Bill Rich wasn't from Pasco County, but he was as familiar to regulars at Sertoma bluegrass festivals as the ranch's rolling hills and tree-lined landscape. He spent last weekend at the youth ranch north of Dade City, accompanying daughter Amy's fiddle and son Nathan's acoustic guitar on the banjo that rarely left his side. The family had been participating in the Thanksgiving Bluegrass Festival and other musical events at the venue for 20 years. Rich, 57, of West Palm Beach, died unexpectedly Tuesday, two days after the festival ended. "He had a bad heart and he just went into the hospital Monday to get some water taken out of his leg," said Nathan Rich, 24. "His heart just went out overnight." ...more

December 4, 2008

A small group of musicians sat in the shade of a recreational vehicle Friday afternoon, picking, grinning, singing and talking as a stream of people entered the Thanksgiving Bluegrass Festival at Sertoma Youth Ranch. ...more

November 29, 2008

A small group of musicians sat in the shade of a recreational vehicle this afternoon, picking, grinning, singing and talking as a stream of people entered the Thanksgiving Bluegrass Festival at Sertoma Youth Ranch. Beside banjo player Bill Rich was his daughter, Amy, on fiddle, and son, Nathan, on acoustic guitar. Family friend Jim Waldeck joined on a second six-string. Bill and Nathan Rich and Waldeck are from West Palm Beach; Amy Rich lives in Nashville. The ensemble went from one song to the next with the relaxed precision of an experienced quartet. As a stream of people converged on the campground, they sang with gusto: "Well, somebody robbed the Glendale Train ...more

November 28, 2008

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" (Matthew 25:40) ...more

July 9, 2008

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" (Matthew 25:40) ...more

July 9, 2008

Tattoo artist Bo Mencarelli chills out on a sidewalk chair near Duval Street's fish restaurants and beer-soaked bars, dragging on a cigarette and saying, 'What's up, brother,' to those who recognize the thin man with ink paintings on his arms. ...more

October 14, 2007