Ever hear of Pasco County? More and more people have as they discover a hidden jewel in a county with many community events. ...more

October 24, 2009

Mann-Wagnon Memorial Park is locked behind an aging chain-link fence — a mix of weedy abandonment, boarded-up buildings and nature's beauty. This is Cecile Wagnon's legacy nearly 48 years after her death in 1961. In coming weeks, Tampa and Hillsborough County officials will take a new look at her last will and testament before deciding the park's future. Area residents are pressing a long-standing case that the property, 1101 E. River Cove Drive, should become home for a history museum and Stepping Stones, a nonprofit youth arts program. It also could house the art collection of folk artist and sculptor Taft Richardson. The Sulphur Springs resident died last year. ...more

February 11, 2009

Last winter, my 10-year-old son and I headed to a destination that had friends and family wondering if we had lost our minds. ...more

January 4, 2009

OCALA - Over the past decade or two, the sprawling horse farms that once buffered downtown Ocala from the chaotic bustle of Interstate 75 have given way to progress. Now, out-of-town travelers seeking respite in the natural beauty of the Ocala National Forest or heading to meetings at downtown offices pass by scores of convenience stores, chain restaurants and strip malls. Despite the changes, Ocala has remained a truly Southern town. Like much of the South, Ocala faces continuing questions — from residents and outsiders — about race relations. ...more

January 11, 2008