🌺 Inside Azaleaville | September 2025


Not long ago, this neighborhood was a wide green expanse, the fairways of a historic golf course. In the mid-1950s, bulldozers cleared the greens, sand traps, and bunkers and Azaleaville was born. Over time, the name was shortened to Azalea. When we call this newsletter Inside Azaleaville, we honor the neighborhood’s original name and spirit, while we look forward to the promise of Azalea's future.

Cover art: Dawn in Azaleaville, September 1957.
A milkman, a waking sky, and neighbors stepping into the day.

Inside Azaleaville is an independent publication created for neighborhood readers. Links to the Azalea Neighborhood Association are included for convenience, but the content and opinions here are produced independently by the editor. It’s designed for neighbors who don’t regularly follow social media and it organizes the most important local information in one calm place with no comments or drama.
White Peacock Babies Update
Photo credit: Cathy Wrigley

from Cathy Wrigley on Nextdoor (Azalea Jungle):
The White Peacock babies are getting bigger and are flying pretty well! Momma doesn't let them get too far from her sight.

From internet sources:

🌿🦚 A Rare Sight in Azalea 🦚🌿
Two wild white peacocks have been spotted in our neighborhood! White peafowl aren’t albino, they’re a naturally occurring color variation of the Indian blue peafowl, caused by a rare genetic trait called leucism.

In the wild, these birds are extremely uncommon. Estimates suggest that fewer than 1 in 10,000 peafowl will show this pure white coloration. The chance of seeing two together in a suburban neighborhood like ours? Astronomically rare, a once-in-a-lifetime kind of sighting.

If you see them, enjoy from a distance. They’re part of what makes our corner of the world so unique.


Great news:

Azalea Neighborhood Meeting
Wednesday, Sept 3 | 6 pm Azalea Recreation Center | 1600 72nd St N

  • Chair: Brendan Turley, marine biologist
  • Refreshments: Einstein Bros. Bagels
  • Guest: Bee Pruna, General Manager, Einstein Bros. Tyrone Square
  • Guest: Christine Metcalf, Azalea Rec Center will discuss new programs for seniors.
  • Guest: Officer Jenn Wright, Community Service Officer — Bike Safety
  • City Update: Ryan Adelberg, Legislative Aide, Office of Council Chair Copley Gerdes
  • Guest: Cheri Holzbacher, CEO of the Homeless Leadership Alliance of Pinellas

Join your neighbors — learn, connect, and enjoy bagels!

Tap here for Meeting Minutes

Adopt-a-Drain

Adopt-a-Drain Program

Cathy Wrigley via Nextdoor (Azalea Jungle):
I adopted 3 drains in my immediate neighborhood. Just in time for our very active September/October Hurricane activity.

Some may say, that's why we pay taxes. I say, the City is not coming to save us. I love my neighborhood and will do what I can to keep it clear.

Link: City of St Pete Adopt a Drain program

Meet · Mingle · Munch · Movie

Azalea Outdoor Movie Night

Azalea Outdoor Family Movie Night
Saturday, October 4th

🎉 Block Party with FREE food begins at 6:30 pm
🎬 Family Movie starts at 7:00 pm

Hosted by Loren and Vee

Stay for the movie — or just enjoy the food and fun with neighbors. 

 All are welcome!

🌪️ Hurricanes Helene & Milton – Tampa Bay Impacts

Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region late on September 26, 2024, but its massive size and storm surge caused historic flooding across Tampa Bay, including St. Petersburg. Surge levels exceeded 7 feet in parts of the bay, damaging homes, businesses, and infrastructure. While St. Pete was not at the direct landfall point, the city experienced one of the most significant flooding events in its history.

Hurricane Milton struck much closer to home, making landfall near Siesta Key on October 9, 2024 at about 8:30 p.m. as a Category 3 storm. This was the closest hurricane landfall to Tampa Bay since 1921. St. Petersburg saw high winds, flooding in low-lying areas, and widespread power outages. While the worst-case surge did not materialize, Milton still brought significant impacts and served as a reminder of the region’s vulnerability.

These back-to-back storms underscored the importance of preparation and resilience for all Tampa Bay communities.

YOUNG PIONEERS: (AI) In the early 1960s, John Lawson, an electrical technician, his wife Margaret, their children Billy, Susan and Trixie, and the family dog Rusty left Ohio for new opportunities in St. Petersburg. Drawn by defense and aerospace work at the growing technical plants nearby, they settled in west St. Pete near Azaleaville, eager to enjoy Florida sunshine, modern homes, and a fresh start in a neighborhood on the rise.



Join Our Facebook Group: "Azalea Neighborhood Association Group"

Thank you to all our neighbors who make Azalea a beautiful place to live!