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‘Tampa Bay: Living Legacy’ Documentary On WUSF-TV Chronicles Bay’s Spoiling, Recovery From Pollution

“Tampa Bay: Living Legacy,” a one-hour documentary film about Florida’s largest open-water estuary, will be broadcast on WUSF-TV (Channel 16)  at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23. The film also will air on WEDU-TV (Channel 3) in October.

The film chronicles Tampa Bay’s transformation from a relatively unspoiled paradise in the 1950s, to a waterway battered by pollution in the 1970s, to its amazing rebirth and recovery beginning some 25 years ago and continuing today.

“Tampa Bay: Living Legacy” features interviews with scientists, elected officials and citizens, including well-known Floridians such as former Governor Bob Martinez, the mayors of both Tampa and St. Petersburg and former State Education Commissioner Betty Castor. Compelling archival images help tell the bay’s story, along with extensive new footage showcasing the extraordinary beauty of the bay’s habitats and inhabitants.

The film also pays homage to early bay advocates such as Roger Stewart, former head of Hillsborough’s Environmental Protection Commission, who was fired by the county in the 1970s for his outspoken criticism of sewage dumping in the bay, and rehired after a CBS “60 Minutes” piece exposed the severe pollution of the bay. Subsequent state legislation co-sponsored by former Rep. Mary Figg (also featured in the film) required all governments discharging sewage to Tampa Bay to utilize advanced treatment methods — a crucial change that sparked the bay’s dramatic turnaround.

“Tampa Bay: Living Legacy” provides a living history of the bay’s evolution over time. Two-thirds of Bay Area residents did not live here 25 years ago when these early bay champions were working to save the bay. The producers hope the film will inspire today’s residents, and future generations, to sustain their legacy.

The film is narrated by Patrick Wilson, a Broadway and film star who has appeared in “Phantom of the Opera,” “Oklahoma” and “The Full Monty.”  Wilson grew up in St. Petersburg, where his father, John, is a longtime local news anchor.

Funding for “Tampa Bay: Living Legacy” was provided by the Tampa Bay Estuary Program and the Pinellas County Environmental Fund. The film was produced by Public Media Productions of Tampa.

photo for Tropical Breeze courtesy of Hayworth Creative Public Relations

TradeWinds Guests Create Terry Cloth Salute

On the Fourth of July, guests of the TradeWinds Island Resorts on St. Pete Beach created this giant Betsy Ross flag on their beach out of more than 975 beach towels. This creative and inspiring tribute was the brainchild of Bob McManaway, director of security and veteran of the Armed Forces, who decided to dye the beach towels red, white and blue in an effort to create this flag and celebrate America.

Safety Harbor Obituaries

Randy Antonacci, 44, Safety Harbor, died June 26, 2006. He was born in Jeannette, PA, and came here in 1985 from Delmont, PA. He was a member of Espiritu Santo Catholic Church and he enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, water sports and spending time with family. Survivors include his wife of 21 years, Jodi; a son, Alex, Safety Harbor; his mother, Sylvia Antonacci, and a brother, Jerry, both of Jeannette; a sister, Linda Detzel, Erie, PA; and several nieces and nephews.

Bryant Ronald Scott, 57, Safety Harbor, died June 28, 2006 at Hospice House Woodside, Pinellas Park. He was born in Buffalo, NY, and came here in 1992 from Akron, OH. He was an engineer and retired after 20 years with American Brass in Tonawanda, NY. He was a member of Espiritu Santo Catholic Church, Safety Harbor. Survivors include a son, Scott Ronald, New Port Richey; his mother, Mildred Bryant, Clearwater; two brothers, James, Glynco, GA, and Terry, Australia; and two sisters, Sharon Bryant, San Diego, and Faith Tadman, Bellevue, WA.

Carmela Theodore, 97, Safety Harbor, died July 2, 2006 at Mease Countryside Hospital, Safety Harbor. She was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and came here in 1990 from Brooklyn, NY. She was a homemaker and a member of Espiritu Santo Catholic Church, Safety Harbor. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, and dancing. Survivors include two daughters, Solange Valles, Safety Harbor, and Nicole Brutus, Queens, NY; four sons, Pierre and Jean Robert, both of Miami, Joseph, Weston, and Fritz, Brooklyn; 23 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren.

Loyd Virgil Jones, 67, of Oldsmar, died July 11, 2006 at James A. Haley VA Medical Center, Tampa. He came to Pinellas County in 1958 from his native Glencoe , AL, and moved to Oldsmar in 1987. He was a sculptor and Coast Guard veteran. Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Diane; a son, Lee, New Port Richey; his mother and stepfather, Ann and Nick Hionedes, Dunedin; and two granddaughters, Jennifer and Ellysa Jones, both of New Port Richey.

Thomas Demas, 73, Safety Harbor, died July 12, 2006 at Mease Countryside Hospital, Safety Harbor. He came here in 1986 from his native Springfield, MA. He was retired from a dry cleaning business and was an Army veteran of the Korean War. Survivors include his wife, Katherine; two sons, George, Crystal Beach, and Steven, Tierra Verde; a daughter, Julie Bragg, Nantucket, MA; a brother, Mark Pagios, West Springfield, MA; and two grandchildren.

John Arnold, 88, Safety Harbor, died July 14, 2006 at Tandem Health Care, Safety Harbor. There are no known survivors.

Donald J. Rigsby, 70, a native of Safety Harbor, died July 14, 2006 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Cornelia, GA following an extended illness. He was the son of the late Mr. ...
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