Come visit Tarpon Springs for this event, reminiscent of a Greek Island festival. Service on the eve of St. Michael is 7 to 9 p.m., Nov. 7. The Shrine of St. Michael is at 113 Hope Street in Tarpon Springs. Doors open at 7 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. every day except Tuesday and […]

By Elisabeth Parker, Times Staff Writer Published April 1 2011 In the shade of an oak tree, a dozen people wait for the gypsies to arrive. The woman, in a silk dress, enters the outdoor dirt ring. She jumps onto a galloping horse. Then she kneels on its back before stretching her legs out behind. The […]

What would you do if you were told your unborn baby had almost no chance at life? Many people were ready with an answer. Only one voice counted. Mother. By Elisabeth Parker, Times Staff Writer Published May 11 2012 LARGO, FLORIDA She had felt her baby’s first kicks 15 weeks into her pregnancy when she got […]

Chapter 1: prelims Gabriela Fundora started boxing when she was 7. Her family had just moved to Seminole Heights and her father, Freddy, 39, quickly located a boxing gym on the edge of Ybor City where he began to train three of his sons. He never considered not introducing his only daughter to the sport. […]

By Elisabeth Parker, Times Staff Writer Published August 23 2013 TAMPA “First one there is a loser!” Josie Smith yelled to the girls running ahead of her. • On one of the last afternoons of summer before school, four little girls were off to a corner store, alone. Two of them are just 7. • “Come […]

Deborah Barr stares into a Bible but can’t make order of the letters. • She was cross-eyed as a girl, and even after surgery, couldn’t learn to read. Her eyes didn’t focus. By Elisabeth Parker, Times Staff WriterPublished November 29 2013Updated December 2 2013 TAMPA When she looked at you, one pupil would wander away. • But […]