25-Dec-2006  (yacht cruise)

• 'SOUVENIRS OF THE TRIP: Solitary sunrises, funny coincidences, dreams fulfilled: Readers share transcendent travel ... (Detroit Free Press)
Memories are funny things. Big chunks of life can go by, and we don't remember them at all. But certain experiences can engrave themselves into our brains as sharply as a chisel on stone -- their sights, smells, tastes, sounds. They are gifts, these memories. And travel has a way of creating them. Here are some stories, from celebrity weatherman Sonny Eliot's account of a pivotal moment as a ...
• 'Steeplechase raffle benifits range of groups (St. Petersburg Times)
The Little Everglades Steeplechase is extending the reach of its charity arm with a new raffle drawing benefiting several community groups. Tickets cost $10, and winners will be drawn at the March 11 steeplechase.
• 'STAR STRUCK (The Florida Times-Union)
Morning fog blanketed the marshes along Heckscher Drive but you could still see the stars in temporary residence at JaxPort. Hapag-Lloyd's MS Europa, the world's top-rated cruise ship at five-plus stars, had stopped here for half a day on the first leg of a 157-day around-the-world voyage.
• 'Fasano says appraisal may lower rate (St. Petersburg Times)
Feeling like Citizens Property Insurance Corp. is charging you too much? State Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, says the answer might be a new appraisal. State-run Citizens sometimes sets the value of insured property too high, he said, causing rates to go up more than they should.
• 'Wind Surf Sails Into Caribbean Season With All Degrees of Difference Enhancements Completed (CNW Group via Yahoo! Finance)
Emerging from a five-week work period, Windstar Cruises' motor sailing yacht Wind Surf sailed from Barbados on December 16 with all Degrees of Difference enhancements completed on board.
• 'Local engagements, weddings, anniversaries: Dec. 24 (Naples Daily News)