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Tribute to acclaimed author

This year marks the 75th anniversary of F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1932 trip to St. Petersburg.

By SANDEE DAVIES
Published April 15, 2007

Landmark author F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda, visited St. Petersburg together only once.

It was a 1932 holiday at the Don CeSar Resort on St. Pete Beach, though many claimed to have seen him on other occasions.

His experience here became fodder for several stories including The Offshore Pirate, set in St. Petersburg and published in the Saturday Evening Post.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the couple's trip, and the St. Pete Beach Library and the Florida Humanities Council believe that's cause to celebrate.

A photo display and two days of programs will honor Fitzgerald, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers of the 20th century.

If you goWhat: Two days of events celebrating the 75th anniversary of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald's visit to St. PetersburgWhen: Saturday and Sunday.Where: Don Vista Center and St. Pete Beach Library.Details: All events are free. Call 552-1762.SaturdayDon Vista Center, 3300 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach.1 p.m.: "Florida and St. Petersburg in Fitzgerald's Jazz Age." The author of two popular novels about the 1920s, R. Lee Irby compares events in the Florida Boom to Fitzgerald's description of the era.2:30 p.m.: "Why the Fitzgeralds Couldn't Have Been in Florida Before 1932." Gail D. Sinclair, a Fitzgerald scholar from Florida, provides an overview of Scott and Zelda's busy schedule during the 1920s, including four long stays in Europe.7 p.m.: "Scott and Zelda in Florida: A New Perspective." Jackson R. Bryer, co-editor of Dear Scott, Dearest Zelda a compilation of letters and recollections of Eleanor Lanahan, granddaughter of the Fitzgeralds, adds his research and expertise to the well-known Don CeSar story.SundaySt. Pete Beach Library, 365 73rd Ave., St. Pete Beach2 p.m.: "Fitzgerald's 'The Off-Shore Pirate': The Romance of Florida." E. Stone Shiflet explains her passion for this early, well-crafted F. Scott Fitzgerald work and actors present a radio play reading.4:30 p.m.: 500 Miles from St. Petersburg. Short film introduces the former Fitzgerald residence (now a museum) in Montgomery, Ala.

[Last modified April 14, 2007, 20:14:13]