Donny Osmond A Timeless Act
About the Publisher
Publisher Joanne Durann
Photo Credit Allie Serrano
Joanne Durann has written for The Examiner,Yahoo.com, Axs, Out On The Town Magazine, as well as a writing instructor. She has authored multiple books, news articles, and entertainment pieces. She has interviewed the likes of Geoff Tate, Mark Daly, and Rudy Sarzo, among others. After a successful career in education, Joanne’s passion for the Florida lifestyle and the Tampa Bay area landed her in Apollo Beach. Joanne has worked in the real estate industry at Keller Williams with the Lovitch Group since her move to Florida from Pennsylvania, and she loves what she does. Joanne has a certification from the University of Michigan in Negotiations, has studied remotely with Harvard University, and is a member of The Working Women of Tampa Bay, WISE Tampa Bay, and the National Association of Professional Women. She loves traveling with her husband and attending concerts and Bucs and Lightning Games in her spare time. She works with multiple charities and on community events.
Staff
Trish is a 32-year combat Army Veteran, who spent the better part of her last twelve years in uniform stationed at The Pentagon in Washington, DC. While there, her assignments included organizing major Army infrastructure and entertainment programs, including The Army Birthday Ball, Total Army Analysis, and Organization Days for the Senior Army Leadership and Army Staff Sections. Trish is also a published author with numerous credits, including The Knoxville News-Sentinel, Florida Women Magazine, and Lakeside Life.
Phil Stoecker grew up the youngest son of eight children in a journalistic family outside of New York City. His father was an award-winning photojournalist at United Press International (UPI), his mother was a reporter for the La Crosse (WI) Tribune until she married, and his stepmother was the daughter of a prominent New York sportswriter, who herself was the editor of one of the small town’s newspapers.
The skills he learned at the dining room table served him well when he joined the U.S. Navy as a cryptologist aboard submarines and at overseas duty stations. After his 10-year stint in the Navy, the Department of the Navy hired him as a civilian analyst until he retired 27 years later and moved from Washington D.C. to Tampa Bay with his wife, the Managing Editor. Phil indulges his hobbies as an amateur photographer and writer and hopes to make entertaining contributions to this publication.
July Holidays
National Ice Cream Month
July 2 National Wildland Firefighter Day
July 4 Independence Day
July 7 World Chocolate Day
July 13 National Barbershop Music Appreciation Day
July 14 Bastille Day
July 17 National Tattoo Day
July 19 National Daiquiri Day
July 24 International Self-Care Day
July 26 National Disability Independence Day
July 28 National Soccer Day
July 30 WORLD DAY AGAINST TRAFFICKING
July 31 Uncommon Instrument Awareness Day
Traveling Around
Attractions and Landmarks
• Georgia Aquarium: One of the largest aquariums in the world, home to thousands of marine animals, including whale sharks, beluga whales, and manta rays.
• World of Coca-Cola: Explore the history of the iconic beverage brand, sample different Coke products worldwide, and see memorabilia.
• Atlanta Botanical Garden: A beautiful garden featuring a variety of plant collections, including a tropical rainforest and a Japanese garden.
• Atlanta History Center: Learn about the history of Atlanta and the American South through exhibits and historic homes.
Museums and Culture
• High Museum of Art: Atlanta's premier art museum, featuring an extensive collection of classic and contemporary art.
• Center for Civil and Human Rights: An engaging museum dedicated to the American Civil Rights Movement and global human rights issues.
• Fernbank Museum of Natural History: A museum offering exhibits on natural history, including dinosaurs, fossils, and cultural artifacts.
Parks and Outdoor Activities
• Piedmont Park: A large urban park perfect for picnics, sports, and walking. It also hosts events and festivals throughout the year.
• Atlanta BeltLine: A network of trails and parks around the city, great for walking, biking, and exploring different neighborhoods.
• Stone Mountain Park: Just outside Atlanta, this park features hiking trails, a scenic railroad, and a historic carving on the mountain face.
Entertainment and Nightlife
• Fox Theatre: A historic theater offering Broadway shows, concerts, and movies in a beautiful setting.
• The Battery Atlanta: A mixed-use development next to Truist Park (home of the Atlanta Braves), featuring shops, restaurants, and entertainment options.
• Live Music Venues: Check out venues like the Tabernacle,Variety Playhouse, and Terminal West for live music.
Food and Dining
• Ponce City Market: A food hall with a variety of dining options, from casual bites to upscale restaurants.
• Krog Street Market: Another popular food market offering a range of culinary delights.
• Southern Cuisine: Try local favorites like fried chicken, barbecue, and soul food at Mary Mac's Tea Room and Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q restaurants.
Festivals and Events
• Atlanta Jazz Festival: One of the largest free jazz festivals in the country, held annually in Piedmont Park.
• Dragon Con: A major multi-genre convention for fans of science fiction, fantasy, and pop culture, held annually over Labor Day weekend.
• Atlanta Film Festival: An annual event showcasing diverse films, from independent to international cinema.
History of MLB All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic," is an annual event that brings together the best players from the American League (AL) and the National League (NL) for a showcase game. Here’s a look at its history:
Origins and Early Years
• First Game: The inaugural MLB All-Star Game occurred on July 6, 1933, at Comiskey Park in Chicago. It was organized during the 1933 World's Fair and aimed to boost baseball's popularity.
• Concept: Arch Ward, a sports editor for the Chicago Tribune, proposed the game as a one-time event. The success of the first game led to it becoming an annual tradition.
• Initial Format: From the beginning, the game featured the best players from both leagues, chosen by fans, managers, and sportswriters.
• Memorable Performances: The All-Star Game has seen numerous historic performances, such as Carl Hubbell striking out five consecutive future Hall of Famers in 1934 and Ted Williams hitting a game-winning home run in 1941.
• Integration: Jackie Robinson became the first African American to play in an All-Star Game in 1949, marking a significant moment in baseball history.
• Ties and Controversies: The 2002 game ended in a controversial tie when both teams ran out of pitchers, prompting MLB to revise the rules to prevent such occurrences.
Modern Era and Current Format
• Home-Field Advantage: From 2003 to 2016, the All-Star Game winner determined home-field advantage for the World Series, adding competitive stakes to the exhibition game. This rule was removed in the 2017 season.
• Fan Involvement: Fan voting remains crucial, with fans selecting the starting players. Managers and MLB officials choose the remaining roster spots.
• Location and Economic Impact: The game is hosted by different MLB cities each year, and the influx of fans and media provides significant economic benefits to the host cities.
Recent Developments
• Rule Changes: Recent games have seen rule changes, such as the introduction of the designated hitter rule for both leagues and innovations to speed up the game.
• Global Reach: The event has gained international attention, reflecting baseball’s growing global appeal.
• The MLB All-Star Game continues to be a premier event in the baseball calendar, celebrated by fans for displaying top-tier talent and its role in baseball history.
July 4th
July 4th, Independence Day in the United States, is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. This day marks the Thirteen American Colonies’ declaration of independence from Great Britain. Here is an overview of the history and the traditional ways in which this holiday is celebrated:
Historical Background
• Declaration of Independence: On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later, on July 4, the delegates from the 13 colonies formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson.
• Early Celebrations: Initial celebrations of independence included public readings of the Declaration, parades, concerts, bonfires, and the firing of cannons and muskets. Philadelphia held the first annual commemoration of independence on July 4, 1777, with an official dinner, speeches, parades, and fireworks.
Notable July 4th Celebrations
•Washington D.C.: The nation's capital hosts various events, including the National Independence Day Parade, a concert on the Capitol's West Lawn, and a fireworks display over the National Mall.
•New York City: Known for Macy’s 4th of July fireworks displays, one of the largest fireworks displays in the country, synchronized to music and often on television.
•Boston: The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular is a well-known event that features a concert by the Boston Pops Orchestra followed by a fireworks show over the Charles River.
Around Town July 4th
Tampa 4th of July Fireworks Cruise
Amalie Arena Station 7:30pm
The Fourth – St Pete Pier Spa Beach 615 2nd Ave 4pm – 9:30pm
July 4th Boat Parade Sparkman Warf 615 Channelside Dr 4pm to 9:30pm
July 4th Celebration
4424 Friendly Wy Wesley Chapel
Catch The Spirit & Celebrate American 215 Sydney Washer Rd
4th of July Busch Gardens Tampa Sat Jun 29 – Thu July 4Th
4th of July Celebration 5535 W Prescott St Tampa
Clearwater Celebrates America 2024 Coachman Park 303 Drew St
Plant City Fireworks + 4th of July Celebration
Plant City Stadium 1810 S Park Rd 6 pm – 9:30pm
July 4th VIP Celebration
Safety Harbor Resort & Spa
Donny Osmond: A Timeless Entertainer
Donny Osmond, the charismatic performer whose career has spanned over six decades, remains a beloved figure in the entertainment industry. At 66 years old, Osmond has an illustrious career that includes recording 65 albums. His music career boasts record sales of over 100 million, several chart-topping hits, with three number one singles and a remarkable 18 top 20 hits, solidifying his status as a pop culture icon.
Osmond's journey began in the 1960s when he performed with his siblings as part of The Osmond Family. His solo career took off in the early 1970s with hits like "Puppy Love" and "Go Away Little Girl," which endeared him to millions of fans worldwide. Over the years, Donny Osmond has continuously reinvented himself, exploring various genres and consistently delivering memorable performances
One of the highlights of his career is his long-term residency in Las Vegas, which he began alongside his sister Marie in 2008. The "Donny & Marie" show was a massive success, running for 11 years until 2019 and drawing fans from all corners of the globe. The sibling duo's chemistry and talent shone brightly on stage, making it one of the most successful residencies in Las Vegas history.
Osmond played more than 2,000 performances in U.S. and Canadian productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat between 1992 and 1997. He later reprised his work in the 1999 film opposite Joan Collins and Sir Richard Attenborough. He announced in February 2024 that he will return to the Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Burton musical later this year.
The famed vocalist will play a limited engagement as the Pharaoh when the international hit musical kicks off its latest U.K. tour during the 2024 holiday season. Osmond will get to rock out nightly with "Song of the King" when the tour plays the Edinburgh Playhouse December 3-29.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Osmond is a devoted family man. He and his wife Debbie, whom he married in 1978, have five children and are proud grandparents to 13 grandchildren. Despite his busy schedule, family remains a cornerstone of his life, and he often shares moments of joy and love with them on social media.
Osmond's passion for performing is unwavering. He once said, "I love to perform. It's who I am, it's what I do." This love is evident in his dynamic stage presence and the enthusiasm he brings to every performance. His energy and dedication continue to captivate audiences, young and old alike.
Fans in Tampa, Florida, are eagerly anticipating his upcoming concert on Thursday, July 25, where they can expect a night filled with nostalgia, timeless hits, and the unmistakable charm of Donny Osmond. As he continues to tour and perform, Donny Osmond remains an enduring entertainer whose legacy in music and entertainment is truly unparalleled.
Raymond James Stadium
AUGUST 13TH
July 11th /12th
ONE NIGHT AT A TIME
THE STATESIDE CUP
AUGUST 14TH The Quittin Time Tour
June 5th 7pm OCC Roadhouse & Museum
June 7th 6:30pm Toasted Monkey
June 8th 8 pm 3 Daughters Brewing
June 21st 8 pm Whiskey Wings Largo
June 22nd 8 pm Diesel Garage Grill & Bar
July 5th 6:30 pm Toasted Monkey
July 6th 9 pm Daiquiri Shak Raw Bar & Grill
