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| | Vero Beach, Fl - Ed. 07.23.2026 | | |
Happy Thursday, FLASHERS!
I'm writing to you from the farm one last time before heading back to Florida today. Last night was one of those simple evenings that reminds you life doesn't have to be complicated to be wonderful.
Our friends, the Carsons, all seven of them, came over for dessert and game night. We enjoyed a delicious mango cobbler made with mangos my sister, Suzy's tree in Miami, a blueberry cobbler made from the blueberries Lilly and I picked in Tennessee on our way to Williamsburg, vanilla ice cream (because let's be honest...what is warm cobbler without ice cream?), homemade chocolate chip cookies that a sweet neighbor dropped by, and watermelon...because we had to pretend we were making healthy choices somewhere along the way!
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Today I'll be heading back to Florida, fingers crossed, I'll be picking up our August Community Calendars tomorrow. Keep an eye out for them around town!
Of course, unpacking isn't really in my vocabulary these days. Next week I'll be back on the road again—this time to Atlanta for the baby shower of the daughter-in-law of one of my dearest friends, Karen. Howell and I met over 42 years ago when we were in Karen and Jack's wedding together. From there, I'll head to Birmingham for the wedding of my childhood friend's son the following weekend. It will be an incredibly fun couple of weeks with two of the most special people in my life... and if I can squeeze in a little extra adventure, I'd love to travel a portion of the World's Longest Yard Sale that I featured in FLASH a few weeks ago. It runs August 6–9 from Michigan, all the way to Alabama. You know me...I'm always up for a good backroad adventure; especially when there are hidden treasures to be discovered!
When I get home, one of the very first things I'm going to do is call Senior Resource Association and sign up to volunteer for Meals on Wheels. My schedule has never been what you'd call predictable, but they assure me that's perfectly okay.
I volunteered with Meals on Wheels when I was in college, and to this day it remains one of the most meaningful experiences I've ever had. I delivered meals to Trixie and Trudy, and they became dear friends. One Thanksgiving, when I couldn't make it home to Miami, I picked them up and brought them to my apartment for a Thanksgiving I will never forget—both because of the wonderful company and the comedy of watching me, this college student with a big heart, attempt to cook a full Thanksgiving meal that had never before been anywhere on my radar! What was I thinking? I'd never cooked a turkey, let alone an entire Thanksgiving feast. But apparently confidence, a cookbook, and a whole lot of gravy can carry you a long way!
After all, it really wasn't about the meal. It was about the friendship, the laughter, and making sure no one spent Thanksgiving alone and there was an abundance of that around our little table that day...and it's exactly what Meals on Wheels delivers every single day. ❤️
That's the thing about Meals on Wheels. You may think you're simply delivering a meal, but you're really delivering friendship, a smile, a wellness check, and sometimes the brightest moment of someone's day.
So I'm asking for a favor. If you have a little time to spare, please consider signing up to volunteer. Senior Resource Association prepares the meals. They have the routes. They have seniors waiting. They simply need caring people to help make the deliveries.
Better yet...buddy up with a friend and make it part of your week! You'll get to spend time together while making a real difference in someone else's life. If you ask me, that's a whole lot more meaningful than just meeting up for a cup of coffee.
We've got this, FLASHERS!
Until next week...make your life a happy one by making those around you smile...and don't forget to find a little FUN along the way.
Because Fun is the best thing to have! 😊
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Valerie Watkins
Publisher
Please always feel free to email me.
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Don't forget to click on the "view entire message' link at the bottom of your email to access the full issue! We don't want you missing a thing! :) The image to the left is not linked...It just shows you what to look for.
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— Steve Maraboli
American author, speaker, and behavioral science academic best known for writing about personal growth including Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience and Life, the Truth, and Being Free.
💛
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From the Archives: In memory of my mother,
Suzie Schmidt; our Sunshine
HOW I MET THE LOVE-OF-MY-LIFE
My Bob (Robert W. Schmidt) worked for the YMCA right out of college for thirty years, climbing up the professional ladder including time served on the National Staff. At his last position on Long Island, he had forty-one 'Y's under his direction before he took early retirement and moved to Miami where we met. Retired, but wanting something to do, he learned that the Leukemia Society of South Florida was looking for a Director. He had previously been a volunteer on their Board in New York and thought that might be a perfect fit, so he interviewed and was offered the position.
Bob was widowed when his wife passed away from cancer at a very young 51 leaving their three young adult daughters. I had been divorced four years previously. (I will pause here to say that I am not going into the details of my divorce, but I would advise all of you who are or have been divorced and have children to be nice. No matter how much you may have been hurt by your spouse, please don't use your children as a weapon to 'get even'. There will be life events where you and your 'ex' will have to communicate - like school programs, graduations, weddings and other things. I told my daughters that this was not their problem, and that their father loved them very much and I still wanted them to spend time with him. It worked out well.)
Anyway, my friend Helen was on the Leukemia Board and thought Bob and I should meet. She invited him to a party where she knew I would be. The only problem was that there were a lot of other very attractive divorcees there, too. I watched as I saw them flirting with this handsome man. I knew I would have to do something to set myself apart from the rest,...
Click Here to read on...
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REQUESTING YOUR VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOT
(check request deadlines below for the upcoming primary & general elections)
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Why should you never play poker at the zoo?
Too many cheetahs
What do you call a nose with no body?
No body nose
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This Week's Wacky Words Quiz
This week we are looking for answers to
1-C and 2-C. Click Here to send us your answers. Join the fun! Winners are randomly drawn every two weeks from all of the correct submissions received. The winner receives two tickets to the Comedy Zone at Riverside Theatre!
The Winner From The Past Two Weeks
LAURA SITKO
Answers to last week's puzzle:
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1a- Sleeping on the job
1b- Cornerstone
1c - Send Me Your Answer
1d - Getting up before dawn
2a- Equal Rights
2b- Little House On The Prairie
2c- Send Me Your Answer
2d- Condensed milk
3a- Lucille Ball
3b- Partly Cloudy
3c- Two Car Garage
3d- Mixed Greens
4a- Full length mirror
4b- Man in the Moon
4c- Stand Up Comic
4d- Check's in the mail
5a- No U Turn
5b- Weeping Willow
5c- Safety in Numbers
5d- A round of drinks on the house
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Finland is having a moment!
The U.S. just lost the number 1 spot for top travel destination to Finland. Known for its breathtaking scenery and laid-back lifestyle, Finland has quietly become the world's hottest travel destination. It's also been named the World's Happiest Country for the ninth year in a row—making many travelers wonder what the Finns know that the rest of us don't!
Reasons to plan a Finish get-away...
• Watching the Northern Lights dance across
• Unwinding in an authentic Finnish sauna
• Stroll Helsinki's charming waterfront
• Kayak across crystal-clear lakes surrounded by peaceful forests.
Visit during the summer, and you can even experience the magical Midnight Sun, when daylight seems to last almost around the clock.
Fun Fact: Finland is home to more than 188,000 lakes and an estimated 3 million saunas—that's roughly one sauna for every two people!
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Use Spaghetti to Light
Hard-to-Reach Candles!
A dry spaghetti noodle lights easily and burns long enough to reach candle wicks buried deep inside hurricane lanterns, tall candle holders, or jars. It's also perfect for lighting a row of birthday candles without burning your fingers.
It's super easy to light one end of your noodle and it will burn slowere than a match allowing you more time before burning your fingers. :)
Try it...You'll like it!
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Only one state has a seal designed by a woman.
Idaho became the 43rd state on July 3, 1890, formed from a territory that had once included land in present-day Montana and Wyoming. Upon statehood, Idaho legislators looked to commission the state seal’s design by way of a competition, with a generous $100 prize (about $3,300 today) for the winning artist. Green, an art teacher who had relocated to Boise after attending school in New York, was in part inspired by the fact that it seemed Idaho would soon give women the right to vote. In March 1891, Green’s work was selected as the winner, beating out submissions from around the country.
Other Fun Idaho Facts:
• Idaho was the first state to use a slogan on its license plates.
• Idaho harvests 13 billion pound of potatoes each year.
• Idaho has 72 types of precious and semiprecious gemstones.
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THE POWER OF AWE
I've always believed that some of life's greatest treasures are found when we simply slow down and pay attention. As it turns out... there's science behind that!
Psychologist Dacher Keltner recommends taking a 15-minute "Awe Walk" each day. It's not about exercise—it's about slowing your pace, putting your phone away, and intentionally noticing the beauty around you.
Here on the Treasure Coast, that could mean a sunrise walk on the beach, a stroll beneath the oaks at Riverside Park, watching dolphins along the Indian River Lagoon, or simply admiring the flowers and butterflies in your own neighborhood.
Research suggests that just 15 minutes of experiencing awe can reduce stress, lift your mood, and help you feel more connected to the world around you.
This week, give it a try. You might be surprised by how much beauty has been there all along.
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Create a Wildlife Welcome Station!
Fred (see video of the week below) may enjoy pears, but he's not the only visitor who appreciates a little hospitality!
This week, create a simple Wildlife Welcome Station in your yard for birds and butterflies. It takes less than an hour and provides a welcome oasis during the hot days of late summer.
For the Birds 🐦
- Clean and refill your bird feeder with fresh seed.
- Add a shallow birdbath or refresh the water daily.
- Place it near shrubs or small trees where birds can perch and feel safe.
For the Butterflies 🦋
Butterflies need water too! Create a simple butterfly puddle by filling a shallow dish or flowerpot saucer with sand or pebbles and adding just enough water to keep it damp. Butterflies will land on the stones to sip water.
For an extra splash of color, add a few late-summer nectar plants such as pentas, lantana, or zinnias nearby.
Then sit back with a cup of coffee—or set up a trail camera if you have one—and enjoy watching your new visitors.
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Fred Loves Pears!
Meet Fred, our resident gopher tortoise!
We discovered his burrow on the farm a couple of months ago. Before long, he decided to go house hunting and relocated about 100 yards away. I guess the grass looked a bit greener on the other side!
This past week, my son William decided Fred deserved a special treat. Our pear tree has been producing an abundance of fruit, so Will sliced up a fresh pear, carefully placed it at the entrance to Fred's deep underground home, in hopes of catching Fred enjoying his special delivery... and it worked!!!
I'd say Fred is pretty thrilled to have room service delivered right to his front door! 😊
It makes me smile every time I imagine Fred peeking out of his burrow to see what's on the menu.
Click Here
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In early June, Sunshine Physical Therapy Clinic (SPTC), a local nonprofit, experienced extensive water damage after a water fountain leak over a weekend threatened to disrupt its operations.
Fortunately, we live in a community where organizations don't just serve others—they serve each other.
Having partnered for years through various programs and services, The Arc of Indian River County did something extraordinary. They immediately offered SPTC temporary space so its adult therapy services could continue while repairs were underway.
It wasn't as simple as opening a few doors. A 3,500-square-foot building had to be sorted, emptied, and transformed into a functioning therapy clinic. In less than a week and a half, dedicated teams from both nonprofits rolled up their sleeves, relocated therapy equipment, moved specialized client services, and prepared the space to welcome patients.
Because of that extraordinary effort—and especially the generosity, quick thinking, and open-hearted support of The Arc of Indian River County—therapy services continued with very little interruption. By recognizing a need and responding without hesitation, The Arc demonstrated the very best of community spirit, proving that helping a neighbor is simply what they do.
Today, The Arc has a temporary new neighbor to greet each morning—a heartwarming reminder of what makes our hometown so special. When challenges arise, our local nonprofits don't compete... they collaborate. They lift one another up, strengthening the fabric of our community and reminding us all what can happen when people choose kindness over convenience.
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🎣 Local Treasure Coast Tips
For areas like Vero Beach, Sebastian, and Fort Pierce:
- Fish the moving tides — especially the first 2 hours of incoming tide.
- Early morning and sunset tend to be strongest in May.
- Snook, tarpon, trout, redfish, and snapper all become more active as water temperatures rise.
- Around the full moon, many local anglers target the bridges and inlets at night.
| | Grilled Shrimp Bowl with Avocado, Corn Salsa & Creamy Sauce | | | | |
