Tampa Tribune religion reporter Michelle Bearden placed second in the national Supple Religion Writer of the Year award, which recognizes a reporter's writing skills and grasp of the beat. ...more

September 13, 2009

AVON PARK — Sharon Buckler was waiting for her husband Wednesday morning at the Sebring VA Outreach Clinic. "The doctors here are fantastic," said Buckler, whose husband, Vietnam veteran James Buckler, was in with Dr. Andres Cordoba. "The service is great. The nurses are friendly." A year ago, a Washington Post investigation of Walter Reed Army Hospital showed peeling paint, holes in the bathrooms, mouse droppings, dead cockroaches, stained carpets and cheap mattresses. Decades ago, deservedly or not, some Veteran's Administration hospitals had terrible reputations. A quick tour of the Sebring VA Outreach Clinic showed no such problems. ...more

January 10, 2008

I am writing to publicly thank the Lake Placid Jaycees for the generous donation they made to my Support Our Troops fundraiser. These wonderful people have made it possible for me to ship 18 care packages to our soldiers in Iraq, in time for the Christmas holiday. And there is money left over to send packages to some of the soldiers recovering at Walter Reed Army Hospital. The Jaycees have been very supportive of this cause in the past, but exceeded themselves with this Christmas donation of $1,000. I know that the soldiers on the receiving end of this generosity will be very grateful, and I want everyone to know what these kind people have done. So, thank you to Steve Davis, Cheryl Davis, Niki Gregor, Kim Miller, Vicki Spires, Colleen Lee, Leah and Lyle Wilson, Kerry Stanridge, Curt Matthews, Misty Matthews, Mike Waldron, Anita Reiley, Kathy Yacoboni, Denise Mullins, David Austin, and Connie and Pam Fentress! God bless you all and Merry Christmas. ...more

December 8, 2007