In response to the column by Raleigh Whiteman dated Dec. 3, I'll take the bait. The fact that your children (spouses and grandchildren) are unable to spend Christmas with you is a good sign. They are setting up their own family traditions. It is a tribute to you and their mother. Feel blessed. Forget shopping. You will be wasting a lot of time and money trying to find things they don't need or want. They will also be doing the same for you. As the patriarch of the family, you have an opportunity to change things. Return the real meaning of Christmas; it will be the greatest gift of all. Here are some suggestions: Rather than gift cards, make a donation to a cause they believe in, in their name. Do they love animals? Cancer, diabetes, heart association and Alzheimer's associations are donations well spent (let them know ahead of time that this is your plan this year so they don't waste all their time and money on you.) ...more

December 8, 2009

Meaning of Christmas In response to the column by Raleigh Whiteman dated Dec. 3, I'll take the bait. The fact that your children (spouses and grandchildren) are unable to spend Christmas with you is a good sign. They are setting up their own family traditions. It is a tribute to you and their mother. Feel blessed. Forget shopping. You will be wasting a lot of time and money trying to find things they don't need or want. They will also be doing the same for you. As the patriarch of the family, you have an opportunity to change things. Return the real meaning of Christmas, it will be the greatest gift of all. Here are some suggestions: ...more

December 6, 2009

Russians mourned at religious services and soccer stadiums Sunday after a deadly train wreck that authorities blamed on a terrorist bomb. The leader of the Russian Orthodox Church urged the nation not to give in to fear. ...more

November 29, 2009

Second-generation country entertainer Karen Wheeler is the headliner at Saturday's Florida Opry, a revived Plant City tradition now midway through its season. ...more

February 11, 2009

Bank of Tampa patriarch Jerry Divers began his career in the early 1960s with bankers who survived the Great Depression, when the city lost 24 of its 28 banks. ...more

February 10, 2009

So when the president of the Tampa Banking Co. adds to the refrain that today's banking conditions are the worst since the Depression, industry colleagues are apt to pay attention, as did competitors and others at a gathering of the Tampa Chapter of the Exchange Club this afternoon. Divers shared his thoughts about the economic plight affecting banks and the nation, including a warning that 2009 looks gloomy for Florida banking. ...more

February 9, 2009

METHUEN, Mass. - You'd think a turkey farmer would get a day off once the Thanksgiving bird reaches the table. Jim Rischer gets something far less - at best. "I try to work a half-day instead of a full day," said the patriarch of the family that owns Raymond's Turkey Farm. "Then I get ready for Christmas." ...more

November 28, 2008

During these tough economic times, many vehicle owners are thinking about repairing what they have rather than buying another car, van or truck. ...more

October 25, 2008

Whaley's Market isn't the glitziest grocery store in town. The carpet is worn and splotched. The paint along the side walls is a dull shade of coral. Some wire racks in the refrigerators are old and rusted. A new 39,000-square-foot Publix GreenWise Market going up around the corner promises to outshine and outmerchandize the South Tampa market ...more

August 6, 2008

The Pettys have been in charge of their racing forever, but they've been hurting for a long time. Petty Enterprises hasn't won a race since John Andretti in 1999. ...more

July 9, 2008