After contentious municipal elections concluded in March, there was celebration in our coastal cities and towns. One side won, one side lost. Now we’re watching as winning candidates are rushing to fulfill campaign promises and reward supporters.
I just learned Police Chief Richard Jones is leaving Ocean Ridge. What a terrible loss for Ocean Ridge. Chief Jones brought innovation, elevated crime-solving techniques and added process that made our officers and residents safer. That he is leaving
Approximately 15 years ago, my wife and I fell in love with Delray Beach and purchased a condo — which my family enjoys so much. Unfortunately, the ongoing development projects are massively destroying what was once a wonderful respite from busy city
My family purchased a 100-by-100-foot lot in Ocean Ridge in 1956, and 10 years later built our house at 16 Tropical Drive. Our extended family visited our home many, many times in 60 years. As time passed, and families grew and changed, I finall
I moved to Ocean Ridge in 1973 — 50 years ago last month. For virtually that entire time, I enjoyed — without dispute or interruption — full recreational use of the beach and ocean on both sides of my access pathway through the dune at the end of Tr
It’s hard to ask for money at the holidays. There are so many worthwhile organizations working to meet the needs of those struggling in our community — children, the elderly, animals. Agencies involved in these heart-wrenching efforts need your finan
I was surprised to see you publish a photograph of a young man with a surfboard jumping off the north jetty of Boynton Inlet Pier — “taking advantage of the waves created by Hurricane Ian.” Most years report deaths at the Inlet and one can imagine s
Lights, camera, action! The arts season is back! Brush off that pretty shawl collecting dust in the closet and put a bit of polish on your good shoes. We’re going out! For those of us who’ve used extra caution to keep people we love safe throughout t
Thirty years ago, life changed over the course of an August weekend. A swirling mass off the coast of Africa had struggled to develop until it was on South Florida’s doorstep. Then it intensified so quickly that Hurricane Andrew rushed ashore less
I don’t understand why there is such contempt for iguanas. They are not aggressive toward people, they run away as fast as they can if anyone approaches them. They don’t bite, they don’t sting. They don’t attack our pets. They don’t ravage our impor
Welcome to hurricane season. If you’re new to the area you may have recently encountered your first flooded roadways, rising groundwater and canceled windstorm insurance. Add to that mix La Niña holding in the Pacific, a slowed Gulf Stream, a w
I can’t remember how I learned to swim. I’d like to think I gripped my mother’s hands with my pudgy baby fingers as she bounced me up and down in the water of some muddy, Midwestern lake until I was floating — still grasping one finger until I let g
It’s not that I’m slowing down or losing interest. There are no urgent responsibilities that must be addressed. My health is good. But like the dropping barometer before a storm, there’s an ever-present pressure nagging at me to slow down, urging me
Goodwill has long been the bedrock of our community newspaper. Yes, we provide news, information and entertainment for our readers, but our foundation is based on the goodwill we receive from the businesses and residents in our coastal communities.
Someone stole my bike. It wasn’t new and I have another one, but it was the same aqua blue as the ocean on a summer day. You could feel the wind in your hair just looking at it. The bike was also the color of this newspaper’s masthead logo and was a
“Hoping you’ll find comfort in the memories that are yours to cherish always, and strength in the companionship of those who share your loss,” wrote Coastal Star reporter Rich Pollack to me following my mother’s death in 2007. The handwritten no