Summertime memories contest winner!

Maria Mora wins a $100 gift certificate for a custom-made swimsuit  from Two Coconuts Swimwear. Afterall, what's summer without an awesome swimsuit? Mora is a local writer and the mom of two boys. You can find her at www.familyfirststudios.com.

Here's her winning essay:

When I was thirteen-years-old, we took my parents’ small speedboat from our
house to Vinoy Park for a free music festival.  It was hot that day, still
and beautiful, and we soared across the glassy surface of the bay.  At the
time, I still wore glasses—and felt uncomfortable wearing them while the
boat was speeding.  So as I sat at the bow, holding onto the bow line for
dear life, everything looked like a blur of color and light.  I turned my
face to the wind and the sun and soaked in the feeling of being alive.

Later that afternoon, I jumped into the warm waters of the Vinoy basin.  As
I climbed back into the boat, I heard whistles and hollering.  My mother
wrapped a towel around me angrily and I wondered what I’d done wrong.
Later, I realized that some drunk men on the seawall had noticed me in my
bikini.  It was a little embarrassing, but at the time I felt like a woman
for the first time.  Gawky, think, glasses, braces.  I’d never felt pretty
or desirable.

(Obviously, getting hit on by drunken men wasn’t exactly the best way to be
flattered.)

Despite the dubious source of my pride that afternoon, the day has remained
one of my best summer memories.  As I emerged from the water I’d spent my
childhood playing in, I’d become a woman.

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Past winners

What's your favorite gift shop in or around Tampa Bay?

I believe one of the best, intriguing gift shops around the Tampa Bay area is CHERIE's EKLECTIKA, located on Beach Drive. This gift shop sells various items that you do not find in your ordinary gift shop. I was able to pick up some Christmas gifts that were great and out of the ordinary. You can spend hours looking around and reading all the great cards they have. Also i cannot forget that the staff is great and makes you feel very comfortable!

Linnea Barone wins a $25 gift card  from Cigar Loft, a great specialty shop in the Grand Central District in St. Petersburg and a Shell & fish silver bracelet  from Maurice Jewelry Design, in Dunedin.

Meet November's winner!

Tamara Hart of Holiday wins a beautiful purple necklace from If and Only If in St. Petersburg and a $20 giftcard and a beautiful metal butterfly from the Backyard Getaway in Bradenton.

 Tamara, who recently celebrated her 18th wedding anniversary, says she likes to help people, as long as they are trying to help themselves. She writes: "I don’t take things to seriously. I pick my battles. I don’t worry what other think of me, I know I am a good person and if they want to get to know me then they will see that. I am a people person. I stay at home and take care of everything here. I love the outdoors. I am blunt and honest. I feel its better that way seeing I was lied to my whole life. When I love its with my whole heart, head to toe, inside and out. Thanks to mom I could be loved and show love."

Here is her winning entry:

 *First let me say, we are not always born into the family we want to be in.
As we grow older we can pick who is apart of our family. The one person that
I am most grateful for is a woman who didn't know if she wanted children. I
was dropped into her lap at the age of 5 and I didn't know her anymore then
I knew the other people in my life. She stepped up and took on that role
into the unknown. Uncertain of everything she would do or say. I wasn't born
to her and I was already my own person. She was concerned of the trauma I
had already faced at such a young age. She showed me love, understanding, a
caring touch and always an ear to hear what I had to say. If it had not been
for this wonderful 5 foot 1 very petite but voiceful women who I learned to
call MOM, I would have never known love. She was taken from me way to early
and there was still to much for her to be apart of. I am so grateful that my
mom took a chance on a little damaged 5 year old girl and wrapped me in her
unconditional love. *

For  previous contest winners, go to the archives by clicking here.