Senior Life, July 2023

Revving up E-bikes

Lee Wenner The legend behind the park’s name

BY LINDA WIGGINS

It might just be that were it not for him, the mosquitos would be the only thriving inhabitants of what instead became the Space Coast.

Lee Wenner, the man behind the park named for him at Cocoa Village’s northeast waterfront, lived his life in three parts: practically prehistoric as Brevard County came into its own, the 1990s as he positioned himself for a long life in service well into the next millennium, and to infinity and beyond as the namesake of the premium waterfront park.

For starters, the former World War II pilot traded bombs for pesticide and found a way to beat back the mosquitos when he came to Brevard in 1952.

Civilization of the area could not have moved forward without his success. He spent 24 years on the Brevard County Commission, most of the time as chairman. As chairman he was credited with establishing the county’s solid waste facility in Cocoa, helping to get the 528 Beachline Expressway extended to Brevard, helping to get the Hubert Humphrey Bridge built and getting its namesake to attend the naming ceremony.

Much of his pioneering was done with no fanfare, said one community leader.

“He would get a bus and drive into the AfricanAmerican communities to pick up kids and take them to Dodgertown where we could see the Brooklyn Dodgers play,” said Dick Blake, 89, a Rockledge City Council member from 1976 to 2016 and

LEE WENNER

continued on page 8

“They are 110 volts; you can charge them anywhere, even in your living room.”

— Steve Barton

Summertime means vacations, day trips and more time spent outdoors. And, if you are spending time outside in the sunshine and heat, there are precautions that must be taken.

You think of hydration, lots of water, but you also must think about protecting your skin from the sun. Break out the sunscreen, but check for an expiration date before you use it. If it does not have one clearly marked, which is not required of manufacturers, try to remember when you bought it. If it is more than three years old, you should probably get a new tube. We tell you more about sunscreens and protecting yourself from UV rays in this edition of Senior Life

I love to take day trips and the occasional overnight trip around the state. If you are taking some day trips this summer, there are plenty of choices nearby. However, check out this edition’s story on travel for a trip you might consider this summer. You can also search VieraVoice.com/senior-life for other day-trip travel stories.

Whether you are going on a trip or staying home, protecting your property at any time is a good investment. Security cameras have become so inexpensive and easy to set up. Of course, there are sophisticated security systems, but there are also simple but effective do-it-yourself systems. Check out our story about security cameras.

One reason to get out this summer is right around the corner — Independence Day celebrations. We’ll list some of the places that will be celebrating the 247th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America.

Have you noticed how many electric bikes there are out there just in the past year or so? Just two years ago, we had to search for people on e-bikes for a story. Now, they seem to be everywhere. In this and in coming editions, look for stories about these e-bikes.

Bees and butterflies are so important to life and the ecosystem. Our story in this edition tells why they are important and what role we can play to make sure they are protected.

These are just some of the stories, in addition to our regular features, that are in this month’s Senior Life SL

R. Norman Moody norm@myseniorlife.com

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Brevard County celebrates Independence Day in style

BY FLORA REIGADA

Brevard County communities will celebrate Independence Day with fireworks and fun-filled events. An overview follows.

Port St. John

Saturday, July 1, Thunder Over the Indian River, the celebration starts at 4 p.m. with fireworks at 9:15 p.m. at the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) Indian River Plant at 7800 U.S. 1. The gate is on Kings Highway, across from Capron Road. Call 321-863-7499 or visit portstjohncommunityfoundation.com.

Palm Bay

Sunday, July 2, Palm Bay will hold its Independence Day celebration from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Palm Bay campus of Eastern Florida State College at 250 Community College Parkway. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. Visit PBFL.org/ IndependenceDay.

Cocoa Beach

Monday, July 3, the fireworks start at 9 p.m. at Fisher Park Beach at 2200 N. Atlantic Ave. Call 321-8683252 or visit cityofcocoabeach.com.

Merritt Island

Tuesday, July 4, the Fourth of July Parade and Celebration kicks off at 10 a.m. at Merritt Island High School, turning south to N. Courtenay Parkway to East Merritt Avenue, then east, ending at Edgewood Junior/ Senior High School.

For information, call, 321-5058752 or Email lindsey@bcsocharity. org.

Rockledge

Tuesday, July 4, the city’s annual Independence Day Picnic starts at 10 a.m. at McLarty Park at 790 Barton Boulevard. Call 321-221-7540 or visit cityofrockledge.org.

Port St. John

Tuesday, July 4, a Celebration of America 4 service and barbecue begins at 6 p.m.at St. Patrick’s

Anglican Church, 4797 Curtis Boulevard. Call 321-802-1311 or visit stpartickpsj.com.

Cocoa Village

Tuesday, July 4, the Red Hot & Boomin’ BBQ and Symphony under the Stars, by the Brevard Symphony Orchestra. Barbecue starts at 6 p.m. at the Cocoa Civic Center. Concert at Cocoa Riverfront Park starts at 8 p.m. with fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Symphony Under the Stars VIP BBQ is $75 in advance. Proceeds benefit the Brevard Symphony Orchestra. Call 321-242-2024 or email BrevardSymphony.com.

Melbourne

Tuesday, July 4, MelBOOM, a Fourth of July celebration begins

at 7 p.m. with fireworks at 9 p.m. at Front Street Civic Center at 2205 Front St. Call 321-417-1342 or visit melbourneflorida.org/departments/ parks-recreation/fireworks.

Titusville

Tuesday, July 4, Red, White and Boom starts at 7 p.m. and fireworks will start at 9:15 p.m. at Chain of Lakes Park. For more information, call 321-567-3775 or visit cityoftitusville.com.

Viera

July 4, Viera’s annual Great American Celebration, starts at 9 p.m. Launched from the east side of the USSSA Space Coast Complex. Make sure to park legally. For more, go to the Viera Community Institute Facebook page SL

ESTATE PLANNING BOOKLET

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Angela Butler Patriotism lights the sky during last year’s Independence Day Celebration in Port St. John.

BY ERNIE DORLING

According to some historical accounts, racquetball came into existence sometime in the late 19th century in response to a need to keep certain members of British society occupied while serving time in special prisons for non-payment of debts.

Because many of these men came from well-to-do-backgrounds, and had played tennis, the prison set up a wall in which the inmates could use to hit a ball against with their tennis racquets.

Fast forward to 1950, professional tennis player Joe Sobek, who left the profession for a more lucrative job that offered him little opportunity for exercise, founded and designed what we know today as racquetball.

It’s a competitive sport that is usually played inside with four walls and a ceiling.

Elvis Presley loved the game so

much that he built a racquetball court at Graceland.

Mark Stamand of Viera has been

a group of friends.

“The game is physical and provides me with a great aerobic workout,”

the game for almost 20 years.

“A lot of women stopped playing during the COVID period,” Walters said. “We used to have a number of women who played in our league at the Viera Health club. We don’t have as many now. It would be great if some of them would come back.”

As she readied to play a game, Walters expressed the hope that more women might find their way back to the sport now that COVID is no longer the problem it was.

“This is great exercise,” she said.

Carl Exline of Cocoa has played racquetball for 40 years.

“The exercise is great,” he said, “but I really like the idea of making my opponents run after the ball.”

John Albert of Melbourne prefers racquetball more than a treadmill. He has played racquetball for about 10 years.

“I love the exercise I get from playing the game,” he said. “I also hate the idea of getting on a treadmill or a stationary bike. That is just boring for me. The game makes getting aerobic exercise fun. And, I like the camaraderie it provides.”

Racquetball is a fast-paced sport that requires a combination of speed and agility. The game also provides a great cardiovascular workout. According to the California State Racquetball Association, players can burn more than 600 calories an hour while playing. The game is also low impact, something older players might keep in mind if they are concerned about problems with their joints.

Racquetball offers a challenging workout that is fun. The people who play it get to know each other, support each other and know how to play the game.

If you’re thinking of trying the game out, the initial investment is fairly low, including a racquet, balls and protective eyewear, which is a must. And, the courts are air-conditioned.

SENIOR LIFE Ernie Dorling

Nina Walters, left, John Albert, Carl Exline and Mark Stamand play racquetball on a regular basis in Viera.

Game of darts — easy to set up, simple rules and fun to play

BY BRENDA EGGERT BRADER

Classified as a sport, many argue it is a game. Darts is often played in pubs and bars, requiring little or no physical fitness.

Supported by the Darts Regulation Authority, the official organization governs the current rules and regulations of the game.

“Here we play standard games, or what we want to make up, but the bull’s eye in the center of the dart board is the highest single point,” said Tom Moore, an event leader for a group that meets at the Greater Palm Bay Senior Center. “We play straight darts, and we don’t play for money.”

Basic rules include use of three darts per person per turn, a standard dart board wall height at 5 feet, 8 inches while the distance from the board is 7 feet 9.25 inches so the players know where to stand at the toe line or oche.

Every dart board is the same numbered one to 20 in non-sequential order around the board. Toss darts at the board and count points as you go. Even the bull’s eye in the center splits into two sections for score. Scoring is simple and, in this group, there are plenty of players to teach a novice.

“This is my first time playing,” said Maureen Capozzi of Palm Bay.” I have played other games here and done their exercises so I thought I would try this today.”

The game does not have to be so simple.

“There are lots and all kinds of dart games you can play,” said Gene Wallace of Melbourne.

Moore said. “Sometimes we have teams or shoot darts from the other hand. We are always trying different ways to play. We have fun here.”

Moore compares darts to bowling.

“Darts is like bowling,” Moore said. “In bowling, there are hundreds of balls you can select by weight. You also select darts by the weight and what they feel like in your hand.”

Easy rules make for more fun. Game player order is decided by throwing a single dart each with the nearest to the bull’s eye taking the first throw. A throw consists of tossing three darts. Only darts on the board at the end of the throw are counted.

And it’s easy to set up a dart play site, have two sets of three darts, dartboard, plenty of space and good lighting.

Darts are played at 2 p.m. the second and fourth Monday at the

must be members of the Palm Bay Senior Center.

“It’s the people and the

socialization,” Wallace said. “It’s the people that’s the whole thing and having fun.” SL

SENIOR LIFE Brenda Eggert Brader

Tom Moore, left, an event coordinator, lines up for shooting. Susan Ziegler adds her score as she selects her darts from the dart board.

Suntree couple victimized through elaborate fraud scheme

BY ERNIE DORLING

Meet John and Gail Sherry of Suntree. Now in their early 80s, they moved to Brevard County from Connecticut in 2011 for many of the same reasons so many people move to Florida — the weather and low cost of living, where savings and pensions go further.

Little did they realize that more than a year ago a large chunk of their savings would be stolen from them by thieves who are so sophisticated that they can financially destroy people by leaving their computer terminal. And just like that, their dreams were shattered when they found themselves in the middle of a complex scam that started with a seemingly harmless message. “My world instantly shattered,” Gail Sherry said.

And so, her nightmare began.

“I got an email message stating that $739.57 had been debited from your PayPal Account,” Gail Sherry said. “And that if this was in error, for me to contact them at the number in the email.”

Gail Sherry called the number because she didn’t have a PayPal account. So, when the person on the other end of the phone claimed to be a representative of the bank told her that her accounts had been compromised, and that her identity had been stolen and used to purchase properties in her name all over the world, she was devastated. They then solicited her help in identifying the people involved. And she was only too happy to assist in what she was made to believe to be a fraud scheme involving members of

her local branch of Wells Fargo.

“They had so much of my personal information and were so convincing that I couldn’t help but believe them,” Sherry said. The entire scheme took place in just a matter of a few hours. The thieves convinced her to allow them access to her computer, which she did. Then, they instructed her to go to a different branch of Wells Fargo,

one that she never used. Armed with an account number that she thought was being used to transfer money from her and her husband’s home equity line of credit, back into a different account, she authorized the bank to wire the money. And in seconds, the $739.57 she believed she was sending turned out to be $73,957. Within seconds, the money was gone, leaving the couple

financially and mentally drained.

Frauds like this are only too common these days. Recent data has shown that Americans have reported losses totaling almost $9 billion last year.

“We share some of the responsibility for this,” John Sherry said. “But the bank should have done more to help prevent this from happening. There should have been more safeguards in place.”

During the next month, the Sherry’s spent endless hours doing everything victims are expected to do in cases like this. They reported the scheme and theft of their money to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. But while the department was able to take an official report, the Sherry’s learned quickly that most local law enforcement agencies in the country are not equipped to deal with complex international fraud schemes.

They spent even more hours canceling all of their credit cards, changing bank accounts, and notifying every financial institution with which they did business.

It is estimated that victims of identity theft spend, on average, 175 hours and up to $1,000 trying to undo the damage done by those that steal their identities. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) claims that 38% of all identity-theft victims spend more than a month, often longer, trying to figure out what happened to them.

“I found that most every agency we dealt with was simply there to take a report but could do little else,” John Sherry said. “The one exception was the United States Secret Service. They came to the house twice, helped clean up our computer, and talked to us about what we should do if these scammers tried to contact us again.” SL

Note: In an upcoming edition, we’ll discuss another type of near-perfect crime, where most victims don’t even know they’ve been victimized until it’s too late. We’ll also address the various scams that are targeting seniors and what people can do to protect themselves from being victimized.

It is

that victims of identity theft spend, on average, 175 hours and up to $1,000 trying to undo the damage done by those that steal their identities.

SENIOR LIFE Klinton Landress John and Gail Sherry of Suntree were scammed by devious and intelligent criminals.

principal of Cocoa High School for 23 years. “You can’t imagine what a brave and caring thing that was to do back then in the days of racial segregation. No white could go in a black neighborhood, but he didn’t care about getting into trouble when it was the right thing to do.” Blake, whose son Mike Blake is now Cocoa mayor, wistfully recounted the joy of getting to see his icon Jackie Robinson play.

There are so many Wenner stories floating around, many involving his heroics. He and two friends capsized their boat on the ocean; he left them holding onto a floating cooler while he swam more than five miles to get help.

“We’ll be forever grateful,” said George Trosset Jr., the son of one of the rescued men.

Wenner had endless energy for all things public and private. He adopted his previous wife’s four children and then got custody of them after their divorce. He later met and married Wanda Wenner Schultz, and helped raise her two children as well. With two grown children from his first marriage, the list of grandchildren and great grandchildren is long.

“I always called him the world’s oldest teenager,” said Wanda Wenner Schultz, who was 20 years his junior.

Immediately after winning reelection to the Rockledge City Council in 1996, he pledged to Wanda that he would continue to serve in elected office for many years to come, well into the coming century.

A month later, he died suddenly from a brain aneurysm at age 75.

Five years later, Wanda married Larry Schultz, a Rockledge City Council member and later mayor during a span of 34 years; he died after a three-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease in 2018.

“They were my alpha and my omega,’ she said, gesturing to a wall of family photos with the two men prominently displayed at the center.

Lastly, Wenner will continue to serve Brevard residents far into the future as the namesake of the park he arranged to be built at no cost to taxpayers.

The goal with recent renovations of the park was to allow boaters to pull up to a slip and visit restaurants and festivals. Damage from last year’s hurricanes resulted in planned modifications to limit future damage.

Even a legendary hero like Wenner could not prevent hurricanes. But at least there are no more mosquitoes. SL

Students say ‘muchas gracias’ to Spanish classes in Rockledge

BY LINDA JUMP

Spanish classes at the Martin Andersen Senior Center in Rockledge have been popular for more than a decade. Three levels of classes are now offered weekly.

Al Packard has led the classes for 10 years, currently the beginner class at 1 p.m. on Friday and intermediate class at 1 p.m. on Monday. Darsi Benitez leads the 1 p.m. Wednesday advanced conversational class, where students speak only in Spanish.

“Over the years, I got involved. I substituted at first and now I teach,” Packard said.

Benitez, a native of Venezuela, began in 2018. Spanish-speaking students helped her become a U.S. citizen. Her students are currently reading “Senderos Fronterizos’’ by Francisco Jiménez, which highlights immigrant prejudice. They read aloud, in Spanish, and improve their pronunciation.

“I love these people. They’re my best friends in the U.S. I will keep teaching until they stop coming,” Benitez said.

Steven Lumbert of Rockledge joined the conversational class last year so he can talk with his wife’s family in Puerto Rico by phone in Spanish instead of English. “I also use it when we travel there, but they want to speak English with me to learn it,” he said with a chuckle.

Claire Steinback of Cape Canaveral and John Rovina of Rockledge began studying Spanish in Packard’s classes but improved and needed advanced study, so they and others joined the conversational class with Benitez.

“It’s all about keeping your brain exercised,” Steinback said.

Rovina’s parents are Puerto Rican and his wife’s native language is Spanish. “My wife speaks in Spanish and I answer in English.” Their communication is improving, he said,

as his Spanish vocabulary improves.

Nina Elise Hunt, 35, of Cocoa Beach lived in Mexico for part of last year. “I want to keep up my language and this is a great way because I get to speak it and hear it.”

Rick Glasby of Cocoa said his reason to join the class was simple. “I like to travel as a tourist to Spanishspeaking countries. I want to be able to order a beer. I can’t understand all the words spoken in the class but the more you hear it and speak it, the better.”

Jan Scully of Viera agreed. The

former foreign language resource officer for Brevard County Schools wants to keep up her Spanish skills.

“It’s fun and our teacher is always up and helps us a lot.”

Valerie Alday, the senior center president, said students don’t have to be 50 years old or a center member to take a class.

The cost is $1 a class for members or $2 for non-members.

“We’ve done Spanish classes for a long time, so they must be popular.”

SENIOR LIFE Linda Jump

Darsi Benitez teaches a conversational Spanish class at the Martin Andersen Senior Center in Rockledge. She only allows her students to speak Spanish during the

SENIOR LIFE Linda Jump Steve Lumbert, left, and his wife Socorro Milagros of Rockledge listen to the book “Senderos Fronterizos” by Francisco Jiménez. The book highlights immigrant prejudice. It was read by fellow students in Spanish during a conversational Spanish class at the Martin Andersen Senior Center in Rockledge.

SENIOR LIFE Linda Wiggins

“They were my alpha and my omega,” Wanda Wenner Schultz said of her first great love, Lee Wenner, and her last, Larry Schultz. Their images anchor the center of her family photo wall.

SENIOR LIFE photo Lee Wenner and Wanda Wenner Schultz helped each other raise their children and enjoyed many grandchildren together.

“He would get a bus and drive into the AfricanAmerican communities to pick up kids and take them to Dodgertown where we could see the Brooklyn Dodgers play.”

—Dick Blake

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STRI PES

Retired veteran gives back, not forgetting help received

Long after serving 20 years in the U.S. Army, Michelle Blackwood moved to Brevard County, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Blackwood, who served in the Middle East, did not let the issue get her down for too long. She sought help, but never forgot that it was fellow veterans who assisted her.

Today, she is helping other veterans through AVET Project.

“When I retired and moved to Florida, I was having some issues,” she said. “I reached out and they sat with me.”

She received the help she needed

with the issues she had; and assistance with accessing her earned veteran’s benefits. Blackwood is quick to tell anyone that she is doing a whole lot better than when she first arrived in Brevard County.

That was a few years ago. And soon

after learning all what AVET Project did for others, she knew she wanted to help. She is now the organization’s director of communications and serves on its board of directors.

The organization offers an array of services such as counseling, employment assistance, help with VA benefits — for veterans and military personnel.

I have seen Blackwood at several AVET events through the years and have heard that she is always present helping with whatever the organization is doing. She has gone from needing help several years ago, to an avid

advocate for those needing assistance, whether it is a veteran suffering with mental health issues or helping to honor a group of warriors.

“I love to serve,” she said. “I love to give back.”

AVET’s President and Chairman Garren Cone was glad to have Blackwood join the organization.

“She wants to be involved and we are happy to have her,” he said. “She definitely is a go-to person.”

Blackwood is always someone that can be counted on to help the organization assist veterans and activeduty military personnel in the area. SL

Army veteran loves his civilian role serving in healthcare

BY MARIA SONNENBERG

Neil Frey’s service to his country did not stop with the military. The former Army Airborne combat engineer became a first responder, and later, an advocate for senior health.

The York, Pennsylvania native grew up working on farms.

“That is where my work ethic developed,” said the Palm Bay resident.

At 17, high school diploma in hand, Frey wanted a change.

“In true-teen fashion, I didn’t get along with my dad, so I enlisted,” he said.

Serving in the military was a natural move since Frey’s father was part of the National Guard. Both paternal and maternal grandparents had fought in World War II.

“It was an easy choice, and I am so glad I made it,” Frey said.

Frey’s timing was perfect, since he enlisted in 1996, right after the first Gulf War. His assignments took him around the United States and Germany. In 2002, he attended French jump school to qualify as a paratrooper.

His best friend, whom he had met in the service, had family in Melbourne. Frey, still at odds with his own family, often visited Brevard County with his buddy.

“His family became my family,” he said.

When his friend was injured and left the service to become a fireman for the City of Palm Bay, Frey, who was coming up on his second enlistment, decided to join him. Brevard County Fire Rescue hired him, while he continued his education, first in EMT

and subsequently as a paramedic. Firefighters, who usually are on duty a full 24-hour day with two days off, usually have second jobs. Frey was no different, joining the emergency team at Wuesthoff Hospital, now Rockledge Regional Medical Center, as a paramedic tech.

The nurses working in the department served to encourage him to become a nurse. Meeting nurse practitioners sealed the deal for his career and he earned the credentials to be an APRN, or advanced practice registered nurse, autonomously licensed for independent practice in Florida.

“I really love the job,” he said.

In 2019, Frey launched Glomar Medical, primary care providers to senior care facilities throughout the county, from Titusville Towers to Palm Bay Memory Care. The company has doubled year after year every year and now employs three nurse practitioners, two physicians and a three-person administrative staff.

“The need is really there,” Frey said.

Lisa Conway, the vice president of care services at One Senior Place, has worked with Frey in special events that raise awareness of senior topics.

“Neil is a professional with solid

clinical skills and a compassionate heart,” she said.

The seniors not only like Frey’s bedside manner, but they also appreciate not having to leave home to receive medical care. Frey believes working with seniors is a winning opportunity for him.

“My patients have so much wisdom to share,” he said. SL

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Neil Frey Neil Frey, center, with his family, enjoys working with seniors in the medical field.

“In true-teen fashion, I didn’t get along with my dad, so I enlisted.”

—Neil Frey

“Neil is a professional with solid clinical skills and a compassionate heart.”

—Lisa Conway

Navy WWII veteran sails into the start of his second century

BY SUSAN HOUTS

John (Jack) Macey of Melbourne

— once a long-time resident of Ossining, New York — is 100 years old.

He was born June 27, 1923, the same day that Capt. Lowell Smith and Lt. John Richter performed the first-ever aerial refueling in a biplane.

“Throw the cigarettes away, and take your vitamins,” is the start of wise advice from Brevard County’s newest centenarian when asked about the secret to his 100-year longevity. “And also cut out liquor.”

But after being reminded by his son-in-law Frank that he enjoyed his occasional beer, he added with a smile, “well, you can just reduce.”

Macey is a proud veteran who served in the U.S. Navy in World War II from 1942 to 1945 as a radioman second class. He was awarded two bronze stars for his service in the Philippines. Macey served onboard the M.S. Kota Inten (1945) troop carrier, and also served in the Korean War from 1950 to 1952. One of his favorite travel memories from his time in the Navy includes going from a Polliwog to a Trusty Shellback, the name a sailor is given when he crosses the equator, a journey he made on his way from California to the Philippines.

Along with travel, love was also in the cards for Macey. He married Elizabeth (Lizzy) Williams

of Ossining in 1952. They were married for 54 years and had one child.

According to his daughter Marilyn, Lizzie was his “co-pilot. They did everything together,” she said. Although Lizzy died in 2006, Macey continued to live independently for another 14 years, until he was 97, residing in the same house where he raised his family for 68 years.

Macey loves golf and caddied for many years at Pines Bridge (Hudson Hills) Golf Club. He also loved to bowl and was in multiple leagues into his late 70s. He loves to watch various sports on television and,

being a New Yorker, the Mets and the Jets are his favorite teams. He was employed by Duracell, formerly P.R. Mallory, in North Tarrytown for 35 years, now called Sleepy Hollow. He later worked for Inter-Technical

Marilyn and Frank Palmietto, also now Florida residents, Macey is well loved.

“He keeps us going,” Marilyn said. “He’s a pleasure. He’s always been a great dad.”

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of John Macey John Macey served in the Navy during World War II from 1942 to 1945.

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of John Macey

John (Jack) Macey, a proud veteran, turned 100 years old on June 27.

Veterans Back to Class still going strong after eight years

SPECIAL TO SENIOR LIFE

Eight years after it was created, the Brevard Veterans Back to Class continues to bring its well-received presentations to thousands of students.

The program, created in 2015 in a partnership between the Military Officers Association of America Cape Canaveral chapter, the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center (BVMC) and the Joe Foss Institute, part of Arizona State University, is welcomed by teachers.

It has proven its value in dozens of schools on the Space Coast, including with public, private and homeschool groups.

is and what they have done,” said Donn Weaver, the vice president of the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center. “It is very important.”

During the 2022-23 school year, 11 Brevard Veterans Back to Class volunteers spoke to 2,140 students in 15 schools. At some presentations, the veterans took the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center Museum’s combatera trunks to show some military artifacts.

Teachers also continued to show the organization’s 18 video units on topics ranging from the Constitution to World War II to the Global War on Terror.

Brevard Veterans Back to Class also helped to spark 11 school field trips to the Veterans Memorial Center Museum.

Since 2015, BVBC volunteers have presented programs to more than 20,000 students at all grade levels and handed out more than 1,000 pocketsize copies of the U.S. Constitutions and 600 hand-held American flags, thanks to the support of JFI/ASU.

After COVID disrupted the program, the Brevard Veterans Back to Class turned to filming 18 veterans covering key topics, which have become additional tools available to Brevard Public Schools teachers.

Now the veterans are ready to get back into the classrooms.

“It shows students who a veteran

The program’s best year was 201617 when the volunteers visited 19 schools, including elementary, middle and high schools, and talked with 6,280 students.

Weaver said the program still is not back to pre-COVID numbers, but hopes that more teachers will take advantage of it this coming school year.

“We want to get back up to 6,000,” he said. “That’s our goal.”

The Joe Foss Institute covers the costs of supporting materials and provides lesson plans. It certifies volunteers and can help with scheduling in local schools.

The program offers links to teachers

who describe their needs for the presentations and offers at least five to 10 minutes each class period to the volunteer veteran to tell their story of service and how being a veteran has impacted their lives.

For more information, contact Donn Weaver at 757-871-6576. SL

IRCC celebrates U.S. Army’s 248th anniversary with elegant ball

BY NANETTE HEBDIGE

The Indian River Colony Club commemorated the 248th anniversary of the U.S. Army on June 14 with a ball hosted at the Indian River Colony Club.

The sold-out Army Birthday Ball had almost 200 veterans of the Army and other branches and civilians in attendance. Most of the veterans were attired in full dress uniform, including the medals awarded for their service.

The army colors of black and gold were prevalent throughout the event, creating perfect decorations for the ball at Colony Hall, which was decked out in elegant patriotic decorations.

Chuck Cox, a retired army lieutenant colonel and a master aviator, and his wife, Susanne, are residents of IRCC. They attended the celebration.

“I served two tours in Vietnam and received five Distinguished Flying Crosses. My wife Susanne speaks several languages and has also spent 37 years in the State Department Foreign Service,” Cox said. “Together, we have given seven decades of service to our country.”

The Viera High School Army JROTC Color Guard presented the

colors and the IRCC choir, directed by Kathy Westrip, sang the national anthem as well as many patriotic songs prior to the dinner.

“I have been directing the IRCC choir for about 10 years now and we are very proud to bring such talent into our community,” Westrip said.

Col. Lanny Weeks was host and master of ceremonies for the evening and was a major contributor in planning the event.

“We also had great collaboration from the women in our committee at IRCC who decorated the clubhouse and helped plan the event,” said Luanne Faulkender, the president of Army Women at IRCC.

Bill Greenawald, a retired colonel and also a resident of IRCC who served 30 years and did three tours of duty in Korea, explained the importance of the Fallen Comrade table. SL

“I served two tours in Vietnam and received five Distinguished Flying Crosses. My wife Susanne speaks several languages and has also spent 37 years in the State Department Foreign Service. Together, we have given seven decades of service to our country.”

— Chuck Cox

“It shows students who a veteran is and what they have done. It is very important.”

— Donn Weaver

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Brevard Veterans Back to Class Students have the opportunity to hear first-hand accounts of military service from volunteers with Brevard Veterans Back to Class.

SENIOR LIFE Klinton Landress

The Viera High School Army JROTC Color Guard presented the colors at the 2023 Army Birthday Ball at Indian River Colony Club in Viera.

SENIOR LIFE Klinton Landress

The IRCC choir, directed by Kathy Westrip, sang the national anthem and other patriotic songs prior to the dinner.

SENIOR LIFE Klinton Landress

The Army Ball drew veterans from all branches and civilians.

SENIOR LIFE Klinton Landress

The Fallen Comrade table.

Veterans issues writer, advocate Norm Moody honored

BY LINDA WIGGINS

The editor of Senior Life newspaper and its veterans section, Stripes, became the story rather than reporting on it June 19.

The heads of major veterans groups came together representing all veterans in Brevard County to present a surprise community service award to R. Norman Moody for his career spanning 30 years reporting on veterans.

“I met Norm 10 years ago when he did a feature on us as Gold Star parents,” said Donn Weaver, who is a chairman or member of many veterans groups. Gold Star represents parents who have lost a child during military service. Weaver’s son, Todd, was killed in Afghanistan Sept. 9, 2010.

Weaver said Moody puts a human face on the sacrifices veterans and their families make, especially when they make the ultimate sacrifice.”

“You tell our stories, you tell them frequently and you create an interest in the community about veterans issues,” Weaver said. “Without that interest among the community, we wouldn’t get the same support.”

A visibly moved Moody looked down at the beautifully crafted American bald eagle adorning the hefty award. He gave thanks for the acknowledgement, but quickly turned the focus back around to his gratitude for all that the veterans have done and all that future veterans continue to do to protect U.S. citizens by maintaining our freedom.

“All I do is tell about the things you’ve done,” Moody said. “It is my pleasure to do that. I’ve always had great respect for you as veterans. That’s why I do it, that’s why I enjoy doing it.”

Weaver also detailed all the veterans events and activities that Moody takes part in as a volunteer.

“What a lot of people don’t realize is that Norm is always there as a supporter, as a volunteer,” Weaver added, “at every Stand Down (to support homeless veterans), every major event to support veterans in any kind of need. He’s there

as a community member, as well as someone to capture the moment and inform the community.”

Moody’s coverage has helped reverse a trend of dwindling membership in veterans fellowship such as VFWs, according to Jerry Mierle, the commander of VFW Post 10131 in Cape Canaveral.

“I’m sure a lot of our members would not have joined our post if you didn’t let them know about all the work that’s being done.”

“There is no other publication that does this much for veterans,” said Joe

Tichich a senior vice commander of VFW Post 10131, who thanked Jill Blue, the publisher of Senior Life, as well as Moody. “The veterans themselves get help because they are inspired to reach out and connect, both with each other and resources (and solutions to veterans issues).

“All I did was keep this a surprise from Norm,” joked Blue, whose Bluewater offices were tapped to host the presentation. “With all the groups represented, and with how close Norm is to all of them, that was quite the accomplishment.” SL

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The Blake at Viera

5700 Lake Andrew Dr.,Viera 32940 321-343-7200 BlakeAtViera.com

Sonata East at Viera

4206 Breslay Dr., Viera 32940 321-326-9995 SonataVieraEast.com

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Buena Vida Estates 2129 W. New Haven Ave., W. Melbourne 32904 321-724-0060 BuenaVidaEstates.org

SENIOR LIFE Jorjann Blake

R. Norman Moody, second from left, receives a veteran’s recognition award from veterans Joe Tichich, left, Donn Weaver and Jerry Mierle.

HISTORIC TITUSVILLE MAIN STREET

Opening October 2022

Palm Shores

E-bikes revving up in popularity, seem to be everywhere

BY BARBARA JEAN MEAD

Steve and Stephanie Barton of Port St. John are new to the e-bike experience. They bought their e-bikes to use when tooling around in their RV. They wanted something that would get them around when they were in national parks and around the neighborhood at home.

“They are 110 volts; you can charge them anywhere, even in your living room,” Steve Barton said. “It’s a sevenspeed gear ratio; you can adjust it like a 10 speed on a regular bike.”

He has a cupholder and an oldschool sounding dinging bell alongside the power button.

“They have LED headlights, so it’s safe at night and we have bigger tires. If you have it on high speed, they get up to 21 miles per hour, so it’s pretty fast.”

Ray Hayes, the owner of the Ten Speed Drive Bicycle Center in Titusville, is selling a lot of e-bikes.

“The ones I sell go for $1,400 to $1,900. I’ve seen online stuff from $500 to $10,000. When people ask me who’s buying them, at least half of them are buying them for what they’re for. To exercise and use the electric when they need it to help you get up a hill into the wind or if you’re tired because you went too far away for home and you need to get home. You still turn the pedal, so you’re working your cardio.”

An e-bike is defined as a bicycle with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling. E-bikes used to be considered motorized bicycles, but this definition and previous regulations no longer exist

since a bill passed July 1, 2020 that gave e-bike riders the same rights as normal cyclists as long as they don’t go over 20 mph.

Mopeds and motorized scooters come under a different definition.

You must be 16 years of age to bike on Florida roads, but you do not need a driver’s license to operate one. They do not need to be registered and no plates or documents are needed. There is no law requiring insurance.

E-bikers may ride on public roads, bike lanes, bicycle paths and multi-use paths and on sidewalks, unless explicitly prohibited by local ordinances.

National Park and Bureau of Land Management Trails have eliminated its rules that formerly banned them from trails. The law requires every e-bike rider in Florida to wear a helmet regardless of age; violators can be fined $50 to $500. The law was put in place because Florida has one of the highest rates of head injuries and fatalities in the nation.

In general, there are three classes of e-bikes.

Class 1 doesn’t exceed 20 mph, and works if the cyclist is pedaling, and lacks throttle assist which is a mechanism that powers forward even if you aren’t pedaling.

Class 2 doesn’t exceed speeds of 20 mph but does have throttle assist and can move forward without active pedaling.

Class 3 can reach 28 mph and has a pedal assist system which helps power the bike forward while you pedal, but no throttle assist and usually has a speedometer. SL

time machine in July...

July 4, 1776

America declares independence from Great Britain. Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and John Hancock sign the Declaration of Independence that gives America the right to govern itself.

July 1, 1862

Abraham Lincoln signs the first income tax bill, establishing a 3% tax on income of $600 to $10,000 annually and 5% on $10,000 and greater. Also, Congress establishes the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

July 10,1913

The record hottest temperature in the United States is recorded in the town of Greenland Ranch, California, an oasis in Death Valley. The thermometer soars to 134°F/57°C, which is hot enough to fry

July 6,1928

Automatically sliced bread is introduced. Iowa-born Otto Rohwedder, a Missouri-based jeweler, spends 10 years developing a power-driven, multi-bladed bread slicer to the chagrin of bakers.

July 5, 1946

French mechanical engineer Louis Rénard designs the world’s first modern bikini. The bikini has remained popular. (Original not pictured.)

SENIOR LIFE Barbara Jean Mead Stephanie Barton prepares to set out on her inaugural ride on her new e-bike.

Source: Adobe Stock

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Protect yourself against sun with sunscreen, other measures

BY BRENDA EGGERT BRADER

JeanneMarie Rettich has always taken protective measures while in the sun.

Today, Rettich wears a hat, protective clothing and sunscreen with an SPF of 55 when heading out into the sun rays. Rettich, of Indian River Shores, was living in Michigan and using sunscreen religiously when she was diagnosed with invasive basal cell carcinoma in 2018 and had surgery to remove the spot.

“My doctor told me it was a result of sunburn suffered as a child or teenager,” she said. “Advised by a doctor that my lips were burned, I feel I would not have known that I had burned the lips and they would have found more. I remember being so angry when diagnosed in the beginning. It was pretty eye opening that these cells stay dormant.”

Rettich was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma for a second time in November 2022. She is currently in treatment and has had four rounds of chemotherapy.

The best defense is using sunscreen every day, all day.

“Experimental studies have shown that sunscreen remains in the skin at the desired SPF for as long as eight hours after a single application,” said Dr.

Renjitha Ignatious of the Florida Cancer Specialists and Research Institute.

Activities that cause sweating, water immersion or friction from clothing or exfoliation from sand require reapplications of sunscreen every two to three hours as necessary.

“Apply 1 to 1½ ounces or six to nine teaspoons per total body application.

One teaspoon over the face and neck area, two teaspoons over the torso, one teaspoon over each arm and two over each leg, recommends the American Academy of dermatology” Ignatious said. “Apply sunscreens 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every two to three hours.”

Sunscreen varies by the sun protection factor.

“Levels of sunscreen protection include SPF low 15 and below; 15 to 29 is medium sunscreen; high protection SPF 30 to 49 and very high SPF of 50 or above,” said Nicole LeFever, the pharmacy clinical coordinator at Rockledge Regional Medical Center.

“There are nice sprays and I have bought different products to find something easy to use on the face and body. My makeup foundation has an SPF of 50. LeFever’s advice is to try to find a product that is very comfortable to wear on a daily basis to make it part of the daily regimen.

“If using sunscreen, the way it should be, when it hits its expiration date and after a three-year point, toss it out,” she said. “If stored in the car it will expire sooner. Store in a cool place. Not all sunscreens have expiration dates, so I recommend writing the date purchased on the end of the bottle.” SL

It’s important to not wait until Monday to address health issues

BY DR. ABE HARDOON

When it comes to our health, procrastination can be a dangerous game. Many of us have fallen into the trap of delaying health concerns until Monday, believing it to be a fresh start. However, waiting until Monday to address health issues can have serious consequences.

Here’s why it’s crucial to take immediate action.

1. Health issues don’t take weekends off: Health problems do not follow a 9-to-5 schedule.

They can arise at any time, day or night, including weekends. Ignoring symptoms or delaying treatment can worsen conditions, potentially leading to complications that could have been prevented. Whether it’s a sudden illness, a worsening chronic condition or an injury, it’s essential to seek medical attention promptly, irrespective of the day of the week.

2. The importance of early intervention: Many health conditions respond better to early intervention. Timely treatment can prevent further damage, increase the chances of recovery and minimize the overall impact on your health. By waiting until Monday, you may be prolonging discomfort, allowing conditions to

progress and potentially requiring more aggressive treatments. Prompt action can help nip health issues in the bud, reducing the burden on your body and potentially shortening the recovery time.

3. Mental health matters too: Health concerns aren’t limited to physical ailments alone. Mental health issues such as anxiety, depression or acute stress, can also arise at any time. Waiting until Monday to address these concerns can exacerbate symptoms, affecting overall well-being and daily functioning. Seeking help from mental health professionals, help lines or support networks promptly is crucial to prevent the situation from worsening and to start the healing process.

Conclusion: Our health doesn’t abide by a Monday-to-Friday schedule and neither should our approach to addressing health issues. Waiting until Monday may seem like a convenient choice, but it can have serious consequences. By taking immediate action, we prioritize our well-being, increase the chances of successful treatment and prevent unnecessary suffering.

Remember, your health deserves attention every day of the week. SL Dr. Ade Hardoon is the owner of Suntree Internal Medicine in Suntree.

SENIOR LIFE Shutterstock

One of the best ways to protect your skin against the potent rays of the sun is by using sunscreen.

Trauma healing facilitators provide hope for unseen wounds

BY LINDA JUMP

Heart wounds caused by trauma can’t be fixed with a band aid or medicine, but some Brevard County trauma healing facilitators are providing Healing the Wounded Heart classes to help.

The Rev. David Rosenbaum, the pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church on Merritt Island, and Jamie Pritchett of Cocoa are training facilitators who use practices they learned at the Trauma Healing Institute through the American Bible Society.

Six two-hour classes cover loss, grief, forgiveness and strategies, including slow repetitive breathing to control the fear, helplessness and horror that accompanies heart pain.

“Wounds that are not visible are far less likely to draw attention or empathy. Heart wounds often remain hidden and unspoken, yet they can result in disabilities that hinder relationships and suck the joy out of life,” Rosenbaum said.

At a recent interest meeting, Betty Hubert, 85, of Merritt Island came to listen because “there is so much grief and hurt in our world today.” She said knowing tools to help are vital. “People our age often don’t go to get help,” she said.

Rosenbaum said the sessions can be

general or specified for veterans and families, children, inmates, victims of sexual abuse or grievers. Although Bible-based and include an “emotional ceremony of writing down our pain and taking it to the cross,” he said the classes are valuable to anyone. The final class, he said, offers forgiveness.

“Often to deal with the pain, you turn to self-medication (he mimicked drinking alcohol) or violence.” He said

reliving the experience, avoiding any reminder of the trauma or being on alert all the time are common.

Pritchett said her late husband was a Vietnam veteran with heart wounds.

“Vietnam vets were treated terribly. I could have helped him deal with it if I knew this,” she said. She is also a chaplain with the International Fellowship of Chaplains.

She said trauma can be caused by

a single event, prolonged event or ongoing or repeated incidents.

“A heart wound is similar to a physical wound,” she said, because it takes time to heal and, if ignored, becomes worse.

Anyone interested in attending a class or having classes for their group can contact Rosenbaum at 321-9611708 or at pastor.rosenbaum@gmail. com SL

SENIOR LIFE Linda Jump Betty Hubert, 85, participates in an exercise at a Healing the Wounded Heart meeting last month. Using empty water bottles as symbols of individual trauma, she is trying to keep all the trauma bottles under control by holding them down in a bin filled with water, as they keep trying to float.

SENIOR LIFE Linda Jump

The Rev. David Rosenbaum, the pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church of Merritt Island, is a training facilitator for Healing the Wounded Heart.

SENIOR LIFE Linda Jump

Jamie Pritchett of Cocoa, a training facilitator, outlines the similarities between a medical wound and a heart wound during a meeting last month on Merritt Island.

Hello

Miracle City Harley Car Show

3 4 5 6 7 8

Scottish Country Dancing

Duran Golf Club's annual 4th of July Golf

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

10 a.m. - Noon

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Miracle City Harley 2405 S. Hopkins Ave. Titusville, 321-948-7553

Stars & Stripes Picnic and Concert

5 p.m.

Melbourne Municipal Band and the Suntree

UMC Chancel Choir.

Suntree United Methodist Church 7400 N. Wickham Road Suntree, 321-242-2585

6:30 - 9:30 p.m. Springs of Suntree Clubhouse 8300 Holiday Springs Road Suntree, 321-427-3587

Bone Builders 9 - 10 a.m. Martin Andersen Senior Center 1025 S. Florida Ave. Rockledge 321-631-2749

Tournament 8 a.m.

Duran Golf Club 7032 Stadium Parkway Viera, 321-504-7776

Salute to America Concert 7:30 p.m. Melbourne Municipal Band performs with choir.

Eastminster Presbyterian Church 106 N Riverside Drive Indialantic 321-724-0555

Aging Matters

3600 W. King St. Cocoa, 321-806-3752

Brevard Federated Republican Women Luncheon

11 a.m. Speaker is Brevard Supervisor of Elections, Tim Bobanic. Space Coast Convention Center 301 Tucker Lane Cocoa, 321-727-1212

Sip & Smoke 6:30 p.m. Locally hand-rolled cigars provided for purchase by Chaffiot Cigars and a spotlight spirit selected by the mixologists. 28 North Gastropub 2250 Town Center Ave. Viera, 321-241-1159

Friday Night Dancing at the VMC

Trains, Trains, Trains

10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Bass Musician Bob DiTota featuring Matt Heister in Concert

2 - 4 p.m.

Bocce Games and Outdoor Fun

6 - 9 p.m.

Potluck and a movie.

FIT Over 50

Brevard County Farmers Market

Thursdays

3 - 6 p.m. Wickham Park Pavilion 2500 Parkway Drive Melbourne 321-633-1702

6:30 p.m.

Veterans Memorial Center 400 S. Sykes Creek Parkway Merritt Island 321-453-1776

Bingo 6 p.m.

Greater Palm Bay Senior Center 1275 Culver Drive NE Palm Bay 321-724-1338

The fecNtrak model train group will have itscomputer-driven model train layout running. It replicates the 351-mile railway running from Jacksonville to Miami that passes through Cocoa. Cocoa Public Library 308 Forrest Ave. Cocoa, 321-633-1792 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Summer Youth Band in Concert

Friday Afternoon Movie

Great music and a beautiful view of the river.

Veterans Memorial Center

400 S. Sykes Creek Parkway Merritt Island 321-453-1776

Italian-American Club 1471 Cypress Ave. Melbourne 321-242-8055

9 - 9:55 a.m. Cardio, strength and core work designed to improve flexibility, mobility, strength and balance.

Trivia 5:30 p.m. July trivia theme is: the 90s Rockledge Gardens 2153 U.S. Highway 1 Rockledge 321-636-7662

6 - 8 p.m. Melbourne Auditorium 625 E. Hibiscus Blvd. Melbourne, 321-7240555

1 - 3 p.m.

The movie is Sweetwater. Aging Matters

Brevard Home & Garden Expo

July 15 to July 16

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Cornhole 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Great Palm Bay Senior Center 1275 Culver Drive, NE Palm Bay, 321-724-1338

Cape Canaveral Public Library 201 Polk Ave. Cape Canaveral 321-868-1101

TOPS

9;30 - 11 a.m. Martin Andersen Senior Center 1025 S. Florida Ave. Rockledge 321-368-9265

Car and Truck Show

5 - 8 p.m. Free for all years, makes and models. Friendly’s 1011 E. Eau Gallie Blvd. Indian Harbor Beach, 321-725-3648

3600 W. King St., Cocoa Sunflower House 3125 Fell Road, West Melbourne 321-452-4341

The area’s leading contractors, suppliers and home products to assist you with your home projects as well as special sales, deals and giveaways. Melbourne Auditorium 625 E. Hibiscus Blvd. Melbourne, 321-733-8816 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

Rockin' July Concert

2 p.m.

Presented by the Melbourne Municipal Band. Trinity Wellsprings

Church

638 S. Patrick Drive Satellite Beach 321-724-0555

Coffee & Conversation with Eva Rey 10 a.m. The Viera Company’s Eva Rey will lead a discussion on a reflection on the past, a view of the present and a glimpse into the future of Viera. RSVP required.

Alzheimer’s Dementia Support Group 10 a.m. - Noon Support Group for spouses and care givers. Martin Andersen Senior Center 1025 S. Florida Ave. Rockledge 321-631-7549

Swingtime Concert, More Spies and Other Guys July 19 and 20 6:30 p.m. Presented by the Melbourne Municipal Band.

Chef for Seniors 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Wickham Park Senior Center 2785 Leisure Way Melbourne 321-255-4494

Tinnitus [and Hearing

Loss] Do You Suffer From Ringing of The Ears? 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. A Personal Hearing Solutions lunch and learn presentation.

The Rite of Spring in Summer Concert

7 - 9 p.m. Scott Center Auditorium 5625 Holy Trinity Drive Suntree, 855-252-7276

One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771

Melbourne Auditorium 625 E.Hibiscus Blvd Melbourne 321-724-0555

Cook the Book 6 p.m. July's book is "Mad Hungry Cravings" by Lucinda Quinn. Mims Scottsmoor Library 3615 Lionel Road Mims, 321-264-5080

RSVP One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771

Christmas in July Craft Fair 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Our Lady of Grace 300 Malabar Road SE Palm Bay, 321-725-3066 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

Indoor/Outdoor Vendor and Craft Fair Christmas in July Noon - 4 p.m.

Greater Palm Bay Senior Center 1275 Culver Dr. NE Palm Bay, 321-724-1338

Golden Hearts Senior Fitness 1 - 2 p.m. North Brevard Senior Center 909 Lane Ave. Titusville, 321-514-5945

Bingo 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. DRS Community Center 1089 S. Patrick Drive Satellite Beach 321-202-7337

Ask-a-Tech One on one assistance with using smart phones. Call for time. Sunflower House 3125 Fell Road W. Melbourne 321-452-4341

Boomer Trivia 4 - 6 p.m. Pizza Gallery 2250 Town Center Ave. Viera, 321-633-0397

Bingo 11:30 a.m. Greater Palm Bay Senior Center 1275 Culver Drive, NE Palm Bay 321-724-1338

Cards & Games 6 – 9 p.m. DRS Community Center 1089 S. Patrick Drive Satellite Beach 321-773-7705

Estate Planning Seminar 10 - 11 a.m. Presented by William A. Johnson, Board Certified Elder Law Attorney. One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771

Italian Wine Tasting

“A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawnmower is broken.” – James Dent

BCOA NEWS

Brevard Commission on Aging

BCOA meetings are open to the public and are held the second Thursday of each month at the government center in Viera. For information, contact Cindy Short at 321-6332076, FAX 321-633-2170, cindy.short@brevardfl.gov, brevardf l.gov/HumanServices/CommissionOnAging or at 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, B-106, Viera, FL 32940.

The new face of homelessness hits Brevard hard

It’s getting harder for some people to find affordable housing because the cost of living keeps going up. This includes the price of things we buy, utility bills, medicine and gasoline. At the same time, the cost of buying a home and paying for things like insurance and a mortgage has gone up too.

More and more people are moving to Florida, and big companies are buying houses at full price and renting them out to make money. Because of all this, the average price of a home in Florida has more than doubled since 2012, according to the Shimberg Center of Analysis of the Florida Department of Revenue data. Renting a place to live used to be more affordable, but that’s changing too. In Brevard, the number of rental units that cost more than $1,000 per month went up by 9,696 units, but the number of units that cost less than $1,000 per month went down more than 9,253 units, or a complete reversal of affordability. This is causing a problem for older people,

especially those on a fixed income. A local nonprofit, known as the Brevard Homeless Coalition, counted how many homeless people there were in the area on one day each year. They found during the 2023 Point in Time Count that there was a 15% increase in homelessness compared to the previous year. Of the 1,052 homeless people, 303 are over the age of 55. That’s almost one third of the total counted. But it’s important to know that the count only shows a small part of the problem because it’s hard to find and count everyone who doesn’t have a home.

Florida, like many other states, has been slow to respond to this problem. In the past, money that was supposed to be used for housing for older and low-income people was diverted for other state programs. This year,

Florida’s lawmakers realized the problem and set aside a record amount of money to help. But it will still take a while for the money’s impact to happen. Each county will get a share of the money and they will use it to create programs to help people in need. However, it will take several years to build affordable housing units that meet all the laws and regulations. So even though help is coming, there’s still an immediate need for housing units to help everyone today.

Some people who are in this situation don’t realize how serious it is until it’s too late. For example, if they get a notice that their rent is going up or their landlord is selling the property they live in, they might not understand how urgent it is to find a new place.

Sometimes there is help available,

but they must act quickly. Many older people don’t want to admit that they need help, and they keep their problems to themselves until things get bad. In some cases, the police show up and tell them they must leave, and people end up on the street with no idea where to go. It’s a scary and desperate situation for them, and some end up living in their cars.

If you know someone who might be facing these problems, it’s important to let them know that help is available, but they need to take immediate action. Older people could also think about getting a roommate to share expenses. If they’re having trouble with their mortgage, they can get help from housing counselors and talk to their lender. They can also call 211, an information helpline dedicated to helping those in need.

Lastly, if you’re reading this, please consider volunteering your time to help those in need. Most of the organizations that are trying to assist people rely on volunteers to make a difference. SL

Lagoon Watermen Alliance helps to guide important restoration

Who spends most of their waking hours on the Indian River Lagoon? Who sees all the changes taking place day to day?

Brevard’s fishing guides, that’s who!

Good news! They have now formed the Lagoon Watermen Alliance (LagoonWatermenAlliance.org), a nonprofit dedicated to “protecting the entire Indian River Lagoon (IRL) system by advocating for science-based solutions that will lead to improved water quality, protection of imperiled habitats and safeguarding of gamefish populations.”

Their focus is on stopping nutrient loading, runoff and pollution from entering the IRL. This means directing funding toward controlling sources, including inadequate sewage and stormwater treatment, excess fertilizer runoff and impaired circulation, as well as poor water management practices.

Lagoon Straight Talk

From the Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition

Capt. Billy Rotne and Capt. Benny Blanco, as well as angler and artist Ashley Weber and scientist Dr Hannah Herrero. It is a passionate all-volunteer group that already has secured help from founding partners Captains for Clean Water, Hell’s Bay Boatworks and Costa eyewear.

Bluewater Creative Group - Issue 8

The founding leadership includes:

SUDOKU

Difficulty: Easy

With its members’ daily presence on the water, they have a critical perspective on important facts about and the constant changes taking place on the IRL. Having coordinated input from the front lines will help everyone concerned. But their activities will not end with observations alone. During their two-year organizing process, Herrero, an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee, has been working on a variety of analytical efforts

Edited by Margie E. Burke

HOW TO SOLVE: Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9; each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9; and each set of 3 by 3 boxes must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

Solution on page 26

(Answer appears elsewhere in this issue)

to give a better understanding of what the watermen and others are actually observing.

The Alliance is planning its first public meeting for this July. They will invite everyone who “would like to get involved in this fight!” They plan to register new members and collect data from other watermen at the meeting. Register at Lagoonwatermen.org; @ lagoonwatermenalliance; and Facebook: Lagoon Watermen Alliance. Check out helpthelagoon.org/. SL

For more about our piece of paradise — the Indian River Lagoon — go to HelpTheLagoon.org.

Of the 1,052 homeless people, 303 are over the age of 55.

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of BIRLC Capt. Benny Blanco and Capt. Billy Rotne, two founders of the new Lagoon Watermen Alliance, are advocates for the Indian River Lagoon.

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Brevard County Historical Commission Belair Courtyard

in the 1920s.

SENIOR LIFE Klinton Landress

Belair Courtyard in Cocoa Village houses several retail businesses.

Crossword solution on page 26

Setting up home security camera a snap for homeowners

BY R. NORMAN MOODY

There are dozens of home security cameras on the market today. So, for those looking for a do-it-yourself alternative to the professionally installed security systems, there are plenty of choices.

There are a wide variety of cameras — indoor/outdoor, wired or wireless and pan or fixed view.

Search on the internet or look at your local electronics stores and you will find Ring, Blink, Nest, Wyze and other brands.

Cameras allow you to monitor your home from wherever you are with your smartphone.

Take Wyze Cam v3 for instance. It is less than $35 and can be set up in about 10 minutes. The camera comes with everything needed to get the camera up and running in minutes. Add a micro-SD card that will allow for local footage storage or it can be saved to the cloud with a monthly monitoring fee.

Cam v3 offers a 130-degree view, two-way audio and a siren. It allows sharing with other smartphones. Two people in the same household can monitor the cameras at the same time.

The Wyze community forum shares information, tips and suggestions among users. Users can share and learn from each other.

Ring and similar doorbell cameras have been providing security and footage of incidents such as package theft from front doors. An extra camera or two can provide security for other parts of properties and maybe offer a better view and resolution than a doorbell camera. Some DIY security cameras are capable of panning or capturing video in telephoto mode. Color night vision capability is also available in many brands of cameras SL

SENIOR LIFE R. Norman Moody

The Wyze Cam V3 can be used indoors or outdoors.

TIME TO TRAVEL

House of Refuge — once a haven to shipwrecked sailors gets rave reviews as a museum

BY MARIA SONNENBERG

Gilbert’s Bar House of Refuge may conjure up images of a local watering hole, but Gilbert’s Bar is not a place for libations. It’s a thin strip of land in Martin County and the site for the safe haven for shipwreck victims known as the House of Refuge.

Now a museum operated by the Historical Society of Martin County, the House of Refuge is the lone survivor of a string of similar structures that once dotted Florida’s east coast.

“It is absolutely the last one of 10 that were scattered roughly 70 miles apart from each other,” curator Chessy Ricca said.

In 1876, the United States LifeSaving Service constructed 10 life-saving stations along Florida’s Atlantic Coast. Station keepers and their families were on hand to walk the shores in search of victims of Florida’s treacherous shoreline and to minister to them. The houses and their keepers served a critical need during the era of sailing ships that once dominated world trade.

“They helped the survivors get back to health,” Ricca added.

It is hard to comprehend that the now heavily crowded Atlantic coast was once so sparsely populated that shipwrecked sailors who made it to shore could easily perish from starvation and thirst before meeting another soul.

As the sailing ships sailed into the horizon of history, the House of Refuge became U.S. Coast Guard Station #207. During World War II, a lookout tower was added after German U-Boats torpedoed freighters along Florida’s Treasure Coast.

By 1945, however, the

government decommissioned the station, which could have fared a fate identical to the nine others, were

it not for Martin County, which purchased it, along with 16 acres, for $168. Today, the Florida vernacular structure remains to tell a unique story of Florida’s maritime heritage.

The little museum gets plenty of raves on Tripadvisor. Tennessee reviewer Sharon V. called it the “best bar on South Hutchinson Island!”

The House of Refuge’s sister museum, the Elliott, makes for a perfect day of exploration in picturesque Stuart. The Soroptimist Club of Stuart had helped save the House of Refuge, a fact that impressed Harmon Elliott, son of the prolific inventor Sterling Elliott. The younger Elliott provided the funds for the unique museum that opened in 1961. A new state-of-the-art green building replaced the original museum in 2013.

The collection of the quirky Elliott Museum, as unusual as the family for which it is named,

houses an important collection of classic vehicles and boats, baseball memorabilia, art, Americana, local history and even a tribute to actress Frances Langford. Among the special exhibitions this year is a tribute to Florida’s pineapple industry.

“We are eclectic,” Ricca said.

Combination tickets to the House of Refuge and Elliott Museum are $24 for general admission and $21 for seniors. Individual museum admission is also available.

The House of Refuge, at 301 Southeast MacArthur Blvd. in Stuart, is five minutes by car from the Elliott Museum at 825 NE Ocean Blvd. in Stuart.

Hours for the House of Refuge are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. The Elliott Museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.

For more information, visit hsmcfl.com or call 772-225-1961. SL

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of House of Refuge

Gilbert’s Bar House of Refuge, once a safe haven for shipwrecked sailors, is now a museum.

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of House of Refuge

The modern Elliott Museum is the sister museum to the House of Refuge in Martin County.

“It is absolutely the last one of 10 that were scattered roughly 70 miles apart from each other.”

—Chessy Ricca

By Randal C. Hill

Behind the Beat

‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’ — Bette Midler

The once-ubiquitous Andrews sisters — Patty, Maxine and Laverne — premiered “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” in the 1941 Abbott and Costello comedy film “Buck Privates.” For the beloved Minnesota trio, that perky ditty became their 24th consecutive Decca Records winner.

Written by Don Ray and Huey Prince, “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” has always been associated with World War II, even though the song was actually recorded in January 1941— nearly one year before the Pearl Harbor attack, and soon after the establishment of a peacetime military draft imposed by Franklin Roosevelt’s administration.

The original cheerful tune featured a storyline — good for laughs but an obvious fantasy — about a hip Chicago street musician/army draftee. Apparently, without his bandmates, the cat couldn’t do justice to blowing a buoyant rendition of “Reveille” when he was ordered to play it to announce the dawning. But his good-natured company leader (“the Cap”) saved the day by assembling a barracks-based band for the frustrated musician, who

could then handily offer a spirited wake-up call for the snoozing soldiers.

In 1973, it would take a rising

Red Baron finds new life, purpose as wing walker

young star to bring the song to a contemporary audience.

Bette Midler, born in Honolulu in 1945, earned a bit part as an extra during the 1966 filming of James Michener’s novel “Hawaii.” Flushed with confidence, she moved to New York to try her luck in the entertainment world. She rose to Big Apple prominence in 1970 when she began singing in the Continental Baths, a Gotham gay bathhouse. There, she built a loyal following, along the way growing close to her pianist, the then-unknown Barry Manilow. (Reflecting on her bathhouse times later, Midler professed, “I’m still proud of those days. I feel like I was at the forefront of the gay liberation movement, and I hope I did my part to help it move forward.”)

Manilow produced Midler’s future classic debut Atlantic Records offering, “The Divine Miss M,” which spent 76 weeks on Billboard’s album chart and featured the track that first brought her to national prominence. When Midler made “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” a summertime Top 10 single, a new generation of music

fans came to embrace an iconic tune that had all but faded into the mists of history.

Most music historians credit the story’s inspiration to Chicago musician Clarence Zylman (who actually hailed from Muskegon, Michigan) for the “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” lyrics. It is ironic that Zylman had enlisted in the Army — he wasn’t drafted — on June 9, 1942, long after the snappy hit had come and gone. It is said that Zylman got his fellow soldiers jitterbugging to his unique style of “Reveille.” In 2018, he was honored with a statue erected at the veteran’s museum in Muskegon.

Recording hit songs new and old wasn’t the only pursuit for the versatile Midler. During her fivedecade career, she earned a headspinning three Grammy awards, three Emmy awards, two Tony awards, four Golden Globe awards and a Kennedy Center honor, in addition to nominations for two Academy Awards.

Wow! SL

Soon, a Red Baron aircraft will be flying with a wing walker above the Space Coast.

One of the last remaining airplanes that formed part of the Red Baron Squadron Aerobatic Team is still flying. It is being converted into a wing-walking plane and it is expected to begin training here.

“It’s almost done,” said Chuck Julian, an aerobatic pilot who owns the aircraft. “The crew will be in training in a couple of weeks. It will be something different in the area.”

The Boeing World War II-era Super Steerman aircraft was part of a squadron that promoted the Red Baron brand of pizza. It will be ready for wing walking exhibitions in about 30 to 90 days with an all-female team.

“We’ll have the youngest wing walker in the nation, (11-yearold) Desi “Danger” Julian,” said Chuck Julian, who is part of the Santa Skydivers. “It will be fun once we get the final piece.” His aircraft is housed at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum in Titusville.

SENIOR LIFE

Feature Flash Photo Agency Paul Smith Bette Midler’s version of “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” was a hit in 1973.

SENIOR LIFE Klinton Landress

NORTH BREVARD

Bees, butterflies prove importance to ecology and economy

BY FLORA REIGADA

Once a month, Brevard County seniors, working professionals and students gather to do their part to save the planet, one bee and butterfly at a time.

They are volunteers with the Bee and Butterfly Monitoring program at the Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves, part of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s larger Titusville Native Plant Pollinator Garden Project, designed to provide habitat for native bees and butterflies.

“The trained citizen scientists work together to spot bees and butterflies, identify pollinators and native plants,” said Emily Surmont, an environmental specialist. “They use weather instruments and collect data to determine how many bees and butterflies our garden supports.

In the past 10 months, 131 bees and 82 butterflies have been recorded utilizing the garden habitat.”

Both species help pollinate crops relied on for food and the native plants, which provide a food source for wildlife.

But habitat loss, pesticides, disease and invasive species have contributed

to their declining populations.

“Everyone can help bee and butterfly populations and the Indian River Lagoon by implementing nine Florida-friendly landscaping steps in the University of Florida program,” Surmont said.

They are:

• Put the right plant in the right place

• Water efficiently

• Fertilize appropriately

• Mulch

• Attract wildlife

• Manage yard pests responsibly

• Recycle yard waste

• Reduce stormwater runoff

• Protect the waterfront

The Titusville garden is irrigated manually, as needed. Fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides are not applied, significantly reducing runoff compared to traditional lawns.

Homeowners can attract bees and butterflies to their gardens with certain plants.

“Flowers, such as the Black-eyed Susan, tropical sage and East Coast sunflower shrub, draw them, as will the saw palmetto and Simpson’s Stopper, both shrubs,” said Emma Haselow, an administrative services representative with the Florida Native Plant Society.

An environmentally healthy Florida and lagoon contribute to a healthy economy. The National Estuary Program estimates the annual economic output of the lagoon at $9.9 billion.

Monitoring is generally scheduled during the second week of each month, but the day is determined by weather and volunteer availability.

“If anyone is interested in learning about bees and butterflies and enjoys spending a sunny day in a garden, we are looking for volunteers,” Surmont said.

For information about volunteering, call 904-687-9364 or email Emily.Surmont@FloridaDEP.

gov

The garden is publicly accessible at 5332 Riveredge Drive in Titusville. Check out iNaturalist under the project name, FDEP Titusville Native Plant Pollinator Garden.

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Peter Connolly and Dennis Mayo

A striped sweat bee, left, and an eastern carpenter bee are pollinating flowers.

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Dennis Mayo

Volunteers help to monitor bees and butterflies for the Titusville Native Plant Pollinator Garden Project.

Butterfly

beauty of

Titusville Native Plant Pollinator Garden.

UCF graduate student outlines research on sea turtles

BY LINDA JUMP

A marine research laboratory at the University of Central Florida has more than a dozen research projects studying local sea turtles. Tiffany Dawson, a Ph.D. candidate, outlined the studies to the Sea Turtle Preservation Society last month, including work she is doing on their immune systems.

“We’re studying sea turtles from eggs to adults by monitoring 30 miles of beach and 13 miles at Archie Carr Wildlife Refuge. Every year, there’s a total of 20,000 to 30,000 nests,” Dawson said. She said UCF’s Marine Turtle Research Group, begun about 1974, conducts inventories and excavations of nests, tags turtles and takes skin and blood samples from the Indian River Lagoon and ocean used for not only their student’s studies but for collaborative studies.

Data on the turtles is used for comparative studies, said Dawson, who recently discovered a nesting female tagged back in 1992 still laying eggs on a Brevard County beach.

After determining that nesting Green and Loggerhead turtles are becoming smaller, a follow-up study is underway to determine whether there are fewer eggs per clutch.

Tiffany Dawson, a Ph.D. student at UCF, outlined her study of sea turtles at a Sea Turtle Preservation Society meeting.

SENIOR LIFE Linda Jump

Another student is reviewing the genetics of captured turtles to see where nesting females are from. Most are from the Mexican Gulf coastline and followed by the gulf stream, but as far away as the South Atlantic and Greater Caribbean.

Students are modeling sargassum. “How do they form and what size do sea turtles need? If we know, we might be able to protect needed sargassum,” Dawson said.

Students have determined that although about half of the juvenile Green turtles in the lagoon have herpes virus tumors, 95 percent have been exposed to the fibropapilloma virus, and smaller turtles are more likely to have tumors that eventually shrink.

Dawson is comparing blood

samples from more than 100 captured and released turtles and collections from prior years to study sea turtle immune system changes as they age, as well as disease response.

Kelly Etherton, who serves on the board of directors of STPS, said, “We are so fortunate to have … incredibly dedicated researchers whose data helps to protect the species.”

Dori Hughes, an STPS nesting survey permit holder, agreed. “The

world is better for us when it’s better for the turtles.”

Dean Bagley, a research associate at UCF, has conducted several studies during the past decade and is currently conducting one of the few studies of adult males and their lost years once they are of mating age.

“There’s so little we know about sea turtles and we have lots of questions. They’re keeping their secrets,” he said. SL

Live life now to enjoy the ride with no future regrets

Do you want to look back at your life and say, “I wish I had traveled to Europe” or “I wish I had spent more time with my family.”

There are many seniors who reflect and have regrets. They feel a sense of loss, remorse or disappointment about what they failed to do with their life.

Some of us are challenged to fill the gaps and make up for what we regret. Some of us may live a life of regret; others live their lives bearing guilt. Life is a journey. It is full of opportunities and consequences. You may be able to fix what bothers you.

You can’t go back, but you can start by making a list of your regrets, including why they still bother you. For some people this might be a bucket list (things you want to do before you die).

In the movie “The Bucket List,” Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman share a hospital room and have terminal cancer. They talk about their regrets and make a list. Next, they take off on a great adventure.

In the recent movie “Book Club,”

Challenges of Living to Age 100

Ed Baranowski

four older women (Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen) take off for Italy on a reflective adventure. They consider it a “Do Over.”

You can dream and Do It! You must forgive yourself. The challenge is — No Regrets.

As you review your list of regrets, you may find that many cannot be overcome or fulfilled. Ask: “Does it matter?”

Check out the book “No Regrets” by Allen Hunt and Matthew Kelly. This fable covers living the fourth quarter of

life intentionally. In the story, Lisa has a dream. She is in an accident and in a hospital bed. She views what may be her funeral. When she is awake, regrets flood her mind. “I wish I’d spent more time with people I love. I wish I had pursued more of my dreams.” In the process of reflection, Lisa makes changes in her life and concludes with “No Regrets.”

Father Joseph Sica shares wisdom

CROSSWORD

Solution

Puzzle on page 21

in “Your Guide to a Happy Life.” He writes: “Remember, yesterday was in the past. Tomorrow is not yet here. So, really, what we have is Now! So go and live life, now … and Enjoy the Ride.” Your challenge is “No Regrets!” SL Ed Baranowski is an awardwinning writer, artist, speaker and seminar leader. He lives in Melbourne and can be contacted at fast75sr@ gmail.com

Puzzle on page 19

SENIOR LIFE Shutterstock

A University of Central Florida study is monitoring turtles at the Archie Carr Wildlife Refuge.