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Commissioners want to hold line on property taxes Page 12

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Property Tax Increase (2)

City Manager looks ahead to 2012 Jim O’Connor has big plans for Vero Beach beyond what to do with the utilities Page 3

STAFF PHOTO

Riverside Park is one of the central hubs of activity for Vero Beach and much of Indian River County.

How parks promote the Vero lifestyle

City has made green space a priority Page 6

Going out in style Find that perfect outfit that will turn heads and start off the New Year right Page 24

History is the difference. Knowledge is the difference. Global is the difference.

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aaaaaaaa6+23 2&($16,'( aaaaaaa aaaaaaa aaa We would like to extend our gracious thanks to those who have made our progress possible.

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But the challenges are many as Jim O’Connor looks ahead to 2012

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B E A C H

that shift to smaller government. The biggest challenge is how to adapt to new ways to be eﬃcient and meet changing expectations at the same time,” O’Connor said. When asked whether or not he favors giving ﬁnancial and tax incentives to private business, O’Connor noted that small and larger businesses nationwide have been helped by such plans. “What would the City of Vero Beach be like without Piper Aircraft? The type of industries we (seem to) want here is very limited and trying to relocate business here is a challenge. Existing industries are easier,”

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O’Connor said while referencing another community - Daytona Beach - which has become over crowded and has a reputation for its rowdy beaches. Preserving a high quality of life and meeting citizen needs amid a challenging economy is a tough role for government, O’Connor said. “The economy is the issue aﬀecting government. There has been a shift in what Americans want. Years ago, we wanted service but we’ve now shifted to a ‘Wal-mart’ society where service isn’t as valuable as price is. “When we were more service oriented, it was ‘create those rules’ and now people want to be independent and government is going through

“view” of the city from his secondfloor office in City Hall is one of challenge and opportunity. “We have identification – a brand that’s ‘Vero Beach’ JIM O’CONNOR and it’s second to none. Greatly as a result of the area’s dominant agriculture, we have a community atmosphere that’s family oriented. “We may want to be a point of destination (for tourists and others), but we have imposed restrictions that preserve the quality of life and it’s a pretty good quality of life we have,”

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Following his initial five-month, whirlwind time in office, Vero Beach City Manager Jim O’Connor believes that while there is much work yet to be done to make municipal government more efficient responsive to citizens, the city’s history, amenities and even its climate make it an enviable place to live and work. “I think the city is in a very strong position,” O’Connor said right before the Christmas break. “We’re an attractive place and have a climate and unique geography that allows for us to enjoy 80-degree weather on Christmas.” Since beginning his duties as city manager last July 25, O’Connor’s

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BY BARBARA YORESH VERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY

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City Manager: Vero Beach brand ‘second to none’

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LOCAL NEWS

CITY MANAGER FROM PAGE 3

O’Connor said pointing to the objections expressed before the CVS distribution center was built in 2004 in an industrial park west of I-95 off State Road 60.

Smaller government through efficiency and evaluation Determining proper staffing levels and evaluating city employees is the first step to becoming more efficient in government, O’Connor said. “We’ve started employee evaluations and I believe the formal way to make (efficiency) it happens is in a face-toface meeting. There has to be internal control. You set the (employee) expectations and make changes where they are necessary. Most of the people I’ve interviewed with are able to adapt (to expectations),” O’Connor said. Changing the public’s image of city workers to a more positive one is important, O’Connor believes. “We want the public to know we can perform our jobs and I think many (employees) can adapt. There has been considerable turn-over (of employees) and there are lots of empty desks in City Hall that were mostly the result of budgetary issues. We’re in the process of rebuilding our organization and I have an open-door policy with employees although I do believe in chain of command. “But I’ve never seen a (enforced retirement) buy-out that’s appropriate.

Either an employee is pulling their weight or they’re not,” O’Connor said when asked about employee retirement incentives. The progression of “large” government paralleled that of American society, O’Connor observed. “We saw an expansion of social services in the 1960s and now we struggling to afford it. Government had taken the role of taking care of people. I think Congress reflects us and we’re very divisive right now. We’re even electing people on just one position or issue,” O’Connor said.

‘Benchmarking’ to boost government efficiency O’Connor emphasized the importance of making sure city residents – “our customers” – are “convinced they are getting true value for their investment” and pledged to work on achieving that respect “We’ve got to show people we have quality products going forth in our everyday life. We try to reduce the costs with the least impact on our customers. We’ve begun benchmarking with seven or eight other Florida cities with similar demographics to ours such as Cocoa Beach. “We’re asking our department heads to go to those cities and look at the number of employees they have in their

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respective department and see why some have more and some have less in an effort to find the most effective way to do business,” O’Connor said.

Utilities are big city issue O’Connor said the philosophy of whether the city’s higher electric rates are justifiable or not probably prompted some to run for city council. He expects the utility will be sold once the complex due diligence and financial considerations are evaluated and worked out. “The question is, if you can’t compete in price then should you be in business? Sixty percent of the electric plant’s customers – who live in the county – automatically benefit from a sale of the utility and the other 40 percent in the city are the risk takers,” O’Connor said with regard to whether the financial aspects of a power plant sale would prove beneficial or harmful to the city. “We’re hoping to get to a contract that reduces the rates and leaves the city with a revenue stream through ad valorem taxes and the like that’s sufficient to offset what our loss of (power plant) revenue will be,” O’Connor said. He estimated that it will take about two years to complete the financial evaluations which need to be done – with special attention to the cost of extricating from the city’s power contracts at a cost expected to be in the “tens of millions.” While the city is likely to exit the electric business in the future, O’Connor said the city’s water and sewer utility is worth keeping for now. “I think we have a very strong utility and I would not be in favor of selling it to the county for the value of its debt service ($24 million). I might favor a countywide utility authority be set up comprised of city and county representatives,” O’Connor said. For now, O’Connor said, the city is not considering selling the utility to the county. On Jan, 3, O’Connor hopes to submit a letter to Indian River Shores officials in an effort to continue to serve

that community’s water and sewer needs beyond the term of its present agreement which ends in Nov. 2016. Indian River Shores has already indicated that it is seriously considering a new arrangement with Indian River County. “I’ve been told that it just comes down to a function of price and we are going to put our best foot forward,” O’Connor said of the city’s planned bid to get Indian River Shores to reconsider.

Top city positions being evaluated Since the departure of former City Attorney Charles Vitunac, who retired in March amid City Council hearings to terminate him, the slot has been filled by acting City Attorney Wayne Coment, who had been the assistant city attorney. Some members of council including Mayor Pilar Turner and Councilman Jay Kramer have expressed a desire to see the position permanently filled. According to O’Connor, that city charter officer post is selected by council members. When former city Police Chief Don Dappen retired in November during termination procedures by O’Connor, Deputy Police Chief David Currey was named interim chief until a permanent chief is found. “We have to set a course before we name a permanent police chief. Our police department shows great skills at what they’re trained to do and they excel at the clearance rate for crimes. “But there’s another skill set and that’s the budgeting – conforming to the amount of money we’ll have to spend for the department. We’ll be looking at cost-saving methods while retaining high level of service. I’ve already talked to the (interim) chief about consolidating the dispatch center,” O’Connor said. The goal to greater efficiency will be applied department-wide, O’Connor said, and the city will seek partnerships with businesses and other entities to offset costs of recreation programs “to make it financially more feasible.”

History is the difference. Knowledge is the difference. Global is the difference.

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Comfort of Home.

Wishing you the Joy of Family, Happiness of Friends, and the

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Parks tell the story of the growth of Vero Beach LISA RYMER VERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY

The character of Vero Beach is very much defined by its park system. Its 17 major parks tell the city’s history and provide insight into Vero’s leaders and a glimpse into their governing principles that make this place so

special. Ironically, that invaluable open space parks provide helps elevate the value of surrounding properties. In fact, comparisons of the number of parks in communities similar to Vero Beach and the median home values seem to substantiate the claim that

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LOCAL NEWS

Monica Pierini, M.D. Board Certified Internal Medicine

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Dr. Monica Pierini of the internal medicine practice of Drs. Richard Franco, Steven Ritter and Bradley Kast, is now seeing new patients.

Monica Pierini, M.D.

Board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Dr. Pierini is a member of the American Medical Association and the American College of Physicians. She is a past presenter to the Annual Scientific Assembly in New Orleans, LA, and member of the University Research Group in the Immunology Department in Zulia, Venezuela.. Dr. Pierini provides medical care for: • Acute and chronic diseases (adults) • Hypertension • Diabetes • Preventive medicine • Pre-op clearances • Annual physicals • And other general primary care services

real estate prices increase relative to the lack of development. For instance, in Vero Beach, a community of about 15,000 people, the median home value is $251,200. That’s about 55 percent higher than the $161,700 median price of a home in Sebastian, a city with 22,000 residents and 14 parks. The city of Stuart, which has about 15,600 residents, has 9 parks. The median home value is $115,700. While each community must find its own balance of commercial, residential and parklands, studies confirm that development often requires more services – schools, police, fire, utilities, roads, etc. -- than what is paid in taxes to cover those services. The benefits of open space, therefore, are actually lower costs to maintain land that bolsters the economy by attracting tourists, residents and even tax-paying businesses looking to expand. In reviewing the history of Vero Beach, it becomes apparent that the dedication and preservation of parklands ultimately helped the community grow in a way that improved the quality of life and at the same time made financial sense.

Riverside Park When Alma Lee Loy was a young girl growing up in Vero Beach, Riverside Park was nothing more than swampland. Loy, a graduate of Vero Beach

High School, class of 1947, said there were few venues for youth recreation other than the beach and a community building. “We hung out at whatever root beer place was on US 1,” recalled Loy, a former business owner and a community leader for more than 50 years. Currently, there is a bill in Tallahassee to rename the 17th Street Bridge in her honor. “Back then, you either did things at school or you did things at church.” She remembers the area along the river being used as a dumping ground for debris from land being cleared on the island. “Instead of trucking the debris to the dump, the city used it as fill dirt,” she said, crediting former city parks director, Louis Green, with much of the layout. In the mid 1940s, the first portion of what is now Riverside Park was deeded to the city. But, the real development of the park started in the 1960s. “The dredge from working on the Merrill Barber Bridge provided additional fill for the park,” said Don Dexter, manager of the city’s public works. From that point on, Riverside Park grew as the city acquired more land from both private individuals and other government agencies. By 1967, the land was able to sustain the growth of trees and the Vero Beach Theatre Guild had erected a building on the property that would one day be-

Dr. Pierini’s office is conveniently located behind Indian River Medical Center in the Vero Medical Suites building.

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STAFF PHOTOS

Charles Park offers walking trails, tennis courts, a playground and a pavilion.

LOCAL NEWS

! !

Troy Moody Park is the centerpiece of the McAnish Park neighborhood.

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N E W S W E E K L Y

at the Royal Palm Pointe site. The new Merrill Barber Bridge Causeway enabled up to 40,000 traffic trips per day between the mainland and barrier island in contrast to about 300 trips per day from the former Royal Palm Pointe site. When the new bridge was complete, the state gave the Royal Palm Pointe land to the city, which was faced with

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served as a state senator. Florida’s Department of Transportation replaced the 35-year-old drawbridge that was in constant disrepair with a new “high span” structure which, at its peak, stands about 65 feet above water. To reduce the slope of the bridge’s incline, it was necessary to make the bridge longer, therefore impacting more property than was previously available

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Prior to 1995, the Merrill Barber Bridge originated on Royal Palm Pointe, about a half mile south of the current bridge head on Indian River Drive. The bridge was named after Merrill P. Barber, Vero’s mayor from 1947 to 1948, who helped usher in the Brooklyn Dodgers’ for spring training. Barber also

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Located adjacent to Riverside Park, Memorial Island was a by-product of widening the Intracoastal Waterway after World War II. As the army corps of engineers prepared to dredge the lagoon, Alex MacWilliam, Sr., the city’s mayor for 18 years, convinced the agency to cooperate with the construction of the Barber

Royal Palm Pointe Park and Fountain

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Veteran’s Memorial Island Sanctuary

Bridge and use the surplus material to create an island. In 1947, the city purchased the island, dedicating it as Memorial Island Park in the early 1960s. The name was changed in 2004 to reflect the city’s intention of providing a sanctuary to honor the sacrifices of those who served in the armed forces. The island’s memorials are dedicated to the men and women of Indian River County who died in combat defending the country. Because of the island’s sanctity, general recreation is not permitted. Instead, the walking trails and benches provide opportunities for meditation and observing the area’s wealth of wildlife.

D E C E M B E R

come Riverside Theatre. In the 1970s and ‘80s, the city built tennis courts, restrooms, a boat launch and parking. The Vero Beach Museum of Art was built in 1986. By 1991, the picnic pavilions north of Dahlia Lane were developed, along with the parking lot adjacent to the jogging trail. “I hope that we never have any more buildings,” said Loy, recalling some of the grander aspects of the master plan that didn’t come to fruition, such as the bandstand and an amphitheater. “We would need to build on pilings because the foundation is just decayed trees, limbs and concrete.”

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LOCAL NEWS

Humiston Park was recently renovated through a public/private partnership.

PARKS FROM PAGE 7

the challenge of remaking the road into an end destination. Needless to say, the feat required vision, cooperation and a great deal of faith by property owners. David Risinger, formerly a landscape architect with Kimley Horne, headed up the redevelopment project. He helped transform the road into open space with trees, parking and ﬁshing that would complement neighboring businesses. Through a series of charrettes, Risinger determined the public believed a fountain, like the one on Clematis Street in West Palm Beach, would draw people to the area. Until then, the city had planned to set aside $60,000 for a gazebo overlooking the water. “It was kind of pathetic,” recalled Risinger, who says that a project of that

magnitude would not be feasible in today’s economy. “There were multiple funding sources to foot the $7.8 million bill,” said Risinger, with the city incurring the bulk of infrastructure and utilities costs. Property owners had to agree to pay a portion of the improvements, something “not uncommon for the rest of the country, but highly unusual in Vero,” he said. In contrast to other municipal parks in Vero, which for the most part embrace the natural surroundings, Risinger wanted to give the Royal Palm Pointe streetscape an urban edge that was more sophisticated. After studying the Clematis Street fountain’s design, Risinger decided to incorporate glass into the design because it is more durable than brick or cast stone, which erodes over time from the hammer eﬀect of water hitting it. Local stained glass artist Paul Pickel,

of the internationally acclaimed Conrad Pickel Studios, created the fountain’s mosaic using 365,000 pieces of differently sized glass. Italian artisans were brought in for the installation of a spiral pattern with no right angles. Later, the glass was sandblasted to rough up the surface, which “upset the artisans,” said Risinger. But, the city certainly didn’t want kids running on slick, wet glass. Sharon Sexton, another local artist, was consigned to create the artwork for the fountain’s four columns, each representing a different season. In all, Sexton created 750 tiles for her first public art installation. In 2002, the Royal Palm Pointe Fountain was complete. The price tag: $900,000. “It was a great project because we used great people,” said Risinger, who insists that the cost of improvements to

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property owners has since been exceeded by current property values.

Pocahontas Park In 2009, the city celebrated the 90th anniversary of Pocahontas Park in downtown Vero Beach. “From the beginning, it has been an example of private enterprise helping out and pitching in for the public good,” said Rob Slezak, the city’s director of recreation. Donated to the city in 1919 by a private property owner, the 5.61-acretract was not actually deeded to the city until 1952, Slezak said. Archival records of the Press Journal indicate the ﬁnal hold up on getting the deed signed was actually locating the wife of landowner Sam Demetre, “who was somewhere in Europe behind the Iron Curtain.” Although it is not clear why the park CONTINUES ON PAGE 10

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Riverside Park features a tennis complex, a playground, walking trails, boat ramps, and is home the the Vero Beach Museum of Art and the Riverside Theatre.

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was named after an Algonquin Indian, when there is no evidence of an Algonquin presence in the area, most of the original streets in Vero Beach were named for Native Americans, who may have been here for 3,000 years prior to the pioneers. The park was originally named Bayhead Park and was home to the Bayhead Inn. Later, under new ownership, the hotel was renamed the Sleepy Eye Lodge and became the social center of the town. Over the years, the park has been home to performing bears and a McDonnell F2H Banshee airplane donated by the U.S. Navy for kids to play on. Sometime in the 1980s, the plane was returned for refurbishing and is now on display at the naval base in Pensacola. In 2003, the park was renovated with monies donated by the Whittaker Family Trust. In 2004, “Patriot,” the horse, was refurbished by a local business, Perfection Paint and Body.

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In 1982, a group of neighbors on the mainland sold a jointly-owned parcel of land spanning 14.45 acres to the city for about $200,000, aid Slezak. The open space now consists of jogging trails, playground equipment, picnic pavilions and tennis courts. It was named after Charles Parks, a former recreation director who had a signiﬁcant impact on the development of recreation in the city.

Conn Beach Park In 1951, Joe Conn, a businessman from Detroit, donated 2.6 acres of oceanfront property to the city. The land, part of an 80-acre tract Conn helped develop, ran from Jaycee Park south. Previously called Bethel-by-the-

Sea, as in a holy place, the whole area abuts Bethel Creek which may be part of a natural inlet between the river and the ocean. “The water has broken across the road at high tide,” said Mark Tripson, a lifelong resident and a descendent of early settlers. In 1984, the city built an 1800-footlong boardwalk on Conn Park, as well as parking spots to accommodate visitors to the area. Now, Conn Park is operated as Jaycee Beach, Jaycee Park and the boardwalk.

Jaycee Park In the early 1960s, just as former County Commissioner Art Neuberger, arrived in Vero Beach, the Junior Chamber of Commerce, commonly known as the Jaycees, were making an impact on island living. A civic club for young adults ages 18 to 35, the organization was intended to “prepare members for a life dedicated to civic and business pursuits,” said Neuberger. Now defunct, the organization will forever be remembered for its eﬀorts clearing the land of Australian pines, developing the playground and running Jaycee Park. While the land was city-owned, the Jaycees constructed the Seaburger Building, a concession stand that for years was run by the organization. The club’s headquarters, now the Bethel Creek House, was built across the street from the park in the early 1970s. Known for its marine life and sunken ships, Jaycee Beach and Jaycee Park are contiguous with Conn Park and the boardwalk.

LOCAL NEWS

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Taxes, economy remain commissioners’ top concerns BY IAN LOVE VERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY

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BOB SOLARI

GARY WHEELER

rates may have increased to meet that difference even though the appraised value went down. There has been another by-product of not lowering taxes in this era of declining revenue: county government has had to become smaller. Baird noted in his recommended budget for fiscal year 2011-12 that since 2006-2007, the county has eliminated 244 full-time positions to reach its current head count of 720 full-time employees. “We have lowered taxes the last three years and I assume we will end up doing it again this year,” Wheeler noted. “The other thing is to try and create a less bureaucratic government so we have a better work environment. But I don’t see government in a leadership role. I see it more as a moderator trying to keep things from getting worse. A lot of it is to not create new stuff.” “We have done work to limit the number of committees the county has which I think has been a positive thing, because it helps us become a smaller, more limited government,” said Solari. “I have worked hard to make sure the county does not take on jobs it should not be involved with. The best thing for Indian River County government is to limit itself to those essential services that the private sector cannot provide, but that we can provide effectively.” Davis said he is hoping the budget

cycle has hit ‘bottom’ and that further reductions won’t be necessary. “We have got to continue to live within our means,” he said. “There have been substantial cuts and we still have opportunities to make some financial decisions that will affect the quality of life, but hopefully we are at the bottom here.” Davis noted the hard economic times facing not only governments, but individuals as well, are starting to take a toll on the quality of life. “The one thing out there that is pivotal to the quality of life in Indian River County is the economy and trying to create jobs in the private sector,” he said. “The reason I think this is going to become important is from the standpoint of public safety, from north Indian River County to all along the barrier island we are seeing homicides and suicides. All of that is affecting the quality of life and all of that is hinging on the economy. We need to have more jobs for people. Until those things change, we are not going to have a better quality of life.” O’Bryan went so far as to say he will avoid making a pledge to not raise the millage rate until he has a chance to see the preliminary numbers from Nolte’s office in the spring. “Right now I am more in the position to see how it goes before we make any pledges like that,” he said.

“I think we are at a point where I don’t want to see any more deterioration in the level of services. Most people have seen their property values decline enough that if we needed to offset a drop in revenue with a millage increase and raise the same tax bill for everybody and maintain CONTINUES ON PAGE 14

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A majority of County Commissioners contacted by Vero Beach Newsweekly said keeping taxes low and building the local economy are their two top concerns when they look ahead to 2012. This group of County Commissioners -- Chairman Gary Wheeler, Bob Solari, Wesley Davis, Peter O’Bryan and Joe Flescher -- has given County Administrator Joe Baird the mandate to make his last four budgets work without raising taxes. In this era of declining revenue that meant for the 2010-2011 fiscal year Baird had to slash $60,359,981 or nearly 19 percent from his budget from the year before. And the $258,404,842 total budget he had to work with in 2010-2011 will surely be slashed again as Property Appraiser David Nolte in July estimated a 6.2 percent decline in the county’s tax roll. While that figure is for all of Indian River County, some pockets of homes -- including many on the barrier island -- have held steady or may even see appraisals rise this year. In order to balance the budget and not raise rates, the county has effectively lowered taxes on property owners so that expenses could meet revenue. “I think the last three years the commission has done a very good job,” Wheeler said of the work on the budget. “I think we are probably one of the few counties in the state of Florida that has taken care of things economically. I think our citizens are in good shape as well, for most of them their taxes have gone down unless they were homestead exempted the last 15 years and then they are getting a tax break with Save Our Homes.” Wheeler was referring to the kink in the Save Our Homes program whereby if there was a sizeable difference between the appraised value and the taxable value, tax

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FEATURE

Richard Moulton: Earning his right to the American dream BY MILT THOMAS VERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY

Abraham Lincoln once said, “A friend is someone who has the same enemies you have.” However, during war time, you often don’t know one from the other. That was certainly the case for Richard Moulton. During World War II, he was nose gunner on a B-24 Liberator heavy bomber, one of 650 planes on a bombing run targeting an oil refinery near Vienna, Austria. As nose gunner, he was in the most vulnerable position on that aircraft, protected only by a clear, Plexiglas “bubble.” His plane and its ten-man crew were designated “Tail End Charlie,” because they were not only the newest flight crew in the

squadron, flying the oldest B-24, but “we had 649 planes ahead of us and none behind us!” Of course, none of the B-24s were more than a year old, but after completing his training in a brand new one, “they put us in #605, which had seen plenty of action and had numerous patched over bullet holes, not a confidence builder. The Germans were waiting for them with 604 anti-aircraft guns and several squadrons of fighter planes in support. But #605 was not to take part in the action. “Flying over the Adriatic Sea, our #3 engine flamed out and the pilot feathered it, but soon after that our #2 engine failed, so we dropped out of the formation.

At 12-15,000 feet, we were then attacked by Messerschmidt ME109s. One of them fired and ruptured a fuel tank, setting the wing on fire. It was time to bail out.” In order to do that, Moulton had to back out of his gun turret and jump out through the small nose wheel door. “I had some difficulty getting out of my seat, but I finally jumped as the plane was going down. As I bailed out, my head banged into something – I assume it was a gun turret – and knocked me unconscious.” Fortunately, he was holding on to his ripcord and when he came to, his chute had opened. “But I noticed my shoes and socks were missing, probably because my leg straps weren’t secured, and the air temperature at that altitude was about 20 below zero. I also could not see and realized my face was covered in blood from the head wound. As I descended, I couldn’t believe how quiet it was. All I heard was a dog barking. Then there was machine gun fire.” He and several other crew members landed in a wheat field and tried to crawl away as soldiers

were running towards them. “I tried to play dead, but felt a bayonet on my chest. I looked up and I was surrounded by soldiers.” There was a body nearby with parachute attached, but it wasn’t an American. Moulton found out it was the pilot of the ME 109 that shot his plane down. Apparently while he was unconscious, a U.S. fighter plane shot down the ME109. “The soldiers who captured us and the dead pilot were not German. We had landed somewhere near the HungarianSlovakian border. Hungarian soldiers captured us, but Slovakian soldiers then took us prisoner.” Officially, the Slovaks were fighting on the German side, ever since Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia before the war. As in France, a puppet government was set up by the Germans along with an army to fight with them, but many Czechs did not support that government. The question was which side did these Czech soldiers represent? “Fortunately for us, these Slovakians treated us well and took care of us. I was taken to a military hospital for my head wound

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contact with the International Red Cross. “They finally believed I wasn’t a spy and I ended up in a German POW camp with 30,000 other prisoners. On May 1, 1945, the camp was liberated by General Patton’s Third Army.” He finally arrived home on June 6, greeted by his family and fiancée, Virginia. “I went to Dartmouth, married Ginny within the year and went on to earn my degree, thanks to the G.I. Bill.” From that point on, he had a long career in finance, raised a family and moved to Vero Beach 37 years ago. In 2002, he published a book about his wartime experiences, Tail End Charlie-In PHOTO BY MILT THOMAS Ole #605. Like so many of his fellow World Dick Moulton has written a book about his wartime experiences, Tail End CharWar II veterans, he earned his lie-In Ole #605. right to live the American dream months earlier. German soldiers been transferred to a hospital and – not only for himself, but for all came and escorted us to the through the people there made of us as well. train station. They were calling us ‘Bolshevik swine,’ apparently thinking we were Russian spies.” Moulton was interrogated and beaten, but his tormentors eventually gave up and decided he had nothing to tell them. So, the weary prisoners were eventually taken to Vienna and held in a large prison. “We soon realized it wasn’t a military prison, but a Gestapo jail.” Moulton and his fellow prisoners were treated poorly. “There were 15 men with me, none of whom spoke English. It was winter, and we had to shower in cold water, slept on the concrete floor with one blanket what little we ate was awful. I had a high fever and my neck was so swollen I couldn’t swallow.” But the cell had a window and they could see the Allied air raids. “I knew the war was coming to an end and that kept me going – until a German guard told me I was to be executed as a Russian spy.” Moulton was so sick he had

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and received excellent care, including four meals a day and even a beer now and then.” Moulton met another American pilot, but he was not so friendly. “His parents had come to the U.S. from Slovakia and he spoke the language, which was a big help, but he also thought I was a spy, not an American, because my dog tags had been taken from me when we were captured. I didn’t realize his suspicions at the time.” Life as a prisoner of war was tolerable until later that summer, when the Germans reoccupied Slovakia with SS troops. “Our Slovakian captors encouraged us to escape and we found our way to a small town. The people were friendly, but told us we had to leave immediately. They led us to a hiding place in the hills, but it was only a cave. Seven of us were crammed into a 10-x-12 space. The villagers brought us food for the next two and-a-half months, risking their lives by helping us. But as winter approached, we knew we would have to find more adequate shelter, so we left.” With sketchy directions, they tried to find their way through the forest to a safe haven, but on the way, Moulton severely sprained his ankle and could not walk. They went to a farmhouse, not knowing if the occupants were Nazi sympathizers or partisans. The farmer and his wife brought him hot water to soak his ankle, but said they had to leave. “The farmer took us to what he said was a safe place that looked like a factory. The building owner allowed us to sleep there overnight, then in the morning said we must leave.” They went back to the farmhouse, but then fell into a trap. “We were crossing a railroad bridge when Slovak soldiers surrounded us. We were taken to a local jail and locked up for the first time since our capture five

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LOCAL NEWS “I would like to do what is necessary to see that Indian River Shores and South County end up as Indian River County customers at the end of their franchise agreements with the city of Vero Beach,” Solari said. Wheeler also wants to push forward on those discussions, even though the city is focusing on selling its electric service to Florida Power and Light. A bid by the county to purchase the city’s water and sewer system at a figure that would allow the city to pay off its debt was rebuffed by Vero Beach. “What I would like to see happen is to have the City of Vero Beach and Indian River Shores and the county do the dialogue and work all this out to the benefit of the people that are receiving the services, where ever that lies,” Wheeler said. “If the Shores leaves the city, I don’t know how that will affect the city as far as its customer base goes.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FROM PAGE 11

the same level of service, that would be something worth looking at.” The county has for the most part been able to stay away from dipping into the $50.9 million in reserves it had at the start of the fiscal year, though Baird estimated he would use $4 million to keep county services afloat in 2011-1012. “We are close to where it is going to be a difficult for Mr. Baird to cut for one more year,” Solari said. “But I think just like last year it may be time to dip into the reserves, I think it could be the appropriate time to use the reserves if necessary.” The Commissioners all said they wanted to move forward with the City of Vero Beach, Indian River Shores and South County residents on some sort of package for water and sewer and waste water.

We may consolidate all the utilities, which I don’t think is a bad idea. But I respect all the cities and their autonomous standing as an incorporated city.” Commissioners also expect to work closely with the Chamber of Commerce to attract more businesses to the county, pointing to the array of tax incentives at their disposal. “I want to continue to work with my fellow commissioners to bring in appropriate businesses, which we have been pretty successful at doing the last couple of years,” Solari said. “If you look at the jobs grant program, it has helped bring in some businesses and keep some businesses here. We probably put in place to get 250 to 300 new jobs, but unfortunately with Piper layoffs a lot of that progress has been wiped out so we have to keep pushing forward on that front.”

Piper Aircraft could become a thorny issue as well as it seeks to avoid paying back some of the money allotted by the state and county to keep the company in Vero Beach to build the PiperJet/Altaire. The state has expressed a willingness to work with Piper, while the commissioners said they want to consider all their options before forgiving or re-negotiating terms of the deal with the aircraft maker. “The thing is with these deals (such as with Piper) is that the county really doesn’t have any expertise,” Solari said. “Government tries to do too many things. I liken it to a conglomerate. One of the reasons there aren’t too many successful conglomerates is because most people can’t build up that body of knowledge in that wide variety of subject area. Just because you get elected, it doesn’t make you smarter than the captains of industry.”

Reach More Than A Zip Code Advertise your business in Vero Beach Newsweekly to reach every home on the barrier island, plus communities such as Vero Isles, River Wind, Oak Harbor, Grand Harbor, Vero Beach Country Club, Indian River Club, Pointe West and Bent Pine.

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with the public about the hard choices that will have to be made in order to address a likely budget shortfall of $4 million or more, the council members most eager to ink a deal to sell the electric remain all but silent. While we don’t necessarily disagree with the logic of selling the electric system, it does seem impetuous to be quite so eager to sign a contingency contract with FPL months before the city’s transactional attorneys are expected to complete their work. In addition to negotiating with FPL, the city’s attorneys have the vital task of

32,000 customers including those inside and outside the city limits. Hyping the beneﬁts without also addressing the costs may be politically wise, but it is hardly courageous. Because the city has been able to keep property taxes low by charging higher electric rates, an inevitable consequence of a sale of the electric system will be an increase in taxes, cuts in spending, or both. The “sell, sell, sell” crowd doesn’t even want to have this conversation, preferring to characterize it as “fear mongering.” When it comes to being forthright

determining just how much it is going to cost the city to get out of its contractual obligations with the Florida Municipal Power Agency and the Orlando Utility Commission. Those most eager to sell the electric system seem unwilling to tell the public the hard truth that in exchange for lower electric rates city residents are going to have to pay higher taxes, accept reduced services, or be willing to see the city virtually absorbed by the county. If Vero Beach is to remain financially viable as an independent municipality, it is going to need leaders who are willing to do more than take credit for turning the city’s electric system over to a large public utility that can almost surely operate it more efficiently. We understand that the council would prefer to continue touting the benefits of selling the electric system. But emphasizing the benefits, without also being prepared to address the inevitable budget shortfall, is much like to going on a holiday shopping spree without giving any thought to how to pay for it. Unless it is their intention to bankrupt the city, it is time for Turner, Fletcher and Carroll to begin getting painfully specific about the tax increases and spending cuts that will follow a sale of the electric system.

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For decades city leaders have taken credit for the fact that Vero Beach’s millage rate is lower than many other cities in Florida. Preferring to lead voters to believe the city’s government is extraordinarily efficient and frugal, local politicians have been slow to acknowledge, and have almost never readily admitted, that Vero Beach’s artificially low property tax rate is only made possible by an annual transfer of nearly $6 million from the city’s electric fund to its general fund. The adage that “there is no free lunch,” has never more true than in this case. In exchange for property taxes that are artificially low, city residents have been stuck paying some $6 million more each year in electric rates than they would as customers of Florida Power and Light. Riding a wave of public sentiment in favor of ending this shell game, Mayor Pilar Turner, Vice Mayor Craig Fletcher and Councilwoman Tracy Carroll are pressing hard to ink a deal to sell the city’s electric system as quickly as possible. Adept at following public sentiment, these council members focus their rhetoric on emphasizing the inevitable savings in electric rates that will result from a sale-savings which may well add up to some $15 million or more for the city’s

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Hyping the benefits of electric sale, but silent on the costs

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EDITORIAL

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COMMUNITY FORUM

Start with yourself, but change the world

BY RABBI MICHAEL BIRNHOLZ

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to put the oxygen Reb Shmelke of Nikolsburg said, mask to take care “The Talmud tells us that if all the of yourself first so world were to repent, the Messiah that you will be would come. Knowing this I decide able to truly care to do something about it. Where to for and help others. begin? The world? It was too large With a major and I was too small. So I thought: change of the callet me start with my own country. endar, religious or That too proved too much for me. secular, we have a My own town? I failed there as well. RABBI great reason to put MICHAEL BIRNHOLZ My neighborhood, my own family? this type of wisdom Even there I did not succeed. Never into practice for ourselves. Just remind, I thought, I shall work on my- cently I read an article that resonated self.” With oneself, one reaches the and reiterated this starting place for irreducible minimum. We can each bringing Shalom to ourselves in the begin with ourselves. (Day by Day by New Year. Chaim Stern on Parshat Korach) In the January issue of Family CirAs we approach the New Year, a cle Magazine there was an article on threshold in marking time, we have five simple mind boosting activities a good opportunity to make a transi- for the New Year. Gay Norton Edeltion in attitude, behavior and effort. man recommended that we: appreciReb Shmelke’s wisdom is the religious ate the little things, find a happiness version of the airplane travel warning partner, know your hot button is-

sues, drop everything and move, be a cheerleader so that we can have a clear and strong mind. Like so much insight and wisdom all of these things seem simple and easy but we all know that they are hard to make a reality. Often we need a few different reasons or approaches to inspire or encourage us to keep working at them. As I started to really consider each of these activities and how doing those more would help me in the New Year I realized that while the affects would start with me that was just the beginning. All of these activities involve connecting with other people and the world around me. Even as I center myself or release my tension I would be offering positive energy outward. Like throwing a stone into water, each of these send waves into world. For example, when I take a break

in the middle of the day and go out for a quick walk as the article recommends, someone else might see me walking and be inspired to get up and move. Or, if I act as a cheerleader, offering encouragement to a person on a project, as I feel the positive experience of giving support, that person is energized to keep moving forward. While these activities my boost me mind and spirit, each one of them is reciprocal and resonates boosting the surrounding world. These are the best of New Year’s resolutions. If we really do them to help ourselves we will be actually working on bringing shalom - wholeness, completeness and peace – to the people and world around us. Rabbi Michael Birnholz has served Temple Beth Shalom in Vero Beach since 2002. One of his goals is bringing Jewish values and wisdom to the wider community.

Resolving to be the person I am meant to be RYMER REASON BY LISA RYMER

New Year’s Resolutions. For a lot of people impacted by this sluggish economy, 2011 has been a very long year. Whether you blame it on the president, some rogue nation or the fact that Mercury has been retrograde at least three times (a reference to Astrology), most people I know are eager to embrace a fresh start. And that’s where it all gets a little tricky. New Year’s Resolutions tend to make us feel broken and defective – lose weight, get in shape, pay off our debt – rather than empowered. And if you’re like me, what I focus my attention on is what I tend to get more of. Like when I weed my lawn, I find more weeds. And when all I think about is not eating, I usually end up eating more

LISA RYMER

than ever. So it’s really important to anchor my goals and aspirations in positive terms, affirming all the good I want for myself, my loved ones, my community and the world. But, I thought I

did that last year! Well, what I realize is if my deep, down belief system is stuck in a rut of blame and criticism, all the stuff I layer on top – no matter how warm and fuzzy, no matter how earnest my efforts -- will eventually reap exactly the same results. So this year, the real work begins. It’s about changing my essential convictions so they are more congruous with the person I believe I

am meant to be. Not because I’m somehow deficient, but because I’m a work in progress. Everything is within my reach, all the tools and resources this humongous feat requires. It’s a daily practice of conscious intention that begins at home. With me. And my family. That’s why we’re in each other’s lives, to help each other along this journey. This is my promise to myself: A year filled with prayer, love, peace and contemplation. Of dinners with loved ones when there’s no time, play when there’s always chores, and a celebration of faith when there’s nothing left to hang on to. I’m so excited to discover the gifts of 2012! May you also experience your heart’s desire. New Year’s Resolutions People

Have Shared: Charlie Wilson: Resolve to hire at least one new employee this year. If we all do it maybe we can get out of this mess ourselves. I don’t know if we can stand any more government “help.” Anonymous: Many, many more random acts of kindness. Anonymous: Diet and exercise. But to actually do it! To be serious....cut out junk food and do sit ups every night. Robert DeBrooke: (Found a new job) Rocked for me.......more of the same in 2012, just bigger and better! Anonymous: To give my child the gift of life (meaning I will quit smoking.) Lisa Rymer is a newspaper and television journalist who resides in Vero Beach. She can be contacted at LisaRymer@comcast.net.

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BY CHRISTINA TASCON VERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY

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Audrey Leaf, Mark & Laura Piper with Jet & Petey Paw

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Three generations of strollers, Sandy Stepanek, Donna and Julianne Thomas

of an old fashioned time when we all greeted each other. We would never skip this tradition.”

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PHOTOS BY CHRISTINA TASCON

The Davis Family cruise McAnsh in a convertible greeting all the neighbors

Thomas was with her mother and her grandmother. “It’s the neighborliness of it all,” she said. “It brings memories

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Luminaries lined the meandering streets along McAnsh Park and the candle light brought out hundreds of visitors and friends to this close knit neighborhood a few days before Christmas. Former mayor Tom White said when he needs to know anything about the luminaries’ festivities going on in his neighborhood he defers to the unofficial “Mayor of McAnsh Park,” Mary Mitchell. Eight years ago Mitchell decorated her own home with the luminaries and convinced a few others on her street to do the same. She continues to recruit more of the residents to participate each year. When asked if she was ever a cheerleader, Mitchell replied, “Why yes, how did you know?” she said with her infectious, effervescent spirit.

Mitchell’s efforts fanned the Christmas spirit in a neighborhood which is known as the heart of Old Vero and now brings in visitors to experience the event from all over town. As she and her friends and her “main squeeze,” John Celli, wandered the streets, Mitchell had a greeting for every person and every pet she met. The Barker’s son, Doug, plays in a quartet at the high school called Stringsations and they were set up playing in front of their home. Some houses set out cookies and punch. The Piper’s go all out with Christmas movies on the lawn, fresh popcorn and hot dogs. The normally quiet streets were filled with wandering celebrants who burst out into impromptu carols and greetings to anyone who drove by. Entire families including pets strolled along the streets together. Julianne

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Neighbors shine a light on McAnsh Park spirit

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SOCIAL | LIFESTYLE

Save the Date for these important Social Events (Editor’s Note: The coming season is full of important events and with many dates to remember. To help you keep track of all the galas, Vero Beach Newsweekly put together a “Save the Date” calendar to help plan your social calendar. While we have gone through our lists and checked them twice, there may be one or two that was inadvertently left oﬀ. If you let us know we will make sure to promote the event in a later edition. Please send your notes to verobeachnewsweekly@gmail.com.)

January 12-15: Vero Beach Museum of Art Antique Show & Sale, 38 quality dealers who will oﬀer 18th & 19th century Americana, $10 entry. 3001 Riverside Park Dr., 772-231-0707. 14: An Evening in Cannes at Maison Martinique, 6:30-10:30 pm, dinner & dancing to beneﬁt Environ-

mental Learning Center, $125-$200 per person. 772-589-5050. 14-21: Quail Valley Charity Cup Week, Quail Valley River & Golf Club, Jan 14-Kids’ Fun Run, 7 am, $15-$25; Jan 16-Gourmet Wine & Chef Dinner, 6 pm, $200 per person; Jan 18-Shopping for Children, Oceanside Shops, 5:30-8:30 pm; Jan 19-Duplicate Bridge, 9 am-2 pm, $65; Jan 19-21-Tennis Tournament, 8 am, $175 per player; Jan 20-21-Golf Tournament, 9 am, $300 per golfer; Jan 21-Grand Gala Cocktail Buﬀet & Auction, 6-10 pm, 772-492-2020. 21: Indian River Medical Center’s Transformation Celebration, The Moorings Club, 6 pm, $1,000 per person, black tie aﬀair to celebrate the culmination of a $50 million donation campaign. 772-226-4952. 20-22: Art by the Sea, Vero Beach Art Club fundraiser with over 200 artists exhibiting their work at the

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Max Secunda, John Walsh and Brian Redmond for the Windsor Charity Cup. Holmes Great Hall, Vero Beach Museum of Art. Fri wine & cheese reception 5-8 pm, exhibit & sale Sat 10-5, & Sun 10-4. Open & free to public. 772-231-0303.

February 4: RIDES & Smokin’ Flamez BBQ Competition hosted by IR Chamber of Commerce, car, motorcycle & truck motorsports extravaganza, 9 am - 3 pm, Indian River County Fairgrounds, 772-567-3491. 4: D’Art for Art Vero Beach Museum of Art fundraiser, 3001 Riverside Park Dr., 6 - 10 pm, cocktail attire, cocktails, dinner catered by Elizabeth D. Kennedy, and art dash, $500. 772231-0707 ext 111. 4-5: Gardenfest in Riverside Park, 3000 Riverside Park Dr., Garden Club fundraiser, plant sale and vendors, 9 am - 5 pm Sat, 9 am - 4 pm Sun. 772567-4602. 8: “Full Moon Fever” cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and music at the home of Kurt & Marilyn Wallach to beneﬁt the Vero Beach Exchange Club, 5230 St. Andrew’s Island Dr., 6:30-9 pm, $50, call Judy Landgrave, 772-6965347. 11: McKee’s American Motor Car Exhibition in the park, 10 am - 3 pm, admission reduced to $5 during exhibit hours. 350 US Hwy 1,

772-794-0601. 11: Heli-Drop Ball Bash & BBQ, 4:30-10 pm, Vero Beach Sports Village, 3901 26th St., $10,000 in Cash Prizes, $25 entry, benefits Youth Guidance. 772-770-5040. 9-11 Wine & Dine Around the World, wines and dinners at various exclusive homes, restaurants and clubhouses by renowned chefs to benefit the Hibiscus Children’s Center, $150 per dinner seating. 772-9783313 x 313. 16: “Home Is Where the Heart Is” Celebration to benefit the Samaritan Center for Homeless Families, $125, 6-10 pm, Holy Cross Parish Hall, 500 Iris Ln., cocktails & formal dinner. Event honors philanthropists Karen & Rev. Jack Diehl. 772-7703039. 16-18: Plein Air Artist’s Rendezvous, Environmental Learning Center, 255 Live Oak Dr., free entry, 9 am - 4 pm, reception on Saturday 5-7 pm. Artwork being created on site and then sold to benefit the ELC programs. 772-589-5050. 18: HERITAGE ROCKS! 6:30-11 pm, Paris Air Hangar/Vero Beach Airport, $60 pp or $110 per couple, celebrating 77 years of the Heritage Center, music by Diddley Squat, BBQ dinner by Bono’s, silent auction. 772770-2263.

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sents his book, “Stay Close,” his stand alone thriller, Vero Beach Book Center, 2145 Indian River Blvd., line voucher with purchase of book for book signing. 772-569-2050. 24: 35th Annual Antique Auto Show beneﬁts US Postal Service Food Drive, 10 am - 4 pm, Riverside Park, free to general public, over 300

cars and motor vehicles on display, car related vendors and more. 772567-8920. 29-30: Humane Society “Cause for Paws,” Preview Party, Friday, 6:30-8:30 pm and Charity Auction, Saturday 6-8 pm, at Vero Beach Museum of Art. $125/$250. 772-3883331 ext 26.

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N E W S W E E K L Y

March 3: United Way’s 26th Annual Citrus Golf Classic, Vero Beach Country Club, 3-tier golf event, skill contests and door prizes. $125-$150 per person includes golf, commemorative shirt and lunch. 7:30 am. 772-5678900.

3: Cracker Hoe Down by Habitat for Humanity, Riverside Park, 3001 Riverside Park Dr., 9-11: Under the Oaks Fine Art Show, Riverside Park, 3001 Riverside Park Dr., no charge to attend, 9 am-5 pm Fri & Sat, 10 am-4 pm Sun. Over 200 artists from U.S. and beyond participate in this top show in the nation. Hosted by the Vero Beach Art Club, 772-231-0303. VeroBeachArtClub.org. 9-18: Indian River Firefighters’ Fair, Indian River County Fairgrounds, entertainment, exhibitors, rides, games, food and vendors. Monday-Friday 5-10 pm, Saturday 1 pm - midnight, Sunday 1 - 10 pm. $6 adults, children 6-12 $3 and under 6 are free. 772-562-2974, firefightersfair.org. 10: Dancing with Vero’s Stars, Waxlax Center at St. Edward’s School, 1895 St. Edward’s Dr., 6:30 - 11:30 pm, to benefit IRC Healthy Start Coalition. 772-563-9118. 11: Treasure Coast Chorale presents “Give Our Regards to Broadway,” 3 pm & 7 pm, First Baptist Church, 2206 16th Ave., free will offering. 17: Pelican Island Wildlife Festival, Riverside Park, US 1, Sebastian, to benefit the Pelican Island Preservation Society, 10 am - 4 pm, free to public, live animal presentations, music, boat and kayak tours. 772202-0220, 23: Harlan Coben, author, pre-

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18: The Charity Polo Cup at Windsor Polo Field, benefits National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, the Humane Society of IR and St. Edward’s Financial Aid Program. Gates open 10 am, Champagne Reception 11:30 am, lunch at noon and match begins at 2 pm. $100 per vehicle, $200 with luncheon. 772-559-6362 or 410-804-8721. 21: Riverside Theatre Gala, 3250 Riverside Park Dr., premier benefit performance of the Music Man, 5:30 pm cocktail reception, 6:30 pm dinner in Orchid Lobby followed by the show on the Stark Stage at 8 pm. $500-$1,000, 772-231-5860 x 228. 25: An Evening With Richard Louv at McKee Botanical Gardens, 7 pm, RSVP by Feb 17, a special evening with internationally acclaimed author, $200. 772-794-0601. 27: Top Chef Challenge to benefit the Homeless Family Center, held at The Club at Pointe West, 7500 14th Ln, 6 pm, $175. Formal dinner by finalist competitor chefs with winner chosen by guests & judges. 772-5675537 x 326.

The Antique Car Show will be held March 24 in Riverside Park. V E R O

Under the Oaks Fine Art Show offers over 200 artists in Riverside Park to approximately 85,000 visitors.

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Community Calendar Every Friday: Farmer’s Market from 3-6 pm in downtown Vero at the corner of 14th Ave. & 21st St. 772-480-8353. Every Saturday: Oceanside Business Association’s Farmer’s Market, 8 am to noon. Ocean Dr. & Dahlia Ln. www. VeroBeachOBA.com, 772-532-2455. First Friday of Month: Downtown Gallery Art Stroll, art galleries and businesses open house receptions all through downtown. Free event, call 772-562-5525 or 772-299-1234 for info. Second Saturday of Month: Oceanside Business Association Free Concert Series – 5:30-8:30 pm, music, vendors, food and drink. Ocean Dr. 772-532-7983. Dec 15-Apr 30: Sculpting Nature, 30 large scale art pieces in McKee Botanical Gardens, 350 S US1, $5-$9, 772-794-0601, mckeegarden.org. Dec 26-30: Youth Skate Camp at Skate Factory, 485 27th Ave. SW, 7:30 am-5:30 pm, $22 per day. 772-794-3373. Dec 29: Night of Lights, McKee Botanical Gardens, 350 US1, 6-7:30 pm, Christmas stroll through gardens among luminaries, lights & treats. 772-794-0601, mckeegarden.org. Dec 31: Storytime in the Environmental Learning Center, 255 Live Oak Dr., 10:30 am for children from ages 4-8. Every Saturday. Reservations, 772-589-5050. Dec 31: New Year’s Eve Bash at the Italian American Club, 7 pm ’til. Hors d’oeuvres and Lobster/Steak dinner, dancing, music, champagne toast. $65, reservations, 772-778-1522. Dec 31: Costa d’Este New Year’s musical review and dinner show with Jennifer Patty, former Miss USO, 9 pm seating for dinner and poolside party until 3 am. $99 per person. 772562-9919 or 772-410-0100. THURSDAY, DEC. 29

PHOTO BY BILLY OCKER

Archie (Smith) Fish House in Sebastian Dec 31: Vero Beach Hotel & Club New Year’s Eve Party, Heaton’s Reef, 9 pm-1 am, 3500 Ocean Dr., Curtis Hill music & dancing, $10 cover or $120 for up to 8 people includes cheese tray and 2 bottles champagne. 772-469-1060. Jan 7: Open Auditions for Oliver!, 1:30-3:30 pm at the VBHS Performing Arts Center, 1701 16th St., children in grades 2-8. 772-564-5449. Jan 8: “American Violet” will be shown at the Emerson Center’s Social Justice Film Series. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 1590 27th Ave. 7 pm. Free. 772-778-5880. Jan 8: Art in the Park, Vero Beach Art Club members show and sell their work at Humiston Park Promenade, free admittance, 3000 Ocean Dr., 772-231-0303. Jan 9: AAUW Book Review Breakfast, “To My Daughter in France” held at the Richardson Center, IRSC

FRIDAY, DEC. 30

SATURDAY, DEC. 31

Mueller Center, 6155 College Ln., 9:30 am continental breakfast. 772532-4712, aauwverobeach.org. Jan 10: Harbor Branch Sunset Boat Cruise to Bird Island, 3:30-5:30 pm, $25, meet at 5600 North US1, Fort Pierce, Johnson Education Center. Reservations required, 772-242-2559. Jan 11: “Bible Proofs for Catholic Beliefs” a talk series by Father John Pasquini at St. John of the Cross Chapel, 7550 26th St., free. 772-299-7351. Jan 12: Vero Beach Museum of Art Annual Antique Show & Sale Preview Party, 6-10 pm, $75, 3001 Riverside Park Dr., 772-231-0303. Jan 12: Navy League’s TC Council Dinner, Heritage Center, 2140 14th Ave., social hour, 5:45 pm, followed by dinner & speaker MG John Cleland, “America’s War on Radical Islam.” $28. 772-231-6101. Jan 12: Transformation Celebra-

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tion, Gala at The Moorings Club hosted by the IRMC Foundation, 100 Harbor Dr., 6 pm, $1,000 per person, Reservation, 772-226-4952. Jan 13-15: Vero Beach Museum of Art Antique Show & Sale, Fri & Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm, $10. 3001 Riverside Park Dr., 772-231-0303. Jan 14: An Evening in Cannes at Maison Martinique, 6:30-10:30 pm, dinner & dancing to benefit Environmental Learning Center, $125-$200 per person. 772-589-5050. Jan 14-21: Quail Valley Charity Cup Week, Quail Valley River & Golf Club, Jan 14 – Kids’ Fun Run, 7 am, $15$25; Jan 16 – Gourmet Wine & Chef Dinner, 6 pm, $200 per person; Jan 18 – Shopping for Children, Oceanside Shops, 5:30-8:30 pm; Jan 19 – Duplicate Bridge, 9 am-2 pm, $65; Jan 19-21 – Tennis Tournament, 8 am, $175 per player; Jan 20-21 – Golf Tournament, 9 am, $300 per golfer; Jan 21 – Grand Gala Cocktail Buffet & Auction, 6-10 pm, 772-492-2020. Jan 19: Treasure Coast Rock & Gem Society exhibition by Gary Dulac, handcrafted fine jewelry, Vero Beach Museum of Art, 3001 Riverside Park Dr., 7 pm, $5-$25, 772-231-0005 to register. Jan 19 & 26: King of the Hill Tennis Tournament, $5 admittance, The Boulevard Village & Tennis Club, 1620 Boulevard Ln., to benefit Youth Guidance. 772-770-5040, ircyouth.com. Jan 20-22: Art by the Sea Exhibit by members of Vero Beach Art Club & Museum of Art, Holmes Great Hall, Vero Beach Museum of Art, 3001 Riverside Park Dr. Opening Reception Fri 5-8, Exhibition Sat 10-5 & Sun 10-4, free admittance, 772-2310303. VeroBeachArtClub.org. To submit your calendar listing please email: verobeachnewsweekly@gmail.com

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BY BARBARA YORESH VERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY

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Lindsay Garritson

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spond to our market quickly,” Robertson said. A new slate of ACO board officers has also helped generate what Robertson termed “very positive activity” in their quest to entice new program subscribers. To help achieve that goal, Robertson selected a season reflective of the orchestra’s own “classical” name. “I’ve made it a classical season this year – a more conservative season but there are little bits of adventurousness tucked into it though it’s an uncontroversial program. To begin and close the season, we have undisputed classics,” Robertson said. While not controversial, it should be noted that Mozart composed Symphony No. 28 in C Major, K200 as an eighteen-year-old. The depth of

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Since its founding in November 1991, the Fort Pierce-based Atlantic Classical Orchestra has hit all the right notes to bring Treasure Coast residents superb classical music programs performed by a professional orchestra. Under the musical direction of Grammy-nominated “Maestro” Stewart Robertson, the ACO will open its 2012 orchestra concert season on Jan. 5 at the Waxlax Center for the Performing Arts. The program begins at 7:10 p.m. with a delightfully unique “conversation with the Maestro” prior to the musical program in which Robertson shares with the audience insights about the evening’s musical selections. To open its 2012 season, the ACO will perform Symphony No. 28 in C Major, K200 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; Camille Saint-Saens Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor and Symphony No. 4 in A Major, “Italian” by Felix Mendelssohn. Joining the orchestra will be pianist Lindsay Garritson, a Treasure Coast resident who is taking the concert piano world by storm; having recently won a second prize at the 2011 Montreal International Piano Competition and first prize wins at the Chopin International Piano Competition in Salzburg, Austria as well as the Yale Concerto Competition. Robertson, a native of Scotland, became artistic director and conductor of the ACO in 2004. His internationally acclaimed artistic leadership includes a two-decade tenure as music director of the Glimmerglass Opera in New York as well as serving as musical director for the Florida Grand Opera in Miami. He has also led operatic productions with Chicago’s Lyric Opera, the New York City Opera, the Deutsche Oper am Rhein, the International Puccini festival in Tuscany and Ireland’s

Wexford festival. His international orchestral appearances and recordings earned him a Grammy Award nomination. Robertson shared his thoughts recently with the Vero Beach Newsweekly about the upcoming season and what he hopes to present to audiences of all ages. Robertson works with ACO directors, administrative staff and musicians to carefully choose music for audiences who seek the familiar yet also appreciate lesser-known selections. “The personality of any orchestra must reflect the personality of the persons involved. I prepare two to three drafts (of proposed musical selections) for the whole season and talk to the board of directors and Matthew (Stover, ACO executive director). “There’s a dynamic in the music world – what do we do to keep the music fresh? There is so much wonderful repertory that people don’t know – an overwhelming amount -- thousands of symphonies. For all the Mozarts, there are thousands of composers from the same era that people don’t know,” Robertson said. Introducing that unfamiliar, yet masterful music to audiences is a joy for Robertson and the ACO, which nonetheless remain mindful that audiences long to hear favored classics. “On the other side of wanting to share that (unfamiliar) repertory, we feel secure with Mozart, Beethoven and Bach and I think it’s a dynamic that affects every arts organization – being caught between the familiar and a desire to present great music they’ve not heard before. “Many people have enjoyed it. On the other hand, there is a faction of the audience that wants to hear the standard repertory. But the ‘tension’ in that is actually quite productive. We’ve taken some programming risks and we have the ability to re-

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ACO season to feature classics and ‘little bits of adventurousness’

ARTS|ENTERTAINMENT

‘Made in the USA’ exhibit slated for downtown gallery in January

PHOTO BY J SCOTT KELLY

PHOTO BY NANCY GERMER

Two of the photographs, “Civil War Olustee, FL” and “Golden Path in Woods,” that are part of the month-long show at Gallery of Hope. VERO BEACH -- The Gallery of Hope will present over 300 small

photographic images captured throughout the United States this

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January as part of its ‘Truly Amazing Exhibit of Small Works -- Made In The USA’ show. The exhibit will run from Jan. 3 through Jan. 31 with an opening reception scheduled for Jan. 6 from 7 to 9 p.m. During the run of the show all the images may be purchased with the proceeds going into an educational fund to teach photography to seniors and under privileged children in the area.

Among the artists to be featured are Island Images Gallery of Hope resident artists Peter Connelly, Dawn Currie, J. Scott Kelly, Janice Reynolds, Nancy True and Bruce Weissman. Island Images’ Gallery of Hope. org is located at 2036 14th Avenue, Suite 101, in Downtown Vero Beach. For further information regarding the gallery or this exhibit, visit www.galleryofhope.org or call (772) 643-6994.

ACO SEASON

size of the venues where the ACO performs. “What we have to offer is the audience can get right up close to the music making and experience the essence and happiness of music. You can’t capture that even on the best recording because music is more than about sound – it’s about a human connection and the visceral quality of music,” Robertson said. For more information about the ACO and its programs, call 1-772460-0850 or visit online at www.acomusic.org.

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his virtuosity was matched by Mendelssohn, a prodigy who composed masterpieces while in his teens. And Saint-Saens composed the popular Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor in a mere 17 days. Robertson characterized the season premiere as a “program of youthful exuberance with a high energy level” and tailor-made for the ACO of 35 to 40 members which replicates the size of orchestras of music’s Classical Period of 1760 - 1810 and is perfect for the

ARTS | ENTERTAINMENT

COMMUNITY CONCERT SERIES Community Church 1901 23rd Street 772-778-1070 communityconcertseries.org Jan 13: The Phantom of the Opera, Tom Trenney, organist with film, 7:30 pm, $25

VERO BEACH -- Award winning writer Cynthia Barnett will speak Jan. 26 at the Emerson Center on “Blue is the New Green: Water Sustainability and the Future of Florida.” Barnett is a senior writer at Florida Trend magazine, where she covers investigative, environmental, public policy and business stories. Her awards include a national Sigma Delta Chi prize for investigative magazine reporting; a gold medal for best nonfiction in the Florida Book Awards; and eight Green Eyeshades, which recognize outstanding journalism in 11 southeastern states. Ms. Barnett earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s in American history with a specialization in environmental history, both from the University of Florida. In 2004, she was awarded a Knight-Wallace Fellowship at the University of Michigan, where she

Alex Stepik spent a year studying freshwater supply. Her first book, Mirage: Florida and the Vanishing Water of the Eastern U.S., published in 2007 was named by The St. Petersburg Times as one of the top 10 books that every Floridian should read. Her second book, Blue Revolution: Unmaking America’s Water Crisis came out last fall. Other speakers in the series include Alex Stepik, an immigration law expert on Feb. 26; transportation expert Seth Bramson March 22 on the Florida Railroad Authority; and Carrie Sue Ayvar on April 19 on the Florida Latin Experience. Admission for these talks is free and is sponsored by Marine Bank and Trust. The Emerson Center is located at 1590 27th Avenue, on the SE corner of 16th Street and 27th Avenue in Vero Beach. For more information, contact 778-5249.

RIVERSIDE THEATER 3250 Riverside Park Drive 772-231-6990 riversidetheatre.com Jan 23: Distinguished Lecture Series, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, call Box Office for more info Children’s Theatre: Dec 28-30: “My Son Pinocchio,” 1:30 pm, $5-$16 Jan 6, 7 & 8: “My Son Pinocchio,” 7:30 pm, $5-$16 Comedy Fun Zone: Jan 6 & 7: Julie Scoggins and Myke Herlihy, 7:30 or 9:30 pm, $15 Stark Main Stage: Jan 12-Feb 5: The Full Monty, 2 pm, 7:30 & 8 pm, $57-$73 Skyline Room: Jan 17: New York Supper Club with Christine Ebersol, 6:30 pm, $250, 772-231-5860

VERO BEACH OPERA verobeachopera.org 772-569-6993 Box Office: 772-564-5537 verobeachopera.org Jan 15: The Barber of Seville, 3 pm, Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center, $30-$50 Feb 4: Broadway, Operetta and Zarzuela, pm, Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center, $30-$50

VERO BEACH THEATRE GUILD 772-562-8300 2020 San Juan Avenue verobeachtheatreguild.com Jan 12-22: Born Yesterday, $20-22, Hilarious play about uneducated mob gal being educated by book smart tutor

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1590 27th Avenue, Vero Beach (772)778-5249 www.TheEmersonCenter.org

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Cynthia Barnett

TREASURE COAST JAZZ SOCIETY 772-234-4600 tcjazzsociety.org Jan 7: Bill Allred’s Classic 8 pc Jazz Band, Vero Beach Yacht Club, 3601 Rio Vista Blvd., noon Jan 28: The Ken Peplowski Quartet,

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PHOTOS SUPPLIED

Community Church 1901 23rd Street 772-778-1070 irsavero.org Jan 7: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, 7:30 pm $50 each, season tickets $260-$290

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INDIAN RIVER SYMPHONIC ASSOCIATION

EMERSON CENTER at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship 1590 27th Avenue 772-778-5249 TheEmersonCenter.org Jan 14: Arianna Huffington, Celebrated Speakers Series, 4 & 7 pm, $65 Jan 26: Cynthia Barnett - “Blue is the New Green” Florida Humanities Series, 7 pm, Free

SUNRISE THEATRE 116 South 2nd Street Fort Pierce 772-461-4775 sunrisetheatre.com Jan 5: The Nylons, 7 pm, $29/$35 Jan 8: Ft Pierce Jazz & Blues Society, Tribute to Benny Goodman, 2:30 pm, $25-$50 Jan 10: Swan Lake, The State Ballet Theatre of Russia, 7 pm, $39-$55 Jan 14: Ruben Studdard, 8 pm, $39/$29 Jan 19: ABBA: The Concert, 7 pm, $49/$39 Jan 20: Richard Nader’s Doo Wop & Rock ‘n Roll, $75/$38/$45 Jan 21: Gordon Lightfoot, 8 pm, $59/$49

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SPACE COAST SYMPHONY

Various Locations 321-536-8580 SpaceCoastSymphony.org Jan 6: New Year’s with the Three Tenors, Trinity Episcopal Church, 2365 Pine Ave, 3 pm, $20 Feb 5: Pines of Rome, Trinity Episcopal Church, 2365 Pine Ave, 3 pm, $20

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ATLANTIC CLASSICAL ORCHESTRA

Jan 5: Pianist Lindsay Garritson, Waxlax Center of the Performing Arts, 8 pm, $55

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Emerson Series speaker Entertainment Calendar to discuss water quality

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Throw out the fashion rules for New Year’s Eve But there are still some fundamentals to consider to get by the fashion police LISA RYMER VERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY

After all the fashion do’s and don’ts that guide our wardrobe choices, it’s nice to have one day when there’s no holds barred. So, throw out the rules and amp up the glitz to make this New Year’s Eve as fabulous as it is memorable. “That’s what makes it fun,” said Deana Marchant, owner of Sassy Boutique, who encourages women to explore new looks for themselves throughout the year. Whether it’s a private party or a night on the town, more people seem to be getting dressed up for the festivities, notes Marchant. And that means plenty of sparkle. This year, the stylists at Sassy Boutique have assembled a holiday collection by Milly in black and silver sequins that are modern and sophisticated, appropriate for women of any age group. “We’ve always tried to appeal to multiple generations, so that grandmothers, mothers and their daughters can shop together,” said Marchant. As women mature, Marchant suggests they may want to reconsider hem length, sleeve and neckline. Fortunately, modifying a wardrobe can be done with ease and not necessarily a lot of expense. For instance, a mini certainly highlights shapely gams, but too much skin can turn a dress from daring to disaster. By simply pairing a mini with opaque hosiery and a high boot, the amount of skin exposure is greatly reduced. This look, a favorite among women in their 20s and 30s for New Year’s Eve, can be worn year round with the right accessories. For a more conservative look, a sequin jacket adds pizzazz to a basic black pantsuit, while providing an

tra-comfortable, the Coobie is a onesize-fits-all, bandeau-style bra that offers support and a bit of modesty. “I have one in every color,” said Jane Segura, store manager, demonstrating how to remove the straps if necessary. And what New Year’s Eve outfit would be complete without the right shoes? Kate Spade’s platform shoe “is super comfy and gives the feeling of height, but doesn’t feel like a high heel,” said Cindy O’Dare, a local Realtor, as she dashes into Sassy for styling assistance. Saturday, she will ring in the new year wearing a Kay Unger dress embellished with sequins and netting, oversized black pearls around her neck, and the Kate Spade pump in black. Granted, while much that glitters on New Year’s Eve is for women, “men have lots of fashion choices too,” said Tom Hanlon, owner of Hanlon’s Men’s Shoes and Clothing. This season, he has already sold about a dozen tuxedos for black tie affairs; he has altered countless more to accommodate expanding and diminishing waistlines. For fun, colorful cumberbuns and bowties are available in polka dot, paisley and piqué, which is a waffle pattern in the fabric. For something a bit more whimsical, Dion makes a patch silk vest that is outrageously adorable. But for the understated man who STAFF PHOTO Whether it’s a private party or a night on the town, more people seem to be prefers to leave the sparkle to others, getting dressed up for New Year’s Eve. cufflinks can make a plain white shirt special any time of year. amount of concealment for women gan or silk shawl, the pantsuit can be Sassy Boutique who are conscious of their arms. worn day or night all year long. 3375 Ocean Drive “We want to help women feel good Likewise, a plunging neckline that (772) 234-3998 about the way they look, confident in seems party perfect may feel awkward Hanlon’s Men’s Shoes themselves at any age,” said Marchant. at other times of the year. and Clothing And by simply exchanging the holiThe stylists at Sassy recommend the 3343 Cardinal Drive day glitter with a tailored jacket, cardi- Coobie bra to cover up cleavage. Ul(772) 231-2334

Rental Specialist

DAVID WALSH &ASSOC! REAL ESTATE 800 20th Place, Suite 5, Vero Beach, FL 32960 · Office (772)234-3450 · verorents.com

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SUSAN BELMONT POWELL REALTOR®

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LET ME RENT YOUR PROPERTIES!

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choice by Lemon Tree diners. I later discovered the pot pie is offered only on their dinner menu. We were pleased to find on the lunch menu another popular item, the herb encrusted salmon which was ordered by my lunch companion. After the first bite we understood why this dish was a barrier Island favorite. The lunch-sized portion of tender

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longtime staff members just as familiar and just as friendly. The breakfast, lunch and dinner menus offer simple, traditional fare and since menu items are the same each day, it’s easy to find your favorites if you visit regularly. As we scanned the lunch menu our waitress told us about the soups of the day: a lobster bisque and split pea. We opted to try one of each. My lunch companion chose the split pea and I tried the bisque. The split pea was thick, robust and full of flavor and, in fact, my lunch companion joked that the soup was even better then his mom’s and after a sample I had to agree with him. My lobster bisque was also thick and flavorful, though had a few more pieces of the soup’s succulent namesake had been added, the bisque would have easily challenged the split pea. When deciding on a main dish for lunch I had scanned the menu for the famous chicken pot pie, a popular

fresh salmon was topped with a traditional Béarnaise sauce and included an unexpected side of fresh Caprese salad, a perfect accompaniment to this famous Lemon Tree staple. I was quite hungry this day and after my soup I had planned to select the Lemon Tree house salad at $8.95 to be followed by the blue crab cakes at $9.95 as my main entree. Our waitress quickly pointed out the crab cakes were already offered as an addition to the house salad for an additional charge of only $5 and explained the crab cakes were the same ones listed separately on the menu for $9.95. Knowing that I wanted both, this decision was a more sensible choice. The salad arrived with two large crab cakes atop a mound of fresh field greens that included dried cranberries, feta cheese and toasted walnuts. The crab cakes were some of the best offered on the island: two large cakes gently pan-fried to perfection that included chunks of blue crab meat held together with cornbread and the perfect blend of spices. The salad and crab cakes included a side of homemade vinaigrette dressing and tartar sauce. As we finished our meals our waitress mentioned the complimentary desserts of either lemon or raspberry sorbet. We asked if these were the only two dessert choices and then

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Out for a late morning stroll on Ocean Drive and wanting an early lunch, we decided to try the Lemon Tree Restaurant. Nestled between gift shops and clothing stores, the familiar bright yellow awning quickly identified this quaint little restaurant which for years has attracted locals and tourists alike. We were greeted at the door by Paul, who seemed to know every patron visiting this day. As we were seated and throughout our meal, Paul’s quick wit and charming personality flowed throughout the small dining room, as he strolled from table to table, chatting with regulars and making everyone feel as if they were dining at his home, rather than a busy lunchtime cafe. The Lemon Tree Restaurant located on Ocean Drive near Humiston Park and across from the Driftwood Hotel, is a Vero Beach landmark. During the past 50 years this location has been home to several restaurants including “The Party Pax” and later followed by the original Lemon Tree. This cheerful little cafe has long been a popular spot especially for breakfast and lunch. Its charming lemon tree theme is evident throughout the restaurant, from its brightly colored walls to the familiar large yellow awning outside that has greeted folks for many years. Owners Paul and Marybeth Castraberti who are originally from Boston with over 25 years of restaurant experience, offer breakfast, lunch and dinner at The Lemon Tree, though breakfast and lunch are the most popular and busiest times. Paul is the friendly gentleman who greets you at the door each day and in the dining room and in kitchen there are also

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BY MARK JOSEPH

Dining The Lemon Tree, a sunny cafe, friendly folk, good food

LEMON TREE FROM PAGE 25

were told of the chocolate mousse cake and homemade key lime pie, the two main desserts oﬀered at The Lemon Tree. We opted to try one of each and our waitress oﬀered to bring us the complimentary sorbets, one lemon and one raspberry while waiting on our main dessert choices. The small portions of sorbet were sweet, tangy and refreshing and though both quite good, the raspberry got our vote as the better of the two. Obviously not selling many desserts this day, we waited quite a bit before

our main desserts were delivered, although we did receive an apology from the waitress about the long delay. When they arrived, one was simple and one sensational. The key lime pie was a very traditional version yet with extra whipped cream as ordered. The presentation of the pie was simple, but with a satisfying key-lime taste. The chocolate mousse cake was a grander presentation; a tall wedge of ﬂuﬀy chocolate mousse, piled high on a thick chocolate cookie crust shell, topped with fresh whipped cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce. This grand dessert could have easily been

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shared and it was indeed sensational. The only disappointment of the meal was not being offered the small cornbread muffins which are a popular trademark at The Lemon Tree. Though we did see them being delivered at other tables, they were not offered to us. Overall, our service and meal at the Lemon Tree were very good. The Lemon Tree is indeed a bright, cheerful spot and as we walked outside into the afternoon sunshine after an enjoyable lunch, our experience was as warm and sunny as the yellow awning of this quaint landmark cafe. Lunch without tip: $45

Lemon Tree Restaurant Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Wine and beer, no liquor 3125 Ocean Dr., Vero Beach, FL 32963 772-231-0858 Breakfast Mon-Sat: 7:00-11:00 a.m. Sun: 7:30-Noon Lunch Mon-Sat: 11:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Dinner Mon-Sat: 5:00 p.m.-Closing Most Major Credit Cards

Cuisines of Vero A4.5 4A=D 49 6A;C A; 4BD ;D2 1DM6 7AH? 1936 7M641

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2 people 0 excuses 1 night 2 cherish Choose the party that is right for you:

Poolside Party with Bobby & the Blisters & DJ Swingsation 7pm - 3am Five Course Pre- Fixe Dinner 7pm $75* per person & 9pm $99* per person Dinner Show with Jennifer Patty 8pm $150* per person Late Night Breakfast Buffet begins @ 1:30am $12* per person New Years Day Brunch 10am - 3pm $32.95* per person * price does not include taxes or gratuity

3244 Ocean Drive I Vero Beach 32963 I costadeste.com I 772.410.0100

Now Open for Dinner Lemon Tree – Love it!

great breakfast, great lunch, great dinner Friendly, clean, excellent food and service. Beer and Wine. Homemade soups and desserts. Children’s menu available. Breakfast: Mon.-Sat. 7 am - 11 am Lunch: Mon.-Sat. 11 am - 2:30 pm Sunday Breakfast: 7:30 am - noon Dinner: 5 pm - ’til close 3125 OCEAN DRIVE, VERO BEACH | 772.231.0858 WWW.LEMONTREEVERO.COM

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Sports BY MICHAEL BIELECKI VERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY

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team will almost certainly be a 20win team barring a rash of injuries. The softball team returns hard-hitting seniors Alicia Mello and Nicole Perlstein, as well as talented underclassmen Ashley Hays and Sam Grimm. Last year’s young team went 12-16, but will be a year stronger in 2012. Both the boys’ and girls’ lacrosse teams are replacing the Scripps Treasure Coast Area Players of the Year, but that’s nothing new to either program. The boys’ team won its sixth-consecutive district title in

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Soccer Coaches Association of America. Boys’ soccer is led by 10 seniors and has jumped to an 8-5-1 start. Senior defender Kevin O’Dell was a first-team Scripps All-Area selection and senior honorable midfielder Adri Borodoli was honorable mention All-Area in 2010. These two players will help Coach Chris Fonehouse lead a deep and experienced squad into a tough district schedule in 2012. Springtime will be an exciting time for sports in Vero Beach. While the allure of Dodgers spring training is impossible to replace, Fighting Indians football will have the pre-season to showcase its talent. Spring football will see Coach Lenny Jankowski replacing record-setting quarterback Nick Madden, top receiver Charlie Miller, pass rushing specialist Dwayne Hoilett and ace safety Charles Ivory -all of whom are graduating seniors. Baseball went 15-13 under Coach Jeff Steinman in 2011. His team is loaded with returning talent like junior shortstop Chris Kazen, junior catcher Jordyn Cruz, senior third baseman Austin Todd, and left-handed pitcher Alex Dermody. The 2012

The Vero Beach boys’ soccer team plays a tough district schedule in 2012.

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PHOTO BY J. PATRICK RICE

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The 2011 year-in-sports at Vero Beach High School is a tough act to follow, but 2012 is filled with promise. It is a year when the team sports expect to have no turnover at the head coaching positions, and a year where only a handful of key seniors have graduated from the school’s best sports programs. Winter sports are currently in full swing, with basketball and soccer both having roughly half a season to play for both the boys’ and girls’ teams. Girls’ basketball coach Rahshard Morgan has led the Lady Indians to a 6-5 record behind the scoring of senior guard Kendall Hedgecock and junior guard Margie Smith. Freshman forward Kayla Woulard has been a pleasant surprise for a team hampered by lack of height and experience. Boys’ basketball coach Chuck Loewendick has his team playing its usual lock-down defense, which has resulted in a 6-3 record so far this season. Four of the five starters are seniors, and their demanding schedule will make their three-team district competition look weak in comparison. This week’s Holiday Hoopla Basketball Tournament at Vero Beach High School will put seniors Charlie Miller, Dwayne Hoilett and Jeremy to the test. The Fighting Indians were projected to be one of the best in the area before the start of the season. After coming within a penalty kick of winning the state title 10 months ago, the girls’ soccer team is 10-3-1 after beating nationally-ranked West Boca at home. Freshman Alana Hockenhull has an incredible 30 of her team’s 57 goals this year, and four of her teammates have received All-Region honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. Senior Sarah Keville -- who is currently serving a six-week fighting suspension handed down by the Florida High School Athletic Association -- received All-American and Florida Player of the Year honors from the National

2011, and the girls won their sixthconsecutive state title just days later. While it is quite possible Coach Jon Moriarty may not have a single player to fully replace Player of the Year Dylan Flinchum’s 52 goals from 2011, it is probable that scoring will be spread between three of his first-team, all-area players. Senior attacker Matt Hughes, along with senior midfielder Chas Moody (the area’s Player of the Year in 2010), will lead the offense this year, with junior midfielder Gunnar Flinchum (Dylan’s brother) stepping into an even bigger role as well. Coach Shannon Dean has the girls’ lacrosse team playing at level far above any other school in the southeast region -- let alone in the state of Florida. The graduation of All-American midfielder and Scripps Treasure Coast Player of the Year Courtney Swan, along with the graduation of high-scoring, first-team All-Area attacker Erin Schroeder, will leave a scoring void (147 goals) which will be replaced by first-team All-Area senior attacker Lucy Sexton, first-team All-Area midfielder Mackenzie Smith, and honorable mention senior midfielder Gracee Hendrix. With a 76-game in-state win streak on the line, nothing less than a state championship should be expected of Dean’s team in 2012. Only the scheduling rules and limitations laid out by the FHSAA will keep them from contending for a national title.

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VBHS 2012 sports season filled with high hopes

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Obituaries Marion Davis Marion Davis, 88, died Dec. 11, 2011, at home. She lived in Osterville, Mass., and Vero Beach. Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Chester P. Davis; children, Lynda Davis, Alison Trilling, Sandy Sherman and Robin Davis; and three grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Susan G. Komen for the Cure , Attn: Donor Services, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309. A guestbook is available at www.MorrisOConnorBlute.com.

Kenneth B. Higbie Kenneth B. Higbie, 87, died Dec. 13, 2011, at his home. He was born in New York City and lived in Vero Beach, coming from Fort Myers. Before retirement, he was a scientist for the U.S. government. He was an Army veteran, serving in World War II. Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Dorothy Higbie of Vero Beach; son, Glenn B. Higbie of Stroudsburg, Pa.; daughters, Jane E. Ward of Huntington Beach, Calif., and Margaret A. Creelman of Vero Beach; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the VNA Hospice, 901 37th St., Vero Beach, FL 32960. A guestbook is available at www.aycock-hillcrest.com.

Luis Ramos Luis Ramos, 94, died Dec. 14, 2011, at VNA Hospice, Vero Beach. He was born in Puerto Rico and lived in Vero Beach for 33 years, coming from Bronx, N.Y. Before retirement, he worked as a property manager for 30 years in New York City. He was an Army veteran, serving in World War II. He was a member of St. Helen Catholic Church, Vero Beach, where he served as an usher. He was a former member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion in Vero Beach. Survivors include his daughters, Sylvia Berry of Vero Beach, Norma Rivera of Orangeburg, N.Y., and Sonia Melendez of St. Petersburg; sisters, Carmen Valdivieso of Toms River,

N.J., Aurora Rodriguez of Severn, Md., and Pilar Carriles of Boynton Beach; brother, Alex Ramos of Sunrise; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the Military Order of the Purple Heart at Vero Beach Veterans Inc. 2500 15th Ave., Vero Beach, FL 32960. A guestbook is available at www.aycock-hillcrest.com.

Daniel Jason Walker Daniel Jason Walker, 32, died Dec. 14, 2011, at his home. He was born in Vero Beach and was a lifelong resident. He worked in customer service for Winn Dixie in Vero Beach and was a member of Central Assembly of God in Vero Beach. He was a 1998 graduate of Vero Beach High School. Survivors include his mother, Akemi Forde Walker of Vero Beach; sister Kristy Kenney of Vero Beach; paternal grandmother, Ella Ludwig of Vero Beach; maternal grandparents, Cliff and Hisa Forde of San Diego. A guest book is available at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.

children; and 13 great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Vero Beach Scholarship Fund, 2206 16th Ave., Vero Beach, FL 32960. A guestbook is available at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.

Dorothy Mae Wykoff Dorothy Mae Wykoff, 94, died Dec. 15, 2011, at VNA Hospice House, Vero Beach. She was born in Bedford, Ind., and lived in Vero Beach for 10 years, coming from Indianapolis. She was a member of Vero Christian Church, Vero Beach. Survivors include her daughter, Beth Cappelen of Vero Beach; stepdaughter, Connie Kay Brown of McKinney, Texas; sister, Velma Todd of Meridian, Miss.; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Vero Christian Church, 3250 Ninth Street S.W., Vero Beach, FL 32968. A guestbook is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.

Volunteer Ambulance Squad and a member of the Indian River County Sheriff ’s Explorers. Survivors include his father, Jerry Wayne Farless of Clayton, Ala.; mother and stepfather, Polly Pieper and John McCullers of Vero Beach; brothers, Jason Farless of Haltom City, Texas, and Darren House of Fort Pierce; stepsister, Lisa Pieper of Port St. Lucie; sisters, Aimee Hardy and Candee House, both of Fort Pierce; and longtime companion, Dave Graham of Melbourne. Memorial contributions may be made to Humane Society of Vero Beach, P.O. Box 644, Vero Beach, FL 32961. A guestbook is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.

Martha J. Evans Martha J. Evans, 66, died Nov. 24, 2011, in Palm Gardens Nursing Home. She lived for more than 25 years in Vero Beach, coming from Arnold, Pa. She previously was employed as a guard at Indian Trails. Survivors include her companion of eight years, Bob Carboni of Vero Beach.

Charles O. Diefendorf Vinson Carol Watson Vinson Carol Watson, 71, died Dec. 16, 2011, at the Indian River Medical Center, Vero Beach. He was born in Mud Creek, Ga., and lived in Vero Beach for more than 40 years, coming from Pahokee. He worked with IBM and Publix, and, after retiring, with the Indian River County Sheriff ’s Department as a crossing guard at Highlands Elementary School. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Vero Beach and a troop leader with the Boy Scouts. Survivors include his wife, Mable Watson of Vero Beach; son, Timothy Watson of Colorado Springs, Col.; daughters, Cheryl Miller and Donna Haynes, both of Vero Beach; mother, Georgan Watson of Nashville, Ga.; sisters, Jean Tanner of Nashville and Glenda Drummond of Indiantown; brothers, Calvin Watson of Mills River, N.C., and Kenneth Watson and Bill Watson, both of Nashville; 12 grand-

Charles O. Diefendorf, 86, died Dec. 21, 2011, at his home. He was born in Silver Creek, N.Y., and lived in Vero Beach for 40 years, coming from Casa Grande, Ariz. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Army Air Corps. He received his engineering degree from the University of Arizona. Before retirement, he was a mechanical engineer with Piper Aircraft. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Roberta of Vero Beach.

James A. “Doc” Jones Sr. James “Doc” A. Jones Sr., 73, died Dec. 16, 2011, at Indian River Medical Center, Vero Beach. He was born in Greenville and was a lifelong resident of Vero Beach. Survivors include his son, James A. Jones Jr. of West Palm Beach; daughters, Cassandra Naine, Vanya Jones and Tracie Presley, all of Vero Beach; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. A guestbook is available at www.coxgiffordseawinds. com.

Jeffery Wayne Farless Jeffery Wayne Farless, 47, died Dec. 20, 2011, in Brevard County. He was born in Vero Beach and lived in Melbourne for 21 years, coming from Durango, Colo. He attended Vero Beach High School and graduated from Durango High School, Durango, class of 1982. He was a private investigator and owned Florida Private Investigations, Melbourne, for 25 years. He was a volunteer with the Vero Beach

Ruth E. Karpf Ruth E. Kisling Karpf, 92, died Dec. 20, 2011, at her home. She was born in Castana, Iowa and lived in Vero Beach for 31 years, coming from Houston. She was an Army veteran (WAAC) serving during World War II. She was a 1950 graduate of Rutgers University in Newark, N.J. Before retirement, she served as the secretary to the Chief of the Space Environ-

OBITUARIES

Frances A. Marciano, 70, died Dec. 14, 2011, at Indian River Medical Center, Vero Beach. She was born in New Haven, Conn., and lived in Vero Beach for 22 years, coming from Clinton, Conn. She was a secretary for Kings Baptist Church for 10 years. She was a member of St. Helen Catholic Church. Survivors include her husband of 22 years, Thomas Marciano; daughter, Maria Booker of England; son, Philip Raccio; brother, Frederick Arpia of Chesire, Conn.; and one grandchild. Memorial contributions may be made to National Kidney

Shanice Marie Smith Shanice Marie Smith, 19, died Dec. 14, 2012, in Vero Beach. She was born in Vero Beach. Survivors include her father and mother, Ricky and Melinda Smith of Vero Beach; brother, Ricky Smith Jr. of Vero Beach; sisters, Rickita Smith and Shandrika Jackson, both of Vero Beach, Marcia Thomas Barron of Fort Pierce and Keira Dames of Hobe Sound.

Marjorie C. Sprague-McDonald Marjorie C. Snook Sprague-McDonald, 92, died Dec. 1, 2011, at her home.

Roberta J. Warrick, 67, died Dec. 18, 2011, at VNA/Hospice House in Vero Beach. She was born in Plainfield, N.J., and lived in Vero Beach for 12 years, coming from Lake Wales. She received her bachelor of art degree from Western Maryland College, Westminster, Md., and was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church in Vero Beach. Survivors include her sisters, Cathy Warrick of Rhode Island and Elinor Morris of Florida. Memorial contributions may be made to Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960. A guestbook is available at strunkfuneralhome.com.

James H. Zerbe Jr. James H. Zerbe Jr., 84, died Dec. 18, 2011, at his home. He was born in Lock Haven, Pa., and lived in Vero Beach for 45 years, coming from Lock Haven. He worked as a facilities supervisor for Piper Aircraft. He attended Church of Christ. Survivors

Jeanie Frangoulis Muth Jeanie Frangoulis Muth passed away on Dec.2, at home surrounded by family and friends. Originally from New York City, she was a longtime resident of Vero Beach. Jeanie was preceded in death by her husband, John “Jack” Muth (aka Flipper). They were a regular fixture at the local hangouts around town and could be seen cruising Royal Palm Point in their golf cart. Both were members of the Vero Beach Yacht Club for many years, as well as the Vero Beach Country Club. Jeanie is survived by her daughter, Virginia, a son, James, and her daughters by marriage, Sandy and Karen. Those who wish to make a memorial donation can do so to the VNA and Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, Florida 32960.

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Frances A. Marciano

Roberta J. Warrick

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Olivia Faith Richardson, infant, died Dec. 18, 2011, at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. She was born in Miami. Survivors include her mother and father, Stacey and Samuel Richardson of Vero Beach; maternal grandparents, Ralph and Dawn Trodglen of Vero Beach; and paternal grandparents, John Richardson of Jasper and Harry and Paula Shaia of Vero Beach. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida, 1145 N.W. 14th Terrace, Miami, FL 33136. A guestbook is available at www.lowtherfuneralhome.com.

Daniel Jason Walker, 32, died Dec. 14, 2011, at his home. He was born in Vero Beach and was a lifelong resident. He worked in customer service for Winn Dixie in Vero Beach and was a member of Central Assembly of God in Vero Beach. He was a 1998 graduate of Vero Beach High School. Survivors include his mother, Akemi Forde Walker of Vero Beach; sister Kristy Kenney of Vero Beach; paternal grandmother, Ella Ludwig of Vero Beach; maternal grandparents, Cliff and Hisa Forde of San Diego. He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Allen Walker. A guest book is available at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.

Arthur C. Aubel, 86, died Dec. 20, 2011, at Indian River Medical Center, Vero Beach. He was born in Forest City, Pa., and lived in Crystal Lake near Carbondale, Pa., and Vero Beach for 23 years. He was an educator at Palm Beach Academy, Palm Beach; and Forest City High School, Mountain View High School and Lackawanna Trail High School, all in Pennsylvania. He served in the Army during the World War II as an infantryman in the European Theater and received two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars. Survivors include his wife of 33 years, Mary A. Aubel of Vero Beach, brother, David Aubel of Vero Beach; and sisters, Mary Helene Risboskin of Forest City, Pa., and Margaret Warhola of Kingsley, Pa. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 6 N. Church St., Carbondale, PA 18407. Arrangements are by Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory Vero Beach. A guestbook is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.

V E R O

Olivia Faith Richardson

Daniel Jason Walker

Arthur C. Aubel

Walter A. Pashuck, 90, died Dec. 19, 2011, at VNA/Hospice House in Vero Beach. He was born in Philadelphia and was a seasonal resident for five years, coming from Dallas. He was a builder with A. Raymond Raff of Philadelphia. He belonged to St. Sebastian Catholic Church. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, NRA and MOAA of Cape May County, N.J. Survivors include his son, Raymond Pashuck of Dallas; and two grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960. A guestbook is available at www.seawindsfh.com/obit.

include his daughters, Linda Mae Zerbe and Deanna Parker, both of Vero Beach; son, James Robert Zerbe of Vero Beach; six grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. A guestbook will be available at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.

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William E. Lantz, 79, died Dec. 14, 2011, at his home in Vero Beach. He was born in Schenectady, N.Y., and was a lifelong resident of the Schenectady area and a winter resident of Vero Beach. He graduated from Nott Terrace High School and attended Siena College. He worked for GE as a machinist in the main plant for eight years and then in purchasing and cost estimating at Knolls Atomic Power Lab for 32 years, retiring after 40 years of service. He was a graduate of the GE Apprentice Machinist Course and a member of GE Apprentice Alumni Association. He was a member of the Heldeberg Twirlers. Survivors include his wife of 28 years, Rose M. Lantz; son, Jeffrey J. Lantz of Ballston Spa, N.Y.; daughter, Cheryl E. Mazzariello of Albany, N.Y.; brother, John C. Lantz; and three grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Walter A. Pashuck

She was born in Newton, N.J., and lived in Vero Beach for 40 years, before moving to Broomfield, Colo. Survivors include her daughter, Karen Geisler of Longmont, Colo.; sisters, Beulah Gould of Fort Pierce and Eleanor Zukowski of Stillwater, N.J.; brother, Gerald Snook of Fredon, N.J.; three grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and three greatgreat grandchildren.

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William E. Lantz

Foundation, 30 E. 33rd St., New York, N.Y. 10016. A guestbook is available at www.seawindsfh.com/obit.php.

D E C E M B E R

mental Division at NASA in Houston, where she worked for 20 years. She volunteered for many years with the United Way in Vero Beach. She was of the Jewish faith and a member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach. Survivors include numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (make checks out to UUFVB Endowment), 372 W. Temple Ct. S.W., Vero Beach FL 32968. A guestbook is available at www.aycock-hillcrest.com.

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Real Estate

B E A C H

N E W S W E E K L Y

D E C E M B E R

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Barrier Island Real Estate Sales – December 15-December 21 Address: Subdivision: List Date: List Price: Sell Date: Sell Price: Listing Broker: Listing Agent: Selling Broker: Selling Agent:

2229 Ocean Oaks Cr. W Ocean Oaks West 11/22/2010 $575,000 12/21/2011 $505,000 The Keyes Company Yvonne Skovron Premier Estate Properties Jeanine Harris