So before I get into it. I want to mention one thing. I attended this event on Monday, January 12th 2026 at 6pm. It lasted about an hour and a half. I am now writing about it and uploading to the website River Cities Gazette.NET, one hour after the event ended. You couldn’t do that with the print edition. We all miss it and so much hard work and dedication went into it. But there are so many advantages to us going to a digital platform. No deadlines, no space issues, and many more. My father started The River Cities Gazette fresh out of the NFL almost fifty years ago and it withstood the test of time. But now, we are advancing into the digital era. Now we carry on the legacy, as it is a family business. I had been the assistant publisher for twenty years. It was always the plan for me to take over as head publisher, and I love it when a plan comes together. Even my brother Matt Curtis is a star writer. We have a team of writers. That includes my good friend, Ray Anton who is the Editor. Go to the Meet The Team section to be introduced to them all. You can click on the team member and see all of their articles. You couldn’t do that with the paper either.
Let’s get into it. It was a beautiful evening in paradise inside VG Park. It wasn’t just because of the weather. It was an event filled with love and joy to celebrate the young ones and their soccer adventure. It was filled with smiles and laughter, hugs and high fives. Delicious treats were available including fresh produce to top the burgers, fresh squeezed juice provided by So Full Smoothie and cookies provided by The Girl Scouts, troop 2209. The children were put on stage to receive their trophies. Mayor of Virginia Gardens Spencer Deno IV, along with local law enforcement officials and Miami-Dade County Public Schools School Board Member Danny Espino were in attendance. Even Bill Daley former editor of The River Cities Gazette was on hand to say a few words. It was an escape from the intense hustle and bustle, impatient crazy world we live in. It was a HUGE success.
It was for the future of the River Cities. The kids were inspired to strive for excellence and achieve future awards in life. That doesn’t necessarily mean a trophy. Life is filled with challenges and we are rewarded by concurring them. Now our future is ready. We move forward and progress to further endeavors. Just like what we are doing here with River Cities Gazette.NET. We are moving on and choosing not to get left behind. All the kids deserved this, everyone got a trophy. They worked hard, just like the staff of The River Cities Gazette did for all those years. Now, they are all winners. A big River Cities Gazette thanks to everyone who made this possible. Here with River Cities Gazette.NET as well as our social media platforms Facebook and Instagram, we share positive energy, and this event was filled with it. A big shout out to all the winners. That includes all the family members who enjoyed a night to remember. A good night had by everyone involved including me, Brad Curtis, the new head publisher of The River Cities Gazette. 
