Vero Beach Magazine April 2024

At the Vero Beach Air Show, the Blue Angels will inspire future service members and pilots watching

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Mary

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Features

86

IN THE WINGS

Next month, the Blue Angels will wow spectators and inspire the next generation of service members and pilots

By Mary Beth McGregor

100 THE WATER IS FINE

A couple retreats to the Vero Beach home of their dreams, with views from every room

By Ann Taylor

94

JOY OF DISCOVERY

Local students join the ranks of lagoon explorers, present and future

By Chris Fasolino

108

CHANCE OF A LIFETIME

A service dog is a godsend for a combat veteran with PTSD

By Mary Beth McGregor

Watercolor Skies. Cool Water. Warm Welcome.

Life on John’s Island. A private, member-owned club located north of Vero Beach, this gem plays host to miles of unspoilt beaches, naturefilled river access, elegant residences, and watercolor sunsets. These serene offerings each combine luxury with traditional appeal. Replete with gorgeous architectural details, spacious living areas and lush grounds - all of our homes take advantage of prime location with access to an incredible array of amenities for by-invitation-only John’s Island Club members. We invite you to indulge in a life of bliss in John’s Island.

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66

26 OUR 2024 ADVISORY BOARD

VERO VIBES

36

WILDE SIDE

Matters of public health have long influenced the unfolding of history

By Evelyn Wilde Mayerson

48

VERO’S HEROES

For this dedicated couple, volunteering is more than just a day at the park

By Teresa Lee Rushworth

50

INDIAN RIVER INSIGHTS

The Indian River County Hospital District plays a vital role in our community’s health care

By Jeffrey R. Pickering

60

CLASSIC CARS

Curious cars from the past

By Patrick Merrell

COASTAL LIFE

66 SPACES

Chandeliers have been around for ages, and they continue to evolve and expand throughout the house

By Valerie Cruice

68 HOMEGROWN

This month is a time of transition in the garden

By Nickie Munroe

PATRICK MERRELL

146

150

70

LIVING WELL

Good oral hygiene goes beyond having a great smile; it’s important to your overall health

By Renáe Tesauro

76

BY THE BOOK

The River by Peter Heller

By Elizabeth Leonard

78

TRUE TAILS

Prepare your dog to live in today’s busy world

By Amy Robinson

LOCAL FLAVOR

142

THE DISH

Chef Tim Clinton’s unexpected career path landed him back on solid ground

By Chris Fasolino

146

OFF THE VINE

A relative newcomer to the wine industry, New Zealand has the perfect spot to grow pinot noir grapes

By Chris Fasolino

150 WEDDINGS

Macy Sullivan Winslow & Matthew Stephen Becker

154

THE SCENE

Everyone has been springing into service!

166

GALLERY GUIDE

April showers us with a bold variety of art

171

CALENDAR

April abounds with entertaining and edifying nonprofit events

178

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Thank you for supporting our local businesses

184 ROOTS

Jesse Yongue’s 1909 riverfront house met building codes that wouldn’t exist for decades

By Ellen E. Stanley

ALL ABOUT APRIL

See what local businesses and organizations are up to

ON THE COVER:

Three U.S. Navy Blue Angel F/A-18s fly in formation, as they will at the local air show. See the story on page 86.

Photograph by Jeff Jarrett

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Looking Up

The benefits of being outdoors, surrounded by nature, have been well documented. Aside from breathing in fresh air and soaking up some vitamin D with our unlimited sunshine, immersing myself in the sights and sounds of nature is soothing to my soul. In the April issue of Vero Beach Magazine, we take a step outside and do just that.

Our cover story this month may not give you all the peace and quiet of being in nature, but it will give you sights and sounds galore, along with the fresh air and (fingers crossed) sunshine we all crave. Vero Beach welcomes the Blue Angels back to perform for the fourth time as part of the biennial Vero Beach Air Show in early May. Get your hands on some tickets and be ready for the fun, high-flying action at the airport with this talented team of aviators.

In addition to having a great view of the air show in May, our April home feature puts a spotlight on a waterfront property that checks all the boxes when it comes to enjoying outdoor living. Open, airy, and bright on the inside, while being surrounded by water and nature, was the biggest draw for the Midwest family moving in. The team of Croom Construction, architectural firm Moulton Layne, interior designer Rod Mickley, and landscape architect August Schwartz built this oasis from the ground up.

The ecology students in Brandy Nelson’s class at Saint Edward’s School are immersing themselves in our seaside environment, more specifically in the Indian River Lagoon and the adjacent salt marsh at the Jones Pier Conservation Area on Vero Beach’s historic Jungle Trail. The goal, according to county conservation lands program coordinator Ashley Lingwood, is to help the next generation “appreciate Florida’s beautiful natural environment.” After watching the students conduct some research at the salt marsh, I can tell they’re well on their way to becoming environmental champions.

Leaders and champions are what we need in our community to make us better. Meet Ingrid Hernandez, a Vero Beach resident and combat veteran decorated for her years of service and for her actions while serving in Iraq. Once home, she was left trying to cope with PTSD, a result of her humanitarian aid work overseas. In walked Shelly Ferger, founder and CEO of Dogs for Life, an organization that matches local veterans with service dogs. Ferger paired up Hernandez with Chance, a now-2-year-old Lab who helps her feel protected and safe.

As we ease our way toward the heat of summer, let’s enjoy the last of our cool weather by getting outside. See you in May!

Kelly Rogers editor@verobeachmagazine.com

Something in the Air

With spring underway, April seems to be a season of awakening, a time to enjoy fresh flowers and new beginnings. No wonder it’s been designated National Garden Month. Of course, here in our part of Florida, every month is Garden Month; thank goodness we have our resident expert, Nickie Munroe, to keep us straight with her Homegrown column.

Nothing is more beautiful than the blooming of flowers. It’s one of many incentives to draw us outdoors and into nature. Be sure to take some time each day to enjoy the sights. Perhaps a trip to McKee Botanical Garden is in order.

Our local nonprofit organizations are giving us plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors in April. On the 13th, the Laura (Riding) Jackson Foundation has its annual Poetry & Barbecue event at IRSC’s Mueller Campus, the site of Jackson’s historic house. Then, on the 26th, we can switch gears from poetry to dance and head out to Tree House for Ballet Vero Beach’s elegant Ballet Under the Stars fundraising party.

Also, the Friends of the Sebastian Inlet State Park will put on the final Night Sounds concert of the season April 27.

While we’re browsing the calendar, we can’t help but notice that April 11–14 brings the Vero Beach Film Festival, a great event celebrating independent filmmaking and hosting many filmmakers from all over the world and even from right here in Vero Beach.

This issue is filled with informative and inspiring stories, and we hope it will light up your day just like the fabulous chandeliers described by Valerie Cruice in our Spaces column.

Don’t miss out on what’s happening here in Vero Beach. To stay in the know, be sure to sign up for our weekly newsletter, the Vero Beach Insider, at verobeachmagazine.com

Wishing you an awesome April,

Teri Amey-Arnold, Publisher publisher@verobeachmagazine.com

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mmaisonvero.com

KELLY ROGERS Editor in Chief

OLGA M. GUSTINE Creative Director

TERESA LEE RUSHWORTH Senior Editor

RENÁE TESAURO Editor at Large

ANN TAYLOR Senior Writer

JENNY FERNANDEZ-PRIETO Art Director

JANINE FISHER Senior Graphic Designer

LEONOR ALVAREZ-MAZA Digital Imaging Specialist CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Valerie Cruice, Chris Fasolino, Elizabeth Leonard, Evelyn Wilde Mayerson, Mary Beth McGregor, Patrick Merrell, Nickie Munroe, Jeffrey R. Pickering, Amy Robinson, Ellen E. Stanley CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Kim Bottalico, Joey Calmes, Dan Casale, Jessica Glynn, Steven Martine, Patrick Merrell, Asia Pimentel Photography

About Us

Vero Beach Magazine is the rst magazine to be dedicated exclusively to Vero Beach and remains the only local magazine with veri ed circulation. A minimum of 10,000 magazines are distributed monthly, to at least 30,000 readers in almost every state, including Alaska and Hawaii.

Vero Beach Magazine’s sta is committed to using print media to make Indian River County a better place for all residents, mindful of environmental and historic preservation, while underscoring the best aspects of life in this charming oceanfront community.

Winner of numerous awards since its inception, starting with the Florida Magazine Association’s Best New Magazine Award in 1998, Vero Beach Magazine has made its greatest impact by providing meaningful information to readers about the needs of local nonpro t organizations in Indian River County, inspiring philanthropy and prompting nonpro t coverage by many other media companies.

Our o ce is located at 3375 20th Street, Suite 100, on the corner of 34th Avenue and State Road 60, in Vero Beach. Visitors are welcome by appointment from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, for subscription, article, and advertising questions.

ASHLEY MEYER

OUR 2024 ADVISORY BOARD

SOPHIE BENTHAM-WOOD is a native of London. At Sheffield University, she studied the history of art, design, and film, earning a bachelor’s degree. She then embarked on an illustrious career in marketing and public relations that now spans 25 years. Sophie moved to the United States in 2008, and, since 2012, she has been the director of marketing and communications at the Vero Beach Museum of Art. In this capacity, she oversees enterprise activities, including Visitor Services, the Museum Store, and the Museum Café. She is also part of the senior management team. In her tenure, she has managed the introduction of an admission charge, overseen a rebranding of the museum’s logo, and played a major role in reenvisioning and shaping the VBMA’s strategic plan. More recently, she has implemented a fully integrated marketing campaign for the museum.

KEVIN GIVEN hails from White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, home of the worldfamous Greenbrier resort and hotel, where he was a fourth-generation team member. He earned a degree in hospitality and tourism management, with a minor in business administration, from Concord University in Athens, West Virginia, and has now been in the resort/private club management field for over 40 years. He is a board member at the West Virginia University Foundation and a hospitality management advisory board member at WVU’s John Chambers College of Business and Economics. In 2001, he was one of the founding partners at Quail Valley, and he was also on the executive team developing Windsor and Orchid Island. Kevin has served on the boards of the Indian River Community Foundation, the Environmental Learning Center, and Saint Edward’s School.

TRUDIE RAINONE has lived in Vero Beach for 23 years and has served the community in leadership roles with a variety of Indian River County nonprofits. Her passion for outreach has her currently serving on the executive boards of Senior Resource Association, ORCA, Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy, and Senior Collaborative. She is also a health care partner volunteer with Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital and vice chair of Quail Valley Charities, which funds 43 local children’s organizations. A native of New York City, Trudie reared her children with her husband of 50 years, Donald, in both New York and New Jersey. She is the proud grandmother of two boys, Chase and Drew. She has a merchandising background in the fashion industry and was a business owner specializing in fine antiques.

JON R. MOSES is the managing director and COO of Riverside Theatre, where he has worked for 25 seasons. A Treasure Coast native, he studied theater design technology at Florida State University’s School of Theatre, followed by graduate studies at Florida Atlantic University. He has been involved in every aspect of theater for over 32 years. He has even served as an adjunct faculty member at Indian River State College, where he taught and coordinated an associate of science technical theater program. Jon’s involvement in the community includes serving as treasurer on the board of the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Exchange Club of Indian River. He was also a board member of the Oceanside Business Association and president of the Florida Professional Theatre Association.

JESSICA LINUS WATFORD moved to Vero Beach as a 10th grader and attended Saint Edward’s school. A graduate of Auburn University (War Eagle!), she lived in Atlanta and Raleigh before returning to Vero Beach in 2015 and joining her father and grandfather in the family business, Linus Cadillac Buick GMC. In 2019, she graduated from the National Automobile Dealers Association Academy and is now a proud third-generation dealer-operator at Linus. Jessica resides in Okeechobee with her husband and two young daughters. She enjoys the best of both worlds, between boating days on the water and country life, rodeos, and ranching.

LEAD ADVISER

Gregory Allan Ness Principal Designer

Crystal Lemley Senior Designer

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Vero Vibes

48 VERO’S HEROES

For

KELLY

DISEASES

Germs of Truth

MATTERS OF PUBLIC HEALTH HAVE LONG INFLUENCED THE UNFOLDING OF HISTORY

BY EVELYN WILDE MAYERSON

Epidemiologists tell us that while the COVID19 virus continues to emerge in altered forms, we seem to have gained control, shaking o the e ects of a global outbreak that shaped our society in social isolation, a sudden spike in suicides, massive supply-anddemand disruptions and, in the United States alone, the deaths of hundreds of thousands.

Diseases have historically shaped society, crippled armies, and toppled empires. Among the best ctionalized illustrations of such phenomena are Giovanni Boccaccio’s Decameron, which details the e ects of the 14th century’s bubonic plague outbreak in Italy, and Albert Camus’s 1947 novel e Plague, a story of an epidemic a icting the French Algerian city of Oran.

Giovanni Boccaccio’s Decameron is a collection of tales set in 14thcentury Italy during a bubonic plague outbreak, as depicted in this illustration from a manuscript.

WILDE SIDE

Diseases have historically shaped society and migration.

Disease has also shaped migration. The prevalence of tropical fevers has long been a deterrent to the settlement of Florida. In 1836, at the beginning of the Seminole Wars, 103 U.S. Army commanders resigned their commissions rather than continue to serve in Florida, where malaria, cholera,

North America’s port cities of Baltimore, New York, Charleston, and New Orleans. In 1793, while the new federal government in Philadelphia, including President George Washington and an alreadyinfected Alexander Hamilton, fled the city, 10 percent of its remaining population succumbed to the disease.

dengue fever, and especially the deadly yellow fever, known commonly as yellow jack, were epidemic.

The first recorded outbreaks of yellow fever in North America occurred in the Caribbean in 1647 and the Yucatan peninsula in 1648. In the summer of 1693, a strange disease was reported spreading through Boston, with its victims suffering from jaundice, high fever, and other symptoms seen in yellow fever.

In the following century, yellow fever outbreaks continued to occur in colonial

After 1822, likely coincident with the United States outlawing the importation of slaves in 1807 and declaring in 1820 slave trade on the seas an act of piracy, outbreaks of the disease were generally restricted to coastal port cities of the South. Florida’s port cities, such as Tampa, Jacksonville, and Key West were hard hit. Residents of these areas fled inland but were met with “shotgun quarantine”—armed patrols at the crossroads of cities and towns that denied them entry.

Like all infectious diseases at the time, yellow fever

was not well understood; it was generally thought to be caused by filth or, more likely, miasmas from the swamps, although the idea that infected people posed a threat was recognized.

In 1898, at the onset of the Spanish-American War, Tampa became a staging area for American troops. The newly built Tampa Bay Hotel served as headquarters for officers, such as Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, and the press, including British war correspondent Winston Churchill. The war lasted three months, three weeks,

Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt used Tampa as a base for officers in the Spanish-American War.

In 1997, the Tampa Historical Society erected a monument to memorialize lives lost during 19th-century yellow fever outbreaks.

and a day. Fewer than 1,000 Americans in Cuba died in combat, while over 5,000 died of yellow fever; further, outbreaks continued in occupied Cuba. In response to these circumstances, a yellow fever commission was formed by the military.

Stationed in Cuba and proceeding on the previous supposition of Cuban physician Carlos Juan Finlay, who had suspected the mosquito in 1881, Major Walter Reed performed a series of experiments. One involved volunteer soldiers wearing soiled clothing worn by infected patients. The experiments proved that the yellow fever virus was borne not by miasmas from the swamps or even open latrines but by Aedes aegypti, a species of mosquito believed to have originated in Africa and traveled to the Western Hemi-

sphere on slave ships. Thus, Reed confirmed what Finlay had suspected: yellow fever was transmitted by mosquito bites. Reed’s confirmation came just in time for the construction of the Panama Canal, which had come to a deadly halt when 85 percent of its workforce came down with malaria and yellow fever and tens of thousands died.

Although Reed got credit for the discovery, even a hospital named after him on 113 acres in Washington D.C., he and Finlay were not the first to suspect the mosquito as the vector of yellow fever. The first American was Florida native and Tampa resident Dr. John Perry Wall, who had identified the mosquito as the culprit 27 years earlier. FrenchSouth American Dr. Louis-Daniel Beauperthuy had made a case for mosquito transmission in the 1850s.

Major Walter Reed confirmed through experiments that yellow fever was transmitted via mosquito bites.

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WILDE SIDE

The first yellow fever epidemic in Tampa occurred in 1871.

Le : Dr. John Perry Wall; below: Tampa Bay Hotel became a staging area for U.S. troops during the Spanish-American War.

At the time of Wall’s identication, Tampa was considered ideally positioned to become the state’s major city. Its beautiful bay, lined with white sand beaches, opened to the Gulf of Mexico, while mullet and redsh lled its waters. During the time Wall was promoting his theory of mosquito-borne disease, the South Florida Railroad, belonging to entrepreneur Henry B. Plant, completed a 180-mile run from Jacksonville. With the population of Tampa at around 800, Plant was now planning the deep-water port that would in a few years handle shipments of cattle, sh, and phosphate. Tampa was also becoming the new home for the fast-growing cigar industry that had relocated from Key West.

e rst yellow fever epi-

demic in Tampa occurred in 1871. Reports of it were at rst denounced as false and malicious but quickly proved true.

e disease struck Dr. Wall personally. Called to attend a stricken cabin boy aboard a ship at anchor, Wall himself came down with yellow fever. He was nursed back to health by his wife, who succumbed to the disease, as did their 2-year-old daughter. When he recovered, Wall set out to study yellow fever. His observation that yellow fever prevailed in the summer months but disappeared with the rst frost led him to suspect the mosquito. Other observations as well as research into whatever literature on the subject he could nd led him to conclude that the carrier was not lth or miasma from

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the swamps but the “treetop” mosquito. He set out on a vigorous campaign of scholarly papers and lectures to inform others of his discovery.

Like many whose views are contrary to accepted opinion, Wall was met with ridicule from both the lay press and the medical profession of which he was a prominent member. Wall so infuriated Frank Harris of the Ocala Banner that Harris challenged him to a duel, which was never fought. When medical authorities continued to hold fast to the belief that it was pollution that led to yellow fever, Wall countered with a study that showed the city of New Orleans with unsanitary

conditions in 1877 that were held responsible for the death of only one person, while the following year, with the same foul conditions, New Orleans was struck with a yellow fever epidemic that caused 4,000 deaths. Despite this argument and others, Wall’s theory continued to be met with derision.

Ironically, Wall, who was president of the state medical association, served as Tampa’s chief health o cer for 15 years, during which time there were no outbreaks of yellow fever in the city, likely due to his measures of upturning standing water, creating oil slicks on ponds, burning the pesticide sulfur

dioxide, and telling citizens to close their windows at night.

Wall’s theory of mosquitoborne disease was vindicated ve years after his death, which occurred at a lectern in Gainesville while delivering a speech

to the Florida Medical Association. It’s hard to be right when no one will listen—a problem also faced by Copernicus, who claimed that Earth revolved around the sun and not the other way around.

It took some ingenuity to identify the mosquito as a vector of yellow fever.

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Double Duty

FOR THIS DEDICATED COUPLE, VOLUNTEERING IS MORE THAN JUST A DAY AT THE PARK

BY TERESA LEE RUSHWORTH SERVICE

Jane and Wayne Bushnell have been married 57 years. But, despite the fact that both are committed members of the Friends of Sebastian Inlet State Park who spend many hours on park property, they laugh that while volunteering they are “almost never in the same place at the same time.”

The Pennsylvania natives first relocated to coastal New Jersey, where Wayne had his own business as a charter fishing boat captain. That experience serves him well as he works “park watch” for four hours every Friday, and part of his volunteer job is explaining fishing regulations to park visitors.

Wayne signed up with the Friends of Sebastian Inlet State Park six or seven years ago, and Jane followed about a year later. They have lived in Sebastian for 20 years and appreciate having a beautiful state park just a few miles from their home.

Jane, who is retired from the insurance business, mans the McLarty Treasure Museum, a state facility on park property, every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., greeting visitors, taking admission fees, answering questions, and tending to the gift shop. Wayne also pitches in when needed as a docent at the museum.

All proceeds from the McLarty gift shop go to FSISP, a citizen support organization that plays an important role in fundraising for situations in which the park rangers incur expenses not covered by the state. The Bushnells mention a few examples of items FSISP has purchased for the rangers: tools, two golf carts, an ATV motor, and AEDs (automated external defibrillators) for medical emergencies. The group has also funded building and equipment repairs for the park.

FSISP’s monthly Night Sounds concerts at the park’s pavilions are another key fundraiser in which the Bushnells are instrumental. Working in conjunction with volunteer coordinator

Jackie Baker, who is responsible for booking the bands, Jane books the food trucks and handles all of the interactions with them, including procuring their insurance documentation. Jane and Wayne both work the gate; for each concert, they arrive at least two hours in advance.

Due to a shortage of volunteers, the eight members of the FSISP board find themselves shouldering the bulk of the group’s labors. Jane serves as secretary, while Wayne is president. “I was treasurer for five years, and that was very demanding,” he says. “When they elected me president, I became more like a coordinator.” He also tends to some mundane but essential tasks, such as buying firewood, ice, bottled water, and soft drinks for the park.

In January 2023, Wayne was named Volunteer of the Month for District 3, which includes 12 state parks.

Jane says, “I’m closing in on 2,000 hours and he’s probably closing in on 3,000.” Together, they estimate, they put in about 40 to 50 hours per month. Jane also delivers for Senior Resource Association’s Meals on Wheels one day each week.

The Bushnells’ joy in volunteering is palpable. “One thing I like the most is the people who come here,” Jane says. “It’s fascinating. We get people coming from all over the world to this park.” Interacting with the children is particularly gratifying for her. “The kids are like gold,” she smiles. “They can just crack you up!” She gives a treasure hunt game to all the children who visit the McLarty Museum, and their excitement upon seeing the exhibits is contagious.

So, the next time you’re at Sebastian Inlet State Park, look for Jane and Wayne Bushnell and say hello. You may even decide to ask them where to sign up!

ROGERS

KELLY

“One thing I like the most is the people who come here.”

JANE BUSHNELL

The Anatomy of Local Health Care

THE INDIAN RIVER COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN OUR COMMUNITY

BY JEFFREY R. PICKERING

Do you know the difference between Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital (CCIRH) and the Indian River County Hospital District (IRCHD)? What about how the two work together with philanthropy and our local nonprofit sector to meet the needs of the community? If not, do not feel bad. Most people

whom I pose those questions to have a limited understanding of this system of care that is so critical in Indian River County. Here’s a quick primer and my thoughts about why both are so essential to our community’s health and well-being.

CCIRH is a 332-bed not-forprofit hospital that serves as the main medical center for

Vero Beach and the surrounding Indian River County community. The hospital began operating under the Cleveland Clinic health system in January 2019, after an 18-month process to secure the future of the former independent community hospital, Indian River Medical Center.

Today, the hospital is led

PHILANTHROPY

Our liberty was their gift

Your generosity will help to say thank you for our freedom.

The Vero Art Triangle is a community project that will be complete with the addition of the WWII Tribute accompanied by Riverside Theatre and the Vero Beach Museum of Art. Our community has raised three-quarters of the project cost so far. Your gift will help finish t his work of art Tribute on Memorial Island Sanctuary. It will be the centerpiece of t he Island as well as a venue for community events and educational opportunities. Your gift helps preserve the legacy of our Greatest Generation and helps to honor our fallen while also serving our living heroes and community.

Together we can make this happen.

Make a donation online at: www.cultural-council.org

Checks payable to: CCIRC -WWII Tribute

CCIRC, 2400 15th Avenue, Suite 2, Vero Beach, FL 32960

Sponsored by the Indian River Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America and the Cultural Council of Indian River County serving as Escrow Agent.

The relationship between CCIRH and the IRCHD is longstanding and evolving.

by Dr. David Peter and offers preventive, primary, acute hospital care and a broad array of specialty services to the community. In 2022 it cost $481 million to operate, an unusually high amount affected primarily by COVID and labor-related expenses. An additional $42 million in capital improvements were made during the same year, $7 million of which came from philanthropy through donors to the Cleveland Clinic Indian River Foundation.

The IRCHD is a special taxing authority that provides funding to organizations that deliver essential medical, dental, and behavioral health programs and services to all Indian River County residents, regardless of their ability to pay. The organization also convenes providers and other stakeholders to identify and address gaps in the community’s continuum of care.

Currently, the IRCHD is led by executive director Frank Isele and an elected board of trustees chaired by Marybeth Cunningham. In 2022, it directed more than $13 million in public funding from property tax assessments to health care programs throughout the community.

The relationship between CCIRH and its predecessors and the IRCHD is longstanding and evolving. When the IRCHD was created by the Florida Legislature in the 1950s, and

for several decades to follow, it owned and operated what was once known as Indian River Memorial Hospital. In the 1980s, the IRCHD began using public funds to support indigent care at the hospital and beyond; it retained ownership of the hospital building, while management of the hospital was turned over to a separate community not-for-profit corporation.

With Cleveland Clinic’s eventual acquisition of the hospital in 2019, most of the financial responsibility for providing in-hospital care to uninsured and underinsured patients has been assumed, leaving more tax dollars available for the IRCHD to distribute for similar purposes throughout the community. These dollars are not wasted. They are critical to supporting the health care safety net provided by the various beneficiaries of IRCHD funding, including Treasure Coast Community Health, VNA of the Treasure Coast, Whole Family Health, and the Healthy Start Coalition, to name a few. Without these organizations, our community would be in a much more fragile state, and human suffering would be exacerbated.

Take our community’s infant mortality rate, for example. In 2011, the proportion of infants that died prior to reaching 1 year of age was 12.5 per 1,000 live births

Marybeth Cunningham chairs the IRCHD board.

The Visiting Nurse Association Mobile Health Clinic brings health care professionals to local residents.

among whites, and 33 per 1,000 live births among Blacks.

ese were some of the worst statistics in the entire country and resembled those typically seen in developing countries.

One decade later, because of early access to prenatal care

New local programs have improved infant mortality rates in Indian River County.

provided by CCIRH’s Partners in Women’s Health Program and additional supportive services delivered by the Healthy Start Coalition, these terrible statistics have been reduced by more than 50 percent. Both proven programs are supported by nancial resources from the IRCHD and local philanthropy.

Or consider our community’s hospitalization rate for adolescents for mood and depressive disorders as another example. In 2015, more than 1,500 youth and children under age 18 were hospitalized due to anxiety,

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The Indian River County Healthy Start Doula Program is one of the new services created to help expectant mothers.

depression, or suicidal thoughts. For some, inpatient hospitalization was necessary to stabilize and prevent further harm to themselves or others. For many, however, a less severe form of treatment may have been better. Unfortunately, other than drop-in or weekly counseling, no programs existed for intermediate care.

Since 2020, with more than $250,000 in annual funding provided by the IRCHD, Indian River Community Foundation, the United Way, and the John’s Island Community Service League, an intensive outpatient program at CCIRH’s Behavioral Health Center is now available to meet this need. As a result, uninsured and insured adolescents alike can receive the care they need close to home, avoiding risky behaviors, improving mental health, and preventing the most adverse outcomes, such as involuntary hospitalization,

overdose, or suicide.

Since moving to Vero Beach in 2015, one of my family members or I have been cared for by CCIRH and its affiliates almost a dozen times. These interactions have ranged from simple diagnostic procedures in the Department of Gastro-

enterology and Nutrition to treatment in the Department of Emergency Services for several broken bones, an adverse reaction to medication, and an unplanned appendectomy. Despite some of the recent inconveniences with telephone access or the perennial

challenges with emergency room privacy, the actual medical care we have been provided has been exceptional. I hear much of the same from numerous friends and clients.

One personal testimonial about the care provided by CCIRH caught my attention in the most unusual of settings. Because Indian River Community Foundation provides supplemental financial support to many of the programs funded by the IRCHD, I regularly attend or watch online the monthly board of trustees meeting. At the end of each, time is allocated for public comment.

From time to time, citizens use this public comment agenda item as an opportunity to advocate for a particular matter being considered by the trustees. Other times, taxpayer advocates use this time to encourage a reduction of spending and a return of tax dollars to taxpayers. On November 16, 2023, Indian River Club resident Sharon

In recent years, more programs have been created to support teens with mood and depressive disorders.

Indian River County Healthy Start has many programs to help families with young children succeed.

INDIAN RIVER INSIGHTS

“With the height of COVID’s impact behind us, we have stabilized our workforce.” DR. DAVID PETER

Wolf used this opportunity to say “thank you.”

Wolf thanked the IRCHD trustees for their past leadership to secure Cleveland Clinic as the new owner and operator of our community hospital. During a recent trip to the emergency room, Wolf received an assessment, observation, and care after feeling heart palpitations. While her condition did not develop into something more severe, the peace of mind she received from a full evaluation and referral for follow-up care

made all the difference. She also expressed gratitude for the excellent treatment and follow-up care she received from CCIRH’s ScullyWelsh Cancer Center.

Curious to understand more about Wolf’s experience, I contacted her to schedule an interview.

“When I was being treated, after seven hours of chemo, all I wanted to do was go home and be surrounded by my Indian River Club friends,” she says. “The Hospital District’s leadership made that happen.”

The VNA Mobile Health Clinic, which treats infants through adults, can diagnose infections and provide sports physicals and vaccines.

I ask what made her decide to drive from her home in south Vero Beach to the Indian River County Complex to attend the meeting. ‘Couldn’t you just send an email or a personal note?’ I ask.

“ is is our community,” Wolf tells me. “Since Cleveland Clinic took over, through COVID, and even now, I hear people complain. My experience has been di erent, and I thought the trustees ... and whoever else might be listening ... needed to hear that.”

Wolf knows how hard CCIRH is working to overcome challenges and succeed. She was invited to serve as the volunteer chairwoman of a patient experience committee named Healthcare Partners. e group, made up of hospital leaders and

Based on the lives and music of 26-time Grammy Award-winning husband-and-wife team, Emilio and Gloria Estefan, On Your Feet! is a high-energy celebration of the songs that got the world dancing to the rhythm. From humble beginnings in Cuba and exile in Miami, Emilio and Gloria’s passion for music helped them overcome overwhelming odds and personal tragedies. With an estimated 100 million albums sold worldwide, Gloria Estefan is among the most successful crossover artists ever and On Your Feet! showcases over 20 of her biggest hits including: “Conga,” “1-2-3,” “Anything for You,” and “Get on Your Feet”.

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community members, meets monthly to listen and learn about ways to make the patient’s experience better.

“I know there is more work to do,” Wolf shares. “I think they do too, and I trust the people I have gotten to know at the hospital and the Hospital District will ensure that happens.”

I ask Dr. Peter about some of the other challenges CCIRH is facing in the near future. Speci cally, I am curious about the hospital’s $70 million operating loss last year.

“With the height of COVID’s impact behind us, we have stabilized our workforce and will rely less on costly contracted sta , such as traveling nurses,” he tells me. “Continuing to

The Fatherhood Initiative at IRC Healthy Start is a 12-week program that provides individualized support to dads.

collaborate with community health providers like Treasure Coast Community Health, for example, will also help by reducing unnecessary visits to the emergency department. It will take a community effort, but I am confident in our ability to get there.”

For many of the challenges we face as a community, it has been my experience that improvements come when engaged and invested citizens choose to be a part of the solution instead of only complaining about the problems. Several years ago, when our community hospital was on life support, the past chairman of Indian River Medical Center, Dr. Wayne Hockmeyer, and IRCHD chair-

woman Marybeth Cunningham modeled that behavior, along with a number of stakeholders who were engaged in the process of securing our community’s health care future. Today, community volunteers like Sharon Wolf and public servants like IRCHD trustee Dr. William Cooney continue in that same spirit.

Building a healthier community will not be easy, but the alternative—losing Cleveland Clinic as our local hospital partner or reducing the critical dollars that flow through the IRCHD, as some have advocated—is unacceptable. In health care terms, it is simply bad medicine, and patients deserve better.

AUTOMOTIVE INGENUITY

at’s Odd

CURIOUS CARS FROM THE PAST ... INCLUDING A 1972 RELIANT REGAL 3/30 FROM THE COLLECTION OF GAVIN RUOTOLO IN VERO BEACH

WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY PATRICK MERRELL

April Fool! e joke here, however, is that all of the cars and accessories shown and described on these pages are real. Since the dawn of the internal combustion engine, inventors have been coming up with clever ways to make use of it. In the early days, screwball ideas were commonplace. Some worked but many didn’t, and as time passed, basic conventions were established. Still, human beings are a relentlessly creative lot, and concepts that reject the restraints of conformity have never ceased. e following are 10 examples.

OCTOAUTO: In 1911, American Milton Reeves thought doubling the usual number of tires on a car would provide a smoother ride on the rutted roads of the day. His creation, adapted from an Overland automobile, debuted that same year at the rst Indy 500. When he failed to sell even one, in part because of its huge price tag ($100,000 today), he developed a cheaper, six-wheeled version, the SextoAuto. It fared no better. However, those were just two of the many inventions he and his brother came up with, including the rst car mu er, patented in 1897.

The OctoAuto’s design was inspired by the multiwheel subassemblies on railroad cars. It measured more than 20 feet long and was steered using the four front wheels as well as the rearmost pair.

Le : The Reliant Regal’s front seats pivot forward to give kids and contortionists access to the back seat.

Right: As a joke, a fake propeller was a ached to the back end. There’s also a small anchor in the trunk for “mooring” the vehicle. It is not an amphibious car.

RELIANT REGAL 3/30: Reliant Motors of Tamworth, England, dates back to 1935, when it adapted a three-wheel car design that had been discontinued by the Raleigh Bicycle Company.

Although Reliant made several vans and four-wheelers over the years, it’s best known for its passenger cars with a single front wheel. In order of production, they were the Regal, Robin, and Rialto.

e Regal debuted in 1953. e two-seat convertible had an aluminum body xed onto a wooden frame, measured just over

10 feet long, and weighed 981 pounds. A year later, a four-passenger model was introduced, as well as a hardtop version. Reliant was one of the pioneers in using berglass for car bodies, and by 1956, the Regal’s body was being made entirely of that material. Today, only the Corvette has built more cars with berglass bodies. e more re ned Robin replaced the Regal in 1973, and in 1983, the wedgeshaped Rialto took over. In total, from 1935 to 2002, Reliant Motors built and sold more than half a million cars.

Reliant Regals, Robins, and Rialtos were used in British banger races, so-named because banging into each other is part of the competition.

A 30-hp engine is shoehorned between the front tire and the dashboard.

CHRIS M CKENNA

Reliant Motors also designed cars for other countries, sending them kits to be assembled. Among those were the Anadol for Turkey and the Sabra for Israel.

CLASSIC CARS

Right: How long do you think the hat on this Hélica driver’s head will stay put?

Below: A detachable bubble canopy made of Plexiglas completed the futuristic look of the Cyclone.

ELVIS TRIBUTE: Jay Ohrberg has made a career out of building unique and outrageous cars. Among the more famous are KITT in Knight Rider, the DeLorean in Back to the Future, the Ghostbusters ’ Ecto1, and the Batmobile in Batman Returns However, none of them is as ridiculously amboyant as the Elvis car he created for a “Tribute to the Legends” tour that visited 30 countries. Other cars in the tour were a grand piano car honoring Elton John and a 28-foot-long guitar-shaped dragster dedicated to Johnny Cash. Perhaps the most surprising fact about the Elvis car is that the body contains no berglass; it was made entirely of hand-shaped metal.

HÉLICA: Frenchman Marcel Leyat built 30 Hélicas from 1913 to 1927. e two-passenger plywood “plane without wings” weighed just 550 pounds and was steered using the back wheels. A giant front-mounted propeller, powered by an 8-hp engine, helped the vehicle reach a terrifyingly fast 106 mph.

CADILLAC CYCLONE: e 1950s saw a proliferation of concept cars with space-age styling, but none was as sleek and dangerous looking as the Cyclone. To prevent accidental skewering with the front bumper cones, a radar warning system was built into them, alerting the driver with a dashboard light and alarm. Given the Cyclone’s twin-missile design, it would make the ideal parade car for a military dictator.

Above: This Elvis tribute car sits at the entrance of the Orlando Auto Museum.

ADVERTISING: What do you get the woman who has everything—and happens to own a shoe store? In the case of one Orlando car dealer, he had his body shop fabricate a pink “pump-mobile” for his wife. e vehicle, which was donated to the Melbourne Muscle Car Museum in 2016, has a 6.5-hp engine and, because of its weight and unwieldy height, has a top speed of about 5 mph.

• Asylum Models, based in London, was tasked with creating the Pea Car for a 2005 Birds Eye commercial. It was built on a go-kart frame and used a Honda engine. In the ad, to demonstrate how

fresh vegetables continue to lose vitamins after being picked, the car loses parts as it drives down the road. In contrast, the narrator points out, Birds Eye’s products are frozen “to lock in their goodness.”

ACCESSORIES: In 1899, Uriah Smith led for a patent on his “Vehicle-Body,” a fake horse head attached to the front of a car. Upon seeing it on the road, Smith reasoned, a “live horse would be thinking of another horse, and before he could discover his error and see that he had been fooled, the strange carriage would have passed, and it would then be too late to grow frantic and fractious.”

• Glow-in-the-dark mittens were introduced in 1941 to help signal turns when driving at night. It was also claimed they gave o enough light to illuminate the keyhole in a car or garage door.

• Finally, there’s the Dog Sack, a bizarre 1930s invention designed to pack up and secure Fido on the running board of a car. No more claw marks or shedding inside ! e problems with the product are numerous, including how to open the driver’s side door, but I guess the one good thing is that the manufacturer didn’t expand the line to include sacks for cats— or children.

Genius! A fake horse head on a car to make it less scary, glow-in-the-dark mi ens to help nigh ime drivers, and the “Dog Sack” to maintain a cleaner car interior.

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DESIGN

Ceiling Swag

CHANDELIERS HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR AGES, AND THEY CONTINUE TO EVOLVE AND EXPAND THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE

BY VALERIE CRUICE

They hover in hallways and glam up dressing rooms. ey bubble above the tub and atter around the dining table. Some drip down a staircase or anchor a voluminous venue. Chandeliers, in all their refulgent glory, always impart mesmerizing illumination from wherever they are suspended. More and more often, they are hanging around places they’ve never been before.

From the 43 crystal-and-bronze chandeliers sparkling in Versailles’s Hall of Mirrors to the single un-candled brass xture ironically aglow with natural sunlight in Johannes Vermeer’s intimate Painter in His Studio, these multi-armed, candled coronas have been lighting up the scene for many centuries. e early polycandelon, with several lights in the form of candles,

held sway until modern times.

Chandeliers later became re ned in the workshops of England, France, Bavaria, and Murano. In the mid-19th century, a uent homes powered their lighting xtures with gas; they were known as gasoliers. By 1925, electricity was becoming available in American homes. Owning and displaying a chandelier has imparted a certain elevated status, along with a glow of functional glamour, to its surroundings for centuries. And they are more popular than ever in their modern iterations.

“Chandeliers anchor a room, tying the decor and furnishings into a cohesive whole,” says Susan Schuyler Smith of Spectrum Interior Design. “Whether they’re jaw-dropping glass sculptures or hammered rustic copper, colored or whimsical, serene or shimmering,

The House of Lights’ modern offerings: Eurofase Seraph (above le ), Wakanine Navicula (top and above), and Modern Forms Jupiter (le ). Below: Leah Muller uses a cascading chandelier over a staircase as an art statement.

chandeliers are the centerpiece of a welldesigned room.”

Most people associate a chandelier with a dining area. Traditionally, multiarmed brass chandeliers with “flame-tip” bulbs, or rock crystal French bronze behemoths, stole the show. Today, designers are embracing all the interesting, colorful, wildly creative lighting options, bringing a new kind of excitement.

In a Vero Beach renovation, interior designer Sandra Morgan installed a modern circular fixture over a round table, appointed with rounded chairs, based on a grid of a circle. The result, she says, is “a warm, embracing feel of the concentric circles around the table.”

While the chandelier designs have been evolving over the centuries, the old rule still applies: 36 inches from the tabletop to the bottom of the fixture. There are other guidelines for sizing and placement, according to Paige Bronson of The House of Lights in Melbourne. “For determining diameter, add the room’s length and width and convert the sum to inches. For a table, maintain a diameter 12 to 15 inches smaller than the table’s edge,” she explains.

“Scale is crucial,” Bronson says, “to match the room’s proportions, giving a more custom and intentional appearance.” Finally, height. “In open spaces

such as foyers, ensure at least 12 inches of clearance between the fixture’s lowest point and head height, or a minimum of 7 feet from the floor,” she explains.

Staircases were typically lit by a lantern or flush-mount of some sort. Says Leah Muller, “A grand staircase doesn’t have to have a traditionally styled light fixture. We love installing a cascading chandelier in staircases because it turns into a sculptural piece of art at any angle.”

Wherever the chandelier reposes, it is only one component of the overall lighting design. “A complex lighting plan is so important,” says Eilis Powers, owner of VB Home. Another consideration is the bulbs. “The challenge is that we no longer have access to incandescent lighting. You don’t want the dining room to look like you’re going to perform surgery. Some aren’t dimmable. We always use the bulbs recommended from the manufacturer. People are very light sensitive,” she explains.

Linda Hayes of Hayes Kendall Design House likes to incorporate vintage lighting for an unexpected twist, such as the atomic-age Sputnik fixture, or a 1950s Japanese light by Isamu Noguchi. “It sets a dramatic focal point,” she says.

No matter the style, chandeliers add swag to your ceilings and luster to your life—anywhere.

“Chandeliers anchor a room.”

– SUSAN SCHUYLER SMITH

Above and right: These chandeliers, integrated into the design by Leah Muller, show that lighting can be useful while at the same time being a work of art. Below: Sandra Morgan uses a circular light fixture to bring a modern but warm feel above a circular table.

HORTICULTURE

AWarming Up for Summer

THIS MONTH IS A TIME OF TRANSITION IN THE GARDEN

BY NICKIE MUNROE

pril is here! After the unseasonably wet winter we have had, I am just glad for some warmth with the rain. ese next two months, I am going to do as much as I can before hurricane season sets o the sporadic urries of activity that cause my chickens to think I am one of them. On my list of things to do this month are to install three tropical fruit trees, change out vegetable beds, and check my house perimeter for possible points of concern for insect entry. I am going to be a very busy bee doing it all Florida-Friendly.

National Arbor Day will be celebrated on the 24th. I will be planting an avocado tree and two sapodillas along the western line of my landscape. All this warm weather we are having will help them feel less upset about being forced out of their pots and into their new, sandy beds. e key to installing woody plants is to make sure their necks are above the soil line just as they were in the pots. I dig holes that are slightly shallower than the pots they are in. en I back ll each hole in a way that makes the root ball look like the hole in a donut. Careful attention to making a little berm around my plant and adding mulch to make watering easy will nish o this task nicely.

Spring turnover in my vegetable garden is very simple. I am not fond of most vegetable crops we grow easily in summer, so I rotate using herbs and owering things. Summer preparation starts in the middle of spring. e new consistent warmth of April means I must relinquish cool-season crops. e broccoli, kale, lettuce mix, radish, and fall-planted herbs are ready to be harvested for the last time. ey will be replaced with a new batch of basil, chives, sage, dill, and thyme.

e tomatoes and peppers are still in full swing, and I will keep them until the middle of May, when I replace them with string beans—the only edible things I like.

e pots that had cucumbers and lettuce will be emptied completely and re lled with lemon balm, parsley, and coriander.

Everything will receive a generous helping of my summer magic seed mix: a blend of marigold, sun ower, and zinnia seeds. ese darling owers add lowmaintenance beauty to my landscape

April is a time for spring garden projects, such as transferring young trees from pots to their new homes in the yard. The slow-growing, long-lived sapodilla tree (inset) produces an edible fruit.

through the harshest days of summer and will encourage bene cial insects to remain. e mosquitoes have made themselves known, reminding me to check for containers with standing water. I walk around my house looking for the other opportunities insects might be able to capitalize on. I look for re ant mounds and wasp nests that need to be treated. Cockroaches and ies are not bothersome unless they leave their work to come inside the house. Of course, the everpresent spiders, which are not really insects, also receive the royal treatment from me (think Mary, Queen of Scots). Try to identify the crawling creeping critter before killing it; many insects can be found in a healthy, diverse landscape, and most of them are there to help in some way.

April in Vero Beach is a wonderful month to transition into cooler, looser clothing and remember the bliss of ice-cold lemonade on the back porch with a few friends. April in

Vero Beach is warm, but not too warm—just warm enough for the faint scent of basil from a nearby bed and the realization that you have some beautiful Campari tomatoes to bring a huge smile to your face. April will not last forever, so soak this middling month up. May is on her way, bringing with her the promise of summer in the Sunshine State. Let there be heat!

Nickie Munroe is an environmental horticulture agent with the University of Florida’s IFAS Indian River County Extension

Le : This month, coolweather vegetables are replaced with herbs such as lemon balm. Below: String beans are a favorite summer edible.

Dr. Jeffrey J. Brown, owner of Vero Implants and Periodontics, works with surgical assistants Rebecca Ellis-Dean and Mary Skubic.

DENTAL HEALTH

Watch Your Mouth!

GOOD ORAL HYGIENE GOES BEYOND HAVING A GREAT SMILE; IT’S IMPORTANT TO YOUR OVERALL HEALTH

BY RENÁE TESAURO

There are plenty of reasons to maintain good oral health, and they go beyond preventing cavities and ashing your pearly whites.

Just ask Steve Pelletier.

“Oral health is always important in its own right, but especially important for people who have implants in their body,” says the 70-year-old Vero Beach resident, who recently underwent a complete shoul-

der replacement following a collision with a fence during a tennis match. “Patients are usually advised to avoid dental work for at least three months after surgery; but in my case, shortly after my shoulder replacement, I started to show signs of an active infection in my tooth and the need for extraction.”

Pelletier’s orthopedic surgeon advised him to have

the tooth extracted right away because an active infection in the mouth can spread to implants introduced into the body. At the recommendation of his dentist, Pelletier sought out periodontist Je rey J. Brown, DMD, owner of Vero Implants and Periodontics, who promptly extracted the abscessed tooth and prescribed a course of antibiotics.

“It was a big relief,” says

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Pelletier. “I’ve had a few operations on this shoulder, and the last thing I needed was to have one more because of an infection. I got a rsthand lesson in how important oral health is for your general health.”

“Your mouth is truly the gateway to your systemic health,” says Dr. Brown, who has been practicing periodontics in Vero Beach since 2015. “If you don’t have a healthy mouth, it’s a domino e ect

for everything else to follow. ere are strong substantiated links between periodontal disease and conditions such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, atherosclerosis, and diabetes.”

Good oral health begins with

regular visits to the dentist to keep your teeth and gums in check. Untreated cavities can lead to tooth decay. Plaque and tartar buildup around your gumline can lead to gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease. Left untreated, gingivitis can develop into periodontal disease—a condition in which the gum tissue pulls away from the teeth, creating pockets where additional bacteria can accumulate and cause infection or in ammation and loosen teeth.

What does all this have to do with the rest of your body, you might wonder. Plenty, say oral care experts. When bacteria from your mouth enter your bloodstream (as can happen

during brushing of in amed or bleeding gums, routine dental cleaning, or extraction) they can travel through arteries leading to other parts of the body. Researchers at the University of Florida and elsewhere have con rmed that live oral bacteria have been found in artery-clogging plaque throughout the body, including the heart, brain, and neck. is, they conclude, further con rms the link between periodontal disease and an increased risk of stroke or heart attack.

Other studies have shown that oral bacteria may contribute to endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart; dementia;

LIVING WELL

“Your mouth is truly the gateway to your systemic health.”

– DR. JEFFREY BROWN

pneumonia; rheumatoid arthritis; pregnancy and birth complications; and diabetes. The risk of bacterial infection is the reason orthopedic surgeons recommend waiting at least three months after a joint replacement before having a dental procedure, unless it’s an emergency (as in Pelletier’s case). People with autoimmune disorders, compromised immune systems, heart conditions, bleeding disorders, and those undergoing cancer treatment may be advised by their physicians to take antibiotics as a precautionary measure prior to dental treatment.

Medications that cause dry mouth can also contribute to gum disease. Antihistamines, pain killers, decongestants, and diuretics can reduce saliva production, which is essential in neutralizing acids produced by bacteria in the mouth. If you’re taking any of these types

OPTIMIZE Your Oral Health:

• Brush at least twice a day using fluoridated toothpaste and, preferably, an electric toothbrush

• Replace your toothbrush every three to four months

• Floss daily

• Use an antiseptic mouthwash after brushing and flossing

• Consider a water flosser (Waterpik is one brand) for thorough cleaning

• Visit your dentist every six months for cleanings, exams, and annual x-rays and periodontal charting

of medications, dentists advise drinking plenty of water.

Certain groups of patients— particularly those with diabetes, osteoporosis, and those receiving head and neck radiation during cancer treatment—are at increased risk for developing periodontal disease, Brown points out. People with diabetes, for example, are more prone to developing gum disease, and diabetics with gum disease have a harder time controlling blood sugar. “Fortunately, just by treating their periodontal disease alone, I’ve helped diabetic patients better control their blood sugar levels.”

“Cardiovascular disease is coined the ‘silent killer,’ but periodontal disease is the silent killer of teeth,” adds Brown, as it can go undetected for many years without proper care. That’s why he stresses the importance of annual periodontal charting during regular dental checkups.

During periodontal chart-

• If you are having joint replacement, check with your surgeon before scheduling dental care

• If you are immunocompromised, have a heart condition, or are undergoing cancer treatment, ask your physician whether you should take antibiotics prior to dental treatment

• Limit sugary drinks and foods

• Avoid tobacco

• Drink plenty of water

Regular dental visits that include x-rays and cleanings are recommended to maintain good oral health.

ing, the dentist or dental hygienist uses a probe to measure the space between each tooth and its surrounding gum tissue, taking six measurements per tooth and checking for gum recession and bleeding. Areas of concern—measuring more than 4 millimeters—are called ‘periodontal pockets’ and may harbor plaque and bacteria, which cause gum inflammation. These problem areas may require advanced treatment by a periodontist. Most dental

offices begin periodontal charting as soon as patients have all their adult teeth.

Considering that more than half of all people aged 30 and over have some form of periodontal disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it makes sense to take your oral health as seriously as your overall health.

Fortunately, Steve Pelletier did exactly that, and soon he’ll be smiling all the way to center court.

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In the Same Boat

BY ELIZABETH LEONARD OF THE VERO BEACH BOOK CENTER

TWO CHARACTERS REACT DIFFERENTLY AS A RELAXING TRIP TURNS DARK THE RIVER

by Peter Heller

In this novel, both survival skills and a friendship are tested.

After a few semesters at Dartmouth University, best friends Wynn and Jack take some time off and head out into the wilderness of northern Canada to canoe the Maskwa River and luxuriate in a slower-paced existence. Not long into the trip, they start to smell smoke. It smells like a campfire, so it does not alarm them at first.

As the days go by and the smoke persists, the men climb to a higher elevation to find the source, and that is when they see a wildfire burning as brilliant as a sunrise on the horizon. With a newfound sense of urgency, Wynn and Jack pack it up and start making their way down the river, when they come upon a man and woman in the midst of a terrible fight. Making the fateful decision to mind their own business, they paddle on.

The next morning, to their horror, they spot the man—alone—moving down the river in the couple’s boat, leaving the friends to wonder, “What happened to the woman”?

With brilliant writing, Peter Heller throws his readers right into the canoe with Jack and Wynn. We are there to experience their longing to be one with nature and their ecstasy at getting away from it all, which gives way to desperate efforts to escape not one but two potential killers of very different kinds.

STAFF PICKS

THE BERLIN LETTERS

by Katherine Reay

This historical novel takes place in Cold War Berlin, divided into East and West. Reay draws the reader into the thrilling story of a family separated by the Berlin Wall and the coded letters discovered by a daughter.

THE EARL AND THE PHARAOH

by The Countess of Carnarvon

This biography of George Herbert, the fifth Earl of Carnarvon, ties in with the current exhibition at the Vero Beach Museum of Art. Carnarvon funded and took part in Howard Carter’s discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb.

Social Work

PREPARE YOUR DOG TO LIVE IN TODAY’S BUSY WORLD

BY AMY ROBINSON

Gem slowly exits my car and looks around. Here is more human activity than the year-old shepherd mix has seen in her short life, and she is not sure what to do about it. Her tail is tucked and wrinkles appear between her eyebrows. I intend to guide her in our social adventure and give her the best experience possible.

The goal is to increase confidence in new situations and show her the world that awaits outside her neighborhood.

We are on Cardinal Drive on a bright day during the height of Vero Beach’s seasonal swell. Gem’s head is on a swivel while she tries to take in everything at once. This is an ideal area, since pedestrians are looking around and, for the most part,

walking right past the dog.

Gem is curious but cautious, so we proceed to some grass where she can put her nose down and, in her mind’s eye, see the other dogs that have taken this path. Gradually, her tail comes up a bit and her expression softens. I feed her treats and we move on.

Ideally, Gem’s socialization would have begun at an earlier

Lila Hutchins introduces Bubba to a friend while walking through Costa d’Este as part of his training.

age, but there is disagreement among experts about methods and timing. It is widely believed that puppies go through an imprinting stage between 4 and 20 weeks of age, when learning becomes permanent and both good and bad experiences are cataloged in the puppy’s mind. Social skills are so important and contribute so much to a dog’s mental health that active e orts to socialize dogs should extend into adulthood and beyond.

Gem and I encounter a young couple with a baby in a stroller. e dog accepts treats from the couple and delicately sni s the baby’s shoes. e baby giggles and Gem takes a step back, but her tail is wagging. As our greeters walk on, Gem looks up at me and her mouth is open and relaxed, a sure sign that she is adapting to this new place and new people and enjoying herself in the process.

We continue on and soon the dog is out in front of me instead of clinging to my side.

Our outing ends on a good note in front of Humiston Park, where she lies down on the sun-warmed bricks and watches children play. By managing her interactions with people and seeking areas where she won’t be overwhelmed, I ensure that Gem will associate these types of outings with pleasant emotions: anticipation, excitement, and contentment.

Labrador retriever puppy Bubba is in no hurry. We amble slowly toward the entrance to Costa d’Este on Ocean Drive, allowing him to take in the sights and smells along the way. e doorman has a lengthy wait while 4-month-old Bubba takes his sweet time to cross the threshold, but once inside he is ready to take on all comers. He greets admirers in turn and ops down for belly rubs. A luggage rack is pushed past at close range, but the puppy is focused on his fans. Bubba is at an ideal age to imprint good experiences out

Exposure to new people and places helps socialize pups.

Ask Amy

amy@verobeachmagazine.com

I love my pug more than I can say, but she does tend to get a little chubby. To combat that, I try to walk her on leash a little longer than I used to, but after a block or so, Ella puts on the brakes and won’t move. Treats would probably work, but wouldn’t the added calories defeat the purpose? How do I convince her that a longer walk is in her best interests?

If my guess is correct, Ella stops walking forward once you reach the spot where you would normally turn back home. Dogs are creatures of habit and very adept at getting their way. I have had lots of success motivating lazy dogs with a target stick. A bamboo or wood stake normally used to prop up an orchid bloom is ideal for this purpose. Flavor the end with some low-fat cream cheese and hold it in front of her as she walks. Chasing the target will put a pep in her step. Instead of trying for a longer distance, work her muscles by directing her up and down curbs. You can use her kibbles as treats to reward her, but reduce her meals by that amount. Once she drops a pound or two, she should have a little more energy to take those beneficial walks with you.

My dog Chelsea is quite the performer, thanks to the many hours I spent teaching her tricks when we were stuck at home for COVID. She seemed to really like the work and the laughs that she got out of me. I like to entertain now, and whenever we have guests over, Chelsea gives them a show. The minute someone sits down with a drink in their hand, she starts prancing around in front of them and will break into her silly dance, her “sit up pretty,” and her bow until we acknowledge her. A simple “Good girl” is not enough; she will go through the whole bag of tricks again and again until I get fed up and put her away. Have I created a monster?

– Christine in New York City

On the contrary, Chelsea seems like a lot of fun. People with couch potato dogs might wish their pups had her talent. Her desire to interact with people and be the center of attention is very cute and should be rewarded, but it would be nice if you could turn it off when you wish. I like the “Go find it” game to give her an alternative task. Grab some of her kibble or very small treats, and after her floor show, toss the treat across the room and say, “Go find it!” Repeat this process several times, but ask her to sit for a moment before you toss the tidbit. Transition to hand signals so that you can converse with your guests while you direct the dog. Praise her hunting abilities when she finds the goodies. Then, if you want to put her away, toss some treats into her crate and she will go right in, but bring her out again later for an encore.

– Mark in Vero Beach

Father/daughter REALTORS® , each with their own style, sharing a symbiosis that enhances and enriches their individual and collaborative work for their client’s.

in public. Margaret Hutchins has owned Labs for many years and had intended for Bubba to follow in her older dog’s footsteps, but the dog did not live long enough to meet his little brother.

“Bubba is our sixth Lab,” says Hutchins. “I used to take our dogs with me to pick up the girls from school. ey met so many adults and kids this way. I think this type of socialization helped them become well-adjusted dogs.” Since Bubba is an only dog, his social skills will depend on his owners’ proactive e orts.

Adventures on Ocean Drive and at Riverside Park have boosted Bubba’s

con dence and that of his owners as well. “I do believe that Bubba’s good behavior in social situations makes us want to take him with us as much as we can,” says Hutchins.

Hutchins and her husband now bring their puppy to the farmers market early on Saturday mornings before it gets too crowded. “Bubba says hi to anyone that is interested,” she says. “He also meets many other dogs there, and we are working on him being polite in all his greetings. People recognize him now and say, ‘Bubba, you’ve gotten bigger this week.’”

We should be realistic

Happy interactions benefit dogs as well as their human friends.

“I am delighted that he loves meeting people.”

– MARGARET HUTCHINS

in our expectations of what dogs should and should not do in these social situations. Start slowly and proceed at the dog’s pace. Pay careful attention to your dog’s body language. A nervous pooch may look subdued with ears pinned back and mouth tight. Pulling this dog into the thick of things can do more harm than good by creating a fearful association.

Pick a time and place when the area you choose won’t be overrun with a crowd. An outdoor art show or open-air

concert is likely too much activity, but early morning at the farmers market or a trip to a pet supply store is a good choice. Don’t force interactions. Just observing new things is bene cial for the dog—delivery trucks being unloaded, people in hats or dark sunglasses, automatic doors opening, and shopping carts bumping along. Your dog would rather see these things from a distance at rst, but even with your best e orts, you may get startled by a child on a skateboard

BETHANY BURT & MELINDA PAMPALLONA Realtors® and animal lovers

rushing past or a loud motorcycle. If so, act as if this is a happy surprise and, once it passes, pull out the treats and ask your dog to sit. Treat and praise him for his bravery.

For Margaret Hutchins, watching Bubba grow physically has been fun, but seeing him blossom around other people is even more rewarding. “I am delighted that he

loves meeting people,” she says. “He seems to thrive on it.” Owners who make the e ort to take their dog away from their property and out to new places are adding interest to the dog’s life and expanding his world view. “We always said we wanted him to be our take-along dog, and so far he has absolutely earned that.”

We are donating $500 per closing to the Humane Society of Vero Beach.

Taking dogs into a variety of situations is important for their growth.

WINGS

NEXT MONTH, THE BLUE ANGELS WILL WOW SPECTATORS AND INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF SERVICE MEMBERS AND AVIATORS

BY MARY BETH MCGREGOR | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEY CALMES

For the fourth time since 2014, the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron—the Blue Angels—will be in town. In their F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets, they will take off and land at Vero Beach Regional Airport, zoom across our skies, and thrill us with their spectacular choreographed maneuvers as they headline the 2024 Vero Beach Air Show May 3–5.

We all know the heart-pounding excitement we get from watching these masterful pilots roar over us in diamond formation, only 18 inches apart wing to wing. That is, if we can bear to keep our eyes open to watch.

Six Blue Angel pilots carry out stunning precision maneuvers in their F/A-18 jets; above: Blue Angel No. 5 is the lead solo; opposite page: the North American AT-6 “Texans” of the Titan Aerobatic Team.

Yet these military aviators also claim to get a special thrill out of their high-flying aerobatics. According to Blue Angel Lieutenant Connor O’Donnell, who will serve as narrator for this year’s demonstration, it’s knowing that they bring smiles and often inspiration to the children watching them.

“The flying is amazing,” O’Donnell admits, “but each of us was once that kid who saw something like this, and it inspired us to do something with our lives. That’s what sticks with us.”

While in Vero Beach, the pilots, dressed in their blue flight suits, will visit several schools and have a chance to connect with the students. Children, along with veterans, are also important to the organizers of the Vero Beach Air Show. Again this year, the show will benefit the Veterans Council of Indian River County as well as two service clubs that focus on children: the Exchange Club of Indian River and the Exchange Club of Vero Beach.

Jeff Devlin, the Vero Beach Air Show’s liaison with the “Blues,” has been interacting with the team for many months, making sure the local organizers are following all of the required protocols to sponsor the elite flyers. Devlin is particularly qualified for this role because the retired U.S. Marine Corps

lieutenant colonel, like the Blue Angels, flew F/A-18 jets. In his 22-year career, he landed the jet on aircraft carriers, as do all the Blue Angels, and he flew the F/A-18 on two combat tours in Bosnia. Devlin also deployed in combat tours to Iraq and Afghanistan.

He explains the role of the F/A-18 jet in the military. “The F/A-18 is unique in that it is a multi-role fighter, designed to both fight and attack, carrying ordnance to deliver to a target and missiles for aerial engagement. And it lands on a carrier.”

Landing on a carrier and flying demonstrations in a Blue Angels show are both intense experiences, says O’Donnell. “Each requires 100 percent of our focus. Our priority for both landing on a carrier and flying in the show is safety.”

Devlin adds, “Naval aviators make hundreds of carrier landings. It is one of the hardest things you can do in an airplane. And it certainly conveys the Blue Angels’ piloting abilities, professionalism, and their ability to handle stress.”

Six F/A-18s will fly in next month’s demonstration. Devlin explains their positions on the team and their roles in the show. “In the diamond, the front jet is No. 1, referred to as ‘Boss’ or the commanding officer. No. 2 is the right wing, No. 3 is the left wing, and No. 4

“Fat

Left: Lt. Cdr. Brian Vaught, Jeff Devlin, Lt. Connor O’Donnell; right: a Marine Corps crew member of the Blue Angels team; far right and below:

Albert,” a C-130 Hercules, with its allMarine crew of 7, is the Blue Angels’ support aircraft, transporting equipment and personnel; inset: lead solo pilot Lt. Cdr. Griffin Stangel.

“What we are most proud of is that we represent the Navy and Marine Corps, our brothers and sisters in arms.”

LIEUTENANT CONNOR O’DONNELL

COURTESY OF BLUE ANGELS

“Be very aware of the entire show, because it is all coordinated and choreographed.”

JEFF DEVLIN

is the slot pilot behind No. 1. Then you have the solos. No. 5 is lead solo and No. 6 is opposing solo. Blue Angel No. 7 is always the show narrator.”

Devlin notes that this year the pilot flying in position No. 4 will be Lieutenant Commander Amanda Lee, the first woman Blue Angel F/A-18 pilot.

The team’s transport aircraft, known affectionately as “Fat Albert,” is a perennial favorite in the show. The C-130 Hercules aircraft has an all–Marine Corps crew.

During showtime the public can watch the Blue Angels from a number of vantage points. However, Devlin says the “best seat in the house” will be inside the gates at the show center facing the runway and the sky above. He has a few tips to increase a spectator’s enjoyment and appreciation of the flying.

“Be very aware of the entire show, because it is all coordinated and choreographed. When you have your eyes on the diamond, be aware of where the solos are because they are coming, too, and are fun to watch! Sometimes they will surprise you on purpose when they come over low and fast. You have to be an active watcher.”

Clockwise from left: The Blue Angel pilots prepare to board their F/A-18s, with crew members standing by; a “Para-Commando” from the Special Operations Command parachute team jumps with the U.S. flag; a U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo aircraft; an F4U Corsair; the A-10 C Thunderbolt II Demo Team.

Pilots in the diamond will showcase precision flying in a tight formation just inches apart. While the solos also display precision, their maneuvers are meant to focus on the high performance of the jet. “The solo Blue Angels fly faster and pull as many g’s [gravitational forces] as they can,” Devlin says.

The solos usually fly between 400 and 500 miles per hour and can reach speeds of 600 mph in a show. And when doing a low pass, they are only 50 feet off the ground. The Blues in the diamond usually fly in the 350 to 400 mph range.

“A new maneuver to watch in this year’s show is the diamond coming in slow, back in power, at the crowd,” Devlin says. “And then the jets will do a slow role together and fly out as their afterburners get to the crowd. It will be very loud.”

Navy and Marine Corps aviators are eligible to become Blue Angels, and they go through a rigorous application process for a two- or three-year stint on the team. “It is a real honor to be chosen and to be able to train as a team and fly demonstrations,” O’Donnell says. “And what we are most proud of is that we represent the Navy and Marine Corps, the men and women, our brothers and sisters in arms, who serve around the world. That’s our job as Blue Angels.”

So, no matter where you view the Blue Angels on May 4 and 5, be prepared to be dazzled and impressed at what these military pilots can do, and be proud of what they represent to our country.

Be prepared for one more thing: look around you and see if there is a child watching—a child seeing something exciting and inspiring. Who knows? You might be watching a future Blue Angel.

Matt Younkin and his 1943 Twin Beech 18; above right: a Special Operations Command “Para-Commando”; below: Skip Stewart; opposite: the Geico Skytypers perform at a previous Vero Beach Air Show.

2024

Vero Beach Air Show

May 3–5

Friday 6–8:30 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Scheduled Performers:

• U.S. Navy Blue Angels

• A-10C Thunderbolt

Demonstration Team

• Titan Aerobatic Team

• Rob Holland Aerosports

• Kevin Coleman

• Matt Younkin

• Bob Carlton

• Skip Stewart

• Bill Culbertson, flying his MiG-17F veroairshow.com

Joy of Discovery

LOCAL STUDENTS JOIN THE RANKS OF LAGOON EXPLORERS, PRESENT AND FUTURE

BY CHRIS FASOLINO PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVEN MARTINE

e shoreline is alive with lush green vegetation, colorful owers, the glittering wings of butter ies in ight, and the murmuring buzz of honeybees. Wading into the water with nets in their hands are several enthusiastic high school students. One catches a sh and cries out excitedly. e catch will soon be released; it is intended neither as supper nor as a trophy. is is a scienti c expedition, and the student’s excitement comes from being able to identify the species. ese young people are exploring the Jones Pier Conservation Area, on Vero Beach’s historic Jungle Trail. ey are part of a special program with Saint Edward’s School that allows them to do

The study area of the Saint Edward’s ecology class includes the water and surrounding plants and wildlife at Jones Pier Conservation Area.

The salt marsh (below) is directly across Jungle Trail from the Indian River Lagoon.

“When students are in the field ... they’re smiling and laughing and learning.”

— BRANDY NELSON

fieldwork on Indian River County conservation lands. With this hands-on experience, they are learning about the joy of discovery and the wonders of the lagoon.

It’s all part of the plan, according to county conservation lands program coordinator Ashley Lingwood. Along with preserving the lands, she explains, “We make it a big priority to get the public involved, especially students and children. We want them to appreciate the wonderful ecosystem we have here.”

A grant from the National Estuary Program is another part of the equation with the program. “They really provide resources for lagoon education,” says Lingwood enthusiastically. In addition to Saint Edward’s, other on-site lagoon education programs involve Vero Beach High School’s AP Environmental Science Program, local homeschool groups, and special resources for students from homeless families.

Lingwood has observed how these programs help local students to appreciate what may have been hidden in plain sight for them. “We often hear them say they’ve never seen a scrub jay before,” or that they are seeing other species of local flora and fauna for the first time in their lives. She has heard some VBHS students say, “I can’t believe this is here! I can’t believe this is next to my house!”

Might these experiences with nature shape the future of some students? “If someone becomes a biologist, that would be great,” says Lingwood with a smile, “but what we really want is for them to appreciate Florida’s beautiful natural environment.” And the Jones Pier location is a rich place to foster that appreciation.

Such has certainly been the observation of Brandy Nelson, a Saint Edward’s teacher who uses the Jones Pier Conservation Area to give her ecology class exciting field experience, building their skill set for scientific research and their appreciation for nature in Florida. “This is an ideal conservation area,” Nelson declares. Since it features both a living shoreline and a salt marsh, the Jones Pier Conservation Area is “an amazing mix” of habitats. Indeed, the ecological significance of the salt marsh at Jones Pier is central to the involvement of the National Estuary Program.

A salt marsh is a grassy wetland that is affected by the cycle of the tides; thus, it is a unique habitat. Salt marshes serve as spawning or feeding grounds for a

Seining at five different habitats in the salt marsh yields many species worth recording and studying.

wide variety of creatures. The rich biodiversity of salt marshes makes them valued as conservation areas; appropriately, biodiversity has been a special focus of study for Nelson’s students.

Their studies begin in the classroom with lessons about salt marshes, and then become real with immersion in the environment itself. And they were ready for the adventure. “Within the first five minutes, they had jumped into the salt marsh with comfort and with excitement,” Nelson reports. “And what really surprised me was how quickly they gravitated to different interests, whether water quality, fish, or crustaceans.”

The students’ fieldwork includes seine and cast netting and identifying the species they find; working in the conservation area’s wet lab with microscopes; and nature photography, including the use of drones. As one enthusiastic student, Emmy, puts it, “We learn how to conduct research in a natural environment, not just in a classroom,” as well as getting to be very good at seine and cast netting. “I enjoy the hands-on experience, ability to learn outdoors, conducting the experiment, and

exploring new organisms that I have never seen before, such as the striped burrfish.”

Another student, Chase, adds, “I have learned so much about biodiversity, not just the salt marsh, but the Indian River Lagoon overall. I have loved making memories and bonding with my classmates, but also throughout this project I have grown to really take an interest in marine biology, and that will always stay with me.”

The variety of tasks promotes the development of a multitude of skills. Furthermore, students are given freedom to prepare their own research projects and then implement them, teaching them principles of scientific leadership. Student Millicent explains, “Research projects are much more approachable than they seem. We were nervous going into it and believed that we really were not capable of conducting research, but we caught on quickly and have learned so much while having fun.”

Indeed, an important aspect of the program is that, although training is being provided, these are not just exercises; the students are engaging in scientific research

that helps document the biodiversity of the Jones Pier Conservation Area. Along with Nelson, they are being mentored by Blair Witherington, a biologist and author with a PhD in zoology from the University of Florida and extensive conservation experience, who is currently vice president and a research scientist with Inwater Research; Wendy Swindell, conservation lands manager for Indian River County’s Department of Parks and Recreation; and Lingwood.

“Wendy, Ashley, and Dr. Witherington are just phenomenal resources,” says Nelson appreciatively. Findings are presented at the Indian River Lagoon Symposium at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, giving the students further professional involvement and expanding their interaction with the scientific community. As student Kiley relates, “I’ve enjoyed creating experiments to collect data that can be used by real-world scientists. Our understanding of the project grows each time we go to the salt marsh. We’re able to complete the sampling faster and easier than the time before. I’ve gained a better understanding of how to

conduct an experiment and collect data on real-world projects.”

For the fieldwork, the ecologically diverse Jones Pier Conservation Area is mapped out and divided into five different habitats: salt marsh, deep pond, shoreline, trail, and intake and outflow areas. Each of these is further subdivided, and site stations are set up for the collection and identification of samples.

For example, there are five site stations in the salt marsh area alone. Then, when a fish (for example) is caught at a given site, an image is obtained according to established procedures, with the fish’s head facing left; an identification is made using the scientific name; and the location is recorded. Water quality samples are also taken in various spots, and they are analyzed for salinity, dissolved oxygen, and temperature.

Saint Edward’s School ecology students Kiley and Chase seine the salt marsh while teacher Brandy Nelson and classmates follow along to help them collect their catch.

Meanwhile, students walking on the trails identify land-based flora and fauna. In addition to photography, they have the option of sketching noteworthy plants, thereby honing a time-honored skill in natural history fieldwork. Does all this sound complex? It is. These young people are gaining genuine scientific experience.

A salt marsh is a changing environment by definition, given the role of the tides. Furthermore, as the program continues, the students will be visiting the conservation area at different times of the year, taking new samples, and comparing. Nelson explains, “We had talked in the classroom about spaciotemporal trends in ecology, but seeing it is different.”

Students notice that sampling results can vary widely, and they become curious about why. The differences can seem like population shifts; however, they are to be expected given the dynamic nature of salt marshes and the fact that this is a newly designated conservation area that is only now being deliberately preserved and maintained. “There will be flux, and rightly so—there should be,” Nelson says. Tracking the data over time will give students a frame of reference to make comparisons and gives them a sense of perspective.

Witherington, who was introduced to the Jones Pier site when his wife, Dawn, contributed some of her artwork for the interpretive signs, concurs. “The sampling provides a record of biological diversity that would anchor assessment of trends over time,” he explains. “Already, some key species have been identified as being prominent at the site, like juvenile snook and tarpon. It seems the ‘build it and they will come’ hypothesis is proving true” for the salt marsh, and the Jones Pier Conservation Area “is a marvelous success on many levels.” And from the first day the students were there, Witherington recalls, he could see “sparks of curiosity” in their eyes.

Sparks of curiosity, indeed. Nelson says, “When students are in the field and they’re smiling and laughing and learning, I’m always amazed at what they retain.” This knowledge leads to deeper discussions and a deeper understanding of Florida ecology. And it leads to personal discoveries. “You see the students who were not exactly excited to touch a fish, and then they’re holding it up and explaining its species! They don’t even realize how much they’re learning. Every day is a good day.”

From top: Emmy pulls a fish from the seine, then gets help from teacher Brandy Nelson; the findings are then identified and recorded.

The Water Is Fine

A COUPLE RETIRES TO THE VERO BEACH HOME OF THEIR DREAMS, WITH VIEWS FROM EVERY ROOM

BY ANN TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESSICA GLYNN

Talk about perfect timing.

When a recently retired couple from the Midwest went looking for a place on Vero Beach’s barrier island where they could build their dream home, up popped a listing in a river-to-ocean golf community that fit their wish list to a T. The site, with encompassing views of the water, was just what they had been hoping to find.

After conferring with Charles Croom and David Lyons of Croom Construction Company, the couple went in search of an architectural firm to turn their vision into a reality. They chose David Moulton and Scott Layne of Moulton Layne PL, who then

Picturesque views fill every window in this riverfront home on the barrier island, augmented by plenty of open-air spaces and decor that brings the outdoors in.

After enjoying outdoor activities such as scuba diving and fishing, the couple wanted to come home to a retreat that kept them surrounded by water.

referred them to interior designer Rod Mickley.

The result of their collaboration is a one-of-a-kind island retreat that celebrates the couple’s glass-filledto-overflowing outlook, love of family, and active lifestyle. With alfresco living, dining, and relaxing spaces plus a putting green complete with sand trap, infinity-edge pool, and dock with boat, it’s no wonder guest rooms fill up fast.

Croom isn’t surprised as he recalls early conversations he had with the owners when they were looking at property. “The wife was familiar with Vero and the barrier island commu-

nity from having owned property here years ago. They both love the water—she to scuba dive and he to fish, so being surrounded by water was a huge intrinsic draw.”

While the location itself was a definite draw, there was timeconsuming site work that needed to be done prior to vertical construction. Once underground drainage, structural pilings, retaining walls, and fill were in place, the build could begin. From the first shovel in the ground to move-in ready, the project took two and a half years to complete. It was everything the delighted owners had envisioned—and more.

“We were all fully vested from day one to bring the owners’ dream home to reality,” says Croom, “and we did.”

“Moulton Layne did an amazing job designing so many unique and inviting places that capture the incredible views the property offers,” Croom points out. “The house is basically on a peninsula, and there are views from every room in the house, which is a rare accomplishment.”

Moulton notes that was the goal from the very beginning. “With Croom’s assistance we rented a hydraulic lift that enabled us and the owners to see potential views from various heights and locations. They were amazing,”

“Being surrounded by water was a huge intrinsic draw.”

CHARLES CROOM

Gathering spaces (above and right) are dotted with modern but warm touches, while the kitchen is complete with a large cooking area and two islands for seating and storage.

says Moulton, recalling impressive bird’s-eye images.

With that, Layne turned to the drawing board. The result is a twostory “Neo-Caribbean Georgian–style” residence with porches and railings spanning the width of the upper level.

A circular driveway and fountain form a welcoming committee, while palm trees, flowers, and columns border the entrance that opens to the living, dining, and kitchen area. There are also two guest suites.

A decorative stairway and elevator lead to the second level and the master bedroom, his and hers bathrooms and closets, a sitting room, kitchenette, and small laundry. Glorious sunrises and sunsets, guaranteed.

Covered breezeways connect two symmetrically placed buildings: one to the north, the other to the south.

Each has a two-car garage, office, and half bath on the first level, with guest bedroom, bath, sitting room, and kitchenette on the second. Perfect for family and friends intent on escaping snow, ice, and below-zero temperatures. January, February, and March are busy months

In addition, two single-story structures on the west side of the main house give a nod to the owners’ love of outdoor living and entertaining. The first is the pool house. Enclosed with sliding glass doors, it’s a popular game space with pool table, kitchenette, and bath. The other is a covered open-air living and dining area with fireplace and large-screen TV. If needed, rolldown screens and hurricane shutters spring into action.

Everywhere one looks, the choice of furnishings, fabrics, and accessories charm. “There are so many

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Above left: Bright indoor spaces show off artistic lighting and give a nod to the surrounding water life.

Left: A masculine and nautical feel permeates one of two offices in the spacious home.

top: Bedrooms have waterfront views and decor.

bottom: A second office has a more feminine atmosphere, with bright pink accents.

wonderful touches throughout the home: the bar, both offices, the sitting room, exterior living spaces, pool and spa. The list is huge because it was a very special project,” Mickley enthuses.

“The owners were open to things they hadn’t done before,” he adds. “They wanted each space to be its own, so everything is very individual, very special. What I try to do is put unexpected things together, like the funky modern chair and stone coffee table in her office, and somehow it all works.”

Mickley admits the wife’s office is one of his favorites, and it’s no wonder. Bright and cheerful white walls, upholstered furniture, and rug provide the perfect foil for that funky—and very pink—

Left: An aerial view of the property shows the peninsula-like location of the home. Below: First- and second-floor views drink in the pool and the lagoon.

DAN CASALE

chair. Then there are the draperies with happily hopping bunnies, a Hunt Slonem design.

Not to be outdone, the husband also has an office, which Mickley refers to as his man cave. With soft gray textured walls and rug, blue and white upholstered furniture, an antique sailboat, and a sculpture of an everhopeful fisherman, the room reflects the individual it was designed for.

“The husband is an avid sportsman who loves to fish. That’s why Layne located his office near the dock with views of the water, which made him super happy,” Mickley grins.

Mickley also observes, “One of the

interesting things is that the husband and wife’s offices are the same size, but because they are decorated so differently, you would never know it.”

After spending time working in their offices, fishing, scuba diving, or golfing, the couple enjoy a glass of wine and charcuterie in the bar room. As Mickley notes, “The blue lacquered wall and lighted quartz backsplash between the two wine coolers really set the area off.”

Nearby, a sink-into sofa, chairs, and coffee table with Scrabble set beckon. As always, there’s a view to be enjoyed.

“The owners really enjoyed the process,” Mickley says. “They’re business

people who didn’t micromanage. They let the professionals do their job.”

Those professionals included landscape architect August Schwartz, who created the putting green and sand trap, along with a pathway to the dock in a plan that involved bringing in the largest farm-raised live oak trees that could be managed via a flatbed semi.

When asked if there’s one thing that stands out, Croom doesn’t hesitate. “The chemistry and tight communication of the Croom, Moulton Layne, Mickley team and the owners. Building lasting relationships long after the build is over is our goal, and we nailed it!”

The open-air living and dining area is a popular gathering place that includes a fireplace, largescreen TV, and water views on all sides.

Chance OF A LIFETIME

A SERVICE DOG IS A GODSEND FOR A COMBAT VETERAN WITH PTSD

BY MARY BETH MCGREGOR PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVEN MARTINE

Asmall Iraqi child with a bloody foot hopped toward Sgt. Ingrid Hernandez, calling to her, the only female soldier in the convoy. She and her unit were preparing to leave a school in a village deep in the Sunni Triangle south of Tikrit. e soldiers hoisted the boy onto the hood of their Humvee, ready to administer rst aid.

en they realized the blood was fake. In the next millisecond an RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) exploded around them.

It was not a direct hit, but shrapnel landed everywhere. e boy—a decoy—ran o . Amid the heavy smoke, with no place to take cover, the troops returned re. As soon as they could, they jumped into their vehicle and, with Hernandez at the wheel, sped away.

For her actions that day in 2004, Hernandez earned the Bronze Star for “exceptionally meritorious service” and for demonstrating “leadership and unwavering commitment to mission, and technical expertise in a hostile situation,” along with the Combat Action Badge for performing according to the rules of engagement while under attack. However, she came away from that incident with more than well-deserved decorations; she was also left with

Vero Beach resident

Ingrid Hernandez counts her service dog, Chance, as a blessing in her life.

PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Actually, she says, the stress of going out in a convoy to provide humanitarian aid five to six days a week for almost 18 months—and never knowing if she would return—also contributed to her condition.

Hernandez drove the Iraqi roads under overpasses from which grenades were often launched at her vehicle. It’s no wonder that when she returned to her native Boston, she collected numerous traffic tickets for speeding and zigzagging under the overpasses on Storrow Drive, the city’s major crosstown parkway.

In the years since, Hernandez, who now lives in Vero Beach with her husband and three children, has learned coping skills and has helped fellow veterans and others suffering from PTSD. A member of Next Generation Veterans and secretary of the Veterans Council of Indian River County, she heads a PTSD support group for veterans and female first responders.

Yet she calls her service dog, Chance, her best chance at successfully treating the condition that has plagued her since the Iraq war.

Chance is a 2-year-old golden Lab who stays close to her, senses when she feels anxious, and, by nudging or leaning against her, makes her feel calm and safe. And Hernandez can finally sleep through the night without

“He’s like having a weighted blanket. It’s the best feeling.”

— INGRID HERNANDEZ

Ingrid and Victor Hernandez and their children, Isabella, Sebastian, and Marcelo, enjoy down time in the backyard when Chance isn’t needed in his capacity as a service dog.

constantly checking to make sure the house is secure and her family is not in danger.

Chance came to Hernandez through Dogs for Life, the Vero Beach nonprofit that has trained and provided service dogs to veterans, at no charge, since 2015. Dogs for Life founder and CEO Shelly Ferger explains that it is one of five organizations in Florida accredited by Assistance Dogs International to certify service dogs. As a

member of ADI, Dogs for Life obtains two to three dogs a year from a breeding co-op for service dog bloodlines.

“We provide foster care and train the puppies until they are about a year old and then offer the dogs to vets or other individuals with PTSD or hearing or mobility disabilities,” she says. “After we place the service dog, we train the dog and owner together for another six months to a year

on specific tasks.” The cost to Dogs for Life is approximately $35,000 for the lifespan of the service dog. This includes training, certifications, veterinary care, and insurance.

In addition, Dogs for Life offers an off-leash dog park on its 4½-acre location at 1230 16th Ave., which includes a 2, 400-square-foot service dog training center. Donations, grants, and fundraisers support the organization. Patriots for

Puppies, a military-themed event, is its major fundraiser. This year, it was held February 3 at Pointe West.

Chance and Ingrid were matched in January 2023. “Because of his personality, he is the perfect dog for her,” Ferger says. “And when I learned of her sleep issue, I told her she would never spend another night in fear that someone was going to break into her house, because his instinct is to bark—and loudly—at a strange sound.” Hernandez agrees: “Now I sleep like a baby.”

She adds, “I feel protected when he is with me. When I take him out in public and people get too close, he stays right there next to me.” He is trained to watch for people coming up behind her, which, according to Ferger, is often a concern for PTSD sufferers.

Chance is in tune with his owner’s moods and knows when she is in a stressful situation. “He presses against me, like a hug, or nudges me. And if I come home after a bad day, he will lie on the couch with me, and he’s like having a weighted blanket. It’s the best feeling.”

A service dog is trained to focus on its owner and is not meant to be a pet. Hernandez and her family have worked this out. “The children have been amazing,” she says of her 13-, 12-, and 11-year-olds. “They know Chance is Mom’s dog. When I’m home, Chance will stay with me if I need him. But when I release him, he knows he can go and play with the children.”

Dogs for Life founder and CEO Shelly Ferger introduces Ranger, a service puppy in training.

Hernandez still participates in group training with Chance at the 2,400-square-foot service dog training center at Dogs for Life.

This decorated veteran is grateful for all the people along the way who brought Chance into her life. “It takes a village to get a service dog to a vet: the breeders, the people who foster the puppy, and then train him alone, and train the dog and the owner together. So much time and love go into every step.”

Hernandez encouraged veterans with PTSD to apply to Dogs for Life for a service dog. “I never knew how much I needed him until I got him,” she says. “There are tools to deal with PTSD, and I have them, but Chance is a blessing.”

Above: Ranger and Austin are two of three puppies that Dogs for Life has currently in foster care with volunteers, training to be service dogs for veterans.

Right: Chance is trained to pay attention to Hernandez’s moods at home and in public.

YOU DON’T WANT TO ‘MISS’ THIS

APRIL 13 & MAY 11: MISS TREASURE COAST MEET AND GREET AT FAHERTY

On April 13 and May 11 from noon to 3 p.m., meet Miss Treasure Coast’s Sunshine Princesses at Faherty. The program provides scholarships to these young female leaders of our community and provides support on their path to Miss America.

FAHERTY VERO BEACH

6170 Hwy. A1A, Unit G | Village Shops 772-226-8246 | fahertybrand.com

DRESSED FOR SUCCESS

REAL ESTATE GROUP HELPS LOCAL STUDENTS

AMAC Alex MacWilliam Real Estate continues to help clothe local children by donating new school uniforms to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Indian River County through the Realtors Association of Indian River County’s School Uniform Drive. In total, AMAC has purchased approximately $8,400 worth of uniforms.

| 772-231-6509 | alexmacwilliam.com

YOU’RE INVITED

APRIL 20: GALLERY HOSTS OPEN HOUSE

Seventh Avenue Studio, the working studio and gallery of artists Janet Tribus and Rita Barone, is having an open house April 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stop by to see the creative work of these two talented contemporary painters.

SEVENTH AVENUE STUDIO

2304 7th Ave. | 772-359-6283

MOVERS & TAKERS

COMPANY HELPS DELIVER DONATIONS

Coastal Van Lines will continue its year-round involvement with Move for Hunger. The CVL crew will pack up your unopened, nonperishable food items and deliver them to the local food pantry where donations are sorted and delivered to local families in need.

AMAC agents Craig Von Kohorn, Candace Kennedy, Jessica Mahoney, Rick Wykoff, Beth Ritter, and Michael Bottalico

PREMIER EXPERT IN SKIN CANCER TREATMENT

Monika Srivastava MD, FAAD, FACMS

DOUBLE BOARD CERTIFIED

DERMATOLOGIST & MOHS SURGEON

Monika Srivastava MD, FAAD, FACMS

DR. MONIKA SRIVASTAVA has earned the distinction of being among the first in the nation to achieve certification in the new Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery (MDS) Subspecialty. She is one of the few Mohs surgeons in the country to achieve this outstanding level of recognition, and this certification continues to solidify her expertise as one of the premier surgeons in this procedure. Dr. Monika specializes in Mohs surgery and advanced reconstructive techniques.

FELLOWSHIP TRAINED MOHS & RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGEON

Specializing in the prevention, early detection, and treatment of Skin Cancer, as well as Cosmetic and General Dermatology

TRAINING

Harvard Medical School

NYU Department of Dermatology

Georgetown University

SUPERFICIAL RADIATION THERAPY (SRT)

Trust your care to the experienced radiation experts on staff, having treated hundreds of patients. A proven, non-surgical method of treating some non-melanoma skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma PAINLESSLY.

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Brown University

EDUCATION PROFESSORSHIPS

Assistant Clinical Professor

Columbia Medical School

FELLOWSHIPS

Fellow of American College of Mohs Surgery

Fellow of American Academy of Dermatology

Fellow of Florida Society of Dermatology, Dermatological Surgery

Expert in Melanoma and Skin Cancer, with over 20 years of experience and has completed over 30,000 Mohs, dermatologic and laser surgeries

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS

DIGG

New and unique pottery planters have arrived at Digg Gardens just in time for your spring houseplants. Visit the gift shop to see the complete collection.

7430 U.S. Hwy. 1 | 772-360-2131 | digggardens.com

Bethany Burt and Melinda Pampallona, a real estate team, recently announced that in 2024 they will donate $500 per closing to the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County. They are hopeful their donations will help local animals live better lives.

HOMES

772-766-4926 | homesbybethanyandmelinda.com

•

•

•

EVOLVING EXPRESSIONS

Heritance® Hardwood Shutters

WE’VE TRANSFORMED OUR SHOWROOM .

Stop in to learn how we can help you transform your home.

Explore how Hunter Douglas window treatments transform the light in your home by defining the mood of your unique and beautiful space. We have an intelligent shade design for whatever you need or desire.

Additionally, let one of our master craftsmen create custom draperies, reupholster a treasured heirloom or recover the cushions of your watercraft and outdoor furniture.

1865 Wilbur Avenue | Vero Beach, FL 32960 772-567-1210 |

Open Monday – Friday from 9:00am to 4:30pm

VIVACIOUS ART ON DISPLAY

Port de Sait-Tropez by Paul Aizpiri, watercolor, gouache and ink on paper, 19 11/16 x 25 9/16 inches

Findlay Galleries presents a rotation of work by French artist Paul Aizpiri, known for his colorful, vibrant paintings full of energy and liveliness. His compositions blend elements of Fauvism and Expressionism, employing bold brushstrokes and playful patterns.

FINDLAY GALLERIES

165 Worth Ave., Palm Beach | 561-655-2090 | findlaygalleries.com

ROARING SUCCESS

GYAC STUDENTS WIN AT JUNIOR THEATER FESTIVAL

Fifteen students from the Gifford Youth Achievement Center traveled to Atlanta in January to perform Disney’s The Lion King Jr. in the Junior Theater Festival. The group proudly brought home two trophies: “Inspiration Award” and “Excellence in Ensemble Work.”

| 772-794-1005 | mygyac.org

TRIMMINGS HOME GARDEN AND GIFTS

3201 Cardinal Drive | 772-213-8069 | shoptrimmingsvb.com

HEALTHY

&

FABULOUS

SALON BRINGS AWARENESS TO NAIL WELLNESS

John’s Island

Clear Skies. Cool Water. Warm Welcome.

Jessyca’s Beauty Studio provides precise, professionalgrade primping of the hand and nail areas to enhance beauty and wellness and present a flawless look. Using top-of-the-line Zoya products, the studio also offers e-file pedicure services for the feet.

JESSYCA’S BEAUTY STUDIO

1535 U.S. Hwy. 1 | 772-882-8273 | jessycasbeautystudio.com

Welcome to this cherished haven enjoyed by generations of members who have discovered the undeniable allure of life by the sea. Enjoy over 1,650 private pristine acres, miles of sandy beach, riverfront adventures, and legendary social engagements, all steps from beautifully designed residences nestled among lush landscaping that invite you home. Discover personal bliss by the shores of John’s Island.

JohnsIslandRealEstate.com

New at Trimmings are beautifully made handbags from Freida Rothman. One of these bags would make a fabulously special gift for a loved one or a treat for yourself!

FORE FUN

REALTOR HOLDS TRADITION

Cathy Curley will again host an open house “par-tee” at one of her listings during the Masters. She serves Arnold Palmers and pimiento cheese sandwiches, has live tournament coverage, and offers a putting contest in which attendees can win swag.

CATHY CURLEY

772-559-1359 | cathycurleyrealestate.com

HOW ABACA A NEW LOOK?

DESIGNERS TOUCH FLOORING

PROUDLY OFFERS NATURAL FIBER SELECTIONS

Designer’s Touch Flooring is happy to share new inventory from the Natural Carpet Company. These highquality products use abaca and other strong natural fibers. Select from a wide range of designs or be inspired to create a one-of-akind rug or carpet.

DESIGNER’S TOUCH FLOORING

1715 Old Dixie Hwy. | 772-978-9111 | designerstouchflooring.com

CHIC SEAT

NEW AT FANTASTIC FINDS

This made-in-France Megève four-seat sofa features a beech wood frame wrapped in a foam cover with fiber filling; no-sag springs; feather back pillows; and double-stitched, linen-blend fabric. It measures 94.48 inches wide, 39.37 inches deep, and 32.67 inches high.

FANTASTIC FINDS

4300 U.S. Hwy. 1 | 772-794-7574 | fantastic-finds.com

THE POWER OF LEARNING

LED CAPSTONE HOSTS STUDENTS

LED Capstone Lighting & Fans recently hosted Gifford Youth Achievement Center students for a one-day class in its showroom and design center. The students built their own LED light strips using a soldering gun and power tools.

LED CAPSTONE LIGHTING & FAN SHOWROOM

4005 U.S. Hwy. 1 | 772-205-2529 | ledcapstone.com

REAL OPPORTUNITIES

REALTOR AVAILABLE FOR PROPERTY AMBITIONS

Colleen Jennings, with Billero & Billero Properties, would love to help you achieve your real estate goals and dreams. Contact her for help with residential homes, condos, vacant land, commercial sales, leasing, and rental needs.

COLLEEN JENNINGS BILLERO & BILLERO PROPERTIES

1021 Beachland Blvd. | 772-559-8125 | billeroproperties.com

J.D. Power has named GMC the No. 1 sales experience among truck and mainstream SUV shoppers, according to an annual evaluation. The J.D. Power Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) Study analyzes various factors such as salesperson demeanor, dealership facilities, negotiation, and overall customer experience.

LINUS CADILLAC BUICK GMC

1401 U.S. Hwy. 1 | 772-562-1700 linusautomotive.com | linuscadillac.com

LIE AROUND IN STYLE

UNIQUE SELECTIONS AT L.K. DEFRANCES & ASSOCIATES

L.K.

This vintage rug from the Anatolian region of Turkey in Wedgewood blue and cream makes for a perfect addition to the Vero Beach style! Its size is 3 feet, 6 inches by 6 feet, 3 inches. Visit L.K. DeFrances & Associates if it complements your look.

& ASSOCIATES

4400 U.S. Hwy. 1 | 772-234-0078 | lkdefrancesandassociates.com

Lulich & Attorneys welcomes attorney Shannon D. Norvig. She obtained a Juris Doctor and family law certificate from Florida Coastal School of Law. She focuses her practice on estate planning, probate and trust administration, guardianship, and estate and gift taxation.

1612 20th St. | 772-589-5500 | lulich.com

IT’S IN THE BAG

VEE COLLECTIVE NOW AT SASSY

Sassy Boutique now carries Vee Collective bags. These lightweight, versatile bags are made of 100 percent recycled materials. They are geometrical with minimalist aesthetics but are a completely functional product designed for travel, sports, shopping, work, and leisure.

SASSY BOUTIQUE

3365 Ocean Drive | 772-234-3998

COAST ON OVER

VERO GLASS OFFERS NEW COLLECTION

Vero Glass is pleased to introduce the Coastline Collection to its wide range of window and door products. Part of the Marvin Signature Collection, Coastline is a versatile product portfolio that combines advanced impact performance with inspiring design flexibility.

VERO GLASS & MIRROR

1705 Old Dixie Hwy. | 772-567-3123 | veroglass.com

founded in 1984, and the tradition continues .

772.567.9154

New & Noteworthy

RISING TO THE CHALLENGES

UNITED WAY HOSTS SPEAKER SERIES

United Way’s Powered by Purpose speaker series recently spotlighted essential issues facing Florida seniors. Karen Deigl, Bonnie Matz, and Peggy Cunningham shared insights from their respective organizations, illuminating challenges and solutions for seniors in Indian River County.

UNITED WAY FOUNDATION OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY 1836 14th Ave. | 772-569-8900 | unitedwayirc.org

THE ‘KEE’ TO BEAUTIFUL WORK

NEW ARTWORK AT VB HOME

VB Home now carries original art from artist Lydia McKee. Her work reflects boundless creativity in combination with blending art in an ever-evolving landscape of modern culture. Pop into the store to choose a piece.

VB HOME 615 Beachland Blvd. | 772-492-9348 | vbhome.us

Federico Herrero

A Piece of Waterfall in the Sound of Crickets

January 27 – April 26, 2024

An expansive solo exhibition featuring a selection of recent paintings and monotypes by Costa Rican artist Federico Herrero.

The Gallery at Windsor 3125 Windsor Boulevard, Vero Beach, FL 32963 windsorflorida.com/gallery

By appointment | 772 388 4071 gallery@windsorflorida.com

Karen Deigl, Bonnie Matz, Peggy Cunningham, Meredith Egan

Vernon

Wear has its latest swatches in the shop to help you freshen up your jackets for the spring and summer seasons. Visit the store to choose

SPIN BY AND SEE

FRESH COLLECTION AT EUROPEAN KITCHEN & BATH

The Murano Collection perfectly combines age-old artisan tradition with contemporary design and function. Expert Italian glassmakers produce these spun-glass sinks. Stop into the showroom to have a look.

EUROPEAN KITCHEN & BATH

4003 U.S. Hwy. 1 | 772-494-2694 | europeansink.com

LUCKY IN LOVE

DISTINCTIVE SELECTION AT VERANDA

Veranda presents this stunning Asha By Ashley McCormick piece featuring an oversize 14-karat-gold-dipped, heart-shaped clover pendant accompanied by mother-of-pearl and a lapis cabochon in the center. It’s placed on a 14-karat-gold-dipped Florence chain.

VERANDA

3325 Ocean Drive | 772-234-3404 | verandajewelry.com

New & Noteworthy

MOVE BY DESIGN

NEW OFFICE SPACE FOR DESIGN FIRM

Coastal Interiors recently moved from Ocean Drive to a larger office space in the Beachland Financial Center, which is located on the corner of A1A and Beachland Boulevard, where Merrill Lynch and Chase Bank are.

COASTAL INTERIORS

660 Beachland Blvd. | 772-492-6881 | coastal.net

Welcome

AMAC | Alex MacWilliam Real Estate

welcomes Realtors Betsy Martin, Hannah Hedin, and Michelle Banack

DEPENDABLE DYNAMIC

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT GROUP

PROVIDES ARRAY OF ASSISTANCE

The T.H. Whitfield Construction Property Management team is equipped with knowledge and experience to deliver customized, high-quality property management services. Clients will receive individual attention for services ranging from landscaping and building maintenance to security and emergency response planning without the hassle of day-to-day involvement.

T.H. WHITFIELD CONSTRUCTION INC.

8980 U.S. Hwy. 1, Suite 3 | Sebastian | 772-696-3736

thwhitfieldconstruction.com/propertymanagement

Hannah Hedin is a fourth-generation Vero Beach native with family real estate traditions on both sides. She is the greatgranddaughter of pioneer resident Alex MacWilliam Sr., and her Hedin forebears helped shape Vero’s growth and development in the construction industry. She volunteers with Special Equestrians and has studied business and marketing.

Betsy Martin is a Florida native who settled in Vero Beach in 2021. Having been a Realtor since 2000, she is well versed in the luxury residential market and finds great satisfaction in guiding her clients through the buying or selling process, with their happiness as her goal.

Michelle Banack , a Vero Beach resident since 1973, recently retired as assistant principal of Beachland Elementary School. She enjoys community engagement and looks forward to becoming more involved in philanthropic opportunities as a volunteer. Most important is her eagerness to serve as your guide through buying or selling real estate.

Merissa Szpaichler, Gregory Allan Ness, Vitalii Vasko, Crystal Lemley, Ashley MacIntyre

Local Flavor

THE DISH

Chef Tim Clinton’s unexpected career path landed him back on solid ground.

Full Circle

CHEF TIM CLINTON’S UNEXPECTED CAREER PATH LANDED HIM BACK ON SOLID GROUND

BY CHRIS FASOLINO PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIM BOTTALICO

When he began delivering food at The Moorings, Tim Clinton never dreamed he would someday be the executive chef.

In fact, he wasn’t expecting to be a chef at all. As a young man, Clinton was a professional wakeboarder. The job at The Moorings was just to pay the bills while he planned a trip to New Zealand. His dream was to be on a boat in the Southern Hemisphere, teaching wakeboarding along New Zealand’s scenic coasts.

Two things changed all that. “I built up a rapport with the chef,” Clinton recalls. “He was the one that got the spark going.” The other factor was an unexpected knee injury. All of a sudden, “I had to figure out something to do besides wakeboarding.”

So Clinton went to culinary school at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, where he trained under a chef who had won the James Beard Award. After that, he worked at Victoria & Albert’s, the award-winning gourmet restaurant at Disney’s elegant Grand Floridian hotel. “It was a tasting menu,” Clinton says, “and I got to learn nuance and precision.”

On his days off from Victoria & Albert’s, he worked at SeaWorld, not as a chef, but as an entertainer in the ski show. It allowed him to use his old wakeboarding skills, and it also involved barefoot skiing.

Eventually, Clinton came back to Vero Beach, and to The Moorings, working with his old friend Chef Michael Lander and then with Chef Ben Tench, both fixtures on the Vero culinary landscape. Clinton was executive sous chef when Tench retired, leading to the promotion to executive chef—all at the same kitchen where he once checked in to deliver food to some residents’ homes. “There’s a lot more responsibility now,”

he says with a laugh.

“My style is American, heavy on French technique,” reflecting his classical training, Clinton says. With his own background in mind, he makes sure he lets the sous chefs give their input. This openness has also added to the variety of the cuisine, as some of the sous chefs have Asian influences that are not necessarily part of Clinton’s own training. Also essential is “sourcing the best ingredients and going from there.”

With the wry laugh of someone whose biggest dreams once involved wakeboarding, Clinton says, “I’m kind of trying to make everybody happy with the cuisine.” And as he does just that at The Moorings, he knows that he has come full circle.

Tim Clinton traveled a winding road to get to where he is today: executive chef at The Moorings.

APPETIZER

Tempura Cauliflower

This dish features vadouvan, an exotic spice blend that is a French interpretation of East Indian flavors. For the cilantro, Clinton recommends Pepper Trail Farm.

SERVES 5

1 head cauliflower, cut into florets and blanched

4 cups peanut or vegetable oil

3 cups tempura batter (see below)

1 cup vadouvan crema (see below)

1 cup mango chutney (see below)

Micro cilantro, for garnish

Dredge the cauliflower in the tempura batter, then fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit in a pot until golden brown.

Place in a bowl and top with the vadouvan crema, mango chutney, and micro cilantro.

TEMPURA BATTER

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup potato starch

1/2 oz. granulated onion

1/2 oz. granulated garlic

1 dash monosodium glutamate (MSG)

1 egg

2 1/2 cups soda water

Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl. Whisk in egg and soda water.

VADOUVAN CREMA

1 cup sour cream

2 tbsp. vadouvan powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Combine ingredients in a bowl.

MANGO CHUTNEY

1 ripe mango, peeled and finely diced

1 shallot, minced

1 clove garlic, minced

2 tbsp. golden raisins

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup cider vinegar

1/2 tsp. ginger, finely planed

1/4 tsp. cumin seed, toasted and ground

1 tbsp. olive oil

Cook shallot in the oil on medium heat until slightly translucent.

Add garlic and ginger and cook for an additional 30 seconds.

Add the remaining ingredients to the pot and

cook until it becomes a thick sauce, 15–20 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper and allow to cool.

Pulse in the food processor until desired consistency is reached.

ENTR ÉE

Skirt Steak with Romesco and Chimichurri

Making two flavorful sauces from scratch and using them to complement each other really takes this steak recipe to a new level.

SERVES 2

2 (8-oz.) outside skirt steaks, marinated

1 bunch broccolini tops, blanched

1 oz. romesco sauce (see below)

1 oz. chimichurri sauce (see below)

2 garlic cloves, sliced

1/2 small red onion, sliced

2 sprigs rosemary

2 sprigs parsley

2 oz. canola oil

1 oz. sherry vinegar

1 dash Worcestershire sauce

Combine all ingredients with skirt steaks and marinate 2–4 hours.

Remove skirt steaks from marinade and season with salt and pepper.

Toss the broccolini tops in a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

Place skirt steaks on the grill or grill plate and cook 3–4 minutes per side or until desired doneness. Allow steak to rest 10 minutes. While steak is resting, place broccolini tops on grill and allow to char.

Slice skirt steak against the grain. To plate, make a swoosh of romesco sauce on plate first, place broccolini tops and skirt steak down on the romesco, and top with chimichurri sauce.

ROMESCO SAUCE

6 Roma tomatoes, halved

6 garlic cloves

1 red bell pepper

1 slice white bread, crust removed 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted 1 tsp. paprika

1 1/2 oz. sherry vinegar

Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

Toast white bread in oven until golden brown.

Toss tomatoes, garlic cloves, and red bell pepper in olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast 15 minutes or until caramelized.

Add all ingredients to a blender and puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

CHIMICHURRI SAUCE

1 sweet onion

1 shallot

2 garlic cloves

1 bunch parsley

2 bunches oregano

1 cup olive oil

Juice of 1 lemon

1/4 cup sherry vinegar

1/2 tsp. smoked paprika

1/2 tsp. ground cumin

Mince onion, then rinse with hot water, dry, and place in a mixing bowl.

Mince the shallot and garlic and finely chop the herbs.

Add all ingredients to the mixing bowl with the onion. Stir to combine and season with salt and pepper.

Bourbon Pecan Bread Pudding

This dessert has a Southern flair and reflects Clinton’s love of great American cuisine.

SERVES 7

2 eggs

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3 tsp. bourbon

1 pint heavy cream

12–14 slices white bread, crust removed, cubed

3/4 cup butterscotch chips

1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped

7 greased and sugared 4-oz. ramekins

7 oz. apricot jam

In a large bowl, whisk eggs and sugar.

Add milk, vanilla, and bourbon. Mix, then add cream to bowl and mix.

Add bread, butterscotch chips, and pecans. Stir well to combine.

Ladle mixture into the ramekins. Place filled ramekins in a highsided baking dish and fill with hot water halfway up the sides of the ramekins.

Bake in a 350-degreeFahrenheit oven for 20 minutes, then rotate the dishes and bake another 20 minutes.

While they are cooling, melt the apricot jam in a pan and glaze the bread puddings. Remove bread puddings from ramekins and finish with bourbon sauce.

BOURBON SAUCE

1 cup granulated sugar

6 tbsp. unsalted butter

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 tbsp. bourbon

1 tbsp. corn syrup

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Add all ingredients to a pan. Over medium heat, bring mix to a boil for 1 minute. Allow to cool slightly and serve over bread pudding.

OFF THE VINE

PINOT NOIR

Treasure Island

A RELATIVE NEWCOMER TO THE WINE INDUSTRY, NEW ZEALAND HAS THE PERFECT SPOT TO GROW PINOT NOIR GRAPES

BY CHRIS FASOLINO

What makes something a treasure?

Often, it is rare and unusual. A famous gem may be exceptionally large, or it may have a distinctive color. us, along with its inherent value, there is something unique that sets it apart.

To many wine connoisseurs, pinot noir is a treasure. It is not only its potential value as a great wine; it’s the unusual nature of pinot noir that gives it allure. In the world of red wine, rich avor is typically accompanied by full-bodied, velvety texture. A good pinot noir is brimming with avor; however, it is light in body. Instead of being like velvet, this wine is like silk.

e homeland of pinot noir is France, especially the Burgundy region; however, the variety has been grown very successfully in the Paci c Northwest, in the cooler regions of California, and in New Zealand. Dedication on the part of the winemaker is a requirement; pinot noir is sometimes described as a ckle variety, one that calls for perseverance. Of course, this is

yet another reason it is viewed as a treasure, since treasure is something that is seemingly difcult to obtain.

Another requirement is a cool climate. New Zealand, with its far-southern latitudes and mountainous terrain, has had great success with pinot noir. An intriguing area is that of the Waipara district in the Canterbury region, located on the South Island. e vineyards there are nestled between a mountain

range that European settlers wryly named the Southern Alps (they are southern indeed) and the blue-gray shores of the Paci c. e soil is rich in limestone, an environmental characteristic seen as favorable to vines when combined with a cool climate. Indeed, these are features that the Canterbury region shares with the Burgundy region of France, making for an undoubtedly promising place to cultivate pinot noir.

The Waipara Valley in the Canterbury region of New Zealand possesses soil rich in nutrients that are conducive to cultivating productive vines.

As a sample, Waipara Springs Pinot Noir is a great wine to accompany a barbecue. Light in body yet vibrant with flavor notes of black cherry, plum, and white pepper, it is versatile, approachable, and yet elegant. Another appealing selection from the same vineyard is the Waipara Pioneer “Bruce” Pinot Noir, named for the founder of this third-generation family winery. The term “pioneer” is fitting, because he was exploring the potential of what was then a new region in New Zealand winemaking. And he was right.

Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel Treasure Island is a search for pirate gold. For wine enthusiasts, the South Island of New Zealand holds treasure of a different kind: that distinctive and elegant variety, pinot noir.

The South Island of New Zealand has enjoyed great success growing pinot noir grapes.

Waipara Springs Winery and Restaurant opened its doors in 1989.

A Caribbean Celebration

MACY SULLIVAN WINSLOW & MATTHEW STEPHEN BECKER

On March 24, 2023, Macy Sullivan Winslow & Matthew Stephen Becker wed at Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic. The groom’s father officiated at the ceremony, which took place at a 16th-century Mediterranean village replica, Altos de Chavón, overlooking the Chavón River.

The bride is the daughter of Kelly and Troy Winslow of Georgetown, Texas. She holds a B.S. degree in strategic communication from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth and works as senior event lead at Kyndryl in New York.

The groom is the son of Lisa and William Becker of Vero Beach and a Saint Edward’s School “diehard,” having attended from kindergarten through his graduation in 2013. He also attended Texas Christian University, where he earned a B.S. in economics. He is an associate director with Savills in New York City.

Many Vero Beach friends traveled to Casa de Campo for the wedding weekend.

The reception, held at the Dye Fore Golf Terrace, included a lovely dinner, live music, fireworks, and an “hora loca” (crazy hour) in which Dominican dancers in wild costumes joined guests on the dance floor.

The next day, everyone enjoyed a relaxing beach and pool day.

After a two-week honeymoon in South Africa, the newlyweds reside in Manhattan.

Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Becker

ASIA PIMENTEL PHOTOGRAPHY

Clockwise from upper left: The wedding party walks the beautiful grounds of Altos de Chavón; the newlyweds depart the ceremony terrace overlooking the Chavón River; the reception; the “hora loca”; the welcome white party; the bride and groom with their bridesmaids and groomsmen

Spring into Service

EVERYONE FINDS A WAY TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY

Walk to Remember

ALZHEIMER & PARKINSON ASSOCIATION

This past November marked the 20th anniversary of the Alzheimer & Parkinson Association of Indian River County’s annual Walk to Remember. Hundreds of walkers and supporters turned out to Riverside Park to raise funds for the nonprofit’s many free programs benefiting local residents afflicted with memory and/ or movement disorders and their families.

Major sponsors:

Walter S. Borisenok Family Foundation; Coastal Concierge Services; George E. Warren; Regency Park/ Harbor Chase; PNC Bank

Jessica Nettles, Siobhan Austin, Amy Lore, Susan Wright, Suzanne Gallagher

Mindy Servis, Peggy Cunningham, Courtney Sanchez

Alla Kramer, Liz Earman, Teejai Jones

The walkers get underway.

Scott Cox, Bill and Karen Penney, Sue Tompkins, Bob Puff

Kim McLaughlin, Nancy Peterson-Cameron Linda Wells, Stacia Rockwood

MAUREEN NICOLACE

• GM Ranks Top Automotive Corp

• GMC: #1 Sales Experience among truck shoppers

• Sierra #1 Light Duty Full Size Pickup Truck

• Buick #1 Overall Brand for New Vehicle Quality

• Buick: Best sales experience among mass market brands, two years in a row

THE SCENE

Denim & Diamonds AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

The American Cancer Society held its third annual Denim & Diamonds Hope Gala at Magnolia Manor in December. Marni Parent-Howder, an eight-year survivor of brain cancer, was on hand, along with her neuro-oncologist, Dr. Macarena DeLaFuenta, to emphasize the importance of funding cancer research. The assembled guests were also moved by a video chronicling ParentHowder’s journey. Kurt Stevens entertained the guests during cocktail hour, and Riptide played as guests hit the dance floor. The gala was a rousing success, with $257,890 raised. The presenting sponsor was the Bernard Egan Foundation, and many other sponsors contributed.

Karen Egan, Diane Parentela, Marni Parent-Howder

Melissa Talley, Roger and Nancy Lynch, Rob Ritter

Guests raise their paddles to pledge money for cancer research.

Christina and Mike Marshall, Chris and Amber Bieber

MAUREEN NICOLACE

Marni Parent-Howder, surrounded by family and friends

Lisa Thompson Barnes, Karen Franke

The gala committee: Alyse Katz, Shay Pritchett, Mazie Regan, Bobbi Streetman, Robb Falana, Melissa Talley, Jenna Schwibner, Mike Lafferty, Amy Hass, Karen Franke, Heather Reeb, Theresa Woodson Mike and Bernadette Emerick

Tyler Martin, Ashley MacIntyre, Melissa Tedder, Marni Parent-Howder, Jennifer Martin, Carrie Bryant, Gracie Martin

Barbara and Richard Parent, Joyce and Ken Parent

Jack and Shawna Harty, Renee Rennick, Alaina and Hunter Haas

Steve and Michelle Ciancio, Taryn Simm

MAUREEN NICOLACE

“I feel protected when he is with me.”

As

THE SCENE

‘A Night on the Nile’

VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART

Some 420 guests gathered for the annual gala, which included the unveiling of “Ancient Egypt & the Napoleonic Era: Masterworks from the Dahesh Museum of Art,” the VBMA’s muchanticipated new exhibition. The evening began in the Beckwith Sculpture Park, where guests congregated for a cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres. Moving to inside the museum, they enjoyed an exquisite dinner catered by Elizabeth D. Kennedy & Co., followed by live music and dancing. Bob and Karen Drury chaired the event, which benefits the museum’s educational programs.

Bob and Wheatie Gibb

Bob and Karen Drury, Brady Roberts

The evening’s entertainment included a belly dancer.

George and Madeline Long, Willow and Gary Brost

Peter and Pat Thompson

Jane and Steve Coley

Molly and Luke Webb

Mark and Cindy Galant

Jim and Buff Penrose

Jeff and Stephanie Pickering, Sandy and Randy Rolf

Doug and Dhuanne Tansill

Ted Berghorst, Nancy and Ron Rosner, Debbie Berghorst

DENISE RITCHIE

Santa for Seniors

SENIOR RESOURCE ASSOCIATION

Before Christmas, more than 1,000 gifts were distributed to local seniors thanks to the efforts of Senior Resource Association and its legion of volunteers and supporters. Many local businesses, clubs, organizations, faith-based groups, and individuals purchased useful gifts and dropped them off at various locations. Sunrise Rotary Vero Beach members helped decorate, distribute, and collect donation boxes. Drivers then fanned out to deliver some Christmas joy to hundreds of older adults who rely on SRA to help them reside in their own homes as long as is safely possible.

Sponsors: Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital; FPL;

Sunrise Rotary Vero Beach

Volunteer Mimi Sobel-Lewis loads up her car.

Lynn Hudyma prepares for a delivery run.

John Corley shares a gi with Gordon.

The Laura (Riding) Jackson Foundation celebrated the January 16 birthday of its namesake poet on IRSC’s Mueller Campus in Vero Beach. About 60 people gathered for the ribbon cutting that opened a new pathway from the Brackett Library to the historic house, pole barn, and garden. Jackson, born Laura Reichenthal in New York City in 1901, moved to Wabasso, Florida with her husband, Schuyler Jackson, in 1943. She resided there until her death in 1991. Her simple cracker-style house now stands on the Mueller Campus.

Nestled

Jacque Jacobs, Hollie McDougall, Terri Graham

Craig Pahl, Susan Boyd

Board and friends of LRJF

The Art of April

WE ARE SHOWERED WITH A BOLD VARIETY THIS MONTH!

‘HISTORY IN THE MAKING’

THROUGH APRIL 27

J.M. Stringer is featuring masters of yesterday and today, including John Phillip Osborne, John C. Traynor, and Bernard Jean Corneille Pothast, in its current exhibition.

The Belgian Pothast (1882–1966) studied in Amsterdam and Paris and attained success in his lifetime with his rustic depictions of peasant life.

J.M. Stringer Gallery of Fine Art 3465 Ocean Drive 772-231-3900

jmstringergallery.com

A Toast to Summer by John C. Traynor, oil on linen, 30 x 24 inches

The New Arrival by Bernard Jean Corneille Pothast, oil on canvas, 24 x 30 inches

Circle of Life by Reed Dixon, mixed media, 30 x 40 inches

MORE TO SEE

FIBER & WOOD

Through April 26

Several fiber and wood artists from the Vero Beach Art Club will be showing their work in a group exhibition.

Center for Spiritual Care 1550 24th St. 772-567-1233 centerforspiritualcare.org

‘A PIECE OF WATERFALL’

Through April 26

Windsor’s gallery is showing a collection of works by Costa Rican artist Federico Herrero titled “A Piece of Waterfall in the Sound of Crickets.”

The Gallery at Windsor 3125 Windsor Blvd. 772-388-4071 windsorflorida.com/the-gallery

‘ANCIENT EGYPT’

Through April 28

VBMA’s Holmes and Titelman Galleries are currently home to the exhibition “Ancient Egypt & the Napoleonic Era: Masterworks from the Dahesh Museum of Art.”

Vero Beach Museum of Art 3001 Riverside Park Drive 772-231-0707 vbmuseum.org

ORCHID ISLAND ARTISTS

Through May 31

The ELC wraps up its art season with the Orchid Island Art Club Member Show.

Environmental Learning Center 255 Live Oak Drive 772-589-5050 discoverelc.org

‘CELEBRATING NATURE’

APRIL 2–26

Gallery 14 is happy to welcome back mixed-media artist Reed Dixon, a Pittsburgh native now based in Boynton Beach, with an exhibition of bright, imaginative paintings of birds and flowers. His background as a graphic designer and Hallmark card illustrator gives him a distinctive perspective on his subjects. “I call it imagery,” says Dixon. “By that I mean the end result is not necessarily

CALIFORNIAN ABSTRACTS

APRIL 6–MAY 18

This group exhibition of works by Findlay Galleries’ California abstract painters represents several esteemed artists who have influenced and participated in the California Abstract Expressionist movement: Leonard Edmondson, John Grillo, Frank Lobdell, Gordon Onslow Ford, Fritz Rauh, and Jack Wright.

Findlay Galleries

165 Worth Ave., Palm Beach 561-655-2090 findlaygalleries.com

Untitled (7435) by Jack Wright, acrylic on canvas, 60 x 60 inches

a study of the subject but how I feel the subject should look in the end.” The gallery will hold a reception for the artist during the April 5 Gallery Stroll.

Gallery 14

1911 14th Ave. 772-562-5525 gallery14verobeach.com

GALLERY GUIDE

ART AT THE EMERSON

The Emerson Center’s gallery shows works by local artists in six themed exhibitions per year.

1590 27th Ave. 772-778-5880 artattheemerson.com

ARTISTS GUILD GALLERY

This cooperative-owned fine art gallery offers works in diverse styles and media by its ownerartists as well as associate and consignor artists.

1974 14th Ave. 772-299-1234 artistsguildgalleryofvero beach.com

ART WORKS

Various U.S. artists are featured, representing a range of styles. Classes, art parties, and other events are available.

2036 14th Ave., Suite 106 772-559-5230 artworksofvero.com

ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER

The Lagoon and Tidal Rooms are dedicated to nature-related art.

255 Live Oak Drive 772-589-5050 discoverelc.org

FINDLAY GALLERIES

Renowned globally for its distinguished roster of contemporary and abstract artists, the gallery specializes in 19th- and 20th-century Impressionism, European Modernism, l’Ecole de Rouen, l’Ecole de Paris, and 20thcentury American art.

165 Worth Ave., Palm Beach 561-655-2090 findlaygalleries.com

THE GALLERIES AT FIRST PRES

This venue displays the works of local artists in quarterly threeartist installments.

520 Royal Palm Blvd. 772-562-9088

firstpresvero.org

GALLERY 14

The gallery features a diverse array of works in a variety of media by its eight owner-artists, along with eight represented artists and rotating monthly guests.

1911 14th Ave. 772-562-5525 gallery14verobeach.com

THE GALLERY AT WINDSOR

This independent art space annually invites curators of museum-quality shows of contemporary art.

3125 Windsor Blvd. 772-388-4071

windsorflorida.com/the-gallery

GALLERY VERITAS

This gallery has periodic exhibitions and adjoins a working studio housing seven artists and an art library.

1422 20th St. 323-547-1188

thegalleryveritas.com

J.M. STRINGER

GALLERY OF FINE ART

The gallery offers worldwide collections of original paintings, objets d’art, sculptures, and select antique furnishings.

3465 Ocean Drive 772-231-3900

jmstringergallery.com

THE LAUGHING DOG GALLERY

The vast showroom offers works from more than 350 contemporary American craftsmen who create art glass, ceramics, sculpture, furniture, and fine art jewelry.

2910 Cardinal Drive 772-234-6711

thelaughingdoggallery.com

MAIN STREET VERO BEACH STUDIOS AND GALLERY

The handcrafted jewelry of Clair Brunetti, who creates custom works and repairs and updates older pieces, is showcased.

2036 14th Ave. 772-643-6782

mainstreetverobeach.org

The Glass Kaleidoscope by Charlie Bluett, acrylic on canvas, 48 x 72 x 2 inches, at Meghan Candler Gallery

MEGHAN CANDLER GALLERY

This friendly upli ing gallery has a beautifully curated collection of paintings by more than contemporary artists of the abstract Impressionist and realistic styles

Hwy A A Village Shops - -

meghancandlergallery com

OCEAN DRIVE GALLERY

The oil abstracts of Elise Geary

commissions are welcome

th Ave

Barone -Tribus - -

Ocean Drive nd fl oor -palmhousegallery com

RAW SPACE

Ripple Bowl by Alexi and Mariel Hunter, glass, diameter 17 inches, at The Laughing Dog Gallery

and representational narrative paintings by Jill Kerwick are featured along with acrylic rural and outdoor scenes and seascapes by two additional artists

Ocean Drive Suite -eliseartist com oceandrivegalleryverobeach com

PALM HOUSE STUDIO & GALLERY

The work of several awardwinning artists is featured and

This innovative alternative cultural venue promotes a spectrum of artistic disciplines

Old Dixie Hwy -artconceptalternative org

SEBASTIAN RIVER ART CLUB

The club offers classes demonstrations workshops and art shows

Main St Sebastian -sebastianriverartclub com

SEVENTH AVENUE STUDIO

The gallery features the abstract art paintings of Rita Barone and the varied works of Janet Kipp Tribus

VERO BEACH ART CLUB

This independent nonprofit serves members and the community through education exhibitions social events and monthly meetings with special programs and guest artists

th Ave - -

verobeachartclub org

VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART

The largest accredited art facility on the Treasure Coast VBMA presents international exhibitions from lenders and from its permanent collection also offering classes lectures fi lm studies concerts children’s programs and interactive Art Zone sculpture parks and museum store

Riverside Park Drive -vbmuseum org

Culture & Community

APRIL ABOUNDS WITH ENTERTAINING AND EDIFYING NONPROFIT EVENTS

TSuccessful Aging Luncheon

The Alzheimer & Parkinson Association of Indian River County welcomes actress Jane Seymour to town April 10 for the Successful Aging Luncheon, an annual event at which inspiring speakers demonstrate that a fulfilling life is possible well into our mature years. Seymour has attained success on stage and screen, playing the character Solitaire in the 1973 James Bond film Live and Let Die, the eponymous pioneer physician in the 1990s series Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, and many other roles. The luncheon will begin at noon in Vero Beach Museum of Art’s Holmes Great Hall. Tickets are $200, and proceeds support local programs for people with memory and movement disorders. For more information, call 772-563-0505 or see alzpark.org.

TRising Stars

Vero Beach Opera welcomes 10 of the world’s hottest up-and-coming voices April 10–12 for the Rising Stars competition at the VBHS Performing Arts Center, 1707 16th St. Admission is just $20 to attend both competition days, Wednesday and Thursday, starting at 3 p.m. Then, at 7 p.m. Friday, all 10 participants will perform a concert, and the awards will follow. Winners will be determined by a panel of five distinguished judges: Román Ortega-Cowan, VBO artistic advisor; Randall Romig, chairman of the Met Opera Laffont Competition Southeast Region; Eva Franchi, founder of the Sergio Franchi Music Foundation; Gregory Buchalter, VBO music director and Met Opera assistant conductor; and Met Opera soprano Susan Neves, who has taken on challenging roles on stages the world over. Friday tickets are $15 to $50. Call the box office at 772-564-5537 or find more information at verobeachopera.org.

TFilm Festival

The seventh annual Vero Beach Film Festival, a juried event that gathers independent filmmakers, will take place at various local venues April 11–14. The festival includes screenings, parties, and filmmaking seminars. Three tiers of passes are available: Pick Four, Cinema Pass, and Premier Pass. Learn more and purchase tickets at vbfilmfest.org.

JUAN MILLAN

Susan Neves in Turandot

Jane Seymour

CALENDAR

APRIL

BLUE RIBBON LUNCHEON

Hibiscus Children’s Center’s Blue Ribbon Luncheon & Fashion Show will benefit the teens at Hibiscus House, who have experienced abuse and/or neglect. This year’s theme is “Up, Up & Away.” Professional models will be sporting the latest fashions from local boutiques, and guests will also enjoy a gourmet lunch and silent auction. 11 a.m., $175

Hibiscus Children’s Center at Oak Harbor Clubhouse 4755 S. Harbor Drive 772-299-6011

hibiscuschildrenscenter.org

HARBOR BRANCH TALK

Professor Colin Polsky will discuss Florida Atlantic University’s new School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability (ECOS). Preregistration is required. 4 p.m., free

FAU Harbor Branch

Oceanographic Institute

5600 N. U.S. Hwy. 1, Fort Pierce 772-242-2293

fau.edu/hboi

‘OWLS DON’T WALK’

The Sunrise welcomes comedian and actor Kevin James, best known for his work on the television series The King of Queens. 7:30 p.m., $59.50–$99.50

Sunrise Theatre

117 S. 2nd St., Fort Pierce 772-461-4775

sunrisetheatre.com

TPoetry & BBQ

In celebration of National Poetry Month, the Laura (Riding) Jackson Foundation will hold its 13th annual Poetry and Barbecue event April 13 at the IRSC Mueller Campus in Vero Beach (6155 College Lane). This year’s theme is “Fathered/Father.” Local poets will kick things off at 2:30 p.m. with readings from their work, followed by presentations from featured guest poets B.H. Fairchild of Claremont, California and John Balaban of Cary, North Carolina, starting at 4 p.m. At 5:30, the barbecue dinner and live music will begin. The event will also include a silent auction, a raffle, and tours of Jackson’s historic house. Tickets are just $45. For more information, contact LRJF at 772-569-6718 or lauraridingjackson.org B.H. Fairchild

APRIL

‘ONE NIGHT IN MEMPHIS’

This show recreates the Dec. 4, 1956 event that saw Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis jamming together at Sun Studios. 7 p.m., $45–$100

MusicWorks at The Emerson Center 1590 27th Ave. 800-595-4849 musicworksconcerts.com

‘CURTAIN CALL CLASSICS’

IRSC’s jazz and wind ensembles present a concert of jazz, film, and Broadway selections. Through April 6; Thursday–Friday 7 p.m., Saturday–Sunday 2 p.m.; $20

McAlpin Fine Arts Center 3209 Virginia Ave., Fort Pierce 772-462-4750 irsc.edu

APRIL

BRIDGE TOURNAMENT

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County will hold their annual fundraising bridge tournament, with a luncheon and raffle drawing to follow. Master points and prizes will be awarded. 8:30 a.m. registration and continental breakfast, 9 a.m. play; $100

BGCIRC

at Quail Valley River Club 2345 Hwy. A1A 772-299-7449 bgcirc.org

APRIL

WALK FOR LIFE

Care Net will hold its 40th annual Walk for Life in support of its services to women facing unplanned pregnancies. 8 a.m., entry is free (donors may sponsor walkers)

Care Net Pregnancy Center at Riverside Park 3280 Riverside Park Drive 772-569-7939 carenetchampions.org

LUNCHEON JAZZ CONCERT

Jazz guitarist Ryan Dillahay, a recent graduate of the renowned University of North Florida School of Music, will perform. Lunch 11:30, concert 12:30; $65

Treasure Coast Jazz Society at Oak Harbor Clubhouse 4755 S. Harbor Drive 772-234-4600 tcjazz.org

CRAFT SPIRITS FESTIVAL

Distilleries from all over Florida will be represented at the Treasure Coast Cra Spirits Festival benefiting Sunrise Rotary Vero Beach. 2–6 p.m.; $100 general admission (must be age 21 or over) includes unlimited tasting, souvenir glass, appetizers, and bo led water; $30 designated driver ticket (must be 18 or over) includes appetizers and bo led water

Treasure Coast Cra Spirits Festival at Airport Drive treasurecoastspiritsfestival.com

APRIL

ART IN THE PARK

Members of the Art Club will be displaying their creations, which will be available for purchase. 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; free

Vero Beach Art Club at Humiston Park 3000 Ocean Drive 772-217-3345 verobeachartclub.org

DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE

This touring show uses sophisticated puppetry to bring dinosaurs to life on the stage, providing educational entertainment for all ages. 3 p.m., $35–$50

Sunrise Theatre 117 S. 2nd St., Fort Pierce 772-461-4775

sunrisetheatre.com

CHAMBER CONCERT

The Vero Beach Chamber Orchestra presents works by Beethoven, Fauré, and Mozart. 2 p.m., free

Vero Beach Chamber Orchestra at VBHS Performing Arts Center 1707 16th St. 908-528-3954 verobeachchamberorchestra.org

APRIL

‘JOURNEY UP THE NILE’

As part of VBMA’s International Lecture Series, Bernard Fishman, director of the Maine State

John Balaban

Museum, presents the talk “Journey up the Nile: The Victorian Grand Tour of Egypt in 3D.” 4:30 p.m.; $130 members/$158 nonmembers; streaming or Leonhardt Auditorium simulcast $80 members/$95 nonmembers

Vero Beach Museum of Art 3001 Riverside Park Drive 772-231-0707

vbmuseum.org

APRIL

ON YOUR FEET!

This musical celebrates Gloria and Emilio Estefan and the life and music they have created together. Through May 5, times vary, $45 and up

Riverside Theatre 3250 Riverside Park Drive 772-231-6990

riversidetheatre.com

APRIL

SILVER TONES CONCERT

The Silver Tones will perform their final concert of the season, “Traveling Across America,” benefiting Senior Resource Association. 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., donations accepted

Senior Resource Association at First Presbyterian Church 520 Royal Palm Blvd. 772-569-0760

seniorresourceassociation.org

WINE & DESIGN

Instructor Christine Thomas will lead the class in the painting of silk scarves. Bring your favorite beverage and get creative! 6–8:30 p.m., $55 members/$65 nonmembers

Vero Beach Art Club 1903 14th Ave. 772-231-0303

verobeachartclub.org

‘THE CLASSICS’

With Ashley Garritson as guest cellist, the ACO will perform Beethoven’s Cariolan Overture and Symphony No. 3 , “Eroica” as well as

RECURRING EVENTS

EVERY SATURDAY FARMERS MARKET

Browse the wares of more than two dozen vendors at the Vero Beach Farmers Market, at the corner of Ocean Drive and Dahlia Lane. 8 a.m.–noon

Business Inspiring Kindness 2901 Ocean Drive verobeachfarmersmarket.com

EVERY FIRST FRIDAY

FIRST FRIDAY GALLERY STROLL

Pop into some art galleries and then enjoy a beverage and a bite at a restaurant or café. April 5 and May 3, 5–8 p.m.

Main Street Vero Beach

Downtown along 14th Avenue 772-643-6782

mainstreetverobeach.org

EVERY LAST FRIDAY

DOWNTOWN FRIDAY

Enjoy a community street party with live music, street vendors, and food trucks. April 26, 6–9 p.m., free

Main Street Vero Beach Downtown along 14th Avenue 772-643-6782

mainstreetverobeach.org

EVERY LAST SATURDAY

VBMA FREE ADMISSION

Admission is free for everyone on the last Saturday of each month. April 27, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Vero Beach Museum of Art 3001 Riverside Park Drive 772-231-0707

vbmuseum.org

“They don’t even realize how much they’re learning. Every day is a good day.”

CALENDAR

Ballet Vero Beach’s “New Classics,”

April 19

Haydn’s Cello Concerto No. 1 7:30 p.m., $30–$65

Atlantic Classical Orchestra at Community Church of Vero Beach 1901 23rd St. 772-460-0851 atlanticclassicalorchestra.com

APRIL 12

WHO’S NEXT

Classic Albums Live will recreate

The Who’s 1971 album Who’s Next, which features the hits “Behind Blue Eyes,” “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” and “Baba O’Riley.” 7 p.m., $45–$90

MusicWorks

at The Emerson Center 1590 27th Ave. 800-595-4849 musicworksconcerts.com

FUNDRAISING WEEKEND

The Wheels & Keels Foundation, which supports multiple local charities, will hold its two-day fundraiser April 12–13, with dinner and auctions Friday evening (5:30 p.m., $250) and Antique & Exotic Car & Boat Show on Saturday (10 a.m.–2:30 p.m., free to attend).

Wheels & Keels Foundation at The Moorings Yacht & Country Club 100 Harbour Drive 772-559-9758 wkvero.com

APRIL 13

GIRLS TO GREATNESS

The Girls to Greatness Luncheon celebrates and supports the Treasure Coast Girls Coalition’s mission to “educate, elevate, and empower girls to be the best they can be.” 11 a.m.–1 p.m., $125

Treasure Coast Girls Coalition at The Venue 2700 U.S. Hwy. 1 772-202-8170 treasurecoastgirls.org

PLAYTIME IN THE PARK

Bring the little ones to Riverside Park for a 30-minute theatercentered educational program. This month’s dance component will take place April 20. 11 a.m., free

Riverside Theatre 3250 Riverside Park Drive 772-231-6990

riversidetheatre.com

SUNSET SATURDAY

The Kennys are on deck to play Sunset Saturday. 5–8 p.m., free Vero Beach Chamber of Commerce at Ocean Drive by Humiston Park 772-226-5459 verochamber.com

SPRING CONCERTS

In collaboration with the Vero Beach High School choral department, the Choral Society presents The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace by Karl Jenkins. The performance will include a full orchestra. Also April 14, 4 p.m., $10 suggested donation Vero Beach Choral Society at VBHS Performing Arts Center 1707 16th St. 772-564-5537 verobeachchoralsociety.org

APRIL 15

LAWRENCE SUMMERS

Economist and former treasury secretary Lawrence H. Summers will appear as the fourth guest of this season’s Distinguished Lecturer Series. 4 and 6 p.m.; $102 Stark Main Stage, $87 Waxlax Theatre simulcast

Riverside Theatre 3250 Riverside Park Drive 772-231-6990 riversidetheatre.com

APRIL 17

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

The IRSC Foundation will honor its Entrepreneur of the Year, Bill Marine, with a reception and award dinner. 5:30 p.m., $250

IRSC Foundation

Richardson Center IRSC Mueller Campus

6155 College Lane

772-462-4786 giving.irsc.edu

APRIL 18

JEREMY CAMP

Award-winning Christian/pop singer and songwriter Jeremy Camp will perform at the Sunrise. 7:30 p.m., $49.50–$64.50

Sunrise Theatre

117 S. 2nd St., Fort Pierce 772-461-4775 sunrisetheatre.com

APRIL 19

‘NEW CLASSICS’

BVB wraps up its season with West Side Story Suite, choreographed by Yves de Bouteiller, and Adam Schnell’s The Sleeping Princess. Through April 21; Friday 7:30 p.m., Saturday 2 and 7:30 p.m., Sunday (Accessible/Family Friendly) 2 p.m.; $10–$75

Ballet Vero Beach at VBHS Performing Arts Center 1707 16th St. 772-269-1065 balletverobeach.org

BLACK HOLES

The Hallstrom Planetarium presents a show on the astronomical phenomenon of the black hole, narrated by actor John de Lancie, who played the character Q in Star Trek: The Next Generation and several subsequent Star Trek series. The film is followed by a live talk on where to find black holes in our sky. 7 and 8:30 p.m.; also April 20, 1 and 2:30 p.m.; $7

IRSC Hallstrom Planetarium

3209 Virginia Ave., Fort Pierce 772-462-4750 irsc.edu

APRIL 20

CHASE YOUR TAIL 5K

HALO’s seventh annual Chase Your Tail 5K is a chance for runners, walkers, and their dogs to get some exercise along the Indian River and enjoy music and entertainment while supporting the rescue shelter.

7:30 a.m., $30–$35

HALO No-Kill Rescue at Sebastian Community Center 1805 N. Central Ave., Sebastian 772-589-7297

halorescuefl.org

ONGOING EVENTS

THROUGH APRIL 7

YANKEE TAVERN

This 2007 thriller by Steven Dietz will be performed on Riverside’s Waxlax Stage. Times vary, $65

Riverside Theatre

3250 Riverside Park Drive 772-231-6990

riversidetheatre.com

APRIL 21

‘DISNEY ROYALS’

Two guest vocalists, soprano Samantha Barnes and tenor Kit Cleto, will join the SCSO in performing selections from the scores of Mulan , The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, and several other Disney films. 3 p.m., flexible pricing

Space Coast Symphony Orchestra at The Emerson Center 1590 27th Ave. 855-252-7276 spacecoastsymphony.org

APRIL 22

SHANNON BREAM

The Distinguished Lecturer Series presents attorney and journalist Shannon Bream, who will discuss the Supreme Court. 4 and 6 p.m.; $102 Stark Main Stage, $87 Waxlax Theatre simulcast

Riverside Theatre

3250 Riverside Park Drive 772-231-6990 riversidetheatre.com

MARDY FISH TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

This $15,000 USTA/ITF Pro Circuit tennis tournament serves as a fundraiser for the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation, which supports a variety of efforts to foster healthy habits in Indian River County children through after-school and summer programs. Through April 28, various ticket options

Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation at Vero Beach Tennis & Fitness Club 702 Timber Ridge Trail SW 866-633-4070 mardyfishchildrensfoundation.org

APRIL 25

PRIVATE LIVES

IRSC theatrical students will perform Noel Coward’s comedy of manners Private Lives. Through April 28; Thursday–Friday 7 p.m., Saturday–Sunday 2 p.m.; $20

McAlpin Fine Arts Center

3209 Virginia Ave., Fort Pierce 772-462-4750 irsc.edu

APRIL 26

HANNEKE CASSEL TRIO

Folk violinist Hanneke Cassel will be joined by guitarist Keith Murphy and Jenna Moynihan, who plays the Scottish fiddle, for a concert that is part of a series known as the Vero Beach International Music Festival, presented by the Mike Block String Camp. 7:30 p.m., $25

International Music Festival at First Presbyterian Church 520 Royal Palm Blvd. verobeachinternationalmusicfestival. com

APRIL 27

CHILDREN’S ART FESTIVAL

VBMA invites all youngsters to explore the arts with docentled tours, art hunts, art-making activities, and performances by local music and dance groups. Preregistration is not required. 10 a.m.–3 p.m., free

Vero Beach Museum of Art 3001 Riverside Park Drive 772-231-0707 vbmuseum.org

NIGHT SOUNDS

The Friends of Sebastian Inlet State Park have blues rock band Dave

Shannon Bream will speak at Riverside Theatre April 22.

Scott & the Reckless Shots booked for this month’s Night Sounds concert. Food trucks will also be on hand. 7–9 p.m., regular park admission fees apply

Sebastian Inlet State Park 14251 Hwy. A1A 772-589-2147

friendsofsebastianinletstatepark.org

MAY 1

OCEAN SCIENCE LECTURE

Researcher Aaron Adams presents “Fishers Know More Than You.” Preregistration is required. 4 p.m., free

FAU Harbor Branch

Oceanographic Institute 5600 N. U.S. Hwy. 1, Fort Pierce 772-242-2293

fau.edu/hboi

TBallet Under the Stars

On April 26, Tree House Vero Beach (8010 43rd Ave.) will be the setting of Ballet Vero Beach’s end-of-season party and fundraiser, Ballet Under the Stars. This casually elegant cocktail party, which begins at 6 p.m., will include sumptuous food, a deluxe live auction, an exclusive BVB performance, and the opportunity to dance the night away with BVB’s talented dancers. Tickets are $150, and all proceeds support BVB’s educational and engagement initiatives. For more information, call 772-269-1065 or visit balletverobeach.org.

CALENDAR

TAir Show

The Vero Beach Air Show is right around the corner! This much-anticipated biennial event will take place May 3–5 at the Vero Beach Regional Airport. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels will headline the event for the fourth time, with much more to see, including the U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team and numerous other aerobatics performers as well as static aircraft displays. Food and beverage concession stands will be on-site. Air Show times are 6–8:30 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Proceeds benefit the local Veterans Council and Exchange Clubs. Multiple ticket packages are available, and all the details can be found at veroairshow.com.

MAY

CHARLIE BROWN

The Theatre Guild will stage You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown: The Musical, a show that originated in 1967 based on Charles Schulz’s Peanuts characters. Through May 19; Fridays 7:30 p.m., Saturdays 2 and 7:30 p.m., Sundays 2 p.m.; $35–$40

Vero Beach Theatre Guild 2020 San Juan Ave. 772-562-8300 verobeachtheatreguild.com

MAY

MAY POPS

The Brevard Symphony Orchestra will be joined by vocalists Scarle Strallen and Hugh Panaro for the annual May Pops concert. Proceeds will help fund improvements to the Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital emergency department. 3 p.m. VIP reception, 4:30 p.m. concert; $500 VIP seating/$30 lawn general admission

Cleveland Clinic Indian River Foundation at Windsor 3125 Windsor Blvd. 772-226-4955

MAY

VNA GOLF-A-THON

Golf pros from 13 local clubs will a empt to play 135 holes in one day, with donations in support of each pro benefiting the VNA. 7 a.m.

VNA & Hospice Foundation at Grand Harbor Golf & Beach Club

4985 Club Terrace 772-978-5580

vnatc.org

“Each

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100 YEARS

Still Standing

JESSE YONGUE’S 1909 RIVERFRONT HOUSE MET BUILDING CODES THAT WOULDN’T EXIST FOR DECADES

BY ELLEN E. STANLEY

W ROOTS

hen the Florida East Coast Railway brought engineer Jesse Yongue to Sebastian for the construction of the railroad bridge over the St. Sebastian River, Jesse and his wife, Janie, decided to move to Sebastian from Marion County, Florida, to create a home.

Jesse Yongue built the house they named “Riverside” in 1909, fronting on what would become North Indian River Drive. It was made from wood he personally selected and had shipped down by riverboat. He used his bridge-building acumen to construct their new home, and, being a Florida native, built the house to be hurricane resistant, with extra-strong supports.

Yongue added another rarity, a “widow’s walk” or “captain’s walk” on the roof with an excellent view of the ocean. It is a wood, two-story home with raised flooring on pilings and covered porches across the front of both stories.

Hurricane resistance in housing construction was remarkable in a time when

hurricane information gathering was in its infancy. The first hurricane warning system was set up in Cuba in the 1890s, but it was not until the 1950s that serious hurricane research was undertaken. The National Hurricane Center was not established until 1968. Florida Building Code minimums were not set until 1974.

Jesse Yongue was ahead of his time in hurricane preparation, but his rooftop widow’s walk was an idea from an earlier century, popular on

houses along the East Coast of the United States, especially in connection with the whaling industry.

Yongue had diverse businesses, with an orange grove, a packinghouse, pineapples, and even a theater over in Ybor City in Tampa. He was one of the first Indian River County commissioners in 1925 and was a bridge foreman for the new St. Sebastian River Bridge that year. He was a champion of the Red Cross, among other civic activities.

Janie Yongue became

involved in the Camp Fire Girls, the Sebastian Woman’s Club, and the Ladies’ Aid Society. When Jesse died in 1934, the widowed Janie first rented the house out, then sold it in 1944 to their friends the Lester Hanshaws, who renamed it “Riverview.”

This beautiful home still stands on North Indian River Drive.

Ellen E. Stanley is an author, historian, and member of the Sebastian Area Historical Society.

COURTESY OF SEBASTIAN AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY KROEGEL COLLECTION