Simone Dykes, 17, didn't have to run away to join the circus. Now a featured aerialist with the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus, she grew up in a circus family - her mom and dad, Ron and Robin Dykes, and four siblings - travel together with the circus. Her parents and several brothers and sisters also are performers. ...more

January 16, 2008

Simone Dykes, 17, didn't have to run away to join the circus. Now a featured aerialist with the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus, she grew up in a circus family - her mom and dad, Ron and Robin Dykes, and four siblings - travel together with the circus. Her parents and several brothers and sisters also are performers. ...more

January 14, 2008

TAMPA – Smiles lit the faces of sick children at Tampa General Hospital today. ...more

January 3, 2008

LAKE PLACID — Downtown streets will be lined with people Saturday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. during Lake Placid's annual Christmas parade. This year's theme is "A Child's Christmas Fantasy." The parade will feature floats, bands, cloggers, clowns, civic and social organizations, cheerleaders, fire trucks, beauty queens and Santa Claus. The event is a joint effort between the Greater Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce and the town of Lake Placid. Eileen May, chamber CEO/president of operations, said on Wednesday that almost 100 floats had registered for what she expects will be the town's "best parade, ever." she expected good weather for the evening event. ...more

December 7, 2007

A lawyer representing the 16-year-old boy authorities say was burned Nov. 12 when he punctured an ammonia pipeline in Riverview while looking for money, said he hopes people will "take a deep breath" and allow the boy to recover before pursuing a criminal case. Officials said two other youngsters also were involved. Here are some opinions readers offered online. The South Shore News & Tribune wants to hear from you. To read local forums or post your own, go to Southshore.tbo.com and click the "Forums" link. ...more

November 28, 2007

Although I won't ever get credit for providing my kids with the best food on the block, one of my triumphs as a parent was making dinner in a pumpkin on Halloween, especially during my children's costumed years. ...more

October 31, 2007

LAKE PLACID — "Big Al" and "Daisy" aren't clowning around when it comes to the future of Toby's Clown Foundation and Clown Alley. Albin "Big Al" Pelski, the foundation's president, said Monday that rumors swirling around the Clown Museum, on Interlake Boulevard, about Toby's Clowns being on their last legs were false. "Nothing could be farther from the truth," said Pelski. ...more

September 11, 2007