Zappone recalled his observations of the Presidential limousine making its turn at that intersection during the dedication of the marker, sponsored by the Tampa Historical Society, held on November 22, 2013.

Late in 1963, Zappone was monitoring local police frequencies and overheard a Florida Highway Patrolman requesting a sergeant after he pulled over a chimpanzee driving a compact convertible for speeding on Interstate 4 just east of Tampa.

[3] He rushed to grab a ride with another newsman, WTVT TV reporter Steve Wilson, and arrived in time to photograph the lawman issuing the chimp, named "Cappy," a citation for speeding, reckless driving and having no driver's license.

[3] Robert Slover, owner of then Tampa-based Southern Amusement Enterprises, a traveling carnival featuring the driving "Cappy," had installed a separate brake on the passenger's side of the vehicle and was present at the time the citation was given.

Subsequently, charges against "Cappy" the chimp were dropped after a Hillsborough County judge ruled no infraction had occurred because at that time there was no requirement in Florida law that chimpanzees have licenses to drive.

Zappone was later commissioned by NBC Productions, Inc. to shoot film footage of Cappy driving around the Tampa area for later use on that network's The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

During the shoot, Zappone was injured when the animal bit unrelentingly into his right hand during a stop at a downtown Tampa intersection and refused to let go until the light turned green 30 seconds later.

During a session of the Florida Legislature, convened the following year, a law was passed prohibiting non-humans from operating mechanical vehicles on all streets and highways within the entire state.

At that time (1965), the going rate paid to freelancers by TV news departments was fifty cents per foot of film used on a newscast (eighteen feet equaled the average 30-second story.)

Learning from his car radio that a devastating tornado had ripped through the Carrollwood section of North Tampa minutes earlier, Zappone rushed to the scene and became the first newsman with photos and news film of the extensive damage.

Early in 1974, the general manager of WFLA (AM) Radio assigned him to be the station's first morning and afternoon drive-time traffic reporter and field news correspondent.

Since that time Zappone has been involved in radio and television commercial production, real estate acquisition and management, charitable fundraising, publishing and Internet business ventures.