The "Greatest Movie Musical of All Time" is faithfully and lovingly adapted by Broadway legends, Betty Comden and Adolph Green, from their original award-winning screenplay. Filled with every memorable moment from the film and a downpour of unforgettable songs, Singin' in the Rain is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
PRESENTING SPONSORS: Ron & Lisa Hunt and The O'Haire Group-Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
6 If you had a time capsule, what would you do? by Doolin Dalton
10 If you could relive one day in your life, what day would that be & why? by Steve Glaser
14 What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self? by Steve Glaser
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FOOD & WINE
22 Valentine’s Day Dinner by Glenn Sudnick
23 - 25 Bourbon Glazed Salmon, Chocolate Valentine Heart Cookies, Strawberry Cake, How to make a heart-shaped cake by Barbara Freund
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FEBRUARY
FEBRUARY
FEBRUARY
I think I’d like to go back to see the late 80’s or early 90’s, just to experience what life was like back then.
ALEXI MERCADO,
GUEST SERVICES
MANAGER
AT COSTA D’ESTE BEACH RESORT
I’d go back to my 16th birthday. I actually don’t want to know what I know now; I just want to reset and do it all again.
AMANDA LINDSTROM, OFFICE MANAGER
WHAT WOULD YOU DO? IF YOU HAD A time machine,
If I had a time machine, I would go back in time to prevent the loss of my relationship with my sister.
MARIAH VUJTECH, BARTENDER AT THE GREEN MARLIN
I studied philosophy in college, so I’d like to go back and have a chat with Socrates.
ALEX NELSON, ATTORNEY
If I had a time machine, I wouldn’t change anything. Life has its own journey and the experiences it offers shapes and molds us. I wouldn’t change a thing.
CAMERON HUTCHINS, GUEST SERVICE AGENT
I’d have had my dog (Gus) have a puppy. CALLAN PYFER, DIGITAL MARKETING
I’d go back to the 1800s and be a cowgirl.
TESS WILLIAMS, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AT PIPE DREAM DÉCOR
I’d go back in time and change some bad decisions.
DONNA PALMQUIST, SALES ASSOCIATE AT CARMINE AND LUCIA’S
I’d like to go back to the 1950’s and see Elvis become famous.
MARIBEL MARINO, GUEST SERVICE AGENT
I’d have had my master get me sooner, so we could have even more time together.
GUS PYFER, GOOD DOGGO AT BEST BOY
I’d go back to a younger age knowing what I know now. It would help me strengthen the relationships I’ve made in my life.
MICAH KNOWLES, MANAGER AT ARMANI ITALIAN MARKET
I’d like to go see Jesus preach and perform miracles.
CHARISE COURTNEY, MUSIC TEACHER AT FELLSMERE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
hether 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.
If you could RELIVE ONE DAY IN YOUR LIFE, what day would that be & why?
Two things come to mind: our wedding day was truly magical and the birth of our son three years later.
Peter Johnson, ENGINEER
When I was a senior in high school, while I was in Latin class, the principal made an announcement over the PA system recognizing two students for be named to the All City Football Team. I was so proud to be one of them! As I walked the hallways to my next class, it was like I was walking on air!
Michael Cairns INTEGRITY EMPLOYEE LEASING
The day my dad passed away on his birthday. Dad was a very special person that did so much for me and many others. I would love to thank him for everything, especially for his help in making me the person that I am today.
Laura Moss,
I am flooded with so many meaningful memories! The one that stands out the most is when I met my biological family in Korea after being separated for almost fifteen years. The emotions and food were incredible!
Carrie Haskin,
REALTOR
COLDWELL BANKER REAL ESTATE GROUP
Peter
Laura Carrie
Michael
I would love to relive a day and time that both my parents were still living. It would be great to have them, my brothers and sisters, celebrate holidays together.
My graduation from college. I would relax and enjoy the day and appreciate my accokmplishment at age 43 while working full time and raising 3 boys.
Cindy
Williams
Ezekiel
The day of my college graduation. I was the first in my family to graduate college. My parents and grandma were so proud!
Lisa Arnold, 2ND GRADE TEACHER
Paul Pykosh, LOAN CONSULTANT
The day I had my first child. I was so full of joy!
Maha Tadrous, PHARMACIST
PHARMACY
I would like to relive my wedding day, November 11th, 2022. It was truly a great day, but went by too fast.
Mike Henry
The day I decided not to further my education. It was a very bad choice. I should have continued my education and stopped making lame excuses why I left.
Ezekiel Beal, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
I would like to relive the day I got engaged. It was a complete surprise! At the time we were vacationing in the Bahamas.
Jennifer Abraham, PRE-SCHOOL TEACHER
If I could relive a special time in my life, I would have made a better decision to continue my education at a younger age.
Dalyce Evans, MEDICAL ASSISTANT CLEVELAND CLINIC
Paul
Cindy
Lisa
Mike
Dalyce
Maha Jennifer
10
Words of Love and Their Origins
The whole world can pretty much agree on the universal power and wonderful feeling of love. February 14th can very well be defined as the epitome of that love as it is a unique day full of roses, chocolates, cards, hugs, and kisses. Valentine’s Day is a day when the pulsating love that the entire world’s heart beats to is just a little bit stronger, a little bit more romantic, and a little bit more meaningful.
Merriam Webster (MW) has compiled a Top Ten list for the ten most searched words on Valentine’s Day. Let’s take a look at them and their linguistic origins.
1
LOVE – It is often said that there is no definition for love or that love goes beyond definition. That’s ideally true, but technically, MW defines love as “the attraction, desire, or affection felt for a person who arouses delight or admiration or elicits tenderness, sympathetic interest, or benevolence.” How sweet! The word for love actually comes from the Sanskrit lubhyati, meaning desire. That makes sense as well!
2
ROMANTIC – The word means “marked by expressions of love and affection,” and as many people wonder, it does indeed come from the Roman empire, because Latin dialects used to write popular stories involving chivalric or courtly love were referred to as “romans.”
3
VALENTINE – A valentine can be a simple gift or greeting sent on Valentine’s Day. Legend says that third-century Roman physician and priest named Valentine had fallen in love with his jailer’s daughter and shortly before her death sent a letter closing with “from your Valentine.”
4
AMOUR – This is a bit of a controversial word, as it means an illicit love affair. Stuff of movies, right? While amour is the simple French word for love, the word has taken on a slightly negative connotation in English, as it is dramatic and not innocent love.
5
ADONIS – An Adonis is a very handsome young man – the stuff of many young girls’ dreams. In Greek mythology, the beautiful young Adonis was beloved by both Persephone and Aphrodite, so Zeus decreed the young man should divide his time and attention between the two goddesses. He later was killed by a wild boar. Some believe his death was staged by another one of his lovers. What a popular guy he must have been!
6
INFATUATION – Ah, the foolish or extravagant love or admiration most of us have felt at some point in time. Infatuations are usually not true love, and thus aren’t supposed to be taken seriously. The word, in fact, stems from the Latin fatuus meaning foolish or silly, a root that is found in the English word “fatuous.”
7 CASANOVA – A Casanova is a lover, or more specifically, a “promiscuous and unscrupulous lover.” Giovanni Jacopo Casanova was an Italian adventurer who was apparently a charming man with more than 100 lovers. No wonder his name became a word for a man who loves too much!
8
UNREQUITED – Unrequited love is love not reciprocated or returned in kind, and it can be the most painful experience some people have ever felt their whole lives. Unrequited is the opposite of requited, which comes from the Latin re- meaning “again” and the Old English quite meaning to set free or repay.
9
BY STUTI MISHRA
SACCHARINE – Saccharine means overly sentimental or unpleasantly sweet. Hmmm, even too much of a good thing can be bad, no? The word comes from the Latin saccharum, literally meaning sugar. The word can be used to describe a box of chocolates or the act of gifting someone a box of chocolates with hearts and cupids all over it.
10
SWEETHEART – What a simple yet sweet word! A sweetheart, quite plainly, is a darling or someone who is loved. The Greeks and Egyptians believed the heart was the center of the emotions. Add the English word “sweet” to the beginning, and you have an affectionate term of endearment.
So there we go with our ten words full of love. Don’t forget to tell all your loved ones how much they mean to you!
Stuti wrote this in 2015 when she was in high school. She graduated from Princeton in 2020 where she majored in Economics, minored in Finance and German. She's currently working on the Strategic Finance Team of delivery start-up Veho while pursuing her MBA from UChicago's Booth School of Business.
advice that you your What’s one piece of
Time
Don't
would give to younger self ?
Do not work eightyplus hours per week and miss your life while chasing money.
Mitch Ribak, BROKER EXP REALTY
Hey younger me - Stop trying to fit into every box and start figuring out your values, strengths, and most importantly how to answer the question … what do I actually want. Spoiler: It’s not about becoming an expert at random hobbies or pretending to like things that you don’t. Once you know what you really want, life gets way easier and you will stop wasting time on stuff that does not move the needle. And finally, in this order do this, and all will come together! Always love God and love people!
Chris Travis, FOUNDER, NEXUS TITLE GROUP
Fly Me to the Moon
Get ready to laugh, and question, and be entertained with this historical romantic comedy.
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, it’s the perfect time to grab a glass of your favorite wine and cozy up with your special Valentine to chuckle and even ponder if the moon landing conspiracies are true.
This film was made by Apple Studios and released in July 2024. It takes us back to 1969 when many of us (giving away my age) sat glued to our antiquated black-and-white TVs to watch the Apollo 11 moon landing. Fly Me to the Moon treats us to a few snippets of actual footage of astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin as they took the first steps on the moon.
Fly Me to the Moon features Kelly Jones (Scarlett Johansson), a successful strong-willed Manhattan marketing specialist with a somewhat dubious past, and Cole Davis (Channing Tatum), the very serious lead space director at NASA who is under pressure to successfully get our astronauts to the moon in spite of substantial budget cuts and public disinterest.
Kelly is offered a job by covert official Moe Berkus (Woody Harrelson), who works for President Nixon. He wants her to go to the space center and find a way to revive the declining public interest in the space race.
Sparks fly when Kelly presents to Cole her unconventional plans to market Apollo 11 using space watches, food, and even Fruit of the Loom undies. She eventually gets Cole to relent and their relationship blossoms.
Kelly suggests broadcasting the moon landing using a camera attached to the lunar module which Cole says is too impractical. Moe, however, likes the idea, but also wants Kelly to secretly create a fake moon landing for Apollo 11, just in case the real one fails. He threatens to reveal her shady past if she won’t agree so she reluctantly gives in.
Once Kelly begins to understand the importance of the Apollo mission and the years of dedication of 400,000 workers on this single mission, guilt seeps in.
How could she deceive the entire world with this one stunt?
What ensues is a thoroughly enjoyable romantic comedy.
The reviews for Fly Me to the Moon are mixed—from “cute and entertaining” to “bored but still finished to the end.” I watched it on my Delta flight from Michigan to Florida, and it fit right in while cruising into the wild blue yonder.
Some Interesting Tid Bits
• The proposed title of the movie was Project Artemis, but just before its release, it was changed to Fly Me to the Moon.
• Cole’s back-story is partially based on Deke Slayton. Slayton was a pilot in World War II, joined NASA as an astronaut for the Mercury program, but was grounded due to atrial fibrillation, and became director of Flight Crew Operations for the Apollo program.
• Several scenes were shot on-site at Kennedy Space Center. Many of the background NASA engineers were played by actual NASA, SpaceX, and Boeing engineers.
Del Bates is an award-winning author and speaker. Her latest book, Walking in a Minefield -- A Sojourner’s Guide to Overcoming Life’s Obstacles, is available on Amazon. You can find more at delbates.com. She co-hosts the podcast, “Seeds of Hope,” with Penny Cooke, Wednesdays at 12:12pm on Vero’s Voice.
Simplify This Tax Season with These Practical Tips
As tax season approaches, preparing your financial records can feel overwhelming. However, with proper planning, you can tackle this task with ease and confidence. Here’s a guide to help you stay organized and make the most of your tax return.
1. Gather Your Documents Early
Start by collecting all necessary forms and records, including W-2s, 1099s, K-1s, receipts, and any other relevant documents. Our FREE Tax Organizer Checklist is designed to make this process seamless and ensure you don’t overlook essential details.
2. Set Up a Filing System
Organize your paperwork systematically by creating categories such as income, deductions, and credits. Whether you prefer digital tools or traditional folders, keeping everything in one place will simplify filing. Our firm offers a complimentary online document storage system for clients using our tax preparation services.
3. Stay Informed About Tax Law Changes
Tax laws can shift annually, affecting your deductions and credits. This year, familiarize yourself with any updates that may impact your return. If you have questions, our team is here to help clarify and guide you toward maximizing your savings.
4. Take Advantage of Credits and Deductions
Reduce your tax liability by exploring all available options. Common deductions include:
• Mortgage interest
• Property taxes
• Student loan interest
• Medical expenses
Tax credits such as the Child Tax Credit, Education Credits, Clean Vehicle Credits, and Energy Efficiency Credits can significantly lower your tax bill.
5. Consider Professional Tax Assistance
Navigating taxes can be tricky, especially with complex financial situations. Our experienced team can help ensure you’re maximizing your deductions and credits while staying compliant. We’re ready to assist you in every state and D.C., with in-office or virtual appointments available.
6. Stay Organized All Year Long
Save yourself the stress by maintaining organized financial records throughout the year. Track receipts, update records regularly, and monitor any changes in your financial situation. Proactive organization will make next year’s tax preparation even smoother.
by Danny Howes, EA, RFC
7. Mind Key Deadlines
Mark important tax dates on your calendar to avoid penalties:
• Filing Deadline: April 15, 2025
• Extension Deadline: October 15, 2025
Remember, an extension to file isn’t an extension to pay. Taxes owed after April 15 will accrue penalties and interest. If you’re filing an extension, work with your accountant to estimate and pay any outstanding amounts on time.
8. File Early for Peace of Mind
Filing early helps reduce the risk of identity theft and ensures quicker refunds. Our Retirement Checklist is a helpful tool to track key dates and tasks—download it for free with no opt-in required!
Ready to File? Let Us Help!
Whether your taxes are simple or complex, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Book your appointment today—available in all 50 states and D.C.—and choose from in-office or virtual meetings for your convenience.
DANNY HOWES, EA, RFC
COAST TAX AND FINANCIAL PLANNING
Happy
Valentine' s Day
“Romance is the essence of life, and wine is what kindles the romance.”
So naturally I celebrate this day with the love of my life. This year I will make one of her favorite meals. I’ll formally set the dining room table with red and white roses, lit pink candles and soft smooth jazz music in the background to set the ambiance.
We’ll start with mixed greens with candy-coated pecans and dried cherries, topped with dark cherry balsamic vinaigrette served with a warm French baguette. The salad plates will be chilled. The main course will consist of my Baked Bourbon Wild Salmon sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds. The side dish will be Israeli couscous with porcini and shitake mushrooms.
At this point you might be thinking … he forgot the wine. No, I have something very special planned. I’ll be presenting the 2021 Schramsberg Brut Rosé in our 14” tall champagne flute glasses.
This bubbly is a Pinot Noir and Chardonnay blend that has luxurious aromas of fresh picked strawberries and cinnamon bun. The mousse is fine and silky with flavors of raspberries, strawberries, brioche, and sweet vanilla bean. There’s a wealth of tiny bubbles that seemingly go on forever.
For dessert I am making hot fudge sundaes with plenty of fresh whipped cream, sweetheart candy hearts, and a merry maraschino cherry on top.
February 14th is a day to enjoy the romance with your loved one. If you’re thinking of flowers, chocolates, dinner, or just celebrating the joy of being together, Cupid will be looking for you to make the day an exciting one.
Cheers!
Glenn
BAKED BOURBON SALMON
A sweet, smoky maple bourbon glaze over salmon fillets.
Bake, then broil salmon for perfect results.
Ingredients
1/2 cup bourbon*
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons brown sugar, light or dark**
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
1 clove minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 2-pound side of salmon (preferably skin-on for cooking)
Salt & pepper
Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
Chopped green onions, for garnish
Instructions
MAKE THE GLAZE
In a medium saucepan, combine the bourbon, maple syrup, brown sugar, Worcestershire, soy sauce, garlic, and apple cider vinegar. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium high. Continue to simmer rapidly, stirring constantly, until mixture has thickened and reduced by about half, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
PREPARE THE SALMON
1. Position one rack in the center and the other rack in the upper third of your oven and preheat to 375 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, then place a large piece of aluminum foil on top, large enough to encase the salmon.
2. Remove the salmon from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes while the glaze cools and the oven preheats.
3. Place the salmon on top of the foil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, rub to coat, then brush the glaze all over the top. Drizzle on any extra.
4. Fold the sides of the aluminum foil up and over the top of the salmon until it is completely enclosed, forming a sealed packet. Leave a little room inside the foil for air to circulate.
5. Bake the salmon on the center rack for 15 to 18 minutes, until the salmon is almost completely cooked through at the thickest part but still has several minutes to go. Cooking time will vary based on the thickness of your salmon. If your side is thinner, around 1-inch thick, check several minutes early to ensure your salmon does not overcook; if your piece is very thick, 1 1/2 inches or more, it may need longer.
6. Remove the salmon from the oven and carefully open the foil so that the top of the fish is completely uncovered. Watch out for hot steam.
7. Change the oven setting to broil, then return the fish to the oven, placing it on the upper third rack. Broil for 3 to 4 minutes, until the fish is cooked through. Watch the salmon closely to make sure it doesn’t overcook.
8. You also can use an instant read thermometer inserted at the thickest part of the fish; fish is cooked at 145 degrees. Take it out a few degrees under and let it rest a few minutes so the carry over cooking brings it up to temperature. As soon as it flakes easily with a fork, it’s ready.
9. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and/or chopped green onions.
* For a non-alcoholic version, substitute 1/8 cup of apple cider vinegar plus 1/2 cup apple juice in place of the bourbon.
** The sugar is necessary to thicken the glaze – don’t omit!
It’s all about the HEART! Chocolate Valentine Heart Cookies
Wdrop sugar cookie and a peanut butter cookie, each rolled in sanding sugar or sprinkles and topped with a chocolate heart. You can easily find Dove or Hershey’s brand chocolate hearts this time of year.
SPARKLE VALENTINE COOKIES
These cream cheese drop sugar cookies are rolled in red or pink edible glitter or red or pink sanding sugar and topped with a chocolate heart. Make sure you have room in your freezer for two cookie sheets.
Ingredients
3 cups
1 and 1/2 teaspoons 1/2 teaspoon
1 cup (2 sticks) temperature
2 ounces
room temperature (57g)
1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
1 large
2 teaspoons 1/2 teaspoon
3/4 cup assorted colors
32 chocolate hearts, unwrapped Instructions
1. Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl until combined. Set aside.
2. Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and cream cheese together on high speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the granulated sugar and beat until combined and creamy. Add the
continued next page
Baked Bourbon Salmon
from page 23
egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, and beat on high speed until combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed to combine.
3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed until combined. (The dough will be thick.) Cover dough tightly with plastic wrap and chill for at least 30-60 minutes, up to 3-4 days.
Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Pour sanding sugar/s in a bowl/s. Roll balls of cookie dough, about 1 tablespoon of dough per cookie, then roll each ball in the glitter and sanding sugar to coat.
6. Place each dough ball 2 inches apart on the baking sheets. Using the back of a small glass, gently press down on each dough ball to slightly flatten. Bake the cookies for 12-13 minutes or until very lightly browned on the edges.
7. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. Press a chocolate heart into each cookie and quickly stick the baking sheet in the freezer so the chocolate heart maintains its shape. Leave the baking sheet in the refrigerator about 15 minutes to set the chocolate.
8. Cookies will stay fresh covered at room temperature for 1 week.
PEANUT BUTTER SWEETHEART COOKIES
The Valentine’s Day version of peanut butter blossom cookies.
Ingredients
1 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (156g)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar (100g)
1/4 cup granulated sugar (50g)
1 large egg, room temperature
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter (190g)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
24 chocolate heart candies, unwrapped
1/4 cup (50g) pink sanding sugar or granulated sugar for rolling
Instructions
1. Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
2. Using a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat the butter for 1 minute on high speed until creamy. Switch to medium-high speed and beat in the brown sugar and 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar until completely creamed and smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the egg and beat until combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Add the peanut butter and vanilla extract and beat until combined.
3. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and beat on low speed until combined. The dough will be very creamy and soft. Cover and chill the cookie dough in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, and up to 3 days.
4. Preheat oven to 350°. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
5. Roll balls of cookie dough, 1 heaping tablespoon of dough per cookie, then roll each ball in the sugar to coat. Arrange dough balls on the baking sheet about 3 inches apart. Bake for 11–13 minutes or until the tops begin to slightly crack. Remove cookies from the oven and allow to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes.
6. Press a chocolate heart candy into the center of each, then, using a thin spatula, immediately transfer the cookies to a large plate or a few smaller plates (gently—they’re soft). Place the plate(s) of cookies in the freezer for 10 minutes to quickly set the chocolate in the cookie.
7. Remove from the freezer and serve.
8. Cookies stay fresh covered at room temperature for up to 1 week.
HEART-SHAPED CAKES
Want to make a special heart-shaped cake for Valentine’s Day but don’t have heart-shaped cake pans? No problem. It’s way easier than you think!
Here’s how.
1. Bake your cake in one 8” square baking pan and one 8” round cake pan. Cool cakes completely.
2. Leave the square cake whole. Cut the round cake in half vertically. Position the square cake with a point towards you and place the flat side of each half circle against each of the top two edges of the square cake forming a heart. Using a long serrated knife, shave off domed tops to make them even in height.
Voila! A heart cake ready for frosting.
STRAWBERRY CAKE
The secret to the delicious strawberry flavor in this cake is the fresh strawberry puree. Cooking the puree down to remove most of the moisture intensifies the strawberry flavor. Homemade puree is best … it has the correct consistency and liquid conent and packs the biggest strawberry punch. Thoroughly cool the puree before using; can be made the day before.
Ingredients
FOR THE STRAWBERRY PUREE:
1 pound (454g) fresh strawberries, rinsed and hulled, plus 3 strawberries for garnish FOR THE CAKE:
2 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (330g)
2 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup unsalted butter softened (227g)
2 cups granulated sugar (400g)
4 large egg whites, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup whole milk (120ml)
1/2 cup fresh thoroughly cooled strawberry puree (120ml)
Red or pink food coloring, optional FOR THE STRAWBERRY FROSTING:
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature (227g)
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature (227g)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract pinch of salt
6 to 7 cups powdered sugar sifted (720g-840g)
1/4 cup fresh strawberry puree
Instructions
STRAWBERRY PUREE:
1. Puree the fresh strawberries in a processor or blender. You should have a little over a cup. Simmer the puree over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, about 25-35 minutes. If making a day ahead, cover and store in refrigerator, and bring to room temperature before adding to batter.
FOR THE CAKE:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Butter 2 9”-round cake pans, or spray with baking spray. Line the bottoms with parchment paper. You can wrap the cake pans with soaked baking strips if desired to keep the tops from doming*.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
3. Using a stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed just until creamy. Add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
4. Scrape down the bowl and add the egg whites and vanilla. Beat on medium speed for about 1 minute or until well combined and very fluffy.
5. Reduce the speed to low. Add the flour mixture alternating with the milk and the strawberry reduction, mixing just until combined. Stop and scrape down the bowl as needed. Mix in a drop or two of food coloring. (Once the cake is baked, the pink color won’t be as vibrant as the batter.) Divide the batter among the two cake pans.
6. Bake for 30 minutes or until the cake is springy to the touch and starts to pull away from the sides of the pans. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 20 minutes. Remove and let cool completely on a wire rack. (Discard the parchment paper.)
FOR THE STRAWBERRY FROSTING:
1. Using a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and salt until smooth and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
2. With the mixer on low, gradually add in the powdered sugar alternating with a tablespoon of the strawberry puree. Stop and scrape down the bowl a few times during mixing. Once all of the sugar is added, increase the speed to medium and beat until fluffy. If the frosting feels too stiff and not silky, add a tablespoon or two of puree or milk. Add a little food coloring if desired.
ASSEMBLE:
Place a cake layer on a cake stand. Spread about 1 cup of frosting on top of the cake. Top with the second layer. Spread the remaining frosting all over the outside of the cake. Garnish with the fresh strawberries. Store the covered. It will keep at room temperature for up to 5 days.
* I recently discovered baking strips. They insulate the outside of the metal cake pan and enable the batter to rise evenly, resulting in a flat-topped cake, no dome. Another benefit is the moistness they add to the cake during baking, resulting in a moist and tender crumb. You have to saturate the strips thoroughly in water before using. (I bought the purple strips on Amazon.)
5 Ways to EXTEND Your Laptop’s Battery Health
As an IT Support Technician at ACT Computers, one of the most common laptop repairs I handle is battery replacements. While all batteries will eventually degrade over time, there are steps you can take to maximize the lifespan of your laptop’s battery and avoid a costly repair in the future. The following tips were made with Windows 11 in mind, but will still be effective with Windows 10.
1.
Do not leave the laptop charger plugged in 24/7
Avoid overcharging your battery as this will speed up the degradation of the battery. If possible try to keep it between 20-80% for optimal health. The natural process of charging and discharging the battery will maintain its health for a much longer period of time.
2.
Use Power-Saving Modes
Switch to the ‘Balanced’ power mode instead of ‘High performance’ to reduce battery strain. To do this
on a Windows PC, click the Search bar at the bottom of the screen and type in ‘Choose a power plan’ and press Enter. From there you should see all available plans. If ‘Balanced’ is not already selected, click it to change to it.
3.Avoid Overheating
Always use your laptop on hard, flat surfaces like a table or desk. Avoid placing it on carpets, couches, pillows, or beds, which can block airflow and cause overheating. The reasoning behind this is that overheating will speed up the chemical reactions that occur within the battery causing it to discharge faster, which in turn will shorten the battery’s lifespan.
4.Update Regularly
Keep your laptop updated with the latest Windows Updates, including optional updates, to ensure optimal performance and battery management. To check for and install Windows Updates, click the Search bar at the bottom of the screen and type in ‘Check for updates’ and press Enter. From there, if necessary, click the button that says ‘Check for updates’ as this will start the process of searching for available updates and installing them. Follow any instructions that you may be given during this process. I recommend manually checking for updates every other week just to make sure your computer is always up to date with the latest hardware, software, and security updates.
5.Enable Battery Saver Modes
Battery saver modes will lower performance slightly but will improve the battery’s life, especially when running on battery power for extended periods of time. To enable this, click the Search bar at the bottom of the screen and type in ‘Power, sleep, and battery settings’ and press Enter. On this screen there is a section called ‘Power Mode’ and on the toggle make sure it is either at ‘Balanced’ or ‘Best Power Efficiency.’
These tips can significantly improve the lifespan of your laptop’s battery and help prevent you from needing to replace it in the future. However, it’s important to remember that even with proper care, your laptop’s hardware, including the battery, will naturally degrade
Rami Al-Khatib
Pursuing Prayer for America
21 Battle Cries for Our Nation
There is hope for America.
But America’s healing will only come as a result of our persistent, fervent prayers. We the People must return to God’s ways, then He will bless America (Psalm 33:12).
Inside this book are 21 prayers based on various scriptures. Jesus used the Word of God, the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17), to fight the enemy, and we can, too. God’s Word does not return voice (Isaiah 55:11). The author’s own personal experience praying Scripture has proven powerful.
With this book, let’s join with our fellow Americans and agree in prayer for 21 days—and beyond. Together let’s ask God to “shed His grace on thee” once again. Let’s commit to pray these powerful scriptures for America for as long as it takes to heal our land.
Penny Cooke is a biblical life coach, author, podcaster, and speaker. She is the author of the award-winning books, Pursuing Prayer: Being Effective in a Busy World, and The Wake-up Prayer children’s book, and many other compilations, devotions, and articles. Penny’s passion is for believers to be empowered by God’s spirit, His Word, and prayer for the battle we call life. Receive encouragement through her blog, podcast, and books at pennycookeauthor.com.
Success
BY BETH WALSH STEWART
Without honest communication, we lose trust, hope, and true harmony with another person.”
Relationships are the basis for incredible joy and enlightenment. That said, relationships can be challenging work. They can make us vulnerable and set us up to be hurt. Before we experience relational success with another person, we must become aware of who we are in the relationship and why we are seeking connection with that specific individual. What is our role in the union?
If we skip making this decision thoughtfully and jump right into a relationship, our role will be decided by default and relationships can become broken before they even begin. Some of us struggle
in Relationships
in relationships because of the leftover faulty roles from another time in our lives. If we identify with this issue, it’s time to do the work of healing. It starts with getting honest.
First, we’ll need to challenge any false roles we uncover. These roles are often hardwired into us from childhood, and examples might include the planner, the money manager, the caregiver. Other roles that got us noticed may have stuck with us, like being the rescuer, the martyr, the boss, the drama queen, the smart one, or the fixer. When we took on these roles in our youth, people responded to us, so we adopted the role as who we were. We desired recognition, and these roles filled that need.
The heart is the seat of our truest desires. Even when self-deceived, our hearts know the Truth. It knows our strongest longing(s).
Let’s look at our history. Does it expose a bogus heart desire? Have we lost out on solid relationships because our heart told us to pursue career, sex, money, or approval? If so, the response of loved ones will be to move away from us because they feel less significant. Once this fault is uncovered and brought to light, however, the relationship
can heal, provided both parties commit to forgiveness and resetting priorities.
For relationships to thrive, the participants must practice vulnerability. Becoming intimate is not for the faint of heart. It requires emotional strength and spiritual courage. We must function as warriors who are committed to taking on the difficult challenge ahead without surrendering. The payoff will be worth the effort.
Always remember that the only way you can push people is away. It’s a fact. You can’t make them do what you want or make them see it your way. If you want them closer, you’re going to have to be more attractive and love them until they want what you have.
Lack of quality communication is the biggest problem in relationships. Without honest communication, we lose trust, hope, and true harmony. If communication is a door, honesty is the wedge that holds the door open. Truth breeds transparency which creates ease of interaction and a comfortable sense of belonging.
Often we enter conversations with people as though they are debates or arguments that we must win. While we may not agree with another person’s point
of view, it’s important to listen to why he feels the way he does. A discussion is not a competition; it is an opportunity to understand another person and his perspective. Most importantly, how we listen tells others how much we value them. This is a critical skill in developing and maintaining healthy relationships.
The benefits of quality communication quickly become obvious. Both parties will experience less anxiety and worry because when we talk it out, we don’t have to stew about it later. Speaking directly to the one with whom we struggle, we develop greater intimacy. Intimacy requires mutual give-and-take and reciprocal self-disclosure. All of us crave to be known and be seen. With regular sharing, there is a reduced chance of misunderstanding and hurt feelings.
Let us endeavor to respect our beloved by allowing them to be exactly who they were created to be. Let us validate them by listening with attention and responding honestly. Most of all, let us practice kindness and patience, recognizing that our relationships will produce long-term contentment when given priority.
Beth Walsh Stewart, MTh, is 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.
Rev’s Verses
BY PASTOR RICH IENUSO
Charity Never Fails
1 Corinthians 13 in the Bible is known as the “love” chapter. It gives us the characteristics of what love is supposed to be. Love is not only a word; it is action.
This Scripture verse states that love is patient, kind, not jealous, not proud, not arrogant. Humble, not evil, believing, hoping, enduring and never failing.
Wow! How is our “love language” doing?
God is love (1 John 4:8) and He loves His world (John 3:16)
May we, with the Lord’s help, fulfill His Word in our daily lives.
With God’s love, Pastor Rich Ienuso
Unity in Practice
“How can we, as followers of Christ, practice unity in a divided Church and a divided world? ”
Let’s face it—Christian disunity is a scandal. It flies in the face of the teaching of Christ, who prayed, “That they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You” (John 17:21). Yet today, the global body of more than two billion Christians is fractured into over 45,000 denominations worldwide, with more than 200 in the United States alone.
The causes of this disunity are complex and well-documented, ranging from theological disagreements to cultural differences. However, diagnosing the problem is not my focus here. The urgent question is this: How can we, as followers of Christ, practice unity in a divided Church and a divided world? I want to focus on how to achieve Unity in Practice.
First, never lose sight of the goal: to follow Christ. This should be uppermost in our minds and actions at all times. When we focus on Christ’s example, everything else falls into place. Jesus Himself assured us of this: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).
Practicing unity begins with this mindset—to follow Christ and to see Christ in every person we meet, regardless of background, denomination, or perspective. Imagine what would happen if every Christian loved one’s neighbor the way the Good Samaritan in the gospel story loved his fellow human in need, unconditionally. This practical unity with our fellow man is not merely a lofty ideal; it transforms the way we live. Such unity requires an inner renewal first. It begins in the heart. As individuals, we must cultivate the habit of asking ourselves: Am I seeing this person as Christ sees him or her? Am I responding to him or her with Christ-like love?
Secondly, adopt the right means or ways of behaving. While focusing on Christ, it is essential that the means we adopt in our relationship with others are in
BY FATHER DUFFY
conformity with the gospel. We cannot achieve unity by promoting dissension. Divisions arise when we reject others because they are different from us—be it in theology, culture, or practice. This is a betrayal of the gospel, which calls us to love one another the way He has loved us.
St. Paul warned his community of Christians against selfish ambition: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves” (Philippians 2:3). True unity demands that the end is contained in the means. Unity is built up by acts of kindness, respect for one another, and working together in love.
In society today, where polarization is rampant, the principle of adopting the Christ-like means of behavior towards others is more urgent than ever. We cannot achieve Christian unity if we mimic the world’s standards—aggressive competition or exclusion or insatiable greed at the expense of our fellow man. We must reflect Christ’s example who welcomed sinners, washed the feet of His disciples, prayed for those who persecuted Him, and died for everyone on the cross.. Throughout history and in our own lives, there have been remarkable individuals, saints and modern-day role models who exemplified unity in practice. These individuals never lost sight of their ultimate goal—following Christ—and they always chose means that reflected His teachings. They practiced humility, perseverance, and love, even in the face of great opposition.
And so, unity is not a passive ideal; it must be an active, daily practice. It requires us to keep our eyes fixed on Christ and to choose the right, Christlike means to achieve unity in the Church and in our world. It demands that we see Christ in others, love sacrificially, and reject the divisive ways of the world so that we “may all be one.”
he Patriot Church’s goal is to educate you about the truth of our country’s founding and empower you to engage in the Battle for the Heart and Soul of America. Join the Sacred Cause to Save our Republic! Tune in Wednesdays, 11:00am-12:00noon
4th Sunday in Sebastian, 50 S. Wimbrow Dr, 10:00am
5th Sunday in Vero Beach, 4425 71st St, 10:00am For booking/training information contact Rev. Dr. John A. Vacchiano 772.532.6400 | PatriotChurch@gmail.com
@ 12:12PM
Encouragement for what you face today, tomorrow and always.
First Wednesday of Each Month 11:45AM Italian-American Civic Association 1600 25th St. • Vero Beach Cost: $20 and includes a Delicious Lunch! Call Steve Glaser (954) 261-0544 for info A 5-year-old boy who died was alive and well again, a demoniac was delivered and saved, people were set free of fear, unforgiveness, hatred – all by the Authority of the Name of Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost/Holy Spirit.
Kathleen Hollop is a healing evangelist who has experienced the miracles of God today. She has made 23 trips to Africa, Venezuela,
