Gospel quartet honors 4th anniversary Page 6 Zoo's Port aquarium off to fast start Page 20
Talented ensemble excels at Viera High
Page 14
Unleash your inner tomatillo Page 16
Big barks rule!
Pieloch Dog Park opens page 4
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January 2022
Vol. 15 Issue 12
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Reconnected couple love living, raising daughters in Viera BY WENDY SCHEURING Local childhood sweethearts reconnected on social media and now are building a life with their two daughters in Viera, near where it all started. Robert and Carlyn Clark met in the sixth grade at Holland Elementary School, where they were childhood sweethearts for three months. They remained friends while attending DeLaura Middle School and Satellite Beach High School, but upon graduation, like most do, they went their separate ways to college and to start their adult lives. But that separation did not last for too long. The feelings were still there 10 years later when they reconnected on Facebook. That reacquaintance led to a rekindling of their love and then marriage. The couple will celebrate their 12-year anniversary in March. The Clarks decided to raise their two daughters, Devin, 17, a junior, and London, 6, a first grader in Viera. Both attend Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy. “I’ve been in the area quite a while since 1986 when I was in the fourth grade,” Robert Clark said. He still remembers when Wickham Road was two lanes flanked by cow pastures and wetlands. “We used to drive to
Featured Family1
VIERA VOICE Adam Palumbo
Robert and Carlyn Clark and their two daughters, Devin, 17, and London, 6, reside in Reeling Park in Viera.
Orlando to go to the mall and there was that one lone house out there (in what is now Viera) and I thought, ‘Who would ever want to live out there?’,” Carlyn Clark said. Fast forward nearly 30 years into the future and Viera has developed at an exponential rate. The Clarks moved to Viera and have enjoyed
living in Reeling Park for the past six years. Nearly seven years ago, Robert Clark started a company called Kona Gold Beverages, which now distributes its products nationally, including lemonades, hemp energy drinks, CBD energy waters, and CBD Alkaline waters, according to the website konagoldbeverage.com.
“We started with an energy drink. Then, we expanded to include flavored waters. Last year, we acquired a lemonade company. The product is sold in local WaWas. We also distribute our products throughout the country and have other warehouses around the country,” he said. Carlyn Clark was a teacher in the Brevard
Public Schools for 18 years. “I was at Ralph Williams for 15 years and then at Viera Charter School for three years, and in Merritt Island before that,” she said. Carlyn taught sixth through eighth grades and also has taught preschool. Carlyn now teaches a Women’s Bible study for young moms at the Church At Viera on Wednesdays. “She is busier than I am,” Robert said laughing. The Clarks also are a family that plays together. “We have a full gym that we built during COVID. We have all the Crossfit equipment here. My older daughter does full Crossfit and we all work out together,” Robert said. London is learning gymnastics with a private coach. Regarding living in Viera, the couple could not be happier. “We love Viera,” said Carlyn. “I’ve always loved the area,” Robert said. “The weather is all-around fantastic. We have neighbors, friends, and family within a 3-mile radius. It’s very convenient.” “We also like the safety aspect of it,” Carlyn said. The nice, safe communities, all of the community events. It has that small-town feel without really being a small town. I feel like we know everyone.” VV
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Viera park’s grand opening a tail-wagging treat for dogs BY MIKE GAFFEY
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Snipping through a ceremonial leash with a pair of scissors, Mark Pieloch officially opened his third dog park in Brevard County. Pieloch, the president and owner of Melbournebased PF Inc., formerly known as Pet Flavors, and his wife, Tetiana, welcomed hundreds of dogs and their owners to Pieloch Dog Park Viera East at Woodside Park during a grand opening ceremony Dec. 11. The one-acre park is at 1705 Crane Creek Blvd. “This is just spectacular,” said Pieloch, the founder of VIERA VOICE Steve Hollinger the American Muscle Car Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey dedicated the wooden bridges at Pieloch Dog Park to Junny Rios-Martinez Jr. Museum in Melbourne, as and Junny, a Brevard County Sheriff's Office search dog. he thanked volunteers and sponsors. The Pielochs provided a $70,000 grant to help fund the Viera park, and donated to two other dog parks at 400 W. Florida Ave. and 1550 Mosswood Drive in Melbourne. The fenced park off Murrell Road has separate areas for dogs over and under 25 pounds. Canines can frolic amid hills, dog house shelters and tunnels, and cool off in water sprayed from a fire hydrant. The park is free and open from dawn to dusk. VIERA VOICE Jill Blue Melbourne residents Tetiana and Mark Pieloch Jennifer Hunter and her welcomed dogs and their owners. VIERA MEANS fiance Mike Jerrell usually take their white golden BUSINESS N E T W O R K I NCarrubba G GROUP said. “And this retriever Marshall to the is the first time in a long Mosswood Drive park, but time that I’ve seen her traveled to Viera to check approach other dogs and out the new location on VIERA VOICE Steve Hollinger other people, and it makes opening day. Pieloch Dog Park has a lot of room for dogs to roam. “He loves it,” Hunter said me happy to see her this of her dog. “He was all over happy.” estimated 7,000 hours to abducted and murdered in The day’s events also everything. He was on this help build the park, said 1991, and Junny, a Brevard included dog photos with bridge. He was just under Rob Dale, the chairman of County Sheriff’s Office Santa and Mrs. Claus, free this house.” the Viera East Community search dog whose name dog treats and food trucks. Amy Carrubba said the VIERA MEANS BUSINESS NETWORKING GROUP Development District. was selected by Brevard Work began earlier this day at the park gave her “That’s a lot of time, Sheriff Wayne Ivey from year on the park, which has French bulldog Lucy a sweat, love and energy that thousands of entries during Adirondack chairs, large much-needed opportunity went into this,” Dale said. umbrellas and shade sails, a 2014 contest to name to mingle with other dogs. ANS BU E The park’s wooden as the bloodhound. Plaques “COVID really changed S well as picnic tables M bridges are dedicated to and benches made from honoring both Junnys are her just like it did with Junny Rios-Martinez Jr., an recycled plastic bottles. people, and it stopped displayed on the bridges 11-year-old Cocoa resident Volunteers put in an her from being social,” “to show everybody the connection between dogs and their owners,” Ivey In response to COVID-19, I am now also offering the option of Tele-health sessions via phone or video. N E said. U TW OR RO KIN G G Junny’s mother, Vickie Rios-Martinez, who attended the ceremony along with her husband, Junny Sr., said she was “overwhelmed” by the bridge dedications. “He would be 30 years older and he would be in his 40s now,” she said of her son. “Of course, we always wonder who he’d be and what he would be 321-956-9477 | DoctorGloriaRiveraKing.com | Drgrking@me.com doing. But I can see he’s 2328 Medico Lane, Melbourne 32940 - Northeast corner of Stadium Parkway and Wickham Rd. doing it, just from the other (Located inside the Professional Center) side.” V V
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St. John business manager to receive Spirit of Holy Cross Award BY ERNEST ARICO
VIERA VOICE Courtesy of King's Cadence
King's Cadence, an all-male gospel-rooted quartet, will perform a concert at St. John the Evangelist Church in Viera. The four members are, from left, Todd Gaither, Jay Craig, Daniel Varnell and KC Armstrong.
Gospel quartet to perform at St. John the Evangelist Church BY ERNEST ARICO
King’s Cadence will help celebrate the fourth anniversary of the dedication of St. John the Evangelist Church with a concert at 7 p.m. Jan. 28 at the Viera church. King's Cadence is an allmale, gospel-rooted quartet. The four members are: KC Armstrong, bass; Todd Gaither, tenor; Jay Craig, lead; and Daniel Varnell, baritone. Planning, recording and scheduling began after Armstrong retired from the U.S. Army Chorus in the summer of 2019. As a Christ-centered ministry, their vision is to sing great songs to people who are yearning for good news, an
encouraging word or maybe just something to smile about. Although their first official concert together as King's Cadence was not until Aug. 4, 2019, each member has been singing gospel music with other groups for decades. All four men have had vocal training at the collegiate level and hold degrees in music. Collectively, they bring years of experience and a variety of musical styles to the platform. Having been friends since 1996, they originally met in studio sessions and performed with ensembles based out of the Chattanooga, Tennessee area. Christina Germain, a cantor at St. John, is responsible for bringing the
quartet to Viera. “I’ve known KC Armstrong for many years,” she said. “We were members of the U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants chorus. He contacted me and said the quartet was coming down to our area and had an opening in their schedule and wanted to know if we would host them.” Germain, who served in the Air Force for 25 years and also will perform at the concert, said the quartet is incredibly professional. “They have an amazing sound. Very unique,” she said. The free-will concert will be held at the church, located at 5655 Stadium Parkway. For more information about King’s Cadence, visit kingscadence.com. V V
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Viera Voice | January 2022
Misty Huff, the business manager at St. John the Evangelist Church in Viera, will receive the prestigious Spirit of Holy Cross Award at the celebration of the fourth anniversary of the dedication of the new church building. Huff, who has been with the parish since 2005, will receive the award during the 11 a.m. Mass on Sunday, Jan. 16. It is the first time a Floridian has received the award. “I’m very, very humbled about the award,’ Huff said. “It is a great honor to receive this award. I was shocked I won because I didn’t even know I was nominated.” The Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province of Priests and Brothers, gives the award annually to lay collaborators who faithfully serve the province in the U.S. and abroad. The award acknowledges the critical importance lay collaborators play in living out the vision and mission of Holy Cross founder Basil Moreau to make God known, loved and served through education, parish and mission settings. Four Holy Cross priests from Brevard County, including the Rev. John Britto Antony, pastor at St. John, nominated Huff for the award. “She is the pillar of our parish,” Antony said. “Nothing happens without her. She gives her all for the work she does.” Born in Geneva, Ohio, Huff and her family moved to Daytona Beach when she was a young child. There, she attended Catholic grammar/elementary school and, following graduation from a Catholic high school, volunteered in numerous parish ministries, serving as coordinator for some. Huff began working for the church in 1994, first at a parish in the Diocese of Orlando and then in the Diocese of St. Augustine. On Sept. 8, 2001, the parish of St. John the Evangelist was established in Viera. In 2005, Huff was hired as bookkeeper. In 2013, St. John initiated a campaign to raise funds for the construction of a new church. St. John broke ground in June 2016 and
VIERA VOICE Adam Palumbo
Misty Huff will receive the prestigious Spirit of Holy Cross Award during the 11 a.m. Mass on Sunday, Jan. 16.
celebrated the dedication in January 2018. Shortly thereafter, Antony was appointed parochial administrator, and was given the task of completing various details of the newly built church, including the design and installation of the stainedglass windows. Antony initiated proposals for additions to the church, a new entrance to the property, modifications to the parking lots, and the building of a Marian grotto with outdoor Stations of the Cross. Construction for these projects began Sept. 27, 2021. “My years of service alongside the priests of the Congregation of Holy Cross have been the most rewarding and memorable of my career,” Huff said. “I feel privileged and blessed to have experienced the love of God through so many dedicated Holy Cross priests, brothers and seminarians. I am proud to have been part of their mission of worship, education and action to make God known, loved and served within and beyond our faith community.” Huff, who has resided in Viera East since 2005, has no plans to retire. “I love this church, this parish and its people,” she added. “It’s amazing how quickly we’ve grown and the generosity of the parishioners. It’s a challenge watching this parish grow every day.” VV
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p u p a r SPORTSW
Viera boys have good mix of returners, new players BY CARL KOTALA
With an influx of new players mixed in with some returning veterans taking on bigger roles, the Viera High School boys basketball team is one of those groups that is only going to get better as the season goes along and all the pieces come together. “We started slow in the season,” senior guard Avery Keith said. “We’re just building it up from the beginning and getting better every day. “… I think we can be really good coming into the second half of the season. We’ve just got to work every day and play as a team.” The Hawks certainly got a big win right before the winter break, knocking off a previously undefeated Satellite team 64-58 behind 23 points from Justin
VIERA VOICE Carl Kotala
Viera High junior Justin Weatherspoon is taking on a bigger role for the Hawks this season.
Weatherspoon and 18 from Keith. Weatherspoon, who has emerged as one of Viera’s top scorers, is taking on a bigger role this season — and that’s just fine with him. “Last year, I came off the bench, but that was fun
because we had a bunch of good players,” he said. “This year, I knew I had to step up.” While he has always been a deadly shooter from the outside, Keith is also taking on more responsibility for the Hawks on both ends of the floor.
And with a revamped roster this season, the Hawks have been putting in the time to make sure all the pieces fit just right. “We faced a lot of adversity with (five) girls
(graduating) and we had to kind of rebuild what we have and try to find our strengths and work on that; weaknesses, obviously, work on that, too,” senior center Jacquelin Castro said. “… We’re working every day.” For junior guard/forward Tricia Carmer, getting used to playing with new teammates has been an adjustment, but all that hard work has helped the Hawks get better with every game they have played. “We’re a very young team, so we had to get that wisdom and experience to flow together,” she said. “We’ve been doing some team bonding things to kind of get it together.” Viera was off to a 6-4 start and riding a threegame winning streak heading into the winter break. The Hawks were scheduled to play Riverview and Gibbs at a tournament being held Dec. 30 to Jan. 1 before returning to action again on Jan. 7 at home against Titusville. While Castro, Carmer and sophomore center Lauren Bell head the list of key returners for the Hawks, the newcomers include a pair of players who moved to Florida from California — senior guard Sariah Aquino Seppelt and junior guard Nyianni Mathis. They have both made big contributions
Viera’s top scorer, senior Jalen Moreland, was expected to return from an injury in time to help the Hawks in two tournaments they were scheduled to take part in during the winter break. Senior guards A.J. Toney and Dre Williams are also back for Viera, along with center Nick Motty, who had a big block in the closing moments of the win over Satellite. Among the newcomers are senior center/forward Antonio Rios and junior guard Amir Cason — who both played JV last year — along with senior forward Donovan Giles, sophomore Dylan Jordan and junior Sergio Santiago, who moved here from New Jersey. While the Hawks can certainly shoot it from the outside, their inside game is improving.
“We’re going to get to the point where we’re more balanced,” coach Logan Keith said. “Right now, we depend a lot on our guards offensively. We’re going to get to the point where we can dump this thing inside and get some buckets. “I think we’ve got a lot of pieces. It just takes time to put it together.” Viera’s schedule is certainly challenging. The Hawks opened against Windermere which is ranked No. 11 in the state and No. 4 in Class 7A. It’s all designed to help the Hawks, who have won back-to-back district championships, get prepared for the postseason and what is undoubtedly one of the toughest regions in the state. “I just want us to get better every day,” Logan Keith said. V V
Revamped roster won’t stop Hawks from being district title contenders BY CARL KOTALA
The Viera High School girls basketball team has never shied away from hard work under coach Josh Carmer.
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Viera Voice | January 2022
VIERA VOICE Carl Kotala
Senior Jacquelin Castro is a team captain and the leading scorer for the Hawks this season.
with their defense, ball handling and shooting. Freshman guard Phantasia Lauriston has also had an impact, averaging nine points a game, which is third on the team behind Castro (12.1) and Bell (9.9). Other key players for Viera include junior Brielle Basham, sophomore Haley Power and sophomore Ciara Holmes. Josh Carmer likes the way the new players and the veterans have been able to come together. “It’s matching up and coming to the same basketball understanding on the court,” he said. “The way we do things here, they picked that up quick. They know the priorities of team unity and the desire to
compete. “Those are my two priorities and that’s all in a person’s control. Your team unity is controlled by your attitude and your desire to compete is controlled by your effort. That’s what they’ve picked up quickly. The girls have really taken it to heart.” Having lost so many players from a team that went 13-6, the Hawks have heard the talk that they’re not supposed to be as competitive as they were last season. Well, Viera has other plans. “We’re definitely headed to districts,” Tricia Carmer said. “Our goal is definitely that championship and as far beyond it as we can go.” V V
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Holy Trinity girls set their sights on winning a state championship BY CARL KOTALA The Holy Trinity Tigers made history last season when they won their first district title. This year, they’re aiming much higher. Armed with the same roster they had last season, with a few key additions and a new head girls basketball coach, the Tigers want to go all the way to the top. “Our goal this year is to get to state, win the state championship,” senior forward Laila Cohen said. Cohen is one of four seniors on this year’s roster along with center Caroline Lacey, forward Ionna Garcia and guard Isabel Bush. They’re all excited at the prospect of what this season might bring. “We didn’t have any seniors leave last year, so we’ve been playing together as a team for a while now,” Lacey said. “I think that’s really helped. And we all worked really hard over the summer. I feel
VIERA VOICE Carl Kotala
The Holy Trinity girls basketball team started the season 10-0 with the help of players like senior guard Isabel Bush.
like you can really see the improvement.” Garcia said the Tigers’ communication level has improved tremendously and all four seniors agreed that was something that held them back from advancing past the regional quarterfinals last year. Well, nothing has held the Tigers back from getting off to a 10-0 start this season. Junior guard Lynn Reith and Garcia lead the team
in scoring at 12.6 points a game. Sophomore guard/ forward Alinah Sarratt is next at 9.6 points, followed by Lacey at 9.3. Junior point guard Marissa Cloud has been a
big contributor on the varsity team since she was in seventh grade. Other key returners include Kiki Norris and Catalina Castillo. The Tigers have also been getting impact play from sophomore guard Allison Lagrone and junior center/forward Lindsey Angermeir. Those additions, plus the player’s familiarity with each other, has led to the fast start. “It’s a bond,” Bush said. “You know how each other plays, each other’s strengths, how you take a pass … it’s really about the chemistry, and if you have that, you’re able to play together a lot better.” New coach Will Gibson knows all about Holy Trinity basketball, having been
part of the Tigers’ first boys district championship team in 2011. The 2013 graduate is trying to put his stamp on an already talented team, pushing them to play faster and make teams try to keep up with them over four quarters. “The biggest thing is raising the expectations and keeping their mindset focused and changing the culture of the program … making them understand they always can do more, they always can push harder,” Gibson said. “We teach it every day. Just like you practice, you play in the game. (We’re) keeping a heavy mindset on the goals we have and going above and beyond the goals we already have set for ourselves.” V V
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Sports Holy Trinity boys working out early-season kinks as they prepare for postseason BY CARL KOTALA There is nothing Holy Trinity senior forward Theo Mansell would like better than to prove the doubters wrong. “That’s what makes me play harder,” Mansell said. “Everybody’s talking about how we’re not going to be good. We’re going to show them.”’ The Tigers, traditionally one of the top boys basketball teams in Brevard County, got off to a slowerthan-usual start to the season at 4-5. But keep in mind, the Tigers have played a brutal schedule and … they’re only going to get better. “Definitely, we will keep getting better,” senior guard Eric Parnell said. Mansell, Parnell and Jadon Gowins are the only seniors on this year’s team. Sophomore point guard
VIERA VOICE Carl Kotala
Theo Mansell is one of three seniors on this year's Holy Trinity boys basketball team. The Tigers are counting on the leadership of Mansell, Eric Parnell and Jadon Gowins to lead them into the postseason.
Elijah Reynolds is back along with junior forward Jack Combs, but the Tigers will have to rely a lot on their senior leadership and the integration of younger players. “I think at the beginning of the season we’ll probably
see a little more kinks than normal, but my expectation is that they’ll get more comfortable as the season goes on and we’ll be ready around playoff time to be a competitive team,” Tigers coach Steve Henderson said. Expect the Tigers to
Skootch and Skoot. They have created quite a following through the years and play a wonderful variety of songs from Billy Joel, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen and, of course, The Beatles.
Before the duo began playing together, Scott was doing solo performances at Divots, playing the keyboards and bantering with the audience. Billy happened to be at Divots when Scott was performing
INSIDE THE ROPES
continue to emphasize defense and play up tempo with perhaps more shooters than they have had in the past thanks to the addition of players like eighthgrader Caleb Gaskins, whom Henderson said is a great 3-point shooter. “He’s 6-(foot)-5, extremely talented,” Henderson said of Gaskins. “Elijah Reynolds shoots it really well. Then we’ve got Cole Chanda and Tyler Costin and Sammy Chaffiot, along with Eric Parnell. We’ve got some guys who can shoot it. We’re just getting comfortable within the offense. It’s kind of showed early in the season with some sloppy play, but hopefully we’re going to build on that.” In order for the Tigers to get back to the top of their game, Mansell said “(We’re going to need) everybody to buy in and have high energy.
And we can’t be scared to play. We have to get that underdog mentality.” Added Parnell: “We have to go into the game with a lot of confidence and know that the team is not just going to hand us the game.” With two final four appearances in the program’s history, the Tigers are certainly not a team that should be overlooked, particularly in a Class 3A, District 9 that includes Cocoa Beach, Edgewood, MCC, West Shore and New Dimensions of Kissimmee. “We’ve already played two district games early in the year, which were Cocoa Beach and West Shore,” Henderson said. “I think we’ll be strong in our district. Really, our goal is to get out of districts and see how far we can go in the (state) playoffs.” V V
and the two joined forces with their first performance on Valentine's Day 2019. They now have a very busy schedule and are booked through April. When they need a break and want to play some golf — they both live on the golf course — in minutes they are on the first tee. Information about Skootch and Skoot can be found on Facebook and Space Coast Live. They have a few clubs where they appear on a regular basis such as the George and Dragon in Cocoa Village, the Hook and Eagle, Hawksbill Bar and Grill and Two Angry Wives. In other news, the Viera East Men's Golf Association played a two-day, two-man President's Cup tournament in December. The first-day leaders were: A Flight: Ben Dickerson,
Tim Brown, Dale Hopper, Bob Gustavson, Randy Sweaney, Mark Palace, Tom Welters, Gary Shiffrin, James Ward, Bruce Schwanda (tied for fifth), Bill Scholtens and John Moriaty. B Flight: Craig Smith, Glen Tarsha, Kevin Maloney, Ed Raleigh, John Perino, Louis Sickenberger, Bruce Ames, Freddie Baltazar, David Parker and Mike Schmitt. The second and final round was played Dec. 16. The closest-to-the-pin results were: Hole 4: Sky Blue tee, Don Wentzlaff; Green tee, Craig Smith. Hole 7: Lawrence Henris and Richard Jutras. Hole 13: Mike Schmitt and Gary Belconis. Hole 16: Bob David and Terry Groh. V V
Duo stays in tune on stage and on the golf course
BY DAVID HORST What happens when you combine two musicians, two golfers and a love of performing? You get the Scott and Billy Duo, better known as
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MOAACC prepares to award 2022 college scholarships BY WENDY SCHEURING
The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Cape Canaveral Chapter will begin accepting eligible applications Jan. 1 for its scholarship awards for 2022. “This (scholarship program) has been around since 1984,” said retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Joseph Tichich, the chairman of the scholarship selection committee who moved to Brevard County 10 years ago. “What’s unique about our program is that it is a cash award. It is not given to the school. The student can do whatever they want to with it. We just give them a check.” “The students do not need to be in the military,” Tichich added. “Less than 10 percent of the scholarship recipients have gone into the military.” According to the moaacc. org website, “between 1984 and 2021, MOAACC Scholarship Corporation has awarded $800,000 to 293 students attending 76 different colleges throughout the nation.” The corporation is registered as a nonprofit organization. In the years 2020 and
2021, 10 $5,000 scholarships were awarded, according to moaacc.org. Scholarship applicants must be a descendent or ward of a currently active duty, retired or deceased member of the Uniformed Services of the United States (including Regular, National Guard or Reserve, enlisted and officers of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Space Force, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) or United States Public Health Services (USPHS), or a current or deceased member of the MOAA Cape Canaveral Chapter. In addition, eligible applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student (12 semester credit hours leading to a B.A. or B.S. degree) in an accredited college or university during their junior or senior of college, or in their first or second year of graduate school (nine semester hours) during the Fall 2022 semester. Scholarship recipients can receive the scholarship one time only. Applicants also must be either a legal resident of Brevard County or a descendent or ward of a
VIERA VOICE photo
Isabella Bordner was awarded a $5,000 scholarship check in 2021 from the MOAACC Scholarship Corporation.
current or deceased member of the MOAA Cape Canaveral Chapter. “The deadline is June 15. A couple of days later, we as a selection committee go over their application. We are very picky. We have several different categories, such as grade point average, leadership, outside activities,
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etc.,” Tichich said. “We have individuals that donate tens of thousands of dollars to the scholarship and request that their donation be considered for a technical field, or a nursing field, for example.” Applicants are asked to fill out an application form. There is no essay
required, nor a letter of recommendation. Applications will be accepted from Jan. 1 to June 15, 2022. Scholarships are usually presented at the monthly chapter luncheon in July. For more information, go to moaacc.org/scholarships VV
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Sheriff ’s class prepares teen drivers for the road BY LINDA JUMP A Brevard County Sheriff’s Office-sponsored free one-day class for new teen drivers is held twice a month to create more self-assured drivers better prepared for the road. A local teen’s family thinks his attendance saved them from a serious car accident on a trip to North Carolina. “The young man had just taken our class and he had to do an evasion to miss a collision and slam on his brakes. After, he said his reaction came quickly because it simulated one of our exercises. His parents e-mailed us to thank us,” said Dave Anson, a program support specialist. Upcoming defensive driving classes will be held Jan. 15, Jan. 29, Feb. 12 and Feb. 19 for teens age 15 to 19 with a Florida Learners’ Permit or valid Florida operator’s license. Students must have use of the vehicle they will primarily drive. Classes run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Eastern Florida State College driving pad in Palm Bay. Anson said the class begins in the classroom and then moves outdoors, where students drive their own vehicle in a series of exercise maneuvers. The class was designed through the Florida Sheriff’s Association in 2007 in an attempt to save teen lives by reducing teen accidents due to speeding, driving under the
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VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Dave Anson
Lt. Brett Lockhart works with a student during vehicle inspections at a recent Brevard County Sheriff ’s Office Teen Driver Challenge program on the driving pad of the Palm Bay campus of Eastern Florida State College.
influence of alcohol or drugs or while texting or otherwise distracted. Statewide, 2,000 teens per year attend the class in 39 counties, including Brevard. “The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office is committed to protecting our young drivers while doing everything possible to significantly reduce the number of injuries and deaths associated with traffic accidents,” Sheriff Wayne Ivey said in a prepared statement. “One of the biggest takeaways is confidence and experience maneuvering their vehicle,” Anson said. Anson said many students come forced by parents, eager to earn car insurance reductions some companies
offer to teens with completion certificates. “We get a lot of feedback from parents about how much their kids enjoyed the class.” Four deputies licensed as commercial driving school instructors give up Saturdays to lead the program, Anson said. Classroom topics include teen crash facts, vehicle knowledge, effects of drug and alcohol use, and aggressive driving and road rage. In the car, students will do figure 8s, emergency braking, cornering, forward and reverse serpentines, off-road recovery, evasive maneuvers and skid control. For more information or to register, go to teendriver@ bcso.us or call 321-264-7755. VV
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School News Nine Viera students selected to Florida All-State ensemble for second straight year BY CARL KOTALA Nine seems to be a lucky number for Viera High School’s Band and Orchestra students when it comes to selections for the Florida AllState ensemble. For the second straight year, nine Hawks were selected to play at concerts that will be held during the Florida Music Educator’s Conference at the Tampa Convention Center, which is scheduled for Jan. 10 to 12. The fact that there will be a live performance is a big shift from last year when COVID-19 forced not only the event, but also the auditions to be performed virtually. This year’s auditions were held at Edgewood Junior/Senior High School in September after the students had all summer to work on the pieces they had been assigned. “This year, doing it in person was a lot nicer because you got to be in the environment, having that audition sequence of being able to be around other people,” Viera sophomore Nicholas Grey said. “Having it as a live audition was a huge difference.” Of course, there was
VIERA VOICE Carl Kotala
For the second straight year, nine Viera High band and orchestra students were selected to the All-State ensemble which will perform Jan. 10 to 12 at the Florida Music Educator's Conference at the Tampa Convention Center. Pictured (from left to right) are: Connor Smith; Cody Hale; Juliet McDaniel; Nicole Kloner; Ryan Russell; Kayla Crider; Loanne Masson; Nicholas Grey and Arib Ahsan.
also a little more pressure performing live in front of an audience rather than recording music on a phone. “It’s definitely more nervewracking doing it in person,” junior Kayla Crider said. “When we got to record it, we had three tries to do a good recording. The in-person audition, you do it once and it’s done.” Crider (flute) was selected to play in the 11-12 Symphony Orchestra along with senior Nicole Kloner (flute); junior Juliet McDaniel (clarinet) and junior Ryan Russell (bassoon).
Grey (horn) was named to the 9-10 Concert Band along with sophomore Cody Hale (clarinet) and sophomore Connor Smith. Senior band captain Loanne Masson was selected for the 11-12 Symphony Orchestra and junior Arib Ahsan (viola) will perform with the Honors String Orchestra. It’s the third All-State selection for Kloner, who is also the head drum major, while Crider, Masson, Grey, McDaniel and Russell all made it for the second time. “These nine students were
selected among thousands across the state of Florida to perform in these prestigious ensembles,” Viera High band director Nick Eggen wrote in an email. “They are some of the best student musicians Viera High School and Brevard County has to offer, and we are endlessly proud of their accomplishments.” Grey said he picked up playing the horn at the beginning of the seventh grade, in large part because his father plays the French horn and he wanted to give it a try. He was hooked right away.
Crider began playing the flute at the end of the fourth grade. “I heard someone play a flute solo and I thought it was really cool,” she said. “So, I tried it and fell in love with it immediately.” Now, they’re part of a Viera program that has routinely shown itself to be one of the best bands in Brevard County. “It’s an honor to be part of a program that has so many people who really care about music and who are dedicated to what they do,” Crider said. VV
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TOMATILLO
W
e’ve been catapulted into 2022 after plowing through the holidays. You’re done wrestling with that turkey, and you can’t possibly think of any more ways of making leftovers sexy. Many of us are now revising the atypical New Year’s resolutions, which probably include shedding a few unwanted pounds and welcoming back a svelte figure. We’re always looking for new recipes incorporating freshness, where we can inject umami flavors into healthy dishes and food preparation that should never be average-ville. Simple dishes can be made without having to become a homicidal maniac in the kitchen. I formally introduce you to the swanky and wellrounded tomatillo. Probably the one vegetable that’s secretly disguised and can be overlooked, which is a real shame, because most don’t know what to do with them.
Tomatillos can be somewhat alarming if you have no clue what they are. Chances are if you’ve devoured tortilla chips with Mexican salsa verde, you’ve eaten tomatillos. Also known as the Mexican Husk tomato, tomatillos have an exterior paper-like husk covering and they shouldn’t be confused with green tomatoes, as tomatillos have a sweet-tart, almost lemony-apple taste that has absolutely no substitute in the flavor department. And most definitely, they can’t be replaced with green tomatoes — that’s a completely different animal and just like green tomatoes, they can’t be eaten raw. After the husk is removed, their skin is a little tacky and sticky and they need a thorough scrub before prep. Not all tomatillos are created equal and although they are a distinctive, vibrant, Granny Smith apple green color, there’s the rare variety of purplish tomatillo,
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a hidden gem, but totally worth foraging for, as they’re sweeter than the green variety. When purchasing them, ensure that they are as small as possible, as the larger ones tend to be somewhat bitter and grainier. Cooking with tomatillos is brilliantly easy and once you dive into them, you’ll be wondering why you waited so long to become formally acquainted and you’ll be the neighborhood aficionado. When they’re slowly pan-roasted with other vegetables, such as onion, garlic, poblanos and jalapeños, they become marriage material to any Tex-Mex dish. Whether you’re making salsa, or a sauce to accompany your meats/fish, it will douse your dish with such South of the Border flair, you’ll be killing it Mariachi style. V V
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SHRIMP STREET TACOS WITH WARM TOMATILLO SALSA
Mexican food trucks introduced these two-bite wonders that are beyond drool worthy. If you’ve never had them, you haven’t lived, because they are monster good. Many restaurants are regularly incorporating them into their menus because of historic accolades. Once you make them, Taco Tuesday will be a regular occurrence at your residence, so watch out for uninvited guests. In this case, ensure that you create above average numbers; you won’t have any leftovers. Here, lime wedges are a must as with most Mexican dishes. The brightness of the citrus mellows out the richness of any dish. • 1 lb. of small/medium raw shrimp — peeled and deveined • Street taco size (smallest) flour or corn tortillas • 3 tomatillos — husks removed and washed cut in quarters • 1 large red tomato • 1 head of garlic, cut into two halves • 1 medium onion — quartered and skin removed
• 1 poblano pepper — seeds removed and rough chopped • 1 cup of chicken stock • 1 TSP of ground cumin • 1 TSP sugar • ¼ cup of fresh orange or tangerine juice • ½ cup of chopped cilantro • 1 TBSP fresh lime juice and zest of the lime • 1 bay leaf • ½ TSP Ancho chili powder • ½ TSP Anaheim chili powder • ¼ TSP Chipotle powder • ¼ TSP of smoked paprika • ½ TSP garlic powder • ½ TSP onion powder • ½ TSP of oregano • Kosher salt • Fresh cracked pepper Serving garnishes: Cotija Mexican cheese, chopped cilantro, thinly sliced radishes; Mexican crema or whipped sour cream Pico de Gallo — for serving Known as Salsa Fresca in some restaurants, it’s one of the easiest to prepare. 3 Roma tomatoes – chopped; ½ jalapeño – seeds removed and chopped; 3 TBSP chopped fresh cilantro; ½ red onion (chopped fine),
Juice of 1 lime; pinch of salt, pinch of sugar Place all the ingredients in a bowl, add the salt and the lime juice and toss well. Set aside (better made at least 1 hour before serving). Method Simmer the tomatillos, tomato, poblano, onion and garlic in the chicken broth (ensure there’s not too much liquid) with the bay leaf until everything is soft — about 15 minutes. Drain over a colander, removing the bay leaf and cool, reserving the stock. Squeeze the garlic out of its skins and place everything in a blender; add salt, pepper, cumin, lime zest with the juice of 1 lime, chopped cilantro, orange juice and a small amount of the chicken stock where the veggies have been cooked. Blend to a smooth puree. Check for seasonings and keep at room temp. In a bowl, whisk together with the chili powders, paprika, oregano, garlic/ onion powder, salt and fresh cracked pepper. Sprinkle over the shrimp and shake excess. Place the shrimp into skewers. Spray a grill pan with some olive oil and grill shrimp on both sides until done — careful don’t overcook. It only takes a few minutes per side. Remove the shrimp from the skewers and add a splash of lime. Add some of the tomatillo salsa on a corn tortilla, place the shrimp on top and add the Pico de Gallo. Finish with Mexican crema, some thinly sliced radishes, Cotija cheese, more cilantro and serve with lime wedges. V V
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Microgreens sprouting up in Brevard BY BETTY PORTER Tiny, nutritious foods are sprouting up at farmers markets along the Space Coast and Treasure Coast. Called microgreens, these small vegetable seedlings which are harvested at about 8 to 12 days after planting, are highly concentrated with vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants. They are said to contain up to 40 times the amount of vitamins and a broader spectrum of antioxidants compared to mature plants of broccoli, peas, radishes and other vegetables. Inna Basanets, the owner-operator of Zesty Fox Farm in Indian River County, grows them using strictly all natural, chemical-free methods and distributes fresh to local farmers markets the same morning they are harvested. Growing the tiny greens started out as a hobby for Basanets and has turned into a full-time business. “The very first time I learned about microgreens was when I worked at a private golf club as a dining room manager. When I noticed these tiny colorful
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Microgreens grow well indoors on a window sill or kitchen counter.
greens atop of entrees, I immediately wanted to try to grow them,” she said. “I am originally from Ukraine, where growing your own food was very important for my family. “As I learned and perfected my growing techniques, I wanted to grow a lot more varieties and I decided to bring the microgreens I had grown to a local farmers market. At the very first farmers market, I sold out within
Sudoku
the first two hours, and this is when I knew there was a demand for microgreens in my community. Within a few months of selling at the farmers market, I was approached by a chef with a request to grow certain microgreens for his restaurant. From this point on, I started to expand and broaden my customer base,” Basanets said. Zesty Fox Farm now provides freshly grown microgreens to farmers
Julia Egler, left, and mother Kelley McCollom-Egler work the Zesty Fox Farm booth at the Viera East Farmers Market.
markets, restaurants, golf clubs and grocery stores along the Treasure Coast and Space Coast. “We are very excited to have recently become part of Viera East Farmers Market. Our team member Kelley McCollom-Egler and her daughter Julia Egler, 13, will be at the Zesty Fox Farm booth there on the second Saturday of every month with lots of varieties of microgreens and free samples,” Basanets said. The Viera East Farmers
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Market is located at Woodside Park, at the corner of Crane Creek Boulevard and Murrell Road. The market takes place there the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. “It’s very easy to add microgreens to your daily diet as they can be used in place of lettuce in salads, sandwiches, wraps or burgers; you can throw them in green smoothies or make them into a tasty pesto; they can be used as a garnish on just about any dish — soup, pasta, eggs, fish and stir-fry. Microgreens powder is versatile and can be added to water bottles, used in salad dressings and as a replacement for salt or seasonings,” Basanets said. “They come with a huge variety of flavor, including spicy, peppery, sweet, nutty, licorice and earthy.” Zesty Fox Farm has booths at the Brevard County Farmers Market at Wickham Park in Melbourne from 3 to 6 p.m. every Thursday and at the Satellite Beach Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Thursday. The Oceanside Farmers Market in Vero Beach also hosts the Zesty Fox Farms booth every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. For more information, visit zestyfoxfarm.com. V V
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Spy ship retired at Port Canaveral after 35 years of service BY MIKE GAFFEY
modified in 2000 with a large radar dome for Gray Star, a dual-band radar developed by the U.S. Air Force. Deployed to Middle Eastern waters, the Invincible and its crew of about 40 military technicians and civilian mariners and contractors searched the skies for missile activity. Its information was relayed to the Air Force Technical Applications Center, which monitors nuclear treaty compliance around the world. AFTAC is headquartered at Patrick Space Force Base. “She went from undersea to space,” Thayer said of the ship, which was permanently forwarddeployed and had no home port. Thayer noted that the Invincible might have a third career as a training vessel for future mariners. Its radar system will be repurposed by the Air Force Research Labratory. Air Force Capt. Richard Gayson, who served aboard Invincible as mission commander from September 2020 to February 2021, said he was grateful to see the ship again but had “mixed feelings” about its retirement. “It’s been a great mission,” Gayson said. “It’s something that we still need to find out how we can fill that gap in multiple other ways. But for the ship going down the way it is, let’s move on to another life once again. It will be a great opportunity to continue to train people to support these types of missions.” V V
A tracking ship that once patrolled the oceans searching for submarines, then was refitted to detect missiles in the Middle East, was retired recently at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The 224-foot-long USNS Invincible, one of two tracking ships operated by Military Sealift Command, and the thousands of mariners who served aboard the ship during its 35-year career were honored during an inactivation ceremony at the U.S. Army Transportation Wharf on the north side of Port Canaveral. “We have the opportunity to reflect on Invincible’s accomplishments and all that the ship and crews have done in the years to contribute to the security of our nation,” said Christopher Thayer, the director of maritime operations for Military Sealift Command, an organization that operates mainly civilian-manned logistics and transport ships for the U.S. Navy. “I like to call her the little ship that could.” Built for the Navy by Tacoma Ship Building Co., launched in 1986 during the Cold War and put into service in 1987, the white-hulled Invincible first looked for Soviet subs in the North Atlantic and Norwegian Sea, using its sonar array. After being inactivated in 1995 following the collapse of the Soviet Union and mothballed for three years, the spy ship was
The recently inactivated USNS Invincible could become a training ship.
VIERA VOICE Mike Gaffey
VIERA VOICE Mike Gaffey
Air Force Capt. Patrick Flynn speaks to visitors gathered at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station for the inactivation ceremony for the USNS Invincible. The Patrick Space Force Base Color Guard is at right.
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Zoo on its way to raising $100 million for aquarium BY MIKE GAFFEY
Boulevard. On Sept. 29, the The Brevard Zoo was Canaveral Port Authority already one-third of the Board of Commissioners way toward its goal when voted unanimously to it launched an ambitious approve a development and campaign to raise $100 lease agreement for the $85 million to build an million project. aquarium and conservation With an Indian River center along the Banana Lagoon theme and a focus River near Port Canaveral. on ecology, the unique “We really haven’t asked aquarium will provide interactive indoor and people for money yet outdoor exhibits at and we’re at $34 million pavilions connected by a committed,” Zoo Executive covered walkway. Director Keith Winsten Zoo officials plan to told cheering guests at the VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Brevard Zoo break ground in 2024 and AQUARIUM AT PORT CANAVERAL | AERIAL LOOKING EAST fundraising kickoff Dec. 2 This is an artist rendering of the future site of The Aquarium Project, which will be located in Port Canaveral. hope to open the facility by at the zoo’s Nyami Nyami early 2027. Lodge. • The 75-acre zoo at 8225 Winsten said the zoo’s The zoo plans to build N. Wickham Road had to board of directors set four a second campus on 14 be financially stable. conditions that had to undeveloped riverfront • Brevard County had to be met for the project to acres just west of State have a growing economy. continue: Road 528 and George King • Aquarium organizers needed a team and a plan in place to oversee fundraising efforts. • A suitable site needed to be found. All four conditions were met, said Winsten, who noted that the zoo “is in the best financial condition VIERA VOICE Mike Gaffey it’s ever been” and that Brevard Zoo Executive Director Keith Winsten, joined by zoo officials the location near the port and campaign cabinet members, speaks to guests at a Dec. 2 event is “the most ideal site you kicking off a $100 million fundraising effort for the zoo’s aquarium and conservation center near Port Canaveral. could ever imagine for an aquarium.” “It’s right off a highway,” to secure another $1 million meant to revive the lagoon, Winsten added. “It’s on the from the state for site where poor water quality Attorney Jason S. Downs Attorney John C. Murphy Banana River. It’s where all work during the upcoming and a lack of sea grass is the tourists come. It looks legislative session. triggering a record-breaking out on a rookery. It’s just Rick Walsh, the owner number of manatee deaths. spectacular.” of Knob Hill Group and “I can’t think of another Of the $34 million honorary chair emeritus for project of this scale that has already raised, more than a campaign cabinet tasked the opportunity to build a $21 million is from private 3682 N. Wickham Rd, with raising donations, legacy for all of us that we donations. Suite A, Melbourne said he was attracted to the can embrace,” Walsh said. A county grant provided project partly because the For more information, another $10 million and the www.MurphyDowns.com aquarium will be a center visit theaquariumproject. state kicked in $500,000 for design work. The zoo hopes for environmental research org VV
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Popular veterinary practice to expand with new building in Viera BY MARIA SONNENBERG Porada Dr. w re
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When 2-year-old Rottweiler Abigail needs vet care, her owner Cathy Presnick knows exactly where to go. She and Abigail head to Island Animal Hospital in Viera. “No words can describe their care and abilities,” said Presnick, who credits the Island Animal Hospital staff with saving Abigail’s life when emergency surgery was needed last November. Abigail and her mom will soon have even more to boast about their favorite veterinary clinic, for Island Animal Hospital will undergo a major expansion, with a plan to be in place at a new 7,000-square-foot stand-alone practice by next fall. “It will be significantly bigger,” said Dr. Ian Birkbeck, one of the four veterinarians in the practice, which also has offices in Cocoa Beach and Merritt Island. Indeed, the new office
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VIERA VOICE Steve Hollinger
Island Animal Hospital in Viera will expand to a new location in Borrows West in the fall.
VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Cathy Presnick
Abigail is a patient at the Island Animal Hospital.
will add 2,000 more square feet to the current location, which opened at the Publix Shopping Center on
Stadium Parkway in 2012. “We started with one unit, but in 2017 took over a second one,” Birkbeck said. Birkbeck is joined at the busy practice by doctors Erin Coris, Erin Gaudry and Kathleen Shedd, plus a team of a dozen support staff. Everyone is slated to move to the new office, and more staff might be added. “We’ll be able to see more clients and have a better waiting area for our
patients,” Birkbeck said. The new building, which will be located at Borrows West, will blend with Viera’s architectural style, but inside, the tropical island vibes favored by pet parents will remain. “The Viera Company has a vision for Borrows West and they have been very helpful to us,” Birkbeck said. The extra elbow room will allow for additional examination rooms and
dedicated diagnostic areas. “Everything will have its place,” Birkbeck added. Island Animal Hospital treats furry, feathered and scaly patients, from dogs and cats to snakes and sugar gliders. The general practice offers a comprehensive range of services that includes vaccinations, wellness care, spay and neuter, dental care, dermatological and allergy treatment, surgery, microchips, diagnostics and pain management. Suzanne and Michael DelZoppo, who cherish their dogs, are looking forward to visiting the new building. “We take our dogs, who are our babies, to Island Animal Hospital because we want the absolute best care,” Suzanne DelZoppo said. Island Animal Hospital is at 5380 Stadium Parkway, Suite 111, Viera. For more information, call 321-6338387 or visit islandanimal.com. VV
Construction continues on track for East Coast Christian Center BY ERNEST ARICO
Construction work continues on schedule for the new East Coast Christian Center in Viera. The nearly 22,000-squarefoot church, which is located on Viera Boulevard near Manatee Elementary School, will be completed by the beginning of summer, said Christian Hurston, ECCC’s associate pastor and project manager. “We’re right on track and moving forward,” Hurston said after a recent service inside Viera High School’s auditorium. “COVID-19 hasn’t slowed us down at all.” W & J Construction Corp. of Rockledge is building the church. “We have a great partnership with our builders,” Hurston said. “We continue to grow and are moving forward.” Hurston also announced some of ECCC’s new local and
VIERA VOICE Steve Hollinger
Construction for the new East Coast Christian Center in Viera should be completed by the begining of the summer.
global initiatives for 2022: Deaf Community Ministry: Increasing our reach into the underserved deaf community of Brevard County by providing sign language, closed captioning and hearing assistance during services. Merritt Island Kids Church: Building a life-giving
church to reach more of our younger generation. We will be renovating the fifth- and sixth-grade classrooms to help create an environment they will be proud of. Young Adult Apprenticeship: Expand its East Coast Apprenticeship program to all locations. Planting a church in
Cuba: Partnering with World Compassion by providing training, monthly pastoral support and rental assistance as well as building or acquiring property to help establish churches in Cuba. Women’s Empowerment: In partnership with Convoy of Hope to help rescue women around the world who are in poverty by training and educating them in the areas of early childhood development, literacy, health and smallscale agriculture. In addition, Hurston reported that ECCC plans to open a pre-school at the new church site. “We will be opening that in January 2023,” he said. “We’re very excited about that.”
ECCC Pastor Matt Stallbaum said the new church sits on virgin land — nothing has been built on it before. “We want this to be a church of hope and faith,” he said. Since 2011, ECCC has used Viera High School for its services. The congregation includes about 300 to 500 families. “We have had over 150 families attend our Connect Welcome Dinner in the past few months,” Huston said. “People are excited for our community and to be joining the church.” For more information about ECCC in Viera, visit eccc.us/viera V V
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Viera West's rapid growth will continue with the construction of Addison Square at the southwest corner of Lake Andrew Drive and Ivanhoe Drive.
VIERA VOICE Steve Hollinger
Addison Square offers more retail space in West Viera BY MIKE GAFFEY
Office buildings planned south of Health First
Hospital and Pro Health Fitness Center in Viera will provide more than 30,000 square feet of new
business space. Addison Square, on nearly three acres at the southwest corner of Lake
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Andrew Drive and Ivanhoe Drive in the growing Viera West area, presently has six rental spaces listed, ranging in size from 1,600 square feet to 2,000 square feet for a total of 10,500 square feet. One of the six spaces is earmarked for use as a restaurant, according to the website of Melbournebased commercial real estate company Lightle Beckner Robison Inc., the listing agent for Addison Square. Nearby, Vidina Office Park will feature five spaces with 20,000 square feet of professional office space on two acres along Vidina Drive. “Addison and Vidina are going to connect and will be continuous properties at that corner of Lake Andrew,” said Erik Costin, the Vice President/Partner of Rockledge-based W&J Construction, which is building both complexes. The buildings are another example of the rapid growth occurring in Viera West, where the population has risen by nearly 72 percent since 2010, according to the U.S. census.
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In May, a 1.4-mile section of roadway linking Lake Andrew Drive and Pineda Causeway opened to traffic. The southern extension of Lake Andrew Drive from the Bridgewater subdivision to the causeway west of Interstate 95 provides another route to and from the Viera community west of I-95 and completes a north-south roadway that connects the Viera Boulevard and Pineda Causeway I-95 exits. A 1.1mile northern extension of Lake Andrew Drive from Judge Fran Jamieson Way to Viera Boulevard opened to traffic in December 2020. A November groundbreaking ceremony recently kicked off construction of Del Webb at Viera, a 1,300-home gated community for residents 55 and older, planned on more than 500 acres west of the Pineda Interchange at Interstate 95. Construction should begin soon on the southward extension of Stadium Parkway that will provide access to the development. VV
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Jeremiah Zeleny has been named the 2021 Employee of the Year for Indian River Colony Club, the Viera 55+ golf community for military veterans. Nominated by CFO Julie Roberts, Zeleny was recognized on December 7 during the community's annual membership meeting. Zeleny heads the marketing and graphics department at IRCC, with duties that include print and digital ad design and placement, print and digital newsletter design and distribution, marketing analysis and website administration.
Kevin Brutto has been named the general manager of Pizza Gallery & Grill. Brutto boasts a long history of working with famous chefs and making art with his family. “I have enjoyed the food industry and art all of my life,” Brutto said. “I loved doing ceramics with my grandmother for many years and have so many pieces of art I treasure.” Brutto’s experience in the restaurant industry began in high school. He later joined a chef de cuisine in St. Louis, Missouri and took on an extensive apprenticeship. He worked at Tony's, a nationally acclaimed restaurant in St. Louis.
Dr. Vijay Katukuri Dr. Vijay Katukuri a double board certified pain management physician and founder of Brevard Spine & Rehab Institute has moved his practice to Viera. He received a bachelor's degree from Oakland University, then changed careers and underwent medical training at the American University of the Caribbean. He did post graduate training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Washington University School of Medicine. He was honored as Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Resident of the year. He received subspecialty training in Interventional Physiatry/Pain Management.
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New road will connect church to Lake Andrew BY MIKE GAFFEY A two-way connector road from St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community property to Lake Andrew Drive is under construction in Viera. The new road will provide parishioners with a second access route to the church at 5655 Stadium Parkway, across from the USSSA Space Coast Complex. The road should be finished in a few months, said the Rev. John Britto Antony, pastor of the Viera church. “We have been planning to build that connecting road so that we can alleviate some of the traffic congestion we experience every Holy Day and on Sundays,” Antony said. “This is going to be a great addition to the property.” The road work is part of the church’s $3.1 million development campaign that began in September. The first part of the two-phase Master Plan Development Project includes the connector road, handicap parking and drop-off improvements in front of the courtyard, a new hardscape and two covered pavilions in front of the church, a covered walkway connector, a covered drop-off on the east side of the church
Lake Andrew Drive
VIERA VOICE Steve Hollinger
The new road off Lake Andrew Drive will provide parishioners with a second access route to the church.
and a new well for additional watering. Phase Two calls for construction of a grotto based on the famous grotto in Lourdes, France, Antony said. The grotto also will contain the 14 Stations of the Cross, depicting the Journey of Jesus Christ to Calvary, and a statue of St. Michael the Archangel, also modeled after the statue in Lourdes. Certified General Contractors of Melbourne is the construction company for the projects, while CPH Corp. of Sanford is the engineering firm and Atlanta-based Lyman, Davidson and Dooley
is the architect. Antony hopes the projects are completed by Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022. “That’s my goal, that’s my plan,” he said. Founded in September 2001, St. John the Evangelist has more than 2,600 families today. “Our parish is growing and more and more people are coming in so we felt this is the need of the times,” Antony said. For more information about the church, visit stjohnviera.org or call 321637-9650. V V
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The Indian River Lagoon: It’s big and complicated Sometimes when we think about the Lagoon we might picture the expanse of the Banana River or the Indian River as we drive over the bridges on State Road 404 or U.S. 192 in Brevard County. Yes, that’s the Lagoon. But so is water under the causeway on State Road 44 in New Smyrna Beach and the Jupiter Bridge on U.S. 1. The lagoon is big! It extends 156 miles, covering five counties; more than a third of Florida’s East Coast. And it’s complicated in terms of its physical makeup and its different problems along its length. Up north, the Banana River has extremely limited flow, flushing takes longer than a year, so the pollution piles up. In Stuart, it’s different. There is much more ocean tidal flow, but it receives massive amounts of water from Lake Okeechobee, transporting destructive fertilizer and algae. The water quality in both areas is poor and both have seen massive die-offs of sea grasses: the foundation for all life in the estuary. Unfortunately, this is true for most of the Indian River Lagoon (IRL).
Happy Holidays and We are open for lessons! Happy Holidays and Masks are required. Rooms are sanitized best wishes foraa is after each student. Social distancing best wishes for required. Hands must be washed or sanitized each lesson. wonderfulbefore New Year! wonderful New Year! Loretta Fox, Ph.D. Owner and Director
VIERA VOICE R. Norman Moody
The Indian River Lagoon extends 156 miles and covers five counties.
Lagoon Straight Talk From the Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition
How can we deal with such a large-scale, variable problem? We are fortunate that the IRL was identified as part of the National Estuary Program (NEP) for assistance and, in 2015, a special Florida district was established. The IRL Council was created to facilitate coordination of efforts by the five counties bordering the IRL (Volusia, Brevard, the Indian River County Lagoon Coalition, St. Lucie and Martin counties),
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the St. Johns River and South Florida Water Management Districts and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), with guidance from the U.S. EPA. Sounds complex? It is. But due to the skill and dedication of its CEO, Duane De Freese, and his small but effective staff, the IRL Council has begun to motivate civic leaders, scientific organizations, environmental groups, and others to pull together. If you’re interested in the IRL, visit onelagoon. org and watch the video “We Can Do Something About It.” Then imagine what you want for your IRL and engage. Check out HelpTheLagoon.org VV
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ACROSS 1 Record 4 Pod vegetable 7 Belfry dweller 10 Tall bird 11 WWW addresses 13 Rounded roof 14 Court evidence, maybe 15 Sir's companion 16 Omigosh! 17 Stalemate 19 Building extensions 20 Tempe inst. 21 Stand up 23 Mr. Uris of "Topaz" 26 Second showing 28 Moon, in verse 29 Princess Di's niece 30 Snow shelter 34 Arrogance 36 Guitarist -- Wood 38 Zippy the Pinhead's cry 39 State Farm competitor 41 D.C. figures 42 Rustle 44 Sorority letter 46 Full extent 47 Relieved 51 Indianapolis gridder 52 Midday 53 Hearty laugh 55 Bohemian 56 Karate move 57 Sports "zebra" 58 Yves' nose 59 Aurora locale 60 List ender
DOWN 1 Was ahead 2 All, in combos 3 Largest of the Marianas 4 Mountain lions 5 Deletion 6 Sad cry 7 Fixes potatoes 8 Plenty 9 Golf pegs 12 Campaign tactic 13 Tinting 18 Poor review 22 Make a mess 23 Prune 24 Mess up 25 Osaka sash 27 Merit 29 Hive occupants 31 Drain cleaner 32 Alley -33 Startled cries 35 Delicate 37 Rowboat device 40 Part of TGIF 41 Trigger's rider 42 Mushroom-to-be 43 Ballroom dance 45 Sneezer's need 46 Survey 48 "-- & Clark" 49 Fictional governess 50 Two voices 54 Col. Sanders' place Crossword Solution, page 31
Viera Voice | January 2022
27
SENIORNews
Retired from the Army, Tim Thomas continues to serve the community BY MARIA SONNENBERG
Not too many people can say that they’ve both saved lives and brought closure to grieving families. Retired Army Lt. Col. Tim Thomas can rightfully claim both. His 23 years included leading a Search and Recovery Team into the heart of North Korea to retrieve the remains of nine Army soldiers killed during the Korean War. “It was a difficult but rewarding assignment, because we were able to bring them back home and provide closure to these nine families,” said the Melbourne resident. After retirement from the military, Thomas was tasked by the thennew Viera High School to launch its JROTC program. During a light workout, one of the cadets suddenly crumpled on the track. Thomas quickly administered CPR in between AED and, after a frantic 15 minutes, he was
VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Tim Thomas
VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Tim Thomas
Col. Tim Thomas, second from left, is all smiles in Iraq after receiving word that President George W. Bush had stopped combat operations.
rewarded by seeing the student start to breathe normally again. Thomas, a native of Quincy, Illinois, grew up in Pensacola. A military career was always on the horizon.
“My dad, who was a Navy chaplain’s assistant, would tell me that he had one of the best times of his life in service,” Thomas said. Uncles and cousins also were in the military.
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Tim Thomas holds an award he received for helping with relief supplies shipped to the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian.
“I came from a very military-centric family,” he said. Thomas received a football scholarship to Marion Military Institute, where he was selected to the Army Early Commissioning Program. As a second lieutenant, Thomas was assigned to the Alabama National Guard with the 20th Group Special Forces while pursuing a degree at Auburn University. Upon graduation, he entered active service with the Army, service that took him to two combat tours in Iraq. His numerous awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medals and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. His last assignment brought him to Patrick Air Force Base, and he fell in
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love with the area. When not working with Viera High School’s JROTC cadets, Thomas can be found helping the community. He currently is a board member of the Melbourne Orlando Airport Authority and a councilman for the City of Melbourne, where he served as vice mayor until November 2021. “Tim is a selfless leader and strongly dedicated to his faith, family and to our community,” Melbourne Mayor Paul Alfrey said. The County Commissioners commended him with a resolution recognizing his efforts to save the Viera High student who went into cardiac arrest. He also was named a Central Florida Humanitarian for his work with the Bahamas Relief Mission after Hurricane Dorian. His efforts to rename Airport Boulevard to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. earned him praise from the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Coalition. Thomas’ next adventure is running for office to represent District 52 in the Florida House of Representatives. Attorney Kendall Moore, who has worked along with Thomas on several community initiatives, believes Thomas is the man for the job. “His poise under pressure, empathy for others and diverse viewpoints on critical issues has made him one of the most respected leaders in Brevard,” Moore said. VV
Viera Voice | January 2022
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Boomer Guide
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It’s a Colorful L
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LIST IN Busi GS & M n ORE : Activ ess it Club ies I Sp o s Vete • Group rts s ra Senio ns Reso • Meetin u gs Hurr r Living rces T ic Healt ane Safe our Supp h & Welln ty ort G e roup ss s
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BOO
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YEAR S AS
BOO MER
BREV ARD COUN TY’S MOST COM PREH ENSI VE G UIDE EDIT FOR IO BOO NO. N 2019 MER 13 S & SE NIORS
Senior Expo Get your copy of the brand new 2022 Boomer Guide
• • • • • • •
Free Admission Free Parking Food & Drinks Fun Activities Music Exhibitors Giveaways Meet the 2022 Boomer Models
Coming in March 2022 Date and location to be announced in the February issue.
For event updates, visit
boomerseniorexpo.com or call 321-242-1235
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Viera Voice | January 2022
29
SATURDAY
1
Red Eye Open Golf Tournament
January SUNDAY
2
3
MONDAY
4
TUESDAY
National Chocolate National Trivia Day Covered Cherry Day SHINE Medicare & Health Insurance Medicaid Counseling Marketplace Noon - 3 p.m. Every Monday (except Jan. 17) Sunflower House 777 Merritt Island Causeway, Suite 201 321-452-4341
10 a.m. United Way navigators give free help and guidance. Suntree/Viera Public Library 902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 321-255-4404
Sit-n-Stitch
1 p.m. First and Third Wednesdays This group is for people who crochet, knit or enjoy any needlework. Suntree/Viera Public Library 902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 321-255-4404
Happy Mew Year for Cats Day
9
National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
10
National Save the Eagles Day
Women's Pickleball
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Play pickleball for $2 per person. 8 - 10 a.m. Viera Regional Early bird gets the worm, or Community Center in this case the good photos 2300 Judge Fran Jamieson Way of birds. Bookings are Viera, 321-433-4891 essential, once booked you'll receive an email booking confirmation with more details on this Meetup. Viera Wetlands Charlie Corbeil Way, Viera
Wildlife Photography at the Viera Wetlands
Palmbayphotographygroup.com
16
National Fig Newton Day
Hay Bale Concert
3 - 9 p.m. Live music of Fleetwood Mac by Fleetwood Max and Vintage on hay bale seats benefits the Brevard Humane Society. Sterling Stables 6450 W. King Street Cocoa, 321-626-3733
Cinderella
2 - 3:30 p.m. Viera Studio for the Performing Arts The Viera Studio for the Performing Arts
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National Pie Day
Sunday Cinema Family Movie
1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Melbourne Public Library 540 E. Fee Ave. Melbourne, 321-952-4514
17
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration 1 - 5 p.m. Activities and entertainment in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Food, music, basketball games and more. Joseph N. Davis Community Center 2547 Grant St. Melbourne, 321-608-7460
Free Tip Tuesdays
6 - 8 p.m. UF/IFAS Extension Brevard County, 3695 Lake Drive, Cocoa, 321-633-1702
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Spanish Class
1 - 2 p.m. $1 members $2 non-members Martin Andersen Senior Center, 1025 S. Florida Ave. Rockledge, 321-453-5098
Jan. 21 - Feb. 13 Henegar Center Downtown Melbourne, 321-723-8698 Henegar.org
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11:30 a.m. Guest speaker Matt Susin, Brevard County School Board member. Space Coast Convention Center 103 Tucker Lane Cocoa, 321-727-1212
5:30 - 9:30 p.m. Enjoy signature food, beverages — cigars are available for purchase. 28 North Gastropub 2250 Town Center Ave. Viera, 321-241-1159
Brevard Federated Republican Women
12
National Take the Stairs Day
Viera Rotary Meeting
Melbourne Auditorium
5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Free golf tips included with 321-724-0555 MMBand.org a paid bucket of balls. Duran Golf Club 7032 Stadium Parkway Viera, 321-504-7776
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19
Bingo
11:15 a.m. - 2 p.m. Wickham Park Senior Center 2785 Leisure Way Melbourne 321-255-4494
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
10 a.m. - Noon For those raising grandchildren by chance or by choice are welcome. RSVP. Call for closest location, 321-452-4341
Sit-n-Stitch
1 p.m. First and Third Wednesdays Crochet, knit or needlework. Suntree/Viera Library 902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 321-255-4404
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26
80 Irish Coffee Day ts: presen
SHINE Counseling
Florida Sustainable Transportation and Technology Expo
9 a.m. - Noon Tuesdays, Thursdays and s Fridays nd27 Jan.B 26aand Wickham Park Senior Center but8ea.m. - 3 p.m. i r T 2785 Leisure Way This expo will present the Melbourne, 321-255-4494 latest developments in alternative fuels, vehicles Open Pickleball and equipment. lex 10 a.m. p Center Com Florida Energy tSolar $2 per person. CoasClearlake e c a 1679 Road p Viera RegionalSCommunity SA S Cocoa, 321-638-1000 Center US 2300 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera Doors open at 5 p.m. so you can 321-433-4891
m p 6 5 FEB
enjoy some food and beverages.
Feb. 1• Free Parking Feb. 2
Viera Rock Fest • Beer and Food
available for purchase
• Outdoor seating
e window of th e th ut o s k e Finn pe the new dog house at East. Park in Viera g o D h c lo ie P
THURSDAY
5
7341 Office Park Place Unit 202 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Lunch and Learn — Ask the Viera, 321-482-1081 Doctor — Dr. A. LoGalbo, neuropsychologist. Secret Agent Blues RSVP. One Senior Place Concert, Melbourne Viera, 321-751-6771 Municipal Band Jan 12 & 13
Canning: Jams and Jellies
Hello Dolly
30
11
Improve your Mood and Get Active
WEDNESDAY
Early purchase tickets are $20, with a limited quantity available. Purchase your tickets at
VieraRockFest.com
Sip and Smoke at 28 North Gastropub
Belly Dance Mezza
8:30 a.m. Two-person scramble. 8:30 a.m. shotgun. Cart, range balls, lunch and a Bloody Mary. $75 non-members. Duran Golf Club 7032 Stadium Parkway Viera, 321-504-7776
7
FRIDAY National Bobblehead Day
Brevard Antiques and Collectibles Club
8
National Bubble Bath Day
Viera East Farmers Market
9:30 a.m. First Friday A show and tell for antiques and collectibles. Suntree/Viera Library 902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 321-255-4404
10 a.m. Woodside Park 1705 Crane Creek Blvd. East Viera
Epiphany Christmas Tree Bonfire
5 p.m. Bring a branch from your Christmas tree to burn in the bonfire. We will have music, games, marshmallows for roasting. New Suntree tradition. Suntree United Methodist Church, 7400 N. Wickham Road, Suntree, 321-242-2585
6:30 - 7:30 p.m. First Thursday monthly Free belly dance classes. Flames Mediterranean Bar & Grille 1270 N. Wickham Road Melbourne, 321-777-6677
Suntree Rotary Meeting
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14
15
2 p.m. RSVP. Seating is limited. One Senior Place Viera, 321-751-6771
10 a.m. Speaker will be JoAnna O'Keefe, author, poet, inspirational speaker. RSVP required. One Senior Place 8075 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771
8 a.m. The Children's Hunger Project and the Sharing Center of Central Brevard are the beneficiaries. Viera High School Viera, 321-610-1900
Movie Matinee – “Under the Tuscan Sun”
Bunco
12:30 - 4 p.m. First and Third Thursdays Wickham Park Senior Center 2785 Leisure Way Melbourne 321-255-4494
7:30 a.m. Fridays IHOP 8201 North Wickham Viera, 321-482-1081 SuntreeRotary.org
Cape Canaveral Pen Women's Group
National Hat Day
Health First Fight Child Hunger 5K Run/Walk
Viera Charter Invite
8 a.m. Gymnastics competition Levels 1 - 10 USA and all excel levels. Viera Charter School, 6206 Breslay Drive, 321-541-1434
Cinderella
2 - 3:30 p.m. Viera Studio for the Performing Arts The Viera Studio for the Performing Arts
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21
22
6 - 8:30 p.m. Church at Viera 9005 N. Wickham Road Viera, 321-259-3454
6:30 p.m. KSC, 321-751-8890
A Horror and Paranormal Convention and Trade Show hosted by the Orlando Horror Society and the Jumpsacre podcast. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre reunion, guest actors, costume contest and mini panels. Space Coast Convention Center 301 Tucker Lane Cocoa, 424-501-6103
Quest 180
National Hugging Day
KSC Visitor Complex HorrorVille Space Race 3K Walk/Run Noon
CLUE CLUE — comedic on-stage 7 p.m. version of the classic Viera High School murder-mystery game 6103 Stadium Parkway. 7 p.m. Viera High School 6103 Stadium Parkway. Tickets: viera. brevardschools.org 321-632-1770 ext. 28063
27
SHINE Counseling
9 a.m. - Noon Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays Wickham Park Senior Center 2785 Leisure Way Melbourne, 321-255-4494
Sweat Like a Mother
9:30 a.m. Stroller exercises. $60 a month, $12 per class. Viera Regional Community Center, 2300 Judge Fran Jamieson Way Viera, 321-341-6779
Feb. 3
Tickets: viera. brevardschools.org 321-632-1770 ext. 28063
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29
Gospel Quartet Concert
7 p.m. King's Cadence will perform a free concert to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the dedication of St. John the Evangelist Church. 5655 Stadium Parkway Viera, 202-423-4757
West Side Story
Jan. 28 - Feb. 13 Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse, 321-636-5050
Space Coast Wood Carvers Show
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Raffle, food, relief carving and caricature carving demos. Crane Creek Community Center 1440 Mosswood Drive Melbourne, 407-325-5424
Fundraiser for Riley's Rescue 6:30 - 8 p.m. Chilly Spoons 4980 N. Wickham Rd. Melbourne
80 ts: presen
s
d e Ban Tribut
6pmplex 5 B E F pace Coast Com
S USSSA
Doors open at 5 p.m. so you can enjoy some food and beverages.
• Free Parking • Beer and Food
available for purchase
VHS troupe presents hilarious whodunit ‘Clue’ in January
Solution, Puzzle page 18
SPECIAL TO VIERA VOICE Viera High School’s theater program will present a comedic onstage version of the classic murder-mystery game Clue at 7 p.m. Jan. 20 and Jan. 21 at the school’s on-campus auditorium at 6103 Stadium Parkway. Tickets are $10 for “Clue: On Stage (High School Edition),” VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Viera High School a farce which originally was Viera High School's producti on "Clue: On Stage (High School Edition)" will be to be presented in November held Jan. 20 and 21. but was rescheduled due to COVID-19 concerns. Based on the classic Hasbro Productions during precomplete with six different board game which inspired production of “Clue.” poster designs for the play. But a 1985 film, “Clue” follows The program’s publicity students were disappointed six mysterious guests who team was recognized for after that play had to be assemble for an unusual dinner its successful campaign as postponed for safety concerns. party where murder and junior Lindsey Ott won best Visit viera.brevard blackmail are on the menu. of show for publicity at the schools.org for ticket and It’s been a series of highs Florida Thespians District 11 content information or call and lows for the school’s competition. Ott compiled a portfolio theater program and Starhawk 321-632-1770, ext. 28063 V V
Solution, Puzzle page 27
SUMC plans Christmas tree bonfire Jan. 8
SPECIAL TO VIERA VOICE Suntree United Methodist Church starts a new tradition in 2022 with an Epiphany Christmas Tree Bonfire. Attendees can bring a branch from their Christmas tree — or a tree they find on the curb — to add to the
bonfire, starting at 5 p.m. Jan. 8 at the church at 7400 N. Wickham Road. There will be music, games and marshmallows for toasting over an open fire. Guests should gather on church grounds along Pinehurst Avenue. The playground will be open for
children to enjoy. “We hope you will consider inviting friends for this new Suntree tradition!” the church said in a statement. For more information, visit suntreeumc.org or call 321-242-2585. V V
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31
Local teens fight for dental recycling Despite a study by Laura Wray-Lake (2010) identifying a “decline in high school seniors’ reports of conservation behaviors across the three decades of 1976 to 2005,” a more recent United Nations article reports that “close to half a million youth around the world have taken action on climate change through SGP (Small Grants Programmes) projects in their homes, schools and communities.” They are among a youth population (15 to 24 years old) of approximately 1.2 billion. Considering that “youth constitute the majority of the population in many countries and have an increasingly strong
BEYOND the CURB Marcia Booth
President & Founder, Recycle Brevard
social and environmental awareness (UN)” and, in the United States alone, 85 percent of people under 30 identify themselves as environmentalists, we must have great faith in our young generation. "The youth is the hope of our future" — Jose Rizal. Lillian Tolley, who is a student at Melbourne High School and part of the school’s Environmental Awareness club, is a local example of why we should
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keep the faith. In the summer of 2021, she joined Recycle Brevard as a volunteer after learning about Recycle Brevard’s Recycleware Dental Program, a program that includes the distribution of information cards and collection of used plastic toothbrushes, empty toothpaste tubes and dental floss containers for recycling. What started as a requirement in a college class for Tolley became a mission to educate herself and others on the 3Rs — Reduce, Reuse, Recycle — and help to reduce waste in her community. “The dental program is smart and straightforward. It takes every-day objects, such as toothpaste tubes and toothbrushes, which are normally thrown in the trash, and gives them an alternative to filling up our landfills,” Tolley said. With the goal of getting local schools and clubs to adopt the program and help our community to recycle more, Tolley
started contacting neighborhood schools to explain the program and how they could participate. She believes that it is important to get more people involved for the program to have a considerable impact. Thus far, she managed to enlist Merritt Island High School and Melbourne High School but she does not intend to stop there.
“It really is rewarding to get involved and fight for what you believe in." — Lillian Tolley “High schoolers are widely known for their use of technology and can reach a bunch of people at the touch of a button.” Even if they do not want to organize collections, she believes they are able to spread the word and recruit others to participate.
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Anyone can collect or set up a collection point. Neighborhoods, scout troops, businesses and churches can join the effort. Recycle Brevard provides material that supports the program and its facility in Rockledge is the drop-off location for collected items. “It really is rewarding to get involved and fight for what you believe in. The program is pretty low maintenance. Once the idea has gone through the chains of command, all that is left to do is place the bins and drop collected items off at Recycle Brevard once bins fill up,” Tolley explained. “We need people to care and take action.” "I said ‘Somebody should do something about that.’ Then I realized I was somebody" — Lily Tomlin To learn more about the program and get started in the new year, email Recycle Brevard at Volunteer@ RecycleBrevard.org. VV Email Marcia Booth at Marcia@RecycleBrevard.org
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Viera Voice | January 2022
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33
V IE
RA
B AT T L E
Congratulations to our Viera Bright Lights Battle Winners!
SPONSORED BY VIERA VOICE & SPACE COAST TRIMLIGHT
Traditional Category Winners
Viera East — Traditional category winner the Waldron family. Sponsored by Sleepy Heads Home Furnishing
Viera West — Traditional category winner the Conwell family. Sponsored by Sleepy Heads Home Furnishing
Viera East — Reason for the Season category winner the Leblond family. Sponsored by A Real Estate Service Team
Viera West — Reason for the Season category winner the Coniker family. Sponsored by A Real Estate Service Team
Reason for the Season Category Winners
Best Theme Category Winners
Viera East — Best Theme category winners the Piotrowski family. Sponsored by Remax Elite - Deborah Tomczak
Griswold Category Winners
Viera West — Best Theme category winner the Ripple family. Sponsored by The Artisan at Viera
W HO S F TO S BE
Viera East — Best of Show and the Griswold category winner the Rensing family. Sponsored by State Farm - Arty Pagan
34
Viera Voice | January 2022
Viera West —The Griswold category winner the Mederos family. Sponsored by State Farm - Arty Pagan
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Happy Holidays Deborah Tomczak
REALTOR®, GRI, ALHS, SRES, CRS Over $11 Million Sold in 2020
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Holiday heartfelt thanks to my many wonderful clients that have entrusted me with their real estate needs in 2021! I hope your home is warm and full of holiday traditions along with family and friends. Best wishes for good health and happiness in 2022!
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BEST TIME TO SELL YOUR HOME IS NOW! CALL DEB TOMCZAK 321-604-8479
BEST TIME TO SELL YOUR HOME IS NOW! CALL DEB TOMCZAK 321-604-8479
321-604-8479 • DeborahTomczak.com BEST TIME TO SELL YOUR HOME IS NOW! CALL DEB TOMCZAK 321-604-8479
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