Senior Life, February 2021

VOLUME 23

ISSUE 10

February 2021

OF FLORIDA

myseniorlife.com

Articles, page 14, 15

Fun calendar supports museum,

Season of hope

page 12

After a frustrating year, vaccines become the first answer to conquering COVID-19

Uplifting music fills the air, page 7

page 6

Busy business in space, page 16

SENIOR LIFE Jill Blue, Caleb Nyberg

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In each edition of Senior Life, we have a question of the month. We ask a few readers and present it to you, so that you, too, can ponder those same questions.

Answers can be varied, but often inspiring.

In this edition of Senior Life, we asked some readers: “What’s a life lesson you’ve learned that you feel is important to pass on to others?”

Check it out near the back pages of the paper.

Our writers also have learned a lot of important things that we want to pass on to you. It might not be a life lesson but is still important information, in part, on what others are doing in the community.

We will share information with you about a couple of health issues we believe are important to seniors: when to be tested for osteoporosis, who should be tested and what can be done to help prevent it. Will you also find a story about knee health, knee replacement surgery and what you should know before you face the issue.

We always are looking for stories of unique things seniors are doing on the Space Coast. In this edition, we will tell you about an author who started writing books on a dare in her 70s and already has had several published.

Others, like 86-year-old Klaus Kolb, started a band that entertains crowds outdoors while many musicians are mostly idle because of few engagements due to the pandemic.

For those who might be relatively new to Florida and not familiar with the legacy of civil rights pioneers Harry and Harriette Moore, we have a story for you.

In each edition, we try to bring you information about technology and gadgets you might use. This time, we tell and show you the different ways to back up and save information, contacts and photos that are on your smartphone.

There is much more in Senior Life, in addition to stories and information we share online daily.

I encourage you to periodically check our story updates by going to vieravoice.com, click on Viera Today, or to check out Senior Life, click on the logo. I also invite you to follow us on Facebook. SL

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Kathi Ridner — business leader, advocate and passionate volunteer SPECIAL TO SENIOR LIFE The Bluewater Creative Group mourns the loss of Kathi Ridner, an energetic and gracious employee, who died Dec. 29 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

“She was a kind and gentle person, who made a friend in everyone she met,’’ said Jill Blue, the Bluewater CEO. “She had so many talents. She was very knowledgeable about the complexity of senior issues, family homeless solutions and volunteering for those in need.’’

In addition to that, Ridner joined the Bluewater Creative Group in June 2019 as its director of development for the Viera Voice and Senior Life newspapers and as a nonprofit reception planner at the Art Gallery of Viera. She enjoyed working on the award-winning Boomer Guide to help aging boomers and seniors find local community resources.

“Kathi focused her energies on making updates and adding new information sections to improve the Boomer Guide,’’ Blue said. “She had one work speed and it was fast and and she was always organized.’’

“To know Kathi was to see love in action. I had the privilege to partner alongside her over the past decade on events, foundations and community projects. Most importantly I was honored to be her friend. She exemplified genuine kindness, grace and generosity to everyone she knew. Kathi was an advocate for others and her smile lit up the room.”

—Bridget Perers, Sonata Senior Living

Talking to people came easy for Ridner, which made her excel when working senior events, co-hosting Viera Voice’s Viera Means Business networking group, family events such as the Scarecrow Stroll and Fall Festival, and artist receptions and nonprofit fundraisers at the Art Gallery of Viera. She always came in with a smile and encouraged those around her.

Ridner was born in Michigan, the seventh of nine children. Her passion for community involvement and giving back came from growing up in a family with parents active in supporting the community.

Ridner’s contribution to supporting Brevard residents is unending. After her death, Ridner’s husband Tim, along with the Community Foundation of Brevard, set up the Kathryn Ridner Fund so that her works can continue.

“Kathi always gravitated to employment situations where she could pursue her passion to help people, especially seniors.

Her energy and passion in all she did left a big footprint in Brevard County,” Tim Ridner said.

She had the admiration of business leaders and nonprofit organizations in Brevard County. Her contributions to the community are endless and include supporting veterans and being a board member of Family Promise of Brevard, Brevard Parkinson’s Support Group, Brevard Association of Human Services and Space Coast Honor Flight.

Her efforts also included working at One Senior Place for 12 years, in many positions, and the last few years in community outreach at VITAS Homecare.

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Ridner played as hard as she worked. waking up at 5 a.m to work out and supporting 5K fundraisers by running in the race or working the event. She always left time to spend with friends and her cherished family. She led a well-balanced life.

“When I take photos or video at local foot races, after the gun went off and in the crowd of the hundreds running by, I would always hear, ‘Hi Jill!‘ and look over to see Kathi waving at me,” Blue said. At each event I attended, I would expect to hear her voice.

Ridner is survived by her husband of 32 years, a son, Connor, and daughter, Olivia (Manny) Collazo. She will be the proud guardian angel of her first granddaughter to be born this month.

“Kathi would implore all to be vigilant about any unusual changes in your health.

She had initial back pain over a year before, but it was attributed to a previous injury. Pancreatic cancer is difficult to detect while it is still operable. Make sure you advise your doctor if you suspect something is off,” Tim Ridner said.

A Celebration of Life was held Jan. 23 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Viera. If you would like to leave a tribute or make a donation to the Kathryn Ridner Fund at the Community Foundation for Brevard, read her life story or watch the livestream of the ceremony, go to kathiridner.com

“We lost one of the most beautiful, compassionate and selfless people we have ever had the privileged of knowing. Kathi Ridner, who many of you know as Glinda the Good, leaves a long legacy of compassion, volunteering and the commitment to ensure that every child has a home. Kathi was Glinda, not only seeing all the good in the world, but also seeing it in everyone and everything.”

—Tara Pagliarini, executive director, Family Promise of Brevard SENIOR LIFE Jill Blue

Kathi Ridner was Glinda the Good Witch in the No Place Like Home Emerald City 5K at the Church at Viera. As Glinda, she encouraged people to participate in the annual race to benefit Family Promise of Brevard.

She found the dress at a second-hand store and altered it for the annual race.

ESTATE PLANNING BOOKLET SENIOR LIFE Jill Blue

Shayna Gleckel, left, and Kathi Ridner show off the Follow the Yellow Brick Crow scarecrow built by Girl Scouts Troop 1664 for Family Promise of Brevard at the 2019 Scarecrow Stroll and Harvest Festival.

By Attorney

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For A Complimentary Copy SENIOR LIFE Jill Blue

Kathi Ridner attended the National Association of Mature Publishers Conference in Memphis, Tenn. in October 2019 with Senior Life editor Norm Moody.

Phone 321 267 — 4770

SENIOR LIFE • FEBRUARY 2021

3

Table of contents Volume 23, Issue 10 Senior Life of Florida 7350 Shoppes Drive, Suite 102 Viera, FL 32940 321-242-1235

©2021 Bluewater Creative Group, Inc. All rights reserved

myseniorlife.com jill@myseniorlife.com Publisher Jill Blue

Editor R. Norman Moody Office Manager Sylvia Montes Art Director Adam Palumbo Copy Editor Jeff Navin

Feature Writers Ernest Arico Ed Baranowski Marcia Booth Brenda Eggert Brader Sammy Haddad Linda Jump Jennifer H. Monaghan Flora Reigada Katie Sivco Maria Sonnenberg John Trieste George White

myseniorlife.com We encourage organizations to contact Senior Life by the 15th of each month prior with information and dates regarding upcoming community-oriented events by email and mail.

Edition 2020 No. 14

FREE SENIOR RESOURCE MAGAZINE

NEIGHBORS TECH KNOW TIDBITS SENIOR LIVING STRIPES VETERANS COLUMNISTS HISTORY THEN AND NOW HEALTH & WELLNESS NORTH BREVARD NEWS BOOMER SENIOR SENTIMENTS

COUPONS & DISCOUNTS ART

GALLERY OF VIERA

Celebrating 23 Years

Boomer Guide —the best resource guide in Brevard!

Senior Life of Florida is published on the first of each month. The entire contents of this newspaper are copyrighted by Senior Life of Florida with all rights reserved. Senior Life of Florida is not liable for errors or omissions in editorial, advertorial or advertising materials. Distribution of this newspaper does not constitute an endorsement of products or services herein. Reproduction or use, without permission, of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited.

4

7 8 10-11 12-13 18-21 22 24-25 28-29 31

FEBRUARY 2021

SENIOR LIFE • FEBRUARY 2021

Solaris Senior Living One Senior Place Courtenay Springs Buena Vida Dogtopia Hansen’s Handyman Comforts of Home Care Chateau Madeleine

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Cedar Creek Assisted Living pg. 25 Johnson Aluminum pg. 27 Walgreens pg. 30 Personal Hearing Solutions pg. 30 Same Day Grab Bars pg. 30 Air Gagers A/C & Heating pg. 30 Sharing Center Boutique pg. 30

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SENIOR LIFE Adam Palumbo

Gov. Ron DeSantis held a press conference at the Publix on Stadium Parkway in Viera on Jan. 19.

SENIOR LIFE Jill Blue

Elizabeth Issel receives a vaccination shot from Mohamed Rizk, pharmacist, at the Walgreens clinic for residents at Chateau Madeleine Senior Living.

Vaccination options continue to grow in Brevard

BY R. NORMAN MOODY Brevard County residents, primarily seniors 65 and older, have been lining up to receive their COVID-19 vaccine as Florida continues to expand vaccination sites.

“We’re leading the effort of putting seniors first,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said during a stop in Brevard County last month.

On the top of the list of people receiving the vaccine in addition to

seniors are healthcare workers, nursing home staff and residents.

DeSantis has prioritized access to the vaccine for Florida’s seniors and continues to increase the number of vaccination sites statewide.

The governor recently announced the expansion of the state’s partnership with Publix supermarkets to establish vaccination sites at an additional 137 Publix locations, for a total of 242 in 18 counties, including 22 sites in Brevard.

“Not everyone wants to go to

a central location,” DeSantis said.

“Heck, not everyone can go to a central location, elderly may not be able to drive an hour to go through a drivethrough site, so we wanted to get it close to home.”

In addition to Publix, the state has worked to increase vaccine access to include utilizing places of worship, hospital partnerships and state-run vaccination sites.

Florida Division of Emergency Management continues to administer

vaccines in more than 4,000 longterm care facilities across the state.

These efforts are supplementing and accelerating the vaccinations being undertaken by CVS and Walgreens, pursuant to their agreement with the federal government.

For more information about getting the vaccine at Publix, go to publix.com/ covidvaccine For more information from the county Health Department, go to Brevard.FloridaHealth.gov SL

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SENIOR LIFE Linda Jump

The Palm Island Music Ensemble performs at a pre-Christmas concert in Palm Bay. From left are Norman E. Madison on baritone, Brian Nemeth on clarinet, Rena L. Madison on trumpet and Klaus Kolb on keyboard.

Ensemble lifts spirits with lively outdoor concerts

BY LINDA JUMP At a time when most concerts are being canceled, the Palm Island Music Ensemble’s goal is to offer open-air live music in a safe setting.

At a pre-Christmas concert in Palm Bay, more than 50 attendees wearing masks sat in wheelchairs, scooters, lawn chairs and their cars to hear and sing along with Christmas songs, as well as German hymns and polkas.

“We are specialists in open-air live concerts that we call Music in the Park.

People enjoy listening to the music in their lawn chairs positioned at proper social distances while wearing masks.

This is a positive and safe approach during the restrictions of the pandemic,” said Klaus Kolb, 86, who founded the group.

Mary Ellen Baldwin, recreation chairman for Country Club Vista, said the concert was the subdivision’s first activity in months. “With COVID, everything else was canceled. This is just what we need right now,” she said.

Julie Steed of Palm Bay agreed. “It’s convenient to be outside. There were no other activities (for Christmas). This is something to pick your spirits up.”

In 2014, Kolb formed the Palm Island Trio with longtime musician friends Rena L. Madison on trumpet and her husband, Norman E. Madison, on baritone. Kolb plays accordion and keyboard. They began the Spring Music in the Park following the pandemic shutdown, performing at Watts Park on Merritt Island and Merritt Island Rotary Park. When the group planned a CD, they invited Brian Nemeth to play clarinet.

All four retirees play with the Harbor City Dance Band that Nemeth directs. Band rehearsals from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays are open to the public wearing masks at the ItalianAmerican Club at 1471 Cypress Ave. in Melbourne.

The CD, “Enchanted Dance Tunes,”

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is primarily German polkas and waltzes.

It costs $15 and is available by emailing Kolb at Klaus.kolb@yahoo.com.

“We wouldn’t have come if it was inside. Usually, we see the Melbourne Municipal Band or jazz groups, but they’re not performing indoors,” said

Carol Aumann of Indian Harbour Beach.

“We just want to give people joy,” said Rene Norman, who now manages the band.

Nemeth added: “We don’t take ourselves seriously. We just have fun.”

Upcoming concerts include Gleason Park in Indian Harbour Beach on Feb. 13 and March 13; Ryckman Park in Melbourne Beach on Feb. 20 and March 20; and Rotary Park, Merritt Island, on Feb. 27 and March 27. All concerts run from 2 to 3 p.m. SL

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Tech Know Tidbits Cellphone data backup critical, methods convenient

BY GRACE ROGERS In today’s society of technology and digital media, cellphones are a common staple in people’s lives and a door to the world.

It offers quick and easy access to information, a convenient way of staying in contact with friends and family, and a virtual library of your

own information and memories.

Your cellphone does a lot to keep you connected and informed.

So, how important is it to back up your phone data?

WeLiveSecurity.com had a strong stance on the subject. “Regardless of which kind of device you have, the best practice is to have multiple backups of your data so that in case

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you lose your phone or one of your backups gets corrupted, you’ll have an extra one to fall back on.”

Jay Wooten, the president of Visual Dynamics, also stressed the importance of people backing up cellphone data.

“Of course, it’s critical,” he said.

“They risk losing everything.”

Physical damage, theft or device failure are all factors that risk you losing important documents, contacts and photos permanently.

There are several ways to back up your phone. In the case of phones connected to Apple and iOS, iCloud is a secure way to make sure your data is protected.

“Apple offers a variety of ways to back up data,” Wooten said. “iCloud is available. Very simple to do, very straightforward.”

Other options, such as Dropbox or backing up your phone’s data to your home computer or laptop, also serve to keep your information safe.

Even though these different methods of backing up data are readily available, those who are not especially technically capable might feel lost in how to use them.

In cases like iCloud, the steps to using it are easily accessed through

your phone’s settings. Dropbox offers similar easy-to-follow instructions.

Steps to using your computer to save data can be found on websites such as WeLiveSecurity.com.

Cellphone and electronic repair stores such as Visual Dynamics are available to assist with the process.

“We are happy to help,” Wooten said. “They are welcome to stop by.”

SL

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myseniorlife.com

Former teacher hooked on rugs in retirement

BY BRENDA EGGERT BRADER Colorful strands of yarn or fabric pulled through a stiff woven base such as burlap, linen or rug warp, blend into a creative hooked rug. Both an art and a craft, rugs are made based on scenes or artful designs.

Carole Carlson has introduced the art to several in her Lakes of Melbourne home, inspiring the same enthusiasm she has into their projects.

Carlson, a former elementary school teacher, likes whimsical motifs, so she made a plaid sheep as her first project.

“I had a lot of ideas for whimsical things. Love making them,” she said.

Another major project is her collection of wedding rugs on which couples stand to take their vows.

Most are then passed down to other generations.

Carlson has made rugs for nieces and nephews.

“I made one for a nephew, and it ended up costing $500 for material and time, and you never get all your time.”

Rug hooking began in the New England states, Carlson said.

“It probably started in Europe in some fashion but mostly in New England. Fathers would bend a nail into a hook and put a piece of wood on the end to hold it. Then, women pulled fabric strips through another fabric.”

Continuing her joy for the craft, Carlson found others who admired her creations and wanted to learn. The group was born.

Karen Smith started hooking rugs in 2015 and has given away at least 25.

“I lean toward patriotic themes, ocean scenes, birds, dolphins and palm trees,” Smith said. “We make up our own pictures.”

Smith was working on a scene of a large rooster standing in an assortment of grasses.

SENIOR LIFE Brenda Eggert Brader

Carole Carlson teaches rug hooking to a group of friends residing in Lakes of Melbourne.

“We talk to ourselves over projects, and it’s OK,” Diane Weissinger said with a laugh. She has been creating hooked rug scenes for eight years.

“We get inspiration from something we see, but we do our own designs,” Carlson said. “It is curious to see what people come up with.” SL

Lifelong interest, dare inspire Native American book series

BY LINDA JUMP Carol Ann Didier wrote her first Native American historical romance at age 71 on a dare from her son.

“I’d never written anything other than balance reports,” she said. “I was an executive secretary for a government contractor.”

She and her son were watching a “Good Morning America” segment on author Janet Dailey’s new Western.

“I told him I could write a better one. He said, ‘Go ahead,’ and I said, ‘OK, I will.’ Three months later, I finished and sent a draft to Kensington Publishers in New York.”

“Apache Warrior” became the first of a four-book series that also includes “Apache Summer,” “Apache Winter” and “Apache Lover.” When her publisher asked for books on other tribes, she wrote about the Navajo

tribe’s tragic forced relocation, The Long Walk, with “Navajo Night,” “Navajo Dawn” and “Navajo Sunset.”

Her last series is about a tribe in Wind River, Wyoming, and includes “Shoshone Sunrise” and “Shoshone Desire.” Each book tells a story of taboo love between a Native American man and a white woman.

“My stories prove that love knows no color, creed or race. It happens in the heart, and if allowed to grow, can conquer differences in culture, hate … or personal loss,” Didier said.

Her fascination with all things Native American began at age 12 after repeatedly watching the movie “Broken Arrow.”

“I was of the age to fall in love with movie stars, and Jeff Chandler was mine.”

She studied the U.S. expansion westward and its effect on native

people.

“Every book report or term paper I did in high school was on that,” she said.

As an adult, she visited missionary friends serving the reservations in New Mexico and Arizona on her summer vacations.

“I was exposed to how poorly the Native Americans lived. My books favor the Indians. I included much of the culture and beliefs of the tribes, including historical incidents.”

Her most recent booklet “Trivia, Tea and Me” is based on her life as the single mother of two boys. It includes Christian inspirational vignettes interspersed with Scripture, recipes and facts about tea. She currently is helping a friend write and publish her memoir.

All of her books are available on Amazon. SL

SENIOR LIFE Linda Jump

Carol Ann Didier holds “Apache Warrior,” her first Native American historical novel that she wrote at age 71.

Women writers, artists, composers bond together

BY MARIA SONNENBERG Creating art can be a lonely occupation, but not for the 24 members of the Cape Canaveral branch of the National League of American Pen Women.

The local chapter is part of a storied national organization that attracts more than 1,600 members in 81 branches across 35 states.

“We help you network with fellow artists and expand your horizons,” said Donna Puglisi, co-president of the local branch.

Founded in 1897 and the oldest women’s arts organization in the nation, the National League of American Pen Women came to life after poet William Wadsworth Longfellow’s niece, journalist Marian Longfellow O’Donoghue, invited fellow female writers to join forces in mutual support that would also combat the unfairness the “fair sex” encountered in the writers’ workplace. The group later expanded to encompass the visual arts and music.

Local artist and author Dr. Elaine Murray Stone founded the Cape Canaveral branch in 1969. The organization is open to published authors, composers of original music

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SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Marion Coste

Members of the Cape Canaveral branch of the National League of American Pen Women enjoy a robust series of meetings. and visual artists who have exhibited in at least three juried shows. Beyond the encouragement and insight to help members achieve success, the group offers the opportunity for fellowship.

“We evolve and recreate ourselves

through lifelong friendships,” Puglisi said.

Despite the pandemic, Pen Women have been able to maintain community outreach projects such as free author talks and workshops at One Senior

Place. A traveling exhibition of Pen Women’s work will debut at Suntree/ Viera Public Library in May, and subsequently visit Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach and Melbourne libraries.

The organization also sponsors an annual scholarship for Brevard County high school girls who plan to pursue a career in art, music or letters.

Members are a diverse bunch. Scuba instructor Cheryl Shepherd Bartoszek, for example, is both an underwater photographer and a published author of marine fiction. Fellow member Anne Bonner used Florida as a backdrop for five historical fiction books for young adults and also writes Florida-based historical love stories for adults.

Born and raised in Paris, Pen Woman Anne-Marie Derouault has a doctorate degree in mathematics, is a registered teacher with the USA Yoga Alliance and writes free verse poetry in English and French.

Give and take between members is, as the credit card ad once put it, priceless.

To join the Cape Canaveral Branch of the National League of American Pen Women, email info@ canaveralpenwomen.org. SL

SENIOR LIFE • FEBRUARY 2021

11

SeniorLife

STRIP STRI PES

Brevard Veterans News

Barefoot Bay veteran helps file VA benefits claims

When Renee Chevalier saw an opportunity to help fellow veterans, she moved in to fill the need.

Chevalier, an Army veteran who was part of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 155 in the Barefoot Bay area, said she took up where the DAV chapter left off.

She began offering to help veterans file for disability and compensation benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“I totally volunteer my time,” she said. “I don’t take credit for anything.”

Chevalier, who served in Vietnam, said she began offering her services for free around March and has filed 10 successful claims for veterans from Barefoot Bay and South

Brevard County. Most have received positive responses from the VA for compensation, whether medical or monetary.

“This is part of helping veterans help themselves,” she said.

I’ve long known DAV members as true advocates for their fellow veterans. Member volunteers are trained to navigate the mounds of

regulations and rules to file claims with the VA. Chevalier was a service officer for the DAV 155 until it ceased to operate as a unit. There were plans for members to join another DAV chapter. A Facebook page for Sebastian River Area DAV 155 shows it closed permanently.

Many DAV chapters offer help to veterans filing claims with the VA, including DAV Chapter 123 on Merritt Island, Chapter 32 in Melbourne, Chapter 109 in Titusville and others. There are none on the extreme southern end of the county.

Barefoot Bay is near the county line.

So, Chevalier has taken up the mantle. She has encountered veterans that are homeless, often because of

mental conditions resulting from combat duties.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, she asks that veterans drop off whatever paperwork they have at her home in Barefoot Bay. She checks them, then lets the veteran know by phone whether everything is in order.

Chevalier has a long history of advocating for fellow veterans. At one point, she used to volunteer to drive veterans in need of medical care from the Barefoot Bay area to the Viera VA Outpatient Clinic.

For veterans in the Barefoot Bay area needing help filing a claim, call Chevalier at 207-442-7434. Listen for instructions immediately after dialing. SL

Four-phase Warbird Museum expansion forges ahead

BY FLORA REIGADA Plans are moving forward for a four-phase expansion of Titusville’s Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum, which features an extensive vintage aircraft collection and event space rentals at Space Coast Regional Airport.

“Phase One, a feasibility study to secure permits has been completed,” said Norman Daniels, commander of Valiant Air Command Inc. The estimated cost is $49,757.

Phase Two is the addition of a 300-by-428-foot concrete apron and a new connector. Architectural plans have been completed and work has begun. This portion of the project is fully funded.

Phase Three is the addition of a 22,000-square-foot, air-conditioned event facility able to accommodate up to 500 people and hangar aircraft.

Additional amenities include sufficient electrical power for stage lighting, projection and sound equipment, as well as a small kitchen. A new service road and additional parking is anticipated for this phase.

“Many firms, businesses and those needing space for weddings and anniversaries rent space in our hangars,” Daniels said. “The problem is that the older hangars are not airconditioned and summer temperatures can rise to 90 degrees.”

The estimated cost is $1.9 million.

Fundraising is in progress and open to sponsors and donations from all sources.

Phase Four, will be the addition of two 25-foot hangars, each 120 by 180 feet. These would house additional aircraft, which are currently being turned away because of space limitations.

The estimated cost is $1,154,000 for each building.

Due to the COVID pandemic, the Warbird Museum’s hours have been cut to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday,

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Car, truck enthusiasts get their own show at Warbird Museum

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Modern Day Pin Up Magazine

Rockabilly Red, left, The Parisian Hostess, center, and Ria Von Strudel help make up a vintage style pin-up calendar used to help fund the expansion of the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum.

Saturday and Sunday. Admission for adults is $20; seniors and military, $18; students ages 13 to 18, $10; and ages 5 to 12, $5. Children younger than 5 are admitted for free.

Proceeds from the organization’s annual, vintage-style Warbird pin-up calendar, available at the museum, also support the expansion. Go to aviationangels.us.

SENIOR LIFE • FEBRUARY 2021

Expansion donations may be made through the website or via check sent to: Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum 6600 Tico Road, Titusville, FL 32780.

For additional information about the organization and its expansion, call 321-268-1941 or go to valiantaircommand.com. SL

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Calling all cars, trucks and their enthusiasts to a day of free fun at the Warbird Museum Car and Truck Show.

Presented by High Performance Promotions, it will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27 at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum at 6600 Tico Road in Titusville.

“The show is open to cars and trucks of any year, make or model,” said Bob Helmick, who owns High Performance Promotions.

It will be a judged show.

Registration is $20 for each vehicle and will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. An awards presentation will be at 2 p.m.

Come ready for music, a 50/50 drawing, awards, raffles, vendors and Beachin’ BBQ. The Warbird Museum will remain open to visitors. Admission will be paid at the front desk.

The museum features a collection of vintage aircraft, a 30,000-square-foot hangar and a Memorabilia Hall with flight gear, uniforms, weapons and artifacts.

For information about the car and truck show, call Bob Helmick at 321-948-7553 or email pennsboro1j@cfl.rr.com.

For vendor questions, contact Kim.highperformancepromotions@ gmail.com SL

myseniorlife.com

West Coast farm roots mold sculptor’s influences

BY MARIA SONNENBERG Walt Mendenhall will be the first to tell you that you can take the pilot out of the farm, but you sure cannot take the farm out of the pilot.

The Willamette, Oregon native grew up on his family’s 200-acre cattle farm and earned a degree in agriculture, with every intention of returning home. Unfortunately, when Mendenhall graduated in 1968 at the height of the Vietnam War, he discovered he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“I didn’t want to get drafted, so I joined the Air Force,” he said.

In flight school, he took the track that would lead him to becoming an instructor pilot in Arizona before leaving the military with the rank of captain.

Returning to his roots seemed the reasonable thing to do.

“I just wanted to go back and farm,” he said.

After discovering metal sculptures during a visit to a state fair, Mendenhall, who had rudimentary welding experience, bought a welding torch and set off to hone his craft.

Neighbors started noticing the quality of his sculptures about the same time that prices dropped on wheat, prompting Mendenhall to reassess the realities of farming.

“I figured I could make it with metal sculptures,” he said.

Mendenhall began a grueling schedule that included working the family farm, creating metal sculptures during free time and participating in outdoor art festivals on weekends. He later would add art shows at shopping malls across the country to his to-do list.

The concept proved profitable but unsatisfying.

“I didn’t like being away from home that long,” Mendenhall said.

At the insistence of his new wife, Mendenhall moved to Florida in 2012, marking a shift in subject matter for the self-taught sculptor, who found himself crafting tropically themed sculptures along with his renditions of mountains and pines.

He works steel, copper and bronze to represent nature’s patterns, contrasting stainless with bronze for added visual appeal.

In January, Fifth Avenue Art Gallery in the Eau Gallie Arts District hosted Mendenhall’s latest show, “West Coast-East Coast,” which presents both ends of the spectrum in his subject matter.

He may be a Floridian now, but Mendenhall still has roots in Oregon, where his son farms the family property.

“My heart is still out West,” he said.

To see Mendenhall’s works, go to mendenhallstudio.com. SL

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Walt Mendenhall

Walt Mendenhall welds a piece of metal into a sculpture.

YOU LEAVING

New bronze monument linked to local military loss

BY MARIA SONNENBERG In a monument that on Memorial Day will take its place at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, a bronze relief of soldiers gather around a coffin to mourn the death of one of their own, a powerful depiction of the raw sorrow of a life lost too soon.

The bronze is based on an oil painting by Jeanne Weaver, who created the painting from a photograph taken the day after her son, Lt. Todd Weaver, was killed while on patrol in Afghanistan. He was 26.

The monument at the cemetery was spearheaded by Weaver and her husband, retired foreign service officer Donn Weaver, who both envisioned the idea for a monument at the National Cemetery during a visit a year ago. Their son is buried at Arlington with his fellow servicemen, but the Weavers wanted to recognize with the Brevard County monument all the heroes who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The monument is being created in Florida by American Bronze of Sanford, together with Rudyz Granite and CSpray Engraving, both in Brevard.

“It is not about Todd, but rather to honor all the fallen in all the wars,” Donn Weaver said.

Installing a new monument in a national cemetery is not an easy task.

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It took the Weavers eight months to finally receive the necessary approvals from the Department of Veterans Affairs and cemetery administration.

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The Weavers hope to unveil the monument, depending on the LIVE PLAYROOM WEBCAMS pandemic, during the annual Memorial Day services at the cemetery. The monument will take a place of honor by the tree-shaded Memorial Path, which invites quiet reflection near Where every day is the Columbarium and Wall of Honor.

“Monument to the Fallen” will be the fifth monument at the Brevard cemetery.

The 318-acre Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims serves veterans in five Central Florida counties. The cemetery was designed to be the final resting place for more than 163,000 veterans in the next century.

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CELEBRATING

Black History MONTH

Who were the Melbourne founders?

BY BRENDA EGGERT BRADER Variations on the truth of Melbourne’s beginning might be as hazy at times as an early morning mist over Crane Creek.

But what is factual is that three black men, former slaves Wright Brothers, Peter Wright and Balaam Allen are credited with founding Crane Creek (Melbourne) after the Civil War. Arriving in 1867 or 1868, after the U.S. Congress passed the Homestead Act of 1866, they settled in Crane Creek, notes information provided

by Carol Andren, the president of the South Brevard Historical Society.

Crane Creek was a wilderness of tropical foliage, snakes, wildcats, panthers, bears, mosquitos and exotic birds. The waters were teemed with fish.

“The story I have been told was that Wright Brothers, Peter Wright and Balaam Allen were former slaves freed

sailed away,” said local historian Fred Hopwood in information provided by Andren.

What is well-known: Peter Wright was a captain of his own vessel and the first mail carrier traveling to Titusville and as far south as Fort Pierce, twice a week. His brother, Dick Wright, would bring the mail from New Smyrna to Titusville. Peter Wright sailed it on from there.

The three original settlers also SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Ed Strutman formed the Allen Chapel.

The original Capt. Peter Wright’s knotty pine and cypress cottage still exists. Plans “The original Brothers’ knotty pine are for it to be restored as a museum featuring the history of Melbourne and Crane and cypress cottage has been donated Creek. to the Allen Chapel, where it now sits on property across the street,” Strutman from theThe Civil War,” said Ed Strutman Another version recalls “their said. understand plans are to make it mission at Palm Point Behavioral Health is“Ito provide of Indialantic. master gave them tools and supplies into a museum.” quality treatment children, teens, adults and“The older “When the three men arrived, they to from the plantation and set sail with cottageadults was moved to make were taken across Crane Creek by the them to find a new, unsettled place. way for St. Stephen’s Way, a building whoseand behavioral or chemical symptoms local magistrate, he gave them fourhealth They discovered Crane Creekdependency had an housing 40 apartments for homeless families in the Brevard County stakes and told them: ‘Whatever you abundance of wild game and good are interfering with their daily lives. We offer both inpatient and school system and parochial schools,” walk off today, mark it, and that will be trees. The master left axes, a saw and said. SL your property,’ ” Strutman said. tools to clear land, some flour outpatient services tailored toand specificStrutman needs.

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Physicians are on the medical staff of Palm Point Behavioral Health but, with limited exceptions, are

The mission at Palm Point Behavioral Health is to provide quality treatment to children, teens, adults and older adults whose behavioral health symptoms are interfering with their daily lives. We offer both inpatient and outpatient services tailored to individual needs.

myseniorlife.com

Harriette V. S. Moore and her husband Harry T. Moore were early civil rights activists in the United States.

SENIOR LIFE photo

BY MARIA SONNENBERG Long before the Civil Rights Movement, two Brevard County educators, Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore, dedicated their lives to fighting for equality.

Their efforts did not sit well with Brevard County of the Jim Crow era, and on the evening of Christmas Day in 1951, the couple paid the ultimate sacrifice when a bomb exploded under the bedroom of their little bungalow in Mims.

“The racism of the county was so extreme local florists refused to deliver flowers to their funerals because they were black, and the flowers had to be shipped from Miami,” said Sonya Mallard, the cultural center coordinator for the Moore Cultural Complex in Mims.

Although no one was ever charged with the crime, the world took note.

“It was the bomb heard around the world,” Mallard said.

The couple’s slaying, in a nation that prided itself as the world’s greatest democracy, made headlines around the globe.

“That kind of violent incident will be spread all over every country in the world, and the harm it will do

SENIOR LIFE photo

This is a replica of the Moore home at the Moore Cultural Complex in Mims. us among the people of the world is untold,” warned Eleanor Roosevelt, a delegate at the time to the United Nations.

To ensure the legacy of the Moores is never forgotten, Brevard County opened the doors to the Moore Cultural Complex, officially the Harry T. & Harriette V. Moore Memorial Park & Museum, in 2004 on 12 acres where the couple’s modest cottage once stood. The 5,000-squarefoot museum houses historical exhibits, including a timeline of the Civil Rights Movement from the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 through the Civil Rights Act of 1964,

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and a conference center.

The Moores were truly pioneers in civil rights. Harry not only launched Brevard’s first chapter of the NAACP in 1934, but he also coordinated chapters of the organization throughout the state. In 1941, he became president of the Florida Conference of NAACP branches. The Florida Progressive Voters’ League he founded in 1945 helped register more than 100,000 black voters in Florida, one of the highest levels in the country.

The couple’s fight for equal pay for black teachers got them fired. Their advocacy against racial violence and injustice got them murdered.

“They were the first martyrs of the Civil Rights Movement,” Mallard said.

Admission to the Moore Cultural Complex at 2180 Freedom Ave. in Mims is free. Tours can be booked at harryharriettemoore.org. SL

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ATLAS V

DELTA IV HEAVY

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of NASA-Scott Andrews

BY GEORGE WHITE Despite the pandemic, 2020 was a busy year on the Space Coast and Eastern Range — touting 30 orbital launches, the most since 1966, with plans for 53 launches during 2021, according to the 45th Space Wing at Patrick Space Force Base.

“We’re looking forward to another busy year at the Eastern Range, because every launch coming out of the Eastern Range is an opportunity to show the world how the 45th Space Wing safely and effectively supports space launch operations,” said J. Porter, 45th Space Wing chief of Public Affairs.

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SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of U.S. Air Force

Those launches are expected to include a mix of two more astronaut launches, dozens of commercial satellites and two NASA science missions exploring our solar system.

SpaceX logged 25 launches from Florida in 2020 — with 24 orbital missions — and United Launch Alliance flew six times with its Atlas 5 and Delta 4-Heavy rockets.

SpaceX’s Dragon 2 spacecraft made its first crewed flight to the International Space Station on May 31 as part of the Commercial Crew Program, enabling American human orbital spaceflight capability for the first time since the Space Shuttle’s retirement in 2011. The second

SENIOR LIFE • FEBRUARY 2021

crewed Dragon mission and its first operational mission launched Nov. 15.

United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V is set to host a flagship year during 2021, in part by reflying Boeing’s uncrewed Starliner vehicle this spring and possibly launching astronauts on the capsule this summer.

Dale Ketcham serves as Space Florida’s vice president of Government and External Relations in developing networks to place Florida as “the recognized leader in the civil, commercial and military space through innovation, collaboration and influence,” he said.

Ketcham stressed that it’s not just the numbers of launches, it’s the

FALCON 9

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of NASA-Joel Kowsky

current and future economic impact those launches and other related work can mean.

“What’s really best for us — what bodes the most promising for the Cape area — is not just the fact that we’re launching a lot. We used to be the place where everybody designed and built the stuff elsewhere and just shipped it here for launch. Now, we’re also building rockets and satellites and capsules. So that really helps to provide a level of diversity in the economy that can insulate us from getting hit in the teeth again as we were after the Apollo and Shuttle programs ended,’’ Ketcham said. SL

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Ministry offers support to international port crews

BY WENDY SCHEURING Port Canaveral sees its fair share of international seafarers who sail into port.

When they dock, they are often welcomed with familiar faces from the Canaveral Port Ministry.

“The majority of the seafarers are from the Philippines, India and Indonesia,” said Carolyn Bowers, development director of the Canaveral Port Ministry.

“A tanker was bringing fuel, and they had a mixed crew from Russia, Croatia and the Philippines. Another ship bringing lumber had a Filipino crew. Our port is really big for lumber.

If you go down to the port, you will see an amazing amount of lumber being trucked through North America.

It seems like the whole Black Forest is in Port Canaveral,” said director Mark Wodka.

The Canaveral Port Ministry, a Christian organization in the old Cape Canaveral post office building at 8907 N. Atlantic Ave., proudly

displays flags from 131 countries, each representing a visit from that particular country. The ministry’s seven staffers and more than 100 volunteers tend to the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of visiting seafarers.

With cruise ships currently sailing with skeleton crews of hundreds instead of thousands due to the coronavirus pandemic, the ministry now focuses on serving cargo ships, with smaller crews of 10 to 20 members.

Due to COVID, most seafarers are not permitted to disembark, so are unable to take advantage of the many services that are offered at the ministry, such as transportation to local businesses, shopping at the ministry’s general store, eating homecooked meals on location, and logging into free Wi-Fi. Volunteers instead stand at the terminals and send “love waves” to the seafarers in docked sea vessels, hoping for a wave back.

“They come out on the balconies

SENIOR LIFE photo

Seafarers wave back at volunteers standing at Port Canaveral terminal. on the ship,” Bowers said. “We take their national flags, and we wave those and pray for them.”

Volunteers are sometimes permitted to board the cargo ships as long as mask-wearing protocols and social distancing are followed.

“We take Bibles to them. We will pray with them, deliver packages, take phone cards. Anything we can do to help them,” Bowers said.

The ministry’s services, called “Waves of Hope” are broadcast live on Facebook from their chapel.

“The Bible talks about how some people are the hands, the feet, the mouth. When you see this ministry, it’s the full body of Christ,” Bowers said.

For more information about the ministry, call 321-783-0007 or go to cpm.life. SL

Field Manor Homestead offers glimpse of life in the past Field Manor Homestead — just down the road on Merritt Island — was built in 1880 for the Field family.

It is the oldest home built and still standing on Merritt Island.

This outstanding 45-acre piece of property is directly on the Indian River waterfront. The landmark property includes the original authentically restored homestead, an active citrus grove and a packing house.

There is a treasure trove of artifacts from Merritt Island and America’s long history.

Learn how the pioneer Field family enjoyed the bounty of fish and oysters from the Indian River Lagoon, wildlife on shore, cattle and other livestock.

Now under the umbrella of the Field Manor Foundation, the homestead is actively being restored.

In a short time, Field Manor will be a

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thriving, living, working agricultural museum depicting the settlement of Merritt Island.

Plans include a new visitor center with exhibits and literature as well as a restored Indian River dock facility.

A packing house museum will have displays about the citrus industry.

They also are in the process of reconstructing the property’s original

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Field Manor Homestead is on a 45-acre piece of property directly on the Indian River waterfront on Merritt Island. sugar cane mill.

Various vegetable fields show that crops were grown on the property during the 19th century. A large enclosed barn (there had been one on the original property) will offer indoor classes, demonstrations, events and community functions.

New camping areas for children will have facilities for eating and cooking, as well as restrooms.

At this time, Field Manor grows crops such as oranges, mangos and key limes. Honey bees are prevalent.

Field Manor shares a partnership with the University of Central Florida to protect the Indian River Lagoon’s riverfront and to cultivate fresh oyster river beds.

Tours of the 19th century twostory home, which is now a wonderful museum, and the active historical property can be scheduled by calling 321-848-0365.

Field Manor is at 750 Field Manor Drive. Its entrance is on Tropical Trail. It is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tuesday through Saturday. SL

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Remembering the past decade, welcome the years ahead

As we enter a new decade, we can surely learn from the past decade and make everything better in the future, right? Uh, you wanna hold your breath on that one?

As the famous line goes: The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. That means we’re all pretty much insane, because if we like something enough we’ll keep trying it over and over until we succeed.

I’m still thinking I could play golf well someday. Ha ha ha. Insane, right? So to help the masses improve in this decade, let’s take a quick look back at where we just came from. The decade of the 2010s is going to be most remembered for the impossible that kept

happening.

Yeah, it was a decade of impossible wins. Every nightly newscast saying Trump can’t win. Impossible. LeBron and the Cleveland Cavaliers gave the city their first championship in 50 years. Impossible, again. Then a couple months later, the Chicago Cubs won

Have you been hit by the arrows of Cupid? Some of us accept the direct hit and others deflect in defense. Accept love or be alone.

Among the many challenges of living a long life, we must be able to deflect. Your ability to turn aside, change course, swerve or bend make you resilient and alive.

Our behavior patterns are impacted by how we deal with fears. Do we take flight or do we fight? We all have experienced the benefits and consequences of running away or fighting for what we believe. We are the total of our experiences.

As a baby, we deflected cold milk in favor of warm milk. We deflected Gerber strained spinach by swinging at the spoon approaching our mouth, spit it out, cried or screamed. You experienced

this scenario again as a parent or grandparent.

In our youth, we deflected bullying, grumbled, talked back to parents, sought favor with a teacher by leaving an apple on her desk, and may have become a teacher’s pet.

While in college, the military and the workplace, we crafted other tools of deflection. We followed orders, completed assignments, ignored, transferred blame, relied on teammates, and partnered with the talented.

Marriage provided another arena for deflection (or affection). We could agree, disagree, ignore, argue, cooperate, change habits, concede, quarrel, apologize and make up. In the family environment, we looked for better ways, offered options and alternatives, and even had family meetings.

Funny thing is...

Sammy Haddad

their first championship in 107 years against who? Cleveland. Impossible and ironic. Whew!

You can picture bookies in Vegas drinking themselves into oblivion and probably betting on who would pass out first. It was a decade where a picture of a “Real Housewives” reality TV show with a lady screaming her head off is offset by a bored looking white cat, and this has gone viral with a different wisecrack on every repost. This picture is now social media’s primary method of imparting wisdom to this generation.

A cat? Seriously?

“Baby Shark” became and still is the most annoying song since “Trololo” in the ’70s, and in third place “It’s a Small World.” Now, don’t get me wrong, I

love the ride at Disney, but after you finish that ride you can’t get the song out of your head. The “Baby Shark” song is the same way.

If aliens ever wanted to take over Earth, they wouldn’t need ray guns. All they would need to do is play nightly news broadcasts over and over again during the day and “Baby Shark” at night. The population of the planet would pretty much surrender without a shot.

So, remember the past decade and welcome the years ahead.

Hopefully, you’ll be able to clearly see that 2020 can focus you on the future. SL

Key to living a long life – learn how to deflect Challenges of Living to Age 100 Ed Baranowski A favorite tool to deflect difficult situations and tough challenges is the use of humor. We make a joke and lighten the mood. Some people may not respond well to the jokester. Levity helps change the direction.

In management situations as an employer, administrator, volunteer leader or parent, focus on why it happened rather than who did it. Ask the

person who may have to be disciplined: “What could have been done to prevent what happened?” Deflect from culprits and causes to solutions.

Take a constructive approach and help everyone learn.

Deflect arguments with positive responses: “That’s an interesting idea” or “That’s a new approach. Tell me more.” Then go further with “Have you considered . . . ?” Be open-minded and open-hearted.

Life situations give us challenges and opportunities. Remember: “When life gets tough, the tough get going.”

Deflect! “When you get a lemon, make lemonade!” SL Ed Baranowski is an award-winning writer, artist, speaker and seminar leader. He lives in Melbourne and can be contacted at fast75sr@gmail.com

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Future of efficient waste collection goes underground In 1957, when Dr. Seuss’s “The Grinch” was published, no one probably expected that a pneumatic waste collection system, like the one used to take waste from The Who’s village to the Grinch’s cave, would become a reality.

But in 1961, the first of such waste collection systems was installed in a hospital in Sweden by Envac, “one of the most innovative players in the global waste collection industry and inventor of the pneumatic waste collection system.”

A similar system was selected for Disney World in 1969 and installed before its opening in 1971. Another was installed on Roosevelt Island, New York in 1974, where it is still fully operational today “and proved its resilience when Roosevelt Island was the only community that DSNY (New York Department of Sanitation) could collect from during Hurricane Sandy in 2012,” according to wastedive.com.

The system moves waste through underground pipes. Individuals have access to chutes where they deposit their waste. Using air, the waste is then moved at speeds of about 45 mph to compactor containers at collection points. When the container is full, a

BEYOND the CURB Marcia Booth

President & Founder, Recycle Brevard

truck transports the accumulated waste to a processing facility.

Depending on how many chutes are installed, food waste and recyclables can be collected separately. That way, food waste can be turned into biofuel and specific items can be recycled.

Besides eliminating the need to have trash cans and bags on the streets for collection since all pipes are buried underground, this type of system has many other benefits.

One major benefit is the reduction of carbon emissions generated by waste collection trucks as the number of trips are reduced and trucks only need to move full containers to processing facilities instead of traveling through town from house to house, building to

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These are the pumping motors of a pneumatic urban solid waste collection station. building.

The elimination of bad odors, animal intrusion, weather effects (e.g. floods caused by hurricanes), hazardous working conditions and service cost reductions are additional benefits for having an underground system in place.

The upfront cost and logistical challenges of getting pipes into the ground might be barriers to the adoption of this system. However, this type of system has more than 1,000 installations throughout the world.

Since its original installation on an urban scale in Sweden during the 1960s, pneumatic waste collection has expanded to cities in Finland, Denmark, Spain, France, the U.K., South Korea, China, Qatar and elsewhere. Yet, aside from Disney World and smaller systems in New Jersey and Indiana, North America’s interest toward adopting this type of collection system has been nonexistent, according to wastedive. com.

Nevertheless, from hospitals and

airports to entire communities, the system is being adopted in major cities. The technology has improved, and an optical sorting system has been introduced.

With optical separation, only one chute is needed. Different color bags identify what type of waste is being deposited down the chute. That way, separation happens at the source. By identifying the source, it is possible to more easily implement a pay-(or save-) as-you-throw program. A household waste monitoring system tells users how much waste they generate. See how it works at vimeo.com/237059293.

Utility systems have evolved and moved underground. Dr. Seuss might not have been too far from picturing what the future of waste collection will look like.

“To regard old problems from a new angle, requires creative imagination.” — Albert Einstein SL Email Marcia Booth at Marcia@ RecycleBrevard.org

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SENIOR LIFE • FEBRUARY 2021

myseniorlife.com

Behind the

Beat

By Randal Hill

‘Your Song’ — Elton John

It was a magical moment for Elton John and Bernie Taupin when they fully realized the potential that had blossomed in their professional partnership. As Taupin once explained, “ ‘Your Song’ was one of the first songs we wrote when we really got locked into writing and when we had really honed our craft.”

And it all began one morning in 1969 at John’s parents’ London apartment, when Taupin scribbled the words to the future classic on a grubby sheet of lined exercise paper that had tea stains on it.

At one time, Reginald Dwight — born in London in 1947 — was just another piano-playing teenager hungry for a show-biz break. By the mid-1960s, he and some pals were jamming in a band called Bluesology.

Included among the musicians were sax player Elton Dean and singer John Baldry — the inspiration for Dwight’s future stage moniker.

Dwight eventually left the group and later answered an ad from London’s Liberty Records, which had announced auditions for songwriters.

He wasn’t hired. Dwight could easily create melodies but choked when it came to writing lyrics. On that fateful

SENIOR LIFE Wikipedia

Elton John, right, and Bernie Taupin collaborated on more than 30 albums. day in Liberty’s office, though, he met another creative hopeful, 17-yearold Bernie Taupin. A school-dropout farm worker without music-making skills, he could write poetry — and song lyrics — thanks to constant encouragement from his literatureloving mother.

Now calling himself Elton John, he and Taupin began working together, with Taupin penning sets of lyrics and John creating piano melodies

appropriate to the words. If nothing came to fruition within a few minutes, John would summarily toss Taupin’s attempt into the trash and move on to the next offering.

The duo employed this unorthodox way of working throughout most of John’s remarkable career.

John remembers his reaction when he first considered the words to “Your Song”: “I sat down at the piano and looked at it, going, ‘Oh, my God, this

is such a great lyric. I can’t (mess) this one up.’ It came out in about 20 minutes and when I was done, I called him in. And we both knew.”

Taupin had never been in love or even in any meaningful relationship, so his “Your Song” lyrics reflected a refreshing innocence about such a heady experience: I hope you don’t mind that I put down in words How wonderful life is while you’re in the world John eventually signed with Britain’s DJM Records label and in 1969 recorded the LP Empty Sky. It went nowhere, but his second album, Elton John, the next year featured “Your Song” and thus held the key to success. Haunting and delicate, the tune worked its way into the public consciousness. In January 1971, it reached America’s Top 10 list on the Uni Records label.

After that, John included “Your Song” in virtually every live concert of his career.

When asked to explain the work that led to acclaim for the pair, Taupin answers in fewer than a dozen wellchosen words: “It is a simple, naive song. And it still stands up.” SL

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History — Then and Now History – Then and Now features Space Coast historic landmarks or sites in pictures and what those same areas look like today in photographs.

Then - 1940s

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Brevard County Historical Commission

Built in 1940, the building is now home to the Florida Historical Society. It served Cocoa as a post office from 1940 until 1966 when it was acquired by the federal General Services Administration and used in various administrative capacities, including as a Vietnam-era military recruitment office and Cold War-era FBI post.

Now - 2021

The home of the Florida Historical Society was built in Art Deco architectural style. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Senior Life

Health & Wellness

Bone density risks can be assessed to avoid breaks

BY BRENDA EGGERT BRADER Osteoporosis, the disease where bones weaken and become fragile with increased risk of fracture, affects many seniors, resulting in broken bones.

There is a way to prevent such fractures.

“Anyone should be able to fall from a full standing height and not break bone,” said Claire Gill, the CEO of the National Osteoporosis Foundation. “If you are over the age of 50 and break a bone, you should get a bone density test. Any woman over age 65 and any man over age 70 should have a bone density test that is included in the Medicare package.”

Osteoporosis is hereditary, Gill said, so if you know grandparents had broken bones, you should be checked as well. DEXA is the bone density test.

“The body is constantly changing and creating new cells,” said William Romaniello, the director of sports medicine and marketing for an orthopedic medical group. “When the body can no longer produce enough new bone cells to replace old cells, you

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of National Osteoporosis Foundation

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of National Osteoporosis Foundation

This bone shows effects of osteoporosis.

A woman receives a DEXA bone density scan.

get osteoporosis. Having a good diet, staying active and maintaining a good level of vitamin D and calcium are also helpful. Keep weight down and not smoking are great ways to help prevent osteoporosis.”

Women tend to be at higher risk as they lose bone mass after menopause, having lowered estrogen. Asian women are smaller framed and may be lactose

intolerant so are more susceptible to the disease, but all races and ethnicities need to be checked for bone health.

Men go through bone loss later than women.

“Things you can control are not smoking and not drinking too much,” Gill said. “We need to be active on our feet to strengthen muscle and bone building with exercises like hiking and

walking — weight-bearing exercises.

You really need to be on your feet to strengthen bones. Good treatments can prevent fractures up to 70 percent. Half of all women after age 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. Pay attention to it and take care of it because we want to live independent and mobile lives.” SL

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SENIOR LIFE • FEBRUARY 2021

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Aching knees need care before, after surgery

BY BRENDA EGGERT BRADER Ultimately, when the knee joint suffers loss of cartilage, replacement knee surgery is the answer. But physical therapy might help in the interim when pain is just beginning.

“In early onset of knee pain, physical therapy can help,” said William Romaniello, the head athletic trainer for Orthopaedic Medical Group. “Knee arthritis typically makes the knee joint painful and stiff.

Increasing the strength of the muscles supporting the knee can reduce pain.

Placing ice on the knee can reduce pain and swelling.”

“Basically, what happens with the knee, as with any joint, is wear and

tear, usually getting that at ages 50 to 80,” said Dr. Abe Hardoon of Suntree Internal Medicine. “The capsule where the actual joint is has the cartilage over the bone and provides cushion. In some people, that wears out and there is no cartilage, resulting in bone on bone.

“There are certain things you can do before you get to the point of surgery right away,” Hardoon said. “Initially, do a cortisone shot that decreases the inflammation in the joint, allowing you to be a little more pain free, if possible. There is a viscous material the patient can have twice a year that is like artificial cartilage, and it helps some people.

Some have a little discomfort, and

finally, it doesn’t work anymore. You come to the point that you need knee replacement surgery.”

Hardoon cautions that the more you postpone surgery, the knee pain and walking will affect your other knee and your back.

“You must have physical therapy after knee surgery,” Hardoon said.

“Recovery is from eight to 10 weeks.

If you don’t have therapy, you will always feel like you are walking on an artificial leg, and it will be stiff and not able to bend. After all, it is an artificial unit that the muscles and ligaments are holding on to. If you don’t do therapy after surgery, then you have wasted your knee surgery.”

SL

compared to the total of 1,730,133 the previous year, according to the FWC. “If there is a bright spot in this horrible COVID-19 tragedy, it’s the unprecedented interest of families and individuals wanting to enjoy nature.

We are seeing a strong demand for outdoor gear across all categories, both online and in our store, according to a corporate spokesman for Bass Pro Shops, which has a location at Interstate 95 and Palm Bay Road.

“Fishing, hunting, hiking and other outdoor recreation are great activities for times like these, because it’s easy to practice social distancing and provides a healthy source of stress relief given the uncertainty we all feel,” the spokesman said. SL

One of the ways to enjoy the beach during the pandemic is surf fishing. It has remained strong as an outdoor activity for social distancing.

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Sit-to-stand exercise strengthens the knee muscles.

Outdoor recreation activities thrive during pandemic

BY GEORGE WHITE When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020, residents facing quarantines and crowd restrictions turned to the outdoors along the Space Coast — biking, fishing, hiking and hunting.

One immediate challenge was the increased demand for use of public areas, because many of those facilities were still shut down due to virus concerns, said Greg Workman, the regional public information coordinator and acting regional director, Northeast Region, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

“We started looking at how we could reopen these public areas and still maintain safety.

That’s what we’re continuing to do to keep these areas open.’

—Greg Workman

“Just talking to a lot of folks who are in the field that they have noticed a little uptick in users in our public lands.

You have everybody telling you to get outdoors. It’s a good way to social distance, and we did everything we could to provide that,’’ he said.

In May, “We started looking at how we could reopen these public areas and still maintain safety. That’s what we’re continuing to do to keep these areas open,’’ he said.

The fishing industry — especially surf fishing — experienced a pandemicrelated increase in interest and demand for equipment, said Matt Fowler, the manager of Strike-Zone Fishing at 2771 W. New Haven Ave. in Melbourne.

Early in the pandemic, fishing was one of the few ways you were allowed to be on the beach, he said.

Last year was, however, “a doubleedged sword” for the fishing industry.

Demand was high, including new boat sales, but there were problems with getting supplies of all types, causing delays, he said. “It’s been an interesting duality,’’ he said.

There were 63,983 fishing and hunting licenses sold in Brevard County in 2020. Statewide in 2020, the grand total of saltwater, freshwater and hunting licenses was a record 1,857,741

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New Palm Bay mayor seeks transparency

BY HENRY A. STEPHENS

Following recent years of federal and state investigations linked to corruption at Palm Bay City Hall, newly elected Mayor Rob Medina wants to prevent future controversy by shining a brighter light on city activities.

In a recent interview, the 59-yearold New York native didn’t cite a specific act of corruption that was the “last straw” for him. Instead, the ordained minister of Palm Bay’s The House said he felt called by the Holy Spirit to run.

Meanwhile, though, he said the way to prevent future corruption, in general, is to let residents know what is going on as soon as possible.

“More transparency will create in residents a sense of trust in the city,” Medina said recently.

In fact, he proposed a change to city policies on Jan. 21 that he said would do that. It was only his second meeting.

Currently, City Council members can put something new on a meeting’s agenda at the last minute, without having to follow the rule for everyone else to have it filed by the previous Friday.

Medina wanted to require such last-minute additions be voted on as emergency items or otherwise delayed until the next meeting so residents could research them and comment.

“Under transparency, we are obligated to hear the community,” he told his colleagues. “We are obligated to be up front.”

Medina didn’t get the approval he sought. His colleagues defeated his proposal in a 3-2 vote.

During the meeting, Medina indicated a willingness to take the matter to a workshop for more discussion.

Medina has never sat on a City Council before, he said earlier in the week, but said that doesn’t prevent him from exercising leadership in his new role.

Since 2010, Medina has been the director of community and military relations for U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge. And from 2000 to 2008, he was the aide to former Brevard County Commissioner Jackie Colon of Palm Bay. “I’ve seen plenty of (various) city council and County Commission meetings,” he said. “I believe in

giving every opportunity to residents to speak on the issues. I take the teamwork approach.”

And in Palm Bay, he said, the team includes fellow council members, city employees and residents. It will take everyone to make a more trusted city government.

Donn Weaver, chairman of the Brevard Veterans Council, said he has worked with Medina for six years and has the utmost respect for him.

“He does amazing work because he has the heart of a vet,” Weaver said.

Medina proudly cites U.S. Marine Corps active duty from 1984 to 1988, with two more years in the Marine Reserves.

But Weaver said what makes Medina great with veterans will make him a great mayor.

“He’s a good man, a great people person,” he said. “And being a veteran, he exhibits leadership, respect and compassion. And those same qualities will make him a great mayor.” SL

National Cemetery Administration, was cemetery director for Hampton, City Point, Cold Harbor, Fort Harrison, Glendale, Hampton (VAMC), Richmond and Seven Pines National Cemeteries in Virginia. He served as assistant cemetery director at the South Florida National Cemetery from 2017 to 2020.

Prior to his South Florida assignment, he was a program analyst with the Eligibility Verification Division of the National Cemetery Scheduling Office. He began his career with the National Cemetery Administration in 2008 as program support assistant. Prior to joining the Cemetery Administration, he worked as archive technician at the National

Archives and Records Administration at the National Personnel Records Center-Military Personnel Records.

Ridgeway earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy and letters, with a minor in theological studies, from St. Louis University.

As Cape Canaveral’s second director, he will guide the 318-acre cemetery as it progresses through seven planned phases. The cemetery, still in its initial phase of development, is expected to serve the burial needs of 163,000 veterans in the next 100 years.

For his part, Murphy plans to relish retirement, helping his wife care for their four pets in his Port Orange home.

“I want to make it a little easier on her,” he said. SL

SENIOR LIFE Henry A. Stephens

Rob Medina hopes to rebuild Palm Bay’s reputation as its new mayor.

Cape Canaveral cemetery director retires, passes torch

BY MARIA SONNENBERG

On Jan. 12, 2016, Don Murphy witnessed the first burial at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims.

On Jan. 1, 2021, the day Murphy retired from his job as director of the national cemetery, the hallowed ground was the final resting place for 8,700 veterans and their spouses.

Murphy began his tenure at Cape Canaveral six years ago, just before construction began in November 2014. He directed a staff of 12 and the more than 100 volunteers known as the Cape Canaveral Ladies, a group whose mission includes having a representative at every burial.

“No one is buried alone at Cape

ACROSS 1 Eggy drink 4 Food fish 7 Prez backup 11 Nocturnal predator 12 “Brian’s Song” star 13 Russian range 14 Flower lover 15 Mystique 16 Roman historian 17 Blackens 19 Molding 20 “-- Gotta Be Me” 21 Gotcha!

22 Syrup source 25 Voting number 28 Baseball stat.

29 From memory 31 Bird’s beak 33 -- Vegas 34 Huge amount 36 Chinese “way” 37 Nursery-rhyme girl (2 wds.)

40 Dejected 42 Leia’s love 43 Bleat 44 Occasion for leis 46 Soda bottle size 49 Low-lying clouds 50 Thwart a villain 52 Snatch 54 Up to the job 55 Busy insects 56 Retiree’s kitty 57 Plays with idly 58 Monsieur’s nose 59 Family room

26

Canaveral,” Murphy said.

Murphy’s civil service career, which spans 37 years, began at the Nashville National Cemetery and includes a tenure as deputy director of the Memorial Programs for the National Cemetery Administration in Washington, D.C. The Memorial Programs processes claims for headstones for veterans buried in private cemeteries across the nation.

On Feb. 1, Kevin Ridgeway assumed the duties of director at Cape Canaveral. Murphy could not be more delighted with his successor.

“I’ve known Kevin for many years, and I know he is going to be a great director,” he said.

Ridgeway, a 2017 graduate of the

CROSSWORD

DOWN 1 San Francisco hill 2 Is indebted 3 Mirth 4 Grounds 5 Paddle 6 Forensic sci. tool 7 Coarse 8 Great Lake 9 Roof overhang 10 Thickness 12 Sculptor 18 Feel pain 19 Taunting cry 21 “The Clan of the Cave Bear” author 22 Blanc or Gibson 23 Sheik or sultan 24 El --, Texas 25 Swab brand (hyph.)

26 Till 27 Fermented honey 30 Friendly 32 Son 35 Online messages 38 Moon stages 39 Water, on the Seine 41 Cereal unit 43 Football charge 44 Wolf, to Pedro 45 Unsightly 47 Novelist -- Bagnold 48 Not common 49 Blubber 50 Wind maker 51 Half a pair 53 Outlaw

Crossword solution, page 31

SENIOR LIFE • FEBRUARY 2021

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Senior Life

News for Titusville, Mims & Port St. John

North Brevard

Two meetings update rails trails management plan

BY FLORA REIGADA

Like many who have discovered the East Central Florida Rails Trails, Bob and Diane Hungerford take advantage of the scenic path that stretches from Brevard County to Volusia County.

The Hungerfords, winter residents from Michigan, were feeling invigorated after a recent bike ride along the Brevard County portion of the trail.

“We love the trail. It’s wide and relatively flat. We biked 21 miles and had a great day,” he said.

The counties are always looking for ways to better manage the trail so that more people can take advantage of it. Recent meetings updated management plans.

Sarah Kraum, the senior transportation planner with the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization, touts the benefits of local trails such as the East Central Regional Rail Trail.

“Brevard County trails have many advantages, such as motor vehicle-free transportation for walkers, runners and bicyclists,” she said. “This improves community and personal health. Just 30 minutes of daily exercise can

SENIOR LIFE David Reigada

Open green space, such as this near Mims, adds to the healthy benefits of biking, walking and running on Brevard County trails.

enhance our lives and longevity.”

There are also economic benefits.

“Trails encourage growth and development because people come from all parts of the county and country to use them,” she said.

Using a repurposed railway, the 12-foot wide paved trail extends about 50 miles between Titusville in Brevard County and Enterprise in Volusia County. It showcases Florida’s flora and fauna, as well as historic towns, such as Maytown in Volusia County

SENIOR LIFE David Reigada

Diane and Bob Hungerford, snowbirds from Michigan, regularly enjoy sunshine and bike riding along Brevard County trails. and Mims in Brevard County.

The counties held separate meetings recently and sought public

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Mary Ellen Donner, the director of Brevard County Parks and Recreation, attended both events.

During the Volusia County meeting Jan. 7, concerns were raised about ATVs and motorcycles using the trail, since motor vehicles are not allowed.

People were asked to call the sheriff’s office or police with their concerns.

Issues were addressed about a 3.5mile trail section to be completed this spring.

No public comments were received at the Brevard County meeting Jan. 13. However, Donner later spoke of the Coast to Coast Connector across Central Florida, of which the East Central Regional Rail Trail is a part.

A section near Winter Garden is yet to be completed.

“When the trail is complete, it will stretch 260 miles, and bikers will be able to ride from coast to coast between Titusville and Hillsborough County,” she said.

For information, go to brevardparks.com or traillink.com/ trail/east-central-regional-rail-trail SL

the most exceptional care and uplifting lifestyle to our residents. Memory Care is all that we do, so we focus all our energy, attention and resources on creating a community that caters to each resident’s needs while providing unequaled peace of mind for families.

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321-300-1408 YourLifeWestMelbourne.com Assisted Living Facility License Number Pending

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2395 Minton Road | West Melbourne, FL 32904

SENIOR LIFE • FEBRUARY 2021

SENIOR LIFE David Reigada

A cyclist enjoys cool afternoon temperatures along a rural Brevard County stretch of the East Central Regional Rail Trail.

myseniorlife.com

wrap. Chill 30 minutes.

Step 3 Heat oven to 400°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

Woman’s club sets up little free library in Cocoa Step 4 Roll dough on lightly floured surface into 12-inch circle. Cut into 24 (2 1/4make books available in our area and invite our community to share goodinch) circles or 24 (2 1/2-inch) hearts using cookie cutter. (Reroll dough scraps as necessary.) books, enjoy reading and support other

BY KATIE SIVCO

A new addition is outside the Community Woman’s Club community members who don’t have Step 5 headquarters in Cocoa. access to books,” Bennitt said.

The wooden structure resembles Bennitt said literacy always has Arrange 12 dough pieces on prepared baking sheet, 2 inches apart. Place INGREDIENTS an oversized birdhouse, but you won’t been important to the club. The 2-inch tip of craft stick on top of each circle, resting other end of stick on find any small animals inside. Instead, CWC played a key role in founding parchment paper.

1/3 cups flour by you’ll1find aboutall-purpose 40 books donated the Cocoa Public Library, and more 3 tablespoons sugar CWC members and other locals. recently, organized a Friends of the Step 6 1/2 teaspoon salt The president of the CWC, Suzanne Library volunteer arm.

Place 24 cherries from pie filling in small bowl. Stir in almond extract. Spoon Bennitt, theCrisco idea toAll-Vegetable start a book Shortening Many members of the women’s 1/2had cup exchange in April 2020ice after shewater club are avid book readers. Christine2 cherries onto center of each piece of dough. Brush edges of dough with 3 tobox 6 tablespoons cold withLIFE forkKatie Sivco SENIOR saw them popping up around the area.

Hennessy has been a member of themilk. Top with 12 remaining dough, aligning edges. Press edges 12 food-safe wooden craft sticks Suzanne Bennitt shows off the club’s new little free library.

The box is a part of an international CWC for eight years and donated to seal. Brush with milk. Sprinkle with decorator sugar. Cut small slits in top 1 (21 oz.) can network of more thancherry 100,000pie filling several books to the club’s little freesurfaces or pierce with fork to vent steam.

The club works on service projects the summers. Any Central Florida1/8 teaspoon almond extract registered “little free libraries.”

Little library. throughout the year in the areas of the based woman is eligible to join.

Free Library is a nonprofit “Reading for pleasure is almost aStep 7 1 tablespoon milk organization arts, conservation, education, home promoting neighborhood book lost art.

It’s important for kids, and you BAKE 11 to 13 minutes or until golden brown. Cool baking Tocompletely take or leave on a book at the CWC’s 1 tsp. coarse decorator sugar life, international outreach and public exchanges, usually in the form of just don’t see them reading anymore sheet before lifting. little free library, go to 5 Rosa L. Jones issues. The CWC meets the second public bookcases. like they did when I was young,” PREP TIME 40little MIN., COOK SERVINGS CRISCO.COM “We started our library to TIME 15 MIN., Hennessy said. 12 POPS Tuesday of each month, except during Drive inSOURCE: Cocoa. SL Feb. 6,

Sunday

Sunday

Monday

1

Tuesday

Monday

Tuesday

2

Shuffleboard

1 p.m.

Wickham Park Senior Center 2785 Leisure Drive Melbourne, 606-219-3994

1

3

Bingo

Tuesdays and Fridays 11:15 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Games including early-bird, two 50/50 games and one winner-take-all-game.

Wickham Park Senior Center, 2785 Leisure Drive

Calendar Wednesday

Wednesday

Brevard Federated Republican Women

2

Thursday

Thursday

4 • Thank a Mail Carrier Day 5

10 • National Pizza Day Yoga in the Park

9

10 a.m.

The all-day family-friendly event will feature a car and truck show, kickball, food trucks and more.

Space Coast Stadium

Beginner’s class (7 weeks) 10 a.m. - Noon Learn the ultimate card game and discover a new passion in the comfort of your home. Begins today.

Harold, 321-956-9208

4:45 p.m.

Movie “Groundhog Day,” enjoy homemade clam, corn & potato chowders, cornbread and pie. North Brevard Senior Center Titusville, 321-268-2333

14 • Valentine’s Day

15

16 • Fat Tuesday

17

For the Love of Paws

• Presidents Day Open Pickleball

Legal Seminar

• Ash Wednesday Jazz Brunch & Learn Wild Food Truck Wednesday 9:30 - 11 a.m.

11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Raffle baskets, delicious lunch. $20 per person Proceeds to benefit Schnauzer Love Rescue.

Keep it Local Brevard 902 Florida Ave. Cocoa

21

Seventh annual Cycle 4 Alz Event

7 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Brevard Alzheimer’s Foundation 4676 Wickham Road Melbourne cycle4alz.org

Dinner & Movie

1 p.m.

Join your friends to play pickleball. $2 per person Viera Regional Community Center 321-433-4891

10 a.m.

Presented by William A. Johnson. In person or virtual Zoom, must RSVP. One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771

22

23 • National Banana

6 - 9 p.m.

If a “newbie” comes to play, the table will play one entire round of the game.

North Brevard Senior Center 909 Lane Ave. Titusville, 321-268-2333

Strength & Flexibility

Poker, Dealer’s Choice

28

10th annual Car Show

9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Open to all makes and models. Benefit for Satellite Beach Lions Club. $20 registration.

DRS Community Center Satellite Beach, 321-403-3971

More than

1,400

helpful listings 1st Place

Best Senior Resource Guide National Association of Mature Publishers

Bread Day

9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Wickham Park Senior Center 2785 Leisure Drive Melbourne, 321-255-4494

Saturday

Just to be safe— 1 Please call each event location to confirm date and time.

Friday

6

9 - 10 a.m.

Social distancing will be in effect. Guests must bring all of their own mats and blocks.

The Avenue Viera, Central Park

11

9 a.m. Thursdays Only $8 to play 16 regular games (7 hard cards).

North Brevard Senior Center, 909 Lane Ave. Titusville, 321-268-2333

18

4:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Every third Wednesday of the month 423 W. Merritt Island Causeway, Merritt Island

24

Yoga in the Park

9 - 10 a.m.

Social distancing will be in effect. Guests must bring all of their own mats and blocks. Free.

The Avenue, Central Park 2261 Town Center Ave.

2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Susan Egan is a Tonynominated Broadway star and BSO favorite.

King Center, 321-242-2219

12

Bingo

Saturday

Brevard Symphony Orchestra, The Belle of Broadway

10 a.m. - Noon Create a ribbon wreath 11 a.m.

Tina Descovich, founder of that will last for years.

Space is limited, masks are MOMS for Liberty.

Meeting, $25 includes lunch. required. RSVP. One Senior Space Coast Convention Center Place, 8085 Spyglass Hill Road, Viera, 321-751-6771 RSVP, 321-727-1212

8

Duplicate Bridge (Virtual)

Friday

Spring Wreath Workshop

7

Inaugural Space Coast Tailgate Festival

3

13

Struck by Cupid’s Arrow, DTMA Wine Walk

Women’s Only Shooting Class

6 - 9 p.m.

Stroll Historic Downtown and sample wines, enjoy music and wine. $25 pp 419 S. Hopkins Ave. Titusville

8 a.m. - 5 p.m. $75 per person. Hosted by Sheriff Wayne Ivey. Must be 21 years or older and pass a background check.

Brevard County Five Palms Range, Cocoa, 321-264-5281

19

20

• National Caregivers Day Florida Wild Critters/Animals 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Florida Fish & Wildlife Learn about the new luxury Line Dance Social 6 - 9 p.m. resort-style independent living community for active adult seniors. Must RSVP One Senior Place 321-341-9000

25

DWGA Golf Tournament

9 a.m.

Price includes greens fees, cart fee, range balls, lunch and prizes.

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

For beginner to advanced.

Only $5 per person. North Brevard Senior Center, 909 Lane Ave., Titusville 321-268-2333

26

2021 Florida Gourd Society Festival

Feb. 26 & 27 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Feb. 28, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

There will be displays, vendors, gourd growers, classes, food, demos and a competition area.

Brevard Symphony Orchestra, The Belle of Broadway

Commission officers and K9 Harry. Adult $10/Child $5.

Presentations, 11 a.m., 1 p.m.

American Police Hall of Fame 6350 Horizon Drive, Titusville

27

Symphonic Dances Concert

7 - 9 p.m.

Presented by the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra.

Scott Center at Holy Trinity 5625 Holy Trinity Drive Suntree, 855-252-7276

Heroic Beethoven Concert

Feb. 20, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

An all-Beethoven program Piano Concerto No. 4, Symphony No. 3 “Eroica” King Center 3865 N. Wickham Road Melbourne, 321-242-2024

Feb. 6, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Susan Egan is a Tony-nominated Broadway star and BSO favorite.

King Center, 3865 N. Wickham Road Melbourne, 321-242-2024 or 321-345-5052

Our brand new

Edition 2021 No.

15 FREE CO PY

Boomer Guide is in the works and coming this March

BRAND21 NEW 20N EDITIO

Senior Living Listings, Clubs, Meetings, Organizations, Sports, Support Groups, Veterans Resources, Business Listings, and Health & Wellness Celebrating

Stay tuned for details on how to get your Boomer Guide • MyBoomerGuide.com • 321-242-1235

321-242-1235

23 Years

SENIOR LIFE • FEBRUARY 2021

29

Market Square Antiques

Health

Health Insurance

ANTIQUES WANTED TO BUY

LOCAL MEDICARE PROFESSIONAL

High prices paid!

Buying costume jewelry, flatware sets, coins, old military items, pottery, toys, trains, old paintings, figurines & much more

Free Immunization Assessment by our Pharmacy Team

Sheri Gaul

Call/Text me anytime:

Make your immunization make a world of difference.

321-749-8445

Shingles, pneumonia, and more available now!

Seniors Day is the first Tuesday of each month. *20% off Regular Price Merchandise with bonus points 55+ with Balance Reward Card

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321-634-2647

*Some restrictions apply

Health Insurance

Hearing

You Deserve Better Hearing

CALL TODAY! FREE Hearing Test including FREE In Office Demo of Latest Technology!

Home Repair PROFESSIONAL GRAB BAR INSTALLATION

Safe. Fast. Affordable.

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8085 Spyglass Hill Rd., Viera (inside One Senior Place) SERVING ALL OF BREVARD Financing available, Insurance accepted

Free estimates — schedule today!

321-392-3000

SameDayGrabBars.com

SANDRA WAGNER BC-HIS

PersonalHearingSolutions@outlook.com PersonalHearing.org

Restaurant

Realty

Home Repair Air Gagers A/C & Heating Inc. Locally owned & Operated

Proudly serving all of Brevard County

AEROSPACE REALTY

321-775-3522

Call Sara Today! 321-794-9001 3230 Murrell Rd., Rockledge, FL 32955

cial e p S y r a u r b e F

Sunday – Thursday: 9am-9pm Friday & Saturday: 9am-10pm

321-383-1616

Nature’s Market Health Foods

ing nitiz l ducthits adsa robceia -mic p. 2/28/2021 Ex . on nti Freitheanay n$1ti ) Me 50 or more servi (w

2850 South Hopkins Ave.

ASURE EXTENDED WARRANTY PROVIDER

Brevard’s Health Food Store

A/C & HEATING

701 S. Apollo Blvd. Melbourne

Sara Forst Griffin

“Advanced Technology, Old-Fashioned Service”

Your Seniors Real Estate Specialist SaraForstGriffin@Remax.net

Military, seniors & first responders 10% discount

Residential & Commercial

Sewing

321-724-6923

NaturesMarketMelbourne.com

Thrift Store Come See Us at Our Sharing Center Boutique!

Check out the Q&L website for class schedule and events.  We are an authorized, full line retailer for Baby Lock®,

Brother®, Koala ®, Floriani ,® & Anita Goodesign®  Full-time, on-site, factory certified service engineer

Monday - Saturdays:10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Closed Sunday

We try our best to ‘under-promise and over deliver’

Embroidery Event - Feb 19,

7720 N. Wickham Rd. 10Suites am 111 & 112 & 113 Melbourne, FL 32940

M,W,Th,F: 10am - 5pm, Tue: 12N - 7pm, Sat: 10am - 2pm, Sun: CLOSED

Walgreens Phone: (321) 622-8602, Fax: (321) 622-8574 www.quiltsandlace.com beth@quiltsandlace.com

Interlachen Rd

Kimberbell

Check out the Q&L website for class schedule and events. N Wickham Rd Suntree  We are an authorized, full line retailer for Baby Lock®,

Brother®, Koala ®, Floriani ,® & Anita Goodesign® and on-site, Service available on site Full-time, factory certified service engineer  Repair

Publix

Store next to Toyo

20% isOAffd With th

Classified FOR SALE Electric Scooter, folds for travel.

4-wheel zero-turn.

Never used. Affordable price.

Call Jim at 321-327-5005

7720 Rd. Suite 111 We N. try Wickham our best to ‘under-promise and over deliver’ Sharing Center of Central Brevard Melbourne, FL 32940 321-622-8602 7720 N. Wickham Rd., #103, Melbourne quiltsandlace.com • beth@quiltsandlace.com

30

7720 N. Wickham Rd. Suites 111 & 112 & 113 Melbourne, FL 32940

SENIOR LIFE • FEBRUARY 2021

M,W,Th,F: 10am - 5pm, Tue: 12N - 7pm, Sat: 10am - 2pm, Sun: CLOSED

Sharingcenter.org

Phone: (321) 622-8602, Fax: (321) 622-8574 www.quiltsandlace.com beth@quiltsandlace.com

321-425-3334

myseniorlife.com

SENIOR LIFE Adam Palumbo

White Pelicans swim in the lakes near Rodina Drive in Viera.

SENIOR LIFE George White

Bald eagles nesting north of Viera Boulevard are visible from I-95.

Audubon Society calls on all birders for annual count

BY GEORGE WHITE

The Space Coast Audubon Society urges anybody interested in birding — from below novice to expert — to contribute valuable data by spotting, identifying and quantifying local flocks during the 24th annual Great Backyard Bird Count from Feb. 12 to 15.

Not confined to your backyard, the global count has changed for the better as technology allows people to enter information directly, SCAS member Anne Hicks said.

“Collecting and reporting data for the GBBC is straightforward. At each location, you identify any species you see or hear, and tally up the number of individuals, and you can also note

any interesting behaviors, During the GBBC, rarity doesn’t matter. The hundreds of house sparrows count just as much as the more unusual species,” she said.

Participants who submit one or more lists during the four days of counting become a contributing citizen scientist.

All eBird entries and saved Merlin Bird IDs during the four days contribute to the Great Backyard Bird Count. Schedules for SCAS eBird training and hands-on instruction are posted on its Facebook and website pages.

Launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, the Great Backyard

Bird Count was the first online citizen science project to collect data on wild birds and display results in near real time.

In 2013, it became a global project when participants began entering data into eBird, the world’s largest biodiversity-related citizen science project.

These observations help scientists better understand global bird populations before one of their annual migrations. GBBC helps researchers know more about how birds are doing and how to protect them and the environment.

Of special interest are Eastern bluebirds, white pelicans and other species of birds visiting or migrating

BoomerSenior

through the area, she said.

“Every species is important, so all habitats are included. This count gives a window to our wintering and resident bird populations,’’ Hicks said.

Also of note to birders are a family of bald eagles nesting in the Viera Boulevard area, but Hicks noted that etiquette requires observations be made at least 1,000 feet from the nest.

The GBBC “is a free, fun and easy event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of bird populations,” Hicks said.

For more information, go to spacecoastaudubon.org SL

Crossword Solution Crossword on page 26

Sentiments

What’s a life lesson you’ve learned that you feel is important to pass on to others?

Photos by Ernest Arico

Marianne Lee

“My parents and my kids taught me patience. I learned that the hard way.”

“I learned from my parents the value of hard work. I’ve passed that on to my children. They are both very hard workers.”

Clint Burger

Tim Cox

“Save for the future. Save your money.

Don’t spend all the money you make.

Save for a rainy day.”

321-242-1235

Sudoku Solution Puzzle on page 20

Barbara Dickman

“I learned from my father that no matter how hard you work, you may not always win but you can treat your opponents with respect. You can use that same thought in life.”

SENIOR LIFE • FEBRUARY 2021

31

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321-751-7645 321-751-7645 (TTY: 711) 321-751-7645 (TTY: 711) 321-751-7645 CarePlusHealthPlans.com @CarePlusHealthPlans (TTY: 711) CarePlusHealthPlans.com @CarePlusHealthPlans 711) * Per hospital day.(TTY: **From a preferred cost-sharing retail pharmacy. Space Coast. CarePlus is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in

CarePlus depends on contract renewal.cost-sharing Referrals and/or mayCoast. be required for certain specialists.

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CarePlus Health Plans, Inc. complies with CarePlus depends on contract renewal. Referrals and/or authorization may be required for certain specialists. Consult your doctor before beginning CarePlusHealthPlans.com @CarePlusHealthPlans applicable Federal Civil Rights lawsEvery and doesMedicare not discriminate onplans the basis ofonrace, color, origin, age,adisability, sex, sexual orientation, diet or exercise regimen. year, based a 5-star rating system.

Health Plans, Inc. complies with *any Pernew hospital day. **From a preferred cost-sharing retailevaluates pharmacy.

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Any inquiries regarding CarePlus’ non-discrimination policies and/or to file a complaint, also known gender, gender identity, ancestry, marital status, or religion in their programs anda activities, including inCarePlus admission or access to, orcomplies treatment or any new diet or exercise regimen.

Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on 5-star rating system.

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Referrals and/or authorization may be required for certain1 -specialists.

Consult before beginning as a grievance, contact Member Services at 1-800-794-5907 (TTY: 711).

Fromcolor, October March 31, wedisability, are open 7 days a week, 8 a.m. employment in,please their and activities.

Any inquiries regarding CarePlus’ non-discrimination policies and/or toyour file adoctor complaint, also known applicable Federal Civil Rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, any new diet or exercise regimen.

Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system.

CarePlus Health Plans, Inc. complies with to p.m.gender From please April 1 contact - September 30, Services westatus, are open Monday -their Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

You may leave a voicemail after hours, Saturdays, as 8a grievance, Member at 1-800-794-5907 (TTY: 711).

From October 1 -always March 31, we areoropen 7 days a week, 8 a.m. gender, identity, ancestry, marital or religion in programs and activities, including in admission access to, or treatment or applicable Federal Civil Rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, Sundays, and holidays and we will return your call within one business day.

Español (Spanish): Esta información está disponible de forma gratuita to 8 p.m. From - September 30, we areAny open Monday - Friday,CarePlus’ 8 a.m. tonon-discrimination 8 p.m. You may always leave a voicemail after hours,also Saturdays, employment in,April their1programs andmarital activities. inquiries regarding policies and/or toor fileaccess a complaint, known gender, gender identity, ancestry, status, or religion in their programs and activities, including in admission to, or treatment en otros idiomas.

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32

SENIOR LIFE • FEBRUARY 2021

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