Vero's Voice Magazine Issue 159 April 2024

6 Interview:

Director Marcia Milgrom Dodge –Riverside Theatre’s On Your Feet!

14 Voices of Vero: What is your favorite childhood memory?

18 Voices of Vero: What is your favorite high school memory?

20 Movie Review: Oppenheimer

22 Recipes: Fresh Grapefruit!

24 TC Stylist: A Rattan Moment

26 Mind Games

27 Encouraging Words

A Few Interesting Facts: Gloria Estefan

Annual Tokyo Music Festival’s grand prix in 1986.

In 1988, Gloria and the Miami Sound Machine achieved their first number one hit with “Anything for You.”

She went on to win three Grammy Awards and receive a Kennedy Center Honor.

Gloria has been named one of the Top 100 greatest artists of all time by both VH1 and Billboard.

Sold over 100 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling female singers of all time.

Estefan has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

She was the first Cuban-American to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song.

Billboard has listed Estefan as the third Most Successful Latina and 23rd Greatest Latin Artist of all time in the US, based on both Latin albums and Latin songs chart.

Hailed as the “Queen of Latin Pop” by the media, she has amassed 38 number one hits across Billboard charts, including 15 chart-topping songs on the Hot Latin Songs chart.

Sources: factsvibes.com, factsnippet.com

Q A

Riverside Theatre’s “On Your Feet!” Director &

Marcia Milgrom Dodge

Rhett Palmer

She has just flown in from New York City and she’s here to put on a show at the Riverside Theatre. She’s Marcia Milgrom Dodge, Tony, Drama Desk and Astaire Award-nominee, Choreographer and Director.

So, I’d like to know, Marcia, what are your beginnings in show business and how did you get to this point where you’re the director of a major Broadway play like this?

Marcia Milgrom Dodge

Oh, well, I’ve been knocking about for several years. I started dancing when I was little in Detroit, Michigan. Then I went to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. And then I took my boyfriend, now husband, and we drove to New York and never looked back. I started building a career as a choreographer first and segued into directing, and I’ve been doing it for 46 years.

Wow, 46 years!

And counting, and counting. I did my Broadway debut as a director in my 30th year as a professional director and choreographer.

So who influenced you? Was it your parents, a movie, a novel?

My parents took us to the Fisher Theatre when I was a little girl, and we would see Broadway shows on route to Broadway that were trying out. Detroit was a great tryout town. We saw The Wiz before it went to New York, and we also saw national tours with the stars from Broadway. I saw Zero Mostel in Fiddler on the Roof at the Fisher Theatre.

And I tap danced and took jazz from the Julie Adler School of Dance. My mother had danced there as well. We did recitals at the Masonic Temple. And I love dancing, I just thought it was my happy place. And my mom would sit on the side and knit, and I would tap my little face off.

And so when I was in Ann Arbor, there wasn’t a musical theatre program back then. There was a theatre department and there was a dance department, but it wasn’t combined. There was

a music school on the north campus and then there was theatre happening in the main campus.

And I just went to all my teachers and said, “I’m going to choreograph this show. Can I get credit?” So I just kind of worked around the system and choreographed anything I could get my hands on. Even little musical reviews at restaurants and clubs.

And I did a musical review with David Paymer, the Oscar-nominated actor who recently performed with Billy Crystal on Broadway. You know, we all just did theatre and tried to learn who we were. They opened the Power Centre in Ann Arbor and I got to choreograph Guys and Dolls on that stage. And we worked in the Mendelssohn Theatre. So I was really just a little theatre rat. I was just doing as much as I could.

And then I came to New York and started reading Backstage Magazine. And if it said choreographer, TBD, I would send my resume. Then my resume landed on a very important person’s desk one day and I started working at major regional theatres around the country and called myself sort of the “Queen of the Regionals” during the mid ‘80s to early ‘90s. And then my husband encouraged me to become a director.

I had worked at The Public Theatre under Joe Papp as a choreographer; I had worked off Broadway at the Cherry Lane Theatre with Richard Maltby, Jr. So I started building my resume and getting confident.

I did a big production of On the Town at Arena Stage in Washington, DC, and that’s when I really felt like I had a choreographic brain. Everything led to that. And from there I just said yes. I’m like Ado Annie; I’m the girl who can’t say no.

That’s why I’m here today, because Allen Cornell called and said, “Would you do On Your Feet?” And I’m like okay … am I okay to do that? And I said, well, Gloria’s a woman, I’m a woman, I think it’s okay. And I will find a partner who brings authenticity to the Latino culture of this story.

I am working very closely with my choreographer, Maria Torres, who just won a Dance Magazine award as somebody to keep an eye on. She’s pretty remarkable. She has developed her own sense of storytelling through movement that’s inspired by her culture. I’m really excited to work on this story with her. So that’s how I got here.

Well, we’re excited to have you here. So it’s not an overnight success story, to say the least. If you knew that this was going to be what you were doing all those years earlier when you were a little girl, it would have probably been too much to handle, but inch by inch, you worked up to that, right?

Exactly.

Do you ever pinch yourself and go, “Wow, I’m directing a Broadway play!” It’s just really absolutely cool. Yeah.

She’s the 84th most successful recording artist in history. I didn’t see the show on Broadway … Good! So this will be your On Your Feet! I love that.

I can’t wait.

And that’s what I do. I go to communities all over the country and I take tried and true pieces of material. I’m the queen of revivals, but I don’t replicate

Rhett Palmer Interview by

Marcia Milgrom Dodge Photo by Matthew Murphy

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

what they did on Broadway. I never do that. That’s not what a director does. A director goes back into the text and the music and finds a way to tell the story …

With your thumb print.

With, I like to say, my gentle fingerprints all over it, because I work with a collaboration of designers and actors and our music director, Andrew Austin. And so we all work together and there’s 100% because of everybody’s participation. I don’t wear a big hat that says “big cheese” or anything like that.

I listen to my collaborators and I’m inspired by them. Everybody is bringing their A game to this production. And I like to smuggle in some deeper meaning where I can. And this is not an old show; this show was devised in this century. I do a lot of re-examining and revivals.

So it’s a living creative...

It’s a living creative. We honor the text and the music and the structure, you know, that’s what we license. So no words are changed, no notes are changed, but the interpretations of these are what I live for.

And so I go in there and delve underneath. Everything I’ve read about Gloria is that she is completely devoted to keeping her culture and heritage front and center in her story, in her worldview.

I just put a 50-page packet together of research that I shared with my cast. And this

is something that Gloria said: “The music is one of the beautiful things that has survived the Castro regime. I have played for audiences all over the world, but I’ve never played for a Cuban audience. For Emilio and me, the music is the one tie to our homeland.”

So we are really honoring that origin story. And we are going to layer in some of the pain and joy that comes with it.

She’s a rags to riches story. Yes, she is definitely.

And will there be a lot of Spanish speaking in this?

There’s a bit of Spanish speaking and there are some songs in Spanish. Gloria also said this: “It is so important for me to keep authentic Cuban sounds alive. All of these great artists have changed the landscape of Latin music and it’s an honor to have them on her album.” She’s talking about 90 Millas released in 2007. “I believe this album will expose a new generation to the richness of Cuban music.”

You know, when she came out with that album in Spanish, we lost our minds.

Her voice ministers peace to me. I just can’t say why. Is it more of a choir singing her stuff or did you have to search far and wide to find someone?

We found Iliana Garcia, who, believe it or not, our two leads in this musical were featured in our production of Evita that I did here at Riverside in 2018. And that’s Iliana Garcia as Gloria Estefan and Angel Lozada as Emilio Estefan. Angel played Che in Evita and Iliana played the mistress. And they were two ferocious young performers that I believe were getting a real opportunity in that production back in 2018. Both have gone on to do wonderful, wonderful things.

Iliana, of all the Glorias I’ve seen on video, YouTube, Broadway, she is the most like our real Gloria Estefan. She’s petite. Gloria Estefan is like 4’11”, Iliana is 4’11”. The woman who played the role on Broadway is 5’7”. So we have a beautifully authentic Gloria.

Have you had a chance to meet her? Not Gloria Estefan, I’ve never met.

I’ve met her and Emilio several times and they’re very kind, gentle people. I have found that the bigger the star, the kinder they are.

Maybe God knows what he’s doing. I don’t know. I think that people who have enormous fame, we lay people can’t really comprehend that kind of life. But I’ve been very lucky to work with some extraordinary people, and I really believe the bigger they are, the kinder they are.

Is there anything else I’ve forgotten to broach about this story?

I don’t think so. It really is a joyful evening in the theater. As I say, I always like to make people think a little deeper about what they’re listening to. So if you love the music and you’re listening to the albums on Spotify or wherever, think about the journey that Gloria and Emilio took to get there to provide all that joy. And that’s what we’re going to do; we’re going to peel back the covers a little bit.

Thanks for taking time out of your very busy schedule to be with us. My pleasure.

Gloria Estefan performing on stage during a concert in Britain, 1989.

Gloria Estefan and Emilio Estefan arrive for the 22nd Latin Grammy Awards at the MGM, 2021.

Based on the lives and music of 26-time Grammy Award-winning husband-and-wife team, Emilio and Gloria Estefan, On Your Feet! is a high-energy celebration of the songs that got the world dancing to the rhythm. From humble beginnings in Cuba and exile in Miami, Emilio and Gloria’s passion for music helped them overcome overwhelming odds and personal tragedies. With an estimated 100 million albums sold worldwide, Gloria Estefan is among the most successful crossover artists ever and On Your Feet! showcases over 20 of her biggest hits including: “Conga,” “1-2-3,” “Anything for You,” and “Get on Your Feet”.

PRESENTING SPONSOR: Costa d'Este Beach Resort & Spa and Constance Pitcher

Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry

Whether you are in search of a new family dentist or need a complete smile makeover, our practice is prepared to serve you with the utmost care and attention.

Every day, we help turn dream smiles into a reality. As one of the most sought-after Vero Beach cosmetic dentists, Dr. Planes and the team here at Planes Dental Arts have transformed the teeth of countless patients. We know how important a beautiful smile is and enjoy watching our patients gain renewed confidence in their appearance. We also know how important good health is to maintaining a new smile. From fillings and cleanings to implants and straightening, we offer preventive, restorative, and cosmetic solutions to fit the needs of the whole family.

Our team is highly trained and experienced in a wide range of dental services. With years of combined advanced education and an office equipped with state-of-the-art technology, it is easy to see why so many people choose Planes Dental Arts and Dr. Alex Planes as their Vero Beach cosmetic dentist.

Whether you need general dental care or feel embarrassed or unhappy with the appearance of your smile, we are prepared and ready to address your concerns. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and find out how dental care at Planes Dental Arts can meet and exceed your expectations.

A First Class Experience

by Steve Glaser

This month we take a stroll down memory lane

What is your favorite childhood memory?

I loved playing cards at my grandfather’s house.

Crystal Aguila

RILEY BLACK CREATIONS

I have such great memories of helping my grandfather out in his back yard, whenever he would let me, with whatever he was working on.

John Aguila

RILEY BLACK MEDIA

I loved going to the beach with my family and stopping at Dunkin’ Donuts.

Michelle Farr BROKER

ONE SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

I have very fond memories of planting flowers. I was always a farm girl!

Julie McCarthy

THAI SMILE

Going to Nassau, Bahamas during the summer and enjoying wonderful times with my grandparents and cousins.

When I was five or six, my grandma woke my sister and me up around midnight. She tells us to be extra quiet and leads us to the door. We crept quietly behind her as she points out flickering lights under a recently sprouted mushroom. She whispers, “The fairies visited us… don’t move too fast or they’ll disappear!” So we just stood there in amazement as the colorful lights flickered. To this day, Grandma never admitted that she placed the lights under the mushroom just to get us going.

Mink Tyner MINK HOUSE TATTOOS

Playing outdoors all day during the summers, riding bicycles with friends and not coming home until the street lights went on.

Barbara Silvan Maniscalco REALTOR, KELLER WILLIAMS OF VERO BEACH

My grandparents would take me to visit my godparents every summer in Pennsylvania, and every summer my godfather, Louis, would rake all the big leaves in the yard and pile them into a big cylinder fence. I loved jumping in them, and remember this to be the highlight of my summers.

Crystal Barker-King

CLEAR VOIP SOLUTIONS

Chicago Cubs, opening day, sitting in the right field bleachers at Wrigley Field.

Laura Gallagher REALTOR WATSON REALTY

Hanging out in the Boca Raton Town Center Mall. It had this cool feature… palm trees in the middle of the mall. It wasn’t just about shopping; it was about the experience. Snacking on pretzels, wandering around, and enjoying the vibe.

Nicolas Scalice MARKETING CONSULTANT PORT ST. LUCIE BUSINESS CLUB

Summertime at the family cottage at Lake Hayward, Connecticut. Leisurely days at the beach, enjoying local farm-stand produce, and a delicious dinner on the outdoor fireplace.

Chef Michael Glatz COFFEE HOUSE 1420

I was raised on a large dairy farm where, when I was a kid, it felt like it was as big as the world to explore. Fishing, motorcycles, horses and cows! Just remembering the freedom of that farm and the safety that I felt is the best memory ever!

Timmi Finnerty REALTOR

EXIT RIGHT REALTY

Going down to the Keys to Uncle Dave’s house and enjoying a day of fishing.

Jerry Horensten PHOTOGRAPHER/GRAPHIC ARTIST

Enjoying a family vacation in Sanibel and shelling on their beautiful beaches.

Jody Horensten

Wilfred Hart COMMUNITY LIAISON SPECIALIST SCHOOL DISTRICT OF IRC

Alex Planes, DDS

MAXIMIZING RETIREMENT WEALTH:

The Crucial Role of Strategic Financial Planning

by Danny Howes, EA, RFC

Certainty of income in retirement is paramount for ensuring financial stability and peace of mind during one’s golden years. As individuals transition from the workforce to retirement, they rely on a fixed income stream to cover essential expenses such as housing, healthcare, and daily living costs. Having a predictable and stable source of income, whether from pensions, annuities, or Social Security benefits, provides retirees with the confidence to plan their budgets and maintain their desired lifestyle without the fear of running out of funds. Moreover, certainty of income reduces the risk of outliving one’s savings, offering a sense of security and allowing retirees to enjoy their retirement years with greater financial freedom and comfort. It serves as a foundation for long-term financial planning and enables retirees to weather unforeseen expenses or economic downturns with resilience and confidence. Thus, ensuring certainty of income is a crucial aspect of retirement planning that contributes to overall financial well-being and quality of life in retirement.

On-demand cash accessibility in retirement holds significant importance as it gives retirees the flexibility and agility to navigate unforeseen expenses and emergent financial needs effectively. In retirement, unexpected

costs can arise, whether it’s for medical emergencies, home repairs, or other urgent matters. Having readily available cash allows retirees to address these situations promptly without having to resort to dipping into long-term investments or incurring high-interest debt. Additionally, on-demand cash offers a sense of financial security and independence, empowering retirees to seize opportunities and enjoy their retirement years to the fullest. Whether it’s for travel, leisure activities, or gifting to loved ones, the availability of cash on demand enhances retirees’ ability to pursue their passions and aspirations without constraint. Therefore, ensuring access to on-demand cash in retirement is crucial for maintaining financial resilience, peace of mind, and the ability to embrace life’s uncertainties with confidence and ease.

Asset protection in retirement is paramount for safeguarding one’s financial security and ensuring a stable future. As individuals transition into retirement, they often rely on accumulated assets to sustain their lifestyle and cover expenses. Protecting these assets from potential risks, such as the death of a spouse, market downturns, unexpected healthcare costs, or legal liabilities, becomes crucial to maintaining financial stability. Strategies like diversification, insurance coverage, and estate planning play key roles in shielding assets from potential threats and preserving wealth for oneself and future generations. By prioritizing asset protection, retirees can mitigate the impact of unforeseen events and maintain their desired standard of living, providing them with peace of mind and the ability to enjoy their retirement years with confidence and security.

Strategic growth with the stock market in retirement is essential for ensuring the longevity and sustainability of one’s financial resources. While retirees may shift towards more conservative investment strategies to reduce risk, it’s equally important to maintain a balanced approach that incorporates growth-oriented investments. The stock market has historically outperformed other asset classes over the long term, providing opportunities for capital appreciation and wealth accumulation. By strategically allocating a portion of their portfolio to equities, retirees can po -

tentially achieve higher returns that help offset inflation and sustain their purchasing power throughout retirement. However, it’s crucial to strike a balance between growth potential and risk tolerance, taking into account individual financial goals, time horizon, and overall asset allocation strategy. With careful planning and periodic portfolio rebalancing, strategic growth in the stock market can play a pivotal role in supporting retirees’ financial objectives and ensuring a comfortable and fulfilling retirement lifestyle.  It is important to note that establishing adequate certainty of income, on-demand cash, and asset protection before focusing on growth.  Many people go straight to growth.  However, in retirement, it can be a risky bet to have all your financial resources tied to an unpredictable market, especially when we have less time to wait for investments to recover in inevitable downturns.

Tax planning in retirement is indispensable for optimizing investment gains and minimizing tax liabilities, thereby preserving more of one’s hard-earned savings for future needs. Retirees face a complex tax landscape, with various sources of income such as Social Security benefits, pension distributions, investment withdrawals, and required minimum distributions (RMDs) from retirement accounts subject to taxation. Implementing tax-efficient investment strategies, such as holding investments in tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs or 401(k)s, utilizing tax-loss harvesting to offset gains, and diversifying income streams to take advantage of lower tax brackets, can significantly reduce the tax burden. Additionally, strategic withdrawal strategies, timing distributions to coincide with lower tax years, and maximizing tax deductions and credits can further enhance tax efficiency. By proactively managing their tax situation in retirement, individuals can maximize their after-tax returns, stretch their retirement savings further, and ensure a more financially secure and sustainable retirement.

Danny Howes, EA, RFC EAST COAST TAX AND FINANCIAL PLANNING

by Steve Glaser

As we get older, we value our cherished memories from the past.

what is your Favorite high school Memory

My favorite memory is painting the “Rock” before our big West Orange Mountain versus Livingston football game. We had to paint it twice, because at one point Livingston painted over it! Two friends, Marc Meixner and Ricky Gold stayed up all night guarding the “Rock.” We were all on the bus heading to the game and as we passed the “Rock” everyone let out a loud cheer.

Nancy Lite Shuster

Walking home from high school and stopping at the Bagel Box for the best salt bagel ever!

Marc Meixner

My favorite memory is the cherished friends I made through high school. Also, I think many of my high school experiences made me the man I am today.

David Zisman

My favorite memory was our spring break trip from New Jersey to the Sandy Toes Motel in Lauderdale By the Sea. Such a great time, having so much fun in the sun with so many wonderful friends!

Shelli Wolfe Mayer

Laughing in class and having my fellow classmates always lifting up each other’s spirit as needed.

Chris Virgil

I have great memories of a teacher we called “Pops Fagan.” I remember one day he could not handle our class and walked out!

Johnny Boggs

So many great memories! Hanging in the high school parking lot with friends, drinking at the bleachers, enjoying senior picnics at the end of the school year. High school was a great time in my life!

David Cohen

I enjoyed getting together with good friends after Friday night basketball games!

Ken Malkin

Two great memories come to mind. The ability to go out to lunch and pack some real fun into that time with good friends. Also, Coach DeVingo taught me how to work out.

Keith Holtermann

One of my fondest memories is my time on the high school soccer team. In a nutshell, the gratification of teammate bonding, forging an esprit de corps, making it for the first time into the state tournament, and creating lifetime memories with teammates and cherished friends.

Thomas Vogt

I had a great art teacher that we all called “Mr.V.” Loved hanging in his class.

Camille Rossi-Scriffiano

I do not have a specific memory. My memories were an overall warm feeling. So many wonderful friends and great teachers. It was also memorable how everyone blended together as a strong community.

Bob Postiglione

As Photography Editor for our high school yearbook and newspaper, I made a very diverse group of wonderful friends. Many I still keep in touch with.

Steve Glaser

After Death

RATED PG-13

by Penny Cooke

There have been many books and films made about the afterlife attempting to answer life’s biggest mystery: “What happens when we die?” Chances are you’ve read or watched some of them, or at least wondered about it yourself. We reviewed A Case for Heaven a while back (July 2022 issue), which aims to prove there is consciousness after the heart stops, even after brain waves stop.

I recently watched After Death I liked it because it is guided by medical experts and scientists and documents interviews of several near-death survivors. The film tracks stories such as Don Piper (90 Minutes in Heaven), Dr. Mary Neal (To Heaven and Back), John Burke (Imagine Heaven), Dr. Jeffrey Long (Evidence of the Afterlife), and Dr. Raymond Moody (Life After Life).

The interviewees were from diverse religious backgrounds and beliefs, even atheists. Many had heavenly experiences, but some were hellish. Many of these people were completely brain dead and could have no way of knowing what was going on in the scene surrounding their death, as has been noted in other accounts, and made believers out of many a skeptic. Several were unbelieving before their experiences, but gained profound insight into what happens when the heart and even brain waves stop.

Many proclaimed a deeper reality evolves, a more vibrant life than one has ever experienced in what we

understand in this life. Those who have had these experiences say there are no human words to describe it. In meager attempts, they say it was three-dimensional, all senses heightened with vibrant colors they’ve never seen, and a peace from which they didn’t want to return. They describe feeling complete love and acceptance.

Some who didn’t believe in God felt emptiness, saw only darkness, and felt as they were in a bottomless free-fall.

I found it interesting to read other reviews of the film. Most seemed to give it either five starts or one star. Viewers were either touched by it, or even with the proof provided in the film, rejected its evidence. I guess it’s no surprise because the Bible says even with proof, some “will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead” (Luke 16:31 ESV). We all have a choice to accept or reject it.

How many studies must be done about life after death before people become convinced and believe that just because our heart stops beating doesn’t mean life stops? As a matter of fact, according to those with near death experiences, real life begins at what we call death.

I found After Death to be thought-provoking and hope-giving for our world in need of hope.

The end just may be the beginning…of what is up to each one of us.

HHHHH 5 STARS

Penny Cooke

Penny Cooke is an award-winning writer and author of Pursuing Prayer – Being Effective in a Busy World. Penny co-hosts the podcast, Seeds of Hope, with Del Bates right here on Vero’s Voice. Learn more at pennycookeauthor.com.

by Barbara Freund

fresh grapefruit

GRAPEFRUIT GREEK YOGURT CAKE

Moist grapefruit loaf made with Greek yogurt and fresh grapefruit juice.

INGREDIENTS

For the Cake

1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 large eggs

3/4 cup (180g) Greek yogurt*

1 cup (200g) packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil

1/4 cup (60ml) freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, strained

1 1/2 tablespoons grapefruit zest

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract seeds scraped from 1/2 of a vanilla bean

For the Glaze

1 cup (120g) confectioners’ sugar, sifted

2 Tablespoons (30ml) freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, strained 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350° and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.

2. Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, then whisk in the yogurt, brown sugar, oil, grapefruit juice, zest, vanilla extract, and seeds. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix with a large rubber spatula until combined. Don’t overmix.

4. Spread the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 45-50 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If the top of the cake is browning too quickly, loosely cover it with aluminum foil.

5. Remove the cake from the oven and set on a wire rack. Allow to cool before drizzling with glaze.

6. Whisk the glaze ingredients together and drizzle over cake.

7. Cover and store leftover cake at room temperature up to 5 days. Cake also freezes well up to 3 months.

*Recipe calls for plain nonfat Greek yogurt but you can use low fat or full fat instead if you prefer.

GRAPEFRUIT BARS

A nice variation of the familiar lemon bars. INGREDIENTS

FOR THE CRUST:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter, room temperature, cut into 8 pieces

FOR THE FILLING:

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

4 large eggs

1 tablespoon grapefruit zest

1 cup grapefruit juice (or combination of grapefruit + lemon juice*)

pink food coloring, optional powdered sugar, for dusting

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 11x7-inch baking dish with parchment paper that overhangs 2-inches on both sides. Very lightly spray parchment with cooking spray.

2. Combine the flour, powdered sugar, salt, and butter in a food processor and pulse until fine crumbles form. Press onto the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake at for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown.

3. Prepare filling when crust almost done.

4. Whisk together the sugar and flour in a bowl. Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Add the zest, juice, and 3 drops or so of food coloring, if using. Whisk together.

5. Pour filling over hot crust and bake an additional 20 minutes or until filling no longer jiggles and the edges brown.

6. Let cool completely in the pan, about 1 hour, then refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours until cold. Lift bars out of pan with the parchment paper. Dust with powdered sugar.

7. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

* While you may think grapefruits are sour, they don’t compare to the tartness of lemons or limes. Try using 3/4 cup grapefruit juice and 1/4 cup lemon juice to help add more zip and/or use up to 1 tablespoon more zest. Keep in mind that pink or white grapefruits are more tart than ruby red grapefruit.

ROSEMARY GRAPEFRUIT MOCKTAIL BY THE PITCHER

Makes 4-6

INGREDIENTS

12 ounces fresh squeezed grapefruit juice

12 ounces ginger beer

1 lime, juiced

6 lime wedges and grapefruit wedges for garnish

6 rosemary sprigs for serving

Ice

Sugar for rims

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Combine grapefruit juice, ginger beer, and lime in pitcher.

2. Pour over ice into sugar rimmed glasses and garnish with lime or grapefruit wedges and a rosemary sprig.

GRAPEFRUIT THYME FIZZ

Makes 4-5

INGREDIENTS

1 cup water

1 cup sugar *

1/2 cup fresh thyme

1/2 cup grapefruit juice

1/3 cup soda water

INSTRUCTIONS

Make the thyme syrup

1. In a small saucepan, combine water and sugar over medium-high heat. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.

2. Add thyme and simmer on very low (barely bubbling) for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit it for at least half an hour, up to 3 hours. Strain and cool.

Make the mocktail

Add 1 tablespoon thyme syrup and 1/2 cup grapefruit juice to a glass. Add lots of ice, top with soda water and stir gently. Garnish with extra thyme and serve.

*To make sugar free, replace sugar with 1 tablespoon Stevia.

GRAPEFRUIT AVOCADO SALAD WITH HONEY LIME DRESSING

INGREDIENTS

For the Pickled Onions:

1 red onion, thinly sliced

1/2 cup warm water

1 1/2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon coarse salt

3/4 cup apple cider vinegar

For the Dressing:

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juiced

1 1/2 tablespoons honey

1 garlic clove, minced

1 pinch salt and pepper

3 tablespoons olive oil

For the Salad:

1 grapefruit, peeled and segmented

1 orange, peeled and segmented

1 meyer lemon, peeled and segmented

1 avocado, thinly sliced

3 tablespoons salted or unsalted roasted pistachios, finely crushed

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place the onions in a jar or cup. In a bowl, whisk together the warm water, sugar and salt until the sugar and salt dissolve. Whisk in the vinegar. Pour over the sliced onions and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour. (Store in the refrigerator in a sealed container or jar.)

2. Whisk the dressing ingredients together until well combined.

3. Layer the segmented citrus, avocado slices and pickled onions on a plate. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Drizzle on the honey lime dressing and garnish with the nuts.

by Marianne Howell

A Rattan Moment

Rattan is having a moment and we love how designers are using it in every style of home and every room in the house. So many ways to incorporate it and price points for everyone.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:

Antique Brass Arch Floor Lamp with Rattan Shade

DREW BARRYMORE FLOWER HOME

$142.93 | WALMART.COM

24" x 34" Rattan Arched Wall Mirror

THRESHOLD™ WITH STUDIO MCGEE

$105 | TARGET.COM

Edgewater Lounge Chair

$1298 | SERENA & LILY | SERENAANDLILY.COM

Rattan Basket with Handle Natural

$35 | OPALHOUSE™ | TARGET.COM

Rae Rattan Seat Backless Bar Stool

$246 | JCPENNEY.COM

Arche Headboard

$589.00 | BIRCH LANE™ | WAYFAIR.COM

Handwoven Round Rattan Tray Set

$31.99 | MABI COMPANY | AMAZON.COM

Hanging Rattan Bench

$998 | SERENA & LILY | SERENAANDLILY.COM

GAMES

LOGIC RIDDLE

What can be swallowed, but can swallow you?

The aim with Sudoku is to place the numbers 1-9 exactly once in each region and in each row.

PERCEPTION

Answer the following two questions after studying the grid for five seconds:

Which color appears least frequently in the grid?

Which color appears most frequently in the grid?

WORD WHEEL

How many words of five or more letters can you find in the wheel? Each word you find must use the central letter and each letter can only be used once. Can you find a word uses all nine letters?

Answer the following questions after studying

ENGLISH REASONING

Only one of the four words below is listed with the correct spelling - can you work out which it is?

1- Which color appears least frequently in the picture?

And how should the other three words be spelled?

2- Which color appears most frequently in the picture?

a) guerrilla

b) extatic

c) fillament

d) harrass

Only once you have written down your answers, check the picture and see if you got it right. If you did, congratulations - it is tricky to grasp exactly what you are being presented with at such speed; you have excellent perception skills!

TUNA

WORD LADDER

Change one letter of the top four-letter word to create a new word below. Continue the process, ending with the word on the bottom rung.

CONE

TWORDS

by Beth Walsh Stewart

Anxious? Anxious?

Tool #1

Breathe. When we feel anxious, it can be lessened when we manage our breathing. Moving our focus in this way can alleviate the progressive nature of anxiety. One approach is called the 4-7-8 method. In this tactic, we simply breathe in through our nose for four seconds, slowly counting in our mind. Then, we hold the breath for seven seconds. Finally, we breathe out through our mouths for eight seconds.

Tool #2

here have been many significant benefits of our new technological age. There are more avenues with which to communicate than ever before. Even more astounding, we can connect with people across the planet with the click of a button. News from around the globe is available at our fingertips. Financial transactions can transfer and clear in moments. Leaving the house to shop is no longer necessary. Suddenly, anything can happen in an instant.

For some, this newfound speed brings added apprehension and unsurety. According to Forbes Health, last year over 19% of Americans were diagnosed with anxiety disorders, which translates to over 40 million adults. Most of us have suffered from flashes of anxiousness, a normal response when under heavy stress. If, however, anxiety becomes crippling and limits activities, creates muscle tension, or makes it difficult to focus or sleep, it is time to seek treatment. We must be alert to the symptoms before it completely disrupts our life and our ability to live our priorities.

General anxiety can be managed with simple tools. It helps when we tackle the feeling head on before it becomes debilitating. Most strategies are easy to employ at the moment, and others are general methods of maintaining balance and emotional health.

Exercise. When trying to relieve stress, there is a wonderful saying that teaches us to “move a muscle; change a thought.” When you feel stress beginning to build, get up and walk down the block. Just a ten-minute stretch of our legs can mitigate the feeling of anxiety and give us a chance to approach the stressor from a different angle. Walking reduces tension, boosts mood by changing brain chemistry, and gives us a chance to focus on something other than our worry.

Tool #3

Connect. Getting support from others is a strong weapon against prolonged anxiety. When you feel the struggle coming on, call a friend or family member and ask for encouragement and support. Social interaction is a strong remedy to carrying a burden alone. “A problem shared is a problem cut in half,” may be considered a Pollyanna saying, but once given a trial may prove to be just what we need to get over an initial feeling of trepidation or worry.

Tool #4

Get honest. Coping with mental discomfort can have a number of catalysts. When we feel anxious, we should look

for things that may have brought on the episode. External factors can make our feelings skyrocket. Were we drinking coffee or alcohol? Both can exacerbate anxiety. Sugar and salt affect our bodies as well. Pay attention to diet on days that stress seems to mount faster than others.

Do certain people make us anxious? We need to limit our time with them or meet with them only when with other people to mediate or soften their impact on us. Have we been watching too much news or spending too much time on social media? These can trigger negativity that diminishes our feelings of wellbeing.

Tool #5

Talk to God. Regular prayer and meditation change the way we feel. Carrying the burden of a busy life alone is a choice. Sharing the load with our Creator can lighten it dramatically. Most of us have heard the Footprints in the Sand story where the man questioned God why at his darkest times were there only one set of prints. “That is when I carried you,” was the answer. Let’s ask Him to eliminate our worries by teaching us to trust Him more.

Anxiety is on the rise, so let’s prepare ourselves with tools that enhance our sense of calm. Regret is usually about the past. Worry is usually about the future. Let’s stay in the present moment and tackle our worries as they come up, long before they morph into anxiety. When it gets overwhelming, let’s agree that we’ll ask for help.

Beth Walsh Stewart, MTh, is the visionary behind the WeCovering Project and the Creator of BethWe, the nonprofit that was the impetus for this work. Dedicated to rescuing the stragglers lost in the shadows of the road of life, Beth is best-known for her Good Seed Podcasts, 12-Step seminars, weekly blogs, g.o.d. speaks books, and uplifting workshops. Beth lives by this motto: I have been called to help my brother find his authentic self and his God, and I best accomplish this end by sharing my pursuit of the same.

Beth Walsh Stewart

The Power of How God Wants

by Pastor Alex Pappas

Genesis 3:8

DAY 1

God’s desire for relationship is evident from the beginning, as seen in Genesis where God walked in the garden and sought fellowship with Adam and Eve. This divine yearning sets the precedent for our communion with Him, despite the human inclination to hide due to sin.

God’s mission is for us to encounter Him, which the Church is made to facilitate. As His followers, we are invited to help others grow closer to Him, illuminating the path to true fellowship.

• Reflect on times when you might have hidden from God’s presence. What drove those choices, and how can you move past them?

• How can you contribute to creating a community that helps others encounter God?

• In what ways do you feel God seeking you out for fellowship, as He did with Adam and Eve in the garden?

• Ask God to help you and others overcome barriers that inhibit a closer walk with Him.

• Thank God for His persistence in seeking a relationship with you despite your imperfections.

Matthew 6:11

DAY 2

Our daily bread is more than sus-

tenance for our bodies; it represents the spiritual nourishment we receive from God. Christ taught us to pray for this daily bread, revealing our need for ongoing fresh encounters with the divine.

As we seek Him daily, we align ourselves with His purpose and find the strength for each day. Our spiritual vitality and capacity to navigate life are replenished with each divine encounter, as necessary as our daily bread.

• In what ways can you make room for daily spiritual nourishment in your schedule?

• Reflect on the depth and freshness of your current spiritual encounters. How can these be enriched?

• Consider the role of routine in your spiritual life. How can it aid or hinder your pursuit of daily communion with God?

• Pray for the discipline and desire to seek God wholeheartedly each day.

• Thank God for His provision of spiritual nourishment and renewal every day

Encounters with God, as Jacob experienced, can transform seemingly ordinary places into spaces where heaven touches earth. Jacob’s dream of a ladder with angels descending and ascending reveals God’s desire to communicate and bless His children.

This revelation emboldens us to expect divine connections in places we least anticipate. As we welcome these encounters, our perspective on life broadens, and our hearts align more closely with God’s infinite possibilities.

• What are the “ordinary” places in your life where you can cultivate an expectancy for encountering God?

• How does Jacob’s vision of the ladder influence your understanding of the accessibility of God’s presence?

• When have you experienced God turning an ordinary moment into a holy encounter?

• Pray that your everyday environments become arenas for experiencing God’s presence.

• Express gratitude for God’s promise to be with you and to transform your life with His presence.

Pastor Alex Pappas is Senior Pastor

Pastor Alex Pappas

Mind Games Answers

Puzzles on page 26

WORD LADDER:

TUNA

TUNE

DUNE

DONE BONE CONE

PERCEPTION:

Least: Green

Most: Pink

Pride

ENGLISH REASONING: LOGIC RIDDLE:

a) is correct!

b) should be ecstatic

c) should be filament

d) should be harass

WORD WHEEL:

Some of the words that can be made from the wheel include: gardening, gandering, dangering deranging, angering, enraging, grannie, grinned, grained, rending, grading, darning, gearing, ranging, nearing, reading, earning, engrain, digger, ranged, garden, dinger, edging, regain, gainer, ragged, gander, engird, ganged, ending, gained, rigged, raging, grange, nagged, ringed, dagger, danger, daring, ginned, ginger, raged, range, grade, grain, grand, grind, gaged, anger, deign, dirge, aging, ridge, reign, renig

“I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life.”

The power of personal example is the best form of witness. Jesus witnessed by example, and encouraged his followers to do the same. The early Christians took to heart the words of Jesus proclaiming himself the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). Is it any wonder that they grew from His strength in so short a time span and attracted other followers from all over the known world to join them? These early Christians made the words of Jesus their own by imitating the Way he lived, by absorbing into their hearts the awesome truth of his teaching, and by transforming their lives into new people through the new Life of his gospel.

Fr. Hugh Duffy

As the Way, Jesus shows us how to live our lives by imitating him. His whole life was an unbroken testimony to the power of God’s Love for all humankind, a Love that embraced every man, woman and child: the lame, the blind, the deaf, the crippled, the back-sliders, the least among us, the good and the bad. His Love was boundless. This is the kind of Love that lights up our Way in this world in our dealings with one another. Be gentle and humble the Way Jesus treated others. Be patient with everyone, forgiving shortcomings, and choose kindness over anger whenever you are put to the test. There is tremendous power in a simple touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, a well-meant compliment or any act of caring.

Jesus shows us how to live our lives by imitating him.

As the Truth, the words of Jesus are words of Wisdom. They flowed from the purest fount of truth which He possessed as the Son of God. He taught by means of parables and conveyed the mysteries of his kingdom in language and images that even a child could grasp. He taught them about faith, a gift not reserved for “the wise and the clever” but for those who have “the spirit of the child.” In your life, get acquainted with the words of Jesus in scripture, not by giving lip-service, but by absorbing them into your heart and living according to them.

As the Life, the message of Jesus is always one of new life, of which he is the living embodiment. The Resurrection of Jesus made it possible for us to rise again, not just on the last day, but every day of our lives. We are not condemned to live without hope. We have been given the power to live as children of the Light, to be bearers of new life in the world in which we live. In the course of your life, there will be temptations, problems and obstacles that tend to rob you of Hope. Do not cave in, but rise up to new life by trusting in Jesus to renew you because he is the giver of Life.

Even though we are fallible and weak, we are privileged to follow Jesus, “the Way, the Truth, and the Life,” who will never abandon us even in our darkest hour. This teaching impacts every dimension of our lives. It is a teaching that is both practical and life-changing.

May God give us the grace to follow his Son: the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

—Fr. Hugh Duffy

Pastor Rich Ienuso

REV’S VERSES

by Pastor Rich Ienuso

Get Some Rest

The Bible, God’s Word, states:

Exodus 33:14: “… I will give you rest”

Psalm 116:7: “Return to your rest…”

Matthew 11:29: “… you will find rest to your souls”

Hebrews 4:3: “For we which have believed do enter into rest…”

Isaiah 26:3 states that the Lord will keep us in perfect peace when our mind is stayed on Him.

God wants us to rest in Him. The world is in turmoil, chaos and confusion, but when we trust in Jesus as our personal Savior, He will give us rest and peace (John 16:33).

God bless you, Pastor Rich