book or movie greatly influenced your thinking? by Steve Glaser
If you could rename one street in Vero Beach, what street would you rename and why? by Steve Glaser
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“Chap” David Thompson
Chaplain of Jails in Saint Lucie County of the MONTH M RACLE
We’re talking to Chap Thompson, the chaplain at the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office. You’re a great storyteller and a very wise individual. Give us the gist of your story, what happened in your life to have such a broken spirit that God could deliver that wisdom to you? Well, I grew up in a large dysfunctional family. My dad had ten of us, and I think he did the best he could. But as a young child he had been sexually abused. His generation, they didn’t talk about that, Rhett, so my dad would drink. When he’d get really stressed out, he could be a very angry guy with his words.
He would never be physically abusive, but when you grow up in a house where people are very angry, it’s very traumatic. It really is a form of abuse. You don’t know what normal is. So I had to learn that by going to counseling school, graduate school, and I got a license in mental health.
Was this your pre-conversion to Jesus? I knew God and loved Him, but I didn’t have a real vital relationship with Jesus. I was a religious guy, but I really didn’t know Him.
You’d show up on Easter and Christmas, sort of as a perfunctory duty? We went to Catholic grade school, I went to Catholic college, but I’m not that close to God because I don’t know Him. I don’t really understand grace. That wasn’t something that we were taught. Church was a place where you went and paid your respects to God and then you went out and lived your life.
So meanwhile, I’ve got all these wounds inside. But like the Bible says, the winds and storms come to our house. I had some untimely deaths. My best friend was killed in a car accident, I had an uncle that took his life when my grandma died. The guy was a very affluent successful businessman. That sudden death really rocked my life. My first wife got muscular dystrophy and took our little girl and ran off to California and married somebody else.
I just felt abandoned, rejected. So inside I had all this rejection, all this anger, all this sadness and disappointment, and it wasn’t going away.
So all this pain was really a crucible, then, that God would later use for you? Absolutely. God does his best work in adversity; pain has a way of drawing us to God. It did me, because before then people tried to invite me to get to know Him, and I just said, hey, go share that with some drug addict, I’m good. I have a great career, making lots of money, I got this wonderful wife, beautiful little girl. Life is good.
Well, then the winds and storms came and everything changed and then I don’t have anything anymore. I don’t have a house, a wife, I don’t have a little girl.
You got humbled. Big time, and broken. I just could not seem to power myself up for life. I was done, I was spent.
But one thing I did remember about the Catholic Church: if you got a problem, you light a candle and you say a prayer. And one lonely Christmas morning, I did just that. And I said, God, if you’re really out there, you need to show
up because I don’t think I’m going to be around much longer. And God heard that prayer.
On Christmas morning? Oh, man, it was the worst day of my life. My wife said I’m leaving you, I’m taking my daughter, I’m going to marry somebody out in California. Like the song said, she left me just when I needed her most.
So there you are on your knees, lighting a candle on Christmas morning at the lowest point in your life. You got a Christmas gift. What was it? There’s a passage in Jeremiah that says call on to me and I’ll answer you and I’ll reveal to you great and wondrous things you do not know.
What I’ve learned about God is God works through people. And so I met this really nice nurse who several years later became my wife. But she was a God girl. I’d never gone out with anybody that knew Jesus, and she talked about Jesus like she knew him personally. She started taking me to churches where the supernatural power of God showed up. People got healed of illnesses and certain things just took place. And I’m like, what in the world is going on?
You were your own God, essentially, sitting on the throne of your life. Yeah, my pride was driving the bus. I was large and in charge, or so I thought.
So Debra started breaking down the Bible, giving me a couple of go-to passages, and one that was very transformational was Jeremiah 29:11-13. God says, for I know the plan I have for you.
Plan? My uncle took his life. My wife left me. My best friend got killed in a car accident. I’ve worked in recovery ten years and nobody can have sustainable recovery. And God says, that’s not my plan for your life, Dave. My plan is for your welfare, to give you a future and hope.
Now, when I heard that word hope, Rhett, all of a sudden something got activated within me. And I said, well, God, how does this work? I don’t have a clue. He says, you’ll seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
He’s not an easy catch. A preacher in Vero had told me, if you only know one verse in the Bible, this one verse will change your life, and it was Matthew 6:33, where Jesus said seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and whatever you need, it will be added to you.
Well, I needed to have peace inside. Well, you know what? God said, if you’ll forgive all the people you’re mad at, you’ll have a peace that surpasses all understanding. And it was kind of like the “California Dreamin’” song: I got down on my knees and I started to pray. And man, I’m telling you what. When I forgave all the people that were on my hit list, instead of hatred and bitterness and fear, love and peace came into my heart.
God works through people. I had a physical problem. I used to run, but I broke a bone in my foot and I developed a bone spur and my days of doing anything with my right foot were over with. The orthopedic surgeon said, Dave, I know you used to run, but I can’t operate and correct that. I was only 27, and I was so depressed.
Well, I went to a prayer breakfast and this rugby player from England prayed for me. I’d never had anybody pray for me in my
whole life. But, boy, when you’re hurting, it’s amazing how your theology changes.
Man, I was the first guy to get up and go up there. John prayed for me, and right on the spot, I’m healed.
Your foot is healed? I tell you what, I was blown away, because I could do what I couldn’t do before. I had told God, God, if you’re really real, you’ve got to show up in a way that I’ll know.
Did you sense anything in your foot? There was a little heat. John said, you’re healed.
I said, that’s it? I mean, I didn’t know what healing was. He goes yeah.
And he asked me, did you sense anything when I prayed? I said I had a little heat, and he goes, that’s the Holy Ghost, that was God. That was over 40 years ago. It’s never bothered me again, ever. But that was miracle number one.
Miracle number two was when
I ran into a drug addict who was in my rehab program. He said, Dave, the only sustainable way to stay drug free is to connect with God. I’ve got all the research to prove it. After I got out of your program, I got hired to be a director of one of the most successful programs in the nation and the best we could do was 10% of our people could stay off drugs, out of jail, hold down a job, be good to their family, and they had to do it for three years in a row.
We followed 2,000 people, and only 200 could do that. But 193 of the 200 had connected with God. And I said, oh, my gosh, that’s the missing piece! And God said to me, it’s not only missing in their life, that’s what’s missing in your life.
“This wind of the Holy Spirit came in my room, and I had a peace that I didn’t even know could exist.”
So he prays for you and Jesus heals you. God healed my foot.
And you felt that warmth? Oh, yeah. So my foot’s healed. Then a psychiatrist shared a testimony. I’m a licensed mental health practitioner, but the guy with the most training, the most experience is a psychiatrist. Now he’s talking about God. I don’t know anybody in the mental health field that ever talks about God.
And this guy said, my wife left me after 25 years, I was so angry, I hated her. Anger is the one emotion we can’t keep inside without it doing a lot of damage. It was so bad he started drinking. He said the drinking wasn’t enough, so he started writing scripts for barbiturates. They didn’t take away the problem. That anger started eating a hole in his back. The inflammation was so bad in his lower back.
Even the Bible says bitterness causes dryness of the bones. The Bible says do not let the sun go down on your wrath because you give occasion for the devil. So this devil is just tearing this guy up. And his friend, another doctor, Jerry, said why don’t you go to church with me? And he goes, church? The last time I was in church is when I got married 25 years ago.
He says, well, look at your life. What have you got to lose?
He says, well, I see what you’re saying. He asked God to help him to forgive his ex-wife, and all these other people that he hated.
He forgave them? And he said right away that pain in his back was gone, on the spot.
I said I’m going to go home, kneel down, and I’m going to do exactly what Dr. Jerry did: I’m going to pray for the thing I need in life, peace. I didn’t have any peace. I just couldn’t do life anymore. The pain was unimaginable, I had no hope. No matter how much I run or date other girls or take walks by the seaside the pain was still there.
So I asked God to give me the grace to forgive all these people. All of a sudden, it’s like a mighty wind, this wind of the Holy Spirit came in my room, and I had a peace that I didn’t even know could exist. And I said, okay, God, you’re on. I’m in, because you healed my foot, you showed me the missing link in recovery, and you healed my achy, breaky heart. God is good. God bless you onward and upward.
What book or movie greatly influenced your thinking?
Where the Heart Is shows us that a single mom from nothing can make a successful life for herself and her daughter.
The Way to Love: The Meditations of Anthony De Mello teaches you how to let go of someone you love. Dr. Ken Malkin, DPM
Think and Grow Rich! Clearly teaches us the principles of achieving personal and independent financial success. Allison Samuels TEACHER, 4TH GRADE
How To Win Friends and Influence People teaches us confidence and also teaches us six ways to make people like you.
Pete Charbonnneau RICHARD’S PAINT
Rich Dad Poor Dad is a book that teaches us the importance of financial education.
Orlando Solorio ALL AREA ROOFING
The Mindset of Success teaches you how to build an unshakable mental framework that supports your goals and dreams.
Lisa Browning,
RN
The Game of Life and How to Play It teaches us about being intentional and living by our words.
Avagay Johnson
PERSONAL AND BUSINESS CREDIT CONSULTANT
Steve Irwin, an Australian wildlife expert and television personality greatly impacted my life.
Quintin Bergman
IRC COASTAL RESOURCE MANAGER
The Bible has great influenced my life as well as my family’s!
Matt Imler SHACK SHINE
How to Train Your Dragon is a series of three feature films that teach us living together and building friendships.
Dakota Whelan IRC ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST
James Bond movies. James Bond was always a good guy that went out of his way to help others. Plus, he always got the girl in the end!
David Mosher
PHOENIX DYNAMIX
Instant Family is about a wonderful couple who adopts foster children to complete their loving family.
How Tariffs Could Affect Retirees
and Pre-Retirees
by Danny Howes, EA, RFC
Tariffs—taxes on imported goods—may seem far removed from daily life, but for retirees and pre-retirees, they can quietly impact the cost of living, healthcare, and even investment outcomes. Understanding these effects helps you plan more confidently, even in the face of shifting economic policies.
What Are Tariffs and Why Do They Matter?
pharmaceutical ingredients may lead to higher healthcare expenses, a top concern in retirement. Being aware of these potential impacts can help you prepare and plan more effectively.
Tariffs and Retirement Portfolios
Tariffs are essentially taxes placed on foreign goods by governments to encourage domestic production or penalize foreign trade practices. While they serve economic or political objectives, tariffs may result in higher prices for everyday goods, especially items like food, electronics, and vehicles, many of which are either imported or depend on imported components.
Potential Impact Tarriffs Could Have on Living Costs
For retirees living on fixed or moderately flexible incomes, even modest increases in costs can have a cumulative effect. Tariffs on imported consumer goods can raise prices on groceries, household items, and clothing. More significantly, tariffs on medical devices or
Tariffs may also influence market volatility. If tariffs lead to trade tensions or slowed global growth, stock markets could react negatively. Retirees invested in mutual funds, ETFs, or dividend stocks may see fluctuations in portfolio values. Additionally, U.S.-based companies reliant on global supply chains may report lower earnings, potentially affecting their stock performance.
While none of this guarantees losses, it does underscore the importance of diversification and risk management in your retirement strategy. By diversifying your investments and managing risks, you may find you feel more secure and in control of your financial future, even in the face of shifting economic policies.
Planning Ahead: What Retirees Can Do
You can’t control tariffs, but you can take steps to help prepare:
• Review your spending categories, especially essentials impacted by trade.
• Stay diversified with your investments to help buffer against sector-specific risks.
• Work with an advisor who monitors global developments and helps adjust your income plan as needed.
• Plan for inflation and cost-of-living increases, even in conservative projections.
Final Thoughts on Tariffs and Retirement
Tariffs may not dominate headlines every day, but their ripple effects can subtly influence the financial landscape retirees rely on. By staying informed, maintaining flexibility, and focusing on long-term resilience, you can help protect your retirement lifestyle, regardless of shifting trade Policies.
FAQ
Q: Can tariffs cause inflation in retirement?
A: Tariffs can contribute to price increases on consumer goods, which may lead to localized inflation, especially in imported categories.
Q: Should retirees change their investment strategy because of tariffs?
A: Not Necessarily. Maintaining a diversified, risk-appropriate portfolio may be an appropriate response for those in retirement. A financial professional may be able to help assess whether any adjustments are needed.
Q: Do tariffs affect Social Security or Medicare?
A: Tariffs do not directly impact Social Security or Medicare benefits, although broader economic shifts can influence related policy discussions.
If you could what street would you rename and why?
RENAME ONE STREET IN VERO BEACH,
I would rename 16th Street west of 58th Avenue Campus Circle as the Charter High School and our college campus are located there. Maria Valdez
42nd Place is a beautiful street that I would love to rename Orange Blossom Lane. Carolyn MacEvoy BROKER, MACEVOY REAL ESTATE
I would rename 16th Street by our high school Indians Place, honoring our teachers and students.
Kimberly Adams THIRD GRADE TEACHER
I would rename 57th Street just east of 66th Avenue Seymour Street, honoring the Seymours for serving our county for over a combined 60 years as educators. Nick Casiello OWNER, CUSTOM FLOORING & MORE
I would renamed Oslo Road to South County Boulevard With the new I-95 interchange being built, Oslo Road needs a new name.
James Miller WAREHOUSE SUPERVISOR
I am so proud of the rich history of Vero Beach. I would not rename anything, although I would consider some street improvements.
Christina Klinger BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, VOICELOGIX
I would rename 43rd Avenue near the Victor Hart Community Center Victor Hart Boulevard. Victor Hart had dedicated over 60 years of his life, always working to make our community a better place.
Wilfred Hart
COMMUNITY LIAISON SPECIALIST, IRC BOARD OF EDUCATION
I would bring back the name Alligator Alley adjacent to Dinner Revolution and paint a large mural there.
Morgan Reynolds FOUNDER, BEYOND THE TREND MARKETING AGENCY
I would change Cherokee Drive to Breeze Way since Breeze Airways has had such a positive impact on our community.
Ellie Roberts
INFLIGHT SUPERVISOR, BREEZE AIRWAYS
I would love to rename one of our streets Centennial Court in honor of our City and County celebrating their 100th birthday.
Laura Moss
COUNTY COMMISSIONER, IRC DISTRICT 5
The first thing that comes to mind is I would change Cardinal Drive or Ocean Drive to Hampton Drive since Vero Beach is considered the “Hamptons of Florida.”
Vincent Felice
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” – 2 Corinthians 10:4
The American Miracle –
Our Nation Is No Accident
Released: June 9, 2025
Perhaps the real miracle of the American Experiment is that we are still reaping its benefits in 2025. But for how long? The American Miracle – Our Nation is No Accident may be the most important film of our day. It provides wellresearched and documented history, with scholars adding comments throughout.
Based on his book of the same title, Michael Medved hosts the docudrama. The American Miracle takes us on a journey through numerous miracles from the Revolutionary War to the Constitutional Convention.
The film reenacts how time and again George Washington’s life was spared in ways that could only be “Providential,” not coincidence, not luck. For instance, it begins with Washington as a young man contracting smallpox while visiting Barbados, which built immunity that spared him from catching it during the Revolution, enabling him to fulfill his purpose for America.
A Native American guide shoots at Washington but misses, which leads to him surviving the night in the freezing cold.
A fog rolls in, which conceals the Continental Army’s escape across the East River.
Washington rides in front of his troops during gunfire and comes out unscathed, other than his uniform and hat. He had many “David and Goliath” situations.
Revealing the true story of God's providential hand on America!
each before watching the next to make it more engaging. There is some violence as battles are reenacted, but less graphic than kids’ movies and games today.
What a critical history lesson for everyone and a fitting film to watch for America’s 250th birthday! It’s a shame it was only in theaters for three days, but you can go to americanmiraclemovie.com to learn more.
Could it be that America “clearly had a special providential purpose”?
250 PATRIOTIC BIRTHDAY STARS!
The film explores how prayer was an important part of Washington’s life, suggesting God’s divine hand on him for America. In contrast, it shows the stalemate experienced after weeks of debate at the Constitutional Convention, with no prayer. This led Benjamin Franklin to speak up, recognizing that their efforts were bound to fail unless they made prayer the initial focus each morning (see sidebar).
Our forefathers’ devotion to faith is noteworthy. Still, many debate whether our nation was built by Christians because some were not believers. However, this stance ignores the primary reason the pilgrims came here, as well as those who were believers and shaped our nation based on those beliefs. Of course not everyone was Christian, but even Benjamin Franklin, a deist, recognized the blessing on our nation with God, and the lost-ness without Him. Perhaps this is what we are seeing today.
There is so much more this film has to teach us. It is a little long but interesting, and the well-done reenactments make it entertaining. We were not bored for a second. Even Rotten Tomatoes gave it a whopping 97%.
For younger viewers, it may be beneficial to break it into shorter segments and discuss
Excerpts of Benjamin Franklin’s speech at the Continental Convention, June 28, 1787
“ In this situation of this Assembly groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understandings? In the beginning of the contest with G. Britain, when we were sensible of danger we had daily prayer in this room for the Divine Protection. -- Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. . . . And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance.
“I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth -- that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without [H]is notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without [H]is aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings that ‘except the Lord build they labor in vain that build it.’ I firmly believe this…
“I therefore beg leave to move -- that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business…”
Penny Cooke is an award-winning author of Pursuing Prayer: Being Effective in a Busy World, The Wake-up Prayer children’s book, and her latest, Pursuing Prayer for America. She co-hosts the Seeds of Hope podcast with Del Bates on Wednesdays on Vero’s Voice Facebook page. Learn more at pennycookeauthor.com
Starring: Pat Boone, Kevin Sorbo, Nicole C. Mullen, Daniel Shippey, and more.
Brewing Independence:
Our Founding Fathers and Beer in the Colonies
Beer continues to grow in popularity, evidenced by the increasing number of craft and microbreweries popping up across the country over the last fifty years. It wasn’t until 1976 that a home brewer in Sonoma, California founded the first microbrewery since the days of Prohibition.
Brewing beer was a way of life in Colonial America. Clean drinking water wasn’t always available so fermented drinks were widely consumed as a safer alternative. Brewing beer was a common and necessary practice that was carried out by the woman of the house. The brew was consumed by the family and was also sold to local taverns to supplement their supply, and their family’s income.
Our Founding Fathers were not just statesmen – they were passionate brewers and beer lovers.
George Washington kept a personal recipe for “small beer” in his military journal, Notebook as a Virginia Colonel, 1757, during the French and Indian War. Small beer was made using bran hops, molasses and yeast. It had a low alcohol content, just enough to kill the bacteria in the water making it safe for everyone to drink. And it was indeed consumed by everyone at the time – men, women, children, servants, and enslaved workers; breakfast, lunch and dinner.
A popular English cookbook owned by Martha Washington contained detailed instructions for brewing beer, as well as recipes for reclaiming spoiled beer.
the estate starting in 1785, and by 1799 it was the largest distillery in the United States.
OUR FOUNDING FATHERS WERE NOT JUST STATESMEN –THEY WERE PASSIONATE BREWERS AND BEER LOVERS.
Throughout George Washington’s life, beer was both made at Mount Vernon by enslaved workers and purchased for use at his table. According to the Journal of Joshua Brookes, a dinner guest at Mount Vernon in 1799, beer, porter and wine were among the beverage choices offered during his visit.
After the Revolutionary War, Mount Vernon was home to a very successful brewing operation, producing barrels of beer for Washington’s household and guests. Hops were also grown on
Sources:
Thomas Jefferson was keenly interested in the everyday practices of life – which included brewing. He was fascinated by the science and engineering of the process. Though better known for winemaking at Monticello, Jefferson brewed beer regularly in his later years. He believed beer was wholesome and far more suitable for Americans than whiskey and rum. Jefferson worked closely with enslaved master brewer Peter Hemings who is believed to be the first black professionally-trained brewer in America. Hemings was in charge of the brewing and malting operations. Together they experimented with recipes to perfect the fermentation process. Jefferson grew the hops at Monticello and encouraged the cultivation of barley and other grains for brewing. He envisioned America as a nation of farmers and producers not reliant on European imports and wrote that every farmer should be able to brew beer from their own grain.
its importance in society. He even published articles in Poor Richard’s Almanack about the virtues of “moderation in drinking” and the value of domestic brewing. He believed that beer, consumed in moderation, was a “healthful tonic”.
Despite his dislike of drunkenness, Franklin did enjoy a pint of Colonial ale. He probably drank a strong October ale – but not so strong that it impeded his ability to carry on an intellectual conversation. In his autobiography, he cites “Temperance” as the first of his thirteen guiding virtues: “Temperance. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.”
Franklin was a social man who enjoyed the company of friends in taverns and was known to organize groups of men to discuss philosophy and politics. He believed that there “cannot be good living where there is no good drinking”.
Jefferson’s contribution to American brewing is significant, another chapter in the story of our country’s founding. His goal was to produce a high quality drink that reflected American values. Jefferson saw brewing as part of the American spirit, an expression of independence and self-reliance.
Though Benjamin Franklin is credited as proclaiming, “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy,” he was, in fact, referring to wine. In a 1779 letter to a French priest and political economist he wrote “…Behold the rain which descends from heaven upon our vineyards; there it enters the roots of the vines, to be changed into wine; a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy.”
Franklin preferred wine, but he did, however, heartily enjoy his beer. During his time spent in London, he studied brewing and wrote about
Samuel Adams, the fiery outspoken Boston patriot and namesake of today’s popular beer, was born into a brewing family. His father owned a malthouse, an essential part of beer production. Though historians debate how involved he actually was in the family business, Adams certainly supported the local industry and criticized reliance on imported British goods—including beer. When the malthouse went out of business, Adams devoted himself to politics full time.
Adams is another patriot who wholeheartedly believed that brewing one’s own beer was a way to protest British taxation and encouraged colonists to be self-sufficient by using local ingredients.
Beer played a quiet but influential role in early American society. Taverns were very popular and served as meeting places for political discussion and revolutionary planning. Brewing beer at home or on estates like Mount Vernon and Monticello reinforced the ideals of liberty and resourcefulness.
Today, the legacy of the Founding Fathers’ brewing efforts lives on in the craft beer movement and in brands that draw inspiration from their historical roots. Brewing was not just a pastime for our early leaders— it was an integral component of American culture and part of their vision for a new and independent nation.
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Our team is highly trained and experienced in a wide range of dental services. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and find out how dental care at Planes Dental Arts can meet and exceed your expectations.
Seafood and fruit are an unbeatable light combination for summertime weather. We’ve got grilled seafood recipes for you this month and a tasty fruit salsa, salads, and a grilled dessert!
MANGO SALSA GRILLED SALMON
Zesty mango salsa pairs well with grilled salmon, cooked in individual foil packets to keep it flaky and moist.
Servings: 4
Ingredients
• 4 wild-caught salmon filets
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
1. Preheat the grill to 450 degrees.
2. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, salt and pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
3. Brush the salmon filets with the lime juice and rub with the prepared seasoning mixture.
4. Using heavy duty aluminum foil, make a packet for each salmon filet. Be sure it seals well.
5. Grill the fish with a closed lid for 10-12 minutes until it is opaque and reaches an internal temperature of 140-145 with a meat thermometer
6. Transfer the salmon to a plate and generously top with chilled mango salsa.
MANGO SALSA
The mango is the star here so make sure it’s ripe. Look for vibrant reds and yellows. They should give slightly to the touch and have a sweet fragrant aroma around the stem.
Ingredients
• 3 ripe mangos, diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 scallions, chopped
• 1/4 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced
• Juice from 1 large lime
• Salt, to taste
Instructions
• Put all of the ingredients in a medium bowl. Gently toss and refrigerate.
SHRIMP FOIL PACKETS
Shrimp grilled in foil in a simple marinade of olive oil, garlic, parsley, lemon and red pepper flakes. Everything is better on the grill! Servings: 4
Ingredients
• 1 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes, or to taste
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 pound uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 large sheet heavy-duty aluminum foil
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1/2 lemon, sliced into wedges
Instructions
1. Preheat your grill at high heat.
2. Combine parsley, olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add shrimp and mix well. Allow to marinate for 10 minutes.
3. Lay 1 large sheet heavy-duty aluminum foil on a flat surface; fold in half. Fold up edges to create a pouch in the middle. Spread marinated shrimp in the pouch and drizzle with lemon juice. Lightly close to make a sealed packet.
4. Cook packet on the preheated grill until shrimp are bright pink on the outside and the meat is opaque, 8 to 10 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges.
BERRY ORANGE SPINACH SALAD
A healthy summer salad, dressed with a white balsamic vinaigrette.
Servings: 4
Ingredients
For the vinaigrette:
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste
For the salad:
• 6 packed cups baby spinach
• 2 mandarin oranges, peeled and sectioned *
• 3/4 cup raspberries
• 1/2 cup blackberries
• 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup walnuts
Instructions
1. In a small bowl, whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients until well combined. Set aside for at least ten minutes before using.
2. In a large bowl, combine the salad ingredients, then drizzle the desired amount of vinaigrette on top. Toss to combine. Serve immediately.
* You can use jarred orange sections if you can’t find fresh oranges.
CREAMY GRAPE SALAD
Serve this as a side dish in a pretty glass bowl or as a light dessert in small individual serving dishes. Also makes a good snack. Top with toasted pecans and a bit of brown sugar.
Servings: 12
Ingredients
• 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 cup sour cream, or full-fat Greek yogurt
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup pecans, toasted and chopped, divided
• 2 pounds seedless green grapes, washed and patted dry
• 2 pounds seedless red grapes, washed and patted dry
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar, for topping
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sour cream or yogurt, sugar, and vanilla until blended and smooth.
2. Fold in the grapes and half of the chopped pecans and stir until evenly coated. Cover with plastic wrap and chill at least one hour, preferably overnight.
3. Sprinkle with brown sugar and remaining pecans just before serving.
Sizzling Ideas
GRILLED POUND CAKE
Instructions
continued from p23
Yes, grilled cake! It’s quite delicious. You can totally use a storebought pound cake here, like Sara Lee frozen Family Size Classic Pound Cake. Serve it with ice cream, whipped cream and/or fruit. Servings: 6-8
Ingredients
• 1 pound of pound cake
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons honey
• Pinch of fine sea salt
1. Preheat a grill or indoor grill pan over medium heat.
2. While the grill is heating, slice the pound cake into 3/4-inch to 1-inchthick slices. You should get 8 slices.
3. Combine the melted butter, honey, and salt.
4. Brush this mixture over both sides of each slice of pound cake.
5. Place the cake slices on the grill. Grill for 3-5 minutes per side, or until toasted with deeply golden grill marks.
PRESENTS
RTK proudly presents its first Alumni Showcase featuring talented former students David Calahan, Jamari Darling, Shannon Maloney, Emily Rose Olsson, and Bryce Roux. Since their time at Riverside, they have landed careers spanning professional theatre, education, child services, and sports management. This special evening will see them perform their favorite musical theatre songs…and maybe, showcase songs they might have done as young performers on our stage.
Is it recyclable or garbage?
A special post-show discussion with the performers will be held after the concert where they will share the impact of Riverside’s education programs in their lives. JULY 17, 6:30PM • TICKETS $25
RTK presents the awardwinning musical comedy, Legally Blonde, The Musical, on the Stark Stage. Fabulously fun and filled with flashy songand-dance numbers, Legally Blonde follows the exploits of a vivacious sorority girl, Elle Woods, and her plans to follow her Ivy League exboyfriend to Harvard Law School.
JULY 18, 2PM & 7PM • JULY 19, 2PM & 7PM TICKETS $20
Tickets for both shows can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 772-231-6990 or online at www.riversidetheatre.com.
Sun-Soaked Styles
Surrounded
BY BETH WALSH STEWART
Are you anxious about the state of the world? Are you expecting more problems as we turn the corner into the second half of 2025? Are you hoping it will settle down, but have your doubts it will ever settle down again?
Look around you. With whom are you talking? Do you consult your phone for news updates throughout the day? What plays on the television channel you watch most? If you are feeling anxious, the probable cause is what surrounds you.
About two months ago, I perused the offerings at the Home Depot Garden Center looking for a flowering plant to fill the brick planter in my entryway. The SunPatiens boasted the brightest flowers and carried the most buds. I was hoping to fill the box only once till fall, so I was seeking a hardy selection.
The man working with the flowering plants warned me, “They say ‘full sun’ but that plant needs some shade to thrive.” I looked at the sign that read “6 hours of full sun.”
I engaged with him tentatively, claiming that I wanted his wisdom, but wanted to make a quick purchase of the lovely flowers more. “What if I water them every day?” I queried.
“You’ll have to water them every day no matter what, but they still need some shade. Florida sun isn’t like what the rest of the country calls full sun.”
I thanked him, loaded the flowers, paid the cashier, and brought them home for planting.
I watered the SunPatiens every day at least once. On very hot days, I did a second watering and covered them for a few hours with an old sheet to keep them safe from the day’s strongest rays.
That was until last week when there was the one day I missed. I left the house very early that morning and didn’t make it back until 2:00 in the afternoon. The SunPatiens were withering. Some of the leaves were spotted brown and many blooms were shriveled. Clearly, the Home Depot employee knew his stuff, and these blooms needed a different environment if they were going to live.
I dug them up and moved them to the side yard under the shelter of a laurel oak tree. They now get only a couple of hours of full sun, and they are loving life. The flowers are plentiful and there is new growth. They don’t need my care since the sprinkler system supplies enough water for their needs.
That day in the yard, I realized that we are a lot like flowering plants. It really matters what is going on around us. When I’m surrounded with negativity, I get burned. I wither and wilt, and I add very little beauty to the world.
When, however, I surround myself with positive people who love life and are involved in service, family, and special interests, I thrive. I laugh more than I complain. I become hopeful instead of dwelling in worst case scenarios. I’m quick to share a good word or a helpful hand instead of isolating in the house watching the tube and worrying about the state of the world. I become an effective tool in my section of humanity, and I am able to sleep knowing I’m doing my best to encourage wellbeing for all of us.
Like the SunPatiens, it matters where we plant ourselves. If you’re getting burned on a daily basis, maybe it’s time to move to a better mental location. It starts by noticing what surrounds you. Look around. If all you see is fear and chaos, it’s time to make a move.
Instead of grumbling about the problem, become a small part of the solution. Practice kindness. Speak gently to yourself and loved ones. Pray for the nation, and then do what you can in your own backyard. You’ll see flowers before long, and you’ll be able to rest in their beauty.
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 bestknown 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.
“That day in the yard, I realized that we are a lot like flowering plants. It really matters what is going on around us.”
Rev’s Verses
BY PASTOR RICH IENUSO
Pray for the U.S.A.
What is True Spiritual Maturity?
BY PASTOR ALEX
I2 Chronicles 7:14 is our prayer for the United States of America. Pray with me.
“Dear Heavenly Father, we are Your people, called by Your Name. We humble ourselves before Your Throne and we pray for our USA.
“We seek Your face on behalf of our beloved America. We turn and repent of our wicked and sinful ways. Forgive us. We are believing that You are hearing from Heaven and will forgive us of our sins.
“Please heal our land.
“In the Name of Jesus we pray. Amen.”
Let’s continue to pray for the USA and believe God for a great Revival and Reformation.
Blessings, Pastor Rich Ienuso
n a world filled with diverse opinions and teachings, understanding what it means to be spiritually mature can be confusing. Many of us might think that knowing the Bible inside out or possessing spiritual gifts is the hallmark of maturity. But is that really the case? Let’s explore this question through the lens of the Apostle Paul’s teachings to the Corinthians.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians at a time when the church was thriving in spiritual gifts and knowledge. Yet, despite their apparent spiritual richness, Paul had a crucial message for them. He commended their gifts and knowledge but quickly shifted to address a deeper issue—division within the church. Some claimed allegiance to different leaders like Paul, Apollos, or Cephas, creating factions and strife.
Paul’s plea was simple yet profound: “Let there be no divisions among you.” He emphasized that true spiritual maturity is not about aligning with a particular leader or possessing certain gifts. Instead, it is about unity and love within the body of Christ. When we allow envy, strife, and division to take root, we behave like spiritual infants, regardless of our knowledge or gifts.
So, what does true spiritual maturity look like? Paul provides the answer in 1 Corinthians 13, often referred to as the “Love Chapter.” He states that even if we have the gift of prophecy, understand all mysteries, and possess all knowledge, without love we are nothing. Love is patient, kind, and does not envy. It is not proud or self-seeking. Love rejoices in truth and never fails.
This kind of love is not just an emotion but a choice and a commitment. It is the foundation upon which all spiritual gifts and knowledge should rest. Without love, our actions and gifts are empty. True spiritual maturity is reflected in how we love God and our neighbors, just as Jesus taught.
Consider why you do what you do in your spiritual journey. Are your actions motivated by love for God and others, or are they driven by self-interest?
Paul’s plea was simple yet profound: “Let there be no divisions among you.”
Strive to be of one mind with fellow believers. This doesn’t mean agreeing on everything but respecting and loving each other despite differences.
Look for opportunities to show love in practical ways. Whether it’s through acts of kindness, words of encouragement, or simply being present for someone in need, let love guide your actions.
As we navigate our spiritual journeys, let’s remember that true maturity is not measured by our knowledge or gifts but by our love for God and others. Let us strive to be a church that embodies unity and love, reflecting the heart of Christ in all we do.
Pastor Alex Pappas is Senior Pastor at Oceans Unite Christian Center located in the Indian River Mall. Live broadcasts and podcasts are available at oceansunite.com.
