Category: Uncategorized

In Loving Memory of Zachary Plonsky

Yesterday, we lost Zachary Plonsky to depression. Zach was not only my firstborn child, but also one of my closest friends — a bright, kind, and deeply thoughtful soul who brought love and laughter into every space he entered.

Our family is in complete shock. The weight of this loss is indescribable, and the absence Zach leaves behind cannot be filled. While we are still trying to find our footing in the midst of this grief, we want everyone to know how much he was loved and how fiercely he loved others.

We will be sharing official obituary details and funeral arrangements in the coming days. For now, we ask for patience, compassion, and space to mourn as a family.

If you’re struggling, please talk to someone. You are not alone.

988 – Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text anytime)

Rest in peace, Zach. We will carry you with us always. 💔

Obituary: Zander Smith – Silverthorne, CO

• Name: Zander Smith

• Location: Silverthorne, Colorado

• Incident: Passed away in a fatal motorcycle accident on July 16, 2025 obits.cfcscolorado.org+3showcasememorial.site+3tearfulloss.site+3.

• Details: Local reports describe him as a “beloved free spirit” whose unexpected death has left friends and family devastated .

💔 Community Remembrance

The reports emphasize how deeply Zander was cherished:

“Beloved Son And Free Spirit From Colorado Died In Motorcycle Accident” tearfulloss.site

The Silverthorne community is mourning the loss of someone remembered for his vibrant, caring nature auroragov.org+13showcasememorial.site+13tearfulloss.site+13.

🔍 What’s Next

• I couldn’t find specifics about funeral/memorial arrangements or a verified obituary from funeral homes.

• If you’d like, I can dig deeper—checking local Summit Daily, funeral home listings in Summit County, or reach out to official family notices.

Obituary: Ercole Chila

• Name: Ercole Chila

• Location: Paulsboro, New Jersey

• Background & Career: Owner of Chila’s Car Care, respected mechanic, and beloved pitmaster. He co-founded the Uncle Pig’s Competition BBQ Team, a decorated group in the competitive barbecue circuit Legacy.com+8Channelfox+8Facebook+8.

• Family: Married to Sara since September 7, 1996; father and friend, remembered for his warmth, generosity, and strong community bonds Channelfox.

🚗 Passing

• Date: July 17, 2025

• Circumstance: Tragically lost his life in a car accident in New Jersey .

💬 Community Tributes

Loved ones and the barbecue world are mourning deeply, sharing heartfelt memories:

“Very sad to hear of the passing of our friend Ercole Chila. The barbecue world lost a real one today… Kind, humble, and always willing to help.”
“If you met Ercole even once, you know what I mean. Truly one of the best.” Legacy.com+8Channelfox+8Facebook+8

🔥 His Legacy

• Barbecue Excellence: As part of Uncle Pig’s, Ercole helped win major awards like KCBS Team of the Year and The Jack, all while remaining humble and gracious Channelfox.

• Mechanic & Mentor: Known for thoughtful auto care at his shop and warmth toward every visitor—whether customer or competitor.

• Community Pillar: A man who made everyone feel like family, balancing professional skills with genuine kindness.

🙏 How You Can Honor Him

• Share memories or condolences on local tribute pages or social media posts (many are gathering on community forums).

• Consider supporting or making donations to community or BBQ organizations he was involved with.

• Keep his family—his wife Sara, their children, and loved ones—in your thoughts.

In Memoriam: H. Andrew Schwartz

Position & Contributions
Andrew Schwartz served as Chief Communications Officer at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) for 20 years. He was renowned for modernizing CSIS’s media presence—launching their “digital first” iDeas Lab, spearheading multimedia strategy, and establishing the daily newsletter The Evening Wikipedia+13CSIS+13Wikipedia+13.

Professional Journey
A veteran journalist, Andrew began his career at Fox News as a producer for Special Report with Brit Hume and later served as a White House producer. His writing appeared in prominent outlets like The Washington Post and The Washington Times. He held a BA from Tulane (1990) and an MA in broadcast journalism and public policy from American University (1995) CSIS+2Wikipedia+2CSIS+2.

Legacy & Memorial
CSIS President and CEO John Hamre stated that Andrew was not only a visionary in communications, but also “a mentor, a coach, a brother to everyone in the CSIS family.” His impact was felt across staff development and strategic growth CSIS+1CSIS+1.

💔 Personal Reflections & Condolences

• Andrew’s leadership helped shape how think tanks communicate in the digital age.

• He was deeply respected for his mentorship and collaborative spirit.

• CSIS has extended its condolences to his wife Amy, their three sons, extended family, and friends CSIS+6CSIS+6CSIS+6.

📅 Passing & Updates

• Andrew Schwartz passed away in mid-July 2025. CSIS issued their In Memoriam statement on July 17, 2025 CSIS.

• His death is a significant loss to the strategic communications and international affairs communities.

Obituary & Biography

• Darla Hartman Palmer was a U.S. History teacher at Lowell Middle School, Lowell, Michigan. She was well-loved by her students and colleagues for her passion in teaching history and her warm, engaging classroom presence Facebook.

• Earlier in her career, she served as a teacher and coach in the Laredo Independent School District in Texas, where she impacted many students both in academics and athletics Facebook.

• Darla originally hailed from the Midland, Michigan area before making Lowell her home Facebook.

Legacy & Community Impact

• Over her career, Darla touched countless lives — whether through classroom instruction, coaching, or mentorship.

• Her dedication and kindness left a lasting mark on both communities she served: Laredo and Lowell.

Ways to Pay Tribute

• Funeral arrangements / obituary notices: Details may be available soon from local funeral homes in Lowell (e.g., Baker‑Swan Funeral Home) or school district announcements.

• Memorial ideas: Consider sponsoring a scholarship or award in her honor (perhaps for history students or coaches), or organizing a remembrance event with former students and colleagues.

It is with profound sorrow and a heart full of gratitude that I reflect on the life and legacy of Andrew Schwartz. His passing leaves an emptiness that words struggle to fill, but his impact — on individuals, on institutions, and on the very fabric of our professional community — remains deep, lasting, and unmistakable.

Andrew was a rare combination of intellect, integrity, and compassion. He led with quiet strength and unwavering principle, never seeking recognition, but always earning respect. His counsel was trusted, his perspective valued, and his presence steadying in even the most challenging moments.

To many, he was a mentor; to more, an example. He lifted others up, not just through encouragement, but through action — advocating, supporting, and investing in the growth of those around him. He believed in the power of thoughtful leadership and lived it every day.

The institutions he touched are stronger because of him. The people he worked with are better because they knew him. And the community he helped build will carry forward the values he championed — fairness, rigor, kindness, and a relentless pursuit of what’s right.

While we grieve his loss, we also give thanks — for his life, his friendship, and his legacy. May we continue his work with the same grace and purpose that he showed us all.

Rest in peace, Andrew. You will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Nova Scotia Proud: Where Football Meets Foundations 📚

We all love the game of football — the thrill, the competition, the passion. But beyond the lights of the field and the roar of the crowd, there’s a foundation that truly defines greatness: academics. From the very beginning of his journey, #25 has embodied this ideal.

🏈 On the Field

Whether donning the jersey for StFX X‑Men in Antigonish or facing competitors across Atlantic Canada, #25 has competed at the province’s highest level. St. Francis Xavier University (StFX) — where #25 continues to develop — has a storied football tradition, including winning the Vanier Cup in 1966 and securing 16 Jewett Trophy conference championships Wikipedia+1Wikipedia+1.

🎓 In the Classroom

But it’s not just about stats and championships. At Nova Scotia universities like Acadia and StFX, varsity athletes are celebrated not only for tackles and touchdowns, but also for academic achievement. Acadia routinely sends one-third of its varsity athletes to the Academic All‑Canadian list with averages above 80% Wikipedia.

🏆 Scholarships That Reward Both

The synergy of sports and scholarship is recognized with awards across Nova Scotia. For instance, Saint Mary’s University offers bursaries specifically for varsity football players who maintain strong GPAs (e.g., the Bob Hayes Football Scholarship, Robert James MacPherson Memorial Bursary) Saint Mary’s University.

Hoboken Suicide – Woman Found Dead Near 14th Street

📍 Location: Near 1450 Bloomfield Street, Hoboken (just north of 14th Street)
📆 Date: Wednesday, July 16, 2025
🕔 Time: Around 5:00 PM
👮‍♀️ Police Status: Ongoing investigation by the Hoboken Police Department
📰 Initial Statement: According to an official statement released by HPD, the woman is believed to have jumped or fallen from the rooftop of a parking garage near the area. The death appears to be self-inflicted, and no foul play is suspected at this time.

Community & Official Reactions

• Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher addressed the community on social media, calling it a “terrible tragedy” and noted that authorities are “fairly confident” it was a suicide.

• Hoboken Police Department is asking any witnesses or individuals with information to contact them at 201‑420‑2100.

• Emergency personnel responded quickly, but unfortunately, the woman did not survive her injuries.

Mental Health Resources

If you or someone you know is in distress, help is available:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Dial or text 988 (24/7, free, confidential)

• Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741

• Local NJ mental health services are available at www.nj211.org

Obituary & Tribute

According to a heartfelt obituary from NewsUpdateOnline, Steve Belinga passed away suddenly in July 2025. He was remembered as a dedicated and enthusiastic member of the Saint Mary’s Huskies men’s soccer team, bringing “remarkable heart and energy” to the field under coach Mesut Mert’s leadership m.facebook.com+2newsupdateonline.live+2smuhuskies.ca+2.

Friends and teammates admired Steve not only for his soccer skills but for his kindness, loyalty, and uplifting presence. Outside of athletics, he was known for his devotion to family, community, and academics. The writing highlights that “Steve’s memory shines brightly through lives he forever altered with love given freely amidst sorrow and joy” newsupdateonline.live.

📚 What We Know

• Team & Role: Played forward (#19) for Saint Mary’s Huskies men’s soccer .

• Legacy: Celebrated for athletic talent, leadership, and being a genuinely caring person.

• Impact: His sudden passing has deeply affected teammates, coaches, family & the broader university community.

💬 Reflections

Steve’s legacy is one of passion—for sport, for study, and above all, for people. His team and university remember him for his vibrant spirit and generous heart. The tragedy of his early passing has left a void in both the Huskies family and the wider Nova Scotia soccer community.

What happened

• The stabbing occurred just after 4 p.m. on July 15, 2025 at Deli Grocery on Boston Road in the Williamsbridge neighborhood—only a short walk from Aliyah’s home Instagram+13The Sun+13New York Post+13.

• According to police and witnesses, an argument began inside the store. Aliyah reportedly threw water on a 17‑year‑old girl, who then pulled out a knife and stabbed her multiple times in the face, head, chest, and body The Sun.

• She was rushed to Jacobi Medical Center in critical condition, where she later succumbed to her injuries New York Post+4ABC7 New York+4FOX 5 New York+4.

• Initial speculation suggested the teen may have been lured to the deli Gothamist+14The Sun+14NBC New York+14.

🕵️ Investigation & Arrest

• A 17-year-old girl was arrested on the evening of July 15, around 7:30 p.m., and charged with murder, manslaughter, and criminal possession of a weapon CBS News+10The Sun+10FOX 5 New York+10.

• Authorities reported the knife has not yet been recovered, and they’re continuing to canvass the area and gather evidence NBC New York.