Writing Staff

Originally born up north in Daytona Beach, I’ve lived in several cities in Florida while growing up. I arrived in Brevard County courtesy of the US Navy and moved to Port St. John in 1984. On Fay Blvd. Two lanes. Virtually no traffic. No street lights. No city water. No schools. No cable. No video store. One neighbor. My, how the times have changed.

HAPPENINGS was born in a fit of fury: 1) at the county, for planning to add a sewer system that would have added around $15,000 to every homeowner’s debt for their home at a time when the median price was in the $50’s. It would have been financial death for the residents living here. And 2) at the Florida Today for not printing a word about it. We were an insignificant community located between real cities and so, were of no news interest. We were, however, of great interest to the Port St. John Home Owner’s Association, a very active, very vocal group who stood and fought for the residents in PSJ.

Along the way HAPPENINGS founded and adopted the Port St. John Christmas Parade in 1990, and it continues today. Also, with help from the American Legion, PSJ Jaycees, the PSJ Seniors, the PSJ Home Owner’s Assn., PSJ Kiwanis and several extraordinary volunteers, we started the 4th of July fireworks displays in 1993 as the Community Blast. All but the American Legion are gone now, but we created Thunder Over the Indian River with those extraordinary volunteers and the event and fireworks are still an annual event.

Amidst the community work, a little work for profit was required to pay the bills. I’ve been a Realtor since 1985, most of it at Happenings Real Estate. I am still a Realtor. I can be reached on my cell at 321-863-7499, or the Happenings desk is 321-633-7499.

Yes, I was really in China on vacation. The Great Wall was awesome!

Born in inner city New York, I moved at an early age to Angel City in Merritt Island, attending Merritt Island Elementary school and Edgewood Jr. High. I moved back to New York briefly, returning to Florida to marry and raise my children. I have been blessed with a bunch of children and a pile of grandchildren, which is where Rose's Room was born... Shaving time from my 40 hour a week job and busy weekends to write isn't easy. Rewarding myself with a 'Grammy fix'- grabbing a hug or a walk on the beach with one or more of my 19 grandchildren – keeps me in stories…and in smiles. Rose's Room is meant to share a smile… encourage readers to relive or make a memory… remind readers that in the end, family is all we really have and it should be cherished.

I was born and raised in Port St. John, Florida. My childhood consisted of playing in the woods behind my house and riding my bike to Scoops. I attended Challenger 7 Elementary then Space Coast Jr./Sr. High when middle school was strictly in portables. Not too long afterwards, I returned to Challenger 7 as a speech therapist, working alongside many of my former teachers and getting to know many wonderful families in the area. After several years in public education my interests led me elsewhere. Today, I work as a dietitian for the Women, Infants, and Children program, where I help families make informed nutritional choices. In addition to my primary role, I also work with various non-profit organizations. I love working in community nutrition and my monthly article Food for Thought in Happenings is my way of bringing bite-sized and factual information to our community. So, whether you discover a new recipe to try or pick up a quick health tip, I hope you find inspiration to keep living a healthier life!