Cathy Salustri

Gulfport

Freelance Writer at Freelance

Speaker, author: ‘Florida Spectacular’, 'Backroads of Paradise’. Owns @gabbernews. All news is hyperlocal. Journalism and science are real. Find me on Threads.

Featured in: Favicon

thegabber.com Favicon

msn.com

usatoday.com Favicon

tampabay.com Favicon

10best.com Favicon

cltampa.com Favicon

orlandoweekly.com Favicon

tbnweekly.com Favicon

flamingomag.com Favicon

wdw-magazine.com + 8 more

Articles

Andrew Furman's 'Of Slash Pines and Manatee' in Gulfport Friday

1 week ago | thegabber.com | Cathy Salustri

This Friday (April 18), Florida writer Andrew Furman will speak about his latest book, Of Slash Pines and Manatees, as part of Gulfport Arts and Heritage’s porch party series. In advance of the event, we asked Furman to answer a few questions about his book, his craft, and Florida. The Gabber Newspaper has its questions in bold; beneath, find Furman’s unedited answers. Why the title, Of Slash Pines and Manatees?
'All the Captive Girls' Turns Gasparilla Into a Murder Mystery

2 weeks ago | thegabber.com | Cathy Salustri

I’m not a huge fan of Gasparilla-themed events — too many people, plastic beads, and cheap beers — and after reading Linda Hurtado Bond’s latest, All the Captive Girls, that isn’t likely to change. Not because Bond’s latest didn’t hold my attention. On the contrary, All the Captive Girls kept me spellbound from start to finish. Rather, the serial killer among the Gasparilla celebrants doesn’t paint quite the picture Tampa’s marketing team likely wants.
Urbanite Theatre's Latest Production

3 weeks ago | thegabber.com | Cathy Salustri

Sometimes a script doesn’t quite live up to the show’s talented cast. Regrettably, this is the case with No One is Forgotten at Urbanite Theatre in Sarasota. Of all the theaters within an hour of South Pinellas, Urbanite takes the most risks. Most of the time those risks work out for them. No One Is Forgotten offers a rare example of the risk doesn’t pan out the way this writer would hope. No One Is Forgotten: A Journalist’s NightmareDon’t misunderstand: The show has a lot right with it.
The Spirit Moves: Adorable Ghosts, Gulfport, and Murder

1 month ago | thegabber.com | Cathy Salustri

Carol Perry’s latest Haunted Haven installment, The Spirit Moves, proves without a doubt that that Gulfport really can be an adorable ghost town… where writers sometimes get murdered. If “adorable” and “murder” don’t seem a likely pairing, clearly you haven’t yet read any of the Haunted Haven mysteries.
Pub Note: New Editor and New News Reporter at The Gabber

1 month ago | thegabber.com | Cathy Salustri

A few years ago, we had a wonderful summer intern. He wrote some feature stories for us about athletes, harmonica players, Florida-philes, and other interesting Gulfportians. Then, he went back to school (the American University in Bulgaria). He showed up again Jan. 31, with a shiny new degree and fresh off a stint working with politics — of all places — in Maricopa County, Arizona. “Ethan!” Cam said. “What are you doing here?”“Just hanging out,” he told her. “Do you want a job?” she asked.
Road Show at freeFall Reveals South Florida's History

2 months ago | thegabber.com | Cathy Salustri

As a teenager in high school drama at Clearwater High, “Stephen Sondheim” evoked images of Merrily We Roll Along and Sweeney Todd, but after seeing Road Show at, playing through March 16 at freeFall Theatre, my mind will forever link Stephen Sondheim with… South Florida? Yup.
Gulfport Hurricane Recovery #5: My SDA Letter Is Wrong

Jan 21, 2025 | thegabber.com | Cathy Salustri

Read this post if your FEMA SDA letter is wrong. This week, Gulfport Mayor Sam Henderson addresses what commercial properties deemed substantially damaged need to do to meet requirements; he also addresses the numerous incorrect SDA letters going to property owners. He spoke about the appeals process for initial determinations/appraisals — Henderson called the 29-page document “onerous” — and said it’s the best path. Property owners can get a second re-appraisal by completing the form.
Gulfportian of the Year: Everyone at Gulfport Brewery

Dec 25, 2024 | thegabber.com | Cathy Salustri

Introducing the 2024 Gulfportian of the Year: Gulfport Brewery + Eatery. Every year, staff starts having discussions in the fall: Who’s made an impact in Gulfport this year? Who best typifies why Gulfport is the only place many of us want to call home? And, every year, it’s hard, because Gulfport has so many facets that make it special (we aren’t weird; we’re wonderful). This year, there were many standouts. There’s no doubt our community is filled with people who embody the spirit of Gulfport.
Gulfport's 2024 Christmas Tree Lighting

Dec 11, 2024 | thegabber.com | Cathy Salustri

Gulfport’s 2024 Christmas tree lighting (Dec. 2) had a smaller crowd than in years past, but the traditions were strong as ever. After council lit the Southern red cedar that stands year-round in Clymer Park, Mayor Sam Henderson, former mayor Yvonne Johnson (accompanied — for the first time ever onstage — City Manager Jim O’Reilly), and Laura Henderson joined the City’s after-school and Tot Time children for a holiday chorus. Looking for things to do in St. Petersburg, Gulfport, and the beaches?
Understanding Gulfport Hurricane Recovery, FEMA, and SDA Letters

Dec 4, 2024 | thegabber.com | Cathy Salustri

Gulfport Hurricane Recovery, FEMA, and SDA LettersWith two hurricanes ripping through Gulfport in less than a month, people barely had time to breathe between them. With hurricane season finished, the rest of the country has turned its thoughts elsewhere. For parts of Florida such as Gulfport, though, the daily struggle to return to normal remains quite real. At the Nov. 19 Gulfport City Council meeting, residents made it clear they felt the City needed to communicate better.