Once, we made special trips downtown this time of year, lining up to gape at mechanical bears eating porridge, Victorian cats celebrating in the snow and toy soldiers guarding over our happy holidays. ...more

December 16, 2007

Somehow, we got talking about Santa impersonators we've known in our lifetime. Maybe that's part of aging – reminiscing. Or, maybe it's simply because we came across two old pictures. One is of Lyn at age three taken with someone posing as Santa at Marshall Field's department store in Chicago. That Santa impersonator was really classy and most likely his long white beard was natural. Lyn can even remember the wool coat and matching hat she wore. The photographer caught Santa and Lyn close-up. They were engaged in deep conversation. Well, Santa was talking to Lyn. She says she doesn't recall what he said – although, she apparently wasn't buying it. By the look on her face she was saying to herself, "I don't believe a word of this. Who is this guy anyway?" ...more

December 14, 2007

The young man who killed eight people and committed suicide in a shooting rampage at a department store spent four years in a series of treatment centers, group homes and foster care after threatening to kill his stepmother in 2002. ...more

December 7, 2007

AVON PARK — It's 4:30 a.m. Friday. A woman parked in front of Belk department store. Two children also got out. "Get in line," she instructed the pre-teen boy and girl. They didn't move fast enough. "Run like your life depends on it," she yelled. They giggled and made it a race for the back of the line, while she walked more slowly. An after-Thanksgiving sale crowd of 200 people was already waiting to get in, and Christina Starcher was first. She held up a sale flyer from the newspaper, and pointed to a silver-colored Fossil watch with a black face for $115. ...more

November 24, 2007

AVON PARK — Lakeshore Mall won't open its doors until 6 a.m. Friday. But by then, all the department stores will have been open at least an hour. The mall will be a madhouse. "We just try not to get trampled," said Jenny Cheek, the mall's general manager. "It's not for the faint of heart. The die-hard shoppers come in for the door-busters. For some women, it's like an all-day experience. Some will go home, then come back later in the day." Every store will have a sale, Cheek said. "It's the biggest shopping day of the year." Wal-Mart is open all night, so some shoppers will arrive as early as 3 a.m. and begin lining up behind the special they want. ...more

November 22, 2007

This year's ornament, which costs $18, and is sold as a fundraiser for New Horizons Group Homes can be purchased at the organization's annual barbecue from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 10 behind the group homes at 109 and 115 E. Clay Ave. ...more

November 6, 2007

There were no stately columns, gingerbread trim or Southern charm to attract the eye to the subject of this year's New Horizons Group Homes' commemorative holiday ornament. ...more

October 31, 2007

It appears that the Democrats have a certain loathing for our military as well as our country. They are now working diligently to surrender to our enemies. It appears that Randy Ludacer is helping them in their effort by making fun of Gen. Petraeus' decorations. Maybe he thinks that these ribbons and decorations just jump up on his jacket by themselves and do not mean anything. Maybe he thinks they are like a tie pin that he could purchase at a department store or have been the prize in a box of crackerjacks. Every one of the pins and decorations means something and were earned. In other words, they are not "welfare." Of course Democrats wouldn't understand earning something as opposed to having it handed to them for their vote. ...more

September 22, 2007

PLANT CITY - Downtown Plant City's premiere mega-antique flea market — downsized last year to 3,000 square feet — is about to double in size at a new location. ...more

September 21, 2007

Drugstore giant CVS has started construction of a store at Commerce Palms and Bruce B. Downs boulevards, its second New Tampa location. ...more

September 18, 2007