Davis Islands Today

TGH celebrates their nurses at one of their biggest events of the year! The Nurses Week Award Ceremony will be in the MacInnes Auditorium, 2nd floor.

TGH reminds us that May 7 through May 11 is National Nurses Week. Make sure to be extra friendly to your health care workers this week!

By Emily Harwell, a student at Gorrie Elementary.

Gorrie fourth and fifth graders volunteer many hours each year helping out with important jobs around the school. Here is a description of the jobs performed by our student volunteers (click on any image to see a larger photograph):

• Library Helper – The Media Center is the place to be for about 15 students who help out in the morning before school starts. Library helpers check books in and out, shelve books, sharpen pencils, and collect library books from classrooms. Gorrie has over 18,000 books in its Media Center, and the library helpers keep our collection in top shape.
• Morning Show Crew – The morning show is a live broadcast featuring school news and announcements that is broadcast each morning on televisions found in every classroom. Around 30 fourth and fifth graders take turns throughout the year writing the morning show script, reading the news on camera, and operating the camera and teleprompter. Each child that is part of the crew has the opportunity to help both on and off camera.
• Safety Patrol – Gorrie’s safety patrol helps keep our students safe during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. Approximately 20 fifth graders volunteer their time each day to be safety officers in the morning or in the afternoon. Some very dedicated patrols even work both the morning and afternoon shifts! If you have driven by Gorrie in the morning or afternoon, you have probably seen our safety patrols assisting students into and out of their cars in the car pool line. Yes … even in the pouring rain while wearing fluorescent yellow plastic rain ponchos! What you may not know is that patrols also open and hold school doors, supervise the hallways during morning arrival or afternoon dismissal, change the message on the school sign, and raise and lower the American flag.

All of the students in these jobs volunteer their own time either before or after school to make Gorrie a great place to go to school. Thank you volunteers!!

Well, TMC President Bill Sharpe just left the printer with nearly 14,000 copies of the May issue of your Davis Island Community News. This very moment, they are on the way to the mailhouse in North Tampa, where your address will be printed on, and given to the post office. You should receive your copy on Monday or Tuesday - right on time!

A huge “thanks” must be extended to Derek Reusser. His company, Rubbernecker Designs, does the layout for the DICN, and we put him through the ringer for our first issue. Along with the late story of Islands Fest and the Morgan Invasion, we also added color to more pages at the last minute, giving Derek an impossible task. Luckily for us, Derek is nothing less than a pro, and made it happen. If you have any graphic design, publishing or marketing needs, please consider giving your business to Rubernecker Designs - we highly recommend them.

The May issue looks good. Starting on the front page, you will notice a new colorful header - of course it may screw up placement of the mailing address, but we’ll get that straightened out by next month. We were able to fit all of those articles submitted by your neighbors. Unfortunately, a story by Andrea Brunais about Hillsborough County’s Planning Commission Study Circle will be moved to the June issue.

Other than these small hiccups, it looks like we have successfully published a newspaper.

From the Young Islanders Club

The 5th Annual Davis Islands Easter Egg Hunt was held on April 7, 2007 at the beautiful Davis Islands Garden Club, and was enjoyed by more than 110 D.I. children and their families. Over 2,300 eggs were hidden! The eggs were filled with delicious treats donated by D.I. Body & Boutique and other egg-citing prizes including a pizza party donated by Tate Brothers Pizza, gift certificates donated by Serendipity, ice cream treats provided by Montalvo’s Ice Cream Shoppe, and wonderful goodies such as a portable CD/Stereo, digital camera, games, art supplies, sports balls, toys donated by the Davis Islands Civic Association.

In preparation for the egg hunt, Young Islanders’ children and parent volunteers met on April 3, 2007 at Tate Brothers Pizza to stuff plastic eggs. Special thanks go to the staff of D.I. Body & Boutique for stuffing many of the eggs in advance!

The Young Islanders wish to thank everyone who made the 2007 D.I. Easter Egg Hunt a huge success: the Davis Islands Garden Club for use of their beautiful grounds, the Davis Islands Civic Association for the fantastic prizes, D.I. Body & Boutique for the eggs and candy, Tate Brothers Pizza for the pizza party, Serendipity for the gift certificates, and Montalvo’s Ice Cream Shoppe & Café for the ice cream treats.

By Bill Sharpe

With over 50 Morgan Sailboats, airplane rides, chorus groups, magicians, pets, bands, prams, and more, the Islands Fest was a big success and the Morgan Invasion just added to the celebration.

Starting near noon and ending after 4, a full day of Islands Fest events kept everyone very busy. Swing dancers were rocking and rolling at the airport as many lined up for free airplane rides and enjoyed food provided by Rick’s Italian Cafe and SweetBay Supermarkets. The Davis Islands Baptist Church Childrens Group Chorus put on a show of exciting tunes and were later folowed by the Students Choir. Magicians, face painters, a pet parade, fun walks, Tampa Police Canine Demonstrations, Tampa Fire Department Fire Trucks on display, kept everyone moving with lots to do. The pets adoptions area had everyone scrambling with the thoughts of taking home new puppies . The E & I Band, TDO , and 97 West Band alternated sets thoroughout the day. Part of the additional excitement at Islands Fest was provided by the Youth Sailing Pram Regatta as these young sailors tested their skills at the Seaplane Basin.

Charley Morgan was the biggest celebrity in town as boats came from as far as Jacksonville to participate in the once a year event. As the original designer and builder of Morgan Yachts, over 150 Morgan Yacht fans were at the Davis Islands Yacht Club for the multi day event featuring races and a talk by Charley Morgan (see the video!) about how it all started and where it went. From 24 ft to over 40, the boat owners all expressed their love of sailing, of their boat, and of the man that founded the company. With pirate outfits and the sounds of cannons, it was announced that next year’s event will again return to the Davis Islands Club.

Special thanks must be given to all who participated and contributed in making this a special celebration for the community. We can’t wait til next year!

Photos: Islands Fest and Morgan Invasion
Video: Morgan Invasion Ceremony
Video: Islands Fest

Davis Had Supporters, Detractors, In Islands Land Deal
by Rodney Kite-Powell

David P. Davis had a lot to do in early 1924. Davis knew he needed to meet with the leaders of Tampa’s political and financial communities to insure the islands investment was a viable and legal proposition. He also had to piece together the area he would develop – both land that existed at the time and the water around it which could be filled in to greatly increase the size of the little islands. He would succeed in the end, but not without some problems along the way.

After hearing Davis’ presentation on the Islands development, Tampa’s mayor and city commission readily endorsed the plan, as did the Board of Trade, the city’s major business organization. Perhaps more importantly, Davis Islands received the endorsement of Peter O. Knight, the city’s most powerful and well-connected business and civic leader.

The next step centered on land acquisition including a contract with the city that would sell him Little Grassy Island plus its share in Big Grassy Island, and allow him to fill in the submerged lands surrounding them. The two parties quickly came to terms, with approval by the City Commission the final hurdle.

Some public opposition did exist. A small, but wealthy and influential group of residents who lived on or near Bayshore Boulevard objected to Davis’ plans because it would be detrimental to their view of Hillsborough Bay. These residents, led by Dr. Louis A. Bize, who in addition to his medical practice also served as president of Citizens Bank and Trust, outlined their problems in a letter sent to Tampa City Commissioners on February 12, 1924. The Bayshore residents’ view corridor was not the end of their problems with the Davis project. Their letter outlined six points of “protest” to the city commission and ended with a general attack on the contract itself, which Bize and his neighbors saw as “vague, uncertain, indefinite, and fails to provide limitations against additional encroachments upon the lands held in trust by the City of Tampa and the State of Florida.”

Though submitted by eight people, the neighborhood contingent kept their protest to one page. In contrast, Karl Whitaker, powerful local lawyer and future city attorney, wrote a twelve page epistle, attacking the proposed contract point by point. Whitaker began by explaining he did not “care at this time to enter into a discussion as to the merits or demerits of the so called Davis Development Project.” Whitaker then outlined what he would like to see happen to Little Grassy Islands, a park similar to one in Miami’s Biscayne Bay.

A number of people and organizations supported Davis’ proposed island development. As previously mentioned, the Board of Trade strongly backed the idea, as did the Optimist Club of Tampa and numerous other business people, especially real estate agents and builders. Even Dr. Bize warmed to the prospect of the islands development.

City Commissioners signed the completed contract with Davis on February 26, 1924. The contract, altered slightly through the efforts of both Bize and Whitaker, still heavily favored Davis. The project was described in the contract as a “high-class residential subdivision,” which included a bridge to the development and parks within it. Both would be deeded to the city under the parameters of the contract.

The contract began with the sale of the city’s rights to Little Grassy Island, its share of Big Grassy Island, and all of the surrounding submerged land, for $200,000. Restrictive covenants occupied the second section of the contract. Included among them were no “manufacturing plants, wholesale purposes shipyards; steam-railways or railway terminals, or commercial docks or wharves.” The city also prohibited “buildings or structures” or “any fill … west of the west boundary of said property.” No mention appears of any other boundary restrictions, one of Whitaker’s major issues. While it remains unclear why the contract was written in this manner, Davis did not exceed any of the boundaries of the original sale.

Rodney Kite-Powell is the Saunders Foundation Curator of History at the Tampa Bay History Center. Photos are from the Tampa Bay History Center Collection.

Davis Islands Relay for Life – Second Year Event Doubles Goal for American Cancer Society

By Lisa DeVitto

Nearly 500 volunteers and supporters turned out on Friday, April 13 at the beautiful Davis Islands Seaplane Basin Park to hold a highly successful Second Annual Relay for Life for the benefit of American Cancer Society. With waves lapping, and sailboats bobbing in the background, relayers set up a temporary stage and a “track” to walk. Inspirational signs with cancer facts and figures, and messages of hope marked the walking route. Circling the track were decorated tents under the Hollywood/Movie theme of “Lights, Camera, Relay,” with silent auction items, food for sale, and raffle tickets. Thirty staff and faculty from Gorrie Elementary school created a team in honor of the memory of teacher Beth Waters who recently passed away from breast cancer. Beth’s daughter is a 5th-grader this year at Gorrie. The Plant High School Marching Band also had a team.

This year’s major sponsors were Tampa General Hospital, and the law firms Wilkes & McHugh, P.A.; Trombley & Hanes; Ian S. Giovinco, P.A., and Isaak & Zwirn, P.A. In-kind donors were The Columbia Restaurant WAG Pet Boutique, City of Tampa Parks & Recreation Department, Marge’s Flower Shop, Montalvo’s Ice Cream Shoppe & Cafe. Returning Chairwoman for the event was Jennifer Fadal, of WAG, with her husband Cristan as Co-Chair. Committee members included Ian Giovinco, Sam LaMonte, M.D., Donna & Ron Hanes, Roy Burnett, Jacqui Silla, Tania Pike, Beth Fitch, Dr. Leslie Lubich, Kelly Reilly, Frances Perrone and Jonathon Gorab. Their 21 teams raised $72,000, over twice the goal.

This signature event for the American Cancer Society raises funds for research and programs, education, and advocacy. Relay honors those who have suffered from cancer, their families and supporters, and provides an opportunity to join together in the fight against cancer. Each Relay culminates months of planning and fundraising. Under the slogan that “cancer never sleeps,” each team keeps a member walking the track at all times.

Shortly after 6 pm cancer survivors took the first lap around the track, led by the Plant High School Drum Line, and were honored with a special dinner provided by The Columbia Restaurant. Survivors Caroline Gibson, twelve years old, and Julia Arena Miller, spoke of their personal experiences with cancer, and their determination to fight the disease. Caroline’s mother Stephanie expressed her gratitude that research and medical advances greatly increased the survival rates for her daughter’s cancer from 20% to 80%, in just ten years.

Music and organized games continued all night – from line dancing, to limbo, volleyball and a water balloon toss, plus an impressive 50-child field for red-light green light. A beautiful luminaria ceremony included Emmet Bondurant, playing the bagpipe. Returning team members included prior year’s top fundraisers Donna and Ron Hanes, who each captained separate teams and again were top fundraisers. The State Attorney’s team also returned. Dr. Leslie Lubich, with her husband and young sons present, served as Advocacy Chair for the second year, and led the effort to sign up volunteers for the Cancer Action Network.

Anyone interested in serving on the committee for the 2008 event may contact Stacy Green at stacy.green@cancer.org or call Jennifer or Cristan Fadal at the Wag Pet Boutique at 258-9181.

By Bill Sharpe

How does spending all night walking sound to you?

The Davis Islands seaplane basin was the location for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life as over 100 participants started early on a Friday evening and kept walking until early on Saturday morning. The event raised over $60,000 in the continuing battle against cancer. With corporate sponsors, cancer survivors, and many individuals, the enthusiasm stayed high throughout the event. The convenient but secluded Davis Islands location provided a great view of the water and the occasional out bound freighter helped to keep everyone awake through the long night. Great job by everyone involved!

Photos: 2007 Davis Islands Relay for Life

From our friends at the Ronald McDonald House right here on Davis Islands:

Random Act of Kindness Benefits Ronald McDonald House

TAMPA BAY , Florida – The Old Meeting House of Tampa will perform their monthly Random Act of Kindness at the Davis Islands Ronald McDonald House with an ice cream party. Their mobile unit will dispense ice cream to the families and children in residence on April 23, in an effort to lighten their hearts and spirits.

The Ronald McDonald House of Tampa Bay provides a home-away-from-home for families with children being treated in area hospitals. Since opening their doors 27 years ago they have served more than 30,000 families, and provide comfort and care to 2,300 families each year. There are three Ronald McDonald Houses in Tampa Bay , two in St. Petersburg and one in Tampa next to Tampa General Hospital .

Community groups and individuals are encouraged to contact Ronald McDonald House with ideas to help make the lives of pediatric families a little bit brighter, either in the form of delivering a meal, collecting pantry items, or donating gift and baby items. Please call Janice Davis at 813-258-6430.