Early Monday 6-4-12 morning a huge party started in Heaven!!! The legendary Mary Ann Bonsey (The Queen) passed away. Her bigger than life “Auntie Mame” positive personality inspired many in our community. Mary Ann LOVED; Cigarettes, Stoli Vodka, Southern cooking, her friends (especially the Gay ones) & her custom signature mega 100’+ built yacht, The Miz Scarlett. It was not uncommon to meet professional ball players, sports club owners, national political leaders and recognized national newscasters in her condo or aboard Miz Scarlett. To say she will be missed a is a huge understatement. Left behind will be many wonderful memories and unforgettable stories. She was a professional ballroom dancer. Her sleek jeweled performance dance dresses are pure designer silk fashion treasures. She had them showcased in glass throughout the condo! We will remember the stories she told us about living next door to former President Jimmy Carter and when she met the love of her life, second husband Frank. When Mary Ann & Frank decided to move to Florida. Here is just one of the many stories.

     Frank went ahead to find a new home. Frank was a famous hospital / building architect. He purchased 4 units on the top floor of the Treasure Island Tennis & Yacht Club. Then Frank re designed the units into one beautiful penthouse. When he first showed the finished new home to Mary Ann he asked, “What do you think.” Mary Ann said, “Very nice but I will miss my basement we left behind in Georgia.”

     A couple of months went by when the elevator stopped on the floor below. Mary Ann asked, “What’s this?” As Frank opened the door he said, “It’s your basement!” There was a large rec room complete with pool table, pinball machines, sports posters, a complete guest condo & tons of basement storage. We can still hear Mary Ann with her Georgia accent say to Judy, “Judy dear would you mind running down to the basement & get me…” then everybody would laugh. We all will miss Mary Ann very much.

 

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    Gay Days at Disney was packed again this year. Many of the Hottest Beach Party fashions were from

MC Film. Thank you Guys for making us make You look so good!! It was Over the Top WILD in GaYBOR/Ybor City with the “Been there, Done that crowds!” On Saturday Night GaYBOR/Ybor City hosted the first “Sicon Rock Fest”. 26 bands performed in 4 locations throughout GaYBOR/Ybor City including; The Crowbar, The Orpheum, The Ritz Ybor & Czars. Conservative estimates have the crowds over 10,000+.

     New New New Opening soon is a New Gay Bar, New Wine Bar and The Box Art Gallery. It is also rumored that a new Kick Box Fitness Studio will also be opening this month. A new weekend addition to Bradley’s on 7th was guest smiling bartender, Mike Hammond. And what about a familiar tall face returning to bartend from Streetcar Charlie’s Restaurant days now at Bradley’s, Tall Ray!

    The big tip of the week is the New Happy Hour at Hamburger Mary’s. 1/2 price appetizers and drink specials. The don’t miss party is on Hamburger Mary’s Balcony every Friday & Saturday Nights with Tea Cup. Become Tea Cup’s facebook friend today so you don’t miss out on any thing! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002255513296 The Sunday FunDays in GaYBOR/Ybor City are in full Hot Summer Swing. You will not believe what is going to happen at Barbarella’s GaYBOR T-Dance this Sunday!!! The boys at G.Bar took off a weekend during Gay Days Orlando to give the bartenders and staff time off to go to wherever. That included Orlando Disney, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami Beach, St. Pete Beach and Los Angeles!  Many of us remember & worked at “The Scaglione’s University Restaurant” on Fowler Ave next to USF. Did you know that the family also owns “The Scagliones Tony’s Ybor Restaurant?”  http://www.tonysyborrestaurant.com since 1929? On a recent lunch there we ran into owners, Peter & Basil. Both are now in their 80’s and looking great. Yes, the food is still fantastic!

    Did anybody else notice on a CNN report this week about Mariela Castro, the daughter of Cuban President Raul Castro, where CNN footage had filmed? While she was talking about how she wants U.S. President Barack Obama to win a second term, in the background they were supposedly showing film of Cuban. The only problem was it was not Cuba, it was the Columbian Restaurant and buildings on 7th Ave in Ybor City!!!! Now that’s the LOL of the Week

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A founding member of GaYBOR. Don is the owner of Don Arnold A/C.He is also known as ‘Don Don the AC Man! He stays busy especially this time of the year.

 

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Student, former manager @ Starbucks and bartender @ Liquid Tampa. Mikey stays very busy. One day he wants to be the top plastic surgeon in the US. We think he will make it.

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