I was born into a very large extended family so we attended many weddings as I was growing up. I remember being totally enthralled with the idea of being the bride — star of the show, queen for a day … Cinderella. My sister, just two years older, was equally dazzled by the idea, so, along with three other girls in our neighborhood, we decided to "play" wedding. The problem was, of course, that we all wanted to be the bride. So, we hatched an elaborate plan for earning the position. The way it worked was that you had to play all the other roles first, and do them well, to finally become the bride. This made perfect sense to me, a 7-year-old. I dug in and did my best with each part in each wedding over a period of several months. It wasn't till years later that it finally dawned on me that, being last in line, I was actually the only one who had to play every role before I got to be the bride. Being a bridesmaid was easy, you got to wear a pretty dress and be admired by all the other kids in the neighborhood, who were always invited to come and be the audience. ...more

May 31, 2008

TOWN 'N COUNTRY - Billye Hemphill was recently elected president of the Tampa Garden Club, which means she is going to have even less time to maintain the garden at her home in Twelve Oaks. ...more

May 24, 2008

TAMPA - A Lowry Elementary School teacher thought she was taking her class to an assembly on fitness and music. She left $10,000 richer. ...more

May 12, 2008

Even in a down economy, Publix Super Markets keeps churning out strong financial reports. ...more

May 2, 2008

Officers responding to a report of shots fired near Ybor City on Monday morning arrested two men in a stolen car with a gun and crack cocaine, police said. ...more

February 18, 2008

TAMPA - Officers responding to a report of shots fired near Ybor City this morning arrested two men in a stolen car with a gun and crack cocaine, police said. ...more

February 18, 2008

A second suspect has been arrested in the robbery of of a Pizza Hut delivery driver on Jan. 6, on Lola Drive. ...more

February 8, 2008

SEBRING — Pizza delivery men can breathe a collective sigh of relief with the arrest of a suspect in the reported armed robbery of a pizza delivery driver on Jan. 6, on Lola Drive. ...more

February 7, 2008

Are you looking for more than flowers or cards as a way to express your feelings on Valentine's Day? ...more

February 5, 2008

Are you looking for more than flowers or cards as a way to express your feelings on Valentine's Day? ...more

February 5, 2008