25th Anniversary
NEIGHBORS
ANN ERS IV
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Artist, 90, wins first place for watercolor painting BY SUE DeWERFF Helen Morr has enjoyed painting since her youth. But it was not until recently, at age 90, that she finally realized just how good her artwork is. A self-described perfectionist who loves nature, Morr was awarded first place for her flower entry titled “Cactus Blossom” at the annual spring Brevard Watercolor Society’s Splash Display event. She was awarded a $250 cash prize, a $250 credit from a local framing outlet and a blue ribbon for her painting. “I did not expect this, and it was a real shock, but I was thrilled when I found out I had won my first-ever first place ribbon,” the Suntree resident said. Morr said her friend and fellow artist, Margie Carey, encouraged her to enter the painting. “She told me, you get that beautiful piece entered now,” said Morr, who has received several honorable mentions during past years for her paintings, but has never won a first place prize. Morr said she did not have much time during her youth or married years while raising her children to pursue painting. She finally made the decision to
get more involved with her passion after moving to Suntree after her retirement, when she was in her 70s. Morr became a member of the Brevard Watercolor Society and has been involved with other artist guilds and groups during the past several years. She now attends a weekly artist meeting at Suntree Advent Lutheran Church and has loved being a part of the small, tight-knit group where she said she has made great friends. Her paintings can also be found displayed in the church. Morr’s connection to art began when she was just 5 years old, living in a two-story flat with her parents in St. Louis. “I remember finding a can of red enamel paint in the basement and proceeded to paint a splotch on the side of the building. Needless to say, my folks were not so happy about my art antics,” she said and laughed. Her subjects include everything from outdoor scenery, flowers, animals, buildings, barns and many varieties of foliage and nature — even coconuts. Donna Hartman, the president of the Brevard Watercolor Society nonprofit, said she was thrilled when Morr joined the group.
SENIOR LIFE Sue DeWerff
Helen Morr shows off her painting titled “Cactus Blossom,” which won first place at the Brevard Water Color Society’s Splash Display event. “Her talent is amazing, and she is a great addition to our wonderful group of artists.” “The detail and depth of her watercolor paintings are truly unbelievable, not only for her age, but
for anyone. She is extremely talented and I am honored to know such an amazing artist,” her neighbor Donna Greene said. “I kept telling her how good she really was, and I hope now she finally believes it.” SL
Thrift store overcomes obstacles to help community BY FLORA REIGADA A steady flow of customers at the North Brevard Thrift Store in Titusville, illustrates the store living up to its goal of blessing the community with lowcost merchandise. The store raises funds for its parent organization, Hope for North Brevard. “We help the homeless with housing, food, clothing and a message of hope,” said Trey Gordon, the cofounder and executive director. “This involves healing for the hurting through counseling, help for people with disabilities and assistance for felons
SENIOR LIFE Dan Reigada
At the Hope for North Brevard Thrift Store, Manager Lisa Thompson discusses the abundance of reasonably priced clothing available for purchase.
321-242-1235
“The lower we went in prices, the higher the daily income rose. … Here we still are five years later.” —Lisa Thompson
seeking employment.” The organization works one-onone with children through Champ Mentoring in local schools and supports children through Hope Scholarships. A recent thrift store expansion which doubled its size, added a furniture section. Themed rooms include a clothing room, holiday room, craft room, furniture room and a library. Among the goods are electronics, toys and a free food shelf. “As a faith-based organization, we pray over the store each morning,” Manager Lisa Thompson said. She sees the results. “During the pandemic, a woman came in needing colostomy bags for her mother who lives in another country, where she is unable to find them,” Thompson said. “I told her we didn’t have any, but she wandered around the store and found exactly what her mother needed.” On another occasion, a man who had a leg amputated needed a certain size crutches. He found a pair that seemed made to order.
SENIOR LIFE Dan Reigada
A craft room is among the themed rooms at the Hope for North Brevard Thrift Store, where Manager Lisa Thompson discusses craft items available such as yarn and fabric. Thompson referenced free items displayed outside the store. “A couple who had custody of their grandchildren took the items and sold them to help support the youngsters,” she said. About five years ago, the thrift store ran into hard times and planned to close, but could not ignore customers that came by with tears in their eyes. Combine this with an interesting phenomenon discovered while the stock
was being liquidated. “The lower we went in prices, the higher the daily income rose. People came in droves.” Thompson said. “Here we still are five years later.” The thrift store is at 2214 Garden St. in Titusville. For information, call, 321-383-8638. Visit them on facebook: facebook.com/ HopeforNorthBrevardThrift Find out more about Hope for North Brevard at hopenb.org/. SL
SENIOR LIFE • JULY 2022
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