Mary Kate Leming
By Mary Kate Leming,
Can it really be December already? Those of us who live here year round may be stunned to realize that summer is over and the holidays are just around the corner, but the tourists know it’s time to leave the gloom of November behind and hit the beach. And it’s great to see so many smiling, returning snowbirds. Welcome back!
While you were gone this summer, the staff of The Coastal Star continued to report on our coastal community in words and photos. In doing so, several staff members garnered awards from The Florida Press Club in its 60th Annual Excellence in Journalism contest. Please join me in congratulating the accomplished writers and photographers who help us produce an impressive, award-winning newspaper each month:
• First Place, Feature Photography: Tim Stepien (timstepien@earthlink.net)
• First Place, Light Feature Writing: Ron Hayes (ronnieron50@bellsouth.net)
• First Place, Minority Reporting: C.B. Hanif (cbhanif@gmail.com)
• Second Place, Government News Writing: Steve Plunkett (plunk99@msn.com)
• Second Place, Light Feature Writing: Emily J. Minor (emilyjminor@aol.com)
• Second Place, Portrait/Personality Photography: Tim Stepien
• Third Place, General News Writing: Tim O’Meilla (timomeilia@gmail.com)
Feel free to drop them a note and let them know how much you appreciate their contributions to your local newspaper.
Congratulations are also in order for Interfaith21 columnist C.B. Hanif, who has recently been appointed managing editor of the South Florida Times newspaper. C.B. has been writing about religion for our paper since the beginning, and promises to continue as an occasional contributor to The Coastal Star.
In his absence, Tim Pallesen will pick up the monthly religion column. Tim is a career journalist with deep South Florida ties and is enthusiastic about exploring our local spiritual community — and brings some unique insight as the son of a Lutheran minister. Please welcome Tim and send information about your place of worship to: tcpallesen@aol.com.
And since there’s no denying the proximity of the holidays, our consummate shopper Scott Simmons has been all over the area finding special, coastal gift suggestions. This year, he’s compiled all of his finds into a special Holiday Gift Guide. I think you’ll find this guide essential to exploring (and enjoying) our local businesses this holiday season. If you have suggestions for next year’s guide, feel free to let Scott know. He loves to shop! (scottsfla@gmail.com)
So, from all of us at The Coastal Star and the Palm Beach ArtsPaper, we hope you have safe and happy holidays. Our next edition comes out on Jan. 7, so we’ll see you in 2012!
— Mary Kate Leming,
executive editor
editor@thecoastalstar.com
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