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When March Belonged to Baseball special feature
THE DODGERS’
Attending Spring Training games was a much-anticipated time in Vero Beach. Excitement was in the air as I regularly pulled my son out of school for another “dental appointment.” He enjoyed trying to catch foul balls out on the berm with his friends. My parents lived in Titusville and had season tickets for 26 years and made the drive south each week, sitting next to many of the same people year after year. Those afternoons, sitting in the sunshine and fresh air with them along the third base line, eating Dodger dogs and flavored ice from plastic baseball caps, cheering with the crowd - and being careful not to get hit by foul balls - are cherished memories.
VERO BEACH YEARS
Excerpts from Forever Vero: 1880-2020
BOOK BY RODY JOHNSON
We continue with author Rody Johnson’s memories of Vero Beach, excerpts from his latest book Forever Vero, this month about Dodgertown. For more memories and details about Dodgertown, check out his book The Rise and Fall of Dodgertown – 60 Years of Baseball in Vero Beach.
— Barbara
Mr. Rickey and the Dodgers
In 1948, Mr. Branch Rickey, president of the Brooklyn Dodgers Baseball Team, walked into the Florida Sporting Goods (owned by Rody’s father and Mr. Horace Gifford). He had arrived in town with his team of 600 baseball players who were in spring training at the former naval base. He helped me pick out a catcher’s mitt; I also went fishing with him and my dad. He offered me a job hustling bats at Dodgertown while I was home on spring break from my boarding school in Virginia. Though I loved baseball, I wanted time to fish. Only a 14-year-old could make the dumb decision of turning down Mr. Rickey and a chance to hobnob with the pros.
Dodgertown and the team’s arrival came in 1947 when the Navy turned the air base over to the city. Airport manager Bud Holman was faced with a problem: What to do with the abandoned air base. Mr. Rickey had just signed Jackie Robinson, the first Black baseball player to enter the Major Leagues. He needed a secure spot to have spring training where his team could be isolated from the perils of the segregated South. The team had previously trained in Panama and Cuba but wanted to be in Florida where they could practice with other major league teams that also train there.
Through his connections with Eastern Airlines, Bud Holman heard the Dodgers were looking for a place. He flew to New York and talked with Branch Rickey and Buzzie Bavasi, soon to be the Dodger’s general manager. Bavasi came to take a look. “When I got off the
TOP RIGHT PHOTO: Brooklyn Dodgers sign welcomes visitors to the complex.
Photo courtesy of Ruth Stanbridge, IRC Historical Society
train,” he said, “I took the only cab in town and went to the Naval base. There were weeds all over the place. The barracks looked awful but were better when I looked inside. I recommended that we take it.” …
The Dodgers played their first game in Vero at what was called the “Ebbets Field No. 2” (now a parking lot for Piper Aircraft employees) against the Dodgers’ Montreal farm team on March 11, 1948. The wooden bleachers were packed; Black fans stood in a segregated “confined” area beyond left field and were excited when Jackie Robinson hit a home run into their midst.
Call Me Walter
Walter O’Malley replaced Branch Rickey as president of the Dodgers, Mr. O’Malley had plans for improving Dodgertown’s facilities He was an approachable man who asked everyone to “Call me Walter.” Thus began the long-time love affair between the O’Malleys and the community.
Vero left an impression on the Dodgers and those affiliated with the team. One of the early players described Vera this way: “Once you crossed the river, it seemed as though you had entered a jungle.” A Brooklyn reporter wrote about the rickety bridge being replaced, the natural beauty of the beaches, the inexpensive motor courts, and the $2.50 green fees at the Royal Park Golf Course. He mentioned a New York travel agency’s $169, 9-day vacation package to Vero, which included transportation, accommodations, meals, and admission to Dodger exhibition games. Though racism in the 1950s was prevalent, the Dodgers signed several Black players. Mindful of local concerns that there were “too many Blacks on the team” the Dodgers came up with an idea that would show the immediate benefit of having the team in town. They had Gulfstream Park, a racetrack and entertainment center in Miami, convert $20,000 into $2 bills. Walter O’Malley and Buzzie Bavasi (Dodgers general manager) stayed up all night stamping “Brooklyn Dodgers” on each bill. The $2 bills were then handed out to the players to spend around town. The talk about too
many Blacks on the team subsided; it seems a little spending money went a long way to alleviate most citizens’ objections.
On March 11, 1953, Walter O’Malley welcomed 5,500 fans to the new $100,000 stadium he had built at Dodgertown, which he named in honor of Bud Holman who had brought the Dodgers to town five years earlier.
•••
Hometown Baseball
In 1980, the city experienced another sports thrill when the Vero Beach Dodgers, a minor league farm team, began to play in the Florida State League. That first year, the team finished second in the league to the Fort Lauderdale Yankees. The games were exciting to watch. Between innings, fans were entertained by crazy antics such as BoomBoom Koski shot from a cannon, and Max Patkin, the Clown Prince of Baseball. There were plenty of promotions to draw in the crowds, like “bring a church bulletin and get in free” day and one-dollar family night.
Everyone knew the players. In an Adopt-A-Dodger campaign, the athletes lived with local families. The fans thought of them as sons. Second baseman Steve Sax, a handsome young man, judged the Vero Beach High School Math Club’s beauty contest with my daughter Kit as a contestant. A year later, Steve Sax was playing with the big team in Los Angeles.
In the summer heat, Holman Stadium seemed like heaven. Games started with the sun going down behind the outfield berm, bringing a coolness to the air. In the glow of the stadium lights, the sky faded from blue to black. Radiant egrets and ibises flew overhead, going to roost for the night. Nine young men in crisp white Dodger uniforms ran to their positions to the applause of the crowd. What a pleasant way to spend a summer evening in Vero Beach, Florida.
The team entertained the community for 27 summers, but left when the Dodgers deserted Dodgertown in 2008 for spring training in Arizona.
PHOTO: Legendary #42 Jackie Robinson taken in 1948 by author Rody Johnson when he was 15.
O’Malley Sells
In 1998, Peter O’Malley announced that the Dodgers were for sale to a Fox TV subsidiary. It was the Dodgers’ 50th year of spring training in Vero and the local population’s fears that the new owner would not stay were eventually realized. ...The sale was the first step in the Dodgers departure from Vero 10 years later. The sale stunned Vero. The O’Malleys were part of Vero. Mrs. O’Malley shopped at Alma Lee Loy’s children’s store. They loved the town and the town loved them.
They’re Gone
In 2003, Fox sold the Dodgers. They had mismanaged the team … and were losing money. Fox helped finance the deal to the only bidder, Frank and Jamie McCourt from Boston. … The McCourts were not the O’Malleys, however, and had very little concern for Vero and the shared history the community had with the team.
One of my favorite memories of that time was running into Jim Tracy, the Dodgers’ manager, in the Flamingo Laundromat at the corner of Route 60 and 43rd Avenue. He was doing
his laundry, and I was with my wife Katherine who frequently did sketches of the people there. Chatting with him immediately brought me back to the past and the small-town association Vero had enjoyed with this famous major league team for so many years.
The threat to move the team’s spring training facility to Arizona became a reality. … The last spring training season in Vero for the Dodgers was in 2008. …
That last spring was memorable, good and bad. When it was apparent that this would be the team’s last game at the historic Dodgertown spring training facility, Dodger fans arrived from all over the country. My book on the history of Dodgertown had just been published and so many copies were selling at the game that I couldn’t keep them in stock. The ladies running the concession stands would make a sale, then call me from my seat in the stands to come and sign the copies.
In that final game, Holman Stadium was packed, but the major
leaguers didn’t play; only rookies and minor leaguers. The McCourts, with no regard for the long-term relationship between Vero and the Dodgers, had taken the major league team on a jaunt to China. Former longtime manager Tommy Lasorda said a few last words.
After 60 years, there was no longer major league baseball in Vero Beach. … The facility was renamed the Vero Beach Sports Village, and Minor League Baseball managed the operation, bringing a variety of amateur and professional teams to train here.
Jackie Returns
Baseball has always occupied an honored place in Vero. Dodgertown has evolved from a spring training base to what has become the Jackie Robinson Training Complex. … In 2019 Rachel Robinson, Jackie’s wife, and his son and daughter, along with Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred and former Dodgers owner Peter O’Malley, came to Vero to announce the new operation. Here, MLB would conduct youth programs – baseball for boys and softball for girls –particularly for minorities from inner cities nationwide. …
After the Dodger team left and Minor League Baseball no longer wished to continue its operations here, Peter O’Malley and two ex-Dodger pitchers, Chan Ho Park and Hideo Nomo, in 2012 leased the property and continued running sports programs there. Since the Major Leagues apparently own the “Dodgertown” name, Peter got permission to call his operation “Historic Dodgertown.” That name was used by the State, declaring it to be a Florida Heritage Landmark. … While the Jackie Robinson name for the complex is most appropriate considering his presence here and his impact on desegregation, the area continues to be known as Dodgertown by Vero Beach locals.
TOP LEFT: The 1955 Dodgers team dethroned the Yankees and won the World Series Championship under Manager Walter Alston. Photo: Walter O'Malley
TOP RIGHT: GM Branch Rickey watching practice with his grandson, 1948.
Photo: The Life Collection
RIGHT: Tommy Lasorda bids farewell to the crowd at the final spring training game in 2008. Photo: Sam Wolfe/TCPalm
BY DOOLIN DALTON
The Lost City of Stone
Stepping off the boat into Aqaba, Jordan’s sun-soaked coastal city, I already felt like I’d crossed into another world. From that shoreline you can literally stand in Jordan and look across the water toward Israel and Egypt at once. Three nations visible in a single sweep of the horizon. And yet, my eyes were fixed inland. Because somewhere beyond those deserts lay Petra, the legendary “Rose City,” a place I’d dreamed about since childhood movie nights with Indiana Jones.
Yes, that Petra. The cinematic home of the Holy Grail in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Of course, no grail actually waits there, but the city itself
is treasure enough: an ancient Nabataean capital carved straight into sandstone cliffs over two thousand years ago, lost to time and rediscovered in 1812. History, myth, and cinema all tangled together. I couldn’t resist.
Our jeep ride north cut across vast desert plains that looked almost unreal. Towering rock formations rose abruptly from the sand like monuments left by giants. The landscape felt familiar even though I’d never been there; Hollywood clearly agrees. Parts of Star Wars, the live-action Aladdin, and countless other films used this terrain because it already looks otherworldly. No special effects needed.
“We were welcomed instantly. Smiles, handshakes, gestures to come inside. Tea appeared almost magically, brewed strong and fragrant.”
“At
the Siq’s darkest bend, sunlight suddenly spills ahead. One more step… and there it is: Al-Khazneh, the Treasury.”
The treasury of the pharaoh, one of the most elaborate rock-cut tombs in Petra
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11
But no camera quite captures the silence. Or the scale. Or the sense that you’re traveling somewhere both ancient and sacred.
Before reaching Petra itself, we stopped at what appeared to be a small encampment made up of several tents ringed by camels, their silhouettes shimmering in the heat. These were Bedouins, Jordan’s traditional desert nomads, whose culture revolves around movement, livestock, and above all, hospitality.
We were welcomed instantly. Smiles, handshakes, gestures to come inside. Tea appeared almost magically, brewed strong and fragrant, likely with cardamom. Conversation followed: simple, warm exchanges about where we came from, what brought us there, and stories of desert life passed down through generations.
Their tents, woven from goat or camel hair, were humble but inviting, lined with rugs and cushions. It struck me how seriously they take hospitality. In harsh desert environments, welcoming travelers historically meant survival. Today it remains a deeply-held cultural value.
Sitting there, sharing tea with people whose daily lives couldn’t have been more different from mine, I felt that rare travel moment when the world suddenly seems both vast and wonderfully small.
Petra’s visitor center marks the formal gateway, but the true entrance is the Siq — a winding, kilometer-long sandstone canyon that slowly builds anticipation. The cliffs soar up to 150 meters overhead, at points narrowing so much they nearly block out the sky. The air cools. Sound softens. Every twist of the path feels like a reveal waiting to happen.
Before the canyon fully closes in, you pass monuments like the Obelisk Tomb, its pyramidal carvings standing as funerary symbols of the Nabataeans. It’s your first real hint that this was more than a city; it was a sophisticated civilization with engineering skill, trade networks, and remarkable artistry.
And then comes the moment.
At the Siq’s darkest bend, sunlight suddenly spills ahead. One more step…and there it is: Al-Khazneh, the Treasury.
CONTINUED, PAGE 14
BACKGROUND PHOTO: Al-Khazneh, seen through the Siq – a winding sandstone canyon
Forty meters high, carved directly into rose-colored rock, impossibly ornate. Columns, statues, intricate Hellenistic details, all sculpted by hand more than two millennia ago. It was likely a royal tomb, not a treasury at all, but the romantic name stuck.
I froze. Partly because it’s breathtaking. Partly because my brain kept shouting: “You’re literally standing in a scene from Indiana Jones!”
theater, later expanded by the Romans, seating around 8,500 spectators. And finally, endless rock-cut chambers, stairways, and monuments carved into glowing sandstone cliffs.
Among the tombs and pathways, vendors sell hand-carved souvenirs. One small object caught my eye: a tiny cup carved from pale stone. Simple, elegant, unmistakably handcrafted. I bought it immediately.
For a brief second, childhood imagination and adult reality overlapped perfectly.
Beyond the Treasury, Petra opens into a sprawling archaeological wonder. The Street of Façades, lined with some of the city’s oldest tombs. A massive Nabataean
At its peak in the 1st century AD, Petra housed roughly 20,000 inhabitants and thrived as a trade hub connecting Arabia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean. Ingenious water systems allowed agriculture to flourish in the desert, a testament to Nabataean engineering.
Today it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Middle East’s most extraordinary historical destinations.
But standing there, this felt less like history, and more like a place I’d been transported.
“Well,” I joked, holding it up, “I guess I found my Holy Grail.”
It may have been cheesy, but in that moment, completely sincere.
Travel often gives you snapshots. Petra gave me something deeper: a sense of continuity between past and present, myth and reality, strangers and friends.
Just as that little stone cup was carved carefully by human hands, the memory of Petra feels carved into me: the desert silence, Bedouin tea, towering canyon walls, and that unforgettable first glimpse of the Treasury.
It remains one of the most adventurous days I’ve ever experienced.
And if history, cinema, culture, and sheer wonder ever intersect again quite like that, I’ll gladly chase another grail.
At the royal tombs, monumental burial sites also carved into the rock face of Petra.
Costa d'Este Resort 3244 Ocean Drive Vero Beach, FL
WED, MAR 25 • 11 AM
Renaissance Senior Living of Vero Beach 2100 10th Avenue Vero Beach, FL
If Vero Beach had a what would it be?Mascot,
I hope it’s not going to be that orange and black lizard. There’s a lot of them here, though, so let’s hope not. Other than that, it would have to be the live oak tree.
Andrea M
I don’t know what their name is, but you know those big orange and black lizards that are running around that got invasive, definitely that.
Bobcat. I see a lot of bobcats in Vero. Justin B.
I would have to say a starfish. They’re mysterious.
Rico Rodriguez
A treasure chest. This is the Treasure Coast. Ian Burns
A blue heron. It’s a local bird and it’s so beautiful and graceful. Didi McCormack
A dolphin. I see them in the river all the time. Clark Lewis
The big bird, the pelican. Dave and Robin Barone
A mermaid. I love mermaids! Karen Corsetti
Waldo’s, the bar and pub named after Waldo Sexton.
Marie Guiliano
A pirate! Norman Mabbitt
Antonio
A Senior citizen with sunglasses. Mike
Melania
Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes before a president’s inauguration—the parties, planning, and safety precautions?
The movie Melania is a documentary that offers a look at the 20 days leading up to Donald Trump’s second inauguration on January 20, 2025.
There’s been much controversy over the film and critics predicted it would flop before it even hit theaters. However, since its January 20th release, it has become clear that moviegoers appreciate its intimate portrayal of Melania and the behind-the-scenes preparations for the historic event – and the film’s power to engage audiences.
The movie allows us to step into Melania’s world as she orchestrates plans for the inauguration—the days leading up to the historic event. At the same time, it explores the logistics of the White House transition, including moving her family back into the White House and the former president’s move out.
Although Melania Trump is known to be a private person, we’re given the opportunity to see her in a more personal light.
This behind-the-scenes view continues as we see, within the hour-forty-minute movie, Melania’s precise eye for elegance and class. The first part of the film focuses on fashion. As she enters the Trump Tower penthouse, we meet the French-American designer Hervé Pierre, who designed the elegant black-andwhite gown Melania wore for the inaugural ball, as well as New York designer Adam Lippes, who dressed Melania for the inauguration.
It is evident that she has a deep-seated appreciation for fashion. Melania explains that her love stems from her mother’s gift for design and elegance. Her mother, Amalija Knavs, had a profound influence on her life. She even designed the outfits she wore as a child. One of the personal moments is the scene where Melania visits St. Patrick’s Cathedral to honor her mother on the first anniversary of her death, which fell during this inaugural time. Her precision extends beyond fashion. While reviewing plans for the inauguration, Melania oversees every detail for her guests attending the candlelight dinner that took place on the eve of the inauguration.
As President Trump is planning his acceptance speech, we see how they balance each other out. While rehearsing it, Meliana quietly slips in. As she listens intently, she interjects her thoughts, for him to change the goal of his upcoming administration to be a peacemaker and unifier. He acknowledges her suggestion with a smile.
As the film draws to a close, it seamlessly leads into the unforgettable inauguration of our 47th President. Melania’s memorable phrase, uttered as she proceeds into the capital— “Here we go again!”—resonates.
Sitting next to her son Barron, and watched by the world, they embark together on a new chapter for the next four years.
Although some reviewers found the film boring, as someone who loves fashion and elegance, I enjoyed its visual splendor— from sleek designer outfits to the exquisite candlelight dinner table setting, ending with Melania’s graceful wave at the inaugural ball. The film’s elegance left a lasting impression.
And … Meliana was named the #1 Documentary in the past decade. Amazon, Disney, Netflix and Paramount Pictures bid for the streaming rights. Disney offered approximately $14 million, but lost to Amazon’s bid of $40 million to license it and produce a follow-up. This was the highest price ever paid for a documentary.
Del Bates is an award-winning author and speaker. Her latest book, Lamba's Journey with Jesus is a delightful children's book that takes little ones from the manger to the empty tomb and makes a perfect Easter gift. Available on Amazon. You can find more of her books at DelBates.com. Del co-hosts the podcast “Seeds of Hope with Del and Penny” Wednesdays at 12:12pm on Vero's Voice.ç
Dear Friends & Members,
I would like to invite you to the happenings for The Easter Season at First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach!
– Dr. Timothy Womack, Senior Pastor
Lenten Devotional
Our Lenten Devotional “Discipleship in a Divided Age: A Lenten Journey through Matthew’s Gospel” will begin on Ash Wednesday (2 /18). You will be sent a weekly email, with daily devotions, throughout Lent. You also will be sent a weekly music video that will enhance your journey to Easter. Call the Church Office to sign up.
Wednesday Lenten Luncheon Concert Series
As we journey toward Easter, we will celebrate God’s love for us through sacred music and fellowship. Beginning at noon, on February 25th and running every Wednesday through March 25th, Dr. Jacob Craig will be leading each concert, held in the choir room, assisting our guest musicians. Call the Church Office to reserve your spot.
Holy Week Worship
3/29 Palm Sunday – Holy Week Begins
8:15am Communion Service, Chapel
9:30am & 11:00am Easter Contata Service
“Out of the Shadows”, McAfee Halll
4/2 Maundy Thursday
7:00pm Tenebrae Communion Service, McAfee Hall
4/4 Easter Vigil
Silent Reflection & Prayer
9:00am – Noon, Chapel
4/5 Easter: Resurrection Sunday
8:15am Communion Service, Chapel
9:30am Communion Service, McAfee Hall
11:00am Communion Service, McAfee Hall
Welcome Pastor Andy
We are excited to welcome Pastor Andy Smothers to our staff at First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach. We know that he will serve our Church Family and community with energy, intelligence, and imagination and will show a deep and abiding commitment to serving the Lord!
Pastor Andy was raised in a small town in Eastern Iowa and discerned a call into ministry through experiences in domestic and foreign missions lay caregiving experiences as a deacon, Stephen Minister and Leader, as well as in teaching within the church.
Perhaps not surprising from his experiences, Pastor Andy enjoys traveling and the outdoors. Among other activities, you might find him hiking, bicycling, kayaking, camping and doing other outdoor activities on vacation and around the community.
Most recently, Pastor Andy has served as a solo pastor at Glade Run Church in Valencia, PA (north of Pittsburgh) for three years.
3/8 First Presbyterian Church Youth Choir Puerto Rico Benefit Dinner, 5:30pm McAfee Hall
Tickets & Reservations: Contact Church Office
4/10 Blessings of the Animals FPCVB Parking Lot, 4:00pm
Rev. Andy Smothers Associate Pastor
BY
Sheet Pan DINNERS
Sheet pan dinner recipes are popping up all over the internet lately. Perfect for busy days, they offer a simple way to get a complete meal on the table with minimal cleanup. By roasting everything together, the ingredients develop rich caramelized flavors while keeping cleanup to a single pan. We’re using chicken in these recipes, showing how versatile this method can be. Use a sturdy rimmed half sheet pan, approximately 18 x 13, that won’t warp or bend, and place your rack in the center of the oven unless stated otherwise.
GREEK CHICKEN THIGHS AND VEGETABLES
Bright Mediterranean flavors in one effortless meal. Juicy lemon-herb chicken roasts alongside vegetables for a vibrant dinner that’s healthy and full of flavor.
Serves 6
Ingredients
1/2 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons lemon juice (1 lemon)
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon each salt and black pepper
6 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
1 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced
1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 large red onion, thinly sliced into wedges
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted
1/4 cup feta cheese
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, thyme, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper.
3. Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl and pour twothirds of the marinade on top. Use your hands to toss the chicken in the marinade until it’s well coated. Marinate the chicken for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
4. While the chicken marinates, prepare the zucchini, bell pepper, onions and tomatoes and place on the sheet pan. Drizzle with the remaining marinade and toss to thoroughly coat the veggies.
5. Nestle the chicken pieces in the vegetables and bake 30 minutes.
6. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and add the olives and feta. Bake for an additional 10 minutes – until the chicken reaches 165 degrees and the vegetables are softened.
7. Garnish with chopped parsley.
Note: Ovens vary. If your chicken isn’t getting brown enough on top, you can raise the rack in the oven, or turn on the top broiler for the last minute or two. Or, if it’s cooking too quickly, lower the rack in the oven or reduce the temperature slightly.
CHICKEN POT PIE
Chicken and vegetables in a rich creamy sauce topped with golden brown puffed pastry. The ultimate comfort food. Serves 10
Ingredients
5 tablespoons butter
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
4 cups chopped cooked chicken
16-ounces frozen mixed vegetables
1 (17.3 ounce) box puff pastry, thawed according to package directions (like Pepperidge Farms Puffed Pastry Sheets)
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. Heat butter in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add onion and celery and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
3. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder; stir and cook for 1 minute. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, about 1 minute. Add the broth and cream, whisking constantly, and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.
4. Stir in the chicken and vegetables and cook for 2 minutes. Adjust seasoning if necessary and remove from the heat.
5. Lightly grease a sturdy rimmed baking sheet pan. Spread the chicken mixture into the pan.
6. Lightly roll the pastry sheets to fit the baking sheet if needed. Lay the pastry on top of the chicken mixture, covering the entire sheet.
7. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and bubbly, 25 to 30 minutes.
CHICKEN QUESADILLAS
A family favorite. Warm, golden crispy tortilla filled with seasoned chicken and gooey melted cheese, cooked perfectly crisp and satisfying. Using a sheet pan takes the work out of making individual quesadillas.
Serves 8
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for brushing tortillas
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and brush your pan well with oil.
2. In a large deep skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, green and bell peppers; cook, stirring occasionally, until just softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in the chicken. Sprinkle on the fajita seasoning and water. Stir and cook until the liquid is absorbed.
3. Arrange 6 tortillas around the edges of the oiled sheet pan so half of each hangs over the sides; place a tortilla in the center to cover the entire bottom of the pan. Sprinkle half of the cheese on the tortillas.
4. Spread the chicken mixture over the top, avoiding any excess liquid. Sprinkle evenly with the remaining cheese.
5. Place another tortilla on top in the center; fold overhanging tortillas toward the center to enclose the filling. Brush tortillas with more oil to make them extra crispy. Top with a second smaller baking sheet and press lightly to help the quesadilla hold its shape.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes until golden and crispy, removing the top baking sheet half way through.
7. Flip it out on large cutting board and slice into 8 rectangles. Serve topped with sour cream, pico de gallo, and cilantro.
Note: Customize with whatever filling you like.
Navigating Your Taxes in Retirement: A Guide to Smart Planning
Last month, we dove into why tax planning is different in retirement, key strategies for tax-efficient retirement, and leveraging tax-advantaged accounts. This month, we'll wrap up our twopart series discussing Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), managing capital gains, and bringing it all together to help build a cohesive plan.
Plan for Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)
Once you reach a certain age (currently 73), the IRS requires you to start taking annual withdrawals from your tax-deferred retirement accounts. These are called Required Minimum Distributions, or RMDs. The amount is calculated based on your account balance and your life expectancy.
Failing to take your full RMD results in a steep penalty. More importantly, these mandatory withdrawals increase your taxable income. An RMD could push you into a higher tax bracket, increase the portion of your Social Security benefits that are taxable, and potentially raise your Medicare premiums.
Planning for RMDs is essential. If you have significant assets in tax-deferred accounts, you might consider strategies like a Roth conversion in the years before RMDs begin. A conversion involves moving money from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. You pay income tax on the converted amount in the year of the conversion, but future withdraw-
als from the Roth will be tax-free. This can reduce your future RMDs and provide a source of tax-free income later in retirement.
Manage Your Capital Gains
Your investment portfolio is a key component of your retirement income. Selling assets that have appreciated in value will trigger capital gains taxes. The rate you pay depends on how long you held the asset.
• Short-Term Capital Gains: Apply to assets held for one year or less. They are taxed at your ordinary income tax rate.
• Long-Term Capital Gains: Apply to assets held for more than one year. They are taxed at preferential rates (0%, 15%, or 20%), which are typically lower than ordinary income rates.
To manage your tax liability from investments, consider tax-loss harvesting. This strategy involves selling investments at a loss to offset gains you have realized elsewhere in your portfolio. You can deduct up to $3,000 in net capital losses against your ordinary income each year, further reducing your tax bill.
Putting It All Together: Building a Cohesive Plan
An effective tax strategy is not built on a single tactic but on the coordination of many moving parts. It connects your investment strategy, withdrawal plan, and estate planning into a single, cohesive financial picture.
by Danny Howes, EA, RFC
Consider how different financial decisions interact. For example, the timing of a large withdrawal from your IRA could impact your Medicare premiums two years later. Selling a highly appreciated stock could affect the taxability of your Social Security benefits for the current year. Because of this complexity, working with a financial professional who specializes in retirement and tax planning is invaluable. A qualified advisor can help you:
• Create a dynamic withdrawal strategy that balances your income needs with tax efficiency.
• Model the long-term tax impact of different financial decisions.
• Identify opportunities for Roth conversions or other tax-planning strategies.
• Ensure your plan aligns with your estate planning goals to preserve your legacy.
Tax season is the perfect time to review your financial strategy. By taking a proactive and informed approach to your taxes, you can keep more of your hard-earned money, navigate retirement with confidence, and enjoy the future you’ve planned for.
DANNY HOWES, EA, RFC EAST COAST TAX AND FINANCIAL
LITHIUM BATTERIES should NEVER be placed in your recycling OR garbage carts!
Single-use alkaline batteries such as 9 volt, C, D, AA, and AAA are safe to dispose of with your regular trash.
Lithium batteries, such as rechargeable, cell phone and laptop batteries, and other hazardous household batteries are highly flammable and should NOT be put in a cart. Please bring them to one of the 5 Customer Convenience Centers or to the Main County Landfill.
Download the CARTer’s Corner app for the latest recycling information or visit indianriver.gov.
Let Your Light Shine
“Did you give up a cherished interest to pursue approval?”
BY BETH WALSH STEWART
What did you learn when you were little? Some of the lessons were keepers; others you should have tossed. Unfortunately, some of them became the foundation on which you built your life, and that’s why you sometimes feel like you’re standing on shaky ground.
There was a little girl in kindergarten that loved school because it meant finding new friends. During a drawing class, she learned that her artwork was superior when the teacher made mention of it. What should have been a moment to celebrate became a moment of shame. The other kids didn’t like the inference that their art projects were inferior. The youngster learned the lesson: to have friends, you can’t outshine the masses. So she tucked her talent away and only let it shine when she was alone. She vowed to be average so that she’d be part of the crowd.
Forty years later, she still hides her light under a bushel, but at this point it’s an unconscious habit. She wonders why she never excels in her own projects but can help anyone else find their sweet spot when she assists.
This woman is operating under an unchallenged and unexamined false belief. She has wasted years of her life struggling to be average
when she was born to be exceptional. The imaginations in her beautiful mind were never allowed to be expressed through her wonderful creativity. Instead, she punched a clock and delivered what was expected. When a talented individual sells him or herself short, we all lose. Creativity suppressed, decisions are made to become what other people have in mind, instead of what God intended. Our instinct to belong in the society of our fellows exacts great sacrifice. To be included, we gladly throw aside our youthful exuberance and take our place among the culturally correct. Eventually, what started as a societal ritual becomes a rut, and the mundane becomes acceptable when the exotic was once available. What faulty decisions have become habitual for you? Did you give up a cherished interest to pursue approval? Do you ever feel that you lack purpose? Do you look back in time and wonder if your life has had meaning?
I f these questions like these cross your mind from time to time, think back on what you suppressed and give it another shot. Pick up the guitar. Renew your love of painting. Grow vegetables. Join a tennis league. Awaken your heart and mind and let your light shine for all to see. Be the incredible, talented individual God had in mind when He designed you. Life will explode with meaning and possibilities.
Beth Walsh Stewart, MTh, is the Creator of BethWe, the nonprofit that was the impetus for this work. Dedicated to rescuing the stragglers lost in the shadows of the road of life, Beth is best-known for her Good Seed Podcasts, 12-Step seminars, weekly blogs, g.o.d. speaks books, and uplifting workshops. Beth lives by this motto: I have been called
When Heaven Opens the Books
by Pastor Alex Pappas
The Bible presents judgment day not as chaos, but as order. Daniel describes a heavenly courtroom filled with fire and authority, where multitudes stand before God and books are opened. Revelation echoes the same scene. History pauses. Heaven records are brought forth. Judgment is intentional, measured, and deeply personal.
Among these records is the Book of Life. Scripture describes it as the register of those who belong to God. Their names are confessed before heaven, and only those written in this book may enter God’s eternal city. It is a book of grace, identity, and final hope.
Yet Scripture suggests that heaven’s library holds more than one volume.
Psalm 139 reveals that God keeps a book concerning each person’s life. Before a single day unfolds, every day is known and written. This book does not merely record actions, but divine intention. God’s thoughts toward us are vast and purposeful, yet they do not remove human choice. Heaven records potential. We determine response.
Another record is the Book of Remembrance. Malachi tells us it was written not for kings or prophets, but for ordinary people who feared the Lord, honored His name, and encouraged one another through difficult seasons. Their faithfulness went unnoticed on earth, but heaven paid attention. God listened and commanded that it be written. In Acts, Cornelius stands as a living example. His prayers and generosity rose before God as a memorial, prompting divine action. What people overlook, God remembers.
Scripture also points to what is called the Book of the Wars of the Lord. Certain battles mattered enough to be recorded. Victories where prayer and perseverance proved as decisive as strength and strategy. These accounts remind us that spiritual endurance is not invisible to God. It invites the question of whether our own unseen battles are also being remembered.
Finally, Scripture speaks of the most personal record of all, the Book of Tears. David writes that God not only sees human sorrow but preserves it. These are not tears of rebellion, but tears formed in confusion, fear, and suffering. Every restless night, every silent prayer, every grief carried alone is known and kept. The world urges us to move on; God chooses to remember.
The message is clear. Nothing surrendered to God is ever wasted. Heaven keeps careful record, and mercy has the final word.
“Nothing surrendered to God is ever wasted.”
BY PASTOR RICH IENUSO
Renewed Strength
Isaiah 40:31 states that we can renew our strength as we wait on the Lord. He gives us the ability to fly like the eagle.
Proverbs 10:29 states that the way of the Lord is strength to the upright.
Isaiah 41:10 states that the Lord will strengthen us.
Colossians 1:11 says that we are strengthened by God’s power.
Receive the Lord’s strength today. You will make it through any trial, tribulation, and testing with the Lord’s help. Let Him be your strength (Psalms 27:1).
Blessings, Pastor Rich
Pastor Alex Pappas is Senior Pastor at Oceans Unite Christian Center holding services at the interim location Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center, 1707 16th St, Vero Beach.
“Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by Me.”
Church God’s Way makes it clear that the Church is NOT THE PHYSICAL BUILDING BUT THE PEOPLE. It exposes the lies and deceptions of the devil through the Biblical Truths of the Word of God.
Kathleen Hollop is a healing evangelist who has experienced the miracles of God today. She has made 23 trips to Africa, Venezuela, and Columbia and also several trips to Maine.
