Rachel S. O'Hara

04/13/2026

I had the opportunity to cover Highland Beach's latest town effort, led by Jason Chudnofsky, to bring AED and CPR training to condos. Working with Rich Pollack is always a delight, and of course, seeing my photos in print in The Coastal Star always makes me smile.

Highland Beach goes to condos to teach; Delray has new defibrillator mandate Cameron Abraham, a Highland Beach Fire Rescue firefighter/paramedic, explains to Dottie Turcotte how to position AED pads on a mannequin. Photos by Rachel O’Hara/The Coastal Star By Rich Pollack Jason Chudnofsky knows th...

12/24/2025

Thanks to The Coastal Star for assigning me to cover this adorable parade. Who doesn’t love dogs being festive by the beach and hanging out with Santa?

The Christmas Doggie Parade on Saturday, December 20, in Ocean Ridge was full of holiday spirit. Organizer Wendy D’Angelo said she created the event after moving back into her home in Ocean Ridge, wanting to give back to her neighbors and celebrate how much she loves the community. She hopes to ma...

12/08/2025

While every story in The Coastal Star is important, the one I loved the most this month was about my fav newspaper cat, Pippi. So glad Mary Kate Leming and Jerry Lower have taken her into their home.

She’s a petite pescatarian with green eyes and perky ears. Her brown hair is highlighted with streaks of black and apricot. Something about her staggering gait is endearing.  She’s a cute little cat with thyroid and neurological issues and she recently moved into our house. Pippi had been the o...

11/17/2025

This weekend, I had the opportunity to become Belle from BEAUTY & THE BEAST for Equality Florida - South Florida's BACK TO BROADWAY gala. Wearing an original Broadway costume (which was also recently featured in an SNL skit) was so magical, and engaging with those attending the event in character was absolutely delightful. I also had the opportunity to work alongside my best friend, Spensyr Krebsbach, who was the perfect Tracy Turnblad from HAIRSPRAY! Additionally, I made some new theater friends. The sweetest part? Recording a video for a bartender's little girl who loves Belle. The mom was thrilled, and I hope that little girl loved it. Plus, the gala was a BIG success, raising over $225,000, with matching donations, bringing the grand total around $675,000!

08/18/2025

Starting year three at Saint Andrew’s School with BOTH feet on the ground!
❤️🤍GO SCOTS!🤍❤️

08/03/2025

Sometimes you get a freelance assignment that requires your dog to be a model. I love any work I get to do for The Coastal Star, but having my pup get to model for this one made it extra fun! Here’s the article: https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/tips-to-keep-our-furry-friends-cool-when-its-scorching-outside

07/31/2025

I love it when I get to write about students at SA doing amazing things. It's even better when I know the student personally! Check out this story I wrote about Emmanuel's summer internship at Planestocks in Deerfield Beach. Also, check out my colleague Allison's video that goes along with it. Go Scots!

This summer, Saint Andrew’s School’s Emmanuel Bravo ’28 took flight, professionally that is, through an internship with Deerfield Beach-based aviation parts distributor, Planestocks. The experience gave Bravo hands-on exposure to the aviation industry and brought him closer to discovering his ...

03/31/2025

Do you have your tickets to see MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS at the Delray Beach Playhouse yet? We have two more weekends of shows and it's a truly wild ride! Get your tickets today and DM me for a discount code.
https://delraybeachplayhouse.com/performance/agatha-christie-murder-on-the-orient-express/2025-03-21/

02/19/2025

In non-work-related news, I am a month out from being back on stage at the Delray Beach Playhouse in MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS. If you live in the area or are going to be in the area between March 21 and April 13, I hope you'll come to see this wild ride of a show!
https://delraybeachplayhouse.com/performance/agatha-christie-murder-on-the-orient-express/2025-03-21/

12/10/2024

Always love photographing a pet blessing. Especially for The Coastal Star!

Unity of Delray Beach celebrated the blessing of pets in our lives at its 25th annual Blessing of the Animals. ABOVE: Grace Mackler, 6, poses beside her dogs, Maya, 2, and Bella, 13, after her dogs were blessed. RIGHT: Josie Willis’ parakeet, Perky, 3, perched inside his traveling cage. BELOW: For...