About BRENDA HAWKINS

Information

Biography

Brenda Hawkins has been a writer since she was first published in fourth grade. Naturally, she became editor of her high school paper and correspondent to her hometown newspaper in Ohio, but when she came to Florida, after graduating from Miami University, it was to teach high school English and radio/TV in Vero Beach.

Young and eager to see the world, Brenda landed on Florida’s not-yet-booming left coast where she began her journalism career in earnest, in 1978, as editor of Naples Now and See Naples magazines. Sometime later, she found herself working as a feature writer for the Naples Daily News, with a “beat” in Bonita Springs—way back when the civic association banquet was held at the bowling alley and long before US 41 had four lanes.

She went on to produce an international real estate newsletter, dabble in public relations, ghost-write a book and do some high-end telemarketing, as well as sell both radio and print advertising, before coming home to the Collier Citizen.

Now, Brenda and her daughter, Kylie, a student at Florida Gulf Coast University, live in Golden Gate with Mandy and Moose, the indubitable dachshunds, and Khaki, the calico cat.

Awards:

Florida Press Association 2008 Best Feature Story - First Place. A timely look back down memory road...

■ Great Depression: Unlike today's troubling times

Florida Press Association 2008 Serious Column - Honorable Mention. Be prepared to cry!

■ The High Road: Stand up for those in uniform

Humane Society Naples 1981 Media Award "Speaking for those that cannot speak for themselves"

Position History

Staff Writer - Collier Citizen
Editorial
02/17/2006 - current

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Desert Storm veteran reflects on service in Saudi Arabia Published 11/04/2009 at 3:18 p.m.
Air Force Staff Sgt. David Kisner recalls his six-month tour of duty in Saudi Arabia as a part of Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield in 1990 as the “most miserable time of his life.” “I lived on two or ...
Collier drivers contest red-light citations Published 11/04/2009 at 3:12 p.m.
Watch the video. That’s the advice of Collier County Code Enforcement officials to residents planning to appeal red light citations. “Not everyone takes the opportunity to watch the video. It’s amazing how many people believe they truly did stop until ...
It’s really, really free: Market at Fleischmann Park offers goods and services at no cost Published 11/04/2009 at 2:41 p.m.
The market is like a throwback to the communal concept of the 1960s, creating a marketplace in which no formal quid pro quo exists. It’s an idea that is gaining popularity in the U.S. and abroad, with 60 sites ranging ...
Woman’s teeth go to the dogs, friends step up Published 11/04/2009 at 12:20 p.m.
Billie Colburn’s teeth went to the dogs; now caring canines and their devoted owners are going to try to help give them back during a dog-friendly fundraiser from 5-7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 14, at Fred’s Diner, in the Uptown Plaza ...
School’s focus is on defensive gun use Published 11/04/2009 at 11:17 a.m.
The nationwide increase in handgun purchases after the last presidential election got Sandy Thalheimer and his shooting buddy, Errol Lawson, wondering -- who was teaching all the brand-new gun owners how to use their weapons? “We had all these people ...
New Collier ordinance spells out what work does not require permits Published 10/28/2009 at 5:21 p.m.
Collier County do-it-yourselfers will no longer have to worry about securing a permit to replace or repair electric water heaters and a dozen other items, if commissioners approve a new building code ordinance, Nov. 10. In September, the board voted ...
Costumed canines - is it fun for pets or just the owners? Published 10/28/2009 at 5:16 p.m.
Local dog lover Lorraine Thomas has a passion for pet fashion. An interior designer, Thomas delights in the closet full of tiny extravagant outfits she has created for her two Pekinese pups, Lily and Sable. The girls’ wardrobe includes everything ...
The Strand - it’s golf and so much more Published 10/28/2009 at 3:19 p.m.
Golf is still king. Just ask Hilda Gilbert, membership and activities director at The Club at the Strand Country Club. “ We own the golf course, the clubhouse, the tennis facilities and the maintenance building. All we pay are the ...
Good for You, Oct. 30, 2009 Published 10/23/2009 at 12:37 p.m.
Michele Klinowski has been promoted to senior vice president of the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce
DUI arrests down in Collier, up in Lee Published 10/21/2009 at 4:39 p.m.
Collier County arrests for driving under the influence have fallen over the past three years, while Lee County’s figures have climbed steadily, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. In 2008, the total number of Lee ...