2 3 Thanks for Everything! Tradition, Tradition! By Shellie Miller We all know the theme of most November publications, but I'd like to be so bold as to The holiday season is officially upon us. Charger mom avoid some of the sappy stuff and add some humor. Guess what? I’m grateful. I hope Chrissi Vadala says "This is the most treasured three you are, too! I’d like to give thanks for things I often forget to say, and will definitely not be mentioning over turkey. Thank God that I didn’t get pulled over when I missed the months for our family… And it goes by so fast!" Traditions stop sign, my make-up wasn't on yet and was only wearing pajamas. Thanks to those for her family begin in mid-October and start with a pump- of you who didn't embarrass me by mentioning the stacks of mail, assortment of shoes kin carving contest between her three children. The antici- (in every size and style...thanks, kids!) and unfolded laundry in our living room. Thanks pation of Thanksgiving has her planning menus, family gath- to my dogs and parrots who are always excited to see me (not always the case with my erings, and always includes a cookie exchange between her teenagers). Thank you to my amazing husband for trudging to the barn in the early and a group of friends. Of course cookie preparation, frosting morning rain to fix fences and a water main (country living at its finest) in a flooded, and packaging includes every member of the family (cue the mucky horse stall. spoon-licking)! More importantly, November is the time for us to be grateful for the brave men and Which memories from your own childhood are you carrying into traditions that will live on in your family and women who are the backbone of our armed forces. Thanks to every person who has extended family? Ours began two generations ago with Scott's Nana. She has a really yummy pumpkin pie put their own life at risk to protect our country, our freedom and our children. Please recipe that everyone in our family takes a turn making every year. With the first one made probably a week acknowledge someone you know who serves or has served in the military on Veterans before Thanksgiving (and devoured in mere moments), we don't get tired of enjoying her pumpkin pie until Day, November 11...or take the time to honor them during the entire month of probably sometime in February. She left us with amazing holiday memories, recipes and traditions that our ™ November. They serve us EVERY day. Let's give them 30 in 2014. Spectator Magazine own sons and daughter look forward to sharing with their future families. 7660 NW 82nd Ter. • Parkland • FL • 33067 God bless your family and each and every one of our troops, Is your favorite tradition making a popcorn garland, roasting a goose, wrapping gifts, an annual family Publisher & Contributing Writers camping trip, or a game of touch football? Is your favorite holiday one that we celebrate in November or Managing Editor Michael Armfield Shellie &Scott December....or is it a different time of year that you are fondly looking forward to? To kick off our Spectator Shellie Miller - Samantha Gaynor tradition of sharing, here it is... ENJOY! Farrugia Dr. Howard Gelb Dr. Gary Goberville Happy Thanksgiving! Creative Director Shellie Miller Scott Farrugia Brett Porter Valerie Robbins Photography Bill Sohl Nana's Pumpkin Pie Scott Farrugia Dr. Clive Woods • Preheat the oven to 425 Cheri Tishman Advertising Sales • Using your favorite homemade recipe or a (954) 753-4300 Web, Social Media refrigerated pie crust, prepare and place it, uncooked, e-mail: & email Marketing [email protected] in a ceramic or glass pie pan. BG Marketing Distributed by Crimp the edges and set aside. Links Media US Mail & In a blender, food processor or mixer, combine: Baron Express 954-297-0731 • 15 oz. can of 100% Pumpkin (not pie mix) •2 eggs • 14 oz. can of Sweetened Condensed Milk Facebook.com/MySpectator (NOT evaporated) Twitter@/MySpectator • 1 tsp. Ground Cinnamon MySpectatorOnline.com • 1/2 tsp. Ground Nutmeg • 1/2 tsp. Ground Ginger The entire contents of this magazine are copyright 2015 Spectator Publishing, Inc. Opinions expressed in The • 1/4 tsp. salt Spectator are those of the respective writers and are not nec- essarily those held by the publisher or staff. All advertising and copy are subject to the approval of the publisher and may be • Blend thoroughly and pour into pie shell. rejected for any reason. Due to last minute changes, technical • Bake for 15 minutes and then reduce oven issues or other problems beyond Spectator Publishing Inc.'s control, Spectator Publishing Inc. cannot be held responsible temperature to 325 for omissions, changes in schedule, misprints or accuracy of said listings or other information. All submission and published • Bake 35 minutes or until a toothpick test in the material are the property of Spectator Publishing, Inc. The publishers reserve the right to edit all submitted copy. All center comes out clean. advertising and features, including art work, layout and design remain the sole property of Spectator Publishing Inc. and may Note - if crust is becoming too dark, shield it with not be reprinted without written permission from the publisher. foil while the pie continues baking On the cover: Coral Springs Christian Academy Students 4 5 My name is Valerie Robbins. I am a senior and the Student Body President at Coral Springs Christian Academy. I have been attending CSCA for the past 13 years, or since Kindergarten, thus deeming me a “lifer.” I am a content, proud “lifer” for several reasons. First, this school is truly centered on Christ. Most would assume this is so automatically from the name, but I men- tion this point specifically because I know of several schools that claim the name of religion, but do not properly represent or present it. My teachers have not only taught me things applicable in the world of academia, but also in my spirituality, truly connecting me with Christ. CSCA pres- ents a biblical worldview, but in a very realistic manner— we are encouraged to think critically. The real world does not readily accept Christianity without skepticism, and CSCA prepares us to face such doubt. Because of the many didactic, pertinent, and priceless lessons I have learned at CSCA, I am certain that I am ready to face the suspicion of modern culture. One of the many valuable les- sons I have learned here is that when I do experience adversity, I am able to turn to God and His Word for guid- ance to overcome it. Overall, my favorite aspect of CSCA is the Christian family ambience of my school. The size definitely contributes to the closer interactions of students and staff school-wide, but does not guarantee a family atmosphere. The family atmosphere is produced by the people in it and their will- ingness to invest their time. Furthermore, the CSCA faculty members truly resemble family. They are sincere in their actions, having the best intentions.—they are caring, con- siderate, and supportive. Because of the sincerity of the faculty, each student is able to identify a role model within the staff. Each staff member gets to know the students personally as a human being, rather than just as a number on the roster. From my experience, it is not the size of the school that creates a family ambience, but the people in it. For example, I have definitely noticed that no matter when or how someone may leave this school, the person always stays in touch and visits. This is because of the relation- ship built with CSCA and the people here—it is more than an acquaintanceship, and more like a lifelong family rela- tionship. My parents have given me the freedom to choose my path, and CSCA has been the path I have chosen for these wonderful 13 years. As I prepare to go to college, I often look back on my life at this school. When I do so, I am confident that I have made the right decision by contin- uing to attend Coral Springs Christian Academy. 6 Arelis has stars in her eyes when she says with a smile,"18 years ago, we met in The Boings Venezuela, where I'm from. Rob was working there. It was love at first sight!" Married for 17 years, Rob and Arelis have three beautiful children; Maggie 16, Alejandro 13 and Robert 12. All three of the kids attend Coral Springs Charter School. Maggie is a Junior, and thinks science is super cool. She stays involved in extracurricular activities like Drama, Journalism and the Yearbook. She also loves playing the piano and has been taking lessons for 7 years. Alejandro is an 8th grader who also likes science. He loves playing the guitar and participates in drama, but his real passion is being on the baseball field. Robert is in 6th grade and loves math, playing baseball and hanging out with his friends. He also plays the piano. For the past 9 years Arelis has worked as a preschool teacher at Seton Ridge Children's Center. Rob has been work- ing in the telecommunication industry for 20 years, and is purchasing a local landscaping company. Relocating from Houston, Texas 14 years ago, Arelis reflects, "It was hard leaving family and friends behind but at the same time, it was very exciting to be in the Sunshine State. “We've been parishioners of St Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church since we moved to Coral Springs and we found a great community of Faith and friendship there." Their boys are altar servers and Maggie sings in the youth Choir.