Viera Voice, September 2024 by Viera Voice • Senior Life • Boomer Guide

2024 SCARECROW STROLL

Coming October 3 to 17

See story, page 33

It's Time to build ’crows!

Veteran prepares for Women’s Amputee World Cup

BY MARIA SONNENBERG

Picking up gold and silver medals in cycling and swimming and then pivoting to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and to enter a major soccer competition is a formidable achievement. But doing so after the amputation of a leg and part of the pelvis elevates this already outstanding accomplishment into the realm of the truly awe inspiring.

Viera resident Sarah Evans did just that.

The Citadel graduate was 27 years old and serving in Kabul, Afghanistan, when she started experiencing discomfort with her left hip. The diagnosis was Stage 3 bone cancer.

(Evans) also climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest single free-standing mountain in the world, and participated in the Bataan Memorial Death March, which involved 14.2 and 26.2 mile courses.

“My only chance for survival was amputation,” said Evans, who had half of her pelvis and her entire leg surgically removed.

Evans’ degree of amputation, and the tremendous challenges it presents, is very unusual.

“Only about 1 percent of amputees have this level of amputation, which removed all three weightbearing joints,” she said.

While recuperating at the Center for the Intrepid at Brooke Army Medical Center, Evans was introduced to adaptive sports, including surfing, competitive swimming and hand cycling, which utilizes a bike powered by the arms instead of the legs.

“Sports gave me focus and goals,” she said.

She enjoyed surfing, but really took to swimming, winning silver in the sport at the Warrior Games, a multi-sport event for wounded, injured or ill military service members

ATHLETE

Continued to page 6

VIERA VOICE Jill Blue

Viera veteran Sarah Evans is headed to the Women's Amputee World Cup in Barranquilla, Colombia in November.

Iowa natives love, appreciate all that Viera lifestyle offers

BY CAMERON COUNTRYMAN

Eric and Jennifer Roggatz sit in the front of their golf cart as they ride home from the Addison Village Club pool on a sunny Saturday morning.

Paige, 8, and Piper, 4, sit in the backseat, wrapped in towels while their blonde hair drips with water from the pool. Paige is enjoying her weekend off from third grade and Piper from preschool.

Eric and Jennifer Roggatz met while in school at Iowa State University. Both were studying to become engineers and noticed each other on campus and rode the same bus multiple times.

One night, they ended up sitting at adjacent tables and Jennifer’s friend passed Jennifer’s number to Eric. They went on a date the next night.

“ You can't beat the lifestyle here.”

— Jennifer Roggatz

Jennifer is from Ames, Iowa, and Eric is from a small town near Sioux City, Iowa. Both of their families still live in Iowa, and they visit them as much as possible.

Eric’s engineering career brought the family to Viera. He accepted a job at Northrop Grumman in 2019. The family moved to West Melbourne in May of 2020.

“There was a lot of stress going into that move,” Eric Roggatz said.

The Roggatz family lived in West Melbourne for a year, but “quickly decided that wasn’t the place for them.”

Their church, daycare and friends were in Viera, as well as better schools. They also appreciated the familycentric focus of Viera. Since moving here, Eric, who has always been “fascinated” by everything that flew, switched to working in structural analysis at Blue Origin after

Featured Family

getting to watch more than 200 rocket launches.

Jennifer Roggatz is a civil engineer for Jacobs Engineering. Like her father, she is in road design. Jennifer mainly designs roads in Iowa, Wisconsin and Nebraska. However, she designed the roadway approaches for a future road on Merritt Island called Sea Ray Drive.

“(Road design) is a way for me to create something

without being creative,” Jennifer said, “I’ve always loved creating things.”

Paige is a Girl Scout and plays softball. Eric has coached her softball team for the past two seasons and hopes to continue coaching. He owns a 3D printer and prints a keepsake for the softball kids every year. A 3D-printed Epcot, complete with color-changing lights, sits in their living room.

The family spends about one day a month at Disney World, and Jennifer Roggatz runs half-marathons at

Disney, occasionally making Eric tag along.

The Roggatz’s priorities are their children, their marriage, and going to church — Faith Viera Lutheran Church.

They miss Iowa, especially the seasons.

“I’d move back, but it would be hard to do so,” Eric Roggatz said. “It seems like we’d have to give up so much — the lifestyle here is so good.”

“You can’t beat the lifestyle here,” Jennifer Roggatz agreed. VV

VIERA VOICE C ameron Countryman

Eric and Jennifer Roggatz have enjoyed living in Viera with their children, Paige and Piper.

321 Nest's milk bank is a lifesaver for premature babies

BY CAMERON COUNTRYMAN

Viera resident Ashley Long — a mother of three, opens the trunk of her car to reveal two large coolers.

Volume 16, Issue 8

Creative Group, Inc.

Bluewater Creative Group

321-242-1235

7350 Shoppes Dr. Suite 102

Viera, FL 32940

media@bluewatercreativegroup.com

Publisher

Bluewater Creative Group, Inc.

Managing Editor Jill Blue

Assignment Editor

R. Norman Moody

Office Manager

Sylvia Montes

Copy Editor Jeff Navin

Sports Writer/SportsBlog

Carl Kotala

Art Department

Jorjann Blake

Interns Cameron Countryman

Writers/Reporters

Ernie Dorling

Mike Gaffey

Linda Jump

Elaine Moody

Madison Resnick

Maria Sonnenberg

She lugs the coolers up the ramp of 321 Nest. Once inside, Long fills a chest freezer with the contents of her coolers — 600 ounces of frozen breast milk.

Long has been donating her breast milk to Mothers’ Milk Bank of Florida, a nonprofit organization that aims to provide safe human donor milk for babies in need, since her first child was born.

She found out about Mothers’ Milk Bank of Florida from her friends who had preterm babies who needed donor human milk.

Ninety-six percent of Mothers’ Milk Bank of Florida’s mission targets sick preterm babies.

If these babies do not receive human milk, they are likely to develop necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). NEC is a devastating illness that could lead to infants needing significant surgeries or even death.

Donor human milk is a lifesaver for many premature babies.

“(Human milk) is not just nice to have, it’s a need to have,” Mothers’ Milk Bank of Florida’s Director of Community Engagement and 321 Nest volunteer Laene Keith said.

321 Nest is one of three dozen milk drop depots in Florida. Milk drop depots are places for mothers to drop off their frozen breast milk and make room for ice cream in the freezer.

Brevard County welcomed 321 Nest in February 2020. Since opening, more than 72,000 ounces of milk have been donated to 321 Nest, which equals more than 216,000 first feedings for preterm babies. Long’s exceptional 600-ounce donation alone will provide 1,800 first feedings.

“We have been overjoyed and overwhelmed with the support for donor human milk on the Space Coast,” Keith said.

their milk goes like a “pizza tracker.”

Donated human milk is given to babies who have a physician’s prescription for it. There is a constant need for human milk, and it is not easy to fill it.

Approximately 10 % of babies are born prematurely, yet only 0.2 percent of mothers who are breastfeeding qualify to be a donor.

Mothers interested in donating can call the nearest milk drop depot and then go through a series of “nosy” interviews and some lab testing to qualify to be a donor.

“The hardest part is getting all the paperwork in,” Long said.

If you are a mother who has more milk than your baby needs, call 321 Nest at 407-248-5050. It is located at 360 Tangerine Avenue on Merritt Island. VV

•

I’m here to help.

321 Nest is a standalone building but many milk drop depots are in hospitals. Milk is stored in a freezer at depots and then sent to Mothers’ Milk Bank of Florida in Orlando.

At the milk bank, milk is processed and distributed to babies who need it. About 90 % of the milk goes to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) babies in hospitals all around Florida. Long appreciates that donor mothers can track where

VIERA VOICE Cameron Countryman Ashley Long has given generously to 321 Nest.

VIERA VOICE Cameron Countryman Ashley Long delivers her frozen breast milk to 321 Nest to be used for sick, premature babies

Brevard pays tribute — 9-11 ceremonies and remembrance

Brevard County will remember 9-11 with various Patriot Day tributes and ceremonies being held throughout the county.

It is the 23rd Patriot Day, a time to remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 and others lost as a result of war and illness related to the attacks.

SEPTEMBER 7

Rockledge

9 a.m. — The City of Rockledge will hold a 9-11 Remembrance Ceremony

Sept. 7 at the Civic Hub at 530 Barton Avenue. The ceremony will include guest speakers and music.

Melbourne Melbourne 9/11 Memorial

7:30 a.m.

Eau Gallie Square

1453 Highland Ave.

SEPTEMBER 8

Palm Bay

9/11 Memorial Stair Climb

4 p.m. — gates open

5 p.m. — Step-off

Join the Palm Bay firefighters and climb 110 stories in remembrance of the heroes lost on 9/11.

Heritage High Stadium 2351 Malabar Road

SEPTEMBER 11

Merritt Island

5:30 p.m. — 23rd Anniversary Memorial Tribute and Patriot Day Ceremony at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center Plaza at 400 S. Sykes Creek Parkway on Merritt Island. The event is sponsored by Club 1013, retired NYPD officers and FDNY firefighters, many of whom were in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001.

It is also supported by the Veterans Memorial Center and Military Officers Association of America Cape Canaveral chapter’s Good Deeds Foundation.

Citizens of Brevard are asked to join in remembering the firefighters, police officers, civilians and military who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks.

Palm Bay

8:30 to 9:30 a.m. — Patriot Day Remembrance Ceremony The ceremony will begin at 8:30 a.m. sharp. It will feature guest speakers.

Veterans Memorial Park 2201 Port Malabar Blvd. NE

Viera

8 a.m. to 7 p.m. — Guests are welcome to pay their respects for the lives lost on

September 11, 2001, at The Avenue Viera’s World Trade Center memorial site. The site has part of a steel beam

from the World Trade Center, across from AMC Theatres. Guests can visit any time during operating hours.

Flowers and flags available for guests to leave at the site or take with them in memory of the fallen. VV

“Sports

gave me focus and goals.”

— Sarah Evans

ATHLETE

Continued from 1 The American Amputee Soccer Association welcomes tax-deductible donations to help the women’s team participate in the Women’s Amputee World Cup. For more information, visit usampsoccer.org

and veterans. She also gravitated to hand cycling, and so excelled in the sport that she traveled to London as part of Team USA for the inaugural Invictus Games, the international multisport event first held in 2014. Evans left London with a gold medal for her cycling.

Oh, yeah, she also climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest single free-standing mountain in the world, and participated in the

Bataan Memorial Death March, which involved 14.2 and 26.2 mile courses.

How did she manage all this with only one leg? She credits her freedom to SideStix forearm crutches. The custom-fit, carbon fiber mobility aids provided Evans with the support and comfort she needed to continue her journey. The spirit to compete is 100 percent her own.

A year ago, Evans was encouraged to try out for Team USA at the inaugural Women’s Amputee Soccer World Cup.

“I absolutely loved it,” said Evans, who was part of the U.S. Women’s Amputee Soccer team that competed against Poland in the first international women’s amputee soccer match in 2023. This year, she is heading to Barranquilla, Colombia, where 12 teams from around the globe will compete in the Women’s Amputee Soccer World Cup this November.

“Sarah is an astonishing example of how far perseverance and dedication can take you” noted the American Amputee Soccer Association.

When not competing, Evans is busy as a trainer at Trinity Fitness in Indian Harbour Beach and being a mother to active eight- and six-year-olds, born to Evans and helicopter pilot husband Joe after her amputation.

“To be honest, I don’t think about the amputation,” she said. VV

VIERA VOICE J ill Blue

Sarah Evans, a graduate of The Citadel, was 27 years old when she was diagnosed with Stage 3 bone cancer.

VIERA VOICE J ill Blue

While recuperating at the Center for the Intrepid at Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston in Texas, Sarah Evans was introduced to adaptive sports.

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T h e r a p y .

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d i a g n o s i s , t h e a p p r o a c h n e e d s t o

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c a u s e ” - D r A n d r e a e x p l a i n s

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p e r s o n a l i z e d D u r i n g o u r

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t h e p a t i e n t e x a c t l y w h a t i t t a k e s t o

h e l p t h e m a c h i e v e t h e i r h e a l t h g o a l s ”

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r e l a x i n g M o s t p a t i e n t s f a l l a s l e e p

a n d d o n o t w a n t t o l e a v e t h e o f f i c e . ”

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p a r t o f y o u r l i f e . E v e n a f t e r y e a r s

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s u r g e r i e s , s t e r o i d s h o t s , p r e s c r i p t i o n s a n d e v e n

p r o c e d u r e s l i k e k y p h o p l a s t y , p a t i e n t s a r e s t i l l a b l e t o o b t a i n

g r e a t r e s u l t s . L i k e R a c h a e l G . o f

V i e r a w h o s h a r e s :

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j u s t a f e w s e s s i o n s , w h e r e a s o t h e r

d o c t o r s h a v e l i t e r a l l y j u s t s h r u g g e d

a t m e a n d s a i d t h e y d i d n ' t k n o w

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b e y o n d a p r e s c r i p t i o n S h e i s

t h o r o u g h a n d t r u l y l i s t e n s . ”

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o n l y f r u s t r a t i n g b u t a l s o c o s t l y . T h e

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e x t e n d i n g y o u r s u f f e r i n g

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s u c c e s s s t o r i e s

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M e e t t h e D O C T O R

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SPORTS WrapUp

Being flush with quarterbacks is nice problem for Hawks to have

BY CARL KOTALA

Talk about a nice problem to have.

Last year, Viera High had just one pure quarterback in the entire program.

Now, the Hawks have six. And four of them are freshmen.

“It’s definitely different

to me,” sophomore Robbie Blalock said. “I’ve never been around that many quarterbacks. It’s cool to teach them and learn from them. Everybody’s good at different things.”

Blalock, who transferred to Viera from Winter Park, is one of two quarterbacks on this year’s varsity roster.

Junior Eric Nelson is the starter.

Last year, when Viera quarterback Chase Cromartie was injured in the final game of the season against Titusville, Nelson moved from wide receiver to fill in as the Hawks’ emergency quarterback.

With Cromartie announcing he was moving to Georgia last spring, Nelson has embraced the role of Viera’s new signal caller, working with a quarterback trainer and throwing to his receivers during the summer.

“It’s a big learning curve, but I knew I needed to step up to help the team win,” Nelson said. “What I think I’ve developed my best is my throwing. Obviously, in the Titusville game, I threw an interception and a completion.

“From then to now, I think my throwing has been my greatest improvement. I obviously can still run. I’ve been able to read defenses … play quarterback like a quarterback should play, not just be a runner getting thrown in there. It’s been great.”

While Viera will certainly rely much more on its

“Going into next spring, we’ll start really evaluating (freshmen quarterbacks). But right now, we’re just developing.”

— Tony Gulla, Viera football coach

running game with Nelson at quarterback, his 30-yard completion to wide receiver Cooper Keith in the Viera Kickoff Classic against Palm Bay should be a warning to opponents who don’t respect Nelson’s ability to throw the ball.

Blalock, on the other hand, is more of a pure passer who can run when he has to. Viera coach Tony Gulla said the Hawks will have some spread formation packages for Blalock this season, which will create headaches for opponents facing Viera’s versatile offensive sets.

How well Nelson and Blalock improve during the course of the season will go a long way in determining how far the Hawks will go this year, but there’s an excitement in the program that hasn’t been felt in a while.

A big reason for that is the quartet of Sebastian Troyan, Mikkel Zades, Luke Moss and Grady Tipps, who are all freshmen quarterbacks who will be playing on the JV team.

“The problem isn’t so much the varsity, because we’re OK,” Gulla said. “Eric is No. 1 and Robbie is No. 2. The problem is going

to be how are we going to get enough playing time for all of the four freshmen quarterbacks. But that’s up to (QB coach/JV offensive coordinator) Coach (Steve) Blackmore.”

Gulla, who has a lot of experience as a quarterback coach himself, said that while there will obviously come a time when a pecking order will be established among the four … that time is not now.

“You can’t tell what’s going to happen to a ninth grader between ninth grade and 10th grade,” Gulla said. “My thing, and Coach Blackmore’s thing … we tell them all the time … right now, we’re not evaluating them as quarterbacks. We’re just trying to develop them.

“Going into next spring, we’ll start really evaluating them. But right now, we’re just developing.”

With a number of talented wide receivers also on the JV team, and 46 freshmen and 32 sophomores among the 127 kids in the program overall, the future of Viera football is looking bright.

“There’s going to be some fun stuff coming down the pipeline,” Gulla said. VV

Neighbors of Suntree kick off its 40th anniversary

Join the Neighbors of Suntree as it begins the 2024-2025 season on Thursday, Sept. 26 with a celebratory Welcome Coffee at the Suntree Country Club.

Meet fellow neighbors and learn more about planned activities. The organization consists of more than 300 members. RSVP at neighborsofsuntree.org. The cost is $15 a person.

VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Tony Gulla

After having only one pure quarterback in the program last year, the Viera Hawks now have six. Pictured from left to right are freshman Sebastian Troyan; sophomore Robbie Blalock; junior Eric Nelson; QB coach and JV offensive coordinator Steve Blackmore; freshman Mikkel Zades; freshman Luke Moss and freshman Grady Tipps.

Viera football will be powered by strong defense, new-look offense

BY CARL KOTALA

There’s a very simple, but important philosophy that has permeated the Viera High School football program under head coach Tony Gulla.

“It all goes back to, hey, we have no superstars here. We’ve got a bunch of kids who are going to work real hard and do what they have to do to help us win games,” Gulla said.

With a veteran defense that returns nearly every starter from last season and a new-look offense powered by one of the biggest offensive lines the Hawks have had in quite some time, Viera could be in a position to win enough games to get back into the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

Junior Eric Nelson has moved from wide receiver

relying much more on its running game with the help of senior running back Kimahre Ingram, center.

to quarterback, giving Viera more of a run-based attack rather than in years past

when the Hawks would throw easily between 30 to 40 passes a game. However, with

Home Sweet Home

sophomore transfer Robbie Blalock — who is more of a traditional passer — expected to see time this season (with Nelson moving back to receiver), there will still be times when the Hawks will look to spread out opposing defenses.

That combination could make the Hawks a tough team to prepare for down the road.

Senior running backs Ryan Boobar and Kimahre Ingram will lead Viera’s ground game behind an offensive line that includes sophomore Coby Wallace (6-foot-4, 265 pounds); senior left guard Mike Najdawi (6-5, 345); senior center Finn Goldinger (6-0, 250); sophomore right guard Sam Cardona (6-0, 260) and sophomore right tackle Max Kukuljica (5-10, 210).

Senior Cooper Keith will be at wide receiver along with senior Nnamdi Osuorah, junior Jonah Woodruff and freshman Tim Sedaros. Senior Jack Hancock will be the tight end/H-back.

Viera’s defensive line will feature seniors Isaac Hungerbuhler and Jaylen McCray on the outside with junior Sal Orlando and sophomore Dillon Price on the inside with help from senior Johnny Arroyo.

The Hawks have one of the best linebacker duos in the county in junior James Olson and sophomore Noah Renes. Senior Dominic Leoni will play a hybrid linebacker/ safety position backed up by senior Robbie Caruso.

Keith and senior Bobby Meyer are on the corners with Osuorah at free safety backed up by sophomore Dimitri Jean. Senior Robbie Aehle is the nickel back and junior Blake Thomas will rotate in at linebacker while also being one of the best long snappers in the country for first-year kicker Dane Boss. VV

VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Nichole Aehle

The Viera Hawks have a number of versatile players on their roster this season, including senior tight end/halfback Jack Hancock, who is a very skilled blocker in addition to being a solid receiver.

VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Nichole Aehle

The Viera Hawks have always been known as a team that likes to throw the ball … a lot. But this year, expect to see Viera

Kutzner takes over at Holy Trinity, eyes program’s 11th district title in 12 seasons

BY CARL KOTALA

The Holy Trinity volleyball program may have a new coach, but the No. 1 goal is still the same.

And the Tigers have the firepower to make it happen.

“Our No. 1 goal every season is to win districts and then to see where we go from there,” said first-year coach Kylie Kutzner, who has taken over the program following the resignation of Pete Klonowski.

“I would love to get beyond regionals. That’s been a challenge the past couple of years. Just to have a winning record would be really good. That is my goal

as a coach.”

Kutzner returns to Holy Trinity after spending the previous two seasons as an assistant coach at her alma mater, Edgewood. Previously, the 28-year-old had been Klonowski’s assistant for three seasons.

She takes over a program that has won back-to-back district championships and 10 titles in the past 11 years.

“It’s going well,” Kutzner said. “Of course, it’s a transition that’s still happening. They all know me

“Pete’s a really hard coach to follow, so (I’ve got some) really big shoes to fill.”

With seven returners, including senior middle blocker Isabelle Clark; sophomore setter Julie Watt; outside hitters Audrey Herbert (junior) and Gracin Borboroglu (sophomore) and senior opposite hitter Becca Smith, the Tigers have plenty of experience coming back.

“Having all the returners is definitely a strength,” Kutzner said. “They’re all used to playing at this

girls respect her right

“And then, the girls really like each other, which is a good thing. It doesn’t always happen. There’s respect across the board … it’s a very collaborative (group).”

Junior returner Natalie

Ruberte steps into the libero roll for the Tigers while sophomore Kylie White is a defensive specialist and sophomore Taylor Yochim starts in the middle. Other key Tigers include: sophomore Jolie Iten (middle blocker); junior Sydney Arnold (setter/ Opp); sophomore Brooke Ellingson (outside hitter); senior Effie Emigh (setter) and sophomore Ella Morton (defensive specialist). VV

VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Scarlett Thurmond

With seven returners, the Holy Trinity volleyball team should be pretty formidable under new head coach Kylie Kutzner. The Tigers have won 10 of the past 11 district championships

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Klonowski steps down as volleyball coach after building Holy Trinity into powerhouse

BY CARL KOTALA

He built the Holy Trinity volleyball program into one of the best in Brevard County, but just before his 12th season was about to begin, Pete Klonowski has decided to step down.

Klonowski, who declined to say why he resigned, went 18494 in 11 seasons with the Tigers and his teams won 10 district championships, including eight in a row.

The Tigers also made four consecutive regional finals between 2015 and 2018 and went to five overall under Klonowski’s leadership.

Kylie Kutzner, who had just returned to Tigers’ volleyball staff, has been named Holy Trinity’s new

head coach.

“After 10 district championships in 11 years, Coach Klonowski has decided to step down as head coach of Holy Trinity Volleyball, marking the end of a truly remarkable and successful career,” Holy Trinity athletic director James Phillips wrote in an email.

“His teams were always a joy to watch, and his influence extended beyond the court, with several of his players advancing to the next level and numerous coaches, including Coach Kylie Kutzner, benefiting from his mentorship.

"As we turn the page to the next chapter of HT volleyball, I’m excited to see the continued success of our program with Coach Kutzner at the helm.” VV

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VIERA VOICE Carl Kotala

Former Holy Trinity volleyball coach Pete Klonowski won 10 district championships in his 11 years at the school. He resigned just before the start of this season.

Call me today!

Upcoming Trips

Annual Key West Holiday Trip — Dec. 1 - 4

$817pp based on double occ., single occ. $1,170. Trip includes roundtrip motorcoach, two lunches, one dinner and breakfast daily plus sunset sail that includes drinks and finger foods (another dinner).

Deposit is $100 pp due now. Final payment, Oct. 1. The bus is over half sold out so send in your check today!

Voyager of the Seas — May 3-16, 2025

Sailing from Port Canaveral to Barcelona visiting Azores, Malaga, Cartagena and Palma de Mallorca.

Interior rooms starting at $758pp, Oceanview starting at $849pp and balconies starting at $1,222pp based on double occupancy.

Scottish Highlands and Islands —

May 10 - 23, 2025 — This will be an immersive trip of Scotland from top to bottom. $4,689 pp based on double occupancy — plus International air.

Dining Out & Events

Sept. 4

"The Story of Water Concert"

Sept. 4 and 5

7 - 9 p.m.

Presented by the Melbourne Community Orchestra

625 E. Hibiscus Blvd. Melbourne, 321-285-6724

Sept. 5

902 Jordan Blass Drive

Suntree, 321-255-4404

Sept. 6

Dinner Dance

Doors open at 5 p.m.

Dinner and dance featuring the Dynamics.

777 E. Merritt Island CSWY Merritt Island, 321-417-4309

Melbourne Train Show

9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

More than 100 vendor tables with many train scales and running layouts.

AZAN Shriners Center 1591 W. Eau Gallie Blvd. Melbourne, 321-805-7963

10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Brevard Critique Group

Suntree/Viera Library

If you are an author and would like others to read your work and possibly make suggestions, bring in your work and join this group.

Italian-American Club of South Brevard 1471 Cypress Ave. Melbourne, 321-242-8044

Sept. 7

MetaFest #7

10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

A day of family fun, education, raffles, gifts and entertainment. Merritt Square Mall

2 - 4 p.m.

The Mickey Freeman quartet presented by the Space Coast Jazz Society.

Brevard Veterans

Card Readings By Melinda

Memorial Center

400 S. Sykes Creek Pkwy.

Merritt Island, 321-960-4897

Fall Audience Favorites Concert

3 p.m.

Music of Sousa, Williams, Rodgers and more presented by the Community Band of Brevard.

Merritt Island High School 100 Mustang Way Merritt Island, 321-258-5580

Sept. 11

Scots-American Society of Brevard Gathering

11 a.m.

Lunch and a celebration of Scottish Heritage and song as we honor and remember those lost on 9/11.

Beef O’Brady’s Melbourne 3030 Lake Washington Road Melbourne, Facebook.com/ scotsamericansociety

Sept. 12

Fall Kick-Off Dance Concert

7 p.m.

Presented by the Melbourne Municipal Band.

Eau Gallie Civic Center 1551 Highland Ave. Melbourne, 321-724-0555

Sept. 13

Beachside Strummers

9:30 - 11:15 a.m.

A group of ukulele players and enthusiasts.

Satellite Beach Library 751 Jamaica Blvd.

321-779-4004

Sept. 14

Turtle Krawl 5K Race

7:30 - 9 a.m.

Benefit for The Sea Turtle Preservation Society. Nance Park

201 N. Miramar Ave. Indialantic, 321-676-1701

STEMpower Day

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

A celebration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics designed for K-12 students and their parents. Registration required. Florida Tech

150 W. University Blvd. Melbourne, event.fit.edu/ stempower/

Sept. 15

Bridgerton Royal Society Tea Party 1 - 2:30 p.m.

Bridgerton-inspired attire is highly encouraged.

Eau Gallie Civic Center 1551 Highland Ave. Melbourne, 321-608-7400

Sept. 20

Movie in the Park – “Wonka”

7:30 - 9 p.m.

Outdoor lawn movie, bring lawn chairs or blankets.

Travis Park, 2001 Michigan Ave. Cocoa, 321-633-1874

Brevard County Candidate Forum

9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Space Coast Health Foundation 1100 Rockledge Blvd. Rockledge, 321-768-6800

Up-Rev second annual Hackers Bash

8:30 a.m.

Golf tournament to benefit Shriners Hospital for Children. Baytee National Golf Links 8207 National Drive Suntree, 321-821-4918

Sept. 21

Green Gables Harvest Festival

9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Vendors, food trucks and activities for children.

Green Gables 1501 S. Harbor City Blvd. Melbourne, 321-306-8635

Space Coast Latin Festival 2 - 10 p.m.

Live entertainment and Latin food vendors.

Space Coast Harley Davidson 1440 Sportsman Lane Palm Bay 321-795-8940

Platinum Space Coast Amateur Society Ham Radio group 9 a.m. - noon

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

Annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s 8 a.m. - noon Fundraiser to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s programs, services and research.

Cocoa Riverfront Park 401 Riveredge Blvd. 386-748-8527

BY CARL KOTALA

After winning three consecutive district titles, three straight regional titles and appearing in back-toback Class 6A state volleyball championship games, there are probably a few people out there who expect the Viera Hawks to take a step back this season.

Clearly, the Hawks have other plans.

“The goal’s always the same, but how we go about it is going to be different,” Viera coach Sarah Wayne said. “We’re going to be very

defensively minded this year. We have some really good defensive players.

“Our team goal is to continue the tradition and win districts, win conference and move on as far as we can.

“There’s more than one way to win a volleyball game. Last year, we were really offensive. This year, I think we’re going to surprise a lot of people.”

Viera returns four players from last year’s team, including two starters — senior Haley Beigh (opposite hitter) and junior Brennan Turner — along with senior

middle/outside hitter Taylor Christensen and junior outside hitter Victoria Chen. Freshman Olivia Sosa is expected to have a huge impact as a libero/defensive specialist and is coming off a summer in which she was not only selected to play libero for the USA Volleyball Team Florida U15 team, but she was selected all-tournament for her performance in Des Moines, Iowa.

The Viera Hawks will be more of a defensive-oriented team this season as they chase their fourth consecutive district title, fourth straight regional title and

to the Class 6A state championship game.

Senior Leah Fox, a defensive specialist, transferred to Viera after winning a state championship at Immanuel Christian High School last season.

The Hawks have three setters on the roster this season — senior Kendall Pierce and sophomores Allie Brown and Haley Christensen. Other key players on the roster include sophomore outside hitter Brooke Pickel; junior defensive specialist Ella Brand; sophomore middle blocker Shaylee Wreggit and freshman Lilly Lorca-Lloyd. Beigh, a four-year starter for the Hawks, has a chance to become the first player in program history to win four

consecutive district titles. She will also be a big factor on offense along with Chen on the outside.

Any doubts about what the Hawks can accomplish this season can be expected to motivate the players to succeed.

“It already has,” Wayne said. “We’ve already seen it, just in the few practices that we have had with the mentality that the girls have. They’re in a really good head space. They’re really eager.

“We’re young. We have four sophomores and two freshmen mixed in with some of our returning players leading the way. It’s a really good mix.” VV

VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Desiree Angelle Photography LLC

third straight trip

Four fencers place in junior olympics

Photos courtesy of Space Coast Olympic Fencing

Arianna Choi, who competes for Space Coast Olympic Fencing, won her fifth golf medal in three years on July 30 at the 39th annual AAU Junior Olympics in Greensboro, North Carolina. The 10-year-old Choi, who is ranked No. 3 in the United States in her division, has been featured on the “Jennifer Hudson Show.”

The sister and brother duo of Lauren Burkott and Alexander Burkott each won silver medals in the Y8 and Gold Y6 categories, respectively. Lauren Burkott is the reigning Sunshine State Games champion.

Vishnu Chopra won a silver medal in the Y14 division.

The Burkott siblings have been fencing for 11 months. Chopra took up the sport five months ago.

Charlie Williams is the head coach of the club, which is based out of Rockledge. Williams is an AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) National Veterans bronze medalist and a semifinalist at the Sunshine State Games. For information on joining the club, call 321-276-3967. VV

Arianna Choi, who is ranked No. 3 in the United States in her division, recently won another gold medal in the 39th annual AAU Junior Olympics.

Alexander Burkott, left, and Lauren Burkott each won silver medals in the 39th annual AAU Junior Olympics held in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Vishnu Chopra, left, won a silver medal in the Y14 division in the 39th annual AAU Junior Olympics.

Viera, Holy Trinity seniors paint the way to memorable year

BY MADISON RESNIK

PHOTOS BY JILL BLUE

High school seniors left their mark with colorful art on their parking spaces at Viera High School and at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy. It's a tradition that is repeated at high schools throughout Brevard County and elsewhere.

On the last Friday night of summer vacation, Viera High School's senior students gathered for a colorful tradition: painting their parking spots.

The parking lot buzzed with excitement as students and their families, paintbrushes in hand, eagerly participated in this rite of passage.

Over the weekend before their senior year, the students transformed the concrete outside VHS into a vibrant display of the individuality and bright futures of the Class of 2025.

Viera High seniors used their parking spaces as an opportunity to showcase their values, interests and personalities.

The senior parking area is once again a personalized tribute to these students as they embark on their final stretch toward graduation.

Dalton Passmore, inspired by Pink Floyd’s album “The Wall,” used his parking spot to reflect his vision for himself and his classmates.

“I love both the music in that album and the message within it,” Passmore explained, stating that his spot represents “trying to break down walls. I feel like it’s going to bring a lot of good changes to both my life and

the world, with this new generation of kids coming out of senior year. It’s going to be different.”

Amid the laughter, chatter and music, a sense of camaraderie filled the air. For these seniors, this event was more than just an opportunity to paint, it was a chance to bond with classmates and reflect on their time in K-12 education.

The enthusiasm buzzing throughout the parking lot denotes the students’ collective excitement about senior year — the culmination of all their hard work throughout their educational journeys.

“Being there with all my friends and seeing everyone’s ideas come to life was a really cool experience to start off our senior year,” Viera High's Bella Champion said.

Hope and positivity also permeated the event, as the seniors looked ahead to their futures.

The parking lot, now a patchwork of personal expression, symbolizes the diverse and vibrant community of Viera High's senior class.

At Holy Trinity, the mood was festive on a Sunday morning as some of the seniors painted their parking spaces.

“Senior year (is the) end of an era for me and it’s kind of like closing a chapter in my life so I can move onto other things,” Olivia Durgin said. “... I’ve been the same for like 18 years, so I’m ready to make changes in my life.”

Each morning, these students will arrive at a spot that reflects who they are — a colorful start to what promises to be a memorable final year of high school. VV

Keira and Keegan Caster of Viera High School paint everything awesomeness with their mom, Jennifer.

Sienna Shelton of Viera High School paints a famous Japanese painting with her sister Mariah Shelton and friend Hugo Baron.

Leo Solis-Salinas is a senior at Viera High School.

Dalton Passmore of Viera High School paints Pink Floyd's "The Wall."

Olivia Durgin of Holy Trinity paints Buc-ee, a popular mascot.

Holy Trinity senior Charlie Robbins paints Daku.

Savannah Schulz of Holy Trinity and her mom Theresa bond over the project.

Leighton Hartwell of Viera High School has fun creating an image to remember.

Micah Wiggins of Viera High School paints with his mom Audrey and his sister Finley.

Emily Potts of Viera High School paints with her younger sister, Camryn Potts.

Natalie Doig is a senior at Holy Trinity.

Reha Patel and her parents, Hetal and Kavita, enjoy a family moment at Holy Trinity.

Jadeyn Webb of Holy Trinity enjoys the day with her mom Jamie Castellon and Amy McIntosh.

Ashlee Mullen of Holy Trinity works hard on decorating her parking spot.

Annual Fall two-part event

KIDS PAGE

AUGUST 2024

Build your own spacecraft!

VIERA/SUNTREE

How would you like to be the chief engineer for an important NASA mission? In this activity, you get to design the latest and greatest satellite. Your satellite could help study things happening on Earth, take pictures of planets in our solar system, keep an eye on our sun, or even find planets elsewhere in the universe. You get to decide how to make your satellite — its all up to you.

OK kids, it’s again that time of the year to get creative and artistic and come up with your ingenious designs for your MiniCrow.

While you are building your satellite, though, keep in mind that your satellite must have a couple of basic things:

Never built one before? Don’t worry — just have fun with your creative design and show it off at the Viera Harvest Festival on Oct. 19.

The Mini-Crow division in the Viera Voice Scarecrow Stroll and Viera Harvest Festival has been a huge hit for the past several years. This year, it promises to provide even more fun and entertainment.

Children who wish to build a scarecrow of their own and bring it to the Kids 'Crow Building Contest at the start of the Viera Harvest Festival can win cash prizes.

Remember, Mini-Crows can be no taller than 3 feet tall and they must incorporate straw or hay.

Here’s the plan:

All Mini-Crows must be on site and ready for display at Woodside Park by 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 when the Viera Harvest Festival begins. There is no entry fee for the two age groups — 5 to 8 years old and 9 to 14. The first-place winner in each age group will earn $15. The secondplace winner will take home $10, and the third-place winner will receive $5.

Edible Ingredients:

Your satellite needs some sort of container to hold all of the gizmos together and keep its instruments safe.

You will need something to give your satellite electricity so that it can run all of its high-tech gizmos. Solar panels or fancy batteries

This is why you launched your satellite in the first place. Instruments can take pictures of faraway galaxies or planets right here in our Solar System, measure chemicals in Earth’s atmosphere or keep a close eye on our Sun’s activity. It’s your decision.

You will need some way to communicate with Earth. Antennas (shaped like dishes or poles and rods) are a good way to

Make sure you have something that lets your satellite know where it’s pointed and which way is ‘up.’ Something that looks at the stars (a star tracker) or the sun (a sun tracker) would work.

child's property.

The idea is to make your own satellite using whatever (safe) materials you feel like using. The only requirement is that it must have the five basic things mentioned above. Here are some ideas for what to use. They are just suggestions. Be creative and find new ways to build your satellite. You can also make your satellite edible, if you so desire.

• rice crispy treats

• sugar wafers

The Mini-Crow division was created to give children a chance to participate in the crow-building event, Viera Voice publisher Jill Blue said. Many of the children who have participated in the past are already at work on this year's entries.

• graham crackers

• pretzels

Traditional ’Crows will be at businesses and organization locations across the greater Viera/Suntree area from Oct. 3 through 17 before they are moved to the Viera Harvest Festival at Woodside Park at 1705 Crane Creek Blvd., off Murrell Road.

• gummy worms/candy

• licorice twists

• frosting

• brownies

The Mini-Crows will be on display at the Saturday, Oct. 19 event at Woodside Park. Unlike the traditional scarecrows in the event, the Mini-Crows will not be auctioned for charity. They will remain the

“I’m excited to see what the kids come up with this year,” Blue said. “It will be a lot of fun at this year’s Viera Harvest Festival.”

Children are encouraged to use hay and recycled items, where possible.

• toothpicks (don’t eat these, just use them to keep the food together.)

Non-edible Ingredients:

• juice boxes or other small boxes

Rules and a registration form can be found online at vieravoice.com/scarecrow_ stroll. Builder registration forms will also be available in the October issue of the Viera Voice. For more information, call 321-242-1235. VV

velcro

Elmer’s glue

tape

If you and your school's robotics team want to be a part of our inaugural Viera Voice Robots Carrying Pumpkins, give us a call at 321-242-1235 or email

media@bluewatercreativegroup.com

Teams will have the opportunity to showcase their robots and must demonstrate what it can do. It might encourage other students to consider STEAM programs at their schools.

Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

State research project studies threatened sandhill cranes

BY CAMERON COUNTRYMAN

Florida sandhill cranes — those big gray birds with redand-white faces — take their time strutting across the street, often halting traffic.

Some might call sandhill cranes pesky; some might love them. Regardless of one’s feelings about these birds, Florida sandhill cranes must be protected.

There are only about 4,600 Florida Sandhill cranes left, making them a threatened and protected species. The sandhill cranes’ main threat is habitat loss due to the draining of wetlands and the urbanization of uplands.

They use wetlands for nesting, foraging and roosting and uplands for foraging and loafing. However, the sandhill cranes are adapting to urban life.

The Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) began marking adult sandhill cranes with radio tags and/or color bands in 2017 to “better understand survivorship, productivity and habitat use along the urban gradient.”

The project has been worthwhile.

“This project has really given us insight into a lot of different aspects of urban life and the survival and breeding and movements among the different habitats and also the threats that they’re facing,” Avian Research Biologist Tim Dellinger said.

The radio tags sit on one of the upper legs of the cranes and do not hinder their movement at all. They are 3D-printed cellular transmitters, so each morning they can send the birds’

previous 24-hour movements to the computer.

“The radio tags are pretty sophisticated these days,” Avian Research Biologist Ron Bielefeld said. “They’ve got built-in GPS receivers, and they log a point every 30 minutes, so we’re getting a heap load of data from individual birds.”

The radio tags can track when the birds are flying, how high they are in the air and how fast they are going.

About 100 birds are tagged with color bands.

The bands give different information about the birds. Blue bands indicate adult sandhill cranes. Green bands indicate an adult bird with two juveniles, and a white band over a red band indicates two adult sandhill cranes.

Citizens are asked to report any color-banded sandhill cranes they see to the FWRI for research.

The project has been beneficial to Florida’s sandhill cranes.

Dellinger said, “This project has really given us insight into a lot of different aspects of urban life and the survival and breeding and movements

Avian Research Biologist Miranda Watford often does reviews of information of tagged birds to better understand the sandhill cranes’ use of different areas.

“Dots on the map don’t always explain why the birds are using these areas,” Watford said. “I’ll also do health checks to make sure our equipment isn’t impeding the birds’ movements and that they haven’t had any run-ins with cars, fishing lines and that kind of thing.”

and also the threats that they’re facing.” VV

VIERA VOICE Elaine Moody

Sandhill cranes are a threatened species due to the draining of wetlands and the urbanization of uplands. They are often seen crossing roadways in Brevard County.

VIERA VOICE photo

Sandhill cranes have a special meaning to Bluewater Creative Group publications. The Viera Voice mascot is Vivo, the sandhill crane. Vivo appears from time to time at different community events around Viera and Suntree.

The internet is a factor in 90% of Florida sex trafficking cases

BY LINDA JUMP

Imagine teen sex trafficking, and most think of a pretty bouncy cheerleader charmed by a friendly woman, given a drug in her water bottle, then forced into a white van of lecherous older men never to be seen again.

Think again.

More likely the danger is in your child’s cell phone. Most gaming and social media apps have a chat component, and your child could secretly be talking with someone they don’t know, posing as their age. “Ninety percent of the cases (of human trafficking) in Florida have some type of online aspect,” said Michaela Darty, a criminal justice coordinator with the Central Region’s Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF).

A victim’s average age is 10 to 13 “and consistently, that age is going down,” according to Ezri Damschroder of Paving the Way Foundation, an Orlando nonprofit. “We need to educate ourselves about the dangers online and

“We need to educate ourselves about the dangers online and know as a parent your child’s television and social media use.”

— Ezri Damschroder

know as a parent your child’s television and social media use.”

Leah Nepro of Palm Bay became a victim of sex trafficking starting at age 13.

An A student, popular and confident, she joined a group of female competitive dancers and chaperones in a North Carolina hotel in 2016 and met an older boy.

“We used Snapchat every day for four months and I believed he was my boyfriend,” she said. “If I disagreed with my parents, he’d tell me he’d never treat me that way.”

On Dec. 14, after a family argument, she texted him to pick her up in his car and moved into his apartment

near her school. “At first, everything was fine. He drove me to and from school,” but slowly increased control over her phone, clothing, makeup and activities, feigning jealousy. He isolated her from friends and family. She did sometimes visit home, but returned “because I loved him.”

When he gave her his real name, admitting that he was 27 years old and that he used and sold drugs, “I was so betrayed, but stayed because I thought he was the only one who would ever love or value me.” Then, she was still a virgin.

The next month, he kept her from school for a month, bringing in buyers and prostitutes who glamorized their lifestyle.

“I was too young to work, but he controlled me. Once I was in it, it was awful, not glamorous.”

On April 2, 2017, Nepo said her boyfriend was high and paranoid, accusing her of calling the police because a cruiser sat in front of their hotel.

“I told him it was because I missed school and I’d go out and tell them I was OK, but I really called a friend to pick me up and take me home.”

Her trafficker sent threatening messages. “I was scared out of my mind every day and dealt with guilt.”

Without telling anyone all that happened, she begged her father for a new start with extended family in Philadelphia. After her suicide attempt, they moved, and her healing began. Still, she said, it wasn’t until she was a Florida Tech college student studying child advocacy that she acknowledged the extent of abuse.

These days, she praises her family for their support and finds purpose as a domestic violence prevention specialist with Serene Harbor, a center in Melbourne. “I can hear victim’s stories and not give them crazy looks because I know what they’re talking about. … I hope they can see that I’m not a junkie, not in a bad relationship and my strength can be an example.”

SOCIAL MEDIA SAFETY SUGGESTIONS:

Go to the American Academy of Pediatrics website for appropriate use for children and teens.

• Set a good example with your social media use.

• Know your child’s cell phone passwords and the apps they use.

• Periodically, talk with children and teens about what’s normal and appropriate to post and what isn’t. Let them know they can talk to you, including about any posts that make them uncomfortable or if they are asked for compromising photos.

• Not only block posts that are inappropriate or threatening, but report them to the app so they’ll be taken down.

• Review account settings on cell phones, tablets and computers. Make sure social accounts are set as private.

Area groups work together to combat human trafficking

BY LINDA JUMP

Throughout high school, Connie Rose’s father combined her incest with sex sales. Once free, healed and educated, the Tampa woman created Victims2Survivors, a multi-service program to help other sex trafficking victims regain purpose.

“I acted out and stole on purpose because nobody noticed the abuse. I was hidden in plain sight in an esteemed Christian family. Imagine if you had to turn in a parent, a best friend, a boyfriend,” she said.

Dozens of groups like Rose’s work to end human trafficking and serve victims. More than 200 legal and health professionals and

volunteers gathered last month at Eastern Florida State College’s Cocoa campus to discuss ways to cooperate at a symposium sponsored by U.S. Rep. Bill Posey.

Human trafficking can happen to anyone, speakers noted, and victims need non-judgmental, consistent, honest support and individual counseling to thrive. A more victim-based approach, increased funding for safe houses and support services combined with awareness would help.

Human trafficking means force, fraud or coercion for services, labor or a commercial sex act, and victims include newborns. U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg said only a tiny percent

involve kidnapping.

A third of the cases, like Rose was, are children and teens misused by a family member.

Florida ranks third, behind California and Texas, in trafficking, and it is prevalent in Brevard and surrounding counties. No specific numbers were cited at the symposium, but Ezri Damschroder of Paving the Way Foundation said Brevard’s proximity to theme parks, the ocean and population growth create plenty of potential victims.

“There are lots of programs, but not enough, especially not enough safe houses,” said Maegan Heller, the victim

TRAFFICKING

Continued on page 30

VIERA VOICE Linda Jump

On the screen is Connie Rose, a sex trafficking survivor, who founded and serves as executive director of Victims2Survirors. Panelists Andreena Harriman, Roger Handberg, Alan Wilkett and Maegan Heller participated in a symposium on human trafficking. Michaela Darty, not pictured, was also a panelist.

ScoopBUSINESS

Like-minded CEOs vow seamless credit union transition

BY MIKE GAFFEY

Brevard County-based Launch Credit Union and Community Credit Union of Florida plan to merge, combining more than $2.7 billion in assets and serving more than 143,000 members with 22 branches in Brevard and Volusia counties.

Pending regulatory approval and a membership vote, the merger is expected to be approved in July 2025, the credit unions announced Aug. 16.

“This collaboration demonstrates the credit union philosophy of ‘People Helping People,’ because together our combined resources and shared commitment enable us to offer enhanced products and services to our members while maintaining the high level of personalized service our members have come to expect,” said Joe Mirachi, Launch’s president/CEO.

Laurie Cappelli, the president/CEO of Community Credit Union, stated that the merger “will create a stronger, more resilient financial institution” dedicated to excellence.

“We’re definitely very like-minded,” she said. “We’re committed to our members, committed to our employees and committed to our communities. So, we’re very excited about this new partnership and our new future.”

The merger comes after extensive talks and will combine both credit unions’ strengths, offering enhanced products and services for members and expanding local community outreach, Mirachi said.

“What’s happening now with credit unions is that we’ve seen these multi-billiondollar credit unions moving into the market,” Mirachi said. “And by combining forces, we’re really going to be able to more effectively compete against that new competition coming in, which really ultimately means now we can keep the headquarters of our credit union based here in Brevard.”

As member-owned cooperatives, and under National Credit Union Association guidelines, merger approval is contingent upon member approval.

After the merger’s anticipated approval next

receive their new cards,” she said.

A name for the new credit union has not been chosen yet, Mirachi said. A branding firm likely will be hired to determine the name, he said.

The merger will help the new credit union to become more involved in the community, Mirachi said. As Community Development Financial Institutions, the companies can obtain grant monies to help underserved areas, he said.

for various events, Mirachi added.

The new credit union likely will consider expanding into other areas in a few years, Mirachi said. “Indian River County would be a likely area that would be high on the list,” he said.

Public reaction to the planned merger has been mostly positive, both CEOs said.

summer, Mirachi will become the combined credit union’s president/CEO. Cappelli will retire and serve as a consultant during the merger process.

Both credit unions will keep members updated on the merger process through their websites and other communication channels.

The two credit unions have a long history in Brevard. Established in 1953, memberowned, not-for-profit financial cooperative Community Credit Union of Florida was formed under a state charter by 10 teachers in Titusville and originally was known as the Brevard County Teachers Credit Union.

Launch Credit Union was established in 1963 at Kennedy Space Center and has expanded into Volusia County. Launch was recently named to Newsweek ’s “America’s Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions” for 2024.

Once the credit unions merge, officials will evaluate whether to combine branches that are close to each other, Mirachi said.

“We might consolidate two branches together, but I think we would take that as an opportunity to perhaps open a new branch somewhere else where we don’t have coverage,” he said.

There are no plans to reduce staff, Cappelli said.

“Our goal is to keep everyone on board as long as they’re in good standing and continue to carry forward with supporting them and their career paths,” she said.

Members’ current debit and credit cards will continue to be valid until the credit unions’ systems are integrated, Cappelli said. “There is a potential of card reassurance, but the main focus would be to make sure that it’s seamless

and their existing cards wouldn’t expire until they

“We’ll remain committed to the school systems in both counties” with financial assistance and volunteer labor

Back to School

“It’s been gratifying to see how quickly the bulk of the membership sees the benefits,” Mirachi said.

For more information, go to LaunchCU.com and ccuflorida.org VV

Shining Starr Learning Academy

Open enrollment for grades 6 to 11 for the 2024-2025 school year shiningstarrlearningacademy.com 1535 Cogswell St., Suite C24, Rockledge, FL 32955 321-522-6331

Non-discriminatory Policy - Shining Starr Learning Academy Inc. does not discriminate against any student on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition, sexual orientation, or social and family background.

VIERA VOICE photos

Joe Mirachi, left, the president and CEO of Launch Credit Union, will become the combined credit union's president and CEO. Laurie Cappelli, the president and CEO of Community Credit Union, will retire and serve as a consultant during the merger.

Viera cardiologist plans to open new medical complex

BY MIKE GAFFEY

Four years after cardiologist Dr. Hany Guirgis built his own office near Viera Boulevard and Murrell Road, he is adding a 10,000-square-foot medical facility on adjacent property.

The as-yet-unnamed building will have four 2,500-square-foot rental offices available for doctors, said Guirgis, the owner of Prestige Cardiology Consultants, LLC, at 1765 Berglund Lane.

“It’s an opportunity for

other physicians to kind of join forces,” Guirgis said. “We just got permits and we're about to start breaking ground in the next couple weeks.”

Several physicians have already inquired about the new office space, said Guirgis, a native of Egypt who earned his medical degree from Cairo University and came to Viera in 2011. The facility should open by spring 2025, he added.

Board-certified in six different specialties, Guirgis moved his practice from

a rental office on Spyglass Hill Road to his current location, which opened in January 2020 just before the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We literally built the office and had no patients,” he recalled.

Today, Prestige Cardiology Consultants offers the latest in general, interventional, nuclear and preventive cardiology services, as well as peripheral vascular disease treatment, echocardiography, vascular and

endovascular interventions, venous ablation and varicose veins management, and preoperative risk assessment and clearance assistance.

“We do all kinds of testing for the heart, including nuclear testing as well as monitoring of peripheral vascular disease,” Guirgis said. “We like to treat the patient as a whole, not just looking at one thing and focusing on it.”

Guirgis is recruiting his

staff to come up with a name for the new facility.

“I like to involve my office staff in every decision we make,” he said. “So we have a contest between the office staff for the best name. So we're working on that.”

Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call Prestige Cardiology Consultants, LLC at 321-421-7544 or go to prestigecardiology.com VV

VIERA VOICE Mike Gaffey

Dr. Hany Guirgis, the owner of Prestige Cardiology Consultants, LLC in Viera, is adding a 10,000-square-foot facility for physicians next to his office.

VIERA VOICE

Courtesy of Prestige Cardiology Dr. Hany Guirgis came to Viera in 2011.

SUDOKU

Edited by Margie E. Burke

Weep

Brown, e.g.

Drives

Serve to be re-served

Sylvester, to Tweety

45. Pursue 48. Spell-off 49. Cut down 50. Sworn statement 56. Make known

Pursue 58. Spare change? 59. Meddle 60. Overly sentimental 61. Purpose

1. Escort’s offering 2. “You stink!” 3. Have something 4. Played out 5. Squabble 6. Meal source 7. Bar order 8. Museum Folkwang locale 9. Sediment 10. Completed 11. Memory unit

16. Chekhov title character 20. After-tax amount 21. Night fliers 22. Give 23. Dittography, e.g. 24. Handle 25. Congeal

Barely beat

BB’s and bullets

Hip

Reed section member

Stitched

Functioned as

Brewer’s need

Qualifying rounds

Fella 46. Prince of Wales, e.g. 47. Off 48. Two-wheeler 51. Small number

Late ___

Through

Tick off

Golf ball prop

TRAFFICKING

Continued from page 24

services coordinator for the FLITE Center and the Space Coast Human Trafficking Task Force.

Andreena Harriman of Devereux Florida’s Delta Program of Viera said she often waits for services. “There is no one size fits all. We have to help (victims) see that they’re enough,” she said.

Alan Wilkett, a retired sergeant from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Department, noted that the “demand side of the triangle, the buyers, seem to get a pass.” He urged crafting bills and statutes to hold those buying trafficked sex equally culpable. He and Handberg said

victims often distrust police and officials. “The evidence in this case is a human being. You don’t set them on a shelf for nine months like you do drugs in a drug case.”

Handberg added, “A number of victims were previously defendants in a case, so there’s skepticism.” He said a court case can take many months but requires a stable victim to undergo questioning.

Michaela Darty, a crime justice coordinator for Florida’s Central Region Department of Children and Families, agreed. “We have to gain their trust and be there even when they’re yelling at us.”

The national hotline is 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP to 233733 BEFREE. VV

VIERA VOICE Shutterstock

Social media is a major factor in some human trafficking cases.

Ford’s Garage restaurant — how it came to be an iconic brand

BY CAMERON COUNTRYMAN

Complete with an old-fashioned Ford car that hangs over the bar and blows smoke every half hour, Ford’s Garage restaurant is now part of the Viera community.

It is decorated creatively with unique automobilethemed items. Even the napkin rings stick to the theme.

Ford’s Garage serves up a classic American menu such as the Estate Burger, the BBQ Brisket Burger, Bison Burger, Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna, Ford’s Original Nachos and much more.

Tampa-based 23 Restaurant Services opened the first Ford’s Garage in Fort Myers in 2012. At the time, the company did not have the licensing rights to Ford Motor Company’s logos and insignia, so it changed small details of the logo to avoid legal issues. If Ford Motor Company was unhappy with that, the name of Ford’s Garage would have been changed to Henry’s Garage.

After two more Ford’s Garages opened in Cape Coral and Estero, Ford Motor Company reached out to the restaurant because it loved the concept.

Two years of negotiations later, Ford’s Garage and

Ford Motor Company were licensed partners. Part of the agreement was that current or past employees of Ford Motor Company would get a 10-percent discount at Ford’s Garage.

“For us, it’s all about partnering with iconic brands and really elevating their name, as well as ours,” said Jennifer Paci, the director of new store openings.

Ford's Garage in Viera opened in July.

23 Restaurant Services also owns Yeoman’s Top Golf Swing Suite, Arnold Palmer’s CenterCup, Don the Beachcomber, Tiki Docks and more themed restaurants.

Like Ford’s Garage, Don the Beachcomber is packed with history. It is a re-creation of the first tiki restaurants opened by Donn Beach in the 1930s. When Beach died, his restaurants died with him, so 23 Restaurant Services bought the rights to the name and reopened the restaurant how Beach would have opened it.

Tiki Docks is in the same vein as Don the Beachcomber and is set to open near Ford’s Garage in Viera. It is a colorful, beachy, vibrant restaurant that celebrates Florida’s “diverse food and beverage flavors.” VV

Officials, community celebrate Viera Hospital's new labor and delivery unit

BY MIKE GAFFEY

Health First’s Viera Hospital has several reasons to celebrate.

Officials had a ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 16 for the hospital’s new, stateof-the-art Labor and Delivery Unit and offered public tours, just days after the hospital learned it had earned a coveted 5-star overall rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for the second consecutive year.

“It doesn't get any better than that,” said Lance Skelly, the systems director, corporate communications with Health First.

In addition, the first baby has been born in the new labor and delivery unit.

The new unit, which officially opened on Aug. 21, handles the labor and delivery care from Cape Canaveral Hospital while a new hospital and medical complex on Merritt Island is built about four miles west of the 62-year-old beachside hospital.

Additionally, Health First Medical Group will open its new Vidina Obstetrics and Gynecology office on Vidina Drive just south of the hospital.

“I’m excited about the upgrades that we did and the things that we thought of when designing this unit,” Hoffman said. “It’s very friendly for people like me who want to birth naturally. The room is big. The shower is big.”

Another special delivery arrived on July 31, when Viera Hospital learned it was one of only 381 U.S. hospitals — and one of only 15 in Florida — to earn a top 5-star rating in CMS’ Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings for 2024.

CMS annually assigns star ratings to U.S. hospitals based on 46 hospital quality measures, divided into five quality categories: patient experience, safety of care, mortality, readmission rates, and timely and effective care.

“This accolade is a culmination of all the hard work, dedication and passion each and every one of our associates brings to the table, day in and day out,” hosptial administrator Dustin Boring said. VV

VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Health First

Stefanie Hoffman, a Health First certified nurse midwife at Cape Canaveral Hospital who works at Viera Hospital, plans to have her second child — a boy — at the new Labor and Delivery Unit in October.

Stefanie Hoffman, a Health First certified nurse midwife from Cape Canaveral Hospital now working at Viera Hospital, is thrilled to have her second child — a boy — at the new Viera unit in October.

VIERA VOICE Jill Blue

Ford's Garage staff member Emma greets Liam Wood, one of the restaurant's youngest customers.

VIERA VOICE Jill Blue

Viera Charter School Principal Dr. Julie Cady, Big Blue, the school's mascot, and Ford's Garage staff celebrate the restaurant's opening.

Going beyond septics for the Lagoon

We have some 80,000 conventional septic systems in Brevard County. Their numbers ballooned during the construction bloom following World War II. These systems were designed for sanitary (human waste control) purposes, not for pollution control.

Conventional septic systems (see figure) allow solids to sink to the bottom of the tank, grease and fats float to the top and the liquid wastewater to be dispersed directly into the soil of a drain field. If the system is properly designed and maintained, the microbes in the soil kill the bacteria and viruses in the liquid before it reaches the groundwater. Solids and grease should be pumped out periodically.

Conventional systems, at best, remove only 30 % of the nitrogen pollution that harms the Indian River Lagoon. There are 53,000 such systems in the Brevard IRL watershed, allowing nearly 400,000 pounds of nitrogen pollution to seep through our sandy soil into the IRL annually. They are the third largest contributor to the problem.

Leaders realized that to restore the IRL, we needed to stop adding more conventional septics and to begin removing the existing systems. Brevard County took the first step in 2018 by prohibiting the construction of new conventional systems near the IRL and its tributaries. Beginning July

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Katherine LaPenna has been named the operations manager of Florida Wildlife Hospital in Melbourne.

LaPenna, who completed a Ph.D. earlier this year and started at the Wildlife Hospital as a front desk technician, was soon moved into her new role as operations manager.

In 2014, she started volunteering at the Auckland Zoo in New Zealand, where she grew up. There, she fell in love with Burma, the Asian elephant.

30, 2023, the State prohibited the permitting of new conventional systems within our IRL watershed.

They took an even bolder step as well. They mandated that all existing conventional septic systems within the IRL watershed must be connected to sewer or replaced by advanced, high performing (at least 65% pollution removal) systems by July 1, 2030.

The Save Our Indian River Lagoon (SOIRL) programs have grant programs for septic to sewer connection (brevardfl. gov/SaveOurLagoon/

SewerProjects) and for replacing conventional units with advanced systems (brevardfl. gov/SaveOurLagoon/ SepticSystemUpgrades). The State is making additional funding available for these efforts.

Septics helped make our current community possible, but it is time to move beyond conventional septic systems in order to restore and preserve "Our Piece of Paradise" — Our Indian River Lagoon.

Healing the IRL takes each of us. It takes all of us. It takes you and me! For more, visit helpthelagoon.org/ and facebook.com/BIRLC/. VV

LaPenna moved to Ireland in 2017, where she undertook a doctorate degree at Trinity College Dublin. In her spare time, she volunteered at the Dublin Zoo. While studying in Dublin, she met her husband and followed him to the United States.

As operations manager, LaPenna oversees the nursery, where the hospital rehabilitates its youngest patients.

Jeanette White has been named the Health and Wellness Advocate in Brevard County for Aging Matters in Brevard.

White was honored during an open house at the Sunflower House in West Melbourne, where Aging Matters celebrated National Senior Citizens Day on Aug. 21.

“This is really a great honor,’’ said the 67-yearold White, who teaches Sit and Get Fit classes each Wednesday and Friday at the Martin Andersen Senior Center in Rockledge. “The Sunflower House offers so many

— it feels

(ADL) services. Seniors

to come out and support

Katherine LaPenna

VIERA VOICE Courtesy of BIRLC

This graphic shows how a conventional septic system works.

Jeanette White

Join the fun, design a scarecrow for the Scarecrow Stroll

SPECIAL TO VIERA VOICE

Fall is almost here and the 12th Viera Voice Scarecrow Stroll will get underway Oct. 3 through 17, culminating with the Harvest Festival from 10 to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 at Woodside Park off of Murrell.

“This year’s festival will be in a large open grassy area with a lot of trees,” said Jill Blue, the CEO of Bluewater Creative Group, which publishes the Viera Voice, Senior Life and the The Boomer Guide. “We expect that this venue will bring out lots of families to this fun event that will benefit a worthwhile cause.”

Businesses are invited to build a scarecrow to generate foot traffic along a mapped route across the greater Viera/Suntree area, the public coming to view and vote on the unique creation for the People’s Choice top award trophy and bragging rights for the year. The handcrafted 'Crows will be sold at silent auction during the Viera Harvest Festival to benefit Harmony Farms Equine Assisted Therapy, which helps disabled individuals

of all ages improve their physical, mental and emotional well-being.

"Creating a scarecrow is a fun, team-building exercise that gives employees an even greater sense of pride in their workplace," Blue said.

“When all the ’Crows come together it creates a colorful scene and makes everyone laugh. This is great for businesses to show off their artist abilities. Each 'Crow is different and the names can be quite clever. As you view all the 'Crows, think about the one you would like to bid on and buy. Remember, all funds benefit a worthy cause.”

Viera Voice is building

Woody from “Toy Story.”

"We invite everyone to come out and have fun at the free family-friendly event. The business you

patronize and care about in the community will be supporting a local charity by their participation in this event."

A pull-out map in a special section that will be published in October's Viera Voice is also a ballot, showing readers where to go to see the scarecrows and get a secret code as proof you visited. The more scarecrows they enjoy, the more valuable the prizes that are up for grabs when they drop off their ballots at locations in east, west, north and south areas of greater Viera, Suntree. Schools will also

create schoolcrows, to be displayed at a sponsoring business location along the route for viewing, voting and a silent auction. The People's Choice award trophy will go to the 'Crow with the most votes on the Stroll. The scarecrows and schoolcrows will be moved to the Harvest Festival for judging for Best of Show and a $300 prize sponsored by Viera Voice, and placed up for silent auction to benefit either the charity or the school.

Continuing with

Continued on page 37

The Murtha Law Group, PA

Kevin M. Murtha Attorney and Counselor at Law

VIERA VOICE Jill Blue

This year's Harvest Festival will be held at Woodside Park in Viera.

Hello September

SATURDAY

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Monday Night Trivia 9 p.m. Hosted by Stacy Rodriguez.

Island Root Kava Bar 7954 N. Wickham Road Suntree, 321-622-6854

Tuesday Trivia 4 - 6 p.m.

Family friendly trivia, free to play.

Pizza Gallery

2250 Town Center Ave. Viera 321-633-0397

Sit and Get Fit 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Martin Andersen Senior Center

1025 S. Florida Ave. Rockledge 321-631-7549

Sit-n-Stitch 1 - 3 p.m.

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

Story Time

9 a.m.

One of Dr. Seuss’s many iconic stories is read aloud.

Chick-fil-A 8300 N. Wickham Road Viera, 321-751-0801

Tea Party: Tea and Health Insights 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

ClinCloud offers a chance to ask medical professionals questions about women's health.

RSVP

Magnolia Hall 5 Rosa L. Jones Drive Cocoa, 321-751-6771

National Day of Commuy Service

Viera Park Market 4 - 8 p.m. Viera Regional Park Viera, 321-759-3713

Free Yoga Class 8:30 a.m.

Bring your own towel and yoga mat. One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771

9/11 Remembrance Ceremony

9 - 10 a.m.

Rockledge Civic Hub 530 Barton Blvd. Rockledge, 321-221-7540

AARP Driver Safety Program

9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Safety program for senior drivers.

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

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Space Coast Jeep Club

Meetup

1 - 3 p.m.

Second Sunday of each month. For all Jeep enthusiasts.

BeachFly Brewing Company

513 Barton Blvd. Rockledge 321-305-6865

Dietician Series: Meal Planning

1 - 2 p.m.

A seminar on diet and nutrition-related topics. One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771

Space Coast Photographer Meetup 6 - 8 p.m.

Olive Tree 2270 Town Center Ave. Viera, 321-631-0188

Scam Prevention Seminar

4 p.m.

Launch Credit Union presents an educational class on what to look for and what to avoid when you suspect fraud. RSVP required.

Shell Harbor 2855 Murrell Road Rockledge 321-252-1224

World Trade Center Memorial

Visit the memorial of the World Trade Center. The Avenue Viera 2261 Town Center Ave. Viera, 321-634-5390

9/11 Memorial Tribute

5:30 p.m.

Brevard Veterans Center 400 S. Sykes Creek Pkwy. Merritt Island 321-453-1776

Breast and Body Surgery Seminar

5 p.m. Hosted by Dr. Adam Kinal. RSVP Bassin Center 1705 Berglund Lane Viera, 407-851-3888

Sit and Get Fit 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Martin Andersen 1025 S. Florida Ave. Rockledge 321-631-7549

Thimble Girls in Friendship (TGIF)

9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Bring your project. Suntree/Viera Library 902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 321-255-4404

Senior Health Friday 10 - 11 a.m.

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

Viera East Farmers Market

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Woodside Park 1705 Crane Creek Blvd. Viera

2024 Mental Health Fair

8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Speakers, breakout sessions and mental health resources. Suntree United 7400 N. Wickham Road Suntree, 321-255-7378 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Bunco for Boobies

1 p.m.

Fundraiser for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides event to raise awareness in the battle of Breast Cancer. Wickham Park Senior Center 2785 Leisure Way Melbourne 321-255-4494

Scottish Country Dancing

6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Springs of Suntree 8300 Holiday Springs Road Suntree, 321-427-3587

Books are Always Better Book Club

6:30 - 7:45 p.m.

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

Veterans Benefits Seminar

10 - 11 a.m.

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

Free Liver Scans

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Presented by ClinCloud. One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771

Space Coast Modern Quilt Guild

9 a.m. - noon Monthly meeting.

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

A Taste of Shell Harbor 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Enjoy piano music and hors d’oeuvres. RSVP Shell Harbor 2855 Murrrell Road Rockledge, 321-2521221

Third Thursday 5 - 8 p.m. The Avenue Viera 2250 Town Center Ave. Viera, 321-634-5390

Catholic Comedian Karina Fabian

8 p.m.

A night of clean and Catholic-centered comedy featuring comedienne Karina Fabian with opener Billy Moglia.

St. John’s Parish Hall 5655 Stadium Parkway Viera, 321-637-9650

15th annual Eagle Pride

5K, 1 Miler and Soaring Eagle Challenge 7 a.m. Benefit for Ascension Catholic School Wickham Park 2500 Parkway Drive Melbourne Runsignup.com

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Ghost Plushie Workshop

Noon - 2 p.m.

Thrive Local 2291 Town Center Ave., #111 Viera, 321-720-7121

Brevard Zoo Legacy Golf Outing

Noon - 7 p.m.

Suntree Country Club One Country Club Drive Suntree, 321-254-9453

Speed Trivia 6 - 9 p.m. Presented by Winterhawk. 8260 N. Wickham Road Viera, 321-242-1200

Salsa Dance Night

4:30 - 9 p.m.

Beginner salsa lesson followed by open Latin dancing. Tuscany Grill 6630 Colonnade Ave. Viera, 305-970-9022

Elder Law Series Part 1

4 - 5 p.m.

Part one of an eight-week series of presentations.

Part 1: How Estate Plans

Protect You & Prevent Exploitation. One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771

Viera East Travelers Club Meeting

6 p.m.

Kim Foy of Collette Tours will present 2025 tours. Viera East Golf Resident’s Club 1964 Golf Vista Blvd. Viera, 321-890-3522

Cuban Dinner and Conversation 6 p.m. Fundraiser to benefit Cuban partner churches. Suntree United 7400 N. Wickham Road Suntree, 321-255-7378

Rachmaninoff 3 7 p.m. Presented by the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra. Scott Center at Holy Trinity 5625 Holy Trinity Drive Suntree, 855-252-7276 29 30

Monthly Journaling and

2 - 4 p.m.

Viera Cookbook

Carrots, squash, zucchini makes a tasty, healthy combination

BY ELAINE MOODY

It is healthier for an overall daily diet to eat more fruits and vegetables.

This is an easy recipe for a colorful and healthy addition to your meals. It consists of white onions, carrots, yellow squash and zucchini.

All of these vegetables are low in fat, no cholesterol or sodium.

Zucchini is usually thought of as a vegetable but is actually considered a fruit. It’s a great source of fiber, vitamins A, C, B6 and thiamine. It also includes manganese, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus.

It may help with blood sugar levels from spiking after meals and may aid in lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes.

consider.

Yellow squash is another super-food, as it’s high in fiber, manganese, vitamins C, B6, riboflavin and potassium. Manganese is

also thought to promote bone strength and help process carbohydrates and fats in our bodies.

Carrots are a great

source of fiber and rich in vitamins A, K, calcium and beta carotene, not to mention, they are low in calories.

White onions are full of vitamins, minerals and fiber and can aid in digestion. They may also help with reducing inflammation and strengthening your immune system. White onions are milder and give a very nice flavor to other vegetables.

When cooked together, you have a delicious, healthy and colorful addition to your meals.

Ingredients:

1 carrot

1 zucchini

1 yellow squash

¼ white onion

Salt and pepper (to taste)

Bacon bits (optional)

Olive Oil ( 1 tablespoon)

Water (2 tablespoons)

Wash and peel carrot, cut into thick circles or strips.

Slice white onion.

In a 10-inch skillet, add olive oil and heat to medium. Add onion and carrot and cover the skillet. Lower heat to medium low and sauté until the carrots just start to soften. Add sliced zucchini and squash. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir the vegetables together, add water and cover. Continue to cook until zucchini and squash are tender.

If desired, sprinkle bacon bits on top for added flavor and cover for a couple of minutes.

Serve with your favorite fish or meat.

Makes two to three individual servings. Enjoy. VV

Reducing food waste provides a win-win-win solution for everyone

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”

— Mother Teresa

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT OUR

BEYOND the CURB

Recycle Brevard

Food waste makes up 24% of landfill waste and 22% of combusted solid waste, according to the U.S. EPA. Most of that waste, 21% of it according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), comes from households, while 10% comes from consumer-facing businesses. To help tackle that problem, the EPA created a toolkit that assists organizations interested in reducing wasted food from households to implement a small-scale Food: Too Good to Waste campaign. The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness of the food wasted in households and connect that with the money lost, hoping that it motivates families to review their habits and consequently reduce food waste over time.

Another important device created to facilitate the reduction of food waste is the Good Samaritan Food Donation Act of 1986 that protects “a person or gleaner who donate in good faith apparently wholesome food or apparently fit grocery products to a nonprofit organization for ultimate distribution to needy individuals. The act also provides protection against civil and criminal liability to the nonprofit organizations that receive such donated items in good faith,” according to the USDA.

That act protects businesses and organizations that donate foods to the ones in need, benefiting those individuals and helping divert good food from the landfill. Those are excellent alternatives, but while traveling I became aware of yet another solution: Food To

Save, a win-win-win approach to curb food waste.

Food To Save, created in 2021, is an app that connects food establishments (grocery stores, restaurants, bakeries, cafes and food shops) to consumers, offering foods that are close to the expiration date for up to 70% off the original price. Establishments post the number of food bags they have available in certain categories (general groceries, produce, bakery, sweet, savory or mixed) at a certain price and consumers select the bag according to their preference and the price they are willing to pay. The bags can be picked up within an agreed time window or delivered for a fee.

The big twist is that consumers do not know the exact food they will be receiving in their surprise bag — food establishments guarantee that the total value of food included in their bags is of at least a certain amount and under the category selected, but that is all. This makes the whole experience more interesting and fun.

I tried the various categories from different food establishments and they were all extraordinary, both the amount and quality. As far as delivery and pick up, they were both efficient and worked without hiccups. The experience offered an added FOOD WASTE

Continued on page 39

VIERA VOICE Elaine Moody

Vegetables such as carrots, squash and zucchini are healthy options to

For an invitation to the September VMB meeting, call 321-242-1235.

VIERA MEANS BUSINESS M ANS SINES UP

In August, the Viera Means Business networking group met at the Fairway Cigar Lounge in The Avenue Viera for breakfast and coffee. The Viera Means Business networking group meets at 8 a.m. the second Thursday of each month at various locations. Join business colleagues in Viera and the surrounding area to network.

VIERA MEANS BUSINESS

SCARECROW

Continued from page 33

tradition, the kids' MiniCrow building contest is open to children in ages 5 to 8 and 9 to 14. The mini crow can be any character that includes hay in its design, be no taller than 3 feet and which can be carried by the child.

The Viera Harvest Festival is where the public can stroll to see the best of all the scarecrows all in one place, and enjoy other free activities, such as live music, a pumpkin patch and food trucks.

The Penny Creek Band will return to entertain everyone at the festival. The modern bluegrass band based out of Melbourne has played more often than not at most of the Harvest Festivals through the years.

The band, in existence since 2005, is comprised of Chris Paganoni (guitar), Susan Pounds (bass), Fritz Kraemer (mandolin) and John Apfelthaler (banjo).

The Penny Creek Band says its music has strong elements of bluegrass, as well as Americana, classic country, Irish, folk, oldies and original songs.

“The Penny Creek Band is back,’’ Blue said. “This bluegrass band puts

sizes.

everyone in the harvest mood — dancing, singing along, and getting into the pumpkin spirit.

The Pumpkin Patch returns with miniature pumpkins. There will be hay bale horses ready for photos with the children.

Doctors from the Ted E. Bear Clinic will be ready to diagnose all the ills of children’s stuffed animals. Certificates will be given for the furry friends after being given a clean bill of health.

Sponsors also are needed for the two-part event. For information, call the Viera Voice at 321-242-1235 or go to vieravoice.com VV

Christian Vargas, Diana Douty

Trey Baruti stands in the walk-in humidor at Fairway Cigar Lounge. Baruti was the venue sponsor. David Charitat was the guest speaker.

Dustin Schiff, Kathy Sorrell, Liz Taylor Andrea Wheeler, Joseph Grutta, Michelle Walker, Kristine Rosenfeld, Cheryl Clark

Celestial Krzyston, Jenee Krzyston, Angie Higgins, Dixie Patel and Jesse Scianno

Rose Bobier, Erikka Williams

Andrea Wheeler, new member, Cartama RamosCrafton and Jessica Lynn Silva

Vincent Romero, James Brassard, Anjanette Wicks

Part of the VMB group gathered on the back patio after the meeting.

Michael Andrew, vocalist Michael Andrew, vocalist Sounds of the Season Sounds of the Season

Hina Khuong-Huu, violin Hina Khuong-Huu, violin

VIERA VOICE Jill Blue Colorful Scarecrows come in all shapes and

SENIOR

Edited by Margie E. Burke

Couple have a long history of pilots and nurses in the family

BY ERNIE DORLING

In 1955, Billy and His Comets led the Billboard top 30 songs with their hit, “Rock Around the Clock.”

Tennessee Ernie Ford was close behind with his trademark song, “Sixteen Tons.” It was the same year that Ed and Pat Lankenau of Suntree started dating after graduating from high school on Long Island, New York. “We met when we were 13,” Pat Lankenau said, “but we never dated until he came home on leave from the Air Force Academy in his uniform. After that, fuhgeddaboudit,” she added, emphasizing her inner New York Italian. “I was hooked.”

the way, they produced four children, a boy and three girls; along with 15 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Among the ranks of those children are eight nurses and eight pilots; soon to be nine pilots if you count their son-in-law who is currently in flight training.

Bay, Labrador. Luckily, it was a false threat.”

5 2 7 2 6 8 4 7 4 3 1 9 5 2 3 4 1 7 2

Ed and Pat started dating and, for the next four years, Ed attended the U.S. Air Force Academy, becoming a pilot and flight instructor. Pat Lankenau continued her education, becoming a nurse working in every aspect of the nursing profession, including as an emergency room nurse and a psychiatric nurse, during her career.

In 1959, they married and have remained married for 65 years. Along

“I think many of our children and grandchildren found a calling into the same professions Ed and I were in,” Pat Lankenau said. “I think many of the kids gravitated to flying after hearing me talk about my days as a pilot,” Ed added. “I left the Air Force after seven years and went to work for TWA while remaining in the Air Force reserves.”

“I flew for 33 years,” Ed Lankenau said. “Things were so much easier and fun then, and long before 9/11. During my entire career, we almost never dealt with the serious issues pilots deal with now. The one time I had a problem was on a flight from Stockholm to the U.S. when over the Atlantic we got word that there was a bomb on board the plane. We had to divert to Goose

Ed and Pat Lankenau are now 86 years old. When they’re not visiting their 23 children and grandchildren, they enjoy cruising. “We’ve been on 48 cruises,” Ed Lankenau said. He is also an antique car enthusiast and participates in various antique car shows. “I like to show my 1953 Packard — it’s a beautiful car.”

“… we

never dated until he came home on leave from the Air Force Academy in his uniform.

After that, fuhgeddaboudit.”

— Pat Lankenau

Pat Lankenau loves dancing and has come in third place in three Dancing with the Stars competitions on cruise ships. She even won a dancing competition doing the Cha-Cha.

“I love dancing,” she said. “I still dance with the Golden Steppers at the

Cocoa Village Playhouse.”

When asked what the secret is to their long-term marriage, Ed Lankenau said laughing, “I answer,

yes dear to her every question.” Pat’s answer was more direct and simpler, “God is the glue,” she said. VV

VIERA VOICE Jill Blue Ed and Pat Lankenau have been married for 65 years and have a large family that includes many pilots and nurses.

Viera retiree helps Faith Place participants through faith, connection

BY CAMERON COUNTRYMAN

When Susan Wiedeman moved to Viera in June 2023, she was unsure of how she wanted to get involved in the community and where she wanted to volunteer.

As a retiree, Wiedeman does not take commitment to volunteering lightly because, once she makes a commitment, she sticks to it.

“I knew I wanted to volunteer for something, but I knew I wanted it to be something with a purpose,” she said.

Wiedeman has always had a soft spot for seniors and decided six months ago that Faith Place, a ministry of Faith Viera Lutheran Church (FVLC), where she is a member, was the place for her. She also volunteers quarterly on FVLC’s altar guild and often helps

FOOD WASTE

Continued from page 36

plus: I had the chance to try foods that I would not have otherwise. And when I received too many items or the items were really not of my taste, I simply donated to others. I saved, had fun with my surprises and made others happy, too.

After using Food To Save,

with her grandchildren’s transportation.

“You’re serving others, instead of people serving you … that’s what Christ has called us to do,” Wiedeman said.

Faith Place is a ministry of FVLC’s congregation that is designed for older adults to come and have fellowship with other older adults.

FVLC’s Family Counselor and Interim Director of Faith Place Dr. Douglas Fountain said that Faith Place is where seniors can do moderate chair exercises, Bible study, listen to presentations and music, eat snacks and spend time with friends. There is no fee.

“Our primary focuses are connection and faithfulness,” Fountain said.

One thing that Wiedeman loves about volunteering at Faith Place is the diversity of guests and volunteers. The

I searched for other apps that I could perhaps use locally and found Too Good To Go.

Founded in 2016 in Copenhagen to fight food waste, Too Good To Go (toogoodtogo.com) has grown to more than 95 million registered users and 160,000 active business partners across 18 countries in Europe and North

guests range from ages 37 to 101, and the volunteers range from ages 16 to 80-something. Some people come from the Midwest, some come from Barbados, Montserrat, Grenada and other islands and some have always lived in Brevard County. Some are Lutheran and some are of different religions. Each guest and volunteer has a multitude of great stories to tell, as well as a listening ear to hear others’ stories.

“Everyone at Faith Place loves and respects each other and enjoys the time spent in fellowship,” Wiedeman said.

Faith Place is held from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. She also has Bible study on Thursday mornings and brings the leftover snacks to Faith Place.

“At least for that one day a week, I have a purpose. I have a schedule,” she said.

America. It reports having been able to help “save over 330 million meals from being wasted, the equivalent of 873,500 tons of CO2e avoided.”

Impressive results, but to my disappointment, upon checking participating food establishments in Brevard County, only a couple were listed. As I see it, this has potential. We can get more

Volunteers must be members of FVLC and undergo a background check. Guests, however, do not have to be members of FVLC. The only thing required of guests is that they can get around without assistance and use

Brevard food establishments on the map and increase the amount of good food diverted from the landfill, helping businesses and residents to save some money while making a positive impact on the environment.

So if you own or know someone who owns a food establishment, check out this app and start making a difference today.

the restroom on their own. Faith Place is strictly social and not a medical facility.

“I could come to Faith Place everyday!” 101-year old Marjorie Frank said. Faith Place is in Building E at 5550 Faith Drive. VV

Why not check out store.toogoodtogo.com/ onboarding/create-account to find out more and join? VV

Email Marcia Booth at Marcia@RecycleBrevard.org

Recycle Brevard is an independent nonprofit organization 100% run by volunteers focused on reducing waste and promoting sustainable living.

VIERA VOICE Cameron Countryman

Susan Wiedeman, left, a volunteer at Faith Place, chats with participants Jean Bourne, Ana Julia Schafer, Erma O’Brien, Simon O’Brien and Joshua Kent at Faith Viera Lutheran Church.

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