BuzzWorthyitems of note
James MacDougald, the
St. Petersburg author of The Maps that
Changed Florida’s History, believes that
the founding of St. Augustine in 1565
was not the first European settlement
in the United States. Instead, he
believes Juan Ponce de León, the
Spanish explorer who was said to be
seeking “The Fountain of Youth,” was
killed in 1521 at Safety Harbor, where
he was trying to establish a settlement.
MacDougald is relying on rare reprints
of Spanish maps dating from 1527 and
1529, which include the Gulf of Mexico.
He has created a stir that has current
historians rethinking the subject.
Lyla Menkhaus, a producer,
choreographer and dancer, arranged
fundraising performances in early
November to benefit Eight O’ Clock
Theatre in Largo and the Gulf Coast
Dance Theater. There were two live
performances with a virtual option.
Since Vevie and Lawrence Dimmitt
and their children lost Lawrence
Hundley Dimmitt IV to suicide,
they and other family members and
friends have come together to promote
open dialogue to de-stigmatize
mental health struggles and to
connect those in need with resources
through their ”Love IV Lawrence”
organization, which works to change
the conversation about mental health
by de-stigmatizing depression and
suicide. They share promising research
and successful interventions to inspire
hope, foster acceptance and save lives.
This year’s second annual “Reeling in
Stigma” event was held virtually and
featured five art therapy programs that
impact mental health in the Tampa
Bay area. For more information, visit
LoveIVLawrence.org.
Dianne Jacob, director of client
and community relations at PNC Bank
in Tampa, has been honored by the
Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce
with its 2020 Dottie Berger MacKinnon
Former University of South Florida President Judy Genshaft received
the Outstanding Floridian Award from the Florida Council of 100, which
is given to Floridians who have demonstrated extraordinary achievement
and contribution to the State of Florida and its citizens. Recipients must
reflect true service above and beyond the call of duty that has resulted in
extraordinary achievement on a consistent basis, and not just for a single
achievement. USF Board of Trustees member and USF alumnus John Ramil,
the retired CEO and president of TECO Energy, received the Business Leader
Award from the council, which is given to an individual who has excelled in the
business world, civic engagement and philanthropy. Ramil has served as a USF
trustee since 2001 and was the board chair from 2010-2014.
66 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
Kelly Ritrievi has been hired by
the Tampa Bay Trust Company as
assistant vice president to the Client
Services and Trust Operations team.
Ritrievi will be responsible for direct
client communication and execution
of daily services, cash management
and document generation related
to client accounts. Previously,
Ritrievi served as executive
director of the University of South
Florida Women in Leadership &
Philanthropy, a major fundraising,
donor engagement and education
program that benefitted student
scholarships and mentoring across
all USF campuses.
/LoveIVLawrence.org