Senior Life, January 2023

Edna Wilson, left, Frank Robb and Bill Curtis collaborated on

podcast series called

in Titusville.”

We renew our pledge to bring you the best in 2023

As we prepared for this year’s first edition, I found it hard to believe that I was writing 2023. That’s what it is, a new year.

With the new year, we renew our pledge to our readers and advertisers to bring you the most important feature stories to keep you informed, entertained and up to date.

From time to time throughout the year, we will bring you new feature series that might run for several months or much longer. Games People Play is one of those series that we have enjoyed doing because it seems to have been well received by readers. We have been bringing you an outdoor game and an indoor game with each edition. And, we still have more to go in that series. Are you familiar with the game of cricket? We tell you all about it in this edition of Senior Life. The indoor game this month is dominoes.

How about Classic Rides? Do they bring you memories of riding in one or having one of these classic vehicles yourself?

In this edition, we bring you a story about Bill Antonetz and his love of these vehicles. He is constantly organizing car shows around Brevard County. Some of the shows draw more than 200 vehicles and the droves of spectators eager to see these neat rides. He organizes several shows each month.

What are you going to do this year to stay as healthy as possible? We give you a story that just might get you thinking about what else you can do — maybe exercise more, eat healthier and get regular wellness checks.

Maybe this is the year you take the time to learn a new skill. How about photography? In a new business, a photographer and environmentalists have teamed up to teach photography in a classroom setting followed by field trips. Check out the story.

Maybe what you want to learn about is computers and some of what you can do with a smartphone. We tell you how you can meet with a group that shares information about computers and smartphones, from basic to advanced.

It is a new year. Let’s make the most of it as we learn and grow.

Happy New Year. SL

R. Norman Moody norm@myseniorlife.com

Engineer partners with environmentalists to teach nature photography

BY BETTY PORTER

If you want to learn how to capture environmental and outdoor photos like a pro, Philip Lintereur and his associates will teach you.

Lintereur, who has worked as a contractor for NASA for 35 years, has partnered with local environmentalists to start a company called Florida Wildlife Photos and Tours, which will specialize in teaching nature photography.

“My plan is to retire after Artemis II, but in parallel work to build up my passion since I was a child, which is working as a naturalist doing photography and teaching people about the use of their cameras and combining that with being able to teach and identify what they are photographing,” he said.

Lintereur, who received his engineering degree from the University of Central Florida, has worked for 35 years as a systems test engineer, lead systems engineer, test manager and now on the Artemis program.

“In the past years, I have always had a passion for the space program but my other interest has always been the flora and fauna of our planet. My father Leroy Lintereur was a wildlife biologist in Wisconsin. I worked with him while growing up in Wisconsin. My father also enjoyed photography.”

Lintereur received his photography certifications through Eastern Florida State College and Professional Photographers of America.

“I have been photographing since I was a child, from astronomy to

bird photography and I have always been surrounded by professional naturalists that have taught me the Latin and common names of the items I was photographing.” he said. “When I was growing up, there was a retired person that I enjoyed going out on excursions with often. His name was Herald Linberg, one of the most outstanding birders and photographers that lived up north.

I would go with him on bird counts where you had to know your species and also with my father with the Department of Natural Resources as a naturalist. Lintereur, a resident of Titusville, has teamed up with David Simpson and his wife Dee of Melbourne, who are expert naturalists.

Simpson is a native of Brevard County and has been leading birding tours for more than 30 years. He is renowned for his outstanding birding identification and Dee is a wellrounded biologist in addition to being an avid birder, writer, artist and Florida Master Naturalist.

“They are both outstanding. So, between my knowledge of photography and wildlife and David

and Dee’s knowledge of wildlife and photography, we can gear our clients/students to whatever they are specifically wanting to photograph. For example, it may be Ospreys diving for fish, flying Roseate Spoonbills or Snail Kite birds perching. We can pretty much guarantee that what you are looking for we can deliver.

“In most cases we (Davis, Dee and I) will scout the area out the day before to ensure that the birds of interest are there. Then, we’ll meet at sunup the next morning when wildlife is most active and go through a chain of events through the day. Then proceed to walk

to the destination and work with the group or individual to understand what they are photographing and how to get an outstanding shot,” he said.

“After the class, I like to get people together and see the photographs then go through and see what we can do better the next time or with Lightroom or Photoshop and teach people how to enhance their images. I’m always learning and photography is a continuous learning process which always keeps your brain active,

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Philip Lintereur

Lintereur wants to share his passion for photography and nature through classes and tours.

PHOTOGRAPHY

which is a great thing for people of all ages.”

Lintereur said the company will also provide opportunities to people who are physically challenged.

The schedule will begin in January and run through May. The course will start in a classroom and then move into the field.

“Classes are held usually on the weekend mornings from 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. but we can work around people’s schedules and arrange special trips. We provide water and snacks.” he said.

The tour locations include Central Florida’s Brevard, Orange and Volusia counties, from the Orlando Wetlands to Ponce Inlet, Black Point down to Sebastian Inlet.

“We are mainly in Central Florida, but will be moving out to other areas including international areas. I would suggest getting familiar with the fundamentals

of your camera first in local areas before going out to international wildlife areas. My goal is to get you comfortable with all aspects of lens, settings and post processing. Wildlife photography is a lot of fun once you learn the basics,” he said.

Lintereur said he is working with an international partner to examine other areas of the world so he can open the experience to people interested in places such as the rain forest, pelagic items, (marine mammals, seabirds) and other states such as desert mountain species.

The current schedule posted includes: Jan. 7 at the Orlando Wetlands; Feb. 4 at Sebastian Inlet; March 4 at the Orlando Wetlands; and March 18 at the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge.

For more information and to register for classes and tour offerings in 2023, visit floridawildlife. photos SL

Redefining senior living

Life is easy at The Brennity at Melbourne Senior Living. Tucked away on a tropical setting, residents can enjoy the very best of the Florida lifestyle while enjoying everything that the Space Coast has to offer.

Our tenured associates abide by a Resident-First philosophy that seeks to help residents flourish and provide them with the best standard of living. Individualized care programs, carefully curated lifestyle programming and a wide variety of safety features help ensure that residents in our Assisted Living and Memory Care programs can enjoy life in a safe, social community.

At The Brennity at Melbourne, every day is your day. The only question is how will you spend it?

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Philip Lintereur Philip Lintereur started taking nature photographs at an early age with his wildlife biologist father.

PEOPLE PLAY Games

Discipline, patience and athleticism are traits for traditional cricket

BY LINDA JUMP

For three centuries, British players and their colonists have enjoyed cricket.

The sport gained a foothold locally in 1989 through the Brevard Caribbean American Sports and Cultural Association (BCASCA).

Now on weekends, the Judge Alli B. Majeed Cricket Complex at Fred Poppe Regional Park comes alive often with the signature white kits or uniforms and the crack of the bat toward a wicket to score runs. Opposing teams of 11 players each alternate innings of batting or fielding.

Majeed, who spent 26 years as a Brevard County judge, said, “As a judge and former felony prosecutor, I saw people going in the wrong direction. … Playing a sport like cricket with people from many other cultures keeps them physically active and provides socialization.” The cricket field was named after the pioneer of the sport locally, as a former player and captain.

“Cricket requires physical and

mental strength, stamina and self control. We grew up with it, and to come to the U.S. and be able to play is everything,” said Moolchand “Mo” Pariag of Melbourne, the sports director for BCASCA. He began playing as a 6-year-old in Guyana and has been active locally since 2017. The team of 18 plays in the Premiership or A division within the Florida Cricket Conference.

They’ve won a number of tournaments, including a Nov. 14 T20 championship game in Poinciana.

“Players must be disciplined, of good temperament and patient so they don’t react to anything. They also must be humble,” Pariag said. Rules of conduct are vital and Majeed said he’s proud that the team won “the only trophy given to a team that represents the best spirit of the game.”

Ical Reddie of Vero Beach is pleased that the sport is catching on. “Now, it’s all over the state. It’s a gentleman’s sport that’s clean and watching a good game of cricket is a wonderful way to spend Sunday.”

The team is the first in Florida to

Join the team

Anyone in Brevard County who wants to play cricket should join the Brevard Caribbean American Sports and Cultural Association (BCASCA) cricket team. The team plays its matches at Fred Poppe Regional Park in Palm Bay. To join the team, call Moolchand “Mo” Pariag at 321-961-8418.

allow a woman onto their team, since male and female teams are usually separate. “She was a very good player from Iran now pursuing other interests. We invite more women to play,” Majeed said.

Cheobrean Goodlitt, 27, of Palm Bay learned cricket as a Jamaican primary school student. “I came to Palm Bay in 2021 and got active in the game because I love the camaraderie, discipline and teamwork.”

Shyam Negi, a captain, learned cricket in his Indian backyard. “I work Monday to Friday and then play for extra energy for the week,” he said. SL

Learning the game of cricket

Cricket is a sport played with a bat and ball between two teams of 11 players per team.

The game is divided into innings — one team bats with two batters or batsmen at a time, while the other team bowls or plays the field.

The bowler tries to knock down the bail of the wicket. A batsman tries to prevent the bowler from hitting the wicket by hitting the ball.

A bail is one of the two small sticks placed on top of the three stumps (upright posts) to form a wicket.

The bails are used to determine when the wicket is broken, which is a factor in determining whether a batsman is out bowled, stumped, run out or hit wicket.

The batters can run after the ball is hit. A run is scored each time they change places on the pitch. The team with the highest number of runs wins the match.

SENIOR LIFE Jill Blue

The Brevard Caribbean American Sports and Cultural Association cricket team plays cricket matches at Fred Poppe Regional Park in Palm Bay.

SENIOR LIFE R. Norman Moody Judge Alli B. Majeed enjoys playing cricket during his retirement.

SENIOR LIFE Jill Blue

The Brevard Caribbean American Sports and Cultural Association (BCASCA) cricket team recently played the Orlando Knightriders at Sliver Star Recreational Center in Orlando.

Centuries-old game of dominoes scores with players everywhere

BY BRENDA EGGERT BRADER

As popular as card games are in the United States, dominoes is the game of choice in parts of Latin America and the Caribbean.

“It’s a hobby in Jamaica, so I have played it for years,” said Claudius Facey, who has been playing dominoes for at least 40 years and continues his play Thursday evenings with a group at the Greater Palm Bay Senior Center.

“It’s more than a game, it’s in people’s houses, with friends playing in Jamaica,” Renue Bonnick said. “I have been playing as far back as I can remember. We always played dominoes.”

So, what is the fascination with a game that has existed for hundreds of years and is mentioned in documents from 13th century China? The game is very popular in Jamaica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas.

The game sports a 28-piece set of rectangular tiles or dominoes, plain or decorated on one face and on the other side they have two sets of spots or pips. Players, who get seven pieces each, place tiles on the table in turn, matching one face of the domino with an open face of one that has already been played. The objective of dominoes is to score the most points by putting tiles down in the most advantageous way. Many versions of the game exist, but usually games are won by the first player to put down all of the tiles. When the game ends, the players add up the number of dots or

pips on their hands. That’s how many points the winner has earned.

The game can be surprisingly strategic and difficult to beat a skilled player with any consistency. The Senior Center club prefers four players and with the winning person having used all their tile pieces.

Among variations is the popular game called Texas 42 or simply 42 that is similar to the card game of spades. Some of adaptations are from card games. There is also the Mexican train dominoes.

“I have been playing dominoes

“I like the entertainment, the social life and it helps pass time,” said Morris Gibbs, the leader of a group that plays in Palm Bay. “I played it long before I came to America.”

A recent night of play included four tables of active dominoes with members still arriving throughout the early evening to make up more groups of four to begin play.

Anyone can play but, of course, they must be a member of the Greater Palm Bay Senior Center, Gibbs said.

“Most Thursday nights we play from 6 to 10 p.m.” SL

Podcaster conquers fear of public speaking through Toastmasters

BY FLORA REIGADA

If everyone could speak like a Toastmaster, people would have an easier time understanding, especially the hearing impaired.

“My involvement was motivated by a disastrous public speaking experience,” said Edna Wilson, a realtor in Titusville.

Today, she reaps the benefits of her membership in Titusville Toastmasters, part of the world-wide speaking club, where people learn by doing.

Educational meetings consist of prepared speeches, impromptu speaking (table topics) and evaluation.

“I was speaking too fast and using too many ‘pause’ words, such as uh to mask silences,” she said. “People talk fast because they are nervous. They want to get their talk over with quickly.”

property, so they can make intelligent, fact-based decisions,” she said.

After Wilson gave a talk at a church conference, a hearingimpaired audience member told her how refreshing it was to hear and understand a speaker.

This is nothing unusual. Fear of public speaking (glossophobia) is estimated to affect 75% of adults.

However, words that run together become unintelligible to the hearingimpaired and can impede the understanding of those with normal hearing.

“It’s important that clients understand what is said about a

“Toastmasters taught me to slow down but also that brief moments of silence in a speech can make it more understandable. People have time to catch up,” she said.

Stephanie Baker is Toastmasters Area 20 Director (Division 84.) It consists of four Brevard County groups, including one that allows virtual attendance.

“Toastmasters elevates a person’s communication, tapping into the

senses, enabling a message to be fully heard and comprehended,” she said. “This involves voice inflection and tools such as audio, sound effects and graphics. A business presentation, for example, would be aided by graphic charts and PowerPoint. One person brought in a service animal to reinforce a message. The possibilities are endless.”

Titusville Toastmasters meets

6:30 p.m. the first and third Thursday of each month at The Blue Heron restaurant at the Great Outdoors at 137 Plantation Drive in Titusville.

For more information, call 321-917-6761 or visit titusvilletoastmasters.org

Find out more about Toastmasters International and its many branches throughout the United States and the world at toastmasters.org. SL

most of my life,” Palm Bay resident Winston Thompson said. “I do it for entertainment, not really for concentration.”

Steven Stephenson and Army veteran Greg Cochrane said they participate because of the socialization and entertainment value.

SENIOR LIFE Brenda Eggert Brader

Greg Cochrane, left, Steve Stephenson, Morris Gibbs and Winston Thompson play dominoes regularly at the Greater Palm Bay Senior Center.

The Free Boomer Guide features locations and listings of sports and games, including dominoes.

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of EEARSS.org

Titusville Toastmasters helped Edna Wilson speak with clarity and confidence as she put together a podcast for her YouTube series, “52 Things to do in Titusville,” hosted by Frank Robb, center, and Bill Curtis.

“Toastmasters elevates a person’s communication, tapping into the senses, enabling a message to be fully heard and comprehended.”

— Stephanie Baker

The Free Boomer Guide features listings of groups and organizations, including Toastmasters.

Space Coast PC users group open to helping anyone

BY WENDY SCHEURING

When you buy a new computer, a cell phone or a tablet, you quickly find out that there is a learning curve.

Thankfully, there is a local computer group called the Space Coast PC Users Group (SCPCUG), whose mission is to help educate anyone about their computers and other electronic devices free of charge.

“Anybody can walk in between 12 and 3 p.m.,” said Dan Douglas, the president of the SCPCUG. “We help people and answer any questions they may have.

“We help all ages,” he said. “From high schoolers to World War II vets.”

The group meets the first, third and fifth Saturdays at the Merritt Island Library auditorium.

“It’s an open meeting for anyone that’s got computer problems,” said Bill Middleton of the former Brevard Users Group, which merged with

SCPCUG in 2015.

“The people that attend are computer gurus,” Middleton said.

Many times a computer problem requires only a quick fix.

“Sometimes, we can fix a computer on the spot,” Douglas said. “Sometimes, they need to buy the parts and we can replace them and fix the computer.”

Douglas is also the owner of DataDan Computer Services on U.S.1 in Cocoa and has been working on computers for nearly 50 years.

“I’m experienced with Android phones and others are experienced with iPhones,” Douglas said. “There is always somebody at the group who can help you with your phone. We also get a lot of phone questions.”

If you enjoy using computers, want to learn more and want to spend time around like-minded people, you might want to join SCPCUG for a one-time

“Anybody can walk in between 12 and 3 p.m. We help people and answer any questions they may have. We help all ages. From high schoolers to World War II vets.”

— Dan Douglas

fee of $25. The group hosts learning sessions throughout the year and has an annual Christmas party during the month of December.

Last month, Douglas gave a presentation on Windows 10 and 11 system settings.

The next two learning center meetings will take place on Jan. 7 and Jan. 14.

“The SCPCUG is a charter member of the Association of Personal Computer User Groups (APCUG), dedicated to fostering communications between PC user groups and the establishment of relationships between these groups and software publishers and hardware manufacturers,” according to scpcug.com.

“I always tell people to come in with 10 things you want to learn. Somebody will sit with you and get the answers for you,” Douglas said. SL

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of SCPCUG Computer experts with the Space Coast PC Users Group are eager to share their knowledge with the Brevard County community.

Family shares love of horses started at young age

BY WENDY SCHEURING

For the Biegel family of Cocoa, much of their lives revolve around their love of horses.

Dr. Patrick Biegel, an equine veterinarian, and Kim Biegel have two children who love to compete. Daughter Lennox, 11, and son Aiden, 8, have both been riding, showing and competing from a young age.

Lennox is a fifth grader at Viera Charter School. When she was in kindergarten, she had her first riding lesson. It only took that one lesson for her mother to realize that Lennox was a naturally gifted rider. Lennox started competing and winning.

sister’s footsteps,” his mother said.

The children spend their mornings before school as well as after school and weekends doing barn chores and helping the horses.

“The kids are hands on about horses and can tell you anything you want to know about their horse’s physical and mental well-being,” Kim Biegel said.

Kim Biegel is an avid rider and trainer, having ridden since age 6 and competing on an international level. When she recognized Lennox’s talent, she started training her daughter, which also resulted in her starting a boutique riding and training program for other area riders.

Dr. Patrick Biegel completed his veterinarian studies in 2009 at The University of Glasgow in Scotland. He interned in New Jersey and practiced in Ocala before the family moved to Brevard County so that he could practice with Dr. Brad Newman.

As a young child, Patrick Biegel said he was at first afraid of horses. When he got a quarter horse at age 13, that fear turned into friendship.

Most recently, Lennox secured the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Championship in Wellington in 2021. She has also competed in the U.S. Equestrian Federation Reserve Championship, finishing fifth for the past two years.

“Lennox has resilience and she has ambitions to ride in college,” Kim Biegel said.

Lennox’s younger brother, Aiden, 8, has been riding since age 4. “He quickly wanted to follow in his

The Biegels bought Newman’s practice in January 2021, renaming it Equine Wellness & Performance.

“We are now shifting our focus to becoming a performance horse clinic,” Kim Biegel said.

“We are solely an equine practice, ranging from horses, donkeys, mules and the occasional zebra,” Dr. Biegel said. “I love working with horses with lameness issues and helping them perform better.”

For more information, go to equinewellnessandperformance.com.

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of the Biegel family

Aiden, 8, left, and Lennox, 11, are champion riders and very knowledgeable about horses. Both have been riding and competing since they were very young.

SENIOR LIFE Klinton Landress

The lives of Dr. Patrick Biegel, his wife Kim and their children Aiden and Lennox are focused on the care of and the riding of horses.

“The kids are hands on about their horses and can tell you anything you want to know about their horse's physical and mental well-being.”

— Kim Biegel

STRI PES

Brevard Veterans News

Support veterans by patronizing businesses they own

You’ve seen the bumper stickers and you’ve heard the phrase: “Support our veterans.”

If you ever wondered what it means or what people are doing to support veterans, you are on the right track. It is likely because you are thinking about what you can do. And simply doing business with them is a great way to put words into action.

A tangible way to support veterans is to support the businesses they own or businesses that might not be veteran owned but that prioritize employing those who served in the Armed Forces. How do you do that? Easily.

Some business owners will let you know that they are veteran owned by signs on their doors or noted on their business cards or websites.

If you are looking for a specific

type of service or business, the website of the Florida Association of Veteran Owned Businesses (FAVOB) may be the answer. There are 118 member businesses in the Space Coast chapter alone. In addition, there are chapters in Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville and Pensacola.

“I do a lot of matchmaking to help businesses grow,” said Stuart Smith, the chief operating officer of Florida Association of Veterans Owned

Businesses.

Because the military instills trust, dependability and discipline, it creates confidence in those business owners by those looking for the services they provide.

The association also has what it calls patriot businesses, which are companies that employ veterans. Many of these businesses do so because they depend on the reliability of the veterans.

While there are more than 100 businesses listed in the Space Coast chapter of the association, there are others who are not yet part of the organization.

“There are a lot of veteran owned businesses that don’t know that there is a veteran business association,” said Smith, an Army veteran who has long

called the Space Coast home.

FAVOB advocates for veteran owned businesses and works to influence pro-business policy changes that create opportunities for veteran owned businesses in Florida.

So, if you support veterans, consider supporting the businesses they have created here in Brevard County and elsewhere around the state.

FAVOB’s website: favob.net lists the businesses. The site gives the option of looking them up by the type of service or product you want. Be an advocate for veterans, who have sacrificed so much to serve this nation. Check out the FAVOB website.

Do not let your support for veterans be just words. SL

Military experience, skills drive veteran to succeed in business

BY MARIA SONNENBERG

Lessons learned in the military have served Erin Kelly well in her current career in real estate sales and investing.

“She has great management skills that she developed from her time in the military, and she is willing to take risks and jump in,” said friend and mentor Charles Fischer, an entrepreneur and real estate broker.

Kelly, who both sells real estate and invests in it, is with eXp Realty. She loves connecting people with their dream homes, and she also enjoys the satisfaction and freedom that flipping or renting commercial and residential properties bring.

for a major Brevard defense company left her searching for more rewarding challenges. She found it in real estate.

“When she got her license, she was working a full-time job,” Fischer said.

Kelly started purchasing project houses in Palm Bay, again and again.

“At the time, I had no desire to get my real estate license,” said the Melbourne resident.

Looking back, the Grand Junction, Colorado native believes real estate is in her DNA.

“It has always interested me, I think it’s because my family was also in real estate,” Kelly said.

After 10 years in the Air Force, primarily working in information technology, Kelly left the service for medical reasons. For 17 more years, she served as a civilian contractor, but her last job as a project manager

Fischer suggested that, since she was serious about investing in real estate, she should pursue a real estate license to save on agent fees. With a newly minted license in 2016, Kelly became a one-woman band for real estate, buying and selling for herself while still helping others buy property. The single mother of two never looked back.

“It’s safer than the stock market and you’re more in control, and why not take a 10 to 12 percent return instead of the 1 percent you can get with a bank CD,” she said.

She attributes a large part of her success to building a team that get things done and frees up her time so

she

with a prison ministry.

“I have a team with a great contractor and property managers that took me three years (to assemble) but

was definitely worth it,” she said.

Whether you are young or not, according to Kelly there is no better investment than real estate, no matter how the market is performing.

“It’s always a good time to buy real estate,” she said. SL

can give back to the community by volunteering at the Veterans Memorial Center, at her church and

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Erin Kelly

Erin Kelly has used her military experience to build a successful real estate career. She served in the U.S. Air Force and left with the rank of staff sergeant.

“She has great management skills that she developed from her time in the military, and she is willing to take risks and jump in. ”

—Charles Fischer

Battle of the Bulge veteran celebrates a century

BY MARIA SONNENBERG

Irwin Brown has met one of two major goals.

“He wanted to live to be 100 and he wants to see a woman in the White House,” Brown’s daughter, Carole Brown said.

On Dec.13, Brown became a centenarian. He may have to wait a bit longer to see a female president of the United States.

Two dozen of his friends and family gathered at the Yellow Dog Café in Malabar to celebrate with Brown. Among the well-wishers was Mayor Hal Rose of West Melbourne, where Brown has resided since the mid-1990s. He lost his beloved Marjorie in 2018, just three months shy of their 74th anniversary, but he still lives in his condo, with the help of caregivers.

Brown’s life began in Fulton, New York. He met Marjorie at Oswego State Teachers’ College and married in 1944, two years after Brown enlisted in the Army to train as an engineer officer and rifle marksman.

Brown can’t understand why there are Nazi sympathizers and Holocaust deniers.

“I can’t imagine how anyone can deny it,” he said.

At war’s end, he was among the soldiers at Buchenwald Concentration Camp and saw first-hand the condition of the prisoners and the horrible reality of the gas chambers.

Patriot has become a favorite word for individuals who are anything but.

Brown, on the other hand, is truly a patriot, for he fought for his country — and world liberation — in the European Theatre of Operations, including the Battle of the Bulge, and was part of the second invasion at Omaha Beach.

“He held one of his friends as he died during the Battle of the Bulge,” Carole Brown said.

Brown’s name is recorded in the National World War II Memorial’s Registry of Remembrance, along

with the name of his brother, E. Bruce Brown, a B-24 bomber pilot shot down not long before the war ended.

When the fighting was done, Brown, like his fellow comrades in arms, returned home and got to work. Both Irwin and Marjorie were lifetime educators in upstate New York until their retirement. For years, the couple wandered around the United States and Canada in their 30-foot Airstream, which could be found wintering at Port

O’ Call Park across from the Melbourne Orlando International Airport. They later would spend winters in West Melbourne’s Greenwood Village before moving there permanently in 2011.

Brown still plays golf as often as he can.

“So far, I haven’t gotten a hole-inone,” he said.

When asked what the greatest moment in his long life has been, Brown doesn’t hesitate.

“Marrying my wife was the most blessed thing,” he said.

Carole Brown, a justice in Canada’s Superior Court, is grateful her dad instilled in her the ancient Greek concept of a healthy mind in a healthy body.

“He was always physically active, snowshoeing, water skiing, playing golf, hunting and fishing and he always had a book in his hand,” she said. SL

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Carole Brown A toast was in order as Irwin Brown raised his glass while at a cafe in Paris in 2019.

SENIOR LIFE Klinton Landress

Irwin Brown was very happy that friends and family gathered a the Yellow Dog Cafe to celebrate his 100th birthday.

Family’s passion for music is obvious in their lives, businesses

BY BETTY PORTER

A family’s passion for music led to the operation of what is billed as the largest piano dealership in Florida.

Atlantic Music Center at 150 East Drive in Melbourne attracts people from across the U.S. and the world to select pianos from the large selection inside the 12,000-square-foot facility with an average of 175 new and used pianos in the showrooms at all times.

Company president Brian Gatchell, an expert on all things piano, is a master pianist who founded the business in Melbourne in 1990. For 11 years, he offered a seasonal concert series and brought well-known musical artists to the area.

In 2018, he moved to the East Drive location, which provided more space to refurbish pianos.

“In March of 2023, we will have been in business for 33 years here. I originally started the business with sales of pianos, string instruments (violins, cellos, etc.) and print music,” Gatchell said. “In 2002, one of my sons, Allen, took over the string and sheet music business. He has Atlantic Strings located on New Haven Avenue, across from the Melbourne Square Mall. Allen’s is said to operate the largest string dealership in the U.S. with a store also in Orlando.

The family’s fascination with music also includes Gatchell’s wife, Jamie, who is a jazz performer and has started her own jazz trumpet shop called Jamie’s Trumpet Gallery, a couple of doors down from Atlantic Music Center in the same building. Jamie is a representative for Inderbinen in Switzerland and the Taylor company of England.

“Atlantic Music Center is focused on pianos,” Gatchell said. “We represent many of the best pianos in the world, including Yamaha, Bosendorfer, Schimmel, Mason & Hamlin. We are also the largest

rebuilder of pianos in the Southeast United States and specialize in rebuilding great American pianos such as Steinway, Baldwin, and Mason & Hamlin. We have a staff of 10 employees and several other prominent piano technicians that work with us part time.”

Stoney Copelin works with Atlantic Music Center as a piano technician and tuner. He has become a master piano tech and has worked in the industry for 40 years. He started in high school.

“It’s a passion of mine,” he said.

Sayaka Shinsei has been with Atlantic Music Center for 1½ years as a technician. She also plays the trumpet. She holds a degree from New World School of the Arts in Miami.

Iuliia Kryvossheia is a tech who has been with the company for two years.

“She makes the pianos sound and look beautiful,” Gatchell said. “She’s really good at it.”

“With the typical acoustic piano having 12,500 parts, it is integral that we have amazing technicians to tune, service and restore them,” Gatchell said.

Gatchell said his display rooms and restoration facility has customers that come from all over Florida and he sells and ships pianos across the country. He recently was shipping pianos to Scotland and to the Cayman Islands.

Locally, he said a majority of his customers live in Viera or Vero. “Our customers range from parents looking to get their child a piano to professionals who enjoy playing piano. We have a rent-to-own program with the option to return the piano at any time, which makes parents feel at ease.” The pianos in his showroom are $1,000 and up.

“Many of my clients are surgeons who play the piano basically because it is soothing, releases stress and it is also great for keeping fine motor skills well tuned.” Gatchell said.

Gatchell, who has a master’s degree

in piano performance, was a Baldwin piano artist from 1975 to 1992 performing throughout the U.S. He was also a professor of piano at Heidelberg University in Ohio and a distributor for some of the best European piano makers from 1998 to 2018.

“I’ve spent a great deal of time in European countries, including Germany, France, England and Poland at piano makers manufacturing facilities,” he said.

Gatchell prides himself on owning one of the only Bosendorfer 225 Kessler Grand Bohemian pianos ever made, which has 92 keys instead of the

usual 88 keys. The extras are the base (black) keys.

The design for the piano was inspired by Richard Kessler, a hotelier and art collector. The piano features a music stand sculpted to look like a majestic peacock with feathers unfurled. Some areas of the piano, like the frame, are gilded with 22-carat gold. It has a bronze cast base and is very heavy (419 kg), and is worth $490,000.

“This is the most expensive piano that I have,” he said. “There were only two ever made, one for Kessler and one for me.” SL

Jamie Gatchell, whose husband is Brian Gatchell, is an accomplished jazz performer who owns Jamie’s Trumpet Gallery.

SENIOR LIFE Klinton Landress

Atlantic Music Center president Brian Gatchell is a master pianist. He founded the business in 1990.

Exercise, eating right provides momentum for good health HEALTH & WELLNESS

BY BRENDA EGGERT BRADER

Weight and body maintenance have been popular since exercise and eating right have become a normal way to live.

One couple has kept up the momentum during their retirement years and uses their clubhouse gym equipment, mats and weights three days a week.

“I did some exercise when I was working, but not until retirement did I do three days a week and watch what I eat more,” West Melbourne resident Anna Burke said. “I have arthritis, so I don’t do anything that bothers my knees and joints. I use an elliptical at the house. I like it because it is low impact.”

Her husband George Burke said he has exercised for years, played basketball, exercised in the Navy, and set up an exercise room on his aircraft carrier. When he was working for the state police, he exercised every morning before work.

“I am a strong advocate for exercise for it is critical for health and gets you through health issues,” Anne Burke said.

Their diet includes grains and vegetables, chicken and fish, little beef and if fried, only air-fried items.

“Your body needs more vitamins and getting vitamins the natural way is the way to go,” said Lisa GladuMolina, a certified personal trainer and certified PWR for Life, Parkinson’s, Wellness and Recovery Program at Aquatic Health and Rehabilitation of Melbourne. “Don’t eat processed foods. The more natural you eat the better.

“For exercise, three days a week is a good regiment,” Gladu-Molina said. “Cardio for the heart for 15 minutes is a good thing. Walk on a treadmill or

jog along for 15 minutes. Stretching three times a week should include hamstrings, hips, chest area and back. A hamstring stretch can be performed flat on your back or put the leg on a chair and bring the toes up and hold for 30 seconds. Being flexible is very important to just keep from breaking anything.”

She said that strengthening the core is important. Hold yourself up on your toes and elbows for 15 seconds. Use planks (keep body straight like a board) for core strengthening and it

helps with balance as well. Basically, on Monday do arms, hip and lifts, and Wednesday and Friday, do core strengthening. Just do it consistently.

“The more time you put in, the better you feel. We all have a problem getting started with exercise, but we need 30 minutes every day or an hour three times a week.” SL

Make a better tomorrow for someone by donating blood

BY NANETTE HEBDIGE

Erik Williams has been donating blood for more than 30 years and looks forward to each donation day, knowing that he is helping to save lives.

“Knowing my blood helps save someone’s life is an amazing feeling,” said the Cocoa resident. “I wish more people would do it”

January marks the 52nd National Blood Donor Month.

According to the Red Cross, there is at least one person that needs blood every two seconds, which makes donating blood critical to saving someone’s life.

Donating blood is physically and mentally healthy, and lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease, according to the American Medical Association. Donors from ages 24 to 61 have fewer risks of heart attacks than those that don’t. Donating keeps blood healthy as it reduces its iron which triggers oxidation, and when blood gets sticky it can cause damage to the lining in the arteries.

“Our focus for 2023 is A Better Tomorrow where we will be celebrating the milestones of career donors that have donated over 100 pints of blood or more during their lifetime and also highlight new donors as well,” said Susan Forbes, the head of public relations at OneBlood — The Big Red Bus.

Many folks are needle-phobic and the thought of being poked with one no matter how small sends everyone into cold sweats. However, Forbes said there’s no need to have

January is National Blood Donor

any irrational fears, as the process is simple and almost painless. Not to mention the realization and huge significance that your blood is helping to save a life.

Williams, a veteran donor in his early 50s who has donated more than 100 gallons in the form of plasma and platelets, explains his long journey donating blood.

Month

“I started when I was 17 when I was diagnosed with hypertension in my teens, as it runs in my family and donating blood has stabilized my condition,” he said.

Williams always looks forward to going to the OneBlood donation center in Rockledge.

“We’re all part of a big family as everyone knows each other and I love

helping others while I help myself, as donating blood is healthy for you.”

Platelet donation takes several hours and by FDA standards has to be utilized within five days.

Forbes also said that they always experience a large outpouring of donors when there’s been a disaster.

“We want to encourage proactive donations on a regular basis so it becomes an important habit.”

For more information and to schedule an appointment to donate, go to oneblood.org SL

SENIOR LIFE Brenda Eggert Brader

George Burke works out on the cycle for cardio and muscle exercise. Pulling weights keeps his shoulders loose and strong.

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of OneBlood

Donors are encouraged to give blood during the winter months, which is a time when the need is greatest.

“We’re all part of a big family as everyone knows each other and I love helping others while I help myself as donating blood is healthy for you. ”

—Erik Williams

When it comes to families, there’s strength in numbers! Our family is comprised of independent business providers, all focused exclusively on meeting the special needs of seniors – and all respected members of the Central Florida business community. You’ll get direct access to an array of senior products and services simply by visiting One Senior Place! So stop searching: Our family has the knowledge, experience and desire to help you age successfully. They’re one more reason we are The Experts in Aging.

Understanding My Biomarkers

By Dr. Rosemary Laird

Tuesday, January 10th at 11:30am

RSVP 321-339-0551

Movie Matinee with Rhodes Law

Featuring “Mermaids”

Thursday, January 12th at 2pm

RSVP 321-339-0551

Senior Health Friday with Nurse Lisa

Navigating Long Term Care Insurance

Friday, January 13th at 10am RSVP 321-339-0551

The Importance of Sleep and How to Get More of It Friday, January 27th at 2pm RSVP 321-339-0551

Merritt

Prostate Health Alternative to Surgery

Lunch & Learn Presentation

Monday, January 30th at 11am RSVP 321-339-0551

Szuba Guardian Care Solutions

TaxMasters of Brevard

Vascular & Interventional Physicians

Victoria Landing Assisted Living & Memory Care

Viera Health and Rehabilitation Center

Viera Insurance Professionals

VITAS Healthcare

William A. Johnson, P.A.

Romance with cars continues for Indialantic resident

BY MARIA SONNENBERG

Bill Antonetz never met a car he didn’t like.

The Indialantic resident, who orchestrates classic car shows, started his love affair with his first set of wheels, a 1954 DeSoto, at age 12.

“My uncle was going to junk it because it needed work, but it still ran,” Antonetz said.

For a few dollars, the uncle signed over the title, and Antonetz, under the guidance of his father, began the DeSoto rebirth.

“Piece by piece, I took the car apart,” he said.

His father, who taught automobile mechanics, guided him in the restoration of the engine. Although Antonetz was too young to drive on the street, he would drive it up and

down his family’s driveway, as friends looked in awe.

Antonetz’s romance with cars proved profitable during the 30 years he sold Cadillacs and Oldsmobiles in Westport, Connecticut.

“I loved going to work,” he said.

When he retired to Florida, the condominium building he chose for a residence did hamper the number of cars he could keep, but Antonetz managed to still stay close to classic cars by scheduling car shows, or gathering of cars, as he prefers to call them,

As a volunteer, Antonetz organizes three monthly car shows that draw hundreds of vehicles waiting to be ogled and admired.

“I don’t do it for the money,” he said.

From 8 a.m. to noon on the third Saturday of the month, you will find Antonetz and a couple of hundred other motorheads at the Dunkin’ Donuts parking lot in Indialantic. From 5 to 8 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month, the car gathering is in the parking area

surrounding Friendly’s at the corner of Eau Gallie Boulevard and State Road A1A. He also recently added another at Fresh Scratch Bistro, usually from noon to 4 p.m. on select Sundays. He also manages similar gatherings at senior communities such as Chateau Madeleine and Victoria Landing.

As first volunteer at the American Muscle Car Museum in Melbourne, Antonetz additionally helps during the many fundraisers the venue offers as a gift to the community.

“He has been such a blessing,” said Kerry Fink, the executive director of Helping Seniors of Brevard, a nonprofit that connects older residents with needed resources such as housing.

The charity depends on an annual new car raffle for half of its budget. With his insider knowledge of the car world, Antonetz was able to direct Fink and his team to events and groups that significantly added to the bottom line of this year’s raffle of a 2023 Camaro.

“We raised $20,000 more than last year, and I have to thank Bill for that,” Fink said.

Antonetz is just happy he can share the joy.

“Everything I do, I do for the love of the hobby,” he said. SL

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Bill Antonetz

Bill Antonetz grew

shows each year.

“Everything I do, I do for the love of the hobby.”

— Bill Antonetz

time machine

In January...

Jan. 3, 1959

President Eisenhower states his support for statehood for Alaska early in his administration but has concern with the issue of national security. He signs the official proclamation admitting Alaska as the 49th state.

Jan. 4, 1965

Winston Churchill (1874-1965) dies. He has been Britain’s wartime prime minister whose courageous leadership and defiant rhetoric fortifies the British during their long struggle against Hitler’s Germany.

Jan. 24, 1935

Gottfried Krueger Brewery sells Cream Ale and Krueger’s Finest Beer, its first canned beer. Although the idea is unpopular with Krueger execs, American Can offers to install the equipment for free. If the beer flops, Krueger wouldn’t have to pay.

Brevard’s Premier Senior Retirement & Assisted Living Communities

Courtenay Springs Village

1200 S Courtenay Pkwy., Merritt Island 32952 321-452-1233

CourtenaySpringsVillage.org

Shell Harbor 2855 Murrell Rd, Rockledge 32955 321-265-6858

ShellHarborRetirement.com

Alura Senior Living

777 Roy Wall Blvd., Rockledge 32955 321-549-3980

AluraSeniorLiving.com

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

Opening October 2022

Sonata East at Viera 4206 Breslay Dr., Viera 32940 321-326-9995

SonataVieraEast.com

The Brennity at Melbourne 7300 Watersong Lane, Viera 32940 321-253-7440

BrennityMelbourne.com

Chateau Madeleine

205 Hardoon Lane, Suntree 32940 321-701-8000

SuntreeSeniorLiving.com

Buena Vida Estates

2129 W. New Haven Ave., W. Melbourne 32904 321-724-0060

BuenaVidaEstates.org

Jan. 25, 1959

American Airlines Boeing 707 makes its first scheduled transcontinental U.S. flight. Captain Charles A. Macatee III flies the Flagship California from Los Angeles International Airport to New York International Airport in 4 hours, 3 minutes.

Jan. 27, 1967

Astronauts Edward H. White, Virgil I. Grissom and Roger B. Chaffee die when a fire erupts inside the Apollo 1 capsule during a launch simulation test at Cape Kennedy.

Jan. 28,1986

The space shuttle Challenger explodes 73 seconds into its flight, killing all seven crew members. The mission, STS-51-L, is the 10th flight for the orbiter and the 25th flight of the Space Shuttle fleet.

Palm Shores Palm Shores

Welcome 2023

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

New

Day

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Red Eye Big Cup Golf Tournament

8:30 a.m.

Two-person scramble.

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

Belly Dancing

12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

The fee is $2 for members and $3 for non-members.

Martin Andersen Senior Center 1025 S. Florida Ave. Rockledge, 321-631-7549

Gentle Yoga for Seniors 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. North Brevard Senior Center 909 Lane Ave. Titusville, 321-269-2333

Exercise to Improve Balance

1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Improve balance and reduce the risk of falls.

Sunflower House 777 Merritt Island Causeway, Suite #201 Merritt Island, 321-452-4341

Seaside Quilt Show Group 1 - 5 p.m.

Suntree/Viera Library 902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 321-255-4404

Blood Pressure Clinic 9 - 11 a.m.

Sunflower House 777 Merritt Island Causeway, Suite #201 Merritt Island, 321-452-4341

Bingo 11:30 a.m.

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

Senior Fitness Class 1 - 2 p.m.

Sunflower House 777 Merritt Island Causeway, Suite 201 Merritt Island, 321-452-4341

Sip & Smoke 5:30 - 9 p.m. Viera's only cigar- and spirit-themed monthly event.

28 North Gastropub 2250 Town Center Ave. Viera, 321-241-1159

Friday Night Dancing 6:30 - 11 p.m.

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

Los Angeles Piano Trio Concert 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Concert by the Melbourne Chamber Music Society.

St. Mark’s United Methodist Church 2030 N. Highway A1A Indialantic, 321-213-5100

2023 Duo Dash 5K 7:30 a.m.

Fundraiser for Big Brothers

Big Sisters of Central Florida. Viera Regional Community Center 2300 Judge Fran Jamieson Way Viera, 407-478-2999

Melbourne Gun & Knife Show Jan. 7 and 8 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Melbourne Auditorium 625 E. Hibiscus Blvd. Melbourne, 321-777-7455

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Classic Car Cruise and Dance

Noon - 4 p.m.

All vehicles welcome.

Fresh Scratch Bistro 1940 Highway A1A IHB, 321-725-3648

Trumpeter John DePaola

Concert 2 - 4 p.m. Presented by the Space Coast Jazz Society.

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

Belly Dancing 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Fee is $2 for members and $3 for non-members.

Martin Andersen Senior Center 1025 S. Florida Ave. Rockledge, 321-631-7549

Gentle Yoga for Seniors

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

North Brevard Senior Center 909 Lane Ave. Titusville, 321-269-2333

Election Day

Basic Computing/Ask a Tech

1 - 3 p.m.

Sunflower House 777 Merritt Island Causeway, Suite #201 Merritt Island, 321-452-4341

Acrylic Painting 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

$15 covers instructions and materials. Must pre-register.

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

Wednesday Art Group 1:30 - 4 p.m.

Suntree/Viera Library 902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 321-255-4404

Bingo 11:30 a.m.

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

Community Conversation: Mission Space Coast Noon

Presented by the EDC and Space Coast Office of Tourism.

EDC Space Coast 6525 3rd St., #304 Rockledge, 321-638-2000 Bingo 10 a.m.

North Brevard Senior Center 909 Lane Ave. Titusville, 321-269-2333

Jam For the Kids 2023 11 a.m.

Fundraiser for Space Coast Discovery. Hilton Rialto Place 200 Rialto Place Melbourne, 321-729-6858

Ballroom Dance Lessons 2 p.m. Martin Andersen Senior Center 1025 S. Florida Ave. Rockledge, 321-452-1944

Dig Day 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Help Quest Elemntary with their Community Learning Garden. RSVP to tunyurl.com/ Questdigday2023 Quest Elementary 8751 Trafford Drive, Viera

Miracle City HarleyDavidson Car & Truck Show 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Miracle City Harley Davidson 2405 S. Hopkins Ave. Titusville, 321-948-7553

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Jazz In Our Time

Swingtime Concert

3:30 and 7 p.m. Presented by the Melbourne Municipal Band Riverside Presbyterian Church 3400 N. Atlantic Ave. Cocoa Beach 321-724-0555

National Spicy Guacamole

Suntree Country Club 5K 7:30 a.m. Benefit for Noah’s Heart. Suntree Country Club 300 Country Club Drive Suntree, 321-242-6230

Books are Always Better Book Club 6:30 - 7:45 p.m. January's book is “Paris Wife” by Paula McClain. Suntree/Viera Library 902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 321-255-4404

Purly Girls Knitting Club 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Cape Canaveral Library 201 Polk Ave. Cape Canaveral 321-868-1101

Space Coast Poets meeting 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Suntree/Viera Library 902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 321-255-4404

TV Tunes Tonight, Jazz on TV Jan. 18 and 19 7 p.m. Presented by the Melbourne Municipal Band.

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

Skin Cancer Awareness Lecture 2 - 3 p.m. Lisa Conway, RN, will discuss ways to prevent and treat skin cancer.

The Brennity at Melbourne 7300 Watersong Way Viera, 321-635-0130

411 About Strokes 2 - 3 p.m. Sunflower House 777 Merritt Island Causeway Merritt Island, 321-452-4341

Sweetheart's Sock Hop 50s and 60s Rock & Roll 7 p.m. Presented by the Melbourne Municipal Band.

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

“Veterans Stand Down to Stand Up” 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. This event will focus on homeless and at-risk veterans and their families, while also matching the veterans with job options on the Space Coast.

Cocoa Armory 308 N. Fiske Blvd. Cocoa To volunteer, call 757-871-6576

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Cocoa Beach Kite & Beach Festival

Jan. 21 and 22

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Coconuts on the Beach Minutemen Causeway Cocoa Beach, 321-693-3159

Belly Dancing 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Fee is $2 for members and $3 for non-members.

Martin Andersen Senior Center 1025 S. Florida Ave. Rockledge, 321-631-7549

Gentle Yoga for Seniors 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

North Brevard Senior Center 909 Lane Ave. Titusville, 321-269-2333

ANA Coin Talk with Bob 6 - 7:45 p.m.

Suntree/Viera Library 902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 321-255-4404

Boomer Trivia 4 - 6 p.m.

Free to play.

Pizza Gallery 2250 Town Center Ave. Viera, 321-633-0397

Suntree/Viera Library Book Club 10 - 11:30 a.m.

The discussion will be on “Educated” by Tara Westover.

Suntree/Viera Library 902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 321-255-4404

Medicaid Planning 10 - 11 a.m.

Seminar presented by William A. Johnson, board certified Elder Law attorney.

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

Haven Challenge Golf Tournament 7 a.m.

Hosted by The Haven for Children Board of Directors.

Duran Golf Club 7032 Stadium Parkway Viera, 321-676-6888

Big Camera Basics Camera Class 9 - 11:30 a.m.

Hello Again Books 411 Brevard Ave. Cocoa, 321-877-0351

Melbourne

Melbourne Auditorium 625 E. Hibiscus Blvd. Melbourne, 239-949-3387

Exercise

1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Sunflower House 777 Merritt Island Causeway, Suite #201 Merritt Island, 321-452-4341

Marine Corps Birthday

Year's

National Hot Toddy Day

National Day of Commuy Service

Mikcey Mouse's Birthday National Pie Day

National Hat Day

Earth's Rotation Day National Pharmacist Day

Martin Luther King Jr. Day National Cheese Lovers Day

National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day National Trivia Day National Bird Day

NORTH BREVARD

Historic Pritchard House reopens after hurricane

BY FLORA REIGADA

Since it was built in 1891, Titusville’s historic Pritchard House has graced the city’s Downtown District.

A venue for many public events, the house was temporarily closed following damage sustained during Hurricane Nicole.

The Pritchard House began as the Pritchard family’s home and now serves as a community museum.

During its 132 years, the house has weathered many storms, including a lightning strike in 2019.

More recently, on Nov. 7, Hurricane Nicole caused damage to the exterior. Half of the front chimney collapsed, leaving bricks scattered on the sidewalk. A front verge board (exterior trim) was also blown off.

The interior sustained no damage, nor did any interior artifacts.

Concern for public safety caused the city of Titusville, which owns the house, to close its doors and cancel all events overseen by the North Brevard Heritage Foundation. These include group and private home tours, talks, presentations and teas.

Tours and teas are hosted by costumed docents. The closure presented a problem because tickets had been sold and reservations made.

“Our Christmas parade porch party was sold out,” said Roz Foster, the President of the North Brevard Heritage Foundation.

But talks with the city and the

contractor determined the damage presented no danger to the public and activities could resume. Repairs are underway.

“The contractor has taken down the remainder of the chimney,” Foster said. “Bricks will be moved to storage for reuse in the chimney construction at a later date. The verge board will also be moved to storage and used as a pattern for new construction.”

Much is planned for January and

February.

On Friday Jan. 20, starting at 11 a.m. the community is invited to an Arbor Day celebration on the grounds.

Look for the official Tree City USA flag, waving beneath Old Glory, proclaiming Titusville’s 22 years as a Tree City.

Among the speakers, Roz Foster will welcome guests and recall Past Arbor Day celebrations. Titusville Mayor Daniel Diesel, will read the

city’s Arbor Day Proclamation,

On Saturday, Feb. 18, starting at 2 p.m., a Best Friend Afternoon Tea and Tour offers the chance to relax in oldfashioned elegance. Reservations are required, as well as a $35 donation.

The Pritchard House is at 424 S. Washington Ave. in Downtown Titusville. For more information, call 321-607-0203 or visit pritchardhouse. com. SL

A bit of advice for everyone: Try before you cry

How do you face a challenging situation? Whatever your age, you may be prone to cry before you try some solution.

Recently, my great granddaughter Addi as a kindergartener received a Student of the Month award for helping another student. The 5-year old used problem-solving skills taught to her by her mother and teacher.

Addi coached her little classmate: “Try before you cry!” When you feel worried, nervous, scared or upset, take deep breaths. Do it. It will calm you down. Always try before you cry.

After a busy holiday period, there is the challenge of overcoming anxiety. There may have been holiday lows, some highs, sadness, happiness, memories — good and bad, excitement and disappointment. We cope, we are resilient and we look ahead. We may cry, but now we must try to move on with a new spirit. Take a deep breath.

As a new year begins and it may seem the world is unraveling all around us, we may be challenged to make sense of it. Natural disasters, diseases, violence and financial difficulties have been with us through the ages. You may want to cry, but what can you do?

Try making resolutions that make a difference in your world and that of others. Recycle, budget, get vaccinated, install an alarm system,

Challenges

of Living to Age 100

Ed Baranowski

and be aware of your surroundings.

Try a healthy diet, try moving and daily exercise. Try preventive health measures. Focus on regular visits to the doctor, get a wellness check, obtain treatment, follow rehabilitation routines and experience recovery. Stay positive.

Try connecting with new people your age, with younger people, with your neighbors and with family members. Try going back to church, the senior center in your area, lectures, seminars, Senior Adventures In Learning (S.A.I..L.) programs, and One Senior Place events.

Try a new hobby, revive an old hobby, travel with a group, create your own adventures, and decide to accomplish some new skill. Yes, old dogs can learn new tricks.

Try a prayer. Try a few more prayers. Don’t cry about a bad situation. Try several solutions.

Challenge yourself to make things better.

Try composing a song and sing: “Don’t be weary; just be cheery. Don’t Cry, Just Try. It’s a lovely day today, so whatever you do, you’ve got to do it. Don’t Cry; Just Try!” SL

SENIOR LIFE Dan Reigada

Damage sustained by the Titusville Pritchard House during Hurricane Nicole included a decorative verge board, which was blown down. Bricks from the chimney also collapsed.

Ed Baranowski is an awardwinning writer, artist, speaker and seminar leader. He lives in Melbourne and can be contacted at fast75sr@ gmail.com.

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of the North Brevard Heritage Foundation Bricks from the chimney were strewn across the sidewalk following the hurricane.

> edwardjones.com | Member SIPC

Are you a senior looking for a fun and educational event to attend? Look no further! We are proud to present the Boomer Guide Expo — a one-of-a-kind fun and leisure-themed event that offers boomers and seniors a chance to learn, mingle and have fun with others. A variety of exhibitors, activities, workshops and more, the Boomer Guide Expo is sure to be an event you won’t want to miss.

Behind the Beat

By Randal C. Hill

‘Crocodile Rock’ — Elton John

“Crocodile Rock” became Elton John’s first No. 1 hit single on MCA Records. (In time, eight more would follow.) But rather than appreciate his rare good fortune, John apparently grew weary of the song and later grumbled, “The last time I have to sing ‘Crocodile Rock,’ I will probably throw a party. It became a big hit and people love to sing along with it.

“I play to amuse people and to entertain people, but I have to say, when the last show is done at the end of the last tour, I will never sing that song again.”

I remember when rock was young Me and Susie had so much fun Holdin’ hands and skimmin’ stones Had an old gold Chevy and a place of my own

“Crocodile Rock” is a microcosm of the past. A retrospective fueled by longing for bygone days with a girlfriend. Priceless moments impossible to retrieve. Yet John’s lyricist Bernie Taupin has admitted, “I don’t mind having created it, but it’s not something I would listen to. I don’t want people to remember me for “Crocodile Rock.” I’d much rather they remember me for songs like “Candle in the Wind,” songs that

convey a message, a feeling.

Things like “Crocodile Rock,” which was fun at the time, was just pop fluff.”

John’s hit song was based on two Bill Haley oldies — “(We’re Gonna) Rock Around the Clock” and “See You Later, Alligator” (“After ’while, crocodile”).

But the biggest kick I ever got was doin’ a thing called the Crocodile Rock

While the other kids were rockin’ ‘round the clock

We were hoppin’ and boppin’ to the Crocodile Rock

John told rock historian Fred Bronson, “I wanted it to be a record all about the things I grew up with, all

the great ’50s and ’60s records that we used to love. I always wanted to write one song, a nostalgia song, a rock and roll song which captured the right sounds. ‘Crocodile Rock’ is just a

combination of so many songs, really — “Little Darlin,” “Oh, Carol,” some Beach Boys, they’re in there as well, I suppose. Eddie Cochran, too. It’s just a combination of songs.’

Elton John (who was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight in 1947) was 10 when his parents divorced. By then, the chubby, soft-spoken lad had six years of piano playing under his belt. With his rock-music-hating father out of the picture, John received encouragement from his mother when she handed him a copy of Elvis Presley’s breakout hit “Heartbreak Hotel.”

“I went on from there,” he said. “Pop was my whole life.”

He began using his pocket money to buy records and then pick out their melodies by ear on the family piano.

In “Crocodile Rock,” John manages to create an enduring music masterpiece that roars along with high-octane gusto, pounding piano lines and whirling synthesizer riffs adding to the retro-rock feel, as do the growling guitar lines, pulsating bass notes and throbbing drum beats.

It is, one might say, a just-aboutperfect pop disc. SL

Follow the process on Indian River Lagoon status

How do I follow the Indian River Lagoon progress?

Good question. Here are a few ways.

The County’s Save Our Indian River Lagoon (SOIRL) project has monthly meetings 8:30 to 11 a.m. on the third Friday of the month, where the outstanding $500 million restoration program is discussed in depth. At the February, May, August and November meetings, the staff presents detailed updates on projects completed and underway. Meetings take place in person in the Florida Room at the Government Center at 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Bldg. C, in Viera, and online. Full details are available at brevardfl.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.

The Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program (IRLNEP) works to promote restoration along the full 156 miles, five counties of the lagoon. It publishes an annual report that gives a broader summary of the progress being made through its efforts but also by the individual counties. If you have not visited their site, please do at onelagoon.org/.

The Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition (BIRLC) also helps to provide meaningful ongoing updates on the progress being made.

Lagoon Straight Talk

From the Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition

On our Facebook page, we publish an ongoing summary of projects completed (and in progress) to help you understand the continuing progress being made to reduce pollution in the lagoon and to celebrate improvement.

The associated picture shows one of our most recent Facebook posts. It reports that the SOIRL plan includes 233 stormwater projects that, combined, will reduce Total Nitrogen (TN) pollution in the lagoon by 271,170 pounds per year. The brief

video post (at facebook.com/BIRLC/ videos/457284199892404) goes on to explain that 36 of these projects around Brevard have been completed so far, eliminating 23,675 pounds per year of TN.

We also did a recent video post on six wastewater reuse reclamation projects that are eliminating 69,823 pounds per year of TN from the reuse water many of us use to water our lawns (see facebook.com/BIRLC/

videos/494978699093966).

So, we also recommend that you follow our BIRLC Facebook (facebook.com/BIRLC) and website (helpthelagoon.org/) to stay informed on how Brevard is protecting our piece of paradise. SL

For more and to help, visit HelpTheLagoon.org, facebook. com/BIRLC/ and twitter.com/ HelpTheLagoon

SUDOKU

SENIOR LIFE Shutterstock Elton John created an enduring music masterpiece with “Crocodile Rock.”

“I wanted it to be a record all about the things I grew up with, all the great ’50s and ’60s records that we used to love.”

—Elton John

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.

Get healthy — Spring into Fitness is a wonderful way to start

Get Healthy Brevard was started under the Brevard Health Department Healthiest Weight initiative in 2016. It then moved under the leadership of United Way from 2017 through 2019.

The coalition was put on hold during the pandemic but has now been reestablished under the new agency, Case Management Services of Brevard. The purpose of this coalition is to empower the Brevard County community to develop partnerships, break down silos and pool resources to create long-term

change and become the healthiest county in Florida.

Join us for another year of fitness with the Spring into Fitness Challenge. Spring into Fitness is presented by Running Zone and is one of the programs of Get Healthy Brevard. It is an eight-week challenge from Feb. 11 to April 1. Each Friday of the challenge, participants receive an email with a link to submit minutes of exercise. We chose minutes instead of steps, etc., because we did not want to leave out any form of exercise

Community briefs

Social Security debuts newly designed homepage

Visitors to SSA.gov will experience a fresh homepage and a new design to help them find what they need more easily.

“SSA.gov is visited by over 180 million people per year and it is one of our most important tools for providing efficient and equitable access to service,” said Kilolo Kijakazi, the Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration. “Whether providing service in person or online, our goal is to help people understand what they may qualify for and seamlessly transition them to an application process.”

Improved self-service capability allows people to skip calling or visiting an office, which helps Social Security staff focus on those visitors who need in-person assistance.

For more information, check out SSA.gov

Legislative delegation to hold annual public meeting

The Brevard County Legislative Delegation will hold its annual meeting for the 2023 Legislative Session from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Jan. 11 at the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners Chambers in Viera.

This public meeting will provide local government entities, businesses, organizations and citizens with the opportunity to share with the delegation issues that are important to them.

The meeting will begin with local bill proposals by delegation members and presentations by local government entities, followed by all other members of the public. This will be the only scheduled meeting of the delegation prior to the 2023 Legislative Session, March 7 to May 5.

Interested in speaking? Complete and return the Appearance Request Form. All representatives of local government, community organizations, and citizens are required to complete and submit the form. Completed Appearance Request Form and supplemental documentation (if

applicable) via one of the options:

1. Online at forms.gle/ msoJeSxZ9VhKqQFG8

2. Email at Thad.Altman@ myfloridahouse.gov.

3. Visit in person or mail to: The Honorable Thad Altman 1895 South Patrick Drive Indian Harbour Beach, FL 32937 Public Comment Cards will be available the day of the meeting. SL

(biking, rowing, yoga, Zumba, etc.).

The minutes are calculated by the average number of minutes per team (participation/registration). Each Friday, a chart is provided showing how each team is doing in comparison to the others. Each week of the challenge, Get Healthy Brevard will provide a virtual class on various topics related to health and wellness. Get Healthy Brevard members could present these classes.

Classes are then reposted on the Spring into Fitness Facebook page. Each week of the challenge,

one adult and one child participant will be chosen randomly to receive a $50 gift card. Each week of the challenge, we will schedule an exercise event in a targeted community to help us achieve greater health equity. We want to include a greater diversity of participants, including organizations that serve the elderly and individuals with disabilities.

For more information, visit the Spring into Fitness Facebook page, call 321-265-1647, or contact Keith Heinly at keith@cmsb.network SL

Owner: Robert Beiler

After 140 years, inn still sparkles as the oldest hotel in Florida

BY MARIA SONNENBERG

While there are no shortages of hotels in Central Florida, few of these accommodations can transport guests back in time. One of these rare gems is the Lakeside Inn in the heart of quirky Mount Dora, less than two hours away from anywhere in the Space Coast.

The hotel has graced the banks of pretty Lake Dora for 140 years, earning it the title of the oldest continuously operated hotel in Florida. Built in 1883 and originally known as the Alexander House, the hotel catered to well-heeled Northern travelers eager to soak up some Florida sun. Getting there was quite an ordeal for those sunshine-starved tourists. The journey required a week by train to Jacksonville and lake steamer through the Harris Chain of Lakes and the Dora Canal.

Its most famous guest appeared right as the Depression began. Calvin Coolidge celebrated the completion of his presidency with a month-long stay that included plenty of lazing on the inn’s grand verandah rockers.

“If we are to do work of the highest excellence, our periods of high activity must be followed by periods of rest,” said “Silent Cal” after his Mount Dora vacation in 1930.

The Great Depression unfortunately finished off most of the grand hotels in the area. Lakeside Inn (lakeside-inn.com) survived, barely.

By the early 2000s, the hotel was in serious need of love before current owners Jim and Alexandra Gunderson stepped in as saviors. Restoration, which began in 2011, hasn’t stopped.

Now fresh and sprightly, this grand dame of lodging features 90 rooms and suites, two dining rooms, plus Tremain’s Tavern and a gift shop specializing in local gift items. Guests can ask for Room 7619, the Coolidge stay.

“You can stay in style at the Presidential Suite,” said Virginia Hall,

the catering and events manager.

The sprawling grounds encompass five buildings, all painted a cheery, bright yellow and white that further contrasts them against the dark blue of Lake Dora water. A 200-foot verandah, lined with white rocking chairs, is tailor-made for lazy afternoons.

While Lakeside Inn rules as Mount Dora’s keystone hotel, the town has a dozen bed and breakfast lodgings also steeped in history. Although not as old as Lakeside, Adora Inn (adorainn. com), for example, has seen plenty of revolutions around the sun since it opened in 1916.

A half hour farther afield at Howey-in-the-Hills, another historic treasure is the 1,100-acre Mission Inn Resort and Club (missioninnresort. com). Like Adora Inn, Mission Inn traces its roots to 1916, when

entrepreneur William J. Howie envisioned a golf course that would help boost development. In 1917, Chicago-based golf course architect George O’Neil designed the 18-hole El Campeon course, considered one of the most unique in Florida, thanks to the rare tee-to-green elevations of 85 feet, plus surrounding acreage of forests and sparkling spring-fed lakes. More than a century later, the course continues to confound players with challenges such as the par 5, 17th hole with a long double dogleg with more obstacles than those found in entire other courses. In 2016, El Campeon was among the top 10 courses in the nation, according to Golf Advisor Sleek new hotels may offer bells and whistles, but only historic properties such as Lakeside, Adora and Mission Inn can help guests to time travel. SL

SENIOR LIFE Maria Sonnenberg

Sitting on the banks of Lake Dora, Lakeside Inn in Mount Dora is the oldest continuously operated hotel in Florida.

SENIOR LIFE photo

Mission Inn Resort & Club in Howey-inthe-Hills is among the oldest hotels in Florida.

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