The Gabber: December 31, 2020

Digital subscriptions provided by the City of Gulfport THE GABBER.COM No. 2689

2020 Retrospective P.10

Art in 2020 P.22

Food and Drink Trends in 2020 P.28

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2908-B Beach Blvd. S. Gulfport, FL 33707 727-321-6965 Publisher

Cathy Salustri Loper cathy@thegabber.com

Editor

Shelly Wilson

shelly@thegabber.com

Creative Director Joey Neill

Advertising Director Chris Madalena

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Reporters & Photographers Laura Mulrooney,

News and Politics laura@thegabber.com Jeff Donnelly, Theater Jennifer Ring, Food and Culture Lynn Taylor, Arts June Johns, Photographer Nano Riley, Environment

Social Media & Operations Leah Petrakis

leah@thegabber.com Serving Gulfport, South Pasadena, St. Petersburg West, Downtown St. Petersburg, Kenwood, Maximo, Tierra Verde, St. Pete Beach, PassA-Grille, Treasure Island, Pinellas Point Owners Barry Loper and Cathy Salustri Loper Deadlines Friday at 5 p.m.

“I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.” –Douglas Adams If 2020 were a TV show, the network executives would brand it as “memorable,” “exciting” and “you never know what’s going to happen next.” For all of us stuck in this dumpster fire reality show of a year, the season finale can’t come soon enough. That’s not to say, of course, that we want to forget everything about this year, because none of us will emerge from 2020 unchanged.

This week, the Gabber starts what we hope will be an annual tradition – a review of the year behind us. In addition to a recap of some of what happened, we’ve included first-person stories from our readers about 2020. They cover everything from hairstyles to teaching on Zoom with a toddler screaming about poop in the background, and each one offers a real, heartfelt and a look at 2020 from the inside out.

As for my story? In January 2020, I had freelance and speaking gigs lined up for the year. Barry had retired a few months prior. We had a year of road trips and day trips planned across the state. Life was relaxed, easy and fun. Buying a newspaper was so far off my radar it may have been something that happened on Mars.

Then came March. We all know what happened next, for all of us. But you know what? Even though I didn’t have plans to buy the Gabber a year ago, and I wouldn’t wish a global pandemic on anyone, I’m glad we own the paper now. I started at the Gabber in 2003 and left in 2015, and in the five years after that, I did, and wrote and experienced a lot of things. None of those things have ever felt as right as being back at the Gabber feels. I feel like I’ve come home.

That’s my 2020 story. Keep turning pages to more stories from your neighbors.

Oh, and Happy New Year. Let’s hope, as John Lennon wrote, it’s a good one, without any fear.

– Cathy Cathy@thegabber.com

thegabber.com 727-318-0986

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

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announcements Recycle Your Christmas Tree When you’ve finished with your festivities this year, Gulfport residents can recycle their Christmas trees and turn them into mulch. Residents should remove all decorations, including hooks, garland, tinsel and lights. Place your tree at the curb or in your alley for regular Wednesday yard waste pickup. Do not bag the tree or put it in the trash can. For multiple-dwelling units, place your tree near the dumpster without blocking access to it. Trees will be chopped and processed into mulch, which residents can then pick up at the Neighborhood Center at 1617 49th St. S.

Gulfport Candidate Debates The Gabber Newspaper and the Gulfport Merchants Chamber of Commerce will host the Gulfport Candidate Debates in the Catherine A. Hickman Theater February 11. Barbara Banno, president of the GMC, and Cathy Salustri Loper, publisher of the Gabber, will co-moderate. Social distancing and mask protocols enforced; two seats will separate people not in the same bubble. Doors open at 5 p.m. for ticket holders; at 5:30 p.m.; remaining seats open to walk-ins. The Gabber and the GMC will stream the event as a Zoom webinar so those who cannot attend can see the debates and submit questions. Submit questions prior to the event at elections@thegabber.com.

If you wish to attend via Zoom, please email elections@thegabber.com and ask to be added to the list; you’ll get a link shortly before the event.

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our stories

By Amanda Hagood

AMANDA HAGOOD

This is a picture of me, my son and our cats on the “first day of school.”

Since my husband and I both teach on a semester system, we have at least three first days of school among us, and it has become a favorite tradition to capture all the energy and excitement of those days by gathering the family for a portrait. The pictures are always a little goofy, but there’s just something over-the-top about this one: Notice how Elmo is peering creepily over my shoulder? How my son has something mushy and unidentifiable in his mouth? How our walrus-like cats are about to pirouette through the air like some kind of homemade Salvador Dalí tribute? And my face! What’s that emotion on my face? Is it glee? Is it terror? I’ll tell you what it is: it’s 2020.

This picture, which was in fact taken in January 2020, really sums up what this annus horibilis (stop smirking) has been like, for us at least. First of all, everything’s too busy! Our spring semester transformed from a normal one to a 24-hour-Waffle House when, over the course of two weeks, our school went entirely remote and our son finally got his wish of staying home all day, every day, with Mom and Dad. We juggled as best we could our two worlds: one of classes,

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grading, and meetings and another of bike rides, telling stories, and enough craft activities to finally exhaust my vast sequin collection. There were inevitably moments when the two spheres collided. Like that time the internet service went out while we were both teaching the same class and when we finally got back into the Zoom meeting with all my confused students my son cried, real loud, “Mommy, I’ve poooooped!” And the awkward minutes that followed.

Which brings me to my second point about this picture and this year: Life has become more awkward. This year has brought so many occasions when my typical repertoire of behaviors just wasn’t up to the task. Visiting a relative you haven’t seen in a year?

Great! Just don’t hug them, sit near them or talk in their direction. Want to take your son to the playground?

Fine, but only if there aren’t other kids around. Greeting a neighbor, or even just asking for help in the hardware store? Say it with your eyes, because mouth communication has become unreliable. Meeting your newborn nephew over FaceTime? You’d better gesticulate wildly, ‘cause babies know what dogs know: If you don’t smell like anything, you’re not real.

And what it boils down to, for us at least, is: We need to go sit in our quiet chairs. So far, we have been sheltered from the worst effects – just one case of the virus in our extended family, and only a few of us with major changes in employment. We have learned to keep calm and carry on through the deluge of infections, deaths, instabilities and insanities all around us. But then, something as trivial as burning dinner launches me into twenty minutes of weeping and gnashing my teeth. There’s so much to process, some new outrageous thing, or unanticipated problem to solve, every day. I know the madness won’t end with 2020, just as the impact of the virus won’t end with the vaccine.

But I hope our 2021 picture looks a little different. I hope this year will be calmer, kinder and more patient.

I hope we can shift the focus from “getting back to normal” and “having it all” to protecting and nurturing the things that really matter, including the strength of our communities and our own mental health. Now that would be something to smile about.

Getting Through

By Stan Rosenberg

STAN ROSENBERG

Reflections on 2020

2020 started out like any year since we retired almost five years ago – with plans to travel to our children and grandchildren, spread out over three states, a cruise to Bermuda in early July, and my much-anticipated 50th Medical School Reunion in Philadelphia in mid-May. Then disaster struck in the form of coronavirus, and life changed dramatically.

We were visiting our daughter in North Carolina in mid-March when reality set in, as all professional and amateur sporting events were suddenly canceled – something really bad was about to transpire.

We flew back to St. Pete on March 19 and haven’t left Florida since.

Family events, such as holidays and birthdays, were carried out over Zoom, and FaceTime became an even more important form of human contact.

I stopped going to my gym for fear of contracting the feared virus, but I must admit that decision had a salutary effect on my wellbeing – walking either around the neighborhood or in the mall enabled me to drop about 17 pounds, and my clothes now fit much better!

As I noted, all current sporting events were canceled, so that all we could get on TV was reruns, which encouraged us to expand our reading interests – my wife on her Kindle and me with a variety of mystery writers (chief among them James Patterson and Patricia Cornwell). Being able to purchase paperbacks and hardcovers for $2 and $3 at 321 at the mall was a revelation.

And that reunion? We did it virtually several weeks ago and I still managed to hook up with classmates I hadn’t seen in decades.

I was working at the Free Clinic in Clearwater when the virus arrived, but,

theGabber.com | December 31, 2020 - January 6, 2021

due to my age, we mutually agreed that the care there was best delivered by the young doctors. As I said, we haven’t traveled much at all since March, but we did drive over to the East coast (seven hours, round-trip) to spend an hour with my daughter and her family over pizza – masked and socially distanced. As we hadn’t seen them in person since January, it was worth it. Otherwise, our “trips” are confined to Publix, Walmart, Winn Dixie and doctors visits; such are the joys of growing old in a pandemic, but it’s better than the alternative.

We’ve been married for 51+ years, but the relative isolation we are forced to endure just makes us that much closer – there is always something to talk about or share. We know we will get through this, and the recent arrival of the vaccine just increases that hope – as my daughter says, “G-d willing and the creek don’t rise.”

A Note of Gratitude

By Margarete Tober

CATHY SALUSTRI

2020 started as a strange year for me, well before COVID-19 appeared on the scene in its full force. At the end of January, after spending a wonderful 2019 holiday season with my brother and family in Texas, I had a car accident. The car was totaled.

I decided to take stock and try to minimize my life. I opted not to replace my car and instead find other modes of transportation.

Of course, we all learned about six weeks later of the enormous dangers with COVID. So in the middle of March, after having learned how to use GEMS, Uber and public transportation, I then became adept at sitting in my easy chair and ordering groceries, liquor and a plethora of items from Amazon online. I’ve also become an expert on occasionally ordering delivery food online. While I felt sorry for myself at first, and I’m still struggling with the fact that I don’t get out to see friends as much as I would like to, I

was more concerned for my nieces, my baby brother and others who are still in the workforce. As it turns out, all worked out well for the nieces, and my brother announced his retirement at his 60th birthday party on Zoom. I made a decision not to travel for that, which I didn’t like, but I know it was the right decision. Who ever thought we’d attend various events – including weddings and funerals – via Zoom?

During this time that we’ve endured COVID, we’ve seen the good and the bad. We have had a presidential election, watched our local newspaper, The Gabber, die and then come back to life, and weathered Hurricane Eta. I prefer to dwell on the good that we have seen, and continue to hope that the negative will subside.

So many, including healthcare workers, government officials and the everyday man and woman, have tried so hard to make the best of and help our situation. Some people, sadly, lost their livelihoods, and others their lives.

Here in Gulfport, I’m touched by the many residents that have reached out to help other people – be it donating food to one of

the pantries, helping others with storm clean-up, supporting our businesses, and the businesses that have endured the ups and downs.

I’m especially thankful that the vast majority of businesses have also been so cautious with their protocals during this time.

I would be remiss if I didn’t also highlight the efforts of our local government. They have done a magnificent job, through long and hard hours. The city’s communication efforts have been stellar, despite the same not being so good on a state level. Mayor Henderson has become a local YouTube celebrity with his many informative PSAs. The police department, library and senior center have also offered virtual programming.

The City of Gulfport was also one of the first municipalities, and I believe only small local city, to offer financial aid to its residents and businesses in need.

Long story short, I’ve been blessed to still be healthy and COVID-free, and I’ve not suffered financially. While this isn’t the way I wanted to spend my 68th trip around the sun, I am very thankful this holiday season for having been able to do so.

Our Stories continued on page 6

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What 2020 Taught Me

By Lois Milne

LOIS MILNE

Reflecting on 2020, what a year!

Fortunately, as of writing, I have been healthy – self isolating, masked up and bored! Early in the pandemic, I thought it was a “forced” time to clean and tidy closets, get those things done around the house that had been waiting. But after a time, these tasks were either complete or irrelevant. My plans for summer, visiting friends and family, were gone until who knows when, leaving me with a “now what” attitude.

Fortunately living in a house with a yard in Gulfport afforded me options that many others did not have. As the stories of the pandemic showed me the devastation in families

and communities, I had a growing awareness of how fortunate my situation was.

Realizing that this was going to be the way of life for a while, I was going to need to get on with adjusting to a situation of which I had no control. I dusted off my jigsaw puzzle felt, my camera, purchased a rowing machine and Instant Pot. My thoughts were that these things could entertain and challenge me. I could try and keep my fitness under control while practicing patience. Each of these items were, perhaps similar to others during the pandemic, going to fill my days.

As I look in the “rear view mirror” of this year I find that I came through it.

I had done much less than in previous years. I learned new things and gained a renewed appreciation for “living in the moment.” The jigsaw puzzles gave me an appreciation for the folks that make them, and frustrated me in getting them completed. The rowing machine disappointed me in how out of condition I was and challenged me with how hard it was getting back to using it. The camera and the Instant Pot demonstrated that my brain could learn some new skills and gave me an appreciation for those who have mastered them.

But mostly I think my priorities for my time and energy were easier to determine. After all, we know life is short, but in 2020 I learned that it can be really short. And that, more than ever, flexibility and “rolling with the punches” needs to be part of my daily life. As Winnie the Pooh said, “You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.”

Art Heals

By Kiersty Long

KIERSTY LONG

Our Stories continued from page 5

“The most powerful art in life is to transform pain into a healing talisman.

A butterfly is reborn, blossomed into a colorful party!” – Frida Kahlo Frida Kahlo is an artist who used her art to process her pain and to heal her heart. Her raw emotions undeniably bleed onto each canvas and you can feel her paintings. Kahlo has always been my biggest inspiration as an artist, and I summoned her strength to guide me through this tumultuous year.

Oh, 2020, where do I begin? This year can be described by many as uncomfortable, challenging and a year of loss. While we all felt isolation and

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theGabber.com | December 31, 2020 - January 6, 2021

2020 in St. Pete Beach: Mayor’s Perspective

By Al Johnson

AL JOHNSON

fear of what is to come, our biggest common denominator this year has been grief. Whether we lost our jobs, separated from a significant other, became sick, lost a family member, or became divided politically, we all felt grief.

We have been forced to examine our roots. What truly makes us happy?

What is our passion? What gets us out of bed in the morning? For me, the answer has always been art. 2020 has given me the gift of time. I used this time to paint, paint and paint some more. When I felt lonely, I painted. When I felt heartbroken, I painted. When I felt depressed, I painted. When I did not feel like painting at all, I painted.

This had become my outlet and my greatest therapy.

The community of Gulfport has been extremely generous in giving me opportunities to create art and to make a living as an artist. What an amazing little town Gulfport is! I have always wanted to be a full-time artist and to bring joy into people’s lives through my artwork. Somehow, the year I thought I would remember as the worst year of my life, has turned into the year I was able to finally realize my greatest dream.

Some have taken up a new hobby and tried things they have never had the time to explore. I have chosen to dive headfirst into my artwork. This year was a year of discovering what makes us tick. I now am certain that art is something I can rely on to help me through the darkest of times. Art heals.

“I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy to be alive as long as I can paint.” – Frida Kahlo

It’s been a challenging year in St. Pete Beach. COVID-19 disrupted how we conducted our daily lives and severely damaged our economy. City operations were dramatically revised to minimize the spread of the virus.

City Hall was closed, rearranged and staff schedules changed. Many employees worked from home and staggered shifts when in the office to reduce exposure to co-workers.

The public could only engage the city online or by appointment. Even commission meetings were held virtually. It was a different “normal.”

Businesses and beaches were closed for nearly two months in accordance with state and county guidelines. People stopped traveling to visit, which was a huge blow to our tourist-driven economy. Our local businesses and resorts absorbed a huge financial loss which continues to this day. SPB felt like it was in hibernation. Then to top it off on November 11th tropical storm Eta blew by at exactly the wrong time, causing the worst flooding the city has seen in at least 50 years.

In spite of these challenges, much has been accomplished!

In March, three members of our city commission were sworn in.

COVID caused these rituals to be quite different – one taking place on the steps of City Hall. A new and a returning city commissioner joined me as I began my second term as mayor.

Our long-time city clerk retired and the commission hired her replacement in early summer about the time Our Stories continued on page 8

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the virus was surging. Our major construction projects continued.

Early in the year our library moved to temporary quarters as we began a complete re-build of its historic home. The Blind Pass Road street replacement was completed as was the beautification of Corey Avenue.

The upgrade to our sewer system broke ground in October and the under-grounding of electrical lines on Gulf Boulevard is set to start as well. We have begun work on the citywide plan to combat sea level rise/ climate change through 2050 and recently adopted a strategic plan to guide our activities through to 2030.

This latter item is the result of many brainstorming meetings involving the city’s stakeholders – residents, employees, business owners, hotel owners and elected officials. A truly collaborative effort!

We’re looking forward to ’21! Our commission will be unchanged and is a great group who truly care about this city. I’m proud to be part of the team.

We accomplished much in 2020 in some challenging conditions, learning a lot about ourselves in the process. I think COVID-19 brought out the best in people more often than the worst. It’s restored my faith in mankind.

We truly are all in this together and there is nothing we can’t overcome working as one – have faith, follow the CDC guidelines… vaccines are on the way!

2020 Style

By Caron Schwartz

CARON SCHWARTZ

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I’ve inherited some pretty good genes. Like my dad, I have barely a wrinkle and nails my sisters envy.

And some less-desirable traits: I have my mother’s hair. Thin, fine,and not much of it. I’ve tried styles ranging from hippie long to Dorothy Hamill wedge, from bob to Bob Ross perm. Each required a lot of product and resulted in a lot of bad hair days.

And now, like her, I’m losing what little I have as errant hair sprouts in places I dare not mention.

When I first arrived in Florida my hair suddenly curled. It was July, and I guess going from the Colorado sauna to the Florida steam room was an existential shock. For months I let my frizz flag fly and enjoyed my hair’s new talent. Alas, before long it relaxed, and I roamed between hairdressers until someone razored my meager mane into a Jamie Lee Curtis pixie. Hallelujah!

And then, coronavirus.

Pixies don’t require daily maintenance, but they need frequent shearing. As COVID-generated, no-salon weeks went by, my hair deteriorated. “Don’t worry about it,” my reflection in the mirror said.

“Where ya goin’ anyway?”

Desperate times call for desperate measures. I dug out the clippers (previously used to clean up the exes, who’ve always had nicer locks than me). What’s the worst that can happen, I thought. It will grow back.

Besides, on Zoom everybody looks a little disheveled.

My stomach quivered as the first few clumps hit the floor. But as more and more strands fell away I had an epiphany: This is the look I’ve been searching for! So simple, so tidy!

It didn’t take long for me to trade in the bulky, wired, 20-year-old clippers for a lightweight rechargeable version.

Even with COVID restrictions lifted, I may never go to a salon again. I love the way the stubble feels. I love how the tiny bristles sparkle. I even love the buzzing on my head.

I know this love affair won’t last forever. Like my 88-year-old mother, I’ll probably succumb to a wig when there’s more skin than hair on my head. But I have to say thank you, 2020, for helping me discover my style.

Waiting and Watching

By Eric Espinoza

ERIC ESPINOZA

Our Stories continued from page 7

At the beginning of the year, my azaleas were blooming and I was feeling pretty good about the new year. My partner and I had laid travel plans for the Canadian Maritimes.

And I was looking forward to a trip I’d planned with my brother – a week in Arizona watching Cactus League spring baseball. In fact we had tickets for the Padres/Angels game, and a chance to see Joe Madden back with the Los Angeles Angels. Plus, we nabbed tickets for a John Fogerty concert – ”Put me in coach.”

Before long though, my azaleas lost their leaves. It seemed like the flowers of a promising spring were giving way to a dooming shadow, leaving me with gray feelings about the spring and summer I’d planned. I knew then that everything had changed and nothing was the same.

Not knowing where to turn, I turned inside. With the guidelines set forth by the CDC, we isolated, spending extra time in our yard and neighborhood.

I learned to watch, wait and wonder, about all the constant changes in nature. I was drawn to Florida native plants and wildflowers. Through curbside pick ups, native plants soon found a home in my yard. A caterpillar slowly eating it’s way along a cassia flower, or it’s cousin, a monarch caterpillar enjoying a meal of milkweed, a cardinal couple chirping with delight over the seeds in our bird feeder or just following a cloud as it passed overhead – all of this and more was happening everyday, as I waited and watched in wonder.

theGabber.com | December 31, 2020 - January 6, 2021

Of course all sporting events, as well as most other things, had been canceled. The only reason I have cable TV is to watch sports, so imagine the lift I felt as sports returned throughout the summer. And boy did they return!

First the Lightning lit up the NHL with a Stanley Cup and the Bucs were looking for a Super Bowl ring with newly acquired Tom Brady, the quarterback of quarterbacks. For me, the pinnacle of my excitement was following the Rays 60-game season.

Winning didn’t come easy, but from Ji-man at first, Arozarena at the plate, to Morton on the mound, the lowpayroll Rays found a way to win with a full-team effort. Then it was on to the post season. The Rays continued, putting way the Toronto Blue Jays in two games, the New York Yankees in five. Followed by a spirited, heartthrobbing seven-game win over the Houston Astros, and then on to the Dodgers and the World Series. Though a World Series win wasn’t meant to be, their performance was all I could have hoped. The magic of the Rays selfless teamwork gave me a reason to feel good about the future, and so I followed them, waiting and watching with wonder.

Not sure what to conclude, but let me try. Maybe it’s best if, at times, as life throws us uncertain curve balls, to wait, watch and wonder.

A Wish for 2021

By Sam Henderson

CATHY SALUSTRI

Seasons Greetings Gulfport and Gabber readers!

It has been a long year. I am not here to talk about city accomplishments or policies over

the past 12 months. In short, I will just say that I am deeply impressed with how our employees stepped up to the plate in a big way under serious duress, and that we made the best of our challenges. Thanks to all of you on city staff for navigating us through the unique obstacles of 2020.

Now I want to talk about us, all of us, the people trying to live our lives and make our way in this treacherous landscape. This year brought us the most active hurricane season on record, the most divisive and contentious presidential election since 1968 and of course the first global pandemic in over a century. We lost loved ones, jobs, homes, personal connection, the freedom to travel and congregate, and for better or worse, the routine of our daily lives.

This year tested us. I am not under the illusion that 2021 is going to be a bowl of cherries, but we enter the new year smarter, tougher and more prepared. At this point, it will take a lot to surprise us. I hope that we go forward with a new understanding of how fragile our lives, our cultural constructs and our society truly are – facing the future not with fear and contempt but with compassion, cooperation and a sense of duty to each other.

I hope that these trials make us better, kinder and more capable people. So for me, I want to say goodbye to the worst of 2020 and hold on to the wisdom that came from it. In New Mexico, they have an annual tradition called the Fiestas de Santa Fe where they burn a hideous effigy named Zozobra – a symbol of the past year’s gloom, pain and worries.

People write down their own troubles and add them to the blaze. We were in Santa Fe many years ago during this festival and it struck me as a beautiful way to clean the slate. My family will do a scaled down version of this on New Year’s Eve, and toss our paper into the fire – to manifest the desire to see our troubles go up in smoke.

I hope you will all find your own unique way to hold on to the good, the joyful and the hopeful aspects of this past year, and to vanquish your version of Zozobra. Happy Holidays one and all, and here’s to fighting the good fight together in 2021.

theGabber.com | December 31, 2020 - January 6, 2021

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By Shelly Wilson It was a year most of us would be glad to forget. But we won’t. Though it started like so many others, no one could have anticipated how 2020 would be turned upside down by one microscopic thing: the novel coronavirus.

Personally, we’ve all been changed by it. As a country, we’ve been ravaged by it. This was a year of such significant

loss and tragedy, it’s hard to think of anything else. Still, in our community, there was more to 2020 than COVID-19.

This issue, the Gabber takes a look back at some of the highlights from each month of our coverage. Yes, there’s plenty of virus news, but there was also good news – and a lot of hope for the future.

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January 23 - January 29, 2020

‘We March, We Challenge, We Engage, We Vote’

By Laura Mulrooney

More than 600 participants prepare for the Women’s March held in Gulfport on January 18. “The issues, not in order of priority necessarily – climate change, universal health care, gun control, immigrant rights, LBGTQ rights, racism, economic disparities, on and on – are all problems that are getting worse, not better.

Washington is not helping,” said march organizer Susan Koenig. “I guess that’s my take. We in Gulfport, and all over the country, want to make America great again in a kinder, gentler, more equitable way.”

See Women’s March, page 8

Gulfport Candidate Forum May Be in the Works

By Laura Mulrooney

Ward 1 Candidate Forum

Proclamation of National 2-1-1 Day

After some doubt in the last few weeks as to whether there would be a Gulfport Candidate Forum for the upcoming municipal election for Ward 1 on March 17, it appears such an event is tentatively in the works. Gulfport City Clerk Lesley DeMuth announced at the council meeting on Tuesday, January 21 that she had spoken with Gulfport Merchants Chamber (GMC) President Barbara Banno that morning about the group hosting the event. DeMuth said Banno was working with city staff on the details.

“She got in touch with Justin [Shea, Gulfport’s cultural facilities events supervisor] this morning,” DeMuth told council, “so it’s just a matter of scheduling and see how that works out.”

Mayor Sam Henderson presented 2-11 Tampa Bay Cares Vice President of Finance John Thomas with a proclamation for National 2-1-1 day, to be observed on February 11.

A free hotline service, 2-1-1 Tampa Bay Cares operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and provides free and confidential crisis and emergency counseling, along with disaster assistance, food and healthcare assistance, housing and veterans services among many other services.

Primarily, the service identifies underlying issues and provides resources to help the issue at hand and prevent it from continuing.

In 2019, the hotline See Council, page 36

The year started with a lot of promise, didn’t it? We all had plans – for travel, concerts, events! – and at least some of us were looking forward to an election year. In the pages of the Gabber in January, there was the usual excitement for upcoming art shows, markets and early spring festivals. Gulfport Little League was also back, as council approved a three-year lease with the organization, and StoryCorps came to the Gulfport Library to capture personal histories.

Gulfport’s election season began in earnest. There was some controversy over whether or not there would be a candidate forum (there was), with April Thanos and incumbent Dan Liedtke vying for the Ward 1 council seat. For the second time, Ward 3 Councilmember Paul Ray won his seat by default.

St. Pete Beach launched a “micromobility” car service, Freebee, and a mural bandit – still on the loose – somehow managed to alter Keith Stillwagon’s mural over the Gulfport Garage. On January 18, more than 600 people participated in a Women’s March in Gulfport, in solidarity with marches across the country.

theGabber.com | December 31, 2020 - January 6, 2021

11

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February 20 - February 26, 2020

Gulfport Votes 100% Spreads the Word

By Debbie Wolfe

On Tuesday, February 18 at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg’s Military and Veteran Success Center, students representing all branches of the military teamed up with Ingrid Bredenberg, organizer of Gulfport Votes 100%, to create the non-partisan group’s signature green corded bracelets that are given away free to people who promise to vote. “We made 400 bracelets in 90 minutes and they want to do more,” said Bredenberg.

The ultimate goal of the local group is 100 percent participation by people who are qualified to vote. Photo

by Ingrid Bredenberg.

No. 2663

March 19 - March 25, 2020

Gulfport Emphasizing Strategic Decisions During COVID-19 Crisis

By Debbie Wolfe

Meet Gulfport’s Newest Elected ‘Pawficials’ at Get Rescued

State of the City Annual Report

On Wednesday, February 19, the Gulfport Historical Society announced the results of the city’s first-ever Pet Mayor election. The people have spoken and, in addition to a new animal leader, the city has also acquired Coco, Gulfport’s first pet mayor will serve a one year term. several new furry ambassadors and officials who will all represent the city for one year.

“In a field full of wonderful candidogs and catdidates,” read the release posted on the society’s Facebook page, “Coco, the fabulous spokesdog for Gulfport’s Peninsula Inn, lead the pack. Congratulations, Coco!”

But chocolate beauty Coco is not the only new fluffy respresentative.

See Pet Mayor, page 15

During the regular Gulfport City Council meeting, Tuesday, February 18, a representative from every city department was present to give their yearly review for 2019.

City Manager Jim O'Reilly touched on what was accomplished this past year, but made a point to make mention of the future of Gulfport.

“Our job is to get rid of the trash and take care of the children,” said O'Reilly.

Budgeting talks for the upcoming year will begin either late March or the first of April according to O'Reilly.

See City, page 22

By Laura Mulrooney

Events! The 11th annual So Classic Car Show, Gulfport Library’s ReadOut and Boyd Hill’s RaptorFest kicked off a month of events, including a Mardi Gras, the Fine Arts Festival, Get Rescued and Peace, Love & Pride in Gulfport, St. Pete Beach’s Seafood & Music Festival and loads more.

Gulfport’s four-hour mooring time limit at the Casino dock sparked controversy at council, Mayor Sam Henderson sent a letter to Tallahassee imploring elected officials to affect “meaningful change” to laws that impact climate change, and representatives from each city department briefed council in the annual State of the City report.

On the water, law enforcement identified the man found dead near a dinghy in Boca Ciega Bay – a recovery effort that involved Gulfport’s fire and police departments – and a surprise winter storm stranded three boats in the bay.

Gulfport Votes 100% intensified its push for voter turnout for the general election in November, and the city voted on its first Pet Mayor, the Peninsula Inn’s resident sweetheart, Coco.

Oh, and February got an extra day this year.

“Fluid.”

Beginning Friday, March 13, this is the way Gulfport City Manager Jim O’Reilly described the local strategic decision-making process that is now in place during the unique worldwide public health crisis known as 2019 Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19.

In response to COVID-19 issues in other countries including China, the World Health Organization declared the virus a pandemic on Wednesday, March 11.

Since then, the emphasis in Gulfport has been on ensuring public safety, said O’Reilly.

The city’s protocol during emergencies is to follow the lead of the county and they See COVID-19, page 3

After the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a pandemic on Wednesday, March 11, what followed was a buying frenzy that put a strain on supplies at area supermarkets for food, paper goods and hand sanitizers. Hoarding by some consumers triggered stores like Publix in St. Petersburg to enforce buying limits. One such shelf sign read, in part, “Because of increased demand, customers are limited to two of each item. Thank you for understanding.”

SPPD Service Changes Incumbents Unseated in Gulfport, St. Pete Beach Elections During Epidemic

By Debbie Wolfe

The unofficial results of the presidential preference primary and municipal elections held March 17 resulted in Gulfport and St. Pete Beach voters favoring municipal challengers over incumbents for council and commission seats.

April Thanos Based on Pinellas Takes Ward 1 Seat in Gulfport.

County Supervisor of Election results as of March 18 at 4:30 a.m., Gulfport voters selected challenger April Thanos over incumbent Councilmember Dan Liedtke for the Ward 1 city council seat. In St. Pete Beach, voters awarded challenger Christopher Graus the District 1 city

See Elections, page 11

The St. Petersburg Police Department announced on Tuesday, March 17, that in order to “keep our residents and our officers safe from exposure to the coronavirus, the St. Petersburg Police Department is implementing a few changes until further notice to minimize unnecessary contact.”

See Service Changes, page 13

A Note to Our Readers You will find this an unusually small edition of the Gabber. This is a time of extreme uncertainty for our community, with wide-reaching effects. Many of our livelihoods depend upon each other, and the Gabber exists solely on community advertising. Please know that we will do our best to keep bringing you this community resource, in whatever form we can, for as long as we can.

In Gulfport, challenger April Thanos defeated Dan Liedtke on March 17 to secure the Ward 1 council seat.

Gulfport City Council looked into a fundraising proposal to get $10.3 million for an upgraded Senior Center, and St. Pete Beach began major sewer infrastructure improvements.

With the gorgeous weather, events continued apace – with Gulfport’s Flamingo Tour of Homes and Pass-aGrille’s Island Festival headlining – but there was a dark cloud on the horizon.

In the Gabs, the Gabber asked, “What are your thoughts about the coronavirus?” Feelings were mixed – from serious to overblown – but public opinion couldn’t keep the virus at bay.

By the end of the month, local cities weighed their options in response to a pandemic that was already ravaging other countries. Pinellas enacted “stayat-home” orders on March 25.

The March 19 issue of the Gabber was a meager one, with COVID-19 fears and impending shutdowns cutting our advertising by more than half. The front page informed readers that we “would do our best to keep bringing you this community resource,” but our revenue came solely from advertising dollars.

The March 26 issue of the Gabber was the very last printed by Ken and Deb Reichart, who owned the paper for nearly three decades.

theGabber.com | December 31, 2020 - January 6, 2021

April

May

June

This black box represents the 14 weeks that the Gabber Newspaper went dark. Without advertising revenue, we could no longer print the paper, or afford an online presence. But the Gabber was far from the only business affected.

In a time of crisis and confusion, business owners sought solutions. While some succumbed, many stayed afloat by pivoting, plundering their savings, or through the mercy of loans and the kindness of the community. All of those things would be necessary to bring the Gabber back.

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13

July

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No. 2672

July 9 - July 15, 2020

The Gabber Newspaper Sale is Official

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By Laura Mulrooney

OCTOBER 5

By Shelly Wilson

Early voting starts October 29

Register Get a ballot Find ballot dropoff locations at votepinellas.com Read our ongoing candidate coverage at

thegabber.com/vote

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Let us take care of your visiting family & friends!

historicpeninsulainn.com Sterling “Mr. Satan� Magee, local and nationally known blues legend, plays at a Gulfport Art Walk in May 2012.

On Monday, August 24, Pinellas County Schools opened their doors to students for the first time since they shut down in March due to the pandemic.

PCS offered parents three options for their children to return to school. If parents and students were uncomfortable returning to face-to-face instruction, PCS offered two online options.

“The thing to understand about him‌at his height he was a singular, kind of brilliant, one-of-a-kind blues guitar player, and an instantly identifiable vocalist,â€? said Adam Gussow, long-time musical partner of Sterling “Mr. Satanâ€? Magee. “And everybody called him Mr. Satan. Nobody called him Sterling.â€?

The details of his life are hazy as a smoke-filled blues bar, but this much we know about Mr. Satan: he was a ferocious blues musician, and a beloved performer in the community.

Sterling passed on September 6, 2020.

Students continued on page 10

GPD Bodycam Update Offers Greater Police Accountability WHEN YOU SHOW YOUR SERVER THIS NEWSPAPER!

In May, former Gabber reporter and columnist Cathy Salustri approached Ken and Deb Reichart about the paper. As a trio, they re-launched the Gabber as a digital presence, and began fundraising and selling prepaid advertising gift cards to resume paying a small staff, and contributors who worked for free until the Gabber regained its footing.

The Gabber published stories online in May and June – including multimedia coverage of local Black Lives Matter protests and ongoing COVID news and resources, as well as Gulfport’s virtual council meetings.

We’d missed a bit in the weeks the Gabber was dark, including big changes to local businesses, and the community response to COVID, so we worked to tell those stories.

On June 22, the Lopers become the fourth owners of the Gabber Newspaper. The new Gabber Team resumed print publication on July 9.

The Gulfport Police Department’s body cameras, pictured here, compliment the department’s in-vehicle camera systems, says Chief Vincent.

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The Historic Peninsula Inn is open and offers a safe, comfortable spot for your out of town guests.

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Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri announced earlier this month that he’s considering body cameras for his deputies.

Gualtieri has, in the past, been reluctant about the use of body cameras. However, after the George Floyd protests, many police departments and law enforcement agencies around the country are re-examining their policies – including the use of body cameras.

Since June, over 2,300 people have

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Sterling continued on page 13

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GeckoFest continued on page 19

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A Gulfport living legend, Sterling Magee, has died.

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GeckoFest 2020 Canceled

GeckoFest mascot from 2018

September 10 - September 16, 2020

Mr. Satan Goes to Heaven

Pinellas County Students Return to the Classroom

Long-time Gabber owners Ken and Deb Reichart, left, passed the torch to Cathy Salustri and Barry Loper on June 22.

“We consider this the event of the year, the party of the year in Gulfport.

We’re disappointed but we’re doing right by Gulfport,� Gulfport Merchants Chamber President Barbara Banno told the Gabber on Tuesday, July 7.

In early June the GMC board members met to discuss possibilities for GeckoFest.

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No. 2674

August 27 - September 2, 2020

WE ALWAYS PAY CASH!

On Monday, June 22, Ken and Deb Reichart passed the Gabber torch to Cathy Salustri Loper and Barry Loper, long-time Gulfport residents and community members. Deb and Ken owned the newspaper for 28 years. “I’d like to thank Gulfport for supporting us all these years,� said Ken. “The Gabber has been like a third child to Deb and I, and we’ve been proud to take care of it. However, with the challenges from COVID-19, we decided to turn this into an opportunity to start something new.�

After nearly three decades of serving the community, Ken and Deb expressed confidence in the new ownership. “We are honored to have former Gabber writer Cathy Salustri take the helm — she is the perfect fit. You’re in good hands, Gulfport,� said Ken. “Thank you for Gabber Sale continued on page 7

September

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“Relax Time� by Jila Davoodi

Body Cameras continued on page 10

The Gabber was back in print, but the world was not as we left it in March. There were no events to report on, and our hyper-local world was in a holding pattern. We had mask mandates and new shut-down orders, strange seed packages and a coin shortage. We also faced an unprecedented challenge reopening Pinellas County schools in a pandemic.

We reported on the new Gulfport Sustainability Committee, food truck ordinances and the city budget. And, in the wake of one of the most painful local event cancellations of the year, the Gabber published a retrospective on GeckoFest.

The Gabber relaunch also brought more robust local arts coverage, in all its forms, as well as highlights on food, history and the environment.

Also in August, we began reporting on down-ballot elections to better inform readers on their decisions come November.

By Lynn Taylor

Jila Davoodi’s art is steeped in meaning.

Born in Isfahan in Iran, she grew up surrounded by architecture and art dating back to the 16th century.

These influences – as well as her experiences living in a war-torn country – have influenced her work ever since. “My subjects are women, children,

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Art Walk continued on page 19

In September, Gulfport lost a living legend, Sterling “Mr. Satan� Magee.

The revered blues musician, who had contracted COVID-19 but was thought to be recovered, left a lasting mark on blues, and the community that he called home.

Budget talks heated up on Gulfport Council and the millage rate remained unchanged.

The Gulfport Merchants Chamber’s Tuesday market returned with extensive COVID precautions – proving that there might just be light in our “new normal.�

The GMC also reworked the first and third Saturday street festivals.

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October

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October 8 - October 14, 2020

A Legend Lives On

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November 19 - November 25, 2020

Tropical Storm Eta Packs a Punch

By Lynn Taylor

December December 10 - December 16, 2020

A Florida Elf’s Guide to Gifts

By Gabber Elfatorial Staff

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No one really wants to send their hard-earned money to a faceless megacorporation; we’d all rather support a locally owned shop. But while it’s super easy to say “shop local,” where do you start?

We got you! The Gabber’s elfatorial staff put together a list of ways you can shop South Pinellas small businesses and create a meaningful, memorable holiday for you and your loved ones. Feel uncomfortable shopping in a pandemic? These businesses can arrange for shipping, contactless delivery or socially distanced shopping.

Gifts continued on page 7

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Gulfport’s waterfront made local and national news after Tropical Storm Eta blew six boats ashore the night of November 11.

Music legend John Prine, who owned a home in Gulfport since 2005, passed away in April this year at the age of 73, due to complications from COVID-19. He lives on in the hearts of those who loved his music – and now, in Gulfport’s Village Courtyard, on a mural commissioned by Stella’s owner Barbara Banno and painted by artist Kiersty Long.

John Prine continued on page 23

As fall came, folks started to feel that maybe we’d gotten the hang on this pandemic thing. The City of Gulfport and the GMC announced more events – socially distanced and masked up – including a candy chute trail, outdoor pumpkin decorating and pet costume contests for Halloween.

Gulfport Council talked about the viability of electric vehicles for the city and the police department, and the Gabber stepped up down-ballot elections coverage with Q&As for state senators and representatives.

That month, artist Kiersty Long completed a mural of John Prine, an homage to the incomparable singer/ songwriter/musician who lived and played in Gulfport for many years.

John Prine passed away in April due to complications from COVID-19.

Tropical Storm Eta made landfall in Florida around 4:20 a.m. on Wednesday, November 11 near Cedar Key, with sustained winds of 50 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. The tropical-storm-force winds stretched 115 miles from the storm, and coincided with a high tide in the Tampa Bay area.

Gulfport and surrounding waterfront cities, including St. Pete Beach, suffered flooding damage to homes and storefronts, and heavy debris littered the streets.

“Gulfport experienced the worst flooding and storm surge since Hurricane Debby hit the town in 2000,” Gulfport Mayor Sam Henderson told the Gabber on Wednesday, November 12.

Storm continued on page 5

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Who’d have thought the election would be the second biggest local story in November?

Eta made landfall north of the Tampa Bay area, causing the worst flooding Pinellas has seen in many decades, and pushing myriad boats ashore in Gulfport.

As communities dealt with the damage – and reconciled the highs and lows of the election season – we also marked the dedication of a statue of Elder Jordan in St. Petersburg, the reopening of Williams Pier in Gulfport, and moments of gratitude in the face of very different holiday season.

After two hours, the TowBoatU.S. crew was able to wiggle a stranded sailboat off Gulfport Beach, back into the water.

On Wednesday, December 2, Gulfport Marina Harbormaster Denis Frain organized a stranded sailboat recovery with TowBoatU.S. Two boats remained of the six stranded on Gulfport Beach after Tropical Storm Eta on November 11.

The owner of “Tocade” surrendered the boat to the city, giving them go ahead for salvage and removal operations.

With three 550 horsepower boats, TowBoatU.S. removed one of the two stranded sailboats. The salvage team wiggled the sailboat back and forth Boat continued on page 8

December is a season to come together. Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice – whatever your tradition, it’s a month of charity and hope. Locally, we looked at the many different ways to give, as well as groups making a difference.

Gulfport also geared up for yet another election with five candidates throwing their hats in the ring for Wards 2 and 4, to be decided in March.

We also worked to sort the message from the messenger, reporting on mask mandate enforcement from the Sheriff’s Office. And Santa Claus still came to town, by land and by sea.

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Environment 2020: The Good, the Bad and the Hot

By Nano Riley

SHELLY WILSON

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For most, the best thing we can say about 2020 is that it’s over. The environment took some hits, but it was probably the only space that welcomed world-wide shutdowns.

The year gave us an unrelenting hurricane season, with five storms careening across the Gulf to slam Louisiana and the northern coast, crippling folks across the southeast. In all, 12 storms made landfall in the U.S., making it the costliest season on record. Wildfires ravaged the west, causing untold damage and destroyed some revered, old-growth sequoia groves.

Environmentally, climate change is the most important issue on nearly everyone’s agenda – even “deniers” are fast losing ground. With “sunny day flooding” becoming a familiar issue in Florida’s coastal communities, it’s hard to miss the fact that the sea level is slowly creeping up, causing high-tide flooding when the sun’s out in many low-lying areas.

Flooding played a major role in the damage inflicted here in Gulfport. A November storm, Eta, roared in with unexpected force, causing extensive flooding and stranding at least six boats. It was a wake-up that bigger, more destructive storms are becoming more common.

However, there were some bright spots this year.

Though we suffered through the isolation of COVID-19, the environment benefited immensely from the quarantine in discernible ways. According to NASA, the decline in air pollution was visible from space, as people drove less, airlines cut trips drastically and folks stayed home. During

theGabber.com | December 31, 2020 - January 6, 2021

mandated shutdowns, citizens in Mexico City and Beijing looked up to see the smog-filled skies fade to blue for the first time in years.

According to data collected during the pandemic by NASA, U.S. Geological Survey, and the European Space Agency, satellites found the changes in our behavior impacted the environment around us in myriad ways, including the proliferation of birds. Science Daily reported that birdsong changed, “recovering the acoustic quality of songs sung decades ago, when city life was less noisy.”

Ed Sherwood, executive director of the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, said it was a good year for the bay.

“There were improvements in air quality,” said Sherwood, “and we finalized the coastal forest plan that protects mangroves and coastal growth to provide wildlife habitat.”

The water quality in the bay now is clean enough to sustain a commercial shellfish industry, said Sherwood.

“There’s a new commercial oyster farm in lower Tampa Bay, near Joe’s Island in Manatee County, the first since the 1950s,” Sherwood said.

With 40 thousand acres of healthy seagrass, he hopes farming of Gulf shellfish expands.

“That’s pretty exciting,” Jan Allyn, a longtime environmental advocate in Pinellas County, said. “Our economy was so devastated by red tide and cyanobacteria, it’s encouraging to see improvement in local water quality.”

The new seagrass preserve that opened in August created a huge, contiguous meadow connecting Florida Bay with Big Bend area that could vastly improve habitat. It also serves as a carbon sink for CO2, a main cause of climate change.

Despite the EPA’s rollbacks of many environmental regulations, there were other positive trends nationwide.

The Great American Outdoors Act became law in August, guaranteeing $900 million per year for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, plus $9.5 billion dollars to maintain America’s parks.

Nationally, trends are moving away from fossil fuels and focusing on new sustainable forms of energy such as wind and solar. The Supreme Court handed pipeline protesters a great victory by shutting down construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, and also causing two utility companies to cancel the Atlantic Coast pipeline.

Governor Ron DeSantis finally signed Florida’s first climate change bill, SB 178. The first lines of the bill state that climate change is real, a reversal from Rick Scott’s administration, which forbade the use of that term. This bill requires all statefunded buildings in coastal zones to take into account sealevel rise before building – a pretty big deal in a state where nearly two-thirds of its population lives in coastal areas.

But unbridled growth is still a huge concern for Florida, as developers continue to pave the state, curtailing rain water reaching the aquifer. In mid-December the EPA handed Florida the right to control its own wetlands. This has alarmed some environmental groups who fear it gives builders an upper hand as it eliminates oversight by the Army Corps of Engineers that usually evaluates issues of dredge and fill. There will be lots more on this in the coming year.

Rolling into 2021, we can hope for greater awareness on climate change – especially since 2020 was the Northern Hemisphere’s hottest summer on record, according to NOAA. At least there was no red tide.

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things to do

DF

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SD

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New Year’s Fun and More

By Abby Baker

Find links for signing up for these events — and many, many other things to do — online at thegabber.com/events.

Gulfport Fireworks Show Safely Blasts Off A dazzling display of fireworks in Gulfport, but make it socially distant. Amid COVID-19 guidelines and safety protocols, the City of Gulfport will host a New Year’s firework display.

There will be no street closures or additional events this year. Gulfport officials encourage locals to view the 20-minute show distantly, or virtually via Facebook Live at fb.com/mygulfport. Williams Pier, 5400 Shore Blvd.

S., Gulfport. 8 p.m. MR SD A Sloppy Good Time in Treasure Island 2021 is upon us! Ring in the New Year with live music by Stormbringer, fireworks and a sandy seaside party, all at Sloppy Joe’s on the Beach. The band will start by 9 p.m., and celebratory explosions commence at 12 a.m. Sloppy Joe’s on the Beach, 10650 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. MR Raise the Roof in 2021 FUSION Resort & Marina is taking the ordinary party to the next level, literally.

Enjoy a rooftop terrace as you say goodbye to the past 12 months, dance to live music featuring the always fun Carl Motyka and indulge on complimentary appetizers throughout the night. Tickets available on the day of the event by cash only and based on availability. FUSION Resort & Marina, 290 107th Ave., Treasure Island. 7:30 p.m.-midnight.

New Year’s Bash for Students: Celebrate the New Year Till Sunrise Middle and high school students will get the chance to start their 2021 off right with a New Year’s Eve Bash that will last all night. Unite Student Ministries will provide games, prizes, snacks, music and lots of fun all the way till 8 a.m. Fifth Avenue Baptist Church, 4901 5th Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 8 p.m.-8 a.m.

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Friday, January 1 Art Walking into 2021: A Downtown Gulfport Favorite It’s the perfect collision: End New Year’ Day at the First Friday Art Walk. This monthly juried art show welcomes emerging and professional artists in all media – in a safe, creative and socially distanced manner. The Gulfport Merchants Chamber of Commerce, who sponsors the event, has safety protocols in place, so come listen to live music up and down Beach Boulevard. Follow the flags for artist clusters, displaying paintings, jewelry, glass, mixed media sculpture and other art. Downtown Waterfront District, 5500 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport. 5-9 p.m. SD DF Start the Year Clean in Treasure Island The 3.82 miles of land that make up Treasure Island Beach will be getting a fresh start in 2021. Anywhere from 50 to 75 environmentally conscious attendees will cover this coastal zone for the Treasure Island is Litter Free event.

As the sun is setting, participants will hold hands to celebrate a debris-free start to 2021. Bring your own reusable water bottles and sunglasses; you’ll be assigned a spot once you register. Treasure Island Beach, Treasure Island Causeway, Treasure Island. 3:30-5 p.m.

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The City of Gulfport’s next in-person and virtual council meeting is Tuesday, January 5, at 6 p.m. at the Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S. Attend in person, space permitting, or participate virtually. Get a copy of the agenda on the city’s website on December 31 (mygulfport.us), email ldemuth@mygulfport.us or call 727-893-1012.

theGabber.com | December 31, 2020 - January 6, 2021

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(727) 545-4554 theGabber.com | December 31, 2020 - January 6, 2021

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Recreation Center 5730 Shore Blvd S. • 727-893-1068 • mygulfport.us/recreation/rec Annual registration: $3, residents; $25, non-residents Basketball (Adult) Wed., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and Thurs. 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Game Room Mon., Wed., & Fri.: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Pickleball All levels: Tues., 7:30-8:30 p.m. and Thurs., 9 a.m.-1 p.m Beginners: Tues., 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Intermediate & Advanced Players: Mon., 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Table Tennis Tues. & Thurs., 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

PROGRAMS After School Program Available for kindergarten students through 14 years old. Bus transportation from Pasadena Fundamental, Bear Creek, Gulfport Montessori and Douglas Jamerson Elementary. Program ends at 5:30 p.m., with care until 6 p.m. for an extra fee.

Teen Night Available for middle and high school students 17 and younger.

Recreation, social activities, field trips, cooking projects, guest speakers and service projects. Teens can use the gymnasium, game room and outdoor area. Mon., Wed., & Fri.: 6-9 p.m. Rec Center membership required.

Tot-Time A preschool, hands-on program for children ages 3-5. The program aims to make learning fun for children and helps prepare them for kindergarten. Two, three and five-day options available on a monthly basis. 8:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; register from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Proof of residency required for Gulfport residents.

CLASSES Call instructor for more information. Want to teach a class? Call John: 727-893-1079.

$15 registration. Lisa Walker: 727-742-2594.

Essential Oil Thurs., January 21, 6:15-7:15 p.m. $10/class. Call Jennifer at 813-263-3919.

Full-Body Fitness Tues. & Thurs., 6:15 p.m. $50/month; $10/class. Jessica: 727-569-6307.

Hula Hoop Fitness Thurs., 6:30 p.m. $35/ month; $10/class. Maria: mestrada1987@ gmail.com.

Tennis Chase Park, 28th Ave. and 53rd St. S. Tues., Thurs., & Fri., 5-8 p.m. $10. Private lessons available. Jack (727-280-4276) or Mo (727-515-1454).

Youth Hip Hop Ages 6-8: Fri., 6:30 p.m.; ages 9-16, Fri., 7:30 p.m. $35/month & $15 registration. Lisa Walker: 727-742-2594.

Zumba Thurs., 6 p.m. $20/month; $6/class.

Magda: 727-214-7868.

Ballet and Tap Ages 3-6: Wed., 6:30 p.m.; ages 7-16: Wed., 7:30 p.m. $35/month &

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theGabber.com | December 31, 2020 - January 6, 2021

Gulfport Public Library

5501 28th Ave. S. • 727-893-1074 •

/gulfportfllibrary

Mygulfport.us/gpl • Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

All programs free and subject to change.

Closed New Year’s Day; open regular hours Sat., Jan. 2 Babytime Online If you have little ones under 2, please join us in singing songs, reading books, enjoying lap bounce rhymes and learning baby signs. Fri., Jan. 22, 10 a.m. via Facebook.

Book Club Live Talk about A Simple Favor

by Darcey Bell. Audiobook or ebook from Hoopla; print copies at the library. Wed., Jan. 13, 2 p.m. via Facebook; login info at mygulfport.evanced.info/signup/calendar

Circle of Friends Annual Meeting Members, check your email for login info for this virtual meeting. Tue., Jan. 26, 7 p.m.

Paper Plate Owls Grades K-7 can make adorable owls with markers, paper plates and embellishments. Kits available Wed., Jan. 13.; limit two per home. Fri., Jan. 15, 4 p.m. via Zoom. 727-834-1134.

Tiny Houses: Beginner Sewing Make handsewn tiny house magnets or keychains using fabric scraps and embellishments. Supplies

limited; kits available Mon., Jan. 25. Wed., Jan. 27, 2 p.m. via Zoom & Facebook Live Virtual Science Club Join us biweekly online for a fun DIY experiment from the comfort of your own kitchen using common household items.

Appropriate for grades K-5. Mon., Jan. 11, 4 p.m.

Virtual Storytime Join us virtually for our storytime. Follow @GulfportLibraryFL for books and rhymes and felts and more! Storytime videos posted weekly on Facebook. Thu., Jan. 14, 10:15 a.m.

Multipurpose Senior Center 5501 27th Ave. S. • 727-893-5657 •

/gulfportseniorcenter

Annual registration required. Free, residents; $50, non-residents.

All programs subject to change without notice. Mon.-Thurs., 8 a.m.-7 p.m. and Fri, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Fitness Center now open! To provide physical distancing, we’ve limited capacity, so call to register for a spot.

Call us to get the zoom link for these activities.

Virtual Bingo It’s fun and easy, and you can play it on your smart phone, computer, tablet, or traditional phone. Use a virtual bingo card or pick up a paper card at the Center, get a pen or bingo dauber, and you’re ready to play! Jan. 15, 1 p.m.

Trivia Mania Put on your thinking cap and join a game of virtual trivia. Test your knowledge and win prizes. Jan. 20, 1 p.m. iPhone 101 Learn the basic functions of your Apple iPhone or iPad. Jan. 21, 1 p.m.

Gentle Mindful Yoga This class includes yoga for healthy aging with an emphasis on alignment, strength, balance, flexibility, breathing and agility. Wed., 9 a.m.

Intermediate Spanish Practice and improve your Spanish. Thurs., 10 a.m.

Writer’s Workshop Sharpen your pen, sharpen your mind! Whether this is your first

attempt at writing or you’re an accomplished author, together our group encourages, supports, and advances each other’s writing.

Fri., 10 a.m.

Find these activities on Spectrum GTV Channel 640 or at youtube. com/thegulfportseniorcenter Larry’s Recipes from Around the World Take a culinary journey around the world with a cooking class that introduces you to the international cuisines. Jan. 12, 2 p.m. Call or email gpseniorcenter@mygulfport.us for the ingredient list.

In The Kitchen with Chef Jack: Spartan Sausage Chowder Improve your culinary skills with step-by-step guidance from the Soup Guru! Holiday Soup: Jan. 19, 1 p.m. Call or email gpseniorcenter@mygulfport.us for the ingredient list.

Chair Exercise with Pat Focus on stretching muscle groups and moving skeletal joints without pain in this gentle exercise routine that uses several exercise methods, incluing yoga, isometrics, neuro-plasticity, and Tai Chi. Mon., 11 a.m. & 6 p.m.

theGabber.com | December 31, 2020 - January 6, 2021

Yoga with Barbara Newborn We are true healers of our body, mind and spirit. Learn meditation, sound healing and how to breathe with slow body movements. Tues., 10 a.m. & 6 p.m.

Wellness Movement with Noa SpectorFlock Explore movement to better use the whole body to create efficient movement.

Weds., 11 a.m. & 6 p.m.

Wisdom Healing Qigong By the many methods of Wisdom Healing Qigong, you’ll be inspired and empowered to transform any illness or condition into wellness. Thurs., 10 a.m. & 6 p.m.

Chair Yoga A gentle class is for beginners and experienced practitioners alike and provides a fun, nurturing environment to increase flexibility, strength, balance and relaxation. Fri., 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m.

Parking Lot & Outdoor Events Monday Mile Walking Club Start the new year off on the right (or left) foot. Bring a friend, invite a neighbor or walk solo with Walter. Meet in the Center’s south parking lot. Jan. 11, 9 a.m.

21

arts Art in 2020: A Community of Inspiration

By Lynn Taylor

Margo Dalgetty

MARGO DALGETTY

Margo Dalgetty’s painting from the

class she took with artist Deb Weiers.

During the past year I took two online art classes from Canadian artist Deb Weiers. I love her wonky people and creatures and I wanted to enhance my own quirky style. I’ve learned new techniques and discovered new mediums, both of which I’ve added to my art repertoire.

Brenda McMahon

My 10-month-old business was shut down for two months by COVID-19. I

celebrated my one year anniversary in isolation. I was just beginning to feel my groove in The Gallery when the doors were shuttered. So for 2020, my greatest inspiration has been our art-loving community and the support they have shown me and The Gallery. My clients are a huge part of that. Leslie and Mark Rickerson were the first to stand by me just as the pandemic shut us down, but they were not the last. Susan Connolly asked me to create what I wanted and said she would love whatever it was. I have been fortunate enough to have a long list of people who supported the arts and, thus, artists. At The Gallery I have held the light of inspiration and beauty in the forms of my 13 artists, all of whom I love and respect. The power of community, belief, determination has inspired me most in 2020.

John Gascot

Jila Davoodi Every person, young or old, flourishes through encouragement and support. Shortly after moving to Gulfport, I was introduced to the ArtJones group. The founder, Brenda McMahon, and the group’s members were very welcoming and supportive.

This was a huge inspiration for me as an artist in a new community.

Specifically this year, organizations such as ArtJones, Gulfport Merchants Chamber and Carroway + Rose, as well as Gulfport’s art-loving community, have been a source of inspiration and encouragement for me. The turnout of art lovers for exhibitions has also been very inspiring. I am so lucky to be living in this community.

As for what inspired me to paint what I painted, it was the “bad news” year. From corona to social injustice unrest, this was a challenging year for everyone. Friends and relatives were

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hurting. I used my art and painted to distract myself from focusing on all the bad news and pain. My art was an outlet for me. My piece called “Grief and Compassion” was the start of the several pieces I did this year.

JOHN GASCOT

Over the past year, I’ve interviewed many talented local artists and was impressed by their work. I was inspired by their vision and the ways in which they used their art to promote healing, beauty, a sense of much-needed fun and social change. But what I’ll remember most about the artists I spoke with in 2020 is the way they found innovative ways to support themselves, each other and their community.

Some of them shared their stories about what – or who – inspired them during an unprecedented year.

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John Gascot’s mural for the League of Women Voters of the St. Petersburg Area.

This year I was inspired by the current sociopolitical climate and the need for change. I was also motivated to bring joy to others in the midst of such a challenging year.

Paula Roy

Living in Gulfport I can especially appreciate outdoor living and the beauty that surrounds us. For the past 10 months I have produced a number of plein air and home studio pieces. My influences often come from my Zoom group studio time with my Gulfport mentor and teacher, Jack Providenti. We have used much of this time exploring color theory, composition, techniques and various skills to expand the approaches we bring to our painting. I have been very grateful for the time this pandemic has given me to slow down, practice and integrate these pearls of painting wisdom.

Larry Busby There are so many people and organizations that inspired me, it’s

theGabber.com | December 31, 2020 - January 6, 2021

difficult to name just one or all in a paragraph. The entire art community of Gulfport, Enroy Foundation, all ArtJones Open Studio Tour artists, Gulfport Merchants Chamber, USF CAM, Beach Bazaar, Barbara Banno, Brenda McMahon, Ray Domingo, Tom Pitzen, Cathy Loper, Lynn Taylor, Eagle Finegan, Debbie Wolfe, Diane Bragg, James Briggs, Marcia Biggs, Leslie Elsasser. Plus the support of the entire town, businesses, and the people of Gulfport. It takes a village!

to put me to work.

The gallery is a space that offers hope and trust that this too shall pass and we’ll be a stronger, more loving community for it.

Carina Krehl

Anna Ayres CARINA KREHL

ANNA AYRES

Brenda McMahon, Anna Ayres and Dianne Bragg at Brenda McMahon Gallery.

Hands down, Brenda McMahon of Brenda McMahon Gallery, as well as the other Gulfport-based artists involved there, including, but not limited to Diane Bragg, Jila Davoodi, Dawn Waters and Nancy Poucher.

Brenda McMahon’s tenacity through the events of 2020 is the kind of leadership needed to keep us elevated and hopeful when things look bleak. She kept me inspired and motivated and encouraged me to dig deeper into my pockets of faith to continue doing the work I believe is so valuable. She cultivated an ability to see and think beyond circumstances, navigating through them with optimism and the belief that everything is possible. Working with Brenda and the gallery has been instrumental to my success as a working artist this year. Without her guidance, faith and support, as well as the other artists of the gallery and beyond, such as Jack Providenti, Doug D’Souza, Ray Domingo and so many more, I would perhaps be in a different space mentally and emotionally.

I’ve felt lifted up this year by all the artists around me continuing to do their work, as well as all the friends, family and supporters who continue

Carina Krehl’s 2020 Corona Diary, “Thank You, Dammit,” is an illustrative book that served as a growth journal and safe space for her.

The efforts of the Carter G. Woodson Museum and Ms. Terri Lipsey Scott (the director) was the biggest inspiration to me this year. Coming together to create the BLM mural in St. Pete, the artist community grew stronger and closer-knit, despite the circumstances of the year that

have largely kept us all apart. This year, I learned the gift of adversity, and found true purpose in unity and connection.

I have also been very inspired

by Dr. Sydel Ledgrande and Dr. Sybil Rosado, two life-changing powers that have established an initiative for South Side St. Pete called Project I. A.M. – “Changing the Game.” I have joined them as an artist for their cause to support families who need it most by aiding them with supplies and providing the arts as a way for them to flourish.

Jack Providenti I was feeling down due to social activities being turned upside down and the constant barrage of bad news. My personal income suffered a loss because I couldn’t teach at Suntan Art Center due to COVID restrictions. So I went to the beach one morning, swam and took a long walk. When I came home I felt much better and decided to work on a painting. I opened my Bob Marley station on Pandora and played it loud as I painted a beach scene from a photo I took at Ft. De Soto. Before long I was feeling fabulous, and I knew it was because I was doing something positive about the situation. I sold the painting, “Dancing in the Shadows,” the same day I posted it on Facebook. I got the idea from Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark,” which was basically what I was doing.

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theGabber.com | December 31, 2020 - January 6, 2021

What We’re Reading: 2020 Favorites What We’re Reading is a column about readers and the books they love, in their own words. This month, three readers shared their choice for the best book they read this year and why it was their favorite.

RAQUEL HENRY

Raquel Henry Book: “When You Look Like Us” by Pamela N. Harris. “’When You Look Like Us’ strikes a chord with me because it explores what happens when children of color go missing. I had a cousin go missing when I was in college, so I felt every bit of the protagonist’s pain as he tried to grapple with the pain of his missing sibling. Aside from the subject matter, Pamela crafts a brilliant story that flawlessly balances pacing, structure, and deep character development. I can’t recommend it enough!”

decades her senior, in a neighborhood bar in Tokyo, where they both live.

Tsukiko and “Sensei,” as she calls him, embark on a peculiar, moving, foodand sake-filled friendship.

I am almost a decade late to this gem of a book. I’m so glad I found it this year, though. It’s beautifully written with almost no plot – I find plots, generally, to be pretty overrated; please read my novels – but with characters and dialogue and settings that draw you right into their small, intimate world.

The long, detailed, sensuous descriptions of food and drink – so much food and drink – make you feel as if you’re eating and drinking right there with Tsukiko and Sensei, as they challenge each other, and move toward and away from one another, navigating their aloneness with the affection they feel for each other. The book is both sweet and melancholy, and I just loved it. It helped take me outside of my own worries, and the smallness of my own world for a little bit, in this very odd year.”

TARA LUSH

By Lynn Taylor

Tara Lush Book: “Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions” by Marco Giordano “My favorite book this year was a cozy mystery set in Sicily. Probably because we couldn’t travel due to the pandemic, I loved reading Mario Giordano’s description of the Sicilian people, the food and the countryside.

Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions is a witty, bawdy cozy mystery, with no gore or on-page violence — but there’s plenty of sleuthing in this whodunit.

The heroine is a 60-year-old woman who loves to drink and is in a bit of a funk, at least until she decides to solve a murder. This is definitely worth your time if you’re feeling a bit of wanderlust while cooped up inside.”

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worship St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church

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1st & 3rd Sundays: 10:30 am ~ 12:00 pm

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theGabber.com | December 31, 2020 - January 6, 2021

dear gabby: homeschool, wills and hobbies The Gabber’s semi-regular advice column, Dear Gabby, is here by reader demand. Have a question or a conundrum for Gabby? There’s no problem too small for your resident advisor. Send your questions – they can be anonymous – to deargabby@ thegabber.com.

donate property, vehicles and even entire estates to nonprofit organizations. You can always reach out the executive leadership or board of organizations you love to start that conversation, and I’m sure they’ll help you navigate the process.

I have been homeschooling my 8-year-old son since the pandemic began. I just don’t feel comfortable putting him back in school yet, but even with the online curriculum, I’m running out of things to keep him occupied! He’s very active and he loves to learn, especially science and art. Do you have any out-ofthe-box ideas for kids doing school from home?

I’m recently retired and I want to take up a new hobby. I’m not very musically inclined, or very artistic, but I’m open to new possibilities.

I used to work 60 hour weeks, so I need something to do! Do you have any suggestions?

One thing to try is asking your son what he’d like to do. So much of our learning is centered on curriculums and benchmarks that we forget how much learning happens when we explore everyday interests and hobbies that support curiosity and creativity. Ask your son what he’s interested in outside of formal lessons and craft activities from his answers. You might be surprised to find out that he wants to learn how to make cupcakes or has always wanted to try sculpting dinosaurs out of clay. He might even want to collect rocks from the yard or shells from the beach. You can turn any of these things into teachable moments that deliver the goods on soft skills like patience, resilience, appreciation and critical thinking.

What’s interesting about getting older is that even though our childhood feels further away than ever, we’re actually in a better position to deeply reflect on who we were when we were kids and what we liked to do before adulting claimed our time and energy. Guess

A Milwaukee native, Sheree L. Greer is a local textbased artist, educator and taco lover. In 2014, she founded Kitchen Table Literary Arts to showcase and support the work of Black women and women of color writers and is the author of two novels, “Let the Lover Be” and “A Return to Arms.”

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My wife and I have no children and we recently started creating our wills. We’re still both relatively young and healthy (mid 50s), but decided that we should have a plan for our house, pets and other assets. We do have some family, but they are all older than we are and we don’t want to burden them.

Without any heirs, what do you think is the best thing to do?

First, cheers to you for thinking ahead with such generosity of spirit.

I’d encourage you and your wife to think through the organizations you support or have always wanted to support. For example, you can

what? You’re still you and those interests and preferences are still in there! Take some time to check in with your inner child. What did you like to do when you were a kid? What has always interested you that you’ve never had the time to explore? What have you always wanted to learn more about or try, but you feared judgment or ridicule?

After working so much for so long, it’s time for you to reclaim your time and your life! I’m not retired, but I recently reconnected with one of my childhood interests: Space.

I’ve been watching documentaries and recently bought myself a telescope! It felt silly at first, since being adult means connecting our interests with career goals, but I shook that idea off and made the inner 9-year-old me beam with pride! Super-corny advice in 3, 2, 1: Your time is your own now, so the sky’s the limit.

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27

food The Year We Stayed Home: Food and Drink Trends in 2020

By Jen Ring

and supported my staff, from buying gift cards to tipping — was amazing,” Vartsakis told the Gabber.

Getting Creative with Delivery

JEN RING

We tried our hand at cocktail recipes at home, including the Geckotini.

It wasn’t a particularly good year for anyone, but it was especially rough on area restaurateurs. The state-mandated, six-week-long shutdown of indoor dining rooms in March forced many restaurants to lay off valuable employees, cut staff hours and raise prices just to break even. When dining rooms reopened, anti-maskers harassed restaurant staff for complying with county mandates.

COVID-19 forced food industry professionals to be more creative and resilient than ever. We know it wasn’t easy, but your perseverance was inspiring, and helped us all to discover new ways to eat and drink.

Here we take a look at some food and drink trends of 2020.

Turning to Takeout and Home Cooking “I think the biggest food trends of 2020 were home cooking and takeout,” Lea Doyle of the Horse and Jockey told the Gabber. “The latter benefits the restaurant industry somewhat, [but] the former is a really miserable trend for our business!”

Food writers were among the first to notice the takeout and home cooking trends. Restaurant reviews turned into articles on the best

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places to get takeout in the Tampa Bay area, and home cooking columns experienced a huge comeback.

It was a weird time to start covering food for the Gabber. In my first Gabber feature, I addressed the home cooking trend in “The Art of Cooking at Home,” with a collection of recipes submitted by Gulfport artists.

An avid home cook myself, I continued to seek locally inspired, delicious recipes to share with Gabber readers throughout the year.

I cooked Habana Café recipes in my home kitchen, talked quarantine baking with A Friend Who Bakes’ Brittney Sherley, gathered cooking advice from Gulf Coast Seafood’s Carol Merkle, and asked local produce markets how to prepare veggies during the holidays.

Meanwhile, restaurants ramped up their takeout efforts, tempting us with creative specials and pre-made meals to-go.

Though she figured it wouldn’t be profitable, Dia Vartsakis kept Gulfport’s Neptune Grill open for takeout to avoid dismissing her long-time employees. Luckily, the community showed up just enough to make it work.

“Honestly, the amount of customer support — the way that they came

A lot eateries wanted to offer delivery but couldn’t afford to take another hit to their profit margins.

“I didn’t want to do Grubhub or Uber Eats or any of those,” North End Taphouse’s Houston Gilbreath told us in a July phone interview. “They’re asking such a high percentage — they wanted 33.5% of the order, which is just insane, considering our profit margins.”

So they got a golf car and a burner phone and started doing their own deliveries. When a couple other restaurants took interest, they created Gulfport Restaurant Delivery.

“It was a network of people that would take turns,” Gilbreath told the Gabber. “It saved the restaurants their 30% at a time when our businesses were taking a 60, 70, 80% reduction in revenue.”

Liquor Becomes Essential It wasn’t the best year to open a taphouse or brewery, but Gulfport welcomed North End Taphouse and Gulfport Brewery in February and March, respectively.

Both are already contributing to the community in creative ways — Houston with his homegrown golf car delivery service, and Gulfport Brewery with exciting local brewing collaborations.

When travel was practically forbidden, Tampa Bay residents drank their way to the islands courtesy of a major Tiki revival. 2020 brought three new Tiki bars in St. Pete — Tiki Docks Skyway Bar & Grill, Pier Teaki, and Twisted Tiki — and the expansion of Gulfport’s the Tiki Bar & Grill at 56th & Shore, formerly known as Little Tommies Tiki.

“No doubt ‘vacation drinks’ have been popular,” says Tiki Dock’s Tara Matheny. “‘Forget Your Worries Here’ is part of Tiki Docks’ vibe, so getting lost in a fun, tropical Tiki drink contributed to the trend in 2020 of

theGabber.com | December 31, 2020 - January 6, 2021

Outdoor Drinking and Dining When we asked Matheny what it was like to open Tiki Docks in the middle of a pandemic, she told us that it was all about the outdoor seating.

Once we learned how easily COVID spreads in indoor dining rooms, people avoided them like the plague. A restaurant’s best hope of getting dinein customers was to set up tables six feet apart outside. In keeping with the times, North End Taphouse, Gulfport Brewery, Tiki Docks and Pier Teaki all opened with ample outdoor seating, while others, like Stella’s and Habana Cafe expanded their outdoor space.

Eating for Comfort and Health It wasn’t just our drinking and dining habits that changed in 2020. Some leaned into sweet and salty comfort foods, while others ate healthier than ever.

On the sweet side, Sherley baked holiday treats throughout the pandemic, Let it Be Ice Cream celebrated the Gabber’s revival with a new flavor of ice cream, and North End Taphouse developed a popular dessert pretzel.

I will always remember 2020 as the year of booze and baked goods.

But one can only consume so much of these things before it becomes a problem. Once our pants got tight, many of us – OK, some of us – adopted healthy cooking and eating.

People cooked more healthy seafood dishes at home, according to Gulf Coast Seafood’s Carol Merkle.

Golden Dinosaurs Vegan Deli’s Audrey Dingeman observed a rise in veganism, while also noting the appearance of quesabirria tacos, which replace the beef with slow-roasted jackfruit for a healthy treat.

Going Hungry

TIKI DOCKS

escaping the challenges we all have faced.”

The Gabber also mixed its own version of the Gulfport Geckotini and made a delicious batch of Josefa Gonzalez-Hastings’ frozen peach daiquiris.

We ate outdoors a lot more, as businesses opened new or expanded outdoor dining areas.

organizations like Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger (networktoendhunger. org) which sponsors Meals On Wheels programs for kids and for seniors; Feeding Tampa Bay (feedingtampabay. org), which focuses on providing food to over a million families; and The Kind Mouse (thekindmouse.org), a local

nonprofit for food-insecure children.

Got a little extra in your pantry? The Gulfport Senior Center food pantry (727-893-2237) provides supplemental food for seniors, and you can also drop non-perishable items at the Little Free Pantries at sites at the St. Pete Beach Library and around Gulfport.

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While we discovered new food trends and recipes throughout 2020, many in Tampa Bay went hungry. But there are many ways to help. Food banks and other food-security resources still need us more than ever. Volunteer and donation opportunities abound at

theGabber.com | December 31, 2020 - January 6, 2021

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theGabber.com | December 31, 2020 - January 6, 2021

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the gabs

Betty Drexler, Gulfport: “I hope our country can get back to normal and that the COVID-19 pandemic comes to an end and everyone can get back to normal.”

C ity O f G ulfpOr t M eetinGs

Casey Green, Gulfport: “My hopes for 2021 are to have thriving markets again. Have lots of markets going on, everyone being safe and practicing safety around these COVID times.”

LAURA MULROONEY

LAURA MULROONEY

LAURA MULROONEY

Allie Cass, St. Pete Beach: “I hope that we can move into this new year being more compassionate to one another –understanding other people’s points of views and coming together and collaborating to make this year better than 2020. And, I hope we get Spring Training back.”

LAURA MULROONEY

What are your hopes for 2021?

City Clerk’s Office • Januar y 2021

City Hall Closed – New Year’s Day

January 5, 2021

City Council – 6:00 pm (In-person and Zoom)

January 6, 2021

Planning and Zoning Board – No Meeting

January 12, 2021

Senior Citizens Advisor y Committee – No Meeting

January 13, 2021

Board of Adjustment – 6:30 pm (In-person Meeting)

January 18, 2021

City Hall Closed – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

January 19, 2021

City Council – 6:00 pm (In-person and Zoom)

All meetings are open to the public and will be held in the Catherine Hickman Theater, 5501 27 th Avenue South. Meetings may occasionally be added, cancelled or rescheduled after this list is published; please check the city’s website mygulfport.us for updated information and login information for Meetings.

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Cesar VanArdoy III, Gulfport: “Everybody learns about themselves and to not judge because everybody is their own, unique individual and we should all respect that.”

LAURA MULROONEY

January 1, 2021

Jenny Olmsted, Gulfport: “My hope for 2021 is just to be better than 2020.

Hopefully 2020 will go out and 2021 will come in with a bang.”

theGabber.com | December 31, 2020 - January 6, 2021

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If you have questions about advertising, please email us at advertising@thegabber.com or call 727-321-6965! Deadline: Friday 5 p.m.

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Card of Thanks PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN (Never Known to Fail) - Oh, most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of heaven. Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh, star of the sea, help me & show me here you are my mother. Oh Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (3) times. Holy Spirit, you Who Solve All Problems, Light All Roads, So That I Can Attain My Goal. You Who Gave Me The Divine Gift To Forgive And Forget All Evil Against Me And That In All Instances In My Life You Are With Me. I Want In This Short Prayer To Thank You For All Things As You Confirm Once Again That I Never Want To Be Seperated From You In Eternal Glory. Thank You For Your Mercy Towards Me and Mine.

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The Gabber Newspaper needs a reliable van for delivering the newspaper every week. We don’t care if it’s a minivan or a cargo van, as long as it runs reliably.

Before we buy one we thought we’d check with our readers to see if anyone had a van to donate or trade for advertising. Please call 727-321-6965 or email social@thegabber.com. Merry Christmas and thank you!

theGabber.com | December 31, 2020 - January 6, 2021

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Handy Person HANDYMAN SEMI-RETIRED All types of repairs • small jobs welcome • Quality work at reasonable prices • Honest • Reliable • Free estimates • John, 727-410-2201 CARPENTER DEPENDABLE! Have Tools Will Travel Trustworthy. Doors, Decks/ Eaves/Rotted Wood, Etc. 30 Year Gabber Advertiser. Free Estimates, Lic. C-5754.

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solutions

DEADLINES HAVE CHANGED! 5 p.m. Friday for next Thursday’s issue.

We wish you a safe and happy New Year!

Marie Drew

Jodi Jenco

Chris Brady

Lisa Bambace

Daniela Nankova

Margo Spoerl

Buying or Selling - Put a LOCAL EXPERT on your side!

CALL US TODAY!!!

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theGabber.com | December 31, 2020 - January 6, 2021

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theGabber.com | December 31, 2020 - January 6, 2021