Coastal Breeze News

BOOK REMARKS  Maggie Gust  [email protected] Author: Janet Wallach  Publisher: Doubleday, 2012  “Before deciding on an investment, seek out every kind of information about it.” To Hetty Robinson Green, this was just common sense – work hard to learn everything possible about a venture before committing. Some saw her as cruel and heartless because of her no-nonsense-when-it-comes-to-business philosophy. Ironically, Hetty never paid workers slave wages, paid off government officials, bought off public land or manipulated stockholders as did many of her more celebrated male counterparts. She gave much to help others, but quietly, without fanfare, without having her name chiseled on the ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom [email protected] “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” The inscription on the James Farley Post Office in New York City should be painted onto the Ochopee Post Office after torrential downpours almost cancelled its party to paint the Post Office pink. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Nanette Watson, Postmaster of the “Smallest Post Office in the United States” – the Ochopee Post Office – decided she wanted to paint the 8’4’’ by 7’3’’ building bright pink. “I’ve been wanting to do ... Read More »

The Cast of its upcoming production of  Plaza Suite by Neil Simon  Opens: November 7th  For 15 performances  In order of appearance: Act One Mariel Sanchez / Abby Martin – Bell Hop Mai Puccio – Karen Nash Ray Kane – Sam Nash Brandon Anderson – Waiter Lisa Lang – Jean McCormack Act Two Carl S Back – Jesse Kiplinger Michelle Langlas – Muriel Tate Act Three Marilyn Hilbert – Norma Hubley Michael Hennessey – Roy Hubley Brandon Anderson – Borden Eisler Lynn Jones – Mimsey Hubley The action takes place in suite 719 at The Plaza Hotel in New York city. ... Read More »

DOG & STYLE  Tony Wakefield-Jones  [email protected]       Dear Tony: What are your thoughts on Wall Street? Theresa G. – Marco Island, FL  Dear Miss Theresa: Why on earth would someone want to put walls up next to a street? That’s just absurd. Does the Marco Island City Council know about this? From a human standpoint, Marco Island is a lovely little beach community— and you bipeds seem to place a lot of value on your ability to view mass quantities of water. I say just take a bath but I digress…  Wouldn’t erecting walls on either side of, for ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom [email protected] Flag pole climber by day, humanitarian by disaster. This is John Hamrick. A recent transplant to Southwest Florida, Hamrick and his Hummer have been helping those in disaster situations for more than ten years. The retired Fort Wayne, Indiana, firefighter fixes high-rise flag poles to support his habit of helping others. His remarkable story has been shared with those around the world and inside many a classroom. He now shares this story with his new “Florida family.” Hamrick’s days of helping others started as a child. “My dad was all about giving back to the community. ... Read More »

By Jane A. Marlowe [email protected] Have you been on a cruise lately? A world cruise? For more than 100 days? We haven’t either but my friend, Judy and I were invited recently to lunch on a cruise ship which had been the luxurious home of her cousin and her husband for 100 + days. The Crystal Serenity docked in Port of the Everglades, Ft. Lauderdale for a day in early May before continuing north to Charleston, South Carolina and its final destination, New York City. The ship is one of two owned by Crystal Cruise Lines which offer world cruises ... Read More »

Followers of Will and Anthony Nunziata will happy to know   W & A will be performing at the Colony Hotel, Palm Beach, Florida “MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY” May 25 – June 16     The Colony Hotel – which The Palm Beach Post has hailed as “probably the best place for cabaret on the planet” – continues its world-class season with New York City’s hottest singing duo, returning for their fourth engagement:  WILL & ANTHONY NUNZIATA The Colony Hotel’s Royal Room May 25 – 26,  June 1 – 2,  June 8 – 9,  June 15 – 16 Friday & Saturday performances ... Read More »

Speaking of Travel By Vickie Kelber [email protected] When people think of Seattle, they tend to think of gray skies and rain. In reality, the average rainfall is only about 37 inches a year, less than places like New York City or Atlanta and most of the rain comes in the winter months. In winter, there are at times endless days of clouds and drizzle. The secret of Seattle is that the summer months can be quite pleasant, with a string of sunny, warm days. As Rome was built on a series of hills, so was Seattle and, as in many other ... Read More »

Vickie Kelber  [email protected] Through the years, we have taken many trips during the holidays. When we worked, we enjoyed getting away for a few days between Christmas and New Years. Now retired, we like to visit other locations either just before or on Christmas to see how they celebrate their holidays. From these experiences, I’ve developed my personal six rules for holiday travel. Rule #1. Use common sense. When planning the trip, avoid the high travel days by traveling a few days before or after Christmas or New Years. Airlines typically over book at the holidays, so make sure you ... Read More »

By Val Simon [email protected] When Denise Goldman was growing up, her aunt would take her to the finest shops in New York City. While shopping, Denise would make the occasional suggestions on accessories, or comment on the latest trends and styles. Her aunt always told her, “You have a good eye for fashion.” Little did she know that her aunt would be the catalyst for her turning her ‘flair’ into her own fine women’s clothing store. Denise Goldman opened Gabby Abbey’s, a great fashion boutique in the Shops of Olde Marco. “It’s been a lot of hard work. From going ... Read More »