Senior Life, May 2021

Hurricane preparedness Part 1 of 2, page 15

VOLUME 24

ISSUE 1

May 2021

OF FLORIDA

myseniorlife.com

Well-deserved honor for veterans Story, page 13

Brevard residents, Thomas and Denise Fitzgerald provide “solemn pride” for fallen military veterans with their mule-drawn caisson.

Urban-farm fresh, page 6

Powered up for the drive, page 8

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Have you noticed how many electric vehicles there are on the road today? Teslas are easy to spot around Brevard County.

Certain manufacturers have the same body style vehicles in gasoline as in electric and often the differences are not as easy to tell if just spotted for a minute at a traffic light.

Some experts predict that within 10 years most new cars will be electric.

If you pay attention, you will notice charging stations popping up at some businesses, government offices and elsewhere.

We were curious and thought that you might be also, so we decided to look at electric vehicles and share this information with you in this edition of Senior Life. We chose some of the popular models to tell you about. There are many others.

Another change I have noticed around Brevard County is that there seems to be a lot more people out on the town. There are a lot more vehicles at the shopping centers and restaurant parking lots. It looks as though there are more people out and about than before the coronavirus pandemic forced some restrictions. Our story on the subject shows that seniors who are fully vaccinated are getting back together with friends and are again gathering at community centers.

As usual, we share with you stories about our military veterans. Last month brought what is typically one of the largest veterans’ reunions in the United States — the Vietnam and All Veterans Reunion to Melbourne.

This month, we commemorate Memorial Day. In this edition, you will find a story on a couple that uses a caisson for funerals of veterans at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery. We also will tell you about some of the Memorial Day events in Brevard County.

As usual, we have packed a lot of great stories in this edition of Senior Life. We tell you about raising chickens, what it takes and some of the rules.

We also bring you the first of several stories on urban farms, many of which sell their products on the honor system. You take the product and drop your payment in the box.

One thing I was not yet ready to think about is hurricanes. But the earlier we start thinking about it, the better prepared we might be. So we are starting early — with some information in this edition and with plans of bringing you more in the following edition. Hurricane season starts June 1 and continues through November.

We can prepare and hope that it is a quiet hurricane season. SL R. Norman Moody norm@myseniorlife.com

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Senior couples make it official with small weddings

BY MARIA SONNENBERG As a wedding officiant, Dona Grigsby has been part of pretty much all variants of the ceremony.

Grigsby, who operates Love is a Beach Wedding in Melbourne, sees her share of mature brides and grooms, who like David Aponte and Rosmery Londono, tapped on Grigsby to help them tie the knot on April 24. The couple had been together for many years and felt it was time to make things official.

“I have 50 booked so far in 2021, and since I am a senior myself, I plan to limit my weddings, but I really have a tough time saying ‘no’ to the ‘I dos.’ ” – Dona Grigsby

Because beach weddings are by necessity smaller, they appeal to older mature couples who do not want the big hassle of a huge event.

Grigsby knows from experience to limit her beach ceremonies to 40 guests.

“Larger weddings must be at a venue just for the simple fact we are subject to weather issues and moving people in a hurry is not easy,” said Grigsby, who started her full-time wedding business in 2010,

“One or the other tells me they business, Grigsby already has plenty were ready but the other partner of ceremonies slated for the months wasn’t,” she said. ahead.

Vow renewals are common with “I have 50 booked so far in 2021, older couples, and Grigsby does and since I am a senior myself, I her share of these. For weddings, plan to limit my weddings, but I Grigsby finds that older couples really have a tough time saying ‘no’ prefer smaller ceremonies that to the ‘I dos,’ ” she said. typically only involve family For more information, call members. Grandkids often make up 321-951-1588. SL the bridal parties.

“I recall one young ring bearer blurting out during the ceremony, “Grandma, when do we eat cake?” she said with a laugh.

She has married several widows and widowers who were friends when they were married to their late spouses.

“Now, they get married to each other and they usually tell me their deceased spouses would be happy they are together,”

By Attorney she said.

Officiating in TRUMAN SCARBOROUGH as many as 150 239 Harrison Street, Titusville, FL weddings a year, For A Complimentary Copy Grigsby keeps busy ushering Phone 321 267 — 4770 couples into a state of matrimony.

Although the pandemic impacted

ESTATE PLANNING BOOKLET

SENIOR LIFE Shutterstock

Older couples prefer smaller ceremonies that typically involve only family members.

after a career in catering.

While training with a wedding planner, a friend asked Grigsby, a licensed notary and ordained minister, to officiate for her sister.

“I was a nervous wreck, but everyone was nervous, too, and I just took over,” she said.

The family must have loved Grigsby, for they have since asked to officiate in three more weddings.

Many of Grigsby’s older couples have been together for years and even raised families together, but just have never gotten around to getting married.

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Table of contents ©2021 Bluewater Creative Group, Inc. All rights reserved

Volume 24, Issue 1 Senior Life of Florida 7350 Shoppes Drive, Suite 102 Viera, FL 32940 321-242-1235 myseniorlife.com jill@myseniorlife.com Publisher Jill Blue

Editor R. Norman Moody Office Manager Sylvia Montes

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.

Art Director Adam Palumbo Staff Reporter Katie Sivco 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

MAY 2021

7 NEIGHBORS 8 TECH KNOW TIDBITS 10 12-14 18-20 22 24-25 26 31

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

COUPONS & DISCOUNTS 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.

Suntree Internal pg. 1 Shell Harbor pg. 3 Chateau Madeleine pg. 5 Comforts of Home Care pg. 6 Cedar Creek Assisted Living pg. 6 Johnson Aluminum pg. 9 Viera Heart pg. 12

Dogtopia William A. Johnson Hansen’s Handyman Air Gagers A/C & Heating Hippo Roofing Personal Hearing Solutions

pg. 18 pg. 18 pg. 26 pg. 30 pg. 30 pg. 30

Our aging community is a sacred asset that we should learn from, honor, and support.

We’re still here, serving seniors since 1965

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Call us to Volunteer: » Assist with Food Prep Seeking Volunteers to: at the Kitchen Assiston with Food Prep »• Meals Wheels Driver at the Kitchen » Provide a senior • transportation Meals on Wheels Delivery Driver » Provide a veteran • transportation Provide a senior transportation to » Provide information important to Caregivers at the appointments Sunflower House

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Call us if you need: » Caregiver Respite Caregiver Training Call us» if you need: and Support • Caregiver Respite, Training » Case Management and »Support Catering • Catering » Handyman Services • Home Safety Modifications » Information and Referral • Light» Light Housekeeping Housekeeping • Meals on Wheels » Meals on Wheels » Personal • Personal CareCare » Seniors at Lunch • Transportation Fellowship Dining » Transportation » Volunteer Opportunities

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Aging Matters in Brevard is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit orginization recognized by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Area Agency on Agingbyasthethe Lead Agencyoffor senior in Agency Brevard County.

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www.AgingMattersBrevard.org Serving the Matters of Aging Since 1965 • www.agingmattersbrevard.org Visit us on Facebook & Instagram

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Brevard farmers keep rural heritage alive

BY MARIA SONNENBERG Brevard County’s rural landscape might not be as vast as it once was, but urban farmers such as Suzanne and Andrew Richmond are keeping the tradition alive while feeding locals in the process.

The seven acres that are the Richmonds’ Funky Chicken Farm sits within walking distance to the sprawl of Palm Bay and Minton Roads. Its neighbor is the massive Sawgrass Lakes residential development, but life is bucolic at Funky Chicken, where the Richmond family raises chickens, of course, plus rabbits, vegetables and millions of worms.

Since 2004, the couple have made a livelihood from the land Suzanne’s grandfather purchased in the Poultry Colony tract that is part of unincorporated Brevard.

“There once were huge poultry farms around, with rows upon rows of chicken houses, but they’re all gone,” Suzanne Richmond said.

Funky Chicken might be the last of a breed, but it enjoys a loyal clientele.

Make that two loyal clienteles.

“We have the livestock customers and the customers that like farm-fresh food,” Suzanne Richmond said.

Those seeking chickens to raise for eggs or meat can find fowls in a variety of age brackets and breeds.

Rabbits also are available. The Richmonds prefer to sell their hoppers live so they breed like bunnies. One mother rabbit can produce more than 80 pounds of meat a year and buckets

SENIOR LIFE Suzanne Richmond

Rabbits are often purchased for their droppings, which can be fed to earthworms.

SENIOR LIFE Suzanne Richmond

Andrew Richmond shows off a flock of chicks. His farm specializes in poultry, eggs and more.

of manure for the garden.

For consumers eager to more closely connect with their food source without having to raise and butcher it, Funky Chicken offers eggs, produce, honey and a variety of meat, primarily sourced from Lake Meadow Naturals, a Florida farm specializing in humanely raised, natural meats.

Would-be urban farmers can hone their skills through Suzanne Richmond’s classes, which range from wild fermentation to successful

vegetable planting. The Richmonds live by a circle of life philosophy they are always eager to share.

“People can buy a couple of rabbits for their poop, which they can feed to the earthworms, which will turn it into food for the vegetables which people can then eat,” she said.

Speaking of worms, Funky Chicken worms, sold by the pound, are hardy little laborers that gardeners love to employ around their yards.

“We probably sell upward of a billion a year,” Suzanne Richmond said.

Limited yard space is no excuse for eschewing the benefits of growing your own produce. A mere 18-gallon plastic storage container is a perfect

worm condo. If rabbit poop is not available, the little guys will do fine with salad scraps and reward their owners with rich, loamy compost for a potted garden on the balcony or deck.

“It’s all about the circle of life,” Richmond said.

Funky Chicken Farm, at 3510 Hield Road in Melbourne, is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Call or text 321-505-4227 for live chicks and chickens, plus pork and eggs. Call 321-505-4066 for rabbits and worms. Its website is funkychickenfarm.com. Check Funky Chicken Farm on Facebook for upcoming classes and seasonal products. SL

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Neighbors Backyard chicken farming grows in popularity While several Brevard County cities allow backyard chickens with similar and additional limitations, in the county, if not zoned residential, there is no limit to the number of birds.

As instructor for the county 4-H Poultry Project, Walter provides information pertaining to the production of small backyard poultry in Brevard County. The major goal of this program is to teach the safe raising and

BY GEORGE WHITE When faced with the COVID-19 shutdowns a year ago, some families flocked to get backyard hens for their eggs and to provide a time-consuming, animal-care hobby for their children.

Most of the flocks were successful, as owners kept them safe from predators and developed friendships. But experts say there is a lot more to it.

Jill Bailey of Palm Bay ordered her 2-day-old chicks online in July 2020, during the coronavirus-surge shutdowns.

She said it was just what her family needed.

“I think, during COVID, many people were at home much more than usual, and it was a great time to start a new hobby, build coops, runs and collect eggs each day. And laughing at the crazy chickens was the reward,’’ she said.

“OK, I think it gave people something positive to look forward to each day. People couldn’t travel, be out and about as usual with their friends and they had more time to spend with the chickens, build their chicken runs, etc.”

Bailey collects about an egg each day from her hens and uses their waste in her compost bin for application to her garden.

“They are relaxing and amusing

SENIOR LIFE Shutterstock

A homeowner can have a maximum of five hens in unincorporated areas of Brevard County that are zoned residential.

to watch,”she said. “My favorite part is collecting the eggs, but each one of them has a different personality.

“I think we all saw an obvious increase in attention to backyard chickens’’ as the pandemic hit, said Joe Walter, an Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences extension agent.

Walter explained that in unincorporated areas of Brevard County, like Viera and Suntree, if zoned residential, the maximum is five hens.

Roosters are not allowed in any case because of their noisy crowing and often aggressive behavior.

harvesting of small flocks of chickens for home consumption.The 4-H Poultry Project runs from August to March, culminating with a sale.

“It’s a great program for teaching kids,’’ he said.

But he cautioned any prospective backyard farmers that they should never name their livestock.

“When you do, you personify them,’’ he said. SL

Central Florida Winds

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MAY 29 3 PM

Park Avenue Baptist Church 2600 Park Ave, Titusville

“The Red Pony” by Copland , “West Point Symphony” by Martin Gould, “Elegy for a Young American” by Lo Presti, “Summon the Heroes”

by John Williams, “American Overture” by Gordon Jenkins, “Idyll” by Wyntin Special guest, Derek Kessler, Staff Sergeant in the 122nd Ohio Army National Guard Band will narrate “I Am The Nation” during the playing of “America the Beautiful”

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Hot Entrees & Sides • Chicken Marsala • Roast Pork Loin • Cauliflower with Sharp Cheddar

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Tech Know Tidbits

BY MIKE GAFFEY Electric vehicles, which flourished in the early 1900s, are charging toward a comeback in the 21st century.

While internal-combustion-engine vehicles still dominate U.S. roads, zeroemission electric cars, trucks and SUVs are gaining traction slowly as carmakers roll out more battery-powered electric vehicles, or EVs. General Motors announced in January that it plans to offer an all-EV lineup by 2035. And almost 100 purely electric models are set to debut by the end of 2024, according to Consumer Reports.

“We have seen the market explode in the past five years and, with all the commitments from legacy manufacturers and new companies, I’m confident EVs will have a large market share in 10 years,” said Brenna Kaminski of Melbourne, the co-founder of Space Coast EV Drivers, a group of electric-vehicle enthusiasts with a goal of spreading the word about EVs. Presently, EVs make up about 3 percent of all vehicles on the road today, according to AARP. But in 1900, one-third of all cars were powered by electricity. However, Henry Ford’s mass-produced Model T made gasoline-

powered cars more available and affordable. An expanded highway system, the discovery of crude oil in Texas that lowered gas prices and a lack of electricity outside most major cities also helped drive electric cars from American roads by the mid-1930s.

Today’s EVs are unusually quiet due to the lack of any engine noise, said Josh Pritt, Kaminski’s husband and club co-founder. They’re also very quick because all of the torque is immediately available to the wheels.

EVs can run on renewable resources, which is better for the environment, Pritt said. They cost less than half as much to operate as gas-powered cars, Pritt added, citing a 2018 University of Michigan study that showed the average cost to operate an EV in the United States is $485 per year, while the average for a gas-powered vehicle is $1,117.

“EVs also have fewer maintenance requirements, meaning lower maintenance costs,” Pritt said. “EVs don’t have spark plugs, transmissions, radiators, belts, oil and fuel filters, exhausts and other gasoline-specific components. As a result, the cost of maintaining an electric vehicle is lower than gasoline-powered vehicles.”

Owners can recharge their EVs at home or at charging stations scattered

POPULAR CHOICES

Brenna Kaminski said Space Coast EV Drivers doesn’t have a favorite electric vehicle, but the top five models owned by club members are the Chevrolet Volt (26); the Tesla Model 3 (22); Nissan Leaf (20); Tesla Model S (15) and the Chevy Bolt (9). around the country. Currently, there are 207 EV charging stations in Brevard County, according to Plugshare.com.

EVs can recharge at a rate of 5 to 6 miles per hour when using a standard 120-volt home outlet, or 28 to 38 miles per hour on a 240V “dryer plug” outlet.

Pritt said. A Direct Current fast charger can charge an EV up to 80 percent in about 40 minutes, Pritt added.

SpaceX founder Elon Musk’s electric vehicle company Tesla, which is opening its first Brevard County showroom and service center at 1545 E. Merritt Island Causeway on Merritt Island, operates its own supercharging network “which delivers a lot of power fast,” Pritt said. “Their latest Supercharger can charge at one thousand miles per hour.”

Most EVs have a range of about

250 miles on a single charge, but some models can travel more than 400 miles before needing a recharge, Kaminski said. Tesla’s new Model S “Plaid” edition can get over 500 miles on one charge, she noted.

“Range is getting better each year,” Kaminski said.

EVs are more expensive than their gas-powered equivalents, with prices for basic EVs starting at more than $30,000.

But the price gap is expected to close as technology evolves, and EV buyers can be eligible for tax breaks.

“We don’t see too many disadvantages of EVs, though some people are worried about public charging networks for non-Teslas.

Tesla has its own network, while other manufacturers are relying on third-party networks,” Kaminski said.

He said Space Coast EV Drivers doesn’t have a favorite electric vehicle.

“The Volt and the Leaf came out in late 2010 so they had a huge head start,” she said. “It’s only taken about three years for the Tesla Model 3 to almost catch up to second place.”

For more information about Space Coast EV Drivers, go to spacecoastevdrivers.com or check out the group’s Facebook page. SL

Affordable electric cars

2020 Tesla Model 3 Starting price: $36,690 EPA range on a single charge: 263 miles Time needed to charge: 40 minutes (10 to 80 percent charged with Tesla Supercharger) to 10 hours (fully charged with Tesla Wall Connector)

CHOOSE YOUR RIDE

2020 Kia Niro EV Starting price: $40,210 EPA range on a single charge: 239 miles Time needed to charge: 54 minutes (up to 80 percent charged with DC Fast charger) to 10 hours (fully charged)

Luxury electric cars

2021 Porsche Taycan 4S MSRP: $120,500 EPA range on a single charge: 199-227 miles Time needed to charge: 15 minutes (up to 80 percent charged using DC Fast charger) to 12 hours (fully charged using Level 2 charger like ChargePoint Home) 2021 Tesla Model S Starting price: $79,690 EPA range on a single charge: 334-387 miles Time needed to charge: 40 minutes (up to 80 percent using Tesla Supercharger) to 12 hours (fully charged with standard home wallbox charger)

Luxury electric SUVs

2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Starting price: $43,995 EPA range on a single charge: 211-305 miles Time needed to charge: 45 minutes (up to 80 percent charged at FordPass network charging station) to 10 hours (fully charged using Ford Connected Charge Station) 2021 Tesla Model X Starting price: $89,690 EPA range on a single charge: 300-371 miles Time needed to charge: 33 minutes (up to 80 percent charged using Tesla Supercharger) to 12 hours (fully charged using 220V)

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Brevard’s Premier Senior Retirement & Assisted Living Communities

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Cedar Creek Assisted Living

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4206 Breslay Dr., Viera, 32940 321-326-9995 SonataVieraEast.com MELBOURNE AIRPORT

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205 Hardoon Lane, Suntree, 32940 321-701-8000 SuntreeSeniorLiving.com

Victoria Landing Assisted Living

1279 Houston St., Melbourne, 32935 321-622-6730 VictoriaLanding.com

Buena Vida Estates

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

For more information on living communities in Brevard, call 321-242-1235

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SENIOR LIFE • MAY 2021

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Tired of pandemic, vaccinated seniors return to favorite spots

BY MARIA SONNENBERG At Alla Prima Styling Salon, scheduler Kim Flohe fields an uptick in calls from older clients who, after skipping hair appointments for months, want back in.

“Some have told me that we are the first place they’ve returned to since the pandemic,” Flohe said.

Like Alla Prima, Freedom 7 Senior Center in the Cocoa Beach Country Club has seen a surge in participants. Not all senior centers are ready to open, but Freedom 7 closed for only six weeks during the height of the pandemic. Attendance was initially anemic, but has picked up significantly, particularly in recent weeks.

“We’re very fortunate because we do our activities in the auditorium, which has high ceilings, great ventilation and an amazing amount of space,” executive director Judy Brandon said.

Now that approximately 95 percent of the regulars at Freedom 7 have both doses of the vaccine in them, they are ready to return.

“We’re back up to the same attendance as before the pandemic, if

SENIOR LIFE Lindsey Deaton

Jean Weber and her friend Doris Tatum get together during a recent luau at Victoria Landing in Melbourne. not higher,” she said.

The center now enjoys a full schedule of classes that include Zumba Gold, Chair Yoga and strength and balance exercises. Of course, the new normal is not the old formula.

Gone are the card games, mahjong and other pursuits that require proximity

with fellow players. Temperature checks and masks are de rigueur, as is signing a form that releases the senior center from responsibility should the participant contract the disease.

Tablecloths are verboten. After each class, all equipment is sanitized. Yes, it is different, but it doesn’t matter to

the seniors.

“People are so grateful we are here and functioning,” Brandon said.

The new way of thinking COVID-19 helped evolve has even helped senior centers reach more people.

“Our book club has grown, because now the snowbirds can join by Zoom,” explained Brandon.

Seniors are happily sharing with Brandon recent travel to visit grandchildren they haven’t seen in months. After classes, several of them make a habit of visiting the club’s restaurant. At the nearby pool, they enjoy the water aerobics. They play tennis.

“They are starting to get their lives back,” Brandon said.

These days, 96-year-old Jean Weber is partying in luaus with her friends at Victoria Landing senior community in Melbourne.

Such get-togethers carry significant psychological benefits, said marketing director Lindsey Deaton.

“A lot of seniors moved to assisted living for the socialization and they need it for their well-being,” Deaton said. SL

One Senior Place set to host welcome back event under tent

BY WENDY SCHEURING Many seniors, fully vaccinated against COVID, are venturing back out for their normal activities. One Senior Place is aiming to welcome them back.

“We wanted to do something fun.

Just to welcome them back to a little bit of normal,” said Barbara Franklin, the director of One Senior Place.

“It took a few months for people to venture out and come back in.”

One Senior Place Under the Tent Event is inviting seniors to a fun event May 11 through 14. Advanced registration is necessary for the outdoor event.

• To kick off the week, the popular Dr. Frederick Peterson and his Ask the Doctor Lunch & Learn talk will take place at noon on May 11. “I’ve been vaccinated.

Now what?” will be the topic of discussion. Lunch, sponsored by Vitas, will be served from 11:30 to noon.

“Dr. Peterson will talk about the efficiencies of different vaccines and what to do to stay safe,” Franklin said.

• At 2 p.m., “Sold in a Second.

Now What?” will be presented by Oceans Realty. The talk is geared to people who are putting their houses on the market. Financing options for seniors who are selling their homes, buying a new condo or house, or looking for a senior community will be presented.

• Chefs from local senior living facilities will be cooking up delicious foods for seniors to sample at “A Taste of Senior Living” on May 12. Marketing representatives from those communities will be on hand to answer any questions.

• An ice cream social will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 13, followed by a matinee

321-242-1235

showing of “Casablanca” indoors from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Both events are sponsored by Rhodes Law. • On Friday, May 14, the food truck “Len and Ten” will be selling tasty

delights from 11:30 to 1 p.m., followed by bingo with a beach theme from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

“We’re looking forward to it,” Franklin said. “We all need some fun

and laughter.”

One Senior Place is located at 8085 Spyglass Hill Road. For more information, call 321-751-6771 or go to OneSeniorPlace.com. SL

SENIOR LIFE • MAY 2021

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SeniorLife

STRIP STRI PES

Brevard Veterans News

Passionate volunteers continue to help local veterans

We know that Brevard County has a large veterans population. And there are many residents who support and are willing to help wherever there is a need among the men and women who served.

Recently, I set out to do a couple of quick interviews for short video clips highlighting volunteers with the National Veterans Homeless Support, a Brevard County-based organization.

It was then that I saw once again the passion with which some people volunteer to help veterans in need in our community.

I know NVHS and people connected with it. I could name more than a dozen volunteers who assist the NVHS in some capacity — searching

homeless camps for veterans in need, keeping the accounting books in order, answering phones and serving on the volunteer board that helps to steer the organization. Some will tell you they were inspired by the work and the passion for helping veterans in need demonstrated by NVHS founder, the late George Taylor Sr. David and Lorrie Fox of Palm

Bay head to a soup kitchen at least once a week with supplies to attend to veterans. They give the veterans clothes, food and other supplies and try to guide them toward housing and other help they might need.

“They fought for us, so I can help them,” Lorrie Fox said.

The couple first inquired about helping needy veterans nearly 10 years ago and have been NVHS volunteers since.

“We started checking into it and got hooked,” said Dave Fox, a Vietnam veteran who served in the Army. “I do it to help all the vets out here.”

NVHS has helped to drastically reduce the homelessness among

veterans in Brevard County in recent years. It now also focuses on the veterans on the verge of homelessness.

Cathie McMullin said she is not physically able to go into the wooded camps in search of veterans but found she could help with what she knows well. She is the organization’s finance director and serves on the board of directors.

There are many others. One I encountered at the soup kitchen was Barbara Simons, “80ish” as she told me. She was there to help as she always does, sitting in a walker she uses to get around after breaking her hip in a fall.

“I just want to give back,” she said.

SL

SENIOR LIFE Roger Scruggs

The Memorial Day event at the Veterans Memorial Center last year had only about 30 participants. This year, the crowds are expected to be much larger.

Memorial Day events gear up after pandemic hiatus

BY MARIA SONNENBERG A sure sign the pandemic has turned the corner is the number of planned Memorial Day events this year as compared to last.

In 2020, the Veterans Memorial Center hosted the three Memorial Day events in Brevard, with an attendance that hovered under 100 people for all three events. This year, considerably larger crowds are estimated.

“It’s an amazing rebound,” Gold Star parent Donn Weaver said.

Topping the list for the number of anticipated participants is the event

sponsored by the Florida Chapter of Rolling Thunder, a veterans’ advocacy organization that includes a significant number of motorcyclists.

More than 1,000 riders representing five major motorcycle clubs in Florida, including the Patriotic Guard Riders, will thunder into the Space Coast from May 28 to 30.

The Veterans Memorial Center and Museum, at 400 S. Sykes Creek Parkway on Merritt Island, will be the base for the weekend, which includes a visit by the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, a candlelight vigil, breakfast, food trucks and concerts.

Beginning at 9 a.m. on Memorial Day, the VMC will host its annual Memorial Day Ceremony, with refreshments, displays and a special recognition this year for the U.S. Marine Corps. Guest speakers will include Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey and retired U.S. Army Col. Danny McKnight, whose participation in the Battle of Mogadishu, Somalia was depicted in the film “Black Hawk Down.”

The Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims is tentatively slated to hold a Memorial Day ceremony at 9 a.m. on Memorial Day, as is the

J.S. Stone Memorial Cemetery at 2621 Grant St. in Melbourne. The Brevard Veterans Cemetery in Titusville will host its Memorial Day ceremony at 10 a.m. May 29.

Historic Cocoa Village will honor America’s military heroes with a Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony at Riverfront Park, beginning at 4 p.m. on Memorial Day. Other local municipalities and veterans’ groups also might host smaller observances.

For more details, call 321-4531776. .SL

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Retired colonel’s life focused early on military career

BY MARIA SONNENBERG During his military service at the height of the Vietnam War, retired Air Force Col. Irving “Bob” Boswell had the unenviable job of trying to spot the enemy while flying a single-passenger plane.

As a combat forward air controller, Boswell was in the business of alerting artillery and aircraft of enemy strongholds that needed eradication.

The problem was that Boswell would have to avoid an enemy well fitted with heat-seeking missiles and radar-directed weaponry that could hit a target as high as 7,000 feet at a time when Boswell’s plane was flying at 5,000 feet.

“Our motto was “we’re all alone and not afraid,” but it was really “we’re all alone and very afraid,” he joked.

Boswell knew early on his life would be focused on military service. His father, one of the elite Flying Tigers during World War II, also flew in Korea and Vietnam.

“He enrolled me in just about every quasi-military organization there was,” Boswell said.

Boswell followed his father to Vietnam, although the elder Boswell had completed his tour of duty there by the time his son appeared on the scene in 1970. During his service in Vietnam, the younger Boswell directed more than 3,000 strike sorties, 500 air-to-air intercepts and 20 search-and-rescue missions. On January 28, 1973, the cease fire date for the Vietnam War, Boswell flew the last combat sortie in Vietnam.

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Bob Boswell

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Bob Boswell

Bob Boswell was a combat forward air controller in 1972 and 1973. Boswell is standing next to a Cessna O-2 Skymaster aircraft at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, which was near Saigon.

Bob Boswell stands in the main hangar of the Warbird Museum in front of a Mitchell B-25 World War II bomber.

Like his father, Boswell also harnessed “tigers.” In the younger Boswell’s case, young Tiger missions were involved in the rescue of the Mayaguez, the U.S. container ship seized by the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, and in the evacuation of Saigon and South Vietnam. His duties included flying aerial tankers to support fighting aircraft.

“We were young and bulletproof,” Boswell said.

His Air Force career encompassed more than 6,000 flying hours in 30-plus

later purchase a light sport aircraft manufacturing facility that provided amphibian and float plane kits and flight training. His second, and final, retirement was in 2015.

Each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, you now can find Boswell at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum in Titusville, where he is the volunteer director of the air show. He is not taking it easy.

“I work more now than when I worked for a living,” he said with a laugh. SL

types of aircraft, 600 combat hours, 24 decorations, deputy base commander and assistant deputy commander of operations positions and plenty of time serving as a flight instructor.

Following military retirement, Boswell began a second career as consultant for an international aviation company in New York. Twenty-one years ago, he followed his dad again, this time to Florida.

“My dad was living at Indian River Colony Club,” said Boswell, who moved to Suntree at that time. He would

Fitzgerald’s mule-drawn caisson honors fallen veterans

BY LINDA JUMP

Thomas F. and Denise Fitzgerald provide “solemn pride” for fallen military veterans with their muledrawn caisson at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery.

“We do this for the families who request it so when they first hear the animals’ footsteps, all will recognize the sacrifice of their loved one that will not be forgotten,” Tom Fitzgerald said from his home last month. In the five days prior, the couple had participated in seven funerals or events.

One was the funeral of Jim Staylor III, an Air Force fighter pilot who earned 18 air medals in Vietnam.

“It brought such honor,” said his daughter Kristie Miller of Colorado Springs. “I heard a lot of comments about how special it was to see his remains and the flag. In this COVID season, it elevated the service.”

For centuries, two- and fourwheeled caisson wagons were used to carry not only artillery, but the wounded and dead from battlefields.

Tom Fitzgerald served in the Marine Corps from 1982 to 1986, was a police officer in Georgia and last July retired as information technology director for the Brevard Public Schools. Denise Fitzgerald was a crime scene technician with the Titusville Police Department. Both know the importance of service.

Denise grew up with horses. Tom wasn’t an expert, although his father had a horse as a New York State

321-242-1235

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Tom Fitzgerald

For centuries, two- and four-wheeled caisson wagons were used to carry not only artillery, but the wounded and dead from battlefields.

Trooper. “As a joke, Denise said she’d get me a kid-safe horse. At an event, I saw a mule. I said, ‘That’s what I need.’ ” After building their Mims home and barn, they got Jake, a 17-hand draft mule. The couple began “doing rodeo stuff” and 15 years ago, a friend suggested the Civil War re-enactment.

They joined the second Florida Cavalry unit, re-creating battles.

Mules Tater and Emmet, comparable in size and temperament, trained as their team eight years ago.

“It’s as historic to use mules as

horses,” Tom said.

The couple purchased an 1849 replica single-shaft four-wheeled Amish wagon. Tom authentically retro-fitted the wagon to hold a casket or urn led by two animals.

The Cape Canaveral National Cemetery’s 2015 dedication ceremony, where Tom volunteers, showcased the wagon. Kevin Ridgeway, the cemetery director, said the caisson “adds a bit more dignity” to a service. “It’s a beautiful addition.”

The Fitzgeralds also participate in parades, honor guards and

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historical events. A few include the St. Augustine re-enactment of the Seminole Wars, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse, the Vietnam Memorial moving wall in Wickham Park and the annual Police Hall of Fame induction services in Titusville, which will be held at 7 p.m. May 15.

The couple requests donations, but Tom said, “We have no aspirations of recouping all the money we have (put) into it.” For more information, go to solemn-pride.us or honor@ solemnpride.org. SL

SENIOR LIFE • MAY 2021

13

Submarine functional periscope unveiled at veterans museum

BY KATIE SIVCO A piece of Navy history is now ready for public viewing at the Veterans Memorial Center on Merritt Island.

The new showpiece is a 42foot tall, type 2F periscope that was in use on a Sturgeon class submarine between 1967 and 2004.

These nuclear-powered fast attack submarines were considered the workhorses of the Navy’s fleet during the Cold War. Community members came out to the museum on March 23 to celebrate the unveiling of the functional, interactive periscope. Donn Weaver, the chairman of the Brevard Veterans Council, said the device offers a view of Cocoa Beach about eight miles away with its 6X optics — perfect for viewing space launches.

“We’re delighted to have the opportunity again to showcase to the county the expansion of the museum and the park,” Weaver said.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 5 marked the completion of improvements to the Brevard County Veterans Park. The $1.3 million expansion included the

installation of about 30,000 square feet of sidewalk and 547 linear feet of boardwalk, additional parking and new landscaping.

“The Veterans Memorial Center is such a huge part of who we are in Brevard County. They take great care of our veterans,” Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said. “I know the team worked really hard to get this part of the museum up.”

The Brevard Veterans Memorial Museum is full of military history, artifacts and memorabilia. An outdoor memorial features an impressive display of helicopters, monuments, benches, tanks and a view of the river.

Every major war is represented.

“There’s really nothing better than celebrating the work that these men and women have done. And this is a great day because we get to look at something cool,” said Jennifer Sugarman, the president of the Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The Brevard County Veterans Park is located at 400 S. Sykes Creek Pkwy. on Merritt Island, and future plans call for building a $2.5 million amphitheater and special events center. SL

SENIOR LIFE Katie Sivco

Donn Weaver is thrilled to introduce a functional, antique periscope on loan from the Navy. The project took two years of planning and installation to complete.

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SENIOR LIFE • MAY 2021

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PART 1 OF A TWO-PART SERIES

2021 HURRICANE

SEASON PREPAREDNESS May storms prompt Hurricane Center to issue forecasts earlier

BY MIKE GAFFEY May usually is the month for flowers that follow April showers.

But it’s also become a time for early-arriving tropical storms and hurricanes.

Since 2015, at least one named storm has formed before June 1, the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season which runs through Nov. 30.

To monitor the increase in preseason storms, the National Hurricane Center, for the first time ever, will start issuing twice-daily tropical weather forecasts starting May 15.

Following a record-breaking 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) announced in February that

the National Hurricane Center would “examine the need for potentially moving the beginning of hurricane season to May 15.” The hurricane center eventually decided against changing this season’s start date but instead announced plans for May forecasts.

In May 2020, two tropical storms brought rain and gusty winds to the Carolinas. Tropical Storm Arthur formed May 16 and soaked eastern North Carolina. Tropical Storm Bertha formed on May 27 and made landfall on the South Carolina coast.

Some 40 storms have developed in the Atlantic Basin before June 1 between 1851 and 2020, according to the National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Association (NOAA).

The most recent May hurricane was Alma, which intensified to peak winds of 80 mph on May 20, 1970 and affected Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

This year’s Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be more active than usual, according to the Colorado State University Tropical Meteorology Project. Its forecast calls for 17 named storms, eight hurricanes and four major hurricanes. A major hurricane is rated Category 3 or higher (115-plusmph winds) on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

The CSU team bases its forecasts on models that use 40 years of

hurricane seasons and evaluate conditions including: Atlantic sea surface temperatures, sea level pressures, vertical wind shear levels, El Niño (warming of waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific), and other factors.

So far, the 2021 hurricane season is looking a lot like above-average seasons in 1996, 2001, 2008, 2011 and 2017.

“All of our analog seasons had above-average Atlantic hurricane activity, with 1996 and 2017 being extremely active seasons,” Phil Klotzbach, a research scientist in the Department of Atmospheric Science and lead author of the report, said in a statement. SL

2021 hurricane names

This season, hurricanes will be named:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Ana Bill Claudette Danny Elsa Fred

7. Grace 8. Henri 9. Ida 10. Julian 11. Kate 12. Larry

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

Mindy Nicholas Odette Peter Rose Sam

19. Teresa 20. Victor 21. Wanda

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Adria Braylen Caridad Deshawn Emery Foster

7. Gemma 8. Heath 9. Isla 10. Jacobus 11. Kenzie 12. Lucio

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

Makayla Nolan Orlanda Pax Ronin Sophie

19. Tayshaun 20. Viviana 21. Will

Additional storms will not use the Greek alphabet this season to avoid any confusion, the World Meteorological Organization announced.

In case of another busy hurricane season, these names will be used:

Make a home inventory list for insurance to avoid future angst

BY KATIE SIVCO If your home and personal belongings are burglarized or damaged in a fire or natural disaster, you need to file a homeowners insurance claim to be reimbursed for the loss.

“If you are unlucky enough to have significant damage, the situation will be very stressful. It will be even more stressful if you are trying to remember all of the personal possessions that may have been destroyed or blown away,” said State Farm agent Arty Pagan. “A home inventory can save you a lot of headaches.”

A home inventory is a list of what you own and how much it’s worth so that if your belongings are damaged in a covered event, like a fire, you can easily show your insurance company the total value of your loss.

According to Pagan, having an upto-date home inventory will help you get your insurance claim settled faster, verify losses for your income tax return and help you purchase the correct amount of insurance.

321-242-1235

SENIOR LIFE Shutterstock

It is important to keep a home inventory list for insurance reasons.

Robyn Killary-Greene of Blue Sky Insurance Agency explained that there are several ways you can make an inventory: you can make a list, use an organized spreadsheet, take photos and videos, or you can use a home inventory app. Regardless of which method you choose, be sure to heed the following advice when making your inventory:

• Record possessions as you pack to move into a new place • Pick one area in your home at a time to record • Record recent purchases: Get into the habit of recording new purchases. Then, as necessary, go back and record your older, undocumented possessions.

Along with the record, be sure to

store sales receipts and appraisals (including the appraiser’s name and address) to help verify the value of each item.

• Record important information: Provide a general description, where you bought it, the make and model, and what you paid for the item.

Include the serial number if the item has one.

• Record the number of each clothing type: List, for example, “five pairs of jeans, three pairs of sneakers …” Make note of items that are especially valuable.

• Include stored items as well: Things kept in your basement, attic, garage and in storage might not be at the top of your mind, but you should record those items as well.

“Your home inventory is only useful if it’s accurate and you can access it to provide information to your insurance company in case of fire, theft or other destructive disaster,” Killary-Greene said. “Keep your home inventory backed up and in a safe place.” SL

SENIOR LIFE • MAY 2021

15

SENIOR LIFE Maria Sonnenberg

The restored Bensen House is currently closed because of the pandemic.

The Bensen house was built in 1916.

SENIOR LIFE photo

Bensen House shows off grit of early inhabitants

BY MARIA SONNENBERG

Since 1916, through hurricanes, floods, searing sun and anything else Mother Nature could throw its way, the little white Cracker-style cottage has stood by the banks of the Indian River. The Grant Historical House, also known as the Bensen House, reflects the hardiness of the people who lived in it.

While a large number of the more than two million Scandinavians who migrated to America between 1820 and 1920 settled in the colder climate of states such as Wisconsin, a few Nordic souls dared to brave the heat, gators, mosquitos and unpredictable freezes of Brevard County. Among these were the Bensen, Jorgensen and Christensen families.

“What they had to face was not easy, particularly the mosquitos,” said Colleen

Hribal of the Grant Historical Society.

In 1916, Atley Bensen built the 1,200-square-foot yellow pine cottage for his new bride, Clara. It cost him a dollar a foot.

“The wood came from a sawmill in Jacksonville and floated down the Indian River on a barge,” said Hribal, who serves as docent at the Bensen House.

The home was within walking distance from the general store Atley’s dad built in 1894. That structure, later known as Grant Station, is now home to the popular Rib City restaurant.

Since the pool of eligible partners was pretty much a puddle during Atley’s time, it is not surprising that his brother married Clara’s sister. The two young couples established domesticity next to each other by the river.

These pioneer families juggled several endeavors just to survive.

Commercial fishing helped put food on the table, as did farming produce and growing pineapples on nearby Grant Island.

“At low tide, before the Intracoastal was dredged, you could walk to Grant Island from the mainland,” Hribal said.

Except for a couple of years spent in Melbourne, Atley and Clara lived at their little Grant house until the end.

Atley died in 1961 and Clara in 1981.

Their three children grew up sharing a bedroom in the two-bedroom house.

Luxuries of modern living were rare.

“The outhouse was at the end of the pier,” Hribal said.

The Bensen House originally stood facing the railroad tracks a half-mile north of its current location at the

county-owned Fisherman’s Landing Park. After Clara’s death, her heirs donated the structure to the community Clara so loved, and the original plot of land was developed. Traffic on U.S. 1 came to a standstill as a flatbed truck carrying the house delivered it to its new site. Restored to its original, the Bensen House now stands as a testament to the hardworking people who helped to build Brevard County.

“It gives you a sense of what life was like in Brevard in 1916,” Hribal said.

The Grant Historical House, at 5795 U.S. 1, Grant, is currently closed because of the pandemic. It should reopen in October for free tours. The grounds, which are part of Fisherman’s Landing county park, are open daily. Call 321-723-8543 for more information. SL

John McDonald’s Trop Rock music sends listeners on island journey

BY JUDY BERMAN Steel drums, a cool breeze and rum create an escape to an island state of mind in John McDonald’s newest album, “Islandology.”

The CD blends Trop Rock — an outgrowth of Jimmy Buffett’s music — and the Floribbean culture of Caribbean, Central and South American music. McDonald and his band mates, drummer Kevin Kornicki and guitarist Dale Cinski, blend reggae, rock, tribal drums, Latin percussion, calypso, and bossa nova with a dash of Hawaiian.

Backed up by an eight-piece band, John McDonald & the Mango Men will celebrate the CD’s release

May 2 at Crowne Plaza Melbourne — Oceanfront.

The CD, primarily fun and upbeat, also aims to bring people together.

“I want to have a good time. I want to have a party, but I like to say something with my songs. It’s about escaping a little bit,” said McDonald, a Boston native who moved to the Space Coast from Pittsburgh in 2017.

McDonald’s musical influences range from Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young to Jimmy Buffett, Bob Marley and Paul Simon.

“What’s interesting about these artists I’m grouping together is that they all kind of either consciously or

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SENIOR LIFE Judy Berman

Guitarist Dale Cinski, left, and John McDonald gather outside of his home in West Melbourne. by design put a world-beat flavor into their music,” McDonald said.

Paul Simon, in particular, was a huge influence on his music. “(Simon) went to South Africa, steeped himself in the culture and the music. He basically replicated the same thing when he went to Brazil and explored more of a Latin sound,” McDonald said of Simon’s “Graceland” album with South African music and “Rhythm of the Saints” with the music of Brazil.

“I embraced the term Floribbean — a culinary word — about blending these influences from Caribbean and multi-ethnic influence in South Florida.”

“Paul Simon stimulated my

curiosity about what I call warmweather music,” McDonald said.

Jackie Kellner, a member of the Space Coast Parrothead Club, is a longtime fan of McDonald’s music.

She first heard him perform about 20 years ago at a Halfway Party in Key Largo when she and her husband were on their way to a Jimmy Buffett concert in Key West.

“We thought this guy is really good,” Kellner said.

“We specifically pick restaurants where they play Trop Rock music … and go where John is performing.”

“He has so much energy. He gets people up and moving. He has a great voice and he is a great writer,” Kellner said. SL

(321) 985-8175

SENIOR LIFE • MAY 2021

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98-year-old takes steps to raise funds for good cause

BY MARIA SONNENBERG Walking for a good cause is commendable. Doing so at 98 and as a hospice patient is seriously admirable.

Cocoa Beach resident Ann Bush, a hospice patient of St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care since last July, wants to raise awareness and support for the organization.

“She loves what the staff is doing for her,” said daughter Cornelia Bush, Bush’s caregiver.

What can a 98-year-old orchestrate to help? A running event, of course.

Actually, it’s more like a walking initiative.

“She came upon a news article about an older gentleman who walked around his garden and raised millions for the workers of England’s National Health Service,” explained Cornelia Bush.

Bush has decided to walk 10 laps around her home, while sharing her experiences — and her smiles — until she turns 99 in October. She hopes others will join in the walking and also support St. Francis Reflections with a monetary gift to Laps of Love, as Ann’s initiative is called.

Bush believes there might well be a heavenly reason for the care she has received from hospice.

“St. Francis was always my favorite saint, and the annual Blessing of the Animals my favorite outing,”

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Cornelia Bush

Each day, Ann Bush takes her daily Laps of Love walk around her home to raise funds for St. Francis Reflections hospice. she said.

Bush’s daughter does not find it unusual for her mom to start such a project.

“She has volunteered her entire life, and is completely in character,”

Cornelia Bush said.

The daughter of a World War I Navy officer and the wife of a World War II Army officer, Bush earned a library science degree from Columbia University and served more than two

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decades as a librarian.

Hospice has served her family well, beginning with the help the service provided for her husband, who passed away in 1992.

Bush had an extremely close call in 2005, when Katrina arrived in New Orleans, where she was living at the time.

“A tree went through the middle of her house and my brother had to rescue her from the rubble,” Cornelia Bush said.

With her home destroyed, Bush moved to Cocoa Beach.

“She swapped one place with hurricanes for another!” joked her daughter.

Although the valve implanted in her heart has long ago exceeded its life expectancy and Bush is too frail to undergo a replacement operation, her heart remains big enough to care. With the aid of a walker and wearing a nifty Laps of Love T-shirt, she is committed to walking at least 500 feet a day for St. Francis, and to prove that age should not stop you from caring.

“We’re so lucky to have a patient like Ann,” said Matt Barber, the director of development for St. Francis Reflections Foundation.

To donate to Laps of Love, contact Matthew Barber at St. Francis Reflections Foundation at 321-2694240. SL BCOA meetings are open to the public and are held the second Thursday of each month at the government center in Viera. For information, contact Cindy Short at 321-633-2076, FAX 321633-2170, cindy.short@brevardfl.gov, brevardf l.gov/ HumanServices/CommissionOnAging or at 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, B-106, Viera, FL 32940.

FPL seeks large rate increase

BY PHIL KOECHLEIN BREVARD COMMISSION ON AGING AND AARP At the time of publication, FPL had requested a major increase in base rates from the Florida Public Service Commission.

The increase will be spread over four years (through 2025), with the average home seeing a monthly increase of $18 by January 2025.

In the fixed portion of the bill, there would be another $1 per month increase. Another segment of the bill

deals with the equity provided for the investors in the company.

The average utility provides 9 percent to the shareholders, with FPL now at 10.5 percent. The company is requesting to increase the dividend to 11.5 percent gradually through the next four years.

Separately, FPL was granted permission by the Public Service Commission to plan for and initiate storm-hardening activities through the next 10 years. The annual cost to consumers will be decided this fall by the Public Service Commission.

The estimated cost to complete this work is $50 billion spread over 10 years in the form of bill increases to all customers. This work is intended to harden the FPL electrical system against natural disasters such as hurricanes. This would include such items as burying its power lines against storms. More than $12 billion of the cost would go straight to the pockets of FPL shareholders.

If FPL is granted the full amount of its requests, customers could experience a $30 per month increase to their average bills by 2025.

WED, MAY 5

Tequila Veintiuno

Anyone who disagrees with the possible reforms, should call their Brevard County legislators. They are • Sen. Debbie Mayfield Dist.17 321-409-2025; • Sen. Thomas Wright Dist. 14 386-304-7630; • Rep. Rene Plasencia Dist. 50 321-383-5751; • Rep. Tylor Sirois Dist. 51 321-449-5111; • Rep. Thad Altman Dist. 52 321-425-6179; • Rep. Randy Fine Dist. 53 321-409-2017.

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Plant Mother’s Day flowers, avoid particular petunia Spring is the perfect time to get outside. The temperature is inviting, and new members of the wildlife community are eager to explore.

Getting our gardens ready seems like the natural thing to do to help feature the flowers peeking through while supporting wildlife. For Mother’s Day, instead of gifting a flower bouquet, why not a garden?

Selecting what to plant in this special garden is almost as important as selecting what to pull out.

Native plants are the way to go when planting. If you need help with selections, the Dolans from Maple Street Natives (maplestreetnatives. com) certainly can help.

Non-natives should be the first ones to be pulled out. They might pose a threat to native species, “altering native plant communities by displacing native species, changing community structures or ecological functions, or hybridizing with natives,” explains the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council.

One such plant is the Mexican Petunia (Ruellia simplex), which is found in many yards, neighborhood gardens and on sale at many local stores.

Mexican Petunia is known for its full-sun tolerance, year-round purple flowers, dark green lance-shaped leaves, and purple and green stems.

Plants grow up to 3 feet in height and are widely used in landscaping to add height to perennial borders.

Unfortunately, “the same plant characteristics that are desirable for the ornamental market of plants often increase the probability for invasion (repeat blooming, low maintenance, wide adaptability, ease of propagation, stress tolerance, short juvenile period, consumer demand).

It is no different for this species.

Native to Mexico, Western South America and the Antilles, Mexican Petunia was introduced to Florida in the 1940s and has since naturalized in most parts of the state as well as neighboring states.

Able to easily spread, propagate and disperse into areas other than the intended one, including natural

BEYOND the CURB Marcia Booth

President & Founder, Recycle Brevard

areas, it grows out of control and consequently threatens native species.

The exotic pest plant database has recorded the presence of Mexican Petunia in various natural areas — pine flatwoods and hardwoods to freshwater marshes, river banks, springs and salt marshes.

Controlling and eliminating Mexican Petunia is a challenge.

Removing the plant by hand is difficult. Seeds might persist in the soil for years, allowing the plant to come back after adult plants are removed. The best solution is to prevent using the plant altogether.

Organizations such as the Florida Native Plant Society focus on that by disseminating information to consumers, landscaping professionals and retailers.

Others focus on controlling the species a different way. The University of Florida Ornamental Breeding Program has released two sterile cultivars as alternatives, enabling growers and homeowners to use the species but not get into the problem of dispersion and uncontrolled growth.

Yet another alternative is to apply chemicals. Studies have shown that a single glyphosate application is sufficient to control the Mexican Petunia. To effectively control and manage the invasive plant, establishing native species in the area facilitates restoring native communities and limits reinvasion.

For a Mother’s Day garden, take these notes to heart. Avoid invasive species like the Mexican Petunia and go all in for natives. Happy Mother’s Day! SL Email Marcia Booth at Marcia@ RecycleBrevard.org

myseniorlife.com

Warnings bring out humor in more ways than one

You know how when you’re driving along and you pass a church or a restaurant that has funny sayings on the signs out front?

Well, you get to see those whether you want to or not. But there is hilarity in other things you might not have noticed.

Warning labels or signs not on the roads. For instance, there is a warning label on a child’s shirt that says “Remove child before washing.” Really? Another on a stroller that says “Remove child before folding.” I saw one that says “Caution do not wear shirt while ironing.”

Who does these things that we need a warning label for them?

Please tell me these people aren’t

driving on our roads. Their sign would be “Caution vehicle moves when operating.”

Jerry Seinfeld talks about the label on the Superman Halloween costume that reads “Do not attempt to fly.” There are some obvious warning signs like “Driver carries no cash, he’s married,” and on the microwave “Do not use to dry

As a young boy with roots in rural Wisconsin, I went to county and state fairs during the late summer seasons. There always were hawkers offering a special potion, elixir or salve to cure all ailments.

Have times changed?

When I checked my email recently, I saw the headline “4 Weird Signs You Could Live Past 100.” I was attracted. After all, I have written 170 of these columns for Senior Life on the challenges we face as seniors. I read the introduction to a book “Secrets of Endless Youth” and then watched a video. Life-saving secrets were revealed.

I traveled to a lost island looking for life extending and life-saving secrets. The presenter, a medical doctor, shared purification of cells, drinking wine made from a special grape, renewal of cells and much more. The natural health ideas were captivating. I could prevent disease and build my immunity.

As the video droned on, I learned more about the Secrets book, another special publication, and how to get a subscription to a monthly newsletter. I enrolled using my credit card to begin with benefits “as low as 10 cents per day.” Yes, it was “Today.” Before I could get a glass of water, I received my enrollment information followed by multiple special reports.

Each day, I received at a minimum two reports related to ailments a senior could experience.

When I stopped a new video for lack of interest, I received a followup email inquiring if there was a problem and if I would like to play it again.

Apparently, there is a connection to other health care specialists. I began to receive other offers to help me live a long life. I could not believe the numerous sources with many pills and health solutions. As fast as I pressed unsubscribe, there was another resource.

Funny thing is...

Sammy Haddad

animals.” On a chainsaw, “Do not hold spinning end.”

I can’t believe I’m seeing this stuff, but they’re real.

On a handheld hair dryer, it says “Do not operate while sleeping.”

Duh! I also found a warning sign that says “Caution touching wires may result in death. $200 fine.”

Good luck collecting that one.

A bar owner tired of smokers littering posted “Please don’t throw cigarette butts on the floor. The cockroaches are getting cancer.”

Another one for smokers is “Notice, no smoking unless you’re on fire.”

A welcome sign for our town could read “Drive slow and see our town, drive fast and see our jail.” At the pool, “Warning do not breathe

under water” and “Welcome to our … ool. That’s right, there’s no P and let’s keep it that way.”

The label on a birth control package reads: “Warning, use correctly. 90 percent of all people are caused by accidents.”

For alcohol consumption, you have “Warning, alcohol consumption before pregnancy may result in pregnancy.” Or how about “Warning drinking alcohol may make people appear better looking than they are.” You’ll find out in the morning.

Finally, my favorite says: “I told myself to stop drinking but who listens to a drunk that talks to himself?”

To quote an old pickup line: “So what’s your sign?” SL

Watch out for snake oil, pills for profit instead of health Challenges of Living to Age 100 Ed Baranowski When I had an appointment with my physician, I asked about some of these resources. His advice: “Check their credentials, evaluate and determine trust. There

are exceptions, miracles, new discoveries and snake oil salesmen.

If you decide to buy any of the pills, don’t spend a lot of money.”

Further, check with your pharmacist before taking pills from an unknown supplier that could have harmless side effects when taken with your current prescriptions.

Watch out for the snake oil! SL Ed Baranowski is an awardwinning writer, artist, speaker and seminar leader. He lives in Melbourne and can be contacted at fast75sr@gmail.com

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19

Behind the

Beat

By Randal Hill

‘It Don’t Come Easy’ — Ringo Starr His songs might have lacked the depth and social commentary of his fellow ex-Beatles, but Ringo Starr fans usually could count on having fun when hearing what he offered to the world. Such is the case with “It Don’t Come Easy,” Starr’s first Top 10 Apple Records single.

Backed by chorus vocals and featuring a jam-band ambience, Starr’s initial solo hit almost sounds as if he had invited several friends into the studio and handed each a mic. Had that happened, one of those buddies surely would have been former bandmate George Harrison, who cowrote the tune with Starr and played lead guitar on the track.

Richard Starkey was born in Liverpool, England in July 1940, and grew up poor in a neighborhood called the Dingle. Starkey, an only child, spent his youth in and out of hospitals, battling numerous diseases that kept him apart from home and school. To pass the time in various institutions, he learned to play the drums and later explained, “I was in the hospital band…. That’s where I really started playing. I never wanted anything else from there on.”

Starkey spent little time on academics and was barely literate when he dropped out of school in his mid-teens. At home, he practiced drumming by beating on a cookie tin with sticks.

In the mid-1950s, skiffle music

SENIOR LIFE Vern Barchard

In 1964, Ringo Starr and The Beatles performed at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville. (folk tunes performed on oftenhomemade instruments) became popular in the United Kingdom. In 1957, the future Beatle co-founded the Eddie Clayton Skiffle Group, in which he banged on a second-hand drum kit or raked a thimble across a washboard.

By the next year, though, skiffle had been replaced by a new musical craze — American rock ‘n’ roll.

He eventually became the drummer in Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, Liverpool’s most popular rock outfit.

It was there that Richard Starkey

became Ringo Starr, so named for the several rings that glistened on the fingers of both hands.

Then, in 1962, he was hired to replace departing Beatles drummer Pete Best. While in the Fab Four, Starr usually was allotted one lead vocal track per album. That’s him you hear on “Yellow Submarine,” “Octopus’s Garden” and “With a Little Help from My Friends.”

The Beatles reached the end of their professional road in 1970.

By then, each band member had grown up, become married and was following his own musical muse.

Successful solo careers were soon carved out by George Harrison (“My Sweet Lord”), John Lennon (“Instant Karma”) and Paul McCartney (“Another Day”).

Starr, though, stumbled out of his own starting gate. His first two albums, “Sentimental Journey” and “Beaucoups of Blues,” were sales disappointments. But, in the spring of 1971, Starr released the non-LP single of “It Don’t Come Easy,” which became a worldwide winner. During the next two years, he enjoyed success with six more hit 45s, including two — “Photograph” and “You’re Sixteen” — that reached the peak of the Billboard charts.

In 2020, Ringo Starr was cited as the world’s wealthiest drummer, with a net worth of $350 million. SL

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Exasperate 4 Use a microwave 7 Big __, Calif.

10 Livy’s hello 11 Plains dwelling 13 Med. plan 14 Pewter component 15 Steel girder (hyph.)

16 GI mail drop 17 Pub brews 19 Center 21 Time span 22 Place for weightlifting 23 Fashions 26 Volga outlet 30 Rhea cousins 31 Beard site 32 Casual farewell 33 Hosp. caregivers 34 Indiana Jones quest 35 River deposit 36 Sea raiders 39 High plateaus 40 Stockholm carrier 41 Stop up 42 Throws off heat 45 Fence stake 48 Crooner __ Damone 49 Go fly __ __!

51 Hither’s partner 53 Novelist Umberto __ 54 Enjoys 55 Potato bud 56 Trotted 57 -- Plaines 58 Typewriter key

DOWN 1 Tun 2 Fiendish 3 Lawless role 4 Ref, slangily 5 Chimpanzees 6 Tasty legume 7 Trawler’s haul 8 Strike callers 9 Establish 11 Levels 12 Television awards 18 Turns right 20 Little rascal 22 Stare at 23 Name in game shows 24 All, in combos 25 Evening 26 Honda products 27 Stork kin 28 “The Mammoth Hunters” heroine 29 Seines 31 Sprees 35 Truck stop sight 37 Is, to Fritz 38 Type of spray 39 Bulls and bucks 41 Sticky fruits 42 At any time 43 Easily split mineral 44 Holy image 45 Long spear 46 “Da” opposite 47 Spanish painter 50 Youngster 52 Bird’s beak

Crossword solution, page 31

20

SENIOR LIFE • MAY 2021

myseniorlife.com

Brennity’s oldest resident credits humor for long life

Currier celebrates 100th birthday at Chateau Madeleine

BY ERNEST ARICO

SPECIAL FOR SENIOR LIFE

Armond Ripell believes humor is the main reason he’s lived a long life.

The 101-year-old resident of The Brennity at Melbourne Senior Living got to celebrate his birthday with friends and staff on April 22 at the Viera facility.

“Make sure you have some humor every day and don’t be afraid to laugh,” said Ripell, who is affectionately known to friends and staff as “RIP.” “I’ve lived a very good life and I’m proud of what I’ve done, especially with my military career.”

Born April 22, 1920 to Ann Marie and Dr. Wilfred Ripell in Wisconsin, Ripell served in the military for 23 years, retiring from the U.S. Air Force as a lieutenant colonel in 1985. During his military career, Ripell worked as a civil engineer, and was involved in the building of several Air Force bases.

“I thought what I did in the service was effective and important,” he said.

A graduate of Carroll College (now Carroll University) in Waukesha, Wisconsin with a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1941, Ripell also worked for 10 years as director of management services for the Wisconsin Economic and Housing Development Authority. He retired from that agency in 1985.

“I was responsible for where the houses were built in Wisconsin,” he said. “We made sure they lived right.”

Jennifer Reed, the lifestyle director

Ed Currier’s 100th birthday on April 9 was a fun day at Chateau Madeleine.

It was the first 100th birthday party held at the assisted-living facility.

While reflecting on his 100 years and the best part of it, the New York native said, “All of it. I’ve had a really good life.’’

After spending several winters in Florida after retiring in 1984, Currier and his late wife, Opal, moved to Viera in 2012. Sadly, Opal Currier died a month later.

The couple were married for 64 years. They had three children, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

SENIOR LIFE Adam Palumbo For the past few years, Currier has “100 never looked so good” was enjoyed a long-distance relationship inscribed on the cap Ed Currier wore with an old friend, Marge, who also had SENIOR LIFE Ernest Arico at his birthday party. moved to Florida.

Armond Ripell cuts his own cake at Currier grew up in the Adirondack His sister introduced Opal, a friend his 101st birthday party.

Mountains of New York. He started from work, to him in 1948. They were school in a one-room schoolhouse. His at The Brennity, said Ripell is the married later that year. teacher taught his mother and later his facility’s oldest resident. He arrived Currier worked as a land surveyor own three children. in January 2013. until he became an assistant to the Essex As a child, Currier enjoyed fishing One of five brothers and sisters, County highway superintendent. He and hunting. Their home did not have Ripell is the lone surviving member of later became the superintendent. electricity or indoor plumbing. his family. He does have 23 nephews Currier was proud of that promotion Currier studied Forestry at Syracuse and nieces. since required taking engineering The mission at PalmUniversity PointandBehavioral Health isitto provide graduated from the “He told his relatives not to come courses to obtain a professional in 1942. His dreams ofadults flying for and becausequality of COVID-19,” Reed said. to school engineering license. treatment children, teens, older adults the Army Air Force were dashed after “He thought it was too dangerous for The couple built their dream home a physical revealed that dependency he was orexam chemical symptoms them whose to travel.” behavioral health in retirement on land overlooking Lake color blind.

Reed said The Brennity likes to Champlain. are interfering with daily lives.

We offer both inpatient celebrate monumental birthdays for itstheirHe served as a radio operator in At 80, Currier taught and himself to play residents. “We do our best to make it a the piano. He also continued to hunt and North Africa and in the Middle East services tailored to specificfishneeds. special occasion.” outpatient SL with his son until the age of 90. SL until the end of World War II.

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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.

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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 - 1950s

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SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of NASA

A new era in space flight began July 24,1950 with the launch of Bumper V-2, the first rocket launched from Cape Canaveral. Bumper V-2 was a two-stage rocket that topped a V-2 missile base with a WAC Corporal rocket. The upper stage reached an altitude of almost 250 miles, about the same height as today’s International Space Station. In 1958, the U.S. created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Source: NASA

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SENIOR LIFE Joel Kowsky/NASA

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SENIOR LIFE • MAY 2021

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft was seen at sunset on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A as preparations continued for the Crew-2 mission on April 23, 2021 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

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Senior Life

Health & Wellness

Medical marijuana gains acceptance for treating pain, other ailments

BY BRENDA EGGERT BRADER Marijuana, in various forms, is growing in popularity as a remedy for body pain. Whether medical marijuana or CBD products, those purchasing the items usually are sourcing to resolve all types of pain.

Medical marijuana contains all the compounds associated with cannabis (mostly THC and a little CBD), but CBD oil and creams are only CBD (no “getting high” properties).

“Seniors continue to be an important and growing demographic of cannabis patients and we are seeing a rapid adaptation of seniors enrolling in the medical program,” said Yesenia Garcia, the vice president of marketing for Curaleaf in the Southeast United States.

“Florida is one of the fastest growing medical markets in the country with over 500,000 enrolled. As part of our commitment to cannabis education, and in accordance with state regulations, we work closely with community partners and senior centers to host educational workshops.”

Fifty to 75 percent of the population know what is also making CBD products popular, said Gary Liljegren, the owner of Akash CBD. “While cannabis still has its stigmas,

we’re seeing people more widely share their experiences incorporating this medicine into their lifestyles,” Garcia added. “Currently 2 percent of the Florida market is in the medical cannabis space. Seniors have adapted their routines to include reliable and tested cannabis.”

“Spasms, shakes or Parkinson’s and seizures are helped by the CBD products,” Liljegren said about the milder side of the marijuana spectrum.

“Use it in two major areas — inflammation that is a big deal as that is where pain comes from, and skin difficulties such as rashes.”

Garcia said her firm encourages patients to consult with a qualified licensed physician to discuss whether medical marijuana makes sense for their treatment plan.

Medical cannabis can be prescribed to treat cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis (MS).

“The state of Florida has specific qualifying conditions for which patients may be eligible for the medical program. Medical cannabis is offered in a variety of routes of

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Gary Liljegren

Marijuana plant leaves are checked during a harvest. administration,” Garcia added.

Medical marijuana product applications include vaping inhaler or vaporizer, smoking, edibles and capsules. Start slowly and see how the body reacts to the product, Liljegren said. Others are liquids under the tongue for fast effect, creams, salves, gels and patches for CBD and THC

infused.

“The Florida market is expanding, and Brevard County is an area where we have seen significant growth,” Garcia said. “While fixed incomes and other factors might determine consumer habits, consumption is generally consistent.” SL

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SENIOR LIFE • MAY 2021

myseniorlife.com

Brevard sports doc bets on experimental remedy

BY HENRY A. STEPHENS One day in 1998, Florida Gators linebacker and Suntree native David Dominguez was rushing the opposing team’s quarterback during practice.

And that day in The Swamp did not end well for him.

“I got injured,” Dominguez, a zoology major at the time, recalls.

“My right shoulder was dislocated.

That injury ended my football career.”

But a Gainesville surgeon, who repaired the injury, inadvertently prompted Dominguez toward his current career — and not one like his surgeon’s.

“I always felt I could do better than the guy treating me,” Dominguez said. “The procedures he used were very old.”

Fast forward to the present.

Dominguez, 42, now a sports physician, runs 3D Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Center in Indialantic.

He graduated with honors from the University of Florida in 2000 with his bachelor’s degree in zoology, then went on to Duke University and earned an M.D. degree in 2006.

He later completed his orthopedic residency at Texas A&M University before moving to San Francisco for a fellowship led by San Francisco Giants team physicians.

And along the way he encountered Alpha-2-Macroglobulin — or A2M for short — something he now injects into patients, such as chronic arthritis sufferers, to combat their daily pain.

And he might be the only one in Brevard County to do so, according to an internet search.

A2M is a large protein molecule already in a person’s blood. What Dominguez does is to extract plateletrich plasma, containing A2M, from a vial of a patient’s blood. He spins it in a centrifuge and then filters it to yield a concentrated dose of pure A2M. On a recent visit, Dominguez agreed to give Physician Assistant Casey Runte an A2M injection in each knee.

“Oh, I’ve been begging for this,” Runte said, insisting he wasn’t peerpressured into volunteering. “I’ve got arthritis from years of overuse, going back to high school soccer and running.”

Dominguez injected 15 cubic centimeters of A2M into each of Runte’s knees after first numbing them. Afterward, Runte slipped off the examination table and walked around. The only thing he felt, he said, was the weight of the added fluid in his knees.

“I can’t wait for the effects to kick in,” he said.

In a few days, Dominguez said, Runte should feel the lack of arthritic pain.

Other doctors would have injected cortisone. Dominguez said A2M can last about two years, a bit longer than cortisone, before the patient needs another injection.

321-242-1235

But he said A2M removes paincausing enzymes without harming the cartilage already in the joint.

Cortisone poses long-term damage to the cartilage, he said.

In fact, Dr. Pat F. Bass III of Shreveport, La., a medical reviewer for the internet magazine Everyday Health, says cortisone shots can lead to permanent softening of the cartilage and weakening of the tendons in the affected joint.

“Of course, cortisone makes you feel better,” Dominguez said. “But it destroys the cartilage already there.

We say those patients are ‘laughing their way to the grave.’ ” Dominguez learned of the new procedure from Dr. Gaetano Scuderi, a Jupiter-based spine surgeon and founder of the Cytonics Corp, for which he also chairs the board of directors.

Cytonics is seeking to have the A2M injection procedure approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Until it is approved, Dominguez said, it is still considered “experimental.”

Dominguez said the FDA has already approved the process of gathering the A2M from the blood.

“However, concentrating (the plasma) is not covered under the FDA approval,” he said, adding he lets prospective patients know this upfront. SL

SENIOR LIFE photo

Dr. David Dominguez injects the A2M into the knees of his physician-assistant Casey Runte to combat his arthritis.

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Available in Viera and Titusville

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SENIOR LIFE • MAY 2021

25

Senior Life

News for Titusville, Mims & Port St. John

North Brevard

North Brevard Senior Center brings back activities every class, and social distancing is encouraged,” Easterling said. “We consider mask-wearing a personal choice.”

Former Titusville Playhouse manager Mary Purdy is bringing a wealth of experience to her new role as teacher of the Drama for Seniors class.

“We are doing some basic acting and learning, meet and greet, improv, cold readings and prepared readings, for which students take home a script to study,” Purdy said.

The class takes place 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. each Friday. The cost is $4 per class for Senior Center members and $5 for non-members.

Joanne Engelbeck recently

BY FLORA REIGADA There is a lot going on at the North Brevard Senior Center and the community is invited. Things are returning to normal in the aftermath of COVID lockdowns.

“We are open and moving forward,” Operations Manager Debra Easterling said.

Bingo numbers are being called, minds and bodies exercised, games played, crafts created and so much more. Still, with health concerns foremost, COVID safety measures are in place.

“We ask those who are sick to stay at home. Rooms are sanitized after

Titusville museum reopening highlighted by new displays “They brightened up the interior,” he said.

A new air-conditioning unit was installed.

Other changes have taken place.

“The museum’s vintage tool section has been consolidated and the display is more organized and easier to view,” Baldwin said. “It features a renovated Pritchard Hardware hand tool display cabinet.

Museum artifacts include military memorabilia, vintage clothing, local high school yearbooks, historic photographs, a vintage bank safe and much more.

A “Did You Know?” section researched by Michael Knight, features books that reveal little-known tidbits of Titusville’s history.

The museum is located at 301 S. Washington Ave. in historic, Downtown Titusville. Visit nbbd.com/ godo/history SL

BY FLORA REIGADA After being closed since March, 2020 due to the COVID pandemic, the North Brevard Historical Museum will reopen its doors May 4.

The museum’s temporary new hours are noon to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Admission is free but donations are gratefully received.

The staff is ready to welcome visitors, and CDC guidelines are in place. That involved lots of preparation and hard work.

“Docents have been busy dusting, sanitizing and getting displays in order,” secretary Judy Davis said.

Bill Baldwin, the president of the Historical Society of North Brevard, which operates the museum, was among those who repaired a termite damaged room and replaced ceiling tiles.

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SENIOR LIFE • MAY 2021

completed a basket weaving class taught

by Fonda Haddad.

“It was awesome,” she said.

That special something could be waiting at the North Brevard Senior Center’s upcoming yard sale from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, May 22. All are invited to browse and buy or offer their own goods for sale.

Tables can be rented for $10 each.

In addition to an 8-foot table, the cost includes two folding chairs. Vendors renting two tables get a third table for free. Register on the Senior Center’s website, or call 321-268-2333 or 321231-1135.

The North Brevard Senior Center is at 909 Lane Ave. in Titusville. SL

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Joanne Engelbeck

Fonda Haddad provides instruction in the art of basket weaving at the North Brevard Senior Center.

Gary Sinise Foundation surprises fire department with essential equipment

BY FLORA REIGADA Usually first responders at the Mims Volunteer Department come to the rescue. But when an encryption mandate, requiring special radios and equipment for emergency operations, was issued by The Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Communications Commission, the Mims Volunteer Fire Department needed help.

“It’s safe to say this mandate was the biggest problem we faced,” Chief Ryan Hunt said. “Life saving equipment comes with a hefty price tag and we operate on a county budget of less than $1,600 a month.”

With a deadline looming, the department explored different options. Then, one day a call came from the Gary Sinise Foundation, which honors defenders, veterans, first responders and those in need.

“These wonderful people asked to use our station to serve lunch to our department and Cocoa’s Four Communities Volunteer Fire Department,” Hunt said.

Learning of the foundation’s First Responder Outreach Grant Program, the department went ahead and applied for a grant.

Just two weeks later, the Serving Heroes luncheon, courtesy of the Central Florida Gary Sinise Foundation, and partners such as Mission Barbecue, included a surprise.

During the lunch, a foundation member walked in carrying boxes of communications equipment.

Hunt usually can maintain his composure during unexpected situations.

“Seventeen years in the fire service will do that to you,” he said.

But seeing $35,000 worth of the much-needed equipment, rendered him speechless. Not only had the grant been awarded, it had been quickly expedited.

Hunt would later find his voice.

“Gary Sinise and his foundation

SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Mims Volunteer Fire Department

Capt. Carlo Prelle is with the Mims Volunteer Fire Department.

guaranteed the North Brevard community they would not have any disruption in fire protection services and that the Mims Volunteer Fire Department would continue to provide quality service for many years to come,” Hunt said.

Central Florida Chapter president Karen Conners concurred.

“Providing this equipment is a perfect example of how creating chapters of the Gary Sinise Foundation expands support and awareness specific to the needs of a region and the amazing people who bravely serve and protect it.”

The Mims Volunteer Fire Department is at 2476 Taylor St. in Mims.

Check out garysinisefoundation. org for more on the Gary Sinise Foundation. SL

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SENIOR LIFE • MAY 2021

Contact Us Today To Find Out More! myseniorlife.com

Feb. 6,

2

May Calendar

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday National Star Wars Day 4 Shell Harbor Information Seminars

3

Crushing Cancer Car Show Pets in the Park 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Open to all cars and bikes.

Space Coast HarleyDavidson 1440 Sportsman Lane NE Palm Bay, 321-259-1311

9

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Bring your cat or dog and enjoy this free celebration for National Pet Week.

Sponsored by St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care Cocoa Village Riverfront Park 321-269-4240

10

Parkinson’s Support Group of Viera

10 a.m., RSVP. Motor and non-motor symptoms. Virtual only.

Enjoy Mother’s Day One Senior Place Brunch — restaurants are 8085 Spyglass Hill Road listed on the bottom of Viera, 321-751-6771 the page.

16

17

The Great Florida Air Show May 15 & 16 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Welcome the U.S. Navy Blue Angels to the Space Coast. International Airport Air Terminal Parkway, Melbourne, 321-254-8200

National Cherry Cobbler Day

23

24 Brother’s Day

Sunday Brunch at Duran 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Enjoy a complimentary Mimosa with each adult brunch purchase.

Tradewinds at Duran 7032 Stadium Parkway Viera, 321-504-7771

30

National Mint Julep Day

Cruising is Back, Let’s Celebrate

4 - 7 p.m.

Live DJ, food trucks and meet with cruise line reps. Dress in your favorite cruise outfit and come celebrate. All About You Travel, 1240 U.S. Hwy. 1, Rockledge, 321-631-8080

31 Memorial Day

5

Wednesday

Wednesday

Free Virtual Orthopedic Seminar 6 - 7 p.m.

Seminar presented by Steward Medical Group’s orthopedic surgeon Mark Davis, M.D. To register, melbourneregional.org or call 321-255-8040.

l Nationat h ig il Tw y Zone Da

18

19

Estate Planning Seminar

Line Dancing Class

10 a.m.

Elder Law Attorney William A. Johnson, P.A. will present. Limited seating, must RSVP. One Senior Place, 8085 Spyglass Hill Road, Viera, 321-751-6771

25

Comedy Night

10 - 11:30 a.m. $5 beginners, Wednesdays Viera Regional Community Center 2300 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera 321-323-4928

26 National Senior

5:30 p.m. – Cocktails and Networking 6:15 p.m. – Show starts Presented by the Viera Regional Business Alliance and Duran Golf Club 7032 Stadium Parkway Viera, 321-724-5400

6

Thursday

Friday

Thursday

Friday

Health & Fitness Day Trust in Technology: Accepting Technology Isn’t Always Easy

7

Cocoa Village Summer 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Art & Craft Fair Kimberbell Summer nights 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. machine embroidery 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. May 9 projects.

Artisans, street food, family, Quilts and Lace kid and pet friendly.

7720 N. Wickham Road, #111, Suntree, 321-622-8602 Cocoa Village Cocoa, 321-631-9075 14 15 Armed Forces Day The Satellite Spectacular Masquerade Casino Night

Apple Pie Day

7 p.m.

Satellite High School Band and Chorus. Parking is at the Schecter Center. Satellite High School, 300 Scorpion Court, Satellite Beach Tickets: 321-779-2000

6 - 10 p.m.

Real casino games and dealers, food, drink and music. Masks are available for purchase.

Cocoa Beach Country Club Cocoa Beach, 321-868-3351

20 National Rescue

21

22

6 p.m. Doors open 6:45 – 8:30 p.m. music/ teaching 8:30 – 9 p.m. – Fellowship time Church at Viera, 9005 N. Wickham Road

Senior Expo #7 Exhibitors and music. Pick up the new 2021 Boomer Guide. CWTheaters, 4345 W. New Haven Ave. West Melb. Call Senior Life: 321242-1235

9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

The Greater Palm Bay Chamber event.

Tony Rosa Community Center 1502 Port Malabar Blvd. NE Palm Bay, 321-951-9998

28

29

“Jumanji: The Next Level” Wickham Park, 2500 Parkway Drive, Melbourne, 321-633-2046

3 p.m.

Free concert Park Avenue Baptist Church 2600 Park Ave. Titusville, 321-405-2359

Dog Day Quest 180

Boomer Guide Drive-Thru Home Show & Expo

27

Medicaid Planning Seminar

10 a.m.

Presenter William A. 2 - 3 p.m. - One Senior Place Johnson Viera, RSVP 321-751-6771 Limited seating and for Zoom link, must RSVP. One Senior Place Viera, RSVP, 321-751-6771

Tequila Veintiuno

Steak Special 2311 State Highway 524, #106, Cocoa 321-208-7374

8

Saturday National Dog Mom’s Day

Embroidery Projects

13 National

MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH LOCATIONS Tradewinds at Duran

Saturday

3 1 Just to be safe— Please call each event location to confirm date and time.

10 a.m. - Noon Presented by the Pen Women. Marshall Frank discusses his most recent non-fiction book. RSVP. One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771

11 National Eat What you 12 Want Day

2

Author Marshall Frank

May 4, 5, 6 and 7 11:30 a.m. Must RSVP Learn about Shell Harbor’s limited-time Charter Resident program. Brief presentation and lunch at Amici’s. 321-252-1424

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

7032 Stadium Parkway Viera, 321-504-7771

321-242-1235

1

Palm Shores Bistro 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

5060 U.S. Hwy. 1 Palm Shores 321-752-5222

Drive-In Movie in the Park Central Florida Winds 5 - 9 p.m.

Salutes America

Space Coast Convention Center

Seatings at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

301 Tucker Lane Cocoa, 321-635-9975

28 North Gastropub

Brunch all day with special chef additions.

2250 Town Center Ave., Viera 321-241-1159

Pizza Gallery & Grill 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Touchless brunch 2250 Town Center Ave., Viera 321-633-0397

SENIOR LIFE • MAY 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

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Free Immunization Assessment by our Pharmacy Team

Call/Text me anytime:

321-749-8445

Make your immunization make a world of difference.

Shingles, pneumonia, and more available now!

Seniors Day is the first Tuesday of each month.

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321-634-2647

Health Insurance

*20% off Regular Price Merchandise with bonus points 55+ with Balance Reward Card *Some restrictions apply

Hearing

You Deserve Better Hearing

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

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Restaurant

Realty

Home Repair

Thinking of selling? Call Sara

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Proudly serving all of Brevard County

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2850 South Hopkins Ave. Sunday – Thursday: 9am-9pm Friday & Saturday: 9am-10pm

May Special

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Nature’s Market Health Foods

ing nitiz l donucthits adsa robceia -mic p. 5/31/2021 Ex . nti Freitheanay n$1ti ) Me 50 or more servi (w

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Roofing

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

Stay connected with us!

May 1, 10 am - 2 pm: Make and Take a N. Wickham Rd. Flower Pincushion for Mom for Mother’s7720 Day Suites 111 & 112 & 113 Melbourne, FL 32940 May 7, 10 am - 4 pm: Kimberbell Summer Nights machine embroidery projects Phone: (321) 622-8602, Fax: (321) 622-8574 M,W,Th,F: 10am - 5pm, Tue: 12N - 7pm, www.quiltsandlace.com Sat: 10am - 2pm, Sun: CLOSED beth@quiltsandlace.com May 8, 10 am -1 pm: Kid’s class - Make a Mother’s Day Picture Frame gift Check out the Q&L website for class schedule and events.

Coming soon: Embellish “License to Create”  embroidery We are an authorized, line fun! retailer for Baby Lock®, machine projects forfull more

Go to Facebook/SeniorLife

Call Quilts and Lace for information on all of our®,in-store and virtual,®offerings.

Brother® , Koala Floriani & Anita

Goodesign® and on-site, Service available on site Full-time, factory certified service engineer  Repair

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

30

SENIOR LIFE • MAY 2021

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

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

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

myseniorlife.com

One more expo scheduled for May SPECIAL FOR SENIOR LIFE If you missed out on the most recent Boomer Guide Drive-thru Senior Expo, don’t worry — there’s still one more outing.

There’s another opportunity to obtain valuable information geared to seniors, win a valuable prize and pick up a Boomer Guide magazine, the best resource guide for seniors.

The next Boomer Guide Drive-thru Senior Expo is scheduled for 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. May 21 at the CW Theater at 4345 W. New Haven Ave. in West Melbourne.

The expo will offer a variety of informative exhibits and booths, including health, medical screening, volunteering, finance, wellness, caregiver news, insurance, 55-plus living communities, veteran resources and much more.

For more information about the Boomer Guide Expo, call 321-242-1235, email Senior Life at media@bluewatercreativegroup.com or go to boomerseniorexpo.com SL

SENIOR LIFE Adam Palumbo

Anne Mitchell of Viera was the winner of the bicycle giveaway at the March 19 expo.

BoomerSenior

Crossword Solution Crossword on page 20

Sentiments

What has been the biggest impact of technological changes on your life?

Photos by Ernest Arico

Jeff McLean

“The use of computers. Computers have given coaches the ability to be more analytical.”

Steve Hatchcock

“Cellphones because you now are able to find anything on the Internet and you can keep in constant contact with your family and friends.”

Your 2021

summer

ide

gu ovation

home ren

Thomas Finney

321-242-1235

Trent Stahlecker

“Writing police reports are so much easier now because you can write them on a computer and the collecting of forensic evidence like DNA.”

ELEVATE YOUR HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE

ing old floor Replace novations re ge ra Ga ing landscap Backyard tchen ze your ki Moderni ts en improvem Exterior painting Staircase fits ing bene Remodel

Sudoku Solution Puzzle on page 19

“Computers and emails. It has made it easier to communicate with one another, but at the same time it has also made it harder because of the expectation of always being there to answer.”

SPACE

Promote your Business to homeowners Space available, 321-242-1235

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home automation technology, flooring, bathrooms, painting, home A/C, windows & doors, porches, pools, roofing, appliance upgrades and cabinets Senior Life Special Section Coming in July

SENIOR LIFE • MAY 2021

31

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Choose(HMO-POS) our CareOne PLATINUM plan: Choose(HMO-POS) our CareOne PLATINUM Out-of-network coverage forplan: CareOne PLATINUM (HMO-POS) plan: Out-of-network coverage hospitals and specialists infor Brevard Out-of-network coverage hospitals specialists infor Brevard and Indianand River counties Out-of-network coverage for hospitals specialists and Indianand River countiesin Brevard hospitals specialists in Brevard $20 Indian copayand for specialist and River countiesoffice $20 copay for specialist and River counties visitsIndian (in-network) and office $20 copay for specialist visits (in-network) and office $25 (out-of-network) $20 copay for specialist visits (in-network) and office $25 (out-of-network) visits (in-network) and stay* $150 copay for hospital $25 (out-of-network) $150 copay for hospital stay* $25 days(out-of-network) 1-7 (in-network) and $150 copay for hospital stay* days (in-network) and $170 1-7 (out-of-network) $150 copay for hospital stay* days (in-network) and $170 1-7 (out-of-network) days 1-7 (in-network) and $0 copay for in-network $170 (out-of-network) $0 copay for in-network $170 (out-of-network) primary care physician $0 copay for in-network primary care physician office visits $0 copay for in-network primary care physician office visits primary care physician $0 copay for Tier 1 prescription office visits $0 copay prescription office visits drugs, $10for forTier Tier1 2, and $0 for Tier prescription drugs, for Tier1 2, and $30copay for$10 Tier 3** $0 for Tier prescription drugs, for Tier1 2, and $30copay for$10 Tier 3** drugs, for Tier 2, and $0 for transportation $30copay for$10 Tier 3** $0 copay for3** transportation $30 for Tier to plan-approved locations $0 copay for transportation to locations (upplan-approved to 50 one-way trips per year) $0 copay for transportation to (upplan-approved to 50 one-waylocations trips per year) to plan-approved locations PLUS more! (up to 50 one-way trips per year) PLUS more! (up to 50 one-way trips per year) PLUS more!

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321-751-7645 (TTY: 711) 321-751-7645 (TTY: 711) @CarePlusHealthPlans (TTY: 711)

CarePlusHealthPlans.com @CarePlusHealthPlans CarePlusHealthPlans.com *Per hospital day **From@CarePlusHealthPlans a preferred cost-sharing retail pharmacy. Space Coast area. CarePlus is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in CarePlus depends on CarePlusHealthPlans.com contract renewal.

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From October 1 March 31, we are open 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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H1019_MKDMFNPR3891102021_M Esta información está disponible de forma gratuita en otros idiomas. Favor de llamar a Servicios para Afiliados al número que aparece anteriormente. Kreyòl Ayisyen (French Creole): Enfòmasyon sa a disponib gratis nan lòt lang. Tanpri rele nimewo Sèvis pou Manm nou yo ki nan lis anwo an.

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SENIOR LIFE • MAY 2021

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