VV Issue 180 January web

JANUARY 2026

ISSUE 180

THE PROFESSIONAL THEATRE OF THE TREASURE COAST

WICKEDLY FUNNY, DELIGHTFULLY DARK, AND DEVILISHLY ENTERTAINING! One man. Eight heirs. One hilariously deadly path to the family fortune. Follow Monty Navarro as he schemes, charms, and stumbles his way toward the top of the D’Ysquith family tree. Don’t miss this Tony® Award–winning musical comedy on our stage.

JAN 9  FEB 1 THANK YOU, PRESENTING SPONSORS

Paul & Joanne Bourdeau | Bill & Eva Gurley Book by Robert L. Freedman | Music by Steven Lutvak Lyrics by Robert L. Freedman and Steven Lutvak Based on the book Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal by Roy Horniman

SCAN QR CODE FOR SHOW INFO BUY TICKETS FOR A MATINEE OR EVENING PERFORMANCE!

IS THE STAMP COLLECTION WORTHLESS OR IS IT A LIFE-CHANGING TREASURE? When Jackie inherits her mother’s stamp collection, she may be holding a life-changing treasure—or nothing at all.

A slick charmer, a shady dealer, and a jealous sister all want a piece, turning Theresa Rebeck’s Mauritius into a sharp, funny thriller full of twists, scams, and surprises.

FEBRUARY 3  22

THANK YOU, SEASON & PRESENTING SPONSOR: Bobbie Olsen

TRY OUR NEW TASTING MENU!

THE STAGE IS SET FOR TASTE DINE BEFORE THE SHOWS

LIVE MUSIC Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 5:30pm in front of the Theatre

Prepared By Executive Chef Sue Torres

Located in Riverside Park • Vero Beach • Box Office 772-231-6990 • RiversideTheatre.com JANUARY 2026

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UPCOMING MUSICIANS

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JAN UARY 2026

MAGAZINE 95 Royal Palm Pointe Vero Beach, FL 32960 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Barbara Freund 772-538-2718 barb@verosvoice.com

C R E AT I V E D I R E C T O R Sandy Carlile sandy@verosvoice.com

SPECIAL FEATURE

6 Interview of

Riverside Actor Dan DeLuca

by Rhett Palmer

VOICES OF VERO 12 We asked the cast of

VOICES OF VERO Steve Glaser 954-261-0544

T R AV E L W R I T E R Doolin Dalton 772-321-8432 doolin@verosvoice.com www.verosvoicepodcast.com

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder If your life were a play, what would be the title and why?

18 “Sarah’s Oil”

By Penny Cooke

STYLE

20 Denim

by Marianne Howell

FOOD

22 Eggs Benedict Casserole 23 Spinach Citrus Salad

PUBLISHER Rhett Palmer 772-473-7777 rhett@verosvoice.com

The friendly publication where friendly people advertise!

TO ADVERTISE Please call Rhett Palmer at 772.473.7777 or email us at advertising@verosvoice.com.

Space deadline is the 1st of each month.

Camera Ready deadline is the 10th.

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DAY TRIPS & DESTINATIONS

26 A Day Above the Jungle:

Monkey Business in Costa Rica

by Doolin Dalton

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REVIEWS

M A G A Z I N E D E L I V E RY George Pevarnik

PRODUCTION ENGINEER Noah Woodrow noah@verosvoice.com

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ENCOURAGING WORDS

Vero’s Voice Magazine is published monthly. Copyright © Vero’s Voice Magazine 2010 - 2025, all rights reserved. Reproduction of contents in print or electronic transmission in whole or in part in any language or format must be by express written permission of the publisher. All articles, descriptions and suggestions in this magazine are merely expression of opinions from contributors and advertisers and do not constitute the opinion of the publisher, editor or staff of Vero’s Voice Magazine, and under no circumstances constitutes assurances or guarantees concerning the quality of any service or product. Vero’s Voice Magazine specifically disclaims any liability related to these expressions and opinions. The advertiser agrees to hold harmless and indemnify the publisher from all liability.

28 A Fresh Start

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by Beth Walsh Stewart

30 Favor is Better than Silver and Gold

by Pastor Alex Pappas

New Things by Pastor Rich Ienuso

It’s not just about buying a jet— it’s about buying it right.

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Ask us how the new OBBB Act could impact your tax return.

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JANUARY 2026

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ISSUE 180

BY RHETT PALMER

interview

Q&A STAR OF RIVERSIDE THEATRE’S

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder Interview of Dan DeLuca

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Rhett Palmer: We have a star coming in from Broadway.

Good morning, Dan Deluca.

Dan DeLuca: Good morning.

Now, you’re originally from Pennsylvania?

Yes, I’m originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but moved to the big city New York when I was 18 and I’ve been residing here ever since. Fortunately I get to take some vacation working time and come down to you guys in Florida.

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ot only are you coming down, but your girl’s coming down and the two of you are in this show.

How did you ever manage that?

That is such a blessing because in this world as an actor, one job ends and you have to look for the next job. We’re always getting new roles; we’re always getting new jobs. Even when you have a long-running show on Broadway, like Phantom of the Opera, I had a buddy in that for 15 years. He never thought it would close and then it closed. You never know.

You’re constantly on the road traveling. But this time, me and my amazing girlfriend, Mary Kate Moore, she and I both booked this job together and we’re so happy because we get to spend Christmas together and work together. So we feel very lucky.

I probably saw you on stage at some point. The Goodbye Girl on Broadway, you were in Rent, The Nutty Professor, now A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder. What’s really wild and crazy is that you play multiple roles. Give us an overview of this show coming to Riverside Theatre that you’re going to be starring in with your girl.

It’s a phenomenal show. It won numerous Tony Awards on Broadway. It’s based on a movie, Kind Hearts and Coronets, and it’s based on a book called Israel Rank.

It’s about this young man who comes from a big dynasty in England called the D’Ysquith family. And they’re the heirs of this ginormous fortune. He’s been cast aside because his mother had him out of … you know, she was with a humble man, not a man of royalty or man of great power. And he realizes that he’s only about eight or nine people away from being the heir of the dynasty of the D’Ysquiths and so decides to kill the ones who are standing in his way.

Mind you, this is a musical comedy, as crazy as it sounds. So I have the great fortune of playing everyone that the young man has to kill in order to become the heir of the D’Ysquith fortune.

S

o it’s very tongue in cheek, a farce. It’s honestly nonstop laughter. So every time you see me, I will be a different character who the hero, Monty Navarro is his name, is trying to get rid of so that he can become the heir to the D’Ysquith family fortune. So every time you see me hopefully I’ll be unrecognizable. I get to play a range of characters, from 20-year-olds to 90-year-olds, to men, to women. It’s going to be a blast. We’re going to have a really fantastic time.

“When Monte Navarro finds out that he’s eighth in line for an aristocratic title and the wealth and prestige it brings, this lowly-born manipulator figures out a way to outlive his predecessors and become the Ninth Earl of Highhurst.”

How many roles again do you play?

I play nine different characters.

I’m going to be stretching myself.

I’ve had the great fortune of playing a lot of fantastic characters. I got to do the regional premiere of Tootsie, the Dustin Hoffman movie where he dresses up as a woman to get a part.

The Nutty Professor, the Jerry Lewis movie, going back and forth between Professor Kelp, the Nutty Professor, to the Dean Martin suave guy.

But this is nine different characters. The most I’ve done is five Dan as the charming, suave Sky Masterson in one show, so we’re stretching it to in Guys and Dolls, Maltz Jupiter Theatre. nine. It’s going to be very taxing. I’ll be very sweaty, but it’s going to be a lot of fun. It’s just so much fun in the theater, just true old fun musical comedy, just nonstop going.

What I love about doing specifically live theater is that it feels like a wonderful space of people coming together in person and getting to laugh together and hum along some really joyous songs. So to me, I love being in the theater face to face with people, you know, riding the waves of laughter or waves of silence if, you know, if I’m not doing With girlfriend and fellow cast member Mary Kate Moore my job right or whatever that is.

Now what I want to know is, how did Dan DeLuca from Pittsburgh get bitten by the acting bug? Where did that come from?

It came specifically from a night at the theater seeing Cathy Rigby as Peter Pan when I was in kindergarten. It cast a magical spell over me. Just the idea of playing pretend.

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

I’m so grateful to come from such an amazing family. My parents have been so supportive of me and my two sisters. I’m the middle child in between two sisters. My older sister’s a doctor; my younger is sister is a hairstylist. And I’m just so grateful they were super supportive of me.

And they were like, well, I guess he’s gonna do this and I guess he’s good enough to do this. I moved to New York when I was 18, and fortunately I’ve been able to be working as an actor ever since.

When I was in college we had the Bowery Brothers. Well, the dumbest guy in the show, the guy who played the dumbest guy was the smartest guy because you can’t play dumb with credibility unless you’re highly gifted, right?

I love that, Rhett, thank you so much for saying that. Not to speak highly of myself, but I do agree with that. You have to understand the nuance, like the psychology of the human mind to be able to go back and forth. It’s fun. You know, there’s no other way to learn than by doing it.

Our director, Hunter Foster, was a leading man on Broadway for years and years and he was Leo Bloom in The Producers on Broadway. And that show specifically was one of the reasons why I got into theater in the first place. He’s a master, an absolute master. I grew up watching him.

When I was little back in Pittsburgh, before YouTube, I would order bootleg Broadway DVDs on a website and have them sent to my house. And I would just watch these different performances of these amazing character actors do their work. And I was like, how do you do that?

So the fun thing is I get to work with somebody like Hunter, who’s become a dear friend of mine over the years. But why I love working with Hunter is because we have a very similar sensibility. If something is not working, you have to trust the director, but you also have to trust your instincts.

Portraying Professor Kelp, the Nutty Professor

W

hat are the favorite characters you’re going to be doing?

There’s quite a few that stick out. There’s an old reverend who’s a bit of a drunkard who unfortunately falls to his death by falling off of the side of the cathedral.

And there’s a lovely woman named Lady Hyacinth, I get to play her, and she is looking for a cause to help the poor people, but it’s mainly just for her own notoriety. So she’s traveling to different lands to help people in need, but it’s all for selfish reasons. And it’s very funny, the reasons why she justifies her behavior to help the poor people. And she says she’s “proud to stand among the dull-witted of greater London” and things like that.

They’re all awful people, so you won’t be sad to see them go whenever they do die, you know, really.

It must be great working with Hunter Foster, though, because here you’ve got a guy who’s been in the business, and it must be much easier to take direction from someone who is seasoned.

Dressed up and playing the role of Dorothy Michaels in Tootsie. Photo credit: Jeremy Daniels JANUARY 2026

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Exactly, yes, he’s a Broadway legend in his own right. You could look up his resume in acting and in directing. He is a force. I’m so grateful to get his stamp of approval.

Now, do we, as the audience, see you through it and understand that you’re playing that part, or is that hidden or is that part of the comedy?

I think a huge part of the comedy is the fact that you hopefully will know it’s me. It’s the idea of a big Saturday Night Live sketch or Carol Burnett Show where you see the same person playing multiple different characters.

So the audience is very much in on the joke.

I disappear for three minutes to change my costume and come out as somebody else.

Name three famous actors that you admire exceedingly and why. Just a short version.

Oh, my gosh. A wonderful question.

What comes to mind automatically is Robin Williams, for sure. He’s an incredible comedian, but also so dedicated to the truth.

And that’s why I believe he was able to play such incredible dramatic roles as well as making us all fall off our chairs with laughter.

And another huge person to me was this character actor on Broadway named Gary Beach, who was also in The Producers. He won the Tony Award. He’s not famous, but he was just a master of the stage and of making people laugh. I got to know him a few years before he unfortunately passed away, but I think of him every day and I’m grateful to have been his friend and to see his work.

I do love Jim Carrey, too. It’s the holidays and just rewatching his version of the Grinch will always be one of my favorite things in the whole world.

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, January 9th to February 1st at the Riverside Theatre with Dan DeLuca, who’s been on Broadway in multiple shows. His girlfriend will be playing the female role. Knowing that ahead of time is kind of cool to watch how you two interact.

And the fun thing is we don’t play opposite lovers either. She’s in love with the lead guy, Monty Navarro. I’ll get to watch her kiss another man.

That will not be a favorite part of mine, but hey, whatever. It’s all part of the job.

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder. I want to thank you so much, Dan DeLuca, for taking time out of your very busy schedule.

Thank you, sir, for having me.

I really appreciate it.

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder will be at Riverside Theatre January 9th – February 1st.

Tickets available at riversidetheatre.com, or calling 772-231-6990.

JANUARY 2026

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WIN

2

TICKETS

TO ENTER SCAN CODE

OR VISIT VEROSVOICE.COM/QR-RS-CONTEST

Winner will be selected and notified on January 13, 2026.

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First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach in conjunction with the

Gifford Historical Museum & Cultural Center will present our annual

Art & Music Festival Sunday, February 1 • 2:00 PM-4:00 PM Gifford Community Center This event features youth singers from First Presbyterian Church and Gifford Middle School as well as a performance by the Gifford Middle School Band.

Artwork will be displayed by Highwaymen Artists, as well as other artists from Indian River County.

Mouthwatering Barbeque will be available for purchase.

For further information,

Contact Mimi Rutland: Mwrutland@bellsouth.net or Jonnie Mae Perry: Jonnieperry@gccrc.net

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF VERO BEACH 520 ROYAL PALM BLVD • 772.562.9088 JANUARY 2026

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voices of vero

We asked the cast of A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder

IF YOUR LIFE WERE A PLAY,

WHAT WOULD THE TITLE BE AND WHY? THE CURIOUS NOMAD If my life were a play, it would be titled “The Curious Nomad” because I’ve moved all over the country my whole life and have never stayed in one place for a lengthy duration. I’m always curious to see what food, beverage, or small mom and pop shops each city I live in has to offer. I always seek out the non-corporate businesses to sample their goods and support them!

Darrick Penny

ORCHESTRAS IN MID AIR It would be called “Orchestras in Mid Air.” I grew up watching MGM musicals where characters were always bursting into song with full-blown orchestras underneath them. So it seems perfectly natural to me that everything in life should have an underscoring, and in my world and mind, it absolutely does.

Tregoney Shepherd

THE CURRENT WILL CARRY YOU If my life was a play, it’d be titled “The Current Will Carry You.” For much of my life I tried to control myself, others, and my circumstances. Life has a plan of its own, it’s more expansive and enjoyable to allow the twists and turns without fighting the flow.

It’s all about the journey, anyway!

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AGAINST ALL ODDS “Against All Odds” Why: My whole life growing up people generally dismissed my dream of making it as an actor. They saw my size and told me it wouldn’t be possible to make a living as a performer. I always have known I was meant to be an actor.

So against all odds- against all the naysayers and long-term societal ‘beliefs’ I was determined to make my dream reality. So I’ve worked with relentless determination to achieve my dreams. And against all odds, I’ve been working professionally on Broadway and in major television and movie projects consistently for decades now. I guess the point of the ‘play’ would be to express what I have always believed: You are the author of your life. It doesn’t matter what other people believe or think about your dreams. It only matters what you believe and what you do to accomplish those dreams. I hope when you look back you each find you’ve beaten the odds a time or two yourself and can recognize what an achievement it was to stay hopeful in the face of doubt.

Shawna Hamic

CONFESSIONS OF A SERIAL SOPRANO I chose “Confessions of a Serial Soprano” because I’m a classical soprano who lives for sweeping romance, dramatic emotion, and impossibly high notes, but I don’t take myself too seriously. I love the beauty and passion of classical music just as much as I love being a little zany, over-the-top, and unhinged while performing it. Singing is the confession, and chaos is part of the charm.

Jessi Jo Aka

If my life were a play, I’d title it “Fodder? You Brought ‘er!: A One Woman Show.” I often feel like my life is a sitcom – one comical scenario after another. I have more silly stories than a late night talk show – and certainly enough to write my own play!

I KNOW YOUR DOG'S NAME (BUT MAYBE NOT YOURS)

Sabrina Brush

FODDER? YOU BROUGHT‘ER!: A ONE WOMAN SHOW

I Know Your Dog’s Name (But Maybe Not Yours) – I feel like this is self-explanatory.

Benjamin R. Lurye

MY GLOBAL CANVAS

My title would be “Hold On Tightly, Let Go Lightly,” a phrase coined by one of my favorite teachers about holding onto the things and experiences you love close to you and having the ease and malleability to flow through life when it’s time to let go.

Lauren M. Medina

The title of my play would be “My Global Canvas.” I have been fortunate enough to travel all over the world in my career, and am a big lover and appreciator of tattoos and the art form. I have been tattooed in multiple cities, states, countries, and continents all over the globe, being tattooed in different styles, by many different artists, and with a multitude of different stories behind each piece of art. Who knows what Vero Beach will leave on my canvas!

HOLD ON TIGHTLY, LET GO LIGHTLY

Chris Mauro

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New Year Kick-Off

Super Sale

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(Next to Panera Bread)

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Art by Brian Jekel

15

ISSUE 180

BY DOOLIN DALTON

THE 3 CORE ELEMENTS

of a Retirement Financial Plan — And Why Coordination Matters

by Danny Howes, EA, RFC

R

etirement is no longer a one-size-fits-all journey. As people live longer and face more financial complexity, a well-structured retirement financial plan becomes essential. At its foundation, there are three core elements that guide how your money is managed: income strategy, tax planning, and investment allocation.

DANNY HOWES, EA, RFC Each one serves a different EAST COAST purpose, but together they form TAX AND FINANCIAL a more cohesive and adaptable retirement plan, especially when implemented by a professional who understands how they interact.

Why a Financial Plan Needs Structure in Retirement The shift from saving to spending in retirement presents a new set of challenges. Now the question isn’t just how much you’ve saved, but how to use those savings efficiently and responsibly. Without a structured plan, retirees can face unnecessary tax burdens, increased market risk exposure, and difficulty maintaining predictable income.

That’s where the three core elements come in.

Let’s explore what each entails.

Core Element #1: Income Strategy A retirement income strategy is more than just deciding when to tap into savings. It’s about designing a reliable stream of income from all available sources: • Social Security: Timing your benefits can affect your lifetime income and tax situation.

• Pensions: For those who have them, understanding payout options and survivor benefits is key.

• Annuities: When used appropriately, they can help provide consistent income.

• Investment withdrawals: Deciding which accounts to pull from and when can make a difference in tax efficiency and sustainability.

A well-built income strategy prioritizes stability while giving room for flexibility in changing markets or personal needs.

Core Element #2: Tax Planning Many retirees are surprised to discover that retirement doesn’t always mean lower taxes. In fact, required minimum distributions (RMDs), Social Security taxation, and capital gains can push you into higher brackets—unless withdrawals are carefully coordinated.

Effective tax planning involves: • Withdrawing strategically from taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free (Roth) accounts.

• Timing withdrawals to manage brackets and avoid IRMAA surcharges on Medicare.

• Looking at lifetime tax liability, not just year-byyear.

By viewing taxes as part of the broader plan, rather than in isolation, retirees can better manage how much of their income stays in their control.

Core Element #3: Investment Allocation Even in retirement, your money still needs to work for you—but in a different way. That means balancing growth potential with downside protection.

Investment allocation in retirement considers: • Risk tolerance and capacity • Income needs from the portfolio • Time horizon and legacy goals • Market volatility and sequence of returns risk The goal is not just returns, but consistency and protection. This often involves segmenting invest-

ments by time horizon or using a “bucket strategy” to align money with short-, mid-, and long-term needs.

Why It’s Important to Coordinate All Three Elements Each element, income, taxes, and investments, touches the other. For example: • Drawing income from the wrong account at the wrong time can trigger unnecessary taxes.

• A tax move might shift your asset allocation out of balance.

• Investment decisions can influence whether your income plan stays on track.

When these areas are handled in isolation, gaps and inefficiencies can appear. But when coordinated as part of a comprehensive plan, they can support one another and adapt more easily as circumstances change.

Who Can Help You Tie It All Together At our firm, we handle all three elements: income strategy, tax planning, and investment allocation.

This integrated approach allows us to view your retirement picture holistically, not in separate parts.

Rather than bouncing between different professionals for tax advice, investment guidance, and income strategies, our team collaborates internally to ensure each part of your plan works in alignment with the others. That means your withdrawal strategy is coordinated with your portfolio design and tax planning—helping you avoid gaps, overlap, or missed opportunities. e believe that retirement planning is most effective when all the moving pieces are designed to work together from the start—and continue to adapt as your life and financial goals evolve.

W

While tax and legal issues may be discussed in the general course of financial and investment planning, Advisory Alpha does not provide tax or legal services. Please consult with your tax or legal professional prior to making decisions relative to these issues. An Annuity is a long-term financial product designed largely for asset accumulation and retirement needs. All guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

Investment advisory and financial planning services are offered through Advisory Alpha, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Tax preparation, insurance, coaching, and educational services are offered through East Coast Tax and Financial. East Coast Tax and Financial is a separate and unaffiliated entity from Advisory Alpha, LLC.

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STEVE'S

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JANUARY 2026

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BY PENNY COOKE

reviews

Sarah’s Oil

RATED PG AVAILABLE STREAMING ON AMAZON VIDEO, APPLE TV, FANDANGO AT HOME (VUDU), AND PLEX.

I

nspired by the 2014 book Searching for Sarah Rector: The Richest Black Girl in America by Tonya Bolden.

Sarah’s Oil is a captivating biographical drama which tells the remarkable true story of 11-year-old Sarah Rector, an AfricanAmerican shoot and kill her friends (although the film girl in Oklahoma in the early 1900s. does not show the graphics).

Sarah (played by Naya Desir-Johnson) These are just a few of the many inherits 160 acres of land considered to challengesSarah and her family face, but her be barren of oil and worthless. But her unshakable conviction leads to great fortune keen intuition tells her otherwise. She and historic legacy. The film brings to light insists she can “hear” the oil beneath the a dramatic, little-known story in American surface and convinces her parents to history—how a black child, in the face of racism agree to have it tested. However, it is to and exploitation, becomes one of America’s no avail. The oil company informs her first black female millionaires. there is no oil to be found. You know hough Sarah’s Oil is based on a true something is off when they leave their story, the film inserts a fictional expensive equipment on the supposed character, Bert Smith (Zachary Levi), worthless land. Can you smell a rat? an oil wildcatter who becomes Sarah’s business What follows is a struggle with ally. While he may help make the narrative greedy oil tycoons. They show up at the more believable and interesting, some feel it family’s home and offer to buy Sarah’s may shift the historical and emotional focus land at a cheap price. Sarah listens as away from Sarah herself and undercut her her parents hesitate and finally speaks strength. As one critic put it: the “reliance on a up to say she does not want to sell her fictionalized Bert Smith…dilutes the focus on land. Tension rises and her mother, the protagonist.” However, it doesn’t change Rose (Sonequa Martin-Green), kicks the outcome of what ultimately happened. I loved both characters, so I still them out. But will that be the last they will hear from these sharks? enjoyed the movie very much. Besides, there’s always dramatic liberties taken Sarah may be young, but she is not just any 11-year-old. I loved with true stories. her character, and she delivered a stunning performance. The film The film was shot in Oklahoma, complete with plenty of detail of the shows her as educated in a local school and capable of reading leases film’s era: period architecture, dusty roads, beautiful sweeping landscapes, as and understanding contracts. Sarah is not a naive dreamer. She’s well as crude oil rigs. smart, business-savvy, and spiritually grounded. She is brave, strong In summary, Sarah’s Oil is a meaningful, heartwarming, and enjoyable in her convictions, and is not easily manipulated. Still, she is no match depiction of Sarah Rector’s story. It may not be historically perfect, but as a for corrupt businessmen who use intimidation, violence, and even tribute, a family-friendly drama, and a spark for conversations about murder to seize her land. Sarah is in for a long, hard fight to protect race and history, it more than earns my vote. what is hers.

One night Sarah wakes up to noises outside. She looks out and sees SARAH'S OIL: 5 STARS men with lanterns surveying the land illegally, trying to find the best spot to drill. Her father, Joe (Kenric Green), confronts them, and they threaten him by telling him accidents tend to happen in the dark.

Another time, Sarah is walking home from school Penny Cooke is an award-winning author of Pursuing when she hears a loud noise behind her. Two men on Prayer: Being Effective in a Busy World, The Wake-up Prayer horses are confronting her friends. The men tell her children’s book, and her latest, Pursuing Prayer for America. friends they are trespassing near the oil fields, even She co-hosts the Seeds of Hope podcast with Del Bates on Wednesdays on Vero’s Voice Facebook page. Learn more at though it’s a public path. The men are looking for pennycookeauthor.com an opportunity to send a message to Sarah, and they

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BY MARIANNE HOWELL

treasure coast stylist

•

•

DENIM

Out with the old, in with the new—denim is loosening up.

We’re seeing a clear shift from ultra-skinny styles to wider-leg silhouettes that feel relaxed, modern, and effortlessly cool. From straightleg to full wide-leg, today’s denim is all about comfort, movement, and a fresh take on everyday style.

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Complete Electric Inc. • 24 Hour Emergency Service EC0001911 / EC13001688 EC0001911 / EC13001688

BY BARBARA FREUND

on the menu

a very citrus brunch

I

EGGS BENEDICT CASSEROLE

nviting brunch recipes for your family and friends for the cooler (hopefully) January weekends!

Each uses fresh in season citrus.

This is a crowd pleaser for Eggs Benedict lovers. Serve with fresh fruit and spinach salad for brunch. The Hollandaise sauce is based on Julia Child’s blender recipe – no cooking and it’s super quick and easy. (Knorr brand package mix is a good alternative.) I cut the recipe in half and used an 8x8 pan.

Serves 10

Ingredients For the Casserole: 2 cups milk 8 large eggs 3 stalks green onions, chopped 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon salt 3/4 pound Canadian bacon, cut into 1/2-inch dice 6 English muffins, cut into 1/2-inch dice 1/2 teaspoon ground paprika For the Hollandaise: 3 egg yolks 1/2 teaspoon salt 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice Dash of hot sauce 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted

Instructions

• Gather your ingredients. Grease a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick spray.

• To prepare the casserole: Whisk milk, eggs, green onions, onion powder, and salt together in a large bowl until well combined. Set aside.

• Layer half of the Canadian bacon in your baking dish; cover with English muffin pieces.

• Top with the remaining Canadian bacon and pour the egg mixture over everything. Cover the baking dish with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate 8 hours to overnight.

• Take the casserole out of the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before baking, about an hour.

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Sprinkle casserole with the paprika.

• Cover with foil and bake in the preheated oven until the eggs are nearly set, about 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking until eggs are completely set, about 15 minutes more.

• Meanwhile, make the sauce: Add yolks, salt, lemon juice and hot sauce to a blender and blend two seconds at high speed. With blender still on high, add the melted butter. By the time all of the butter is added, you will have a thickened smooth sauce. Use immediately.

• To serve: Slice casserole into 10 pieces; transfer each piece onto a plate and drizzle warm sauce on top.

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SPICY MARGARITA MOCKTAILS

You’ll need to make the simple syrup ahead of time so it will be chilled when added to the rest of the ingredients.

This recipe makes one margarita - increase quantities to make more! You can swap out plain simple syrup for the jalapeño syrup if you don’t want the heat.

Makes 1

Ingredients

SPINACH CITRUS SALAD

Spinach and citrus fruits complement each other beautifully. You can use mixed greens, though, if you prefer.

Serves 4

Ingredients For the dressing 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar 2 tablespoons grapefruit juice 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1/2 teaspoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon For the salad 4 ounces fresh spinach 1 orange, peeled and sectioned 1 grapefruit, peeled and sectioned 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced 1/3 cup crumbled feta (optional) 1/4 cup almonds, chopped and toasted

Instructions

• Whisk together the dressing ingredients, cover and chill.

• Place the spinach, fruit, onion and feta in a large serving bowl. Toss with enough dressing to coat well. Top with almonds and enjoy.

BROILED GRAPEFRUIT

My favorite way to eat grapefruit! Tart and sweet at the same time.

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 halved ruby red or pink grapefruits 2 tablespoons melted butter 2 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar 2 tablespoons honey salt to taste 4 mint springs (optional)

Instructions

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

• Cut each grapefruit in half and then cut around each segment of the grapefruit with a grapefruit knife or other serrated knife.

• Lightly brush each grapefruit with melted butter.

• Pour 1/2 tablespoon of honey over the center of each grapefruit, then sprinkle on 1/2 tablespoon of dark brown sugar over the center. (Don’t spread the honey and brown sugar - it will melt over the fruit while baking.)

• Bake at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes, until bubbly. Let cool for 3 minutes. Serve with a mint spring placed in the center of the fruit as a garnish if desired.

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For the jalapeño simple syrup (makes 6 ounces) 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup sugar 2 medium-sized jalapeño peppers, thinly sliced * For the margarita juice of 1 lime 1/2 to 1 ounce jalapeño simple syrup 2 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice 4 ounces grapefruit flavored sparkling water (like La Croix) Ice cubes Lime wedges and jalapeno slices for garnish Salt for glass rims

180

• Make the simple syrup. Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat.

Stir until the sugar dissolves, then turn the heat to medium-low. Stir in jalapeño slices and let the syrup come to a gentle simmer.

Simmer five minutes, then remove pan from the heat. Leave the jalapeño slices in the syrup to steep for 20 minutes, then strain the syrup into a glass jar. Chill in the refrigerator.

• Make the margarita. Add the lime juice, simple syrup, orange juice, and grapefruit sparkling water to shaker and fill with ice cubes. Shake or stir until thoroughly combined and chilled.

• Prepare your serving glass by rubbing the rim with a lime wedge and dipping it in salt.

• Strain the margarita mixture into your prepared glass and garnish with a lime wedge and a slice of jalapeño (if desired). * Keep the jalapeño seeds and membrane intact; the heat is not overwhelming. Your simple syrup will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container, like a mason jar, for up to two weeks.

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Wed, Jan 28 • 11 AM The Brennity at Vero Beach Senior Living 7955 16th Manor Vero Beach, FL 32966

day trips & destinations

BY DOOLIN DALTON

A DAY ABOVE THE JUNGLE:

I

Doolin with his Capuchin monkey buddy

Monkey Business in Costa Rica

t was February 2nd, 2018, and I, along with most of the enter entertainment staff aboard the MS Zuiderdam, was ready to step off the ship and into an adventure. We’d docked in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, and after two days at sea, one of which involved the slow crawl through the Panama Canal, (trust me, it’s not as exciting the fourth time as it is the first) a day of shore leave sounded like paradise.

I’d been warned about the heat. “It’s brutal,” my friend Glenn from Scotland told me. I thought to myself, What could this guy really know about heat, being from Scotland? As a native Floridian, I scoffed.

“Pfft. Please. Do you know where I’m from?”

Then I stepped off the ship.

Instantly, it felt like I’d opened an oven door with my face. A blast of hot, hair dryer air hit me so hard it nearly knocked the Florida pride right out of me. My ego deflated as quickly as the ship’s lifeboats. “Yeah,” I thought. “Okay. Maybe it’s a little hotter than Florida.” I didn’t even know that was possible.

Our group loaded into a van, bound for our first stop: a private residence nestled deep in the jungle, home to a troop of white-faced

Capuchin monkeys. The locals who lived there made their living by allowing tourists to interact with these somewhat tame (and very mischievous) creatures.

The moment we arrived, the trees came alive. Monkeys came running. Some on the ground, some swinging from branches like tiny acrobats who’d just heard the dinner bell. Absolutely adorable… and not at all trustworthy.

These furry felons love to steal. Food, phones, hats, sunglasses, car keys, it doesn’t matter. If you’ve got it, they want it. One perched on my shoulder, eyeing the hat I’d removed and was holding firmly in my hand in preparation for the little banana bandits.

I managed to keep it just out of reach until I felt a sudden tug from below. Another monkey was trying to snatch it from the other side! Jeez, were these guys working together? There I was, caught in a ridiculous game of keep-away, surrounded by simian swindlers who were clearly having the time of their lives.

After retrieving all personal belongings (mostly), we moved on to the next adventure: zip-lining over the rainforest canopy.

“The air was thick and alive, filled with the scent of earth, rain, and adventure.”

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Ziplining through the Jungle

Now, let me just say this: I’m afraid of heights. Always have been. But this was my chance to face that fear, and I wasn’t about to let my crewmates see me chicken out. If I did, I’d never hear the end of it in the crew bar. Before I knew it, I was strapped in, clipped on, and staring down at a sea of green stretching as far as the eye could see.

And then… I leapt.

The world blurred into motion. I soared over the rainforest, gliding past waterfalls and listening to the hum of the jungle beneath me.

The air was thick and alive, filled with the scent of earth, rain, and adventure. Far below, in a murky riverbed, I spotted a cluster of crocodiles basking in the sun. A comforting thought flickered through my head: Well, if the fall doesn’t kill me, those guys probably would.

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B

ut fear quickly gave way to awe. The view was breathtaking. It became an endless expanse of emerald leaves, shimmering streams, and sunlight breaking through the canopy like scattered gold. In that moment, I wasn’t afraid. I was flying.

By the time the day came to an end, the sun was melting into the Pacific and the jungle buzzed with the sounds of dusk. I thought of an old quote I once heard about traveling: “It leaves you speechless… and then turns you into a storyteller.”

And that’s exactly what Puntarenas did. It stole my breath, tested my courage, and handed me one heck of a story to tell.

Treat Yourself today!

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encouraging words

A Fresh Start

BY BETH WALSH STEWART

“The old law of ‘an eye for an eye’ leaves everybody blind.” – Martin Luther King, Jr. At the beginning of the year, you may seek a fresh start in different ways. You’ll make plans to be more disciplined. You’ll go through the closet and remove what hasn’t been worn to make room for the new. Maybe you’ll peruse your email lists and take the time to ‘unsubscribe’ to those regular notices that are no longer read.

What about cleaning out your old relationship hurts? Any plans there?

In a way, choosing to forgive an old resentment is like hitting the unsubscribe button at the bottom of an annoying email. When you unsubscribe from historic hurts, you are freed up to live in this moment where joy and peace reign.

But you don’t want to let it go, right? Don’t think I don’t understand; I get it. My hope is that you’ll reconsider and start this new year by taking a look at some of the emotional restructuring that has taken place at the hands of resentment and fear. You see, fear and resentment actually change the way you think and create an atmosphere of distrust and isolation.

Each one of us is made of three distinct natures, all rolled up in one human being. Our lives work best when all three of those natures are running smoothly.

Blockages in any one of them impede your happiness.

Your physical nature is reading these words. Your spiritual nature can do the healing work necessary to forgive. Your soul nature which houses the mind, emotions, and will – well, that’s where the healing will take place.

Pain and suffering are real in relationships. Some of us avoid the feelings or the people we think created them. Some of us have honed defense mechanisms like blame to walk us out of accountability, relieving us of the need to take action. Worse, some of us

have decided to keep our world small, and we’ve boxed ourselves in with the memories of that pain and rarely allow others inside. That’s a new problem in itself. We were created to connect. It’s unnatural when we don’t.

What’s going on inside of you? Are you allowing a negative memory to decide how abundant your life can be? By holding onto ill will, you are actually limiting your potential, your possibilities, and your participation in the circle of life. When you run your life based on how you feel, you tap the shallowest portion of your intellectual pool and make life decisions from that vantage point. Remember, the soul portion of the human being is wonderful and deep. The soul is made up of emotions, the mind/ intellect, and the will.

Forgiveness taps all parts of the soul. You feel angry or hurt, and a resentment forms. From this point, you can decide if you like how you feel. You can ponder the choice to be angry and wallow in negativity, hoping to exact some sort of punishment, or you can see the hurt through to the end result where you’re separated and alone. In this view, you will realize that your anger hasn’t changed the perpetrator of your pain at all. Your resentment isn’t tied to their accountability in real life. That is only happening in your head.

Your real power is in forgiving.

What if you chose to love them ‘although’ they hurt you? What if you enlisted your spiritual power to eradicate anger, fear, and pain and replace it with love? Your will holds the final card. What action will you take?

Forgiveness is not a feeling. It is an act of the will. The choices you make become the life you lead. Choose well. Let love trump fear.

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.

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CONTINUED

encouraging words

Favor Is Better Than Silver and Gold

BY PASTOR ALEX

m

any people spend their lives chasing what they believe will bring happiness. Fame, riches, success, and recognition are often seen as the ultimate goals. Yet Scripture reminds us that these pursuits, though attractive, are not the greatest treasures we can obtain.

Proverbs 22:1 declares, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.” According to God’s Word, favor outweighs wealth.

So what is favor? Biblically, favor speaks of God’s gracious approval, kindness, and divine acceptance. In the Hebrew Scriptures, favor often refers to finding pleasure or acceptance in the eyes of God or people, and it changes lives.

We see this clearly in the life of Abraham.

When the Lord appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, Abraham humbly bowed and said, “My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant” (Genesis 18:3). That moment of favor opened the door for covenant promises and divine revelation.

Lot also found favor, and it spared an entire city. Though judgment was coming, God listened to Lot’s plea and showed mercy because of favor (Genesis 19:17–21).

Favor can protect, preserve, and even rescue others through our obedience.

Scripture also teaches that God gives favor with people, even kings. David found favor in Saul’s sight (1 Samuel 16:22). Later, God gave David favor with Achish, a Philistine king, even while David lived among his

enemies (1 Samuel 27:5). Esther obtained favor with King Ahasuerus and saved her people from destruction (Esther 2:17).

Mary found favor with God and was chosen to carry the Savior of the world (Luke 1:30).

The favor of God brings satisfaction and blessing. Deuteronomy 33:23 describes one who is “satisfied with favor, and full of the blessing of the Lord.” Favor is not just about opportunity. It produces contentment.

So how do we obtain favor? Proverbs gives us the answer. “A good man obtains favor from the Lord” (Proverbs 12:2), and wisdom leads us into favor as well (Proverbs 8:35). Proverbs 3:3–4 teaches that mercy, truth, and a heart aligned with God bring favor both with God and with people.

This balance is important. Scripture shows that Samuel and even Jesus Himself grew in favor with God and men (1 Samuel 2:26; Luke 2:52). Salvation makes us righteous through the blood of Jesus, but our hearts still matter. Favor flows from a transformed life.

In the New Testament, the Greek word for favor is charis, meaning grace. Grace is God giving us what we do not deserve.

Grace saves us, shapes us, and positions us for favor. When God’s favor rests on your life, He will use you to accomplish great things for His glory.

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.

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Rev’s Verses

BY PASTOR RICH IENUSO

New Things The Bible tells us of many new things:

• Psalm 40:3: a new song • Ezekiel 11:19: a new spirit • John 3:7: a new birth • Romans 6:4: a new life • 2 Corinthians 7:17: a new creation • Revelations 21:5: a new heaven and a new earth

May you experience a new life through Jesus Christ this new year.

He will give you a new heart and hope. Trust Jesus. He loves you!

A blessed new you this new year, Pastor Rich Ienuso LIGHTHOUSE MINISTRIES CHURCH LIBERTY, NY

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HAPPY NEW YEAR! MAGAZINE

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