Advertisement
Maddy Franklin - Life & Culture Reporter
Maddy Franklin

Life & Culture Reporter

I love reporting on stories that challenge my and others’ perspectives of our surroundings and reveal something unique about the human experience. I’m joining the Times’ Life and Culture team this summer and look forward to exploring Tampa Bay’s nooks and crannies and seeing what moves people in the area. Let’s talk about your favorite places, niche hobbies, beloved pets and everything in between!

  1. Meet the St. Petersburg woman who rescues baby squirrels at Squirrelly AF
    Aug. 15• Life & Culture
    Jill Horstmann, founder of wildlife rescue and nonprofit Squirrelly AF, feeds a young squirrel at her home in St. Petersburg.
  2. At Moffitt Cancer centers, therapy dogs offer joy and support
    Aug. 5• Pets
    Jolie, a 5-year-old Australian Labradoodle, charms the room while receiving pets and smiles from registered nurse Tessa Hermesman,center, and registered nurse Branden Roberts while visiting a nursing station before meeting with patients at the Moffitt Cancer Center Magnolia campus in Tampa on Tuesday, Aug. 1. Jolie was one of three of Moffitt's Therapy Dogs making the rounds and collecting smiles. Jolie’s owner is Marlene Csunyo, a retired NICU nurse who has been volunteering with Jolie for three years with Moffitt's Therapy Dogs.
  3. The only lesbian bar in Florida: How The Lady’s Room in Largo hangs on
    Aug. 2• Life & Culture
    Bridget Eugenides (left) and Kate Gillespie (right) dance together on Friday, July 21, 2023 at The Lady's Room line dancing night in Largo. The bar has leaned into events and theme nights to bring people in the door.
  5. 7 unique yoga classes you can take in Tampa Bay
    July 31• Life & Culture
    Hot yoga instructor Alexis Holland, left, poses in Warrior I alongside yogis at The Body Electric Yoga Company in St. Petersburg in 2019.
  6. Here’s when South Tampa restaurant Datz will officially close
    July 27• Food News
    The Cheesy Todd is served at Datz. (Courtesy of Datz Restaurant Group)
  7. Review: At Clearwater’s The Sound, the Goo Goo Dolls kick off summer tour
    July 25• Music Reviews
    John Rzeznik of Goo Goo Dolls performs during the first Big Night Out tour stop at The Sound at Coachman Park in Clearwater on Monday.
  8. Tampa Bay sign language interpreters bring shows to life for deaf patrons
    July 18• Life & Culture
    American Sign Language interpreters Ben Jackson, left, Katie Bonneville and Ahmed Carames, interpret for the deaf and hard-of-hearing members of the audience in attendance while standing on the side of the stage during the production of the Broadway musical "Annie" at the Straz Center.
  9. Clearwater man arrested in fatal pedestrian hit-and-run
    July 15• Crime
    A pedestrian died in a fatal hit-and-run early Saturday.
  10. Man dead, woman injured in Clearwater apartment shooting
    July 15• Breaking News
    A man died and a woman was shot in the leg in Clearwater on Friday night.
  11. 8 hurt in Lakeland train crash with semitrailer
    July 15• Florida
    A passenger train crashed into a semi-trailer in Lakeland.
  12. At a Barbie-pink car show, a Tampa woman finds community
    July 11• Life & Culture
    Ashley Witt shows off her 2014 Nissan Rogue at Auto Barbie Orlando, Florida’s first all-pink car show, on Sunday, July 9, 2023.
  13. Tampa’s Cru Cellars to close Armature Works location, open new restaurant
    July 7• Food News
    Cru Cellars is transforming its Westshore Marina District location into Vela, an Italian and Mediterranean restaurant and tavern.
  14. Review: How was the first concert at The Sound at Clearwater’s Coachman Park?
    June 29• Music Reviews
    Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Cheap Trick perform on Wednesday at The Sound, the new music venue at Coachman Park in Clearwater.
  15. Downtown St. Petersburg restaurant Zoie’s has closed
    June 26• Food News
    Zoie's in St. Petersburg has closed, as of June 26.
  16. St. Pete Pride draws big crowd, heat and hope for change: ‘Let’s do this!’
    June 24• Live Coverage
    Parade participants oppose Gov. Ron DeSantis with their signs during the St. Pete Pride Parade along Bayshore Drive on Saturday, June 24, 2023, in St. Petersburg.
  17. Idina Menzel brings drama, empowerment to St. Petersburg Pride concert
    June 24• Entertainment
    Idina Menzel performs her song “Defying Gravity” from the Broadway musical Wicked at the St. Pete Pride Concert at Jannus Live on Friday. She dedicated the song to trans and LGBTQ+ youth in Florida.
  18. Here’s how three of Tampa Bay’s Black leaders spent Juneteenth
    June 20• Life & Culture
    Terri Lipsey Scott, executive director of the Woodson museum, along with city officials, including Mayor Ken Welch, at right, during the museum’s Juneteenth celebration.
  19. How St. Petersburg is spreading LGBTQ+ allyship through love letters
    June 13• Life & Culture
    The Letters of Love Pop-Up Station on display at Metro Inclusive Health on Monday in St. Petersburg. In honor of Pride month, the city of St. Petersburg is encouraging residents and visitors to express love and support for the LGBTQ+ community by sharing kind messages at local businesses and organizations.
  20. Here’s how to cool off at Tampa Bay pools, water parks and splash pads
    June 10• Kids & Family
    You can buy a day pass to swim in the Don CeSar pool.