In 2025, we told your stories. In the pages of this special issue, we present a collection of the year. Join us as we revisit the highlights, starting with the monthly covers' "Behind the Scene!"

Edee Dalke, Publisher

John and Janice Reilly. The beautiful couple debuted our new photographer, Kristia Knowles. Her photographic magic created this gorgeous cover taken on the beach. As I reviewed the photos, I saw her husband, Mark, caught in one of the images. He had assisted in helping the wind along with this dramatic pose. (Thanks, Mark!) Story by Nancy Neeb.

Becky and Brian Hilgers and their daughter Brie. This photo was an optional cover photo that I absolutely loved, but I chose the other. Newer to the Waterfront Community, they have dived in to be involved. Brian is a tremendous help to our VOG project as well as assisting me with new advertisers! Both are helping at our socials. Photo by the amazing Ariel Faith Photography. Story by Terry Pennington.

Nan Heebner. Nan and her big smile adorned the cover of April. Photographer Ariel Faith specializes in empowering women through photographs and working to capture their true inner spirit, and I felt this was done well. As Nan has been rebuilding her life since the loss of her husband Pete, this included a tribute to him as well as showing her inner and outer beauty. Story by Tyler Corson.

May was the 9-year anniversary of the publication. Because I have other plans for our 10-year, I decided to do a recap without thinking about how much time it would take me to pull all the photos from nine years. One page per year with the highlights of that year. It was a big endeavor, but I was really pleased with how it turned out.

Reginald & Marcela Berthiamume with daughters Samantha and Alexa. Another fabulous and luxurious cover by Kristia Knowles Photography. As Samantha was preparing for her quinceañera celebration, Kristia was able to capture the mood and feel of this with the entire family. I had a typo on the cover; I spelled his name Reginal instead of Reginald. If you see him, just call him Reggie! Story by Terry Pennington.

Beautiful Betty Canard. Our first swimsuit cover…and she is 90!! Clearly, the best photo and expression of joy was this photo that Ariel Faith captured. Sometimes I look over a shoot, and one photo clearly pops out as “the one.” This was it.  A close second was the photo of her walking on their dock. Her amazing life could have taken many more pages. Story by Tyler Corson.

Year two of our Environmental Initiative to build and launch Vertical Oyster Gardens (VOGs) on private Ormond docks to begin to clean our river. We set a HUGE goal of building 500 VOGs in one day, which had never been accomplished by the Coastal Conservation Association. Two weeks prior, we only had 20 people signed up. On that day, 100 people showed up, and 500 VOGs were achieved! Photo by me on a ladder with the first 8 out of focus. 

Paul Kenzer. Try getting a National Baseball Agent nailed down for a photo shoot! My photographer booked and then cancelled because of his busy schedule, but deadline was nearing quickly. He came to town, but my photographer was busy. Resident Jim and Sharon Popham, his longtime friends, came to the rescue. Sharon captured the cover photo and photos of his son and grandson. Photo by Sharon Popham. Story by Jim Popham and Mia James.

Dorothy Strong. She was NEVER going to be on the cover! It was Mia James having a conversation with her, saying, “Well, we just had a 90-year-old woman in her swimsuit!”  Dorothy changed her mind, and I’m glad she did because she deserves to be a Cover Girl! A great life story and a beautiful photo shoot with Kristia…which got rained on and rescheduled to finish! Photo by Kristia Knowles Photography. Story by Terry Pennington.

Stacy and Matt Welch. I had known wonderful Stacy for years, but when they recently moved to the waterfront, it was their good friend and our Resident Editor, Mia James, who suggested the cover. It always amazes me to read someone’s story and realize you didn’t know that much about them. She was a teacher in North Carolina, and he spent 8 years serving with the Marines? I had no idea!  Photo by Ariel Faith Photography. Story by Mia James.

 

The contributors. Our annual photoshoot happens in October to make deadline. When I asked them, the idea that came back was The Great Gatsby. Best yet, Resident Daynia Dodd volunteered their historic home on the 1-way that John D Rockefeller once owned!  Everyone looked so sharp. I will always know my grandfather’s gold watch is in Scott’s hand. Afterwards, we went to 31 Club…such fun. This is our “after party." Cover photo by Ariel Faith. This photo by the bartender!