Page 1Historic Old NOrtheast NeighbOrhOOd News

St. Pete’s Jewel on Tampa Bay

HONNA Neighborhood Meetings are held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 126 11th Avenue NE

Social: 6:45pm—Program: 7pm

Volume 40 Issue 4 / December 2012 / www.honna.org Published Quarterly

UPCOMING MEETINGS Mark your calendar!

December 17 Holiday Party (see below)January 28 Hearing Your Ideas

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IN THIS ISSUE

Successful Pops in the Park ................. 5Tampa Bay Children’s Chorus ........... 10Be More Childlike .............................. 14Joy Versus Happiness ......................... 16Halloween in the Old NE ..............18-19Wither the Old YMCA ....................... 21Local Rotarians .................................. 29

The President’s PerspectiveJay MarshallAssociation President

This edition of “Perspective” is not going to be deep. No profound thoughts, no mystical predictions. In fact, it’s out there in plain sight.

The time for humidity, hurricanes and national elections is now behind us. And the best part of the year is here.

Getting prepared for the holiday season and the new year, I look back over the past 11 months when we had a great opportunities as a neighborhood to get together, opportunities that have carried us this far. Thanks to our gracious Porch Party hosts Don Culpepper and Dino Cappelli, Cathy and Marty Fox, Laura and Frank Fage, Betty and Larry Smith, Barry Avendon and David Morris, John and Susan Arsenault, Steve Deal and Frank Hay and Jennifer and David Jaffe. We are so fortunate to have such great neighbors who open up their homes to us so we can share stories, laughs and enjoy camaraderie. And a big thanks to our maestro, Larry Smith, who schedules the Porch Parties, buys the provisions and stands outside to welcome the revelers. More thanks to Anna Costello (who has moved temporarily to Denver -- do not be gone too long!) and Chad Boyd (who along with his wife Jenn are expecting their first child) for establishing our very own Young Professional Network – called the Young Northeasters. And big thanks to Susie McGarry for developing our quarterly meeting programs that have accentuated the palate by featuring potluck dinners and potluck desserts.

Candlelight Tour of Homes

City Sidewalks, Busy Sidewalksby Sarah Bogdanovich

Annual Old NE

Holiday PartyMonday, December 17Old Northeast Tavern

201 7th Avenue N6:30-9pm

Take some time out from the holiday rush to join

neighbor friends – old and new – and catch up on all that’s going on. Pizza, salad and des-sert for $5 per person (cash bar). You’re asked to bring an unwrapped toy or book for a child or young teen which will be donated to Toys 4 Tots.

Thanks to The Old NE Tav-ern for their hospitality.

…Dressed in holiday style!

The sidewalks will be busy throughout The Old Northeast on Sunday, December 9, from 3-8pm for this year’s Candlelight Tour of Homes. Start your holiday with festive cheer as you make your way through eight of the neighborhood’s distinctive homes in what has become St. Petersburg’s finest holiday tradition!

Stroll the charming streets of The Old Northeast or take the complimentary trolley as you read the Tour booklet filled with information on each home on the Tour. A por-tion of the proceeds will be donated to Clothes for Kids, a local charity, so grab a friend, neighbor or family member because they won’t want to miss seeing these homes, all lovingly and creatively decorated for the holidays – includ-ing one that is a designer showcase home (see photo)!

The ticket price for this year’s Tour -- our 15th annual and HONNA’s largest fundraiser for neighborhood projects -- will be $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the Tour. Advance tickets will be sold through Saturday, December 8, and may be purchased through PayPal on the HONNA website (www.honna.org) and at the

continued on page 2

Page 2 Historic Old NOrtheast NeighbOrhOOd News

*Preprinted inserts that you provide are delivered within the newsletter. Due to delivery restrictions, inserts are available on a limited basis.

The newsletter quarterly publication dates are March, June, September, and December. The deadline for accepting new ads and ad changes is three weeks prior to the publication month. The next deadline is February 7th. Payment for new ads should be submitted at the same time that the ad layout is provided and should be addressed to “HONNA Advertising.” The newsletter is distributed by mail to all homes in The Old Northeast (boundaries are 5th Ave N to 30th Ave N, and 4th St N to North Shore Dr/Cof-fee Pot Bayou Blvd). There are approximately 2,500 active home mailing addresses.

Contact Sue Strott: www.honna.org/Newsletters/Advertising-Questions.htmlAd space is limited so please make arrangements early.

AD SIZE 1 Qtr 2 Qtrs 3 Qtrs 1 Year Business card 50 93 128 1601/4 page (H 4.9” x w 3.7”) 100 186 256 3201/2 page (H 4.9” x w 7.8”) 200 372 512 640Full page 400 744 1024 1280Back Cover 1/2 page 1400*Inserts and Premium Placement: Rates Upon Request

AD RATES

Published quarterly – March, June, September and December and mailed to all households in The Old Northeast

P.O. Box 76324, St. Petersburg, FL 33734 e-mail NSNAeditor@aol.com

The Newsletter of the Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association

Circulation Joe O’ConnorContributors All our Old Northeast neighborsNewsletter Layout & Design Sharon Bond: GreenDoorMAGs@gmail.com

ADVERTISING INFORMATION: Sue Strott www.honna.org/Newsletters/Advertising-Questions.html

Editor Rick Carson Columnists and Reporters

Jill McGrath Sue Strott Courtney Ellis

Mike DaileyBarbara MarshallMike Panetta

Susan CoffeyLaura FageMandy MinorSara Wolski

President’s Perspective from page 1

following retailers:

Artistic Flowers – 3247 4th Street N Beach Papery and Gifts – 553 Dr. MLK Jr. Street N Designer Exchange – 7038 Central Avenue Designer’s Consignor – 1033 Central Avenue Dolin’s Garden Center – 801 62nd Avenue N Florida Craftsman Gallery – 501 Central Avenue Marion’s – 1301 4th Street N Smith & Associates – 330 Beach Drive NE

Sunken Gardens – 1825 4th Street N Rally – 2131 4th Street N Treehouse Gallery – 2835 22nd Avenue N UPS Store – 2nd Street STickets will also sold on the day of the event for $25 from 2:30-

7pm at Westminster Palm View, 939 Beach Drive NE (entrance on 10th Avenue). For more information, go to www.honna.org/store/2104-2 or e-mail candlelight@honna.org.

We’ll see you on December 9 -- with bells on!

Candlelight Tour from page 1

But now is the season for the main event, one that gives The Historic Old Northeast neighborhood its spotlight. Our 15th Annual Candlelight Tour of Homes is fast approaching. On Sunday, December 9, eight families will open up their homes for a spectacular afternoon and evening so that we may better enjoy the coming holidays. I can’t think of a better way to get “in the mood” for sharing our traditions of giving thanks and feeling blessed for our life in the ‘hood. Douglas Haan and Sharon Kantner have led the planning effort for us to enjoy, again, our very own best tradition.

Speaking of which, I remember my family’s tradition of driving down to the White House to visit the festival of trees and lights. De-spite bundling up, we were still shivering in the cold air. Our feet were tired and I never thought my toes would ever get back to normal. But it was still worth the journey. Maybe you have a holiday tradition, too, that brings back fond memories of being out with family and friends that just seemed to make this season something very special.

Today our Candlelight Tour is something to behold. It must be so since we receive over 1,000 visitors each year. Folks from all over Florida and the Southeast come here just for the Tour, making it their holiday tradition. No bundling up with parkas, no frostbitten toes and no heavy walking skills required (we even provide trolleys to carry you along the way). Our selected homes for the Tour vary in size, architecture and motif, reflecting the eclectic nature of our neighbor-hood. Groups of carolers and bell ringers will add a musical touch to the festivities. A stop at the Dickens House Bed & Breakfast for a little rest and refreshment adds a beautiful touch to the day’s experience.

If you are like my wife Barbara and me, who have made this very special event a tradition, you will be anxiously awaiting the start of the Tour. If you are new to the neighborhood or just have not made the time to fit this event into your busy holiday schedule, this is an opportunity you really don’t want to miss. You will want to make this a tradition, too. At the least we all want to take pride in our neighbor-hood and support our community events. I promise you will have a great time. And you may even pick up a hint or two on decorating and interior design for your own home.

If you purchase your ticket by December 8 the cost is just $20; go online through our HONNA website (honna.org/store/2104-2/) or by visiting our ticket outlet sites mentioned on this website (and also top left). Either way, you have made a great investment in supporting the neighborhood and the Clothes to Kids charity, which will receive a donation from the proceeds. Again this year West-minster Palms, our neighborhood partner, has graciously given us the use of their beautiful facility at 10th and Beach Drive NE to support this event -- thank you, Debbie Pattinson.

Wishing you, your family and friends the best holidays ever. Looking forward to seeing you on the Candlelight Tour.

Page 3Historic Old NOrtheast NeighbOrhOOd News

Association News & Activities

The September general neighborhood meeting was the third and final potluck of the year. About four dozen resi-dents shared delicious delicacies – salads, desserts, ap-

petizers – and lively conversations. A brief presentation was made by Sherry McBee, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City, to share information about the Fitness Zones -- “outdoor gyms” being erected in the City through the Trust for Public Lands program. Small plots of land (approximately 1,400sqft) in Campbell and Gladden parks have been set aside with artificial turf surfacing

for the installation of nine pieces of single and multi-user outdoor fit-ness equipment for cardio and strength training, available to all at no charge. The plan is to install such a facility near the existing kids’ play area in Vinoy Park oppo-site the pool and

dog park; it will not impact the line of sight or current views on the waterfront. Funding for Fitness Zones is provided by MetLife Foundation and the City of St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department using Penny for Pinellas funds. PHOTO As is custom-ary at these meetings, we received a report from our Community Police Officer about criminal activity in the neighborhood.

There was no monthly meeting in October, and the election of a new HONNA Board of Directors was scheduled for the No-vember meeting [after this issue went to press] along with a back-by-popular-demand presentation by Don from Dolin’s Garden Center (801 62nd Avenue N, St. Petersburg; 727/525-3434) with some Fall and Winter gardening tips for our area.

TrafficRon Magray, Chair

A Smooth Driver... Concentration, anticipation, skill, atti-tude, knowledge and self-discipline are characteristics of a good driver, but the best drivers are the smoothest drivers. It does not take much skill to depress the accelerator and be driving in excess of 25mph on our streets, especially in late model vehicles, then within seconds depressing the brake to turn or stop for traffic signs. Does it really get you there that much sooner? It certainly does not demonstrate a smooth driver. This is your neighborhood; it may require some self-discipline and a change of attitude to be a good safe driver. Your neighbors want and need your cooperation -- they are concerned and sometimes angry. I hear from them on Locust Street, Bay Street, 2nd Street, 1st Street, 3rd Street, Cherry Street, 11th Avenue, Beach Drive., Coffee Pot Blvd, 16th Avenue, 9th Avenue and 21st Avenue.

Be a Smooth Driver. Set an example. We need that to influence

the many contractors, delivery drivers and the bus drivers. We need you to make our neighborhood streets, cross-walks and walkways safer. Remember: your speed limits on our neighborhood roadways are 25mph and 10mph in the alleys.

I recommend you check out a rela-tively new site, SeeClickfix.com. It is a program that fosters neighbor in-volvement for reporting traffic, code and other concerns that impact our community. In the past month three matters were reported with action taken by the governmental department involved. I receive notices of all matters in the Old NE.

MembershipLarry Smith and Sarah Bogdanovich, Co-Chairs

Welcome again to all the 104 new members who have joined HONNA in 2012, and thanks to all existing members who have renewed their membership this year. Currently, we have over 400 active members, but with over 2,500 residences we should have many more. We will be mailing renewal notices in January and conducting our Yard Sale-related membership drive in March. Please use either of these opportunities to support your neighbor-hood and join HONNA.

We have been working hard to upgrade our membership data-base to allow our committee chairs to contact individuals who have an interest in helping out with neighborhood events and activities. With the HONNA Board being reduced in size next year, we will need more volunteers to help. Unfortunately, Sarah, our co-chair, will be moving in 2013 as her husband will be transferring to Cali-fornia next year with the Coast Guard. Her help with the database and her experience with non-profits has been most helpful with improving our database. If you have an interest in helping with the membership database, Meet & Greet or volunteer coordination, please contact Larry.Smith@HONNA.org.

Porch Parties... As we finish up another year of successful HONNA Porch Parties, we want to give a big “Thank You” to all the individuals who helped make these events a success. Those who opened up their porches included: Don Culpepper and Dino Cappelli, Marty and Cathy Foxx (with the help of neighbor Chris Avren), Frank and Laura Fage, Betty and Larry Smith, Barry Avedon and David Morris, St. Pete Shuffleboard Courts, John and Sue Arsenault, Steve Deal and Frank Hay, and Jennifer and David Jaffe. Thanks to an idea from Monica Vernon, we held several “theme” parties for Valentine’s, St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo and Halloween. Thanks to Bob Hunter, Joe O’Connor and Anna Costello for getting out the e-blast announcements. Special thanks to Barry Avedon, David Morris and Haike Abraham who stepped up when Larry had to miss Porch Parties due to weddings of two of his sons.

Example of Fitness Zone equipment

The election of the Board of Directors for the coming year was scheduled for Monday, November 19, after

this issue of the newsletter had gone to press. Results of the election and the Board’s election of officers (at its December 3 meeting) will be posted on the HONNA website and reported in the March edition of the newsletter.

Page 4 Historic Old NOrtheast NeighbOrhOOd News

Our goal is to hold Porch Parties in all parts of the neighborhood. We hope it’s one way for “old” neighbors and new neighbors to get to know one another. Though we have already booked hosts for the first half of 2013, if you have an interest in hosting a party or being a greeter, please contact Larry.Smith@HONNA.org or Porch.Parties@HONNA.org.

New Meet and Greet Events... In an effort to reach out to our new residents, for the first time we held three “Meet and Greet” events on the last Monday of March, June and September at lo-cal eateries The Old Northeast Tavern, The Melting Pot and Three Birds. Each event attracted more new residents than the previous one, so we plan on continuing them in 2013. If you are new to the neighborhood or a resident who would like to bring a new resident, please be on the lookout for the dates and locations of these upcoming events.

Finally, to support and get to know local businesses on 4th Street, we held a joint meeting with the 4th Street Business Association. In 2013 we plan on continuing our efforts to support the businesses that adjoin our neighborhood. The 4th Street Business Associa-tion meets on the second Wednesday of every month and would welcome your participation (4thStreetBusinessAssociation.com). For further information on either of these activities, please contact Larry.Smith@HONNA.org.

CommunicationsHONNA received this e-mail from a neighbor on HONNA’s

e-blast mailing list who had received one of the recent notices about upcoming events in the neighborhood: “I don’t know who is sending this for the community, but I just want to thank you! It has been so helpful although we won’t be able to participate in all activities. Thanks again.” If you aren’t already on the e-blast

New Members

Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood

Association MembershipThe Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association was founded in 1974 to promote civic improvement of our neighborhood. We invite and welcome all residents of the Old Northeast to join the association and become involved. Annual membership dues (tax deductible) are $30 per household. You can join online at http://honna.org/get-involved/membership/membership-form/(pay via PayPal) or send this completed form to:

Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood AssociationP.O. Box 76324St. Petersburg, FL 33734

Name(s): ________________________Address: ________________________________________________________________________________________Phone: __________________________E-Mail: _________________________When did you move into the neighborhood

(month and year)?: _______________$30 ANNUAL DUES ENCLOSED

list to receive these timely announcements, get on the list here: http://honna.org/get-involved/sign-up-for-email-announcements/. You do not have to be a member of HONNA to be on the list – but we’d welcome having you on board if you decide it’s time to join (http://honna.org/get-involved/membership/).

Newsletter Rick Carson, Editor

As the year comes to an end, I do wish to thank all those neigh-bors who have contributed to the four issues of the newsletter in 2012. This includes those who regularly provide articles to its pages as well as those who submit ideas or comments. And a huge TKU is in order for our advertisers – you wouldn’t be reading this without their absolutely essential support. You can thank them by “giving them the business” when the opportunity presents itself. And tell them you appreciate their support of our newsletter.

The newsletter is pleased to welcome Sara Wolski as a new contributor to its pages. Sara is a former literary agent and editorial consultant and has lived in The Old Northeast for two years. She now works in the corporate training industry and specializes in game-based simulations and product development. She has previ-ously worked in the publishing industries of New York, London and Los Angeles and is a graduate of New York University.

Jim & Ann Albert ..............................355 15th Avenue NECynthia Beaulieu .............................400 20th Avenue NEJosh Bigio ..........................................127 28th Avenue NJonathan & Melanie Bowman ............323 30th Avenue NChristopher Dixon & Lucinda Johnston 1111/2 12th Avenue NAnn & Nabil Esfahani..............700 Beach Drive NE #801David & Mary Harbeitner ...................... 225 9th Avenue NJanice Henry..................................13858 86th Avenue NBrenda Knight ..................................406 12th Avenue NEJen & Dan Kowalski.........................235 10th Avenue NEMary Lauritano....................................635 Bay Street NERichard Linquanti................................6000 51st Street SKen & Kimberly McIntyre ......................1111 Beach DrivePeter Pastman & Sara Campbell.............125 17th Ave NLisa Spencer........................................333 8th Avenue NBarbara & Talbot Taylor .....................210 15th Avenue NHelena & Richie Walsh ....................325 12th Avenue NESara Wolski .....................................405 18th Avenue NE

Sign Up for E-mail Alerts honna.org/get-involved/sign-up-for-email-announcements/

“Like Us” on Facebook

facebook.com/honnaorg

“Follow Us” on Twittertwitter.com/honnastpete

Page 5Historic Old NOrtheast NeighbOrhOOd News

Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood AssociationOFFICERS and BOARD

To contact an officer or Board member via e-mail, go to honna.org/get-involved/volunteer/ where you can click on the name of the office/person you wish to contact and send him/her a message.HONNA Board meetings are held the first Monday of each month at 6:30pm at West-minster Presbyterian Church and are open to the public. Check beforehand with the Board president in case the meeting day has been re-scheduled.

President ......................................Jay MarshallVice President ..................Peter MotzenbeckerTreasurer ....................................Ann CavinessSecretary ........................................Chris Avren

Board Sarah Bogdanovich

Paul BoudreauxRick Carson

Douglas HaanRick Kantner

Mary Alice LangeSusan McGarry

Ron MagrayRobin ReedLarry Smith

Your volunteer involvement in one of our committees will help enhance your neighborhood and our association. Please contact any committee chair for information.

Like our neighborhood?Want to make it even better?

Volunteer with one of our committees!

Communications ---Newsletter Rick Carson CONA Rep Paul Boudreaux Assn Governance Rick Kantner Programs Susie McGarry Neighborhood Planning Mary Alice Lange Neighborhood/Historic Preservation Robin Reed Membership Larry Smith and Sara Bogdanovich Public Safety Peter Motzenbecker Special Events and Projects Douglas Haan Traffic/Parking Ron Magray

To contact a chair via e-mail, go to honna.org/get-involved/volunteer/

where you can click on the name of the person you wish to contact and send him/her a message.

Pops in the Park

The Florida Orchestra’s annual Pops in the Park concert and fireworks display on Saturday, October 20, at-

tracted thousands of music lovers – an estimated 15,000! – and generated donations of almost 4,600 pounds of food destined to Tampa Bay Harvest and eventually the homes of countless numbers of area families in need.

HONNA was proud to be a sponsor of Helen’s Buddies in ap-preciation for the dedicated commitment of Old NE resident Helen

Torres’ leadership making this event possible for the past nineteen consecu-tive years. Cynthia Long, the orches-tra’s Development Director, grateful-ly acknowledged HONNA’s contri-bution of $1,000 on behalf of the His-toric Old Northeast neighborhood for Helen’s essential role in making this event such a vener-able tradition.

Thanks to all our Old NE neighbors and friends who helped make it all happen in such fine fashion.

HISTORY

PRESERVATION

BEAUTY

v

EIgHBORHOOd TOUR10 Am – 3 Pm wEEkdAYS

Minimum number for a tour is 15For the inclusive price of $40.00 per person, enjoy the following:

An in-depth, guided tour of Sunken Gardens • highlighting the history and horticulture of this famous tropical paradise

A self-guided tour to lead you through the • Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood

A copy of the recently published “Souvenir of St. Petersburg, Views from • the Vinoy”

A delectable 3-course lunch in the historic dining room, Marchand’s Bar • & Grill, at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort

A one hour, guided tour of the historic Renaissance Vinoy Resort with an • experienced and entertaining Vinoy Docent

Bill O’grady Sunken Gardens Supervisor

(727) 551-3148, bill.o’grady@stpete.org

~or~

Elaine NormileRenaissance Vinoy Resort Historian

(727) 824-8033, elaine.normile@renaissancehotels.com

RESERVATIONS ARE REqUIREd; PlEASE cONTAcT:

N P A c k A g E d I N O N E

Helen Torres with Michael Pastreich, President and CEO of the Florida Orchestra, warming up for the event

Page 6 Historic Old NOrtheast NeighbOrhOOd News

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Gift cards for any occasion. Good for massages, retail products and stress-free celebrations.

HONNA Residents receive a FREE Aromatherapy or Deep Heat Upgrade on your next massage when you bring in this coupon. Mention Code: FALLFREE Expires November 30, 2012

Crime Watch Fact SheetName _____________________________________

Address ___________________________________

City/State: St. Petersburg, FL Zip: _____________

Home Phone: _______________________________

Office Phone: _______________________________

Cell Phone: ________________________________

E-mail: ____________________________________

Emergency Contact Person ____________________

Contact’s Phone # ___________________________

HONNA Member: Yes____ No____

Would like more info on membership Yes___ No___

Signed: ___________________________________

HONNA PO Box 76324, St. Petersburg, FL 33734

CLIP AND MAIL

Page 7Historic Old NOrtheast NeighbOrhOOd News

In answering my request for more “pet peeves,” one resident contacted me regarding the possible fraudulent use of the Homestead Exemption by an owner of a house that appears

to be abandoned.I contacted the Pinellas County Property Appraiser’s Office,

Fraudulent Claims Line (727/464-3294), in late October. Mr. Ed Graham said he’d look into it, and as the newsletter went to press the matter is still under investigation.

Homestead Exemption fraud is a serious issue that affects every taxpayer. The exemption was created as a benefit for homeowners who live in Florida and make it their permanent home and legal residence. When someone is receiving an exemption to which he or she is not entitled, law-abiding property owners must make up the differ-ence in lost tax revenue by paying higher taxes.

The Appraiser’s Office has a form on-line if you wish to make a report about such suspected fraudulent use of the exemption (e.g. a property that is not a permanent residence, is being rented, is vacant or is merely a vacation home). You DO NOT have to give your name or any other information about yourself if you phone; if you wish to remain anonymous just call 727/464-3294. Otherwise, you can use the on-line form to make the report.

Remember, the status of the property on January 1 of each year is used to determine the property’s value and exemption status for the entire year. If it is sold, that exemption will remain for the entire calendar year to be removed the following January 1. The exemption does not continue for the buyer. He/she/they must obtain their own.

You can file for Homestead Exemption on-line if you wish at www.pcpao.org/.

Also, are you aware that there is a new exemption for deployed military personnel? There is also an additional exemption for low income seniors.

All offices are open Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm. The closest office to The Old NE is the Tyrone office at the Govern-ment Services Center, 1800 66th Street N, St. Petersburg 33710; 727/582-7652.

NOTE: Some folks may not realize that their Homestead Ex-

emption is portable and “Save Our Homes” benefit (up to $500,000.) is also portable to a new homestead anywhere in Florida within two years of giving up their previous

Sue was born in Chicago and lived in Canada before moving to The Old NE in 1973 where she continues to run an apartment rental business. She lives with her dog, Foxy Lady, and is one of those people who enjoys being busy!

Are you one of those people who goes about your day-to-day life noticing things happening around you (or not happening) in the neighborhood and our City and you wonder why (or why not) but never get around to discovering the answer? We’ve decided to ask one of our neighbors, Sue Strott, who’s lived in The Old Northeast almost forever, to track down the explanations for some of those puzzling questions which bug, bedevil and frustrate us.

So here’s a start with some of those nagging, niggling WHYs? and WHAT’s?. Let us know if you have a particular issue or query you’d like The Answer Lady to check out and we’ll see what she can learn. Like FiOS... will we ever “hear them now”? Contact The Answer Lady at nsnaeditor@aol.com.

by Sue Strott

homestead. Deadline to apply for portability is March 1. For more information, please check on-line with the Pinellas County Property Appraiser’s Office.

Another Pet Peeve was brought to my attention regarding a construction sign (constituting free advertising) on a property that apparently had not been attended to in some time. I contacted the City’s Building Department/Codes Office and was told that

it would be looked into. Such a sign is allowed from the time of permit issuance until Certificate of Occupancy only. On checking, the work on the property had been completed and approved. How-ever, another permit had been issued for another project, but no intermittent inspection or approval had been done since April. The sign has now been removed, and the complainant is happy.

Does this give you some ideas for your own back yard? His-toric Shed – one of our advertisers -- designed and built this delightful 12’x18’ combination storage shed and covered bar gathering area for a coastal home in Palm Harbor. The seating area has a cypress bar and awnings that operate with a pulley system. The project is accented by a fun tropical color scheme. Looks very Old NE and very “beachy” at the same time.

Page 8 Historic Old NOrtheast NeighbOrhOOd News

Over The Back Fence…is a collection of what we’ve heard exchanged in the aisles of the supermarkets,

shared waiting in line to pick up the kids from school, read in the papers, overheard in the pew behind us in church and, yes, even passed over the back fence. If you have something you’d like to share about a special recognition, award received, birth, graduation, good-deed-done or observation around the neighborhood please pass it along to the Editor. “Over the Back Fence” is only going to be interesting if we hear from you!

S S and by

Be Careful Out There!....On October 31 a resident was ap-proached and struck on the face, hard enough to spill some blood and injure his septum. This happened at the corner of 7th Avenue and 1st Street NE. The victim had the presence of mind to follow the assailant to take some photos of him with his iPhone as he was also calling the police. The man, ranting and raving, then went up to another man and a woman sitting at a bus stop and put a fist in their faces, also causing injuries. The police did catch up with the assailant, who they Baker Acted.

New Novel from Local Author….HarperCollins has just re-leased Old Northeast resident Dennis Lehane’s next book in his Prohibition era trilogy, Live by Night. Dennis brings the story to

Tampa, to the rum running industry of old Ybor City; his characters deal with social and economic upheaval, the mob, and the law. One reviewer has described the book as a “love story wrapped in a crime story, infused with a character study, sub-merged in a social novel and then topped off in a period piece…” Grab a copy and see for yourself (DennisLehane.com).

Kudos to an Advertiser….Quality Home Renovators, one of our newslet-ter’s longtime advertisers, received a very nice pat on the back in the 9/22

edition of the Tampa Bay Times. The ar-ticle, “Builders Make Old Homes Work,” appeared in the business section of the newspaper. It highlights the extensive renovation work being done by QHR owners Grady and Diane Portelli on an Old NE bungalow and carriage house owned by Bryan and Savan-nah Smith. The article points to the big uptick in the remodeling market that has begun taking place in the area. “Nothing beats an old home,” says Grady.

Local Artist Busy….Old NE resident and artist Neverne Cov-ington made a presentation on November 15 at the Museum of Fine Arts FEAST fundraiser supporting St. Pete-based art projects. She has also been invited to be in an interesting and varied on-line show, “Pat-tern in Painting” evans encaus -t ics .b logspot .com/2012/09/pattern-in-paint-i ng .h tm [See photo] In addi-tion she’s being featured in the Florida Museum for Women in the Arts juried show in DeLand run-

ning from November 16-January 12 and will be giving a talk there (http://www.floridamuseumforwomenartists.org/exhibitions/galleries/).

The Longest Stoplight in the Western Hemisphere….For those of us who travel south on 1st Street N and encounter the stoplight at 22nd Avenue, we can attest to the fact that one can age waiting for the red light to turn green. Is there some sound reason why the timing is such? Surely the east-west traffic is not that heavy to require the interminable waiting for those whose only mistake was to not cut through Granada Terrace to avoid that intersection.

Singer’s Magical Touch….National Public Radio’s Studio 360 on WUSF 89.7FM recently featured Old NE neighbor Mary Miller and her work as a singer bringing popular music to seniors in assisted living facilities in the Tampa Bay area. The segment was “Aha Moment” (http://www.studio360.org/2012/oct/26/aha-moment-lee-ann-womack/) and her response to the question, “When has a song changed your life?” Mary chose Lee Ann Womack’s “I Hope You Dance” in a live performance she gave at Regal Palms Assisted Living in Largo. In addition to singing, Mary spoke about “Tune Up!,” her innovative sound and music therapy program – a powerful and fun program she created for seniors, persons recovering from injury and illness and expectant moms. Plans are to visit our own Westminster Palms with her singing and therapy. You can contact Mary at contrarymarymu-sic@yahoo.com.

Something’s Gotta Give….Someone has asked about the Sat-urday morning cyclists on North Shore Drive and Beach Drive who ride four-abreast when the law says it can be no more than two abreast. Maybe the organizers need a gentle reminder – maybe from the police? – to pass along to the members. If there’s a posi-tive to this it does slow down all the speeding drivers. But is it going to take a serious accident or altercation to change cycling and driving behavior?

A Power-filled Promotion.…This past August Old NE resident Alex Glenn was named state president for Progress Energy Flor-ida, the subsidiary of Duke Energy. Alex most recently had been PEF’s general counsel and has been with the utility since 1996.

Big City Living….Remember back in 2007 and the big con-troversy about the proposed 33 story hotel/condo project planned for the corner of 1st Street and 5th Avenue N? Eventually the City denied the proposal after strong citizen objections including from

Page 9Historic Old NOrtheast NeighbOrhOOd News

Over The Back Fence is a

Soapbox... STEP ON UP

and

LET’S HEAR FROM YOU

e-mail: nsnaeditor@aol.com

HONNA, St. Pete Preservation, the Downtown Neighborhood As-sociation and the Council of Neighborhood Associations. If you ever travel west from Beach Drive down 5th Avenue NE, you’ll often encounter large trucks double-parked on 5th Avenue servic-ing 400 Beach Seafood & Tap House. Can you imagine how this congestion would have been compounded had that complex been built only a couple blocks away on the 100 block of 5th Avenue? Wonder how the prospective owners of the proposed $2.4 million “Manhattan-esque” townhouses at the northwest corner of Beach and 5th [see “In Case You Missed It” in this issue] are going to ap-preciate the trucks unloading right outside their doors. That corner is really going to look and feel like The Big Apple.

Spotlight on a Re-tired Prof….Old NE neighbor Gary Mor-mino, the recently retired USF/St. Pe-tersburg history pro-fessor, received front page treatment in the “Floridian” section of the 10/7 Tampa Bay Times. The ar-ticle, “Call Him Mis-ter Florida,” written by Jeff Klinkenberg, profiles the one-time

Yankee who now lovingly portrays his new home state, which he calls “the capital of weirdness.” Klinkenberg equally lovingly documents much of the quirkiness he sees in Gary.

Nativity Program at Westminster Palms….Westminster Palms at 830 North Shore Drive NE is having a live Nativity program on Tuesday, December 11, from 6:30-8pm. Children can come and wear an angel costume and participate in the Nativity. There will also be an opportunity for the children to pet live animals. The event will be held on Beach Drive between 8th and 9th Avenues. If you have any questions, please call Chaplain Janel Miller-Evans at 894-2102, ext 247.

Worst Neighborhood “Guests”?....Because we live where we do, we find ourselves hosting all sorts of events in Vinoy Park and along the waterfront which bring thousands of folks to our neighborhood. So we – especially those of us in the “lower” portion of the ‘hood -- have to put up with clogged streets, impossible parking and even blaring loudspeakers at 6:30am. But you can always tell when Rib-Fest is taking place by the abundance of empty beer cans and bottles on our curbs and in our front yards. And while we’re talking about events in the parks, when there are large events taking place how about hav-ing a police officer directing traffic at the intersection of Beach Drive and 4th Avenue NE? If you’re heading east on 4th and want-ing to make a left turn onto Beach….fuggedaboudit.

Page 10 Historic Old NOrtheast NeighbOrhOOd News

The Tampa Bay Children’s Chorus is proud to call The Old Northeast community and First Presbyterian Church its St. Peters-

burg home. Founded in 1989 by Dr. Averill Summer, the Tampa Bay Children’s Chorus has an outstanding performance history locally, nationally and interna-tionally. Here at home, the Chorus performs regularly with the Florida Orchestra, the Master Chorale, the Tampa Oratorio Society and the choirs and orches-tras of the University of South Florida. Nationally, the Chorus has represented our community with performances in New York City, Washington, D.C. and across the state of Florida. Internationally, the Chorus has participated in choral festivals in Paris, Vienna, London, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Vancouver and Toronto. In Summer 2013, the group will tour Quebec, Canada, presenting concerts in Montreal, Quebec City and Sherbrooke.

The Chorus invites Old NE residents to attend its holiday concert on Saturday, December 8, at 7:30pm in the beautiful First Presbyterian Church, located at 701 Beach Drive NE. The Chorus is also currently accepting new members in grades 2-12.

Visit their website at www.tbcchorus.org for more information and to schedule your child’s audition.

Children’s Chorus’ New Home

Sign Up for E-mail Alerts honna.org/get-involved/sign-up-for-email-announcements/

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Page 11Historic Old NOrtheast NeighbOrhOOd News

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Neighborhood Book GroupAs The Pages Turn...by Susan Coffey

One Great Book Club met in September at the home of Linda Dobbs on Coffee Pot Boulevard. Linda’s chosen book was a classic from the 19th century, The Awaken-

ing by Kate Chopin. At the time, the book was considered very controversial, which today seems mild (especially after our last choice, Fifty Shades of Grey). Chopin wrote the novel in 1899 and because of its feminism theme it was banished for decades, only to return in the 1960s when it gained much popularity.

The book is set in Grand Isle, an island off the Louisiana coast, where the French Creole elite “summer.” The main character is Edna Pantellier, who is the 28 year old wife of Leonce, who works in New Orleans and commutes to Grand Isle for weekends, leaving Edna free to do as she pleases. She has a nanny taking care of her two children while she spends her days swimming with Robert, an unmarried son of the beach home’s proprietor. Hence, the setting for an affair.

To add to the inevitable love affair is that Edna is feeling oppressed with her life. She is married to a man she really is not in love with, and she feels disconnected to her young children. For so long she acts as the “perfect” wife and mother: she receives high society visitors on a daily basis for which she has to keep up appearances, gives constant dinner parties and makes sure the nanny is taking care of her children properly. Not a bad life in my book. But Edna is growing restless and resentful. She wants more out of life and she wants her independence. The fact that she has it all does not even occur to her. What I felt she was looking for was an affair with Robert.

Does she actually have an affair with Robert? We’re not quite sure. Chopin is very subtle in her writing, and there is a lot of reading between the lines. Robert eventually moves to South America to find his own fortune, but the time he has spent with Edna “awakens” something inside her. She begins to search for her own identity, moves out of her home, finds a small place of her own and continues with her painting. Her husband looks at this as a “stage” she is going through and does not realize the severity of this move. She then takes a lover -- which we know for sure is in fact just that -- although she is still in love with Robert (though Chopin does not actually write that they were ever intimate). As I said, you really need to read between the lines, and I think because of the time in which this was written intimacy had to remain in the reader’s imagination. Even as subtle as Chopin is in her writing, the book was banned for years.

But why was the book banned? Some in our group believe she was a woman before her time, and she was a true feminist by doing what she wanted. Others, including me, felt she was one selfish woman who didn’t know how good she had it. What about her husband? Did he have the time and freedom to find his “awaken-ing?” No, he was in New Orleans working to support her privileged lifestyle and their children; he was more involved with the children than she was. Her final act of freedom was one of pure selfishness and again only thinking of herself. I personally feel she was not a “feminist” at all, but others in the group beg to differ. It is worth the read to form your own opinion.

Of course, per the location of the story, Linda served a great Louisiana meal of chicken gumbo. As I mentioned, the group had many different perspectives about this book but we did give it a thumbs up.

We met again in November at the home of Susan Engler on 20th Avenue NE. The book Susan chose was Provenance by Laney Salisbury and Aly Sujo. No, this is not a novel about Provence, France, which is what a few people have asked me. “Prov-enance” means the documented history of ownership. This is especially important in the art world, which is what this book is about. I found this book fascinating and could not put it down. It is nonfiction, which makes it more intriguing.

The book starts in England in the 1980s, goes through 1995 and takes us to Paris and then New York. We follow the lies and deception of John Drewe, a pathological liar -- albeit a brilliant one -- and his deception of the art world, one of the greatest in the 20th

century. In order for his scheme to work he needs to find an artist and he finds a very vulnerable one, John Myatt. He is

down on his luck when he answers Drewe’s ad for a reproductionist. His wife just left him and their two toddlers for another man and he is broke -- a “perfect storm,” if you will. Myatt had no idea in the beginning that the style of famous painters he was copying Drewe was selling as originals; Myatt was so good that it was impossible to tell that they were fakes.

Drewe portrays himself as a professor of nuclear physics and an art connoisseur, but he is neither. His real name is John Cockett, born in Sussex England and, according to childhood friends, had been telling tall tales since he was a child. He dropped out of school at age 17 and changed his name to John Drewe. Stating that he had a PhD in physics, he did work as the head of the physics department in a school in East Sus-sex. He then married a wealthy Israeli expatriate and moved into her home. She eventually has a part in his take down, but it’s too juicy of a story to divulge here.

John Myatt, also born in England a son of a farmer, was very good at copying other artists’ work but just did it as a hobby and not for deception. Eventually Maytt realizes that

Page 13Historic Old NOrtheast NeighbOrhOOd News

ONE Great Book Club meets every other month, the second Thursday of that month in the evening. There continues to be a waiting list; I can be reached at cofflash@aol.com. Our sister/brother book club meets the last Wednesday of each month in the afternoon. Contact Colleen Grant at jamesgrant@verizon.net for more information.

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Drewe is selling his copies as originals and goes along with the scheme: there is too much money to be made. But eventually the buyers want proof of authenticity, and Drewe ups his con buy producing fake documents. After selling about 200 fake paintings, they are arrested by Scotland Yard.

Most of us said that from the moment we read the first sentence we were hooked. The book has so much intrigue, and the research that Salisbury and Sujo did was remarkable. We all had a new appreciation and insight into the behind-the-scenes art world. We also have a psychologist in our group so she enlightened us about personality disorders and pathological liars like Drewe.

Susan served shepherd’s pie and British cheeses to go along with the theme. We all gave this book a thumbs up.

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Former HONNA Board member Tracey Locke has been a force in our local community for years. Between her activ-ism on behalf of Paris Hamilton that spurred a youth pro-

gram to stand up against gang violence, her ongoing work with the Florida Holocaust Museum and her promotion of The Old Northeast as a spotlight-worthy historic neighborhood (which resulted in its inclusion in This Old House magazine’s best old house neighbor-hoods), Tracey is always creating, always in motion.

The inspiration for her newest creation came while attending an event at which the Dalai Lama spoke. Tracey expected to come away from his presentation with a new depth of understanding, a whole new outlook and vast introspective knowledge. However, it was a funny, almost silly, story about childhood that sparked her idea. The Dalai Lama was talking about children – how one day they will quar-rel, someone will be pushed, will fall, might be hurt. The next day,

the children forget their quarrel. The wounds are patched up, both physical and spiritual. The next day, the children continue to play.

His message: Be more childlike. As a country, as adults, as a world – we need to learn from our children and emulate them. We need to forget the hurts of the previous day and move on, eyes open with wonder, no grudges or revenge spoiling the vast opportunities of adventure in the coming day.

Tracey captured that message in her blog aptly named Be More Childlike. The blog focuses on Tracey’s attempts to personally channel more childlike wonder, enthusiasm, forgiveness and spon-taneity in her daily life. She captures moments with her children that, with this new mindset, make her realize the subtle essence of childhood: unabashed self-expression, unbridled joy, unencumbered imagination.

Tracey began blog-ging this summer and already has a large arse-nal of thoughts, reflec-tions and questions for her readers. She’s found comfort (and humor) in many of her read-ers’ shared experiences, once they start notic-ing life from a more “childlike” perspective. Tracey has infused the blog with imaginative elements, like “Time Travel Tuesday” and “Big Idea Monday,” encouraging her growing readership to contribute their ideas and reflections on these topics as well. Similarly, each month is themed with a childlike quality and a well-balanced reading list of some fun, informative and very thought-provoking books. Another element of Tracey’s project is a Little Free Library nook outside her home, where neighbors are encouraged to take a book and leave a book. [See photo above of Tracey with her two children.]

As a former publicist and TV news anchor, Tracey is a cham-pion of keeping an open mind and constantly soaking up new knowledge and skills like a sponge. With this blog, she’s teaching herself the most effective methods of utilizing social media to build a publicity platform.

“I’m learning every day,” Tracey says. “It’s quite an experiment – we’ll see where it leads.”

[Follow Tracey’s journey at BeMoreChildlike.Blogspot.com. This article has also appeared in the November-December edition of The Northeast Journal]

(Mission) Accomplished: Personal Enrichment and a Perspective Shiftby Sara Wolski

Page 15Historic Old NOrtheast NeighbOrhOOd News

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The holidays can be a stressful time for anyone. With travel, family and social engagements, house guests, shopping and a million other to-dos, the holidays can be

overwhelming for many. But for seniors the holidays can bring ad-ditional stress from multiple travel plans, an uprooted routine and even seasonal depression. Try these five helpful tips, courtesy of TLC Companion Care, to help keep holiday stress to a minimum for your senior loved one.

Set Realistic GoalsWe know visiting family and friends is always on the to-do list

during the holiday season, but traveling and meeting with people all day can be physically and mentally exhausting. Make sure to schedule ample rest time throughout and allow for plenty of trans-portation time in between visits so that there’s no rushing around to see last-minute guests.

Keep Set SchedulesIf your senior parent or friend is used to waking up at a certain

time, eating at a certain time and going to bed at a certain time, make sure to respect those schedules. Stay-ing up later to accommodate family visits or having to eat later in the evening because of a difference in meal times can be difficult and stressful for a senior to acclimate to, so make sure you know beforehand what their schedule is like.

Keep Expenses to a MinimumMany seniors are on fixed incomes, so

keeping costs low can help ease any finan-cial stress associated with the holidays. Travel, gifts and food can all start to take their toll on the checkbook, so make sure to create a realistic budget and stick to it.

Plan Appropriate ActivitiesA six-hour shopping trip may not be the

best idea for a senior who has difficulty walking or standing for long periods of time. If these types of activities are unavoidable, make sure that a walker or wheelchair is available to make activities easier and more comfortable.

Keep Friends or Family AroundAlong with the fun and happy aspects of

holidays comes sadness for many seniors -- especially those who’ve lost loved ones. Be sure to not isolate yourself or your elderly companion. There are always churches and other civic organizations that offer holiday parties and gatherings, or volunteering at a local organization to stay social during the holiday.

TLC Companion Care services allow seniors and families to maintain their inde-pendence as long as possible by providing in-home companionship and lifestyle assistance.

Our aim is to lift the spirits of both the senior, and family caregiver by providing the highest quality companion care service available. We are a local, family-owned company, which is op-erated, and staffed by residents in your com-munity. We are also li-censed (AHCA License # 231279), insured and bonded to better serve and protect our clients. For a free consultation, please contact Rachel Orth at 727/492-4563 or Rachel@tlccompanion.com. You can also visit our website at www.tlccompanion.com.

Focus on Seniors: Managing Holiday Stressby Rachel Orth, TLC Companion Care

Page 16 Historic Old NOrtheast NeighbOrhOOd News

Thoughts from the Front Porch…

Courtney Ellis is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who provides individual and couples counseling to the Tampa Bay area. She lives in a cozy bungalow in The Old Northeast with her husband and two dogs. She tries to spend as much time on her front porch as possible.

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large component of what makes the counseling process suc-cessful is perspective. As the ever-wise Abraham Lincoln once said, “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns or

rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” Basically it’s all about how we look at things. Circumstances do sometimes change for the better, and that in itself often leads to improvements mentally and emotion-ally. But more often than not, the circumstances of life don’t change -- at least not as quickly as we’d like -- and instead of wallowing as a victim, we must choose to modify the way we look at things.

Which leads me to the concept of joy. This is a nice, fuzzy word that is seen, sung and heard quite a bit during the holiday season. It brings to mind children laughing and happy families frolicking through the snow. But what is joy and why do we try and empha-size that attitude at this time of year? And for those of you who are experiencing tough circumstances, is it even possible to feel joy amidst this stormy time of year?

The simple answer is yes – it is possible. But it all comes back to perspective.

An important lesson I remember learning as a teenager, which has

helped me immensely over the years, is that happiness and joy are two very different things. Happiness is circumstantial. You get a good grade -- you’re happy. You get a promotion – you’re happy. Your children thank you for all that you do – you’re happy. Your happiness, then, is contingent on the actions of others and on specific events going as planned. This is all well and good, as these are all things we should be striving for; however, the problem with happiness is that the circum-stances of life wax and wane on a daily basis. So if we are dependent on good stuff happening, we will be like a rollercoaster – up when things are good and down when things are not so good.

So how is joy different? Joy is permanent. Joy transcends circum-stances. Joy is present even when life is hard – because joy is possible when we look at life with a new perspective. And that perspective is one of gratitude, one of finding meaning in hardship and one where we don’t look to temporary things for our emotional wellness. It is also possible when we remember that all storms have an end and that “this too shall pass.” You see, joy is a choice – and one that we have to push ourselves to make especially when circumstances are not so happy.

Another way to illustrate this point is the concept of “re-framing.” Have you ever had one of those days where you wake up and im-mediately decide it’s going to be a bad day? And is it? Probably be-cause you’ve already put that frame on the day and everything filters through a viewpoint of negativity. But have you ever been in a tough time and chosen to see the positives? You are essentially putting a new frame around the same picture – and it changes everything. Suddenly you can see life lessons in the tough stuff. Suddenly you focus on what really matters and identify opportunities for growth and change. It’s the same picture but a new frame that moves us from simply “happy” or “unhappy” to “joyful.”

So this holiday season instead of happiness choose joy. Let your attitude transcend those things going on in your life that you cannot fix or change. And when things are good – your cup will overflow. When things are hard – you won’t be left feeling empty. But as the theologian Henri Nouwen put it, it is a choice we make daily and one to start making today. He said, “Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.” Happy holidays to you and yours – or should I say, joyful holidays!

Page 17Historic Old NOrtheast NeighbOrhOOd News

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Page 18 Historic Old NOrtheast NeighbOrhOOd News

by Anne-Marie Stephenson

In the dark shadows of The Old Northeast neighborhood on All Hallow’s Eve there were menacing whispers and forlorn screams coupled with frightful sights of ghoulish creatures, lizards tails slithering on sidewalks and witches overhead, which made all the trick-or-treaters uneasy for their very lives.

At 108 11th Avenue NE “clowns of carnage” enjoyed their bowls of gore while joining forces with “The Deadliest Show on Earth” to give the heebie-jeebies to all who dared to tarry – or wisely dash by. Homeowners Rachel and Joe at 108 11th Avenue N won first place honors with their “Clowns of Carnage, Your Last Show on Earth!” haunted house where long lines of fearless passersby tempted fate. Channel 8 was there to do an interview with the proud proprietors. Rachel reports that they plan to retire from future competition but definite-ly are not going to stop spooking the neighbors. She and Joe are already planning for a bigger extravaganza next year, which will spill into the yards of neighbors on both sides (who asked to be part of the coming spooktacular).

Second place was awarded to Linda and Frank, with their old frigate belching smoke from its cannons at 436 19th Avenue NE. Its crew of rowdy and rum-thirsty pirates slogged back and forth across the ship’s creaking deck without fear of having to “walk the plank” because their captain was the worst of their lot.

If the first and second places were not hair-raising enough, there were Judy and Russ at 805 18th NE with their web-draped graveyard. Giant sinister spiders waited quietly in massive webs to

inject their poison into unsuspecting victims, tossing the carcasses to the graveyard embankment.

The trick-or-treaters who were not faint of heart or who had not mysteriously vanished into the night came upon the sounds and sights created by these three awardees that gave them shiver-ing cold sweats while their candy-swollen tummies rumbled and rebelled.

Elsewhere, sailing from 535 17th Avenue NE, the White Star Line’s Titanic once again collided with a looming iceberg. At 1000 3rd Street N a fun-loving witch -- with a cackle and a smile -- bade little children to dare push open her creaking gate; many fled in fright while others joined the other lost children. Political celebrities attended an eerie party at 605 16th Avenue NE where the guest list included Mitt Zombie and Paul Rotten, Scarack Obooma and Joe Died-In and Rachel Maddog (who was sniffing for news).

Ghosts, witches and unimaginable things that go bump in the night were seen at residences that boasted Honorable Mention batwing certificates: 235 7th Avenue N, 235 10th Avenue NE, 315 15th Avenue NE, 605 16th Avenue NE, 500 17th Avenue NE, 516 17th Avenue NE, 425 18th Avenue NE, 456 18th Avenue NE, 705 18th Avenue NE, 426 19th Avenue NE and 225 28th Avenue N.

HONNA and The Sorceresses Three -- Cynthia Serra, Connie Lancaster and Anne-Marie Stephenson -- thank Smith & Associates Real Estate for their continued support and the anonymous witches who took to their broomsticks with delight to watch the cra-zies cavort through the night.

Residents and anyone curious about where to find these and other wonderfully and creatively decorated houses to check out were

able to go to the HONNA website where they discov-ered a very handy user-friendly map of The Old NE which pinpointed exact locations of the spooki-est and scariest houses. Thanks to HONNA Board members Mary Alice Lange and Susie McGarry for gathering the a d d r e s s e s f o r this resource and to former Board

member Anna Costello for creating the map. And thanks to all the residents who take Halloween very seri-

ously and make the neighborhood Horror Central for Halloween. The numerous TV cameras and hordes of trick-or-treaters and onlookers made for quite a visual and audio spectacle. And just wait until next year!

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Page 19Historic Old NOrtheast NeighbOrhOOd News

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In Case You Missed It: Updates and Follow Ups

Keeping You Current on Some Neigh-borhood Stories That Have Been in the News

A police sting operation uncovered two St. Pete pawn shops which had been accepting stolen goods. Based on information gathered from burglary and auto theft suspects, detectives learned that Three Geckos at 2312 4th Street N was a favorite place to sell stolen items. According to a sergeant, “The detectives were flat out telling them it was stolen property. They didn’t care.” The shop owner was arrested. [source: Tampa Bay Times, 10/5]

Old NE residents who had paid Waste Pro Services the $33 annual charge at the beginning of 2012 for recycling pickup were reporting difficulties receiving refunds for the last three months of the year (Waste Pro stopped service on September 30). Customers were told to pick up their refunds, said to be about $8.25, at the company’s Clearwater office. The City said it was working with Waste Pro so residents would not have to go to the office for their refunds [Ed. Note: some residents may have received a refund check in the mail from IESI Corporation of Fort Worth, TX, the owner of Waste Services (though the check does not so indicate)]. [source: Tampa Bay Times, 10/10]

St. Pete received a good bit of attention during the presiden-tial campaign. Republican pols could be found enjoying downtown

bistros and shops during the RNC in Tampa at the end of August. GOP VP nominee Paul Ryan booked space at the Vinoy Renais-sance Resort for a few days as he prepared for his November 11 debate with Vice President Joe Biden. On his way out of town he managed to go off his usual fitness regimen to stop at Old Farmer’s Creamery Ice Cream at 2531 4th Street. According to the shop’s posting on Facebook: he had Bullwinkle tracks (two scoops, it has been reported); he paid in cash like everyone else; we were surprised; the Secret Service did a sweep before his ar-rival; he arrived at about 2:30; the visit lasted about five minutes. Governor Mitt Romney held a big rally at Pier Park/Spa Beach on October 5, which prompted airplanes pulling signs to make endless, noisy loops over the neighbor-hood. Former President Bill Clinton regaled supporters of President Barack Obama at a rally at the Coliseum on November 2. A fundraiser for VP Biden was held at the Vinoy a couple months previously.

“Developers Gamble Big on a Recovery” was the 10/19 front page headline in the Tampa Bay Times, saying “Years of housing woes are giving way to optimism and projects in down-town St. Petersburg.” One of the projects cited was Renaissance City Homes, located in the vacant lot at the northwest corner of 5th Avenue and Beach Drive NE where four “Manhattan brownstone”-

Page 21Historic Old NOrtheast NeighbOrhOOd News

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style residences are planned and priced at $2.4 million apiece. The four-story townhouses would contain 6,000sqft with four bedrooms, five bathrooms, a wine vault, library, rooftop terrace, personal elevator and three-car garage. Smith & Associates agent Marian Yon Maguire said the townhomes would “tie in downtown living with a Northeast feel.”

A bicycle thief who operates in The Old NE and Snell Isle areas has been trading old, beat up bikes for nicer, newer ones. Seems he’ll ride around on a junker until he spots a better one left in a front yard or otherwise easily available in an open garage. Then he leaves the bike on which he arrived in exchange for the nicer one, say one that costs $4,000. Police report bike thefts are up this year – averaging about three per day – but that these pricey bikes aren’t being recovered and are not appearing in local pawn shops. [source: Tampa Bay Times, 11/7]

Two residents of The Old NE were cited in an 11/11 article in the “St. Pete Times” section of the Tampa Bay Times, which discussed how gay and lesbian real estate agents in the area are “more comfortable about being open about their lifestyle” when it comes to doing business. Connie Lancaster and Cynthia Serra shared how things have changed for them in recent years. What they are able to share with potential clients is information about specific neighborhoods in the City and county where they could say they feel comfortable living.

The effort to save the old downtown YMCA building involved a tour for concerned residents on November 11. It was reported that some 600 people took advantage of the opportu-nity to tour the vacant 85-year old building. Emily Elwyn, an Old NE resident, historic preservation consultant and officer in

St. Petersburg Preservation, was one of the tour volunteers and shared historic background about the building’s origins and why it is a distinctive City landmark. The City’s planning and eco-nomic development coordinator has called the structure “a pretty extraordinary building.” The City’s preservation committee was to vote on a demolition permit application on November 16, but the building’s owner requested a delay after a City staff report recommended the application be rejected. The current owner is planning to demolish the structure as a group of investors is seek-ing to buy and restore it; an anonymous $20,000 donation toward a purchase agreement was forthcoming near a critical deadline. [source: Tampa Bay Times, 11/12, 11/14, 11/16]

Photo: James Borchuck/Tampa Bay Times

Page 22 Historic Old NOrtheast NeighbOrhOOd News

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Westminster Presbyterian Church and Day Schoolby Rev. Gail Zoya, Pastor

Christmas will be here before we know it, and I would like to invite you to join us for Christmas

events. On Sunday, December 16, the Day School children will present their annual Christmas program at 2pm. Before and after the program, the Moms’ group will be holding a bake sale. Come Sunday, December 23, at 6pm a “community choir” led by Jen Lo-

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Property TransfersFollowing is a listing of recent property transfers in our North Shore neigh-

borhood. The individuals listed are new owners of the properties cited but not necessarily the residents of those properties. The properties are listed in chronological avenue and chronological and alphabetical street order.

If any of these folks live near you, make sure you welcome them to the neighborhood.

Source: Compiled from public records by FNBR Inc. and printed in the Tampa Bay Times.

555 5th Avenue NE #311 .................................... Solomon Kilgroe555 5th Avenue NE #624 ....................Darrell and Jennifer Kinder166 9th Avenue NE ................. Jesse Sanger and Rebecca Bybel348 11th Avenue NE ..........................John and Lucinda Johnston456 11th Avenue NE ................................................John Macedo325 12th Avenue NE .............................Richard and Helen Walsh555 12th Avenue NE ........................Vasilios and Marina Boukalis102 13th Avenue NE ....... Susan Cardamone and Brenda Forringer635 13th Avenue NE ...............David Rich and Lynn Gillman-Rich220 14th Avenue NE ................................................Joshua Smith525 16th Avenue NE ............................. Laura and Charles Home745 16th Avenue NE ...........................Millard and Kathryn Rollins143 17th Avenue N ....................................................Jordan Tawil156 17th Avenue NE ......................Richard and Madalyn Conway920 17th Avenue NE ............................ Philip and Melissa Harasz234 18th Avenue NE .............Brett Chukerman and Todd Anthony756 18th Avenue NE .......................Robert and Catherine Farese215 19th Avenue NE .......................Samuel and Shannon Secord405 20th Avenue NE ........................Richard and Yvette Feinberg161 21st Avenue N ..................................................Jason Gaines175 21st Avenue N ......................................Brian and Mary Reed180 21st Avenue N ........................Andrew and Meredith Gaunce185 21st Avenue N ...................... Jeremiah and Charlotte Mapes565 21st Avenue NE .................................David and Tracy Harris195 23rd Avenue N .....................Geoffrey and Christine Marshall167 24th Avenue N ...........................Michael and Michele Mason1500 1st Street N ................................... Donald and Sarah Howe700 Beach Drive NE #708 ........... James and Catherine Leonard2320 Brevard Road NE .................. Adam and Kathleen Estevez1120 North Shore Drive NE #603 ................................ Brian McGuigan

and Shannon Ceballos

gan will meet here at the church for refreshments before caroling through the neighborhood. The only requirement for joining the carolers is a holiday spirit. Of course, you are always invited to join us for worship on Sunday mornings (10:30am), but a special invitation is extended for our Christmas Eve service. The service begins at 7pm and is a traditional service of carols, Communion and candle lighting.

Begin planning and saving now for a “Mommy Market” to be held next March. This will be an opportunity to sell any new or gently used children and baby items you may have. A portion of the sales will help the school purchase new playground equipment. More information will be available later.

Page 24 Historic Old NOrtheast NeighbOrhOOd News

P O R C H PA R T I E SPorch Parties are held the third Friday of the month from 7:30-10pm (except December). Porch Parties are strictly social and provide and informal and fun way to mix and mingle with your neighbors. Bring your own beverage. Cups, ice and light snacks are provided. Ask a neighbor to ride or walk over with you. For more info, contact Larry.Smith@honna.org

You’reInvited

No Porch Parties in December or January

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We are pleased to announce thatJack LoBianco and Peter Motzenbeckerhave joined Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC

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Page 26 Historic Old NOrtheast NeighbOrhOOd News

ON THE DOCKET: Some Upcoming Events In and Nearby Our Neighborhood

DECEMBER 1-2St. Pete Power & Sailboat Show, Albert Whitted Park/Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin

DECEMBER 1St. Pete Parade and Snowfest, Ends at North Straub Park; 893-7441World AIDS Day, Williams Park; 388-4129

DECEMBER 6CASA Peace Breakfast, Coliseum; 892-5202

DECEMBER 8Tampa Bay Children’s Chorus Holiday Concert, First Presbyterian Church

DECEMBER 9ANNUAL CANDLELIGHT TOUR OF HOMES

(see p. 1)

DECEMBER 14Holiday Entertainment ,The Pier; 821-6443Rum Runners Speakeasy Party, Museum of History

DECEMBER 15The Color Run, Vinoy ParkHoliday Entertainment, The Pier; 821-6443

DECEMBER 16Gallery Talk, Museum of Fine Arts 896-2667Children’s Christmas Program, Westminster Presby-terian Church; 821-5259

DECEMBER 17ANNUAL NEIGHBORHOOD HOLIDAY PARTY

(see p. 1)DECEMBER 21-22

Holiday Entertainment, The Pier; 821-6443

DECEMBER 23Community Choir Caroling thru neighborhood, Westminster Presbyterian Church; 821-5259

DECEMBER 25Music in the Courtyard, The Pier; 821-6443

DECEMBER 26Breakfast with the Mayor

DECEMBER 31First Night ,Various downtown locations; 823-8906

JANUARY 1Music in the Courtyard, The Pier; 821-6443

JANUARY 11-13Sunshine City Antiques Show, Coliseum; 892-5202

JANUARY 12Glow Run 5K, Albert Whitted Park

JANUARY 20Sunshine Blues Festival, Vinoy Park; 800/745-3000

We encourage you to go directly to the City website –www.stpete.org and look for Upcoming Events where you can click on “View All Events.” This will enable you to check updates and all the scheduled events day-by-day for the coming weeks and months.

JANUARY 24Florida Style Landscaping Workshop Series, Water Resources Building (continues January 31 and February 7, 21 and 28)

JANUARY 28NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING/DESSERT POTLUCK

FEBRUARY 8-102nd Annual Rock ‘n Roll, St. Pete Health & Fitness Expo The TropWine Weekend (benefit), Museum of Fine Arts; 896-2667

FEBRUARY 15PORCH PARTY (see p. 24)

RECURRING EVENTS

(see calendar at www.stpete.org for more opportunities and details and any changes in these schedules)

VARIOUS DAYS FROM DECEMBER 2-23

Santa in the Park and Ice Skat-ing, North Straub Park; 893-7441

DAILYKids…Dilly Dally with Dali, Dali Museum 823-3767Counting on Fish, Pier Aquarium; 821-6443Yoga, Sunken Gardens; 5513102

MONDAY-FRIDAYSenior Fitness, Sunshine Center; 893-7101Self Defense Aerobic Karate, Sunshine Center; 893-7190MondayArt Bites, (2nd) Museum of Fine Arts; 896-2667Jazz Jam, (1st) Hangar RestaurantLatin Night, The Pier; 821-6443

TUESDAYYappy Hour, The PierHoop Dancing, Sunken Gardens; 551-3102New Parents Gallery Gathering ,(2nd) Museum of Fine Arts; 896-2667

EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY & SATURDAYKids and Kubs Softball, North Shore Park; 893-7108

EVERY TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY & THURS-DAY

Story Times for Families, Dali Museum; 823-3767Dance classes, The Pier

WEDNESDAYTea Dance, (1st & 3rd) Coliseum; 892-5202Coffee Talk, (2nd) Museum of Fine Arts; 896-2667

Page 27Historic Old NOrtheast NeighbOrhOOd News

Bike Night, The PierHoop Dancing, Sunken Gardens; 551-3102

EVERY WEDNESDAY & FRIDAYTerrific Tots, Great Explorations; 821-8992

EVERY WEDNESDAY & SUNDAYEDGE District Farmer’s Market, 900 Central

THURSDAYDali & Beyond Film Series, (1st & 3rd) Dali Museum; 823-3767Dali & Science Series, (2nd) Dali Museum; 823-3767Wee-Time, (2nd & 4th) Weedon Island Preserve; 453-6500Opera @ The Dali, (3rd) Dali Mu-seum; 823-3767Renegade Social Run, The PierOur Town: Conversations with St. Pete Mythmakers, (last) Dali Museum; 823-3767Shakespeare Shakes, (2nd) Ale & Witch

FRIDAYGarden Tour, Sunken Gardens; 551-3102Get Downtown Music Series, (1st) Central b/w 2nd-3rd; 393-359St. Pete Shuffle, Shuffleboard Courts; 822-2083Great Weedon Bird Quest ,(2nd) Weedon Island Preserve; 453-6500Family First Friday, (1st) The PierSaturdaySaturday Morning Market, Al Lang Stadium parking lotBreakfast with Dali and Fami-lies, (1st) Dali Museum; 823-3767Guided Hikes, Weedon Island Pre-serve; 453-6500 Horticulture Workshop, Sunken Gardens; 551-3102 Pier Aquarium Book Nook, (1st) The Pier; 821-6443Super Special Saturday/Family Day, (3rd) Museum of Fine Arts; 896-2667Warehouse Arts District, (2nd) Various locationsYoga & Family ,(1st) Museum of Fine Arts; 896-2667Historic Walking Tours, begin at 243 Central AvenueArts and Crafts for Families, Dali Museum; 823-3767Take 5 with the Director, (2nd) Museum of Fine Arts; 896-2667

SUNDAYInspire Yoga at the Dali, Dali Museum; 823-3767Music Fest by the Bay, The Pier; 821-6443

RECURRING EVENTS

December 3 Mastering the Sales ProcessDecember 4 Establishing a Home-Based BusinessDecember 5 Introduction to Business StartupDecember 10 SBA Loans and Programs Credit for Small BusinessesDecember 11 City Services and Incentives for Businesses Intellectual Property Anyone?December 12 How to Do Business with the City of St. PetersburgDecember 13 Business Startup Basics

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Page 28 Historic Old NOrtheast NeighbOrhOOd News

We welcome these businesses which are advertising in our

newsletter for the first time... Thank you!

♦ DiMarco Enterprises — Wallpaper Showroom

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Returning Advertisers

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Page 29Historic Old NOrtheast NeighbOrhOOd News

It was a windy day last October when members of the Rotary Club of St. Petersburg Sunset climbed the 30-foot platform with their human-powered flying machine in the shape of a giant mustache. Dressed as characters from the film

“Anchorman,” the team launched the flying mustache and dove into the Hillsborough River to spectators’ roaring cheers – all in the name of charity. [See photo above].

As one of The Old Northeast’s (and St. Petersburg’s) best-kept secrets, this is Rotary re-imagined: a welcoming group of forward-thinking, socially active and com-mitted young profession-als putting their stamp on our community and the international Rotary community at-large. Many of the club’s members are residents of The Old Northeast, and their in-volvement extends beyond our local boundaries.

“What drew me to the club was that it was such a young club,” says Old NE neighbor Monte White, a charter member. “I loved that it was for the young and young-at-heart. My father was a Rotarian, and I knew that this was the perfect way to get involved, meet some great people and give back to the community.”

This young club (which just marked its second anniversary) already has a long list of accomplishments and accolades. They have received a Rotary International Club, President of the Year and Distinguished Club of the Year citations, which recognized them as the best of all 49 Rotary clubs in their district.

Taking on the World One Cause at a Timeby Sara Wolski

Last year, the club raised more than $13,000 to benefit local and international organizations such as the Rotary Foun-dation, the Polio Eradication campaign and “Ready for Life,” a local program that benefits foster youth who age out of foster care. They also granted two wishes through the Children’s Dream Fund for local children battling life-threatening illnesses.

“This year’s motto, ‘Peace through Service,’ highlights the Rotary mission of building goodwill and understanding by promoting projects both locally and glob-ally,” says Emily Barber, Special Events Chair and Old Northeast resident. “And the distinct feature of our Sunset Club is the emphasis on fun and friendship.”

For young professionals in St. Peters-burg, the club provides a perfect way to

meet people, make lasting friendships and enjoy a sense of com-munity, purpose and cultural enrichment in a service-focused and meaningful way.

Old NE resident Adam Hopkins, the club’s Service Projects Chair, is a fan of the social elements of the club as well as the contributions to the community. “I joined as soon as I moved to St. Petersburg as a way to meet energetic, young professionals like me.

I had previously been a member of a Rotaract group, so I knew what Rotary was all about. What I did not know was how rewarding it would be – or how much fun. We throw some great parties.”

The club is always welcoming new mem-bers and guests to help them impact the com-munity and raise money for important causes. Highlights on the agenda for this year include the a field day and barbeque for RCS Grace House, delivering Christmas trees to families in need, providing supplies for

new and expecting families through Healthy Start Pinellas and an international water purification project in Haiti.

And speaking of great parties, their next signature event will be this Spring: a Greek-themed white party, featuring fabulous music, food, drinks, special guests and, as always, a wonderful crowd.

To learn more about the club and their signature event this Spring, visit them online at StPeteSunsetRotary.org.

Page 30 Historic Old NOrtheast NeighbOrhOOd News

Worship Service: Sundays 10:30am

Ad courtesy of HONNA in appreciation of Westminster’s generous support of HONNA

One of St. Peters-burg’s

first industries was Farmer Concrete Wo r k s , w h i c h filled the City with its signature hex-agonal sidewalks. Like a proud art-ist, builder Hope Aciel Farmer left his name on every

sidewalk he completed. “About every City block he laid a slab that was stamped “Farmer Concrete Works,’” said David M. Jackson, great-grandson of Farmer, who founded the enterprise in 1912. Farmer Concrete Works was among the City’s first industries. It laid St. Petersburg’s first hexagonal sidewalks. “We grew up walking on those sidewalks,” said Maxine Lee, 86, pioneer Mattie Lou Cherbonneaux’s daughter. “Wonderful to play hopscotch on.” Farmer’s venture operated nearly five decades, and some signature blocks still survive. “Check the 200 block of 11th Avenue NE,” said Will Michaels, director of the St. Petersburg Museum of His-tory. “The more I saw those stamped blocks, the more I saw my heritage,” said Jackson, 58.

Numerous conversations with his grandmother -- Edna Farmer Otis, Farmer’s daughter -- enlightened Jackson about the family enterprise. Hope Farmer was born in 1863 in Starke. About age 42 in 1905, he came to St. Petersburg to help a friend build a home. Farmer later asked his wife, Rebecca, to join him. “She’d weep awhile and pack awhile,” said Mrs. Ernest Duval Farmer, Farmer’s daughter-in-law. “But after she got here, she loved it.” According to family Bibles at Jackson’s

home, the Farmers had 10 children, four of whom died months after being born. Farmer subsequently established H.A. Farmer Contractor and Builder at 825 Third St. S. He owned the second registered car in St. Petersburg and later built the Bradford County Courthouse. By 1912, St. Petersburg had advanced from the wooden slab sidewalks fashioned by the Women’s Town Improvement Association in 1891 and moved from shell to asphalt walkways.

Farmer renamed his concern Farmer Concrete Works and began creating hexblocks cast in gray, red, green, blue and yellow. City fathers liked Farmer’s 12-by 18-inch concrete blocks because they believed they would float smoothly atop shifting sand. Other reports circulated that officials were imitating the sidewalks of Rio de Ja-neiro. In 1927 Farmer died, and his son Ernest Duval Farmer became the company’s president and treasurer. The City’s economic bust beginning in the late 1920s didn’t impede the Farmer in-dustry. “Side-w a l k s w e r e being laid, but n o b u i l d i n g was going on,” said local tailor Angres Chap-man, 81, whose father Simmie Chapman was a cement finisher then. In 1946, resident Lon Cooper and his wife unearthed some bust-era sidewalk. “Dartmouth Avenue N did not exist as a cleared street and 53rd Street N was just two sand ruts,” said Cooper, 83. “Dot and I went there with a shovel. We dug down and found a Farmer’s sidewalk dated about 1926.”

By the 1940s, the City had realized solid sidewalks were 34 cents cheaper per square foot than hexblocks. It ceased using them for new sidewalks, reserving them for repairs to existing hexblock walkways. Reinforced 4-inch concrete solid-style slabs became the norm and still are. After laying about 100 miles of hexblock sidewalks, Farmer Concrete fashioned building blocks and garden furniture and specialized in driveways and patios. By the 1950s, Ernest Duval Farmer was smoking a Sherlock Holmes pipe and placing his name on shuffleboard courts. Fred E. Wilder, former owner of Wilder Trailer Park, remembers the sharply dressed, 5-foot-11 Ernest Duval Farmer kneeling on a newspaper to check the level of the courts at the park. “He talked slowly,” said Wilder, 92. “Rather dry sense of humor. All business. Farmer shuffleboard courts were the best. If he couldn’t do it, no one in St. Pete could.” Farmer Concrete Works ceased operation in 1961.

The late Scott Taylor Hartzell wrote several books about St. Petersburg history and a column for the then St. Petersburg Times.

Sidewalk Builder’s Mark Still Lingers Around Cityby Scott Taylor Hartzell

Page 31Historic Old NOrtheast NeighbOrhOOd News

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Page 32 Historic Old NOrtheast NeighbOrhOOd News

Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood AssociationP.O. Box 76324St. Petersburg, FL 33734www.honna.org

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