It’s been hard to put into words how much love my mama had in her and how loved she was. She had the kindest heart, she was strong beyond measure, and the world has lost someone irreplaceable.
Mama I will miss your endless jokes and incredible sense of humor. I will miss the way your eyes crinkle up when you smiled. I will miss your commentary watching movies and the way you would sing along to music in the car. It was an honor to brush your hair, to play Chinese checkers with you, to care for you the same ways you did for Liz and I.
I will see the beauty in all things because of you.
This morning I received a call requesting something nostalgic and would like to share some stellar Tampa history that came to an end in recent years.
Eastbay Raceway was Tampa’s first dirt track. Eastbay was an integral part of Tampa’s car culture and hosted a multitude of charity events for the community over the course of 4 decades.
Due to its proximity to the bay and a high water table, the track surface was famous for changing as the tides rose and fell, often becoming “tackier” at night without any manual watering from the crew. A Crown Jewel Venue, it hosted elite series like the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and the High Limit Sprint Car Series, drawing top drivers from across the country. The track was uniquely located in the shadow of a massive phosphate mine owned by the Mosaic Company, which eventually purchased the land to expand its mining and storage operations.
My family grew up going here and I have memories with my grandpa and mom at this track. Sad to see local legends come to an end but it’s things like this that remind me why I love my job and historic research. Communities are made from a multitude of stories and it’s their preservation that keeps them alive and opens opportunities for innovation for the future.
Connect with your local library and find out what we have in our archives that interests you.
Sourced from the August 1979 East Hillsborough column of the Tampa Tribune archive.
Pictured is Dick Anderson, Dick Trickle Elko, Robbie Crouch, Jr Hanley, and Tony Chris.
#fyp #racing #dragracing #cars #tampahistory
The man that taught me and my sister everything about nature, fishing, boating, being a steward in your community and environment, being a kind and honest person, and above all loving family passed. He was the hardest working man and most loving husband to my Mimi. He was a wonderful father to my mama and uncle. He was a loving example of integrity and loyalty to everyone who knew him. Anytime I hear Roy Orbison I will think of him. Thank you for everything you did for our family, all the tractor surfing when I was little, the lessons on catching cleaning and cooking scallops, teaching me how to grow the perfect tomato, never missing a dance recital or concert, and loving every living thing God created. I will carry everything you taught me through this lifetime.
according to punxsutawney phil this winter will continue- so goodbye january you were dark and cold n long with brief moments of beauty and community. writing from bed and hoping in the coming february, flu season will fear me. I hope every one gets to spend at least one day around people they love and stay healthy. embrace your soups.
