Gulfport Chefs Table grows and feeds multitudes to raise money for charity

Wow! What a turnout for such a worthy event. This wonderful and dramatic photo was in The Gabber showing the Chefs Table in downtown Gulfport. The event, now in it's second year, donates proceeds to Gulfport Montessori Elementary School. The weather was perfect. Some 360 diners enjoyed delicious dishes from 10 fine Gulfport restaurants. Debbie Wolfe did a terrific story and many wonderful photos. Check it out.

At 6, is he a future chicken mogul?

Did you see Debbie Wolfe's photo in The Gabber?  This happy young man is Bryce Parzick, and at 6 years old, he's on his way to becoming a chicken mogul. At least he's learning the chicken business. Check out Debbie's picture in The Gabber. You may have to pick up the print edition. The folks a the newspaper are  in the process of converting to  new server and their website has been down, so you might not see it there. All the best to the fo;ks at Gulfport''s newspaper. Hope you're online again soon.

“Mayor Mike”: “The heart and soul of this community is working together.” Yes!

“The heart and soul of this community is working together.” That got our attention right away. "Mayor Mike" was quoted in an article in The Gabber the other day. It was Debbie Wolfe's account of how the MY Foundation fed hundreds of people in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. In the photo from a couple of years ago, that's former Gulfport mayor Mike Yakes and Maddy Guenther, who set up the MY Foundation to help people in the community. That picture is from a fundraiser dance at the Casino in 2015 to raise money for exactly the kind of need the MY Foundation filled after the storm. We've mentioned this before but it bears repeating. This is another example of why we love being part of this kindhearted community. Thank you, Mike and Maddy, and everybody who volunteered when people needed help. By the way, there was a fine feature story about Mayor Mike in the Tampa Bay Times a few years ago. It was written by a talented young man who is now a reporter for the Washington Post. 

These people are making a difference in Gulfport and we're glad they live here

Did you see the nice write-up by Debbie Wolfe in The Gabber about Gulfport Neighbors? We've said it often but it always bears repeating: Gulfport people really care and they take action. Debbie's story is about a group that has been doing good in the community for five years. They're making it a mission to help people in the community – neighbors helping neighbors, was the way Debbie put it. We say bravo! Thank you for being who you are and doing what you do. You make a difference.

A slightly elevated view of the bay in store for Gulfport as trail project moves forward

Have you seen what's happening on the waterfront in Gulfport? Great things! Terrific article by Debbie Wolfe in The Gabber explains it all. Maybe it all seems like a mess right now, but council member Christine Brown has good things to say: "I think it’s going to be a really nice addition to the waterfront." Can't wait to see it finished.

Meet McCabe Coolidge, potter with a heart and a mission to serve people with his art

It's this kind of selfless giving that makes our community the wonderful place that it is. We noticed Debbie Wolfe's uplifting photograph in The Gabber of Gulfport potter McCabe Coolidge, who has the self-proclaimed mission to throw a bowl for every family member in every family who gets a new home from Habitat for Pinellas. Each bowl is signed by the artist, who can be found at his booth in Gulfport's Tuesday Morning Market.

Peace, Love, and right on, sisters!!! Goodwill's Hippie Dash was far out!!!

We couldn't help but get a kick out of Debbie Wolfe's photo in The Gabber of the Sunshine Soul Sisters, who were running in the second annual Goodwill Hippie Dash 5K and Flower Child Fun Run in Gulfport recently. The race was a fundraiser for Goodwill Industries – Suncoast, which helps put people to work who have barriers to employment. The Sunshine Soul Sisters is a weekly running club and they went all out on their period outfits. You should read the story.

Here's community at its best: Gulfport Chef's Table, splendid night to help others

Even though it had to be delayed because of Hurricane Matthew, the first Gulfport Chef's Table turned out to be a remarkable charity event, one that is likely to be repeated next year. We say bravo! Culinary delicacies from chefs at eight Gulfport restaurants were served to more than 200 diners under the stars right there in the middle of Beach Boulevard. Diners found the food delicious, the atmosphere convivial, and the cause worthy. The event raised $8,000 for CASA, the domestic violence shelter organization. The proceeds will generate a matching gift, giving the organization $16,000. Community at its best. Read Debbie Wolfe's terrific story in The Gabber to get all the details.

But for a timely rescue, this unique mural of Tierra Verde history might have been lost

 On New Year's Day in 1962, Guy Lombardo's Port O' Call Resort opened in Tierra Verde, and for a few years big-name stars performed in the nightclub. At any given time you might have seen Mel Torme, Liberace, or Frank Sinatra. Almost two decades later artist Carolyn Jackson Gruber was commissioned to paint a magnificent mural depicting not only the Lombardo era but all of the history of the island community. For years, the mural hung in the lobby of the Tierra Verde Resort and Marina, which is what Port O' Call became. Fast-forward to 2007, when the resort was being torn down and the painting was nearly lost. Debbie Wolfe has the remarkable story of its rescue, plus word on where you can view this amazing piece in person, in The Gabber.