Travel

Tails Wag at Luxury Resorts

Explore resorts where wagging tails and happy families enjoy world-class hospitality, comfort, and adventure together. Article and Photography by Marnie Van der Burgt True luxury isn’t just about plush linens or gourmet dining—it’s about sharing life’s best moments with everyone you love, including the ones with wagging tails and wet noses. For many of us, pets are family. So why leave them behind when you set out to make memories? At these Virtuoso properties, your four-legged friends are...

Local Services

Leading the Way Home

Halifax Humane Society uses groundbreaking new technology to reunite families with their pets faster than ever before. Article by Erica Rains | Photography by Christophe Hanckowiak When storms strike, they do more than damage homes and flood streets. They separate pets from the people who love them. For those who have experienced Florida’s hurricane seasons, the images stay with you—dogs behind fences, cats carried to safety by strangers, families searching in the aftermath. Halifax Humane...

Home Services

Bite-Free Backyard Bliss

The Shinders are turning mosquito control into peace of mind. Article by Erica Rains | Photography by Christophe Hanckowiak In Volusia County, outdoor living is a way of life. One local family is quietly transforming backyards into safer spaces for kids, pets, and peaceful evenings. Lisa and Patrick Shinder, along with their daughter Audrey, own Mosquito & Pest Authority of Volusia County. Their service blends science, family values, and meticulous care to protect what matters most: children...

Education

From Kitchen Table to Learning Oasis

A fresh approach to learning that meets kids where they are and moves them forward. Article by Erica Rains | Photography by Christophe Hanckowiak For many homeschool families in Volusia County, finding a learning environment that supports both parent and child can feel like a missing piece. That’s what inspired Jaclyn Veloce to create Academic Oasis—a supplemental learning academy for K–6 students rooted in hands-on, project-based instruction that enriches the homeschool journey. “We’re not a...

Education

Begin With Love

A local organization proves that connection, curiosity, and compassion are the true cornerstones of early education. Article by Erica Rains | Photography by Christophe Hanckowiak Before a child learns to speak, their brain is forming. That intricate inner wiring is shaped by interaction, care, and connection. For DJ Lebo, CEO of the Early Learning Coalition of Flagler & Volusia, this foundational truth guides her work every day. “We’re really trying to change that mindset,” she says. “So many...

Arts + Culture

Art of Authenticity:

Christophe Hanckowiak’s Honest Eye Behind the Lens Article by Melissa Frankel | Photography by Christophe Hanckowiak In a world overflowing with filters and flawless poses, photographer Christophe Hanckowiak is doing something refreshingly different—he’s keeping it real. His work captures more than what’s in front of the camera. It tells unguarded, human stories. “I believe people want to go back to authenticity,” Christophe says. “Especially now, when AI is blooming and it’s hard to tell...

Arts + Culture

Next Chapter for MOAS:

Building More Than a Museum Article by Melissa Frankel | Photography by Christophe Hanckowiak As headlines swirl around the $150 million gift that promises to transform the Museum of Arts & Sciences (MOAS) into a crown jewel of Florida’s cultural landscape, CEO Tabitha Schmidt is quietly orchestrating something even more profound. Beyond the new building, reimagined galleries, and expanded endowment lies a story of curatorial philosophy, community relevance, and bold leadership. “We're moving...

Travel

The Transformative Power of Exploration

Lindblad Expeditions Cruises Article and Photography by Marnie Van der Burgt Ready to leave the usual tourist crowds behind? Lindblad Expeditions Cruises makes seeing the world from a new angle easy and genuinely exciting. Instead of sticking to the standard stops, Lindblad’s voyages are all about discovery, curiosity, and a little bit of adventure. With over 100 itineraries across more than 70 countries, Lindblad’s reach is global, but their sweet spots are places like the Galápagos and...

Arts + Culture

Curiosity and Culture:

The Brown Family’s Legacy of Exploration and Giving Article by Melissa Frankel | Photography by Christophe Hanckowiak From the terrace of Brown & Brown’s sleek headquarters, Cici Brown gazes over Daytona Beach, reflecting on a life defined by exploration—intellectual, artistic, and global. Her lifelong commitment to curiosity, especially in art, culture, and education, has not only shaped her own path but become a guiding force in her family’s values. For Cici, exploration goes far beyond...

Finance + Legal Services

Inspiration and Intention

Rufus Johnson’s 25-Year Legacy of Clarity, Compassion, and Community-Centered Coverage Article by Erica Rains | Photography by Christophe Hanckowiak By 10 a.m. on any given weekday, Rufus Johnson—owner of the local GEICO office—has already hit the gym, led a team power session, and logged hours of focused work. And he doesn’t slow down. Rufus works every weekday until closing time at 6 p.m., leading by example in the office he’s built and sustained for over two decades. Walk into his office...