Beaches notebook

New YMCA director plans to expand reach

The YMCA of the Suncoast has named a new director, who will help bring YMCA programs into Palm Harbor west of U.S. 19 and onto the north beaches.

Brian Kridler, who previously served as a center executive for the YMCA of Middle Tennessee, will begin to coordinate YMCA programs and services in the Palm Harbor community as part of the development of a new YMCA facility near Palm Harbor University High School.

Kridler also will lead discussions about YMCA services to be provided in the cities of Belleair Beach, Belleair Shore, Indian Rocks Beach and Indian Shores.

Kridler has worked for YMCA since 1987. He holds a bachelor's degree from Mercyhurst College In Erie, Penn., and attended graduate school at Ohio State University.

YMCA of the Suncoast serves more than 45,000 members and program participants through eight branches in Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando counties.

Gulfport

Gulfport Nostalgia Day will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Gulfport Historical Museum, 5301 28th Ave. S.

The day of festivities will include a sidewalk art contest, children's games, displays of antique fishing lures and a casting contest, music from the Junior Dixieland Band, a flea market, arts and crafts shows and food.

The event is co-sponsored by the Gulfport Historical Society and the city.

St. Pete Beach

The city on Saturday afternoon renamed Blind Pass Park, dedicating it in memory of former Mayor Ron McKenney.

Ron McKenney Park is named after the mayor who helped acquire the park land and dedicated much of his career to enhancement of the city parks. McKenney, who died in October, served 13 years in public office. He was elected at three different points in his life, and his service spanned three decades.

He served four terms as a city commissioner and three terms as mayor.

McKenney had lived and worked in St. Pete Beach since 1959, first as a morning deejay at a small radio station on the island. He later started a public relations and advertising firm and served as president of the St. Petersburg Beach Chamber of Commerce. He also chaired the city's yearlong 40th anniversary celebration in 1997.

McKenney was also instrumental in building the city gymnasium and developing city tennis courts and ball fields.

Treasure Island

The Isle of Palms Civic Association will hold its annual garage sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Maps to all participating houses will be distributed at the entrance to the neighborhood.

Homeowners also will have a concession area, restrooms and a face painting for children. Residents are required to pay a $5 registration fee to be included on the maps.

The Isle of Palms is at 112th Avenue and Gulf Boulevard. For information, call 363-7087. If it rains, the sale will take place the following day, Sunday.

Indian Rocks Beach

Applications for educational scholarships from the Indian Rocks Beach Civic Association are available at City Hall, 1507 Bay Palm Blvd.

The civic association has awarded $101,300 in scholarships since 1984.

Any resident or dependent of a resident of Indian Rocks Beach is eligible for up to four $1,000 annual awards paid directly to the accredited school of his or her choice.

Students attended an accredited undergraduate program, graduate school or trade school are eligible.

Call 595-0344 for information. Deadline for returning completed applications is April 8. Incomplete or late entries will not be reviewed.

-- Compiled by Times staff writers Amy Wimmer and Piper Jones Castillo and Times correspondents Sheila Mullane Estrada and Kathy Saunders. To submit items for the beaches notebook, e-mail wimmer@sptimes.com.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright