A Note from the Publisher

by Cynthia Paul

Oh the month of February! Doesn’t it conjure up images of love, holding hands, walking along Brevard’s beautiful beaches, enjoying the harmony of sincere friendship and extending Valentine’s wishes from the heart? Speaking of the heart, the upcoming “Men Cooking from the Heart,” 14th annual event benefiting the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBS) organization, starts at 6:30 pm, February 16, at the Melbourne Auditorium. Writer Holly Fox Vellekoop educates us on the importance of the BBBS program to children as they are less likely to skip school, less likely to begin smoking or using illegal drugs and they begin to start trusting their parents, gain self-confidence and perform better in school.” (See page 22, Non Profits Serving Brevard).

Since love is in the air, you’ll want to read how retired Melbourne Mayor John Buckley has been spending his retirement time in Melbourne as writer Holly Fox Vellekoop meets with he and his wife of 50 years. (See page 24, Still Boomin’ article).

If flowers are your thing, then you’ll want to become acquainted with Rockledge Gardens, the largest garden center in Brevard County. You’ll find over 100 varieties of roses just in time for Valentine’s Day. Writer Rolanda Hatcher-Gallop delves into the history of the garden center and nursery, highlighting their growing interest in beautifying Brevard County. (See page 6, Achieving Excellence in Business).

A piece of art is always a nice gift. Writer Andy McIlwraith introduces you to Cocoa’s fused glass artist, Deanna Woolet whose work is inspired by designs from both above and below the sea. (See page 27, The Arts article).

And if you’re looking for fun things to do, you’ll find this month’s calendars of events filled with activities for you and your loved ones, including several healthcare events to keep you staying fit and healthy. (See our Healthcare Calendar page 18). Choose from the many exhibits, concerts and theatre events that are listed in our Arts and Theatre Calendar (see page 26) and enjoy family activities from the list of community events in our Community Calendar (see page 13).

I’d like to wish all of our Brevard County readers a happy Valentine’s Day and hope you’ll celebrate this month by sharing smiles, XXX and OOO with your loved ones.

Until next month,
Cynthia Paul