MC FILM FESTIVAL

When visiting the GaYBOR District in Historical Ybor City

Stay at The Hampton Inn Ybor

Located on 7th Ave & walking distance to EVERYTHING!

Ask for the MC Film Corporate rate of just $109.00

Corp Code 0002672438

(Some black out dates do apply)

Below is the easy link to use when making reservations.

http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/reservations/index.jhtml?

hotel=TPAYBHX&corporateCode=0002672438

Voted Favorite Local Hotel for 2008

(Watermark's Annual Wave Award)

Ybor City's Seventh Avenue Named

One of the Nation's 10 Great Streets for 2008

(American Planning Association)

www.tampayborcitysuites.hamptoninn.com

Call today for MC Film corporate rate ask for code number LMCF

January 1-December 31, 2009
$79.00
Call for reservations 813-223-1351
www.TampaHJP.com

SPONSORS

		Don Arnold

The Laughing Cat

Cesare's of New York Pizzaria

Dishing with Mark & Carrie

4-7-09

This weeks "Dishing" has been canceled

in Honor and in Memory of our

Dear Crazy Brother...

Rex Maniscalco.

Rex Maniscalco 1956 - 2009

Rex (Electric Fat Man) was well known and loved as

the Photographer-Historian-Activist-Friend in the Tampa Bay GLBT Community.

One of Rex's favorite projects was "The Rainbow in Sunshine"

www.myspace.com/rainbowinsunshine

His MySpace was

www.myspace.com/efmphotos

Some vary sad news for that Tampa Bay GLBT Community. Hillsborough County GLBTA Democratic Caucus Member, Democratic Executive Committee, Tampa Bay GLBT Photographer, Historian, GaYBOR District Coalition Member, Rex Maniscalco passed away Saturday 4-04-09.

Rex was a true Sicilian from birth. He was from Ybor City! His love.......Pasta, Italian Spinach Pizza, well any kind of food I guess and cats! A reveler at all the area Gay Pride events. From the starts of the Human Rights Councils, Tampa Prides, Gay Days at Disney, St. Pete Pride, Tampa Bay Gays Men's Chorus, Southern Exposure, Tampa Gay & Lesbian Film Festival to newly formed GaYBOR District Coalition, Rex got involved. Always a camera in hand, Rex went to most Democratic political functions. From city council to county politics to state & governor contest to the presidency. Rex was involved. He always had an opinion. And with his Sicilian hand raised spoke with a high to low toned answer. You could always tell when he was in disagreement. His eyebrows went up an inch! But no matter the situation, Rex left with a smile upon his face and on others too.

We met Rex at the Tampa Pride Festival at USF in 1983. He was having people sign a petition about ??? Rex always had a cause he was working on. Many years continued to decades and then to really a lifetime of brotherhood. We talked at least once a day if not 5 times. Politics, food, boys, boy problems, Gay Rights, more politics and finally more food talk as we would go out to eat. He started work on gay history after the Advocate had a traveling show set up at the Falk Theatre about evolution of the Gay Pride movement. Always a camera in hand thousands of pictures were captured and are filed away in his many boxes of gay history. Local activists Bobby Smith & Kay Thompson shared a 1/2 century of pictures about silenced lives in secret surroundings. Rex then got involved. He started the Sunshine Rainbow Project all about the GLBT history here in the Tampa Bay area dealing with the gay underground. A photo history of the gay movement right here in the Tampa Bay. The collection has been given to the University of South Florida Archives Library for preservation. A work that is a work still in progress upon his untimely death.

Rex was a character. A friend to the newly met and to the ones on his 5,000 friends list. Bigger than life, having a quirky smile, body pains that he sometimes revealed and a camera always around his neck, Rex was and lived to be involved!

His funeral service will be at the "Chapel of Lights" located inside the Garden of Memories Mausoleum at 4207 E. Lake Ave Tampa. The viewing will be at 10 AM & the Celebration of Life Service will be at

11 AM Thursday, April 9th.

The Rev. Phyllis Hunt, of the Metropolitan Community Church of Tampa, will be presiding over the service. Music by Judy B. Goode & DJ Greg Anderson

The Pallbearers will be

Mark Bias

James Clark

D. Stephen Moss

Manny Perez

Jim Riis

Thomas Weller

Carrie West

Glenn White

Honorarium Pallbearers

Silvana Bastone

Don Bentz

Sammy Campisi

Horst Glamsch

Darlene Herrick

Billy Liles

Scott Molnar

Sally L. Philips

Kaye Thompson

Cards of Sympathy many be sent to

MOM - Aileen Maniscalco

C/O MC Film

1901 N 15th Street

Ybor City, FL 33605

In lieu of flowers...

Rex Maniscalco Memorial Donations can be made to;

American Heart Association

www.americanheart.org

P.O. Box 840692

Dallas, TX 75284-0693

American Diabetes Association

P.O. Box 11454

Alexandria, VA 22312

www.diabetes.org

The GaYBOR District Coalition

www.GaYBOR.com

www.MySpace.com/GaYBOR

C/O MC Film

1901 N 15th Street

Ybor City, FL 33605

Directions...

From Ybor City.... go east on 7th Ave to 39th Street. Turn left and go under the interstate. 39th Street will become 40th Street. Turn right on Lake Ave. Then left into the Garden of Memories Cemetery 4207 East Lake Ave, Tampa 33610-8035

The Service

Rev. Phillis Hunt, of the Metropolitan Community Church of Tampa, will be presiding over the service. Music by Judy B. Goode & DJ Greg Anderson.

A Celebration to Honor the Life of Rex Maniscalco

July 11, 1956 - April 4th, 2009

The celebration of life,

shared in the beginning,

and again, in the end.

Yet we forget to celebrate it,

in every moment we live.

Time, days, years, go on, but we are alive?

Alive and do not know it, sleeping in the world

and dead to the life we are to live.

To celebrate all life,

the sparrow who sang on the morning,

and died in the night,

why do we not celebrate its life?

To know thyself

is to know you are alive - to give, to love,

to seek truth, beauty, and suffer pain.

In life as it is meant to be,

pain is forgotten,

and strength is all that's left to be gained

in the moment by moment celebration of live.

- by Deborah Peabody

Opening Prayer and Welcome Rev Phyllis Hunt

Reading "He is Gone"

You can shed tears that he is gone or you can smile because he has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back

Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see him.

Or you can be full of the love that you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday

Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember him and only that he is gone.

Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back.

Or you can do what he would want; smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

-by David Harkins

Musical offering "Rainbow Connection" by Judy B. Goode

Reading

Philippians 4:8

Whatsoever things are true,

Whatsoever things are honest,

Whatsoever things are just,

Whatsoever things are pure,

Whatsoever things are lovely,

Whatsoever things are of good report:

if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,

Think on these things.

Musical offering "Never in My Life" original by Judy B. Goode

Reflections and Celebrations of Rex Maniscalco Friends & Family

Mark Bias

Carrie West

Silvana Bastone

Manny Perez

Sally Phillips

and

Open to Others

Musical offering "Rainbow of People" original by Judy B. Goode

Closing Prayer Rev. Phyllis Hunt

Benediction Everyone

Now, for us, the living, may the love of friends, the radiance of memories, the fellowship of hope, and life full of great mysteries fill us all with strength and peace, that we may greet the breaking of tomorrow's dawn with Praise. Amen!

I'm Free

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free.

I'm following the path laid out for me.

I took God's hand when I heard God call;

I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day.

To laugh, to love, to work, or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way;

I found that place at the close of day. If my parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared a laugh, a kiss;

Ah yes, these things. I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow,

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life has been full, I savored much;

good friends,

good times,

a loved ones touch.

Perhaps my time seems all to brief;

Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your heart and share with me,

for I am now set free.

-by Linda Jo Jackson

The Pallbearers

Mark Bias

James Clark

D. Stephen Moss

Manny Perez

Jim Riis

Thomas Weller

Carrie West

Glenn White

Honorary Pallbearers

Silvana Bastone

Don Bentz

Sammy Campisi

Horst Glamsch

Darlene Herrick

Billy Liles

Scott Molnar

Sally L. Philips

Kay Thompson

Photos & Memories of Rex

Celebration of life

Come join us to celebrate Rex's life

1PM at Streetcar Charlies

6PM at The Social Club During Judy B. Goode's Show

Sympathy Notes

********************************************************************************

Mark & Carrie,

Jim Nixon just called me with the news. I'm so sad, and wish deeply that I had another opportunity to be with him. Rex was so unique, so transparent, so generous, such a delight. And he cared about the local LGBT community with every fiber of his being. His photography archives will be a treasure for all of us, and for future generations.

I don't know if it's true, but I hope he was having fun and that he didn't suffer. Please keep me posted about his memorial service.

If I can manage it, I'll try and attach a recent pic he took...

Best, Tom

(Watermark Magazine)

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Mark and Carrie

Saddened to hear the news about Rex. Every time I was there, he seemed to be involved in something relating to the betterment of our community. Please keep us posted, at the very least we can do a memoriam in his honor in Hotspots if you feel it�s appropriate. Let me know if there is anything else you�d like us to do.

A sad day for our community� Take Care.

Peter

(HOTspots Magazine)

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Hi Mark & Carrie -

I'll be at the service and will do anything you need me to. It's been announced to our Caucus and we will announce again at the meeting Wednesday night. Hope you are at the meeting to speak for him. Thanks for all that you are doing!!!

With Pride & Peace -
Sally L. Phillips
President, Hillsborough County GLBTA Democratic Caucus - www.hcglbtadc.org
Vice President, Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus
Cell - 813-382-8172

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Mark and Carrie,

I am so sorry to hear that� Rex was a wonderful guy. We really enjoyed having dinner and our conversation with him that night� Please forward our condolences to his family� Our prayers are with him..

Love you,

Peter & Frank

( What's Happening Magazine)

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Dear Mark & Carrie,
My heart is aching. I never dreamed that my "Tampa Son" would predecease me. We have been friends since the first meeting of the Human Rights Task Force at the old MCC church. I will suffer the presence of his absence and to honor him, I will try to do it with courage.
Thank you very much for letting me know,
Ruby Hamilton

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I Am so sad !

(M28cam)

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Mark & Carrie,

I am a neighbor of Rex's and first notified you Saturday night when I found out about Rex. Rex first introduced himself to me when I moved to my home in December, 2000.

Please count me in to be pallbearer for Rex's service. I would be honored to do so. Instructions can be emailed to me or you can contact me by phone.

Thank you for including me in the mailing.

Thomas Weller

1512 E Powhatan Ave

Tampa, Fl 33610

Hm - 813.234.9229

Cell - 813.505.2183

jtweller@verizon.net

*********************************************************************************

My dear Rex's friends,

I want to express my sincere thanks to you for sending me all the information on the arrangements. I have emailed our MCC church here in Toronto where my husband and I are members, to ask them to include our Rex in the "Prayers for the people" on Sunday. I will light a candle for him in our little Chapel after Easter Sunday service.

One of our Deacons has been praying for Rex's health to improve. Alas, it was not to be.

Wish that I could be there for the service but at 81 years travel gets more difficult. Actually Tampa was the first MCC church that we attended when we had our winter home there in the eighties and ninties.

Hugs,
Ruby Hamilton
Toronto

***********************************************************************************

I am so sad to here this news. I have know Rex for a very very long time. He will truly be missed. He was a great person with a big heart...I will truly miss him...

Miss Joey Brooks

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Mark and Carrie,

I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Rex. He was such a nice, gentle man. You could always count on seeing him at every Gaybor function taking pictures. He will be missed.

Michele

(Ybor City Chamber of Commerce)

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So sorry to hear this. Rex was a kind and gentle soul. He will be missed.

Regards,

Bill Rogers

(Gaspar's Grotto Ybor City)

***********************************************************************************

I am so chocked guys.Rex was such a great guy, very outgoing. Life is so fragile ,we keep forgetting about it. Thanks for letting us know

Kisses Luc

Here is one the pics of Rex that I have, ironically at the now gone resort.

Luc

************************************************************************************

Mark & Carrie,

Please pass on our thoughts and condolences on to his family. His loss will be felt by many.

Derek & The Sawmill Team

**************************************************************************************

Mark and Carrie,

Please let me know about any service or Memorial for Rex. I have known him for over 22 years and he was a dear friend.

Thanks,

Rich

(Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence)

****************************************************************************************

Carrie,

So sorry to hear about Rex. I've worked with him for almost 20 years all the way back to the Rainbow Pride Band that used to play in the area (and he used to take photos then too!) and of course softball photos as well.

As for Friday April 10th, I will be in Birmingham, Alabama attending their gay softball tournamemt. But I'd definently be interested in learning more about the Gaybor association. Please keep me posted.

Thanks again,

Gerre Reynolds

******************************************************************************************

Mark and Carrie,

It is a terrible thing losing Rex. I will be at the services on Thursday.Good seeing you this weekend Mark, Carrie, I hope that shoulder is healing well. I hear James Clark is next for shoulder surgery. more later, John

*****************************************************************************************

Hey Guys, Judy called and told me about Rex earlier... Soooo sorry to hear that... I always liked him and he always brought laughter to Judy's show... I know you all were good friends and sorry for your loss too...

Love you ... JB

***************************************************************************************

My sincere condolences.
Lincoln

*****************************************************************************************

I found a couple of pics here and there..on websites..love the one with the tie, he is so handsome.

Luc

*************************************************************************************

Wanted to send a pic of Rex I found in my archives. Wish I could find more, but wanted to go ahead and send this one. Thanks for all you are doing, guys.

Aleta

**************************************************************************************

Thanks for the news. We have had many photos taken by Rex�I�ll miss him.

The write-up in Dishing was very well done.

Warm hugs,

Mel

Mel E. Lesperance

Flamingo Auto Group

Car Collector Towers

12208 N. Armenia Avenue

Tampa, FL 33612

PH: (813) 477-5642

email: FlamingoAutoGroup@gmail.com

website: www.FlamingoAutoGroup.com

"Life is too short to be driving boring cars!"

******************************************************************************************

I am so sorry to hear about Rex. It will be a loss to the community. Thank you for keeping us informed.
Sincerely,

Cathy Lammers
HealthStat Rx
727-278-4605
Life isn't about finding yourself. It is about creating yourself!
unknown

********************************************************************************

Dear all,

I was very, very sad to learn that Rex Maniscalco passed away. He was a true community treasure, a good friend of mine, and an important contributor to USF.

He informed me just last month that he had written some sort of unofficial "will" during his recent surgery that indicated he wanted his photographs to be deposited with the USF LGBT History Initiative. To underscore that intention, Rex had recently donated to the Initiative several hundred Bobbie Smith photos in his possession.

If you know anything about who is handling his arrangements and affairs, please let us know.

Sincerely,

David

P.S. A photo of Rex the last time he came to my house to discuss preserving his photos.

<Rex.jpg>

David K. Johnson

Assistant Professor

Department of History SOC 107

University of South Florida

4202 E. Fowler Ave

Tampa, FL 33620

813-974-6245

djohnson@cas.usf.edu

********************************************************************

I was so sad to hear the news about our Rexie. Please let me know if there is anything I can do. Will keep watch for memorial service plans.

Aleta

****************************************************************************

Thank you for sharing......he is missed!

(Outings and Adventures)

********************************************************************************

i am deeply sadden by rex death;

he will always be there at the cabaret, smiling and taking a photo!!!

can you tell us where and when the funeral will take place?

very very sad;;

kisses

olivier

(L' Olivier's Restaurant & Cabaret)

*********************************************************************************

Hi Mark & Carrie:

You guys are doing a fabulous job:

One correction....

the driving directions, from Ybor, drive EAST (not West, young man)

see you there, pending Jury duty, UGGGH!

-Giovanni

*********************************************************************************

Wow. Very sad. Such a nice guy!

Tony LaColla
2002 E. 5th Ave. #209
Tampa, FL 33605
(813) 787-2055

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mark&carrie,
we are all sorry for the loss of a brother. we will see you at the next gaybor meeting.................

********************************************************************************

I am sadden by this news. Rex was a big part of this community and not only will he be missed, but it will leave a big void! If someone could e-mail me about services, I would appreciate it as I don�t get the Tribune.

Thanks

Benny Alfano

Benny Alfano Consulting

303 Bracken Lane

Brandon, FL 33511

Voice: 813-244-3718

email: bennyalf@tampabay.rr.com

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