Featured Family
The Wood family balances career, religion, sports, volunteering and parenting to come up with a happy lifestyle in Suntree. Page 4
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October 2021
Vol. 15 Issue 9
VIERA VOICE Adam Palumbo
The Loren Cove Homeowners Association gave snacks and drinks to Brevard Fire Rescue Station 47.
Loren Cove rewards first responders BY R. NORMAN MOODY
Residents of Loren Cove in Viera wanted to show their appreciation for first responders. The Loren Cove Homeowners Association recently provided several boxes of snacks and drinks for Brevard Fire Rescue Station 47 on Murrell Road in Viera. Gil Pohl, who serves on the HOA board, along
New grotto brings beauty
with Anthony Barrett and Beverly Lantry, delivered the donated items. “I was talking to one of our neighbors,” Pohl said. “She had been at Viera Hospital and noticed that rescue crews were having to wait to drop patients off.” The neighbors thought that something needed to be done to help the fire rescue crews. “So everybody in Loren Cove got together and donated some drinks and
snacks,” Pohl said. Donated items included Gatorade and other beverages, candy bars and granola bars. Immediately after the idea was brought up, residents started the collection of items during a two-week period. “We know it's tough on the first responders right now and any little thing we can do helps,” Pohl said. “It makes us feel good that we can do it.” V V
St. John the Evangelist expansion project will include statue of St. Michael the Archangel, two covered pavilions and a new grotto See story, page 2
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St. John the Evangelist announces new expansion projects BY ERNEST ARICO St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community announced new growth plans for its parishioners. Rev. John Britto Antony, pastor of the Viera church, announced the $3.1 million project during Masses celebrated Sept. 5 and in an email to parishioners. Antony said the Master Plan Development Project is divided into two phases: Phase 1 • Connector road to Lake Andrew Drive • Handicap parking/ drop-off improvement in front of the courtyard • New hardscape in front of the church
• Two covered pavilions in front of the church • Covered walkway connector • Covered drop-off on the east side of the church • New well for additional watering Phase 2 • Construction of a Grotto • Added Stations of the Cross • Statue of St. Michael the Archangel Antony said the approximate cost of the two phases is $3,105,500. However, the church was able to transfer $1.78 million to these new
ST. JOHN
continued to page 5
VIERA VOICE Courtesy of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community
This is an architectural rendering of the outdoor expansion to the property of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community in Viera.
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Viera Voice | October 2021
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Viera Voice | October 2021
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Suntree family finds perfect mix of faith, sports
Featured
BY JEFF NAVIN
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Publisher Bluewater Creative Group, Inc. Managing Editor Jill Blue Assignment Editor R. Norman Moody Office Manager Sylvia Montes Art Director Adam Palumbo Copy Editor Jeff Navin Sports Writer/SportsBlog Carl Kotala Writers/Reporters Ernest Arico Brenda Eggert Brader Charlotte A. Corbeil Mike Gaffey Nanette Hebdige Jennifer H. Monaghan Wendy Scheuring Maria Sonnenberg VIERA MEANS Henry A. Stephens
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said. “We put our marriage “We’ve been together and our kids first above through a lot of thick and everything else.’’ thin,’’ said Sam Wood, a Sarah Wood’s father was Middle Tennessee State in the Air Force. She loved graduate, who grew up hiking in the state parks in Tampa before moving surrounding Las Vegas as an to Smyrna, Tennessee for elementary school student. his high school years. “She Another place that she loved actually will listen to what was Yorktown, Virginia my thoughts are on anything and its significance in VIERA MEANS BUSINESS NETWORKING GROUP and we will process through American history during the issues together verbally. Revolutionary War. Some people think out loud. The family eventually We take time out to do that.’’ moved to Orlando, where ANS BU The Christianity of Etheir she S graduated from the M 20s still applies today. University of Central Florida “What makes our with a degree in elementary marriage special is and early childhood SS E IN
VIERA MEANS
“What makes our marriage special is spiritually we VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Sarah Wood have the same Sarah and Sam Wood are devoted to Jackson, Ella and Benjamin, their three children. Christian beliefs." VIERA MEANS “This has been a spiritually we have the same education. — Sam Wood Jackson and Ella attend Christian beliefs,’’ Sam Wood revelation for Jackson to be BUSINESS Quest Elementary School. Benjamin goes to Faith Viera three times a week. Besides her work for mommentor.org, Sarah Wood is on the board for the Mom’s Club of 32940. It’s a nonprofit, community-based group for mothers of every age and stage. It arranges playdates, mom’s days out and support for mothers in Suntree and Viera. It has 70 members. Sam Wood has been a volunteer coach for Jackson’s soccer and football teams. There are plenty of teaching moments.
In response to COVID-19, I am now also offering the option of Tele-health sessions via phone or video. N E
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Sarah Wood likes to go for a run or take a bike ride just before lunch. The Suntree resident is the editor-inchief of mommentor.org, a ministry publication based in California that gives practical, spiritual advice and wisdom from writers all over the country. “We could have stories on how to teach kids biblical worldviews or how to help a toddler get through a temper tantrum. We have contributors who are marriage and family therapists or interviews on how to manage and handle suicide prevention. We have a bunch of resources.’’ Wood, 37, and her husband Sam, 45, have three children — Jackson, 11, Ella, 8, and Benjamin, 3. They have lived in Suntree off of Pinehurst for the past 10 years. Sam Wood is a test engineer for L3 Harris. The couple met in their 20s at the East Coast Christian Center on Merritt Island. They now attend Calvary Chapel in Viera.
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Viera Voice | October 2021
on a (football) team that has not won a game all year,’’ Wood said. “I want to watch him not grow in wins and losses, but in character.’’ Jackson went from being a soccer standout to a second-string football player learning the fundamentals of a new sport. Sarah Wood is eager to see how it turns out. “Sports are really important to our oldest,’’ Wood said. “He really enjoys the teamwork and the competitive nature. We love how it helps him navigate the disappointment. It helps build self responsibility and ownership. Kids need to learn how to be disappointed and not to be the best. That’s part of growth and receptivity.’’ Sarah Wood loves to see her husband involved in coaching. “He’s very patient and family focused,’’ she said. “There are frustrating moments and he knows how to respond to them rather than react to them.’’ Ella can’t wait to start playing soccer and to be coached by her father. V V
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ST. JOHN
continued from page 2
projects. “The remaining balance for us to raise is approximately $1,325,500,” Antony said. “Please note that due to current labor force issues, the increase in cost of materials and/ or non-availability, this final figure could vary. With God's unfailing goodness and mercy and with your continued support and generosity we will accomplish our goal together.” Antony said the new growth plan became possible because the church was able to pay off the balance of its loan and 15-year mortgage from the Diocese of Orlando for the construction of the new church in three years. The current loan from the diocese was $110,866.01. On Sunday, Sept. 26, Bishop John Noonan of the Orlando diocese celebrated Mass and later burned the mortgage and blessed the grounds for the new projects in an outdoor ceremony.
Antony hopes the projects are completed by Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022. One of the unique parts of the growth plan is the outdoor construction of the grotto. Modeled after the grotto that was built after the Blessed Virgin Mary’s appearance to Bernadette in Lourdes, France, the grotto also will contain the 14 Stations of the Cross, depicting the Journey of Jesus Christ to Calvary, and a statute of St. Michael the Archangel. Outdoor Masses and other services also can be celebrated at the grotto. Another significant project is the construction of a twoway road from the church property to Lake Andrew Drive. “It will help us ease the traffic around the church,” Antony said. When the St. John community in Viera began in 2001, there were 200 families. Today, there are more than 2,600 families. VV
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Viera Voice | October 2021
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E-bike sales surge during pandemic BY MIKE GAFFEY Just as a battery on an electric bicycle helps a rider zip down the road, the COVID-19 pandemic gave the e-bike industry a big boost nationwide. Many Americans cooped up at home and looking for an ecofriendly way to get outside while avoiding commuter crowds turned to e-bikes, which look and feel like traditional bicycles but feature an electric motor and rechargeable battery. “We’ve definitely seen e-bikes growing on an annual basis,” said Gary Stern, the co-founder of Infinity Bike Shop at 804 E. Hibiscus Blvd. in Melbourne. “It’s prolonging the amount of riding that people get to do. We typically see it’s an older clientele oftentimes, and/or people who are using them for commuting as well.” Electric bikes have been around since the 1890s, but the first pedal-assisted models also known as pedelecs didn’t arrive until the 1990s. Infinity, which opened in 2010, started adding e-bikes to its selection of traditional bikes about five years ago, Stern said. E-bikes come in styles such as mountain, road, cruise and cargo, and some can fold up for easier storage and transport. Mike and Patty Tipton chose e-bikes with wide tires and have enjoyed zipping around Cape Canaveral and Port Canaveral. They’ve had their Ecotric e-bikes for about two years. “We looked at the fat tire e-bikes,” Mike Tipton said. “They are foldable and you can easily get them in your car. We wanted bikes we could transport easily.” The Tiptons, of Cape Canaveral, can get up to 25 miles on a single charge. They said it takes a lot of pedal effort if the wide tire bike runs out of battery power. When a bicyclist pedals an e-bike, its motor kicks in and adds power to help the rider reach speeds of up to 20 mph, overcome such obstacles as hills and headwinds and arrive less sweaty at a destination. The motor also can propel the bike even when the rider is not pedaling. A second type of e-bike has a pedal-assist mode of up to 20 mph plus a purely throttlepowered mode. A third type of e-bike is solely pedal-assist but adds power until a rider hits 28 mph. “I love the fact that I can get some exercise without the wear
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VIERA VOICE R. Norman Moody
Mike and Patty Tipton enjoy zipping around Cape Canaveral on their e-bikes. They often ride the wide tire bikes on the beach during low tide.
and tear on my knees,” Patty Tipton said. She said they enjoy riding their wide tire e-bikes on the beach when the tide is low. E-bikes have a lithium battery that can be recharged from a standard wall outlet. A typical recharge takes anywhere from two to eight hours, Stern noted. Handlebar controls let the bicyclist turn the bike on and off and brake, while LCD displays show the bike’s speed and pedalassist levels. An e-bike’s range depends on rider weight, wind, hills, and how much pedal assist or throttle the rider selects, Stern said. “Sometimes you can run them only on the e-motor the whole time, in which case you’ll only get maybe 25 to 35 miles of use,” he said. “Other times, if you’re using it just on an assist basis, it could be unlimited miles, depending on once the battery finally runs out if you’re doing the last bit of pedaling.” In Florida, e-bike riders must be 16 or older but don’t need a license to ride. Helmets are encouraged but not required. By state law, e-bikes can operate on the same roads, bike lanes, bike paths and sidewalks as regular bikes. However, local communities can pass their own ordinances regarding e-bike use. Bikes equipped with gaspowered motors are not legal vehicles and can’t be registered or driven on Florida highways, according to floridabicyclelaw. org. E-bikes can be pricey, Stern
Viera Voice | October 2021
said. Bikes can range from $500 to $8,000, with an average price around $2,000. “I say the challenge for the e-bike industry or consumer is the consumer expects the bikes to be priced according to the same pricing as a manual bicycle, and that’s just not the case,” said Stern, whose shop sells e-bikes made by Swiss-based Scott Sports and Taiwan’s Giant Manufacturing Co. To encourage Americans to try the zero-emission bikes, Congress is considering offering consumers a refundable 30 percent tax credit of up to $1,500 on the purchase of a new e-bike. Infinity doesn’t carry many e-bikes, but demand is picking up, Stern said. “We’ve done very well,” he said. “We only have one in stock right now. We typically will have anywhere from three to six in stock at any given time but there has been a big supply crunch in general in the bicycle industry over the last two years as a result of the COVID supply crunch. Just three years ago, we were selling zero. There’s definitely a market for it.” Jim Twigg, the co-owner of Revolutions Cyclery at 6300 N. Wickham Road in Suntree, said e-bikes are “a blast to ride.” “It almost feels like it’s effortless,” said Twigg, a Palm Bay resident. “Anybody who gets on these bikes gets a big smile on their face.” V V R. Norman Moody contributed to this story.
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Viera cross country teams gearing up for strong showing at state meet BY CARL KOTALA
They can envision themselves standing on the podium at the Class 4A state cross country meet in Tallahassee next month, gold medals hanging around their necks. Yes, the Viera High School boys are that good. “I definitely see a state championship this year and we’re trying to make it to nationals as well,” senior Michael Toppi said. “… I really think we just have a group of guys that have been here since Day One. We’ve all been doing the same thing. We’ve been doing that for the past two years. We’re finally able to get the results that we want.” The Viera girls, meanwhile, keep getting better as the season goes along and could be ready to surprise with a strong showing if they can earn themselves a trip to Tallahassee. “I think we can go pretty far as long as we all motivate
VIERA VOICE Carl Kotala
Viera High's Brooke Gerrits, left, and Michael Toppi are the No. 1 runners on this year's girls and boys teams. The Viera boys are considered the favorites to win the Class 4A state championship, while the girls expect to be competitive at the state meet.
ourselves, push ourselves and do our best,” junior Brooke Gerrits said. In other words, the Viera
cross country teams are once again looking to show they’re among the best in the state. First-year coach Samantha
Gerrits takes over a program that has a number of seniors on the boys team, and a number of juniors on the girls side. Brooke Gerrits has moved into the top spot for the Viera girls, who are eyeing a trip to Apalachee Regional Park on Nov. 12 for the Class 4A state meet. Junior Isabella Narvaez is next, along with junior Chelsea Paglia; senior Danielle Contreras; junior Trinity Trett; juniors Isabella Schiffer, Rebecca Devoid and Gabriella Shenbaum and freshman Maddie Helms. Viera had an encouraging performance at the Spanish River Invitational last month, finishing second among 4A teams. “I think as we continue to do workouts and increase our aerobic capacity, they’ll respond well,” Samantha Gerrits said of the girls team. “I do believe they’re going to make it to state. Where we finish will be determined when we get there.”
At that same Spanish River Invitational, the Viera boys — ranked No. 1 in Class 4A — defeated Belen Jesuit, which came in as the state’s top-ranked team among all classes. Viera should assume that No. 1 overall spot, which is why the Hawks are understandably confident they can win the state title. Toppi, who hopes to finish in the top two individually, is Viera’s top runner. He’s followed by senior Robbie Naberhaus; junior Cameron Raney; junior Aeden Rendek; senior Josh Ingalls; freshman Jack Girard; senior Ben Gearhart; sophomore Mathew Naberhaus and senior Riley Burrup. “The boys are extremely close,” Samantha Gerrits said. “They’re all very good friends and they all hold each other accountable. I think that’s the most important part for them. “They know they can’t slack because their friends are watching.” V V
team is super committed and willing to work really hard to get where they need to be to compete at states and do their best.” In addition to Knight, the other top runners for the Holy Trinity girls this season include sophomore Sophia Weiner; freshman Natalie Morris; sophomore Alinah Sarratt; freshman Kate
Schwinn and senior captain Julia McNatt. “We don’t have a lot of girls, but I have six girls that can all run around 22 and 21 (minutes),” Bailey said. “They should make it to state. They work exceptionally hard. I’m just proud of them. Cross country is a grueling sport.” VV
Holy Trinity cross country teams have ‘legitimate shot’ to get to state meet BY CARL KOTALA
Holy Trinity cross country coach Marc Bailey believes his teams are ready to make a splash now, and in the future. “Our goal is a very simple goal: to send both teams to state,” he said. “And I think both teams have a legitimate shot to do that.” There are plenty of reasons to see why the Tigers coach feels both of his teams will get a chance to run in the Class 1A state meet, which is scheduled for Nov. 12 at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee. The boys team has been bolstered by the addition of freshman Sawyer Jacobs, who moved to the area from New York. Jacobs joins a long list of talented freshmen for the Tigers, including top runner Skyler Jensen. Other standouts for the boys team include sophomore Augustine Stehley; freshman Zack Gunderson; sophomore Garrett Tinker; freshman Finn Werder; freshman Donovan Boesch and senior Jack Riggs. Bailey, now in his second year as the cross country coach, said last season he thought the Holy Trinity boys would become a county powerhouse in the next couple of years. Everything he’s seen
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VIERA VOICE Carl Kotala
Holy Trinity freshmen Ava Knight, left, and Skyler Jensen lead a group of young runners that is expected to make a strong push to reach the Class 1A state championship meet this season.
from the group this year has convinced him even more. “They’ve taken another step up,” Bailey said. “Skyler Jensen, a freshman, has already gone 17:20. He’s the fastest freshman in the county and one of the fastest in the state. His comrades aren’t far behind him. “I think by the time they get to be juniors they’ll definitely be one of the top (teams in the county and state).” Jensen said the Tigers have been “looking good”
this season while trying to improve each week as the meets get bigger and bigger. “I think our team is going to make it to states,” Jensen said. “Our team is very committed. Most of them are out here every day, working their tails off and doing the best they can to get better.” Ava Knight, a freshman and the top runner for the Holy Trinity girls this season, would say the same thing about her teammates. “I agree (with Skyler),” she said. “I think everyone on the
Viera Voice | October 2021
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VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Ben Rotgers
The Holy Trinity girls golf team is expecting to be very competitive in the postseason. "We're looking forward to winning districts this year," coach Ben Rotgers said. "That's our goal."
Holy Trinity golf teams hope to reach regionals this season BY CARL KOTALA
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Viera Voice | October 2021
The Holy Trinity boys and girls golf teams might play in a very challenging district, but that doesn’t mean they don’t believe in themselves. “It’s a good, solid team,” Holy Trinity girls coach Ben Rotgers said. “I’m really deep. My No. 1 player will shoot in the 30s and I have three other players who are all capable of getting there. They typically shoot lowto-mid 40s on a regular basis, but they’re very capable of getting to the 30s.” Holy Trinity’s top player, Emma Baumgartner, has been tweaking her swing to get more consistency and accuracy this season. So far, it’s been paying off. But the junior isn’t the only one who has been showing improvement this season, which is why the Tigers think they have a real chance to win the Class 1A, District 11 title. “I really do think we can place at districts
this year,” Baumgartner said. “Everyone’s scores have gotten a lot lower and everyone’s a lot more consistent. We’re all working really hard toward that goal. In that sense, I think we can also do well at regionals if we make it there.” Freshman Natalie Doig plays at No. 2 for Holy Trinity. She’s followed by junior Grace Rush; senior Emily Rotgers; junior Sydney Smith and sophomore Mia Glover. With 14 teams from Brevard County and the Orlando area, the district will certainly be challenging this season. “They did change the district, but they didn’t make it any easier for us,” Holy Trinity boys coach Ron Benfield said. “They took out First Academy and Circle Christian, which were the top two teams. But they put in Trinity Prep, which won the state last year.” Still, the boys think they have a shot of getting out of districts. “We look good as a
team so far,” junior Mitch McCullar said. “There are only two seniors, so we’ve got a lot of young people. All of the juniors and sophomores are good players, so we’re strong this year. “… If all five people play well in districts, we can definitely go on. It’s tough with all the Orlando teams. We’d all have to play really well to move on as a team.” Senior Cody Royston plays in the top spot for the Tigers. McCullar is No. 2, followed by senior Logan Araj, sophomore Rohan Prasanna and sophomore Cash Luck. “We should be decent,” Benfield said. “I’ve got five kids who can play. If they play like they’re supposed to play, then we’ll be all right. I have some kids who are making a real big improvement. They’re not going to beat these (top) five guys, but they’re really making some big strides, which I’m really happy with.” VV
INSIDE THE ROPES
VEMA conducts 24 two-man team event BY DAVID HORST Golf Carts Unlimited sponsored a Viera East Men’s Golf Association event with 24 twoman teams. The event was played with twoman teams playing a scramble on the first Thursday and the best ball of the two-man teams on the following Thursday. Bill Scholtens and Gary Koch won the scramble, and Richard Gagliardi and Bob Graham placed second. Ben Dickerson and Louis Sickenberger were third, while Danny Barrios and Dick Mays finished
fourth. Ben Herrman and Allen Satcher were fifth. The second round in the tournament used a best ball method and the top five teams from both weeks also were the tournament winners. In the second round with the best-ball format, Danny Barrios and Dick Mays placed first to edge David Parker and Mark Palace. Kerin Vetter and Dale Hopper were third, Ben Herrman and Allen Satcher placed fourth and the team of Ben Dickerson and Louis Sickenberger finished fifth. On Aug. 19, VEMA conducted a four-man,
best ball tournament. In the A flight, Marc Brown, Bruce Schwanda and Craig Smith were victorious. Jim Kopliner, Bill Scholtens, Gary Shiffrin and John McComas finished second. Bob David, Richard Gagliardi, Mike Piccininni and Gene Quirk placed third. Gary Baxter, Bill Hall, Arthur Marsan and Ed Raleigh won the B flight. Ben Herrman, Richard Jutras, Glen Tarsha and Don Wentzlaff were second, and the team of Roger Baker, Rick Quinn, Joe Trombly and Frank Westwell finished third. VV
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Hawks believe they have firepower to get back to state golf tournament BY CARL KOTALA It’s been a few years since the Viera High School boys and girls golf teams have been to the state tournament. This year, they plan on changing that. “We have a very legitimate shot, both boys and girls, of going to states this year and competing, which is positive,” Viera boys coach Brian Hoffman said. Armed with a nice assortment of older and younger players, the Viera boys were off to a 6-0 start and looking to be undefeated heading into the Class 3A, District 16 Tournament where the Hawks will begin their quest to end a fiveyear drought of state team tournament appearances. Sophomore Andrew Bell is Viera’s top player, followed by senior co-captain Nate Greenwalt and freshman Kyle Virsik. Sophomore Zach McGoffin and senior cocaptain Chris Hoffman have been alternating at the No. 4
and 5 spots. “It’s a big goal because since I’ve been here, we haven’t gotten past districts,” Chris Hoffman said. “It’s always been a goal of mine to go to states and have that experience. Even if we don’t win, it’s just a good experience for me and the team just to say we went. … I believe this is the year for us to do that.” Other key players for the boys include seniors Jayden Creswell; Nick Reiter; Jack Gander and Ethan Webb; junior Cam Wicker; sophomores Will Meilke and Tyler Rosenberger and freshmen A.J. Odic, Sean Reinhart and Campbell Ryan. Viera’s girls also were off to a 6-0 start and looking very strong as they try to end a two-year streak of failing to reach the state team tournament. First-year coach Carl Guettler believes the two-time state champs have a good chance of getting back to their dominating ways. “Anytime you have three,
four players who have the ability to be in the 30s, that’s got to be competitive on a state level,” Guettler said. “There’s absolutely zero question in my mind they can do it at states this year — at least make the tournament, if not win it.” Sophomore Vivian Luu, junior Brittany Odic and senior co-captain Ana Maria Tea all consistently shoot in the 30s. Senior co-captain Katie Latham recently shot 41. Other key players for Viera include senior Heart Gerosano and sophomores Lauren Bell; Kapree Shepherd; Chloe Guettler and Stuti Guha. “This is definitely the best I’ve ever played,” Latham said. “I didn’t start golf to play. I just wanted to meet people. I’m a very social person. I’ve been working hard. I’m here every single day, before and after practice. “I’m trying to get my game (better). I know I’m not going to go to college and play golf, but it’s still fun to enjoy it and actually play well.” V V
VIERA VOICE Carl Kotala
The Viera girls golf team hopes to reach the state tournament this year.
VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Brian Hoffman
The Viera boys golf team aims to end a five-year drought by reaching the state tournament at Mission Inn in Howey-in-the-Hills.
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Ziegler reaches new heights in handball with national title BY JEFF NAVIN For years, Dale Ziegler has looked up to handball champion Norm Young. He doesn’t have to anymore. Ziegler, a Viera resident, defeated Young 21-20, 21-17 in the United States Handball Association’s 70th 3 Wall National Championship in the 80-and-older division.
“I was behind in both games,’’ said Ziegler, a native of Joliet, Ill., who has lived in Brevard County since 1979. “I just put up some better serves and had some determination.’’ The two had never played before August’s championship match. “Norm has won numerous national titles,’’ said Ziegler, who worked in contracts for
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The pandemic in both 2020 and 2021 provided Ziegler with the time to hone his handball game. Still, there were unexpected obstacles. “In February, I couldn’t walk one block without pain in my legs,’’ Ziegler said. “I was diagnosed with coronary artery disease. I needed stents in both legs to increase the blood flow. I also needed two stents around my heart.’’ Ziegler nearly had to have his left leg amputated. “This all took place in a nine-month period where I had four hospital stays,’’ Ziegler said. “The doctors and modern medicine did me well. I’m a competitor, I’m stubborn and I’m determined. I decided to go give the nationals one last try.’’ After the various procedures, Ziegler was able to return to playing handball within a week. That kept him sharp. “I have to give a lot of
VIERA VOICE Adam Palumbo
Dale Ziegler was delighted to win a national title in handball.
credit to Dr. (Dwayne) Badgett, my vascular surgeon, and Dr. (Subroto) Acharjee, my cardiologist,’’ Ziegler said. “Older athletes have to realize that you can never quit and you can never give up.’’ Not only is Ziegler a national champion, but he also is a spokesman for the sport of handball. Winter residents seek him out for places to play,
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Popularity prompts SVYFL to add extra 10U, 12U tackle football teams BY CARL KOTALA Coming off its most successful season in history, the Suntree Viera Youth Football League is growing in popularity. The league, which began its 17th season last month, had 226 players register for tackle football this fall. That’s up from 165 players that competed last season when the league swept all four of Pop Warner’s East Coast Conference championships and sent two teams to play in the Mid-America/ Southeast Regional Showcase Championship. In fact, the SVYFL was so popular this fall, the league has two 10U and 12U teams. “My motto in life is, ‘If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you always get,’” SVYFL President Shaun Hartman said. “Stepping outside our comfort zone (we wanted to say), ‘Hey, we’re not going to say no. We’re going to figure out a way to say yes.’ ” In accordance with ECC rules, and in order to make
VIERA VOICE Carl Kotala
The Suntree Viera Youth Football League was so popular this fall, the league now has two 10U and 12U teams that will be competing in the East Coast Conference.
sure they would not be accused of intentionally trying to stack teams, the SVYFL used a time stamp of registration to split the 10U and 12U teams. The first 35 players who signed up were put on the Green team while the next group — 35 for 12U and 28 for 10U — were put on the Gold team. Many of the Gold team
members are new to tackle football, so there is definitely a learning curve. However, those players are also getting valuable experience and playing time that they would not have gotten had there just been one SVYFL team. “They’re all growing together,” Hartman said. “We just want to see constant improvement week after week.”
After getting blown out by Palm Bay in the first game of the season, the 12U Gold team went into the third quarter of its next game against Melbourne trailing by just one point. “They ended up being better in Week 2, significantly,” Hartman said. “It was cool to watch them go from the first half to the second half and make in-game adjustments based on what they were seeing. “I was pretty impressed with the coaching staff to be able to recognize that and make it applicable for the kids.” As the only Pop Warner football program located north of Pineda, the Hawks are able to draw players from a number of different areas. “We had some kids come
from Cocoa. We had some kids come from Rockledge. We had some kids come from Mims. We have a player on our 14U (team) from Titusville,” Hartman said. “It’s really, hey, if you want to play football and you want to make the drive out here, cool. We’ll have you. We’re not being exclusive unless you live in a zone that’s tied to another Pop Warner organization.” If you thought Viera Regional Park was a busy place last season, wait until the SVYFL’s Green and Gold teams are both at home. “We’re going to have seven teams playing at home, two games running at the same time,” Hartman said. “It’s going to be intense around Viera Regional Park, for sure.” VV
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Operators should be aware of golf cart regulations in Suntree and Viera BY WENDY SCHEURING Golf carts are not just being driven on golf courses or to golf courses, they are another form of transportation. “Viera High School kids are getting their first vehicle, a golf cart,” said Russ Gunthorpe, the store manager at Gorilla Rides in Viera. Registration, a license plate or even a licensed driver is not required to operate a golf cart. However, drivers must be at least 14 years of age and, if the driver is unlicensed no matter the age, the golf cart must be equipped with a horn. However, when it comes to the subject of golf carts, drivers must know where they are legally permitted to drive them and park them.
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“It is currently illegal to go over Viera Boulevard, the diamond interchange,” and it is a no-go to drive beneath I-95 on Wickham Road “because the sidewalks on the east side do not meet the state requirement” according to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office podcast “On the Go with BCSO Podcast – Golf Carts Safety” posted March 8, 2020 on YouTube. Brevard County Ordinance 106-73 Operation of Golf Carts, serves as the backbone of many of the Suntree and Viera regulations regarding golf cart usage. For example, golf carts cannot be driven on Wickham Road, Pineda Causeway, Viera Boulevard, Murrell Road, Stadium Parkway, Lake Andrew Drive, Tavistock Drive, and Judge Fran Jamieson Way, although these roadways can be crossed. Golf carts can be driven on 8-foot-wide multi-use sidewalks and trails parallel to roadways designated by a sign stating such use by pedestrians, cyclists and golf carts. These multi-use sidewalks are common in
Viera, less so in Suntree, and are typically 10 feet in width. Pedestrians and cyclists have the right-of-way. In Suntree, it is illegal to drive a golf cart on the sidewalk. Instead, carts must be driven on residential streets or roads with speed limits of no more than 35 mph. Suntree does have a multi-use trail on North Pinehurst Road between Spyglass Hill and Wickham Road. On the multi-use trails, golf carts cannot exceed 10 mph according to a BCSO-produced brochure. Children under 5 years of age should be seated in a federally approved child restraint seat secured with a seatbelt. Young children should wear a safety helmet. All passengers must remain seated, whether forward or rear-facing, and the golf cart should not transport more passengers than it is intended to. Just as with operators of traditional vehicles, golf cart drivers should not drive under the influence of alcoholic beverages, chemicals or controlled substances, and an
open container rule applies. Golf carts can only be driven from sunrise to sunset unless the golf cart is equipped with functional headlights, brake lights, and turn signals, in addition to other requirements, such as “efficient brakes, reliable steering apparatus, safe tires, a rearview mirror, and reflectorized warning devices on both the front and rear of the golf cart.” Failure to comply with these regulations can result in being stopped by law enforcement and being issued a citation or fine. Area parks are friendly for golf carts, but the carts must be parked in designated parking spaces. In Suntree, golf carts “are not permitted to be driven onto the fields or playgrounds,” Todd Foley, the general manager at the Suntree Master Homeowners Association, wrote in an email. Regarding Suntree Country Club, he added, “The golf course is a private club and only their members can use the golf course and its pedways.” V V
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Viera Voice | October 2021
He is a first-time participant in the American Cancer Society’s Real Men Wear Pink, but Steve Vitani's enthusiasm and drive to raise awareness and funds for the cause is evident. More than a month before the end of the campaign, Vitani already was ahead of his fundraising goal. He enlisted friends, family and business associates to help with the cause. He joins others in the campaign. “Cancer has affected many of my friends and family,” he said. “I’ve seen how vicious this disease is.” It not only has affected people with whom he is associated, but it has also affected his own family. While there have been many advancements, there needs to be more awareness. “I lost my father to cancer last year, so my determination to raise more awareness for all is my main priority,” Vitani said. “Even though there’s been great strides throughout the decades, I’m driven to deliver more cancer awareness as we are nowhere close to where it needs to be.” Vitani, a realtor with RE/ MAX Elite, said he wants to help to bring as much
VIERA VOICE Adam Palumbo
Steve Vitani has lost relatives and friends to cancer. He is a first-time participant in Real Men Wear Pink.
awareness as possible and help to raise funds for research. “I am humbled and grateful to know that my efforts can help bring more awareness to prevent, treat or save someone’s life,” he said. “I am extremely thankful for the donations by my clients, friends and colleagues to raise more awareness from this campaign.” This year, campaigns from Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Volusia, Flagler, Brevard, Lake Sumter/Marion (The Villages) and Polk counties have joined forces and become the Central Florida Real Men Wear Pink campaign. The campaign’s
presenting sponsor is AdventHealth and is chaired by Timothy Clark, the CEO of AdventHealth Apopka. Vitani joined other longtime participants in this year’s campaign. It is the sixth year that Todd Pokrywa, the president of The Viera Company, has participated in Real Men Wear Pink. Pokrywa is poised to set a new fundraising record. “This is the most successful fundraising year I have had personally since I started participating as a Real Men Wear Pink candidate in 2016.” VV
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Pinecrest will expand to include middle school building BY WENDY SCHEURING
Pinecrest Academy Space Coast, which opened last year, already is planning an expansion after its student population almost doubled. The admission-free charter school for grades kindergarten through eighth and Brevard County’s only dual language school, will expand its middle school. The school is at 7550 Stadium Parkway in Viera. The school, which opened in August 2020 with 385 students, increased its population this school year to 607. “Our biggest success has been word of mouth,” Principal Silvia Mijuskovic said. The car loop will extend to the new structure, which will be separate from and adjacent to the current building. It is still being decided whether the Phase II expansion of the school will take place this school year or in 2022-2023. Mijuskovic said the building’s science room will be science labs. “The furniture that we will be using is flexible seating,” she said. “It will look as though you are entering a college class. This helps promote collaboration and thinking and working out problems together.” The middle school program for grades six through eighth offers an accelerated option for students who want more academic rigor. They can take courses such as Algebra, Geometry, Spanish I and Spanish II, giving them the option to graduate from the eighth grade with high school credits. Mijuskovic said she looks forward to future growth.
VIERA VOICE Adam Palumbo
Pinecrest Academy Space Coast, which opened in August 2020 with 385 students, now has 607 students. The increased enrollment has prompted the academy to expand to include a middle school.
VIERA VOICE Adam Palumbo
These friendly looking robots help children learn the basics of coding at Pinecrest Academy Space Coast.
“There is talk in another three years of possibly opening a high school,” she said. “Then we could offer grades K-12 at Pinecrest.”
“There is talk in another three years of possibly opening a high school.” — Silvia Mijuskovic
What makes this school unique is its instruction in the Spanish language beginning in kindergarten. “The kids do not just get taught Spanish,” she said. “They are taught in Spanish.” The school is also heavily invested in the STEM program and focuses on being a oneon-one technology school. “Each classroom is equipped with laptops and students have access to their own technology. We use it in day-to-day learning. That’s how they learn. It’s part of
their generation.” In addition, the curriculum uses a problem-based approach, which fosters collaboration, creativity, technology and problemsolving to design resolutions. Pinecrest Academy Space Coast also offers remote learning for students who test positive for the COVID-19 virus or who are quarantined, so that they can still participate in live classroom instruction. In its first year of operation, the school received an A grade. Gov. Ron DeSantis is seeking to end the annual FSA (Florida Standards Assessment) exams and instead adopt individualized progress monitoring. The academy will prepare for whatever changes need to be made. “Next year there will still be an accountability system according to the governor, I’m assuming,” Mijuskovic said. “Because of this (new)
type of testing we will be doing, looking at growth in the beginning, middle, and end of the year instead of proficiency. So, it will be interesting to see how that pans out.” Beginning in October, the school will give tours.
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Music impacted their lives, now they’re hoping to inspire others BY CARL KOTALA They’ve been friends since their freshman year at Viera High School, and it’s easy to see why. Nicole Kloner and Loanne Masson don’t just share a love of music. The two seniors want the Viera marching band to become the best possible version of itself, and to help as many of their classmates as they can along the way. “I’ve wanted head drum major since I came into band,” Kloner said. “My head drum major my freshman year was Hannah Bedard. I saw the head drum major as such a positive role model, and I wanted to do that for other people. “I just wanted to be that person that people come to. It’s an amazing experience. It gives you so many leadership skills that I’ll use further on in life. And it’s really fun.” Masson, Viera High’s band captain, moved to Florida from Texas where music is taught at an early age and students are encouraged to take part in the band. “That’s where I’ve made most of my friends through high school,” she said. “The closest people in my life right now are in band and we see
VIERA VOICE Carl Kotala
Viera High School head drum major Nicole Kloner, left, and band captain Loanne Masson have been friends since their freshman year and are now getting a chance to lead and inspire others, something they have both always wanted to do.
each other every day. “It’s an amazing sensation to have such a close-knit group of friends. It’s like family, almost, where it doesn’t matter if you like someone in the band … if someone’s going to say something mean about
them, you’re going to stand up for them. It’s a very nice environment to be around. “And we spend a lot of time with each other. With football games and competitions and rehearsals, I spend more of my time here than I do at home most of
the time.” The two friends, who met during a freshman history class, have certainly had their share of success at Viera. Kloner, who plays the flute, has been named All-State in each of the past two years. Masson, an oboe player who learned to play clarinet for the marching band, was named all-state last year. “Both Loanne and Nicole are some of the best students we will have come through our classrooms,” Nick Eggen, Viera High’s director of Instrumental Music, wrote in an email. “My favorite part of being a band and orchestra teacher is that I get to see students learn and grow over the course of four years, and having gotten to be a part of that growth has been an honor.” Maria Dix, Viera’s associate director of Instrumental Music, added: “Loanne and Nicole are very gifted musicians and it’s been a great experience to follow their growth through the past four years. I can’t wait to see and hear of the musical experiences that lay ahead of them.” Kloner, the face of Viera’s marching band, moved to Florida from Connecticut in
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seventh grade and has been involved with the band for eight years. “When I moved here, my music life changed drastically,” she said. “I came from Kennedy Middle School with Mr. (Michael) Sperr. He was the most amazing teacher I could ever ask for. He changed my life and the same with (Eggen and Dix). When I came to high school, it changed again — even better. “This band is like a family. It’s been a critical part of my adolescent years. I don’t know what I would have done without it. I’d be a completely different person.” Being among the band’s leadership group — there are 10 students overall — has been especially challenging given that last year’s incoming freshman class didn’t get to perform because of COVID-19. And with another new set of students coming in, the group has had to work hard to learn the routine — which it has done. “The first thing they tell you when you get this job is that you can make this position whatever you want it to be,” Masson said. “There are no set rules of your job. You get to decide what a band captain is. “I’ve had fun deciding what I think a band captain should do and should be and how I want to represent this band and help everyone. I’ve made it one of my goals to include as many people in (creating a) positive atmosphere so everyone is included. “Especially this year, with all the freshmen … they don’t know what band is about yet. They don’t understand how much fun it is. All they see is the hard work because we haven’t had that many games. It’s important that they make friends and they feel like this is worth it in the end.” The past four years have certainly been worth it for Masson and Kloner. And from their standpoint, hopefully, they’ve made being part of the Viera marching band more fun for everyone. “It’s always been about making this place as good as we can,” Masson said. V V
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Heavy rains bring more than water to lagoon Hurricane season extends through the end of November and we need to think about protecting the Indian River Lagoon as well as our homes and businesses. Protect your windows from flying debris with shutters or plywood. Anything that can be carried by winds of 35, 70 or 100 miles per hour — which is a long list — is a potential missile headed toward your roof, walls, windows and screens. Even smaller, lightweight items can inflict significant damage at 70 mph. After any heavy rainfall, small items can be carried across properties to streets, storm drains and stormwater detention areas. As these items flow or break down and seep into the waterways, they become pollution in the
Lagoon Straight Talk From the Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition
Indian River Lagoon. And that affects the health of water quality. Consider this when trimming any plant material on your property: Larger items should be removed or broken down into smaller pieces so that they can be used as mulch or decomposed into compost, a healthier and free fertilizer. Be mindful of how you apply your mulch. Create lower areas or add low berms to prevent it from being carried to the street by rainwater. When placing trimmings
VIERA VOICE Shutterstock
Flooding can be a frequent problem in Florida. This affects the Indian River Lagoon's water quality.
from your yard out for collection, keep them out of the street and away from storm drains. Any materials that go into the drain will add to the deterioration of water quality, and larger items can clog drains and block water from draining away from roadways. Large amounts of rain wash excess fertilizer, pet feces, silt, driveway
oils, organic matter and more into waterways that eventually drain into the lagoon. That’s one reason there’s a fertilizer ban through Sept. 30. Flooding can force overflows of sewage and failure of septic systems, both of which add more nutrients and bacteria to the water. And, because rain is fresh water, it can reduce the salinity
of the lagoon, endangering or killing various fish, mammals and plants. VV To learn more about stormwater’s effects on water quality, visit helpthelagoon.org/ststormwater For hurricane preparedness, visit weather. gov/wrn/hurricanepreparedness
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Viera Voice | October 2021
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Bibimbap, a traditional Korean dish, top, and Tsukune, a Japanese meatball, are culinary delights.
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Even if you’re a social media rat or an Instagram extraordinaire, there’s much to be said for sinking your teeth into something printed. Intro – my name is Nanette. Undoubtedly, you’re familiar with the phrase “let them eat cake," as Nanette is short for Marie Antoinette, however, my head is still very much attached. I’m launching a rather intrepid column. Intrepid because my hope is to inject some funky mojo into your culinary habits through this platform and provide some interesting 411 on the gastronomic arena. Also toss out some food myths and infuse some pop culture vernacular. But above all, have a few laughs while delving into the food revolution from around the globe. If you are wondering where my global wonderings and nontraditional foodie ruminations come from – I am not an army brat. In my early years, I lived with my grammy
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ette
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— Ma
palate for Asian and Indian flavors. In my opinion, cooking isn’t doing the verbatim with a recipe (unless you’re a baker or a kitchen newbie). It’s becoming an Indiana Jones with spices and condiments. Food isn’t just an adventure, it’s an experience to be savored. A vehicle to unfurl your passion and make flavors unabashedly, undisguised and unapologetically
your own. Good food provides us with that 100-foot journey that ditches the proverbial wheelhouse to expand into new horizons. Even if you’re eating a hardboiled egg over the sink kind of guy, the transformation into a true-and-tried foodie isn’t a far-off thing. Food preparation is a glorious dance that doesn’t require intricate steps and believe it or not it’s quite relaxing and therapeutic. Are you familiar with a robust Shakshuka? Have you realized that bibimbap is one of the easiest dishes to throw together during the week? Did you know there are more than 50 varieties of meatballs, and then some? And you definitely need to fall in love with the un-glorious chicken thigh. I look forward to engaging with you guys out there and hope you enjoy my romantic involvement with all things culinary. V V
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Early settlers thrived in Florida's agricultural heaven When settlers arrived in the region that would become Florida, they encountered an ideal climate, a variety of soils, and plentiful rainfall. These newcomers anticipated cultivated plants to thrive. The Spanish, who established the first permanent European settlement in America at St. Augustine in 1565, came equipped with grain seeds and cuttings to plant. The Timucua Native Americans were already in the area raising corn, beans and squash. In the 1700s, the Native American Creeks — later known as Seminoles — came from Georgia and Alabama. Corn was a basic crop. The hardy Seminole pumpkin also was a mainstay. The Native Americans were knowledgeable gardeners, even practicing crop rotation. British and American settlers arrived in 1763. They were the Crackers — possibly derived from cracking whips at roundup. Furthermore, they were proficient at raising
crops, especially corn and sugarcane, and foraging swamp cabbage, or hearts of palm. This staple was gathered from the wild sabal palm, now Florida’s state tree. Cracker swamp cabbage recipes are now delicacies. Crop production remains a key part of Florida’s economy. However, the orange, our signature crop, is being ravaged by citrus greening caused by insectborne, imported bacteria that ruin the fruit and kill the trees. Severe weather and land development make farming more difficult. Nevertheless, orange juice sales are escalating since this drink might boost the immune system against coronavirus. There are other significant crops. Greenhouse and
Crossword Puzzle
nursery products, especially indoor plants, are big sellers. Sugarcane, a tropical grass, is Florida’s most valuable field crop and grows suitably in farmland south of Lake Okeechobee, where some of the world’s richest soils exist. Palm Beach County supplies fresh produce throughout the country. Cotton dominates in the Panhandle. The Winter Strawberry Capital of the World is in Plant City. Sod is profitable in many areas. Furthermore, flowering plants are invariably profitable because of their aesthetic qualities. The orange blossom, the state flower, is fashionable at weddings. The coreopsis (tickseed), the state wildflower, overwhelms gardens, fields and roadsides with its golden splendor. Flower crops also benefit nature by attracting pollinators, which support ecosystems. For example, the bracts of the bougainvillea are specialized leaves, often mistaken for petals, which entice pollinators with
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Viera Voice | October 2021
color as in vivid magenta. Everglades ecosystem which Subsequently, miniature supplies drinking water for cream-colored flowers one out of three Floridians protected among the bracts and irrigation for agriculture. are fertilized. Efforts to mitigate pollution Likewise helpful is the are now evident, especially purple passionflower vine in western Palm Beach which appeals to the black, County where sugarcane and yellow-striped zebra longwing, vegetables are grown. Florida’s official butterfly. The Judicious management of spectacular blooms nourish land and water sustains crops the pollinator with nectar and and preserves ecosystems. pollen. The caterpillar ingests VV toxins from this host plant. Sudoku Its foul taste is transferred to the ensuing butterfly, helping to deter predators. Yet, crop propagation has issues. One significant concern is polluted agricultural runoff. Pristine environments become endangered, Sudoku Solution, page 34 such as the
DOWN ACROSS 1 Singer -- McEntire 1 Straight line 2 Not sunnyside up 4 Absent-minded murmur 3 Traveled 7 Just around the corner 4 Make haste 11 Eden exile 5 Ms. Hagen 12 Vehicle 6 Vagrant 13 Wheel support 7 Worse, as the weather 14 Gentle bear 8 Oust 15 Scurry sideways 9 Caution 16 Ran 10 Ruby 17 Camelot royal 12 Savvy 19 Gene Autry movie 18 Nasty laugh 21 "Little Women" name 20 Off-road vehicle 22 Pinball no-no 23 Scold 23 Pigeonhole 24 NW state 26 Pan's opposite 25 Company VIP 28 Lemon drink 26 Races the engine 29 "Da" opposite 27 Had a meal 31 Rani's husband 30 Sharp bark 35 Brit's poky 32 Detective's cry 37 Sts. 33 Nozzle 39 "Watch it!" 34 Vote in favor 40 Fumbler's word 36 Cosmetic buys 42 Piece of china 38 Bits of holly 44 Power unit 41 One-time Giant Mel -46 Theater sign 43 -- Alamos 47 Watchdog breed 44 "The Duke" of Hollywood 49 Said "yeth" 45 Ohio city 53 Pita treat 46 Pie serving 54 Naval jail 48 "Waterloo" group 56 Caustic solution 50 Ad 57 Soon, to a poet 51 Bronte governess 58 Tampa Bay NFLers 52 Ding 59 Large vase 53 Liquid meas. 60 Telescope part 55 Toupee, slangily 61 Historical period 62 Earn Crossword Solution, page 34
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p o o c BUSINESSS
Volcanic influence lands on the menu BY MARIA SONNENBERG
A lot of volcano eruptions are going on in Viera these days, but not to worry. These are eruptions in flavor at Island IX, the newest restaurant in town. Located at the Viera Colonnade Shops, Island IX specializes in sandwiches and burgers, all carrying some very unique geological monikers. “Every sandwich is named after a volcano,” David Clark said. He and business partner Brett Paul originally wanted to go the franchise route in order to further their experience in the restaurant business. But after being mistreated by the franchise company they had selected, they opted to try it by themselves. Clark thought Island would make for a good name, but still felt a little more was needed, so he added an I and an X, the first letters of his children’s names, as Roman numerals. The eatery has been tweaking its operations since its soft opening Aug. 19. Unlike many restaurants, Island IX has sizable space
both inside and out. “We have room for 34 inside and 20 outside,” general manager Cole Beyer said. The volcano vibes begin with starters such as Hawaiian slaw and continue to desserts that include S’more Lava Cake. The sandwiches earn their names because of their ingredients. The Mt. Etna, for example, gives a nod to its Mediterranean heritage with its ground sweet Italian sausage topped with cherry peppers, giardiniera veggies and mozzarella on an aioli bun. The Yellowstone honors the caldera of the iconic national park with its bison meat, served with tangy barbecue sauce topped with corn salsa and smoked cheddar cheese, again on an aioli bun. Clark and Paul are currently working on seafood boils and a range of salads. At this upscale casual concept restaurant, guests order at the bar and receive a number for their order, which is later delivered. Clark envisions Island IX as a community hub that will host fundraisers and support different charities and food
VIERA VOICE Jill Blue
Island IX serves delicious burgers and sandwiches.
drives. “We want to do at least one different fundraiser a month,” Clark said. Plans for beer nights and wine classes are also in the
works. In appreciation of the military and first responders, Island IX offers a 20 percent discount. Teachers get a great deal, too, with 10 percent off.
Island IX is at 2348 Citadel Way, #105, at the Viera Colonnade Shops. For more information, call 321-3055946 or visit island-ix.com. VV
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Inaugural Viera Bright Lights Battle celebrates holiday season BY WENDY SCHEURING Viera knows how to celebrate Christmas. Just take a drive through the neighborhoods that intersect Stadium Parkway, Trasona Drive or Murrell Road. It’s part of Florida holiday tradition to drive around and check out the houses that celebrate with baby Jesus’ manger and the Three
Wise men, Santa’s sled and reindeer, Christmas trees adorned with lights of all colors, Frosty the Snowman and elves of all shapes and size with candy canes. Throw in a toboggan or two with some fake snow and it might even feel like Vermont. Stroll the streets and sing some Christmas carols. It’s a good way to get close to these incredible displays of
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art work. Those houses that do it right will be rewarded this year during the inaugural Viera Bright Lights Battle. The holiday house decorating competition, sponsored by Viera Voice and Space Coast Trim Light, will reward the people who want to make their house ashine bright for the month of December. Prizes, bragging rights and the feeling that Christmas didn’t sneak up and pass you by with the width of Santa’s chinny, chin, chin will make it rewarding. For information, check out vieravoice.com/brightlights. For those who don’t want to participate among the new-world castles of the Viera Bright Lights Battle, permanent year-round lighting turned on with a simple tap on a mobile device might be an option. Space Coast Trim Light can make that dream a reality. The company installs LED lights encased in an aluminum channel, which makes them nearly invisible during daylight and extraordinarily illuminating at night. The channels easily adhere to homes, patios, decks and buildings, while the controller offers 180 preset lighting combinations. There are 16 million patterns of possibilities. Frederick and Jenna Smith of Palm Bay became interested in becoming Trim Light dealers early last year. Their entertainment and event business,
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started talking about it and seeing the opportunities, it became a challenge. I think it’s a good change. My husband loves it because he has lots of experience with lighting in the event world.” With Trim Light’s proprietary app, users can use an Android, Apple or other device to design, change or schedule their exterior lighting. “The controller that we install also has internal WiFi, or it can be run from your own Wi-Fi,” Jenna Smith said. “If someone is not tech-
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Sophisticated Gents Entertainment and Event Design, which they have owned and operated for 30 years, had slowed due to the COVID pandemic. Frederick Smith was on the lookout for a new business. When the couple learned that friends in Orlando had purchased Trim Light territory in Florida, they decided to do the same here in Brevard County. “The first time my husband brought it up to me, I wondered how I would add that to my plate that’s already full,” said Jenna Smith, who handles the administrative side of the business. “But, once we
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VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Space Coast Trim Light
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BUSINESS The October Viera Means Business networking group meeting was held Sept. 9 and hosted by Sonata East at Viera. The Viera Means Business networking group meets at 8:30 a.m. the second Thursday of each month at member business locations.
VIERA MEANS
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Tami Hatten, left, and Kevin Ruggiero
N
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For an invitation to the Oct. 7 VMB meeting, call 321-242-1235.
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Tonya Morales, left, Stacey Clark and Carola Gonzales
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Viera Voice | October 2021
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Cryptocurrency gaining traction among young investors BY HENRY A. STEPHENS Mike Persichetti, the sales manager at Cocoa’s Paradise Ford, would like to leave the car business one day and focus on his favorite activity, painting in oils and acrylics. And while many artists would like to ditch the day job, Persichetti — or Chetty as his fans know him — said he has a chance to fulfill this dream by trading in cryptocurrency. The 33-year-old Melbourne native has only been trading over the Internet in cryptocurrency for a few years, but he said the returns have been amazing. “I’m the type of person who dives into something real hard,” he said. “So already, I feel like I have several years of knowledge. And I’m still young, so I’m
VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Mike Persichetti
Mike Persichetti trades under the name chettyarttheartist and lists his NFT digital art on opensea.io under the name chettyart. OpenSea is the world's first and largest NFT marketplace.
keeping up with the times.” Experts define cryptocurrency as a new form of currency that exists solely in digital form on the Internet. It’s decentralized, meaning there’s no bank or other middlemen to store
it. Instead, every computer on the network confirms an investor’s transactions in BitCoins, DOGEcoins, Etherium or other cryptocurrency tokens. And it’s the future for buying online, dealers
claim. Credit cards and wire transfers are deemed outdated. Banks and brokers currently take cuts of the action with existing currency. But they don’t exist with cryptocurrency. In fact, Persichetti has gone beyond just buying and selling BitCoins to trading in NFTs, or nonfungible tokens. Standard cryptocurrency is fungible, or replaceable among various dealers on the network. But NFTs are bought with Etherium tokens and are specific to what they buy in turn. For Persichetti, his NFTs mean art. Art lovers can buy his paintings online using NFTs, rather than cash. Ed Hacker, the Viera branch manager for the Stifel Financial Corp., advises a much more conservative approach.
“If you have $10 million and you want to put $200,000 into cryptocurrency, OK. That’s only 2 percent,” Hacker said. “But if that $200,000 is 50 percent of your portfolio, no.” Persichetti isn’t surprised by such remarks. He chalks it up to cryptocurrency being new, too new for many to have grasped it yet without studying it on Twitter and YouTube. Cryptocurrency attracts dealers, experts say, because the government isn’t part of the transactions and doesn’t add taxes or fees as with conventional investing. But that might change, Hacker said. With thousands of dollars being made, officials in Washington are trying to figure out how to get a piece of the action. V V
the sale of Alexandria, which had been supporting both restaurants with its revenues, Ibrahim said. After the family completed the sale of Alexandria, Ibrahim finally opened Celo’s in June, with hours from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Customer response has been encouraging, despite a summer resurgence of COVID-19 and now-resolved staffing issues, he said. “We got off to a good start in June,” Ibrahim said. “The restaurant is starting off on a good foot and we’re excited for the future.” Celo’s combines Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine that Ibrahim calls “Med-Eastern.” Menu items feature Ibrahim’s father’s creations that are influenced by his decades of training as a chef in Italy before he brought his family to Brevard County in 1990. Celo’s chief dish is shawarma, a popular street food found across the Middle East. An Arabic term for “turning,” shawarma refers to a method of cooking stacked, seasoned meat, chicken, lamb or pork on a vertical rotisserie, Ibrahim said. First observed in the Ottoman Empire — known today as Turkey — in the 18th century, the dish migrated through the Middle East and into Europe and Central and South America. “Greece called it gyros,” he said. “In Europe, it’s doner kebabs in Germany and tacos al pastor in Mexico.” Shawarma’s popularity grew in major U.S. cities
in the 1970s. In 2012, the dish was featured in the box office smash “Marvel’s The Avengers,” attracting more fans. That movie’s success and Ibrahim’s 9-year-old son Marcelo’s love of superheroes inspired the theme of the 120-seat restaurant, which is named after Marcelo, he said. Celo’s customers order from the counter and can choose from signature dishes such as chicken or beef shawarma pita wraps, chicken or lamb kabob platters, or Greek and Caesar salads or tabbouleh. Or they can build their own meal, picking a protein atop a pita, bowl or salad and adding toppings and sauces. There’s also a kid’s menu, sides and desserts. Most meals range from $7 to $13. “Shawarma, the wraps and kabobs are definitely the most popular,” Ibrahim said. “We also get a lot of people who like to build their own meals.” Ibrahim’s goal at Celo’s is to give back and share his family’s life experiences and culture with the community through good food and good deeds. “At Alexandria, we were more of a hidden gem,” he said. “Here we want to help schools. Our story has been written before. I just feel like the story of Celo’s hasn’t and that’s what I want to share. Come try us out.” For more information or to place an order, call 321241-4258 or go to eatcelos. com. V V
'Med-Eastern' menu influenced by years of training and experience BY MIKE GAFFEY
Immon Ibrahim has waited three years for the grand opening of Celo’s Shawarma Factory. Now his wait is almost over. Ibrahim’s fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant officially welcomes hungry customers Oct. 23 at 7954 N. Wickham Road, Suite 121, in the Shoppes at Baytree. “It’s on a Saturday,” Ibrahim said of opening day. “We’re planning to have cosplay actors, giveaways, a DJ and vendors.” It’s been a frustrating waiting game for Ibrahim, who first envisioned Celo’s while working with his Egyptian-born father, chef Nabil “Abramo” Ibrahim, and brother Kareem at the family’s Alexandria Mediterranean Grill, a popular full-service restaurant that’s been open in Suntree for a decade. He rented 2,200 square feet of space for indoor and outdoor dining at the
24
VIERA VOICE Adam Palumbo
Nabil Ibrahim carves meat at Celo's Shawarma Factory.
new plaza and hoped to be open by late 2019 or early 2020, only to have COVID-19
Viera Voice | October 2021
delay the family-operated restaurant’s construction. The pandemic also stalled
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PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
Michelle Reyes Michelle Reyes is the marketing director at The Avenue Viera. She is responsible for all advertising, events and marketing at The Avenue. She has a master’s degree in corporate communications from Johns Hopkins University. Reyes grew up near Detroit and she currently lives in Melbourne with her husband, their son and their two dogs. She loves true crime stories, baking and relaxing with her family.
Dr. Ryan Chapman
OCTOBER 23
Dr. Ryan Chapman has joined St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care. Chapman received his bachelor’s degree from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada and his Check out the Q&L website for class schedule events. medicaland degree from Nova Southeastern University We are an authorized, full line retailer for Baby Lock®, School of Osteopathic Koala ®, Floriani ,® & Anita Goodesign® Medicine. He completed Check ourBrother® websites for ,updates. • Follow us on his residency in internal and on-site, Service available on site Full-time, factory certified service engineer Repair medicine and a Hospice and 7720 Rd. Suite 111 We N. try Wickham our best to ‘under-promise and Palliative over deliver’ Medicine fellowship Melbourne, FL 32940 321-622-8602 at Jackson Memorial Hospital Coming Soon-2nd location in Sebastian! in Miami. Chapman is boardcertified in Internal Medicine M, W, Th, F: 10a,- 5pm. Tues: 10am - 7pm, www.quiltsandlace.com Sat: 10am - 2 pm. Sun: CLOSED and Hospice and Palliative beth@quiltsandlace.com Medicine.
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1350 1350S.S.Washington WashingtonAve., Ave.,Titusville, Titusville,FL FL32870 32870
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Nicki Hensley is the new executive director of marketing and communications for Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy. She comes to Holy Trinity from Brevard Public Schools, where she served the superintendent in providing strategic guidance on various leadership-level projects. She was a district media spokesperson and responsible for school incident responses, social media engagement, district branding initiatives and district publications.
Dr. Diane Danly
Laura Minton Young has been named the managing shareholder in the Viera/ Melbourne office of Dean Mead. She also has been elected to serve on the firm’s board of directors. Young will oversee the dayto-day operations of the office and develop longterm strategic planning. Young specializes in finance and lending, real estate development, property rights and agribusiness.
April Adler
Dr. Diane Danly has joined St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care. Danly received her bachelor’s degree from Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington and her medical degree from the University of Washington School of Medicine. She completed her residency in family medicine at Providence Family Medicine, and a Hospice and Palliative Medicine fellowship at St. Louis University Hospital. She is certified as a Hospice Medical director.
April Adler is the new lifestyle director at Shell Harbor Retirement Community, which is on Murrell Road in Rockledge. Adler came to Shell Harbor after working for the Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce. Prior to the chamber, she was a sales executive in advertising. She was born and raised in Brevard County. In her spare time, Adler raises butterflies and enjoys gardening.
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Viera Voice | October 2021
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Viera Voice | October 2021
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SENIORNews VIERA VOICE Adam Palumbo
Shell Harbor Retirement Community offers a centrally located corridor known as Main Street. It has 130 apartments.
Main Street atmosphere highlights senior community BY ERNEST ARICO Walk down the main corridor at Shell Harbor and you will find some of the same conveniences one would see on the main street of a planned community. Shell Harbor Retirement Community has that centrally located corridor known as Main Street, which boasts the convenience of a guest suite, lounge, casual and formal dining, resource center, conference center, in-house bank, business center, fitness center, game room, arcade, general store, salon and a state-of-
the art, 150-seat theater. Resort Lifestyle Communities, a Nebraskabased company that owns and operates Shell Harbor, opened Sept. 1 at 2855 Murrell Road in Rockledge. It has 130 apartments — studio, one, two and three bedrooms. The new retirement community offers independent living for adults 55 and older but its main attraction is its Main Street — a focal point in its main building. In addition, Shell Harbor offers livein managers, weekly housekeeping, utilities, resort-style dining,
transportation and concierge services and valet parking. “Our company has been in business for 21 years but what makes us so unique and different from the other retirement facilities is our Main Street,” said Paul Nichols, who is one of Shell Harbor’s team managers along with his wife, Hala. “Resort lifestyle communities are the best. All our activities are built on Main Street. We want our residents to have a good time.” One of the first residents to move into the facility was 78-year-old
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“Everything here is first class.” — Judith Thomas Judith Thomas of Suntree, formerly of Cleveland, Ohio. “I love the whole facility,” she said. “Everything here is first class. They treat you with respect and everything is provided for you. Main Street is great. I’m a very passionate supporter of this facility. “And another reason why I like it so much is that it’s only six miles from where I used to live. Everything is here that you could possibly want.” Nichols said there are 23 residents at Shell Harbor. By the end of October, he expects the facility to be half full. Of the 130 apartments,
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128 will be rented. The 129th apartment will be used by the live-in managers, while the 130th will be made available for its travel program. Nichols said the theater now is used for movies on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. He is hoping to hold concerts and is seeking a religious leader to perform church services on Sundays. The fitness center, which also includes a private shower and steam room, is open 24 hours. Other amenities include a mailroom, a Wall of Honor for its military veterans, a library on the second floor and a billiards parlor on the third floor. An official grand opening of Shell Harbor is planned for Nov. 11. For more information visit ShellHarborRetirement.com or call 321-576-0040. V V
Viera Voice | October 2021
IN
COSMETIC & RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY vieravoice.com
Grand Slam
Boomer Bash THURSDAY, NOV. 18 Event time: 9 am - 1 pm
USSSA Space Coast Complex 5800 Stadium Pkwy., Viera Free Admission Free Parking
• Music • Food • Exhibitors
• Giveaways • Activities • Grand prize
For sponsorship opportunities call
321-757-9205
For more information
321-242-1235 • boomerseniorexpo.com
HELLO Just to be safe — please call each event location to confirm date and time. SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
1
FRIDAY
2
SATURDAY
National Fire PupFruitcake Day Toss Day 3rd annual Brevard YAAS Avenue Picnic 6:30 p.m. Children's Business Fair Join us for a kid-friendly picnic in Central Park at The Avenue. The group will gather after picking up food from restaurants in The Avenue. Inclement weather could move the event to a nearby restaurant. The Avenue Viera 2261 Town Center Ave. Viera, 321-634-5390
3
Independence Day
Party Bridge
12:15 - 4 p.m. Mondays and Fridays Martin Andersen Senior Center 1026 Florida Ave. Rockledge, 321-631-7549
10
4
National Golf Lover’s Day
Women’s Pickeball
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Mondays Join your friends to play pickleball. $2 per person. Pickleball will not occur on holidays or youth camp days. Viera Regional Park 2300 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, 321-433-4891
11
National National Pecan French Fry Day Sausage Pizza Pie Day
Pumpkin Patch Opens Oct. 9
Monday to Thursday, 4 - 8 p.m. Friday to Sunday, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
5
Labor Day
Trivia Tuesday
6 - 9 p.m. Show off your trivia skills and win prizes. Call ahead to reserve a table for your team. 2 Angry Wives Pub 3826 Murrell Road Rockledge, 321-848-0227
12
Open Pickleball
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Tuesdays Join your friends to play pickleball. $2 per person. Viera Regional Park 2300 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, 321-433-4891
Proceeds benefit our Global Mission Partners
Church at Viera
9005 N. Wickham Road, Viera
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18
National National Pasta Caviar Day Day National Ice Space CoastCream Police K9 Cape Canaveral Pen Day Competition Women present: Jaimie 4 p.m. Engle, screenwriter, author USSSA Stadium and speaker 5800 Stadium Parkway
19
Medicaid Planning Seminar
3 p.m. Free admission. Suntree United Methodist Church 7400 N. Wickham Road Titusville, 321-405-2359
10 a.m. Seminar presented by Elder Law Attorney William 10 a.m. - Noon A. Johnson, P.A. Limited Join Jaimie Engle as she talks about her book, “Write seating must RSVP. One Senior Place a Book that Doesn’t Suck: 8085 Spyglass Hill Road A No-Nonsense Guide Viera, 321-751-6771 to Writing Epic Fiction.” Space is limited, masks are required. Must RSVP. One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771
24
25
Viera, See page 31
Central Florida Winds Concert
National Motherin-Law Day
Inaugural Serene Harbor Golf Classic
China Painting
9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Wickham Park Senior 1 p.m. Center Fundraiser for Serene Harbor. Players and teams 2785 Leisure Way Melbourne, 321-254-0254 will have a round of golf with cart and ball. Awards, a meal, and fun raffle Jazzercise Lo games will be included. 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Suntree Country Club Wickham Park Senior 1 Country Club Drive Center Suntree, 321-726-8282 2785 Leisure Way Melbourne, 321-698-0445
30
26
National Day of the Deployed
Trivia Tuesday
6 - 9 p.m. Show off your trivia skills and win prizes. Call ahead to reserve a table for your team. 2 Angry Wives Pub 3826 Murrell Road Rockledge, 321-848-0227
Viera Voice | October 2021
6
Shell Harbor Information seminar
7
Open Mic Night
8 p.m. Thursdays Island Root Kava Bar 10 a.m. 7954 N. Wickham Road Join us for a brief presentation and discover #115 how the independent resort Suntree, 321-622-6857 lifestyle at Shell Harbor encourages a happier and healthier life. RSVP Shell Harbor Retirement Community 2855 Murrell Road Rockledge, 321-252-5882
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6 - 7 p.m. Free in-person seminar presented by Michael Cronin, D.O. from Melbourne Regional Medical Center. 250 N. Wickham Road Melbourne Register at melbourneregional.org or call 321-752-1427
7640 N. Wickham Road Unit 114, Suntree 321-334-9136
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6 p.m. Duran Golf Club 7032 Stadium Parkway Viera, 321-504-7776
Central Park 2261 Town Center Ave. Viera, 321-634-5390
Sit-n-Stitch
8 p.m. Thursdays Island Root Kava Bar 7954 N. Wickham Road #115, Suntree 321-622-6857
Be Bald and Be Free Day Minimally invasive motion Social Ballroom Class presentation treatments 6:30 - 7:15 p.m. We Dance Academies for the spine seminar
Sweat Life a Mother
9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Thursdays Sweat Like A Mother stroller exercises. $60 a month, or $12 per class. 2300 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, 386-341-6779
National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day
LPGA Amateurs Brevard/ Thirsty 3rd Thursday Space Coast Membership 5 - 8 p.m. The Avenue Viera Social
1 - 3 p.m. First and third Wednesdays Group for needle work that meets twice a month. Suntree/Viera Public Library 902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 321-255-4404
27
Yoga
National Black Cat Day
8 - 9 a.m. Central Park 2261 Town Center Ave. Viera, 321-634-5390
I
8
Cars Under the Stars
5 - 9 p.m. Free movie, “Coco” Viera Regional Park 2300 Judge Fran Jamieson Way Viera, 321-633-2046
TGIF Piecemakers
9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Second and fourth Fridays For those interested in quilting or who have current projects to share. Suntree/Viera Public Library 902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 321-255-4404
15
National Shawarma Day
6 p.m. Every Tuesday and Thursday Competitors face off in games on the Ps4, such as Madden, 2K, Fortnite and Line Dancing with Larry Call of Duty. Please bring 10 - 11:30 a.m. your own controller. $2 per Wednesdays Viera Regional Community person. Viera Regional Park Center, 2300 Judge Fran 2300 Judge Fran Jamieson Jamieson Way, Viera Way, Viera, 321-433-4891 321-323-4928
National Motorcycle Ride Day Viera East Farmers Market 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Local produce and products, gardening products, pet snacks, food trucks and local arts and crafts. Woodside Park 1703 Crane Creek Blvd. East Viera. Contact unique webbconsulting@gmail.com
The Great Pumpkin Rescue See page 31
Bow Wow Meow-Loween at Addison Village Club See page 31
16
Viera’s Harvest Festival Scarecrow Stroll & Auction
22
23
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Boxed lunch provided, must RSVP. One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Join us for the annual fall Harvest Festival in Viera. This family-friendly event will have fun children's activities, traditional vendors and exhibitors, a pumpkin patch, pumpkin carving contest, music, food trucks and more! Viera Regional Park 2300 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, 321-255-4500
National Beautician’s Day
24th annual Louise Classic Golf Tournament
8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Fundraiser for the Brevard Alzheimer’s Foundation. $10,000 hole-in-one prize. Indian River Colony Club Golf Club, 1936 Freedom Drive Viera, 321-253-4430
Celo’s Shawarma Factory National Make a Dog’s Day
VRCC Game Night
9
Hearing Loss (=Brain Stress)
Open Mic Night
28
10 a.m. - 1 p.m. The Brevard Children's Business Fair is a unique opportunity for Brevard County’s savvy future business leaders to showcase their talents and compete for prizes. The Avenue Viera 2261 Town Center Ave. Viera.
29
Grand opening celebration. Cosplay actors, giveways, DJ and vendors. Celo’s Shawarma Factory 7954 N. Wickham Road, Suntree, 321-241-4258
30
National Mutt Day
2nd Duran Golf Club Trick Trick-or-Treat at The Avenue 5 - 7 p.m. or Teeing Event 6 - 9 p.m. Evening of fun trick or treating on our Par 3 course featuring 30 treat stations. Lots of candy, games and activities. Costumes are recommended and encouraged for all ages. Duran Golf Club Par 3 Course 7032 Stadium Parkway Viera, 321-504-7776
Participating merchants will be passing out candy (while supplies last). Costumes are encouraged. The Avenue Viera, 321-634-5390
Halloween Tunnel of Terror 7 - 10 p.m. Oct. 29 to 31, $15 per car Tommy’s Express Car Wash 2800 Veterans Way Viera, 321-335-4075
31vieravoice.com Halloween
Great Tastes of Suntree returns after hiatus SPECIAL TO VIERA VOICE Suntree Rotary Club’s Great Taste of Suntree returns Oct. 23 at Suntree Country Club. The fundraiser, which was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is back for its 17th year from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the club at 1 Country Club Drive, just off North Wickham Road at St. Andrews Drive. “I’m hoping that a lot of people will come out and have some great food, enjoy fine entertainment and have a chance to win raffles while supporting local children,” said Joann Meaker, the president of the Suntree Rotary Club. “We have lots of returning restaurants and some new ones as well.” Local restaurants will serve samples of their best foods — entrees, appetizers and desserts. Some restaurants already signed up to participate include Niki’s, Perkins, Fiesta Azteca, Chez Quan, Grills Riverside, Fresh Market, Jimmy Johns and Amazing Grazes. Restaurants will compete for best decorated booths and best food, including the people’s choice honor.
VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Alan Ross Frisher
Local restaurants will serve samples of their best food at Suntree Rotary Club's Great Taste of Suntree on Oct. 23.
“Come out, have some fun and have some great food,” said Alan Ross Frisher, a past president of the Rotary Club who is the master of ceremony for the event. “In the past, we’ve had wonderful responses. We’re hoping for the same this year.” Saxman Fuqua will provide music. In addition, there will be two raffles — a 50/50, where the winning ticket-
holder gets half the money in the pot; and two drawings for a foursome golf package at Suntree Country Club valued at $320 each. The two packages, donated by Suntree Country Club, include range golf balls, golf cart and greens fee. The golf raffle tickets are $10 each or five for $40 and can be purchased before or at the event. Tickets for the charitable
event are $40 in advance and $50 at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at the club’s website at suntreerotary.org. “It’s all for children’s charities this year,” Frisher said. Suntree Rotary Club focuses its attention on children in need. Proceeds from the event will go toward children’s charities — locally to The Boys &
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Viera Voice | October 2021
31
More events from around town Oct 9
Bow Wow Meow-Loween 10 a.m. Golf cart poker run and decoration contest, pet costume contest, lure course, food trucks and prizes. Fundraiser for the Brevard Humane Society. Addison Village Clubhouse 8150 Stadium Parkway, Viera 321-446-6636 The Great Pumpkin Rescue 1 - 3:30 p.m. Participants will be given a number which corresponds to a floating pumpkin in the pool. A pumpkin decorating contest will be held, and prizes awarded for each age group. Since pre-registration is required space is limited, and on-site registration will be available. Ages 4 to 15 are invited to participant in a rescue and decorating
contest. Cost is $5 each for participants and $2 for all other swimmers. McLarty Park Aquatic Center 790 Barton Blvd., Rockledge 321-633-1870
Oct 16
Central Florida Winds Concert 3 p.m. Night on Bald Mountain Concert Piece for French Horns, Dances with Wolves Gandalf, the Wizard – Puszta. Free admission. Titusville High School 150 Terrier Trail S., Titusville 321-405-2359
Oct 17
Space Coast Police K9 Competition 4 p.m. Police, military and professional working K9 teams compete on an obstacle course
designed to showcase their incredible abilities and unique bonds between handler and K9. The obstacles simulate real world challenges these teams could face daily in the course of the duties. Your donations to this event help support police K-9 programs and public safety community outreach throughout the Space Coast. USSSA Stadium 5800 Stadium Parkway, Viera
Oct 20
Explore Shell Harbor 10 a.m. Informative presentation about the all-inclusive amenities that make up the resort. RSVP by Oct.14. Shell Harbor Retirement Community 2855 Murrell Road, Rockledge 321-252-5882
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Oct 23
Trunk or Treat Outside at Suntree United Methodist Volunteers decorate vehicles with fun and spooky themes. 7400 N. Wickham Road, Suntree 321-242-2585 Great Taste of Suntree 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Culinary fare from dozens of local restaurants and live entertainment. Proceeds raised from the event support local charities. Suntree Country Club 1 Country Club Drive Suntree 321-626-9791
Oct 23
Trunk or Treat at Suntree United Methodist 5 - 7 p.m. At this outdoor event, volunteers will decorate their
vehicles with fun and spooky themes. Prizes will be awarded by a panel of judges for the best and most creative displays. Families are invited to dress up in their creative costumes and view these vehicles along a designated path while receiving free candy. 7400 N Wickham Rd, Suntree
OCT 24
Sunday Jazz in the Park 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. “Swing Boutique” will be performing a variety of styes and selections. Bring a chair and enjoy the show. The Avenue Viera Central Park 2261 Town Center Ave., Viera, 321-634-5390 Visit our online event calendar at vieravoice.com
TRIM LIGHT
continued from page 22
savvy, we offer tablets that are inexpensive that they can use to run the system.” A lifetime product warranty includes a 50,000hour lifespan. To put that into perspective, “If you ran your lights every single night for three or four hours, you could probably estimate about a 10-year life span. If you randomly use it during the holidays, it can last up to
40 years.” The amount of electricity used, like other LED lights, is minimal. “The lights are low voltage. About .6 watts per volt. You won’t see a difference on the electric bill,” Jenna Smith said. “We run ours every night and we have not seen a change in our bill.” For a free quote, go to spacecoasttrimlight.com or call 321-775-4127. V V
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Viera Voice | October 2021
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Viera Voice | October 2021
33
Solution, Puzzle page 18
WHERE ELEGANCE MEETS URBAN COASTAL
Local help with your Medicare questions. Medicare Supplements? Medicare Advantage Plans? Part D? RX Plans?
June Clark
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Viera Voice | October 2021
Free Immunization Assessment by our Pharmacy Team
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E L B AT T Holiday House Decorating Competition The season is near to get out your cheer. Let it shine it’s light hanging time. Prizes galore, bragging rights and more. So give it your all when you decorate your castle. This year you could win the Viera Bright Lights Battle.
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Viera Voice | October 2021
35
Home Sweet Home Deborah Tomczak
REALTOR®, GRI, ALHS, SRES, CRS Over $11 Million Sold in 2020
NE
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IN IST
G
SO
L SO
SIX MILE CREEK
FIELDSTONE IN SUNTREE BEAUTIFUL LAKE VIEW 3 BD, 2 BA, OVERSIZED 2 CAR GARAGE, GAS FIREPLACE, IMPACT WINDOWS, ROOF 2017
L SO
LD
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COMPLETELY RENOVATED 2016 BEAUTIFUL POOL 3/2/2 HOME W/ STUNNING PRIVATE OUTDOOR SPACE (FENCED & LUSH LANDSCAPING) ON CUL-DA-SAC IN VIERA EAST
L SO
SUNSTONE SUNSTONE 4 BD, 3 BA, 3 CAR, ON BEAUTIFUL LAKE IN VIERA WEST ‘W/ STUNNING WOOD FLOORS, 3 TVS & IMPACT WINDOWS
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L SO
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SUNTREE LAKES
STONECREST
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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 DURAN GOLF CLUB INVITES YOU TO OUR
2ND ANNUAL
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6:00PM - 9:00PM
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DURAN GOLF CLUB PAR 3 COURSE Viera Voice | October 7032 2021 STADIUM PARKWAY, VIERA, FL 32940 | 321-504-7776
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