TARPON SPRINGS, FL – The TARPON SPRINGS HISTORICAL SOCIETY revealed a relic from the community’s storied past, an 1926 Chevrolet jitney, painted bright green and yellow, that was used to transport people around town in the 1930s and 1940, the Tarpon Springs Beacon reported.

This is all thanks to HERCULES YPSILANTIS, whose father was one of the jitney’s drivers all those years ago. Three years ago, Ypsilantis donated the vehicle to the Historical Society, which restored it. “I promised my dad I would never sell it, never let it go out of Tarpon. I can feel comfortable now,” the 83-year-old Ypsilantis told the Beacon, “I don’t have to worry about it.”

The Historical Society raised $35,000 for the jitney’s restoration and upkeep. Society Board member CYNDI TARAPANI, who was president at the time of the donation, told the Beacon that “it was always a dream of Mr. Ypsilantis to save the jitney for the city and to make sure the citizens knew of its history.” And now, that dream has come true.

The Society explains that there were about six jitneys at the time, which would take residents from the Sponge Docks to the various markets elsewhere in town. They would pay between a nickel and a quarter, depending on the year, for the ride.

Tarapani says it was her husband, JOHN, who gave her the idea about restoring the jitney, after his chance conversation with Ypsilantis.
The jitney will be available for public rides, and was featured in Tarpon Springs’ annual CHRISTMAS PARADE.

SEVERNA PARK, MD – STELLA KOOTSIKAS ANGELUCCI and her husband, JOHN, are ready for Christmas. Their surname, which means Light of the Angels in Italian, makes their incredible collection of round glass Christmas ornaments, hanging from a tree in their yard, all that more appropriate.

Stella moved to the area in 1971, the Capital Gazette reported, a first-generation Greek-American. After the death of her first husband, NICHOLAS, she met Julius, a first-generation Italian-American, whose parents, arrived to the United States via Ellis Island, the Gazette reported.

They couple has purchased over 180 miniature houses and 245 accessories for their grand Christmas decoration collection, she told the Gazette.

They begin putting up the collection the day after Thanksgiving. “We have three large trees, three medium-sized trees, and eight small trees, and three nativity scenes,” she said.

An all-white tree is The White House Tree, the Gazette reported. “It bears official White House and Secret Service Agency ornaments – yes, there is such a thing. The latest White House ornament is the first one to light up. The couple also has ornament collections of child-like cherubs and gingerbread folks. There is a collection, too, of tatted or crocheted lace medallions or doilies. Several have been attached to green velvet backing, slipped into a circular mat and framed. Others are placed around the house.”

Never too tired to completely retire, the Angeluccis have no intentions of maintaining and even growing their vast collection. “This is something we love to do together.”

A Tarpon Springs jitney built in 1926, restored 90 years later.