by Denise Wauters
It is with a heavy heart—but an excited spirit—that I write this. After much thought and reflection, I’ve made the difficult decision to step away from the printed Mullet Rapper newspaper. This wasn’t easy. My time at the helm has been deeply meaningful, and the community’s unwavering love and support have made it a true joy to produce each issue.
From the beginning, I’ve volunteered my time to handle the layout and bring every edition to life. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and the enthusiasm of our readers, we even expanded the size of the paper—an effort that was met with overwhelming positivity and encouragement.
However, several challenges have made it unsustainable for me to continue. The rising threat of tariffs affecting already high printing costs, the expense of hiring a delivery person, and the difficulty of finding someone to take over layout duties have all played a part. After a thorough six-month search, I’m grateful to share that Coastal Breeze has stepped up to take the reins. As of this issue, I am no longer the owner of the Mullet Rapper.
But this is not goodbye. The news will still be available online at VisitEvergladesCity.com—a site that sees over 4,000 visitors each month—and through the new EvergladesNews app soon to be available on Apple and Android devices. Please continue to send in your contributions as always, and we’ll keep the community informed in real-time.
Paradise Web, our Web Design and Marketing Agency, will continue operating as usual. My son, Dallas Wauters—owner of EvergladesIT—will be managing the day-to-day responsibilities. I’m still around, but now I’ve got a new passion project in the works. If you need me, I’m just a message away.
This change marks the beginning of a new chapter for me and my family, one centered on holistic living. Several years ago, after facing gut health issues, we began searching for a place where we could grow our food and live a simpler, healthier life. We found that place in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi—a beautiful 20-acre stretch of flat, untamed land nestled between two major cities and just two miles from the beach. The people here remind me so much of Everglades City—kind, warm, thoughtful, and welcoming.
We’re now building Morning Dew Homestead, a holistic, organic farm where we aim to grow clean food, step away from desk jobs and chemicals, and engage with our new community. Our vision includes a you-pick farm, seasonal events, a small farmers market, and more.
We’d love for you to follow along on this journey. You can find us on YouTube at @morningdewhomestead, on Facebook at Morning Dew Homestead Life, and on our website: MorningDewHomestead.com. We’ll be sharing updates, stories, and videos as things take shape.
Before I close, I want to express my deepest gratitude. To our sponsors and advertisers—thank you for your steadfast support. Your partnership has been the backbone of this publication. To our contributors—your stories have brought the paper to life and connected us all. To the editors—thank you for your behind-the-scenes dedication and care. And to our readers—your loyalty has meant everything.
I wish Coastal Breeze all the best as they take the Mullet Rapper forward. May it continue to inform, inspire, and connect this incredible community for years to come.
Thank you all—for the memories, for the support, and for being part of this journey.
Warmly,
Denise Wauters
Paradise Web
Morning Dew Homestead
