The Gabber: October 27, 2022

Horseback

By James Schnur

This year, the First United Methodist Church of Gulfport celebrates the 110th anniversary of its official organization. However, this church traces its origins to circuit-riding

ministers who traveled along the Pinellas Peninsula long before 1912.

Early Circuit Riders on the Pinellas Peninsula

Years before Hamilton Disston made plans to create Disston City, ministers traveled in small boats and along dirt trails to reach isolated locations. Long before the Orange Belt Railway connected lower Pinellas with the outside world, these ministers often spent a few days at one site before traveling to the next, with members of the flock conducting services between their visits.

By the early 1870s, the closest Methodist circuit was at Clear Water Harbor, now downtown Clearwater. A new circuit began to serve the agricultural community in Seminole shortly after 1900.

A small Methodist college moved from Leesburg to the historic Palm

SCHNUR

Harbor area, then known as Sutherland, in 1902. Known for much of its time at that location as Southern College, it became one of the first institutions of higher learning along Florida’s west coast and included a preparatory pre-college program.

the Pulpit

Before Pinellas gained independence from Hillsborough County in 1912, advanced students from Southern College gained ministerial experience by riding the circuit by horse or boat, or sometimes by foot.

Review Not Equal

Abby Baker’s review of freeFall’s “All Things Equal” was disgraceful! I would be very interested in Ms. Baker’s background in the theater world. I suspect she has none and therefore should not publish her uneducated opinion. Ms. Azar was superb and those knowledgeable people in the theater world have acknowledged this performance as outstanding. It will go down as one of the best performances ever per formed at freeFall. Ms. Baker should stick to horses, turtles and puppies and leave the theatre to profession al critics! –Judy Heintzelman

Editor’s Note: Abby Baker works fulltime for a professional theater com pany in the Tampa Bay area.

Upset With Gabs Answer

What the ____? What were you thinking when you published Rob Simmerson’s comment “I like Snick ers with needles in it” in The Gab ber #2782, p. 26 “What is your fa vorite candy?” Really? What? I was, as many of my friends were, very, very appalled and in disbelief that you printed his disgusting com ment. I know we all have freedom of speech but this was disturbing and unbelievable that you actually printed it. Can you answer why you printed it? Looking forward to your comment in The Gabber. –Cindy Lu, no city given in letter

The Gabber welcomes and en courages letters and commen tary. One letter per person, per month. All letters must be signed with your real name and city, and should be as brief as possi ble (ideally <250 words). We may edit letters for content, clarity and length. We will not print letters that incite violence, include per sonal attacks on private citizens, or that are intentionally mislead ing or inaccurate. Letters sent to the Gabber for print will also ap pear online and on the Gabber’s social media pages. Commentary posted to the Gabber’s website and social media pages may also be used in print. Opinions ex pressed here do not necessarily represent the views of the Gabber owners, advertisers, or staff. Send letters to news@thegabber.com or mail them to 2908-B Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport, FL, 33707.

Gulfport Council Hears Rent Control Options

No Action Anytime Soon; Study Needed First

By Monroe Roark

A gray apartment complex on 22nd Avenue South, The Waverly at Gulfport offers apartments from $850, one of the least expensive options in the Gulfport area, though technically not in city limits. Gulfport Council held a workshop to discuss rent control options.

As the cost of residential life in Gulfport has skyrocketed in recent years, can city officials bring about anything resembling rent control?

Maybe – but even if they decide that they want to, it’s a long road to get there.

At a special workshop meeting Oct. 20, the City Council heard a long list of obstacles that would have to be overcome, including the need for a study to prove that there is a “housing emergency” and make way for a voter referen dum.

A referendum is required for any kind of rent control, City Manager Jim O’Reilly told the council, and even if it passes it would only be good for one year. The way the calendar is set up right now, such a vote would likely not take place until November of 2023 because of the due diligence that is required in advance and the deadlines set by election officials in Pinellas County.

It was noted more than once during the discussion that the two

largest cities in the region, Tampa and St. Petersburg, explored these options but ultimately declined to move forward.

Council consensus at the end of the discussion was for O’Reilly to reach out to Forward Pinellas and inquire about whether that organi zation has conducted any studies similar to what is needed here.

In the back of the councilmem bers’ minds is cost: Such a study could cost $20,000 or more and still fail to confirm that a housing emer gency exists in Gulfport.

What exactly constitutes an emer gency?

Perhaps the most obvious answer to that question right now would be 100 or so miles south of here, in areas that devastated by Hurri cane Ian, where a sufficient amount of suitable housing may not exist. Whether the emergency threshold can be met solely because of high rent remains to be seen.

“The city council would need to make and recite in the proposed or dinance its findings supported via

(available verified documentable sources or a commissioned study) establishing the existence in fact of a housing emergency so grave as to constitute a serious menace to the general public and that such con trols are necessary and proper to eliminate such grave housing emer gency,” city staff wrote in a memo, which essentially restates the word ing of the applicable state statute.

A number of citizens took advan tage of the opportunity for pub lic comment, and several of them voiced their support for doing a study to find out if the issue is se rious enough to make a referendum possible. Others pointed out that while their efforts might be noble, government-mandated rent stabili zation has never proven to actually work as intended.

Either way, it will not be accom plished in the next few weeks. And with the way inflation has been rag ing over the past year, it is impossi ble to predict what the market will look like a year from now when a referendum might take place.

Church continued from cover Early Services in Gulfport

During the Disston City and Vet eran City days before 1910, Gulf port area residents welcomed oc casional visits from circuit riders. Although the original locations for gatherings remains unknown, ser vices began to take place at the small schoolhouse known as “Prop College” that existed near the in tersection of 49th Street and 26th Avenue and at the original Gulfport Casino after it opened in 1905.

As Gulfport’s leaders met at this casino to plan the city’s incorpora tion in 1910, parishioners who con gregated there on Sundays began putting their hard-earned pennies and nickels into the hat. At that time, most who attended services earned their subsistence from fishing and gave what they could to the preacher who made the dif ficult journey along the Seminole Circuit.

One early worshiper remem bered that many families brought their dogs and cats to early ser vices, and not only during the blessing of the animals. Hisses and growls sometimes punctu ated these gatherings, as did the din of the trolleys on the streetcar line that stopped at the casino so people could catch a boat to Passa-Grille in the years before bridges reached the Gulf Beaches.

A New Preacher and a New Church

J. Herman Daniel was a student leader at Southern College. The 1912 Alligator school yearbook re ferred to Daniel, then the junior class vice president, as “one of the leading ministers of Southern Col lege.” Daniel received an invitation from the minister at First Method ist Church of St. Petersburg to help lead the Gulfport flock as a “mis sion territory” in June 1912.

Daniel’s efforts led to the formal creation of Gulfport’s Methodist church that same year. In addition to his work to establish Gulfport’s first church, Daniel spent this time helping to organize churches in Lealman and the then-unincorpo

rated settlement of Pinellas Park.

Daniels held services at the ca sino, but considered the noise and activities at the young city’s hub an intolerable distraction. Services moved back to Prop College tem porarily as the flock made plans for a new location to worship.

In 1913, the church purchased two lots at the present site along 53rd Street and 28th Avenue South. After securing $1,500 for labor and supplies, the original structure took shape in 1914.

This building was the church’s sanctuary until 1951, when it be came the Sunday school for a cou ple of years. In 1953, this original church building moved across 53rd Street, where it currently serves the Gulfport Historical Society’s headquarters.

Continued Growth and Community Service

During its early years, this church sometimes was identified as the Methodist Episcopal Church, and served a broader denominational mission. A parsonage opened by the 1920s. In 1923, Rev. Clyde Fra

This bell and belfry once hung in Gulfport’s original Methodist church, and now sit beside the current sanctuary.

JAMES SCHNUR

zier not only led worship services at this Gulfport church, but also devoted time to organizing con gregations in nearby Pasadena and Childs Park.

By this time, Southern College has also made a big move. A devastat ing fire destroyed the Palm Harbor campus in January 1921. Fire bri gades that made the long journey from Clearwater and Tarpon Springs

could do nothing to save the cam pus due to a lack of piped water.

The school reopened at a tempo rary site in one of the few hotels then in existence along Clearwa ter Beach in February 1922, before permanently moving to Lakeland and becoming Florida Southern College.

Educating younger members became an important part of the

Gulfport church’s mission. Long time local educator Mary Lou Gray taught Sunday School during the church’s early years. She also served as principal of Gulfport Ele mentary School between 1929 and 1953.

During World War II, three min isters from the church left to par ticipate in the war effort and serve in the military chaplaincy. In 1946, the church membership launched a fundraising drive for a new sanc tuary. Their successful efforts to raise $25,000 allowed for the con struction of the current sanctuary.

Opening day services at the present-day sanctuary took place on December 23, 1951. The bell and belfry were moved from the orig inal sanctuary, and now sit within the courtyard, visible from 53rd Street South. As members wor shiped in their new sanctuary, J. Herman Daniel continued to serve the Methodist faith as a longtime member of Florida Southern Col lege’s board of trustees by the 1950s.

On Sunday, Nov. 20, First Unit ed Methodist will celebrate its 110th birthday with a community breakfast before its service and a Thanksgiving dinner after church. RSVP at 727-321-3620.

Information from the archives at the Gulfport Historical Society and Michael Slicker contributed to this article.

Explore Florida with olli

Are you Florida-curious?

intrepid group of

You’ll also

early/discounted registration for

at OLLI at Eckerd.

J.H. Daniel as he appeared in the 1912 Southern College yearbook, the year he organized the church in Gulfport.

Friday Night Lights: Boca Ciega Crushes Hollins 49-0

Lakewood, St. Petersburg, SPC get wins

By Monroe Roark

It was a great homecoming night for current and former students at Boca Ciega High, with great weather and a fine group of students on the court.

Oh, and the Pirates demolished the Hollins Royals 49-0.

The game was really never in doubt as Boca Ciega (3-5) took con trol in the first two minutes and didn’t let its foot off the gas on both sides of the ball. Hollins (1-7) strug gled to find answers on offense or defense.

The Royals took the opening kick off and went three-and-out. The punt was blocked by Rico Freeman and scooped up just outside the end zone by Zavarion Wyman, who scored the game’s first touchdown. Later in the first quarter, Jeremiah Dennard took the snap and raced 40 yards down the left sideline to make it a 14-0 game.

On the second play of the second quarter, Wyman intercepted a pass and scored on a 59-yard return. The Pirates scored again within 20 seconds, as a bobbled snap on first down was recovered by Freeman and Tyrann Newsome scored on a reverse on the next play.

Shortly before halftime, Jamari Allen’s 92-yard pick-six was called back due to a penalty but the in

terception stood. Once the Pirates crossed midfield, Freeman took a handoff and ran 40 yards to the 1, where he coughed it up, but Zahir Favors grabbed it and scored the touchdown. After Joseph Geiger’s fifth extra point of the game, it was 35-0 at halftime.

The second half was played with a running clock. Favors scored on a 24-yard run midway through the third quarter and Nasear Cumber batch took it in from 10 yards out early in the fourth.

Elsewhere in local action: The Lakewood Spartans (6-3)

As the Boca Ciega players took the field, a few opted for Halloween masks.

MIRABELLE

GARCIA

faced Largo at home in what was widely considered the game of the week in the entire county. Largo’s defense had previously given up only 12 points all season going into the game. The Spartans surpassed that by halftime, led much of the game and withstood a late Packers rally for a 20-18 win.

The St. Petersburg Green Devils (6-2) hosted Countryside and got back on track in their drive to the playoffs with a 24-9 victory.

The Gibbs Gladiators (0-8) played at home against Lakewood Ranch and remained winless with a 34-18 loss.

The St. Pete Catholic Barons (2-

6) squared off against Bishop Mc Laughlin at home and won 46-14.

There are fewer games on the Oct. 28 schedule, with Boca Ciega at Gibbs, St. Petersburg at Hollins, and Seminole at St. Pete Catholic. Lake wood has the night off.

The following Friday, Nov. 4, ends the regular season.

The Hollins offense and Boca Ciega defense facing off at the line of scrimmage.

MIRABELLE

GARCIA

Gulfport Working on Removal of Ian Debris

Money Expected to

By Monroe Roark

And you thought that pile of limbs in your yard was big.

Gulfport Public Works Director Tom Nicholls told The Gabber Oct. 20 that his crews, along with local contrac tors, have currently collected an es timated 3,000 cubic yards of vege tative debris. For now it all sits at the City’s 49th Street South facility, which Nicholls said is a Florida Department of Environmental Protection-ap proved temporary debris storage site.

is a massive pile. Anyone who sees it can immediately recognize that it is the size of a large building.

For those of you who enjoy math, an object measuring 3,000 cubic yards that is arranged in a perfect square would be 43 feet tall, 43 feet wide and 43 feet deep. Think of a 2,000-square-foot building that is four stories high.

City Manager Jim O’Reilly said at the Oct. 18 Gulfport City Council meeting, in response to a comment by Vice Mayor Christine Brown regarding possible Federal Emergency Manage ment Agency funds that could help Gulfport, that Pinellas County officials are also working on that issue and the

money that comes would be desig nated for debris removal.

Nicholls said he and his staff are in discussions with the City’s emer gency debris management company, Southern Disaster Recovery, on what would be the most cost-effective way to remove and dispose of the debris so that it could qualify for FEMA reim bursement.

“I anticipate entering into an agreement with SDR to have the debris loaded and hauled to Pinellas County Solid Waste for final dispos al,” he said.

recovered around Gulfport since Hurricane Ian.

Stetson Student Wins Big

Savannah Green Wins $10k National Scholarship

By Abby Baker

The Trial LawHER Scholarship by Milestone awarded Savannah Green $10,000 toward her future schooling. After graduation, Green plans to work as a plaintiff’s attorney at a mass tort law firm in Pensacola.

When third-year Stetson Law student Savannah Green received a phone call one day, she never dreamed it was worth $10,000. Green is the winner of Milestone’s 2022 Trial LawHER Scholarship, a national program that awards $10,000 to a female third-year law student who plans to become plaintiff trial lawyer.

“I was shocked … I was leaving class on Stetson‘s campus, and I definitely shed some happy tears of excitement,” Green said.

According to Milestone, Green was selected as this year’s schol arship recipient based on the con tents of her essay and video sub missions. The scholarship aims to provide opportunities to grow in this profession, a profession that

has more men than women.

The Gulfport-based student is president of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers at Stetson, and editor of the Stetson Journal of Ad vocacy and the Law. She’s already accepted a position with Pensaco la law firm Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis, & Overholtz.

“I chose to go to law school orig inally because I knew I wasn’t done learning and growing and wanted to go back to school. I started working at a law firm to see how I liked it; I knew immediately that I made the right decision,” Green said. “Fighting for justice for injured plaintiffs is so important to me and I couldn’t be more proud to be pursuing a career where I can be an advocate for peo ple that need it most.”

SAVANNAH GREEN

Longtime College Coach To Lead Farragut Hoops Squad

Coming Out of Retirement to Lead Defending District Champs

By Monroe Roark

Paul Evans is headed back to the sideline.

Nearly a half-century after he started coaching men’s basketball, with a career that included signifi cant success at the collegiate level, the 77-year-old is coming out of re tirement to take the helm of the var sity boys squad at Admiral Farragut Academy.

His last coaching stint was near ly a decade ago, but he was ap proached with the opportunity just a short drive from home and got the itch once again.

“I got a call from one of the board members at the school,” he told The

Gabber in an interview last week. “One of my former Navy players is good friends with a board member. That’s how I got involved.”

His last coaching stop was at Gon zaga College High School, a Catholic all-boys high school in Washington, D.C. After several seasons there, he moved to Treasure Island about eight years ago.

He is best known for his success over more than two decades as a college head coach, beginning 49 years ago with the Saints of St. Lawrence University in upstate New York. In seven seasons during the 1970s his teams won six conference

championships and five tournament appearances in Division II and III.

From there he moved to Annapo lis to coach at Navy. After two los ing seasons the Midshipmen posted four winning campaigns during his tenure, capped off by a 30-5 season in which they reached the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament. His star player during his last three seasons at Navy was David Robinson, a twotime All-American, U.S. Olympian and NBA legend who is widely con sidered one of the best centers ever to play the game.

After six years in Annapolis, Ev ans was head coach at Pitt for eight seasons until 1994. Six of those teams had winning records, once reaching a #2 national ranking, and five played in the NCAA tournament. One of his assistant coaches at Pitt was John Calipari, who has been a hugely successful head coach at several schools with a national championship at Kentucky.

Evans posted 390 wins at the col lege level in 21 total seasons.

Life has been good in Pinellas Coun ty during retirement, but after meet ing some of the staff and students at Farragut, he found himself once again fired up about getting back on the hardwood.

“I really love the school and the kids,” he said. “I think it’s a situation similar to Gonzaga in that both of them are very academic-oriented and have a nice group of kids.”

Farragut’s varsity boys team won its district championship, but a few players from that team are no longer around. One moved on to play college ball in California, Evans said, and a few others decided not to return after the former head coach left.

“That’s our biggest problem right now,” he said. “I’ve got a pretty good core group, but during open gym there are only seven or eight kids. We’re going to have to get some JV kids or something once practice starts to be able to go five-on-five.”

Basketball season for Florida High School Athletic Association schools starts Nov. 1.

Paul Evans, seen here on the sidelines in the early 1990s, is returning to the coaching ranks.

FARRAGUT ACADEMY

Gulfport Arts Center, History Museum Lease Renews

First Reading of Ordinance Approved by Council

By Monroe Roark

The Gulfport City Council is in the process of renewing its lease agree ments with the Gulfport Historical So ciety for two pieces of City property the Historical Society operates.

Council voted at its Oct. 18 regular meeting to approve the first reading of an ordinance that would renew the lease for the Gulfport History Mu seum at 5301 28th Ave. S. as well as Bryer Hall (the Gulfport Arts Center) at 2726 54th St. S. Both sites are within the perimeter of Chase Park.

The renewal is for a five-year peri od at one dollar per year. City staff in cluded an additional five-year option, but at the request of Councilmember Paul Ray (Ward III), the council re moved it before the vote.

City officials said the terms and conditions of the lease are similar to prior lease agreements, which date back to 1994. The City Council has, in the past, adopted resolutions approv ing the lease agreements, but sub sequent changes to the charter now require the council approve all leases for city property.

The council last approved the Gulf port Historical Society’s lease in 2012; the Society exercised its renewal option in 2017. Council amended the lease in 2020 to include Bryer Hall for the Arts Center.

The Society has managed the museum for the city since 1981, City Manager Jim O’Reilly said. Vice Mayor Christine Brown, served first as trea surer and last as chairperson for the charity, although she’s no longer on

the board. [Publisher’s note: Cathy Salustri Loper, co-owner of The Gab ber Newspaper, currently serves on the board of directors as president.]

The city budgeted $1,200 annually for the building, with the utility and maintenance costs paid from the re spective budgets of the Cultural Facil ities and Public Works departments.

The lease requires that the Histori cal Society name the City as a co-in sured on its $1 million liability insur ance policy and also that the City be indemnified. The lease also regulates the type of activities the Historical So ciety, a nonprofit association since its incorporation in 1981, can conduct on the properties.

“I think it’s great,” said Councilwom an April Thanos. “I think every city needs to have a place where their history is reflected. Someone is doing it for us, which is very nice. I went to the reception at the arts center and I think they’re doing a great job.”

Councilman Paul Ray agreed with Thanos’ assessment but took issue with the exact terms of the lease, specifically the option.

“We are pretty much creating lease agreements between three and five years. I would like to strike the additional five-year renewal op tion from the ordinance,” he said, noting that the agreement can be reviewed after the initial five years are up. “I just don’t think it looks fair to give one person three and anoth er person 10. We need to be more consistent.”

O’Reilly said the lease could be re vised to reflect that, and the motion and second were amended in that regard. The final vote was 4-0, as Mayor Sam Henderson was absent from the meeting.

The Gulfport Historical Society is a privately owned charity and is not owned or operated by the City of Gulfport.

The Gulfport Historical Society operates the Gulfport History Museum and the Gulfport Arts Center.

CATHY

Overheard at the Oct. 18 Gulfport City Council Meeting

About the recent Planning & Zoning Board meeting

“What concerned me about this meeting was there’s no security. This room was packed with people. The level of anger was palpable and people were packed in like sardines. … The recriminations and vilifications of the people who wanted to keep this land public. I thought it was very inappropriate. … I didn’t feel this board was trained. I recommend training for the chair of the board about decorum

using the gavel when people stray off into personal stuff and family feuds and neighborhood feuds and all that, bang the gavel and bring them in check. Then, if necessary, having a police officer to escort them out. I strongly recommend that the City Council move the site of the next meeting to the Hickman [theater] because there’s a lot of interest. It’s going to be super-packed.” –Walter Bark-

er, about a meeting that addressed three property owners’ request to vacate right-of-way adjacent to their homes

About Ian and insurance companies

“We’re starting to see some of the companies folding under who can’t pay out their claims. This is one of those things we have no say in but the state has got to address. Some of these insurance companies are too small, they don’t have any reserves. And they have to write checks. The companies that don’t have enough to pay their claims just go bankrupt.” –Councilman Paul Ray (Ward III)

About Gulfport code enforcement

“Only about 3% of your cases generated are complaint-driven. The rest are generated by staff. There is

a misperception that we are complaint-driven. A minimal amount of cases are complaint-driven. We actually go out and patrol the city. It’s staff-initiated, and we can give you the data to support that.” –City Manager Jim O’Reilly

About the Gulfport Gecko, G. Gordon McFly

“The Gecko light bulb is not there because Ian took it. We are waiting for a replacement.” – Vice Mayor Christine Brown

More Action Coming on Rental Violations

Added Code Enforcement on the Way

By Monroe Roark

The green house on Beach Boulevard will soon become a short-term rental prop erty, but a legal one. Concerns over short-term rentals in areas not zoned for such could mean more code enforcement activity from the city.

In response to consistent com plaints from residents over many months, and after a considerable amount of research by officials, Gulfport is beefing up its enforce ment of short-term rental violations.

Council consensus at an Oct. 20 special called workshop meet ing was to direct City Manager Jim O’Reilly to move forward with the hiring of an additional code enforce ment officer as well as a software package that will help identify rent al properties operating outside the permitted zoning districts in Gulf port. Both of these expenses were included in the FY 2023 budget in anticipation of this action.

Councilmembers agreed that the additional resources will help reduce the onus on citizens to go through the often-complicated process of filing complaints against neighbors, while also addressing an issue for which there is virtually no recourse as far as tightening existing regula tions.

“You are probably not in a position to legislate your way out of this,” O’Reilly told the council, noting the 2014 state legislation that has often been discussed and which prohibits

the local municipality from making any changes to its current ordinanc es without losing the authority to govern in that area. Gulfport is one of the few cities that has an ordi nance addressing short-term rent als, which it passed in 2011.

Gulfport considers any property that gets rented for a period of less than 30 days, more than three times in a 12-month period a short-term rental.

Bills to regulate short-term rent als are brought up every year by the state legislature and never get past the committee level, O’Reilly added.

Structures in the category of transient accommodations, un der which short-term rentals fall in Gulfport, are allowed in specific areas of the city either as a permit ted use or a conditional use. Those are mainly along Gulfport Boule vard as well as Shore Boulevard and Beach Boulevard in the Water front Redevelopment District.

O’Reilly said there are numerous rentals operating outside the per mitted zoning district. The ensuing discussion referenced various ways some property owners try to cir

cumvent the city’s ordinance so that they can profit on their property.

“If there’s a law, someone is going to find a way to break it,” said Coun cilman Michael Fridovich (Ward IV).

O’Reilly also pointed out that, on the flip side, some rentals have pro vided benefits to the community by improving properties that were not being properly taken care of and ul timately contributing to rising prop erty values in entire neighborhoods.

Fewer than a half-dozen com plaints this year from residents have been followed through to completion, O’Reilly said, because of the arduous process the com plainant must complete, from com piling documentation to testifying before the special magistrate. One reason the complaint process has been used sparingly is a provision in the state statute that prohibits the city from acting on anonymous complaints.

Mayor Sam Henderson pointed out that it was only five years ago that citizens filled the meeting room and petitioned the council to abolish its ordinance and allow short-term rentals to be operated throughout the city without oversight.

“People were actually asking for more,” he said. “It’s funny how things change.”

To The Beach!

Renaissance Dad: PSTA’s SunRunner More Than Just A Bus

By Jon Kile

Friday was an exciting day for St. Petersburg and the region with the opening of PSTA’s SunRunner Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). Our family took the SunRunnner’s maiden voyage, a 6 a.m. journey from downtown St. Pete to the beach.

When we arrived at the 5th Street platform, we found a small crowd. When was the last time people lined up in gleeful anticipation of riding a public bus? The bus arrived, already packed with other revelers. Mixing with the standing-room only “I got ta be first” crowd were many riders who “gotta get to work.”

Oh, it’s easy to complain about the bus lane, the big raised plat forms, and the presumed cost. I’m here to bury those complaints – not the complainers – in the cemetery next to its 58th Street stop. The new SunRunner is worth the hype, and more.

Let’s get some facts out of the way, starting with the traffic lanes. Instead of three lanes for cars on our beloved 1st Avenues, we have two. But traffic isn’t worse – argu ably, it’s better because now the bus lane is a dedicated turn lane, reducing the need to slow down for turning cars. And the cost: Federal and state funds funded the bulk of the SunRunner. Maybe some people would rather visit their transit dol lars in Raleigh or Jacksonville; I like it here. SunRunner’s raised platforms might be new to us, but we didn’t invent them. They are designed like train platforms, so people boarding the bus are on the same level with the bus. No steps for wheelchairs, strollers, or bicycles means the boarding process is quicker and saf

er. The trip between downtown and the beach takes about 35 minutes. If you live around 49th Street in St. Pete, you’re 15 minutes to both. Sud denly life’s pretty rosy in the middle.

Residents from Kenwood to Pas adena to Beachway Park can leave their car at home. There’s an apart ment boom along the Central Av enue corridor (a popular whipping horse of Nextdoor ninnies) and those residents can access just about any amenity they need. It passes three grocery stores. Now tourists can zip between the sand and downtown with ease. With thousands of people using SunRunner daily, this is great news for drivers (and parkers) who don’t use it.

It’s economic common sense to want a city where every adult doesn’t require a one-ton chunk of metal. It’s a no-brainer for the beach, where they want visitors, but can’t offer them parking. (Yeah, the beach communities fought the SunRunner, simultaneously arguing that it would bring overcrowding and no one would use it.) And peo ple are always telling me they don’t go downtown anymore because of parking. Mass transit relieves park ing shortages.

As the sun came up, we walked on the beach and then enjoyed a big breakfast. Buses run every 15 min utes (30 minutes after 8 p.m.). On our return trip, we found seats (USB charging ports and free wifi); 33 minutes later we were back down town.

Public transit serves everyone, even if it isn’t used by everyone. We have a history of underfunding our public transit and then complaining about it. No one is laughing at Tampa’s busy streetcar anymore. The SunRunner shows what you get when you invest in something big.

The Kile family woke up at 5:30

to be among the first riders of PSTA’s new Sun Runner service.

JON KILE

Let’s Shell-ebrate Gulfport Seniors Make Picture Frames From Shells

By Abby Baker

Left to right, Kathleen Bross and Karen Devoid.

Debi Horne knows how to get creative with shells.

On October 11, Horne led a sea shell picture frame class at the Gulfport Senior Center. In all, 26 attendees showed up and 26 attendees left with a new picture frame, com plete with a sea shell crusted frame.

“A local benefactor donated boxes and boxes of shells

so no one had to use their own however some people chose to bring their own for more personalization,” Horne said.

To keep up with classes like these and more at the Gulf port Senior Center, go online: mygulfport.us/recreation/ senior-center

DEBI HORNE

Mary Pavlicin and Maureen Bosch, both from the Buckingham Building in Town Shores, pose with their new Florida frames.

DEBI HORNE

PD Is Not on Trial’

Jesse Lee Pleads Guilty to Felony Battery, Gets One Day Probation

By Mike Sunnucks

The trial of Jesse Lee ended before it even started.

The outspoken critic of the Gulfport Police Department and city government was slated to go to trial Oct. 20 on a felony battery on a law

charge.

Lee, 40, was accused of throwing a CD at and striking Gulfport Police Commander Joshua Stone outside Gulfport City Hall in July 2021 after becoming upset because the disk, which contained public records, did not work.

But Lee opted to plead guilty to the charge after Pinellas Circuit Court Judge William Burgess granted state attorney’s motions before the trial, limiting defense options.

Rick Fletcher, an attorney representing Lee, told Burgess he wanted to argue Lee did not intend to hit Stone with the CD. Fletcher also wanted to present testimony outlining Lee’s contentious relationship with city police as helping to explain the incident with Stone.

“The defense is lack of intent,” said Fletcher, in response to prosecutor’s motions.

Burgess disagreed saying the case centered around the interac-

tions between Lee and Stone and whether he committed the alleged charge.

“The Gulfport PD is not on trial. The City of Gulfport is not on trial,” Burgess said.

That would have left potential jurors seeing a video of a combative and agitated Lee, who is known for his sometimes discourteous language.

The judge’s ruling resulted in Fletcher and Lee conferring outside the courtroom in Clearwater.

Lee opted to plead guilty to the felony battery charge rather than go to trial.

Burgess sentenced Lee, who has battled with the city over permits for his mobile ice cream cart, to oneday “administrative probation” as well as court costs and other fees totaling $550. That includes a $100 payment to the state attorney office and $91.47 to the Gulfport Police Department for some costs related to the case.

The judge shot down a state attorney’s request for a mental health evaluation for Lee. He told Lee to stay away from Gulfport City Hall and also conferred with Stone after

the plea and sentence.

Lee is already restricted from the city hall area and city council chambers after arguments with officers and city officials, sometimes over city permitting rules.

Lee has written a letter of apology to Stone. The GPD commander said Lee has still had some contentious interactions with officers.

Stone told the court he has compassion for Lee.

“I have nothing but sympathy for Mr. Lee,” Stone told the court.

Fletcher, who was Lee’s fourth attorney in the case, said the plea and administrative probation also allows Lee to avoid a formal conviction.

“Although today’s outcome was not the result we wanted to achieve, it allows Mr. Lee to avoid a formal conviction and keep intact his civil rights as a voting citizen of this county. Mr. Lee will soon tell his complete side of the story, but in light of the Court’s rulings, which Mr. Lee respectfully accepts, it won’t be today,” Fletcher told The Gabber. “I am thankful to have been given the opportunity to represent Mr. Lee in these proceedings and wish him nothing but the best.”

S.

Provider may also contract with other Plans/Part D sponsors. Tampa area. CarePlus is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in CarePlus depends on contract renewal. Other providers are available in our network. 1From a preferred cost-sharing retail pharmacy. Important: At CarePlus, it is important you are treated fairly. CarePlus Health Plans, Inc. complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, disability, age, marital status, religion, or language in their programs and activities, including in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, their programs and activities. The following department has been designated to handle inquiries regarding CarePlus’ non-discrimination policies: Member Services, PO Box 277810, Miramar, FL 33027, 1-800-794-5907 (TTY: 711). Auxiliary aids and services, free of charge, are available to you. 1-800-794-5907 (TTY: 711) CarePlus provides free auxiliary aids and services, such as qualified sign language interpreters, video remote interpretation, and written information in other formats to people with disabilities when such auxiliary aids and services are necessary to ensure an equal opportunity to participate. This information is available for free in other languages. Please call our Member Services number at 1-800-794-5907. Hours of operation: October 1 – March 31, 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 1 – September 30, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. You may leave a voicemail after hours, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays and we will return your call within one business day. Español (Spanish): Esta información está disponible de forma gratuita en otros idiomas. Favor de llamar a Servicios para Afiliados al número que aparece anteriormente. Kreyòl Ayisyen (French Creole): Enfòmasyon sa a disponib gratis nan

lang. Tanpri rele

pou Manm nou yo ki nan lis anwo an.

Resignations Come in Threes

GMC Board Members Resign in One Night; Unclear Who Will Replace Them

By Abby Baker

Gulfport Merchants Chamber may be growing, but its board of directors is shrinking. Earlier this month, Brenda McMahon and James Briggs both resigned from their spots due to time constraints.

this time, it’s unclear who will fill the spots of both Briggs (GMC Vice President) and McMahon (GMC Arts Committee chair and board member).

Briggs is the CEO of Gulfport Arts Agency Carroway + Rose. He hopes his resignation will give him more time to focus on his agency, something he’s juggled along with GMC board member status for three years.

“It’s our busiest time of the year at Carroway + Rose and that requires a lot more of my time. I’ve served on the board of the GMC for three years, so the timing for a transition was natural to me, as it’s been for the board of late. The GMC is full of effective business leaders and I wish them well in all they do for the town.”

McMahon, on the other hand, is best known for her role as owner of the Brenda McMahon Gallery,

a downtown Gulfport gallery that plays a role as a frequently visited spot on Gulfport’s First Friday Art Walks. McMahon used her gallery as a space for events during the art walks, and helped plan many of the occasional themed art walks, such as Body Beautiful.

After four years, McMahon decided running her gallery and serving on the board was spreading her a bit thin.

“My galley has been growing rapidly, and I just couldn’t do both any longer,” McMahon told The Gabber.

EXPERIENCE COUNTS

“I’m not disappearing, I’m just taking time to regroup. I absolutely hope my gallery continues to be the heart of Art Walk. I’ll always schedule my Artist of the Month openings to align with Art Walk.”

McMahon submitted her resignation this October, but she’s not exactly sure when her last days will be.

“I planned to transition out of my role through the end of the year, but I’m not sure if that will change,” McMahon said.

Briggs and McMahon were two of the three people on the GMC’s committee to redesign Gulfport’s First Friday ArtWalk two years ago, removing all non-artist exhibitors and adding four themed events throughout the year.

GMC board member Barry Loper resigned on the same night as well.

According to GMC board member Kelly Wright, the committee won’t comment on who will replace these members and run the Arts Walks and Fine Arts Festival until the next meeting on Monday, Nov. 7.

However, Wright says it will be revealed at the meeting, if all goes well.

“Those three people dropped this into our lap so we have between now and the next meeting to figure that out,” Wright said. “I can’t confirm anything.”

AND SAVINGS

Brenda McMahon (pictured) is leaving her spot as chair of the GMC Arts Committee and board of directors after four years. GMC Vice President James Briggs also resigned after three years, as did The Gabber co-owner Barry Loper, who served one year.

BAKER

Suzette played the piano at age 4 and plucked a mean ukulele in college. Then she played “Tiny Bubbles” at a Watermark luau. That’s how it started.

Residents created a ukulele club. There’s Adrienne, who first played in Hawaii. And Judy, eager to try a new instrument. Some never played a note before. In this club, talent is optional; good cheer universal.

Helen,

jam to cool tunes and sway to “Margaritaville.” Are they perfect? Nope. Are they wonderful? Beyond measure.

Watermark Resident

Suzette D. (left), Watermark resident

“ We’re connected when we’re playing. There’s beauty in making music together.”

– Suzette, Watermark Resident, Ukulele Goddess

There’s Nothing Like Family

St. Pete City Theatre’s Latest is a Halloween Treasure

By Brian Shea

As I walked into the lobby of the St Petersburg City Theatre, I was greeted by a warm atmosphere of patrons and staff talking and min gling as if I’d entered a welcoming family reunion. The stylish lobby, decorated for the season, had a family friendly Halloween atmo sphere while audience members chattered eagerly about the pro duction they were about to see: the musical adaptation of “The Addams Family.” A smartly se lected production shows why the St Petersburg City Theatre is the longest-continuously producing community theater in Florida. First founded in 1925 as the Sunshine Players, SPCT’s all-volunteer staff works well together to ensure the best experience in community the ater.

The musical adaptation of “The Addams Family” is based on the humorous, macabre family car toon creation by Charles Addams in 1938. Originally a printed car toon panel that ran in The New Yorker Magazine for 50 years, then became a television show in 1964, and finally, in the ’90s, as a series of films. The history of the quirky and strange cartoon family in pop culture history helps the audience to know what to expect and be ea ger to experience these familiar characters in a different style of storytelling.

The story in this stage version, Wednesday Addams (played by Arden Ruby), the daughter of Go mez (Jeffery M. Lukas) and Morti cia Addams (Caitlein Jayne Jammo), has a new “normal” boyfriend, Lu cas (Joe Houser), to whom she is secretly engaged. Wednesday and Lucas want to bring their families together for dinner in hopes their parents will get along so they can announce their engagement, but the combination of Wednesday’s spooky family, Lucas’ parents’ conservative Midwestern style,

and some mischievous behavior of Wednesday’s younger brother, Pugsley (Ryan Butler) make the evening a challenge.

Hilarious chaos ensues.

Arden Ruby and Joe Houser, as Wednesday and Lucas, are standout performers in this production. Jef fery M. Lukas as Gomez is amazing; fully engaged and invested in his character’s journey. Lukas’ Gomez is sharp and captivating. Chris Corde ro as Uncle Fester is the engine that drives this show. As Fester is the glue that holds the family together, Cordero’s spark and giddiness are contagious – and an absolute scene stealer, in the best way possible.

The outstanding musical num bers of this production are “One Normal Night,” “The Moon and Me,” and “Happy/Sad.” Stacie Leh mann’s built interesting and inven tive costumes – especially the sup porting ensemble of the ghostly

Ancestors, all of whom are dressed in different hues of white from dif ferent time periods. It would have been interesting to have seen the stagehands, whom I could see in full light at times, changing the set, dressed as the Ancestors as well. They would have blended in the stage optics of the story better. It was jarring to clearly see stage hands walking around the stage. Or, in one case, a stagehand in shorts and a t-shirt.

Overall, St Petersburg City The atre’s “The Addams Family” is an enjoyable evening at the theater for the whole family – at one of the best-run all-volunteer community theaters in the Tampa Bay area.

The Addams Family St. Peters burg City Theatre, 4025 31st St. S., St Petersburg. Through Oct. 30: Fri.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. $12-$30. spcitytheatre.org, 727866-1973.

“The Addams Family” runs one final weekend – Oct. 28-30 – and, according to The Gabber’s reviewer, is a don’t-miss production.

ST. PETERSBURG CITY THEATRE

GULFPORT

The Village Courtyard 2908 1/2 Beach Blvd. S. Friday, Oct. 28: Glass Half Full Band, 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29: Jeremy Thomas, 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30: David Massey, 5 p.m.

Caddy’s Gulfport 3128 Beach Blvd. S. Saturday, Oct. 29: IDK Band, 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30: The Torpedoes, 4 p.m.

ST. PETE BEACH

The Toasted Monkey 678 75th Ave. Friday, Oct. 28: No Filter, 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30: Sunday Funday, 1 p.m.

Caddy’s St. Pete Beach 5501 Gulf Blvd. Friday, Oct. 28: Somebody Canceled, 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29: TBD, 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30: Act 3, 4 p.m.

MADEIRA BEACH

Caddy’s John’s Pass 190 Boardwalk Place E. Saturday, Oct. 29: DJ Jam Sessions

TREASURE ISLAND Ka’Tiki

8803 W. Gulf Blvd.

Friday, Oct. 28: WOR (Women of Rock), 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 29: Razed by Wolves, 1 p.m.; Almost There, 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30: Sandy Bot tom Boys, 1 p.m.; Cornfused, 6 p.m.

Caddy’s Treasure Island 9000 W. Gulf Blvd. Friday, Oct. 28: Curtis Allen, 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29: Obi Wan Knabe and The Force, 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23: Logan Grant and The Show Ponies, 5 p.m.

to do

Gulfport’s Witch Walk, Kitten Yoga + Haunted Houses

Here’s the Lowdown on Things to Do in Gulfport and St. Pete

By Abby Baker

Through Friday, November 5

In the Abstract, featuring abstract paintings by Steph Gimson and geometric sculptures by Kenneth Charles Lichtenberger, opened during the Sept. 10 Second Saturday ArtWalk and runs through Nov. 5. This is the last week you can see the soft and calming exhibit. Soft Water Gallery, 515 22nd St. S., St. Peters burg. Thurs.-Sat., 12-6 p.m. softwa tergallery.com

Thursday, October 27

Jazz Night Get your jazz on every Thursday with a jazzy project by The Factory. Each week, the art gallery will become a place for smooth mu sic from a rotating list of artists, in cluding Madden Cooper on bass, Ed ward Guion on keys and of course, Henry Ashwood, Jr. on alto and so prano sax. The Factory St. Pete, 2622 Fairfield Ave S., St. Petersburg. 5-7 p.m. thefactorystpete.com

short, haunting plays that demon strate the history behind this bloody St. Pete home. Each room will fea ture a new scene and you’ll leave feeling a little more informed and creeped out than before. 1010 Al cazar Way S., St. Petersburg. Fri., 6 p.m.; Sat., 9 p.m. $18. wordierthan thou.com

Saturday, October 29

It’s Really Yoga, No Kitten! Hey all you cool cats and kittens! Do you need a stretch? Enjoy an hour of yoga and try not to be distracted by the kindle of adoptable kittens from Friends of Strays. Make sure to bring your own mat, water bottle, and kit ty treats (if you’re feeling generous.)

If you’re feeling extra generous, you can adopt these kittens from the St. Pete shelter. Gulfport History Muse um, 5301 28th Ave S., Gulfport. 10 a.m. gulfporthistoricalsociety.org

Friday, October 28Saturday, October 29

Scarily Real Did you know that St. Pete has a “murder house”? Word ier Than Thou is staging a series of

Witches, Warlocks, and a Wild Par ty Join in on a witches tradition. The Witches of Gulfport are a group of witches and warlocks who run through downtown Gulfport in cel ebration of Halloween. But first,

Dr. Milton Wendland and Ariana Drew, LMHC

Things To Do continued on page 26

Elizabeth Hendricks smiles for the camera while heading to Gulfport Beach as part of the 2021 Witches of Gulfport Walk.

ABBY BAKER

the witches will stop for a drink at Tiki Bar and Grill and enjoy live music from the String Rays. The annual witch dance happens at sunset, exactly at 6:44 p.m. Wear your most witchy attire, whether that’s a Stevie Nicks-type look or an old-fashioned brim hat. The Tiki Bar & Grille, 5519 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport. 5:30-8 p.m.

Saturday, October 29Sunday, October 28

Craving a Taco? Let’s not wait for Tuesday. The Tacos and Tequi la Festival is back on the pier and will feature tons of Mexican dishes and traditional drinks for two days of flavor and fun. Wear your best Halloween costumes and roam the festival in search of good food and an even better time. Tickets sell out every year. Side note: 21 and older only, please! St. Pete Pier, 800 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. 12-8 p.m. ta cosonthepier.com

Monday, October 31

Creature Features It’s Halloween, so watch all the scary things! Enjoy a marathon of classic “The Twilight Zone” episodes safely inside the St. Pete Beach Library. Plus, free pop corn! St. Pete Beach Library, 365 73rd Ave., St. Pete Beach. 12-7 p.m. 727-363-9238

Tuesday, November 1

The Girls’ Club Girls just want to meet other girls. The Girls’ Club is a social group of mature, single, les bians who meet to make friends, chat, and plan social events. Have a cup of coffee and meet like-minded women without having to go online. Gulfport Senior Center, 5501 27th Ave. S., Gulfport. 3 p.m. mygulfport. us/recreation/senior-center

Wednesday, November 2

Teacher’s Pet Eckerd College has a long list of gifted artists on their faculty. Come to the school’s main gallery to see visual art created by these professors, and meet the teachers at Tuesday’s gallery chat. You’ll be greeted by locals such as director Gavin Hawk, writer Scott Ward, artist Pamela Jones, and many more. You may just get in spired. Nielsen Center for the Liberal Arts, Eckerd College, 4200 54th Ave. S., St Petersburg. 3:15-5 p.m. eckerd. edu

Thursday, November 3

Growing Up, Growing Old Talk If you’re born gay, you age gay. The LGBTQ Resource Center hosts a free discussion on what it means to grow up (and age) as a queer person. Ex perts Dr. Milton Wendland and Ari ana Drew will discuss the role of

social media and image, accepting your age, and what it means to age in a culture that celebrates youth. Attend at the library or in person. Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Avenue S., Gulfport. 7 p.m. mygulf port.us/gpl

your events

at

you choices

Clearwater

Clearwater

11/1, 11/8, 11/15

11/1, 11/8, 11/15

Clearwater

11/4, 11/11

11:00am-1:00pm

Broken

11:00am-1:00pm Another Broken Egg 2554 N McMullen Booth Rd

2554 N

11/15

11:00am-1:00pm

11/4, 11/11

Largo 11/2, 11/9, 11/16

Broken

Largo 11/2, 11/9, 11/16

2554 N McMullen Largo 11/2, 11/9, 11/16

2:00pm-3:00pm

Library

Largo Library 120 Central Park Dr Clearwater 11/4, 11/11

Central Park

11:00am-1:00pm

2:00pm-3:00pm Largo Library 120 Central Park

IHOP 30200 US Hwy 19 N

11:00am-1:00pm

Largo

11/2, 11/9, 11/16

Clearwater Largo

Largo

IHOP

10/27, 11/3, 11/10

Dunedin Palm Harbor

10/27, 11/3, 11/10

30200 US Hwy 19 7979

10:30am-11:30am

30200 US Hwy 19 7979

Largo 10/27, 11/3, 11/10 10:30am-11:30am Bayou Club 7979 Bayou Club Blvd Dunedin 11/2 10:00am-11:00am Holiday Inn 975 Broadway Palm Harbor 10/27,11/10,11/17 10:30am-12:00pm Palm Harbor Library 2330 Nebraska Ave

11/2 10/27,11/10,11/17

Club

10:00am-11:00am 10:30am-12:00pm

Dunedin Palm Harbor

Holiday Inn Palm Harbor Libra

11/2 10/27,11/10,11/17

975 Broadway (Alt 2330 Nebraska Av

10:00am-11:00am 10:30am-12:00pm

Holiday Inn Palm Harbor Libra

975 Broadway (Alt 2330 Nebraska Av

2:00pm-4:00pm

Largo St Petersburg

11/2, 11/9, 11/16 10/27, 11/3, 11/10

2:00pm-4:00pm Panera Bread 10801 Starkey Rd St Petersburg 10/27, 11/3, 11/10

11/2, 11/9, 11/16

Largo St Petersburg

Panera Bread Panera Bread

2:00pm-4:00pm

10801 Starkey Rd 1908 4th St N

2:00pm-3:00pm

2:00pm-3:00pm Panera Bread 1908 4th St N

10/27, 11/3, 11/10

Panera Bread Panera Bread

10801 Starkey Rd 1908 4th St N

2:00pm-3:00pm

ST AUGUSTINE CHRISTMAS PARADE

DEC 1-3, 2022, 3 DAY

Includes: 2 nts at Southern Oaks Inn w/hot country breakfast at hotel each morning, fam. driving tour on arrival, first nights dinner incl., Fantastic “Night of Lights” trolley tour with music, full day of touring in historic areas with on off privileges, and the return of the 67th Annual St. Augustine Christmas parade!!!

$539* per person double or $699 single

2022, 3 DAY

the gabs

What’s the Best Halloween Costume You’ve Ever Made or Seen?

Photos by Patrick Graney

Includes:

(2B, 1D)

nts at Courtyard

morning, fam.

Marriott, St.

w/ included

tour, first night

s dinner

& Nights of Lights Trolley Tour featuring more than 3 million Holiday Lights

displays w/ special effects throughout the Historic District, Day 2 independent touring with all day on/off privileges on Old Town Trolley, spend your final morning in town through lunch (on your own) in historic St. George Street area

XMAS GAYLORD OPRYLAND

DEC 12-17, 2022, 6 DAY

Includes: 9 meals (5B, 1L, 2D + 1 Drury Dinner). This trip of a lifetime incl: 3 nts at luxurious Opryland Resort, buffet breakfast each morning at Opryland, XMAS Dinner Party with the Oak Ridge Boys!, Gen’l Jackson Dinner Cruise on Cumberland River with entertainment, lunch at Blake Shelton’s Ole Red restaurant, & more!!!

$1319* per person double or $1745 single

Jeanne: “A lady dressed as a dock piling. She even had fake seagulls on her head!”

Joan: “On the Food Network I saw a witch’s outfit – the makeup, stringy grey hair... It was terrifying.”

Jessica: “This octo-dress I made.”

We

on vacation

33710

10AM

Domingos 12PM

Unitarian Universalist United Fellowship

During the pandemic

Sundays

-10:30

- 11:00

Zoom directions email us at uuunited@earthlink.net

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

obituaries

Robert William Stanley, 89, of Gulfport Florida passed away Oct. 16, 2022.

Robert William Stanley passed away in St. Petersburg on Oct. 16, 2022, at the age of 89. Robert was born in Indiana, a high school graduate, and served in the U.S. Navy for eight years as a metalsmith with a me chanical rating. His duties prompted him in other skills that allowed him to work in a factory as a machine mechanic, which allowed him to do carpentry and many other things as well. Robert was a perfectionist; everything he did was precise, very close to tolerances, and perfect ly executed. Robert always made people feel good about themselves and would literally do anything for anybody who needed help without any thought of restitution. He was so very thoughtful and loving in all his matters. He is survived by a sis ter Jeanette Sauceda; two children, Russell Stanley and Renee; and an adopted son Ryan Stanley. He also had another sister, Virgina Stanley, and a son, Robert Stanley, Jr., who

are deceased. He also has grandkids and great grandchildren, Kristiana Williams, Dakota Barber, and Eri ca Smock; and great-granddaugh ters Brook Willliams and Scarlet Smock. What has made Robert so unique is his ability to solve com plicated problems with innovative solutions. One of those was solving a $60,000-$80,000 quote from a company to fix water leaks in a mu seum. Robert, with his wit and over lunch, came up with a solution that only cost $3,500, and the biggest cost of that was a tig welder. He has also logged more than 10,000 vol unteer hours on the U.S. Victory in Tampa Bay, and now a part of the ship is known as Stanleyville. Robert William Stanley was loved by every one who met him and will be sadly missed, as will his ability to make you chuckle with his warped sense of humor. He is truly a legend. You can go to nationalcremation.com for details about his service.

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

Electrical

Caregivers

COMPANION

CAREGIVER

Experienced - Will help you prepare meals, do laundry, light housekeeping, drive to appointments, play games, etc. Worked for local healthcare agency. Re liable and conscientious. Only $20 hour. Looking for St. Petersburg/Gulfport/Pas adena area. Preferably a 55+ community. Call Alice at 727-433-0278.

Serving

AMERICAN BUILDERS GROUP LLC

Residential/Commercial. All phases of re modeling or renovations. Roofs, kitchens, baths, room additions, new construction, doors, windows, stone or concrete work, flooring, and much, much more. Free es timates. 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 war ranties. Our general contracting division also does kitchens, baths, additions, new construction, and much, much more. Free estimates. CCC 1333727 CGC 059964. 727-410-7323.

Person

CLEAN

St. Pete /Gulfport: 407-2446045.

407-244-6045.

HANDYMAN

types of

work

Free

727-410-2201.

SEMI-RETIRED CARPENTER At discount prices! Free estimates. Frame and finish work. Gulfport and Pinellas Park areas. Call the Door Doctor. Gus: 727-644-6194.

Miscellaneous Service NOTARY SERVICES - $10

The Gabber now provides Notary Services (in o ce 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.

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 845-866-3867. Responsible, reasonable, and ready!

GREEN PRIDE APPAREL LAUNCHES IN ST PETERSBURG Get your apparel needs met through sustainable and/or recycled materials. Green Pride Apparel is a local LLC based in St Petersburg. For more information about this new business email greenuniformsfl@gmail.com.

Moving / Hauling

ARRON’S HAULING -

ONE CALL HAULS IT ALL

Full service removal of junk/trash for your home or business. Appliances, furniture, TV, carpet, concrete, yard debris, paints/ chemicals, overgrown lawns, etc. Hoarding, eviction, foreclosure clean outs. 727623-7219.

SKIP’S MOVING & PICK-UP DELIVERY Have 14 foot box truck, willing to help. I’m the guy who moves everybody in and out of Town Shores. Available Saturdays & Sundays. Call: 727-320-3297.

Painting

CHRISTIANSON PAINTING 30 years experience. Interior and exterior work done the old-school way; strong customer service. References. Lic #C-11520. Call or text Mark 727-452-4938.w

ARNEY’S PAINTING INC.

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

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

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

PROFLO

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

Professional Services

Lee Claxton

Church

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

ITEMS FOR SALE

Whirlpool refrigerator, white, top freez er, with ice maker - $405. Mens Bikes: Schwinn 10-speed $200, Shimano Havoc$200, Huffy ESI - $150. O.B.O. on all items. Call 727-677-8207.

ALMOST RETIRED SALE! 1869 DOLPHIN BLVD S This is the first of multiple sales that

FICTITIOUS

ON THE HUNT Professional singer/song writer looking for a seasoned keyboardist or guitarist who comfortably reads lead sheets and has a healthy lifestyle! If he or she also sings harmony, is deft at playing standards, including broadway hits, that would be “frosting on this cake,” but not mandatory. The creative, female maverick writing this ad possesses a versatile reper toire, including jazz, is flexible, digs com plex chords, has decades of experience on stage, and for some, strange reason — has landed in Gulfport! Go figure! Also, presently, under her bed and feeling rather lonely: a Yamaha P.A System and an elec tric piano. Interested? Curious? Please call Kristi at 608-636-0467. "

YARD SALE 2631 68th Ave S. Friday, 10/28 & Saturday, 10/29, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Table and chairs, Hammond Piper II organ, old pho tos, postcards, buttons, linens, books, hol iday and home decorations. Lemonade for sale on Saturday.

be having, as I am retiring and have 30 years

of things to get rid of.

10/28 and Saturday 10/29 8 a.m. - 2 p.m..

out and find some

WANTED: HOME WITH USABLE GARAGE

Looking for an older/smaller 1 or 2 bedroom

in a safe area. Needs a

my woodworking hob by. Rental time would be November 5 to April 25, give or take a couple days on each end. Single, senior Canadian snowbird, no

Please call Jerry Andreas at 306-2228017 before 6 p.m.

TOWN SHORES

RENTAL

727-343-7949.

UNIT FOR SALE

Modern

ances,

furniture

more.

views of Boca Ciega Bay

Under $600k. Email alanwise70@ yahoo.com

YOUR GULFPORT REALTOR

Real Estate Snapshots

5302 28th Ave. S. (Waterfront District)

Although listed for $698,000, this 1,407-square-foot, three-bedroom, twobath home, built in 1941, sold for $663,000.

6319 9th Ave. S. (Stetson)

This 1,075-square-foot home, built in 1951, has three bedrooms and one bath. It listed for $399,900, it sold for $370,000.

6100 Gulfport Blvd. S., #407 (Stetson)

This 1973 condo has 1,069 square feet, two bedrooms, and

bath. It listed for $399,000 and sold for $390,000.

1420 Gray St. S. (Stetson)

This 1,016-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bath home, built in 1951, listed for $319,000 but sold for $350,000.

1120 Hull St. S. (Stetson)

This 1,079-square-foot, three-bedroom, one-bath home, built in 1956, sold for $335,000 – $4,000 under the asking price.

6150 Gulfport Blvd. S., #208 (Stetson)

Other Gulfport Home Sales Last Week

5980 Shore Blvd. S., #1010 (Town Shores)

This 1,450-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bath condo, built in 1972, listed for $429,000 and sold for $425,000.

2015 Gray St. S. (Stetson)

This 1956 house has 1,442 square feet, two bedrooms, and two baths. It sold for $423,000 – $8,000 more than the asking price.

This 1,114-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bath condo, built in 1973, listed for $309,900 and sold for $280,000.

6150 Gulfport Blvd. S., #305 (Stetson)

This 715-square-foot, one-bedroom, one-bath condo, built in 1973, listed for $244,500 and sold for $235,000.

5394 Fairfield Ave. S., #71 (Beachway Mobile Home Park)

This 672-square-foot, two-bedroom, one-and-one-halfbath mobile home, built in 1971, listed for $86,000 and sold for $77,000.