Viera Voice, November 2022

BY CARL KOTALA

Family ties, weather and golf keeps clan rooted in Baytree

BY WENDY SCHEURING

golf and attend sporting events together.

Karen and Garth Savage met in Seattle in 1979 and married three years later. They recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.

In 1995, due to Garth’s work at Northrop Grumman, the couple moved from Arizona to Suntree with their three young daughters, Kimberly, Marie and Morgan. Their youngest child, Hunter, was born after the move.

After living in the Suntree area for nearly a decade, the family of golfers decided to move to Baytree in order to be closer to Baytree National Golf Links.

Their children are now grown and are raising families of their own in the Melbourne area. Karen and Garth now delight in spending time with their five grandchildren ranging in age from nearly 2 to 16.

“My sister-in-law, Nancy Theiss, has lived here with us for 11 years,” Karen Savage said. “She’s also a big part of the family. She’s the aunt.”

Sunday get-togethers are always on the weekly agenda for the entire family.

“The family comes every Sunday for sporting events and to hang out. We like football,” Karen Savage said. “We have a fantasy football league just for our family members.”

“The kids all can sing very well and we like to sing with Alexa,” she added.

Garth Savage emphasizes the importance of family.

“We’re very family oriented and

Featured Family

family is number one in importance to us,” he said. “We all have so much fun together.”

Every year, the Savages throw an annual Halloween bash at their home where family, friends and neighbors are invited.

They also recently attended the 64th annual Savage family vacation at Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park in Washington State.

When Karen and Garth decided to retire three years ago, new and unique opportunities opened up for both of them, Karen as a self-taught artist (KarenSavageArt.com) and Garth, with part-time work at Duran

Golf Club’s Development Center in Viera.

Karen’s art career started when her sister asked her to paint a portrait of her beloved pet that had passed away. That set things into motion with others asking Karen to paint for them, too. She started a business painting colorful portraits of people’s pets in acrylic.

“I’ve painted over 200 whimsical pets in the last year and continue to stay busy,” she said.

Three of Karen and Garth Savage’s children have followed in their father’s footsteps with careers in the aerospace industry. Kimberly is

a program manager at Blue Origin, Marie is a program integrator at Northrop Grumman, and Hunter is a subcontracting analyst at Northrop Grumman. Morgan is a dental hygienist.

Upon retirement, the Savages could have moved anywhere but they decided to stay in Baytree. Family is the number one reason. Florida’s warm weather is a close second.

“I have lupus and fibromyalgia,” Karen Savage said. “I can’t be in cold weather for health reasons, and we can also play golf year-round.” VV

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students in Brevard County and beyond.

“We will be competing for the top school pipeline in the state — elementary to middle to high — there’s no doubt,” said Brevard County School Board member Matt Susin, who represents District 4.

“… We’re going to put in the best opportunity for Viera-Suntree parents. We are looking to drive the best school combination in the state of Florida.”

Sue Hann, the assistant superintendent for facilities

for Brevard County Public Schools, said the new middle school will be a one-story complex with three buildings. The 138,000 square-foot facility will be able to accommodate 1,002 students and will also feature a track, grass field areas, four hard courts for tennis and a gym.

“We’ll have modern classrooms,” Hann said. “That’s Promethean screens, doc cams, speakers, projectors … the whole modern classroom theme. We’ll have a connection between Stadium (Parkway) and Lake Andrew (Drive), so the bus loop will be out on Lake Andrew, but it’s going to connect to the service road that is north of Viera High School right now.

“We are designing a traffic signal. Basically, the front entrance is going to be at Veterans Way. So, we’re designing a signal and will be working with Brevard County on that. It’s kind of a cooperative project, but

we’re taking the initiative to get that designed.

“We’re also going to tie in the parking lot with the high school. The high school and the middle school (end) at different times, so the high school will have access to the signal as well.”

Because middle school students aren’t old enough to legally drive golf carts, there will be no golf cart-specific parking area.

The estimated cost of the project, which includes the buildings, roads and other infrastructure is $45 million.

Johnathan Wilkes, a project executive at Wharton-Smith, Inc., which will build the school, said his company is putting together a procurement package to stay ahead of rising inflation costs and supply chain issues in order to finish on time.

“The biggest challenge we have right in the industry, especially on these large projects is getting your switchgear, so those big main switchboards that run the power to everything, your transformers, your chillers and your cooling towers … all your big central items … lead time is about 52 weeks,”

Viera

VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Brevard Public Schools

VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Brevard Public Schools

opens in August 2024.

“We are designing a traffic signal. Basically, the front entrance is going to be at Veterans Way.”

— Sue Hann

10.24.2022

MIDDLE SCHOOL

continued from page 4

Wilkes said. “So, you have to order them a year before you need them.”

Wharton-Smith, which Wilkes said has been the No. 1 builder of kindergarten to 12th-grade schools in Florida the past two years, also built Viera Elementary as a state-of-the-art facility. The new middle school will follow along those lines.

“I would say from a construction standpoint, from the structure, it’s even better,” Wilkes said. “This is not the same prototype. It will be concrete, hardened … not that Viera Elementary isn’t. Viera Elementary has tilt walls, so it’s concrete encased. But then, it has a metal building kind of surrounding it with metal roofing.

“This will be concrete tilt walls with steel joists, essentially, and then a poured concrete roof. Then, it gets a layer of roofing membrane on top of that.

“… So, it will have all the bells and whistles that Viera Elementary has, and it will have even more.”

While Viera High School is the hurricane shelter for the public in the area, the new middle school could become a supplemental shelter for first responders and could even serve as a command center.

Susin, who has pushed hard through the years for Viera to get a middle school, emphasized all the positives the facility will provide.

There are approximately 400 students from Viera-Suntree that attend DeLaura Middle School in Satellite Beach. That’s 11 buses traveling over the causeways at an annual cost of more than $500,000 in fuel and maintenance.

Once the Viera middle school is built, those kids won’t have to take a 45-minute bus ride to-and-from school. It’s also possible Viera High School could draw more students who would otherwise make the

transition from DeLaura to Satellite, or even Edgewood.

With Viera High’s enrollment expected to rise by at least 80 students, construction on a new building is scheduled to begin Nov. 14.

“We had to build that because of the growth of the students that are going to not go to Satellite anymore and will go (to Viera),” Susin said. “Plus, the tie to that is Viera never had a career and technical true academy. We’re putting in a pipeline for Viera Builders. It’s going to be construction framing. They’ll learn how to build out the interiors of homes.”

Susin also envisions a time when middle school students who want to take upper-level classes will be able to do so at the high school.

That’s not all.

“We’re literally going to be gearing this thing toward the NASA space race that’s about to happen,” Susin said. “It’s mainly because a lot of your Northrop Grumman families live here. A lot of your aerospace engineers and families that work there live here. It’s going to be geared toward that. I wouldn’t doubt it if you start to see some astronaut statues inside this one.”

A parent committee will begin discussing the name of the new school in January 2024. A recommendation will eventually go to the school board for approval.

Susin has no doubt the new middle school will be a huge success.

“This middle school will be tops in the state for achievement,” he said. “It just will. It’ll smoke everything because of the kids that are there.”VV

VIERA VOICE Steve Hollinger

The future traffic light at the intersection of Veterans Way and Stadium Parkway will be shared by Viera High School and the new middle school.

“I wouldn’t doubt it if you start to see some astronaut statues inside this one ”

— Matt Susin

BY JEFF NAVIN

Meet the coaches

The 10th annual Light Up Viera Holiday Parade, which ushers in the Christmas and holiday season, hopes a move to a week later on Saturday, Dec. 3 will improve attendance as the event avoids a conflict with Thanksgiving weekend travel.

“We had people push us to make the date change,’’ said Stephanie Byrd, the marketing manager of the Viera Company. “This year, Brevard Schools said they will be off the whole week of Thanksgiving. We don’t want people to miss the parade because they are out of town.’’

balloons ranging in size from 14 to 25 feet in height will have 10 to 12 handlers dressed in matching bibs.

“They’re huge — they’re crazy big,’’ said Laurie Widzgowski, the marketing and events coordinator for the Viera Company.

With the exception of a few sponsored floats, the parade will add something new this year.

“We’re making an amazing pivot to something unique and original for the community,’’ Byrd said. “For the first time ever, we will have holidayoriented favorite characters as part of professional balloons or float-toons. It will be our version of the Macy’s parade from the Viera side.’’

Ten professional cold-air inflated

The biggest balloon will be a helium-filled nutcracker that will tower above the crowd. It will require 18 handlers and a professional guide.

The parade, which has been shortened to 1.5 miles from its old route of 2.7 miles, will begin and end at Viera High School.

Six high school marching bands from Viera High School, Rockledge,

Pefkaros, M.D.

Staci Walters, O.D., F.A.A.O.

VIERA VOICE Courtesy of the Viera Community Institute Hermey the Elf will be one of the float-toons in the Light Up Viera Holiday Parade.

“We will have holidayoriented favorite characters as part of professional balloons or float-toons.”

—Stephanie Byrd

Wrap up

Viera’s Williams, Carter have been a big hit for Hawks

BY CARL KOTALA

Viera High volleyball coach Sarah Wayne had a feeling Sydney Williams and Mak Carter were going to be outstanding players before the duo ever set foot on campus.

Boy, was she right.

Not only are the two seniors the leaders of this year’s Viera team that is looking to get back to the state final four — and beyond — but they’re arguably two of the best to ever wear a Hawks uniform.

“I’ve seen them grow … starting off not knowing what they wanted to do, not even knowing if they wanted to play volleyball to now — they’re both going to go play in college,’ Wayne said.

“I remember when they were both in eighth grade.

(Assistant coach) Lana (Andrews) and I were like, ‘These two kids are going to be something really special.’”

Carter, a 6-foot middle blocker, finished the regular season with a team-high 214 kills for Viera, which was 16-5 heading into last month’s district tournament. With 668 career kills, the University of Tampa signee was just 67 away from becoming the school’s all-time leader and would have already surpassed that number by far were it not for COVID-19 limiting her sophomore season to just 16 matches.

The same goes for Williams, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter with 605 career kills entering the postseason. Not only was the versatile senior tied for the team lead in blocks with Carter (both had 38) this season, she was also

second on the team in digs with 117.

But there’s a lot more to Carter and Williams than stats. In fact, neither one of them knew what their career totals were until they were brought to their attention.

For both of them, their time at Viera can be marked more by the people they have met and what they’ve accomplished as a group than any individual numbers they’ve put up.

“It feels like yesterday, but it also feels like so long ago that I started playing for Coach Sarah and being here at Viera,” said Williams, reflecting on her four years at the school.

“All the memories I’ve built, all the girls I’ve come across and played with … the environment and the energy walking in, it’s so different

VIERA VOICE Carl Kotala Viera High seniors Mak Carter, left, and Sydney Williams are both heading to college to play volleyball. Carter, who will be attending the University of Tampa, plans to major in sports management and finance. Williams, who is heading to the Maine Maritime Academy, plans to major in International Business Logistics.

from being an eighth grader and being a senior now.”

Carter couldn’t agree more.

“Every girl I’ve played with at Viera has impacted me in a different way,” she said. “I learned so much from the upperclassmen when I was a freshman and a sophomore.

“Now, I kind of do what I know, just from learning from them and the culture they set for the program. We’ve achieved so much these past four years. I’m very proud of it.”

Last year’s Viera team won the second district title in program history — the first in 10 years — and advanced to its first Class 6A state semifinal. This year, the goal was to not only win the program’s second regional final on Nov. 2, but to add a state semifinal win on Nov. 5 and ultimately advance to the state championship match on Nov. 11 at Polk State College and bring home the title.

Getting that far is not only going to take solid play, it’s also going to take hard work, trust in each other and holding each other accountable … which are the hallmarks of Viera volleyball’s culture.

“I think we do that really well on the team,” Carter said. “That’s something our team has learned, to really hold each other accountable. That’s why we’ve gotten so far this season and achieved

so many goals.”

Through the years, Williams and Carter have not only developed a friendship, but a unique perspective on what they each bring to the court.

“I would just say you’re so determined to get better, and you’re already so good,” Williams said to Carter. “You want to be pushed and you want us to have your back and push you and make you better and correct yourself. You don’t really hold yourself on that high pedestal, like you deserve to.”

Said Carter to Williams, “I’ve always looked up to Syd and her leadership. We’ve played together for so long and I’ve always been, ‘Wow, she’s really the captain type.’ In timeouts she’ll (say something) and I’ll be like, ‘I would have never even thought of that.’

“Her volleyball IQ is so high. I’ve just tried to learn from her so much. She’s also an amazing player. She can do so many things.”

However the season ends up for Viera, Carter and Williams’ time at the school has been just what Wayne thought it would be — something special.

“They feel like an extension of my own kids,” Wayne said. “They’re like my daughters. They’re respected by their teammates. They’re respected by opponents around the county. They show up.” VV

Rule No. 1 for the Viera Bowling team? Have fun

BY CARL KOTALA

Meet the

Whether he’s coaching in a Saturday league, or coaching the Viera High bowling team, Kevin Sullivan has one rule all of his players must follow.

“My No. 1 rule for all my kids is just to have fun,” said Sullivan, a former pro bowler.

“I can teach you how to bowl. I can teach you how to roll the ball down the lane. Just have fun. That’s my main message.”

That message has certainly been received by the Hawks, who are enjoying Sullivan’s first season at Viera immensely.

“Kevin has brought us all up from almost rock bottom,” junior Allanah Stepp said. “He’s given us a lot of hope.”

It was Stepp, who has been working with Sullivan for a year, who suggested he take over the Viera program when the job opened up.

He inherited a boys program with a good, solid core led by Gabriel Richmond — who is averaging 202 — and includes Theodore Anderson; Sean Dempster, Cael Hagy, Joshua Bonadio, Gavin Ham, Owen Hunter, Casey Taylor, Jake Taylor and Jacob Williams.

“It’s been going pretty

good,” Bonadio said of Viera’s season. “I feel like we have a lot of potential, and some of us are still kind of reaching our fullest. I think Coach Kevin has done a really good job improving our scores.”

A senior who is in his second year with the Hawks after moving here from Arizona, Bonadio said he has enjoyed “the people I’ve met and being able to have fun and learning a lot.”

Viera was scheduled

to play in the Cape Coast Conference tournament Oct. 20, followed by the district tournament on Oct. 25. The state tournament was set for Nov. 1 to 3 at the Boardwalk Bowl in Orlando.

Though it will be the last year for Bonadio, Sullivan believes he has a group that can be competitive for years to come.

“We actually have a lot of potential,” Sullivan said.

Stepp, meanwhile, is a

junior who is also thoroughly enjoying her time as a Hawk. She’s grown close to her teammates and upped her average to 120 on a Viera team that goes into every match short-handed with only four players.

But together with Annabelle Duggen-Herheim, Dajah Lugas and Kaylee Cox, Stepp and her teammates have proven to be solid competitors.

“My girls team, even

though they only have four girls, they actually beat full teams,” Sullivan said. “They’re so impressive. I’m so proud of them.”

As for hearing about the kind of impact he’s having on the Hawks, well, that’s what it’s all about.

“That makes me happy,” Sullivan said. “As long as I’m making a difference in their world, and they’re improving in bowling, that’s all that matters to me.” VV

VIERA VOICE Carl Kotala

The Viera bowling team is having success and having fun under new coach and former professional bowler Kevin Sullivan.

BY CARL KOTALA

Coach Chris Beadle may describe this as a bit of a rebuilding year for the Viera High swimming team, but that doesn’t mean the Hawks aren’t having some success … and a lot of fun.

“I have a lot of freshmen who are new to the sport, or who just started recently,” Beadle said. “They’re doing really well for us.

“… I’ve got a great group of kids this year. They all get along well. It’s very familyesque. It’s a good group.”

Senior Marin Chapon, who made it to last year’s state meet in three different events, said things have been going well for Viera as a team and for her personally as well.

“We’ve won a couple of meets and personally, this is my first year swimming the 50 free,” Chapon said. “That’s really fun. I’ve been doing my best times in those. I’m also swimming the 100 fly. My goal is to break the (school) record.

“I’ve been trying since my freshman year and I’m really close. I’m hoping I can do that before the end of the season.”

The school record of 58.76 could fall in either the districts — which are set for Oct. 20 — or the regionals that will be held the following week. This year’s Class 3A state meet is set for Nov. 4, at the Sailfish Splash Waterpark and Aquatics Center in Stuart.

but having

Among the top girls for Viera are Chapon, Emma Collins and Janey Vargas. The top boys include Brady Zink, Ethan Wotton and Andrew Donaldson.

Even though the boys team may be small in number, senior Karl Cruz also said the season has been going well for the Hawks.

“This year has been very big for us compared to last year,” he said. “I feel like it’s been one of our best years so far. Personally, it has been my best year. I’ve been getting better times. I’ve been improving.”

Chapon and Cruz are two of six seniors on this year’s Viera team. The others are Mauricio Ceren, Brianna Ladd, Kiona Rollins and Neta Elran.

Chapon does not plan to swim in college and would instead like to study abroad, perhaps in Spain or Italy. She

wants to finish strong.

“For me, I think there’s definitely an internal push for it being my senior year,” Chapon said. “I feel like this is my last everything — my last dual meet, my last districts, my last regionals. I’m trying very hard to be where I want to be.”

Cruz is hoping to drop his best times in the 100 (59.67) and 200 free (2:13), but also wants to leave a lasting impression on his younger teammates.

“I want to try and make the freshmen and the underclassmen feel like I did when I was introduced to the team my first year — try to make an impact, try to make the team as fun as I can (as well all can) for everyone to stay and bring those experiences to their senior years,” he said. VV

Viera girls win Class 3A, District 10 swim meet

BY CARL KOTALA

The Viera High girls swimming team captured the Class 3A, District 10 championship last month.

Sadie Dempz won the one-meter diving championship for the girls with a score of 438.40. Brady Zink won the boys 50-meter freestyle event in 23.34 seconds.

Dempz and Zink were among a number of Hawks who qualified for the regionals, which were scheduled for Oct. 27 at Sailfish Splash Park in Stuart.

The state championships also are scheduled for Nov. 4 in Stuart.

For more on how the Hawks performed at the district swimming and diving meet, look for a story on the VieraVoice.com

VIERA VOICE Carl Kotala

The Viera High swimming team

in the pool.

BY CARL KOTALA

With a nice mix of younger swimmers and core veterans, the Holy Trinity Tigers have enjoyed a successful season that they expect to carry over into the district, regional and state meets.

“I think we’ll have a good showing, at least for regionals,” coach Tiffany DeAngelis said. “We should be able to take at least half (our team).”

Led by perennial state qualifiers Natalie Doig and diver Elle Jacobsen, the Tigers swam in the Class 1A, District 5 meet on Oct. 20. The regionals are set for Nov. 2 and the state meet is scheduled for Nov. 11 at the Sailfish Splash Waterpark and Aquatics Center in Stuart.

“I think we all have a really good chance of getting at least through regionals,” said Holy Trinity senior Sarah Gerrity, who was standing alongside cocaptains Christien Flores, Kayden Shah and Luke LaGrone.

“At state, it’s different every year and our division is pretty difficult. Lots of competition.”

Gerrity will swim with Doig, Violet Flores and Paige Wolff on a 200 and 400-relay team that also has a chance to get to state.

Teaming with a strong swimmer will certainly push everyone on the relay to succeed as evidenced by the boys 400 free relay performance at the FSPA meet earlier this year.

“For relays, it’s nice knowing people are as fast, if not faster than me,” Shah said. “They help push me to go as fast as them and help them get to the next level.

“… (At the FSPA meet), I

remember (thinking), ‘OK, I’ve got to drop time here,’ because we wanted to make it to the finals that day. We dropped eight seconds in one day. That was a very good day for us.”

With a number of seventh and eighth-grade swimmers on the roster, Shah, a junior, said he has tried to reflect back on his younger days to help serve as a good leader.

“I remember I had quite a few mentors on the team when I was younger. They kind of guided me to be the leader that I am. When I do the cheer, I kind of think about how they used to be and how they were really nice and got along with everyone.”

LaGrone said the younger swimmers have brought enthusiasm to the team.

With Jacobsen (also a team captain), Doig, Shah, LaGrone, Gerrity and Flores — who is out to break the boys school record in the 50 free — all expected to advance to regionals, the list of other contenders is large.

They include Matt Newmarch and Cole Marot, who have dropped 15 to 20 seconds each in the boys 500 free this season.

Gerrity, who swims the

50 free and the 100 back, hopes to end her career on a high note.

“I’m definitely hoping for that,” she said. “I’ve been swimming since I was six

and it’s all coming to an end. It will be interesting to see how the season ends. I’m just happy I’ve had the time that I’ve had.” VV

VIERA VOICE Carl Kotala

The Holy Trinity swimming team is having a successful season. The Tigers expect that success to follow them into the postseason.

Lighthouses

Did you know:

A lighthouse is a tall building with a light at the top that is built on the coast of an ocean or large lake.

The lighthouse helps to keep ships from crashing into the shore by sending out a flashing light that mariners can see from out at sea.

The light is usually covered by a Fresnel (pronounced fren-el) lens that enables the light to travel far distances.

Many years ago, early mariners were guided by fires built on hilltops. To improve visibility, the fire was placed on a platform. That eventually led to the development of the lighthouse.

No two lighthouses are painted in the same pattern.

The only lighthouseon the Space Coastis the Cape Lighthouse,Canaveral which islocated at theCape CanaveralSpace Force Station.

The Cape LighthouseCanaveral is the onlylighthouse owned bythe United StatesSpace Force.

The original lighthousewas built in 1848and was 65 feet tall.A 151-foot ironlighthouse (lined inbrick on the inside)replaced it in 1868and was painted blackand white. It has threeblack and three whitehorizontal bands.

The United StatesCoast Guard maintainsthe lighthouse.

Cape Canaveral Lighthouse

students

BY CARL KOTALA

Viera High School students are about to get another tool to use in their education.

On Oct. 28, the school began distributing 2,300 laptop computers that students will be able to use both in class and at home.

Brevard County Public Schools is using federal funds from COVID-19 relief to fund the program, known as 1:1, but only Viera and two other schools — Edgewood and Merritt Island — are allowing students to take the 11-inch Lenovo laptops home with them.

“All of the high schools have been provided the laptops where they can go one-to-one with students,” Viera High principal Sarah Robinson said. “In talking with our faculty and talking to our students, which really, our students drive a lot of what we decide to do, they really felt like having a device at home would bridge that gap between home and school. Our staff also felt it was really important for every student to have a device with them that they could take home.

“That’s why we decided not to house the devices here at school, but to put them in student’s hands and give them that flexible learning environment.”

Not only will students be able to do their homework and write papers, but Robinson said they are encouraged to access their online textbooks, college applications and research materials.

“I know our teachers are getting more creative about what digital tools they’re going to use,” Robinson said.

In order to receive a laptop, students will have to have their parents sign a consent form and also attend a training session with modules that include information on how to take care of the laptop and internet safety among other topics.

Teachers will be able to monitor students in class to make sure they are being safe online during the school day and that certain inappropriate websites are blocked.

“The district provides the entire district with monitoring software,” Viera Network Administrator Richard Zacke said. “It enables the teachers to monitor them in school. They can see their screen. They can set up sites that the teacher feels like needs to be blocked.

“The district already has a set of rules, and therefore, websites to be blocked. We have a filter that’s created for that already. But the teachers can further make that personalized for their classrooms.”

Websites that are blocked at school should also be blocked on the devices at home.

“The general filter blocks most of that stuff and that filter follows you home because it’s software that’s built into the computer,” Zacke said. “It will still block the same sites that we block here.”

Should parents want to opt out of allowing their child to bring the laptop home because of cybersecurity concerns or potential liability if the device is damaged, the student will still be able to use it on campus by checking it out before school and then returning it to the school’s media center at the end of the day.

super excited.

For those who opt in, however, Robinson believes the impact will be immediate.

“I know the staff can’t wait to get these in their hands and our students (can’t wait) as well,” she said. “Also, talking to parents and our community members that have been involved, they’re

“I think right now there’s truly a gap when students don’t have technology or those resources at home between their learning experiences. So much of what they do in high school and preparing them for college and their career involves being on the computer, being on the internet and accessing digital tools, whether it’s textbooks or software or resources — even for research or accelerated coursework.”

Putting the project together has been a community-wide effort. Originally scheduled to be shipped during the summer, the laptops arrived at the

start of the school year, putting extra pressure on the school’s network administrators — Zacke and Kyle McFall — to get them programmed and imaged while also doing their regular day-to-day work.

Zacke said the school initially received 1,590 computers, all on pallets, and that a number of teachers volunteered their time to help unpack the laptops. The remaining shipment was unboxed by the school’s cheerleaders.

Additionally, a committee consisting of Viera parents, teachers and administrators have been meeting every Friday to help plan for the

rollout.

“It’s definitely an undertaking. It’s a big feat, giving out 2,300 devices,” Robinson said. “But I’m confident our kids, our teachers, our parents and our community are going to rise to the occasion and embrace it. We’ve had nothing but excitement and positive feedback towards this coming out.

“Certainly, there are some people with concerns or questions, and we’ll certainly encounter things we probably haven’t thought of that we’ll have to troubleshoot. But we’re very excited to get these in the hands of our students.”

Teachers will be able to monitor students in class to make sure they are being safe.

VIERA VOICE Carl Kotala

Viera High School principal Sarah Robinson holds up one of the 2,300 laptop computers that were scheduled to

distributed to students on Oct. 28. The 11-inch Lenovo computers feature a touch screen and the screen can be flipped back so it can also be used as a tablet. Viera is one of three Brevard County schools that will allow students to take their laptops home.

bright and colorful lights

again show how Viera celebrates Christmas as part of the second annual Viera Bright Lights Battle.

“We had so much fun last year,’’ said Jill Blue, the publisher of the Viera Voice. “I know it’s going to get bigger and bigger each year. I’m eager to see how people can get more creative. You’ve got to remember it’s a battle.”

of

And, Viera really knows how to celebrate the holidays. The holiday tradition of driving through

neighborhoods to enjoy the lights and decorations is not to be missed.

The holiday house and business decorating competition, sponsored by the Viera Voice and Space Coast Trim Light, will reward those that make their house or business shine bright for the month of December.

“It’s a family-friendly event that gets everyone into the holiday spirit,’’ said Jenna Smith, the co-

owner of Space Coast Trim Light with her husband Frederick. “Viera has a strong community and culture. For years, people have liked to display their Christmas lights. It’s obviously a great event.’’

The tradition brings the holiday spirit to those who drive around to see the houses and businesses that light up for the holidays.

Prizes and bragging rights await those who do the best decorating for the Viera Bright Lights Battle.

For information, check out vieravoice.com/ brightlights

Space Coast Trim Light

installs LED lights encased in an aluminum channel, which makes them nearly invisible during daylight and extraordinarily illuminating at night.

The channels easily adhere to homes, patios, decks and buildings, while the controller offers 180 pre-set lighting combinations. There are 16 million patterns of possibilities.

With Trim Light’s proprietary app, users can use an Android, Apple or other device to design, change or schedule their exterior lighting.

For a more information on the Viera Bright Lights Battle call, 321-242-1235 or visit vieravoice.com.

For information on Space Coast Trim Light go to spacecoasttrimlight.com or call 321-775-4127. VV

VIERA VOICE photo

The Rensing family (above) of east Viera, receive the Best of Show award from Arty Pagan of State Farm. The Mederos, the winners of last year's Griswold trophy in the west Viera area, got in the holiday spirit as they brightened up their neighborhood.

“It's a familyfriendly event that gets everyone into the holiday spirit.”

— Jenna Smith

VIERA VOICE photo

The winners in each category will receive a custom-made, bragging-rights trophy.

JROTC, Brevard Veterans Council work to bring hurricane relief

BY WENDY SCHEURING

While the eye of Hurricane Ian was still lingering above Brevard County, retired Lt. Col. Tim Thomas, the lead instructor for the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Viera High School, wanted to help.

He called Donn Weaver, the chairman of the Brevard Veterans Council, to talk about how they could work together to help those affected by the storm in southwest Florida.

Both men realized the devastation that had unfolded, especially in the Fort Myers and Naples area, and wanted to do something to help.

“I called Donn and said let’s use the Raider (JROTC challenge) meets as a catalyst to bring in supplies,” said Thomas, referring to the meets scheduled for Oct. 8 and 22 and Nov. 5.

The JROTC is a leadership program where cadets focus on loyalty, duty, selfless

service, respect, honor, integrity and personal courage.

“This teaches cadets to have compassion for those that are hurting,” Thomas said. “They don’t see that until we get into the community and help people.”

Within hours after

receiving Thomas' phone call, Weaver was able to get a $2,000 donation from the Good Deeds Foundation of the Military Officers Association of America Cape Canaveral Chapter (MOAACC) for the Brevard Veterans Council to rent five 20-foot U-Haul trucks.

What ensued was a partnership with the JROTC collecting supplies, the Veterans Memorial Center hosting and packaging them, and the Good Deeds Foundation delivering them.

“The Army Women of Indian River Colony Club also gave us $500 for this mission,”

Weaver said.

“We have to buy boxes and have the volunteers pack. It’s a real effort.”

Everything moved quickly.

“The big box truck was already filled up in a matter of days with supplies brought in by the cadets and the parents,” said Thomas of the Oct. 8 meet.

Everything from bottled water, to pet food, to personal hygiene items.

“The first delivery was made last Monday morning (Oct. 10),” Weaver said. “We worked with FEMA and the VFW to take the supplies to the right places.

“What they don’t have is a lot of stores that are open. Getting toiletries and good clothes, the things everyone takes for granted. It’s going to be a while before stores open.”

Weaver said there are people in Brevard County whose homes have been flooded due to the St. Johns River.

The organizers are still receiving donations.

“Anything else donated after Nov. 5, we’ll donate to people in need (in Brevard)," he said.

Items can also be dropped off at the Veterans Memorial Center at 400 S. Sykes Creek Pkwy. on Merritt Island between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. For information, call 321-453-1776 or 757-871-6576.

VV

VIERA VOICE photo

Veterans, JROTC Cadets and others came together to collect, sort and pack hurricane-relief items to distribute in southwest Florida.

continued from page 6

Satellite, Astronaut, Merritt Island and Eau Gallie will participate in the parade. The Viera Company, the sponsor of the parade through its nonprofit Viera Institute, will make a donation to each of the schools’ music programs.

Two food truck areas will

include Cajun Soul Bistro, Space Coast Sliders, Espresso Yourself Mobil Coffee, 4th Street Fillin Station, 7 Brew Coffee, Nomads Rolled Ice Cream, Mr. D Ice Cream and DejaTea Boba and Bites.

Mindy Levy of iHeartRadio and 99.3 FM will return as the parade’s main emcee with coannouncer Wingnut of 95.1 FM.

The grounds will open at 4 p.m. A fireworks display will be conducted at 6 p.m. The parade will begin at 6:10 p.m.

The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and the Brevard County Fire Department will

have

information, check out LightUpViera.

or Events@Viera.com.

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VIERA VOICE Courtesy of the Viera Community Institute

Lola Gingerbread is being prepared to be a part of the Light Up Viera Parade on Dec. 3.

Competition brings best police K-9s, plush counterparts to Viera

BY MADISON RESNICK

The annual Space Coast K-9 Competition is returning to the USSSA Space Coast Complex in Viera.

On Nov. 19, the Cocoa Police Department and the Brevard Kennel Club will welcome Brevard residents to attend the showcase for free. The gates will open at 4 p.m.

Since the competition is free to the public, there will be food, beverages, prizes and merchandise available for purchase to benefit the organization.

And this year, those who wish to support law enforcement and their furry friends can in a new, cute and cuddly way. In addition to event T-shirts, patrons can purchase plush replicas of their favorite K-9s.

Some of the top dogs from the Cocoa Police Department K-9 Unit, including Maverick, Kyra, and Draco, now have plush counterparts available for purchase. Each stuffed German shepherd is fitted with its very own CPD police badge, collar and a vest with their name on it.

The event is a fundraiser for the Space Coast Police K-9 Foundation Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to supporting police K-9 programs and police

officers across the Space Coast.

“Every year we produce a T-shirt, but the plushies are new this year” said Yvonne Martinez, the event coordinator for the competition.

Martinez said that everyone who has seen plush K-9s, loves them and that they are selling quickly as Brevard residents are eager to support the organization and gain a new furry friend.

The shirts and stuffed K-9

dogs can be purchased on the event website and at the competition on Nov. 19.

Those who join the Cocoa Police Department and Brevard Kennel Club at the USSSA stadium for the event will be supporting law enforcement along with some of the best and brightest K-9s in Brevard County.

For information, check out Spacecoastpolicek9 competition. VV

VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Space Coast K-9 Competition K-9 Kyra sits with a plush counterpart.

VIERA VOICE photo

K-9s and police officers work effectively together during the Space Coast K-9 Competition at the USSSA Space Coast Complex in Viera.

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Generosity, time, gratitude, support all a part of GivingTuesday on Nov. 29

BY WENDY SCHEURING

GivingTuesday is an international movement about generosity, whether that comes in the form of time, gratitude or support.

“GivingTuesday recognizes that we each can drive an enormous amount of positive change by rooting our everyday actions, decisions

and behavior in radical generosity — the concept that the suffering of others should be as intolerable to us as our own suffering. Radical generosity invites people in to give what they can to create systemic change,” according to givingtuesday. org.

through 240 communities, networks and coalitions.”

Meet theMeet the players

In the United States, “GivingTuesday is locally led

While Brevard County does not have an official GivingTuesday community, individual nonprofit and grass roots organizations have been using this milestone since 2012 for fundraising and for finding valuable volunteers.

AVET Project, a Brevard

County veterans’ support organization, highly relies upon sponsors as well as donations to support its mission.

As an example, the organization is offering sponsorships to veterans for its four-day Veteran’s Educational Cruise to the Bahamas out of Port Canaveral, where attendees can enjoy informative workshops on veterans law, VA benefits, mental health counseling, including those suffering from PTSD, job resources, Medicare, wills and Social Security in a pleasant atmosphere.

“To know that there are people out there recognizing the needs of veterans and helping organizations like AVET Project meet those needs is really special," said Garren Cone, who heads the organization. "Every dollar is going to help."

Visit avet-project.org/ There are also many other organizations in Brevard County that need volunteers in addition to donations.

fosters and volunteers,” said Brooke Nosworthy, the vice president and marketing coordinator for Riley’s Rescue of Brevard. The dog rescue organization has applications on its website for fostering, volunteering, and adoption at rileysrescueofbrevard.org.

“We rely upon those in the community to volunteer as fosters. We also pride ourselves on educating the community about the care of animals,” Nosworthy said.

The Maxwell Foundation, co-founded by Paula and Todd Oskam, raises money for research and treatment options for children with neuroblastoma, a pediatric cancer usually occurring before age five. After losing their infant son to the disease several years ago, the couple started the foundation to help others in need throughout the country.

Their website, maxwelljamesoskam.org, explains their vision and also has a link for donations. The organization also has a Facebook page. “We are small,

VIERA VOICE Riley's Rescue of Brevard Riley's Rescue depends on the support and generosity of people in Brevard County.

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VIERA VOICE Jill Blue

Shell Harbor residents drove from Rockledge to Brevard County Fire Rescue Station 80 in Suntree to present a $200 check. The earnings came from winning the Popular Vote at the 10th Scarecrow Stroll. The residents built Shellie Periwinkle, a dancing scarecrow. The Brevard County Firefighters Benevolent Association was the recipient of the donation.

VIERA VOICE Jill Blue

The Scarecrow Stroll attracted families to various businesses to check off each crow for prizes.

VIERA VOICE Jill Blue

and sizes. The

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Veterans Day — community set to honor those who served

BY MARIA SONNENBERG

Before he left the Army and became involved with the Brevard Veterans Center and Museum, Donn Weaver thought of Veterans Day as a time when he could enjoy a family outing.

“To me, it was always a holiday with the kids, but Veterans Day means so much more to me now that I realize how many generations of veterans are touched by the day,” said Weaver, the chairman of the Brevard Veterans Council and vice president of the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center.

Veterans Memorial Center fellow volunteer Joe Davie, the organization’s librarian, notes that the holiday is not really a celebration.

“It’s a remembrance of how much veterans have done for this country,” said Davie, a Vietnam-era Air Force veteran.

Armistice Day, which celebrated the end of the “War to End All Wars” on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, later transformed into Veterans’ Day in 1954 as a day to honor veterans from all wars. Never a floating holiday, Veterans’ Day is always observed Nov. 11, regardless of the day of the week on which it falls in any particular year.

In veteran-rich Brevard County, more than one day is needed to pay homage to servicemen and women, and this year is no exception.

“We want to honor the sacrifices all vets have made,” said Dean Schaaf, the Veterans Memorial Center president, Navy vet and NASA retiree. VV

Events honoring veterans

Saturday, Nov. 5

9 to 11 a.m.

Palm Bay Veterans Day Parade begins at City Hall on 120 Malabar Road and heads east on Malabar Road then south on Emerson Drive to end at Copley Street SE. For more information, call 321-952-3443.

Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 9 and 10 7:30 p.m.

Melbourne Municipal Band celebrates veterans with “The Greatest Generation,” a pair of free patriotic concerts at Melbourne Auditorium, 625 Hibiscus Blvd. For more information, call 321-7240555

Friday Nov. 11

9:30 a.m.

Brevard Veterans Memorial Center at 400 S. Sykes Creek Pkwy. on Merritt Island. Theme: “Veterans Throughout History.” Groups such as the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution dress in period costumes of heroes of long ago. The Civil War soldiers, both the Union and the Confederacy, will also be represented. Activities also include the planting of a memorial tree in remembrance of the POWs and MIAs from the Vietnam War, as well as an official thanks to Sheriff Wayne Ivey for the $61,000 gift the Sheriff’s Office provided with funds from “Dancing for the Space Coast.” At 11 a.m., lunch is courtesy of Chick-fil-A. Texas Longhorn will offer desserts for $5, with all

proceeds directed to the Veterans Memorial Center. For more, visit veteransmemorialcenter.org.

Nov. 9 to 14

The Veterans Memorial Center will turn into an art gallery, when veteran-themed art from area high schools is displayed in a project orchestrated by Merritt Island High School.

Friday, Nov. 11

Starting at 5:30 to 6 p.m., the American Legion Post 22 at 241 Peachtree St. in Cocoa will hold a dinner and 1930s throwback party. It will include a reenactment ceremony to celebrate the post’s first meeting at their present location on Nov. 11, 1930. Cost depends on the dinner menu. Call 321-338-7076.

Saturday, Nov. 12 8 a.m. to noon

St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care’s “D.A.S.H. in Life.” The 5K run/ walk/march/skip starts and ends at the Veterans Memorial Center.

The event benefits St. Francis’ We Honor Veterans program that helps veterans on their sunset journey. For race details, visit runsignup.com/ Race/FL/MerrittIsland/5KDASHHono ringVeterans.

Saturday, Nov. 12 and Sunday, Nov. 13 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Valiant Air Command Warbird Air Museum, 6600 Tico Road in Titusville, will host an open

house weekend to honor veterans. Admission to the museum, its three display hangars and both memorabilia museums is free to all veterans, active-duty military and Florida residents. Visitors may bring non-perishable food for donation to a local food pantry. Call 321-2681941 or visit valiantaircommand.com for more information.

Saturday, Nov. 12

10 a.m.

The American Legion Post 1 in Titusville will host a Veterans Day ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park at 8 Broad St. in Titusville. Other organizations will take part. Call 321-269-9959.

Saturday, Nov. 12

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Veterans Appreciation Party will take place at Space Coast Harley Davidson, 1440 Sportsman Lane NE, Palm Bay. Veterans eat for free. Events include a car show, 50/50 raffle, vendors and

live music. Call 321-259-1311.

Saturday, Nov. 12

12 to 4 p.m.

American Legion Post 1, at 1281 N. Washington Ave. in Titusville, will host Honoring Our Veterans, with live music, vendors and military equipment on display. Veterans and a guest eat for free inside the pavilion.

Call 321-269-9959.

Saturday, Nov. 12

1 to 4 p.m.

Muscle Car Museum, 3500 Sarno Road in Melbourne, will host a free open house for veterans, active duty military and their families. Call 321-914-4322.

Sunday, Nov. 13

The National Veterans Homeless Support Home Stretch is an annual 5K run to help homeless veterans. Visit nvhs.org for more information.

VIERA VOICE photo

There are many events in Brevard County this Veterans Day honoring those who served.

Scoop

New veterinary clinic coming in January to east Viera

BY WENDY SCHEURING

A new state-of-the-art veterinary clinic will open its doors in east Viera in January.

Premier Veterinary Care will be located at 5410 Murrell Road, Suite 115, at the Village Center next to the Winn-Dixie Grocery and Dogtopia.

Dr. Roger Welton of Viera will open the new facility. He is the owner of Maybeck Animal Hospital in West Melbourne, which he started in 2004.

A graduate of Ross School of Veterinary Medicine, Welton has been practicing for 20 years. He moved to Viera following family members who relocated here.

“I finally have the opportunity to serve pets and people in the community that I have come to love and cherish,” said Welton, who also is the owner of two rescue dogs.

Dr. Jessica Milligan, an Associate Veterinarian and graduate of the University of Missouri, will bring eight years of experience to the practice.

“Compassion is what really drives us,” Welton said.

Two exam rooms with room to expand, a dedicated radiology suite for X-rays and ultrasound, a sizable treatment area and a dedicated dental suite to perform high-end dentistry will be included.

“We perform dental cleanings, dental X-rays, and oral surgery in both dogs and cats,” Welton said.

Welton also performs same-day orthopedic canine knee surgery.

“Dogs commonly tear their CCL (cranial cruciate ligament),” he explained,

“which is the human version of the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). This can happen just by running or playing or due to genetic predisposition.”

Feline patients, who are more likely to become stressed during a visit due to the barking of dogs and the scent of other cats, will be given special care.

“We use special pheromone sprays that we put on a towel to calm and soothe them,” Welton said.

“We try to do a less is

more approach with cats,” he said.

Welton has two children. His 14-year-old son attends Viera High School and is on the swim team, and his 12-year-old daughter attends Williams Elementary School, plays lacrosse and competes in equestrian events.

In December, Premier Veterinary Care will begin scheduling January appointments. For more information, go to premiervet.org VV

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VIERA VOICE Klinton Landress

Dr. Roger Welton examines a dog at Maybeck Animal Hospital in West Melbourne. Welton will open Premier Veterinary Care in Viera in January.

was held

The

a.m.

MEANS BUSINESS

at

at

VIERA MEANS BUSINESS

RKING

The October

Photos by Jill Blue and Sylvia Montes

Russell Bruhn was the speaker and Debra Foley represented Viera Elementary School.

Cheryl Clark, Joe Rowlette, Maxine Lauer

Reetu Haave, Melissa Mitchell

Nancy Mendez, Anjanette Wicks, Phil Noel, Nicole Fuhrer

Nicole Davis, Madison Mykoo, Chelsea Parker

Luz Garzan, Audrey

Sandy Myers, Daryl Jacobs

Mike Acosta, Joe Waddy

The VMB presentation was held in a classroom.

Abby HemenwayTiffany Woods, Kathy Sorrell

For an invitation to the Nov. 10 VMB meeting,

to Borrows West

BY LINDA JUMP

Two hotels operated by General Hotels Corporation are scheduled to open in 2024 in Viera’s Borrows West.

The 131-room Homewood Suites and Hilton Garden Inn with 208 rooms will be part of the 115-acre mixed use development. Homewood Suites, part of the Hilton Honors guest loyalty program, will offer extended stays with free hot breakfast and Wi-Fi, 24-hour business and fitness centers, outdoor pool and outdoor seating. Each unit will offer a dinette area, kitchen, pullout sleeper sofa, bedroom and bathroom. The suites are under construction by Hospitality Project Services and are expected to be completed early in 2024.

The Hilton Garden Inn construction is slated to begin before the end of the year. That hotel will feature a rooftop bar and large meeting spaces. The inn should open its doors in summer 2024.

Eva M. Rey, the vice president of community management and communications for The Viera Company, said the hotels “will fill a need for hotel beds in the area, largely due to the USSSA demand.”

The United States Specialty Sports Association sanctions, creates and promotes a variety of sports, including softball, baseball and basketball. Its sports complex opened in 2018 with 15 practice and training

fields and three championship stadiums.

Rey said the hotels’ location adjacent to Interstate 95 is “convenient for guests to explore all of Brevard County, from Kennedy Space Center to the beaches.”

General Hotels Corporation has partnered with Weathervane Capital Partners, a real estate investment firm, to build the hotels. In a prepared statement, Michael Murchie

said, “Our commitment to develop two hotels in Borrows West shows our belief in this community and ongoing strength of the Florida hotel market.”

Chick-fil-A, The Blake at Viera and Ace Hardware are completed in Borrows West. Under construction or in progress are Sundance Family Dentistry, Island Animal Hospital, Wawa, Venezia Wine Bar, Ford’s Garage, Tiki Docks Bar & Grill, Linz of

Viera Apartments, and the Borrows West Park.

“The park will include urban-style park amenities such as a scenic lake with a bordering walking trail and unique linear park with a modern flair that accents the vibrant, thriving lifestyle of Viera,” Rey said. Future additions will include other retail, medical and professional space, with a prime location for corporate relocation, she said. VV

VIERA VOICE Steve Hollinger

Homewood Suites and Hilton Garden Inn will be important fixtures at Borrows West in the future.

Hilton Garden Inn

Homewood Suites

Ford's Garage

Tiki Docks Bar & Grill

Venezia Wine Bar

Auterra, a new 55-plus Viera complex, already getting rental inquiries

BY BRENDA EGGERT BRADER

Full resort-style luxury living at Auterra is on schedule for a late summer opening as the RISE real estate company’s 55-plus, 166-unit new housing development.

“We plan a late summer completion, more into September and October, (2023)” said Courtney Gordon, the chief operating officer at RISE.

The one- and twobedroom apartments will be housed in two fourstory apartment buildings. Eleven duplex cottages with full garages also are included. The corner lot is on Pineda Boulevard and Stadium Parkway near Viera Elementary School.

“We decided on Viera as we feel that Viera is growing very quickly and for our purpose from the housing needs that a 55-plus demand is demonstrated as a housing need to fill,” Gordon said.

“Focusing on the 55 plus, we want amenities that are geared to that group.

“We plan a resident golf cart barn where they can check out a golf cart as carts will be kept plugged in, an offering amenity without charge,” Gordon said.

The 248,000 square foot, $49 million development will include the larger amenities such as a pool, fitness

center, community kitchen, clubhouse, postage center, makers’ space (collaborative workshop) and green courtyard.

Providing something different, the development will offer places for those ever-important furry resident companions to gather.

“A dog spa will offer a place to wash and groom them,” Gordon noted. “A dog park for socialization is also planned.”

“There are a lot of 55-plus unique amenities here also in

the level of services. We will be offering different types of events, including health interests, social activities and exercise,” Gordon added.

“It will be a lifestyle you get while living there. Some residents will be retired, and we want to be sure they can stay healthy and social. Lifestyle coordinators will be on staff (planning social events, offering exercise classes) and fulltime property management for residents will be on hand.”

Interested parties are already making rental

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

inquiries.

“We have had some rental inquiries, but it is probably a bit early,” Gordon said.

“We will not get serious

until around January and February. Those names now received are being added to the list of updates for later.”

Jack St. Clair has been named the new chef at The Blake at Viera assisted living facility. St. Clair was born in New Jersey, but he grew up in Sunrise.

St. Clair received his certified dietary manager license from the Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals at the University of Florida. He studied culinary arts at Brevard Community, which is now Eastern Florida State College.

“I have been in the hospitality world for as long as I have had a job,’’ St. Clair said. “I have been cooking in high-end restaurant hotels and steakhouses for the past five years. I also have taken that to the healthcare field.’’ VV

Ryan McNamara has been named dining room manager for Indian River Colony Club. More than 60 other candidates had vied for the position.

McNamara is responsible for hiring, training and scheduling for the community's private restaurant. He also will coordinate daily staffing requirements and beverage operations. McNamara will report to the club manager, and he will monitor revenue and labor budgets.

The former U.S. Army MP holds a master's degree in business administration. A former resident of New Zealand, McNamara worked at Auckland's prestigious Remuera Golf Club. VV

Tiffany Woods has been named the new director of business development at Viera del Mar, a health and rehabilitation center.

Woods has worked at Viera del Mar for the past two years in internal admissions after transferring from a former sister facility, Wave Crest, where she worked for 5½ years.

“I’ll be the sales marketing liaison for other doctors and other rehabilitation facilities to promote Viera del Mar,’’ Woods said. “My favorite part is seeing the care we provide for the residents lead to a discharge with a great therapy outcome.’’VV

Ryan McNamara

Tiffany Woods

Jack St. Clair

VIERA VOICE Steven Hollinger

Auterra, a 55-plus community, will open next year next to Viera Elementary School.

Stadium Parkway

Pineda Boulevard

Viera Elementary

Auterra

Church At Viera celebrates 30 years after modest beginning

BY BETTY PORTER

A gathering of a few people for worship has turned into a church with attendance of more than 2,000 three decades later.

The Church At Viera will celebrate its 30th anniversary the weekend of Nov. 4 to Nov. 6 with special events. From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, members and their guests will gather on the front lawn of the church at 9005 N. Wickham Road to highlight and look back on the past 30 years.

It will be a time to mingle, share stories and enjoy finger foods and drinks. On Sunday, Nov. 6, there will be a churchwide 30th anniversary party during all three services at 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

During the three Sunday services, Mark Ragsdale, who has been pastor since 1992, will share the vision for the future and tell why

he believes the best is yet to come.

Ragsdale was 31 years old when he was called on to lead the church here after its first pastor died. Originally, in 1986, a group of just 20 people started gathering at a daycare in Suntree. Ragsdale arrived in March 1992 and spent months reorganizing and getting ready to re-launch the church. In September 1992, the group began meeting at the Brevard School Board offices until it built a first building on Murrell Road, which they sold and what is now Prince of Peace Church. They then bought 30 acres of property in 2003 and opened the new facility on Wickham Road in 2007.

“From the days of what was called Suntree Baptist Chapel to the small beginnings of Church At Viera at our current location, all the way to where we are as a church today, we have seen God do amazing things,”

Ragsdale said. “God has allowed our church to have influence in our community while experiencing growth and life change over these past 30 years.

“We have finally gotten back to pre-COVID-19 numbers attending church and activities and are blessed to be able to continually grow. We had 2,150 in total attendance last weekend, including adults, students and children,” Ragsdale said.

The church’s family ministry offers worship and teaching for preschool, elementary and middle school students in another area of the church during each of the three Sunday morning services. High school students meet from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday for engaging teachings, high-energy worship, and small group discussions.

“We are committed to our

Business Briefs

Brevard citizens prepare to cast their ballots

The 2022 general election will be held Nov. 8.

“It is important for voters to be aware that the ballot for the general election will be two pages. In order to streamline their voting experience during early voting or on election day, I’d encourage voters to review and mark their sample ballots and bring them to the polls with them,” said Tim Bobanic, the Brevard County Supervisor of Elections.

Sample ballots for the 2022 General Election are available on VoteBrevard.gov.

Early voting for the Nov. 8 general election will be conducted through Nov. 5.

28 North Gastropub to feature new menu items

The team at 28 North Gastropub at The Avenue Viera gathered last month for a special taste testing and

youth and our next phase of growth will include on the west side of the church where new wings for youth will create more space for our children and student ministries as well as our hospitality experience. The expansion will include an upstairs and downstairs area. We call it the Next Up Initiative and it is all about serving the next generation,” he said. “And one day in the future, we hope to build another auditorium to the church. That is in the longrange master plan.”

Ragsdale said that the keys to the church’s growth have to do with members bringing friends to the church services who like what they hear and become part of the church family.

“CAV is all about passionate worship music with messages that are really Bible centric,” he said.

training session.

“Our front of house team are considered Sherpas as they are the front-line designated guides to the guests of the restaurant as they make their selections from our menu,” said Chris Conneen, the owner of the restaurant. “We want our team to know all about and have experienced for themselves the unique food and beverages we offer.”

Chef C.J. Hughes said the new menu items feature a trip around France with the inclusion of wines and cheeses, including baked Brie, classic French Bistro salad, French Onion Soup, and a variety of heavily French-inspired entrees.

Bar and beverage manager Joe Snyder described the new lineup of wines, liquors and specialty drinks, also naming the ingredients of each as team members were able to see and sample them. Many are named to reflect the French influence such as Louvre @ Night, Paris Noir, Guillotine, Chester French, Mon Amour.

He also thinks the church’s location at the corner of Wickham Road and Stadium Parkway in the heart of Viera is a great asset since it is so visible.

“Folks going in each direction on Wickham go past us and folks driving on Stadium Parkway to Wickham see our church and so we feel our location helps to create interest,” he said.

Ragsdale invites all to experience the Church At Viera.

“Join us as we seek to cultivate deep relationships with Christ and each other. We are a community of people seeking grace, hope and truth that only God and His church can provide.”

Sunday services are also live streamed with more than 400 watching. More information is available on the church’s website, churchatviera.com. VV

Downtown Melbourne Food and Wine Festival

The Downtown Melbourne Food and Wine Festival on Nov. 12 showcases bites and sips from Space Coast restaurants.

The band Hot Pink will play on the main stage.

Food, wine, spirits and beer will be available with a ticket from 5:30 to 9 p.m. General admission tickets cost $100 and are only available online.

Seniors ride for free at the Classic Car Show & Sock Hop

On Friday, Nov. 4, all are invited to a free Classic Car Show & Sock Hop at Chateau Madeleine Senior Living & Memory Care in Suntree, located off Wickham Road at 205 Hardoon Lane, directly behind Brevard Medical City in Melbourne.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., organizer Bill Antonetz will have more than 100 classic cars on display. Seniors will be treated to a ride in a classic car and can enjoy live rock-n-roll music by Uncle Nick.

VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Doug Wilson General Contractors

Church At Viera's present sancturary was under construction in 2006 at Wickham Road and Stadium Parkway.

What’s really being accomplished for the Indian River Lagoon?

hear a lot about the need to restore the Indian River Lagoon and about money being collected — what’s actually being done?

answer is: A lot.

shown by the two thermometers in the figure, the half cent Save Our Indian River Lagoon (SOIRL) sales tax will raise $542 million during its 10-year life by 2026 (paid in part by tourists); it's being spent on 372 projects.

These projects will decrease nitrogen pollution in the IRL by approximately 33% (more than 1.2 million pounds per year) and phosphorous by 39% (more than 100,000 pounds per year).

Already, the SOIRL Program has completed 63 projects, including septic to sewer upgrades, enhancements to

Lagoon

From the Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition

sewage treatment facilities, installation of stormwater cleaning systems and removal of muck coating the lagoon floor. And 143 additional projects are currently underway. Together these projects will remove some 1 million pounds per year of nitrogen and 67,000 pounds per year of phosphorous. We’re making progress.

You can follow the progress at the public SOIRL Citizen Oversight Committee meetings every third Friday of the month. You can attend in person or watch on your computer or TV by going to

Crossword Puzzle

Brevardfl.gov/SaveOurLagoon/ CitizenOversightCommittee.

And, there’s more.

The SOIRL Program is not alone. The St. Johns River Water Management District is also busy with projects to restore the lagoon. So far, it has contributed $38 million in funding to more than 60 lagoon projects leveraged with an additional $43 million from other sources. We are fortunate to have many other organizations also investing in the recovery of our Indian River Lagoon.

As a final note, it is worth observing that the water has been clearer with limited fish kills and algal blooms this year. Also, there have been reports of seagrass beginning to return in several locations; unfortunately, not enough for

our beloved manatees.

We are by no means finished restoring our piece of paradise, but a lot is being done and there are signs of

progress.

For more and to help, visit HelpTheLagoon.org, Facebook. com/BIRLC/ and Twitter.com/ HelpTheLagoon. VV

Solution,

people

Boardroom illustration

Capital since 1976

First name in pop music

protector wearers

with a party

cat, possibly

way to gain interest?

upon

often

Volunteer opportunities increase during holidays

FLORA REIGADA

As the holidays approach, people often want to know where they can volunteer to help others. Especially from Thanksgiving to Christmas, many organizations depend on volunteers to make it all possible to serve others.

The Salvation Army is among them. Whether national or local, whenever they see a need, the organization is on the scene.

Neal Hagglund, the chairman of the North/ Central Brevard Salvation Army advisory board, said that The Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign raises about 70% of the annual donations that The Salvation Army uses to fund local programs such as emergency assistance (rent, utilities, food), food pantry, summer camp for children, school backpack program, disaster response and other social services programs.

Neal Hagglund

“While The Salvation Army has used paid workers to ring the bell at Red Kettles, we prefer to use volunteers as much as possible,” Hagglund said. “By using volunteers, the entire money raised within each Red Kettle goes to provide services. Also historically, we have found volunteers generally generate more than twice the revenue in the Red Kettle than a paid worker. We look to local churches, service clubs, other groups, as well as individuals to volunteer to ring a bell at the Red Kettles.”

As a Kiwanis Club member, Bill Rushing of Titusville has volunteered as a bell ringer since 1962. He plans to volunteer this year as well.

“The Salvation Army is a well-structured organization that does a tremendous amount of good,” Rushing said.

He encourages volunteerism. Without enough volunteers the Salvation Army has to hire people to fill the

slots. Churches are rising to the cause, enlisting members to help with bell ringing.

“If we ask, they almost always supply volunteers,” Rushing said.

“Folks are more likely to give if they see a familiar face at the kettle. When my wife and I ring the bells around town, we see many people we know. We wave, say hello and sometimes talk.”

This helps fill the kettle. Others, who volunteer with the Kiwanis Club or churches, agree.

According to Marshal Payne, the assistant manager at the SPCA of Brevard thrift store in Titusville, volunteers keep things running smoothly.

“Volunteers answer customers’ questions, help them find what they want and assist with sales,” he said.

They also lend muscle, carrying heavy items to customers vehicles.

Rushing encourages bell ringers to keep candy canes

on hand to give to children with their parents’ approval.

“The child will remember that and the parent may tell them about The Salvation Army and all the good it does,” he said.

Rushing has heard of gold coins and other valuables being dropped in the red kettles.

“We never found a diamond ring or a winning lottery ticket in the kettle, but we know that every cent is helping someone,” he said.

The Salvation Army in North Central Brevard County is at 919 Peachtree St. in Cocoa.

For information about volunteering, call 321-632-6060 or visit salvationarmyflorida.org/ ncbrevard.

“We are very thankful for those within our community who generously support The Salvation Army during the Red Kettle Campaign as well as throughout the year,” Hagglund said. “We are also very thankful to all those who volunteer to ring a bell at a Red Kettle.” VV

Here’s the

Here’s the deal, home

=

Brevard County Volunteer Opportunities

Aging Matters in Brevard 3600 W. King St., Cocoa 321-639-8770

agingmattersbrevard.org/

Brevard County

Enchanted Forest Nature Sanctuary

444 Columbia Blvd., Titusville 321-264-5185

brevardfl.govEELProgram/ Sanctuaries/Enchanted forestSanctuary

Brevard Humane Society 1020 Cox Road, Cocoa 321-636-3343 brevardhumanesociety.org

Daily Bread 815 E. Fee Ave., Melbourne 321-723-1060 dailybreadinc.org

Habitat for Humanity 4515 S. Babcock St., Palm Bay 321-728-4009 brevardhabitat.com/

Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Memorial Park & Cultural Center 2180 Freedom Ave., Mims 321-264-6595 harryharriettemoore.org/

Hope for North Brevard Thrift Store 2214 Garden St., Titusville 321-383-8638 hopenb.org

Hummingbird Pantry 3000 Jolly St., Bldg 4, Titusville 321-225-4075 hummingbirdpantry.org/contact

Adovasio

Adovasio,

Shoppes

National Veterans Homeless Support 1436 W. King St., Cocoa 321-208-7562 nvhs.org

North Brevard Charities 4475 S. Hopkins Ave., Titusville 321-269-6555 northbrevardcharities.org

The Salvation Army North Central Brevard 919 Peachtree St., Cocoa 321-632-6060 salvationarmyflorida.org/ ncbrevard

The Salvation Army of Melbourne Florida 1080 Hickory St., Melbourne 321-724-0494 facebook.com/SalArmyFlorida

South Brevard Sharing Center 17 E. Hibiscus Blvd., Melbourne 321-727-8581 mysbsc.org

SPCA of Brevard 6035 Sisson Rd., Titusville 321-567-3615 spcabrevard.com

VIERA VOICE R. Norman Moody

There are many volunteer opportunities leading up to the yearend holidays for adults and children in Brevard County.

“While

33rd annual Fall Fundraiser for At Risk

Youth 1 - 4 p.m. Space Coast Convention Center 301 Tucker Lane Cocoa, 321-752-3200

"Brassy & Sweet" 3 p.m. Central Florida Winds Suntree United Church 7400 N. Wickham Road Viera, 321-405-2359

Thankful for November

Diabetes - Living Healthy with Diabetes workshop 1:30 - 4 p.m.

Registration required.

One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 407-514-1806

Boomer Trivia 4 - 6 p.m. Viera’s only afternoon family-friendly trivia.

Free to play and fun for all.

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

East Coast Viera Ribbon Cutting 10 a.m. East Coast Christian Center Viera ribbon cutting. 3475 Viera Blvd. Viera, 321-452-1060

Trivia Night 6 – 8 p.m. Hook & Eagle Tavern 2300 Clubhouse Drive Viera, 321-639-3484

Sip & Smoke 6:30 p.m.

Locally hand-rolled cigars provided for purchase by Chaffiot Cigars and a spotlight spirit selected by mixologists. 28 North GastroPub 2250 Town Center Ave. Viera, 321-241-1159

Estate Planning Seminar 10 a.m.

Presented by William A. Johnson. RSVP One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771

Classic Car Show & Sock Hop 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

More 100 cars on display and live rock-n-roll music by Uncle Nick.

Chateau Madeleine 205 Hardoon Lane Suntree, 321-701-8000

Fall Back Happy Hour 3:30 - 5 p.m. RSVP Shell Harbor 2855 Murrell Road Rockledge, 321-252-4882

Fall Festival at Suntree Elementary School 10 a.m.

Suntree Elementary School 900 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 321-242-6480

"Brassy & Sweet" 3 p.m.

Central Florida Winds presents music by Schubert, Holst and Respighi Rockledge Presbyterian Church 921 Rockledge Drive Rockledge, 321-405-2359

7 8 9 10 11 12

Questions about your Hearing 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sandra Wagner will be on hand to share information and answer your questions about hearing loss and solutions for a safe and healthy lifestyle.

One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-253-6310

Bingo 11:15 a.m. - 2 p.m. Wickham Park Senior Center 2785 Leisure Way Melbourne, 321-258-8837

Ask the Doctor Lunch & Learn 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Benefits of early detection with memory loss.

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

Rockledge Market Day 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Second Wednesday of every month. Rockledge Civic Hub 530 Barton Blvd. Rockledge, 321-221-7540

Open House 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Shell Harbor 2855 Murrell Road Rockledge, 321-252-4882

Quest 180 6:30 p.m.

Marine Corps Birthday

Finding freedom from addiction through the 12 steps. Church at Viera 9005 N. Wickham Road Viera, 321-259-3454

Sweat Like a Mother 9:30 a.m. Viera Regional Center 2300 Judge Fran Jamieson Way Viera, 386-341-6779

Veterans Day

Celebrating Veterans Throughout History 9:30 - 11 a.m.

Remembering veterans who created and maintained this country.

Guest speakers, art show, lunch, exhibits and booths.

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

2022 Memorial Stair Climb by the Cocoa Firefighters 6 p.m.

Dick Blake Stadium 2001 Tiger Trail Cocoa, 321-586-9616

Free Diabetes Workshop 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Presented by Dr. Jaya Prakash

CoachJaya4Health 6550 N. Wickham Road, Suite 1 Suntree, 630-715-6881

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

Brevard Library Con ‘22 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Cosplay, gaming, STEAM, performances, vendors, food trucks.

Viera Community Center 2300 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, 855-210-0357

Fifth annual Survivors at the Zoo Noon - 3 p.m. Brevard Zoo 8225 N Wickham Rd Viera, 813-997-7989

Scottish Country Dancing 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

All ages welcome, no partner necessary. The Springs of Suntree Clubhouse 8300 Holiday Springs Road Suntree 321-4327-3587

Medicaid Planning Seminar 10 a.m.

Elder law Attorney William A. Johnson. RSVP One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771

Space Coast Poets 5:15 p.m.

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

Paychecks for Patriots Job Fair 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Viera Community Center 2300 Judge Fran Jamieson Way Viera, 321-433-4891

Poetry Slam 5 - 9:30 p.m. EFSC Palm Bay campus 250 Community College Parkway SE Palm Bay, 321-433-5284

Day

Take a Hike Day

Senior Life's Livin' Out Loud Boomer Senior Expo 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Space Coast Convention Center Tucker Lane Cocoa, 321-242-1235

St. Francis Reflections Lights of Life 6 - 7 p.m. Cocoa Riverfront Park 401 Riveredge Blvd. Cocoa, 321-269-4240

Mikcey Mouse's Birthday

Tinnitus (and Hearing Loss), Lunch and Learn Seminar 11 am. - 1 p.m.

Presentation on, “Ringing in your ears,” and what can be done to improve it. Boxed lunch provided.

RSVP

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

with

Play Monopoly

ArtWorks 10 a.m. Nov. 19 and 20 Eau Gallie Arts District 1423 Highland Ave. Melbourne, artworksofeaugallie.org

Space Coast Police K-9 Competition Gates open at 4 p.m. USSSA Space Coast Sports Complex 5800 Stadium Parkway Viera, 321-243-7812

25th annual Critter Run 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Brevard Humane Society 1020 Cox Road Cocoa, 321-636-3343

Sunday Jazz in the Park 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Michael Harris Jazz Band

The Avenue Viera Central Park 2261 Town Center Ave. Viera, 321-634-5390

"United in Thanksgiving" 7 p.m. A gathering of gratitude and multi-cultural sharing Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Community 5655 Stadium Parkway Viera, 321-750-4462

Coin Talk 6 p.m. Bring your old coins and have a lively discussion with Bob about coins.

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

Medicare Seminar 2 – 3:30 p.m.

Presented by Florida Health Care Plans.

One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 386-676-711

Space Coast Turkey Trot 5K 6:15 a.m.

Eau Gallie Square 1453 Highland Ave. Melbourne runsignup.com/Race/ SpaceCoastTurkeyTrot

Day

The Avenue Viera Kickoff to Christmas 5 - 8 p.m. Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus to share your Christmas wishes. There will be a write letter to Santa station, crafts for kids, vendors, DJ holiday dance party and more. Santa will light the 34-foot-tall Christmas Tree at 7 p.m.

The Avenue Viera 2261 Town Center Ave Viera, 321-634-5390

"We Gather Together" 7 p.m.

Space Coast Symphony presents music of gratitude and Thanksgiving, with pianist Jeffrey Biegel Scott Center for the Performing Arts 5625 Holy Trinity Drive Melbourne, 855-252-7276

51st annual Space Coast Marathon 6 a.m.

Cocoa Riverfront Park 401 Riveredge Blvd. Cocoa, 321-751-8890

Caroling at the Avenue Viera 6 and 7 p.m. The Avenue Viera Central Park 2261 Town Center Ave. Viera, 321-634-5390

AARP Smart Driver Course 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. The class will be taught by certified volunteer instructor Ernie Edwards.

RSVP

One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 719-648-1058

Story Time 10 a.m. Stories and songs for ages birth to 6 years.

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

Getting Through the

2 – 3:30 p.m.

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

National Chinese Take Out Day

National Day of Community Service

brings popular shows to King Center

On Sale Now

“The Time Machine” Thursday, April 27 10:30 a.m. Kindergarten

Grade

“The Three Mess-Keteers” Tuesday, Nov. 8 kingcenter.com/events/detail/ three-mess-keteers

a.m.

through Grade 5

Winnie The Pooh” Tuesday, Feb. 14

a.m. and 6 p.m. Kindergarten through Grade 3

Fannie Lou Hamer Story” Monday, Feb. 27 through Wednesday, March 1 thefannielouhamerstory.com Feb. 27, 1 p.m. — Interactive workshop Feb. 28, 7 p.m. — public performance March 1, 10:30 a.m. — school-day

performance Grade 5 through adult

“The Grand Shanghai Circus” Monday, March 6 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. All ages

“The Jungle Book” Wednesday, March 22 10:30 a.m. Grade 3 through 6

“The Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System” Tuesday, April 25 10:30 a.m. Kindergarten through Grade 5

VIERA VOICE Courtesy of The King Center

BY NANETTE HEBDIGE

Show-stopping Thanksgiving sides that will steal the turkey thunder

It’s hard to believe the holidays are imminent, heralded by our Thanksgiving celebration. Last year commemorated 400 years of tradition that started in 1621 by our early settlers rejoicing the plentiful autumn harvest.

Since then, it has been a holiday filled with thanks and get-togethers, where food always plays an integral part in the festivities with lots of stories circulating of how the year played and everyone getting into the holiday mood.

Thanksgiving has created many food bliss-induced historic moans throughout the years, since it’s the much-awaited, mouthwatering holiday. Let’s face it — Thanksgiving is

all about the food.

There’s nothing unpretentious about Thanksgiving fare, yet it’s usually served with a simple ceremony, as everyone looks forward to the once-a-year get together. It’s usually a feasting affair with nostalgic-inducing memories of past gatherings, accompanied by comainducing fare. An ideal time to crank out the best china, decorative platters, and silverware to impress newcomers and family with killer food and knockout classics dishes.

Some believe that eating turkey makes you lethargic and may have you nodding off during the football game, since it contains tryptophan, an essential amino acid used in

the process of making serotonin, a hormone to help mood balance. Our bodies don’t produce tryptophan naturally and although it may be easy to blame the big bird for sleepiness, it can be blamed on the overabundance and the combination of carbs and proteins consumed at one sitting.

Indeed, food coma will prevail and without a doubt, stomachs will have to settle to sample the much-awaited pies and desserts.

Turkey has been mastered in most households and, for some, it’s all about the sides that steal the turkeys thunder and their impressive lineup will make the bird playing backup.

And it’s no wonder; there are

and-true childhood popularity, that bring tremendous nostalgia and fond memories. Indeed, the ubiquitous mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and stuffing must make an appearance, otherwise it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving after all.

Last year, we suggested a few new mouthwatering sides — honey ginger baby carrots and roasted Brussel sprouts, and here are some rock-star newcomers to add to the lineup.

It’s guaranteed that once these make an appearance and have been devoured, your family and guests will be groveling for the recipes, and they will be remembered well into next year’s celebration.

VV

There’s something so earthy and delectable about mushrooms, they’re either loved or abhorred. These are roasted and then finished off by tossing them in brown butter, lemon and thyme. They’re shiny little gems of decadence and create the perfect fall side that can be easily made yearround, which even shroom haters will love.

1

white

or Baby

PRE-HEAT OVEN TO 400F

In a bowl, toss the mushrooms with olive oil, salt and pepper, place on a baking sheet in a single layer and roast for about 20 minutes until they start to caramelize and soften.

In a small pan, heat up the butter until it starts to turn a nice hazelnut color. Be careful, don’t burn it. Remove from heat and add garlic, rosemary, and lemon juice, toss with mushrooms, and bake for another 5 minutes.

Serve hot.

Although humble, you will be pleasantly surprised that these glazed shallots will be a totally winning dish. Ensure you make enough, as second helpings will be guaranteed. The natural sweetness of the shallots will be enhanced by the cider vinegar, bourbon and maple syrup. They must be peeled prior to cooking and the trick is to blanch them in boiling water for less than a minute, as it will make them easier to peel. Cipollini onions can also be a great substitute.

2½ pounds of shallots, peeled, left whole or cut in half

2/3 cup of apple cider vinegar

3 TBSP unsalted butter

¼ cup of bourbon

¼ cup of maple syrup

1 TSP fresh thyme — chopped

Salt and fresh cracked pepper

Place shallots in a skillet with high sides. Add the butter, bourbon, cider vinegar, maple syrup, thyme, 2 cups of water, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, covering the skillet (add a little water a few times if needed so they don’t dry out) until the shallots have caramelized and are tender about 25 to 30 minutes. Shake pan often.

Uncover until the liquid begins to evaporate and shallots begin to brown, about 5 minutes, swirling the pan often, adding about 1 or 2 TBPS of water to deglaze the pan.

Finish with some chopped fresh thyme, adjust seasonings and serve hot.

there

Duran

7032 Stadium Parkway Viera, 321-433-7053

Nov. 5

Chipping in

a.m.

Benefit golf tournament for Serene Harbor. Duran Golf Club 7032 Stadium Parkway Viera 321-537-2544

2022 DSAB Buddy Walk 9 a.m.

Fundraiser for the Down Syndrome Association of Brevard. The Avenue Viera 2261 Town Center Ave Viera, 321-576-3296

Fall Festival at Suntree Elementary School 10 a.m.

Suntree Elementary School 900 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree 321-242-6480

Saturday,

Sunday,

Nov.

Hearing aids are now available without prescription

BY PHIL GALEWITZ Kaiser Health News

Consumers will be able to buy hearing aids directly off store shelves and at dramatically lower prices as a 2017 federal law finally takes effect.

Where for decades it cost thousands of dollars to get a device that could be purchased only with a prescription from an audiologist or other hearing professional, now a new category of over-thecounter aids are selling for hundreds of dollars.

The over-the-counter aids are intended for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss — a market of tens of millions of people, many of whom have until now avoided getting help because devices were so expensive.

“From a conceptual point of view, this is huge that this is finally happening,” said Dr. Frank Lin, director of the Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. He predicts it could take a couple of years for the new market to shake out as manufacturers and retailers get accustomed to selling aids and consumers become familiar with the options.

Hearing care experts say they are pleased to see

the lower prices. Lin said he believes prices will fall further as more competitors enter the market in the next two years.

Prices and features will vary for the new OTC hearing aids — much as they do for prescription aids. A pair of prescription devices typically sells for $2,000 to $8,000. Some of the technology found in the pricier prescription aids will be available in the cheaper OTC aids.

The OTC aids cost less because they do not bundle the services of an audiologist for a hearing evaluation, fitting and fine-tuning the device. Instead, the new devices are intended to be set up by the consumers themselves, although manufacturers will offer technical assistance.

Some new companies have entered the market, including Sony. It will sell its lowest-cost, self-fitting OTC hearing aid for $999 at Best Buy and other retailers.

Walmart said it will offer an assortment of OTC hearing aids, including some at $199 to $299 per pair from the South Africa-based company hearX, which also makes Lexie devices.

Walgreens will offer the Lexie Lumen OTC hearing aid for $799 a pair. The offerings at Walgreens, CVS, Best Buy, and Walmart will also include a Lexie hearing aid developed in partnership with Bose.

Some consumers may want to see an audiologist either in person or online to get their hearing tested before buying an OTC aid. An audiologist could recommend which hearing aid is best for their kind of hearing loss. Traditional fee-for-service Medicare and most health insurers cover routine hearing tests. But Medicare and most private insurers don’t cover the cost of hearing aids, although many private Medicare Advantage plans do.

Consumers can also take hearing tests online or through an app on their phone or computer, Lin said.

Another factor that could fuel demand for the new devices is that the stigma of wearing a hearing aid is diminishing because people commonly use ear devices to listen to music.

More than 37 million American adults have trouble hearing, and only one in four adults who could benefit from a hearing aid have used one, federal health officials estimate.

Spurred by decades of complaints

about the high cost of hearing aids, Congress in 2017 ordered the Food and Drug Administration to set rules that would enable over-the-counter sales, with hopes it would boost competition and lower prices. But the COVID pandemic slowed the FDA effort, and last year President Joe Biden ordered the FDA to produce those rules. The final regulations were announced two months ago. Under the federal rules, the new category of hearing aids bypasses state dispensing laws.

Audiologists, who could lose business, caution that the new category won’t help people with severe hearing loss. And over-amplifying sound can damage hearing, said Sarah Sydlowski, the past president of the American Academy of Audiology.

However, Nicholas Reed, an audiologist and assistant professor at the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins, said the devices are likely less dangerous than listening to music with earbuds turned up too high. The regulations require the new aids to have safe maximum audio levels to help protect consumers’ hearing.

Reed recommends looking for OTC hearing aids with generous return policies, exceeding a month. Consumers may want to try a device for a few weeks to see how it works. If one brand doesn’t work, they should try another.

Reed also said consumers should look for devices labeled as self-fitting because it shows the companies have proved to the FDA that people can set up these devices themselves about as well as if they had professional help.

“If you are tech savvy, then I say jump right in,” Reed said, though noting “there is nothing wrong with talking to a trained audiologist.” VV

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

VIERA VOICE Shutterstock Hearing aids are now available at a much lower cost.

ArtWorks brings together select artists, art festival to Eau Gallie

BY BETTY PORTER

The 26th annual ArtWorks of of Eau Gallie Fine Arts Festival will take place the weekend before Thanksgiving, Nov. 19 and 20, along Highland Avenue in the Eau Gallie Arts District.

“ArtsWorks Festival is for art lovers, casual festivalgoers and families,” 20year ArtWorks committee member Sharon Dwyer said. She reminds festival goers, “No pets please at ArtWorks.”

Dwyer, past president, publicist and artists’ coordinator for the event said she expects 8,000 festival-goers to attend this year’s ArtWorks event which runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20. The festival will include live music and a food court in Eau Gallie Square.

“Artworks, like other art shows, is a place where artists sell their original art. At Artworks, artists will also be creating new works of art in their booths. ArtWorks is truly an opportunity to see how art comes together,” Dwyer said.

“Student artists are also an important part of the festival,” she said. “Space is provided for local high school art

students to show their works of art and to demonstrate and create works on site. These emerging artists will be on St. Clair Street. There will also be hands-on art activities for kids of all ages.”

Eighty artists will participate in this year’s festival.

“Approximately 60 percent of the artists live in Brevard

County,” Dwyer said. “The other artists are from Florida and out of state as well. Many of the artists participate in art shows locally and nationally. Media include: painting, drawing, digital art, photography, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry.”

One of the selected artists is Eyca Moticska. Her mediums are clay and

pottery to which she adds glass. She was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela and moved to Merritt Island in 1997 at age 26. She started making pottery as an apprentice in 2003 and began her own business in 2006. She partnered in 2010 with artist Harry Guthrie Phillips at their potterysculpture studio-gallery until 2018. He inspired her love of sea life and marine sculpture. With his influence, she began incorporating sea life into her pieces.

Moticska learned to scuba dive five years ago and has achieved the rank of Master Diver. She does deep diving and wreck diving. Often she finds the sea glass while on dives which she uses in her art pieces.

“I find sea glass fascinating,” she said. “I like incorporating it in my common pottery and it creates beautiful pieces.”

She sketches out ideas and makes them come to life.

“On dives, I often marvel at the beauty of the fish and coral and spend time underwater observing them,” she said. “I study the marine life and add nature’s art and designs to enhance the beauty of my clay art. I find myself waking up at night with ideas for designs, so I

keep a notepad by my bed.”

Each of her pieces of hand-thrown pottery and glass art is unique and personally made, not reproduced. She sketches out the idea then puts the pottery on a wheel, trims, decorates and bisque fires, then glazes and glaze fires to 2,400 degrees. She has three kilns at her home on Merritt Island. All pieces are fully functional, safe, and durable to use in the oven, microwave and dishwasher.

“I enjoy creating pieces that are functional and decorative with a unique design,” Moticska said.

Her sculptured pieces are detailed and complex and often feature three dimensional images of creatures floating in a colorful sea.

Her work can be viewed at the ArtWorks festival as well as online at eycaartstudio.com and Instragram @eyca_pottery. The Fifth Avenue Art Gallery in Eau Gallie will display her work in November and December. More information about the ArtWorks festival is available at artworksofeaugallie.org and at facebook.com/ artworksofeaugallie VV

VIERA VOICE Betty Porter

Eyca Moticska is holding a wind chime which she created from pottery and sea glass that she found while diving. Moticska’s uniquely-crafted art pieces will be featured at the 26th annual ArtWorks of Eau Gallie Fine Arts Festival.

Bourbon Cider Highball

BY NANETTE HEBDIGE

Considering apple is the fall fruit, nothing speaks of holidays like a cocktail that has crisp, apple flavors, and this drink exudes all the fall and holiday vibes. It pairs perfectly with sweet and tangy bourbon, making it a sophisticated drink that will please your guests and family.

There are a couple of ingredients taking this cocktail over the top. The hint of fresh lemon

a touch of sweet vermouth. It may seem a little unconventional in a bourbon apple cocktail, but they add the right complexity — so don’t omit them as they round things perfectly well in this cocktail. Dry vermouth has a subtle sweetness with a hint of a bitter and spicy finish, making an appearance in many cocktails such as a Negroni, Americano and Manhattan, so it should be a solid addition to any liquor cabinet.

This highball is surprisingly easy to prepare

and creates a nice introduction to any fall holiday party, while awaiting the upcoming sumptuous meal. VV

Ingredients

2 ounces (4 TBSP) bourbon of choice

1 ounce (2 TBSP) sweet vermouth

1 ounce (2 TBSP) apple cider

½ ounce (1 TBSP) fresh lemon juice

1 dash of orange or any bitters

Garnish — apple slices, stick of cinnamon or thyme sprig

Combine bourbon, cider, vermouth and lemon in a shaker with ice and stir the cocktail with a long spoon till chilled. Add a dash of the bitters and stir again.

Pour into bourbon glasses and garnish with the apple slices and a cinnamon stick. Makes one cocktail

VIERA VOICE Shutterstock

The Bourbon Cider Highball is a refreshing cocktail that takes advantage of seasonal apples to make a tasty holiday drink.