Howl-O-Scream a Hit

October 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

As a Florida resident I have been visiting the haunted attractions at Universal Studios for years, and when Busch Gardens started to offer a haunted attraction, I was excited to have one in my backyard.  As far as Universal to Busch Gardens I was unsure what I would get, knowing that Universal Studios is a movie studio so I expected it to be better.  That first experience changed my view, I am hooked on Busch Gardens version.

Its going on over 7 years since they started Howl-O-Scream and I have enjoyed going back year after year.  This year I heard they were changing things around a little, so I was extra excited to see what they had to offer.  This year the theme was “The Dark Side of the Gardens”, zombies infest the haunted landscape, and they lived up to their theme.

Inside there were tons of haunted attractions including:  Nevermore, Ultimate Gamble Vampire Casino, Nightshade Toys, Death Row Vengeance -Fear the Dead, Destruction – The Dr. is Out of Control, Alone and the signature house Zombie Mortuary.  There are also scare spots across the park and all their roller coasters were operating even in the dark for an extra scary thrill.

From the moment you walk in the entire park was decked out as is if it were a garden.  Wrought iron fences draped in ivy and vines, but beware because as I found out leaning up against one of these walls or gates, there maybe something lurking behind.

Zombies, cheerleader zombies and evil clowns walk the park revving up chain saws from behind you, screaming at your face, scraping metal across the concrete as you walk the paths throughout the park.  Sometimes you don’t even know they are there, because they blend in.

Throughout the night I was able to visit two houses and ride one ride.

Cheetah Hunt

I chose for a ride “Cheetah Hunt” the brand new roller coaster to Busch Gardens.  Using magnet technology you are boosted from 0 to 60 mph in seconds. You ride down a path, making you feel like you are a cheetah running across the Serengeti.  You are propelled up 120 feet at 60 mph, reaching G forces of 4G simulating a cheetah jumping into the trees, then a short 90 degree drop.

I actually rode this amazing coaster during the day but at night… WOW!  I would seriously recommend this coaster.  There are not a lot of upside down loops, only one barrel roll, but its a fun ride you won’t soon forget.

**For this special event, this ride fills up fast, expect long lines with long wait times.  I suggest since this is a brand new coaster, hit this first**

Death Row Vengeance 

Now this was a cool haunted house.  It had some great effects for sure.  You’ll walk through the death chambers including the lethal injection, where you watch a man as he is strapped to the table, needle hanging out and waiting to meet the devil.  Walk through the maze and you will soon come across a strobe filled electric chair, where a damned inmate’s fate is sealed.  You’ll even see the old fashioned gallows where a man is strung up by his neck waiting to drop to his death.

When you come to the death row cell block, you’ll be “greeted” by the charming inmates and inmates float across the hallway above you.

I LOVED this house, wasn’t a horrific house, but it had a scare factor of its own.

Nevermore

The final house I went to was Nevermore.  This was a wicked cool house, because it has the feel of an old haunted victorian house with art statues that fill the atrium and garden; but don’t be surprised if one of or more of these statues come to life and try to grab you.  You’ll experience a haunted house, similar to the “Haunted Mansion” at Disney, just you won’t be in a ride, you’ll be up close and personal with the haunted entities.

I love the feel, the effects were amazing and by far my favorite house I had the pleasure to experience

What to Expect

All the rides are active except for the water rides, the Phoenix, and the kids area.  I would not suggest bringing children under 10 it is violent.  Get your tickets online if you can to help lessen the wait at the door.  Get there early, its packed and parking is tough and Busch Blvd is at a stand still.  Expect to wait in long lines, so bring your smart phone and sit back for the fun ride!

The event goes from September 28th to October 29th.

Passport members get in for $32.99, tickets are normally $77.00 – to purchase tickets visit http://seaworldparks.com/howloscream_com_2011/#/home/

Once again, Busch Gardens didn’t disappoint

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Disney World – Where Imagineers Live

June 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

There really is no place on earth quite the Walt Disney theme parks. From the Magic Kingdom to the Wide World of Sports Complex, everything Disney does is magical. When I personally need inspiration as an artist the place I go to is Disney, because it shows what someone can accomplish and it all started with a pencil sketch of a mouse on a napkin. That sketch has become a multi-billion dollar industry where imagination rules.

This edition of Amazing Adventures takes us to that magical place where Fairies and Princesses live, and imagination is king. We traveled up to Orlando, Florida to visit the world famous Magic Kingdom and to seek out adventures in the “House of Mouse.”

I was super excited to return to the Magic Kingdom, because I heard they enhanced the infamous Space Mountain ride, and I wanted to try it.

Disney Experience

If you’ve never visited Disney, you are missing out on so much. The megaplex that contains Disney’s Magic Kingdom, MGM Studios, Downtown Disney, Animal Kingdom, Epcot and the Wide World of Sports Complex is highly groomed and well-taken care of; the landscaping is immaculate.  To make it even more eye catching are all the luxurious resorts.  Staying at one of these beautiful places makes you feel like a prince or princess,  king or queen.

With so many options to choose from, it’s hard to decide which resort to stay at, and what park to enjoy. Luckily, Disney introduced a hopper pass which allows visitors the chance to experience two or more parks in one day, or over a period of days.

Take it from me, you will never be able to experience everything each park has to offer in a single day. I’ve gone to the Magic Kingdom four times in the last three years and I still find things I didn’t see before.

Magic Kingdom

If you can, try to get there before the park opens.  This was the first time I actually arrived before the park opened and what I saw was magical. They open each day with a grand parade – but would you expect anything less from Disney?

All the characters arrived on the train over the main gate of the park. They danced, they celebrated, and then the Mayor of the Magic Kingdom opened the gate in grandeur style. It gave me the chills.

Once inside, your first experience is a nostalgic one, as the shops and the original “downtown” of the park are donned in 19th century style from signage to the architecture, and looming down over the horizon of Main Street is Cinderella’s Castle.

I suggest going through all the rides first and finishing up with lunch or a snack and some shopping in Main Street before you leave.

Tomorrow Land: Here you will experience the amazing Space Mountain, one of the original rides of the park. There is also the Grand Prix, Stitch’s Big Adventure and much more.

My personal favorite ride in Tomorrow Land is Space Mountain. Space Mountain is an indoor roller coaster, which makes you feel like your flying through space. In 2009, before they renovated the ride, Space Mountain was partially lit. You could see stars and the tracks ahead of you, but not easily. However, since the renovation, I personally think they made the ride even better.

Now when you ride Space Mountain, you can’t see anything. This is what my grandfather and parents said it used to be like back when the ride opened in the 1970s. You don’t know what to expect now – you can’t tell if you’re going to go blasting down a steep drop or fly around a sharp corner giving you a high G-force experience.

But don’t be scared, one of the best aspects of the park and something Walt Disney held true to his heart, is that none of the rides should scare you, just entertain. That holds true even today! Which goes to show you that you don’t need to be scared to have some fun.

Fantasy Land: Fantasy Land is home to all the fairies, the princesses, and wonders that await you in Disney. It’s home to the WORLD FAMOUS, It’s a Small World, and other fantastic adventure rides through your imagination.

You will also smile as you watch all the young girls dressed up as their favorite princess living the movies they’ve come to love.

I personally love It’s a Small World. The ride isn’t meant to be fast paced, instead it’s a moveable world of amazing animatronics, with a catchy tune and some amazing art.

You sit on a boat which floats through all the countries and continents that make up the world. You listen as the animatronic boys and girls all sing the same song, dressed up in their native clothes, enjoying life. It tells a story of morals as well as a story of art.  And that story is, we are all human, regardless of how we dress and talk. Despite our uniqueness, we are all human… making it a small world!

This is a great ride to get lost in your imagination, while experiencing a meaningful lesson we should all listen closer to.

Adventure Land: This is home to one of my all time favorite rides, the Haunted Mansion, as well as other great rides such as The Pirates of the Caribbean and The Swiss Family Robinson’s Tree House. This is the land where adventure runs wild.

The Haunted Mansion: If you like ghosts and creepy stuff like I do, this is a ride for you. You enter the ride by walking through a vintage cemetery,  just past where the former owners of the mansion lie. Then you walk into the mansion and everyone piles into a room, which seems like it is growing.

After the introduction, you are led down a hallway to your DoomBuggy, which is pulled along on a moving sidewalk of sorts. Once in your seat, you are  taken on an adventure that will simply amaze you. The brilliant artistry, along with all the unforgettable holographs, are enough to make you want to ride this ride over and over again.

The interior of the mansion has it all, from the musty old smell you would expect in an old haunted house to the cobwebs and wall paper; it is as authentic as you can imagine. The engineers and artists who made this ride are geniuses.

Throughout the ride, ghosts will interact with you, as well as dance and sing.  You will also visit a seance room, see corpses escaping from their caskets, and much more. I won’t ruin it for you, as this is a ride you have to see for yourself.

Then when you’re done, and you leave the mansion, you’ll be greeted by an authentic 19th century horse drawn hearse.

Independence Square: Libertyville is another favorite of mine. It gives you that colonial America nostalgia; something I know very well growing up in New England. It truly makes me feel like I am home.

This land has some shops with great nick-nacks that tell about our great history as a country. It’s also home to the award-winning, Hall of Presidents.

This show is housed in a building that resembles Independence Hall. When you enter, the Seal of the President is in the center of the hall, like in the White House. You’re greeted with authentic presidential portraits, inaugural ball gowns and other items from some of our U.S. Presidents.

When the show starts, you will see the work of one of the greatest wax sculptors in the world. He personally sculpted all 45 Presidents for this show, from Washington to Obama. They take you on a tale through our great history. President Lincoln even gives you the Emancipation Proclamation that he gave on the battlefield of Gettysburg.

Frontier Land: If you’re looking for the experience of the Old West with some high intensity rides, this is the town for you. Here you will find Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, and Tom Sawyer’s Island.

If you are looking for a daring plunge into a pool of water, you’ll love Splash Mountain. This ride takes you through the story of “The Song of the South” with Brer Rabbit. You’ll board a flume ride and drift through the story of the old American South. In the end, Brer Bear and Brer Fox will throw you into the briar patch, where Brer Rabbit lives. What you’ll experience is a 50 foot drop down through large briars as you crash into the water below- to safety!

If you like roller coasters, Big Thunder Mountain takes you down and around a mining mountain in a fast paced mining train. It is a great roller coaster experience for any age, so even the young children will enjoy it.

Once your done exploring the park, have a great time shopping through the original and authentic merchandise and art on Main Street.

Disney also is known for their extraordinary parades. You will see them happen throughout the day. So sit back and enjoy as the characters in the movies come to life and dance and sing. If you have a little one, there won’t be any more joy brought to your heart than watching their faces light up in amazement.

When the park closes, they put on a fireworks spectacle that only Disney can. If you’re not completely wiped out before then, I strongly suggest staying for the show.

Disney is always packed.  I encourage using a Fast Pass, which is located at each ride.  Just show up to the booth and insert your ticket.  It will provide you a ticket for that ride at a specific time.  You can then bypass the lines and enjoy the ride VIP style.

If you have young children, bring a stroller and hats.  Florida gets really hot in the summer, so sunscreen is a must and be sure to keep hydrated with water.  They sell water in kiosks throughout the park, but you are allowed to bring in your own.

Creativity: 5 out of 5 stars

Cleanliness: 5 out of 5 stars

Family Oriented: 5 out of 5 stars

Thrill Rides: 3 out of 5 stars

Average Ticket Prices $100.00 / Food Prices $24.00 for 2

Disney offers discounts and packages online, go there first to plan your trip. http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/

** VIDEO OF MY EXPERIENCE COMING SOON **

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Experience The Dali Museum

June 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Written by Jonathon LaMella
Website: jonathonlamella.webs.com and twitter.com/jonathonlamella


The Dali Museum which opened in St. Petersburg, Florida has drawn visitors from all over the world. Even Princess Cristina of Spain. The structure is set next to the water and boast a modern design. A glass tube runs alongside the building and glass dome. There is nothing else in the world like it. The inside features a gift shop and café. I highly recommend the veggie wraps. You can also eat outside under an umbrella table overlooking the water. To get to the galleries you can take the spiral stairs which lead to the upper floor. There you can look out the glass structure. You may take the elevators as well but it will take away from the experience.

But who is Salvador Dali? Once you know who he is and discover his background you can became more familiar with his work.

Salvador Felipe Jacinto Dali I Domenech was born at 8:45 on the morning of May 11, 1904 in the small agricultural town of Figueres, Spain. Figueres is located in the foothills of the Pyrenees, only sixteen miles from the French border in the principality of Catalonia. The son of a prosperous notary, Dali spent his boyhood in Figueres and at the family’s summer home in the coastal fishing village of Cadaques where his parents built his first studio. As an adult, he made his home with his wife Gala in nearby Port Lligat. Many of his paintings reflect his love of this area of Spain.

The young Dali attended the San Fernando Academy of Fine Arts in Madrid. He did not graduate though. He refused to take a final exam and walked out of the class with all of the students following behind him. He passionately believed that he knew more than his professors did and didn’t have to prove his skills. But Dali’s reputations for drawing attention and causing a stir didn’t stop there. When he was a young man he went up into his room and bit his lips as hard as he could until they bled. When they were stained red he applied white powered to his face and then sauntered down the streets where the neighbors praised him for his beauty; unaware that his red lips were covered with blood. Early recognition of Dali’s talent came with his first one-man show in Barcelona in 1925. He became internationally known when three of his paintings, including The Basket of Bread (now in the Museum’s collection), were shown in the third annual Carnegie International Exhibition in Pittsburgh in 1928. Dali soon became a leader of the Surrealist Movement. His painting, The Persistance of Memory, with the soft or melting watches is still one of the best-known surrealist works.

Themes

The majority of Dali’s works swim with themes of his life, past, sexuality, religion and science. At one point in his life Dali had lost his brother. Shortly after his mother gave birth to another son. Dali resented them for having another child after the death of his brother. He hated his younger brother and this eventually melted into his artwork. In one of his paintings he shows Spanish soldiers attacking plump cherries. These cherries represented his guilt and ego because Dali found himself being torn apart by his hatred for his younger brother and his guilt for feeling such dark feelings for his family. Another aspect of his life that haunted him was his problem with masturbation which can be seen in a variety of his artwork. One for example shows a hand reaching into a jar that contains a penis. Others show his hatred for bureaucracy. But his work has not come without controversy. Some of his paintings mix together images of Jesus Christ and sexual images that many find sacrilegious and blasphemous. During the tour we learned one person had even visited another museum and slashed a picture of Jesus that they perceived as offensive. One shows Jesus on the cross but not bleeding or suffering. Dali did not do this out of malice toward Christianity but stated that he did not want to see Jesus suffer.

I was also surprised to learn that science and mathematics played a major part in his other works. A photograph of the Mediterranean Sea when looked at twenty meters away becomes Abraham Lincoln. Such works reflect his intelligence of science and mathematics. Copies of his paintings, portraits, and photographs can be bought at the gift shop.

Don’t Miss The Tour!

If you want to have a full experience and understand what the gallery has to offer and know the meanings of Dali’s artwork and his rich history, then missing the tour isn’t an option. It’s also free and can be joined at any time. The tour guides are friendly and will answer any of your questions. You can find the tour schedules on the website. www.thedali.org

Note: Admission to the museum requires payment. Only the tour is free.

 

 

 

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A Sacred Land

March 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment

A fiery Florida sun melts into the warm, tranquil waters of Boca Ciega Bay.  Red brick, aged and worn, line the oak canopied streets of the nearby quaint and charming neighborhood of Jungle Prada, which is steeped in rich history.  Shady, serene and secluded sits a tropical sanctuary; palm trees and exotic florals  gather together, lush and beautiful.  Sacred Lands, located in a historic section of St. Petersburg, Florida, is a site on top of an ancient Tocobaga Indian village and mound.

Sacred Lands is a hidden gem which prides itself in preserving Florida’s past and its raw, natural beauty.  Each month Sacred Lands plays host to various educational and recreational events.  Native American speakers are often invited to the site for speaking engagements regarding their culture and spirituality.  Archaeologists also visit the bayside property in hopes of educating others on what Florida was like back in the 1500 and 1600s.  In addition, there are a number of programs offered at Sacred Lands which promote the understanding and appreciation of ancient Florida, including the land and its people.

There were as many as a third of a million Indians populating Florida back when the Spaniards arrived in the early 1500s.  St. Petersburg, during this time, was merely a dense and wild land.  Jungles covered what are now paved streets and shopping plazas; a once tropical oasis, now an urban one.  Indians roamed the land over a thousand years ago.  With very little clothing to cover their bronzed skin, these warriors hunted, fished and gathered in order to survive.  When the Indians fished clams and oysters, they deposited their empty shells onto an eight foot ridge, along the shore near the Sacred Lands site.  Today, many homes stand atop of these ancient shell mounds.  In the 1500 and 1600s, the Indians constructed their homes on this very ridge line.  In addition, these Native American people gathered the bones of their dead and placed them onto a platform that once stood near the site.  These bone bundles were then buried in a circular mound.  Eventually the Indians built a large temple mound which was measured at 16 feet tall and 172 feet wide.  Chief Tocobaga lived on top of a 20 foot tall temple mound which overlooked Old Tampa Bay, currently known as Safety Harbor.  In the 1500s, over twenty mounds stood in the Tampa Bay area, but now only a mere seven remain.

The Tocobagans called Tampa Bay home.  These Indians mainly consisted of fishermen.  They gathered shellfish mostly, for their diets, and then used the leftover shells for tools, housewares and in their garments.  Each Indian village had its own chief.  Every morning the village nobles would meet with the chief at the temple for pipe smoking and to take a few sips of what was called by the natives, “the black drink.”  The village was also home to commoners and slaves.  Another class within the village was called the Berdache.  These were hermaphrodite men who sliced off their sexual organs and donned short tribal skirts made of moss.  The Berdache wore their hair long and flowing.  Their jobs included taking care of the ill, and they would also help take the injured off the fields during war.  In addition, the Berdache performed sexual favors on certain warrior men and assisted the village shaman with the preparation of dead bodies.

Tocobagan death rituals were quite unusual.  One practice in their tradition was to boil the body, pick off the meat, break the bones at the joints, bundle them in deerskin and then place them on the platform.  Burials were done with oyster shells or through some form of cremation.  Bones may also have been placed in an urn or flexed, meaning they were bent into a fetal-like position.  Effigy sacrifices were also used with burials.  This was when artifacts were laid out in the shape of a body, and bones were then scattered on the ground.  This practice was done in order to release the spirit of the artifacts to accompany the soul of the dead to wherever it may go in the afterlife.  And speaking of souls and the afterlife, some Indians believed we possessed three seperate souls; a shadow, an eye pupil and a pond reflection.  When an Indian died, two of the souls departed with the body and then traveled into the body of a lesser being, such as a fish.  The pupil soul would remain within the body.  This particular soul was what the living Indian would talk to at burial rites when advice was needed.  There is still much to learn about the Indian and that is one of the reasons Sacred Lands is so significant as an educator and preservationist.

Florida history is a huge part of who I am, but so is nature and the beauty of the land on which we live.  Finding peace and harmony with Mother Nature is a necessity in this day and age.  Sacred Lands strongly encourages this partnership between man and earth.

Under a night’s sky, with the haunting glow of a low set moon peeking out shyly from behind the ancient oaks, embers float up to the stars.  The tribal rhythm of Native American drumming penetrates the air.  It’s almost as if a magical spell has been cast among Sacred Land’s patrons.  The atmosphere is calming and happy; every worry and stress within the body has dissappaited.  Drum circles are very popular at Sacred Lands, as are mediation and the Native American flute circles.  Many of the peace promoting events are done around a sacred fire.  All gatherings are free to attend, and are open to all as long as there is respect and understanding.  Sweat Lodge ceremonies are also available on site.  Monthly, one may attend Sacred Lands’ Peruvian Altar, which is held for personal and planetary healing and is performed in the Pachakuti Mesa tradition.  According to Sacred Lands, the Altar is a way to appreciate and experience a unique way of life.  During this spiritual gathering, teaching, healing, mediation, and prayer are encouraged for ourselves and for our loved ones.

Sacred Lands is an appreciator of the arts and of music, but not just through drum and flute circles.  Concerts, given by various local singers and musicians, are conducted on the grounds regularly.

And with all this love, peace and musical harmony in a most beautiful setting, it is certainly not hard to imagine a wedding ceremony being performed here.  Sacred Lands hosts venue to many brides and grooms.  No decorations are needed as this site is extraordinary in many of its own natural ways.  Doris Anderson, notary and licensed therapist, officiates many of the Sacred Lands’ weddings.  With Anderson’s calming ways, brides are sure to push aside all of their wedding day jitters.

Sacred Lands promises a little bit of something for everyone.  Personally, I would love to take a tour of the grounds.  Offered every Sunday at 4 pm, guides will lead vistors through the lush green gardens, past the exotic flora and into an ancient realm.  One can learn about the Spanish explorers who once set forth on Florida soil over a thousand years ago, and of the Tocabaga Indian tribe that inhabitated the lands adjacent to Boca Ciega Bay.  Tour patrons also will become educated on subjects such as contemporary indigenious spiritual practices, Florida plant life, wildlife and the environment.  You will be able to walk on the very same grounds where a Tocabagan village once stood, along with an ancient and very sacred Indian mound.

The historical site is managed by a non-profit organization, whose mission is to preserve and honor its ancient ways.  Sacred Lands is committed to protecting its Indian mound, a truly significant part of Florida’s history.  Harold and Frances Anderson first took over the ancient village and mound site back in the 1940s and have used the land for many activities and events over time.  Today, people are still finding their way to Sacred Lands and discovering the magic that lies just beyond the tropical gardens.  Many claim that the site has a special lure to it.  Sacred Lands has been described to be almost magnetic; its energy strong and even healing to some. A spiritual place that is said to relieve one of their mental and emotional woes, promoting well-being, serenity and peace.

When I first found Sacred Lands, it was simply by accident, or so I thought.  I was out on a leisurely drive when I decided to turn down a tiny side street leading to Boca Ciega Bay.  Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a strange little sign that read, “Sacred Lands.”  In all my years of living in Pinellas County, I had never seen this place, or had even heard of it.  And, after talking to family and friends who have lived in St. Petersburg for many years, I realized I wasn’t alone on my lack of familiarity regarding the site.  This mysterious place was drawing me to it.  I drove over to the sign, parked my car and got out.  The gate was locked.  Sacred Lands was closed for the day.  All that could be seen from where I stood were gardens and a greenhouse.  The air around me felt different; it was full of bustling energy, yet at the same time, oddly tranquil and quiet.  A seagull flew overhead, crying out once and then disappearing past the tall, swaying palms.  I stood alone, longing to understand what surrounded me.  Little did I know, I was immersed in ancient magic.  After returning home that day and researching Sacred Lands, I realized that I had stumbled upon something very special.  I wanted to learn more and couldn’t wait to return to the grounds.

Sacred Lands isn’t just a place to learn history or absorb harmonious vibrations, it is also a site some consider to be haunted.  As mentioned earlier in this passage, upon visiting Sacred Lands, I could feel a multitude of energies in the atmosphere, and perhaps not all of them are benevolent.  The infamous gangster, Al Capone, once owned a speakeasy next to the site called The Gangplank, which housed many notable acts including Duke Ellington.  Capone ran rum into The Gangplank by constructing a tunnel between the neighboring Boca Ciega Bay and the speakeasy’s basement.  It is rumored today that Capone and members of his rumrunning gang still wander the grounds here, even though The Gangplank is long gone.  And since there were Indians and Spaniards once ruling this site, you better believe there are spirits dating back to the ancient tribal days walking through the moonlit gardens late into the night.  Shadow people and light anomolies have been encountered on ghost tours which are held in this section of the Jungle Prada neighborhood.  If you’re feeling brave and wish to meet a spirit of Florida’s past, you can join in on a ghostly candlelit tour every Friday night at 8 pm (please see below for more details).

Some people feel that, regardless of the ghosts, Indian mounds possess magical energies.  The artifacts, shells, and sometimes the bones which are left behind by the Native Americans, can bring forth strange feelings within the atmosphere and encourage strong, spiritual presences to form.

There are those that believe that Sacred Lands is a portal of sorts.  Unidentifiable creatures have been seen wandering about, while the ghostly residual energy of earlier times still lingers on.  There are even some who think that the land in and around the site is cursed due to the mistreatment and eventual demise of the Tocabagan people.

No matter if you believe the stories or not, the site of Sacred Lands leaves behind a colorful history not to be forgotten.

Under the star-scattered heavens, just beyond the warm waters of the bay, a magical sanctuary sits peaceful, undisturbed by our modern day society.  Peacocks wander among the heady, sweet-scented flowers, while the leaves of the old cabbage palms shudder softly in the bay breezes.  Ghosts or none at all, the aura of Sacred Lands is speacial and unlike any other I have ever felt before.  It is an enchanting place; mysterious and captivating in its realm.

So, whether you are searching for inner peace, looking to embrace spirituality, are seeking out the paranormal or just wishing to understand Florida’s rich history, Sacred Lands is ideal for all.

Sacred Lands: Preserving Yesterday and Envisioning Tomorrow

1620 Park Street, St. Petersburg, FL 33710

For volunteer information, please go to www.sacredlandspreservationandeducation.org

Donations are greatly appreciated and will directly benefit Sacred Lands

Ghost Tours of St. Petersburg

For reservations and information regarding the tours, please call 727-894-4678

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The Bradenton Haunted Trail: Your Darkest Phobias Brought To Life

October 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The year was 1996.  It was October in Davie, Florida, the town where I attended college.  Talk was brewing around campus about a nearby haunted attraction that had just opened.  Word had begun to spread, and Davie’s newest spook house had earned itself a large two-page spread in the local newspaper.  The Fear Factory was guaranteed to scare, and its creator, Shawn Troxel, was not going to break that promise.  With $80,000 invested, Troxel’s highly creative and expertly detailed haunt had South Floridians lining up for what seemed like miles.  The Fear Factory, housed in a vacant section of a strip mall, had its patrons screaming.  To Troxel, this was melodious music.  Halloween came and went, and so did The Fear Factory.  Sadly, Troxel disappeared as well, into the shadows of the haunted mazes, latex props and tangled cobwebs.

Fourteen years later, it is October of 2010, and once again, my favorite time of year.  It is the season for bewitching, when the air is changing, pumpkins are beginning to appear on front porches, and the days are growing shorter.  Halloween is nigh, and that can only mean one thing- it is time to get scared.  Haunted attractions are a must-do during the month of October, and I am always on the lookout  for the very best of the bunch.

There’s just something about a good haunt.  The smells, the sounds, the goosebumps.  After all, it’s not Halloween without the blood-curdling screams.

My journey to find a frightfully fun attraction has led me to the Bradenton Haunted Trail.  Only 30 minutes from Pinellas County, this Halloween haunt is set to scare.  And why wouldn’t it?  Its creator is none other than Shawn Troxel.  Troxel has resurfaced just a few hours north of his last major haunt, The Fear Factory.  He is back and ready to regain his glory.

Born and raised in Hollywood, Florida, Troxel got his start in the spooking business doing special effects and make-up.  Without any mentors or formalized training, Troxel acquired his skills just by being hands-on and simply learning as he went.  When Troxel turned fifteen, he went to New Jersey for the summer and while there, discovered his first haunted attraction, a castle on the boardwalk.  Troxel recalls going inside and being able to predict all the scares, knowing when and how each one would happen.  Hardly scared, Troxel was later asked by the haunt’s owner if he wanted a summer job.  Troxel accepted.

That fall when back in South Florida, Troxel began sneaking into Ft. Lauderdale Beach nightclubs with his  friends.  Despite being greatly underage, the boys not only got into the clubs, but also won all their costume contests.  Troxel and his buddies beat out club and bar patrons twice their age with their highly creative costumes and specialized make-up.  “We won hundreds and hundreds of dollars in contests alone at these nightclubs.  No one knew how young we were either because we had so much paint and prosthetics on our faces.  We never had to take off our masks, so it was easy to fool the bouncers,” Troxel laughed.

Years later, when Troxel “officially” turned 21, he went to work for a popular haunted attraction in Dania, Florida called Silo X.  The haunt was set next to a small amusement park and with its close proximity, it was guaranteed to generate big crowds each night.  And that it did.  Silo X was the place to be that October, back in the early ’90s.  The haunt’s layout was a series of long and winding mazes set to a “military base gone bad” theme.  Troxel helped construct and set up the attraction.  He also designed rooms and masks, and helped with other special effects.  During his time at Silo X, Troxel did more than just behind the scenes work, he also spent time scaring.  Troxel wore an Alien costume, very similar to the one used in the Sigourney Weaver classic.  The costume was ornate, yet quite heavy, hot and awkward.  No one at the haunt could handle wearing the costume, except Troxel.

After years of working in haunts, Troxel takes with him many special memories.  He has learned what makes an attraction a success, and what makes it a failure.  He knows every kind of effect, from lighting to audio.  He’s an expert in construction and handywork, and why wouldn’t he be?  He’s a contractor by day.  Troxel is also a pro with costume design, prosthetics and other hard to achieve make-up effects.  He has a large shed stacked from floor to ceiling with props, and  Haunt World Magazine is Troxel’s Bible.  There is no doubt this native Floridian is a master of horror, and in its fifth year, the Bradenton Haunted Trail promises to be a crowd pleaser yet again.

The trail is an old-fashioned yard haunt, but with a very dark and twisted side.  The first year after Troxel moved into the historic Bradenton, Florida neighborhood, he found himself sitting on the front porch of his 1920 bungalow.  It was that Halloween evening in which Troxel enclosed his porch in black.  A couple of strobe lights flashed in the background.  Troxel and his wife handed out candy to 54 trick-or-treaters.

During Troxel’s second year at his new home, neighbors Tony and Candice Cordero joined in and the ideas began to blossom.  The Troxels and Corderos decided to broaden their haunted horizons.  So, they created a small trail which basically ran just the length of Troxel’s driveway.  That Halloween, 250 people turned out.  However, no one expected to see a trick-or-treating police officer.  This was hardly someone in a cop costume.  The Bradenton officer exited his squad car and approached Troxel, who was expecting the worst.  Yet, instead of being shut down, the impressed officer called his lieutenant, urging her to come right over to check out the haunt.  The following year, the Bradenton Police Department became an official sponsor of the trail, offering financial support, security and providing neighborhood street closures.  Once the police became actively involved, the trail had begun to grow even more.  Around 700 trick-or-treaters found their way to Troxel’s spooktacular attraction.  Word around town had spread, and without any formal advertising or promotions, 1,280 costumed guests screamed their way through the trail last year.

This Halloween, Troxel has invested more money (he has spent thousands) and has put in months of effort and hard work on the trail.  The castle entrance to the attraction, Troxel started back in July.  The construction and painting process hasn’t been easy, especially on Florida’s hottest days.  Troxel spends hours each day hammering, sawing, drilling, and designing his haunt.  Being a contractor, Troxel is highly skilled in carpentry and construction.  The maze has been expertly put together, and almost every one of Troxel’s props is handmade.  The Bradenton Haunted Trail creator explains that the process of making everything himself is much more cost efficient and he can ensure the quality, as opposed to something store bought and pre-made.  To Troxel, building his haunt is the best part of it all.  “The construction, the creativity… putting the attraction together lets me do what I want to do.  The satisfaction of everyone loving it and enjoying it; that’s what it’s all about,” smiles Troxel.  The worst part of having a haunt?  “Tearing it down!” laughs the creator.

And where does this creative artist get all his creepy ideas and chilling inspiration from?  “From everything,” states Troxel.  “From watching movies to listening to people’s fears and phobias.  If someone tells me they are scared of something, I think of how I can incorporate that idea into my haunt.  And sometimes, ideas just simply come into my head.”  Troxel further explains that a good haunt shouldn’t just be about the gore; instead, there is so much more fear in the unseen.  “It’s all about what your imagination conveys,” Troxel says.  For this haunted attraction designer, the best kind of fear is psychological.  Troxel uses the following scenario.  “Think about a room, perhaps a kitchen.  You see blood everywhere.  There is a bloodied kitchen knife and a dead body, gruesome and cut open.  Now, think of the same kitchen, but in a different way.  This time you see a turned over bowl of cereal laying on the floor, milk puddling out around its edges.  There is a flipped chair to further show signs of a struggle, and there is a trail of blood droplets leading out the screen door.  Which evokes more fear?”

Troxel prides his haunt on the emotion invested and the great detail put into every inch of the structure.  While he gave me a behind-the-scenes tour of the trail, I was incredibly impressed not just with Troxel’s creativity, but with his passion.  Every bit of Troxel’s heart and soul is immersed into his haunt.  When you visit this Halloween season, you will certainly be able to see what I mean.

And without giving too much away, I will say some of society’s most common phobias are exposed within the trail.  Need I say… clowns?  Yep, the red nosed, big shoed forms of pure evil will most definitely be there.  And for those with arachnophobia, there will also be plenty of eight-legged creepy crawlers.  But there is so much more, including the unexpected.  One of Troxel’s best scares is his inground plexiglass coffin, which in years past, has included a live actor who had his oxygen delivered to him through a tube.  This is typically where Troxel gets his loudest screams.  The haunter also brought with him his days of Silo X, and has incorporated a deranged military theme into the trail.  Troxel makes great use of distractors throughout the haunt; you just never know when someone is going to jump out.  There are plenty of strobe lights, foggers, and loud noises; poppers and air cannons are enough to startle even the steadiest of folks.  The long and winding maze orignates near the front of  Troxel’s home and trails through his yard  and into his neighbors’ yard, The Corderos.  Troxel says he likes to change the haunt from year to year, even if the changes are subtle.  He likes to keep things fresh and interesting.  This year he has added a new section to the attraction.  Troxel hopes to create a little insanity with his mental asylum, complete with a shrinking hallway, doorways with bars and strange lighting that is enough to make you go, well, mad.  The scare tactics Troxel uses are top notch and masterfully created.  “I’ve had my patrons tell me they enjoyed my trail much more than Tampa’s Howl-O-Scream.  And they paid way less money at the trail,” grinned a proud Troxel.

With everything that goes into the attraction, I couldn’t help but wonder how Troxel’s wife felt about it all.  “Ironically, she doesn’t like it, not at all.  In fact, she goes out of town when I host the haunt,” laughs Troxel.  And though that may be a bit surprising, Troxel’s four-year-old son loves it.  Perhaps Troxel’s little boy will follow in his father’s footsteps one day.

Troxel is a man with many faces, or masks, since we are talking about the haunting business here.  He is a father, a husband, a contractor, an artist of many mediums, and yes, the founder of one of the most popular haunted attractions in the Tampa Bay area.  He has goals, dreams, and visions for so much more.  Troxel is currently trying to turn his dreams into reality.  While conducting our interview, Troxel showed me his plans for a massive, warehouse-sized haunted attraction he has created.  Impressive and well thought out, the design is sure to hook an investor in the near future.  Hearing about this haunt is definitely exciting.  I know I will be the first in line on its opening day!

And if you want to get a taste now of what Troxel has to offer, be sure to visit the Bradenton Haunted Trail this season.  This is a haunt you cannot afford to miss.  Once you look into Troxel’s strange and bizarre world, you will never want to experience Halloween any other way.  “Scaring people is fun,” states Troxel with a smirk.  “This is what I’m meant to do.”

*Shawn Troxel would like to thank the Bradenton Police Department for all of their support in helping make his haunted attraction a huge success.

Bradenton Haunted Trail

Location:  the 1200 block of 18th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34205

Open from:  dusk to 11 pm on Oct. 30 and 31st (young children can visit the trail prior to the “official” opening each day when there will be no scare actors working)

Admission Cost:  $5.00 suggested donation

For more information, please visit www.bradentonhauntedtrail.com

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Lurking in the Shadows Hides the Misunderstood

February 4, 2009 By 3 Comments

gothicJust behind the bustling, commercialized Centro Ybor complex, a hauntingly dark and mysterious looking building stands.  Its medieval exterior resembles an ancient building, complete with Gothic windows and dungeon style doors.  Nearing the magical hour of midnight, a line of black adorned patrons forms outside the Castle’s walls.  The historic building is a Tampa institution; a landmark, if you will.  A group of pale faced, black lipped Goths sit in a group, laughing heartily and playing cards.  Straight faced doormen stamp hands and collect money as the theatrically dressed morose slink inside.

The Castle, an Ybor night club for those who share a love for all things dark and dreary, opened in October of 1992.  However, on the Castle’s grand opening, it looked nothing like the large, two story Gothic haven it is today.  Instead, it was merely just a small saloon created to house a place where friends could come and visit.  A modest jukebox furnished the music and most first time Castle patrons simply came dressed in black jeans and t-shirts; a far cry from today’s scene at the well known club.  In 2009, the Castle is going strong, perhaps, more so than ever.  Black Levi jeans have been replaced with Victorian style gowns, laced corsets and vampiric cloaks.  There is no longer a jukebox, but instead, two levels of Industrial and Gothic music pumped out by world famous Castle DJs.

There are five sections inside the Castle in which to wander.  First, there is the Saloon, which is where it all started.  This is still a favorite hot spot for many long time Castle dwellers.  The music is old school Goth, with plenty of nostalgic Depeche Mode and Joy Division classics playing.  The Saloon is also a great place to sample signature Castle drinks and socialize with friends. Beautiful stone and brick lined walls, candles galore and rich, blood red velvet fabrics adorn this room.  Hung tapestries and ornate furniture in the Saloon replicate something you would see in Dracula’s castle.  The best part of this room is the famous bar.  A running moat flows directly through the center of the bar top, giving the scene downstairs even more character.  Just be careful though if you decide to rest your arms or you might get a tad wet.  If fresh air is want you crave, there is an outdoor patio right outside the Saloon.  Wooden benches line the perimeter of the patio while overhead, there is a movie screen.   Hanging down from a large, shady tree is a candle lit chandelier.  A DJ spins tunes here, providing the ultimate outdoor dance floor. In days past, there was also a fire pit out on the Castle’s patio.  On cool crisp nights, Goths could gather around a crackling fire and smoke their clove cigarettes.  A dance around the fire underneath the stars was a magical escape from everyday reality.  The Castle’s main attraction, however, is upstairs in the Main Hall or dance floor.  Wolfsheim’s “The Sparrows and the Nightingales,” a Gothic favorite, blasts out from the speakers, while state of the art lighting flashes over the original oak dance floor, exposing a sea of black.  At the Castle, dance is an art form.  Everyone’s style is unique and expressive.  The club patrons aren’t the only ones you will see dancing.  On three elevated podiums strategically placed around the dance floor, professional Castle dancers entertain the crowds.  Scantily clad female dancers in fish nets and latex, wiggle and gyrate to the heavy beats of hard hitting Industrial and Techno.  If you are more of the wallflower type, no worries, as there are plenty of soft, velvet couches and chairs to cozy up on. Scenes from B-rated horror movies play out on large, overhead screens.  Stained glass, Gothic arched windows don’t allow in much light from the outside world, but there is plenty of glow from flickering candle votives.  There is a boastful 120 feet of bar, the top made up of over 1,000 hand cut Dahl DeVare glass tiles.  The adjacent Red Room is an intimate escape from the loud, pulsating music and crowds of the Main Hall.  The Red Room is exactly that, red.  An intimate setting that allows one to snuggle up to their Gothic sweetheart.  There is always a heady smell of Dragon’s Blood incense and yes, there are more candles.  Finally, there is the Castle’s newest addition, the Dungeon.  Fairly mysterious, the Dungeon is only open for events and private parties.  It is an enticing room full of forbidden desires and temptations.  Luxuriously sinful is a good way to describe the Dungeon. Basically, it’s nirvana for the glamorous dominatrix.

The Castle’s walls are shrouded in mystery.  Some believe the club has a magical presence.  Once you step inside, you can feel it envelope your soul.  The scent within the Castle is intoxicating.  Patchouli oil, clove cigarettes, smoke from the outside patio fire… ah, heavenly.  It’s a familiar perfume to a Goth.  You know, those dark and shadowy people who wear lots of black yet always seem to have a rainbow of color in their hair.  Goth guys have taught the world that eyeliner and nail polish isn’t just for girls and through their lifestyle, have shown that cemeteries can be like a second home.  After all, these people are suicidal, worship the devil and sleep in coffins.  It’s no wonder the “normal” folks who walk down 7th Avenue in Ybor (“Seventh People,” as Castle patrons call them), gravitate to the opposite side of the street when a Marilyn Manson clone comes walking by.  A simple trip over to the Castle could prove to be total humiliation or harsh ridicule to a Goth.  I mean, why shouldn’t it be?  These morbid weirdos drink blood and are full of hate and dread.  They are death obsessed, depressed club kids who are constantly quoting Edgar Allan Poe’s poetry.  And not all goths are teenagers or young adults with Koolaid pink hair.  Some are married, have families or are middle aged.  ”The Senator,” who is a Castle favorite, is in his 50s and frequents the night club nearly every weekend.  He dresses in women’s lingerie that doesn’t leave much to the imagination.  An outsider to this eccentric lifestyle may question these people’s ethics and perhaps even their sanity.

Ironically, it may be the “Seventh People” who are the abnormal ones.  Castle patrons are misunderstood.  Most outsiders see Goths and others who stray from the norm, in a negative way.  It is a culture with many attached stereotypes.  ”We are all different.  We are Christians, Atheists, Jewish… but we are not Satanists,” stated an anonymous Goth.  Misconceptions on the Gothic lifestyle involve hurting others and being violent, specifically with Vampirism.  To the contrary, Goths are passive and peaceful and identify most with the Victorian romantic period.  The Gothic culture originated from England and started in the late 1970s.  Most Goths are creative, especially as writers and artists.  Some are skilled in fashion and expressing themselves artistically with their fashion choices.  ”The Senator,” although not someone you would call Gothic, is such an example.  Always dressed to impress in his finest boudoir attire, this well known Castle patron makes his rounds on Friday and Saturday nights. He is recognized by many, adored by most and has intimidated a few.  Upon first glance, “The Senator,” who is known to his friends and Castle staff as Mike, is a bit shocking.  He wears not much more than just a sheer, lacy teddy with a thong. However, there is a lot more to “The Senator” than just a Victoria Secret’s get-up.  Hailing from Long Island, NY, “The Senator” claims that he was actually once shy.  Years ago, he had a girlfriend from New Orleans who liked taking pictures of him.  Inhibited at first, “The Senator” began to change and started liking exhibitionism.  Being naked and having others see him this way didn’t feel wrong or shameful.  It was during Mardi Gras one year that “The Senator” was born.  ”My girlfriend body painted me and dressed me up in frilly lingerie.  I loved cruising into parties and being the center of attention.”

In 1996, the Castle opened its dance floor upstairs and this caught “The Senator’s” attention.  For the very first time, “The Senator” walked through the Castle’s large, wooden doors.  It was then, that he had found his new home.  ”It’s a place where you’re not judged and people are cool,” stated “The Senator.”  Castle VJ Rob Pittman and Tracey, a Castle bartender and now Rob’s wife, really got “The Senator” into going to the club.  In fact, he would go as often as three to four times a week.

So, where did the nickname, “The Senator,” originate from?  ”There were some incidents in the news at one time regarding some of our elected representatives being involved in sex scandals and such.  Since I am a bit older than most of the crowd, someone hung a tag on me calling me  ’The Senator’ and it stuck.”  Well, maybe this guy isn’t a true senator, but he has been called, “The King of Ybor;” a legend of sorts.  Some people even come to the Castle just to see Ybor’s royalty.  After all, a man’s home is his castle, and home to “The Senator,” is indeed that.  So, how does “The Senator,” or better yet, “The King of Ybor” feel about his fame?  ”There have been lots of wild times, lots of rumors and stories floating around that I can neither confirm or deny.  Suffice to say, that I enjoy being the character that has evolved over the past 12 years and while it’s hard to make it out that much anymore, I still enjoy meeting new people and adding to the ‘legend.’”

Perhaps Castle dwellers shouldn’t be feared or judged.  After all, “The Senator” is one of the friendliest people I have met.  I also believe that the Goth culture is greatly misunderstood.  They live in a culture based in stereotypes which are formed around ignorance and fear.  Despite their icy exteriors, Goths are warm hearted.  They are a diverse and open minded group who simply resist labels and mainstream ideals.  And, maybe, just maybe these heavily powdered, black lipped individuals that are regularly mocked and taunted by the close minded “Seventh People,” are just as “normal” looking as they are at times.  Soccer moms and suit clad husbands by day transform into the elusive and sometimes feared Goth at night.

The Castle and its eccentric guests continue to be a place to stop in and see while in Ybor.  Some visitors to the club travel from New York City, Los Angeles and even European countries.  Going to the Castle is like getting lost in another dimension.  Once inside, reality dissolves and the mundane and stressful lives we lead, somehow vanish.  It’s a place where you can let your alter ego come out and play.  You can dance the night away with the famous Senator.  The Castle is a place where you can always be a kid at heart, just like celebrity patron Peter Pan, otherwise known as Randy Constan.  And yes, he has the whole Neverland get-up, green tights and all.  You can re-enact the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre every February, participate in the annual Zombie party (don’t forget to drench yourself in fake blood before heading in) or join in with the Castle’s beloved Fractured Fairytale Ball. Snow White never looked so grotesque!  There’s sometimes a guy dressed as a Ghostbuster who stands by the front door, selling black roses.  A young woman wearing a fairy costume throws a handful of “magical” glitter on an unsuspecting friend.  At the Castle, it’s Halloween all year long.

The place is indeed magical, uninhibited and highly spirited.  Everyone is always happy, smiling and non-judgmental.  There is love and peace around each corner.  In fact, my friend Michelle even met her future husband here.  The staff becomes like a second family to most of the patrons, making it no surprise the Castle has earned such titles as “Best Dance Club” and “Best Bartenders” in Tampa Bay.

So, next time you find yourself in Ybor’s darkest shadows, do not fear.  In fact, this is the safest, happiest place to be. Instead, it may be the guy in the light blue polo shirt walking down 7th Avenue, in hopes of finding a date, that turns out to be the one to run from.  Who knew preppy could be so terrifying?

 

*The Castle is open Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays/10:30 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

Each night is a different theme, so keep that in mind before heading off to the club.

Monday is “80s and Beyond” night

Thursday is “Pop ‘N’ Wave” night

Friday is “Communion After Dark” night featuring Coffin Classics which is old school Goth and Industrial music

Saturday is “No Boundaries” night, a good time for people watching and lots of Industrial/Goth music

Sunday is “Burn” night for the gay community

 

Feel free to check out the Castle’s website at www.castleybor.com or on their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/theyborcastle

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The Floridan Hotels Artful Comeback

October 11, 2008 By Leave a Comment

In 1987 the historic Floridan Hotel, located in downtown Tampa, closed its doors forever.   That final turn of the lock tumblers, sealed the spot where Eckerd and Publix formed their corporations,  and where many great actors would stay when visiting the area.  The Floridan stood tall and proud since its birthday back in 1927.  The 400 room hotel and once tallest building in Tampa was monumental to Tampa’s historic past.  Some of its guests included Elvis Presley, and Gary Cooper even courted Lupe Velez here in 1955.

Since then we watched this once beautiful building,  renowned for having one of the best ballrooms,  fall to vandalism and neglect.  A building that once put Tampa on the map with it’s famous  cliental was crying for help yet nobody listened… until 2005 when Antonios Markopoulous bought the distraught hotel for 6 million dollars.  Mr Markopoulos’s vision is to restore the decaying building back into a luxury hotel that will stand apart from the rest of the skyscrapers in town.

The last time I was downtown Tampa , the sign at the top of the hotel had missing letters, the windows were cracked,  some were missing and had been replaced with graffiti covered wood, and the smell of mold and decay seeped through the cracks in the doors.  This past week, I saw a brand new sign sitting on top of this historic hotel, windows replaced and the old marquee looking better.  The construction has begun and soon, hopefully by 2010 the historic hotel will be back to its glory days.  The hotel will not only add to the redevelopment of downtown  but it will also add to the preservation of Tampa’s history, and help keep an artistic building alive.

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Tampa Fire Museum – “Saving” History

September 28, 2008 By 1 Comment

Nestled on the corner of Zack and Pierce Street in downtown Tampa stands a building that is the testament to saving lives.  That building was the original Tampa Fire Department, erected sometime in the early 1900s.  The title “Saving History” was chosen for two reasons: one was the fact the people there dedicated their lives to save lives while risking their own; while on the other hand once the fire department moved to another building it also needed saving from a recking ball.

It would have been a shame for this wonderful piece of Tampa’s history to be leveled to a pile of rubble. For instance when it opened they didn’t even use trucks, they had horse drawn carriages that they rode to the fire. Something we would never know had this building been destroyed.  It took a few concerned citizens and the help of the county government to make sure this landmark stayed a part of the downtown heritage. Now its run as a non-profit 501c3 organization.

With five years of work, timeless restoration and running on donated funds the Tampa Fire Museum opened its doors to the public.  Today, you can walk around and see some of the tools the firemen would use, the clothing they wore in the 20s to 60s compared to today.  Go further inside and you can see the “watch out booth”  where a worker would sit inside and listen for dispatches, currently its hooked up to the real 911 call center to replicate what those working the booth would hear.  When you come to the old engine room where the fire engines were stored, you will see one of those classic fire poles the men would frantically slide down upon the call of duty, but also look down at the ground to see the scratch marks of the old horse drawn fire carriages.  The real observer will look at the doors and realize, they are not garage doors at all, they slide open, similar to a stall would for a horse, and in the rear of the engine room you will see a sink, dirty and full of soot, the men used to wash up with after their fire fighting day was over.  It still works and you can wash in the same basin those heroes of yesterday did.

Wander on upstairs to the second floor and see the old bunkers where the men lived waiting for the call of duty; the wood floors were painstakingly restored, but all original, which is now a banquet hall. Downstairs to the back, they have a memorial room to those heroes who died to save the lives and structures of their fellow citizens.

This museum is free to visit but donations are welcome.  They are open Tuesday to Thursday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.  They have more artifacts to fill the museum  but they will come as more donations roll in to help offset the costs.  The museum does host birthday parties, banquets and other social events. Its the proud home to the second largest Gasparilla party in Tampa each year too.

This is a great place for the young child dreaming of being a fire-fighter, or someone who may have worked in this building to come remember the good ole days. Its located next door to the current fire rescue station so you can still see the trucks and hear the sirens as they race to save lives. Come experience the history saved to honor those who saved our lives.

720 E. Zack Street
Tampa, FL

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Brooksville Heritage Museum – A Haunting Good Time

August 12, 2008 By 22 Comments

May-Stringer Home, BrooksvilleIf you’re looking for something to do that’s fun for the whole family and you don’t want to spend too much money, we have a solution that is not only fun but historic and educational. It’s located right in the heart of downtown Brooksville, in Hernando County. It’s the Brooksville Heritage Museum / May-Stringer House.

This attraction has two sides, a fun side for the whole family, and a dark side fit for adults over the age of 18.  By day, the house is a representation of life back in the 1840s, and one of the first houses settled in Brooksville under the Florida Settlers Act, which gave settlers 160 acres to use as long as they reside in Florida. It’s also filled with wonderful antiques and history from around Brooksville, making it the Brooksville Heritage Museum. By night: a real haunted house for those interested in the paranormal.

Historic Museum by Day

The day tour talks about the home and all the artifacts inside. It was the former home of the Mays’. After the deaths of Mr. May’s wife and two daughters, he moved away, and the house was next inhabited by Dr. Stringer. Dr. Stringer re-designed the house in the unique fashion it now remains, with the tower, because he wanted to have the largest home in the area. Stringer also made the 7 gables to represent the “House of Seven Gables,” something he always admired. After his family moved out, the place was abandoned, and looters destroyed most of the home. The house was later restored to its current condition by the city of Brooksville. They reopened the house as a heritage museum of Brooksville’s past.

The house has a replica one-room school house, a doctor’s room containing medicines and tools typical of what Dr. Stringer would have used on his patients, a telephone/telegraph room, a war room decked with U.S. Military uniforms from the Civil War to World War II, and so much more

The museum offers a guided tour, that lasts around an hour. Admission is $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for children, Tuesday to Saturday from 12:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. The tour will give you the history of the home as well as Brooksville’s great past. All money goes toward the upkeep up of the home.

By Night… the Hauntings

Due to its grim past with death the house is considered by one of the most haunted places in Florida; the May’s lost 3 people in the home, his two daughters and his wife giving birth.  Dr. Stringer used the house as a sanatorium during the days before hospitals were around, so many of the terminally ill patients died miserable deaths from causes like Small Pox, Yellow Fever, Scarlett Fever, and others.  The home was also the scene of the first “drive by” shooting in Hernando County (actually “ride by” because the crime was committed on horseback). It’s also said that a WWI soldier returned from war to marry his fiance, only to find that she had married another man when he was away; he then went upstairs and was said to have hung himself in the master bedroom. That claim can’t be proven so it’s only a rumor that may or may not have some truth to it. The May-Stringer house is said to have 8 spirits who reside in the dwelling.

The tour lasts 2 hours! Starting with a history tour of the house concentrating on the most active rooms, they give you more information to the secrets the house holds than you get during the day.  In the second hour, you are released into small groups to pick rooms and do seances and readings.

This tour has an age limit: nobody under is 18 allowed. It costs $20.00 per person and reservations are required. The tour starts at 6:00 P.M. and is offered Friday to Sunday only. The tours will be canceled for groups less than 6.

I personally took both of these tours, the daytime and haunted tours and found them extremely interesting and educational. The house is a work of art in itself and the EVP’s caught during the haunt were phenomenal. For the price, I highly recommend trying these tours and help support the Hernando County Preservation of old homes and history.

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