Children responded to John Belcher's efforts to prevent cavities by bringing in 263 pounds of candy. Belcher, of John C. Belcher Cosmetic and Family Dentistry, offered cash if children brought Halloween candy. ...more

November 14, 2007

If you recall, I mentioned in one of my columns a while back that our family was involved in a volunteer group called "A Soldier's Wish List." Members on their own initative send packages to individual troops in Iraq. As a result of our involvement we have become rather friendly with a medic in Bagdad – Sgt. Michael Bone. He considers himself the adopted brother of our daughter. When he can, Mike, who is from North Carolina, will drop us a line either by e-mail or letter. I would like to share with you the following excerpt from his latest letter. "The area we are patrolling and maintaining is getting better. We are doing good things with the people in the area. The battalion that we are in have been doing a lot of med caps which is an event where we go out and set up a sick call for the people of Iraq and help the Iraqi doctors take care of the people. We are also going around and trying to redo a lot of the schools for the children here in Iraq. So what you see on TV is the bad stuff, just know we do good things as well." ...more

November 10, 2007

Wrenita Codrington doesn't listen to the news much anymore. She can't bear it, especially hearing about so many troops killed in action this year. ...more

November 8, 2007

The news this week that 2007 became the deadliest year for U.S. troops in Iraq was brought home Wednesday with a solemn ceremony for two local U.S. Army sergeants who died half of a world away two months ago. Hillsborough County Commissioners honored Sgt. Cory Clark of Plant City who was killed on Aug. 28 in Afghanistan and Sgt. 1st Class David A. Heringes of Tampa who died a day later in Iraq. ...more

November 7, 2007

The U.S. military announced six new deaths Tuesday, making 2007 the bloodiest year for U.S. troops in Iraq despite a recent decline in casualties and a sharp drop in roadside bombings that Washington links to Iran. ...more

November 7, 2007

What's The Word On The Word Up Crew? Who are the men behind the Word Up Crew, a duo that appear in wigs and jumpsuits at events and on the morning show for Egypt Lake Elementary? For four years, students have been looking for clues during the men's academically based song and dance routines. northwest.tbo.com ...more

October 28, 2007

Children this Halloween can savor the trick-or-treat experience and then cash in on their candy with a Carrollwood dentist. ...more

October 27, 2007

Treat the Troops was founded on a simple concept: baking cookies. A woman in South Carolina decided a few years ago that troops in Iraq would enjoy batches upon batches of homemade cookies - and she was right. Today, the charity group receives 250 requests per month from military men and women overseas. ...more

October 21, 2007

It appears the left has given up on efforts to legislate the end of the war in Iraq. Now they have come up with a way to just injure the troops. ...more

October 16, 2007

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is a dangerous leader in a violent part of the world. ...more

October 9, 2007