Tag Archives: Get to Know
Get to Know … Shorty Robbins
By Martie Thompson
editor@floridanewsline.com
About 25 years ago, Shorty Robbins was introduced to the world of historical reenacting and it now colors most of her life — from hobbies to family outings to her period piece tiny home. Originally from Massachusetts, Robbins moved to Florida in the 1970s with her family and attended high school in Vero Beach. She earned a degree in recreation from the University of Florida and moved to the Jacksonville area after graduation. By 2001, she had moved to St. Johns County for a job as the administrative manager for the county’s Parks and Recreation Department and, despite brief relocations for other jobs, has called the area home ever since.
Get to Know … Violet Keels
By Martie Thompson
editor@floridanewsline.com
Violet Keels, age 97, was way ahead of her time when, as an adventurous young woman, she left her comfortable life in the Midwest to see the world as a volunteer with the American Red Cross during World War II. An only child, she grew up in Indianapolis before traveling to Langley Air Force Base for training to become a “Doughnut Dolly” assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. She and three other girls traveled with the division and were assigned the task of setting up recreation clubs in each stationed city. The clubs were basically lounges for enlisted servicemen, where they could come to relax, have some doughnuts and coffee, write letters home and find a friendly face. Keels said she lived with the three other girls in small apartments and set up clubs in Paris, Belgium, Holland and three other places in France before the war ended and she returned to the United States with the 82nd Airborne Division. Keels recalled that they were treated to a ticker tape parade in New York City and a delicious dinner at the Waldorf Astoria.
Get To Know … Cabrina Cameron
By Ken Gillespie
mail@floridanewsline.com
How many people do you know who have experienced three near death experiences? Ponte Vedra resident Cabrina Cameron has thrice eluded the Grim Reaper’s call. Once as a teen driver crashing in a rollover when her vehicle’s rear axle gave way. Responders couldn’t believe she walked away unscathed from her totally flattened VW. Another incident when her heart unexpectedly stopped beating on the operating table while undergoing surgery for cancer in her 30s. And yet a third time when her heart ceased pumping while going through another surgery.
Get to Know … Tom Verri
By Martie Thompson
editor@floridanewsline.com
Tom Verri has been a St. Johns County resident since 2012. Originally from the Bronx, NY, he is part of a large Italian family and the youngest of seven children, as well as a product of New York City public schools. At an early age, he knew he wanted to be a police officer and became a reserve officer in the 45th Precinct in the Bronx at age 18 and a full time officer at age 21. His childhood career ambition was a good one — he became a shooting instructor at an early age and served in the motorcycle unit, undercover in the vice unit, as a member of the detective unit, and many years in his personal favorite, the patrol division.
Get to Know … Zoe Keffer
By Martie Thompson
editor@floridanewsline.com
Zoe Keffer just might be a “dog whisperer” … the 13-year-old already has three years of experience as well as many accolades as a junior handler for the dog show circuit. Born and raised in Mandarin and a rising eighth grader at Mandarin Middle School, Keffer said she and her family have always been “dog people” and she considers her time spent honing her craft as a handler to be her main extracurricular activity. The family has a cat and three dogs in addition to her show dog, which is the family’s first.
