Longing For Florida Another gloomy, miserable day on the southern shore of New England influences my desire to be home in the warmth and blue skies of Florida. ...more

June 11, 2008

This is reprinted from the spring 2008 issue of FORUM, the statewide magazine of the Florida Humanities Council ( www.flahum.org.) ...more

June 8, 2008

Government Social Club Ongoing widespread staff wrongdoings and wrangling at county government suggest it is a well-endowed social club interrupted occasionally by work. Generously compensated people are paid by overtaxed citizens to be members of it. ...more

June 5, 2008

As Cargill shuts down its juice plants in Avon Park and Frostproof, it's a reminder that Highlands County is changing. Fewer and fewer citrus farms exist. Farms that are more valuable as housing developments or shopping malls than they can possibly produce in orange juice. Slowly, the citrus groves along U.S. 27 are disappearing. So are the groves on U.S. 98, between U.S. 27 and Spring Lake. They will remain along our country roads. Cargill Juice North America is laying off an additional 20 to 25 workers at Avon Park and Frostproof by Jan. 31. The company is getting out of the citrus processing business in Florida. Imagine saying that in the days of Ben Hill Griffin Jr., when oranges were king. ...more

December 23, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - Authorities are searching for a 77-year-old man with Alzheimer's who wandered from his home Thursday night. ...more

December 14, 2007

Shoppers at Westfield Citrus Park are being asked to join a nationwide fire-relief effort. ...more

November 3, 2007

When I was in middle school, I was trick-or-treating with a friend one Halloween night. ...more

October 29, 2007

After months of negotiations and debate with Pasco County, home builder Lennar Corp. won approval this week for its plans to develop Epperson Ranch at Curley and Elam roads. ...more

October 27, 2007

When I was in middle school, I was trick-or-treating with a friend one Halloween night. ...more

October 24, 2007

Only minutes from shopping malls in northwest Hillsborough County sits a 5-acre secret garden that is home to nearly 30,000 orchids. ...more

October 20, 2007