Viera Voice, December 2022

everal home runs were hit Nov. 18 at USSSA Space Coast Stadium in Viera as the Home Run Forever — Celebration of Adoption was held for the third consecutive year at the former spring training

baseball site.

“It’s such an accommodating and beautiful place to celebrate this grand day,’’ said Phil Scarpelli, the CEO of Brevard Family Partnership. “What’s more precious than to celebrate

the adoption of a child before the holidays? November also is the national month for adoption nationwide.’’

The event, sponsored by the ADOPTION, continued on page 4

Young family of six hosts relatives for first Christmas in Viera

BY WENDY SCHEURING

Alexis and Kiel DiGennaro of Viera celebrated their third wedding anniversary not long ago. A lot has happened since they tied the knot.

The family, which moved from Eau Gallie to Viera 1½ years ago, grew quickly. The couple have four children: Kayleigh, 13, Luke, 3, Gabriella, 19 months, and Adeline, six weeks. And, with young children, it seemed like the right time to host Christmas for the extended family this year in Viera rather than traveling to other relatives’ homes for the holidays.

“Typically, we go to Jacksonville for Christmas to see my grandma,” explained Alexis. “But everyone wants to make it easier for us.”

“My grandma, my parents and youngest brother from Tennessee, and my brother from Connecticut, my uncle on Merritt Island,” Alexis DiGennaro said, “the whole family will be here.”

Alexis DiGennaro has been a special needs teacher for nearly a decade, both in Tennessee and Florida. She moved from Tennessee to Jacksonville to take care of her grandmother. Once her health improved, Alexis DiGennaro moved to Merritt Island to be near her uncle.

She worked at a beachside restaurant where she met Kiel DiGennaro. “I used to be her boss,” said Kiel DiGennaro, who was a shift

manager at the time. He is now a logistics specialist at Kennedy Space Center and is working on the Artemis program.

Six months after she quit her job at the restaurant, the couple started talking, then dating, then they married.

After the birth of their third child, Alexis DiGennaro made the difficult decision to stop teaching special needs children, her lifetime passion, to stay home for the sake of the family, she said.

She stays connected with a strong community of moms through Burn Boot Camp.

Kiel DiGennaro works long hours, according to Alexis, but when he gets home, he helps her with the family.

“My work doesn’t take away from the family,” Kiel DiGennaro said. “My wife and kids are my priority. I do bedtime with the kids every night.”

The couple are happy they decided to move to Viera, which they said was so different from where they lived before.

“Viera was like a foreign language,” Alexis DiGennaro said.

“Neighbors are friends with each other and cars go slower. They understand that kids are around.”

“Moving to Viera was like a breath of fresh air,” Kiel DiGennaro said. “The families were so welcoming. They brought us cookies and meals and introduced themselves.” VV

Featured Family

VIERA VOICE Jill Blue

Alexis and Kiel DiGennaro and their children Kayleigh, Luke, Emma and Adeline felt welcome in their move to Viera.

Stadium. Another three families chose to complete the adoption process for their three children in private at the courthouse.

“There was a sense of urgency with Thanksgiving and Christmas approaching,’’ Scarpelli said. “But, there’s always a sense of urgency for the children. Foster care should just be an interim stage. We don’t want them to linger. We want them to be part of a

loving family as quickly as possible.’’

It usually takes about 24 months to complete the adoption process. The goal is to unite children with their biological family. Sometimes, that is not possible due to drug or alcohol abuse, domestic violence or homelessness.

“We want families to heal and live the lives they should,’’ Scarpelli said. “We don’t want to terminate the rights of parents, but children need to remain safe and have their needs met in a permanent place.’’

If the next of kin can’t take care of their younger relatives, adoption

VIERA VOICE Jill Blue

Sanjay and Stacey Patel were delighted to adopt Emma during the Home Run Forever — Celebration of Adoption at the USSSA Space Coast Complex.

“The best girl in the world is now a part of our family.”

— Stacey Patel

“We want them to be part of a loving family as quickly as possible.”

—Phil Scarpelli

Phil Scarpelli

becomes an option.

“We want to match the children with families that are committed to raising these children to adulthood. We want to help them heal as they enter this new and exciting chapter of their life.’’

Sanjay and Stacey Patel adopted a little girl that they had fostered for 19 months. They named her Emma.

“The best girl in the world is now a part of our family,’’ Stacey Patel said.

“Today, we got to adopt our daughter,” Sanjay Patel said.

“We are just thrilled to have her as a permanent part of our family. We are so excited. This has been one of the happiest days of my life.’’ VV

In response to COVID 19, I am now also offering the option of Tele health sessions via phone or video

VIERA VOICE Jill Blue

These are the families that adopted children at the Home Run Forever —Celebration of Adoption at the USSSA Space Coast Complex in Viera.

Festival of Lights connects Jewish families to faith

BY MARIA SONNENBERG

When Jamie Schmalenberger’s son Jude returned from his first day of kindergarten at Manatee Elementary School, he asked his mom why he was the only kid in his class celebrating Hanukkah.

Meet the players

Jamie Schmalenberger, who had grown up in a much larger Jewish community in South Florida, realized it was very important to make certain Jude and his sister, Jemma, understood the significance of the Festival of Lights, as Hanukkah is known.

Although Hanukkah is not considered one of the High Holy Days of the Jewish faith, for this Viera family the holiday connects them with their faith.

Since Jude’s kindergarten days, Jamie Schmalenberger has visited her children’s classrooms each year to talk about Hanukkah. When she first started, only a couple of hands shot up when she asked the kids if they had ever heard of Chanukah, or Hanukkah. These days, a lot more hands appear, and the kids look forward to the dreidels and accompanying gelt chocolate coins that are part of the traditional Hanukkah game.

Schmalenberger brings enough of the four-sided spinning tops, plus little sacks of coins, for all of Jude’s and Jemma’s classmates to take home. The kids love it.

She tells the children the history behind the eight-day holiday and how it commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after Jews

revolted against their Greek-Syrian oppressors.

Hanukkah, which means dedication in Hebrew, is celebrated in November or December, according to the Hebrew calendar. Most years, it falls within the Christmas season.

“Twice that I remember, it has overlapped with Thanksgiving,” Schmalenberger said.

This year, it starts on the evening of Dec. 18 and ends on the evening of the Dec. 26.

The menorah, the ninebranched candelabrum used in the Tabernacle and in the Temple in Jerusalem, plays an important part in Hanukkah. Every night during the eight days, families light one of

the candles with the ninth candle lighting the others. A prayer is sung each evening.

Dr. Mike Slotkin, the board president of Temple Israel of Brevard, the Viera synagogue that the Schmalenbergers attend, remembers how important the lighting ceremony was when he was growing up in Miami.

“The kids really looked forward to lighting the candles,” he said.

The lighting ceremony was nice, but the presents were even nicer.

“The presents were a big deal,” Slotkin said.

In his neighborhood, one or two presents per Hanukkah were the norm.

“I don’t remember anyone getting

more,” he said.

In Jamie and Jake Schmalenberger's household, however, fortunate Jude and Jemma receive a present per day, with the biggest gift saved for last.

The family kicks off the holiday with a Hanukkah dinner, typically brisket, paired with kugel noodle.

For dessert, it’s sufganiyot, or jelly donuts. Latkes, those addictive potato pancakes, are a huge favorite enjoyed that first meal and every day of Hanukkah.

“They go very fast in our family,” said Schmalenberger, who expects that when Jude and Jemma grow up, they will fondly remember those eight singular days known as Hanukkah. VV

VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Jamie Schmalenberger

The Schmalenberger family lights menorahs to celebrate Hanukkah.

Wrap up SPORTS

Hawks determined to make another run at state

BY CARL KOTALA

After coming oh so close to winning a boys soccer state championship the past two seasons, the Viera Hawks are gearing up for another run.

And once again, they’ve got the team that can do it.

“I expect it to be the same type of team that I’ve coached over the last two years, a resilient, hard-working, committed team-first (group) with maybe a little more flare going forward than we’ve had in previous years,” Viera coach Nick Robinson said.

“But again, our staple’s going to be ensuring that we get it right on the defensive end. I feel like if we do that, no matter what happens we’re always going to have a chance, especially when you

have someone like Max (May), Yordan (Torres) and Gabe (Shelton) in the final third. They can all score goals.”

After making the final four two years ago, a determined Hawks team reached the Class 6A championship game last season where they lost to Doral Academy.

“It kind of fueled me to put in a bunch of work and prepare for this season as best we can; keep our bodies healthy and focus on the games ahead of us and keep on winning,” senior Max Walker said.

It’s not always easy for teams to repeat past success, but Viera believes it has the perfect formula.

“When you make it that far, it’s easy to develop an ego and just say, ‘Oh, we made it

that far. We’re just going to do it again because we did it last year,’” May said.

“When we made it to the semis (two years ago), we went into last season with this mindset that we had to work harder, be more dedicated than ever and as a team just be as good as we could.

“This year, it’s the same thing. From a leadership standpoint, it’s just bringing the team together, pointing out the weak spots and fixing

them. Just working, working hard.”

May, Walker, Shelton and Torres are part of a core nucleus of returning players for Viera that also includes goalkeeper Alvey Kaufman, Jake Brown, Alex Bennett and Vinn Riggenbach.

The team also has added a pair of high-impact transfers in Gio Carneiro and Jake Medina who should help right away. The Hawks also are excited about the potential

of younger players such as Mikkel Jensen, Matthew Murtha, Achille Turo and Xavier Jackson.

Other key players include Bora Turkman, Yohann Rafeek, Matt Meier, Alex Canlas, Peyton Bala, Ben Elwell, Solomon Fyffe, Blake Siviter, Christopher Marcelino and keeper Caden Sichler.

“It’s kind of a similar team to last year, I feel like, in terms of … we’ve got the pieces,” Robinson said. “If we stay healthy and guys do the right things and we have everyone at the end of the year, I’m confident we can be where we were last year.

“The reality is, we had a target on our back last year. We’re going to have an even bigger target on our back (this year). It’s all about, OK, when we do get knocked down and teams bunker in a little bit and make it hard for us to break them down, do we have the character again like we did last year and the year before to fight through that.

“I’m confident that we do.”

VIERA VOICE Carl Kotala

Viera High's Max May leads an explosive offense that racked up 18 goals in the first three games. The Hawks, who made the state semifinals and the championship game the past two years, are preparing to make another run at a state title.

Gabe

shown here scoring on

header during

game against Harmony,

part of

high-powered Viera offense that scored

in its first three games.

Tigers seek another district title while moving younger players into lineup

BY CARL KOTALA

They are younger, that’s for sure.

But that doesn’t mean the Holy Trinity boys soccer team isn’t capable of winning what would be a fifth consecutive district championship or getting back to the regional final.

Meet the players

“I think it’s pretty good (now), but this team is going to be very good in a couple of years,” LaGala said of the team’s outlook.

“I think when Keegan is a senior, they’re going to be very good because they’re going to be used to playing with each other on the varsity level for so long.

“I think we’ve got a good chance to do something well this year,” Tigers coach Adrian Moreno said. “Right now, the boys set their sights on wanting to win districts and get to that regional semifinal and hopefully get as far as the team did last year.

“There was a realignment again in our region, so … it will be a little more difficult than it was last year to get there.”

While Holy Trinity returns some key veterans, including senior Reef LaGala, junior Aidan Bovelsky and sophomores Jake Wells and Keegan Harrison, there are a lot of younger players who have moved into key spots.

That includes sophomore goalkeeper Finn Werder, freshman defender Duncan MacKenzie and eighth-grade midfielder Nathan Combs, who has already drawn praise from both his coaches and teammates.

“Everything’s new now. They’ve never been to the district finals, the playoffs or anything. We’ll see how it goes.”

When Holy Trinity took on Titusville in its second game of the season last month, the Tigers had a lineup that featured Werder in goal with MacKenzie and Bovelsky in the back along with senior Giancarlo Valdivia and junior Brayden Seitz.

Junior Andrew Turner was in the middle with Combs and Harrison. LaGala was up top with Wells and junior Grant Shoultz on either side of him.

Senior Hayden Van Kramer also brings plenty of experience to the back end.

Other key players include senior Dylan Gibson, junior John Alzate, sophomores Vikram Sabapathy, Parker Duran, Aayan Shah and Ramel Hernandez along with freshmen Cooper Euziere, Cathan Gillin, Grady Houston

and Aiden Holtcamp.

As well as the Tigers were playing at the start of the season — they were off to a 3-0 start — they only figure to get better as they keep getting used to playing with each other and improving their game.

“It’s probably going to get better every game,” Harrison said. “… I think communication (needs to improve). Obviously, we have some younger guys that are

still molding into the lineup. Players like me and Reef need to help them know their role.”

And as LaGala added, “Confidence runs parallel to that.”

With such a young lineup, Moreno said he is looking for his team to possess the ball more than it has in the past.

“Patience is the biggest thing I’m pressing this year — patience on the ball, patience going forward,” he said. “We don’t have to go every single

time. We can swing the ball around and do what we need to do.”

There is certainly no arguing with Holy Trinity’s success through the years, particularly when it comes to district titles.

This year is no different. The Tigers would like nothing better than to win another one.

“We want it bad,” Harrison said. VV

VIERA VOICE Carl Kotala

Holy Trinity's Keegan Harrison (No. 8) is a big reason the Tigers believe another district championship could be in the cards for them this season.

Hawks banking on chemistry, talent to make another final four

BY CARL KOTALA

The Viera Hawks made it to the girls soccer state semifinals last season … and they’ve been waiting to get another shot at it ever since.

“Since the last game of last season, I’ve been waiting for high school season to come around again,” senior midfielder Toni Burwell said. “I’ve been having a blast already and I know we’re just going to keep that up.

“I really do love this team and I really do think we’re going to do good stuff. I’m excited.”

The Hawks, who were off to a 2-0 start in 2022, are not only trying to match the talent they had last season, but also the connection they all had on and off the field. They truly feel the team chemistry they had was a big reason they were so successful.

“I think team bonding is one of the most important things in a team,” senior forward Kaley Vitaliano said. “If you aren’t close to your

team, if you don’t have that bond, you’re not going to do well on the field.”

As this year’s team captains, it’s up to Burwell,

Vitaliano and senior forward Taylor George to help keep the Hawks together, and between morning yoga, team breakfasts and a few other team bonding events, the Hawks certainly seem to be on the same page early on.

“They all look like they’re all settling in to start the season,” coach Cal Dixon said.

Though Viera graduated six players from last season, the Hawks have been able to reload with some younger players moving into bigger roles and a pair of new faces already proving they can make a big difference.

Sophomore Kendall Mix is the new keeper and with junior Jayden Vargas there to back her up, the Hawks have talent and depth in the net.

Returners Makenzie Ellison and Sophie Boss lead a defense that also includes junior Natalya Espling and freshman Cathryn Orr, who is already drawing praise from Dixon for her quality of play.

Sophomore transfer Sadie Van Tassel could have a big impact in the midfield playing alongside Toni Burwell and junior Gianna Buysee, while up front the Hawks feature Vitaliano, George and junior Brienna McCain.

Among the first subs off the bench are sophomore Meghan Nadle and senior Adi Burwell in the midfield along with sophomore Allison Teschendorf at left back.

Junior Adele Boritzki and senior Alyssa Miller can help out on the forward line, while other key players for Viera include sophomore defender Alyssa Negron, junior defender Jaclyn Kirrane, sophomore defender Sofia Brown and senior keeper Olivia Frederick.

“What we had last year was good team bonding and good camaraderie,” Dixon said. “That’s what we want to

try to achieve again this year. If we can get that, then we can be as good as we were last year, hopefully.”

While the Hawks are certainly motivated to make another run at a state title, there’s also one other thing Vitaliano would like to see regardless of how far Viera goes this postseason.

“I definitely want to make it as far as possible,” she said, “but even if we don’t (win a state championship), I want to make sure that each and every one of us (has) left everything on the field to

can go.” VV

make it as far as we

VIERA VOICE Carl Kotala

Viera High senior Taylor George (No. 16) is one of the top goal scorers on a Hawks team looking to get back to the state semifinals for the third time in the past four seasons.

VIERA VOICE Carl Kotala

Viera High freshman defender Cathryn Orr stepped right into the starting lineup and has been drawing rave reviews for her play early in the season.

“I think team bonding is one of the most important things in a team. If you aren't close to your team, if you don't have that bond, you're not going to do well on the field."

— Kaley Vitaliano

BY CARL KOTALA

There have been some big changes around the Holy Trinity girls soccer program since last season.

“We have a new coach, new season, new formation and we have bigger goals this year,” senior Averie Schweitzer said. “I think with our formation, we’re going to be able to execute more. We already have so far. We’re playing harder teams than we did last year, which is helping us compete more.”

Taylor Pitts has taken over the program from Joey Messina, who did an excellent job of coaching and building the Tigers back into perennial postseason contenders.

This year, the players are aiming a little higher.

“We want to make it to state this year,” Schweitzer said. “We’ve never had this goal, but we think that this year, as we progress, we’re getting better already and it’s only the second game of the season.

“Our biggest hope is to win districts, and we think we can do that this year. And then, once we get past there, we can only go up from there.”

With an offense led by sophomore Greer Reynolds, senior Erin Sherden and junior Kaileigh Smith, the Tigers certainly have the firepower to threaten defenses. And with experienced players like senior Emerson Euziere, sophomore Catherine McCarthy, junior Lani Watt, senior Bianca Fontanin, junior Charna Black, sophomore Ava Knight and Schweitzer, there is plenty of talent behind them.

That’s not all on a roster full of returners and a nice mix of newcomers that includes senior keeper Evie Rittenhouse, senior Raina Wamsley, sophomore Valentina Velarde, senior Thalia Schrumpf, freshman

“I think our team dynamic is really good and we’re working really hard,” Smith said.

Pitts laid out his reasons for switching the Tigers to a 3-6-1 formation.

“We want to compete against some of the bigger schools and they have a few more club players than we do,” he said. “If you look at our roster, we have quite a few younger players. I just felt like that’s the shape that’s going to allow us to maximize what we have.

“We’re able to pull girls off the bench and put them in, versus a possession-based system. A lot of other schools play a high possession-based system and I just felt like if I did that, I wouldn’t be able to pull too many girls off the bench.”

While it’s going to take time for the Tigers to completely adjust to their new formation, they’re confident it will pay off.

“I feel like if we can get our formation down, we can definitely be really good,” Euziere said.

“There’s still a lot of work we can do, but it’s getting better each game.”

Other changes Pitts has made include 6 a.m. practices, film study, work in the weight room and more participation at team dinners.

Pitts not only had the players come up with this year’s team goals, he also had them list what they will need to do to achieve them.

“In the locker room now, they have their season goals posted on the wall, and then they have their non-negotiables,” he said.

“These are the things we need to be able to do to make it to the state tournament.” VV

Evie Flickinger, junior Reagan Haridopolos and freshmen Julianna Balda, Cailyn Easton, Virginia Lacey, Julianna Pedicini and Ella Shannon.

VIERA VOICE Carl Kotala

Erin Sherden is a big offensive weapon for a Holy Trinity girls soccer team that has a new coach, a new formation and a goal of getting to the state tournament.

NewsSCHOOL

BY CARL KOTALA

Matthew

Brandt

remembers being a sixth grader at Suntree Elementary School when the DeLaura Middle School jazz band came to perform.

That’s when he knew he wanted to be a drummer.

“Ever since I saw it at a concert, I realized I really wanted to play it and I wanted to start learning how as soon as possible,” said Brandt, now a Viera High School junior.

That interest turned into a passion and now Brandt and 10 of his Viera High bandmates can lay claim to being selected to the Florida All-State Ensemble, which will perform Jan. 11 to 14 at the Florida Music Educators Conference at the Tampa Convention Center.

“It’s a big landmark in what’s hopefully a life-long journey of music for me,” Brandt said.

Six Viera students were selected to play in the 1112 Symphonic Band: Ryan Russell (bassoon); Nicholas Grey (horn); Connor Smith (clarinet); Cody Hale (clarinet); Joshua Huser (clarinet) and Juliet McDaniel (clarinet).

Brandt (percussion) was chosen for the 11-12 Symphony Orchestra.

Jack Marden (percussion) was selected for the 9-10 Concert Orchestra, while Ethan Janning (trombone) and Devin Miller (trombone) will both play with the 9-10 Concert Band. Jimmy Egdorf (viola) was chosen for the Honors String Orchestra.

“We cannot speak highly enough to the work ethic and commitment all our students have made, especially these 11 students,” Nick Eggen, Viera’s instrumental music director, wrote in an email.

“We wish them the best as they continue to grow as both musicians and young adults.”

It was the second All-State selection for Smith, McDaniel, Hale, Grey and Russell.

Smith, a junior, said the competition was much tougher this year because he was competing against upperclassmen.

“I worked a lot harder, but I made it,” he said. “The hard work paid off.”

The Florida All-State Ensembles consist of selected

band, orchestra and chorus members from around the state. Auditions take months to prepare for and took part in September, where they were then sent off to a group of judges who made the selections.

Smith has been playing in a band since the seventh grade and said he chose the clarinet because it was the closest thing to the recorder, which he excelled at in the

of Viera High band

third and fourth grade.

Though he does not plan to major in music in college, Smith will always have music in his life.

“I plan to carry on music and play for some type of band for pretty much the rest of my life because it’s something I’m passionate about and I really enjoy,” he said.

Brandt, meanwhile, doesn’t want to just continue

playing music, he wants to teach it.

“Whenever I give a peer a critique, or (help) someone who’s not as skilled, it brings me joy to help them and to help them become a better musician,” he said.

There is no community like a band community.

“It’s just a lot of fun to get to interact with other people that enjoy the same thing as me,” Smith said. VV

VIERA VOICE Carl Kotala

Viera High had 11 band members selected to the All-State Ensemble, which will perform in January during the Florida Music Educators Conference at the Tampa Convention Center. Pictured in the front row, left to right, are Connor Smith (clarinet); Matthew Brandt (percussion); Jimmy Egdorf (violin); Nick Grey (horn) and Cody Hale (clarinet). In the back row, left to right, are Jack Marden (percussion); Ethan Janning (trombone); Devin Miller (trombone); Joshua Huser (clarinet); Juliet McDaniel (clarinet) and Ryan Russell (bassoon).

DeLaura Middle School provides basketball pipeline for Viera High

SPECIAL TO VIERA VOICE

The future looks promising for Viera High School girls basketball. DeLaura Middle School in Satellite Beach just completed a 16-0 season in girls basketball, which was capped by the Brevard County Middle School Championship. It defeated Madison Middle School in the championship game after beating Stone Middle School by 12 points in the semifinal. The victory in the

semifinal was its closest game of the season. Most of its victories were by 20 points or more.

The squad won just two games last season after going winless the season before that.

Most of the players will enroll at Viera High School next year.

“Avari Bowley was our team leader,’’ said DeLaura Athletic Director Candee Terry, whose husband Rob and daughter Jessica coached the team. “She was a strong inside player and rebounder. She was also very unselfish.’’

Demi Reck, a seventh grader who eventually will attend Viera High, was the starting point guard.

“She was a very good ball handler. She was able

to control the tempo and she was able to beat most presses.’’

After shuffling seasons due to COVID-19, the public school conference for seventh and eighth graders settled on a fall season.

“Halyn Hargis was an all-around, smart and savvy player,’’ Terry said. “Izzy Ownbey played well as a returning guard, Kayla Martrigali brought height and experience as a good role player, and Jazzy Bradley and Lexi Burchinal were two important defensive players. Katerina Thomas missed most of the season, but she came back at the end of the season and added a new dimension to our team. She picked everything up so quickly.’’

Jaidyn O’Leary, Jaile Hook, Ana Barcelos, Samantha Gibbs and Luciana Alfaro also played for the team.

“You could see from the first practice that this would be a special team,’’ Terry said. “They cheered each other on, they shared the ball and they were so unselfish.’’ VV

VIERA VOICE Courtesy of DeLaura Middle School

The DeLaura Middle School basketball team will send standout players to Viera High School in the future.

Jessica R Bolton

New Year’s resolutions: why they fail, how

BY KIMBERLY BLAKER

“The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We can help write that story by setting goals.” — Melody Beattie

The New Year is a great time to take inventory, set goals and take charge of your life. But if you’re like most, making resolutions is much easier than keeping them. Rather than focus on the idea of a new beginning, which can lead to disappointment at the first slip, keep in mind that self-improvement is an ongoing endeavor. Setbacks are not failures; they bring

wisdom and insight for future success.

Before making a split decision on this year’s resolutions, make a list of goals and changes you’d like to make. Then review your list, and cross off any you don’t feel genuinely devoted to.

Maybe you want to resolve to spend more time with your family, quit smoking or lose weight. You’re more likely to succeed if you feel a strong personal commitment rather than ‘I should.’

One reason people don’t keep resolutions they make is the resolutions are often

made to silence the pestering of a loved one. If you decide to quit smoking to get your husband off your back, you’re less likely to succeed. If you choose to quit smoking to feel healthier and be able to enjoy physical activity without being winded, you’re more likely to experience success.

Choose one or perhaps two of the resolutions on your list that you feel most committed to. Then choose one or two you feel confident you can do with ease. These last couple can be used as positive reinforcement for the more challenging first choices.

Next, make a clear plan for adhering to your resolutions. Put each resolution in writing, and write down the steps to achieve them. Let’s say your resolution requires a routine or schedule such as an exercise routine, a new diet or steps toward completing your education. Create a goal chart, a detailed plan and a checklist to track your progress.

Also, post notes in strategic places such as the refrigerator, bathroom mirror or steering wheel as reminders of your resolutions with tips on how to overcome temptation.

Make sure your family understands the importance of your resolutions. Family support and their positive reinforcement can be most helpful. If your resolution is something your family has been nagging you about, ask for their encouragement. But explain that pressure and

resolutions, including to exercise more, is much easier than keeping them. Define clear plans

pestering, particularly during setbacks, could undermine your resolve. Determine how each family member can help you to achieve your goal, perhaps by taking on additional household chores or through affirmations of your continued success.

Adjust your environment to enable success. If eating healthier is your goal, don’t fill the cupboards with junk food for other family members. Find healthy snacks they’re willing to substitute. If you’re trying to quit smoking, avoid people, places and things that remind or tempt you, at least until you have it well under control.

Don’t go it alone. If you have a friend with a similar resolution, make a pact. Work

2023 resolutions.

together to create a plan, and then make a point to check in with each other regularly for encouragement, praise and support. If you resolve to get more exercise, do it together. Having a commitment and someone to accompany you will go a long way in helping you succeed.

Finally, reward yourself, not just once you’ve achieved your goal, but periodically for your success so far. Small, periodic rewards can be motivation enough to keep you strong when you’re ready to throw in the towel.

Remember, whatever New Year resolutions you choose, success awaits you if you resolve never to give up trying. VV

VIERA VOICE Shutterstock Making

for your

Brevard

Society presents art exhibition

SPECIAL TO VIERA VOICE

The Brevard Watercolor Society (BWS) is holding its annual Watercolor Wildlife Show of Brevard with paintings depicting flora and fauna seen in Brevard County. It has been extended through Jan. 2.

All paintings are original creations of BWS member watercolor artists. This year, paintings will be displayed in three different Brevard locations:

1. The Government Center, Bldg. C, at 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way in Viera.

2. The Eau Gallie Public Library at 1521 Pineapple Ave. in Melbourne.

3. The Central Brevard Library at 308 Forrest Ave.in Cocoa.

Awards were presented for Best of Show, best of each category and a first, second and third place as well as several merit awards.

Paintings are displayed with identification cards showing the artist, title of painting, award received and selling price.

Past wildlife exhibitions have been held at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. Following construction of its new visitor center, future wildlife exhibitions can resume there.

The Brevard Watercolor Society has 200 members. For information, go to brevardwatercolorsociety.org VV

VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Therese Payne Ferguson

Therese Payne Ferguson’s “Berry Season” was selected the Best of Flora winner. Artists' paintings, divided in two categories, flora and fauna, were judged by renowned local artist Jon Houghton and will be displayed at the Government Center, Bldg. C, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way in Viera.

Community Briefs

Military Family Readiness Center holds forum

The Military Family Readiness Center at Patrick Space Force Base will hold a Retiree Information Forum from 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 2. It will be held in the MFRC, Building 722 or via Zoom.

It is a great opportunity to get questions answered

from the agencies attending: Casualty/SBP, Retiree Activity Office, Tricare, ID cards, Cape Canaveral National Cemetery and Social Security.

Suntree Rotary Club collects shoes for needy

The Suntree Rotary Club will collect shoes once again for Soles4Souls from 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 10 at Rotary Park at Suntree, which is at the intersection of Suntree Boulevard and U.S. 1.

“Each year, more and more people are bringing in shoes,” said Alan Ross Frisher of the Suntree Rotary Club.

“It’s really rewarding to see how it helps so many people in third world countries.

There’s one guy who brings in boxes and boxes of shoes. His wife forces him to throw out his sneakers every year. That really helps us out.’’ Good shoes which are no longer worn can be dropped off at the park.

For information, call

Frisher at 321-242-7526.

Cocoa High School plans 50th reunion

The Cocoa High School Class of 1973 will conduct its 50th reunion on the weekend of May 5 and 6.

A casual meet and greet will be held at 5 p.m. May 5 at the Radisson Resort at the Port’s Jamaica and Montego Rooms at 8701 Astronaut Boulevard in Cape Canaveral. There will be no charge.

The 50th Reunion Celebration will be held at 6 p.m. May 6 in the Convention Center of the Radisson Resort at the Port. It will cost $85 per person. A block of hotel rooms has been set aside for the event.

of their legitimacy. These badges use government symbols, words and even names and photos of real people, which are available on government websites or through internet searches.

If you receive a suspicious letter, text, email or call, hang up or do not respond.

Social Security will never:

· Text or email images of an employee’s official government identification.

· Suspend your Social Security number.

· Threaten you with arrest or other legal action unless you immediately pay a fine or fee.

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· Send official letters or reports containing your personal information via email.

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R Vaughn Financial Advisor 3760 W Eau Gallie Blvd Unit 102 Melbourne, FL 32934-3284 321-373-0807

Vaughn Financial Advisor

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Look out for Social Security imposter scams

Social Security imposter scams are widespread across the United States. Scammers use targeted, sophisticated tactics to deceive people into providing sensitive information or money.

Text messages are only sent if you have opted in to receive texts and only in limited situations, including the following:

· When you have subscribed to receive updates and notifications by text.

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interest rates rise, the prices of CDs can decrease. If CDs are sold prior to maturity, the investor can lose principal value. FDIC insurance does not cover losses in market value. Early withdrawal may not be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest and do not allow interest to compound. CDs offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide. All CDs sold by Edward Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC).

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Social Security’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has received reports of scammers creating fake versions of the identification badges most federal employees use to gain access to federal buildings. The scammers may text or email photos of the fake badges to convince potential victims

· As part of enhanced security when accessing your personal my Social Security account.

If you owe money to Social Security, you will get a letter mailed to you with payment options and appeal rights.

Report suspected Social Security scams — and other Social Security fraud — to the OIG’s website at oig.ssa. gov/report VV

Jason

Jason R Vaughn Financial Advisor

18-month

Surfboard art takes bold approach at Brevard Zoo

the Brevard Zoo.

Brevard Zoo invites guests to see some unique artwork as they stroll through the different sections of the zoo.

Bold Boards — Visions of Florida, art painted on surfboards, will remain on display through April 2 at

“We actually commissioned 28 artists to paint surfboards with their own visions of Florida,” Brevard Zoo Executive Director Keith Winsten said.

The bold art exhibition showcases the work of 28 artists, who upcycled surfboards donated by the local

surfing community to celebrate what makes Florida special. This includes the waterways and wildlife that should be protected and a shared commitment to its preservation.

While strolling through each loop of the Brevard Zoo, see what makes Florida a place like no other.

It is exciting to take in this

celebration of surfing, art, local waterways and a shared commitment to conservation as the Brevard Zoo embarks on building a world-class Aquarium and Conservation Center at Port Canaveral.

Look for these bold boards during the next visit to the Brevard Zoo.

VV

VIERA VOICE Robert Parente

Bold Boards — Visions of Florida, art painted on surfboards, will remain on display through April 2 at the Brevard Zoo.

VIERA VOICE Robert Parente

Flamboyant colors are prominent in the decorative surfboards that are displayed in Bold Boards — Visions of Florida.

Suntree Santa has again assembled his elaborate model train

BY NANETTE HEBDIGE

It’s taken Willard Davis more than 30 years to complete Santa’s Christmas village with his model electric trains whistling by and running at full steam.

Every structure has been built with meticulous detail and includes familiar sites like Home Depot, Starbucks, Coca Cola and Cracker Barrel, to name a few. Even the New York Times’ Times Square building is complete with the ball drop and there are museums, a fire station, a hospital, five Catholic churches and of course an eggnog and a chocolate factory.

“It takes about 30 days to get everything assembled in my living room. My daughter puts up the buildings with the Christmas trees and I add the trains.” Davis said. “It comes up Oct. 1 and we take it down in March, much to the relief of my wife who can have her dining area back.”

Just like with any town, repairs and trimmings are always underway.

“We want to make some changes to the North Pole area,” Davis said, “and we’ll be adding Ebenezer Scrooge and Bob Cratchit’s residences to the Dickens village. I’ve read “Christmas Carol” to so many kids, I almost know it by memory”.

Davis retired from the Air Force in 2014. He, of course, had to include NASA’s rocket launch pad in his

miniature township.

He’s been wearing St. Nick’s red suit in Suntree since 1997, looking very much like Santa on “The Miracle on 34th Street,” complete with lush white whiskers. He listened to thousands of children’s Christmas wishes sitting on his lap and consumed many peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, which are his favorite.

“I was fascinated with Santa as a child and hope I’ve brought happiness to many children in my years as St. Nick,” said Davis, who is called Santa Will by his friends.

For more than 25 years, he’s made appearances at churches, hospitals, malls and private parties where he now sees second- and thirdgeneration children from the kids that once sat on his lap. He’s got some wonderful stories, and Davis proudly displays his Santa driver’s license that says, Nicholas S. Claus, Candy Cane Lane, North Pole. “Even Santa needs a proper ID.”

“My doctor said to cut down on the cookies,” Davis said with a jolly smile. “Am now 77, I feel great and I hope to continue my Santa journey for many years to come, keeping the magic and tradition of Christmas alive for young and old.”

Santa’s train can be viewed by appointment. Call 321-544-0169. VV

Parades, events get in step ushering in holiday season

BY FLORA REIGADA

The bright lights, colorful decorations, parades and events signify the delights of the Christmas season. And, Dec. 3 is never too early to begin the celebration of the yearend holiday season.

This year, there is no shortage of parades and events in Brevard County to usher in the season.

Saturday, Dec. 3 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Winterfest 2022 will take place on the Minuteman Causeway in Cocoa Beach. The Christmas Parade starts at 2 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 3 2 p.m.

The Bible on Parade starts from and returns to the Melbourne Auditorium at 625 E. Hibiscus Blvd. For more information, call Jesus is the Key Ministries at 321-773-1489 or visit jitk.org/bible-parade-home-page.

Saturday, Dec. 3 6 p.m.

The Light Up Viera Holiday Parade starts from and finishes at Viera High School at 6103 Stadium Pkwy. in Melbourne and includes fireworks. For more information, visit LightUpViera.com or call 321242-1200 ext. 4554 or email Events@ Viera.com.

Saturday, Dec. 3 4 to 7 p.m.

Light Up Rockledge and Festival of Trees takes place at the Rockledge Civic Hub at 530 Barton Blvd. in Rockledge. For more information, call 321-221-7540, ext. 160 or email kcharbonneau@cityofrockledge.org

Friday, Dec. 9 6 to 7:30 p.m.

The Cocoa Village Holiday Boat Parade launches at Valencia docks in Rockledge and ends at Intracoastal Waterway Park, the north side of SR5 20. For more information, call 321631-9075 or visit historiccocoavillage. com.

Saturday, Dec. 10 1 p.m.

The Cocoa/Rockledge Holiday Parade starts at Rockledge High School at 220 Rockledge Ave. and ends at Lee Wenner Park at approximately 2:30 p.m. For more information call 321-633-1874.

Saturday, Dec. 10 6 p.m.

The Titusville Christmas Parade starts at Titusville High School at 150 Terrier Trail and proceeds north on U.S. 1 to Downtown Titusville. For more information, call 321-267-7922, or visit titusvillechristmasparade.com.

Saturday, Dec. 10

6 p.m.

The Melbourne Light Parade starts at 1300 Martin Luther King Blvd. and heads south to Hibiscus Blvd., then west to Gateway Drive. For more information, call 321-544-1777 or visit melbournelightparade.org

Saturday, Dec. 17 11 a.m.

The Port St. John Christmas Parade starts at the corner of Waterloo Avenue and Faye Blvd. and proceeds to the corner of Carole Ave and Fay Blvd. For more information, call 321-633-7499 or visit happenings.net

Hundreds of Santas

Dec. 24

Saturday, Dec. 17

11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Family Christmas Extravaganza takes place at Fred Poppe Regional Park; 1951 Malabar Road in Palm Bay. For more information, call 321-952-5725 or visit familychrsistmasextravaganza. com/.

Saturday, Dec. 17

5:30 to 10 p.m.

The Merritt Island Christmas Boat Parade proceeds from the Sykes Creek Causeway Bridge and continues north through Sykes Creek, ending at the Seaway Drive Bridge and Barge Canal. For more information, call 321-213-0478 or email kaleb@bluemarlinre.com.

Saturday, Dec. 17

5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The Turkey Creek Christmas Boat Parade will start at Turkey Creek in front of Palm Bay Marina, heading east past Palm Bay Point to the Indian River, then turn around behind the Lazy Turtle Restaurant, back to Turkey Creek. For more information, call 321-536-4175.

Saturday, Dec. 24

8 a.m.

Surfing Santas begins in front of Coconuts at 2 Minutemen Causeway in Cocoa Beach. For more information, call 321-633-7499 or visit surfingsantas.org VV

SENIOR LIFE Robert Parente

Willard Davis spent decades completing his Christmas train and village.

VIERA VOICE Jill Blue

participate in the annual Run Run Santa in Viera. It will be held

Bee-utiful Bees

queen bee

lay about 2,000 eggs a day. That’s more than 1 million eggs in her lifetime.

A hive has a queen, worker bees (female) and drones (males).

A honey bee colony can have 30,000 to 80,000 worker bees during the summer.

Suntree Elementary School dedicates Legacy Garden

BY R. NORMAN MOODY

Suntree Elementary School finally has its Legacy Garden, a space it long wanted for parents, teachers and staff.

“It is a space that represents the beautiful Suntree community,”

Principal Shari Tressler said during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the garden. “What better way to show our school pride.”

Engraved brick pavers honor and celebrate teachers and staff, including some who have long retired or moved on to other positions or schools.

Tressler said many teachers retired last year, including some who were there when the school first opened in 1992.

Tressler thanked Boy Scouts Troop 524 for its work and for providing

benches for the garden. She also thanked Valderrama Orthodontics and Elite Pavers for their part in making the garden a reality. She said the PTO helped to make the garden a reality.

“This legacy garden represents some of the founding members of Suntree Elementary going back to the first principal, Mr. Jennings,” Tressler said.

Former teachers and staff were on hand for the dedication of the garden that was 30 years in the making.

“This special project from Suntree has been such an honor,” said Holly McKenna, who has worked for Brevard Schools for 35 years, 18 of them at Suntree Elementary. “The Suntree family is the best.”

Lisa Larkin was pleased to be back at the school for the dedication of the legacy garden.

“This was my first administrative job many years ago,” she said. “I loved my time here. I did a third of my career here at this school.”

Parents, teachers and

former staff were present for the ribbon-cutting ceremony held last month. They each stood next to the engraved brick in their honor. It was sort of a reunion and celebration for former staff

who had not seen each other in a while.

“This is amazing, we weren’t sure how many people to expect,” she said.

“This is absolutely amazing.”

VV

VIERA VOICE Jill Blue

Engraved bricks recognizing teachers,staff, families and supporters of Suntree Elementary School's new Legacy Garden were unveiled during a dedication ceremony last month.

ScoopBUSINESS

AJ’s Lager House to add excitement to culinary landscape

BY NANETTE HEBDIGE

A restaurant will debut in early 2023 as a new standalone eatery at the old Uno Pizzeria & Grill building on Wickham Road at Murrell Road. AJ’s Lager House will introduce a unique concept to the restaurant landscape in Brevard County.

Jason Pun, the owner of AJ’s and a Scorpion fan since he attended Satellite Beach High School, said his longtime dream is finally coming to fruition.

“I went to Florida State for psychology and sociology and realized that my heart wasn’t into politics. So, I walked from the political arena and embraced hospitality,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to open a restaurant since I come from a foodie family, as they’ve owned an Asian restaurant and a steakhouse. I wouldn’t call myself a culinary Indiana Jones, but I think I’m a foodie influencer and I’ve wanted to inject some new culinary mojo to this area.”

The hospitality sector is always iffy, unless it’s a solid concept, offering exceptional food with a stellar location, and the turnover rate is high.

“As the old saying goes — it’s like putting lipstick on a pig”, Pun said. “The outer shell

of AJ’s will remain somewhat the same, but the interior will be modernized with 200 seats, inclusive of an outdoor patio and it will also be dog friendly.”

The exterior will be refurbished and the interior footprint will have a trendy industrial theme throughout.

“We were approached to turn the place into a

corporate chain, but we wanted to remain privately owned to have carte blanche with cocktails, an extensive microbrew selection and our own interchangeable menu,” Pun said. “This area is just right for a locale steering away from the stereotypical franchises, so I seized intrepid

and grabbed the opportunity, as this location seemed prime.”

He said the liquor license pertains to the whole parking lot area, so it will offer the perfect spot to showcase art exhibitions, food and music festivals, as he will also be including musical entertainment during the evenings.

The food offerings will have a touch of whimsical. An eclectic menu will include superior American steaks and sides, alongside Tex-Mex dishes with Asian influences. Like chicken Tinga, poke nachos and fried wonton tacos with a variety of dipping sauces.

“The products used will support and be locally farmed as much as possible with the microbrews and liquors also being Florida sourced. We’ll even make our own Bloody Mary mix.” VV

VIERA VOICE Jill Blue

Jason Pun, the owner of AJ's Lager House, is excited about the opening of his new restaurant on Wickham Road near Murrell Road. It will be at the site of the former Uno Pizzeria & Grill.

“I wouldn't call myself a culinary Indiana Jones, but I think I'm a foodie influencer and I've wanted to inject some new culinary mojo to this area.”

—Jason Pun

The groundbreaking for Pinecrest Space Coast Academy’s dedicated middle school building is set for the first week of December, with an opening slated for the start of the 2023-2024 school year.

The new building will allow the current K-8 center to continue serving its K-5 population, resulting in the school doubling its enrollment to 1,200 while getting a jump start as the first new middle school in the Viera area.

“We are so excited to see our amazing school grow through the construction of a second building that will allow more students to take advantage of a world-class education,” Principal Sylvia Mijuskovic said. “We look forward to sharing these expansion ideas during our orientation sessions.”

Located on Stadium Parkway, immediately south of Church of Viera, Pinecrest Space Coast has been an A rated school during its first two years while offering some unique approaches to education. It features the only bilingual Spanish program in the county as

students receive lessons in both Spanish and English. Those students in the early grades are assured to emerge as bilingual prior to entering high school.

There is a S.T.E.M. program that mirrors the Orlando Museum of Science because of its interactive

Space Coast

design and emphasis on realworld relevance. Technology integration is accomplished via the use of a Smart Board in every classroom and a guaranteed one-to-one computer for each student to use as an academic resource. An emphasis on projectbased learning reinforces the

importance of 21st Century skills, including working with others to address problems and arrive at solutions.

Dates to circle on the calendar include the Dec. 8 middle school orientation, which will include information about an optional accelerated

program allowing students to earn up to five credits prior to high school. A kindergarten program informational session will be held Dec. 7. Interested families may sign up on the Pinecrest Space Coast Academy website at pinecrestspacecoast.com. VV

VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Pinecrest Space Coast Academy

Pinecrest Space Coast Academy in Viera. It will be next to the elementary school.

Kehoe expands animal clinic to Viera beginning in February

BY WENDY SCHEURING

With a growing number of clients, Dr. Martha Kehoe and her husband and practice manager, Sean Kehoe, recognized the need to start a second clinic in Viera.

Their current Rockledge location, in the Rockledge Crossing Plaza at the intersection of Barnes Boulevard and Murrell Road, has been serving pets and their owners for the past eight years.

The new Kehoe Animal Clinic of Viera, currently under construction, is scheduled to open February 2023. Located on the south side of Viera Hospital at 2305 Vidina Drive, it will be open Monday through Friday.

The new 4,000-squarefoot Viera clinic will be three times larger than the current one. Fullservice surgery, dentistry, X-rays and ultrasounds, in-house lab work, and day-only hospitalization for emergency care are typical services.

Six exam rooms, a

spacious waiting area, and a fenced-in dog yard where dogs can run off leash are designed to provide more comfort and space.

“It will be open, welcoming, clean and modern with state-of-the-art equipment,” said Kehoe, who also supports the local dog rescue, Touch of Grey. “Every room has extra insulation for soundproofing and making things stress free for pets.

“I am also promoting homes for cats and kittens,” she said of her cat rescue. “People can meet the kittens and play with them. The kittens will climb and play and not be cooped up in small cages.”

A retail space with specialty items, such as collars and leashes for training and pet carriers, will also be available.

Kehoe, a Brevard County native, has been a veterinarian for 35 years. She attended Palm Bay High School and earned her veterinary degree from the University of Florida.

There will be four

veterinarians working at the two clinics.

“Dr. Kaitlyn Burns, who recently finished veterinary school and started working at the Rockledge clinic in July, and Dr. Anna Maymone, who will be starting in January 2023,” Kehoe said.

“Both will see exotics.”

Exotics are best described as birds, reptiles (snakes, turtles and lizards), and pocket pets (ferrets, hamsters and gerbils).

Dr. Catie Russell-Ryan specializes in acupuncture for pets that have

chronic pain, arthritis or neurological issues

“Melbourne has really grown and we are happy to support more pets in the area,” Kehoe said.

For more information, go to kehoeanimalclinic.com or call 321-877-1825. VV

Pokrywa rubs elbows with hockey greatness

VIERA VOICE Jill Bue

Dr. Martha Kehoe and her husband and practice manager, Sean Kehoe, are about to open a new animal clinic in Viera.

VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Todd Pokrywa

Todd Pokrywa, the president of The Viera Company, and his wife Cindi were guests at the Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Weekend in Toronto last month, Pokrywa was a VIP representing Viera. Pokrywa enjoyed chatting with NHL Hall of Famers Eric Lindros and Mats Sundin.

Septic systems continue to leak nitrogen into IRL

Conventional septic systems were designed to remove pathogens from on-site waste disposal and, if maintained, do a pretty good job.

They were not designed to reduce nitrogen pollution from seeping through porous soils into waters. And, Brevard County’s 80,000 septic systems are leaking nitrogen into the Indian River Lagoon and St. Johns River today.

The crazy thing is that taxpayers are paying millions to get rid of old conventional systems, while the county is allowing construction of around 1,000 new ones every

year.

We can do better!

The 54,000 septics leaking into the Indian River Lagoon watershed contribute some 400,000 pounds per year (almost 20%) of the nitrogen pollution in the IRL feeding algal blooms.

Fortunately, in 2018 the County’s Save Our Indian

River Lagoon (SOIRL) plan created an overlay of areas near the IRL and its tributaries and prohibited any new conventional systems. New homes must be connected to sewer lines or use new high-performing systems that remove at least 65% of the nitrogen. It also established a fund to help residents pay for the removal (or connection) of old systems. This fund has now been expanded to high-impact properties across the county. (brevardfl. gov/SaveOurLagoon/ SepticUpgrades)

Ironically though, during

the 2020-21 fiscal year, the county approved some 900 new conventional systems that may have to be upgraded or removed in coming years. Many observers think the county should extend the overlay requirements to the whole county. No new conventional systems.

Also, there is a state law that requires septic owners near sewage treatment lines to hook up within one year of notice that the lines are available.

Many owners have not been notified or have not complied, so the pollution continues.

It can be expensive to hook up, so the current SOIRL funds can be important, and they may have to be replenished once the county, hopefully, begins working toward compliance, like Vero Beach, Sarasota and other communities are doing.

Conventional septics did an important job 100 years ago to protect health.

Today, we must protect our Indian River Lagoon too. We can do better!

For more and to help, visit HelpTheLagoon.org, facebook. com/BIRLC/ and twitter.com/ HelpTheLagoon VV

East Coast Christian Center cements its presence in Viera

BY R. NORMAN MOODY AND JILL BLUE

East Coast Christian Center in Viera has long been in the planning, starting out in a movie theater then moving to Viera High School.

Now, the church has expanded its presence in Brevard County with a new, 22,000 square-foot building with seating for about 600. The excitement has been building since construction started more than 18 months ago.

“Here today, we stand in a brand-new building, and I want to say thank you to everybody,” Matt Stallbaum, the pastor, said during a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony. “First, I want to say thank you to God. Obviously, God is our source of life. He is our source of love. He is the source and we are just the conduit of love for each other.”

Stallbaum went on to

thank what he said was an incredible team, including the builders.

“This went up really quick,” he said. “It went up quicker than two years, way quicker.”

East Coast Christian Center has had a presence

in Brevard County for about 30 years. It started its Viera campus in 2012 at the Rave Theater. It later moved to Viera High School, where it remained until the new building was completed.

The Viera campus, a modern building with simple lines and seating that can be moved to reconfigure the interior space, will have spaces for children and teens, a coffee bar and events. The church plans to eventually add a pre-school to the new site.

“Two years ago, you couldn’t stand where I’m standing now,” Stallbaum said, standing just outside the building. “Let me remind you that we had to bring in five feet of dirt to cover five acres of land to make this buildable.”

Stallbaum said the builders did an incredible job.

“I also want to thank the Viera Company and the Duda family because they have done an incredible job as well.”

went up really quick. It went up quicker than two years, way quicker."

— Matt Stallbaum

The church has long been involved with the community.

In the past decade, its food pantry has given away nearly five million pounds of food to local families in need, while also partnering with global ministries such as World Compassion and Convoy of Hope to meet urgent needs of people worldwide.

Local events, fellowship groups and programs specifically for teens, young

adults, business leaders and senior citizens are just a few of the ways that East Coast Christian Center helps the community.

For more on East Coast Christian Center, go to ECCC. US. VV

You know the feeling. It hits you the moment you walk through the door. A feeling of belonging, safety, and community. A place where the comforts of home come together with the best of friends, services, and amenities. At Sonata, we know home is so much more than an address. Especially when it comes with builtin opportunities to build friendship bonds that feel, well, just like family.

Veterans specials available. Call today to learn how you can call Sonata home this holiday season.

VIERA VOICE Jill Blue

East Coast Christian Center recently opened its new 22,000 square-foot building in Viera near Manatee Elem.

VIERA VOICE Jill Blue

Matt Stallbaum is the pastor at East Coast Christian Center.

BY NANETTE HEBDIGE

Christmas is the sweetest time of the year

The year is wrapping up and we’ve arrived at the most wonderful and magical time of the year.

It’s a time for merry making, bright colored lights, gift giving and above all cooking food that reminds us of home. What would the holidays be without the tantalizing smells of holiday baking and dessert making?

Christmas décor has been prevalent even before Halloween arrived, not to mention being bombarded with specials promoting holiday sales. As we juggle hectic work schedules, the frenzy of the holidays almost takes away the ability to enjoy them and, for those celebrating Christmas, it’s easy to lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas, that Christ our Lord was born in a manger.

In the kitchen, we’ve barely finished with the pervasive leftovers from Thanksgiving and carving another bird is alarming. Why not switch things around and prepare a prime rib roast or present an elegant, glazed ham complete with all the trimmings?

This holiday revolves around celebrating the joys of life and what’s more joyful than dessert? Because Christmas is the sweetest time of the year. And pie is mighty nice, almost a prerequisite for the holidays, but beyond the pie are swoon-worthy sweets not to pass up.

Globally, desserts are ubiquitous to that country’s tradition, too many to mention. Germany has its customary Stollen, a cake-like bread with fruit and nuts and the Brits glory over their Christmas pudding and English trifle. In Latin countries, there’s the proverbial Pan de Pascua and Italy has its famous Panettone, both cousins to fruit bread. And of course, the French present their elegant Bûche de Noël, a sumptuous yule-log cake covered in icing.

Here in America, Christmas brings about the traditional cookie season. Nothing speaks more like Christmas than baking with colored lights, having some mulled wine and making those ever-faithful recipes like gingerbread men with colorful icing, sugar cookies and buttery shortbread. And if you’re feeling overly bold, add rum balls to the party. And we all know you don’t have to be a kid to sneak a couple of cookies before the sit-down holiday dinner.

There’s always room for something sweet after the feast and who said making dessert has to be complex? There’s always the storebought option, but you’re only a few ingredients away from dessert bliss with this sensationally easy and showstopping pear tart that will win you family member of the year. Get ready to wow.

Merry Christmas one and all! VV

No fuss amazing Pear Tart

Making fudge, ginger cookies or grandma's apple pie during the holidays is nostalgic and yields mouthwatering results. However, if you haven’t slotted aside any baking time, maybe you’re feeling intrepid enough to try something easy and distinctive.

If you want to go from pie to masterpiece, this eye-catching and simple pear tart (if you want to get fancy, in France it’s Pear Galette) will win you major eye-rolling moans calling for seconds.

You won’t spend sleepless nights debating about Bartlett, Bosc or Anjou because here any pear goes. And more to the point, canned/jarred pears are the main event here, because if canned pears are good enough for French pastry chefs, then they’re good enough for us. And to make life even easier, store-bought puff pastry is the champ here, because easy shortcuts are always welcome.

So, tap into your inner Julia Child and make this easy prep, applause-worthy holiday dessert.

PREHEAT OVEN TO 350 F — Can make two tarts

4 TBSP unsalted butter — melted

½ cup of granulated sugar

2 beaten eggs — room temperature

1 TSP pure vanilla extract

1 TSP pure almond extract

Pinch of salt

½ cup of almond flour

1 TBSP lemon zest

1 PKG of frozen puff pastry

2 TBSP of apricot jam

1 TBSP water

2 jars or two 15 ounce cans of pears in heavy syrup — drained and sliced

½ cup of sliced almonds — toasted

Heat up the two TBSP of apricot jam with 1 TBSP of water until dissolved, cool, and set aside.

Roll out thawed pastry on a floured surface. Invert tart pan on top of the pastry and cut its round shape, allowing a generous 2-inch border for the sides of the dish. Place the pastry on top of previously sprayed or buttered pan and mold the top around the rim and dock the bottom and edges of pastry with a fork so it doesn’t puff too high during baking.

In a bowl, add the melted butter, eggs, sugar, extracts, and whisk well (you don’t need a mixer). Add the almond flour and mix again finishing with the lemon zest.

Spread the almond mixture on top of the pastry with an offset spatula and fan the sliced pears in a decorative pattern on top.

Brush the apricot mixture over the pears and add a sprinkling of sugar on top.

Bake for about 45 minutes or until the interior is set and the edges are golden. Cool. Brush edges with the remaining apricot glaze and add the toasted almonds around the rim.

NOTE — These tarts can also be made in square shapes on top of a parchment-lined cookie sheet.

The 27th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27) in Egypt was held Nov. 6 to 18.

It brought together more than 90 heads of state and an estimated 35,000 representatives or delegates of 190 countries to focus on steps toward mitigating negative impact on the environment and improving environmental quality around the globe.

From anti-war protests disrupting a Russian-hosted event (Reuters) to the celebrated return of Brazil, whose president-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva “promised to restore the Amazon rainforest and chase down climate criminals” (BBC), to welcoming president “Biden’s record $370 billion in investments in clean energy, like wind and solar power, that promise to significantly cut greenhouse gasses generated by the United States” (New York Times), it has been an eventful conference.

An emphasis has been placed on the establishment of a loss and damage fund. This fund could help developing nations recover from past climate disasters, prepare for future catastrophes and transition their own countries away from fossil fuels.

As the New York Times explains, “this fund would be in addition to a 2015 agreement forged by the U.N. in which wealthy nations agreed to provide $100 billion a year from public and private sources to developing countries to help them mitigate climate change and shift away from fossil fuels.”

The trick will be to legally define what loss and damage means, how to calculate the

cost of it and determine who s Recycle Brevard

BEYOND the CURB means, how to calculate the cost of it and determine who should pay how much for it.

Another topic, transfer — financial and technological — has been discussed as a way to assist developing countries transition to more sustainable economies and practices. This includes investing in local start ups as well as sharing technologies that “have already proven themselves,’’ according to GreenBiz.com.

The draft of the COP27 agreement was published Nov. 17, but it is yet to be agreed upon. The current form repeats the target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and the goal of accelerating measures to “phase down unabated coal power and phase out and rationalize inefficient fossil fuel subsidies,’’ according to Reuters. “But, it does not include phasing down fossil fuels, as previously requested by the EU and India, or launching the controversial loss and damage.’’

While we keep an eye on the agreement that will be crafted and signed by the end of COP27, we might as well focus our actions on things that can be done locally, but still contribute toward a greater goal.

Based on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals the United Nations established in 2015, a good goal to tackle would be No. 12. It is to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. By

choosing more sustainable options when it comes to gifting and by recycling only what is acceptable in our area, chances are we will create a positive effect.

So here are seven handydandy suggestions for this holiday:

1. Consider gifting experiences, not things. Classes, trips, tickets to the movies and gift certificates to restaurants are wonderful gifts.

2. Make a donation to a cause that someone else supports — they will appreciate having a gift made in their name.

3. Try making some of your gifts — who wouldn’t

appreciate some yummy cookies and pies or handmade soaps, candles, jewelry or ornaments?

4. Make the wrapper part of the gift — reusable bags, shirts, kitchen towels and throws make great wrappers.

5. When replacing an old item, look to sell or donate the old one.

6. In the same spirit, recycle old electronics — cell phones, laptops, tablets, radios, CD players, coffee machines, vacuum cleaners and more can all be recycled.

7. Make recycling count and recycle only what can truly be recycled — do not put artificial trees, wrapping paper, greeting cards, bows,

tree lights, extension cords or ornaments in the recycle bin.

Recycle Brevard can help with most of the above. Soon, it will be able to help from a place in Cocoa Village dedicated to crafting and sustainable gifting. Check out RecycleBrevard. org and make sure to follow Recycle Brevard on social media.

Working together, we can do so much more!

During the holidays, the amount of waste increases by roughly 25%. Trying these suggestions could bring that percentage down and contribute toward a gift to the world. Why not give it a try? VV

THURSDAY FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Holiday Celebration Concert 3 - 5 p.m. Free Community Band of Brevard concert. Merritt Island High School 100 Mustang Way 321-338-6210

Guided Barrier Island Sanctuary Hike 9:30 - 11 a.m. Free Enjoy a 1.0 mile stroll from dune-to-lagoon.RSVP: BIChike4Dec22.eventbrite. com Max capacity 15 people.

A Ceremony of Carols 7:30 p.m.

Eastern Florida State College 1519 Clearlake Road Cocoa, 321-501-0833

Repeal Day Roaring Twenties Party 5 - 9 p.m.

A custom engraved bottle of bourbon, three course meal, 20s costumes and dancing. 28 North Gastropub 2250 Town Center Ave. Viera 321-241-1159

Lunch & Learn 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Presented by Pasquale F. Reino, DO, Orthopedic Surgeon with Hughston Clinic.

RSVP Required. One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera 321-751-6771

Herald the Holidays

Celebrating the Season 7 p.m.

December 7 and 8 Holiday free concert by the Melbourne Municipal Band. Melbourne Auditorium 625 E. Hibiscus Blvd. Melbourne, 321-724-0555

Kindergarten Information Orientation

Pinecrest Space Coast 7550 Stadium Pkwy, Viera pinecrest spacecoast.com.

Back to Work 50+ Job Fair 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Space Coast Health Foundation 1100 Rockledge Blvd. Rockledge 321-504-7600

Dueling Pianos by The Copper Piano 6 - 9 p.m. Murdock's Bistro & Char Bar and The Copper Piano 600 Brevard Ave., Cocoa 321-806-3352

Marine Corps Birthday

Motown Magic Moments 7 - 9 p.m. Enjoy an evening of "Magic Moments" with Voices of Classic Soul. Concert benefits the Evans Center. Gleason Center Florida Tech 150 W. University Blvd. Melbourne, 321-674-8006

Middle School Orientation Pinecrest Space Coast 7550 Stadium Pkwy, Viera 321-307-7230 pinecrest spacecoast.com.

2 3

National

Service

Moonlight and Music on the Promenade 6 - 9 p.m. Cocoa Riverfront Park 401 Riveredge Blvd. Cocoa, 321-631-9075

Casino Happy Hour 3:30 - 5 p.m. Sip your favorite drink, enjoy hors d’oeuvres and casino games. Shell Harbor Retirement Community 2855 Murrell Road Rockledge, 321-265-6875

Holiday Car and Craft Show 10 a.m. Food Trucks and a live D.J. playing 1950s music. South Beach Community Center 500 Old Florida Trail Melbourne Bch. 321-952-3210

Festival of Wreaths Auction 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Fundraiser for the Brevard County Students-InTransition program. Riverview Senior Resort 3490 Gran Ave. NE Palm Bay, 321-312-4555

9 10

Our Lady of Lourdes Live Nativity 6 p.m. Live nativity sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church 1626 Oak St. Melbourne, 321-723-3636

Come Dance With Us! 7 p.m. Holiday songs with the Swingtime Jazz Orchestra. 625 E. Hibiscus Blvd. Melbourne, 321-724-0555

Celtic Christmas 7 p.m.

Enjoy live traditional Celtic instruments and choir. St. Andrew UMC 3380 Dairy Road Titusville, 321-2639-7631

Christmas Memories 2 p.m. A Christmas concert by the Harbor City Harmonizers. Holy Trinity Episcopal School 5625 Holy Trinity Drive Suntree, 321-345-7292

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Old-Fashioned Christmas 3:30 p.m.

A free concert featuring traditional Christmas songs and carols.

Riverside Presbyterian Church 3400 N. Atlantic Ave. Cocoa Bch., 321-426-0360

Third annual Florida Snow Day 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Eau Gallie Square 1453 Highland Ave. Melbourne, 321-430-4403

Court Kingz VS BCSO Enforcers

7 p.m. Presented by the Brevard Prevention Coalition. Viera High School 6103 Stadium Parkway Viera 321-987-1496

Space Coast Light Festival Nov. 23 to Jan. 1

Fred Poppe Park 1951 Malabar Road Palm Bay 321-458-3515

Open Studio North Brevard Art League 6 - 8 p.m. Tuesdays 1421 Draa Road Titusville

Passport Wednesday 5 - 6:15 p.m.

Event hosted by the Brevard County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller Melbourne Courthouse 51 South Nieman Ave.

By appointment only, go to brevardclerk.us/passports Medium John Rogers 6 p.m. Cocoa Beach Library 550 N. Brevard Ave. 321-868-1104

Meet The Grinch 4 -7 p.m. Free raffle, treats and crafts. All ages welcome. Sponsored by the Melbourne Police Foundation 1700 W. New Haven Ave.

Senior Fitness Class 1 - 2 p.m. RSVP required. Sunflower House 777 Merritt Island Cswy. #201, Merritt Island 321-452-4341

Sing We Now Of Christmas 7 p.m. Free concert by the Indialantic Chamber Singers. Our Lady of Grace Church 300 Malabar Road SW Palm Bay, 321-725-3066

Pancakes with Santa 9 - 11 a.m.

Pancakes, hot Cocoa, pictures with Santa. Palm Shores Bistro 5060 U. S. Highway 1 Palm Shores, 321-752-5222

Wreaths Across America 11:45 a.m.

Wreath-laying ceremony Cape Canaveral National Cemetery 5525 U.S. 1 Mims, 321-383-2638

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Christmas Around the World and Back 3 p.m.

A concert by the Space Coast Flute Orchestra.

First Baptist Church 4300 N. Wickham Road Melbourne, 321-385-7236

Food Pantry Day 1 - 3 p.m.

Open to all.

First United Methodist Church Cocoa Beach 3300 N. Atlantic Ave. Cocoa Beach, 321-783-8991

AARP Smart Driver Course 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Open to drivers of all ages. Cost: $20 for AARP members and $25 for nonmembers. One Senior Place Viera, 719-648-1052

Medicaid Planning Seminar 10 a.m.

Presented by Elder Law Attorney William A. Johnson, PA One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771

Snow in Love 7 p.m. Dec. 21 and 22

“A love letter to music in the holiday season” Melbourne Auditorium

Christmas Party and Car Show 4 p.m. The Burger Inn 1819 N. Harbor City Blvd. Melbourne 321-254-2211

Caroling at the Avenue 6 - 8 p.m. Bands, orchestras, musical groups and more are invited to perform in Central Park this Holiday season. The Avenue Viera 2261 Town Center Ave. Viera, 321-63.4-5390

Run Run Santa 1 Mile 7:30 a.m. Perfect for kids & family members of all ages. Run or walk 1 Mile in a Santa suit.

Calvary Chapel Viera 2852 Fellowship Place Viera, 321-412-1830

25 26 27 30 31

Children's Christmas Eve Make Cut-Out Snowflakes Day National Bacon Day New Year's Eve

Basic Computing/Ask a Tech 1 - 3 p.m.

Sunflower House Merritt Square Mall 321-452-4341

Christmas Live Nativity 5:30 - 7 p.m. Club Zion 830 S. Atlantic Ave. Cocoa Beach 321-799-4340

5:30 p.m.

Courtyard by Marriott 3435 N. Atlantic Ave. Cocoa Beach Focused Fire Training 866-382-9111

Quilts and Lace 7720 N. Wickham Road, #111 Viera, 321-622-8602 Florida Holiday Events Additional events, pgs. 22-23 Happy Kwanzaa Mon, Dec 26 - Sun, Jan 1 Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the staff at Viera Voice

Day of Community

National Spicy Guacamole Mikcey Mouse's Birthday National Ice Cream Day

National Ugly Sweater Day

Space Coast K-9 Competition puts on quite a show

Hailey Goetz with K-9 Ewart recorded the fastest time on the Law Enforcement/Military Obstacle Course on Nov. 19 during the annual Space Coast K-9 Competition at the USSSA Space Coast Complex.

Ethan Marquis and K-9 Turbo placed second.

Lauren Donaldson and K-9 Zepplin won the Law Enforcement Hardest Dog competition for the most prolific bite. Avery Morehead and K-9 Gator placed second.

On the Civilian Obstacle Course, Stan Smith and K-9 Annie Oakley finished first. Brooke Kershner and K-9 Kye placed second.

Bruce Theiss and K-9 Rosco won the Civilian Hardest Dog competition. Naomi Moon and K-9 Eros finished second.

In the Law Enforcement Fastest Dog competition, Marquis and K-9 Turbo prevailed.

The free-to-the public event was sponsored by the Cocoa Police Department and the Brevard Kennel Club. It was a fundraiser for the Space Coast Police K-9 Foundation Inc.

The nonprofit is dedicated to supporting police K-9 programs and police officers across the Space Coast. VV

To watch a video of the event, go to vieravoice.com.

VIERA VOICE Jill Blue

The annual Space Coast K-9 Competition boasted dogs and handlers from all over the country, as well as Brevard County

SPECIAL TO VIERA VOICE

PHOTOS JILL BLUE ROBERT PARENTE

SENIOR

Cruise guides veterans to the help they need

BY R. NORMAN MOODY

Army Staff. Sgt. Raul Pacheco wants to know everything he can about his veteran’s benefits and services that will be available to him well before he retires from the military.

Pacheco and his wife Marisol, were among the more than 100 active-duty military members, veterans and their families who were part of AVET Project’s Celebrate Veterans Cruise to the Bahamas during Veterans Day weekend.

“I am approaching retirement,” he said. “When retirement comes, I don’t want to be rushing.”

Pacheco, who has served 18 years, said his main purpose for going on the cruise was to learn about his veteran’s benefits because many veterans don’t know what’s available to them.

Other veterans suffering from injuries or mental health issues listened through two informal educational sessions and were able to get questions answered during the cruise.

“Remember, there is always a higher purpose in whatever you are going through,” said John Lopez,

as he encouraged his fellow veterans. “It’s OK to recognize that you are not OK. Recognize that you need help.”

Lopez of E&O Tactical, was one of the sponsors of the Celebrate Veterans Cruise.

Others spoke about suicide prevention.

Dr. Joseph Walden and Dr. Lindsay Eatman were among the presenters who were there to help those with questions about mental health issues.

Charisse Laverdiere, who lives in Menifee, California, wanted to learn more about mental health.

Laverdiere said that while on active duty between 1984 and 2003, her pelvis was shattered while serving in South Korea. She is getting help from the Department of Veterans Affairs for the physical injuries but not for the mental stress it causes.

“I haven’t gotten any help as far as mental health,” she said.

She was encouraged by some of the information she was able to gather during the cruise aboard Royal

Caribbean Independence. Leah Bucholz, whose company, Prestige Veterans Medical Consulting, helps those filing VA claims when medical evidence is needed.

“It’s very important that if someone helps you with a claim that they are legally accredited,” she said.

Others like Carmella George, answered questions about VA claims and attorney Jessica Lynn Silva shared information about wills and trusts with

participants.

The three-night cruise was supposed to start Nov. 11 following a Veterans Day ceremony at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center on Merritt Island. Because of Hurricane Nicole, the ship arrived at Port Canaveral a day late and the veterans’ cruise was cut short by one day.

The educational session

VIERA VOICE Elaine Moody

Brandon Lape, left, of eXp Realty and Adrian Kellgren of Kel-Tec speak to veterans during the AVET Project’s Celebrate Veterans Cruise aboard the Royal Caribbean Independence.

aboard the ship went on as planned with a modified schedule.

Garren Cone said that from comments he has heard, the educational cruise, which is part of AVET’s Project Recuperation and Reintegration, was well received.

“We know we reached an audience of 130 people,” he said. “Everybody came away with more knowledge than they had before they got on the boat, plus everybody had fun.”

One important aspect is that the veterans were able to connect with each other and with experts who can help them.

White Christmas Margarita

BY NANETTE HEBDIGE

all the frantic decorating, dreaded shopping and holiday baking you’ll gladly want to kick back to enjoy a sumptuous and welldeserved holiday cocktail. If you’re wondering what’s the popular drink lineup during the boozy holiday season, first place goes to the ubiquitous eggnog, followed closely by a buttered rum toddy

and of course the swanky martini, which through the holidays achieves many transformations and flavors.

Not all drinks have to be warm and loaded with spices during the holidays! This White Christmas Margarita looks like winter wonderland, but it tastes like summer, making it ideal for the warmer temperatures here in Florida. VV

Ingredients

Makes 1 cocktail

2 oz silver tequila

1 oz Cointreau (Triple Sec or Grand Marnier)

2 oz of coconut cream

1 fresh lime (juiced)

Ice Club soda (to top off drink)

Garnish

Cranberries — previously frozen Lime slices

Rosemary Sprigs

Sugar lime glass rim

Pinch of kosher salt

2 TBSP white or Turbinado sugar

Zest of a lime Cut slices out of the lime to wet the glass rims

On a shallow plate add the lime zest, sugar, salt and mix. Prepare your glasses by rubbing the lime wedges along the rim and inverting them to coat with the sugar/ salt mixture. Add ice to each glass.

In a cocktail shaker, add some ice and pour the tequila, Cointreau, lime juice and coconut cream. Shake vigorously and strain into the previously prepared glasses topping with a splash of club soda.

Garnish with frozen cranberries, lime slices and rosemary sprigs.

Please drink responsibly — Don’t drink and drive.

VIERA VOICE Shutterstock

A White Christmas Margarita should hit the spot during the holiday season.