8 minute read
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A N NI V E R Y R SA
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.
“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
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.
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 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.
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 Dan Reigada
At the Hope for North Brevard Thrift Store, Manager Lisa Thompson discusses the abundance of reasonably priced clothing available for purchase.
—Lisa Thompson
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.
Seated under a tent in her driveway, a tiara-clad Johnnie Mae Jenkins waved and blew kisses as dozens of motorists drove past her Revilla Lane home in Rockledge on June 7 to wish her a happy 99th birthday.
“I’m really enjoying this,” Jenkins said as drivers showered her with flowers, cards and good wishes.
It’s the second straight drive-by celebration for Jenkins, a Bainbridge, Georgia native who arrived in Rockledge at age 13 and never left.
“I had one last year for my 98th,” she said. “My granddaughter and my family decided to do another one so here I am at 99. We’ve been celebrating this one since Friday. I had a tea party on Friday.”
Among the well-wishers were Rockledge and Cocoa police officers, Rev. David Bryant, Jenkins’ pastor at Greater St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Cocoa, and Rockledge City Councilman Michael Cadore.
“Mrs. Jenkins, aka Mother Jenkins, is such a beloved woman, a true living angel who is a true blessing to everyone who has ever met her,” Cadore said. “She adores my wife, Queen Cornelia. I’ve known Mother Jenkins for decades and my Queen Cornelia even longer. Mother Jenkins embraces life to the fullest. She is a beautiful example of how God can keep you in perfect peace, especially for those who keep their mind on Him.
“My wife and I say thank you, Mother Jenkins, for the love and wisdom that you continue to share with your family, friends and community.”
Five generations of Jenkinses were on hand to celebrate with Jenkins, who has “a bunch of greatgrandchildren that I can’t even count” and five great-great grandkids.
“Next year’s going to be the big one,” said Jenkins’ daughter-in-law Cheryl Jenkins of Rockledge. “She’ll be 100 then. We’ll be looking forward to that.” SL
—Michael Cadore
SENIOR LIFE Mike Gaffey
Johnnie Mae Jenkins waved to members of the Rockledge community as she celebrated her 99th birthday.
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