25th Anniversary
NEIGHBORS
ANN ERS IV
A
RY
Breakfast and lunch at Niki’s every day has been friends’ routine BY LINDA JUMP Nancy, Mary and Sally don’t even have to order at Niki’s Family Restaurant — three long-time waitresses there have served the mostly-retired women breakfast and lunch nearly daily for more than two decades. “If they don’t know what they want, we do. We have their drinks ready before they sit,” said Debbie Lund, a 26-year employee of the Suntree Plaza eatery. “They’re just like family, hilarious and fantastic.” Nancy Buzzard and her mother began dining there, and noticed Mary Cody, usually there at the same time, eating alone. “I asked her to join us, and that started our group. We continued to eat together after my mother died,” Buzzard said. Sally King joined the group 20-plus years ago. “Table 10 is theirs, and we save it for them,” said Nikki Cashon, a 24-year server from Rockledge. She said about 80 to 85 percent of their customers are regulars, so most customers are greeted by name, like on the sitcom Cheers. “They know our families too, because we bring them here when they visit,” King said. “Our group gets larger and smaller. We get a bigger table in the other room when we need one. This restaurant is
SENIOR LIFE Klinton Landress
Floyd Bradley of Niki’s Family Restaurant greets longtime friends Nancy Buzzard, Mary Cody and Sally King, who have been eating breakfast and lunch at his restaurant for 20 years. like home,” Buzzard said, displaying photos of various group get-togethers on her cell phone. “We get extra-large birthday cakes, eat a few pieces and leave the rest for the staff.” The women also give workers gifts such as Christmas cacti, poinsettias and Easter lilies. Cody brings them chocolate.
Floyd Bradley, who opened the restaurant in April 1990, considers Buzzard, Cody and King his most loyal customers. “They were here for breakfast and they’ll be here at 12:25 for lunch,” he said. King is widowed; Cody never married, but sometimes, Buzzard’s husband joins the women for lunch.
“He likes to sleep in, so he misses breakfast,” Buzzard said. King said the women talk about everything amicably and share daily concerns. “They’re great friends. You couldn’t ask for better. We come. We eat. We talk,” King explained between bites. SL
Run 4 Paws helps raise awareness, funds for Canine Companions BY MARIA SONNENBERG
The Avenue Viera is going to the dogs on Saturday, September 3, when the shopping complex hosts Run 4 Paws, a two-mile run/walk to benefit Canine Companions for Independence. Since 1975, the nonprofit has placed more than 7,200 expertly trained service dogs with children, adults and veterans with disabilities, many of them, like Diana Adams. The West Melbourne resident relies on Canine Companions service dog Opus to help her through the day. A veteran of 14 surgeries, Adams tries to walk as much as she can, but tires easily and uses a wheelchair often, particularly at home. Opus is always at the ready for her. “Having Opus to get things off the floor, pull the laundry basket from one room to another and even get the fridge door open helps me to be independent,” Adams said. Opus is indeed doing what he was bred and trained to do: serve individuals with disabilities. “Our dogs are trained to
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perform practical tasks that enhance independence and reduce reliance on others,” said Martha Johnson, the public relations and marketing coordinator for Canine Companions.
SENIOR LIFE • AUGUST 2022
Before they return to the Canine Companions campus in Orlando for the rigorous training they will need, the pups live with volunteer puppy raisers that give their time, home and hearts to the pups during
those critical first 18 months of life. James and Cheryl Gregory of Melbourne have raised nine Canine Companions puppies. “It is incredibly fulfilling to see a puppy we have raised go on to serve an adult, child or veteran with a disability and to know that they are making a lasting impact,” James Gregory said. Because dogs are provided free of charge, fundraisers such as the Run 4 Paws are necessary. More than 400 people are currently waiting for the help of a Canine Companions dog. Humans and dogs alike are invited to participate in Run 4 Paws. Run, jog or walk the twomile course, but for added fun, dress yourself and your trusty canine sidekick in costume to snag great prizes in the costume competition. The event begins at 7:30 a.m. at The Avenue Viera at 2261 Town Center Ave. Registration is $25 for adults and $20 for children up to 12 years old. To register, visit runsignup.com/ run4pawscc. SL
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