BLANKETS FOR BABIES: The Piecemakers, a quilting group from Pass-a-Grille Beach Community Church, delivered 90 quilted baby blankets to the neonatal center at All Children's Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine in St. Petersburg Nov. 18. The quilters have delivered 200 baby blankets to the hospital so far this year and added the 90 Christmas-themed blankets to their list. Over the past 15 years, the women in the Piecemakers have created and delivered almost 4,500 blankets to All Children's and plan to make and deliver more through the end of the year.
ISLETTES FUNDRAISER: The Treasure Islettes, the women's club of Treasure Island, held its fall fundraiser Holly Fest Nov. 15. The annual luncheon and holiday bazaar had member contributions of crafts, baked goods, jewelry, plants and gift baskets. The event raised about $6,000 for Treasure Island projects. Last year the club donated $30,000 to the city to plant palm trees and other plants along the Beach Trail and the causeway. The Treasure Islettes was founded in 1955, dedicated to scholarship and service to the community.
COAST GUARD HONOR: Barry Porter was recognized for 55 years of service to the Coast Guard Auxiliary by his peers in Flotilla 72 in St. Petersburg. Porter became a member of the auxiliary on Nov. 13, 1959, and the group created the Barry Porter Service Award in his honor. The award will recognize others in his unit who complete 20 years of volunteer service. He was thanked by Cmdr. Sean P. Ryan, deputy commander of Sector St. Petersburg, on behalf of the Coast Guard. Porter will receive a plaque from the office of the Chief Director of the Auxiliary in Washington, D.C. as a thank you for his service. Porter says he doesn't plan to retire and hopes to celebrate his 60-year anniversary with the Coast Guard in five years.
THANKSGIVING GOODIES: Twenty-three masons, friends and family members of the Gulf Beach Masonic Lodge in Madeira Beach prepared and delivered Thanksgiving food baskets to eight local families. The baskets included a turkey, pies and traditional sides. The lodge has been providing holiday baskets to local families in need for 40 years.
STETSON STUDENTS: Stetson University College of Law students were named best advocates at the 13th annual National Civil Trial Competition. Stetson's team of Chad Florin, Daniel Miles, Candice Rojas and Lisa Ungerbuehler placed second at the competition in Los Angeles Nov. 16. Rojas earned Best Advocate in the final round and Miles was Best Advocate in the preliminary round. More than 50 law schools from around the country competed; only 16 schools advanced to the finals.