Vero Beach Magazine August 2023

Suzi McCoy Shriner and hundreds of other philanthropic women are

Making an Impact

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INDIAN RIVER CLUB

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MOORINGS

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VILLAGE SPIRES

Located in the heart of Central Beach, 2BD/2BA newly renovated with designer touches. Gourmet kitchen and new flooring throughout. Floor-to-ceiling impact sliding doors and 84’ wrap around balcony to enjoy the sunsets and ocean views. Heated pool, private beach access, fitness area & more. A perfect tranquil beachside retreat. Enjoy all that Ocean Dr has to offer. Beth Livers 772.559.6958

CASTAWAY COVE

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PRESENTED BY

A Ambassadors: Karen Franke, Amy Hass, Teresa Hilton, Alyse Katz, Mike Lafferty, Dianne Miller, Shay Pritchett, Dr. Jenna Schwibner, Bobbi Streetman, Melissa Talley and Carly Witteck Reserve table seating now through

2023 HOPE GALA

Heather ReebRobb Falana

2023 CO-CHAIRS

Features

On the Cover: Suzi McCoy Shriner of Impact 100

See the story on page 84

Photograph by Jason Nuttle

68

An Ocean of Memories

Thanks to his mother’s generous gift, D.J. Rainone will be honored by the conservation work carried out by ORCA in the building bearing his name

By Mary Beth McGregor

76

Making Room for Hope

The Hope for Families Center is planning an expansion that will double its capacity to brighten futures

By Ann Taylor

84

High Impact

Members of Impact 100 Indian River have cultivated a sisterhood of philanthropy that is making transformational changes to the health and welfare of our community

By Renáe Tesauro

92

From Down & Out to Rising UP

United Against Poverty’s Jane Snead inspires others with the story of her own harrowing but triumphant journey

By Ann Taylor

Blue 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.

22

Wilde Side

The concept of philanthropy is nearly universal, but it can take many forms

By Evelyn Wilde Mayerson

30

Previews

Beat the heat with these cool offerings

38

Indian River Insights

A charity’s success depends on engaged, invested board leadership

By Jeffrey R. Pickering

44

Living Well

Local experts weigh in on the best at-home skin care regimens and professional treatments to keep our complexions in tip-top shape

By Renáe Tesauro

52

True Tails

At the Vero Beach Dog Park, dogs can be dogs

By Amy Robinson

58

Vero’s Heroes

Leon Dalgleish has a heart for hounds and for shepherding his peers

By Teresa Lee Rushworth

60

Classic Cars

Vero Beach resident Brian Redman and the Gulf Porsche 917K

By Patrick Merrell

MANN

Everyday Giving

When the average person thinks of giving, I would imagine the first thing that comes to mind is the holiday season. We all plan what we might give our kids, spouse, or best friend, or even how we might give to an organization or person in need each year. But when you read the August issue of Vero Beach Magazine, you’ll meet people who show us that giving and philanthropy don’t have a date or a month on the calendar; they can be practiced every day.

I met Trudie Rainone at a Ballet Vero Beach dinner last year. She shared with me the heartbreaking story of losing her son D.J. to cancer two years ago and then feeling drawn to protect the ocean, where she scattered his ashes. She then turned to the Ocean Research & Conservation Association and its leader, Dr. Edie Widder. Trudie’s generous donation to ORCA in D.J. Rainone’s name is helping to purchase and renovate a new home for the nonprofit in Vero Beach, expected to open later this year.

Everyone deserves a home. That’s why people like Kayla and her boys find a warm welcome at the Hope for Families Center in Vero Beach. Kayla fell on hard times and was taken in by HFC, where she’s building structure and consistency into her family’s daily life to help them become independent again. HFC is moving full steam ahead with a capital campaign to expand its facility on Fourth Street, doubling the number of families it can help lift out of homelessness.

Last fall, at a gathering of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, United Against Poverty’s development director Jane Snead spoke briefly. That’s all it took for my admiration to take hold. I began tearing up while listening to her powerful story of how our community and many of its nonprofits—there were dozens—lifted her family out of homelessness and helped her become the successful, driven, and happy woman she is today—one who lives to give back to her community and its residents.

Energetic and benevolent women also make up Impact 100 Indian River, the subject of our cover story for August. Most of us know what the organization does, but do you know the women behind the incredible generosity? They’re from all walks of life. We introduce you to four ladies who are passionate about the mission of this group, which hands out multiple $100,000 grants each year to deserving nonprofits and their programs.

Evelyn Wilde Mayerson reminds us that giving can come in many forms: money, time, or even oneself. Whichever you choose, just know that each gift given can change someone’s day, or even change a life.

Kelly Rogers editor@verobeachmagazine.com

August Angels

As I sit here writing this letter and listening to the thunderstorms roll in, I decided to google the meaning of “August,” and what do you know—the meaning fits perfectly with this month’s issue: “inspiring reverence or admiration.” Our August issue focuses on our community and some examples of the many residents who give back for the betterment of our special town.

The story gets even better. Did you know that helping others can be therapeutic for the mind and body? Renáe Tesauro explains how in this month’s Living Well section. It’s called a “helper’s high,” and there is scientific evidence to back it up. No wonder the article is titled “A Win-Win Situation”!

I hope this issue will inspire you to participate in the work of our local nonprofits. The month of August even has a day dedicated to encouraging random acts of kindness—August 22 is national “Be an Angel Day,” which is in its 30th year.

Of course, it’s still summer, a time when most of us try to get in a little extra rest and recreation. If you’re looking for something to do this month, check out Comedy Zone and Live in the Loop, which take place every Friday and Saturday evening at Riverside Theatre. If you’re missing your friends and neighbors who have headed North, you may find one of the many classes and interest groups offered by our local library branches to your liking. For more ideas, check out our Previews and Calendar sections to fill up your datebook.

Enjoy these summer days while you can, because before you know it they will come to an end.

And don’t forget to sign up for our Vero Beach Insider newsletter at verobeachmagazine.com; we will keep you up to date with all our great features and information on happenings in Vero Beach.

See you next month,

Teri Amey-Arnold, Publisher publisher@verobeachmagazine.com

KELLY ROGERS Editor in Chief

OLGA M. GUSTINE Creative Director

JENNY FERNANDEZ-PRIETO Art Director

TERESA LEE RUSHWORTH Senior Editor

RENÁE TESAURO Editor at Large

JANINE FISHER Senior Graphic Designer

ANN TAYLOR Senior Writer

EVELYN WILDE MAYERSON Wilde Side

AMY ROBINSON True Tails

PATRICK MERRELL Classic Cars

REN Á E TESAURO Living Well

CHRIS FASOLINO Local Flavor

JEFFREY R. PICKERING Indian River Insights

TERESA LEE RUSHWORTH Vero’s Heroes

MARY BETH MCGREGOR, ANN TAYLOR, RENÁE TESAURO Feature Writers

BOB JOY, STEVEN MARTINE, PATRICK MERRELL, MICHELLE LYNN MORRIS & CO., JASON NUTTLE, SAM WOLFE Contributing Photographers

J. M. Stringer Gallery of Fine Art

TERI AMEY-ARNOLD Publisher teri@verobeachmagazine.com

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About Us

Vero Beach Magazine is the first magazine to be dedicated exclusively to Vero Beach and remains the only local magazine with verified 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 staff 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 nonprofit organizations in Indian River County, inspiring philanthropy and prompting nonprofit coverage by many other media companies.

Our office 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. `

By All Means

BY EVELYN WILDE MAYERSON

Charity can have an onerous sound. It speaks of largesse, of Lady Bountiful, after a character in a play by 19th-century Irish dramatist George Farquhar, conspicuous in her benevolence, dispensing bread to the poor. Philanthropy has a different ring, based on classical Greek and Latin, meaning a form of altruism displayed in private initiatives for the public good, typically today in the form of large financial gifts, although giving can

be money, time, or even oneself.

This year, scholars and curators from the Smithsonian’s Philanthropy Initiative have mounted an exhibit called “Giving in America,” which showcases philanthropy as a driving and formative force in our nation’s history. The showing centers on four themes: “Who gives?”

“Why Do We Give?” “What Do We Give?” and “How Do We Give?” Focusing on donors and recipients, the exhibit illustrates through

oral histories and objects presented on artifact walls of hundreds of linear feet of glass-front cases how Americans have cared for one another through philanthropy.

I was 9 when I first heard the word. It was directed to a coastal community on Long Island where we once spent the summer, back in the day when orphanages were as institutional as banks. For one day each summer the town hosted hundreds of orphans who arrived by the busload,

THE CONCEPT OF PHILANTHROPY IS NEARLY UNIVERSAL, BUT IT CAN TAKE MANY FORMS

each carrying a towel rolled over a swimsuit. Most were assigned to a preapproved family for a day at the beach, a swim in the ocean, and a stroll on the boardwalk, where they could ride the carousel or the careening Caterpillar, get a soft-swirl ice cream cone, or take a chance at Skee-Ball. I remember standing beside my mother watching the buses pull in one after another, when another onlooker, a man standing nearby, proudly announced that his city was very philanthropic.

Since then I have come to understand the aforementioned definition of philanthropy as a private initiative for the public good, the desire to promote the welfare of others, generally expressed through the generous donation of money. While the idea of using

private wealth to attack fundamental social problems seems relatively new, Americans have a good track record of benevolence, starting with the early colonial promulgation of legislation patterned after English Poor Laws and continuing with Benjamin Franklin’s establishment of the first volunteer fire department.

Throughout our history we have given time and resources to our neighbors. French historian Alexis de Tocqueville, who traveled America in the 1800s, wrote about the great collective volunteerism he witnessed everywhere he went. What de Tocqueville observed continues to this day. Most Americans practice some form of giving. The Almanac of American Philanthropy makes us the most

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Alexis de Tocqueville’s extensive travels in the Unites States in the early 1830s led him to comment on the collective philanthropic efforts of Americans.

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generous group in the world, out-donating Britain and Canada 2 to 1 and nations such as Germany and Italy 20 to 1.

Most everyone has an opinion. Psychologist Erik Erikson, who delineated seven stages of human development, termed the seventh stage of serving our community and giving back to others as an evolvement he called “generativity.”

David Brooks, author of the best-selling book The Second Mountain, writes of planting oneself amid those in need and then falling in love with a cause or idea as bringing a sense of “moral joy.”

Mother Teresa—in full, Saint Teresa of Calcutta— dedicated to the destitute of India, goes one step further, describing love in action as giving until it hurts: “A sacrifice to be real

must cost, must hurt, must empty ourselves.”

Most cultures have a code of giving. David Hume observed that consideration of the humane is “known among all languages.” In African pastoral societies, giving gifts such as food enhances the giver’s prestige. In India there is a kind of giving called “dan,” the impulsive gift to the needy. We do it here, usually where it is cold, as seen in the sudden giving of one’s overcoat to a homeless person huddled on the sidewalk. Nevertheless, as anthropologist Erica Bornstein has noted, Americans are generally comfortable practicing their philanthropy through charitable organizations, while Indian culture tends to favor the less formal one-on-one approach.

The Western view of philanthropy is based on noblesse oblige, the responsibility and obligation of the fortunate to give to those less fortunate, with the honor going to the giver. In contrast, in Native American societies, the act of giving conveys honor on both giver and receiver. Giving, then, is not a matter of benevolence that implies the decision to do so or not, but a mutual obligation for all members of the com-

munity, regardless of their economic status.

The Seminole people who began to inhabit Florida in the early 18th century following the attrition of earlier tribes such as the Apalachee, the Tequesta, the Ais, and the Calusa, also believed in giving as a mutual obligation. They went even further, potentially exacerbating their conflict with the U.S. government by accepting runaway slaves to live among them. A mutually beneficial relationship developed as the two groups dwelt and fought side by side.

The exercise of hospitality to the point of great personal risk is a form of altruism that has been at the heart of some of the most heroic and inspiring acts in history. Two

Mother Teresa emphasized the sacrificial dimension of giving.

“Black Seminole” Abraham was an interpreter and war leader.

There are as many ways of giving as there are people on Earth.

Philanthropy takes many forms throughout the world.

prominent 20th-century examples leap to mind: the ten Boom family of Holland and Mohammad Gulab of Afghanistan.

During the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, a widowed Christian watchmaker named Casper ten Boom and his daughters, Corrie and Betsie, hid many Jews in their home above the watchmaking shop and helped smuggle

hundreds of Jews to safer locations. Casper considered the possibility of being killed for protecting God’s chosen people the “greatest honor” that could come to his family.

And indeed, the ten Booms did pay the highest price for their brave actions. They were found out, arrested, and taken to prisons and concentration camps. Already elderly, Casper died within days. Betsie and Corrie ended up at Ravensbruck, where Betsie died. Corrie alone survived, living to the age of 91 and documenting her family’s story in the inspiring book The Hiding Place Decades later and thousands of miles away, motivated by his people’s code of honor known as Pashtunwali, Afghan villager Mohammad Gulab, an ethnic Pashtun, came to the

rescue of U.S. Navy SEAL

Marcus Luttrell, the famous “Lone Survivor.” Gulab harbored the wounded SEAL in his own home at tremendous personal risk.

Threatened by the Taliban, he held fast until Luttrell could be rescued by U.S. forces several days later. Gulab and his family faced reprisals from the Taliban for years after his heroic deed.

It is fortunate for us ordinary folks that philanthropy can take many forms for which a willingness to risk life and limb is not a prerequisite. Opportunities abound—Indian River County has over 160,000 residents and hundreds of nonprofit organizations. When it comes down to it, there are as many ways of giving as there are people on Earth. ❀

In some cultures, direct assistance of individuals is preferred to the support of philanthropic organizations.

Helping others often brings a sense of joy.

Dutch watchmaker Casper ten Boom hid Jews from the Nazis.

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August Activities

BEAT THE HEAT WITH THESE COOL OFFERINGS TECH TIME

AUGUST 3

Stumped by your smartphone? Baffled by your browser? The library can help. Half-hour sessions with tech-savvy librarians are offered regularly in the reference study room. Registration is required.

IRC MAIN LIBRARY

1600 21st St. 1–3 p.m., free 772-400-6331 libraries.ircgov.com

AERIAL ANTICS YOUTH CIRCUS

AUGUST 3–5

All year long, students of the City of Vero Beach’s Aerial Antics acrobatic program learn and practice at Leisure Square. Their year culminates in the nine-week Aerial Antics Circus summer camp. Spectators will enjoy the fruits of all this hard work in three exciting, unforgettable performances of “One Hit Wonders,” a show featuring dance, gymnastics, and circus aerial routines choreographed to familiar “one hit wonder” tunes.

CITY OF VERO BEACH RECREATION DEPARTMENT at Saint Edward’s School 1895 Saint Edward’s Drive 7 p.m., $7–$8 772-978-4500 covb.org

BACKSTAGE TOURS

AUGUST 4

What goes on behind the red curtain on the Stark Main Stage? Riverside Theatre’s Backstage Tours offer a closeup look at set design, props, wardrobe, dressing rooms, and the rehearsal hall—all of the behind-the-scenes aspects of a production at Florida’s largest professional nonprofit theater. Participants will also meet some of the crew members without whom the magic of the stage performances could not happen. Call the box office Tuesday through Friday between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. to register.

RIVERSIDE THEATRE

3250 Riverside Park Drive 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., $5 772-231-6990 riversidetheatre.com

INTRO TO GENEALOGY

AUGUST 4

Michelle Wagner, head of the Julian W. Lowenstein Archive Center and Genealogy Department at the Main IRC Library, will be on hand in the large meeting room at the North IRC Library to deliver a one-hour class on the basics of ancestry research. Titled “How Do I Get Started?” the class is geared toward beginners who would like to trace their family roots but aren’t sure where to start digging.

NORTH IRC LIBRARY 1001 Sebastian Blvd. 3 p.m., free 772-400-6360 libraries.ircgov.com

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COMEDY ZONE & LIVE IN THE LOOP

AUGUST 4–5, 11–12, 18–19, AND 25–26 Eight comedians and eight bands will keep the entertainment coming at Riverside Theatre this month. Comedy Zone is recommended for guests 18 and older.

AUGUST 4–5: Brian Aldridge is an up-andcoming comedian known for his sarcastic delivery, and Sean Harper is a Tampa native who derives humor from his upbringing and life adventures. Rainfall Reggae Band will play Friday and Stones Clones, a Rolling Stones cover band, Saturday.

AUGUST 11–12: Connecticut native Myke Herlihy describes himself as “the most lovable jerk you’ll ever meet,” while Kevin White uses his troubled life as fodder for his comedy. Two cover bands will provide the tunes: Collins and Company on Friday and Luna Pearl on Saturday.

AUGUST 18–19: Nathan Wallace, a “blue-collar Dad” who likes to interact with the audience, will be joined by Florida native Nadeem Awad, a two-time finalist in the Florida’s Funniest Comedian contest. On Friday, the Samantha Russell Band will play rock and pop; on Saturday, Melinda Elena will bring the R&B and soul.

AUGUST 25–26: Rahn Hortman, known for his laid-back style, will show why he has millions of views on social media. High-energy Cleveland native Jake Klark is making a name for himself on the Orlando comedy scene. Enjoy the classic rock of Home Brewed on Friday and the ’80s sound of Chemistry on Saturday.

RIVERSIDE THEATRE

3250 Riverside Park Drive

Live in the Loop: 5:45 p.m.; general admission free, reserved seating available; Comedy Zone 7 and 9 p.m., $25 772-231-6990

riversidetheatre.com

Melinda Elena specializes in R&B and soul music as well as classic rock.

Rolling Stones cover band Stones Clones will perform at Live in the Loop August 5.

Kevin White

Comedian Jake Klark Collins and Company

‘THE WILD WEST’

AUGUST 6

Wild West action will play out on the big screen as the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Aaron Collins, plays selections from classic Western films such as The Magnificent Seven ; High Noon ; The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly ; and Dances with Wolves . The world premiere of guest composer Mark Piszczek’s American Frontier Suite will round out the program with symphonic renditions of such frontier folk songs as “Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie,” “The Yellow Rose of Texas,” and “Red River Valley.”

SPACE COAST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA at AMC Indian River 24 6200 20th St.

3 p.m., flexible pricing 855-252-7276 spacecoastsymphony.org

SOCIAL RESPITE ART CLASS

AUGUST 28

Representatives of the Vero Beach Museum of Art will join the Alzheimer & Parkinson Association’s social respite gathering to help participants suffering from memory and movement disorders express themselves artistically. These classes can focus on sculptures, collages, watercolors, papier-mâché, or other art forms.

ALZHEIMER & PARKINSON ASSOCIATION

2300 5th Ave., Suite 150 1–2 p.m., free 772-563-0505 alzpark.org

BEEKEEPING BASICS

AUGUST 17

The experts at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Service of Indian River County will present everything you need to know to embark on, or even just familiarize yourself with, the practice of beekeeping. Participants will learn about honeybee biology, health, and behavior; beekeeping equipment and hive installation; hive care and maintenance; honey harvesting; and beekeeping resources, rules, and regulations. The class is open to all ages, but youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

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On Board with Philanthropy

A CHARITY’S SUCCESS DEPENDS ON ENGAGED, INVESTED BOARD LEADERSHIP

BY JEFFREY R. PICKERING

CEO … president … chief investment officer … executive vice chairman … partner … CEO and presidential advisor. These are some of the professional titles held by the seven past chairmen I have worked with so far during my eight-year tenure as president and CEO of Indian River Community Foundation. However,

you won’t hear any of them bragging about these accomplishments.

Visionary … energetic … determined … collaborative … polished … dependable … inspiring. These are just a few of the characteristics I attribute to each of them respectively; although these superlatives could just as well be interchangeable,

along with a good dose of humility.

It is an honor to know Rick McDermott, Becky Allen, Bob Puff, Scott Alexander, Neill Currie, Rebecca Emmons, and Mike McManus. It is even more of a privilege to have worked alongside each of them in support of Indian River Community Foundation’s mission of

“building a better community through donor-driven philanthropy.”

Together, along with a growing list of more than 50 engaged and invested past directors, they are responsible for making an impact on our community that will last well beyond their lifetimes and mine. It is an awesome accom-

plishment, and at only 15 years old, we are just getting started. Equally important, they set a standard that is reflected in the leadership of some of our community’s most e ective nonprofit charitable organizations.

If I could bottle the energy and enthusiasm that Judi Miller exudes

and sell it, I would likely join the ranks of Bernard Arnault, Elon Musk, and Je Bezos as one of the wealthiest people on the planet. As the current chairman of the board of Treasure Coast Community Health, Miller is “failing retirement” as she works with the organization’s CEO, Vicki Soule, to provide accessible, cost-e ective, highquality, comprehensive health care to everyone in Indian River County, regardless of their socioeconomic circumstances.

Over the last several years, despite the challenges of a global pandemic, TCCH has contributed to an increase in the number of Indian River County residents who are able to access primary medical, dental, and behavioral health care. Considering that more than half of all

county residents live in poverty or one paycheck away, this is a significant accomplishment.

Miller’s retirement schedule is not what most people would have expected from someone who spent almost 30 years leading a three-county chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Then again, most people do not possess the kind of dedication and commitment that she has to making life better for some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

In addition to her “day job” as director of Extended Learning Services for the School District of Indian River County, Deborah Taylor-Long serves as chairwoman of the Gi ord Youth Achievement Center. With so many improvements to our community’s education system taking place over the past several years, it can be easy to overlook or even forget about some of the most persistent problems facing some of our community’s most vulnerable students, including minorities. Not on Taylor-Long’s watch.

While kindergarten readiness, third grade reading proficiency, and high school graduation rates have all improved in recent years, certain segments of our student population that include African American children

Rebecca Emmons and Jeff Pickering

Increasing profi ciency in higher-level math classes is an important step in improving student outcomes

SPEAK UP

Each year, hundreds of people living in Indian River County find themselves homeless.

continue to fall behind.

For example, in the 2021–22 school year, just 37 percent of Black students were proficient in math, compared to 64 percent of white students. While this disparity may not seem so troubling when considering rather equitable graduation rates among all races, practically speaking it means most of our community’s Black students earn their diplomas without completing Algebra II—a nonstarter for today’s higher-paying careers in science, technology, engineering, and math that require mastery of this knowledge at a much higher level. TaylorLong believes we must do better.

A long-standing federal desegregation order

requiring the school district to improve its education system for minority students and various community initiatives focused on equity provide the guard rails to keep us on track. However, mission-driven nonprofit charitable organizations such as GYAC, led by dedicated volunteers like Taylor-Long, serve as both the vehicle and the fuel that accelerate many minority students toward academic and life success.

Each year, hundreds of people living in Indian River County fi nd themselves homeless, which puts them at a high risk of experiencing adverse health outcomes, both physically and mentally.

According to John’s Island resident and automobile dealership owner Gordon Stewart, one of the most damaging e ects of homelessness, especially for homeless men, is a loss of dignity. Stewart serves as chairman of Camp Haven, a local charity that provides safe transitional living, psychological support, and a job to each resident. Together, these supports help restore that lost dignity, along with other social and emotional

Laura and Rick McDermo

qualities and life skills needed to live a healthy, prosperous life.

Stewart did not go out of his way to get involved with an organization to help homeless men. He

was motivated to learn more about Camp Haven and its unique programs while driving to and from a weekly date with his wife, Linda, at The Majestic cinema. Week after

week, he kept noticing men standing on the street corner asking for money and thought, “There has to be some way to help them.” Many people probably make similar observations, but Stewart did something about it. Hundreds of homeless men have benefited from his kindness and his dedicated leadership.

“When you help someone like that to be able to provide for themselves,

it’s a tremendous feeling,” Stewart says.

I

fi rst met David Johnson, senior vice president and fi nancial advisor at Northern Trust, in December 2014 while on a conference call with several other young professionals as I was being recruited to become president and CEO of Indian River Community Foundation. Over the years, he and I have worked together to serve mutual clients;

The pay is not great, but the benefits–at least for the soul–are endless.

Jeff Pickering and Sco Alexander

however, it was during a visit to an event at Indian River Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore that I learned of his role as one of 9,000 volunteers contributing more than 50,000 hours annually to help neighbors fi nd fi nancial stability and a ordable housing by becoming Habitat homeowners.

The a ordable housing crisis is a headline that nearly every community in America is reading about lately. In Indian River County, however, the problem is as bad as it gets, with more than 54 percent of renters paying more than 30 percent of their annual income for housing expenses. Rather than throw his hands up at the problem, as chairman of Habitat’s board of directors, Johnson and his fi rm are doing something about it.

Last year, Indian River Habitat for Humanity provided more than 100 emergency home repairs to low-income homeowners, almost 20 percent of which were veteran households.

It was also able to start 19 new homes, where at least 35 children will live along with a parent. In addition to donations and sweat equity from volunteers and homeowners, this step was made possible in part by Northern Trust’s portfolio of more than $4 million in Habitat mortgages in Indian River County. There are many reasons to get involved with or fi nancially support one of the numerous nonprofit charitable organizations in Indian River County. Many can be found by searching Indian River Community Foundation’s online Nonprofit Search at ircommunityfoundation. org.

When doing so, I suggest taking a moment to learn about the organizations with the most engaged and invested boards of directors. For me, this is one of the best predictors that my time or treasure will be used to generate meaningful results.

With so many other recreational activities to engage in locally, it must mean quite a lot that so many accomplished people volunteer to assume leadership roles in nonprofit charitable organizations doing some of the most di cult work around. The pay is not great, but the benefits—at least for the soul—are endless. ❀

Transportation

Linda and Neill Currie

A Win-Win Situation

THE REWARDS OF GIVING TIME TALENTS AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES GO BOTH WAYS RESEARCH SHOWS VOLUNTEERING BOOSTS PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH

BY RENÁE TESAURO

An elderly woman in a motorized scooter was behind me in the self-checkout lane at the grocery store the other day. She watched intently as I scanned and bagged my items, confessing that she had never used the self-checkout before and was unsure about the pro-

cess. After I paid and took my receipt, I stayed behind to help her scan, bag, and pay for her own groceries. She thanked me profusely for taking the time to assist her. It was a small act of kindness, but the smile on her face and her kind words gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling for the rest of the day.

It’s a feeling researchers describe as a “helper’s high” and one which bodes well for the physical and mental health of those who regularly engage in acts of generosity. In other words, doing good for others is good for you, too!

A helper’s high is caused by endorphins—hormones

Researchers say we get a “helper’s high” along with mental and physical health benefi ts when giving our time talent and treasure

The next generation of hospital care in your own home

In April, Cleveland Clinic launched the hospital care-at-home program in Vero Beach designed to care for acutely ill patients who would otherwise require admission to a physical hospital but choose to receive their hospital care in the comfort of their homes.

The Care At Home program is a first for Cleveland Clinic but part of a larger national movement. “Just a handful of Florida hospitals and a little more than 250 hospitals across the country are authorized to provide hospital care in a patient’s home,” says Richard Rothman, MD, Chief Medical Operations Officer for Cleveland Clinic in Florida.

Patient eligibility for Cleveland Clinic’s program is based on a complete medical evaluation in either the Emergency Department or within one of the hospital’s inpatient units at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital. “Individuals who meet the criteria are offered the choice to receive hospital care at home or in a traditional hospital setting,” says Dr. Rothman.

Studies have shown that the hospital at home model can provide patients with similar or improved clinical outcomes, lower readmission rates, and fewer complications than traditional inpatient care. Surveys also demonstrate higher levels of patient and family member satisfaction than with traditional care.

Cleveland Clinic’s Care At Home program is staffed by highly experienced nurses and dedicated hospital medicine physicians, also called “virtual hospitalists.” A number of ancillary service providers and logistical support personnel round out the team. Patients and their family members are connected to the state-of-the-art Clinically Integrated Virtual Care (CIViC) Center around the clock and can speak with a caregiver immediately with the push

“We want to deliver a seamless, home-based hospital care experience that helps patients heal faster in the comfort of their home,” says Dr. Rothman.

•

The Health Benefits of Giving

•

secreted in the brain and carried throughout the nervous system that block the perception of pain, reduce stress and anxiety, boost self-esteem, regulate appetite, and make us feel happy. It’s like the “runner’s high” many people experience after a good run or other forms of exercise.

Better yet, that positive emotion may outlast the actual act of generosity, according to a study by Richard Davidson, a neuroscientist who holds a PhD from Harvard and is the founder of the Center for

Donating our time and talents can help reduce our stress levels and boost selfesteem

Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. There is a large body of evidence pointing to the mental and physical health benefits of volunteering. Numerous studies have shown that volunteering allows people to feel more socially connected, helping to prevent loneliness and depression. It contributes to higher self-esteem and satisfaction, injecting a healthy dose of purpose into one’s life.

Beyond the mental health benefits, research indicates that those who donate their time and talents to others are also rewarded with improved physical health, including lower blood pressure and a longer lifespan.

Dr. Linda Fried, dean of Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, co-founded Experience Corps, a program that engages more than 50 adult volunteers as literacy tutors for children. A randomized, controlled trial of the intervention showed that adults who volunteered to help children with reading and writing experienced less memory loss and physical disability while also raising child literacy in participating schools.

“Though financial support is important to the charitable community, it’s also important to give your time and

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talents in ways that make a meaningful change in someone’s life,” observes Jim Schorner, a Vero Beach estate planning attorney and certified public accountant who is active in local nonprofit organizations, including Camp Haven and Literacy Services of Indian River County.

For the past year, Schorner has devoted about five hours each week to teaching a 70-year-old man who had recently lost his wife. Schorner says, “When we started last July, he could only read a few of the consonant sounds. Ten months later, he can read almost anything himself. English is hard. We have so many different sounds, and the same vowel will make at least three different sounds, based on rules that work most of the time. Sounding out words is especially difficult with dyslexia, a condition I often recognize in my adult students.”

“When you can’t read, you can’t make a shopping list. But if you can read just a little, you can make a list and get your groceries in the store,” points out Schorner. “Prior to our sessions, my student walked down each aisle of the store and picked out what he saw. Now, he can look at the signs hanging down from the ceiling and identify which aisles have the items on his list. He has learned how to fill out forms so he could visit a doctor’s office without having to ask for help. He has learned to read medical insurance materials and see what benefits are provided. When your student can do these things for himself, you know that you’ve made a material improvement in his life.”

For Schorner, the rewards of tutoring have gone both ways. “I am glad that I can help someone else as others had helped me,” he reflects. “Feeling appreciated always makes you feel good.

Watching your student do things he had never done before is very satisfying.”

“Similarly, at Camp Haven, I have been providing bookkeeping and controller services for 10 years,” Schorner says. “Camp Haven provides a structured, residential community for men who want to change their lives. They start with different disabilities—alcohol, drugs, homelessness, criminal records—but most lack a good male role model in their lives. We repair these deficiencies so that their relationships are healed, their work experience is improved, and their families can accept them again. Talk about changing a life! This is the real thing!”

Schorner’s sentiments echo those of other volunteers, who are quick to admit that they get more than they give.

“It’s a very important job that we do in this community,” observes Mary Ellen

WAYS TO GIVE BACK

1. HELP OUT FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, AND NEIGHBORS

2. VOLUNTEER AT A LOCAL SCHOOL, HOSPITAL, MUSEUM, OR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION

3. DONATE YOUR GENTLY USED CLOTHING OR HOUSEHOLD GOODS

4. BE A MENTOR OR TUTOR

5. GIVE BLOOD

6. OFFER TO BABYSIT OR PET SIT

7. PARTICIPATE IN A COMMUNITY PROJECT, SUCH AS A BEACH CLEANUP

8. ORGANIZE OR PARTICIPATE IN A FUNDRAISER

9. DONATE TO FOOD DRIVES

10. BECOME AN ORGAN DONOR

Above Literacy Services of Indian River County volunteer Domenic Restuccia works with Maria Alvarez

Right Teaching adult students to read makes a huge diff erence in their lives

McCarthy, past president of Impact 100, the all-women’s philanthropy organization. “I wake up in the morning feeling so grateful that I am a part of this.”

“I cannot overstate the amount of gratitude and respect I have for the women who launched Impact 100,” adds Sue Tompkins, past president and current honorary board member. “We are so lucky to have had this amazing experience, and I am so grateful for the spark that Ellie lit to ignite this fire,” she says, referring to the late Ellie McCabe, who kick-started the group 15

years ago. “Being part of something bigger than ourselves and seeing the impact women have made on the community over the years is beyond anything I could have dreamed of.”

Much of the research suggests that volunteering is particularly beneficial later in life when it becomes a substitute for working. It allows people to remain socially active and integrated in society without the pressure of a full-time job. Very often, your acts of kindness will inspire others to do the same, sparking a chain reaction of altruism.

“Thousands of candles can be lit from one single candle, one single spark,” says Tompkins. “Today, we carry on Ellie’s legacy with the simple ideology ‘Be kind, be the candle that lights other candles, be a spark.’”

Vero Beach is full of volunteer opportunities to match your areas of interest and expertise. For information about the needs and missions of local nonprofits, check out Time & Treasure, the giving guide published by Vero Beach Magazine and the Indian River Community Foundation. ❀

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Room to Run

BY AMY ROBINSON

Dogs are built to run. The urge to sprint just for the fun of it is a common thread tying all dogs together. Open space is what they need, and they can find plenty of it at the Vero Beach Dog Park between the Barber Bridge and the city marina. In 2015, park founder Jim Welles brought a service dog into the city council chamber wearing a backpack stuffed with petitions asking for a place where dogs and their owners could stretch out. Dogs won the day, as the council voted

to lease 5 riverfront acres for a tiny sum.

This gathering place was not only dog-friendly, it was welcoming in a way that caused people to sit up and take notice. “This is everyman’s dog park,” says Ray Adams, owner of Sammy the standard schnauzer. “Samantha,” he clarifies, and she looks up at him expectantly. Adams has been meeting up with four men and their dogs in the early mornings for the last five years. “Some of these friends I’ve made here … I’m closer

to them than neighbors and friends,” says Adams. “Most places, especially cities, don’t have this kind of space in a prime area,” he adds. “There have been other, more lucrative uses proposed for this parcel, but Jim kept this together. His was a strong voice.”

The park began modestly with some lawn chairs and shade sails and has evolved into an inviting green space with various landing spots on sturdy benches under permanent pavilions lined with donated bricks that honor furry friends. Fresh

Vero Beach Dog Park is a 5-acre riverfront gathering place for pooches and their people, accommodating dogs of all sizes and energy levels.

water is on tap in three places, and large, concrete tubes—perfect for agility or just playing hide-and-seek— have just come in.

“Everything we do is geared toward safety and permanence,” says Jill Jones, who is on the board of directors. “Anything we add has to be stormfriendly. We do take the sail shades down if a hurricane is looming, but the pavilions are rock solid, so we don’t worry about those.”

Bob Joy, a retired architect, helped design the park and joined the board. “When I was doing my research, I found there are two kinds of dog parks: municipal parks and private, pay parks,” he says, “but our park is free to

everyone.” Donation boxes are present at each entrance, and dog park patrons give regularly, but there is no requirement to do so.

“There is a nice diversity of people and dogs here,” adds Joy. “Some older folks come that probably don’t have a lot of resources.

One gentleman puts in $11 every two weeks, which may be a significant sum for him, and his contribution gives him a stake in the park that he can feel proud of.”

The park is run by volunteers that monitor the fi nances, pay water and landscaping bills, and make repairs, such as when a storm caused a tree to fall onto the fence and leave a

BOB

JOY

Ask Amy

amy@verobeachmagazine.com

I want to take my dog places, but his behavior isn’t always perfect. Sometimes it is actually embarrassing, like when he sniffs someone for what seems like minutes. He had some training in the past and I do work with him, but I’m not sure what to expect when we are out in a park with so many distractions around. Should I expect him to be as good as he is around the house?

We only wish. At home, he already knows the place like the back of his paw, so there is no reason for him to explore or look around without acknowledging you, which may happen when you change up the location. However, the benefits of getting out of your comfort zone with your dog far outweigh any missteps he might take. Sniffing certainly isn’t a crime, but you can interrupt that with a simple “Come” command followed by a treat. Try to avoid a static command like “Stay” that requires a dog to hold still, since that is the last thing he wants to do. Think about what he does well and try to set that up, so you can have some success right away. The more you venture out, the better behaved he will be. Free time to explore should be on your agenda as well, instead of controlling your dog the entire walk. Bonding with your dog in moments like this is something you will remember for years to come, not his momentary training hiccups.

Gopher, my 1-year-old rescue dog, loves long walks, but he will bite the leash, especially in the first part of the walk. A friend told me he is trying to dominate me, but that didn’t sound right since he is not really like that. Sometimes the biting starts even before I open the door. He jumps up then, too. It doesn’t seem aggressive but it is annoying. We are on our third leash this year.

There are several reasons he might bite the leash, including frustration because you aren’t moving fast enough to get him where he wants to be. Leash biting is a little more serious when dogs move up the leash toward your hand. Is he just chomping away, or grabbing and pulling? These behaviors can be altered, but you must call on your acting skills to do so. Gopher may enjoy the reaction he gets from you, even if you reprimand him, so instead, become engrossed in looking at the ceiling as if it were a Raphael fresco. The biting should lessen quickly, and then you can ask for a command like “Watch.” Eye contact stills the dog momentarily, since he can’t focus on your face and bounce around at the same time. Show him a high-quality morsel, bring it up to your nose, and say “Watch.” Praise and treat him when he complies. It is attention that all dogs crave, including Gopher, so incorporating tasks he can perform to get positive attention will be much more rewarding for both of you.

– Mariel in Sebastian

– Hillary in Vero Beach

New to the park?

HERE’S TO HAVING A GOOD TIME:

Plan a slow introduction. It makes sense to let your dog observe for a bit from outside the gates. Many dogs are intimidated at first, and just tossing them in with the group may cause them to sour on the park.

Know your dog’s limits. Does he get overheated? Chase the ball until he drops? Some can get very overstimulated, so if these things happen, remove him so he can recover.

Pay attention to what your dog is doing. The Vero Beach Dog Park is a big place, so keeping eyes on the dog will help you understand his behavior, find out who his best friends are, and step in if he gets overwhelmed.

Pick up after your dog for everyone’s health and safety. There are bag stations galore, provided by the park in case you forget your own.

Don’t bring treats. This can cause quite a competition between dogs, and a scuffle may break out. Let them focus on each other instead.

gap that was fixed in just two days. People keep the place in good order, but it is the dogs who are in charge here. Gronk, a tall, rangy Labrador retriever, is proving hard to catch. His owner, Traci Knowlton, wants to corral him for a photo op, but Gronk is looping big, gleeful circles around us. “He thinks I want to leave,” she laughs. “This happens every time.” While we talk, a dog stands at one of the water faucets, looks around, and begins barking insistently. A man hurries over and turns on the tap, and the dog drinks heartily. The on-demand method means the water is fresh every time. The park has a dedicated space for small dogs that is separate from the large-dog area, and a smaller green space for senior dogs that may not want to wrestle with young upstarts. There are three access points and double safety gates. One of the gates leads directly to a tiny riverfront

beach in the marina. Two boaters arrive via dinghy with their small dogs, a corgi mix who gently herds me toward his owners with a light poke from a cold nose, and a Chihuahua who greets dogs coming over to check out the new arrivals.

Brandon Allhands and Jamie Libolt hail from Colorado but spend winters here, sailing the Intracoastal. “We brought the dogs with us this year and saw this little spot to pull up to the shore and thought, let’s check it out,” says Allhands. “This place is amazing.” Libolt agrees, adding that this is their dogs’ first foray on a lengthy sail. “We actually stayed here in Vero longer because of what is available around here, especially this dog park,” she says. “The dinghy access is fantastic; you just pull right up. The park is clean and everyone is really friendly.”

Both dogs and people mingle readily. Scott Davis, owner of two Llewellin English setters, notes that his dogs are very active and social with other dogs. His older dog, Lucy, sits on the bench with him after a good romp, but Tupper, named after a lake in the Adirondack Mountains, is not finished playing. “They enjoy the people more than anything,” says Davis. “We like the early morning; it is cool and not crowded. This is a great place to meet people, especially if you are new to town.”

Dog parks can become almost over-improved, with slides, splash pads, and agility equipment, but there is a beauty to the uncluttered layout here. The gathering areas under pavilions are widely spaced to maximize running room and encourage both dogs and people to explore the full acreage. From diminutive dachshunds to leggy Labs, the theme is the same. This is a place where dogs can simply be themselves. ❀

AMY ROBINSON

BOB JOY

Top left: Traci Knowlton takes a break with Gronk. Top: Scott Davis relaxes with his pup Lucy and her cocker spaniel friend. Above: Benches engraved with messages honoring friends and their pets are spread throughout the park.

BOB JOY

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Leading the Pack

GAINESVILLE-BOUND LEON DALGLEISH HAS A HEART FOR HOUNDS AND FOR SHEPHERDING HIS PEERS

BY TERESA LEE RUSHWORTH

Leon Dalgleish, a 2023 Vero Beach High School graduate whose surname ironically sounds a bit like “dog leash,” spent two years as a dedicated member of the school’s Animal Rescue Club, serving as its president during his senior year. It is a role that touched on two things

Leon takes very seriously: animal welfare and leadership among his peers.

The son of a Finnish mom and a Scottish dad, Leon is a naturalized U.S. citizen who was born in the UK and arrived in Vero Beach as an infant. His drive to help animals stems largely from his experience with Remy, an 11-year-old mixed-breed dog he “inherited” from his older half-sister. Prior to her rescue by the Dalgleish family, Remy had a di cult life, and her struggles have inspired Leon. “There are lots of other dogs like Remy out there without a good support system,” he says.

Remy isn’t the only canine in the Dalgleish household; Pierre is a

Helping Remy overcome her challenges has inspired Leon Dalgleish to volunteer for animal causes.

SAM WOLFE

yellow Lab that has been with the family since Leon was in second grade. At 10, Pierre is entering the golden years for his breed. The work performed by the 20 to 30 Animal Rescue Club members under Leon’s leadership may not be particularly glamorous or exciting, but it makes a big difference to the local animal organizations it helps. When the Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County, HALO, For the Love of Paws, and the Animal Advocates hold their fundraising events, they require many hands to pull together all of the logistical details, such as setup and teardown, parking assistance, cleanup, signage, and other such nuts and bolts that make for a successful event.

When planning an event, the nonprofit lets the club know how many volunteers are needed. That’s when Leon would spring into action—scheduling planning meetings after school, encouraging members to get involved, offering a ride or VBHS T-shirt if that’s all that was standing in the way of a student’s participation. “I structure meetings around preparing people to have a positive experience,” Leon says. And it works. “We always

have fun. It gives me a lot of hope.”

The real reward has been knowing that his work has freed up the organizations’ leaders to do what he considers the really important work of engaging with the community to further the mission of helping animals in need.

Leon’s determination to continue his work on behalf of animals is, well, dogged. When he starts at the University of Florida this fall, he plans to join an animal welfare group. “And if they don’t have one, I’ll start one,” he says. “I’ll make it happen.”

Leading the Animal Rescue Club has enriched Leon’s time at VBHS. “It’s one of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had.”

Animal welfare is not the only arena in which Leon has demonstrated a

commitment to leadership. As band captain this year, he took it upon himself to make sure his bandmates were able to give their best and get the most out of their practices and performances. “My goal this year was to help them understand the music,” he explains. “I hate watching people struggle.”

Music is a passion Leon

hopes to pursue right along with his academic studies and his animal altruism. His double major at UF will be physics and bass trombone performance, and he hopes to play in a jazz band or perhaps even an orchestra someday. Wherever life takes him, one thing is clear: Leon Dalgleish will be leading the pack. ❀

Leon, with Pierre, and fellow Animal Rescue Club members act as support staff at the Humane Society’s Bark in the Park.

Leon spends some quality time with Remy as he prepares to head off to Gainesville for college.

SAM WOLFE

Fast Forward

VERO BEACH RESIDENT BRIAN REDMAN HAS DRIVEN MOST EVERY KIND OF CAR IN HIS ILLUSTRIOUS RACING CAREER INCLUDING THE ICONIC GULF PORSCHE K

The Porsche 917, which debuted in 1969, has come to be revered as one of the most beautiful and iconic race cars of all time. Of the 65 that were built, none is more famous than the No. 20 Gulf Porsche 917K that competed in both the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans and the fictional race depicted in Steve McQueen’s 1971 movie Le Mans Racing great and current Vero Beach resident Brian Redman drove

both the real-life and fictional versions of that No. 20 car—and he later came to own the one used in the fi lm.

Redman had a remarkable career, stretching from 1959 to 1989. He competed in close to 300 races, winning more than 20 percent of the time and doubling that number for podium fi nishes. Those results rank him as one of the most successful race car drivers of all time, with many of those wins coming in endurance racing.

Clockwise from top le Start of the Le Mans race signed photo of Brian Redman and Steve McQueen the famed No Gulf Porsche K

The back wall of Brian Redman’s study is filled with racing memorabilia and books. Trophies are stored off premises, per his wife’s wishes.

What makes his racing career all the more impressive is a startling fact. “Between 1965 and 1975,” Redman states in his 2016 book, Daring Drivers, Deadly Tracks, “one in three top-level drivers of world championship sports prototypes were killed in their cars or as a result of on-track crashes.”

The dangers were many in those days: a lack of safety features in the cars and trackside, too few and illequipped marshals, limited medical facilities, and no radios for getting news of changing track conditions.

Born and brought up in Burnley, England, Redman developed an early interest in cars, inspired by his grandfather’s love of high-end automobiles. Among the ever-changing stock was a 1937 Frazer Nash-BMW 328 and, after the war, two Bristols, an Aston Martin DB2/4, and a Triumph TR2. One vivid memory for Redman was attending the 1955 British Grand Prix. “I simply loved everything about the day,” he says. “The engine noises, the beautiful cars, the heroic drivers, and especially the concept of going fast.”

Redman’s fi rst car, in 1954, was a 1932 Morris Minor two-seater. “Of course, this thing, flat-out downhill with the wind behind it, did about 50 mph,” he says. “I kept blowing the engine up, so I got another car.” Among the ones that followed were a 1939 Singer tourer and a 1948 Grenfell Special powered by a Ford V-8. His fi rst race car was an unlikely one. “After my grandfather passed away, I bought his mop business from my mother for £500,” Redman says. “I bought a Morris 1000 Traveller ‘Woody,’ which I used for delivering mop heads all over the north of England. I put a supercharger on it, and I would drive it like a maniac on the open road.” He adds, “I thought I’d better get it o the road before I did some damage.”

In 1959, after “painting” a race number on his Traveller using white shoe polish, he entered a race at a nearby airfield. “It was terrifying,” he remembers, but the novice racer was hooked. He soon upgraded to a more competitive Morris Mini Minor and then, in 1965, won 12 of 13 sprint races driving a Jaguar E-Type on several tracks in Northern England.

Rain or shine this beastly Grenfell Special was Redman’s everyday car at one point in the mid-’ s

Redman’s first race car was a Morris Traveller which he also used for delivering mop heads

Redman’s book chronicles his racing years

After turning pro in 1967, Redman found himself behind the wheel of race cars from the world’s best manufacturers: Lola, Ford (the GT40), Brabham, Chevron, Porsche, Ferrari, McLaren, Lotus, Aston Martin, and Cooper.

Of course, the most famous car he drove was the 1970 No. 20 Gulf Porsche 917K, which was immortalized in the Steve McQueen film.

Although Redman has won races most everywhere, multiple times in many cases, the 24 Hours of Le Mans has heartbreakingly eluded him. That goal is unrealized despite having led in five different years, including halfway through the 1970 race. “We were ahead by four laps, or 34 miles,” Redman recounts. “My great co-driver, Jo Siffert, missed a gear right in front of the pits and over-revved the engine. Those 917 engines would go to 8,400 rpm for 40 hours, but if they went above that once, they broke. That was it.”

After the race, Redman and several other Le Mans drivers earned extra pay by staging scenes for use in the movie. As for the No. 20 car, McQueen’s production company had bought an authentic 917K before the race, which was painted to match.

In 1975, Redman got word that the McQueen car was for sale in Munich. He flew there, saw it, and bought it for $19,000. Unfortunately, he didn’t own it for long. In 1977, needing cash after a horrendous on-track accident at St. Jovite in Canada, he sold it to Richard Attwood for $54,000. Attwood had won the 1970 Le Mans race in a 917K.

“Then, 20-odd years later,” Redman says, “Richard rang me and said, ‘I really need to sell the 917. Either that or my house.’” Acting as the broker, Redman sold it at auction in Monterey, California for $1.2 million.

“Now it belongs to Jerry Seinfeld,” Redman says, “and it’s estimated to be worth $30 million.” He adds, with a laugh, “If you want any investment advice, don’t come to me.” `

His recent cars have been a bit more sedate. He currently drives a Cadillac ATS, which was preceded by a Prius.

Redman sits in a Frazer Nash-BMW 328, a car his grandfather owned and drove on the Nürburgring track in a “tourist driving” session. Redman grew up to win the Nürburgring 1000 km three times.

Redman’s grandfather and his ’50s Triumph TR2; Redman, his mother, and his 1939 Singer tourer

PIT STOP: On October 13–14, Brian Redman will be hosting on-track sessions (at speed, but not racing) for owners of vintage, collector, and modern high-performance cars on the Pace Grand Prix Course at the Chattanooga Motorcar Festival. More info: gorace.com

Happy Landings

ALAN POPE CUT HIS CULINARY TEETH ON A RIVERBOAT, HONED HIS SKILLS AT AN UPSCALE CINCINNATI STEAK HOUSE, AND FOUND OLD FLORIDA IN FELLSMERE

BY CHRIS FASOLINO PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAM WOLFE

He began his career by working on a riverboat. That step put Chef Alan Pope on a course that would eventually lead to Marsh Landing in Fellsmere.

The riverboat was on the Ohio River, and Pope recalls the occasion when, as a young man, he approached the head chef there and asked for a job. “I told him, ‘I have no experience, but if it doesn’t work out in a week, then fire me.’” It was a bold maneuver, and it worked. A week later, Pope still had his job.

Later in his career, he became the executive chef himself, this time at a prestigious Cincinnati steak house called “The Precinct.” One of his guests there was astronaut Neil Armstrong. “He was very quiet and didn’t make a big deal out of himself. He came in late, when most of the crowd was gone. I’m sure he ordered steak—that’s what we were known for.”

In search of a tropical climate, Pope eventually moved to Florida, working as a chef at various restaurants in the Keys. His move to Fellsmere has provided him with a laid-back environment that he finds welcome. “I’m a big fan of mom-and-pop joints. I’ve always said that good food does not have to be complicated, and that everybody who eats should know that,” he chuckles.

Marsh Landing is a colorful spot, its walls adorned with old farming implements, posters advertising the local Frog Leg Festival through the years, and taxidermy specimens from gators to stag’s heads. It might seem as if the Florida homestyle favorites the restaurant is known for would be foreign to Pope, but he recalls that while he was at The Precinct, he offered a frogs’ legs appetizer. “And just on a whim, I did gator there.”

It’s a staple at Marsh Landing, but how did it go over in an Ohio steak house? “Gator is unique,” Pope says with a laugh. “You either love it or hate it.” Now, Pope’s gator dishes have an appreciative audience. And the chef himself appreciates how his journey has taken him from the riverboat to the marsh.

Chef Alan Pope feels right at home as the head of Marsh Landing’s kitchen after spending time creating dishes in other parts of the country.

Pimento Cheese Biscuits

YIELDS 1 BATCH

“This is a recipe that was in-house when I got here,” says Pope. “It’s been a Marsh Landing favorite for many years.”

Begin with your favorite homemade biscuit recipe.

Pimento Cheese

8 oz. shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 tsp. sugar

2 oz. pimentos to taste, drained

In a medium-size mixing bowl, mix all ingredients until well combined. Store leftover portion in a refrigerated airtight container.

Bacon Jam

1 lb. bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 onion, finely chopped

4 shallots, minced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/3 cup apple cider vinegar

1 tsp. chili powder

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy. Transfer bacon to a paper towel–lined plate, reserving about 1 tbsp. bacon fat in the pan. Reduce heat to medium-low.

Add onion and shallots to the pan and cook, stirring often, until the onions are caramelized (about 15 minutes). Stir in garlic, brown sugar, maple syrup, vinegar, chili powder, and cooked bacon. Bring mixture to a simmer and then reduce heat to low. Cook until the liquid has reduced and thickened and the onions are a “jam-like” thickness (7–10 minutes). Store leftover jam in the refrigerator for future use.

To serve: Cut the homemade biscuits in half, butter each open side, and brown in the skillet with each open side face down (think grilled cheese). Top each with 2 tbsp. pimento cheese, or more if you like. Then top with 1 tbsp. bacon jam.

Horseradish-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp with a Peach Barbecue Sauce

SERVES 2

This is a recipe from Pope’s days at The Precinct, but he notes that it’s “very Southern in style.”

10 shrimp (shrimp cocktail–size), peeled and deveined, tails removed

10 slices applewood smoked bacon, lightly cooked (not too crispy)

1/4 to 1/2 tsp. horseradish (liquid pressed out) for each shrimp

2 skewers, each 8 inches in length

Slice each shrimp down the back, deep enough to get the horseradish in. Then wrap the cooked bacon around the body to cover the shrimp and hold in the horseradish. Insert the skewer through the tail and then the body in a U-shape. Place 5 stuffed and wrapped shrimp on each skewer.

Bake in a 350-degree-Fahrenheit oven until shrimp is cooked and bacon is crispy. Ladle 3 oz. peach barbecue sauce over each skewer and return to the oven for 3 minutes. Serve immediately.

Peach Barbecue Sauce

1 bottle of your favorite barbecue sauce

1 can (14.5 oz) diced peaches

In a small saucepot, add the barbecue sauce, peach puree, and diced peaches. Simmer for 3 minutes on a low flame. Makes enough for future meals. Store in the refrigerator.

Bourbon Caramel Pecan Pie

“This is another Marsh Landing classic, and I think of it as the perfect Southern dish.”

1 unbaked deep-dish pie shell

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup corn syrup

6 tbsp. butter

3 eggs, beaten

2 tbsp. favorite good-quality bourbon

1 1/2 to 2 cups pecan halves or quarters

In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter; bring to a soft boil over low heat. Cook until golden. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Pour mixture over beaten eggs, stirring constantly to prevent scrambling. Add bourbon.

Pour pecan pieces into pie shell. Pour liquid mixture over pecans until shell is full.

Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 45–60 minutes until pie is set; do not burn pie shell edges. If edges become brown before the pie is done, wrap crust with aluminum foil.

Cool and cut into slices. If you wish, you can top with ice cream and caramel for an extra treat! ❀

An Ocean of MEMORIES

THANKS TO HIS MOTHER’S GENEROUS GIFT, D.J. RAINONE WILL BE HONORED BY THE CONSERVATION WORK CARRIED OUT BY ORCA IN THE BUILDING BEARING HIS NAME

BY MARY BETH MCGREGOR PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVEN MARTINE

The art of giving isn’t just about making a monetary gift. It’s as much about devoting time, fostering passion for a cause, and sharing that passion with others. With these elements combined, one person can make extraordinary things happen. And Trudie Rainone should know, because she has done it.

Just ask any of the myriad local organizations she has championed over the years. A recent example is her major gift to the Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA) to purchase its much-needed and soon-to-beopened headquarters, which will be named the D.J. Rainone Research and Science Center in memory of her son.

Rainone first learned about ORCA through her work with Quail Valley Charities. Impressed with the nonprofit’s conservation work, she subsequently joined its board. Her true passion for the organization, however, came through her son, who spent as much time as he could swimming in the ocean off Vero Beach, walking along its beaches, feeling energized by its majesty, and appreciating the need to preserve its waters and the life they sustain.

Trudie Rainone feels a pull toward the ocean ever since she and her family scattered the ashes of her son D.J. after his death from cancer at age 44.

Top ORCA’s One Health Fish Monitoring program is currently working out of a small space on the Vero Beach Regional Airport property

Le The facility purchased by ORCA on th Street will be its new headquarters in the fall

Below le Deep Water River by Rita Ziegler is one of several paintings hanging on the wall at the current facility showing local waters and their inhabitants

Below Volunteers monitor the health of the Indian River Lagoon

D.J. was a successful entrepreneur, a caring individual who volunteered for Operation Smile in Kenya, and a supporter of environmental causes. Tragically, he died of cancer in 2021 at the age of 44. He asked that his ashes be scattered in the ocean, and on a windy day shortly after his funeral, that is exactly what his mother and other family members did. And that’s when Trudie Rainone became passionate about the ocean.

“As a mother, you take care of your children. My son is in the ocean and now I must take care of the ocean.”

Rainone’s contribution to ORCA came at a crucial time for the science-based environmental organization, which maps pollution in the Indian River Lagoon and seeks solutions. In fact, as Edie Widder, ORCA’s founder, CEO, and senior scientist, puts it, “It was utterly transformative.”

Widder, who has a PhD in neurobiology and has become renowned the world over for her deep-sea research, explains, “We started ORCA in 2005 working from my existing grants, and it’s been a struggle, much more of one than I ever anticipated. The whole time we had been operating out of the historic Coast Guard building in Fort Pierce, owned and leased to us by Indian River State College.

ORCA’s founder and CEO, Edie Widder, says the gift given by board member Trudie Rainone is transformative for the organization.

“As a mother, you take care of your children. My son is in the ocean and now I must take care of the ocean.”

– TRUDIE RAINONE

But very unexpectedly we got evicted, with only 60 days’ notice. So we had been hunting for a place to move, and we found a building in Vero Beach that was perfect for our needs with not a huge amount of renovation.”

The price tag was $825,000.

Rainone went on a field trip to look at the building with Widder and board chair Wayne Mills and heard them discuss getting a loan to buy it. “At that time, I had not planned on making this gift,” Rainone remembers. “A half a million dollars is a lot of money to give away. But it just came to me, and I knew I could make this happen for them.”

So, she announced on the spot that she would like to give $500,000 and would like the building named for her son. “We were absolutely speechless!” Widder says.

The organization went on to raise the additional funds to buy and

renovate the 6,500-square-foot building at 1235 16th Street, which will open in the fall as the D.J. Rainone Research and Science Center. And not a moment too soon, Widder says, because ORCA is currently operating its vital research and science programs in space donated by the City of Vero Beach on airport property. “We have been practically sitting on each

other’s laps, but at least we have been able to continue our work.”

One project that Widder is most excited about is the One Health Fish Monitoring program that will flourish in the new building. It’s a project in which ORCA collects fish from fisherman along the 156-mile lagoon and assays them for naturally occurring and man-made toxins.

Above A painting titled Dune and Ocean by Judy Rixom is part of the laboratory

Le and below ORCA monitors levels of naturally occurring and man-made toxins found in the Indian River Lagoon

“The data collected in this project provides evidence of the degree to which specific pollutants are accumulating in the aquatic food chain, which then may be transferred to humans and other animals that eat fish. It will also provide evidence to support our efforts to localize sources of specific pollutants,” Widder explains.

“We adore Trudie on so many levels. She’s such a lovely person, and she’s a dynamo.”

– EDIE WIDDER

Rainone has not stopped with her son’s eponymous center in making things happen for ORCA, Widder adds. “Trudie is a true philanthropist. She told us we needed an endowment, so she provided the initial funding for one at the Indian River Community Foundation; then she paid for our annual report to donors of Quail Valley Charities, sponsored our fundraiser, and continues to introduce people to us.”

Most recently, Rainone paid for two years of advertising on the GoLine bus that travels its route along Vero Beach’s barrier island.

Rainone’s philanthropy goes well beyond ORCA in Vero Beach. She sits on five local nonprofit boards, o ering her fi nancial support and her time. She has started endowments for Senior Resource Association and Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy. She served on Gi ord Youth Achievement Center’s capital campaign committee, and her personal donation to GYAC resulted in the naming of the center’s computer room in memory of her husband, Donald Rainone, who died in 2017.

Rainone says her parents, who were German immigrants, were charitable in a hands-on way and set the example that she follows today. “I grew up in the Bronx, and my mother cleaned homes,”

she says. “On weekends, she and my father would collect clothes and canned goods and send them to people in Germany who were struggling after the war.”

By age 16, Rainone herself was volunteering her time. She learned that a local hospital needed bed pads, something we take for granted today. So she helped collect and bleach bed sheets, and two days a week after school, she brought them to the hospital, where she helped sew the pads for the patients. Rainone, in turn, has passed the art of giving on to her own children.

Devoting her time continued when Rainone and her husband retired to Vero Beach. During COVID, she checked on recipients of Senior Resource’s Meals on Wheels program, making sure they were all right and stepping in when they were not. For seven years she taught etiquette to youngsters at the Boys & Girls Club, and she has made countless visits to shut-ins in assisted living and nursing facilities.

Widder calls Rainone a fairy godmother. “We adore Trudie on so many levels,” she says. “She is such a lovely person, and she’s a dynamo.” This statement is no doubt echoed throughout Indian River County among the countless residents and organizations that Rainone has touched with her passion and personal style of philanthropy. ❀

Sue Dinenno’s painting titled Bioluminescence on the River hangs on the wall of the lab

Rosa Tierman an ORCA volunteer for three years tests fi sh in the lab space at Vero Beach Regional Airport as part of the One Health Fish Monitoring program

KELLY ROGERS KELLY ROGERS

“The data collected in this project provides evidence of the degree to which specific pollutants are accumulating in the aquatic food chain.”

– EDIE WIDDER

ORCA’s Citizen Science program engages and trains community members as volunteers to help monitor local fish populations and test water in the Indian River Lagoon and its watershed.

Making Room for Hope

THE HOPE FOR FAMILIES CENTER IS PLANNING AN EXPANSION THAT WILL DOUBLE ITS CAPACITY TO BRIGHTEN FUTURES

BY ANN TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVEN MARTINE

Kayla was desperate. The money she had saved for the security deposit needed to rent a place had been stolen, leaving her and her children without a roof over their heads. Due to give birth in less than three months, she was out of options.

“I was born and raised in Vero, graduated from Vero Beach High School, and have worked hard all my life. I never thought I wouldn’t have a place to go home to,” says Kayla, recalling the situation in which she found herself in September 2022.

Lacking family support and not knowing where else to turn, Kayla contacted the Hope for Families Center (HFC), a nonprofit that provides temporary housing, programs, structure, and consistency that build a foundation for longterm independence. Collaborations with local agencies provide children’s programs, employment training, and mental health support.

The day after meeting with HFC executive director Marty Mercado and case manager Sabrina Cruz, Kayla and her children became residents. For the first time in what seemed like forever, the single mother breathed a sigh of relief.

When asked what one word best describes how she felt at the time, Kayla says softly, “Peace. I felt at peace.”

“Our shelter delivers the first vital component that homeless families need, and that’s a home, a place to go to and feel safe, and that’s what Kayla needed,” says Mercado.

She continues: “We provide the refuge, the education, and the consistency homeless families need to get back on their feet. Our goal is to not only keep them safe today, but

Above: Teegan brings his bundle of energy to the playground at Hope for Families Center.

Right: HFC resident Kayla and sons Trenton, Teegan, and Silas are on the journey from homelessness to hopefulness.

to give them the resources they need to provide for themselves over the long term. When Kayla came here she was barely surviving. She wasn’t listening, hardly talking. After a few short months, that’s changed; she’s

opened up more and is doing well. At this point we know Kayla and her children are going to be okay.”

For their part, residents must be alcohol and drug free, participate in the educational programs, and save 75

percent of their earnings. Case managers work with each family to develop a plan with the goal of moving them into permanent housing.

The HFC campus on Fourth Street has a building with 21 living units. Beds, linens, personal hygiene products, laundry supplies, and other items, such as diapers, are provided as needed. Every resident receives three meals a day, including prepackaged lunches to take to school or work.

There’s a dining area, a library, common living spaces, a playground, outdoor recreation area, and administrative offices. The adjacent

Left: Silas gets some time with his mother, Kayla, while his older brothers play on the HFC campus playground.

Below: Marty Mercado, HFC executive director, and Chuck Cunningham, president of the board of directors, are paving the way for a brighter future.

Sabrina Cruz, case manager, works with Teegan in the library, which is a busy place most afternoons when the kids get out of school and start in on homework and games with friends.

Kayla’s sons Teegan and Trenton work off some energy playing outside after a day at school before tackling homework.

property with a duplex on it was donated to the nonprofit. At present, two families who are not quite ready to be on their own are living there.

Approximately 60 percent of the residents are children under the age of 18. In the morning they grab their backpacks and head off to school, returning midafternoon, backpacks filled with homework assignments. For some, HFC may be the only real home they’ve known.

For too long the shelter has been bursting at the seams, and with 100-plus families on the waiting list, HFC recently launched a $6 million capital campaign in order to build additional housing.

Ambitious? Definitely. Necessary? Without a doubt.

“We started talking about the need to expand our shelter about a year ago in order to double the number of families we can help,” says Charles “Chuck” Cunningham,

Sharnice and Shonte share a book in the library, where they can work on their own or spend time with case managers.

“We can change their future and affect generations to come.”

– CHUCK CUNNINGHAM

president of HFC’s board of directors. “The initial phase of the campaign involves building 21 units connected to the east side of the existing facility. The second phase is to replace the duplex and build nine units in what we call ‘Hope House.’”

The timing for putting shovels into the ground is still in the foggy future, but the optimist in Cunningham sees it happening sooner rather than later.

“Because of the strained economy, the need for our services has been increasing. Inflation has made it difficult for people to buy things like food, and with the end of COVID subsidies, the cost of renting has gone sky high.”

“Close to 100 percent of those who come here already have a job; they may have two or three jobs, but they still can’t come close to making ends meet,” Cunningham points out. “Many people in this county are what we call the ‘working

poor.’ They’re just a paycheck away from being homeless. All it takes is one emergency; it could be a car repair, an unexpected medical expense, or an increase in insurance costs, and poverty becomes a reality.

“Think about the impact. It could happen to anybody: your restaurant server, or the cashier at Publix, the one whose line you always head for, or a teacher at your child’s school. Also, think about an 8-year-old boy living in a car and having to clean up in a gas station bathroom before going to school. For some, that’s a reality, that’s what’s happening in our county.”

Cunningham’s comments mirror the United Way of Indian River County’s most recent ALICE report (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed, May 2020), which shows that of the county’s 57,636 households, 44 percent struggle to pay for the basic necessities.

HFC is a success story that got its start 30-plus years ago when a man named Dick Van Mele helped a homeless individual. Knowing there were others like him, Van Mele told his friends. Soon

“Many people in this county are what we call the ‘working poor’.”

– CHUCK CUNNINGHAM

Kayden hides a smile during snack time.

Younger residents enjoy some downtime with case managers after school in the cafeteria.

they began meeting weekly at the Patio restaurant, the trunks of their cars filled with blankets and supplies. Word got out, the car trunks opened, and the homeless people came and gratefully took what they needed.

It was a grassroots effort that led to the conversion of a former nursing home into a shelter that initially provided temporary housing for individuals. When it became evident that the number of homeless families needing help had increased, the focus changed.

Over the years, the names of key supporters and benefactors have also changed. Cunningham is there because of a request. “There was a board opening and a friend of mine who was chairman at the time wanted me to fill it. My wife, Mary Beth, and I had donated money to various nonprofits over the years, and she said, ‘You know, we really need to go and take a good look around, see what HFC is all about.’

“It took me about 20 minutes to decide I wanted to be a part of it. I called my friend and told him, ‘Okay,

I’ll be on the board,’ and he said, ‘That’s great, I’m stepping down,’ so here I am,” says Cunningham, his smile as big as his heart for helping others.

“I made a pact with Marty that I’ll be around for the next five years, if she would. She agreed. There’s so much we want to do. We have the land and we have a structured program we know works; now we need to raise money so we can move ahead.

“By doubling the number of families we help, we can break the cycle of homelessness. We can change their future and affect generations to come.” `

Above: Stephanie Reynolds is the children’s case manager at HFC.

Below: Shequita Jordan, intake case manager and former HFC resident, hands out after-school snacks.

The expansion of HFC is expected to double the number of homeless families that can be helped by the nonprofit organization.

High IMPACT

MEMBERS OF IMPACT 100 INDIAN RIVER HAVE CULTIVATED A SISTERHOOD OF PHILANTHROPY THAT IS MAKING TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGES TO THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF OUR COMMUNITY

BY RENÁE TESAURO PHOTOGRAPHY BY JASON NUTTLE

The excitement in the air was palpable as a record number of women gathered at Oak Harbor for the Impact 100 Indian River annual meeting. They were about to award $100,000 grants to each of five local Indian River nonprofits, in addition to six merit grants totaling $70,900 to other deserving community organizations.

Representatives from the 11 grant finalists gave heartfelt presentations detailing proposed projects that would make a meaningful impact on the community. When it came time for Impact 100 members to vote on the five major grant recipients, Indian River County Supervisor of Elections Leslie Rossway Swan and her staff were on hand with official ballots and voting machines. After the in-person votes were tallied and certified, along with votes submitted via mail and online, the Impact 100 members and presenters reassembled to hear the results.

Cheers erupted as the five major award finalists were announced and presented with oversize checks. Happily, everyone went home smiling, including members of Indian 85

Suzi McCoy Shriner, Kristin Rohr, Sue Tompkins, and Dee Locke are part of a large group of local women focused on giving back through Impact 100.

Longtime Impact 100 member Sue Tompkins is a past president and current honorary board member.

River County’s largest all-female philanthropic organization, now celebrating its 15th year.

“It was a record-breaking day,” says Impact 100 IR President Suzi McCoy Shriner of the meeting. “With annual dues from nearly 500 members and money left over from last year’s award fund, we were able to give away $570,900,” adding that Impact 100 IR is the largest chapter in the country and one of the largest in the world.

Impact 100 was founded in 2008 on the premise of “one woman, $1,000, and one vote.” Each member con-

tributes $1,100 annually, with $1,000 going directly to grant making in $100,000 increments. “It’s a model that gives women of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to become philanthropists and, collectively, have a transformational impact upon our community,” points out Shriner, founder of a Pennsylvania-based public relations firm that is now owned and managed by her daughter.

“Our members—like the Vero Beach community—hail from many parts of the country and world,” says the veteran PR pro who was once named

Outstanding Business Woman in Pennsylvania. “They are amazing, smart, talented women representing a wide variety of professions—from teachers and stay-at-home moms to business owners, government officials, and world bankers.” The common denominator, Shriner says, is their big, generous hearts.

One of the pluses of Impact 100 membership, according to Shriner, is that you can join on your own terms. “You can be on a committee or the board, attend luncheons and meetings, or just write a check. There are

Suzi McCoy Shriner, current president of Impact 100, found purpose for her passion through joining the organization.

no galas, so you don’t have to buy a fancy dress.”

Shriner, a South Carolinian whose family has owned property in Central Beach since 1927, joined Impact 100 after a friend invited her to an Impact Day. “I was impressed with the community partners and thought the idea of collective giving was smart investing. Being a newcomer to Vero, I also joined to meet other women driven by a common purpose. Since then, I’ve made many friendships through Impact 100.”

“Usually, when you donate to something, you don’t have a say in where it goes or how it’s going to be used,” observes Shriner. “Here, I can drive around town with my husband and point to things like Childcare Resources, the Dementia Bus, the Dignity Bus, and Camp Haven and say, ‘I helped build that!’ Our family donations alone couldn’t have achieved that. But collectively, through Impact 100, we’re making this a better place for everyone.”

Earlier this year, the organization hosted Share to Care—an event showcasing how local nonprofits have benefited from $6 million in grants and support from Impact 100 over the past 15 years. More than 1,000 people gathered at Riverside Park to learn more about the essential services provided by 42 nonprofits in Indian River County.

Shriner points out that the grant awards at the annual meeting are the culmination of a seven-to-eightmonth process that involves outreach by the Visioning Committee to local nonprofits in the areas of arts and culture, children and families, education, environment, and health and wellness. It includes grant writing

workshops, nonprofit information sessions, application support and review, and a thorough investigation of the organization’s finances to ensure that it can manage and sustain the grant. “After the grant is awarded, there continues to be a high degree of accountability as our Community Partners Committee oversees how the recipient implements its grant dollars. We take seriously our responsibility to be good stewards of our members’ money.”

Establishing an organized sisterhood for philanthropy in Indian River County dates to 2001, when the

late Ellie McCabe created Women & Philanthropy to educate women about charitable giving and planning. “Ellie was the spark that ignited Impact 100 as well as my own involvement,” says Sue Tompkins, one of the early members of Women & Philanthropy and a later president of Impact 100, who continues to serve as a volunteer and honorary board member.

“In 2008, we decided to turn our education into action and invited the founder of Impact 100 in Pensacola, Debbie Ritchie, to speak to our group,” recalls Tompkins, a partner and senior financial advisor at Warren Capital Management, who has made Vero her home since 1986. “The idea of turning my $1,000 into a $100,000 impactful grant was something that

“Collectively, through Impact 100, we’re making this a better place for everyone.”

– SUZI MCCOY SHRINER

Kristin Rohr joined Impact 100 in 2018 and is currently a board member at large.

Below: Share to Care, an event hosted at Riverside Park, informs attendees about the services offered by local nonprofits assisted by Impact 100 grants.

was clearly larger than the sum of its parts, with community impact that I could not achieve on my own. It was an exciting idea, and one that was easy to get behind. Just one month later, we formed the steering committee for Impact 100 IR.”

“Our plan was to find 100 women to join the movement, giving us the funds we needed to make a $100,000

inaugural grant,” Tompkins explains. “By March, we had over 200 women step up to join the cause, and the grant process was well underway.”

In April 2009, Impact 100 IR awarded two $100,000 grants—one to the Exchange Club’s Family Service Center and another to Treasure Coast Food Bank’s Backpack Buddies Program. During the ensuing years, as

the organization pursued its mission of grantmaking, it also underwent some growing pains in its quest to become independent. Initially formed under the umbrella of the Indian River Community Foundation, Impact 100 IR officially became its own 501(c)(3) in 2019 under the leadership of then–board member and president Amy Acker.

2023 IMPACT 100

$100,000 Grant Awards

Whole Family Health Center — WFHC Mobile Medical Office

Senior Resource Association

— Meals on Wheels Waitlist Relief

The Source — Dignity Wellness Program

The Learning Alliance — Moonshot Lab School and Hub for Teacher Training

Gifford Youth Orchestra — GYO Audio, Recording, and Communications Studio

2023 Merit Award Winners

Vero Beach Theatre Guild — Theatrical Learning Center

McKee Botanical Garden — Nurtured by Nature

Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast — From Youngsters to High School Graduates

Ballet Vero Beach — Fellowship Initiative for Dancers expansion

Bike Walk Indian River County — Wheels on Wheels initiative

Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition — Fatherhood Initiative

Dee Locke, a second-generation Impact 100 member with expertise in operations and software solutions for nonprofit organizations, was recruited to serve as operations manager during the transition. “Amy and I worked very closely to streamline operations and get policies and processes in place,” says Locke, a young mother of three, who was introduced to Impact 100 by her motherin-law and now serves on the Visioning and Grants Committees.

“Community service was ingrained in my family,” says Locke, who was a Girl Scout until her senior year of high school. Living in Germany, Dubai, Texas, Massachusetts, and Florida—due to her father’s Army career—also exposed her to many different cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds. “As I worked with nonprofits around the country, it was inspiring to see the number of issues they were addressing to improve the communities around them.”

“One of the things I love about the Vero Beach community is that people who “have” care about the people who “don’t have,” and try to support our many nonprofits,” observes Locke, now the director of operations for the John’s Island Foundation.

“Our zip code has one of the greatest income disparities in the country, and it’s worsening with inflation as people struggle to get by day to day. If you live on the island, you can sometimes be insulated from the rest of the community who lives very differently.”

In fact, according to an Economic Policy Institute report examining nationwide county-level data, Indian River County

The 2023 awards day broke a record for Impact 100 Indian River, which distributed more than $500,000 in grants to local nonprofits.

had the 10th-largest income gap between the top 1 percent and the bottom 99 percent out of 3,061 U.S. counties.

Even more reason for Impact 100 members, like Kristin Rohr—a board member at large and member of the Marketing and Visioning Committees—to begin work cultivating next year’s crop of grant recipients.

“Our six-member Visioning Committee reaches out to at least 200 nonprofits each year to offer our services,” explains Rohr, a former Washington, D.C. marketing communications executive who has been an active member of numerous nonprofit boards, including the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which she proudly chaired for four years. “Every year, we host a grant writing workshop in May and a nonprofit information session in September on how to apply for grants. We really help shepherd local nonprofits through the process, helping them flesh out ideas and understand what will pass muster with our stringent requirements and membership.”

In 2023, 52 percent of Impact 100 IR members voted online, 37 percent voted in person, and 11 percent voted by mail. “The annual meeting is such an important part of it,” says Rohr, who enthusiastically joined Impact 100 in 2018. “It’s one thing to read about an organization’s project on paper; but when you hear their story firsthand, it makes a lasting impression. I know that my vote has been swayed on several occasions after the annual meeting presentations.”

“To this day, I love the excitement of the annual meeting and seeing the checks handed out to transform the lives of people in Indian River County,” enthuses Tompkins.

“It’s a very satisfying feeling,” affirms Rohr.

“The impact goes both ways,” Shriner agrees. “It makes you feel great. I was looking for a purpose in which to put my passion. I found it in Impact 100.” ❀

Dee Locke, a young woman with a heart for community service, was introduced to Impact 100 and its generous philanthropy by her mother-in-law.

From Down & Out to Rising UP

UNITED AGAINST POVERTY’S JANE SNEAD INSPIRES OTHERS WITH THE STORY OF HER OWN HARROWING BUT TRIUMPHANT JOURNEY

BY ANN TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVEN MARTINE

Go out and do amazing things.”

One of the first things Jane Snead does every morning is log on to her favorite website, where an inspirational message puts a smile on her face and a bounce in her step. As development director for United Against Poverty (UP), Snead shares that smile and bounce as well as an optimistic outlook with everyone she comes into contact with.

That’s why it’s hard to believe that when the upstate New Yorker arrived in Vero Beach 19 years ago she was homeless, a recovering heroin addict in desperate need of a roof over her head and a job. As if things couldn’t get worse, a hurricane named Frances was heading straight for the Treasure Coast.

“You can’t be brave if you’re not scared. When I tell you that God is my best friend, I mean it. I don’t know how I could have survived some of the things that have happened to me without him,” says Snead, who was sexually abused as a child, became a victim of sex trafficking in her teens, spent 10 months in jail on a petty charge,

married at 16, and had three children by the time she was 20.

And that’s just the short version.

“Life gets very quiet before all the doors open.”

Snead was eager to turn her life around and start fresh, and Vero Beach offered the perfect opportunity to do that.

“For over 10 years I settled in and really did well; then I got sick, couldn’t work, and became homeless again. It was the free health care through Whole Family Health that finally got the correct diagnosis and helped me get healthy again,” says Snead, who eventually found shelter at the Hope for Families Center, a nonprofit that provides transitional housing and counseling programs.

One of those programs was UP’s Success Training Employment Program (STEP), a workforce development

program designed to enhance job readiness skills. Having worked in restaurants for several years, taking orders, serving meals, and managing shifts, Snead already had skills that were transferable. A people person with a strong work ethic, she possessed qualities employers look for.

“Through UP I got an internship that turned into a full-time job at the Children’s Home Society Adult Transition Center in Vero Beach. I was basically what you’d call a ‘house mom,’ doing room checks, making sure the kids were in their room by curfew, and teaching them life skills,” Snead explains.

Having kept in touch with what was happening at UP, she learned about a job opening that paid more than what she was making. After weighing the pros and cons, she decided to fill out an application.

Then came a call, followed by an interview, and an offer she couldn’t refuse.

“Making the decision to come to UP was hard. I really loved working at CHS and spending time with the kids,” says Snead. “Then I thought,

‘What a wonderful problem to have’— there I was with two great jobs to choose from. That’s when I realized I’d been referring so many people to UP for help, and I knew I could still help everyone at CHS, but at UP I could help so many more.”

Confident she had made the right decision, Snead jumped into the role of intake coordinator. As it turned out, the entry-level position put her

in the right place at the right time when Trip Snelson, project director for UP’s capital campaign, was looking for a coordinator.

“When Trip showed me the job description, I went down the list of responsibilities and said, ‘Yes, I can do that.’ Check. ‘Yes, I can kinda do that.’ Check. When I said, ‘I don’t even know what that one means,’ Trip said, ‘Trust me, I can teach you,’”

Snead smiles remembering how Snelson encouraged and guided her.

Two and a half years later, the capital campaign had raised $5.9 million, funds needed to build UP’s 46,000-square-foot center on 27th Street in Vero Beach. It’s a community hub where multiple social service partners and agencies have satellite o ces; it’s also home to UP’s Member Share Grocery Program, educational and training programs, crisis stabilization services, and a medical facility that includes mental health counseling services. There’s a sense of optimism as everywhere you look you see colorful art, uplifting words, and smiling faces.

With the capital campaign successfully completed, Snead took on the role of success coach for STEP, developing relationships with program participants in order to help them create and reach their goals.

Then came COVID and the program was put on hold. At the same time, the demand for crisis services was increasing, and Snead was named crisis stabilization manager.

When Snelson left UP last spring, all eyes turned to Snead, who was the perfect person to assume the role of development director. In five and a half years she had gone from an entrylevel position to department head.

Snead’s can-do attitude is on full display in her o ce, where motivational messages and 14-year-old daughter Natalise’s colorful artwork brighten the walls. This is where

Jane Snead is inspired by the numerous local organizations and people in Vero Beach who help those in need

one gets a real sense of how committed Snead is to UP and to her current goal of raising $1.7 million. “It’s our annual fund drive and I’d love to raise more. The goal is to keep the lights on, the programs going, and pay the employees; there’s so much need in the community,” Snead emphasizes.

As she reflects on the past, Snead continues to be amazed at where she is today. She has a job she loves, her children are doing well, and she shares her story openly with others.

“I go to the alternative high school and talk to students about my journey. At first I can tell they’re not really interested in what I have to say, but when I get into all the bad things that happened to me—the homelessness, the addiction, the abuse, what

it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck—they start to sit up and pay attention. I tell them about how the many Indian River County nonprofits helped me and my kids get back on our feet.”

The list is as long as her arm. There’s Riverside Children’s Theatre, the Homeless Children’s Foundation, Boys & Girls Club, GoLine, Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council, and many more, but the most important is UP.

“We inspire and empower people living in poverty to rise up; we show them this is what you can do, and this is how you do it.

The results are amazing,” Snead enthuses. “I tell people that where you are now is not where you have to end up—there are so many people who are willing to help you and show you the way if you’ll just accept the help and work hard.” ❀

Above: Jane Snead, second from left, attends the groundbreaking for the current UP center.

Left: Snead with her children, Tayo, Natalise, Tevin, and Timothy, a few years back

Jane Snead, development director of United Against Poverty; Lindsey Sumpter, development coordinator; Tamera Johnson, crisis navigator; and Carly Luba, crisis stabilization manager, gather in the Member Share Grocery store.

On Friday, August 18, VB Home is having an “ocean color” sale! This means that anything with the colors blue and green will be 20 percent off, including blue and green special orders. The sale is only one day, so don’t miss out.

BEYOND WELCOME

Cathy Curley recently worked with Connecticut residents who came to town and said they were “not in a hurry” to purchase their first Florida home. However, when Curley showed them her favorite house on the market, in coveted Riomar Bay, they agreed it was the one. Curley truly enjoys being a concierge-style Realtor and helping familiarize her clients with all that Vero Beach has to offer. She provided them with her own resource guide on where to dine, where to shop, and things to do, plus a beach bag full of goodies for the new home. In addition, Curley will treat the family to an Intracoastal charter as a closing gift so they can get to know Vero by water.

CATHY

REALTOR ELEVATES EXPERIENCE WITH CONCIERGE APPROACH

SASSY SWAG

NEW LINE COMING TO BOUTIQUE

COLORFUL VIBES

CHROMATHERAPY PRODUCTS AVAILABLE

Sassy Boutique is thrilled to offer Pamela Munson accessories. Munson is a New York–based accessories brand that connects women to an era that was refined, elegant, and joyful. Pamela Munson’s classically inspired, handwoven handbags bring into the everyday a sense of romance, magic, and living the good life. Munson spent her childhood cruising around Florida, The Bahamas, and Long Island’s East End, and she draws upon this special time with her family when designing each handbag. Since the launch of her eponymous brand in 2017, Munson’s designs have been carried to beautiful beaches, chic city streets, and pool decks around the world.

SASSY BOUTIQUE

3365 Ocean Drive | 772-234-3998

European Kitchen & Bath presents bathtub options that support the use of chromatherapy, the use of colors to influence emotions, moods, and overall well-being. Using various colors through a lighting system, usage may promote positive effects for mind and body, reduce stress, and, in some cases, even treat ailments. Compatible tubs infuse bathwater with a range of healing hues, spanning from warm (stimulating) to cool (calming).

EUROPEAN KITCHEN & BATH

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

BLOSSOMING ART

FRESH ART AT FANTASTIC FINDS

BEAUTY & THE BALANCE

FINDLAY’S NEWEST ATTAINMENT

Among the many fine art pieces carried by Fantastic Finds are these two gorgeous paintings by popular Florida artist Carla Cope. Titled Iris Blossoming and Nuink Dahlia, each picture measures 40 by 30 inches and is available now.

FANTASTIC FINDS

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

REDUCE, REUSE, REDECORATE

ECO-FRIENDLY OPTIONS AT LED CAPSTONE

Findlay Galleries is proud to present a selection of recent acquisitions by Spanish luminist Lluis Ribas. His introspective depictions of nature and exquisite renderings of the human form have captivated collectors worldwide. His fusion of the two elements creates a harmonious balance in each composition, resulting in breathtaking works that evoke feelings of tranquility and contemplation. Findlay Galleries is honored to continue showcasing the exceptional talent of this acclaimed artist.

FINDLAY GALLERIES

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

PERFECT PERIDOT

LEIGH’S BIRTHSTONE COLLECTION AVAILABLE

LED Capstone Lighting & Fan Showroom presents the Varaluz Area 51 light fixture. Varaluz is known for continually developing new ways of using recycled, reclaimed, natural, and sustainable materials in its fixtures. This fixture features recycled steel and glass where the inner structure becomes the exoskeleton, and the concept of crystals is turned inside out. Visit the showroom to see more.

LED CAPSTONE LIGHTING & FAN SHOWROOM

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

August’s birthstone, peridot, is often referred to as the “sun gem” for its light green color. It symbolizes strength and is said to protect wearers from nightmares. Visit Leigh Jewelers for its extensive collection of this beautiful gem.

LEIGH JEWELERS

3401 Ocean Drive | 772-234-8522 | leighjewelers.com

Xell en Verano , Mallorca by Lluis Ribas, oil on canvas, 74 3/4 x 31 3/8 inches

NO BONES ABOUT IT

UNITED WAY THANKS LOCAL DOCTORS AND LAWYERS

Local professionals gave back to their community at the annual Sawbones vs. Jawbones softball tournament in May, presented by Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital. The doctors vs. lawyers rivalry continued for the 12th year at the newly renovated Holman Stadium at Jackie Robinson Training Complex, raising funds for the programs and services supported by United Way. Congratulations, team Jawbones, on your win!

UNITED WAY OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY

1836 14th Ave. | 772-569-8900 | unitedwayirc.org

The all-new crossover will be the General Motors brand’s final new gasoline-powered nameplate before it shifts to an all-electric lineup by 2030. The Envista will replace the Encore subcompact crossover, which debuted in 2023, as Buick’s entry-level model. It will be the first Buick to draw total design inspiration from the brand’s Wildcat electric vehicle concept revealed last year. All the Envista’s trims will start at less than $30,000 including shipping—a strategy sure to attract younger buyers who also desire a luxury brand experience. For more information, contact Linus.

LINUS CADILLAC BUICK GMC

1401 U.S. Hwy. 1 | 772-562-1700

linusautomotive.com | linuscadillac.com

LIGHTEN UP FOR SUMMER

FRESH, STYLISH LINE AT M. MAISON

A HEALTHY EDUCATION

BACK-TO-SCHOOL APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE

The new resort wear collection by Debbie Katz has arrived at M. Maison. These lightweight cotton gauze pieces are perfect for the beach. Visit the store for your favorite tops, dresses, and pants to wear as you enjoy the rest of the Florida summertime.

M. MAISON

3403 Ocean Drive | 772-231-4300 | mmaisonvero.com

STAY IN STYLE

UPDATED WEBSITE AT VERNON SCOTT

Back-to-school time is upon us, and the team at Island Health

Concierge Medicine is sharing tips to kick off the new school year in the best ways: Schedule required physicals, maintain hydration to help children remain alert and energetic, avoid too many sugary sweets and treats, and incorporate two to three servings of a variety of fruits and vegetables each day. To schedule a physical or discuss additional healthy habits, contact the office.

ISLAND HEALTH CONCIERGE MEDICINE

9301 A1A, Suite 202 | 772-205-6361 | islandhealthverobeach.com

SOUTHERN SHOWROOM

LOCAL SHOP EXPANDS LOCATIONS

Vernon Scott Resort Wear has updated its website and fresh inventory awaits. If you are a seasonal resident who is spending time at your summer home, log on and shop the latest merchandise. Customers, both local and from afar, may also call the store for special orders.

VERNON SCOTT RESORT WEAR

818 Beachland Blvd. | 772-231-3733 | vernonscott32963.com

Tile Market & Design Center of Jupiter is excited to share its new location in Jupiter. Open since March, this store is in addition to the Vero Beach showroom. Customers will experience the same amazing service but a few different lines, such as Appomattox Tile Art Co., Teaki Tiles, and Roca Tile are exclusively available through the new space. Head south to find some new favorites.

TILE MARKET & DESIGN CENTER OF JUPITER

220 S. Old Dixie Hwy., Jupiter | 561-299-0295

William J. Stewart Michael J. Swan

Steven R. Wilson Ryan P. Cook

The Dandy Lion Gifts and Thrifts store has a fabulous inventory including distressed and decoupaged decor pieces. Find the perfect items to complete your design spaces or select something to begin your next project with and build from there. Visit the shop to find your favorites.

ARTIST PRESENTS IN VBMA SHOW

Elise Geary of Ocean Drive Gallery was juried into the Vero Beach Museum of Art’s summer exhibition, “Treasure Coast Creates.” More than 800 artists entered this competitive exhibition but only 135 had a work accepted, making this an extra special honor for Geary. OCEAN DRIVE GALLERY

STANDING WATCH

VETERANS COUNCIL JOINS SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAM

All administrative staff and drivers at the Veterans Council of Indian River County have completed the training necessary to become Watch Standers with The Fire Watch Project, a Florida initiative to end veteran suicide. Already on the front lines of local efforts to serve veterans, VCIRC staff are now even better equipped to identify and support a vet in crisis. By taking this step, VCIRC has been designated by The Fire Watch as a Veteran Safe Place, joining a growing brigade of Florida companies and organizations committing themselves to remaining on high alert for the signs of a vet in crisis.

VETERANS COUNCIL OF IRC

2145 14th Ave., Suite 15 | 772-410-5820 | helpircvets.org

WHOLE LOT OF WELLNESS

C-Suite by Whole Family Health Center is now accepting new patients. Under the leadership of Chief Medical Officer Dr. Gerald Pierone Jr., C-Suite is designed to meet the needs of Indian River County’s retiree population. C-Suite is the ideal choice for those seeking more personalized, quality care and will serve as a health care home for seasonal and full-time retirees. Highly qualified staff, an on-site lab, access to our in-house pharmacy, and a warm, welcoming waiting area make C-Suite an excellent choice for your health care needs.

WHOLE FAMILY HEALTH CENTER

1255 37th St., Suite C | 772-494-1770 | csuitemed.org

Henry Angulo, Cynthia Ryan, and Shanen Cox

ALL-STAR DAY

FORMER NBA PLAYERS MAKE GUEST APPEARANCE

A CAPITAL IDEA

MEMBERS OF THE SOURCE VISIT WASHINGTON, D.C.

NBA players

of

and Tony

of the Denver Nuggets joined forces with Crossover Mission to bolster its efforts in inspiring and redirecting the lives of at-risk youth in Indian River County. These influential figures made a guest appearance at Crossover Mission’s Center for Excellence to leverage their expertise and experience to empower the next generation. Gooden and Battie have expressed their enthusiasm for Crossover Mission’s program and its potential to make a lasting difference as they aim to inspire young individuals and equip them with invaluable skills on and off the court.

A few months ago, Anthony Zorbaugh and Jonathan Orozco, The Source’s executive director and development director, respectively, traveled to California for a conference of the National Alliance to End Homelessness. A lobbyist with the host organization was so impressed with what he learned about the Dignity Bus that he told representatives from Capitol Hill about it. The resulting invitation took Zorbaugh and Orozco to the nation’s capital, along with Anthony Rommell, lead builder of the Dignity Bus, and Kyle McNeill, its maintenance assistant. The group met with staffers from the offices of Florida Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott and Congressman Bill Posey.

4425 U.S. Hwy. 1 | 772-257-5400 | crossovermission.com THE

CROSSOVER MISSION

Past

Drew Gooden

the Memphis Grizzlies

Battie

Jonathan Orozco, Anthony Rommell, Katie Weissert, Anthony Zorbaugh, and Kyle McNeill

New & Noteworthy

Welcome

One of the newest agents to join AMAC | Alex MacWilliam Real Estate, Lisa Pyden, has extensive real estate experience. In her 15-year real estate career, as both a real estate advisor for one of the leading real estate brokerage firms on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, and as an interior designer in the hospitality industry, she has procured opportunities for both buyers and sellers from shingled cottages to luxurious waterfront homes. She was educated at Lawrence Technological University in Michigan (where she grew up) and at the Interior Designers Institute in Newport Beach, California in architecture and interior design; she is highly effective in the extensive remodeling and reconstruction of older homes. Pyden is particularly fond of Vero Beach historic and vintage properties built from the 1920s through the 1970s and is passionate about helping people who are interested in finding these hidden gems or building one with those aesthetic qualities.

Charlotte Terry Group of AMAC | Alex MacWilliam Real Estate welcomes Maria Caldarone to the team. She received her B.S. degree in business management from Monmouth University, and her Juris Doctor from Seton Hall Law School. She relocated to Vero Beach in 1999 with her two boys. Caldarone has been immersed in the real estate world throughout her career, including property management, leasing, land acquisition, commercial lending, purchased companies, prepared due diligence packages, and real estate consulting. A true good neighbor and neighborhood expert, Caldarone loves to see our community grow and move forward by helping people discover and become an integral part of it.

In March, Crossover Mission welcomed Triana Romero as its new director of development. She will manage development activities and help expand and diversify Crossover’s donor base. A native of New Jersey, Romero began her professional career as an event and floral designer in New York City, specializing in high-end events. She relocated to Vero Beach in 2006 and has worked in the nonprofit sector for the last 16 years, having served most recently as director of development and membership at McKee Botanical Garden. Prior to that, she served as director of marketing and communications at Treasure Coast Food Bank and at Save the Chimps Sanctuary in Fort Pierce.

McKee Botanical Garden welcomes Julia Keenan as senior director of development. She has more than 25 years in the development field, including fundraising, strategic planning, fund development, and community development. She has served as director of development and scholarship development coordinator for the Indian River State College Foundation, development officer for Indian River Medical Center, executive director for the Homeless Family Center, and family life director/program director and teacher for the Diocese of Palm Beach. Keenan will be responsible for the development and implementation of fundraising initiatives, overseeing efforts of the Planned Giving and Development Committees and Garden Endowment, ongoing donor stewardship and constituency development, managing all levels of the membership program, sponsorships for events and exhibitions, grant applications, and direct mail solicitations.

Indian River Healthy Start Coalition has welcomed four new staff members to help further its mission of supporting local moms, babies, and families. As direct services manager, Stacey Washburn oversees the Healthy Families, Maternity Navigation, Parents as Teachers, and Fatherhood programs, as well as overall outcomes and quality assurance. She holds a bachelor’s degree in human services from IRSC. Janay Brown, the community liaison, works to enhance HSC’s relationships with other nonprofits, businesses, providers, caregivers, and community leaders. Her bachelor’s degree is in hospitality management, and she is also a doula and lactation counselor. Jessica Staudt came on board as special projects coordinator, a position in which she trains and supports community members, professionals, and families to reduce disparities and improve outcomes. She holds numerous degrees and certifications and has a particular interest in lifelong mental health. Taylor Farnsworth is the director of external engagement; her specialty is cultivating partnerships in the corporate and philanthropic sectors.

Cynthia Wallace, PA-C, has joined Ocean Drive Dermatology She specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of numerous skin malignancies, as well as dermal fillers such as Radiesse and Juvederm, and neuromodulators such as Xeomin and Botox. Contact the office to schedule an appointment.

Stacey Washburn Janay Brown Jessica Staudt Taylor Farnsworth

Congratulations

AMAC | Alex MacWilliam Real Estate’s overall May top producer is Kit Fields. As a fourth-generation Vero Beach resident, Fields knows and understands Vero Beach. Her great-grandmother settled on the barrier island in Riomar upon moving to Vero Beach in the early 1930s. Her grandparents soon followed. Her grandfather developed land and built their family home west of town, where Fields’ father was raised and eventually returned to raise his family. Fields is a graduate of Vero Beach High School and attended the University of South Carolina, where she received her degree in finance with an emphasis in real estate and insurance. Over the past 20 years, Fields and her husband, Lundy, have split their time between the United States and the UK, where they have a flat in London. Their primary residence for the past 10 years has been Vero Beach. Fields has an intimate understanding of complex processes associated with relocating, both domestically and internationally.

Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital has been awarded an “A” for patient safety, a distinction recognizing the hospital’s achievements in providing safe, high-quality patient care. The recognition has been given by Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit organization that is committed to improving health care quality and safety for consumers and purchasers. The organization awards safety grades to U.S. hospitals in the spring and fall of each year.

Sunrise Rotary Vero Beach congratulates Literacy Services of Indian River County’s Student of the Year, Daniel Betancourt , for his impressive achievements in learning English as a second language while not missing a beat in his educational pursuits. The plaque Daniel received was supplied by Sunrise Rotary, which also purchased two curricula that will help Literacy Services meet students’ individual needs as they build their literacy and English language skills.

Vero Heritage Center is pleased to announce Robyn Berry as its new executive director. Berry has been with the Heritage Center as the special events coordinator since October 2008 and was voted in as director in May due to her passion for preserving the beautiful 88-year-old building and educating the Indian River community on the importance of saving it.

VNA is thrilled to announce its new vice president of home health and private care, Jackie Keville, recently promoted from her prior position within the VNA as director of sales and marketing. She has been with the VNA since 2007, beginning her career with the organization as a physician liaison. She is excited about continuing her career with the VNA and looks forward to making a difference in her new position. ❀

Tutor Dom Restuccia, Elida Gomez, and Daniel Betancourt

A Dream Come True

JOANNA DOOLYNNE BAYENS & FREDERICK KILLEA BAKER III

October 29, 2022, Joanna Doolynne Bayens and Frederick Killea Baker III wed at the breathtaking 19th-century Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist in Savannah, Georgia, where the bride had always dreamed of getting married.

Joanna, who holds a bachelor’s degree in nutritional sciences from the University of Georgia, is the daughter of Kerry and James Mickey Bayens of Richmond Hill, Georgia; but she is no stranger to Vero Beach: Her grandparents, Dooley and Forbes McMullin, have lived in John’s Island for 30 years.

The groom is the son of Alma Virginia and Frederick Killea Baker Jr. of Winter Springs, Florida. He earned his bachelor’s degree in integrated business from the University of Central Florida.

His grandfather Frederick K. Baker Sr. lived in John’s Island for 20 years.

With both the Bayenses and the Bakers spending the winter season in John’s Island, the two families became friends, and Joanna and Frederick met on the beach as children. In April 2021, surrounded by both of their families, Frederick proposed to Joanna on the beach where they had first met. Plans began for a wedding in Joanna’s hometown of Savannah.

The reception took place a short distance from the cathedral, on the lawn of The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa, overlooking the Savannah River.

After a honeymoon in Italy, the newlyweds reside in Winter Springs and work in Orlando, where Joanna is senior director of Crunch Fitness and Frederick is a general manager at Baker Commercial Landscaping. `

Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Killea Baker III

The bride’s lifelong dream of getting married in the beautiful and historic Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist comes true.

The Westin’s lovely lawn awaits the Bayens-Baker wedding party.

The newlyweds share an intimate moment by the river.

The gazebo overlooks the Savannah River.

All eyes are on the bride and groom for the first dance.

VERO MINDS

Summer Finds FOR

Marino from Goethe, 1979 by Marino Marini (1901–1980), etching on Velin Rives, 36 x 25 1/4 inches, price upon request

FINDLAY GALLERIES

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

Going for a Dip by local artist Lida Stifel, oil on board, 9 x 12 inches, price upon request

M.MAISON 3403 Ocean Drive | 772-231-4300

mmaisonvero.com

The CopperSmith lantern with turtle light adapter, price upon request

LED CAPSTONE LIGHTING & FAN SHOWROOM

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

Vero Beach coordinates sign with starfish, $129

FANTASTIC FINDS

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

Ice Aqua Pearl finish by Schaub, knob, $68; pull, $129

EUROPEAN KITCHEN & BATH

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

europeansink.com

Jungle Chic Sand tasseled midi dress from Farm Rio, $245

SASSY BOUTIQUE

3365 Ocean Drive 772-234-3998

Mother-of-pearl charm with Vero Beach coordinates, price upon request

VERANDA

3325 Ocean Drive | 772-234-3404

verandajewelry.com

6100 Hwy. A1A | 772-231-0085

Village Shops

Vero Beach bracelet, price starting at $160

LEIGH JEWELERS

3401 Ocean Drive | 772-234-8522

leighjewelers.com

DOWNTOWN DISTRICT

CRYSTAL JUBILEE

An Artists’ Invitational Show

June 1–Sept 1 | Reception: Friday, August 4, 5–8pm

14

1911 14th Avenue, Vero Beach • 772.562.5525 • gallery14verobeach.com

SUMMER HOURS: Thu-Fri 11am-4pm & Sat 11am-3pm or by appointment

– DEE LOCKE, “High Impact,” p. 84

Ellen Lindner Day Dream Jane Lawton Baldridge Crystal Point Break

“Community service was ingrained in my family.”

Everybody’s In!

RESIDENTS YOUNG AND OLD ARE ENGAGED IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

ORCA DATA JAM

OCEAN RESEARCH & CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION

In a competition joining science and art, ORCA’s Data Jam challenged entrants to select real-life datasets collected by citizen scientists and interpret the results in creative and compelling ways. The event was open to upper elementary, middle, and high school students as well as adults; competitors were welcome to work as individuals or teams of two to eight. The projects were displayed during the Data Jam showcase May 11 at the Riverhouse. A erwards, ORCA CEO and Senior Scientist Edie Widder presented a talk called “Why Art Ma ers in Science.”

Archie, Charlie, and Carson with their project “A Healthy Fish Is a Mercury-Free Fish!”

Mary Lou Martin, fi rst place, adult division

Creative depictions of imperiled sea life

Aniela, fi rst place, middle school division

Sarah’s artwork explains microplastics.

Marisa Frydman, second place, adult division

Nash’s graphic novel–style project

First-place winners in the elementary division: Anabella, Casey, Jade, Kenley, Alissa, and Briella with their teacher Elizabeth Healey

CHARITY CLAYS TOURNAMENT EDUCATION FOUNDATION

For the 22nd year, the Education Foundation of Indian River County held its Charity Clays Tournament, a fundraiser that helps support its programs of High Impact Grants, STEP into Kindergarten, the Science & Engineering Fair, and Keeping the Promise. April 22 was a beautiful day at Windsor Gun Club west of Vero Beach, and 24 participants and many spectators turned out.

GOLF-A-THON

VNA & HOSPICE FOUNDATION

For the 33rd year, VNA & Hospice Foundation held its fundraising Golf-A-Thon. Indian River Club played host to the 13 local golf pros who participated: Ma hew Challenor of Windsor, David Champagne of Orchid Island, Drew DiSesa of Riomar, Randy Hedgecock of Vero Beach Country Club, Steve Hudson of John’s Island, Ian Killen of Indian River Club, Don Meadows of Quail Valley, Frank Mentzer of Oak Harbor, Bela Nagy of Sandridge, Troy Pare of Grand Harbor, A.J. Petrulak of The Moorings, Ryan Zug of Pointe West, and Eddie Suchora (with partial substitution by Jason Berchtold) of Bent Pine. The event raised over $500,000 in support of VNA’s work.

MAJOR SPONSORS

Ned and Emily Sherwood; Michael J. Pierce; Community Church of Vero Beach; Hudson Advisor Services; John’s Island Real Estate; Bill and Marlynn Scully; George E. Warren Corporation; Wyderski Health

The 13 participating pros assemble in front of the clubhouse at Indian River Club.

Deb Lockwood, Ian Killen, Linda Braun

Lee Etheredge, Andrew Tapley, Heidi Leone, Ginny Glazer, Nicky Szapary

David Martin, Tim Danis, Heidi Leone, Gary Koster, Nicky Szapary

Richard Handler, Heidi Leone, Ben Bailey, Travis West, Nicky Szapary

The winning team of Travis West, Ben Bailey, and Richard Handler take their turn at the fi ve-stand.

NHTSA awards highest rating of 5 stars overall, with a 5 star rating in the frontal and side crash tests and four stars in the rollover test. IIHS awards high marks, scoring Good rating in all crash tests and earning a 2022 Top Safety Pick Accolade.

AMICI LUNCHEON

VERO BEACH OPERA

Nearly 100 opera supporters gathered at Grand Harbor’s main clubhouse in April for Vero Beach Opera’s Amici Spring Luncheon and annual meeting. The Italian word for “friends” is a fi ing name for this close-knit group, as they share a strong social relationship in addition to their love of opera. A er lunch, a endees enjoyed a short but lively concert by VBO piano scholarship student Thomas Miller before ge ing down to the business of the annual meeting.

Pat Wagner, Pat Morrissey, Pat Blardinelli, Gwen Arbutina, Shirley Coleman

Carol and Joe Palowich

Al and Karen Ferruolo

Marcia and Dr. Bob Loewinger

Paul and Sue Gauthier

Carolyn Lange

Sally and Dick Brickman

Ed Halsey

Mary and Harvey Struthers

Connie and Don Derman

Roman and Joan Ortega-Cowan

Donna Weinberg, Rich Vogel

WEEKEND OF REGATTAS

YOUTH SAILING FOUNDATION

On the fi rst Saturday of April, 84 of Florida’s top high school sailors converged on Vero Beach with their 14-foot 420 racing dinghies for the South Atlantic Interscholastic Sailing Association No. 7 Rega a. The following day, 30 Opti 8-foot dinghies and seven 420s competed on two courses in the Steve Martin Memorial Rega a, the fourth and fi nal race of the Florida East Coast Spring 2023 Series. The event is named for a dedicated YSF instructor who passed away in 2013. YSF honored him well, with Alex Delamarter taking fi rst place in the Opti Gold fl eet. With this win, Alex fi nished fi rst overall in the Spring Series.

KIWANIS GOLF TOURNAMENT

KIWANIS CLUB OF VERO-TREASURE COAST

Sandridge Golf Club was the site of the Kiwanis Club’s mid-April golf tournament funding scholarships for graduating seniors headed off to college. The event dates back to 1987, and over $275,000 has been raised since then. More than 40 local businesses got on board this year as sponsors, and 68 golfers hit the links for the cause. Kiwanian Ma Hamilton once again served as event chair, leading the efforts to ensure a successful tournament.

JOSH THE OTTER

ROTARY CLUB OF VERO BEACH OCEANSIDE

Through the efforts of local Rotarians, Josh the O er returned to Indian River County to visit preschool children with a message of water safety. The character is the mascot of the Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation, founded by Blake and Kathy Collingsworth of Nebraska a er the accidental pool drowning of their 2-year-old son Josh, in an effort to prevent similar tragedies from happening to other families. Each child received a coloring book, crayons, and a Josh badge, and the book Josh the Baby O er was read to them. The main message of the campaign is “to stay away from water unless accompanied by an adult.” Approximately 750 children in 19 preschools in Vero, Gifford, and Fellsmere were visited this spring by Josh the O er and his helpers from Rotary of Vero Beach Oceanside.

Sailing Director Ben Chafee, Alex, Coach Roberto Ayala

Cliff Melvin, Juan Gonzalez, David Vogt, Martin Gonzalez; at le , Juan Gonzalez points out an alligator on the course.

A few of the 68 participants check in for a great day of golf at Sandridge.

Rotarians Elaine Jones and Wes Whitaker with Josh the O er

EASTER BREAKFAST

THE SOURCE

About 1,000 worshippers enjoyed a full Easter breakfast courtesy of The Source’s Dignity Catering, working out of Pathway Church’s kitchen. A combination of chefs, line cooks, staff members, culinary students, and board members served biscuits and gravy, French toast casserole with sausage, cereal, orange juice, and Dignity Catering’s popular fruit parfaits. Lead Chef Toni Moore reports that participating in the holiday feast was enjoyable for everyone and that it provided an excellent opportunity for the Dining with Dignity culinary students to hone their customer service skills. ❀

-

TCCH state-of-the-art dental centers provided 25,731 treatments in 2022. For convenience, TCCH accepts private insurance, Medicaid/Medicare and self-pay. Most important, the board-certified dental team is fantastic!

To increase the number of patients served, Tom and Darlene Ryder generously paid for eight students to earn a dental assistant certification after one of their employees received dental care at TCCH.

“I am very excited and thrilled to start this chapter in my education and further my growth with TCCH.”

www.tcchinc.org/services/dental-/

772-257-8224

“Thank you for sponsoring my education.”

Maria Sanchez, Dental Assistant Fellsmere Health Center

Maria Sanchez

The Dignity Catering crew keeps the line running smoothly.

A grateful worshipper receives personalized customer service from a Source member. Le : The line is long but patient.

Powerful Pigments

ART GALLERIES ADD SOME AWE TO AUGUST

‘THROUGH THE ARTIST’S EYE’: STUCKEY

AUGUST 1–31

Summer vacation isn’t stopping J.M. Stringer Gallery from featuring a special talent in its “Through the Artist’s Eye” exhibition series. The exquisite portraits, cityscapes, landscapes, and still lifes of Kyle Stuckey can be viewed anytime on the gallery’s website. The Charleston, South Carolina resident has traveled the world, always finding inspiring subjects to paint. He seeks to exploit the full potential of the oils in varying texture and transparency, with the goal of mimicking the way the human eye sees. Stuckey refers to his style as “impressionistic realism.”

J.M. STRINGER GALLERY OF FINE ART

3465 Ocean Drive

772-231-3900

jmstringergallery.com

Above: The Artist’s Critique , oil on panel, 30 x 22 inches

Left: Being Present , oil on linen, 36 x 24 inches

Both paintings are by Kyle Stuckey.

Ongoing Events

THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2

CRYSTAL JUBILEE INVITATIONAL

Gallery 14 continues its Crystal Jubilee Invitational in celebration of its 15th anniversary. Artists from near and far have created pieces inspired by the various qualities of crystal, the traditional 15th anniversary gift. Receptions will be held during the First Friday Gallery Strolls August 4 and September 1.

GALLERY 14

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

THROUGH SEPTEMBER 3

SUMMER SERIES

Findlay Galleries continues its Summer Series, a sequence of exhibitions highlighting the gallery’s collections of international contemporary artists and artist estates as well as mid-century American and European abstract art.

FINDLAY GALLERIES

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

THROUGH SEPTEMBER 3

‘TREASURE COAST CREATES’

VBMA’s Holmes and Titelman Galleries are filled with works by artists from Indian River, St. Lucie, and Martin Counties for the inaugural juried fine art exhibition of recent works by living local artists, “Treasure Coast Creates.”

‘JACK TWORKOV: DRAWINGS

1948–1981’

The simultaneous exhibition at VBMA straddles the two distinct periods of Jack Tworkov’s long career: his Abstract Expressionism and his later embrace of a mathematical, geometrical approach, which linked him to Minimalism.

VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART

3001 Riverside Park Drive 772-231-0707 vbmuseum.org

‘NEXT CONTEMPORARIES’

AUGUST 5–SEPTEMBER 30

Findlay Galleries presents “Next Contemporaries,” a group exhibition featuring works by Ptolemy Mann, Noah Landfield, and Henrik Simonsen. The variations in theme and technique are accentuated by the comparisons inherent in the exhibition. All three are contemporary artists, but each has a distinct voice that can be discerned in this collection of paintings.

FINDLAY GALLERIES

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

Strata, 2021 by Noah Landfield, oil on canvas, 30 x 25 inches

ART AT THE EMERSON

The Emerson Center’s art gallery features the work of local artists in six themed twomonth exhibitions per year.

1590 27th Ave.

772-778-5880 artattheemerson.com

ARTISTS GUILD GALLERY

This cooperative-owned fine art gallery is located in the historic district of downtown Vero Beach. Original works by local artists Nick Binghieri, Sue Dinenno, Barbara Glover, Sherry Haaland, Chuck Haaland, Judy Mercer, Karen McFeaters, Dawn Mill, Patricia Padoll, Judy Rixom, Fran San Miguel, and Rita Ziegler are on exhibit and for sale. Diverse styles and media are represented, and art is rotated monthly. The gallery also features paintings by associate artist Johnson Hagood, along with several 3D consignor artists displaying ceramics, pottery, and jewelry. Classes are offered in oil, acrylics, watercolor, pastels, and drawing.

1974 14th Ave.

772-299-1234

artistsguildgalleryofvero beach.com

ART WORKS

Art Works is a fine art gallery and art school founded by educators Betsy Nelson and Mary Partow. The gallery features works by artists from various parts of the United States, particularly the East Coast, representing a range of styles. Classes for all ages and skill levels, as well as art parties, team-building events, and

children’s art clubs and camps are available.

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

ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER

The ELC’s Lagoon Room and Tidal Room are dedicated spaces for the exhibition of nature-related art in the form of paintings, photography, sculpture, and more.

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

FINDLAY GALLERIES

Findlay Galleries is celebrating 152 years in the art business. Renowned globally for its distinguished roster of exciting contemporary and abstract artists, the gallery continues to specialize in 19th- and 20th-century Impressionism, European Modernism, l’Ecole de Rouen, l’Ecole de Paris and 20th-century American art. Visit the galleries’ biweekly changing exhibitions on two spacious floors encompassing three centuries of art under one roof on Worth Avenue.

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

THE GALLERIES AT FIRST PRES

The campus of First Presbyterian Church is home to The Galleries at First Pres, a venue displaying the work of local artists in various media. Installments are rotated on a

Crystal Blue Persuasion by Melanie Denison, vintage glass sculpture, 15 x 19 inches, at Gallery 14

quarterly basis, with at least three artists featured each season. Indian River County artists are invited to apply to be part of the galleries’ everchanging lineup.

First Presbyterian Church 520 Royal Palm Blvd. 772-562-9088 firstpresvero.org

GALLERY 14

The gallery features a diverse array of works in oil, acrylic, watercolor, mixed media, collage, sculpture, ceramic, jewelry, pastel, and photography by Gallery 14 owner-artists

Edgardo Abello, Lila Blakeslee, Barbara du Pont, Mary Ann Hall, Barbara Landry, George Pillorgé, Deborah Morrell Polackwich, and Dorothy Napp Schindel. Other artists include Walford Campbell, Joan Earnhart, Terry Green, Viola Pace Knudsen, Mia Lindberg, Francis Mesaros, Michael Robinson, Carol Staub, and sales associate-artist Jo Zaza, along with monthly rotation exhibits by guests.

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

THE GALLERY AT WINDSOR

Founded in 2002, The Gallery at Windsor is an independent art space at the heart of the Windsor community. The gallery annually invites curators to respond to the space with museum-quality shows of contemporary art. The gallery has exhibited works by leading contemporary artists including Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Ed Ruscha, Bruce Weber, Peter Doig, Alex Katz, Per Kirkeby, Christopher Le Brun, Beatriz Milhazes, Gert and Uwe Tobias, Jasper Johns, Grayson Perry, Sir Michael Craig-Martin, and Rose Wylie.

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

GALLERY VERITAS & ART LIBRARY

Founded by local artist Xaque

Gruber, this gallery also serves as a working studio housing seven artists. Under the same roof is a large collection of art books covering prehistoric through contemporary art, once kept at Vero Beach Museum of Art.

1422 20th St. 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 gallery features a sophisticated collection from more than 350 contemporary American craftsmen. The Treasure Coast’s largest collection of art glass, along with ceramics, sculpture, furniture, and an extensive collection of fine art jewelry is represented in its friendly, 4,000-square-foot showroom. The collection is also viewable on the website.

2910 Cardinal Drive 772-234-6711 thelaughingdoggallery.com

MAIN STREET VERO BEACH STUDIOS AND GALLERY

The studios and gallery showcase the handcrafted jewelry of Clair Brunetti, who creates custom, one-of-a-kind necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and more in a variety of themes, such as nature, sea life, golf, and spirituality. She also repairs and updates older jewelry.

2036 14th Ave. 772-643-6782 mainstreetverobeach.org

MEGHAN CANDLER GALLERY

The gallery has a beautifully curated collection of paintings by select local, national, and international artists and represents more than 40 contemporary emerging and

established artists working in abstract, impressionist, and realistic styles. The gallery presents an uplifting, friendly, and sophisticated environment that currently features new paintings from the studios of its New York, California, Atlanta, and Cape Cod artists. Works are also viewable on the gallery’s website.

6160 Hwy. A1A Village Shops 772-234-8811 meghancandlergallery.com

OCEAN DRIVE GALLERY

This studio and gallery features contemporary oil abstracts by Elise Geary; representational, narrative paintings and collages by Jill Kerwick; acrylic rural, ranch, and outdoor paintings by Andrea Lazar; and acrylic seascapes by Gail Fayerweather.

3349 Ocean Drive, Suite 8, second floor Elevator located in alcove behind Lyra Home 772-579-7667 eliseartist.com oceandrivegalleryverobeach.com

PALM HOUSE STUDIO & GALLERY

The studio and gallery features original artwork by awardwinning artists Wendy Douglas, Dede Gilbert, Rick Kelly, Kathy Kemp, Madeline Long,

Suzy Mellott, Jack Staley, and Emily Tremml. Their work includes landscapes, marine scenes, contemporary realism, portraiture, and narrative imagery. Commissions are welcomed. See the gallery’s website, Facebook, and Twitter to view current available artwork, works in progress, teaching videos, and biographies of the artists. Open by chance or appointment.

3227 Ocean Drive, 2nd floor 772-231-6816 palmhousegallery.com

RAW SPACE

A vibrant, innovative, and alternative cultural venue located in the heart of downtown Vero Beach, Raw Space provides a platform that promotes a spectrum of artistic disciplines and events with a distinct focus on community engagement. Its program includes exhibits from local and international artists, workshops, lectures, black box theater, film screenings, music, dance, and anything that promotes “out of the box” ideas.

1795 Old Dixie Hwy. 305-213-9411 artconceptalternative.org

SEBASTIAN RIVER ART CLUB

The club offers art, web design, and photography classes, demonstrations, workshops,

and art shows inside the clubhouse and at Riverview Park. The club’s exhibit space features works in an array of media: pottery, sculpture, woodworking, jewelry, mixed media, photography, and glass.

1245 Main St., Sebastian 772-321-9333 sebastianriverartclub.com

VERO BEACH ART CLUB

The Art Club is an independent nonprofit organization serving 450 members and the art community through education, exhibitions, social events, and monthly meetings with special programs and guest artists. While maintaining a satellite presence at the Vero Beach Museum of Art, the club makes its home in the downtown arts district, with a marketplace, classroom, and the Jeanette Beach Gallery, named in honor of the club’s founder.

1903 14th Ave. 772-217-3345

3001 Riverside Park Drive 772-231-0303 verobeachartclub.org

VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART

The museum is the largest accredited art facility on Florida’s Treasure Coast, presenting changing international exhibitions from

lenders and its permanent collection of more than 950 objects of American and international art. It features sculpture parks, five galleries, docent tours, art classes, public programs from lectures to film studies, jazz concerts, an annual children’s art festival, Museum Stories and Studios, Museum Babies, the interactive children’s Art Zone, and a museum store. Admission fees apply. Admission is free on the last Saturday of each month.

3001 Riverside Park Drive 772-231-0707 vbmuseum.org

THE VINER SERIES FOR THE VISUAL ARTS AT COMMUNITY CHURCH

The Viner Series was established in 2020 to showcase the work of area artists, with a new artist featured every three months in the sanctuary narthex. The series is named for Teryl Townsend Viner, who served Community Church as a deacon and as a member of the church’s board of music and fine arts.

Community Church of Vero Beach 1901 23rd St. 772-469-2320 ccovb.org ❀

Summer Day by Peter Laughton, oil on canvas, 30 x 40 inches, at Meghan Candler Gallery

It’s an Acrobatic August!

WITH SOME CALMER EVENTS, TOO

AUGUST 3

Thursday

TECH TIME

Half-hour sessions with techsavvy librarians are offered regularly in the reference study room. Registration is required. 1–3 p.m., free IRC Main Library 1600 21st St. 772-400-6331 libraries.ircgov.com

AERIAL ANTICS YOUTH CIRCUS

In three exciting, unforgettable performances choreographed to the music of “one hit wonders,” the students of the City of Vero Beach’s Aerial Antics acrobatic program will demonstrate all that they’ve learned and practiced throughout the year. August 3–5, 7 p.m., $7–$8 City of Vero Beach Recreation Department at Saint Edward’s School 1895 Saint Edward’s Drive 772-978-4500 covb.org

AUGUST 4

Friday

BACKSTAGE TOURS

Riverside Theatre’s Backstage Tours offer a close-up look at set design, props, wardrobe, dressing rooms, and rehearsal hall—all of the behind-the-scenes aspects of a production at Florida’s largest professional nonprofit theater. 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., $5

Riverside Theatre

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

BACK 2 SCHOOL FUN DAY Youngsters preparing for a new school year can join members of the Sebastian Police Department for games, music, food, and school supply giveaways. 11 a.m.–2 p.m., free Sebastian Police Department at Barber Street Sports Complex 950 Barber St., Sebastian 772-589-5233, ext. 8521 or 8589 cityofsebastian.org

INTRO TO GENEALOGY

Michelle Wagner, head of the Julian W. Lowenstein Archive Center and Genealogy Department at the Main IRC Library, will be on hand in the large meeting room at the North IRC Library to deliver a one-hour class on the basics of ancestry research, titled “How Do I Get Started?” 3 p.m., free

North IRC Library 1001 Sebastian Blvd. 772-400-6360 libraries.ircgov.com

ART RECEPTION

Stop by Gallery 14 for a reception featuring the works of its Crystal Jubilee Invitational exhibition. 5–8 p.m. Gallery 14 1911 14th Ave. 772-562-5525 gallery14verobeach.com

TERMINUS MODERN BALLET THEATRE

Ballet Vero Beach launches its 2023–24 season by welcoming the Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre out of Atlanta. August 4 and 5, 7:30 p.m., $10–$75

Ballet Vero Beach at Riverside Theatre 3250 Riverside Park Drive 772-269-1065

balletverobeach.org

Ongoing Events

THROUGH AUGUST 6

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

Vero Beach Theatre Guild presents the popular musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which features music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. Fridays 7:30 p.m., Saturdays 2 and 7:30 p.m., Sundays 2 p.m.; $15–$40

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

verobeachtheatreguild.com

Above: Aerial Antics Youth Circus will take place August 3–5. Right: Ballet Vero Beach hosts Atlanta’s Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre August 4–5.

AUGUST 5

Saturday

CHOPSTICK DAY

Guests at this Family Fun Day will learn to make origami chopstick holders. No reservations required. Noon–3 p.m., free with paid admission Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach 561-495-0233 morikami.org

AUGUST 6

Sunday

‘THE WILD WEST’ Wild West action will play out on the big screen as the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra plays selections from classic Western films. The world premiere of Mark Piszczek’s American Frontier Suite will

Recurring Events

round out the program with symphonic renditions of frontier folk songs. 3 p.m., flexible pricing Space Coast Symphony Orchestra at AMC Indian River 24 6200 20th St. 855-252-7276 spacecoastsymphony.org

AUGUST 9

Wednesday

BOOK TO FILM

Which was better—the book or the movie? Find out in the Bjorkman Room of the Brackett Library, where film adaptations of popular books are shown monthly. No registration required. Noon, free

Brackett Library IRSC Mueller Campus 6155 College Lane 772-400-6366 libraries.ircgov.com

EVERY FRIDAY & SATURDAY

COMEDY ZONE

Riverside Theatre presents Comedy Zone and Live in the Loop, with two comedians and local bands as well as food and beverages available from the grill. Comedy Zone is recommended for guests 18 and older. Live in the Loop: 5:45 p.m.; general admission free, reserved seating available; Comedy Zone 7 and 9 p.m., $25

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

EVERY SATURDAY FARMERS MARKET

Browse the produce, culinary delights, and other wares of more than two dozen vendors at the Vero Beach Farmers Market, at the corner of Ocean Drive and Dahlia Lane, across from Humiston Park. 8 a.m.–noon

Business Inspiring Kindness 2901 Ocean Drive verobeachfarmersmarket.com

EVERY FIRST FRIDAY FIRST FRIDAY GALLERY STROLL

Enjoy an evening walk in downtown Vero Beach, pop into some galleries, and perhaps grab a beverage or a bite at a café. August 4 and September 1; 5–8 p.m. Main Street Vero Beach Downtown along 14th Avenue 772-643-6782 mainstreetverobeach.org

EVERY LAST FRIDAY

DOWNTOWN FRIDAY

Main Street Vero Beach holds a community street party with live music, street vendors, and food trucks.

August 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.

August 27, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

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

Sean Harper will be in the Comedy Zone August 4 and 5.

Enjoy free admission at VBMA Saturday, August 27.

KELLY ROGERS

AUGUST 17

Thursday

BEEKEEPING BASICS

The experts of UF/IFAS

Extension Indian River County will hold a half-day workshop familiarizing participants with bees, beekeeping equipment and regulations, hives, and honey harvesting. 9 a.m.–1 p.m., $25

UF/IFAS Extension IRC

1800 27th St., Bldg. B

772-226-4330

sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/indian-river

AUGUST 27

Sunday

A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC

Space Coast Symphony Orchestra presents Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music, complete with professional singers, traditional costuming, and digital sets. 3 p.m., flexible pricing

Space Coast Symphony Orchestra at VBHS Performing Arts Center

1707 16th St. 855-252-7276

spacecoastsymphony.org

AUGUST 28

Monday

SOCIAL RESPITE ART CLASS

Representatives of the Vero Beach Museum of Art will join the Alzheimer & Parkinson Association’s social respite gathering to help participants suffering from memory and movement disorders express themselves in a variety of art forms. 1–2 p.m., free

Alzheimer & Parkinson Association

2300 5th Ave., Suite 150 772-563-0505 alzpark.org

SEPTEMBER 1

Friday

ART RECEPTION

Gallery 14 will hold the final reception for its Crystal Jubilee Invitational exhibition. 5–8 p.m.

Gallery 14

1911 14th Ave.

772-562-5525

gallery14verobeach.com

Alzheimer & Parkinson Association off ers an art class August 28.

“There

exercise

heart than reaching down and helping to lift someone up.”

KELLY ROGERS

CHRISTINE R. MCLAUGHLIN AT SHAMROCK REAL ESTATE

772-538-0683 propertyinvero.com

JOHN’S ISLAND REAL ESTATE COMPANY

772-231-0900

THE MOORINGS REALTY SALES CO.

772-231-5131

themoorings.com i nside back cover

RYAN HOMES, NVR INC.

561-359-0506

ryanhomes.com/lost-tree-2

Contributing Advertising Agencies

THE AD AGENCY

E. Fred Augenstein

772-538-3923, augy@comcast.net

Ad design and production, all media, full service

NICOLACE MARKETING

Maureen Nicolace

772-299-4889, maureen@nicolacemarketing.com

Public relations, marketing plans, media placement, graphic design, marketing, and staff development

SQUARED STUDIOS

Amanda Robinson

772-713-6884, squared-studios.com

Marketing, advertising, and graphic design from concept through production

SKY ADVERTISING

321-777-0140, skyadinc.com

Full-service marketing, including brand creation; photography and videography; digital, print, and broadcast advertising; and website creation

VERO MARKETING

Lindsay Candler

772-473-0654, veromarketing.com

Creative graphic design, print marketing, and website design

Vero Beach Magazine (ISSN 1097-2013) is published monthly by Palm Beach Media Group, 3375 20th Street, Suite 100, Vero Beach, Florida 32960; 772-234-8871. Entire contents copyright © 2023 by Palm Beach Media Group. All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. The publisher is not liable for errors or omissions. Periodical postage is paid in Vero Beach, Florida, and additional mailing offices. SUBSCRIPTIONS: One year $28; two years $45; three years $54. Subscribe online at verobeachmagazine.com or call 772-234-8871 weekdays from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa are accepted. Our subscription information is not shared, rented or sold. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Vero Beach Magazine, 3375 20th Street, Suite 100, Vero Beach, FL 32960. SUBMISSIONS: Publisher assumes no liability for the care and return of unsolicited materials, including manuscripts and photographs. Postal authorization #018722. Copyright © 2023 Palm Beach Media Group.

Test your powers of perception

TEN THINGS ARE DIFFERENT IN THESE PHOTOGRAPHS—CAN YOU FIND THEM ALL?

BY JANINE FISHER

10. ddedA a dinosaur toy to bookshelf

9 Changed green chair to orange

8 utP teddy bear on top bookshelf

7 Changed woman’s shoes to blue

6 witchedS the basketball

5. eletedD window in back room

4. hangedC books on front bookshelf

3 emovedR table and chairs from back room

2 lacedP a poster on the back wall

1 Removed a game from top of bookshelf

Residents and staff gather in the library at Hope for Families Center. See the story on page 76.

STEVEN MARTINE