10 minute read
NEIGHBORS
A N NI V E R Y R SA
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 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
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.
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 perform practical tasks that enhance independence and reduce reliance on others,” said Martha Johnson, the public relations and marketing coordinator for Canine Companions.
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
SENIOR LIFE photo
SENIOR LIFE Mike Gaffey
Chateau Madeleine residents gather in a 1966 Cadillac Coupe de Ville convertible driven by owner Christy Murphy during the Red, White and Blue Classic Car Show.
Show brings classic cars to Chateau Madeleine residents
BY MIKE GAFFEY
A classic car show at Chateau Madeleine in Suntree took residents of the senior living facility on a drive down Memory Lane.
Dozens of vehicles from the 1930s to today filled the parking lot outside the assisted living and memory care community at 205 Hardoon Lane on July 1 during the Red, White and Blue Classic Car Show. The preIndependence Day event gave aging residents a chance to celebrate America’s 246th birthday and view, touch and even sit and ride in gleaming automobiles from their past.
Helen Hutten, who will turn 100 in August, and a friend were drawn to a yellow 1931 Auburn with a rumble seat, an upholstered exterior seat that folds into a vehicle’s rear. Owned by Nick Bauer, the Auburn once belonged to actress and sex symbol Mae West.
“We sat in it and pretended we were going to get a malted milk,” said the Cincinnati native, a Chateau Madeleine resident for the past 15 months. “It was fun. I remember riding in a rumble seat when I was 14 years old. We would drive to visit a family member. My cousin was the same age I was and we would go and in the wintertime we had to wear blankets because it was so cold. But we went all the time.”
Organized by Bill Antonetz of Indialantic, the show was open to the public and attracted about 250 car aficionados before a thunderstorm ended the festivities an hour early.
“I feel honored,” said Antonetz, who hosts a beachside car show each month. “I’m glad to see these residents with smiles on their faces. It’s rewarding to bring a car show to people who can’t come to a car show.”
Some residents enjoyed a short spin in front of the facility in a 1966 Cadillac Coupe de Ville convertible owned by Christy Murphy of Melbourne.
“We wanted a show in which our residents not only got to see the cars but actually got to go for a ride,” said Eric Hardoon, Chateau Madeleine’s executive director. “These people who came here and volunteered their time enjoyed seeing these seniors really glow after seeing these cars and riding in them.”
Hardoon hopes to have a car show at the facility every three to six months.
“We are all looking forward to the many other times that we do this in the future,” he said. SL
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With no friends and no home, teen mom Paisley was facing a harsh future along the back roads of Georgia
Fortunately, fate intervened in the form of a kind lady with a friend who volunteers at Furever Home Animal Rescue. The 1 year-old, black-andtan coonhound was delivered to the Titusville rescue, where she gave birth to nine healthy puppies, who are now ready to be adopted.
Paisley will get her chance to have a home, too, after she ends her treatment for heartworm.
Paisley’s was not the only litter at Furever Home, awash with eight more puppies from two other dog moms.
The rescue group houses homeless dogs, cats, birds, ferrets, guinea pigs and other small critters at its shelter at 2605 Flake Road in Titusville, as well as with foster pet parents who have hearts big enough to welcome the formerly unwanted pets into their homes.
“We pull animals from shelters where they may be euthanized,” volunteer Diana Klotz said.
Founder Jenelle Scurlock grew up assisting her mother in her dog grooming business. She worked for several shelters prior to launching Furever Home in 2017 from her residence when she was 27 years old. In 2020, the opportunity to rent the old county shelter at 2605 Flake Road appeared and she grabbed it.
“She has a heart of gold and supportive volunteers to help her find great homes where the animals can live a wonderful life,” Klotz said.
While shelters such as Furever Home enjoyed a surge in adoptions during the pandemic, they are now coping with a tsunami of homeless animals
“With the economy, people are surrendering their pets,” Klotz added.
Survival depends on donations and fundraisers, and on volunteers. Because some animals don’t thrive in a shelter environment, foster parents are always needed.
The group strives to teach prospective parents that with the joy of owning pets also comes responsibility.
“I dream of the day when people truly think about the animals they adopt and realize it is a lifelong commitment,” Scurlock said.
For more information, call 386-402-2724 or go to fureverhomeanimalrescue.com, where a wish list of needed items, profiles of available pets and an application to foster can be found. SL
—Jenelle Scurlock
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Furever Home
Paisley gave birth to nine healthy puppies that are being cared for by Furever Home Animal Rescue. Bottom left, Paisley was fortunate to be rescued by Furever Home Animal Rescue. Bottom right, Furever Home Animal Rescue founder Jenelle Scurlock grew up assisting her mother in her dog grooming business.
Memory Care is Getting Stronger this Summer
AT BREVARD COUNTY'S PREMIER SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY!
The Blake at Viera is built to enrich lives in the presence of luxury. From daily support to our one-of-a-kind Walk With Me Memory Care program, we get to know our residents to foster the joyful environment they need. From Assisted Living to Memory Care, we can’t wait to welcome you home.
Call (321) 456-9290 today to schedule a tour and learn more about our all-inclusive Memory Care program!
Join our Founders Club to enjoy exclusive rewards!
Opening This Summer! 5700 Lake Andrew Dr. | Melbourne, FL 32940 | blakeatviera.com Pre-Opening Sales Office: 6729 Colonnade Avenue | Suite 111 | Melbourne, FL 32940
