He pushed himself from farm work to nursing. At 27, he died from the coronavirus.
Miguel Martinez Jr. found his calling at USF. Now, thereâs a memorial scholarship in his name.
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Miguel Martinez Jr. had to start working at 14. He s pictured here at the National Zoo in Washington D.C., where he lived for six weeks during an internship. He graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor s degree in nursing. [ Courtesy Maria Concepcion Martinez ]
Updated Mar. 1
His first semester of college was just weeks away. After a year of preparations, Miguel Martinez Jr. worried about making it through the University of South Florida.
Updated Feb. 22
For nearly a year, the lights stayed off, the Ferris wheel sat still, and a warehouse of wonders waited to delight and terrify guests in Riverview.
The International Independent Showmenâs Museum closed, like the traveling shows it celebrates, because of the pandemic.
But it exists because a few people spent years, raised millions and refused to let the fascinations of the carnival fade away. Ivan Arnold was one of them â a carnival lifer. (Not a carney. âWe in the business do not like to be called carneys,â said friend Jim Elliott. âCarnival people is fine.â)
Mr. Arnold discovered his people when he was 8 years old, after a carnival set up in a field behind his house in Traverse City, Mich. He started working for the HappyLand Show, first as a stake boy, helping earn money for his family, which struggled after his fatherâs death. He peeled onions. He worked the games. And he started traveling.
This queen fostered a new generation of drag in Orlando
Nazhoni Taylor Foxx helped young performers find their voices, culture and wigs.
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Nazhoni Taylor Foxx found her first drag mother in Calvin Fairconeture. Her second drag mother was Sierrah Foxx. In recognition of the mentorship and guidance from them and her drag father, Bob Taylor, she added Taylor s and Foxxâs names to her own. âNazhoni had no fears,â Taylor said. âShe had no fears at all.â [ (Courtesy Debbie Smallcanyon) ]
Shortly after his mother and stepfather
arrived in Orlando from New Mexico for a visit, John Silversmith told them he had to go to work. Someone would pick them up and bring them by, he promised.
The trophy maker also was great at making friends
Joe Lupacchino ran Hottinâs Trophies for 30 years and ânever met a stranger.â
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Joe Lupacchino posed in his trophy shop, Hottin s Trophies, in 1994. His work was a craft, said friend Peggy Comerford. It was an art. [ DAMASKE, JIM | St. Petersburg Times ]
Published Jan. 25
The chipmunk trophy went to his mom, who caught the rodents in her Pennsylvania neighborhood and released them at a nearby park.
For his nephew, Joe Lupacchino made a replica of the Philadelphia Eaglesâ 2018 Super Bowl trophy.
And for a 50th birthday, Mr. Lupacchino took a smashed racquet and
Tampa pastor âactually lived what he preachedâ
Bishop Matthew Williams grew Brown Memorial Church of God in Christ from 25 people to more than 2,000.
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Bishop Matthew Williams held several positions at Tampa s Brown Memorial Church of God in Christ, including deacon, pastor and bishop. He was one of 12 bishops in the nationwide Church of God in Christ s general board. [ Courtesy Deniece Williams ]
Updated Jan. 18
Godâs word found Bishop Matthew Williams at the dinner table, the mall, while watching a movie. He didnât have to work on his message for the message to work on him.
âThatâll preach,â heâd say.