The free, award-winning Boomer Guide magazine is available at more than 100 locations throughout Brevard County. This is the 19th edition of the popular publication.
The premier information source for Brevard County residents is a go-to magazine to find clubs, organizations, resources, support groups, meetings, senior centers, hurricane emergency information, sports, veterans resources and much more.
“We found some really interesting people to write about,” said Jill Blue, the publisher of Senior Life and Boomer Guide. “I loved using the new Relics Museum as our photo location. There were so many neat and eclectic items on display. The owner, Edward Rensing, was so gracious in letting us in before they opened. We like featuring local models. The models are so excited to share the magazine with their friends and family.”
Weathergirl wowed troops in Vietnam
BY MIKE GAFFEY
From 1967 to 1969, Barbara “Bobbie” Keith lifted spirits of homesick American troops in Vietnam during her nightly TV weather shows as “Bobbie the Weathergirl.”
Servicemen would send Keith sacks of mail, asking her for photographs, weather reports from their hometowns, or visits to their bases.
Some of those letters are featured in “Bobbie the Weathergirl,” a 200-page, photo-filled paperback book by New Smyrna Beach author and longtime friend Pia Bows that pays tribute to Keith, now retired and a Suntree resident.
When Keith was moving from Satellite Beach to Suntree in 2015 after her parents passed, Bows offered to place Keith’s Vietnam memorabilia in a binder. The letters and photos inspired Bows in 2018 to write a book, Keith said. “I am in awe of how she did it,” Keith said of Bows’ book, which debuted in early March. “She did a great job. If she hadn’t put that together, I wouldn’t have all those beautiful memories. I wouldn’t have a collection of myself, or what I did.”
A globe-trotting daughter of two World War II veterans, Keith was 19 when she took a clerical job with the United States Agency for International
WEATHERGIRL
Continued on page 12
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Volume 27, Issue 11
Senior Life of Florida
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Editor
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Copy Editor
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Art Department
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Feature Writers
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Ed Baranowski
Ernie Dorling
Mike Gaffey
Randal C. Hill
Susan M. Houts
Linda Jump
Flora Reigada
Amy Tremante
Maria Sonnenberg
FROM THE
E ditor
Families, authorities use GPS to locate dementia patients who might wander away
Occasionally, we hear about someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia wandering off and getting disoriented.
The fliers we see, or the Silver Alert notifications we hear about often say — missing endangered adults.
Often the outcome is good, but might cause a lot of worry and anxiety for family members before the person is found safe.
Because of this, we looked into some of the ways that patients can be safe and found quickly if they wander and cannot find their way back home
There are resources out there to help. We share it in a story on GPS tracking devices in this edition of Senior Life. For an upcoming edition, we have plans to investigate other methods used to quickly find dementia patients and locate children who might wander away or get separated from their parents.
At Senior Life, we always want to present you with stories and articles that might help entertain and inform you.
This edition also contains a story about a group of gardeners whose advice can help in selecting the right plants that are native or thrive in Florida weather. They tell us about plants that will attract butterflies and bees. The group is the Tree Farm, which was previously known as the Titusville Men’s Garden Club.
Learn about Robert Voight’s journey and the tough career choices he made, but knew he wanted to attend the Air Force Academy and serve in the Air Force.
We have been telling stories of the service of military veterans in Brevard County, which has one of the highest percentage of veterans in the state. That is in addition to other stories and to my monthly column about veterans’ advocates. Individuals and organizations honor and serve or do whatever they can to support veterans.
This is just a part of what you will find in this edition. There is plenty more to check out, including some of our regular features such as Behind the Beat, Travel Time and Hobbies and Passions.
And as always, we want to continue hearing from you. SL
Police softball teams descend on Space Coast Stadium
BY ERNIE DORLING
The USSSA Space Coast Complex in Viera, arguably one of the best of its kind in the country, will host the John Scollo Memorial Softball Classic on April 3 and 4.
Police departments from about 30 agencies from the East Coast of the United States, including teams from New York, Ohio, Georgia and Tennessee, will send teams to play in the event.
Brandon West, a deputy with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, is the host and coordinator of the event.
“I’ve been playing competitive softball for 26 years,” West said. “John Scollo ran and played on our team in 2003 when I started playing with them.”
John Scollo took his own life on Memorial Day in 2015; he was 40 years old.
“John loved sports and played baseball in college before becoming a police officer,” West said. “He had a passion for softball, organized fundraisers for various charities throughout Palm Beach County and was active in the County Youth Empowerment Program. When he died, it was a trying day for all of us who knew and loved him. The year after he died, we renamed the annual tournament the John Scollo Memorial (Softball Classic) to keep his memory alive for his son, Kyle, and all of his softball family.”
Kyle Scollo follows in his father’s footsteps. He recently graduated from the police academy and is now a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputy.
“I know John would give anything to watch his son Kyle grow into the job he loved. And I’m happy to be one of the people helping Kyle realize his dreams,” West said.
“(John Scollo) had a passion for softball, organized fundraisers for various charities throughout Palm Beach County and was active in the County Youth Empowerment Program.”
— Brandon West, Palm Beach Sheriff’s Deputy
Kyle Scollo will be part of the opening ceremony and play alongside West in the tournament.
Lexie Bettermann, the director of events for the USSSA Space Coast Complex, works closely with West to ensure the tournament succeeds.
“We hosted this tournament last year, Betterman said. “This is an excellent group, and we love having them. They bring a lot of energy and professionalism to the event. We are
Thank you
Pickleball instructors
Steve Allen and Casey Collins gave instuction during the BoomerFest! Expo on March 14. We appreciate the time they spent helping the attendees learn about the fastest-growing sport.
John Scollo, left, had a passion for softball during his life. Brandon
right, is part of a group that is helping to raise money for the John Scollo Memorial Softball Classic this month. It will be donated to Blue H.E.L.P., an organization dedicated to helping police officers who suffer emotional injuries connected to their line of work.
happy to participate in this important tournament and give back to the community members who do so much for us.”
Money raised from the tournament is donated to Blue H.E.L.P., an organization dedicated to helping police officers who suffer emotional injuries connected to their line of work. The mission of Blue H.E.L.P. is to reduce the mental health stigma through edu-
cation, advocate for benefits for those suffering from post-traumatic stress, and support family members after the suicide of a loved one.
Games will be played at the Space Coast Complex from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 3 and Friday, April 4. Ticket prices usually cost about $8. More information on teams and game times can be found on the message board at policesoftball.com SL
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Brandon West
West,
HOBBIES & PASSIONS
THE EIGHTH FEATURE IN A SERIES ON HOBBIES & PASSIONS
When all else fails, ham radio operators are there to help
BY ERNIE DORLING
On July 31, 1910, Hawley Harvey Crippen, better known as Dr. Crippen, was arrested on board the liner Montrose in the Atlantic Ocean while
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trying to flee to Canada with his lover, Ethel Le Neve.
Crippen was wanted by Scotland Yard for having murdered his wife. It was the first time in history that the invention of the radio had been used to assist in the hunt and arrest of a killer.
In World War II, ham radio operators, often called “hams,” monitored enemy broadcasts, relayed messages to allies about enemy movements and supported resistance activity.
“The concept of wireless communication is virtually the same as it was when Crippen was arrested on the Atlantic Ocean,” said David Self, the webmaster for the Platinum Coast Amateur Radio Society in Melbourne. “The technology has changed dramatically from the early days of simple Morse code, but the concept is the same.”
Self has been involved in ham radio operations since his father introduced him to the activity when he was 13. “I had a license back then, but it expired,” Self said. “After I left the Navy in 1981, I got active in ham radio again and have been operating a radio for over 40 years.”
Self often finds himself behind the radio from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.
“Signals are better at night due to a phenomenon called ‘Skywave propagation,’ ” Self said. Without getting too technical, “Radio waves bounce off the ionosphere, a charged particle layer in the Earth’s upper atmosphere.”
Self is drawn to the camaraderie associated with ham radio operators.
“I have talked to and made friends with people from all over the world,” he said. “My most interesting contact was with the International Space Station.”
While contacting the Space Station is his most interesting contact, Self is quick to say that his most interesting stories revolve around helping to communicate with organizations involved in emergency operations related
SENIOR LIFE Ernie Dorling
David Self has been operating a ham radio for more than 40 years. His most rewarding stories come from communicating with emergency operations organizations to locate missing people.
to hurricanes.
“During Hurricane Katrina, a plea went out to help find a missing 12-yearold girl who had been separated from her family after being relocated to Houston,” Self said. “The grandmother was sent to a sports center while the granddaughter was sent to the convention center. Within 10 minutes of the ham radio operators getting involved, the girl was found and reunited with her grandmother. Our national motto is, ‘When all else fails.’”
Want to know more about ham radio, also known as Amateur radio?
“Those interested in getting involved in ham radio will need to get a license, which consists of taking and passing an examination,” Self said. “A starter radio will cost about $100.” If anyone is interested in learning more about ham radio or attending a monthly Platinum Coast Amateur Society meeting, contact Self at qso@k8ssn.com SL
321.339.0551
8085 Spyglass Hill Road
Viera, Florida 32940
Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 5 pm
By Randal C. Hill
Behind the Beat
‘Before the Next Teardrop Falls’ — Freddy Fender
Freddy Fender had just one year of mainstream stardom, but, man, it was a humdinger.
It was also quite an achievement, considering all the times he had stumbled on his way to the top.
He was born Baldemar Huerta in 1937 in San Benito, Texas. Part of a poor, field-working family, Huerta left high school and joined the Marine Corps. Much of his military time, though, went wasted in an Okinawa brig, due to his drinking binges. But, during that soul-crushing confinement, he learned of a new type of music that sometimes wafted through the prison corridors.
Music that would change his life. Early rock ‘n’ roll.
He returned to Texas, a goal of musical stardom now burning in his being. “I grew my sideburns, put 50 pounds of wax on my hair, and I thought I was Elvis Presley. That lasted several years. I was nothing but rhythm-and-blues and rock ‘n’ roll.”
At 19, he recorded a Spanishlanguage version of Presley’s “Don’t Be Cruel.” Huerta’s rendition earned
airplay in Latin America, but north of the border nobody seemed to notice.
He soldiered on. In 1959, he adopted the stage moniker Freddy Fender, after the wellknown brand name etched on his electric guitar. (“I thought it would sell better with gringos.”) A year later, a pivotal moment occurred for him when he composed a catchy tune in the restroom of a Harlingen, Texas joint called the Starlight Club. The song was “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights.” Later, Fender would proclaim, “I knew it was something special.”
However, as he prepared to release a single of “Wasted,” Fender and his bass player were busted in Louisiana for marijuana possession. Sentenced to five years each in Angola Prison, both served fewer than four. The future, though, still seemed anything but bright for the San Benito singer.
Sometimes, he wondered if his past poor choices would, in time, condemn him to never rise higher than performing in smoke-filled joints while customers drank, talked, laughed and all but ignored him.
Back in San Benito, Fender
worked as a mechanic before meeting Huey Meaux, a shady businessman who owned the record label Crazy Cajun. In 1974, Meaux had Fender cut a countrified single called “Before the Next Teardrop Falls.” The creation had been around since 1967, but it was Fender’s fervent rendition — sung in both English and Spanish — that drew interest from recording powerhouse ABC/Dot Records.
“I was reluctant to cut country at first,” Fender said. “I just wanted to do rock ‘n’ roll and rhythm-and-blues.” But when ABC/Dot leased Meaux’s disc, Fender was on his way.
In early 1975, his signature tune reached No. 1 on Billboard’s pop chart. He followed with his own “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights,” a Top 10 single, and ended the year with a version — sung partly in Spanish — of Doris Day’s “Secret Love.”
Billboard proclaimed him Best Male Artist of 1975.
“I was just having fun,” Fender said later. “I never thought of becoming a great singer.” SL
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SENIOR LIFE photo
Freddy Fender conquered adversity to become Billboard’s Best Male Artist of 1975.
TECH KNOW TIDBITS
Families use GPS technology to track wandering dementia patients
BY LINDA JUMP
It’s great for seniors with dementia to get outside to walk and exercise, but with 60 % of them also wandering off at least once, many periodically, caregivers are turning to global positioning system devices to track their loved ones.
GPS provides real-time location of persons via satellite data.
“The number diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is skyrocketing, so there’s growing interest in GPS. It’s a tool in the toolbox of resources,” said Cherylann Cronin, lead case manager at Joe’s Club, which offers adult day health care in Melbourne.
But she and other Brevard caregiving servers said the choices are daunting, from medical alert necklaces and bracelets with fall detection; smartwatches with SOS buttons; quarter-sized air tags, shoe insoles, belt clip and pocket trackers to geofencing devices.
All use cell phone apps or websites for tracking. Some can even keep a patient inside by locking household doors and windows.
“It’s a challenge. It’s not a one size fits all kind of thing,” said Jennifer Barton, the owner of Seniors Helping Seniors.
Each type has pros and cons, so
research what is best for your loved one, considering their cognitive ability, comfort and ease of use, personal privacy issues, features such as two-way communication or fall detection, tracking accuracy and range, long-lasting battery and maintenance required, and of course, budget.
Cronin noted that dementia patients might go out barefoot instead of putting on the shoes with the discreet smart sole, or not carry the purse with the Jiobit. A device for a newlydiagnosed patient might not remain the best as the disease progresses, she said.
Lt. Joseph Downs of the Brevard Sheriff’s Office warned, “Once (GPS devices) go into water, they’re dead.”
He suggested if air tags are used, to provide too-large pants and superglue the tag to the underside of their belt.
Trackers can cost from $25 for simple air tags to $400, depending upon features and activation fees.
Some require a monthly subscription fee averaging $20 to $30. Original Medicare doesn’t pay for GPS trackers, but some Part C plans will for subscribers with specific diagnoses.
Seniors Helping Seniors has aided 50 families of early-stage dementia clients to obtain GPS-monitored necklaces/watches during the past five years for a $25 initial fee with a
Dementia patients might go out barefoot instead of putting on the shoes with the discreet smart sole, or not carry the purse with the
base monthly fee of $49, no contract required.
“For the family, there is an app they can set up with locations normally
visited, such as Publix or their church. They will also give reminders to take medicines or blood pressures,” Barton said. SL
SENIOR LIFE Shutterstock
GPS tracking for dementia patients can be incorporated in tags, shoe insoles, belt clips and pocket trackers.
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Volunteers in supportive roles pay tribute at cemetery
There are several committees and volunteer groups that help the staff make sure everything runs smoothly at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery.
One group is the volunteer Support Committee. About 10 or 12 members of this group are always there to help.
They do anything the cemetery needs — from public commemorations, such as a tribute to Vietnam veterans and Memorial Day ceremonies, to assisting as receptionists and driving golf carts to get visitors from the parking lots to burial sites or a ceremony location in the cemetery.
“We try to help them out where
we can,” said Tom Fitzgerald, who has been volunteering at the cemetery since it opened in 2016.
For nearly 10 years, he volunteered his skills, his caisson and mules. The aging mules were recently retired, so the caisson service is in transition until replacement animals can be obtained and trained. In the meantime, Fitzgerald, who served in the Marine
Corps., continues to serve fellow veterans in other ways.
Volunteers, many of them veterans or closely related to military veterans, are at the cemetery every day as they serve. Some are there to stand as witnesses at burials where there are no family members or there are few. No one should be buried without someone at the gravesite who cares.
Approaching 20,000 burials since it opened more than nine years ago, the cemetery must rely on volunteers. And with those numbers, the cemetery needs a lot of willing selfless servants.
But again, this is Brevard County, home to a large population of veterans and a community that I have noticed
through the years, is very supportive of those who served in uniforms.
There are only a few volunteer groups that raise the money needed to do some of the support activities for the organization they are helping.
The Cape Canaveral National Cemetery’s Support Committee holds a fundraising event in October. Money goes to pay for the rental of chairs and portable toilets during large commemoration ceremonies that draw hundreds from the community and from around Central Florida.
It is refreshing to see volunteers paying tribute to veterans every day at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery. SL
Veteran puts his math, science skills to work for his neighborhood
BY ERNIE DORLING
In 1969, Sammy Davis Jr. released his hit single, “I Gotta Be Me,” a song about one being the best they can be in every moment.
That same year, as the Vietnam War raged on, Robert “Bob” Voigt found himself on the yellow footprints at the Air Force Academy just days after graduating from high school in Gross Pointe, Michigan.
“I was a bit of a nerd in high school,” Voigt said. “I ran varsity track and cross country, but was mostly involved in science and math. Because my father was absent so much at an early age, I was responsible for fixing things around the house. There came a point when I could fix most anything.”
Voigt excelled in mathematics and received a Regents scholarship to the University of Michigan Engineering School after high school. Voigt was also ready to attend MIT, but deep down, he wanted to go to the Air Force Academy and study to become an aeronautical engineer.
“I wanted to go to the academy so I could pay for my education through sweat and tears and not depend on my
father to pay for tuition and housing,” Voigt said. “I wanted to do the best I could without his help.”
After graduating from the academy as a second lieutenant in 1973, Voigt was assigned to the U.S. Air Force’s Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI), where he spent three years investigating criminal activity involving Air Force personnel.
“I enjoyed the work, but I had an opportunity to attend the Air Force Institute of Technology and obtain a master’s degree in systems management.”
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compliance.
After graduation, Voigt was reassigned as a program manager in Systems Command.
“I welcomed the assignment change,” Voigt said. “It opened up different opportunities for me.”
In 1991, while assigned to the On-Site Inspection Agency (OSIA) in Washington, D.C., Voigt found himself in Russia as part of a team verifying Russian arms control treaty compliance.
“We were traveling on diplomatic passports,” Voigt said. “Our Russian handlers (KGB agents) would occasionally take us on tours of the countryside and to what they described as gourmet restaurants. You often had to walk through sewer water to get to the bathroom. While we were there, there was a coup and an attempt to overthrow Russian president Boris Yeltsin. Our compound was locked down for several days, and we were prohibited from leaving the country. Eventually, things settled down, and we were allowed to leave and head back to the States.”
Voigt retired as a full colonel in 1998.
“I went to work for the Harris Corporation as a program manager for 10 years,” Voigt said. “My wife, Rose, and I moved to
to be near
family and to take advantage of the support facilities at Patrick Space Force Base.”
Today, Voigt volunteers on his homeowners association’s board, using his math skills to help balance the neighborhood’s budget. He also helps neighbors fix anything they have a problem with.
As Sammy Davis Jr. said in his song, Bob Voigt will tell you, “I gotta be me.” SL
Melbourne
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Robert Voigt
Robert Voigt spent time in Russia verifying Russian arms control treaty
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Robert Voigt Robert Voigt loved his tenure in the Air Force.
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Robert Voigt Robert Voigt retired as a full colonel in 1998.
Faith, family, service defines WWII veteran’s 99 years of life
BY SUSAN M. HOUTS
Cameron Douglas, a World War II veteran and cherished member of the Shell Harbor community, is a man full of life, laughter and love.
As one of the founding residents of Shell Harbor, having moved in just a month after its opening, Douglas has become a familiar and beloved figure among residents and staff alike.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Douglas jokes that he made his way to Florida thanks to his trusty Oldsmobile.
His sense of humor is ever present, bringing smiles to those he encounters, from family and visitors to his community. His favorite physical therapist, Colton, helps him stay active by working out with him in the gym three times a week.
His advice to the younger generation is simple yet profound: “Respect all
veterans, respect all people. And get to church.”
— Cameron Douglas
Douglas was married to his wife, Barbara, for 48 years before her passing in 1997. Together, they raised three children, creating a lifetime of cherished memories. His daughter, Nancy Russell, recalls their summers spent at Lake Huron.
“One of my favorite memories is having my foot stung by a bee when we
were at the lake,” she said. “My foot swelled up, and my Dad carried me up and down the 97 steps from the water to our cabin,” she reminisced.
During World War II, Douglas served on the USS Basilone as a Petty Officer 3rd Class in the Philippines. This unwavering dedication to his country is matched only by his deep faith and love for his family.
“My love of God, my love of children and my love of country,” he said are the secrets to his long and healthy life.
Mary Hall, the lifestyles director at Shell Harbor, believes that a strong support system contributes to Douglas’ longevity.
“I notice that people who live a long time have a family that is very engaged,” she said. “They feel valued
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and loved, and that is very important.”
Russell and her husband Jeff echoed this sentiment, praising the staff at Shell Harbor for their exceptional care. “Everyone who works here is just lovely,” Russell said. “They all take really good care of him.’’
Douglas also has a son John, who lives in The Villages, who visits often and accompanies him to doctor’s appointments.
Square dancing played a major role in Cameron and Barbara’s lives, and though he may not be able to dance like he used to, he still holds onto the joy it brought him and his wife. After his military service, Douglas worked for the Detroit Free Press and later for the Brehm Company. “He could always do
a little bit of everything,” Nancy Russell said.
Described as “determined,” “a fighter” and someone who “never gives up,” Douglas remains as vibrant as ever. “I’m not ready to go,” he said with a grin. His advice to the younger generation is simple yet profound: “Respect all veterans, respect all people,” he said. “And get to church.”
This May, Douglas will celebrate his 99th birthday in the place he calls home — Shell Harbor — surrounded by family and friends, including fellow veteran Myrna Mason. “He’s a really nice guy,” she said. Indeed, Cameron Douglas’ warmth, humor and unwavering spirit make him a treasure to all who know him. SL
SENIOR LIFE Susan M. Houts
Cameron Douglas, a World War II veteran, proudly sits next to his naval photograph at Shell Harbor’s veteran recognition wall.
SENIOR LIFE Susan M. Houts
Cameron Douglas enjoys visits from friends and family, bringing smiles to many of them with his sense of humor.
Continued from page 1
Development in South Vietnam. An officer scouting for a volunteer weathergirl for Armed Forces Vietnam Network’s Saigon-based evening news broadcast told the blonde-haired Keith she looked the part, so Keith auditioned and won the role.
For the next few years, Keith shared weather reports across Vietnam and Asia and in the troops’ hometowns and favorite R&R spots. She mixed in humor, dancing and music on her shows, providing American military personnel with a welcome respite from combat and becoming one of the war’s biggest TV celebrities. Each broadcast would end with Keith wishing her audience “a pleasant evening weatherwise and you know, of course, otherwise.”
“We never had cue cards,” said Keith, who on occasion donned a bikini during her shows. “You read the ticker tapes. You went into a room and you pulled the ticker tapes off the machine and it would tell you the weather. We didn’t really start with the hometown news until the men started writing in and say, ‘We’d like to know what’s going on in our home.’ And that was very important for the guys to know that you recognize their home.”
Keith honored many of those requests to visit U.S. troops in the field, making hundreds of trips throughout the war-torn country and sometimes bringing the troops mail from home. She caught a few USO shows starring Bob Hope. She even dodged gunfire and rocket attacks from North Vietnamese forces, surviving the Tet Offensive, a series of attacks launched by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces against South Vietnam in January 1968, and the May Offensive a few
months later.
History — Then and Now WEATHERGIRL
During her time in Vietnam, Keith never had problems with the troops.
“Even in the middle of a war, they are still gentlemen,” she said. “I could be out with hundreds of them by myself and nothing would happen. I think they saw me as the girl they left behind.”
By 1969, Keith had grown tired of the war and left Vietnam, taking a “sanity sabbatical” to decompress from what she had experienced.
“I don’t know if anyone ever recovers from that,” Keith said. “There’s so much jammed into a tour of duty. I don’t know how to describe it. For example, I still get goosebumps anytime I hear the whoosh, whoosh, whoosh of the blades of a helicopter. That never goes away from you, which is really weird. And then sometimes if you hear a loud bang that is unusual, that can startle you and bring back memories.”
Keith traveled the world for several years before starting a 30-year career with the U.S. State Department, working at embassies in 14 countries. In the 1980s, she served as a protocol officer at the White House for former First Lady Barbara Bush.
“You need to be very detail-oriented to be able to do that,” she said. “They have a great staff. I mean, she (Mrs. Bush) was a strict master.”
In 2008, Keith was honored for her service with the Vietnam Veterans of America’s President’s Award for Excellence in the Arts.
“That was very special,” she said.
Keith still receives an occasional email from Vietnam War veterans and remains a strong supporter of veterans’ causes today, speaking to young people and patriotic groups about the American experience in Vietnam. But 50 years after Saigon fell, she hasn’t returned to Vietnam.
“I kind of have a desire to do it, but I’m hesitant at my age,” she said.
Bows called her friend “a kind, fun lady to be around.”
“I wanted to show how her role as weathergirl was significant and impactful to boosting troop morale during wartime, which she selflessly accomplished,” she stated in an email.
With her friend’s book now on sale, Keith is working on an autobiography
History – Then and Now features Space Coast historic landmarks or sites in pictures and what those same areas look like today in photographs.
Then 1912
Now 2025
that chronicles her time in Vietnam and her life after the war.
“Weather-wise and otherwise, those memories of Vietnam and the countries I served in never go away and are stories I wish to put in print,” she said.
To buy a copy of “Bobbie the Weathergirl,” go to bowsmilitarybooks. com
The cost is $22.99, plus $5 shipping. SL
SENIOR LIFE Mike Gaffey
Barbara “Bobbie” Keith holds a copy of “Bobbie the Weathergirl” at her Suntree home.
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of the Brevard County Historical Commission
The Titusville Historic Courthouse, built in 1912, was renamed in 2006 as the Vassar B. Carlton Historic Titusville Courthouse. It is on the same site as the first Titusville Courthouse, a wooden structure built in 1882.
SENIOR LIFE David Reigada
The Titusville Historic Courthouse at 506 South Palm Ave., still used for some functions, is an annex of the North Brevard Government Center.
Brevard remembers — last Naval battle of Revolutionary War
BY CHRIS BONANNO
Many might not be aware of the fact that the last Naval battle of the Revolutionary War was fought off the coast of Cape Canaveral on March 10, 1783. Two American ships Alliance and Duc de Lauzun defeated British frigates Sybil, Alarm and Tobago.
The need to spread awareness is undoubtedly a reason why representatives from a host of organizations and patrons gathered at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center’s plaza on March 15 as that battle was commemorated with a ceremony.
“Everybody thinks of the 13 colonies, Georgia north, that was the revolution and Florida, of course, was a Spanish territory at that time but it was heavily involved in the sense that it was a key transit route between Central and Latin America and in this case, moving gold to pay the American troops just in the nick of time at the end of the war,” said Donn Weaver, the immediate past chairman with the Brevard Veterans Council.
Representatives from the Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution and Children of the American Revolution were in attendance at the commemoration, with some coming from four states, according to Weaver.
“Brevard County, when we have events here, we usually get good turnouts because a lot of people come from different distances,” said Don
The Naval Ordnance Test Unit (NOTU) out of Port Canaveral operated cannon
Pearsall, the chairman of the Brevard Veterans Council. “We get them out of county. We had a Color Guard come down from Daytona Beach.
These events here are just gaining in popularity. There were also those from closer to home in attendance, including Doug Bisset with the Brevard Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.
ceremony at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center on Merritt Island. This April, give your retirement a spring cleaning and leave behind the burdens of home maintenance to embrace carefree retirement living. With engaging activities, top-tier amenities, and thoughtfully designed apartment homes, you can downsize without compromise. Everything is included for one easy monthly payment, letting you live the retirement of your dreams with none of the clutter.
place ’cause otherwise it’ll get lost.”
Weaver estimated that 60 to 70 in attendance dressed in a manner reflective of the dress during the American Revolution.
The ceremony also featured the presence of the Marine Corps League Color Guard and Sea Cadet Color Guard.
A keynote address was also given
SENIOR LIFE Chris Bonanno
fire at the end of the Revolutionary War
A few of our
Titusville Chamber of Commerce
2000 S. Washington, Titusville
North Brevard Senior Center 909 Lane Ave. Titusville
MERRITT ISLAND/ COCOA BEACH
Freedom 7 Senior Center 5000 Tom Warriner Blvd., Cocoa Beach
Merritt Island Public Library 1195 N. Courtenay Pkwy.
ROCKLEDGE
Martin Andersen Senior Center 1025 Florida Ave., Rockledge
VIERA/SUNTREE
Senior Life, 7350 Shoppes Drive Suite 102, Viera
One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road, Viera
William A. Johnson PA 140 Interlachen Road, Suntree
MELBOURNE/ PALM BAY
Wickham Park Senior Center 2785 Leisure Way, Melbourne
Greater Palm Bay Senior Center 1275 Culver Drive NE, Palm Bay
BEACHSIDE
55+ Club, DRS Center 1089 S. Patrick Drive
Satellite Beach
Available at select locations beginning April 3.
For a pick-up location near you or bulk delivery of 30 or more guides, call 321-242-1235
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Telehealth has transformed access to healthcare for seniors
BY AMY TREMANTE
Telehealth — also called telemedicine — is a two-way, real-time communication between the patient and a doctor or other practitioner through computer or smartphone.
In other words, a virtual doctor’s office visit from a cell phone. This can be daunting if you are not tech-savvy. However, the perks far outweigh the panic once you learn the process.
Telehealth visits provide more convenient access to doctors, nurses and specialists and an increased access to care.
About 7 million older adults are considered homebound or require significant assistance to leave their home. Having direct access to a practitioner from the comfort of home also reduces caregiver burnout, though telehealth is not only for older adults.
Telehealth can provide remote monitoring and education of disease and symptoms, while decreasing the stress of making outside appointments and arranging transportation.
There are two main telehealth visits available: video conferencing for real-time interaction between patients and providers, and telephone
for audio-only consultations.
Practitioners usually prefer video for a true telehealth visit, as they can see the patient and perform a more thorough assessment than a phone-
only visit can provide.
All you need for these appointments is a computer or smartphone. The physician’s office sends you a text message which will contain a link to a website. When you click on the link, you enter your information and approve permission for the website or application to have access to your camera and microphone. You are then placed in a virtual waiting room, and when the practitioner joins the visit, you will
both be able to see and hear each other right there at home on your device.
For older adults, telehealth provides more options for managing complex conditions, direct access to timely care when needed, and reduces medical costs and caregiver burden.
Jennifer Ayrey, a nurse practitioner
with Brevard Palliative Care, thinks telehealth visits are invaluable in caring for her patients at home.
“Ideally we want to see people in person, but telehealth visits help us fill the gaps when patients need immediate care to avoid hospitalization.”
There are several steps you can take to reduce any apprehension about having a telehealth appointment. Ask your doctor’s office to walk you through a virtual appointment at your next in-person visit; find out what platform your doctor uses, and watch a video online; or find someone from the younger generation who can’t wait to show you how to do something online. SL
Richard Sabino has been wielding the baton of the Central Florida
For the past 25 years, his wind ensemble of preeminent local musicians has provided lovers of symphonic band music with countless hours of enjoyable concerts.
The Central Florida Winds’ silver anniversary season will culminate in a 25th Anniversary Concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 6 at Suntree United Methodist Church 7500 N. Wickham Road in north Melbourne.
The audience will hear “Prelude Siciliano & Rondo” by English composer Malcolm Arnold alongside Interstate 90, a fun and lively musical sketch. Gustav Holst's “2nd Suite in F” for Military Band has English folk songs at its core, while the finale from “Symphony No. 5” by Shostakovich expresses Soviet-era triumph. SL
SENIOR LIFE Shutterstock
Telehealth visits can provide convenient access to doctors, nurses and specialists.
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 321-633-2076, FAX 321-633-2170 or cindy. short@brevardfl.gov.
April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month — There is help for those with the disease
Every April, we bring awareness to Parkinson’ Disease. The reason for April is because it is the birthday of James Parkinson, the English doctor that in 1817 published an essay on the “Shaky Palsy,” which described the symptoms of the disease that would later be named after him.
Parkinson’s Disease is a chronic progressive neurologic disease. Its cause is a loss of dopamine-producing cells in the brain. The loss leads to symptoms such as tremor, stiffness and difficulty with balance. Other symptoms include depression, mental confusion and speech problems. With Parkinson’s, a part of your brain deteriorates, causing more severe symptoms over time. One thing to remember, when you meet one person with Parkinson’s, you meet one person with Parkinson’s.
In Brevard County, there are more than 6,500 people with Parkinson’s. The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation estimates 90,000 Americans are diagnosed with PD each year. By 2040, the number of people diagnosed
factors and an aging population are driving this disturbing trend.
Management of Parkinson’s can be complicated, including challenges in diagnosis, medication, hospitalization, nutrition and exercise. While there is no cure, there is help and hope.
There has been new research through the Parkinson’s Foundation through gene research. They offer gene testing and counseling at no cost for people with PD. When you participate, you can help scientists in their journey to better understand how Parkinson’s works, leading to new, more effective therapies.
Exercise is an important part of staying healthy with Parkinson’s. Studies in the 1980s and 1990s indicated that forced, intense exercise, emphasizing large movements, balance, core strength, and rhythm, could favorably impact range of motion, flexibility, posture, gait and activities of daily living.
The Brevard Parkinson’s Alliance is a nonprofit organization created to help those with Parkinson’s
Six support groups throughout the county offer a safe and supportive environment for those affected and their caregivers who are going through similar experiences.
The Alliance also helps provide scholarships and funding support to Rock Steady Boxing, respite care and transportation. Come join the Foundation from 10 a.m. to noon May 3 at the Field of Dreams Park as we celebrate Parkinson’s Awareness with a walk.
Go to Brevardparkinsons.org for more information on events around our county, and join in to help support those affected with PD. Remember: support comes in different forms and there are many resources available. What matters is finding the right mix of care and support that works for you. Keep communication open and honest with your healthcare providers and the care partners that are helping you.
Article by Barbara Fradkin
HappyApril
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Speaker Series at Field Manor
10 a.m. - noon
A local author will share their work and process, followed by a question and answer session. Field Manor 750 Field Manor Drive Merritt Island 321-848-0365
"You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown"
7 p.m.
Presented by the Viera High Theatre Company. Viera High School 6103 Stadium Parkway Viera, 321-632-1770
AARP Free Tax Prep
9 a.m. - 1 p.m. One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771
Bingo 10 a.m. North Brevard Senior Center 909 Lane Ave. Titusville, 321-268-2333
Line Dancing Basic 1 p.m.
DRS Center 55+ Club 1089 S. Patrick Drive Satellite Beach 321-223-7249
Taste of Senior Living 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Compare Brevard’s best senior living communities all in one place while enjoying food samples from the Ultimate Chef Competition.
Space Coast Health Foundation 1100 Rockledge Blvd. Rockledge 321-751-6771
Arbor Day Plant Market 10 a.m. -
Melbourne Beach 321-724-5860
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
The Prime Show
4 - 7 p.m. Car and motorcycle show.
Urban Prime 2435 Metfield Drive Viera, 201-658-2004
25th Anniversary Concert
3 p.m. Presented by the Central Florida Winds.
Suntree United 7400 N. Wickham Road Suntree, 321-405-2359
Bring a Game, Game Night 5 - 7 p.m. Bring one game and instructions, board or card game. Cape Canaveral Library 201 Polk Ave. Cape Canaveral 321-868-1101
BINGO: 20 Years, 20 Prizes 2 - 3 p.m. In honor of our 20year anniversary, we are hosting a 20-year celebration BINGO with 20, 20 themed prizes. One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771
Bocce
9 a.m.
Open to the public. Italian American Club 1471 Cypress Ave. Melbourne 321-242-8044
Golden Hearts Senior Fitness
1 - 2 p.m. North Brevard Senior Center 909 Lane Ave. Titusville, 321-268-2333
Alzheimer’s/Dementia Caregiver Support Group 11 a.m. - noon Suntree/Viera Library 902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 321-255-4404
Art Class 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Palm Bay Senior Center 1275 Culver Drive NE Palm Bay, 321-724-1338
AARP Walk with a Doc 9 - 10 a.m. Walk with a healthcare professional while they answer your questions. Merritt Square Mall
777 E. Merritt Island Causeway Merritt Island, aarp.org/WWADFL
Botanical Fest
8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Featuring landscape designs, garden sculptures, flowers, plants, trees and shrubs. Downtown Melbourne 1900 S. Harbor City Blvd. Melbourne 321-724-1741
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Live Jazz by the Ron Teixeira Trip
2 - 4 p.m. Presented by the Space Coast Jazz Society. Brevard Veterans Memorial Center 400 S. Sykes Creek Parkway Merritt Island 321-453-1776
April Pickleball Mixer 6:30 - 9 p.m. Play with new people and develop skills. Ted Whitlock Community Center 370 Championship Circle Palm Bay, 321-952-3231
Tax Day Shred-a-Thon
10 a.m. - noon No limit on quantity. One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771
Estate Planning Seminar 10 - 11 a.m.
Presented by William A. Johnson, P.A. One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771
Afternoon Tea at Field Manor 2 p.m. Tea, scones, savory sandwiches and sweets on vintage dishes. Field Manor 750 Field Manor Drive Merritt Island 321-848-0365
Third Thursdays 5 - 8 p.m. Live music, complimentary snacks in Central Park. The Avenue Viera 2261 Town Center Ave. Viera, 321-634-5390
Tap Dance Class 9 a.m. North Brevard Senior Center 909 Lane Ave. Titusville, 540-220-4831
Jazz with June 1 p.m.
DRS Center 55+ Club 1089 S. Patrick Drive Satellite Beach 321-773-6458
Space Coast EVA Earth Day Event
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Electric automobiles, motorcycles and bicycles. Ask questions and test drive many models. American Muscle Car Museum 3500 Sarno Road Melbourne 321-914-4322
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
East Coast Dog Surfing Festival
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Bunny paddle, doggy Easter outfit contest, intro to dog surfing, vendors, live music and doggy bikini contest. 1500 N. Atlantic Ave. Cocoa Beach 321-636-3343
6 - 8 p.m. Drop in with your coins or old money and talk to our local American Numismatic.
Suntree/Viera Library 902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 321-255-4404
Concert: "Space The Final Frontier"
7 p.m. Music from around the galaxy. Presented by the Melbourne Municipal Band.
Melbourne Auditorium 625 E. Hibiscus Blvd. Melbourne 321-724-0555
27 28 29 30
AZAN’s annual Fish Fry Noon - 3:30 p.m.
Proceeds benefit the AZAN Shrine Center. AZAN Shriners Center 1591 W. Eau Gallie Blvd. Melbourne 321-259-5302
Bone Builders 9:30 - 11 a.m. Delay or prevent osteoporosis with gentle exercises using light hand weights. Geared toward seniors. Cocoa Library 308 Forrest Ave. Cocoa, 321-806-3796
Kidney Smart Class 1 - 2:30 p.m. Take control of your kidney health by attending a 90-minute, no-cost Kidney Smart class.
Heritage Hall 931 N. Washington Ave. Titusville, 321-383-1245
Bingo 10 a.m. Wickham Park Senior Center 2785 Leisure Way Melbourne 321-255-4494
Friday Night Karaoke 6 p.m.
Hook & Eagle Tavern 2300 Clubhouse Drive Viera, 321-639-3487
Folk Music Festival Space Coast Symphony Orchestra 7 p.m.
Masterpieces inspired by rich folk traditions. Eau Gallie High School 1400 Commodore Blvd. Melbourne, 855-252-7276
European Car Show returns to the American Muscle Car Museum
SENIOR LIFE REPORT
The third annual All European Car Show will be held 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 12 at the American Muscle Car Museum at 3500 Sarno Road in Melbourne.
Registration was $35 per car by March 26 or $45 per car after March 26. A fire extinguisher is required for each car.
Registration includes one free entry to the museum per car entered for the first 150 registrants, in addition to a free T-shirt and show
poster.
The outdoor and the front showroom is free for spectators. They can enter the back showroom for a $30 donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Children 18 and younger can enter for free with an adult.
For more information and to register, contact Europeanbritishcarshow@gmail. com; Bob Parks at 321-427-8846 or Bobrace44@gmail.com, or Bob Bailer at 321-720-8945. SL
Health First provides update on Cape Canaveral Hospital
BY CHRIS BONANNO
Health First says that substantial progress has been made in the construction of its new Cape Canaveral Hospital on State Road 520 on Merritt Island.
“One year ago today, it was just a site with dirt,” said Keila Stradtner, the system vice president of facilities, real estate and construction for Health First. “Today clearly is behind us as we have a structure coming up on March 21, one year after a groundbreaking for the hospital took place at its new location at 255 Borman Drive. In about six weeks, we’ll have the third floor completed in terms of bringing in the concrete.”
Health First said the five-story hospital will be open to the public in early 2027. It will replace the existing Cape Canaveral Hospital.
Stradtner indicated that construction is on pace for a “dry-in” where the structure is watertight and
that it can begin being converted for an interior buildout in January 2026.
When completed, the 268,000 square-foot hospital will have 120 private impatient beds, 25 emergency department treatment rooms and six operating rooms. The hospital will also be designed to withstand Category 4 hurricane conditions.
“I think one of the most prominent features about this new location and what led to the selection of it being located at this parcel is the intention of withstanding any potential hurricane impacts,” Stradtner added. “(At) this site, we are 13 feet above sea level. That was intentional to withstand any potential surge that will be affiliated with any type of storm or hurricane.”
The ongoing project will also include a new three-story, 92,000 square-foot medical office building. The office building is scheduled to be completed in late 2026 and it will open in early 2027. SL
SENIOR LIFE Chris Bonanno Health First’s new hospital is scheduled to open in early 2027.
1. Bellhop’s burden
Big stinger
Fancy
12. “___ questions?”
13. Bird in hieroglyphics
14. Jot
15. Neighbor of Swed. 16. Hardly Herculean
17. Santa checks it twice
18. Gets game
20. Camp sight
22. Deli allowance
23. Locked, in a way
27. Does some PR work
29. One who cries foul?
30. Girl or boy of song
31. Had an effect
32. Hitched, so to speak
33. Aesop’s also-ran
34. Samovar
35. Puppy talk
36. Blush or flush
37. Home maker
39. A fortune-teller’s guide
40. Hooter
41. Memorable Gandhi
44. ___ rags
47. Sign in a store window
49. “___ and the City”
50. Fix, as fences
51. Asian staple
52. ___ kwon do
53. Like Felix Unger
54. Do-gooder’s doing
55. Text, briefly
DOWN
1. Embargoes
2. Soon, to a bard
3. Elvis was known for them
4. Windshield cleaners
5. Invective
6. Atoner’s worry
7. Excited
8. Languishes
9. ___ polloi
10. Part of T.G.I.F.
11. Art surrounder
19. Major, for one
21. Dolt
24. David and others
25. Continental coin
26. Lots of bucks
27. Daze
28. Perspiration passage
29. Certain theater, for short
32. Military leader
33. Cargo deck
35. Wood for an archer
36. Preserved
38. Spiced liquor
39. Cake helping
42. Copier supply
43. Graph lines
44. Clock standard (abbr.)
45. “South Pacific” prop
46. “Is there more?”
48. Pizzeria order
July 17, 10 a.m. Estate and Medicaid Planning — Get Your Plan in Order!
July 11, 2 - 4 p.m.
Movie Matinee RSVP required. One Senior Place, 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771
Wednesday, April 16 • 10 a.m. Lady Bird Deeds & Beyond: Preserving Your Estate with Ease One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771
This seminar will discuss the basics of estate and Medicaid planning. Presented by Ruth C. Rhodes, Esq. and Jackie McManus. RSVP One Senior Place, 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771
TIME TO TRAVEL Gainesville
Teaching zoo makes pleasant stop for visitors to Gainesville
BY MARIA SONNENBERG
In Gainesville, about three hours from Brevard via Interstate 75 and the Florida Turnpike, is one of the most unique zoos in America.
Zoological gardens take pride in the educational opportunities they offer to visitors, but the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo goes one step further, teaching both the public and tomorrow’s zookeepers.
The 10-acre zoo is the only oncampus teaching zoo to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Home to more than 70 different native and exotic species, the compact zoo is the province of approximately 100 students in the college’s Zoo Animal Technology program and makes for a pleasant stop that can be easily combined with a couple of other attractions on a day’s visit to Gainesville.
Visitors can meet a variety of fascinating creatures, including Matschie’s Tree Kangaroos, Whitethroated Capuchin monkeys and Asian
Small-clawed otters.
“Guests can expect to take a lovely stroll through our shaded zoo, surrounded by nature and species from around the world,” said Jade Woodling, the conservation education curator. “Our senior guests really seem to appreciate these one-on-one moments with our zookeepers, as well as the natural shade. “
A self-guided tour allows visitors the flexibility to meander at will through the tree-shaded paths, but additional guest experiences await.
Regular admission rates — $10 for guests 13 to 59, $6 for seniors 60 and older, and children 4 to 12. Teachers, active military, veterans and first responders — apply for both the selfguided visits and the one-hour guided tours, scheduled on the hour starting at 10 a.m.
For an additional $10, guests can enjoy a unique experience with a private meet-and-greet with the zoo animal ambassadors. Reservations for these animal encounters are suggested two weeks ahead of the visit.
Young and old can also sign up
to be a Zookeeper for a Day for a $35 fee. Participants are paired with zookeepers during the daily care of the animals, including feeding, cleaning, observations and preparing enrichments. The extremely popular program is sold out through May, so advance reservations are a must.
SUDOKU
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.
(Answer appears elsewhere in this issue)
In February, award-winning National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore visited the zoo to capture images of Blue, the zoo’s Key Deer, for the Photo Ark, a long-term project aimed at documenting every species and inspiring conservation efforts.
The zoo opened in 1972, thanks to the efforts of the late Ray Giron, a professor at the college. Giron and fellow teachers and friends advocated for the project, successfully encouraging the city and county to provide funding.
“The Zoo stands in testament to a man who loved nature and understood the power of education to make a difference,” noted the college’s board of trustees last year in a resolution honoring Giron.
Zoo visiting hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. seven days a week, with last admission at 2:30 p.m. Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo is at 3000 NW 83rd. St., on the Northwest campus of the college.
For more information, visit sfcollege.edu/zoo/visit or call 352-3955633. SL
Every number from 1 to 9 must appear in:
• Each of the nine vertical columns
• Each of the nine horizontal rows
• Each of the nine different coloured shapes
Remember no number can occur more than once in any row, column or colour.
SENIOR LIFE Maria Sonnenberg
Rarely crowded, the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo offers shaded, winding trails that meander around the animal enclosures.
Bluewater Creative Group - 2024 - Issue 10
SUDOKU
Edited by Margie E. Burke
SENIOR LIFE Maria Sonnenberg Meet a family of Volvous Whistling Ducks at the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo.
SHAPESHIFTER
Gardeners share expertise of growing native plants
BY FLORA REIGADA
Alan Howland, the chairman of the Tree Farm (formerly the Titusville Men’s Garden Club) and a member of the affiliated Titusville Garden Club, recognizes the challenges Florida gardening can present.
“Our planting season is different. How many of us have lost plants due to our lack of knowledge about the challenges of Zone 9 gardening? October to May is the best time for growing vegetables,” he said, citing kale, lettuce, carrots, broccoli, tomatoes, beets and collard greens.
There is a caveat, however.
“Florida soil needs to be prepared,” Howland said.
The Tree Farm has its soil delivered by the county, which includes ground yard waste. Howland suggests adding coffee grounds.
Donna Martin, a Boston, Massachusetts transplant and past president of the Titusville Garden Club, acknowledges missing the north’s spring flowers, such as lilacs and daffodils. But she has no regrets.
“Florida has replaced them with crepe myrtles, canna lilies and palm trees,” she said. “We have fruit trees in our backyard. We love it down here.”
Howland spoke of trees with edible fruit, such as the pink guava, fig, and mulberry. Florida also has its trademark orange and grapefruit trees.
Want to attract bees and butterflies? Plant fire brush bushes, salvia and buddleia.
“Our planting season is different. How many of us have lost plants due to our lack of knowledge about the challenges of Zone 9 gardening? October to May is the best time for growing vegetables.”
Alan
Howland, Tree Farm chairman
Watch for frequent plant sales, including one on Mother’s Day weekend, May 2 and 3. Knowledgeable members will be on hand to answer questions.
Meetings are at the Tree Farm the second Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. Membership in the Tree Farm is
open to all residents. Yearly dues are $35 for individuals and $60 for couples.
“If you are new to southern gardening, it’s a good investment,” Howland said.
The Titusville Tree Farm is at 1230 Thoreau St. in Titusville. For more
information, call 847-274-1038 or email ahowland@live.com
The community is also invited to the Titusville Garden Club’s monthly meetings at 9:30 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. The Titusville Garden Club is at 5275 Sisson Road. For more information on the Titusville Garden Club, call 321264-4266. SL
SENIOR LIFE David Reigada
Louis Kaspar, the project manager for the Titusville Tree Farm, points out Florida friendly vegetation.
SENIOR LIFE David Reigada Titusville Tree Farm member Victor Banik displays a black-eyed Susan that thrives in Florida.
NORTH BREVARD
Titusville Fire Department gets new station, cuts response time
BY CHRIS BONANNO
Firefighter response time just got shorter for some areas of Titusville as the city opened a new fire station, the first one in more than 40 years.
“I think that the people that live and work here know that now they have very highly-trained professionals who can respond for any emergency within four minutes,” Titusville Fire Chief John Hustoles said. “I think that’s incredible. I think it’s good for them. I think it’s good for the business owners or the people who commute here or even visitors, for that matter.”
The Fire Department had a ceremony Feb. 28 to open the new Fire Station 14, at 1100 John Glenn Boulevard, adjacent to the Titusville Police Department headquarters.
The station is the fifth in the city — the first new one to be constructed since 1984.
“It’s extremely convenient,” Hustoles said. “We own the property here, so this is the Police Department. They had extra space, so we came up with a way to fix the issue of not having a station by putting this building here on their property so we could share it, partners.”
The station includes space for the fire engine along with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a lounge area and a kitchen.
Uncoupling of the hoses — a tradition in lieu of ribbon cutting — marks the celebratory opening of the new station.
“When I got hired 13 years ago, we talked about opening a fifth station, so to finally see that come to fruition, it’s been very exciting,” said Fire Lieutenant/paramedic Jason Lengefeld, who will work at the station.
Fire Station 14 will serve areas that include the south corridor of U.S. 1, areas within the State Road 407 and Interstate 95 interchanges, the Space Coast Regional Airport and the Verona and The Shores at Tranquility neighborhoods.
“It’s a real benefit for us because the distance for the fire department to respond was a little out of their comfort zone or their range so that it was requiring the owners to put in sprinklers in their house, which
is a $30,000 to $50,000 proposition on every house,” said Tom Kirsop, the general manager for The Shores of Tranquility.
Hustoles noted that in some areas the new station would help cut down response times from more than six minutes to less than four minutes.
“It’s a huge deal,” Lengefeld said of the importance of cutting the response. “Where our other station is, the closest one for us is Barna (Ave.) and (State Road) 50 essentially, so if you’re trying to run to these new neighborhoods down on Grissom
(Parkway), there’s a very long response time which for the citizens who are paying their taxes for this kind of stuff, they deserve a good emergency response.”
Hustoles said there is room for additional personnel at the facility for the future.
“You always anticipate growth when you do something like this,” he said. SL
Sixty years of art — North Brevard Art League celebrates with show
BY FLORA REIGADA
When spring displays its color and beauty, we know it’s time for North Brevard Art League members to display theirs at its annual Art Show and Competition.
“We are happy to celebrate our 60th art show anniversary. The public is invited to celebrate with us. Admission and parking are free,” said Franci Kettman, the League’s director of technology and social media.
The show will take place at the Holiday Inn at 4715 Helen Hauser Blvd. in Titusville. Hours are from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 4, with a reception at 6 p.m. and an awards ceremony at 7 p.m.; then from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 5 with youth awards at 1 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
An adult show and a youth show will run concurrently. Add to that a silent auction, raffle baskets and more than $4,000 in prizes.
Various artwork types will be on display and offer something for every preference. Media include oil and acrylic, watercolor, mixed media, fiber arts and collage, photography and digital art, sculpture and threedimensional art, colored pencil, graphite, pen and ink, pastels and printmaking.
Jeff and Heidi Thamert, the owners of the Downtown Art Gallery in Titusville, sponsor awards, donate items and enter work.
practices her skills at a
“The show offers new and established artists the chance to show their art and build their confidence,”
Heidi Thamert said.
Things don’t stop with the North Brevard Art League’s annual show. Year-round, the League stays busy enriching the community. Its Art in Public Places program displays its work in various establishments,
including the Titusville Playhouse, the Titusville Library and the Health First Cancer Institute. Its art pops up in surprising locations, such as on outdoor traffic control boxes. Ongoing classes and activities stir creativity in adults and youth.
General membership meetings take place at 6 p.m. on the third Wednesday from September through
May. Meetings are open to anyone interested in art.
The League is in the former public library building at 1421 Draa Road. For more information, call 321-3837441 or visit northbrevardartleague. com. Emails can be sent to northbrevardartleague@gmail.com SL
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Vicki Oster
Laurie Griffin
watercolor workshop offered at the North Brevard Art League located in the former public library building at 1421 Draa Road.
SENIOR LIFE Chris Bonanno
Titusville Fire Chief John Hustoles shares his excitement about the opening of Fire Station 14.
SENIOR LIFE Chris Bonanno
Construction on amphitheater at veterans park progressing
BY CHRIS BONANNO
It’s been a long time coming, but construction is well underway on the new amphitheater at Veterans Memorial Park on Merritt Island, adjacent to the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center.
“It is now the realization of a 10-year dream,” said Donn Weaver, immediate past chairman with the Brevard Veterans Council. “We have to go all the way back to 2016 when the county put a million and a half (dollars) in to create the space for the park and do the first phase. Three years later, another million and a half, a second phase. All just without electric, without power, without buildings except for a small building with no power for restrooms and a pavilion but then to get the county to approve last August the cap of $8.2 million to build the amphitheater is just incredible.”
According to the Merritt Island Redevelopment Agency, construction is slated to finish in late 2025. When completed, there will be a lawn seating capacity of 2,350 and more than 5,000 when taking into account other adjacent areas in the park.
The Agency contributed $4.7 million of the $8.2 million while $2.5 million in funding is being accounted for via Tourist Development Council grants with another $1 million coming courtesy of a grant from the State of Florida Department of Commerce.
After a long anticipation, the construction of the
Park Amphitheatre is well underway.
“Our initial plan is to have 15 major events the first year starting essentially in November/ December that are not related to veterans because we got all this money in part because it’s a community, a county-wide project.”
— Donn Weaver
In addition to the amphitheater, a new building with bathrooms, a concession stand and seating area is also being constructed. Additional parking and a new entranceway from Fortenberry Road also are part of the plan.
Don Pearsall, the chairman of the Brevard Veterans Council, said that local veterans are really excited about the project.
“They feel like it belongs here,” Pearsall said. “The Veterans Center,
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it’s like a magnet, a hub. There is not a day when somebody doesn’t come in with a phenomenal, historic past.”
There is also another desired project that Weaver is hopeful will become a reality in the future.
“We also want to put in a building that will house ... the Vietnam and Global War on Terror moving walls so that they can be seen 365 days a year and then still move,” Weaver said.
The Park will be owned and operated by Brevard County Parks and Recreation.
“Our initial plan is to have 15 major events the first year starting essentially in November/December that are not related to veterans because we got all this money in part because it’s a community, a countywide project. It had to be approved
SENIOR LIFE Chris Bonanno
Veterans Memorial
by the (Brevard County Board of) County Commissioners,” Weaver said. SL
SENIOR LIFE
Courtesy of Brevard Veterans Memorial Center Bandshell
Fortenberry Rd. Entrane
Additional Calendar of Events
APRIL
5
Spring Festival
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Local vendors, equestrian fun, food trucks, crafts and activities. Hidden Acres Rescue
6360 Arborwood Ave. Cocoa, 321-543-2924
Turkey Creek Spring Art Show
8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
More than 60 vendors offering handcrafted items.
Tony Rosa Community Center 1502 Port Malabar Blvd. NE Palm Bay, 321-953-8912
“You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown”
7 p.m.
Viera High Theatre Company. Viera High School
6103 Stadium Parkway Viera, 321-632-1770
Pirate Plunder 2-miler
7 a.m.
Benefit for Harmony Farms.
EFSC Student Union Bldg. 16 3865 N. WIckham Road Melbourne, 321-751-8889
The Promise Band
2 - 3 p.m.
Original music from a two-piece Americana band.
Suntree/Viera Library
902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree
321-255-4404
APRIL 6
Parkinson’s Awareness Family Fun Day and Pickleball Tournament
8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Jimmy Moore Park 2801 Sarno Road Melbourne, 321-693-9246
Daily Bread’s annual Chili Cookoff 3 - 6 p.m.
Live music, a live auction, brews, beans and chili tasting.
Front Street Park
2205 Front Street Melbourne, 321-723-1060
APRIL 11
ShuttleFest IV
April 11 and April 13
April 11 — 6 - 9 p.m. Meet and greet with speakers, sponsors and vendors. April 12 and 13 — 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
A celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope. Hyatt Place 6299 Riverfront Center Blvd. Titusville, 321-264-0434
APRIL 12
Easter Egg Hunt
10 a.m.
Fun and games at 10 a.m. egg hunt begins at 10:30 a.m.
Suntree United 7400 N. Wickham Road Suntree 321-242-2585
APRIL
13
Melbourne Toy & Comic Con 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Melbourne Auditorium 625 E. Hibiscus Blvd. Melbourne, 321-259-3575
APRIL 19
Turkey Creek Day
9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Guided nature tours, games, local vendors, environmental champions and children’s storytime.
Turkey Creek Sanctuary 1518 Port Malabar Blvd. NE Palm Bay, 321-767-6690
What will your legacy be?
Seniors are targets for gift solicitations. Whether planned or what occurs because of your time on Earth, you will leave a legacy.
Your story, your contributions in life and your gifts now and after death, becomes your legacy. In other words, anything handed down.
In the Bible Exodus 24:3-8, Moses “related all the words and ordinances of the Lord.” They answered “we will do everything that the Lord has told us. Moses then wrote down all the words of the Lord.” Yes, that’s a legacy.
In current times, estate planners work with their clients and ask them to consider their wealth legacy like a pie, cut in four parts.
Attorney Kenneth Wheeler in Winter Park outlines the quadrants: there are material assets, heritage, community philanthropy and family relationships. He suggests one fourth to children or family members, another to your church or faith community, another to your alma mater — college or university, and then the final quarter to community and charity groups.
A tribute legacy would include the funding of a campus building or community center with naming the facility after the donor. Scholarships or a named professorship at a university is a fitting tribute.
The recent television documentary “Finding My Father” created by Will Reeves focused on his father Christopher’s contributions to conservation, arts and animal care.
Examples of legacy include: ancestry, antiques, autobiography, artworks, beliefs, books, diaries, family name, foundations, inheritance, keepsakes, lessons, legends, memory
Depending on your net worth, you may have extensive plans for money distributions. Many of us have included a list of bequests in our will or trust documents. What are your priorities? Who gets what first? Outline how payouts will be made with the assistance of an estate/wealth legacy attorney.
As we move on in life, we may be targets of overzealous development officers from churches, colleges, animal rights and other philanthropic groups. It’s great to share your wealth. Remember, when you make pledges and sign donation forms with claims on your estate, you may impact surviving family members.
Every day as we live, we are challenged to build our legacy. Thinking about gifts. It’s often best to “give with a warm hand than a cold hand.” SL
Ed Baranowski is an awardwinning writer, artist, speaker and seminar leader. He lives in Melbourne and can be contacted at fast75sr@ gmail.com.
EGAD Mural Tour
10:15 a.m.
Explore the Eau Gallie art’s district murals with an expert guide. Eau Gallie Library 1521 Pineapple Library Melbourne, 321-622-4223
APRIL 26
Spring Craft Fair
10 a.m. - noon
Vendors from crocheted projects to baked goods.
Eau Gallie Baptist Church 1501 W. Eau Gallie Blvd. Melbourne, 321-508-9439
Market Square Market Square Market Square
Classifieds
For Sale • Wanted Senior Services • Employment • Real Estate Rentals • And More Call today 321-242-1235
Deadline is the 15th of the month FOR SALE
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