Stories of pain, and prosperity, during recession

Labor Day won't carry the same meaning this year for many weathering one of the worst recessions in recent history. They've lost their jobs, so a day off for the working world may not be cause for a yippee. But it's not the same for everyone. So we gathered personal experiences from New Tampa to Belmont Heights to Valrico. Their short stories were as complex as they were diverse: the lawyer busy with child support claims, the family close to losing their home and the guy who never worries about a slowdown in his line of work — digging graves.

John Thrasher, New Tampa: Music programs in public schools are typically among the first cut when budgets are slashed. It turns out, in times of recession, parents are willing to pay for private lessons.

Excel Music, a 3-year-old studio that offers private instrument and voice lessons, has not been devastated by the sagging economy. Instead, this business, in the Cory Lake Isles Professional Center, continues to grow as more parents seek other ways to enrich their children's lives through music.

Owner John Thrasher believes education-based businesses are less susceptible to a fluctuating economy because parents want more for their children. "A lot of parents feel that music is an important aspect in a well-rounded education," said Thrasher, a former drummer in the Mickey Gilley band. "And they're willing to give up their Starbucks every day to afford it."

As with any music program, students come and go. Thrasher said that whenever students drop his program, he has them give the reasons so he can track the quality of his school. They leave for reasons like a parent's job transfer or they go off to college. Only 3 percent indicated the decision was fueled by economics.

Dong-Phuong Nguyen, Times Staff Writer

NANCY COON, SUN CITY CENTER: Nancy Coon's target age for retirement continues to climb.

A former publishing executive, Coon set her sights on 55. But after the stock market crashed in the early 2000s, she worked to rebuild her investment portfolio. Then she looked to age 60.

This year she hit that benchmark. But once again, she lost her investments — several hundred thousand dollars from her IRA in the recent recession.

Coon, who settled in Sun City Center with her husband two years ago, is a sales associate at a home improvement store. At first, she took the job to get out of the house. Now she needs it for extra income and to rebuild her IRA.

"I have a personal concern for us baby boomers," Coon said. "Any of us who were able to put money aside and invest it — because God knows you can't live off Social Security — we're all in the same position."

Gone are the days of generous employer-backed pensions and retirement health benefits of her parents' generation, she said.

Her new target age for retirement: 66.

Saundra Amrhein, Times Staff Writer

CHRIS KIDDY, LITHIA: Chris Kiddy left his landscaping business a year and a half ago for a more stable job as a county park ranger. Two months ago, he found out he'd be laid off on Sept. 30 with 58 other park employees.

It was tough to go to work each day at Lithia Springs Park with that date looming.

"I have a baby, and I was really worried about his future," said Kiddy, 28.

But good news came mid August. There wouldn't be extensive layoffs. Instead, park-goers will pay fees — tentatively $2 a car.

The day after he got the news, Kiddy was all smiles. He stopped by the bright blue spring filled with dozens of swimmers. He visited the nearby off-limits spring, which is filled with tilapia, an invasive species, he said.

He's interested in conservation and habitat restoration. When he first heard he was going to be laid off, he decided to go back to school. He's sticking with that plan.

He hopes to major in environmental studies or biology and move up to a management position.

Jessica Vander Velde, Times Staff Writer

Greg and Michelle Brown, Valrico: Greg Brown lost his job one month after he and his family moved into the first home they've ever owned. Now there's only $2,000 left in the bank.

"And it's about to get spent on bills," his wife, Michelle, said, wiping away tears. Since June, the 39-year-old has been searching for a job.

She gets up in the wee hours of the morning just so she can be the first to see new online postings.

Greg, 38, had been making good money as a plumber. It was enough to allow her to stay home. But when construction stopped, so did the work.

The Browns and their two children have eliminated all extra spending. They clip coupons, search for manager's specials at the grocery store and head straight to clearance items for purchases they can't do without. They pray they don't lose their house in Valrico.

"It seems like the economy is just falling apart," Michelle said. "It's just scary, the fear of not knowing if what you have today will be here tomorrow."

Chandra Broadwater, Times Staff Writer

Candace Harriman, Tampa: Business remains steady at Candace Harriman's law office near Busch Boulevard, but the issues she drafts into complaints and motions these days speak of a pinched economy.

More people seek bankruptcies and foreclosures along with divorces, said Harriman, who has practiced family law for 10 years.

"I'm seeing more requests to modify child support and alimony," she said.

Many of her clients have difficulties meeting their financial obligations, she said. Some have lost jobs. Some have taken pay cuts.

Harriman, 37, also sees a shift in her clients' wishes. They no longer want to equitably divide assets. Instead, they seek to minimize debts. People are upside-down on mortgages, with retirement plan values dwindling.

"It used to be that the home was an actual asset rather than a negative asset," Harriman said.

"Now it's more like: 'You take the house.' 'No, you take the house.' "

Elisabeth Parker, Times Staff Writer

Catherine Ansel, Westchase: The economy boomed in 2004 when Catherine Ansel opened the doors of Couture Designer Boutique.

Then, a steady stream of customers came into her high-end Westchase consignment store to snap up designer clothes and accessories and to sell some of their own.

Today's economy is a far cry from those glory days, but Ansel's business still flourishes.

"We're getting a lot of great items that we probably wouldn't normally (get) because consignors, who had tons of bags before, are now thinking they should let go of some," said Ansel, 40.

The shelves at her shop resemble a luxury department store. There's the white leather Christian Dior purse. A pair of strappy brown Manolo Blahnik shoes. A cultured pearl necklace.

And with the economy in the dumps, many customers who usually buy designer goods look past department stores and to Ansel for their retail fix.

"We have tons of things that have never been worn or only worn once," Ansel said.

Business may be good, but Ansel notices the emotional toll the recession is having on her clients.

"They call often to see if their items have sold," she said. "They want to know what's the first day they can pick up a check."

Nicole Hutcheson, Times Staff Writer

John Saxton, New Tampa: John Saxton once worked at New York City's famous five-star Windows on the World restaurant, which sat atop the World Trade Center. He trained under lifestyle expert and restaurant owner B. Smith.

Today, he runs his own restaurant, Urban Culinary Cuisine in Cross Creek. The recession has hit restaurants hard, and his is no exception.

He can't afford to hire a restaurant staff as he had hoped, so he relies on his wife and friends to help operate his establishment. In addition to cooking, he cleans, handles the registers and answers the phones.

"I wear many, many hats," said Saxton, 54.

His catering business is a bright spot, showing solid growth. But it's not enough for him to hire extra staff. Patrons must call ahead to see if the restaurant is open because if Saxton has a big catering order to fill, he can't be in the kitchen cooking orders for the floor.

It has been tough since opening more than a year and a half ago, but he pledges to stick with it.

"I put my life savings into this restaurant," he said. "I have no choice."

Dong-Phuong Nguyen, Times Staff Writer

Jim McKeehan, Belmont/Jackson Heights: Jim McKeehan once dug eight graves in a day — by hand.

He was a teen then, back when his parents bought the 10-acre cemetery on Hanna Avenue in 1949. He mowed after school and on weekends, digging graves as orders came. The family charged $15 for a space and $7.50 for the digging.

McKeehan, now 74, said he welcomed 486 new residents to Rest Haven Memorial Park last year.

"That was a good year," he said. "This year is looking the same. I haven't really felt the recession."

Recalling his 60-year career at the cemetery, McKeehan reckons he has dug more than 3,000 graves by hand.

"That's a lot of calluses," said McKeehan, who also worked as a firefighter and medic.

These days workers dig most of the graves with a backhoe. They dig by hand only when sites aren't accessible in the now 30-acre graveyard.

Today's cost: $700 for a burial plot and $550 for the digging.

McKeehan's family still owns the business. His wife and son work with him.

He doesn't plan to retire, ever.

Elisabeth Parker, Times Staff Writer