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Fans flock to pay homage to "the best tool man in the world'' as he stops by couple of Hillsborough venues on a Florida tour.
By JACKIE RIPLEY
© St. Petersburg Times, published August 3, 2001
TAMPA -- Woodrow McCormack figures home improvement guru Bob Vila has saved him thousands of dollars in repairs over the years and has given him hours of entertainment in the bargain.
"We've seen hundreds of his programs," said McCormack, holding an autographed copy of Vila's photograph. "I've done all kinds of remodeling, even redid the kitchen and shelves for $1,100 that would have cost me $10,000."
Hundreds of other fans like McCormack came Thursday to Sears in Citrus Park TownCenter, eager to get a glimpse of the popular home improvement personality and spokesman for Craftsman tools.
"He's the best tool man in the world," said Ann Meck, visiting from Pennsylvania. "A lot of our house was done through the tips on his program."
But possibly the youngest fan was 8-year-old Alex Sclavakis, who has his own set of tools, watches Vila on television and keeps his dad, Nick Sclavakis, on track during renovations.
"I'm amazed at all the stuff he knows," Nick Sclavakis said. "I was putting up a sliding glass door and he told me what I was doing wrong."
It's that kind of feedback, Vila said, that has kept him going through 22 years of television.
"I have a personal commitment to go for 25," said Vila, 55, who produces and hosts Bob Vila's Home Again, a nationally syndicated program that also appears on the Learning Channel. "It never gets boring with all the changes in tools and houses."
Vila, who hosted This Old House from 1979 until 1989, also is a frequent contributor to The Early Show on CBS, has written 10 books and offers insights and advice at BobVila.com.
Thursday's autograph session at Sears was just one stop on Vila's Florida tour, which coincided with the opening of Tool Territory, an expanded hardware department opening in Florida Sears stores.
Vila kicked off his tour Wednesday night at MacDill Air Force Base, signing autographs for military personnel. He plans several other stops at Sears stores in the state.
He made time, though, for a ride through Ybor City on Thursday morning and a quick cup of Cuban coffee.
"Signing autographs like this is a very special treat," Vila said. "This allows me to interact with the people on the other side of the lens."
- Jackie Ripley can be reached at (813) 226-3468.