Articles - Spectator Magazine

Whatever Happened to Thank You Notes?

By Shellie Miller-Farrugia At the risk of sounding like I’m about to lecture someone from a rocking chair while sipping chamomile tea, I have a serious question: Whatever happened to…

Summer Safety: Lightning Strikes More Likely in Florida

By Broward County Office of Public Communications Lightning strikes north of Florida typically peak in the spring, but the danger of lightning strikes in South Florida are more likely throughout…

What are Cataracts?

What are Cataracts? By Dr. Ravin Sajnani, MD We all have a natural lens inside our eyes. This lens focuses the light entering the eye to help us see clearly.…

Dance Theatre

Discover your passion for dance at Dance Theatre, with convenient locations in Parkland, Heron Bay, and Broward (Davie)! We offer Excellence In Dance Education with diverse range of dance classes…

Bantumweight World Champion & Parkland Resident, Kayla Harrison!

By Shellie Miller-Farrugia When asked what she was thinking, when she realized she’d won the title, Kayla tells us, “Well, my opponent tapped out five seconds before the end of…

Dance Theatre Continues its Tradition of Excellence

If you live in South Florida and have any interest in dance, the odds are pretty good you already know the name. With three Broward locations, including Parkland, Coral Springs,…

America’s Birthday

By Ashley McCardia As we head further into the dog days of summer, I am reminded of what Independence Day meant to me as a child. Back in the ‘90s…

The Bus Are Back in Town!

The Bus Are Back in Town! OVO by Cirque du Soleil Coming to South Florida At the Kaseya Center in Miami August 14th to 17th and the Amerant Bank Arena…

SEEING CLEARLY

By Dr. Ravin Sajnani, MD Hello Coral Springs and Parkland! My name is Ravin Sajnani, and I'm an Ophthalmologist practicing in Coral Springs. In this monthly piece, I'd like to…

Pediatrician-Approved Ways to Keep Kids Safe This Summer

By Michelle Snyder, DO - Sawgrass Pediatrics As the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, summer becomes a season full of adventure for children—whether it's running through sprinklers, biking…

Parametric Insurance: The Smart Way to Weather the Storm

After more than 35 years in the insurance industry, Porter & Associates is proud to introduce an innovative and cost-effective solution for hurricane coverage: Parametric Hurricane Insurance. This novel approach…

From Blue to Gold… Reinventing Real Estate with Michael Longo

Michael Longo is no stranger to bold ideas or to turning them into massive success stories. A Coral Springs native with deep roots in the South Florida community, Longo began…

Hurricane Season Is Here… Are You Prepared?

There is no doubt, sometime in the future, South Florida will be visited by another hurricane. Count on it. As Hurricane Season began on June 1 and ends November 30,…

Father’s Day… Leading with Heart for a Stronger Parkland

By Randle Ferrari Father’s Day is more than a celebration—it’s a call to lead with love, humility, and purpose. As a father to four daughters, with a fifth on the…

Celebrating 54 Years of Baseball Coral Springs American Little League Prepares for Fall Season

By Ashley Ferraro Coral Springs American Little League (CSALL) has been a part of the city’s history since 1971. As the oldest officially recognized baseball league in Coral Springs, it…

Fatherhood’s True Investment

In Coral Springs and Parkland, where opportunity abounds and ambition thrives, Father’s Day is more than a moment to unwrap gifts or share a meal … it’s a chance to…

Get Ready for Hurricane Season: Fortify Your Home with a Watertight Roof

By Mark Sinclair, CEO, Weather Guard Roofing & Sheet Metal As hurricane season approaches, preparation is more than a checklist—it’s a responsibility. While stocking up on supplies and reinforcing windows…

Proudly Celebrating 25 Years of Service in Coral Springs

By Scott J. Brook P.A. I’m deeply grateful for the dedicated team members I’ve worked with and the clients whose lives we’ve impacted. Divorce is challenging—emotionally and financially. Our mission…

Summer’s Almost Here… Get Your Pool Ready with These Expert Care Tips

My Michael Puya As temperatures rise and summer nears, now is the time for South Florida pool owners to give their backyard oasis a little extra attention. According to Mike…

Parkland Soccer Club Enters 2025–2026 Season on the Heels of Record Season!

By Ashley Ferraro Parkland Soccer Club continues to grow its footprint in the youth soccer community, both locally and abroad. As they gear up to head into the 2025–2026 season,…

A Remarkable Recovery

When Kai Bradley was six years old, he began struggling to walk and use his left hand. His family’s lives were turned upside down when he was diagnosed with a…

A Mother for All Seasons

By Shellie Miller-Farrugia One thing that I have learned, now being a mother for more than 36 years, is that mothering is a series of seasons. Just like life, there…

National Water Safety Month is Around the Corner: Together, We Can Save Lives

By Casey McGovern As we head into the warmer months, families across the country are preparing for pool parties, beach days, and water-filled fun. But as May—National Water Safety Month—approaches,…

Broward County is the Place to Be!

By Michael Udine, County Commissioner for District 3 April is here and spring has sprung! From listening to music at the Tortuga Music Festival, gearing up for a Stanley Cup…

Experience Summer Camp Like Never Before with Next Stop Broadway!

By Ashley Ferraro Next Stop Broadway is gearing up for another unforgettable summer on the stage. With a lineup of performances inspired by the fun side of the spooky and…

Protect Your Family and Pets: The Importance of Flea and Tick Control

As the warmth of April sets in across South Florida, many families are enjoying more time outdoors with their pets. Whether it’s a walk around the neighborhood, a trip to…

Finding Hope: A Mother’s Journey with Her Nonverbal Son

By Shellie Miller-Farrugia Renee Smith (name changed for privacy) is a devoted mother of four, navigating the challenges of raising her seven-year-old son, Bobby, who was diagnosed with autism spectrum…

Spring Cleaning in Southeast Florida: Tackling Unique Challenges

Spring cleaning is a great opportunity to refresh and reorganize your home, but in Southeast Florida, it comes with some unique challenges. From beach sand and humidity to ash from…

April AllStar Highlight

Parkland resident Britney Brace is a rising international tennis star, already making waves at just 14 years old. Thoughtful, polite, and incredibly well-spoken, she takes time to reflect on her…

Introducing Coral Springs’ First Female City Manager: Catherine Givens

Meet the former Investment Performance Manager, Public Servant, and Soccer Mom who now leads the City with Everything Under the Sun. Catherine Givens is a fourth-generation Coral Springs resident who…

Springs Soccer Club Grows as a Local Hub for Player Development and College Advancement

By Ashley Ferraro Springs Soccer Club is making significant strides in both player development and competitive success. Under the leadership of Executive Director Laurie Thomas and Director of Methodology Roger…

“Building Bonds: The Power of Tribe and Tradition in Fatherhood”

By Randle Ferrari Normally I wouldn't even consider taking four kids under the age of 8 camping, nor would I ever suggest it to anyone. My wife is a doula…

Relay For life of North Broward to Raise Funds to Help End Cancer As We Know It

The annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life of North Broward, held on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at the Coral Springs Sportsplex, will unite the community to celebrate survivors and…

Buzzards Lacrosse… Where Passion for the Game Never Fades

By Ashley Ferraro, Photo credit TKS Solutions For nearly two decades, Buzzards Lacrosse has been a hub for adults looking to stay active, sharpen their skills, and connect with neighbors…

23 Years: From Handwritten Signs to Our Shared Journey

By Shellie Miller-Farrugia Back in the days of B.I. (Before Internet), finding out when sign-ups for local sports leagues were happening involved a lot of guesswork. You’d spot a random…

The 5 Love Languages

The 5 Love Languages By Andrea Goff My husband and I are polar opposites. High school sweethearts who have been married for 42 years, and together for 46, we beat…

Broward County is the Place to Be!

By Michael Udine, County Commissioner for District 3 February is here, and the cooler temperatures feel great! Broward County will be lit up bright on February 14th-23rd for the IGNITE…

Maneuvering with Confidence After the Unexpected

Maneuvering with Confidence After the Unexpected By Issac Allison, Advisor with Creative Financial Network On February 3rd, 2019, at just 14 years old, I experienced a loss that would forever…

The Dangers of Chocolate to Dogs

The Dangers of Chocolate to Dogs: A Valentine’s Warning As Valentine’s Day approaches, chocolate is a popular gift exchanged between loved ones, but for dog owners, it’s a time to…

Timeless Love Stories That Shaped America

By Ashley Ferraro Love has always been at the heart of America’s story. From politics to music, some famous couples have captured the nation’s attention not just for their romantic…

Custom Care for Every Heart

Custom Care for Every Heart Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the U.S. and in Florida, where it accounts for approximately two out of every 10 deaths.…

February All Star Highlight

Room to Grow Big dreams require big commitments, and no one is more driven to achieve his goals than William Sohl. Born in Parkland and dribbling a basketball since he…

Roofing Partners You Can Trust

Weather Guard Roofing and Sheet Metal is an independently-owned, full-service roofing company that specializes in commercial, industrial, institutional, and high-end residential roofing, roof maintenance, and roof construction management working with…