From The Editor
Vacation Time
Summer is officially here, and many of us will brave the highways and high cost of fuel to travel to our various vacation destinations. If gas prices stay below $5 a gallon, my family and I might actually head for the hills ourselves. Then again, day trips may be a more economical option.
As a youngster, I always looked forward to our traditional summer sojourn to North Carolina. Even before the school year was out, I would begin dreaming of the mountains, and I knew the time was drawing near when we would travel to that magical place in Boone, N.C., where my grandparents had built several cabins. For me, coming from Miami, those majestic mountains were foreign and surreal, bringing me peace beyond words. And they still do. My parents helped create my happy memories, and my wife and I have been doing the same for our children for years now, high gas prices or not.
Another magical place was the Florida Keys. A day trip for us Miamians, we would load the family into the station wagon and trek across those narrow, scary bridges and spend the day fishing off the seawall, hauling in mackerel and barracuda. One year we went to a secluded area to camp. Raccoons paid us a visit. I remember most of all the darkness; we were far from the bright Miami lights. I also remember seeing a sky sprinkled with more stars than I’d ever seen, another sight nearly invisible to me when viewed from Miami. That night, Dad tried to cook breakfast in an underground pit so that it would be ready for us when we awoke the following morning. His coals were too hot, and when he uncovered his delicacy, it was little more than coal itself.
The Florida Keys have a fascinating history. Crystal Henry recently traveled to Key West, and this month she shares what she has learned about this unique place.
And speaking of travel, Christina Kaliher shares with us her recent visit to Italy, where she was shocked and delighted by the differences between our culture and theirs.
For those concerned about leaving their home unattended during vacation holidays, Michelle Abrego provides some home safety tips, courtesy of a Florida crime-prevention practitioner.
This month, Senior Times continues with its series of profiles honoring our Veterans who have given us all so very much. Patricia Behnke shares her visit with Jack Hunter, World War II Veteran, artist and author. In 1964 Hunter published his first novel, “The Blue Max.” The novel was made into a movie starring actor George Peppard, who played the role of German war ace Bruno Stachel. Not one to stay idle, Hunter recently finished his 17th novel.
Lastly, I am doubly proud to be part of Tower Publications, as we were recently presented with a bevy of awards from both the Community Papers of Florida and the Association of Free Community Papers, for production and editorial excellence. Go Tower!
Happy Vacationing.
