A recently completed pollinator garden near a Suntree stormwater retention pond is the first step toward restoring green space at the pond, which is set to be dedicated later this year in memory of a student struck and killed by a car in 1999. In mid-February, Suntree
Master Homeowners Association staff and volunteers planted Floridafriendly wildflowers and plants meant to provide a habitat for birds, bees and butterflies. It also installed a bench at the northern edge of the pond at Jordan Blass Drive and St. Andrews Boulevard.
Continued to page 5
BIG SHAVE
VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Trevor Barone
Barone is the captain on defense for the Space Coast Rockets 10U hockey team. Story page 11.
VIERA VOICE Jill Blue
The Jordan Blass Learning Lake will offer green space with a pollinator garden and benches at the corner of St. Andrew Drive and Jordan Blass Drive.
Rosenthals approach life as another adventure waiting to unfold
BY NICHOLE YUAN
Many people are familiar with fantasy football. In fact, millions of people play it each year hoping to win cash, prizes or simply bragging rights. But the Rosenthal family has found ways to kick it up a few notches.
For starters, Matt and Jennifer Rosenthal, along with their children Logan and Brynn, have involved several neighbors in their fantasy football league and switched things up by turning it into an allout neighborhood family competition where each participating family, as a unit, makes decisions.
“We all have house shields, so we had to come up with a custom shield that represented your family. That’s what started year one. You had to come up with a house name. Ours is Ho’Aloha because we like Hawaii and it means friendship in Hawaiian. So everyone has a house name, house shield. And the next year, we went and did house color, so now we all have house colors, (which) was the second year. And this year, we turned the fantasy football league into kind of like a reality TV show based on 'Big Brother,' "35 Jennifer Rosenthal explained.
And although the Rosenthal family has not yet won within their fantasy football league, they haven’t lost either, unlike one of
Featured Family
their league houses, Flock of Shakas, who have managed to lose every year since its inception.
While it might seem like the Rosenthals are completely absorbed in football culture, they
certainly enjoy many other things. Brynn stays active with gymnastics and has found a hobby in art, while
Logan prefers cross country and playing drums in the Viera High School jazz band. As a family, they enjoy going to the beach, vacationing on cruises and spending time in Hawaii.
“(We’re) big on experiences, and that’s kind of the approach we took with the fantasy football league,” Matt Rosenthal said. “A lot of people do fantasy football just for the money, right? We don’t do that. We do it for the experiences, as a reason to hang out, and so that’s how we kind of approach life.”
“(For example) we’re never allowed to just stay in the room, we always have to go do something on a cruise,” Brynn said.
“In Hawaii, we did the snorkeling trip off the catamaran,” Logan recalled, noting it as one of his favorite family excursions.
Leading an active lifestyle would surely be an understatement when describing the Rosenthals. Their approach to each day is like that of a new adventure waiting to unfold, where being bored is something that just doesn’t happen. This family has a radiance about them that has attracted everyone around them. And so it seems fair to say that the Rosenthals have enacted nothing short of a neighborhood revolution. VV
VIERA VOICE Jill Blue
Matt and Jennifer Rosenthal and their children, Logan and Brynn, relish experiences and staying active.
and funding — St. Baldrick’s head shaving event returns
BY NICHOLE YUAN
Just the mention of childhood cancer can be enough to elicit gutwrenching heartache and a feeling of helplessness.
It’s something that no one wants to think about, much
less have to live through. But for children all over the world, it is a somber reality and a difficult reminder of our own mortality.
But that’s where St. Baldrick’s Foundation comes in, offering a way to change that helplessness into action.
Tom Neirdert, a district chief for Brevard
County Fire and Rescue, first participated when his friend’s child was diagnosed with incurable cancer, and since then he has only gotten more involved.
And thanks to the funds raised through this foundation, groundbreaking research was able to be done and what was said to be an incurable cancer afflicting Neidert’s friend’s child remains completely in remission to this day.
Similarly, Carol Hedges was approached 12 years ago when her grandchild’s schoolmate was diagnosed with cancer. And without missing a beat, Hedges agreed to participate,
Join us as we meditate on the Stations of the Cross
Ash Wednesday Service March 5 @ 7 p.m.
Mid-Week Lenten Services: Wednesdays, March 12, 19, 26, April 2 & 9 @ 7 p.m.
seeking pledges to have her hair completely shaved off. While at first thought many people may shrug at the idea, thinking that “it’s just hair,” only a fraction of those people would be willing to go bald, making this event even more powerful for women.
“None of (the men) actually grow out their hair,” Hedges said, speaking on how hair is often connected to a woman’s identity. And having participated every year since that first time 12 years ago, Hedges now remarks that she loves being bald.
As the familiar saying goes, actions speak louder than words. And attendees can expect to witness plenty of action at the upcoming fundraiser.
There will be a pre-party on March 14 at Intracoastal Brewing followed by the head shaving event on March 15 at The Avenue Viera. There will be music played on bagpipes, lively barbers and coverage by Mindy 99.3 of Lite Rock radio.
The St. Baldrick’s event is sure to be a fun time for supporters of all ages, whether you’re there for a shave, financial contributions or simply to learn more about what the foundation does. After all, your donations can help fund the next amazing breakthrough in treating childhood cancer.
VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Tom Neirdert
of childhood cancers.
VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Carol Hedges
The St. Baldrick head shaving event will be held March 15 at The Avenue Viera.
The pond is scheduled to be renamed the Jordan Blass Learning Lake after 12-year-old Blass, a DeLaura Middle School student who was riding his bicycle on the sidewalk alongside the road that bears his name today when a driver lost control of his vehicle and struck the boy.
“This is supposed to attract the butterflies, this is supposed to attract the bees, and everything around here will turn more green because this is going to be a happy place for everything to live,” said Suntree resident Jason Breitfeller, the treasurer and chair of the SMHA grounds committee.
Plans call for two more benches at the lake’s southern edge, a possible second pollinator garden, aquatic plants placed in the water and new trees planted along the length of the lake facing St. Andrews Boulevard, Breitfeller said. A three-foot buffered shoreline around the lake should help reduce polluted runoff and erosion and capture debris, he added.
Butterflies and bees could show up when the native wildflowers bloom in spring, said Suntree resident Nikki McCall, a member of the SMHA board of directors.
“The monarch (butterflies) will start hatching and laying (eggs) in March,” McCall said. “We don’t have any milkweed here yet for them. There is a native milkweed that we’d like to add here. As soon as it warms up, the bees are going to come in. We’ll see some action.”
SMHA General Manager
Nikki
Jason Bre
Kaye McKinney said Blass’ mother has given the project her blessing.
“She’s thrilled,” McKinney said.
The association got the idea for a learning lake in 2024 from a similar project at the gated Country Walk community, Breitfeller said.
The Suntree board then voted to move ahead with the pilot project, which has cost less than $5,000, he said.
If the project succeeds, the SMHA plans to improve other lakes and ponds in Suntree, starting with a lake at Wickham Road and North Pinehurst Avenue, Breitfeller said.
“The homeowners aren’t going to see an increase in maintenance costs, but they are going to see an increase in beauty in the whole area,” he said. VV
VIERA VOICE Mike Gaffey
Suntree Master Homeowners Association General Manager Kaye McKinney, left; SMHA support staffer Theresa O’Brien; and
McCall, back row, SMHA board of directors member; and
itfeller, treasurer and chair of the SMHA grounds committee, helped to establish the pollinator garden.
Teen Court provides unique opportunities for first-time juvenile offenders
BY CHRIS BONANNO
Teenagers sat in the jury box just as jurors do in any trial as they heard the case of a peer who had committed a shoplifting misdemeanor.
This was a recent case heard in Brevard County Teen Court, a diversion program for first-time misdemeanor offenders.
In the end, the teen had to apologize to the victim of his crime, to his father and to do 25 hours of community service. If he successfully completes the community service, the charges will be dropped.
The Brevard County Teen Court, coordinated by Darrin Adams of the Office of the State Attorney 18th Judicial Circuit, offers children ages eight to 17 who have committed misdemeanors a chance at a hearing among their peers. Rather
than going through regular Juvenile Court, according to Christie DeTorre, the supervisor and trainer for
the State Attorney’s juvenile and felony divisions, it’s an easier process.
“It does give the kids an opportunity once they complete our programs to not have a record at all,” DeTorre said.
Teen Court proceedings usually are held every two weeks on Tuesday night at the Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Justice Center in Viera.
In Teen Court, the only adult other than Adams is the judge, who DeTorre said is “usually a prosecutor from our office that is volunteering to be the judge that night.”
Teens act as the
Teens act as the prosecuting and defense attorneys and as members of the jury. The size of the jury can vary.
prosecuting and defense attorneys and as members of the jury. The size of the jury can vary.
Sentences can include community service, counseling, drug testing, writing essays and serving as jury volunteers themselves, according to DeTorre.
“Typically, we like it to be done within 90 days,’’ DeTorre said. “Once they complete everything, the state drops the charges
against them.”
Teen Court proceedings also don’t determine guilt or innocence, as DeTorre noted. Those who enter admit guilt before agreeing to having their case heard in the Teen Court.
“They (the accused) can feel like they’re not guilty and they don’t have to do anything and we would file the charges and then it
VIERA VOICE Jill Blue
Teenagers serve as jurors in Brevard County Teen Court, a diversion program for first-time misdemeanor offenders
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SPORTS
WrapUp
Viera has youth, experience as it chases another district title
BY CARL KOTALA
A few things have changed for the Viera Hawks since last season.
Others have remained the same.
But the bottom line is this should still be a very good, competitive baseball team.
“I think we’ve got a lot of young talent in the program this year,” Viera coach Matt Gifford said. “Most of our seniors last year were position players, outside of Dylan Jordan, who was our No. 1 (pitcher). This year, our seniors are primarily pitchers. It’s kind of a flip the script situation here. We’re young around the infield, we’re still fairly young in the outfield.
“I’ve been really happy with how the team has come together, gelled, and accepted the culture that we’ve established here at Viera. I’m looking forward to seeing how the season goes.”
Hard-throwing senior Caden Jensen moves into the No. 1 pitching spot this season with junior Blaine Werkeiser and senior lefty Brennan Confreda right behind him.
Seniors Deaglan McBride and David Mastrolonardo provide quality experience on the mound and the Hawks still have some
young arm talent coming up in sophomore Kayden Dougherty. Freshman Rogan Crockett will split time with the varsity and JV teams.
Sophomores Brady Jensen and Luca Bongiovi will handle the catching duties.
Looking around the infield, it will be Confreda or senior Jay Fowler at first base with sophomore Trey
Slavik at second base and sophomore Brody Vogel at shortstop. Senior Robbie Caruso is at third base.
Senior Dominic Leoni is back in center field with junior Aiden Cameron in left and sophomore Zak Al-Arashi manning right field. Coming off the bench, the Hawks have junior first baseman Ryan Ott, junior
outfielder Bradley Mishock and sophomore utility infielder/pinch runner Max Leoni.
The Hawks sustained a big loss in the offseason when junior Jack Park sustained a season-ending injury.
However, there is still plenty to be excited about with this group, which will be in search of its fifth consecutive district championship.
This year’s district will have a new look with Viera, Melbourne, Bayside and Kissimmee Osceola now forming Class 6A, District 7.
The Hawks aren’t likely to overpower teams, but they have plenty of pitching and defense along with the ability to execute offensively to put pressure on their opponents and get the timely hits.
“It’s a lot like last year,” Gifford said. “We’re going to have to do the little things better than our competition.” VV
Hawks have plenty of experience to go with talented, young lineup
BY CARL KOTALA
With an abundance of young and veteran talent up and down the lineup, the Viera High School softball team enters this season with the potential to do a lot of damage.
“Expectations are always high, and that’s a good challenge,” Viera coach Mike Worden said.
While most teams would
be happy to have just one solid pitcher, this year’s Hawks have three.
Sophomore Madison Rider went 9-0 with 1.91 ERA as a freshman last season. She’s joined by senior transfer Riley Makousky and sophomore transfer Bella Kapatoes to give the Hawks plenty of options on the mound.
There are plenty of options behind the plate, too,
“The team goal is to win districts. That’s the first goal.” — Mike Worden, Viera coach
with sophomore Kamryn Potts and senior Tori Berry splitting time and freshman Rylan (Cozzie) Cozzolino waiting in the wings.
Depending on who starts at catcher — Potts or Berry — the other will be at first base.
There’s competition at second base with Cozzolino and juniors KB Bates and Erin Lynch.
Senior Brooke Samuels is in the mix at shortstop along with senior transfer Deborah Turko.
At third base, the Hawks have returning senior Elaina Snyder, who is committed to Florida Tech.
Another senior, Kara Burwell, can play either third or first. She’s committed
to Knox College, a Division III program in Galesburg, Illinois.
Viera has five main outfielders, depending on which way the lineup falls.
Left field will feature Samuels or Turko. In center field, it’s Rider or Makousky. And in right field, senior Kaitlyn Farinas gets the start.
Other key players for Viera include junior Addyson Maxwell, who can play in the outfield and also serve as a courtesy runner. Senior Cordelia Mileski is a senior who plays first base and will also be a pinch hitter.
Viera has three more twoway players who will spend time with the varsity while also playing on the JV team. Those three are sophomore
Valentinna Worden (first base/outfield); junior Hailey Rogers (outfield) and freshman Peyton Mathis (outfield/first base).
Once again, the Hawks will have a full JV team, which is vital for any program to keep building talent from within.
The Hawks will also face a new challenge in Class 6A, District 7 where their opponents will be Melbourne, Davenport, Freedom (Orlando) and Osceola (Kissimmee).
“The team goal is to win districts,” Worden said. “That’s the first goal. The bigger goal is to make it to Clermont (for the state championship). But in order to get there, the first goal is to win districts.” VV
VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Trey Spratt
This year's Viera baseball team is loaded with senior pitchers and talented young position players. The Hawks are chasing their fifth straight district championship.
VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Andi Wofford
With depth and talent at every position, the Hawks are going to be a handful for opponents this season.
Tigers will use pitching by committee to back up ace Jackameit
BY CARL KOTALA
The Holy Trinity baseball team is turning to a unique style of how it will use its pitching staff this season with the hope that it will pay off in a big way.
“I strongly believe we have a great defense, infield and outfield,” Tigers coach Tom Kelce said. “Pitching, obviously our No. 1 will be Devon (Jackameit). We’re going to be relying on him once a week to get those big games for us.
“We’ve pretty much turned the whole team into a pitching team, so we can use everybody. We’re going to try it like the Tampa Bay Rays do, starting off someone for one, maybe two innings, and keep rotating.”
Jackameit, who threw the first no-hitter in program history last season as a junior, went 3-1 with a 2.47 ERA and was second on the team with 34 innings pitched in 11 appearances.
He’ll be followed by junior Dominick Mormile, sophomore Lucas Kapatoes and then … well, everybody. Fortunately, Kelce will have plenty of other pieces to work with, including senior center fielder Brody DelBoccio, who hit. .533 and drove in 27 runs last year.
Holy Trinity’s third senior, Roman Carlson, has one of the best baseball IQs of any player Kelce has coached and can play anywhere on the field and play the position well.
Carlson will catch and also play shortstop for the Tigers this season.
Sophomore Marco Dawson will also do some catching. Mormile will play first base with junior Braedon Kite at second base. Sophomore Ethen Nunez is at third base and will move to first when Mormile is pitching.
The outfield is set with
Kapatoes in left, DelBoccio in center and junior Noah Thatcher in right field.
Freshman Josiah Wilson is another do-everything player for the Tigers. He can play the outfield, catch and will also be used as a utility infielder.
Junior Jacob Allison can play second base or the outfield.
The Tigers also have three two-way players who can pitch on the varsity and also get playing time on the JV team. They are sophomore Seth Monteleone, freshman Tyler Seidel and freshman Charlie Lepper.
“We’re going to hit,” Kelce said. “We’re going to score runs. I’m not worried about that. I think our defense is going to play very well this year. It’s a good, solid defense.
“I think it’s just going to come down to our pitching and how we pitch.” VV-
Young Tigers training players to play multiple positions
BY CARL KOTALA
One percent.
That’s the goal of this year’s Holy Trinity softball team.
Get better one percent each day and everything else — including winning games — will take care of itself.
And along the way, the Tigers will try mixing and matching positions with an incredibly young roster that features one senior, one junior and three sophomores. The rest are freshmen, eighth
graders and one seventh grader.
“This season, we’re going to be playing chess,” secondyear coach Lexi Betterman said. “We’re going to be practicing everybody in two, three positions.”
Bebe Stockton, the only senior on this year’s roster, could end up playing all over the field for the Tigers this season. She will be Holy Trinity’s top pitcher, but will also catch and could see time at second base or shortstop.
Aubrey Mooney, the only
junior, could find herself at first or third base.
Joining Stockton on the mound will be sophomore Kali McMillan; freshman Caleigh Schmoll or eighthgrader Ava Allison.
The top two catching candidates are Stockton and freshman Kialei Kite. Sophomore Madi Kapatoes; freshman Carlie Campos and eighth-grader Alivia Harrison also potentially could catch.
Sophomore Isla Davis is at first base, backed up by Mooney and Allison.
Second base features a rotation of seventh-grader Kinsley Campos, eighthgrader Nathalie Ponton, Kapatoes and Stockton. Shortstop will be played by Stockton, Kite, McMillan or Ponton.
There will also be a rotation at third base between McMillan, Mooney and Ponton.
Schmoll will be the team’s center fielder and main outfielder with either Kapatoes, Kinsley Campos
or Allison in left field and eighth-grader Jenna Robertson, Harrison, Carlie Campos or Maddy McNabb in right field.
Betterman wants her players to show up every day, lock in on the drills and trust the process as the Holy Trinity program continues to grow stronger.
The coach has been impressed with her player’s team-first attitude.
“They’re all great kids and they’re all doing a really great job of trusting in each other and being comfortable with the uncomfortable because they are getting put in a lot of different positions that they’ve either never played, or haven’t played in a really long time,” Betterman said.
“We’ve been practicing for a few weeks now and it’s been really cool to see them start to truly understand what each position on the field is supposed to do. … I think they’re getting prepared the best they can.”
VV
VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Kim Edmonton
With a strong offense and defense, the Holy Trinity Tigers are set up for a big season. The question will be how well their pitching holds up after senior ace Devon Jackameit. The Tigers are going to use everyone on their roster to possibly pitch this season.
VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Jackie Schmoll
The Holy Trinity Tigers are learning to play every position so they can use multiple players at certain spots in their lineup this season.
Wakeup call comes at right time for Space Coast Rockets 10U
BY JEFF NAVIN
Olly Geancopoulos’ gamewinning goal in a 3-versus-3 overtime period couldn’t have come at a better time for the Space Coast Rockets 10U hockey team.
The 10U Rockets, who rolled to an 18-0 record during the regular season, defeated the Florida Fury 5-4 in that opening-round game on Feb. 21. It came in the Statewide Amateur Hockey of Florida’s (SAHOF) State Championship Tournament at the Orlando Ice Den in Maitland. The Rockets then won two games on Feb. 22 and two more on Feb. 23 to claim the state title with a 5-0 record for the weekend of work.
Frank Smith scored three goals and added one assist as the Storm defeated the Clearwater Ice Storm 6-2 in the Feb. 23 final. Luca Patel had two goals and Geancopoulos added the other goal in the convincing victory. Kannon Peters had two assists and Atlas Barone added one assist.
“That overtime win was obviously the hardest game of the weekend and the hardest
“Frank (Smith) lives and breathes hockey. He’s always puck hunting and never slows down. He’s always tenacious ...”
— Trevor Barone, Space Coast Rockets 10U assistant coach
of the season,’’ said Trevor +Barone, an assistant coach for the Rockets. “We needed that wakeup call at that point. We just thought that we were going to go right through everyone like we did in the regular season.’’
Space Coast defeated the Tampa Bay Crunch 2015
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Polk & Volusia Counties. A
is required.
“He’s always puck hunting and never slows down. He’s always tenacious and willing to do anything to help the team get better.’’
Barone is the captain on defense.
“Atlas is a really hardnosed player who puts his body on the line for the team,’’ said Barone of his son. “He’s always selfless and there for his goalie.’’
Leo Medina, who resides in Davenport, is the Rockets’ starting goalie.
“Leo has been a great addition to the team,’’ Barone said. “He might have worked the hardest to start and get to where he is now on the team.’’ Patel, the second-line center, was the team’s secondleading scorer during the regular season with 28 goals.
3-1 and the Golden Wolves of South Florida 5-2 on the second day. In the semifinals, Space Coast topped the Tampa Bay Crunch 2014 6-1.
The top eight teams in league play qualified for the tournament.
Space Coast scored 127 goals during the regular
season and only allowed 38.
Smith, a resident of Viera, led the Rockets in scoring during the regular season with 48 goals and 14 assists. He was the offensive captain.
“Frank lives and breathes hockey,’’ said Barone, an assistant coach who worked under head coach Amar Patel.
“Luca is a 2015 player (9 years old) and he’ll lead the team next season,’’ Barone said. “He isn’t one of the biggest players on the team, but he doesn’t give up. He has the big fight in him. Luca has some of the best hands and skills in the league.’’
Harvey Poteet of Suntree
VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Trevor Barone
Including the regular season and the state championship, the Space Coast Rockets 10U hockey team was 23-0.
Holy Trinity charity baseball game to honor Tim, Stacy Wakefield
BY CARL KOTALA
The Holy Trinity baseball program has helped out a number of charities during the past four years as part of its annual Step Up to the Plate event.
This time, it’s personal.
This time, it’s for Tim and Stacy.
The Tim Wakefield Charity Baseball Game is set for March 29. It will once again feature the Tigers taking on Cocoa Beach. Gametime is at noon at Holy Trinity’s Lloyd Hamilton Field.
“I think this is going to be the biggest charity game we’ve ever done,” Holy Trinity coach Tom Kelce said.
All money raised from the game will go to the Space Coast Discovery Academy, which is constructing a new building that will be named after former Boston Red Sox standout Tim Wakefield, who passed away in October 2023. His wife, Stacy, died five months later.
The Wakefields were not only benefactors of the Space Coast Discovery Academy, they also helped out the Holy Trinity baseball program and
their daughter, Brianna, is an HT alumna.
“The response we’ve been getting has been tremendous,” Kelce said. “I think we’re going to have close to 300 people at the game. Tim was a big part of the community. He affected a lot of Brevard and a lot of people will want to come, not
just to watch the game, but just to be a part of this.
“We have Brianna coming down here to throw out the first pitch.”
Wakefield, who went to Eau Gallie High School and played baseball at Florida Tech before eventually becoming a star knuckleball pitcher, wore No. 49 for the
HOCKEY
continued from page 11
floats between offense and defense for the Rockets.
“He’s a big, strong kid who you would never think is two years younger than everyone else,’’ Barone said. “He had 18 penalty minutes, so he’s got to work on his discipline. Harvey has a massive future in front of him.’’
Despite being a defender, Geanacopoulos of Palm Bay was the team’s third-leading scorer during the regular season with 12 goals.
“Olly is a big, physical player who communicates well with his teammates on the ice,’’ Barone said.
Brody Dobrowsky and his younger brother Lucas of Melbourne each play wing on different lines.
Red Sox.
On March 29, both Holy Trinity and Cocoa Beach players will be wearing specially-made T-shirts with Tim Wakefield’s name on the front and the No. 49 on the back. Cocoa Beach’s shirts will be red. Holy Trinity’s will be navy blue. Kelce said the shirts will also be sold at the game.
Continuing event tradition, admission, food and drinks will be free and donations will be appreciated.
There will also be a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction featuring a number of different items, including some signed by Wakefield.
The Boston Red Sox Foundation has donated memorabilia signed by other former players. And, of course, there will be football-related items signed by Kelce’s cousins — Travis (Kansas City Chiefs tight end) and Jason (former Philadelphia Eagles center).
Once again, all proceeds will go toward the construction of the new school building. Space Coast Discovery serves infants through primary school-age children.
“I’ve gotten a lot of feedback from other coaches in Brevard County that are coming to the game; not so much just to watch, but to be a part of this and to help out for a fantastic person in our community,” Kelce said.
“… I think it’s going to be a really great atmosphere here. I think it’s going to raise a lot of money. It’s for a fantastic cause. The (Wakefield) legacy will continue, especially at Space Coast Discovery when they build that building.” VV
Can't make the game? Still want to donate?
Go to spacecoastdiscovery.org and click the donate link or
Make out a check to Holy Trinity Baseball and note Tim and Stacy Wakefield in the memo line
“Brody is rangy and tall,’’ Barone said. “He has a knack for picking up loose pucks and rebounds. He’s always working. Lucas is a versatile player who makes things happen.’’ Peters of Viera is a dominant defender.
“Kannon has a powerful outside shot,’’ Barone said.
“As a duo, he and Olly play well together.’’ Anthony Rosenfeld of Melbourne excels at wing.
“He has a motor that’s always going,’’ Barone said.
“Anthony has been playing hockey the least length of
time. He has worked so hard and put in the effort. He’s an inspiration for the rest of the team.’’
Backup goalie Henry Schaefer and wing Colton Smith are two of the younger players on the squad.
“Henry has a great attitude and he works so hard in practice,’’ Barone said. “Colton will be an essential part of the Rockets’ future.’’
Besides Barone, Tyler Smith, Kiel Geanacopoulos and Steve Schaefer are the other assistants under Patel. VV-
VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Sandy Withers/Space Coast Discovery Academy Tim and Stacy Wakefield both died tragically of cancer within five months of each other. Wakefield starred for the Red Sox and the Pirates.
Tim Wakefield Charity Baseball Game
VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Trevor Barone
The Space Coast Rockets 10U hockey team won the Statewide Amateur Hockey of Florida’s Championship Tournament at the Orlando Ice Den in Maitland
PTO treats Manatee Elementary staff to ‘Souper Bowl’ lunch SCHOOLNews
BY CHRIS BONANNO
Millions saw their Super Bowl LIX related festivities and celebrations end in one day. However, teachers and staff at Manatee Elementary School in Viera had their fun continue into the following day when they were treated to a football-themed lunch courtesy of the school’s Parent-Teacher Organization.
“We started it last year just the day after the Super Bowl,” PTO member Sarah Sepanik said. “We thought the staff would be tired, so we wanted to have lunch where they didn’t have to pack lunch in the morning.”
Employees at the school had the opportunity to enjoy a lunch in the staff break room featuring donated foods, including zuppa Toscana, vegetarian minestrone soup, frozen custard donated by Whit’s Frozen Custard and garlic knots donated by Mr. Delicious Pizzeria. Championship rings, which came in the form of ring pops, were also provided by the PTO.
“It means everything,” said Elizabeth Distasio, a fifthgrade math and English/ Language arts teacher at
the school. “Our PTO works so hard to make sure we feel appreciated and them putting on these things and their sponsors donating it, means the world to us.”
Sepanik indicated that there are 108 staff members at the school who undoubtedly had the opportunity to enjoy the lunch.
“It (the Souper Bowl) was a hit last year, so we did it again and everyone’s so appreciative when we are able to serve lunch or breakfast or just little treats,” Sepanik said. “It just makes their day a little brighter. They work so hard.”
Staff members and even those from the community can join the PTO, according to Sepanik.
Distasio also discussed how the Souper Bowl was just the latest way the PTO at Manatee has supported teachers.
“The parents are extremely involved here at Manatee Elementary,” she said. “They come in and volunteer. They help us with day-to-day work. They are just here non-stop doing what they can to make sure we feel supported and give us what we need.” VV
VIERA VOICE Chris Bonanno
Teachers and staff enjoyed lunch as part of the Souper Bowl gathering at Manatee Elementary School on Monday, Feb. 10, a day after Super Bowl Sunday LIX.
VIERA VOICE Chris Bonanno
Teachers Andrew Pakulak, left, and Becky Schultze enjoy lunch at the Souper Bowl gathering held at the school.
Annual
1
Dining Out & Events
fry
March
Car
March
Bass
Melbourne Spring Home Show
March 8 and March 9 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Melbourne Square Mall 1700 W. New Haven Ave. Melbourne, 321-727-8062
Indiafest
March 8: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
March 9: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Cultural shows, traditional Indian cuisines, fashion show, music and an Indian cooking demonstration.
Wickham Park 2500 Parkway Drive Melbourne indiafestbrevard.org
Strawberry Festival
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
March 8 and March 9 Castle Park
3190 New York Ave. Melbourne Melbournefest.com
Irish Dance & Dinner 5:30 p.m.
Dinner, dancing and silent auction. Fundraiser for Lawndale Museum. Community Woman’s Club 5 Rosa Jones Drive Cocoa, 321-288-3014
March 15
Open Cockpit Day 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. A unique chance for aviation lovers to explore history up close.
Valiant Air Command 6600 Tico Road Titusville, 321-268-1941
March 16
Space Fest
9 a.m.
Escape room, scavenger hunt,
Cocoa Beach Library 550 N. Brevard Ave. Cocoa Beach, 321-868-1104
March 22
Poocharella
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Pet specialty vendors, food trucks, adoptable dogs and live music. Fundraiser for Touch of Grey Rescue.
Wickham Park
Light Among the Shadows Luncheon 11 a.m.
Fundraiser for the Brevard Association for the Advancement of the Blind. A unique dining adventure designed to heighten all participants' senses of taste, smell, and touch while experiencing the world
Upcoming Trips
MJ The Musical — March 11, 2025, $195 pp
One of the greatest entertainers of all time, Michael Jackson’s unique artistry coming to Orlando at Dr Phillips. Includes evening show and roundtrip transportation.
Flamingo Gardens — Mar. 31, $125
Includes round trip motor coach, lunch and guided tour. Tour one of the region’s oldest botanical gardens. It also houses the Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary, providing care for injured or non-releasable Florida native wildlife. A min. of 35 needed, sign-up by March 15.
Voyager of the Seas — Transatlantic Sailing
May 3 - 16 Port Canaveral to Barcelona. Limited space.
Spotlight on Northern Italy — Sept. 12 - 20
Join Jean in Treviso and enjoy day trips to Venice, Verona and the Dolomites! Ask about the Slovenia pre-extension.
A Journey through Time: Armenia & Georgia
Aug. 27 - Sept. 6, 2026 - Join Jean on this small group discovery tour. Maximum participants is 18 and is already selling! Deposit $250pp. $3,269 per person based on double occupancy
through the eyes of the visually impaired.
March 23
Auditions for "Jesus Christ Superstar"
March 29
Annual Fore the Kids Golf Outing
8 a.m.
Eau Gallie First Baptist benefit. All proceeds go to student camp and mission trip costs.
Turtle Creek Golf Club 1279 Admiralty Blvd. Rockledge, 321-254-2339
There will be plants, planters, yard art and many butterfly items. Wickham Park 2815 Leisure Way Melbourne, 586-242-9931
March for Meals Awareness Walk
9 a.m.
Fundraiser for Aging Matters'
Organizations, community join to help students attend prom in style
BY FLORA REIGADA
Wanting to ensure that all Brevard County students can wear stylish clothes to their once-in-a-lifetime prom, some organizations and schools are providing them for free.
They rely on the community for donations of gently used and clean formal attire, such as gowns, dresses, shoes, suits, tuxedos, dress shirts, pants, vests, ties, belts, purses and other accessories. Monetary donations are also accepted.
The Space Coast Association of Realtors will present Project Prom, where students may “shop” for free from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 15 at the Association’s offices at 2950 Pineda Plaza Way in Palm Shores.
For more information, check out bit.ly/4hS3qkf.
Although the Association of Realtors are no longer taking donations, the community is invited to pass the word and help a teenager’s dream come true.
“This is an important event because it gives students what they would otherwise not be able to afford, and at no cost,” said
Yvette Cruz, the director of communications for the Brevard County School Board. Another event, the North Brevard Prom Closet
hosted by the Titusville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Titusville YMCA, will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 29 at the Holiday Inn, Titusville-Kennedy Space Center at 4714 Helen Hauser Blvd.
For more information, call the Chamber of Commerce at 321-267-3036 or go to members.titusville.org/ events/North-Brevard-PromCloset-21385/details
Donations may be dropped off at three locations through March 15:
The Titusville Area Chamber of Commerce at 2000 S. Washington Ave., One Senior Place, 8085 Spyglass Hill Road in Viera The Brevard County School Board at 2700 Judge
Fran Jamieson Way in Melbourne.
“We are glad to do our part, and provide a location for people to support the students and give them equal access,” said Amanda Bates, the director of member services of the Titusville Area of Chamber Commerce and coordinator of the Prom Closet.
Schools are also collecting for the big event. At Cocoa High School, for example, formal attire can be brought to the Tiger Shack.
Items should look gently worn. If someone is cleaning out their closet, and spots their prom outfit, they might think, “I went to Cocoa High School. I’ll call them and see if anyone can use it.” VV-
VIERA VOICE Courtesy of the Space Coast Association of Realtors
At last year’s Project Prom, hosted by the Space Coast Association of Realtors, Brevard County students selected from racks and tables of no-cost prom clothing and accessories.
Children’s robotics club teams up with LEGO to help community
BY ADRIANNA VAVRA
The First LEGO League Robotics Team in Viera — the Robot Rebels — which started out with four homeschoolers has grown to a state championship competitive team.
LEGO sponsored the first LEGO League in which this team competed. Each year, the children must build a robot out of LEGO bricks to complete challenges.
The local team was one of 88 selected out of 1,500 to compete in the state championship. They were one of the youngest teams, with ages ranging from 8 to 11 years old.
The children learned a lot about coding and engineering. Members Mauro Casado, Kaanan Jones and Sam McHugh like building and running the robot, whereas other members such as Owen Madsen and Taylor Spero’s favorite part of the club is programming and coding the robot.
LEGO also gives the teams a mission to make their communities better each year. This year, the mission is to help save the ocean from all the plastics in it.
“Our goal is spreading awareness,” Madsen said.
They have created a petition regarding the United Nation’s Global Plastics Treaty to show that people are interested in the state of the oceans. The goal is to be able to raise $120,000 to build an 8-to-10foot tall LEGO globe to showcase support for their worldwide cause.
The group has collaborated with experts, institutions and other clubs. They collected water from around the world, such as South Africa and Norway and sent it to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach to be tested.
Coaches Alex McHugh and Lisa Keys, along with snack coach Owen McHugh, place an emphasis on students doing their own work and research.
The team also gets bonding time to build a cohesive group and spend time with each other as friends. They get to do this at camp, which members Ari LeClaire and Elliot Chung mentioned was their favorite part of the club. Another member, Addilyn Chung, likes how they get to have fun and be weird together.
The Robot Rebels is an intelligent group of children that builds robots and comes together to make the community a better place. VV-
VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Alex McHugh
The Robot Rebels of Viera want to spread the word about the harmful effects of plastic in the oceans around the world.
VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Alex McHugh
LEGO teams from around the world collected water samples. These students from Norway were among those who particpated in the clean water research.
Boomer Fest!
Brevard celebrates the completion of the first 100 Lagoon projects
Hundreds of Brevard residents celebrated the completion of our first 100 Save Our Indian River Lagoon (SOIRL) restoration projects by planting thousands of baby super clams from the Max Brewer Bridge in Titusville.
A joyful crowd came together Feb. 1 to hear about the progress we are making and were given cups containing approximately 100 baby clams.
We then walked from Sand Point Park up on to the Max Brewer Bridge. There, we cheered together, raised our clams and turned to sprinkle these small but mighty creatures into the waters below.
Called Clams Across the Lagoon, this was a fitting way to acknowledge all the hard work that our community is putting into Healing Our Lagoon.
The SOIRL half-cent sales tax plan was adopted
Lagoon Straight Talk From the Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition
by an overwhelming vote in 2016 following a devastating algal bloom and fish kill. Since then, the County’s Natural Resources Management Department has been operating and improving the plan to remove millions of pounds of pollution and to undertake other projects to restore the Indian River Lagoon.
The super clams used in the celebration are an example of the creative work being done. While the Indian River Lagoon was full of clams in the 1980s, by 2016 they had virtually disappeared. Later, however, Dr. Todd Osborne, University of Florida
Whitney Labs and Captain Blair Wiggins, a renowned fishing guide, discovered a small number of clams that seemed to be thriving in the contaminated waters. They began breeding these hardy creatures and planting them in different parts of the Indian River Lagoon. They proved to be resilient, and millions have now been planted across the Indian River Lagoon. Each adult clam is capable of filtering 20 to 30 gallons of water a day.
Recognizing both the importance and the symbolic value of the super clams, Virginia Barker, the director of the Brevard County Natural Resource Management department, organized the Clams Across the Lagoon celebration. Healing Our Lagoon takes each of us, takes all of us, takes you and me. For more information, check out HelpTheLagoon.org VV
Local firefighters' union rallies in call for better pay, support
By CHRIS BONANNO
Hundreds gathered recently at the Viera Government Center for a Brevard County Professional Firefighters Local 2969 rally in its quest for more funding and support from the county for Brevard County Fire Rescue.
Meanwhile, county officials had called for a negotiation meeting. Firefighters did not attend, saying they were notified too late to prepare for the meeting.
Firefighters said there is a shortage of personnel because of lower pay than at other fire departments.
“Definitely within the last six years, we’ve always had critical staffing issues,” Local 2969 president Michael Bramson said.
“We’ve always had the notion that it’s been no
“Definitely within the last six years, we’ve always had critical staffing issues.”
— Michael
Bramson, Local 2969 president
secret to firefighters that people come to Brevard County to be trained so that they become more attractive to other places and unfortunately that’s kind of become what we’re known for.”
Brevard County Fire Rescue has lost 121 emergency personnel since Jan. 1, 2024, according to the firefighters' union.
Bramson said that BCFR is operating “at around 85% of where we need to be and we’re looking at the fact that we need probably no less
than four, maybe around six more ambulances to serve the community and citizens of south Brevard including
The Murtha Law Group, PA
Kevin M. Murtha Attorney and Counselor at Law
the City of Palm Bay, and Cocoa.
County Commissioner Katie Delaney spoke as attendees at the rally, who were primarily clad in yellow, stood behind her.
“When I brought forward this workshop to talk about these issues that we’re dealing with in this county regarding our fire department, our other commissioners did not stand next to me like I needed them so we’re here today to talk to the citizens, to talk to all of you to see what your input is in these issues that we’re dealing with today,” Delaney said. “We know that our fire department is ridiculously underpaid.”
Delaney added that she
was going to bring forward an agenda item at the Feb. 11 County Commission meeting to address the issues.
“We continue working toward a contract resolution and hope to reach one sooner than later,” said Don Walker, director of communications with Brevard County in an email to the Viera Voice Officials from the county appeared ready to meet inside the Government Center. However, Bramson said that because he found out less 48 hours prior to the staging of that session that he was unable to properly secure legal representation in time for the chapter to have a presence there. VV-
VIERA VOICE Courtesy of the Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition
A joyful crowd at Max Brewer Bridge in Titusville hold up cups, each containing approximately 100 baby clams, to be released into the Indian River Lagoon.
VIERA VOICE Chris Bonanno
Brevard County Professional Firefighters Local 2969 has been seeking a new contract that will address low pay, which the firefighters' union says has prompted the loss of 121 emergency personnel since Jan. 1, 2024
Metal detectors to start screening at VHS
BY MIKE GAFFEY
Viera High School is scheduled to roll out an advanced weapons detection system this month that already spotted a hidden handgun at Cocoa High School.
Four sets of OpenGate walk-through metal detectors will screen VHS students and visitors and their backpacks, purses and bags for dangerous or prohibited items, VHS Principal Heather LeGate said. Screening is set to start March 5.
“It's been a long time coming,” LeGate said. “Safety is our number one priority on campus, so this will definitely help us with that part of the job. It's something that is definitely necessary, unfortunately.”
Students will be directed to remove backpack items such as laptop computers, three-ring metal binders and compact umbrellas to avoid setting off alarms.
Students will get a five-school-day grace period on tardies to adjust to the new routine. Legate has released instructional videos to help students get their backpacks' detector ready.
“The other schools who have already installed the systems have been successful, so I foresee no major issues,” she said.VV
VIERA VOICE Mike Gaffey
OpenGate weapons detection systems, such as this one at Satellite High School, are scheduled to start screening Viera High School students and visitors March 5.
ScoopBUSINESS
Olive Tree Greek Grill nears completion in Borrows West
BY MIKE GAFFEY
After years of delays, Olive Tree Greek Grill in Viera’s Borrows West is weeks away from welcoming customers.
Michael and Allyson Kastrinakis’ 6,000-squarefoot, three-building restaurant at 5481 Lake Andrew Drive should open in late March or in April, Allyson Kastrinakis said.
“It has definitely come a long way,” Allyson Kastrinakis said of the twostory, lakefront venue with Mediterranean-inspired architecture. “The builders have all the concrete and stuff down, so now it's just mainly getting all the finishes. And then we just have to go through the county to get all the CO (certificate of occupancy) stuff done.”
The new restaurant will replace the Viera couple’s popular Olive Tree Greek Grill, which has been serving customers at 2270 Town Center Ave., No. 113, in The Avenue Viera since 2014.
The new Olive Tree originally had targeted a late 2023 opening date, according to a post on the restaurant’s Facebook page.
Constructed of concrete, cinderblock and steel beams, Olive Tree will resemble a
village in Athens, with an outdoor dining area on its first floor and fine dining and cocktails in Pano, an upscale restaurant venue upstairs.
Visitors entering from the westside parking lot will walk through a large courtyard decorated with a tile mural, then enter a gourmet market/order area.
The market will be stocked with items imported from Greece.
Patrons can order their meals at a counter inside the market area, and staff will bring their fast-casual menu items to the 130-seat, first-floor dining area or to covered outdoor areas overlooking a man-made
lake. An advanced takeout system will enable visitors to place to-go orders online, in person or by phone, then pick up their food from lockers at a covered area outside. Guests also can order from a kiosk next to the lockers.
and
The couple decided on al fresco dining for the first floor after Covid-19 delayed the project’s start in 2020, Michael Kastrinakis said in 2024. Original plans had called for a traditional, onebuilding restaurant with indoor dining and a patio, he said. The original Olive Tree will close once the first-floor dining area opens.
Inside the air-conditioned Pano, which means up in Greek, as many as 50 guests can choose from a completely different menu.
Patrons must be 21 and older and reservations and proper dress are required. Pano is accessible by elevator or stairs and features floorto-ceiling windows and a sit-down bar. Dishes will be delivered via dumb waiter, a small lift that carries food.
“We’re going to be opening up Olive Tree first and then once Olive Tree’s open and running smoothly, that's when we'll open up Pano,” Allyson Kastrinakis said.
All Olive Tree meals are based on old family recipes and will be prepared in a large kitchen overseen by an executive chef. The chef
and a chef de cuisine were recently hired, Allyson Kastrinakis said. The restaurant will keep its allGreek-food menu from The Avenue Viera location and add a few dishes, he said. Designed by Melbourne architect Andrew Roman and built by Rockledge-based Archangel Engineering & Construction Inc., Olive Tree will feature archways and high, whitewashed walls. A small outdoor amphitheater will provide a place for live entertainment. Stairs connect the restaurant to Borrows West Park, which features swings and a 0.9-mile cement path around the lake for walking, running or bicycling.
The restaurant will employ about 60 workers, including staff from The Avenue Viera location.
Olive Tree will be the latest addition to Borrows West, a growing entertainment, dining and retail hub south of Viera Boulevard and west of Interstate-95. The area got its name from a pit that provided “borrowed” dirt for improvement projects on I-95’s west side.
“We can’t wait to welcome you to your little slice of the Mediterranean, right here at home,” proclaims a post on the restaurant’s Facebook page.
For more information, check out olivetreegreekgrill. com/ or call 321-631-0188. VV
VIERA VOICE Jill Blue
Olive Tree Greek Grill is on schedule to open in March or April at 5481 Lake Andrew Drive in Borrows West.
Pulmonologist plans new medical office near Viera Hospital
BY MIKE GAFFEY
Dr. Deepika Aneja is moving her Rockledge practice to a 20,000-square foot building planned near Viera Hospital.
Viera Pulmonary will occupy about 4,500 square feet of the new IBIS building at Viera Medical Park, on North Wickham Road and Stadium Parkway.
“I've always had my
eye on Viera Medical Park and I said, ‘You know, one day I'm going to have a practice there,” said Aneja, who has leased her office at 5466 Village Drive since January 2023 and recently purchased the medical park’s last remaining parcel.
Board certified in internal medicine, pulmonary and critical care, Aneja will provide
“With our aging population, there’s such a great demand for lung specialists, treating diseases
a few.”
care for patients with pulmonary diseases at her new office. She plans to lease the rest of the building to tenants in the healthcare field.
“We've been in talks with multiple professionals in the healthcare space who are interested in the desirable location,” she said.
A larger office will enable Aneja to grow and help more patients.
“With our aging population, there’s such a great demand for lung specialists, treating diseases such as COPD, asthma, interstitial lung disease, sleep disorders, pulmonary hypertension, to name a few,” she said.
A 2008 graduate of the
— Dr. Deepika
Aneja
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine with more than 15 years of experience in pulmonary and critical care, Dr. Aneja in 2014 joined her physician husband Dr. Ashish Udeshi, a Titusville native and an interventional pain management physician with Florida Pain Institute.
After 10 years in Viera, the pair have two boys and a girl, ages 10, 7 and 5.
“Oh, we love it,” Aneja said of life in Viera. “The growth that we see here is amazing, with an influx of young professionals and retirees calling Viera home.”
When the couple met with The Viera Company, “we joked with them that
we wanted to live here, work here and play here,” Aneja said. “Now our home is here in Viera. My practice, Viera Pulmonary, will be in Viera. And our kids’ activities are all here in Viera.”
W&J Construction Corp. of Rockledge will build the new office, Aneja said.
“We're very excited for everyone to see it,” she said of the new office. “It’s going to be very unique and a great addition to the Viera medical community. Our architect, Dave Nagrodsky, did an amazing design. The Viera Pulmonary family is excited for our new home.”
For more information, visit vierapulmonary.com or call 321-806-3310 VV
HOW TO SOLVE:
Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9; each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9; and each set of 3 by 3 boxes must contain the numbers 1 to 9.
(Answer appears elsewhere in this issue)
Solution on page 34
VIERA VOICE Mike Gaffey
Pulmonologist Dr. Deepika Aneja will move her Rockledge practice to a 20,000-square-foot building across from Viera Hospital. Aneja plans to lease the rest of the building to tenants in the healthcare field.
Edited by Margie E. Burke
Practice offers innovative care in women’s health
BY BETTY PORTER
Ashleigh Auth wanted a practice in women’s health that also gave her the flexibility to spend more time with her family — her husband and four sons.
She does that through Pausitive Women’s Care, a newly opened healthcare practice in Rockledge which provides wellness services for women, with a particular focus on midlife care.
Auth, a certified physician assistant with a Master’s of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree, leads Pausitive Women’s Care.
The clinic specializes in holistic gynecological care, addressing the unique health challenges that arise during perimenopause and menopause and offers both in-person consultations at the office as well as telemedicine services throughout the state.
Auth, who moved with her family to Brevard County from Frederick, Maryland, offers services that include routine wellwoman exams, breast and
"I have been working in women’s health for over a decade and each woman has a story."
— Ashleigh Auth, certified physician assistant
pelvic examinations, PAP and STI screenings and comprehensive hormonal health management.
“Starting this practice gives me the flexibility to spend more time with my family, which I cherish, but it also allows me more time that I believe is critical to give optimal care to each and every deserving woman,” she said. “I partner with patients to develop individualized treatment plans that cater to their specific needs. My approach is rooted in holistic and patient-centered care. Each patient received personalized attention and support.”
Auth brings experience to the practice.
“I have been working in women’s health for over a decade and each woman has a story,” she said. “The more you sit with them and spend time listening, the more you learn about the amazing
journey each of them has been on and what they have learned along the way. It’s inspiring to care for women as I feel like in turn they are caring for me. When you do something you love every day, it is hardly work.”
Pausitive Women’s Care does not accept insurance and is membership based, which Auth said allows for her to spend more time with each patient.
“By emphasizing a patient-centered approach, Pausitive Women’s Care aims to help women navigate hormonal changes with confidence, offering support for symptoms such as mood swings, hot flashes, fatigue and sleep disturbances. We offer gynecological care for every state of womanhood,” she said.
Auth lives in Melbourne and is a member of the Junior League. For more information or
to schedule a consultation, call 321- 477-0700 or visit
pausitivewomenscare.com VV
VIERA VOICE Klinton Landress Ashleigh Auth, a physician assistant, opened Pausitive Women’s Care in Rockledge, specializing in holistic gynecological care.
BY ELAINE MOODY
If you like cheese, chicken and flavorful food, you should try our favorite
Viera Cookbook
Mexican dish. It’s easy to make and can even be prepped the day before and then popped into the oven when you’re ready.
I started preparing this delicious dish for our family and co-workers back in the early 1990s. Next thing I knew, it became a big request
Cheese and Chicken Enchiladas
Ingredients:
1½ cup cooked, shredded chicken
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 16 oz. jar of your favorite picante sauce (divided)
1 small can mild enchilada sauce
3 ounces cream cheese (cubed)
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (divided)
8 to 10 fajita-size flour or corn tortillas
Sour cream
For additional servings, just double the recipe.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a deep cooking pot, place prepared chicken, 8 ounces of picante sauce, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 3 ounces of cubed cream cheese and 1 tablespoon of ground cumin. Cook until thoroughly heated. Stir in 1 cup cheddar cheese and heat until all cheese is melted. Continue to stir mixture and then remove from heat. Spoon about 3 tablespoons mixture in center of each tortilla, roll up and place seam side down in 12x7-inch baking dish. (spray with PAM or other
by our kids when they would have friends over. One friend liked it so much, they wanted the recipe for their mom. She took it upon herself to make
a large batch every Tuesday night to feed a bunch of hungry teenagers before they went to Bible study. Enjoy VV
cooking oil first). After all tortillas are placed in dish, top with contents of one can mild enchilada sauce and remaining picante sauce. Top with 1 cup cheddar cheese. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. (allow extra cooking time if refrigerated before baking)
Serving suggestion: Top each enchilada with sour cream and serve with a side of Mexican rice and chopped lettuce and tomato.
Alura Senior Living Classic Car Show
Central Brevard Art Association set to celebrate 65th anniversary
BY BETTY PORTER
The Central Brevard Art Association will celebrate its 65th anniversary with a special art show and sale April 12 and 13 at the Cocoa-Rockledge Garden Club.
The public is invited.
“The Central Brevard Art Association is 65 years (old) and still going and growing strong. And we’re celebrating with a big art show and sale,” said Laurie Griffin, the event chairperson. “For 65 years, the CBAA has thrived in Brevard County and we are excited to bring our celebration to the community that has always supported and encouraged
local art and artists.”
Admission and parking are free. The show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 12 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 13. The show is at the Rockledge Garden Club at 1493 S. Fiske Blvd.
Griffin said the weekend will include a variety of demonstrations throughout both days. In addition, a variety of original fine art and prints, photography, jewelry, sculpture, mixed media and much more will be on display and for sale during the two-day event.
“The historic event brings CBAA members and other community artists together to exhibit, sell and celebrate.
The highlight of the weekend is the art show which attracts artists of all levels from throughout Brevard County. The show is judged by well-known jurors who select the best of the best to be recognized for their work,” Griffin said.
The CBAA is a nonprofit organization of local artists. It was created to promote appreciation of visual arts, provide educational opportunities in visual arts to the community and support members through education, instruction, encouragement and promotion.
Art Association Ana-Marija Ilievska, who graduated in 2024 from Cocoa Beach Junior/Senior High School, was the most-recent recipient of the Central Brevard Art Association scholarship.
The association also provides an annual scholarship award to a local student who wishes to pursue a college education in art. It sponsors a scholarship at Eastern Florida State College for students pursuing the arts.
“The Central Brevard Art Association’s Youth Scholarship Award is presented in June to a graduating high school senior who is continuing their art education. The fund for the
award was started in 2004 through a donation by Gina Crabbs in memory of her mother, Theresa Barbini, both members of the CBAA. Each year, high school art teachers nominate their best students based on scholastic achievement, talent and a desire to pursue a degree in art or an art-related field.
Studio 3 Framing has been providing donations in support of the program. A volunteer committee of CBAA members interviews the students and reviews samples of their work to select the student with the greatest potential to succeed,” Griffin said.
“CBAA is proud to have awarded the Student Scholarship to Central Brevard County high school art students since 2004. Throughout the years, the quality, talent and student response has amazed us and we are delighted to carry on this tradition,” said Marsha Houck, the CBAA scholarship coordinator.
For information about CBAA or the scholarship, check out cbaaartists.com or call 321-806-8065 VV
BY CHRIS BONANNO
Area residents can look forward to a few new businesses opening in Viera in the near future.
SoFresh will soon open its first Brevard eatery at the Stadium Corners shopping center, which includes Publix at 5380 Stadium Pkwy. in Viera.
SoFresh will offer hot bowls, salads, broth bowls, wraps, smoothies and juices. It will also have vegan, vegetarian, keto paleo and gluten-free preferences.
Those who pass by the soon-to-be open SoFresh location can scan a QR code on its front façade that links to its menu.
SoFresh isn’t the only new eatery that will soon open in a Viera shopping center shared with a Publix. Sushi Kawa is slated to open at the Addison Center at 7655 Stadium Pkwy. in Viera.
The Avenue Viera also is seeing the addition of American Eagle Outfitters and its sub-brand Aerie in 2025, according to a press release from The Avenue.
The brands offer “denim, active wear, accessories and more,” and that it caters to a “youthful, trendforward audience.”
There is an American Eagle location in Brevard County at the Melbourne Square Mall. There are also multiple American Eagle and Aerie locations in the Orlando area VV
VIERA VOICE Courtesy of the Central Brevard
VIERA VOICE Chris Bonanno
Sushi Kawa will soon open in Viera.
at various locations. Join business colleagues in Viera and the surrounding area to network.
Brian Dillon, Brian Boorujy
Kathy Sorrell Sharon DuBois
Breakfast Sponsor: Kim Cone of Avet Project
Cindy MacMillan, Cartama Ramos Crafton, Christina Noll
Cosme Arrieta, Abimael Roca
James Moore, Dana Vinci
Kim Cone, Andrea Wheeler, Kelly Riese, Anjanette Wicks
Stephanie Hand, Arielle Fox, Nicole Davis, Erikka Washington
Chris Conneen, Curtis Stolaas, Pam Rogan
Sandy Michelson, Suzanne Witenhafer, Kelly Cote, Karem Sapp
Ari Mendez
Cosme Arrieta, Jill Blue, Lerry Villalobos, Joanne Post
Happy March
Third annual St. Mary Mardi Gras Festival
3 - 9 p.m.
Family-friendly event with food, games, music, and a parade.
St. Mary Catholic Church 1136 Seminole Drive Rockledge, 321-636-6834
Brianna Marie Foundation 5K 7:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Wickham Park 2500 Parkway Drive Melbourne, 407-342-89
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Casino Night
6 p.m.
Professionally hosted casino games, live music, refreshments and light bites. The Brennity at Melbourne 7300 Watersong Lane Viera, 321-449-8510
Mindless Eating
1 p.m.
Registered, licensed dietitian/nutritionist Susie Bond explains how to mindlessly lose 15 pounds a year by paying attention to the subtle signals of your body.
One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-951-6771
Bingo 1 - 3 p.m.
Italian American Club of South Brevard 1471 Cypress Ave. Melbourne 321-242-8044
Spirituality on the Go — Drive up for Ashes and a Prayer
7 - 9 a.m. and 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Clergy from the church will administer ashes to the foreheads of the faithful who drive up. Advent Lutheran Church 7550 N. Wickham Road Suntree 321-259-8515
Viera East Travelers Club
6 p.m.
Kim Foy of Collette Tours will share the 2025-2026 trips Viera East Residents Club 1964 Golf Vista Blvd. Viera, 321-890-3522 Sip & Smoke 5:30 p.m. Monthly cigar and spirit-themed event. 28 North 2250 Town Center Ave. Viera, 321-241-1159
Together at The Avenue 8 - 10 a.m.
Celebrate International Women’s month with businessesses owned by female entrepreneurs. $15. The Avenue Viera Viera, 321-634-5390
Brevard Antiques and Collectibles 10 a.m. - noon Topic: Plastic and Glass. Suntree/Viera Library Suntree, 321-255-4404
Indiafest 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Wickham Park 2500 Parkway Drive Melbourne indiafestbrevard.org
Letting Go Workshop 2 - 4 p.m. Presented by Lifting Up Ladies in Love and Deed. Featuring Julie Jacky. RSVP, Faith Viera 5550 Faith Drive Viera, 321-639-8330
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Indiafest
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Cultural shows, traditional Indian cuisines, fashion show, music and an Indian cooking demonstration. Wickham Park 2500 Parkway Drive Melbourne, indiafestbrevard.org
Brevard Investment Education Group
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. This group meets to talk about investments.
Suntree/Viera Library 902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 321-255-4404
Slices for Service — Support Our Heroes
11 a.m. - 4 p.m. 10% of all pizza sale proceeds will be donated to the Military Officers Association of America, Cape Canaveral Chapter. Presented by CarePatrol. Pizza Gallery 2250 Town Center Ave. Viera, 321-652-1071
Dementia Talk
1 p.m.
Learn how to identify and potentially slow the effects of dementia for yourself or a loved one.
Alzheimer’s/Dementia Caregiver Support Group 11 a.m. - noon Receive encouragement, guidance and support.
Suntree/Viera Library 902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 321-255-4404
Space Coast BoomerFest! Boomer Guide Expo
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Senior Life's annual free expo celebrating boomers and seniors.
Exhibitors, coffee bar and mini lunch. Forester Recreation Center, 960 Cogswell Street, Rockledge Senior Life 321-242-1235
15th annual St. Baldrick's Brevard Noon - 4 p.m. Shaving heads for charity. The Avenue Viera 2261 Town Center Ave. Viera, 321-634-5390
Spring Fling 1 p.m. Food trucks, music and exciting activities. Viera Children’s Academy 3395 Viera Blvd. Viera, 321-433-2330
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
A Musical Journey Through Florida
2 - 3 p.m.
Chris Kahl will perform songs covering historical events, characters and folklore with in-depth storytelling. Green Gables 1501 S. Harbor City Blvd. Melbourne 321-306-8635
Scottish Country Dancing
6:30 - 9:30 p.m. Free lessons
Singles and couples Springs of Suntree 8300 Holiday Springs Road Suntree 321-427-3587
How to Be Fit When You Sit
2 p.m.
Designed specifically for seniors. Discover simple strategies to stay active while seated. The Brennity at Melbourne 7300 Watersong Lane Viera, 321-449-8510
Brevard Authors Critique Group 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Bring your story. Suntree/Viera Library 902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 321-255-4404
Third Thursday 5 - 8 p.m. Enjoy live music and a free drink or ice cream. The Avenue Viera
Tai Chi class with Brad 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Suntree/Viera Library 902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree 321-255-4404
Light Among the Shadows Luncheon 11 a.m. Benefit for the Brevard Association for the Advancement of the Blind. A unique dining adventure designed to heighten all senses of taste, smell and touch. Space Coast Convention Center 301 Tucker Lane Cocoa, 321-773-7222 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
Early Bird Trivia 4 - 6 p.m. Free to play.
Pizza Gallery 2250 Town Center Ave. Viera, 321-633-0397
Coin Talk 6 - 8 p.m.
Drop in with your coins or old money and talk to a local American Numismatic. Suntree/Viera Library 902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 321-255-4404
Tax-Aide for Seniors AARP Tax-Aide Foundation Representatives/ volunteers will assist with free tax preparation and filing for seniors 50+ in Viera. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road, Viera. 321-751-6771
VA Benefits 10 a.m.
SENIORNews
Chateau Madeleine celebrates centenarians with joy, reflection
BY SUSAN M. HOUTS
Chateau
Madeleine
Assisted Living recently celebrated two active centenarians.
Staff, residents and families of Chateau Madeleine in Suntree gathered Feb. 12 to celebrate special birthdays, including the two centenarians — Harley Hickman, who turned 100, and Dorothy “Dottie” Grothjahn, who turned 101.
Hickman, who is originally from Illinois, graduated from Liberty High School before being drafted into the Navy during World War II and served in the military for three years.
He married his high school sweetheart, Merle. They were married for 78 years.
Following his discharge from the Navy, Hickman worked as a typesetter at NASCO for 40 years, retiring in 1986.
After his retirement, Harley and Merle headed south.
“The cold weather was enough for me, so we took off to Florida,” he said.
The couple played nine holes of golf almost daily, with Harley walking the course. Merle died three years ago.
Hickman’s brother-in-law, Don Morrison, shared stories about his remarkable life and credited his longevity to an active mind.
“Harley spends 10 and a half hours a day researching different topics,” Morrison said. He also highlighted Hickman’s popularity. “The ladies know Harley, and
they all give him a hug,” he said. “When he returned from a recent hospital stay, there was cheering and hollering.”
Born just over a century ago in Tampa, Grothjahn moved to Jacksonville at age three.
She married a Naval aviator, which led to a life of travel.
When he retired, they moved to be near the University of Georgia, where he taught statistics. They eventually returned to Florida and bought a condominium in Cocoa Beach.
“When you get the sand in your shoes, you can’t get it out,” Grothjahn said.
Grothjahn and her husband, Harry, shared a love for golf. She often walked four miles a day while he played tennis. They raised three children before Harry died at age 92.
Now, Grothjahn enjoys visits from her five grandchildren and eight greatgrandchildren.
“I have enjoyed my life,” she said, reflecting. “I’m glad the years have gone by as well as they have.”
Her daughter Mary Van Horn was present for the birthday celebration.
“My mother is sharing, giving and loving,” she said. “She is sharper than I am; she still beats me at Rummikub.”
Both credit their long lives to staying active. They share a simple life philosophy: “Be yourself and treat others the way you want to be treated.”
Chateau Madeleine’s Executive Director Eric Hardoon emphasized keeping residents engaged.
“Our activities support residents’ lives,” he said. “We want to keep residents active and bring families together.”
Although February brought these two special birthday celebrations, Chateau Madeleine is home to several other active and social centenarians.
These extraordinary individuals are a testament to the power of staying active and engaged in later years.
VIERA VOICE Susan M. Houts
Popular Chateau Madeleine resident Harley Hickman celebrates his 100th birthday surrounded by family and friends.
VIERA VOICE Susan M. Houts
Dorothy “Dottie” Grothjahn, a resident of Chateau Madeleine, is mentally sharp at 101 years old
VIERA VOICE Susan M. Houts
Chateau Madeleine Executive Director Eric Hardoon, center, celebrates with centenarians Dorothy “Dottie” Grothjahn and Harley Hickman.
New museum, monument to share story of Melbourne’s freed-slave founders
BY LINDA JUMP
For nearly 150 years, the true history of the founding of Melbourne was a well-kept secret. That's no longer the case after a museum opened last month with ongoing fundraising to create a monument in Riverside Park.
Three freed slaves — Wright Brothers, Peter Wright and Balaam Allen — settled along Crane Creek on land deeded to them through the Homestead Act. Allen and Brothers grew citrus; Wright transported mail by ship.
“What wilderness are we willing to walk into and what false narratives must we cut down.”
— Mayor Michael Blake
“We want not just to remember, but to restore a history. … We want justice (for the story) to be told on both sides of the railroad tracks,” Cocoa Mayor Michael Blake told nearly 200 people
“I'm very excited to finally open after five years.”
— James Shackleford
at the second annual Prayer Breakfast held Feb. 22.
The event raised money toward the $500,000 needed to commemorate the three men and their families, who he said braved marshes, mosquitos and treacherous wildlife.
“What wilderness are we willing to walk into and what false narratives must we cut down” to get to true history, Blake asked.
Later that morning, the Founders’ Museum at Crane Creek at 1001 Brothers Ave. in Melbourne officially opened, with 225 visitors.
“I’m very excited to finally open after five years. We were set back by Covid and lots of materials from out of the county,” said James Shackleford, the president of the Greater Allen Development Corporation that will operate the museum.
Edited by Margie E. Burke
life in the 1920s and a Bible used in the original African Methodist Episcopal Church. It will open the second Saturday of each month for a donation or by request for larger groups. In 1964, a replacement church was built that continues as Greater Allen Chapel AME Church.
(Answer appears elsewhere in this issue) 5 6 4 1 7 9 7 3 6 5 1 2 9 3
Shackleford said moving the 1884 house where the
TEEN COURT
Continued from page 6
would go through the regular juvenile justice process,” DeTorre said.
Whether juveniles are eligible for the program is dependent on the discretion of the State Attorney’s Office.
“Basically, it’s kind of like an offer,” DeTorre said. “Our
HOW TO SOLVE: Solution to
attorney will review the case, see if we can file the charges and then, if they’re going to offer that juvenile diversion, we will then offer it to them either at arraignment, when they go to court or when they send it in the mail offering them the diversion program.”
The program has been in operation in Brevard County since 1996 when it
founders first worshiped and prepping rooms cost $148,000, but $50,000 more
was founded by former State Attorney Norm Wolfinger, according to DeTorre.
“Three dollars from court costs from every adult goes to fund the Teen Court program,” he said.
Similar programs are run throughout the state.
“We have it as part of our program called the PAY program — it stands for
Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9; each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9; and each set of 3 by 3 boxes must contain the numbers 1 to 9.
For $10, supporters of the go-fund-me campaign can download a 32-minute locally produced documentary "Moving History," featuring stories by life-long residents, Shackelford said. Go to Melbournefounders.org.
Before last month’s breakfast, the Concerned Citizens Committee of South Brevard had raised about $52,000 to construct a semi-circular half wall 4-feet tall with a podium holding three life-sized statues. The city will provide the site in Riverside Park.
For information, go to foundersmonument.org
is needed for renovations and computers. The museum features rooms depicting
Prosecution Alternatives for Youths. Teen Court is part of that program,” DeTorre said. “Most other counties in the state of Florida, their Teen Court program is run by different entities. For example, in Seminole County, the Sheriff’s Office runs it.”
The teen volunteers, ranging in age from 13 to 17, receive community service
Joseph McNeil Jr., the CCCSB president, said, “The story of these men will not remain just a footnote. This is a legacy of a forgotten past.” VV
hours toward Bright Future Scholarships.
The volunteers must have good academic standing and abide by dress code policy and an “Oath of Confidentiality.”
For information about the program or how to register or volunteer their teenagers for the Teen Court, call 321617-7510. VV
Puzzle on page 22 Puzzle on page 26
Solution to Crossword:
VIERA VOICE Linda Jump
Cocoa Mayor Michael Blake was the lead speaker at a benefit for the Founders' Museum, which officially opened Feb. 22. Blake said it’s time to honor the three freed slaves who first settled at Crane Creek about 1867. The 1880 census for Brevard County listed five freed slaves as the head of households.
The power of a connected community — our
The strength of a community lies not just in the bonds between its people, but in the shared understanding that we are all connected — our individual actions affect more than just the neighbor next door. "We are all connected; to each other, biologically. To the Earth, chemically. To the rest of the universe, atomically," Neil deGrasse Tyson reminded us in 2017. "Our actions may have unforeseen consequences to the people around us, to the community we live in, and to the environment."
At the heart of any thriving community is the recognition that our well-being is deeply linked to the well-being of the planet — our health depends on the health of the Earth and vice-versa. Environmental issues such as pollution, waste and the depletion of natural resources affect everything from air quality to water supplies, and in turn, they impact our physical health. When we work together to care for our environment, we are, in effect, working to ensure a healthier future for ourselves and those around us.
With that in mind, Recycle Brevard is organizing a
discussion course for this spring at Brevard Zoo, using Ecochallenge.org’s book titled "A World of Health: Connecting people, place and planet." The goal of the course is to explore the connections between our health and the health of our planet, from our food and homes, to our communities and society. Talking things through, discussing ideas, and sharing information are constructive ways to identify issues and bring about positive change. If interested in joining, registration is open on Eventbrite at a-world-ofhealth.eventbrite.com
In another initiative to gather the power of our community toward an effort to recycle more and reduce waste, Recycle Brevard will be traveling to Brevard Public Libraries throughout the year to collect hard-to-recycle waste, answer questions and distribute reusable materials that can be used in projects. Meeting residents from 1:30
“We do not weave the web of life; we are merely a strand in it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.”
to 4 p.m. in Cocoa Beach (March 16), Port St. John (April 26), Titusville (May 18), Cocoa (Sept. 28), Palm Bay (Oct. 26) and Melbourne (Nov. 16) will be an opportunity to build connections and reiterate the importance of recycling. Check the calendar at RecycleBrevard.org for details.
As everyone is probably aware, recycling reduces the strain on landfills, conserves natural resources and prevents harmful materials from polluting our ecosystems. But as much as recycling is a positive step forward, it is not always easy. Many materials are not accepted by standard recycling programs and can often end up in landfills. This is where community initiatives like Recycle Brevard make a significant difference.
This initiative exemplifies how, when we come together as a community, we can turn awareness into action — creating a positive, lasting impact. While individual
— Chief Seattle
efforts are important, there is magic in collective action. By supporting such initiatives, we make it possible for them to continue to serve the community through volunteering and, at the same time, have the means to expand.
That is the goal of Recycle Brevard’s Recycling Club (bit.ly/RecyclingClub) — a membership program that is being launched to enable the organization to continue its work and make it possible for everyone to have access to a wider range of recycling options. By investing in this program, we encourage recycling to grow, benefiting both our community and the planet. Whether you choose to take part in any of
the above programs or find another tangible way to make a difference, what matters is that what you choose to be active in our community — what you do will certainly affect more than you think. VV
Email Marcia Booth at Marcia@RecycleBrevard.org
Recycle Brevard is an independent nonprofit organization 100% run by volunteers focused on reducing waste and promoting sustainable living.
Recycle Brevard
Buy 1 Get 10% OFF or Buy 2 Get 20% OFF Plus FREE Installation Get 10% off any order of $1,000 or more. 20% off two or more Closets or Garage Centers of $3,000 or more. Not valid with any other offer. Expires March 31, 2025
