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Jekyll is transforming its high tea into a Wicked-inspired experience with an emerald setting and “gravity-defying” desserts. Costumes aren’t required, but they are encouraging guests to dress as Elphaba*, Glinda*, or another Oz character*. Their Sept. 19 event is almost sold out, but the Oct. 17 date is fully available to book through their OpenTable profile.

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Dale Mabry Highway officially opened 83 years ago, on Sept. 24, 1943. But the road wasn’t originally built for South Tampans. During World War II, the U.S. military needed a direct route to transport personnel and supplies through what was then a mostly undeveloped stretch of South Tampa between MacDill Field and Drew Field. Before this route was paved into a concrete highway, it was called Vera Avenue, a two-lane dirt road with only some sections paved.

The fully paved 1943 highway was named for Army Captain Dale Mabry, a Tampa-born World War I pilot, who flew military observation balloons and dirigibles, A.K.A. airships. Mabry died in 1922 while piloting the Army Airship Roma, which struck power lines and crashed in Virginia. 🎈⚡ Thirty-four people died in what was then the deadliest disaster involving an American airship, and thus it was the last military airship to be inflated with hydrogen. Given how few dirigibles have ever been made, “death by dirigible” has got to be one of the rarest ways human beings have ever died.

This wartime road outlived both airfields it connected, as MacDill Field became MacDill Air Force Base and Drew Field became Tampa International Airport. The vacant land that used to be between them has since been fully developed into the central commercial spine that connects everything and everyone in South Tampa. The next time you drive on Dale Mabry Highway, marvel in the fact that the U.S. military once had a dirigible pilot from Tampa.

The 103-year-old renovated Neoclassical house of Isaac Maas, co-founder of Maas Brothers Department stores, is now for sale for almost $6 million. The department store’s 1921 flagship location in downtown Tampa featured the state’s first escalator and sold everything from toys to ball gowns. The brand was bought and sold many times until it was absorbed into Macy’s.

The Maas home was designed by renown architect, Franklin O. Adams, who is best known for his work developing the Davis Islands, Davis Islands Pool (now the Roy Jenkins Pool), and Plant High School. Don’t miss the Zillow photo of the pelican wallpapered bathroom!

➡ Are you selling a South Tampa property with a unique feature? We’d love to share it with a link! Please reply to this email for details.

Last week, Tampa City Council approved funding for the South Howard Flood Relief project. This will create a new underground stormwater system, utility upgrades, wider sidewalks, improved crossings, lighting, landscaping, and traffic-calming features. We will keep you posted on these traffic disruptions as the construction is scheduled to occur in rolling sections over the next few years.

Raymond James Stadium: expect heavier traffic around the stadium before and after the Buccaneers play their home opener against the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 20 at 1 PM.

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This week I spotted a giant moth that looked like bits of its wing had been cut out. But I’ve since learned this is the natural shape of the semi-rare Mournful Sphinx Moth. It mostly lives in South and Central America and only the southernmost parts of the U.S., from southern Florida to Louisiana. And this one is specifically a male because of its 3-pointed end piece. 👀

➡ Have you seen a rare animal this week? Please reply to let us know when and where! Include a photo for a chance to see it featured next week.

We asked “What kind of business does South Tampa need more of?”, and the results were: restaurants geared for young families, and specialty grocery stores.

SoHo: Where recent grads pay premium rent for the privilege of stepping over sidewalk vomit and listening to bass until 3 AM. Smells like stale White Claw.

➡ A.I. came up with the joke, and a human refined the wording. Do you think A.I. nailed this one?

Create a More Enjoyable Community: Our mission is to help you live your best life in South Tampa by creating a more fun and connected community. If you like this idea, there are several free and paid ways you can support it:

Independent & Transparent: The Scroll is independently owned and written by a South Tampa resident. Positive mentions can’t be bought. We only include things we have personally tried or trust the person who did doesn’t benefit from mentioning it. We do not include links to businesses unless they are not-for-profit or paid sponsors we have vetted and noted as such. Clicking on asterisked items (*) may provide us with affiliate compensation, which helps fund us to keep creating for you!

Your Local Writer & Founder: Danielle is a lover of food, craft cocktails, wine, travel, nature, and history. After living in Ohio, Dallas, New Zealand, and 37 countries as a digital nomad, Danielle decided South Tampa was the best place to settle in 2022. She blends a world’s worth of experiences with local expertise as a Meetup event organizer and marketing director to ensure The Scroll is always worth your read!