“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:29 NRSV)

On the day of my graduation from Seminary, I earned a degree, Master of Divinity, M.Div. for short, and I was able to put these letters behind my name.

On the day I was ordained I received a title, Minister of Word and Sacrament. I was able to put the title Reverend before my name, Rev. for short.

And people call me Pastor Jeff, which is what I prefer to any fancy title, and it works for me. But I must confess, there is another title I wear with pride.

When my children were born I became a dad. I remember when I dropped them off at preschool before I went to church, and their tiny little classmates would come up to me to show me a project or say hi and they called me “Rachel’s Dad” or “Nathan’s Dad.” For instance “Hey, ‘Nathan’s Dad,’ look at what I just did.” My heart was warmed by their cuteness and sweetness. But I loved the fact that they didn’t refer to me by any name or title, but simply by my connection to their friend, my child. At that moment, I wasn’t Reverend, Pastor, Minister or Master of Divinity, I was simply “Rachel’s Dad” or “Nathan’s Dad,” and that warmed my heart more than any other title that was given to me.

With the title “Dad” comes a job and as challenging as the ministry can be, being a dad has its challenges too. It requires an awful lot from us and pushes us to our limits. And when we come through these challenges, the love that keeps our family together gets even stronger.

I ask myself the question: “Can I love God more than my kids?” The Bible tells me that I must be willing to forsake even my own family. Frankly, I don’t know if I can do that. I know that this challenge pushes me to my human limits but the challenge is still there.

And then I realized something about God. He, too, has many titles and names. Adonai, Elohim, El Shadai are just a few names/titles of God. But Jesus teaches us to call upon in prayer with the words “Our Father.” And when Jesus called upon God in prayer he used the word “Abba,” roughly translated, “Daddy.”

I wonder if God’s heart warms when he hears his children call upon Him in prayer. I wonder if “Jesus’ Dad” is a title that filled Him with joy. I know that any God who would prefer to have us call him “Father,” “Daddy” or “Dad” must love us the way we love our children. And considering the magnitude of God, that is a lot of love.

As a Christian and a father, I realize that I am not forsaking my children when I love God more, on the contrary. When I love God, he loves me back. And the abundance of God’s love spills upon everyone who is near.

As a human being, I have limits. God, on the other hand, does not. And when my love is tested and pushed to the limits, I can tap into a source of love that is infinite.

As a Christian dad, I find that God’s love spills upon my children every time we pray, every time we worship, every time I am in their midst.

I know that Father’s Day can be a challenging day. I was fortunate to have a wonderful dad and I hope his legacy lives on in me as I am fortunate enough to be a dad. Not everyone is as fortunate as I and I realize this.

We have a Father in God who loves us very much regardless of our fortunes and misfortunes. He calls us to call upon Him in prayer as Father, Daddy or Dad. And, when he loves us, it spills and blesses all who stand in our midst.

Pastor Gross is a pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, located at 959 SE 6 Ave., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441. For more information, call 954-421-3146 or visit www.zion-lutheran.org.

Self-sabotaging behaviors create problems and interfere with goals such as dieting. Do you repeat the same patterns of behavior over and over again expecting different results? You might be demonstrating self-sabotaging behavior.

Weeding through endless weight loss or dieting information can leave a person feeling lost, desperate and overwhelmed since losing weight means you must invest time and understand what health, nutrition and fitness means specifically for you.

Many people jump from diet to diet to include ones endorsed by medical and mental health experts, celebrities and professional athletes. Such qualified and well-known people would never think about steering us in the wrong direction? Or, would they be promoting a diet because they are rewarded for agreeing to associate their celebrity to a weight loss diet program? The simple truth is that we need to truly comprehend what dieting or fat loss, and the physiology of metabolism, means specifically for us.

According to The Bulletproof Diet by Dave Asprey, 90 percent of people who work out in gyms do not train properly and people who join fitness clubs on average quit after 3-4 months. It is humbling to face the fact that, when it comes to a successful health and fitness lifestyle, one must demonstrate daily motivation and commitment.

Why do we give up so easily on our diet goals? Why do we blissfully indulge in many self-sabotaging behaviors? One must reprogram thinking to make harder choices and that can be very uncomfortable.

Saying ‘I will’ allows one to consciously think, feel, behave and move away from doing something one might regret, such as going through a fast food drive-thru to buy a breakfast sandwich versus making a healthy breakfast at home. One must also say no to a midnight snack or getting up in the middle of the night to eat. ‘I want’ is the ability to remember why when temptations strike and one can therefore focus on long term goals and learn to want more than a fast food breakfast sandwich or a midnight, or middle of the night, snack. Leaning into ‘I will’ and ‘I want’ empowers one to look temptations right in the eye and say, “No way, not now…” and those temptations will lose their power.

Stress is yet another factor causing self-sabotaging diet goals. The more stress we feel, the more likely we are to overeat, over-spend or over-indulge and soon we sadly regret such actions. Mental or physical stress drains us and anything we can do to reduce stress in our lives will help eliminate the potential of self-sabotaging diet goals.

Becoming conscious of any self-sabotaging behaviors that interfere with dieting goals can be the beginning of a new and successful journey in achieving weight loss goals. Remember, change is always possible!

Dr. Julia Breur is a licensed marriage and family therapist with a private clinical psychotherapy practice in Boca Raton. Further information is available at www.drjuliabreur.com.

Lenore Nolan Ryan

Lenore’s World Class Catering and Cooking School is in Galt Ocean Mile.

Muffaletta sandwich.

By Rachel Galvin

Walking into Lenore Nolan-Ryan’s location on Galt Ocean Mile is like a breath of fresh air. There is a sense of openness and intimacy at the same time. Filled with high and low tops and decorated in different shades of blues and whites, this locale is home to her Bubbles & Brunch, and Live2Travel, Love2Eat pop-up dinners, her cooking classes and other events.

This reporter “headed to the Bayou” last month for her Destination: New Orleans dinner. Seated with people I had never met, the experience was not only one of enjoying great food and getting a sense of the culture gastronomically, but also imbued with friendship and the creation of a culture of our own. Each item Lenore served up was inspired by her favorite restaurants in The Big Easy. The first brought to the table was the Central Grocery’s Muffaletta Sandwich. Now, I am not an olive fan, but something about the olives in this sandwich really made its flavor pop. The richness of the meat and cheese had a tangy kick that I could not stop eating. Next was Willie Mae’s Scotch House fried chicken, which was cooked well and left with a crispy skin. It was sided with red beans that tasted like they were flavored with sausage, a slightly sweet rice and some tomato and corn topping, as well as Upperline Restaurant’s fried green tomatoes and shrimp remoulade. At the end, she handed out some Cafe Du Monde beignets. Of course, she offers up specialty drinks as well, which make a nice addition to the meal. Every dinner she has has a different theme. Now, besides these dinners, she also has Bubbles & Brunch every Sunday. Want to learn how to cook up some of her specialties? She offers cooking classes as well.

If you are not up for meeting new people, bring some of your own to her next event. It is the perfect place for everything from a mother and daughter meet-up or date night, to a girls’ night out, a birthday party, bridal shower and more.

As I sat chatting with the people at my table, people kept coming over wanting to meet me and tell me about how much they love Lenore and the events she creates… one, right after another… saying they come again and again, each time bringing new people.

“We have a wonderful group of customers and friends,” explained Lenore, adding that she also does catering… People can have events within her space or she will come to them.“Catering is about me catering to you. It is my job to make you the hostess look like a million bucks, whether it is here or in your home. It is all about food, fun and friendship.”

Lenore is a force to be reckoned with. In addition to catering, cooking classes, dinners and brunches, she does cooking classes on a cruise ship and, off season, she heads to the Pacific Northwest to work on a charter yacht manned by all women.

Her history is just as interesting as her present. Her father owned the Cal-Neva Hotel and Casino in Reno, Nevada and went on to operate several casinos in Havana, Cuba. Lenore spent time there, as well as in her birthplace – Miami– before moving to Indiana with her mother following her parent’s divorce.

She did not start out thinking she would end up in the culinary world. She studied voice and piano at Butler University. But she asked the owner of a small restaurant if she could start doing brunch because she loved it so much and he obliged. She was only 19 years old. She brought in her own food and staff and ended up also starting her own catering business. She ended up moving to San Francisco and working at a friend’s restaurant doing the same thing before opening her own locale, Ryan’s, in 1980. This three-level location had not only a restaurant with lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, but also a charcuterie selection, gourmet take-out market, wine bar and cooking school.

Eventually, her heart took her back to South Florida shores and here to Ft. Lauderdale to be with family in 1998. She turned an Italian take-out location into Gina Lenore’s in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea and two years later started Lenore Nolan Ryan Catering & Cooking School. Of course, now, she is in this new location (at 3311 N. Ocean Blvd. In the Galt Ocean Plaza in Galt Ocean Mile, and is busier than ever.

For more information, call 954-491-2340 or visit www.lenorenolanryan.com.

Fried chicken, red beans, rice, fried green tomatoes and shrimp remoulade.

Don’t forget to add a cocktail!

By “Cinema Dave”

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

Robert DeNiro is not Young Vito Corleone, but he played the character in an Oscar Winning portrayal in The Godfather Part II.” DeNiro also portrayed the “Raging Bull” Jake LaMotta in another Oscar Winning performance. Sometimes, actors get confused between fantasy and reality and think they are the people they are playing. This seems to be the case last Sunday night in Manhattan in which DeNiro portrayed a cult leader in an auditorium filled with sycophantic apostles from the Broadway stage. DeNiro’s profanity laced diatribe criticizing the President of the United States was met with a standing ovation.

As I write this column on Tuesday morning, the divide between entertainment fantasy and political reality has expanded to gargantuan proportions. After a 68 year conflict, President Trump has begun negotiations to denuclearize the despot nation known as North Korea. With dwindling box office and dropping television ratings, entertainment industry leaders may want to rethink supporting a “Fearless Leader” like the delusional DeNiro. With armchair diplomacy and a surging economy, the American consumer may want to become more pragmatic when discussing our current President of the United States, Donald Trump.

Despite entertainment headlines about “Oceans 8” overthrowing “Solo: A Star Wars Story” for the weekend box office crown, sales revenues were flat for the Summer Blockbuster Season. With good word of mouth and full Disney/Pixar backing, expect “The Incredibles 2” to dominate headlines and box office revenue this weekend.

“Mary Shelley” also opens this weekend locally. Forty five years ago on PBS, this English Drama would have been routine programming on Sunday Night’s “Masterpiece Theater.” The film features beautiful scenery, very little action with English people talking a lot.

Elle Fanning portrays “Mary Shelley” and this 20-year-old actress from Conyers, Georgia is quite good as the frail, but strong willed young author. Fanning holds her own with a Veteran British ensemble that features Douglas Booth as Percy Bysse Shelley and Ben Hardy as Doctor Polidori. The three characters write and recite poetry and with one another. The topics of death, women’s liberation and sexual orientation are are also broached.

With the exception of the opening moments when she is reciting ghost stories in a a cemetery, we are three-quarters of the way into the film before we finally see Mary Shelley begin writing the book she is best known for, “Frankenstein.: This dull wait is too long and this is why “Mary Shelley” is such a disappointment to fans of gothic literature.

Besides “The Incredibles 2,” cinematic action will pick up next weekend with the release of “American Animals.” For all of it’s flaws, “Mary Shelley” does contain an important line from Doctor Polidori, “We have created monsters, don’t let them devour us.” Hollywood executives, Broadway producers and Robert DeNiro, take heed.

Deerfield Beach Chamber After Hours

Wondering what the Deerfield Beach Chamber is all about? Head out to the After Hours and meet some of the Chamber members. Bring business cards because this is an excellent time to share what you do and network with others. The After Hours will be held at Duffy’s, 401 N. Federal Hwy., in Deerfield Beach on June 21 starting at 5 p.m. Have a drink on the Chamber and try some appetizers provided by Duffy’s. $15 members, $20 non-members. For more information, visit the Chamber’s Facebook page or www.deerfieldchamber.com.

(5 p.m. is the correct start time, which is different than what was published in the paper… please make note. Thanks).

Deerfield Beach

May 30: A man said that someone stole his Ford F250 from the Extended Stay at 1200 SW 11 Way.

May 30: A man reported that someone stole his power tool case with a number of valuable tools inside. The incident was reported at 520 Deer Creek Jefferson Dr.

May 30: A woman was arrested for punching a woman at McDonalds at 300 W. Hillsboro Blvd. during an argument.

June 1: A woman reported that three storage units were broken into in a housing complex. She had been asked to check the units by the property manager. She is asking the owners of the units if anything is missing. The incident was reported at 4109 Oakridge V.

June 2: It was reported that someone stole a socket set from NAPA Auto Parts at 3801 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

Lighthouse Point

May 11: The victim returned to her Lincoln MKX while it was parked at 3700 N. Federal Hwy. and noticed a crack in the driver’s side window. Nothing was taken and no entry was made.

May 11: The victim said someone filled out an application for a KIA at 4250 N. Federal Hwy., and the application was fraudulent and the vehicle was reported as stolen.

May 23: Someone smashed the front window of a vehicle while it was parked at 3116 N. Federal Hwy. The damage was $1,000.

(This is a partial list. For Deerfield Beach Crime Watch in full, visit www.DFB.City and click on “Sign Me Up” to receive the city wide report.)

Dive-In Movie — Despicable 3

Friday, June 15, 8 p.m.

Deerfield Beach Aquatics Center

501 SE 6 Ave.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Hosted by the Bison Youth Tackle Football and Cheer program, alongside the City of Deerfield Beach Parks & Recreation Department.Put on your swimsuits and bring out the whole family to enjoy the movie at the pool! The event is free to attend and there will be food and beverages available for purchase. For more information, call 954-480-4426.

Super Dads Breakfast

Saturday, June 16, 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Highlands Community Center

511 NE 44 St.

Pompano Beach, FL 33064

Please come and enjoy a yummy breakfast and crafts this morning with your children with a Super Hero themed breakfast. For more information, call 954-480-4429.

Wing Warrior Cook-Off

Saturday, June 16, 4 to 7 p.m.

Oveta McKeithen Recreational Complex

445 SW 2 Ave.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

This year’s Wing Warrior Cook-Off will once again feature the infamous Wing Cooking Contest for the community to come out, taste, judge and vote for the People’s Choice Wing Champion! Wing tasting is free to those in attendance! Come out to enjoy the tasty wings, enjoy music and let the children spend the afternoon cooling off on the water slides and bounce houses for free! Cold beverages will also be available for sale by our very own Deerfield Beach Dolphins Competitive Recreation Team to raise funds for their next season! Questions? Call 954-480-4429 or visit www.dfb.city.wingwarrior.

Downtown Drive Car Show

Sunday, June 17, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Mizner Park

327 Plaza Real

Boca Raton, FL 33432

More than 100 cars, including antiques, classics, street rods, custom builds, race cars, sports cars, imports, hand-built cars and one-of-a-kind autos from 1900 to present day will line the streets of Mizner Park. Admission is free. Proceeds from car show entry fees and donations benefit Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida.

Gary Goodman’s Comedy Magic & Mind Reading Show

Sunday, June 17, 2 p.m.

Boca Black Box Center for the Arts

8221 Glades Rd., Suite 10

Boca Raton, FL 33498

This illusionist has performed for many celebs and locals in the past and now you can enjoy the magic with dear ol’ dad right here in your own backyard this Father’s Day. General Admission: $20, Kids: $10. For more information, call 561-558-8033 or visit www.BocaBlackBox.com.

Meet… Mingle… Dine… Dance

Wednesday, June 20, 6 p.m.

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel

100 Fairway Dr.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

“Rockin’ in the Tropics” with the Jimmy Stowe Band (Island Music), “Honoring people in the Community” awards, silent auction, cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres, cash bar and a dinner buffet. Attire is island themed. $70. RSVP by June 15, by e-mailing judithofdfb@gmail.com or elilly707@aol.com or call 561-299-8684.

Business Development Meet & Greet

Wednesday, June 20, 6 to 8 p.m.

Pompano Beach Cultural Center

50 W. Atlantic Blvd.

Pompano Beach, FL 33060

The City of Pompano Beach General Services Department is inviting the public to come out and meet with city departments and contractors to learn about upcoming projects, subcontracting opportunities, and how to become a vendor and registered bidder with the City of Pompano Beach. Participants that provide a business card will be entered in a raffle. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call 954-786-4098.

Membership Breakfast

Thursday, June 21, 7:45 to 9 a.m.

The Pompano Beach Woman’s Club

314 NE 2 St.

Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Event is hosted by the Pompano Beach Chamber. Cost is $10 with RSVP, $15 at the door and $35 for non-members. To RSVP, visit www.pompanobeachchamber.com. For more information, call 954-941-2940.

Night At The Museum

Thursday, June 21, 6 to 9 p.m.

Sample-McDougald House

450 NE 10 St.

Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Hosted by the South Florida Club – National Federation of Business and Professional Women (men can come too). Open to the public. $15, which includes light appetizers, beer and wine. Everyone must R.S.V.P. and pay in advance. Call Susan at 954-290-1104 or Lee at 754-307-5446.

Save the Date:

Father Daughter Brunch

Saturday, June 23, 1 to 3 p.m.

Hillsboro Community Center

50 Hillsboro Technology Dr.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Fathers and daughters of all ages are invited to come out and enjoy an afternoon of food, fun and touching messages. $10 for adults, $5 for kids 17 and under. For more information, call 954-480-4429.

Brazilian Folks Festival

Saturday, June 23, noon to 10 p.m.

Sunday, June 24, noon to 8 p.m.

Pompano Community Park

NE 10 St.

Pompano Beach, FL 33060

A two-day art-based community event that goes on rain or shine. The festival will have live music, Sambala Samba School parade, community folk dances, local music talents performing and a lot of fun activities for kids. Free admission! Vendor booths, marketing sponsorship, and volunteer opportunities available. For more information, visit www.minorityhelp.org.

Comedian Bob Saget performs

Saturday, June 23, 8 p.m.

Seminole Casino Coconut Creek

5550 NW 40 St.

Coconut Creek, FL 33073

Grammy-nominated standup comedian Bob Saget will grace the Pavilion stage at Seminole Casino. Saget is most popularly known for his roles on Full House and Americas Funniest Home Videos television shows. This show is intended for mature audiences only. Tickets: $30/$50/$200. On sale now via Ticketmaster, online at Ticketmaster.com, or by calling 800-653-8000. Pavilion box office will also open at 1 p.m. on the day of the show for on-site ticket purchases and will-call pickup.

ABC Safe Boating Course

Begins Tuesday, June 26, starting at 7 p.m.

Pompano Beach Power Squadron

3701 NE 18 Terr.

Pompano Beach, FL 33064

See more info., pg. 8., or call 754-444-1470 or visit www.PompanoSafeBoating.com.

Go on a trip with Deerfield Woman’s Club!

Head out with a bunch of great gals and guys too on an adventure in a motor coach! The first trip will be on July 10 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. to Hutchinson Island. Includes a round trip motor coach, tour of the Elliot Museum and lunch at Kyle G’s on the beach and more. $70. The second trip will be a Tour through Miami on Aug. 14 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Includes round trip on the motor coach (including a tip to the driver and tour guide), a visit to the Holocaust Museum, Little Havana, Coconut Grove, South Beach and to Bayside Marketplace for lunch on your own. $47. RSVP and pay a.s.a.p. To sign up or for more questions, call Sally at 954-427-2175. If no answer, leave a message and she will call you back!

Deerfield beach Pier Cleanup

Saturday, June 16, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Help clean up the beach and under the pier at Dixie Divers annual clean-up event. They need volunteers to dive under the pier and, on land, to pull up the buckets the divers will fill with mono-filament line and lead sinkers, and to co-ordinate the surface onlookers. This is the 13th annual reef cleanup. The City of Deerfield Beach will keep records of the trash weights and different composition. Dixie Divers will be videotaping and creating a DVD for the city and county of those who participate. Registration begins from 7:30 a.m. There are only 90 free spots available in the Main Beach Parking Lot by the fire station (first come, first served). Otherwise, you can pay to park in the pier parking lot or on the street near the beach using a meter. Divers must have a C card or certification number for divers and must sign a liabilty release form before getting in the water. Bring cutting tools (for mono-filament), snips, scissors and a small rake. The dive will be 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. There is a free event T-shirt and goody bag for all volunteers (only if you pre-register online). Bring family members to help clean-up the beach and pier area too. Please contact Dixie Divers at 954-420-0009 for more information.

Stay around because from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., divers will attempt to get a world record for Guinness Book of World Records for the longest underwater human chain. Their goal is 400 divers; the current record (in Italy) is 308 divers. It looks like they already have their 400 people signed up and registration is closed, but you can still sign up and be put on standby and get more info. at www.racersignup.com/world-record-attempt-longest-human-chain-underwater

Why do we love? Do we love because of what we can get out of a relationship or because of what we can give into a relationship? God, our Father, has given us good examples of what a loving father is to be like. We have a Father in Heaven who loves us unconditionally and gives us wonderful gifts. We have a Father who cares for our pains, trials and triumphs. God tells us not to worry and takes care of our needs. God longs to hear from you, His child. Don’t miss your chance to do the very same thing for your Father in Heaven, who loved you so much He sent his Son to die for you.

“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in Heaven give good things to them that ask Him?” Matthew 7:11 (KJV)

I don’t know about you, but Father’s Day really conjures up a lot of conflicting emotions for me. I am blessed to be the father of wonderful children. I am also equally blessed for having a good father in my life. I was not the best kid and I was not the worst kid either. While others judged and even pronounced me a failure, “My Dad” just kept on loving me. I attempted to run from that love, but like the “hound of heaven,” he would not let me get away. His influence in my life cannot be overstated. “My Dad” — he really loved me. And, by the way, I turned out okay (crazy, but okay)! I really don’t know if we can love our kids too much. But, I do know that love needs to be expressed and valued. Your children — regardless of their lot in life or their adherence to your desires — need to know your love for them is constant and secure. You can love them and not support the lifestyle they have.

“The Lord is like a Father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him.” Psalm 103:13 (NLT)

So, if you are a father, turn the tables on your kids on Father’s Day. When they tell you how special you are, make sure they know how you feel about them. You might even say, “Son/daughter, I love you!” There is no doubt in my mind that my dad knows how much I love him. It is also nice to say why sometimes. Some of you may not have a pleasant memory of your father or you might not have any memories at all. This may be the time to start down the road to forgiveness and/or reconciliation, or it may be a chance to thank others in your life that have offered fatherly wisdom to you and tell them why you appreciate them. I can’t help but feel slightly convicted, for when have I shared this kind of a moment with my Heavenly Father? Maybe your prayers often reflect more of what you want and less of how wonderful the Lord is, or more of what you need and less of how thankful you are for what you have.

Father’s Day is almost here. Plan to tell your father why you love him and appreciate him. Also, if you have children, make sure you tell them that you love them and why.

Tony Guadagnino is the pastor for Christian Love Fellowship Church, 801 SE 10 St., Deerfield Beach. www.clfdeerfield.com.

By Gary Curreri

While this year’s senior class at Highlands Christian Academy may have been small in numbers, it didn’t lack for outstanding young student-athletes.

“It was one of our finest (signing classes),” said Highlands Christian Academy Athletic Director Jim Good. “It was one of our smaller classes as we graduated only 30, but a quality group of young people.”

Eight student-athletes are moving on to the next level and it is something that is not lost on Good, who is also the schools’ varsity basketball coach.

“As an Athletic Director, it’s always rewarding to see our high school kids get the opportunity to play at the next level,” Good said. “For many, it has been a dream since they were younger to continue playing the sport they love at the college level.

“I know that our coaching staff stresses the importance of using their talents to honor and glorify Christ while competing,” Good added, “Years of hard work, effort, and persistence pays off and its always exciting to see the pride and joy in the parents eyes as they sign their name on that letter of intent.”

Good said this year’s graduating class truly exemplified being a student-athlete.

“All eight of them excelled in the classroom as well as on the court or field,” Good said. “Many have been involved with earning top community hours and are the recipients of many class awards.”

Ryan Szklany and Matt Veynovich were among the student-athletes that excelled both on and off the field.

Szklany, who is headed to Embry-Riddle University in Daytona Beach where he will run cross country and track was the school’s 2018 Valedictorian.

He was also named first team All-County for his junior and season year for cross country and track. In addition to being named the Sun Sentinel Runner of the Year for cross country in his senior year, he was also the recipient of the 2018 Reg Cook Scholar-Athlete Award.

Szklany is considered a “Lifer” at HCA as he began in Kindergarten. He is planning to study Engineering.

Veynovich, who is headed to Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA, where he will play basketball, was the school’s Salutatorian.

Veynovich earned first Team All-State for the Sunshine State Athletic Conference and set the HCA career record for three pointers made in his career with 191. Veynovich is also a “Lifer” and started at the school in Kindergarten. He is planning on studying Psychology.

Other athletes from the 2018 senior class heading off to college include Erin Allen, volleyball, University of North Greenville in Greenville, SC; Sawyer Lawhon, basketball, Crown College in St. Bonifacius, Minnesota; Chad Allen, baseball, Keiser University in West Palm Beach; Giancarlo Edwards, baseball, Keiser University in West Palm Beach; Jurden D’Arnault, baseball, North Central Missouri College in Trenton, Missouri; and Richard Silva, soccer, Newbury College in Boston, MA.

By “Cinema” Dave

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

As evidenced by last month’s screening of The Return of the Living Dead sponsored by Popcorn Frights, the horror movie community is an untapped market. This Friday, June 8, Popcorn Frights will follow up with a screening of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, directed by Tobe Hooper. Horror devotees are expected to drive from Orlando and Miami to catch this special screening at the Savor Cinema (503 SE 6 St., Ft. Lauderdale).

Released in 1974, a year after The Exorcist was released, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre was considered rude, crude and socially unacceptable. Unlike the Hollywood embrace of William Friedkin’s direction of William Peter Blatty’s novel about a teen processed by an evil demon, this film was banned in many communities when it was released for Halloween. Whereas The Exorcist was instantly recognized as a classic, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a pure cinematic visceral experience that has grown in status after four decades.

The plot for the film is as old as the Boris Karloff thriller The Old Dark House. A group of travelers in Texas run out of gas and are forced to stop at a creepy community. Unlike The Old Dark House, which features a creepy family and a creepier butler, this film features a creepy cannibal family with power tools.

The film featured Marilyn Burns as the leading lady and Gunnar Hansen as the chainsaw wielding Leatherface.

Hansen later spoofed his role in the comedy Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers, which also featured local actress Linnea Quigley. Both Hansen and Burns passed away three years ago, within a year of each other. In their latter years, they held a place of honor within the horror movie convention circuit.

Steve Owens was also a regular patron of the convention circuit and my personal friend. Owens, who worked with Cemetery Prints and was also an instructor, passed away last week. After a full day’s work on the vendor floor at a convention, Steve could be found late at night poolside with a bottle in his hand and a quick joke. A celebration of life and laughter honoring Steve will be held this Saturday night, June 9, at Bru’s Room in Coconut Creek (5460 W. Hillsboro Blvd.), for those who knew him, starting at 6 p.m. (Don’t worry, there are plenty of television sets, so you will be able to see whether or not Justified takes the Triple Crown at the Belmont Stakes).

Starring Elle Fanning, Mary Shelley opens next weekend, June 15. A costume drama set in Elizabethan times, this film explores how a teenager is influenced to write a gothic novel about a man who made a monster.

Two hundred years later, the novel Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus is still in print and is required reading.

In two weeks, American Animals opens. A heist drama based on a true story, it features four friends who want to steal art work from their college library.

Also check out “The Amazing Mister A,” a magician/ventriloquist, this Saturday morning at 11 a.m. at the Deerfield Beach Percy White Library.