The Gabber: May 25, 2023

By David Warner

There was a time when a drag show in Gulfport on the first day of Pride Month wouldn’t have been big news, let alone landed on the front page of The Gabber Newspaper.

But that was then. This is now. In Florida’s current anti-drag, anti-trans climate, Drag at the Hickman on June 1 could be viewed as an act of defiance: a declaration of queer joy and a celebration of an art form that has been a mainstay of popular entertainment from Shakespeare to RuPaul, from Milton Berle to Mrs. Doubtfire.

Even more important is the beneficiary: the Gulfport Public Library’s renowned LGBTQ+ Resource Center, a collection of more than 10,000 books, CDs, DVDs and online materials. The Center’s the only one of its kind in a Florida public library. In this time of book-ban hysteria, support of a public institution that shares information for and about LGBTQ+ lives is more crucial than ever.

Hosting a drag show at the Catherine Hickman Theater wasn’t the Resource Center’s first idea for Pride month. The Center, known for such programs as its popular ReadOut literary festival in February, planned

a film series. But when that didn’t work out, a drag show seemed a timely alternative, said Susan Gore, the all-volunteer Center’s savvy and

determined board president.

Like many other Gulfportians, she had grown familiar with the work

Drag continued on page 8

Mr. and Mrs. Gripp (Edson Abadia, Jr., left, and Michael Knapp) will host Drag at the Hickman June 1.

MORGAN LE SHADE/BLACK ROSE PHOTOGRAPHY

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Beach Renourishment

While I appreciate your running an article on beach renourishment, you titled it “Pinellas Beach Renourishment: What You Need To Know,” but you never answered any of the questions raised in the article. Should homeowners be concerned about signing the leases? It seems to me that homeowners who are not willing to sign the leases are cutting off their nose to spite their face. As I understand it, the easement required would allow the Army Corps to go onto their property if needed to replenish sand. In most cases, the sand replenishment is out beyond the erosion control line where it’s public access anyway. The only reason the Corps would ever come past that is if the erosion were so severe that it was necessary. That could happen with a direct hurricane hit. I wonder if this new easement requirement by the Army Corps is an

intentional attempt to stop doing and paying for this work. I would appreciate your going back and answering some of the questions your article raises, so it is “what you need to know.” —Brian

Derr, Gulfport

The Grand Live Oak Tree at 2824-ish 52nd St. S.

My appointment with Jim O’Reilly, Gulfport’s City Manager, on May 5 was informative, yet discouraging. No, futile. I shared my concern about the fate of the oak on Lot 2820. According to Mr. O’Reilly, because this lot is private property, the new owner has the power to remove the tree. The State legislature and government has put many obstacles in front of local self-determined citizens and supersedes city government. He explained that when a grand oak is removed by a new owner/developer, it is supposed to be “replaced” with trees that “off-

REMEMBER: Today is the first day of the rest of your life!

set” the loss of the oak. It will take not decades, but centuries, for “replacement’ trees to grow into what was destroyed.

The City of Gulfport can ask developers to design a new building around the existing tree, but they cannot enforce it. Some people might be saying, “Well, it’s just one tree. How is that going to alter the overall tree canopy of Gulfport?” But you can witness the old houses being sold off in Gulfport, torn down, and lots developed with two- and three-story buildings. Appallingly, live oaks are massacred on these properties. They are alive, just like humans. That’s why they call them live oaks! The day the tree cutters come to Lot 2820, they will have to contend with a following of passionate tree lovers, including the author, standing between them with their saws and our friend, the beloved grand oak.

—Alexandra Morgan Geiger, Gulfport

Voices continued on page 11

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The Man She Never Knew South Pasadena Woman Recalls Father’s Sacrifice

By Monroe Roark

Many have gone off to war and endured long stretches without seeing their spouses or children. Of course, the reason Americans commemorate Memorial Day is that a number of those soldiers never returned home. Some children live with memories of their parents in happier days, and some have no frame of reference at all.

Brenda Henley’s father never laid eyes on his only child. She was 6 months old when Robert Cannon died during a battle on the Solomon Islands in the Pacific. It was July 2, 1943. He was 21 years old, and he died on his third wedding anniversary.

It took two months for the news to make it back to the Georgia community of Scottdale. A Yellow Cab pulled up in front of the large house where Henley lived with her mother and grandparents. A courier delivered an envelope. Henley’s grandmother folded it and put it in her pocket without reading it. She knew there was only one reason such a parcel would be delivered in that manner. She walked straight into the house to wake her daughter.

“Get up,” she said. “Bob is dead.”

Bob and Flo Ella Cole Cannon had known each other since third grade and neither had ever dated anyone else. All Flo Ella ever wanted was to be a wife and mother. She had no job skills outside of that.

“My mama was a wife, a mother, and a widow before she turned 21,” said Henley, who now lives in South Pasadena.

For a long time Flo Ella refused to believe that her husband was dead. His body had never been shipped back to the United States. It was two years after his death that a fellow soldier arrived at the house. He told the family he was with Robert Cannon, who he considered his best friend during the war, and witnessed his death.

The island they were on had been under Allied control, but the Japa-

nese forces laid siege to it and cut down dozens of men in the process.

“They were like fish in a barrel,” Henley said in describing the situation her father and others faced.

Robert Cannon rescued one of his fellow soldiers from enemy fire and pushed him out of harm’s way just before he and some other men were blown to bits in an explosion. Many soldiers met the same fate that day, to the extent that U.S. forces eventually recovered portions of bodies and brought them all together for a burial at sea.

It was extremely difficult his widow to adjust to life without her husband. Brenda Henley looks back and remembers a time that was also difficult for her, although she benefited greatly from the love and support of her grandparents and some aunts and uncles. Her paternal grandparents were especially fond of her because in many ways she was all they had left of their son. Many family members maintained that she looked a great deal like her father.

Henley was 7 years old when her

mother remarried, and she eventually became a wife and mother herself. She now has two daughters and a son as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She lost much of the memorabilia she had kept to remember Robert Cannon when she lived on the Gulf Coast in southeast Texas. Hurricane Ike destroyed her home in the fall of 2008 (ironically, she was back in Georgia burying her mother at the time of the storm). She moved to Pinellas County a few years ago to be near one of her daughters and her son.

Brent Stancil has lived in Pinellas County for 14 years while serving as senior pastor of Community Bible Baptist Church, formerly in St. Petersburg but now in Pinellas Park. An avid student of history his entire adult life, he has found this personal connection to his grandfather extra special. He never knew the Cannon family because they were nearly all deceased by the time he was born, but he knew his grandfather was a hero.

Father continued on page 10

Brent Stancil kneels by the grave marker of his grandfather, Robert Cannon, who was killed in World War II.

SPECIAL PHOTO, VIA BRENT STANCIL

A Place to Heal War Veterans’ Memorial Park Turns 50

By James Schnur

Fifty years ago, crowds filled the parking lot of a new county park to enjoy a Memorial Day picnic and honor the service of American military veterans. Located adjacent to the Bay Pines VA Hospital complex, War Veterans’ Memorial Park had previously served as a site of slaughter, a part of the hospital complex, and a place where eagles soared.

Centuries before the first white homesteaders filed claims in the mid1800s, ancestors of the Seminole and Miccosukee lived on the Bay Pines peninsula. Archaeologists located a prehistoric midden in the 19th century and a burial site in 1971. A portion of the Bay Pines VA Hospital site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 to recognize the people who lived in the area more than 1,000 years ago.

In 1888, four decades before the Orange Belt Railway connected a small village that became St. Petersburg to the outside world, a handful of rugged souls homesteaded along the lower Pinellas peninsula. Most chose to live near the water, then a source of endless seafood to sustain them.

Two of these settlers, Joe Silva and John Levique, captured and confined sea turtles along the shoreline at the present-day park, often sailing them to sell in New Orleans. Soon, the

area where they held turtles became known as Turtlecrawl or Turtle Crawl Point. This name originates from the Dutch word “kraal” or the Spanish word “corral,” a fenced or enclosed area for animals.

Located at the southern tip of War Veterans’ Memorial Park, Turtlecrawl Point became a place where some coastal pioneers corralled and occasionally slaughtered sea turtles during the mid and late 19th century. Locals harvested turtle meat from area waters until the early 1900s.

According to historical narratives, Silva and Levique returned to the Pinellas coastline on September 27, 1848, after taking a bountiful catch of turtles to New Orleans. During their journey, they experienced rough

waters. When they arrived, they witnessed the aftermath of a powerful hurricane known as the Great Gale of ‘48 that had flooded and devastated much of the largely uninhabited area.

Noticing a new opening along the barrier islands, Silva supposedly named the waterway “Johns Pass,” in honor of Levique.

A Place to Fish

Turtlecrawl Point also became known as Seminole Point. An early post office opened near the “Bay Pines Triangle,” where Bay Pines Boulevard becomes Seminole Boulevard, in the mid 1880s.

In the early 1900s, John A. Mangold had plans to develop 93 acres

The first burial at Bay Pines National Cemetery took place on April 25, 1933.

JAMES SCHNUR

near Turtlecrawl Point. He hired a surveyor in 1911 who began to plat lots for a proposed development called “Gulf Breeze.” He built a small pier at the end of a dirt road he named Main Street, but later abandoned the project. Soon thereafter, locals traveled along this road in their quest for a great fishing spot.

Fishing remained popular in the area even as sea turtle hunting declined. Turtlecrawl Point became an ideal location to catch mullet and larger fish, as well as harvest clams, oysters, and scallops from the shallow waters of Boca Ciega Bay and Long Bayou. Arthur E. Goethe opened a fish processing house at the Point by the early 1920s that supplied fish for his retail market in Clearwater.

By 1924, local Realtor Walter P. Fuller planned to sell 80 acres in the area. He hoped to fetch between $175 and $350 an acre for tracts with palmettos, large cedars, oaks, and pine trees. Fuller, who helped to establish the first Boy Scouts council in Pinellas, also supervised over-

night Scout camping trips at Seminole Point during the 1920s.

A Place to Heal

The end of the Florida land boom in the mid-1920s halted ambitions to develop Seminole Point. Plans for a possible soldiers’ home reignited interest in the area by 1929. Other sites under consideration included Lewis Island (now Coquina Key) and groves between 40th Avenue NE and Placido Bayou.

On May 26, 1931, President Herbert Hoover approved a congressional measure to establish a soldiers’ home site in the St. Petersburg area. On July 14, county leaders and St. Petersburg city officials agreed to split the $200,000 price to secure Seminole Point for this facility. The original purchase, finalized in August 1931, included the present-day park and former fishing areas at Turtlecrawl Point.

By the spring of 1932, workers earning 25 cents per hour began clearing the area. Construction en-

sued on the hospital and dormitory facilities. The VA site officially became known as “Bay Pines” in June 1934.

For 35 years, Turtlecrawl Point remained a part of the Bay Pines VA Hospital campus. Although people occasionally docked along the shoreline, the area remained off-limits for public recreational use. By the 1940s, a pair of bald eagles found refuge in one of the tall pine trees, but had few human visitors.

In September 1951, a company that purchased green sea turtles for their meat from the Caribbean sought a place in Florida, possibly Pinellas County, to open a commercial turtle crawl, slaughterhouse, and canning facility. Fortunately, plans to bring this activity back to Turtlecrawl Point or Pinellas County never materialized.

A Place of Environmental Concern

Dredging reshaped Madeira Beach and Treasure Island during the 1950s. The creation of Crystal Island, Isle of

Veterans continued on page 16

Drag continued from cover

of Edson Abadia, Jr. The acrobatic fire-dancer, frequently seen at the Saturday Morning Market, is also a drag artist. Gore hired him to cohost Drag at the Hickman with his partner, yoga instructor, and aerial silks dancer Michael Knapp, whose drag persona is Greta Gripp. Together, they perform as Mr. and Mrs. Gripp, and they’ll be joined on the bill June 1 by four other stellar acts.

“The message I really want to send out on behalf of the center,” says Gore, “is that drag is not child grooming. It’s performance art.”

She has full support from Gulfport’s mayor, city council, and library director for the event — and its goal of bringing “visibility and support” to the drag and trans communities.

But she’s not taking any chanc-

es with the anti-drag crowd, who out of misunderstanding or malice have targeted drag as dangerous for children.

“We chose to make the event 18 and over,” says Gore. “We think we can make the point best without creating a provocation, and admitting under 18 would be poking the bear.”

As was the case with ReadOut,

Drag at the Hickman will showcase a variety of drag styles, says co-host Abadia, including the sometimes “shocking” Rip Lee.

she added, “we will have a uniformed police officer on site.” This will assure attendees of their safety, and to make sure “people who might be unhappy” with the event know security is in place.

Drag at the Hickman will also pack some legal firepower: Abadia is also an attorney with particular expertise in LGBTQ+ issues. While at Stetson Law, he launched a scholarship for LGBTQ+ students, performed in drag during a Lambda Legal Society Event (the first-ever such performance on the campus) and won recognition from the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association for his student leadership.

He believes “the laws and attacks on drag queens are based on confusion about what drag is.” And while some of that “confusion” is willful, a pretext for the criminalization of trans lives, he hopes the Hickman show will make a statement about “all the varieties of drag.”

To that end, the program includes the edgy style of Rip Lee; the pageant-queen glam of Autumn Vee and Hazel E. Genevieve; and Silver Foxx of the Bois of Florida Drag Kings.

To that end, the program includes the edgy style of Rip Lee; the pageant-queen glam of Autumn Vee and Hazel E. Genevieve; and Silver Foxx of the Bois of Florida Drag Kings.

As for Mr. and Mrs. Gripp, they can’t include fire or aerial silks in their act, but acrobatics and song

are definitely on the menu.

“I sing,” says Knapp, “and he can move. We both have strengths.”

Knapp may draw on his musical theater background with numbers like “I Am What I Am,” while Mr. Gripp (Abadia) might incorporate LED props, a handstand or two and maybe a bit of Freddie Mercury.

“I love to get the audience to have fun with me,” Abadia says.

Both have found that drag is about much more than dressing up.

For Knapp, doing drag as opposed to regular theater allows him to make his own decisions, choose the mix of songs, break the fourth wall — and then walk amongst the crowd afterwards in costume (normally a no-no in traditional theater).

Avadia values the fact that “drag gives people a voice. We are given four minutes to make a statement — and having my legal background, I like taking the chance to make my statement.”

The beauty of transgender people, and the many varieties of drag — they’re all part of the statement he and his co-stars will be making via Drag at the Hickman. For the community at large, it’s good to be reminded of the importance of drag to LGBTQ+ history — not just because it’s a fabulous art form, but because it has posed a challenge to gender norms and homophobia since way before Stonewall, when the queens showed their fierceness on the streets of NYC.

Drag at the Hickman Catherine Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S., Gulfport. June 1, 7:30 p.m. (doors, 7 p.m.). Ages 18+. $25-$100. Proceeds benefit the LGBTQ Resource Center of the Gulfport Library. For tickets, go to to Eventbrite under “A Night of Drag at the Hickman” or read this article at thegabber.com for the link.

Gulfport Pride Celebration

The Gulfport Pride celebration on Saturday, June 3 also benefits the LGBTQ Resource Center. Attractions include musical acts, 130+ vendors, the ArtOut juried exhibition at the Gulfport Public Library, and a  21+ indoor drag show starring Brianna Summers at Neptune Grill. For more info, go to gulfportprideflorida.com

Silver Foxx of the Bois of Florida Drag Kings will perform.

BLACK ROSE PHOTOGRAPHY

“Drag is not child grooming. It’s performance art.”

Father continued from page 5

“I always thought he was buried there,” he said of the Pacific island site where Robert Cannon lost his life.

He was talking several years ago with a friend about his grandfather. Both wondered if some kind of memorial was in place at that location. His friend decided to search the internet for more details. Thanks to a number of organizations seeking to honor such veterans as well as the federal government itself, this kind of information is much more readily available than it was years ago.

When Stancil’s friend informed him that a grave marker bearing Robert Cannon’s name stands in the Manila American Cemetery, it was extraordinary news. On top of that, Stancil and several others from the church had a mission trip to the Philippines scheduled in less than a year.

In the spring of 2018 he became the first and only family member to visit Cannon’s grave. Hundreds of identical white crosses line the area,

similar to the American cemeteries in Normandy and other places.

The church group made a special trip to the cemetery just before their return trip home. After finding it, Stancil knelt next to the cross that bore the name he had heard all his life.

“It was very moving,” he said of

the entire experience.

Brenda Henley still holds out hope that she can also see it one day. But she has a clear view of the significance of what her father did.

“He volunteered for the military. He didn’t want to wait to be drafted,” she said. “And he died saving another man’s life.”

A map at Manila American Cemetery outlines the Solomon Islands campaign during World War II.

SPECIAL PHOTO, VIA BRENT STANCIL

Voices continued from page 3

Editor’s Note: The Gabber Newspaper confirmed that the live oak in question qualifies as a grand oak, as it has a DBH (diameter breast height) of almost five feet, twice the accepted criteria for a “grand oak.” Winway has the property listed for $500,000.

Buddhapalooza Thanks

The Gulfport Senior Center Foundation is grateful to Buddhapalooza organizers Debbie and Chris Sussman, North End Taphouse, Big Green Egg, Page Street Publishing, Snake River Farms and Lobster Anywhere for making Buddhapalooza a success and raising $1,830.00 for the Senior Center food pantry. —Jennifer Terrana, St. Petersburg, Vice President, Gulfport Senior Center Foundation

Correction

In Lisa Leveroni’s article about beach renourishment (“Beach Extinction, May 18, pp. 6–7) contained an error regarding the percentage of federal funding devoted to beach renourishment. The correct percentage is 65%. The error happened during the editing process and is not the fault of the writer. The Gabber Newspaper regrets the error.

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.

This sign went up on the lot where the live oak tree, the subject of several letters to the editor as of late, lives.

ALEXANDRA GEIGER

Gulfport Council Approves BCYC Lease Second Reading in June

By Monroe Roark

Gulfport City Council took the first step to authorize a new contract with the Boca Ciega Yacht Club.

After tabling the matter in March, the council approved the ordinance’s first reading at its May 16 meeting.

Mayor Sam Henderson voted in favor along with vice mayor Paul Ray and council member Christine Brown. Ian O’Hara and April Thanos voted in opposition.

The BCYC will pay $2,000 per month under the three-year lease, which has no automatic renewal. The previous lease expired at the end of 2020, and was extended on a month-to-month basis.

The club and the City agreed on all aspects of the deal except one.

“Issues were resolved, other than the area that lies east of the building, approximately 22 by 150 feet,” said City Manager Jim O’Reilly. “The City’s position is that the area is open and it is not exclusive use. The Boca Ciega Yacht Club’s request was to have exclusive use of that area.”

City Attorney Andrew Salzman concurred.

“That was the only outstanding issue,” Salzman said.

Henderson, Ray and Brown were emphatic about keeping the area in question open to the public.

“We talked about opening this up to give more access to the public — to sit along the seawall and fish, which is something I can see people doing,” said Ray. “Otherwise, that little strip along the south side of the lift is all people would get off that side of the seawall.”

Brown pointed out that leaving the area open to the public would not penalize the club in any way.

“Whatever we decide, you can use the 22 feet,” she told the members in attendance. “It doesn’t mean you can’t use it; it just means everyone else can, which is a very important point to make.”

Henderson acknowledged that the compromise reached was more than he had initially been willing to make.

“What I’d envisioned was just the building for the life of that building, the walkways that lead to that building, outdoor features like the patio, and a portion of the parking spaces,” he said, adding that the option the club favored “goes against every single thing I was looking to do in terms of returning public land to the public.”

O’Hara supported the club’s preferred plan without any further comment. Thanos also favored that plan.

“I think people, if they want to be fishing along the seawall or whatever, can just go right to the other side

Gulfport Council voted to move forward with the Boca Ciega Yacht Club lease.

CATHY SALUSTRI

of the canal and fish all over Clam Bayou,” she said. “Or they can go down by the beach and fish if they want to. I think that it’s impractical and not safe [to leave the space open], and it doesn’t make sense.”

Club members filled most of the seats in the council chambers. Jen Buckley spoke on their behalf, identifying herself as the current commodore. More than 20 people stood as she began her remarks, and almost all of them raised their hands when asked to identify themselves as Gulfport residents. She later said at least 38% of the total membership are city residents.

Buckley said the club had concerns about the area along the seawall being open to the public. She cited safety and liability.

“We’re concerned about it being open and the security of the items that are left on the property,” she said. “We’ve got sheds and equipment. Everything is as locked down as it can possibly be. However, there are enterprising souls out there who think that if it isn’t actually glued to

the ground, it’s fair game.”

Buckley added that the club’s Sea Scouts and youth sailing programs are also factors in concerns about public access.

Brown said the club’s building is “one named storm away from being gone. If something happens to the roof, you can’t replace anything. You’ve got to do a whole teardown.”

Saying that expanding marina access has always been her goal, Brown reiterated her desire for the city to start thinking in that direction.

“We tried to ask you about this a few years ago, and it was completely shunned,” she said to the club members. “We thought that would be a starting point to having a sailing center where everybody could be connected and have a space — and, most importantly, the other 12,000 people in Gulfport could come, too. And it’s not like we want to kick you out. We want to give you a brand-new building. That was not taken very well.”

She asked the club members to be open to a future project that would

be open to all city residents.

“The people up in Paul’s ward probably don’t come down here, and aren’t here tonight because they think they’re not allowed,” she said. “But it’s public land and I’d like everybody to be able to come.”

Henderson said he doesn’t buy the argument that the open seawall is a safety issue. He cited other locations in the city that are similar.

“The point is, if you can still use that land but you have exclusive use, you’re not allowing others to use that land,” he said. “I’m not willing to give any more land away for that, especially for a lease that is less than many people’s mortgage on a monthly basis.”

Brown and Henderson both said they recognize the good things the club has done over the years. The mayor added that he still had a bad taste regarding how past litigation went.

Immediately after the vote, O’Reilly said he would place the second reading on the June 6 meeting agenda.

Overheard at the May 16 Gulfport Council Meeting

By Monroe Roark

Here is some of what we overheard at the Gulfport City Council May 16 meeting.

About Everyone Getting Along

“There is somebody on Facebook who keeps trashing you – that you just all can’t get along, and you all need to grow up and behave. You know what? That’s why we all get along, because everybody has an opinion … and you listen to it. That’s Gulfport; that’s what it’s all about. I’ve lived here over 40 years. I love you all, and I’m still going to volunteer. You can’t get rid of me.” —

Francine Whitten

About Womens’ Rights

“I can only imagine the frustration that each and every one of you feel about home rule and the changes that are being made in every [state legislature] session. I can’t imagine being in your place and wanting to take care of things, and the State telling you that you can’t. That being said, I feel that same anger and frustration when it comes to women’s reproductive rights and reproductive healthcare.” — Karen Love

About Fire Ops 101

“I went to Fire Ops 101, which was very, very interesting. Actually, it was a lot of fun. Almost 75 pounds of gear you have to wear – whew. But it was a lot of fun. Anyone who gets a chance to do it ought to do it. The best workout you’ll ever get in your life, because you have to walk up and down stairs and carry a hose, and those hoses aren’t light and don’t bend easily, either. Thanks to the Gulfport fire personnel who were there and helped me suit up — even though one of them tried to kill me when he didn’t turn my oxygen on.” — Vice Mayor Paul Ray (Ward III)

“I want to apologize for not being able to go to Fire Ops 101, and I probably would have died because I’m not fit, either. My wife did say I was a bit crazy for even mentioning I would attend.” — Councilmember Ian O’Hara (Ward IV)

“I went to Fire Ops as well with the CERT team. I do have pictures [of Paul Ray] if anyone wants to see them. He did a great job and was a real trooper. We had fun and it’s a great experience for sure.” – Councilmember Christine Brown (Ward II)

Other Random Topics

“I went to the VPK graduation [at the recreation center], and it was adorable. The teachers there are clearly doing a fabulous job, and it was just a pleasure to see all of these little kids. It takes me back – to seeing little kids doing all of these performances where even if they do it terribly, it’s fabulous.” – Councilmember April Thanos (Ward I)

“I want to thank everyone who came out for the Denise-a-Palooza Tour at Tiki. It was amazing. About 475 people arrived. We had a special guest star – our chief of the fire department showed up with his lovely daughter.” – O’Hara

“It’s National Police Month, so if you see one of our police officers, be sure to tell them how much you appreciate them. Today [May 16] was graduation [at Boca Ciega High School] and we put 336 graduates out on the streets, so watch out because they’re coming. They’re going to need jobs, too, for the summer.” – Brown

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

Here’s what we overheard at the May 16 Gulfport Council Meeting.

ADOBE STOCK

By Chris Shablak

“It’s a nighttime beach birthday celebration.” —Frank Blue, builder of a lit-up runway of colored lights for his friend

“When you get old, you only regret the things you didn’t do. So go get out there!“ —Nancy McDonald, aka the author’s mom

“Look at it. O’Maddys will be able to fill a third story after they build a second.” —Kelly Hogue, looking at a completely packed bar 10:30 p.m. on a Thursday

“I already am.” —Nandra Ross’ response to, “Don’t you want be famous?”

“I always think ‘Geesh, doesn’t the driver want that thing quieted down more than me? He’s sitting on it’.” Randy Thomas’ response to hearing a loud motorcycle go down Beach Boulevard

Veterans continued from page 7 Palms, and Isle of Capri affected water flow at Johns Pass. By December 1957, some developers tried to get rights to submerged lands between Turtlecrawl Point and Johns Pass. They wanted to create additional finger islands that would have reshaped Little Bird Key and Big Bird Key.

Although these developments never received approval, a growing concern about additional landfills and their effect on currents running through Johns Pass led to conversations about the overgrown mangroves and undeveloped acreage at Turtlecrawl Point. When Bay Pines leaders deemed this area surplus land, U.S. Representative William C. Cramer filed a bill to return the acreage to the county, with plans to create a park, and perhaps a school and health department building, at the site.

Cramer’s proposal included 145 upland acres as well as 225 submerged and mangrove-filled acres. His congressional colleagues approved the measure in August 1966, with the county agreeing to remove the hospital’s sewer plant and incinerator, build a fence separating the parkland from the hospital grounds, and name the location “War Veterans’ Memorial Park.”

A Place for Recreation

The County received a deed from the federal government in November 1966. Planning for the park stalled due to a lack of funding. Between the middle of 1968 and March 1969, county commissioners even discussed the possibility of moving the waste treatment facility built at South Cross Bayou in 1962 to Turtlecrawl Point. They chose to expand the South Cross Bayou facility instead.

The eagles that seasonally soared to a large, lightning-struck pine tree stopped visiting for a few years in the late 1960s. As workers began to develop the park, however, a pair of eagles returned in 1970. In May 1970, park officials proposed adding a sun-

dial as a memorial and secured a surplus World War II-era tank.

They chose to place the boat ramps near the park’s entrance, so trailers would not create traffic jams near the proposed playgrounds.

The County originally hoped to open the grounds in August 1971. The return of the eagles and a lack of facilities postponed the park’s opening. As shelters took shape in late 1972, the eagles returned and two eaglets hatched, once again delaying the opening until May 1973.

Crews constructed a fence around the long-dead tree to create distance between park visitors and the eagle nest. War Veterans’ Memorial Park immediately became a popular destination after its opening. Official dedication ceremonies took place on April 6, 1974.

A Place for Reflection

A half-century ago, as the 1972-73 school year came to an end, teachers at Madeira Beach Elementary School brought their students to the cafeteria to get a bagged lunch. Soon thereafter, hundreds of students began their trek from the school in a poor attempt at a single-file line. A few minutes later, they walked past the old guard station at the entrance to the VA Hospital and along Bay Pines Boulevard, on their way to the park.

The five-mile round trip was probably the first school-based field trip to the park. This adventure left lasting memories for those fortunate enough to participate. Students climbed all over the tank, something permitted back then. After that, they watched thousands of fiddler crabs scurry along the sand, enjoyed their picnic lunches, and learned about the VA hospital before returning to campus.

War Veterans’ Memorial Park remains a popular place to visit, a great location to see the mangroves and pines that once dominated much of our shoreline.

On May 26, 1931, President Herbert Hoover approved a congressional measure to establish a soldiers’ home site in the St. Petersburg area.

Curated Vintage and Contender Boats

New Businesses on St. Pete Beach’s Gulf Boulevard

By Cameron Healy and Lisa Leveroni

Second Worn

On May 5, Second Worn – a vintage and streetwear store – officially opened on St. Pete Beach. For the past 5-7 years, owners Carson Coon and Josh Monteiro cultivated all sorts of secondhand clothing to resell. After moving from

ZIPPERZ BAR

Open Daily 10 AM - 3 AM

Monday - Friday 10AM - 6PM

$3 Beers, $4 Wells,

$4 Fireball Shots 10 AM - 6 PM

Tuesday

$5 Margaritas All Day • Karaoke 8 - 12

Thursday

"Flashback to Alibi's"

$7 - 32 oz. LI Teas 7PM -Close

Sunday

"Flashback to Flamingo's"

$8 - 32 oz. Rumrunners All Day

4918 22nd Ave. S, Gulfport FL

Connecticut, the two had their eye on the vacant spot on Gulf Boulevard.

“A lot of our time goes into curating all the pieces and getting things that are not just old or that are trendy but things we really think people like and fit into the theme of our shop,” Coon said.

Monteiro said they aimed to have a women’s clothing section because he noticed other vintage stores lack that.

“We made sure some of our prices are just cheaper in general,” Monteiro said. “We want to keep that sustainable vibe... constantly rotating the racks to make sure we bring new items to people.”

7410 Gulf Blvd., St Pete Beach

Boylen Point Contender

Boylen Point Contender is a new boat business starting up and building a new showroom on St. Pete Beach.

“We’re building a high-end boat showroom for custom-made boats,” said Michelle Boyle, owner and operator with her husband, Stephen Boyle.

They have been in business for two years, building contender brand boats and also doing repairs and maintenance at their downtown St. Pete location at Salt Creek, 107 15th Avenue.

Boyle said they plan on a grand opening in January 2024.

7501 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach

Owners Carson Coon (left) and Josh Monteiro (right) opened Second Worn on May 5.

CAMERON HEALY

Chainsaws and Chisels Huge Shoez: Carved Wooden Shoes

By Cameron Healy

For the past 11 years, David Flori and Rasta Gary Taylor used chainsaws and chisels to carve wooden statues of popular sneakers. Now, a pair of seven-foot-tall wooden shoes stands unfinished at Anderson Lumber.

As they prepared for the future of their “Huge Shoez” business, tragedy struck. Flori, 61, passed away suddenly on the morning of May 9. Now, Taylor must finish their latest project alone.

Just a week earlier, Flori had called The Gabber Newspaper office to inform us that their latest creation was in its final stage.

“We were just finishing up the last seven-foot Nike Air Force 1. That’s the one that just got pretty much finished two days ago right before he passed,” Taylor said. “We were just working on a Converse. So, that was actually the last two pieces he was working on before he passed.”

Flori moved from Missouri to St. Pete in 2012 ready to start a wood-carving business. Taylor remembers Flori walking into his St. Pete shop to show him his chainsaw skills.

“I had a vision of doing really big shoe cutouts of sneakers, you know, really popular sneakers. He was the only person I met that had the skill to pull off the level of what I was looking for,” Taylor said. “We been inseparable ever since.”

Flori and Taylor carved a total of seven shoe sculptures together. According to Taylor, they also carved a Nike Dunk Low, a Nike Air Jordan 1 High, an Adidas Superstar, a Vans Checkerboard Skate Slip On, and an Adidas Yeezy Sply 350. They used old fire hoses donated by local fire departments as the shoelaces.

Fred Anderson, owner of Anderson Lumber, provided a space for them to chainsaw and carve their shoes.

“I gave [Flori] a platform where he could sit out there since we are right

next to Pinellas Trail,” Anderson said. “People would see him and say, ‘Oh, wow, that’s neat.’”

The two showcased their work around town, including at the Mahaffey Theater. Taylor displays a couple of the shoes in front of his shop, 1 of 1 Customs on 1st Avenue North.

Most of Flori’s sculptures are  at Taylor’s shop. He’s draped a black lace scarf over the top of the checkerboard Vans in honor of his friend.

“He went by David, but most people call him Treefrog. This guy loved trees more than anybody I’ve ever known,” Taylor said. “I learned so much about the different types of wood just from him. He was actually a genius.”

Flori’s family knows that well. His

sister Jean Wozniak recalls he had a carved sign that said “Welcome to my addiction.”

“We used to kiddingly say that his veins held tree sap, not blood,” Wozniak said. “He went through life doing his own thing, beating to his own wooden drum.”

Taylor said Flori hoped one day to have  a space to teach others how to carve.

“He could turn nothing into something with a chainsaw like no one I’ve ever seen,” Taylor said. “It was an honor hanging out with him.”

Wozniak told The Gabber Newspaper they will have an official celebration of life ceremony for Flori on July 7 at Sacred Lands Preservation, a space owned by the Anderson family.

Taylor draped a black lace scarf to honor his business partner.

CAMERON HEALY

Samosas, Anyone?

Our Food Writer Discovers a Small-But-Mighty Indian Buffet Close to Home

By Morgan Banno

Naan Boti & Chai Shai is a quaint Indian/Pakistani eatery just southeast of the Grand Central District. The aqua facade makes it impossible to miss — and this tiny gem packs a mouthful of flavor.

What began as a food truck expanded to a popular catering company and has since grown to three brick-andmortar locations, from St. Petersburg to Orlando. Pakistani owner Mehreen Fayyaz opened Naan Boti & Chai Shai to share her love of dhaba style street food with the St. Pete community.

“Eat as much as you want,” she said when I walked in the door — and I did. The space is small — only five tables span the interior of the restaurant, with a couple of spots outside for dining al fresco.

I’m a fiend for Indian samosasspiced onion, potato, and peas stuffed in pastry and deep fried - dipped in a generous helping of green chili chaat sauce. The vegan daal tarka, a creamy spiced lentil dish, was so simple, yet bloomed with aromatics and rich, spicy flavor. The aloo gobi’s (cauliflower and potatoes cooked in Indian spices with fresh herbs) garam masala, coriander and turmeric highlighted the nuttiness of the cauliflower and

the earthiness of the potatoes, coaxing me up to the buffet for a second fragrant helping.

While Indian food has myriad vegetarian delights, there are plenty of meaty options for carnivores. Goat and chicken get widely used in masalas, curries, and biryani. Mehreen’s savory chicken korma curry was punctuated with notes of heat after each bite, while the juicy chicken tik-

ka masala, stained red from the spice blends it stews in, had a faint sweetness that gave the dish a provocative umami over the seasoned rice. As if eight different entrées to choose from weren’t enough to fill me up, I also dove into the chaat bar (snack bar) with numerous homemade chutneys (dipping sauces) and raita (yogurt sauce) along with fresh salad and those sweet, syrupy Indian dessert balls — gulab jamun. This buffet is my Nirvana.

Mehreen, who learned to cook from following her mother and grandmother in the kitchen, imports all of her spices from “back home” and uses whole spices, not ground, so as to keep the flavors freshest.

“I use authentic ways of scratch cooking as I learned from my mother,” she told me. As a student of holistic Ayurveda, she says her spices and recipes not only promote healing in the body but are central to good health.

“I cook from the heart,” Mehreen said. “I love sharing my food and my cooking with people. And if somebody wants a recipe, I’ll just give it to them.”

Naan Boti & Chai Shai, 908 22nd Street S., St. Petersburg. 813-2799296

These samosas were stuffed with potato, onion, and peas — and delicious!

MORGAN BANNO

Photos by Cameron Healy

Ann Davis, Gulfport: “The pictures of the vacations.”

Irene Pavese, St. Pete: “The arts.”

Linda Brassell, Gulfport: “The events.”

Sandy Hall, Gulfport: “The Gabs.”

Wildean Credo

Lanette Olmstead took The Gabber Newspaper to the Uranus Fudge Factory in Anderson, Indiana.

Christie Lenée, Memorial Day, and Hurricane Prep

Events Honoring Veterans

National Poppy Day Honor our fallen warriors and contribute to the continuing needs of our veterans on National Poppy Day. Remember veterans this Memorial Day as American Legion Auxiliary Unit 305 distributes poppies as a tribute to fallen warriors. Donate to help veterans and receive a poppy in exchange. American Legion Post 305, 6999 Gulf Blvd., St Pete Beach. May 26, 3-7 p.m. 727-367-1596, longkeypost305.org

Memorial Day BBQ Who doesn’t love a barbecue? Spend Memorial Day with friends and family sipping drinks and eating great barbecue. Enjoy live music from the Cross Junction band. All veterans have an open tab for the day. Test your luck with a raffle from Signature For Soldiers to raise money for Arts of Valor. Bayboro Brewing, 2390 5th Ave. S., St. Petersburg. May 29, 2-9 p.m. 727-767-9666, bayborobrewing.com

Hurricane Prep Seminars

Hurricane Prep Learn how to prepare for hurricane season with Fire Chief David Mixson and Deputy Fire

Chief Emery Culverhouse’s virtual hurricane preparedness presentation. Find out about evacuation plans in South Pasadena, supply lists, alert systems, and what to do after a storm event. Log in to watch the presentation and ask any questions.  South Pasadena Fire Department, 911 Oleander Way S., South Pasadena. May 25, 2 p.m. 727-347-4171, us02web.zoom. us/j/84464817803

Hurricane Prep Hurricane season is almost upon us. Time to prepare! Stay informed at the City of Gulfport’s annual hurricane preparedness seminar. Hear from WTSP Chief Meteorologist Bobby Deskins and National Weather Service Meteorologist Rodney Wynn at the informative seminar. All are welcome to ask questions with experts. Check out hurricane-related vendors and find your evacuation zone. Catherine A. Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S., Gulfport. May 25, 6 p.m. 727-8931118, mygulfport.us

Hurricane Prep Living by the beach, you need to stay prepared for hurricane season. Learn how to keep you and your family safe this storm season at the St. Pete Beach Hurricane

Preparedness Expo. Hear about the importance of preparation from WFLA-TV News Channel 8 Tampa Bay Chief Meteorologist & Climate Specialist Jeff Berardelli and National Weather Service Tampa Bay. St. Pete Beach Community Center, 7701 Boca Ciega Dr., St. Pete Beach. May 27, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. 727-367-2735, stpetebeach.org

Hurricane Prep Learn what to expect this hurricane season. At Treasure Island’s hurricane expo watch presentations from Bay News 9 Chief Meteorologist Mike Clay, the Pinellas County Emergency Management, Treasure Island Fire Rescue Chief Trip Barrs, Treasure Island Police Chief John Barkley, and city staff. Learn about flood insurance vs. disaster assistance, and storm safety and survival tips. Treasure Island City Hall, 120 108th Ave., Treasure Island. May 31, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 727-547-4575, mytreasureisland. org/StormReady

Thursday, May 25

Shorebirds & Seabirds The Circle of Friends presents a special lesson on the shorebird and seabirds of Tampa Bay. Learn about where you can

Bayboro Brewing hosts a BBQ with an open tab for veterans on May 29.

see them on the Gulf Coast. During the spring and summer months, it’s time for many species to lay eggs and raise chicks. Listen to Audubon Florida’s Shorebird Program Manager Holley Short as she discusses the birds that breed on our beaches. Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S. 1 p.m. 727-893-1074, mygulfport.us

Friday, May 26

Summer Planting Tour Explore Barbara Gilberg Habitat monthly with tour guide Xavier. This month’s topic: How to prepare for spring and summer plantings. Bring a pen and paper to take notes, or use your smartphone’s notes app. Meet Xavier in the pavilion. Barbara Gilberg Habitat, 1600 Pasadena Ave., South Pasadena. 1 p.m. 727-580-5215.

Not My Child Participate in the 2023 Not My Child kick off canvassing walk. Not My Child is a community campaign sharing anti-violence messages, encouraging positive enrichment for youth, and promoting safe neighborhoods for children. Join community walks every Friday for the summer to educate parents, families, and their neighbors. Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, 4000 5th Ave. S., St. Petersburg. 6 p.m. 727-893-7111, stpete.org

Live in Gulfport Support your community and experience acoustic live music. Enjoy a performance from  singer/songwriter Christie Lenée in the Gulfport Senior Center Building Fund benefit concert. Listen to the instrumentals of folk pop live. There are a limited number of premium seats and VIP meet and greet. Purchase general admission tickets online. Catherine A. Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S., Gulfport. 7 p.m. $25-55. 727-893-1244, gulfportseniorfoundation.org

Saturday, May 27

Rally For Rachel Help raise money for local woman with breast cancer. Rachel McQuillan is a single mother of four young children who needs some extra support during such a

difficult time. Support by participating in raffles and auctions where all the proceeds go to McQuillan and her family. Enjoy food at the cookout, games, and music from Pete & Dean Trio. O’Maddy’s Bar & Grille, 5405 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport. 1-5 p.m. 727-323-8643, omaddys.com

Green Light Cinema Films Do you love a good comedic film? Show your support for the Tampa Bay arts with the red carpet world premiere of the locally made comedy, Women Want Everything! This breakout comedy is about four “clueless misfits” who set out to discover just what it is women truly want. Grab some popcorn and soda and enjoy a show set in St. Pete. Green Light Cinema, 221 2nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 4 p.m. $17. 508-8168968, greenlightstpete.com

Sunday, May 28

Doggy Bath Day Bring your furry friend to get a bath for a good

cause. All proceeds from this doggy bath day go to Florida Giant Dog Rescue. Baths are first come, first serve. Cost depends on dog’s size: $10 for small dogs, $15 for medium dogs, and $20 for large dogs. Dogs receive ear cleaning and a towel dry. Nail trims are an additional $5 with a bath or $15 without a bath.  Dog Bar, 2300 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 1-6 p.m. $1020. 727-317-4968, dogbarstpete. com

Thursday, June 1

A Night of Drag  It’s time for pride! Kick off the first night of pride with five fabulous divas. A night of drag hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Gripp educates, celebrates, and raises funds for the LGBTQ Resource Center. This show is for friends, family, and allies 18 years and older. Talk with performers after the show. Catherine A. Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S., Gulfport. 7-10 p.m. $25-100. 727-893-1070, eventbrite.com

worship

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

Friday 7PM

Beth-El Shalom

Messianic Congregation

ShalomAdventure.com

JewishHeritage.net

Rabbi@JewishHeritage.net

Good Shepherd Old Catholic Church

2728 53rd St. S. Gulfport, FL 33707 (Entrance on 28th Ave.)

Where ALL are welcome at the Lord’s table. Come and See...

Sunday Mass 9:30am

www.goodshepherdocc.net

727-403-7178

St. Vincent’s Thrift Shop

5124 Gulfport Ave S. 33707

AN EPISCOPAL CONGREGATION

330 85th Avenue • St. Pete Beach

Reverend Omar Reyes

Sundays 10:00am Holy Eucharist

Wednesdays 11:00am Holy Eucharist with Prayers for Healing

“St. Alban's is an inviting faith community striving to live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So, no matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.”

727-360-8406 • www.StAlbanStPeteBeach.org

Hours 10 AM to 2PM

Wednesday to Saturday

Paradise Lutheran Church on Treasure Island

10255 Paradise Blvd, Treasure Island

Sunday Service

10am with Holy Communion

727-360-5739

paradiseluth102@gmail.com

paradiselutheran.com

Unitarian Universalist United Fellowship

During the pandemic join us Sundays on Zoom.

Discussion -10:30

Program - 11:00

Send an email to: advertising@thegabber.com

Affiliated with St Vincent’s Episcopal Church

5441 9 th Ave N. • St. Petersburg, FL 33710

Sunday Services 10AM

Misa en Español: Domingos 12PM

obituaries

For Zoom directions email us at uuunited@earthlink.net

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

his “Super Bowl Champions” hat. John acquired the nickname “Lucky” when he was a fortunate survivor of the collapse of a 26-story apartment building in Bailey’s Crossroads, Virginia on March 2, 1973. He was working on the topmost floor at the time and had just left the ill-fated section a couple minutes before the building collapsed, killing 14 of his coworkers. He eventually spent many years driving over-the-road for Heartland Trucking Co. before retiring to Gulfport.

John Peter Zitzmann , known by all as “Lucky,” passed from this life on the ninth of March, 2023. Born in Canton, Ohio, John grew up in Camp Hill, PA and Arlington, VA. He was married to June Wallace (divorced) and is the father of Dylan and Dustin Zitzmann. Lucky was an avid fan of the Washington Redskins and rarely seen without

Dorothy Mae White, (February 14, 1932-May 9, 2023) of Dunnellon, and a Gulfport resident for many years. She’s survived by her son, Keith White; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. There will be a celebration of life May 27, starting at 11 a.m., at 11940 N. Bearl Terrace, Dunnellon.

All American Aspen This 2-1/2-half-year old, 46-pound all American mix is the sweetest girl around. Aspen may not ski, but she’s just as athletic. She loves walk and playing with her human friends. How could you not want to play after looking at her gorgeous brown eyes?

Miss Millie Millie is a 9-month old, pit mix with a charming personality. She would love to live with someone who will return her unconditional affection. While she loves people, she does not like to share with other dogs, and would prefer to be an only dog. Millie’s adoption fee is $75. You must own your home to adopt her.

Low-Key Loki  This 2-year old, male domestic shorthair is just a “low-key” guy. Loki would love to chill and cuddle as his humans watch some Marvel movies.

Curious Chrissy This 14-week old female domestic short hair is one happy kitten. Chrissy is ready to play with you. She gets along with everyone and enjoys a good playtime.

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

Pet Food Warehouse, 1830 61st Ave. N., St. Pete. 727-521-6191; petfoodstpete.com.

PET PAL ANIMAL SHELTER PET PAL ANIMAL SHELTER PET FOOD WAREHOUSE PET FOOD WAREHOUSE

CLASSIFIEDS

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

JS COMPUTER REPAIR Mobile computer repair – $40 per visit/hour – 727-643-0697; jscomputerrepair.com

Electrical

AMERICAN BUILDERS GROUP LLC

Accounting

AC

Virtual bookkeeping for small businesses and nonpro ts. Monthly packages customized to your needs or one time cleanups. Payroll available. QuickBooks Online Certi ed ProAdvisor. 10+ years experience. Call/text to 727-248-0714 or email to nspence@clearnumbers.biz

Caregivers

HOMEWATCH CAREGIVERS OF 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/StPete-Beach AHCA #299995153

LOCAL AND INDEPENDENT COMPASSIONATE COMPANION CAREGIVER

A South Pasadena local providing concierge services for seniors in their home. Services include companionship, running errands, transportation to appointments, light laundry, cleaning, cooking, and medication reminders. Call Gail at 260-2420246, email gail@compassionatecompanioncareforseniors.com, or visit www.compassionatecompanioncareforseniors.com

727-343-2838

In-Home

Over 30 years experience. Residential & commercial, new or remodel work, service upgrades, lightning arrestors, fans and lighting installed. State license #ER0007653.

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. 727410-7323.

DARCY ROOFING LLC

Residential/Commercial. All roofing types - T.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.

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.

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: 407244-6045. James: 407-244-6045.

DAVE’S TILE & BATHROOM REMODELS & FLOORING INSTALLATIONS Specializing in bathroom remodels, marble tile, flooring, etc. 36 years mechanical experience, competitive rates. Call anytime, day or night: 727-798-2075.

KEITH THE ROOFER

Quality Through The Roof.” Free estimates, 24-hour emergency service available. Residential & Commercial. 20+ years experience. All types of roofs. Lic. # CCC 1334641. Call 727-768-5140.

THE TRASH QUEEN 10% SPRING CLEANING DISCOUNT

My team will clean-up/clean-out, inside and out. Organizing, dumping, recycling, odd jobs, yard and maintenance work. Free estimate! We are licensed and insured, with truck and trailer. Call/text 845-866-3867.

Lawn & Landscape

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

James Fox Tree Service

Owner/Operator

“We

Heating

HB HAULING SERVICES Hauling Services

Miscellaneous Service

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.

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

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.

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

ARNEY’S PAINTING INC.

30 years experience. Painting expert plus wallpaper hanging and removing. Lic. #C9579. Call Arney: 727-900-3459.

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

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

727-902-7077

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

Professional Services

RENEW YOUR MARRIAGE VOWS!

Anywhere in Gulfport, Pasadena, Madeira, and St. Pete area. At your home, park, garden, or on the beach. Schedule now with Florida’s respected Chaplain, Rich L. Kemp. Half hour ceremony only $77.77. Book at 702-577-6777.

O’Neill’s Marina is looking for a nighttime security guard/maintenance person. 22 hours/week and fill in as needed. Perfect for an active retired person!

Contact

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. AD/MD

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

General

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

Legal Notices

DBA NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Gifts From The Sea By AC intends to register the said name with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, Tallahassee FL and/ or Clerk of the Circuit Court of [County], FL. Gifts From The Sea By AC/Owner Anne Clamer, 420 64th Ave., apt 701, St. Pete Beach, FL 33706

NOTICE UNDER FICTITIOUS NAME LAW

Pursuant to Florida Statute 865.09, Grey Wall Consulting, LLC will register fictitious names AMXELA, STUMPCRATE, and KE2FIT with Florida’s Division of Corporations. Business address: 7901 4th St N STE 4000, ST PETERSBURG, FL. DATED: May 18, 2023.

STUDIO HOUSE $1,250/month +last & deposit. Non-refundable deposit for any pet ($500). New kitchen and bathroom close to Stetson University, Newton/56th St. S. Available July 15. 727-252-9800.

TOWNHOME FOR RENT IN SOUTH PASADENA 2BD/1.5BA, close to Publix, all shopping, and beaches. $1,950/month + last & deposit. No pets. 727-252-9800.

Real Estate For Sale

WATERFRONT TOWNHOMES/CONDOS W/BOATSLIPS

Townhomes for sale - resort style gated community with so much to offer. You will not want to leave this amazing community with 2 pools, yacht club, a fishing pier, basketball, pickleball, fitness center. Call or text 301-366-3208.

Furnished Rentals

SHORT TERM FURNISHED RENTALS

Looking for Furnished Rentals or looking to Buy or Sell. Call Betty Rohe, Luxury and Beach Realty. 727-686-9197, BettyJoRohe@gmail.com. www.sellinggulfcoastproperties.com

Real Estate For Rent

SHORE BLVD. RENTAL2BR/1BA

Beautiful second story waterfront apartment. 2bd/1ba. Wraparound balcony. Furnished. On-site laundry, utilities included. Small, non-shedding dog welcome. Stroll to Gulfport Beach and Art District. 3-to-7month lease. $3,200 to $3,600. Available May 15th. Call 813-928-5609 for details.

CLINTON ST. RENTAL - 2BR/2BA

Charming 2bd/2ba house with small office. Hardwood floors, brick courtyard. Stroll to Gulfport Beach and Art District. Close to Stetson Law. Small, non-shedding dog ok. Annual lease $2,800 plus most utilities. Available June 1st. Call 813-928-5609 for details.

SHORE BLVD. RENTAL1BR/1BA

Charming 1bd/1ba waterfront apartment. Patio. Furnished. On-site laundry, utilities included. Stroll to Gulfport Beach and Art District. 3-to-9-month lease. $2,200 to $2,500. Available May 15th. Call 813-9285609 for details.

CLINTON ST. RENTAL1BR/1BA

Bright, airy 1bd apartment .Second floor, plank flooring, small porch, onsite laundry. Stroll to Gulfport Beach and Art District. Close to Stetson Law. No pets. Annual lease $1,800 plus most utilities. Available June 1st. Call 813-928-5609 for details.

WV WOODED BUILDING LOT NEAR LAKE FLOYD

2.5 acre building lot on a paved country road just off US Route 50, between Salem & Clarksburg, WV. Offers public water in a very private setting; ideal for year round living or as a cool retreat from Florida heat. $45,000. hilaryheightsltd@gmail.com

FSBO: 5217 16th Ave. S.

Gulfport $360,000

Here it is folks! Where else will you find a 2/1 block home, attached garage, extra large lot, terrazzo floors, a recent 4 pt inspection, and wind mitigated roof for $360,000. A well cared for home, in Gulfport - minutes to downtown St. Pete, St. Pete Beach, local shopping, and transportation Open house Sun. May 28, 2-5pm

Call or text Jenny: 678-445-8116

“No agents”

Real Estate Sales

Find More Home Sales at thegabber.com. Here’s what homes sold in South Pinellas May 12-18.

Gulfport Real Estate

2806  Kipps Colony Dr. (Pasadena Yacht & Country Club)

This three-bedroom, two-bath home — built in 1989 — has 2,152 square feet. It listed for $1,750,000 but sold for $1,755,000.

2408 Beach Blvd. S. (Waterfront District)

This two-bedroom, two-bath home, built in 1925, has 1,320 square feet. It listed for $450,000 and sold for $382,500.

2648 Miriam St. S. (Marina)

This two-bedroom, one-bath home, built in 1951, has 808 square feet. It listed for $399,000 but sold for $405,000.

1522 Gray St. S. (Stetson)

This two-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath home, built in 1957, has 1,082 square feet. It listed for $398,500 and sold for $373,000.

5008 23rd Ave. S. (Waterfront District)

2920 52nd St. S. (Waterfront District)

This two-bedroom, two-bath home, built in 1932, has 962 square feet. It listed for $595,000 and sold for $570,000.

This two-bedroom, one-bath home, built in 1953, has 754 square feet. It listed and sold for $329,000.

6100 Gulfport Blvd. S. #216 (Stetson)

This two-bedroom, one-bath condo, built in 1973, has 914 square feet. It listed for $299,999 and sold for $280,000.

What Would You Do Without

"Several years ago I was diagnosed with cancer and underwent chemotherapy treatments I'm now in remission and blessed to still be here but I was in so much pain. My feet and hands were constantly burning - a tingling sensation, almost like when your leg or arm falls asleep," shares Beth of St. Pete Beach.

Beth was suffering from Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN). While chemotherapy kills cancer cells it also causes a lot of other damage throughout the body. 3 0-40% of cancer patients treated with chemotherapy result in peripheral neuropathy.

"Standing all day was not just a challenge, it caused me physical agony. Keeping up with my busy schedule - forget about it. I couldn't even go for walks on the beach." Beth, like so many others, was prescribed gabapentin to help with the pain and told there was nothing anyone could do - in their words 'there is no treatment for neuropathy.'

Then Beth found Dr. Rebecca Gibbons, RN, DOM, LAC of Ach ieve Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine. By blending the time-tested science of acupuncture with more modern, medical technology, Dr. Gibbons has designed a real

solution for peripheral neuropathy.

"Acupuncture is incredible at restoring blood flow and stimulating damaged nerves, preventing them from dying off,” tells Dr. Gibbons. “We take our treatments a step further by integrating ATP Resonance BioTherapy™ which targets specific nerves in the body using micro current. ATP therapy is like watering a plant This treatment will stimulate the blood vessels to grow back around the peripheral nerves and provide them with the proper nutrients to heal and repair.”

After only four weeks of treatment Beth is already seeing improvement. "I can't wait to see how I feel at the end of my program! I used to think that this pain was just the price I have to pay for still being alive. Dr. Gibbons has really given me hope for a better life!"

The number of treatments needed to allow the nerves to fully recover will vary from person to person and can only be determined after a detailed neurological and vascular evaluation.

If you or someone you love is suffering from peripheral neuropathy call 727-272-3587 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Gibbons. Or to learn more visit WWW.ACHIEVEACUIM.COM