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Stephanie Hayes - Columnist

Columnist

Please buckle in for a glamorous journalism biography. I left my job at a mall CD store to work here at 19, distributing faxes and running to Publix to pick up cakes for real reporters. Upon being the last warm body in the office, I got to write actual stories. The rest has been a wonderful journey. I'm now a columnist, writing on the proverbial "lighter side of life" and giving side-eye to Florida. Starting in 2021, my columns will be syndicated worldwide via Creators Syndicate. Before this, I was an editor overseeing arts and culture coverage. As a reporter, I’ve covered local governments, higher education, nightlife, obituaries and performing arts. How's that for variety? I'm a stepmom, fledgling novelist, amateur makeup artist and avid host of parties with too much food. Find me in Dunedin, coolest town in Florida.

  1. An oak leafroller inches across a pollen-speckled window in Clearwater. This caterpillar is the immature or larval stage of the oak moth.
  2. Beachgoers are seen along Clearwater Beach on March 16, 2021.
  3. Former President Donald Trump, left, and President Joe Biden are both expected to campaign in Georgia on Saturday.
  4. Margot Robbie stars in "Barbie."
  5. Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo before a bill signing by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2021. Ladapo is drawing criticism for his handling of an elementary school's measles outbreak, telling parents of unvaccinated children it is their choice whether their student attends class — a direct contravention of federal guidelines.
  6. A cone of vanilla soft serve outside Twistee Treat on St. Pete Beach.
  7. Laura Chinn poses for a portrait to promote her film "Suncoast" during the Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 21 in Park City, Utah.
  8. Gov. Ron DeSantis delivers remarks at NeoCity Academy in Kissimmee on Jan. 26.
  9. Taylor Swift kisses Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce after the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas.
  10. The sign at Applebee's on U.S. 19 in Clearwater on Feb. 5.
  11. Taylor Swift walks on the field after the AFC Championship NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs on Jan. 28 in Baltimore.
  12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, center, celebrates after he gains big yards against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Jan. 15.
  13. Pride flags are displayed during the St. Pete Pride parade and festival near North Straub Park on June 24, 2023, in St. Petersburg.
  14. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis attends his watch party on Caucus Night, Monday, Jan 15, 2024, at the Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel in We Des Moines, IA.
  15. Dave Panfil of Largo uses an umbrella to protect himself from the rain while walking along the shoreline at Indian Rocks Beach on Dec. 16, 2023.
  16. Timothée Chalamet, join our pirate parade.
  17. My cat, Countess, who died this month, in better days.
  18. This still image from video provided by Disney shows the character Mickey Mouse in the 1928 animated short "Steamboat Willie." On Monday, Jan. 1, the iconic character from “Steamboat Willie” entered the public domain after the expiration of the 95-year copyright, and is already the focus of two horror films.
  19. This week, there's no problem with sitting in your car and staring into a gaping void.
  20. John Wilson, left, and Lisa Schurr of Support Our Schools get into a disagreement during a protest rally at the Sarasota County School Board on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, in Sarasota.
  21. In the following delusion, we all get everything we want, including a Trader Joe's in every Tampa Bay neighborhood.
  22. If you brought this to the potluck, you know who you are.
  23. A view of the boots worn by Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as he speaks at the Heritage Foundation, Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, as part of the Mandate for Leadership Series in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)