekly, bi-weekly and monthly. Moving out or moving in cleanouts. Permanent and seasonal residents. Over 25 yrs experience. Feel free to call Angelique: 727-686-7277. References available upon request.

Over 30 years experience. Residential & commercial,

AFFORDABLE CONCRETE PATIOS, WALKWAYS, DRIVEWAY EXTENSIONS, & REPAIRS

Custom concrete patios, driveway extensions, custom steps, & all types of concrete repairs. Storage Building slabs. Over 35 years experience. Call Mark for a free estimate: 813-859-2023.

AMERICAN BUILDERS GROUP LLC

Residential/Commercial. All phases of remodeling or renovations. Roofs, kitchens, baths, room additions, new construction, doors, windows, stone or concrete work, flooring, and much, much more. Free estimates. CCC 1333727 CGC 059964. 727-410-7323.

DARCY ROOFING LLC

Residential/Commercial. All roofing typesT.P.O., tapered systems, shingle, metal, tile, & flat roofs. Great prices, best warranties. Our general contracting division also does kitchens, baths, additions, new construction, and much, much more. Free estimates. CCC 1333727 CGC 059964. 727-410-7323.

THE TRASH QUEEN

Overwhelmed with the mess? Clean up/ clean out, inside and out. Recycling, organizing, and yard work. Free estimate from Kathy, Trashologist, licensed/insured, with truck/trailer. Call/text 845866-3867. Responsible, reasonable, and ready!

Heating & Air Conditioning

HANDYMAN SEMI-RETIRED All types of repairs. Small jobs welcome. Quality work at reasonable prices. Honest. Reliable. Free estimates. John: 727-410-2201.

“We

Handy Person

SPRING CLEANING CLEAN UP CLEAN UP CLEAN UP

Skilled labor, anything around the house from A-Z. Weeding, rock gardens cleaned, lawn maintanence, leaves removed, mulch, sod, and plants installed. Small trees planted and removed. Pressure washing. Electrical consults available. Free estimates. 30 years experience. Locally St. Pete /Gulfport: 407-244-6045. James: 407244-6045.

TREE SERVICE BY PAYLESS

Tree removal, trimming, stump grinding. Also do yard work, mulching, weeding, and yard clean up. Call for estimate: 727-641-9033.

IRRIGATION STAIN REMOVAL

Remove ugly rust-colored irrigation stains from vinyl fencing and most surfaces around your house or business, including signage. Free estimate and demonstration. Call/text 727-360-7070. ruststainremoval@icloud.com

Lawn & Landscape specializing

Servicing Gulfport, Pasadena and St Petersburg Areas. Contact JungleGirlTropicals@gmail.com Ph. 815-980-2759

#CFC1430429 State-certified, residential/ commercial service. Senior and military discount. $25 o service with ad. Locally owned and operated.

Miscellaneous Service

DEPRESSION SUPPORT GROUP MEETS THURSDAYS

Pasadena Community Church / Life Enrichment Building / Classroom 3c, 227 70th St. S., St. Petersburg, Fl 33707. Free, no registration, 7 p.m. Call 727-410-1569 for more information. Website: https:// dbsatampabay.org

NOTARY SERVICES - $10

The Gabber now provides Notary Services (in office only) at 2908-B Beach Blvd S., Gulfport. Our Notary Public is not an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Florida, and may not give legal advice or accept fees for legal advice.

Moving / Hauling

HB HAULING SERVICES Hauling services available. We do everything from junk removal, demo, debris removal, estate clean out, and so much more. 12 . dump trailer. Mention The Gabber and get a discount. Call or text Kenny Baschuk at 727-793-5816 for free estimates.

Marine Repair Painting ARNEY’S

30 years experience. Painting expert plus wallpaper hanging and removing. Lic. #C9579.

Painting BYRON JOHNSON PAINTING PLUS, INC.

Time to refresh the interior/exterior of your house or business? High quality, professional painting. Free estimates. Lic.#9894. Insured. 727-365-1088.

PINNIX PAINTING, INC. In business locally since 1980. Interior, exterior, commercial, residential. Free Estimates. Lic. #C4334. Call 727-504-1508.

SEASONS BEST PAINTING & CONTRACTING, LLC Interior/exterior painting and power washing services. Over 25 years of experience. 727-506-3677. Licensed/insured. Lic. #C-11623”

O’Neill’s Marina is looking for fishing enthusiasts to join our team. We have part-time positions in our bait shop. These positions are perfect for an active retired person with a flexible schedule looking for a little extra spending $.

Contact Alysia at alysia@oneillsmarina.com or call 727-867-2585, option 4

ELECTRIC BIKE Electric bike RadCity from Rad Power Bikes. Excellent condition. Kept indoors. Ladies white. Owners manual and fully equipped. $930. Call or text 508-566-0410.

GAS DRYER Hardly used gas dryer - $199. Also have extra arger speakers, 22” across, 31” tall, 15” wide. Make an offer. Text 727-642-1013 for pictures and information.

General

FREE NURSE ASSESSMENT FOR HOME

HEALTH CARE Private Care Home Health provides quality home care services. Nurse available evenings and weekends. License #299995707. Call 727-803-6016 or 813-5414200. www.privatecarehomehealth.com

COAST GUARD AUXILIARY SUDDENLY IN COMMAND CLASS USCG Auxiliary “Suddenly in Command” class for those who might need to operate a boat if the Captain is incapacitated. Sat., 3/25, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Gulfport Public Library Meeting Room. Contact merichardsonjr@att.net or 630-6745352 for more information.

Card of Thanks

RECREATION LEADER - CITY OF GULFPORT

“Summer seasonal full-time positions available from May 30 thru August 4. Education/experience preferred in education, physical education or child care. Knowledge of recreational activities including games, arts & crafts, and sports. Minimum qualifications include high school diploma or equivalency. Entry $14.54/hr. Level II Background check, drug screening and physical will be conducted. Applications accepted from 3/1/23 thru 3/17/23 at Gulfport Recreation Center, 5730 Shore Blvd. S. or City Hall, 2401 53rd St. S. E.O.E.”

JUNIOR COUNSELOR - CITY OF GULFPORT

Summer seasonal part-time positions available for Gulfport resident’s ages 15-17 years old from May 30 thru August 4. Experience working with children preferred. Entry $11.00/hr. Level II Background check, physical and drug screening will be conducted. Applications are being accepted from 3/1/23 thru 3/17/23 at Gulfport Recreation Center, 5730 Shore Blvd. S. or City Hall, 2401 53rd St. S. E.O.E.

POWERFUL PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT Holy Spirit, you who solves all problems, who lights all roads so that I can attain my goal, you who give me the divine gifts to forgive and forget all evil against me and that in all instances of my life you are with me, I want in this short prayer to thank you for all things and confirm once again that I never want to be separated from you, even in spite of all material illusions. I wish to be with you, in eternal glory. Thank you for your mercy toward me and mine. The person must say this prayer for 3 consecutive days. After 3 days the favor requested will be granted, even if it may appear difficult. This prayer must be published immediately after the favor is granted, without mentioning the favor, only your initials should appear at the bottom. 4AD

POWERFUL PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT Holy Spirit, you who solves all problems, who lights all roads so that I can attain my goal, you who give me the divine gifts to forgive and forget all evil against me and that in all instances of my life you are with me, I want in this short prayer to thank you for all things and confirm once again that I never want to be separated from you, even in spite of all material illusions. I wish to be with you, in eternal glory. Thank you for your mercy toward me and mine. The person must say this prayer for 3 consecutive days. After 3 days the favor requested will be granted, even if it may appear difficult. This prayer must be published immediately after the favor is granted, without mentioning the favor, only your initials should appear at the bottom. TTD

GULFPORT LIONS CLUB Available for parties, weddings, meetings. Great waterfront location with full facilities. Call Jean for info and dates. 727-366-6341.

GARAGE SALE

Sat., 3/18 & Sun., 3/19, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 1301 56th St. S, Gulfport. Power tools, lots of exercise equipment, large aluminum BBQ grill, lawn furniture, and more.

17th Ave & Pass-a-Grille Way Regular

Tues., Thurs., Sat. 9 a.m. - 12

Gorgeous water view, totally updated 2/2. Waterfront condo in immaculate condition in the much sought a er gated Three Palms Point Community. Rare covered parking spot. Amenities include fishing dock, boat slip, recreation room, gym, game room and stunning pool on the water. Free cable, St. Pete Beach two short blocks away. Sunrise with your morning co ee on your balcony and sunset on the beach. Sorry, no pets. AVAILABLE NOW! Call 646-808-7043 or email casuleiman@ aol.com for more info.

5951 Bayview Circle S. (Pasadena Yacht & Country Club)

This 2004 home has five bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms. It has 4,429 square feet and listed and sold for $3.2 million.

2701 58th St. S. (Waterfront District)

This five-bedroom, four-and-a-half bath home, built in 2003, has 4,474 square feet. It listed for $990,000 and sold for $900,000.

3008 Dupont St. S. (Waterfront District)

This 1947 home has three bedrooms, two baths, and 1,310 square feet. It listed for $711,000 and sold for $695,000.

5861 27th Ave. S. (Waterfront District)

Built in 1958, this home has 1,272 square feet, three bedrooms, and two baths. It listed for $625,000 and sold in three days for $590,000.

4615 27th Ave. S. (Marina)

This three-bedroom, two-bath home, built in 1959, has 1,450 square feet. It listed for $503,000 and sold for $495,000.

6020 Shore Blvd. S., #104 (Town Shores)

This two-bedroom, two-bath condo, built in 1974, has 1,450 square feet. It listed for $425,000 and sold for $440,000.

5721 13th Ave. S. (Tangerine)

Built in 1923, this three-bedroom, two-bath home has 1,001 square feet. It listed for $398,999 and sold for $385,000.

5940 Pelican Bay Plaza S., #305 (Pasadena Yacht & Country Club)

This 1983 condo has two bedrooms, two baths, and 1,476 square feet. It listed for $450,000 and sold for $427,200.

2651 44th St. S. (Marina)

This three-bedroom, one-bath home, built in 1929, has 1,233 square feet. It listed for $390,000 and sold for $350,000.

6020 Shore Blvd. S., #311 (Town Shores)

This two-bedroom, two-bath condo, built in 1974, has 1,450 square feet. It listed for $285,000 and sold for $300,000.

5955 30th Ave. S., #108 (Town Shores)

This 1970 condo has one bedroom, one bath, and 1,060 square feet. It listed for $249,000 and sold for $226,000.

The Gabber lists real estate sales every week, as space allows. This may not be a comprehensive list of all homes and condos sold in Gulfport, and often does not include commercial properties or business sales.

"she saved my life"

Tampa Bay area resident Jean P. had been experiencing the painful side effects of peripheral neuropathy, “My feet and legs were extremely painful and my doctor told me there was nothing they could do and that I would have to take gabapentin for the rest of my life.” Then she met St. Petersburg's Dr. Rebecca Gibbons.

Peripheral neuropathy is the pain, discomfort and numbness caused by nerve damage of the peripheral nervous system Jean explained that daily tasks like opening doors and using the bathroom were overwhelmingly painful “How can you live for the next 30 years when you don’t even want to get out of bed to do simple things?"

She was experiencing the burning, numbness, tingling and sharp pains that those suffering with neuropathy often describe “The way that I would describe it, is that it's equivalent to walking on glass ” Jean hadn’t worn socks in five years and was wearing shoes two sizes too big so that nothing would ‘touch’ her feet.

Unfortunately Jean's story is all too familiar. Over 20 million people in the U.S. suffer from peripheral neuropathy.

If you ’ re unfortunate enough to be facing the same disheartening prognosis, you ’ re not sleeping at night because of the burning in your feet You have difficulty walking, shopping or doing any activity for more than 30 minutes because of the pain You’re struggling with balance and living in fear that you might fall

Your doctor told you to ‘just live with the pain’ and you ’ re taking medications that aren’t working or have uncomfortable side effects

Dr Gibbons, founder of Achieve Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine in St. Petersburg, FL, is using the science of acupuncture and other integrative techniques that assist in increasing blood flow and expediting recovery and healing to treat this debilitating disease

“Now when I go to bed at night I don’t have those shooting pains. I don’t have that burning sensation. I don’t have pain coming up my legs,”Jean enthusiastically describes life after receiving Dr. Gibbons treatments. 'I can wear socks and shoes!”

Jean and her sister now operate a successful dog walking business, sometimes covering up to 5 miles a day

"It's life altering As far as I am concerned, Dr Gibbons saved my life!"

Dr. Gibbons who has also been an RN for over 16 years, integrates both her western medicine background with effective eastern medicine strategies to be able to offer a different nondrug, non surgical option to those who have chronic pain, neuropathy, and autoimmune conditions.

If you ’ ve missed too many tee times or pickleball games because of pain or because you are afraid of falling, it’s time to call Dr Gibbons and her team at Achieve Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine

Dr. Gibbons is now accepting new patients. Call (727) 272-3587 now to schedule your consultation.