By Nanette Wiser
BOOK NOOK Strolling through Tombolo Books, I picked up Paul Wilborn’s hilarious novel Florida Hustle (2022) and Craig Pittman’s quirky essays The State You’re In (2021). Both are great beach reads. With a folksy style, an eye for the absurd, and a passion for the history and environment of his home state, Pittman describes some of Florida’s oddest wildlife as well as its quirkiest people and exotic animals including a love story involving the most tattooed woman in the world, a deep dive into the state’s professional mermaid industry, and an investigation of a battle between residents of a nudist resort and the U.S. Postal Service.
Another great summer read from Florida-born Stephen Burdick is The Gray Detective, available on Amazon. A retired civil servant living in Tampa Bay, his first book, Deemer’s Inlet, was published in 2020. Burdick shared the plot with us: “Homicide detective Joe Hampton and his wife, Joyce, had planned to move to Clearwater Beach, Florida, once he retired from the Philadelphia Police Department. After Joyce unexpectedly passes away, Joe goes ahead with the move. Once he’s settled into the Crimson Conch condominiums, his hopes of starting over again are realized—until a series of murders upends his plans for a peaceful retirement. Finding the body of a resident in the channel behind the condominiums, Joe is drawn back into the world of criminal investigation. A rocky beginning with Detectives Carly Truffant and David Sizemore develops into a successful partnership as Joe assists them in their search for the killer.”
Rag Basket Making
at Beach House
in Gulfport
GET CREATIVE When the kids go back to school, it’s time for the adults to learn some new tricks as well. Why not get crafty with me? Recently I learned the art of flower hammering, creating cards by tapping pigment out of flowers, very soothing. Next up for me is rag basket making @Beach House 5317, 9/17 in Gulfport. Taught by Lakeland artist Heidi Wineland, a folk artist who works with a variety of materials, including a number of fiber techniques. Her “Kitty Allen” brand soft stuffed dolls and monsters are sold in galleries and shops throughout the U.S. All supplies are included; reservations required.
VIRTUAL ARTS Presented by The St. Pete Arts Alliance, Curate St. Pete showcases online video series highlighting St. Pete’s art galleries, studios and talented artists in the seven arts districts. Here you can meet in a Virtual ArtWalk, bid for art from local artists in a Virtual Auction, and enjoy dance, music, theatre, and film including artists at Creative Clay, Mize Gallery, Soft Water Studios, Zen Glass Studios, Florida CraftArts, Duncan McCllelan and more. www.curatestpete.com/explore
