Senior Life, March 2026

BY R. NORMAN MOODY

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

FROM THE

We strive to bring you the best, the kind of stories you want

Through the years, we have brought our readers interesting series.

In this edition, you might read the final in our series we call This Old Church. It is one of the shortest, but also one of the most interesting series we have done. However, we might try to extend it.

This Old Church is about 19th century churches in Brevard County, and the number of those structures are very limited. We have debated as to whether we should modify it to churches built before the start of World War II. That would give us a few more interesting church buildings to write about. What’s your opinion? Give us a call and let us know.

In this edition, we are telling you about City Point Community Church. No longer used for church services, the little wooden building has an interesting history. It served as the start-up church for multiple differing congregations.

Indian River Colony Club was the first community in what is now Viera. IRCC, which was built as a community for retired military officers, turned 40 last month. We’ll tell you a little about the history of the community located just off Murrell Road.

In addition to telling you all about this unique community, we will also have stories about the last naval battle of the American Revolution and upcoming events paying tribute to Medal of Honor recipients. It includes a 5K run to raise funds to help homeless veterans.

COUPONS & DISCOUNTS

©Senior Life of

7350 Shoppes Drive, Suite 102 Viera, FL 32940

321-242-1235

myseniorlife.com

Jill@bluewatercreativegroup.com

Publisher

Jill Blue

Editor

R. Norman Moody

Office Manager

Sylvia Montes

Copy Editor

Jeff Navin

Design/Photography

Jorjann Blake

Feature Writers

Ed Baranowski

Chris Bonanno

Michael Bryan

Ernie Dorling

Mike Gaffey

Linda Jump

Lillian Nguyen

Betty Porter

Flora Reigada

Pam Williams

Because we know many of you enjoy taking day trips and overnight weekend trips, we continue with Travel Time. This one is called Tea Around Town. Women, many of them dressed in pink, are taken on a double-decker bus decorated in vibrant colors on a tour of Miami’s iconic sites. It might be more than a day trip for some, but is doable in a day. You’ll get some details and photos in a story about Tea Around Town.

We always aim to give you the best and most interesting stories. Occasionally, at the last moment, we must hold stories for the next edition, if necessary. I don’t like doing that, but this might be one of those occasions. However, the good part of this is that as we select the stories that will fit in this edition, you will get the best of the best of our story lineup.

So, this edition will be packed with the kind of stories you have come to enjoy from Senior Life SL

R. Norman Moody norm@myseniorlife.com

R.L. Lewis — one of Florida’s last Highwaymen leaves lasting legacy

BY ERNIE DORLING

Many of us don’t have to imagine living in the segregated world of 1950s Florida; we experienced it firsthand. And in that segregated world of the 1950s and 1960s, there weren’t many opportunities available for African-American artists to show their work in galleries due to the racial and cultural barriers that existed at the time.

Unable to show their work in galleries, which were typically whites-only venues for both customers and artists, 26 Black artists, who focused on painting Florida landscapes in a flamboyant style, resorted to selling their artwork from the trunks of their cars, earning them the moniker of Highwaymen.

The Highwaymen were mostly self-taught painters who mentored each other. They packed these paintings into the trunks of their cars and sold them door-to-door throughout the southeastern coast of Florida.

One of the last known members of the Highwaymen, Robert L. Lewis (R.L.) Jr. died on the evening of Jan. 26 in Cocoa at the age of 84.

“My father told me that a lot of his sales were the result of word of mouth,” said R. L. Lewis III, the son of R.L. Lewis Jr. “Dad was often a horse trader, trading a painting for things like a set of tires for his car.”

Lewis became known for vivid landscapes that captured the spirit of old Florida — blazing sunsets, towering palms, winding rivers and storm-lit skies. His work, often painted quickly and sold roadside, was never meant to be fine art in the traditional sense. Yet over time, it became something even more powerful: a visual record of Florida as it once was.

“A teacher in high school named

Alberta Leisure saw dad’s talent and put a paintbrush in dad’s hand after he was injured playing football,” his son said. “Dad always stressed academics and was able to finish college at Florida A&M (University) and became an art teacher in Brevard County, where he taught for 32 years.”

“I use the color to display the mood I am experiencing. Bright colors make the meaning clear. Often, I am focused on there being so many people who are spiritually or emotionally dead and not even aware of it. I want to wake them up,” R.L. Lewis once told the Ocala Star Banner, in an interview.

Collectors often describe Lewis’ paintings as uplifting — windows into Florida’s wild spaces before the rise of heavy development. For longtime residents, his art brought back memories of orange groves, open skies and quiet stretches of land

Gallery celebrates, discusses R.L. Lewis paintings

BY BETTY PORTER

The Galleria of Art and Photography in Suntree will honor the late Robert L. Lewis Jr., one of the original 26 Highwaymen artists, during the month of March.

Galleria owner Rose Marie Capasso is offering the community the chance to learn more about Lewis and his art style.

“We are having coffee and pastries from Amici’s bakery every Thursday morning in March from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Galleria as we talk about the Highwaymen artists and Florida artists,” Capasso said. This is open to the public and at no charge.

“We want to pay homage to a great man in the field of art,” Capasso said. “What set Lewis apart from the other Highwaymen is the fact that he was dedicated to art education and mentoring.”

Lewis taught art at Cocoa High School for 32 years and 20 years at Brevard Community College. He was

R. L. Lewis

inducted into the Florida Artist Hall of Fame in 2004.

Capasso has one of his paintings and will have others on display and discuss at the March coffees.

Lewis’ work is sometimes referred to as “Florida’s history on canvas.” It is characterized by bold colors and dynamic compositions of Florida landscapes, which capture the beauty of Florida and in particular the Indian River Lagoon where he spent much of his youth outside exploring and fishing with his two brothers.

The Galleria of Art and Photography is at 7720 N. Wickham Road in the Boardwalk Plaza. SL

now replaced by subdivisions and highways.

Jill Blue, the CEO of Bluewater Creative Group, the parent company of Viera Voice and Senior Life, said Lewis would always make time in his schedule to appear at senior expos that company sponsors.

“He would always come prepared to paint and chat with people,” she said. “People would gather around him to watch him paint. Some sat for long periods watching him.”

R.L. Lewis represented more than beautiful landscapes. He embodied resilience, entrepreneurship and the idea that art belongs to everyone — not just those who can afford it.

“My father always liked to quote Proverbs 18:16, stating, ‘A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men,’ ” R.L. Lewis III said.

The Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee has paintings by 23 of the original 26 artists.

Blue said Lewis is certainly part of Space Coast and Florida history.

“He was a lovely man who was admired by all,” she said. SL

HOBBIES & PASSIONS

THE 19TH FEATURE IN A SERIES ON HOBBIES & PASSIONS

Space Coast Wood Carvers turn scrap into forms of artistry

BY LINDA JUMP

Ken Keskinen, 88, of Viera raised his first carving knife 82 years ago and has rarely put it down.

“During World War II, I had a cousin who was a Navy pilot who was killed. I made his airplane out of popsicle sticks and stubs of pencils,” the Vietnam veteran pilot said. He’s learned many styles of carving and created violins and cellos, as well as artistic pieces. “I sell some, but most are cluttering my house.”

Rudy Soltesz of Melbourne Beach celebrated his 99th birthday at the weekly Space Coast Wood Carvers meeting with fellow woodworkers to work on his bas-relief of two priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant.

“Twenty-five to 30 years ago, I went to a wood carving show and decided to do a piece from one of my paintings. I still have that fish,” he said.

Soltesz created more than 150 nutcrackers and won best of show at age 95 with a bark castle.

This year’s competition was held Jan. 31. Lou Livan of Melbourne took best of show with a life-sized eagle on water with talons around a flounder that took 18 months to

complete.

“Years ago, my wife was reading on the beach and I was bored. I grabbed a knife and wood and started chiseling. I was hooked,” said the Brooklyn-born grandfather of three.

Club membership is $30 a year. It offers a chance to mentor

or be mentored, a small library, camaraderie, an artistic outlet and using skills, whether whittling, relief

Do you have a passion or hobby that is extraordinary? Let us know. Call

from 8 a.m. to noon each Wednesday at the Crane Community Center in Melbourne. Newcomers are welcome, said Anstett, a former Buffalo, N.Y. contractor. Many are retirees, with a handful of women.

Among them are Kris Rosdhal, 71, of Palm Bay. While living in New Mexico 20 years ago, she began carving Catholic figures called bultos.

“I took a class and kept going. It was an important part of their culture,” she said.

Her favorite piece is St. Christopher carrying Jesus on his shoulders, which took her several months.

“Most work was done at meetings,” she said.

Marion Lee Forest entered a loon in the recent show.

“I didn’t win.”

Anstett said many varieties of soft and hardwoods will do, but basswood, cedar, buckeye, mahogany and butternut or cottonwood for bark carving are preferred. Tupelo, a hard wood, requires power tools.

BUYING EVENT

DAY BUYING EVENT

Fairfield Inn Viera

ash, Clean, or Polish!

Antiques of all Kinds: Do Not Wash, Clean or Polish!

Art work: old oil paintings, old watercolors, old etchings, lithographs, old movie posters, cartoon art & more.

old

Statues: old bronze, carved jade, wood, marble, alabaster, pottery, porcelain

Old Toys: old toys, trains, old comics + baseball cards (prior to 1960) old Japanese toys, robots, old banks & old dolls

Oriental items: jade, statues, figurines, netsuke, old swords, oriental glass + porcelains

Historical items: letters, autographs (movie stars, presidents, political etc), old photos, political pins + ribbons, old fountain

pens, old pocket knives, swords, military items, American, Japanese, German medals, advertising items, old stamps and old badges (police, fire, military).

Gold, Silver & Platinum Jewelry

We buy all types of gold jewelry, new, old and broken. Rings, (class rings, mothers rings, wedding sets, etc.). Bracelets, (charm bracelets, tennis bracelets, bangles, etc.). Earrings do not need to be a matching pair. Chains and pendants, broken is okay.

ALL THINGS GOLD!

We even buy old yellow gold teeth and crowns. Brooches, company year pins. We buy diamonds, emeralds and rubies.

Sterling & Silver Items

Any item made out of sterling silver. Silverware, forks, spoons, bowls, dishes, trays, tea sets, statues, sterling and .999 bars, sterling and .999 rounds, frames, candle sticks, trophies, salt and pepper shakers and jewelry. Broken and smashed is okay.

Gold & Silver coins, United States Coins, & silver/gold foreign coins

Pennies

By Randal C. Hill

Behind the Beat

‘Let Your Love Flow’ — Bellamy Brothers

Attention, music trivia fans! What do rocker Del Shannon, pop princess Lesley Gore, the made-forTV Monkees, and iconic country kings the Bellamy Brothers have in common?

“Absolutely nothing,” you might say. However, these disparate musicmakers do indeed share one fact: Each hit No. 1 on the Billboard chart with their very first single release.

Howard and David Bellamy would sometimes be awakened by the sounds of a Merle Haggard or Buck Owens record being spun by their music-loving father. The future superstar siblings were frequently exposed to such country-music icons, as well as hearing the likes of Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, the Everly Brothers and later, music of the mid1960s British Invasion.

The twosome, who mastered seven instruments between them, gigged at frat parties and backed touring oldies artists before moving to Atlanta to form a short-lived outfit that the Bellamys dubbed Jericho.

The duo also tried their hands at writing. David Bellamy’s coauthorship with Jim Stafford’s “Spiders and Snakes” became a novelty home run.

Sales of three million singles gave the brothers the cash needed to move to Los Angeles, their goal being to connect with the music scene there.

They befriended Neil Diamond’s backup band. One day, Diamond’s drummer brought a demo (demonstration record) to the singing siblings and enthused, “Hey, this sounds like something you guys would do.” It was a song called

world. “We’ve always been known as a live act,” Howard Bellamy said. “We’ve gone with the idea that we’re going to have fun and the audience is too. Performing is not something we got into for the money. We got into it for the love of it. It’s a lifestyle with us. That’s how we’ve managed to stay on the road for so long.”

Long indeed. Their 2026 tour marks the 50th anniversary of the

8085 Spyglass Hill Road

Viera, Florida 32940

Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 5 pm

Enjoy food samples from the Chef Competition and vote for the Best Chef in Senior Living!

While you’re here, compare Brevard’s best senior living communities all in one place!

WHEN: Friday, April 17, 2026 • 11am-1pm Registration 10:30am, Doors open at 11:00am

Indian River Colony Club residential community turns 40

BY MIKE GAFFEY

Before Indian River Colony Club was created in February 1986, the property that the military retirement community known as “The Place that Patriots Call Home” would be built on was mostly occupied by cows and accessible only by dirt trails.

“In short, the plot of land that is now IRCC was located basically out in the middle of nowhere,” according to the book “The Story of Indian River Colony Club 1986-2006.”

Today, as Viera’s first residential community celebrates its 40th year of incorporation, the 453-acre gated development off Murrell Road has 1,200 residents and 788 single-family homes.

“I think it’s a wonderful place to live whether you’re 100 or 50,” said 99-year-old June O’Connor, one of IRCC’s first residents. O’Connor, who still lives at IRCC with her daughter Barb Jones, turns 100 in October.

Residents marked the community’s anniversary and Founders Day with events that started on Feb. 18 and wrapped up with a black-tie gala on Feb. 21. The multi-day celebration had “been in the works for over a year,” said Colleen Ward, IRCC’s chairman of the board.

Envisioned in the early 1980s by retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Charles D. Briggs as a safe, affordable and amenities-filled community for retired military ages 55 and older, IRCC began taking shape in the mid-1980s. Briggs

enlisted the help of fellow retired Air Force Gen. Gordon “Bat” Masterson to help make his vision a reality. In 1986, Briggs reached a deal with Jack Maloy, the vice president of real estate with Oviedo-based A. Duda & Sons, Inc., which owned most of the land between Wickham Road and Barnes Boulevard, to buy 250 acres for $660,000. As part of its initial land sale, Duda, later the parent company for The Viera Company, agreed to provide IRCC with another 57 acres in return for IRCC funding the construction of an

The Terrace at Courtenay Springs

extension of Murrell Road.

On Feb. 19, 1986, the nonprofit corporation’s Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws were officially adopted and filed with the State of Florida. By the end of September 1986, more than 100 people had signed up as members, even though no houses had been built or a loan secured.

After Briggs’ death in 1987, Masterson took on the complex task of financing the project and creating the community. “I practically lived in my office for 10 years,” he told Viera Voice in 2016.

“I think it’s a wonderful place to live whether you’re 100 or 50.”

— June O’Connor

After IRCC secured a $3.6 million loan from First Federal of Osceola, home construction started in early 1988. The first residence was completed in June 1988. Retired Army Chief Warrant Officer Jack Kilz and his wife Dottie became the first residents of IRCC — and later Viera — when they moved into their new home at 1263 Continental Ave.

Today, IRCC offers 24-hour gated security and features a private 18-hole, par-72 golf course with putting and chipping greens and an aqua range, a centrally located hub featuring a resort-style clubhouse for casual and fine dining venues and an event and banquet center. Amenities

include a pool, fitness center, a newly renovated court complex housing three tennis courts, a regulation bocce and shuffleboard court and a croquet lawn. Residents also can choose from more than 60 clubs and activities.

The community is owned entirely by its membership and is 100 percent debt free.

“Over its 40-year history, IRCC has never had to impose special assessments, underscoring its stability and sound management,” Ward said.

Originally exclusive to retired military officers, IRCC is now open to a limited number of non-military members.

Scott Miller, the executive vice president, sales, marketing and community development for The Viera Company, said IRCC’s success helped pave the way for Viera’s surging growth.

“IRCC is truly a ‘plank owner’ of the master planned community of Viera, and we could not be prouder to join them in celebrating their 40th anniversary in Viera,” Miller said in a statement. “The pioneering spirit that built Viera needed bold partners like General ‘Bat’ Masterson, longtime leader of IRCC, to transform the conceptual plans for Viera into the reality of homes, clubhouses and golf courses that gave Viera the essential foundation to become one of the top master-planned communities in the country that we are today.”

For more information, visit ColonyClub.com or call 321-2556000 SL

STRI PES Brevard Veterans News

Organization seeks to help those with invisible wounds —PTSD

There are plenty of reports and statistics on the number of daily suicides among veterans. I am not going to cite numbers, but I can tell you there are too many. Even one is too many.

And it’s not only among veterans, but also among first responders and others who have had what is often called invisible wounds after experiencing a traumatic event or series of events. These experiences can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD.

Heroes United to Heal is an organization dedicated to helping end suicide by educating military veterans, first responders, families, community leaders and community members about invisible wounds.

Organizations look for ways to help curb the stigma that can sometimes be associated with PTSD. Often those suffering will remain silent about it. Veterans are more

likely to confide in fellow veterans who understand their plight.

Donna Michaels, who along with her best friend Erin Harris are the founders of Heroes United to Heal, said PTSD affects people differently.

“It’s not a one size fits all,” she said.

Michaels, a Navy veteran and retired law enforcement officer, and Harris have had different experiences with the effects of PTSD.

Harris’ experience comes from seeing how her Vietnam veteran father struggles with the invisible wounds of war and how his condition affected other family members. In 2012, her

father was injured in a motorcycle accident.

“They put him in the helicopter,” Harris said. “He thought he was being evacuated from Vietnam.”

Michaels, who lives in Rockledge, was an Orange County Sheriff’s deputy when she was involved in an accident on duty that left her with a traumatic brain injury.

She later lost a friend to suicide.

In 2017, she responded to a call involving the death of a child, one of many difficult calls during her 21-year law enforcement career.

“That call was the one too many,” she said.

She said PTSD took her to a breaking point, but with the intervention of others, let her know she needed to do something to try to heal.

She and Harris started with a website to provide information for those suffering with PTSD. That was

A life of service — a Marine’s path to

BY ERNIE DORLING

Alexander Basso’s life and career reflect a remarkable blend of military discipline, diplomatic service and frontline engagement in some of the most consequential events of the early 21st century.

“I was born in Italy and raised in Catonsville, Maryland,” Basso said. “Growing up, I developed an early interest in global affairs and service.”

In 1971, Cat Stevens released his hit single, “Wild World.” That same year, after completing his secondary education, Basso answered the call to serve by attending the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School.

“I wanted to be a pilot,” said Basso, who played semi-professional soccer. “But I injured my knee in basic school, resulting in my becoming a combat engineer.”

Basso mastered the demanding technical skills required to support infantry operations, fortify positions and manage hazardous obstacles. His time in the Marines instilled in him

Appraisal & Liquidation Solutions

Retired U.S. Marine Maj. Alexander Basso developed an early interest in global affairs.

a profound respect for teamwork, resilience under pressure and meticulous planning — traits that would serve him well in future roles.

Basso left active duty in October 1978 but remained in the active

Jewelry Appraisals for Seniors

Downsizing? Settling an estate, or just curious about your jewelry’s value? We offer expert, trustworthy appraisals with a personalized approach.

Jewelry Appraisals for Seniors

Over 50 years of experience

Accurate valuations for insurance coverage

Downsizing? Settling an estate, or just curious about your jewelry’s value? We offer expert, trustworthy appraisals with a personalized approach.

until they realized later that much more needed to be done.

In December 2022, they gathered supporters, formed a board of directors and started Heroes United to Heal.

The organization has provided a week-long retreat for 10 veterans in Paradise Valley, Montana. This is followed by a separate retreat for 10 first responders.

“We really and truly believe that camaraderie is an important part of our retreat,” Michaels said.

The retreats combine education, therapeutic experience and camaraderie in a supportive environment free of charge to the participants. It depends on donations from various organizations.

The organization holds fundraising events, such as Unite for Heroes — A Gala of Hope and Healing at the Radisson Resort at the Port in Port Canaveral. SL

foreign service and intelligence

reserves, retiring as a major in April 1998.

In 1984, he pursued a career in the United States Foreign Service. In this capacity, he undertook assignments that took him around the globe, working closely with local nationals to strengthen American interests. His work as a Foreign Service officer underscored the adaptability and cultural fluency he had cultivated since his youth in Italy and his years in uniform.

“The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, marked a turning point in American foreign policy,” Basso said. “In the wake of the attacks, I was asked to head up the support structure of a newly formed unit called special operations within the Counterterrorist Center (CTC), an interagency hub tasked with fusing intelligence and supporting operations against emerging threats. I was immediately deployed to the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.”

Basso’s most consequential assignment came with his involvement in Afghanistan during the initial stages of the U.S.-led campaign.

the analytical insight required of a Foreign Service officer tasked with counterintelligence work. His career underscores the multifaceted nature of modern service — where the lines between defense, diplomacy and intelligence increasingly intersect.

On-site & in-home services available Estate & liquidation guidance

• Over 50 years of experience

• Accurate valuations for insurance coverage

• On-site & in-home services available

• Estate & liquidation guidance

Guiding you with Expertise and Integrity

Guiding you with Expertise and Integrity

Contact Peter Indorf, GG, RGA for your free consultation today!

Contact Peter Indorf, GG, RGA for your free consultation today! 321-914-0118

www.jewelryappraisal-liquidation.com

321-914-0118

www.jewelryappraisal-liquidation.com

1103 West Hibiscus Blvd | Suite 307B | Melbourne, FL 32901

“As part of U.S. efforts following the 9/11 attacks, I worked closely with the Northern Alliance, a coalition of Afghan anti-Taliban forces that played a critical role in the initial overthrow of Taliban control in late 2000,” Basso said. “My work involved coordinating with Alliance leaders, supporting strategic objectives, and helping bridge communication between Afghan partners and U.S. agencies. The Northern Alliance’s contributions were instrumental in shaping the early phase of international engagement in Afghanistan.”

Throughout these experiences, Basso’s approach integrated the tactical awareness of a Marine with

Today, Basso’s story offers a window into the complex roles individuals play behind the headlines of global conflict and cooperation. From the engineering detachments of the Marine Corps to the rugged landscapes of Afghanistan, his journey embodies the dynamic challenges and enduring commitments of American public service.

Now, Basso and his wife, Susan, enjoy living in the Bridgewater community in Viera. Life now revolves around grandchildren and playing as much golf as he can. Basso’s life journey and career are evidence that Cat Stevens was right: it is a “Wild World.” SL

SAR commemorates final battle of the Revolutionary War

BY ERNIE DORLING

A special patriotic ceremony commemorating the Last Naval Battle of the American Revolutionary War will be held later this month at the Brevard County Veterans Memorial Center on Merritt Island.

The public is invited to attend the remembrance event from 10 to 11 a.m. March 21 as organizers recreate the spirit and symbolism of the historic 1783 naval battle that helped bring the Revolutionary War to its closing chapter.

The Last Naval Battle of the Revolutionary War is an annual event held at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center. The ceremony is hosted by the National Society Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), Brevard Chapter. Participants also include Daughters of the American Revolution and Children of the American Revolution.

Sponsors of the event are the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Good Deeds Foundation and the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center (BVMC). The ceremony honors the Continental Navy and the brave men who gallantly fought off the British Navy in a key battle off Cape Canaveral.

“With the celebration of America 250, we honor our Revolutionary War ancestors who fought to establish our great Nation,” said Hans Hunt, the second vice president of the Brevard County Chapter of the National Society Sons of the American Revolution.

The guest speaker and keynote for the event will be U.S. Navy Cmdr.

Brian R. Purvis, the executive officer of the Naval Ordnance Test Unit located at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

“As part of a special tribute tied to the anniversary theme, 100 handheld American 250 flags will be distributed to attendees,” said Donn Weaver, the president of the Cape Canaveral Chapter of MOAA Good Deeds Foundation. The flags are being offered as part of a broader American war remembrance effort highlighting the battle and the generations of

veterans who have served the nation since 1775.

Event organizers said the ceremony is intended to be both educational and inspiring, offering a meaningful experience for all ages. With patriotic fervor, music and historical recognition, the commemoration aims to remind the community that America’s freedom was earned through sacrifice — and has been protected ever since by those who served in uniform.

Admission is open to the public

and early arrival is encouraged due to the anticipated attendance. Organizers expect 400 to 500 attendees, including community members, families, students and veterans, who will gather to honor the service and sacrifice that helped secure America’s independence.

The program will include music, ceremonial tributes and a powerful sense of patriotic tradition designed to connect modern audiences with the courage and commitment demonstrated during the Revolutionary War. SL

Medal of Honor recipients endorse events to benefit veterans, families

BY CHRIS BONANNO

Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, at least three of whom will be on hand, endorsed events at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center that will benefit homeless veterans.

The activities — a 5K and a car show are set for March 14 at the Veterans Memorial Center on Merritt Island. A private reception the day before will honor Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, including Brevard’s Sgt. 1st Class Melvin Morris and Master Sgt. Earl Plumlee and Col. Paris Davis in mid-March.

Proceeds from the event will go to support services for area homeless veterans and family support organizations.

“We’re excited about the support we’re getting,” said Maurice Morris, Melvin Morris’ son, who helped to organize the event. “I am motivated by my father. He’s always willing to help others.”

honored privately on March 13.

The 5K run/walk will be held at 8 a.m. March 14 at the new amphitheater at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center. The entry fee for the event is $35.

Maurice Morris, who is a runner, said the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, whose president Britt

Slabinski is expected to attend, has endorsed the cause of the event to help the homeless.

“It’s the inaugural event,” Morris said.

He encourages the public to participate in the run and come out to meet and greet the Medal of Honor recipients and other distinguished guests.

Special guests including Rear Adm. Denise Hinton, the former deputy surgeon general of the United States, and Palm Bay mayor Rob Medina. Several other distinguished guests are expected for the run and the car show.

Following the run/walk, a car show will be held beginning at 9 a.m. at the BVMC that will benefit veteran and family support organizations.

Registration for those wishing to display a vehicle is $20 before the show and $30 the day of the show.

“We’re going to have military

vehicles on display,” BVMC vice president Don Pearsall said. “We’re going to have custom car clubs. The Corvette Club from Cape Canaveral is going to be there. The Mustangs Club’s going to be here. We’ve got people coming from all over the eastern part of the state coming in for the car show. There will also be motorcycles. There will be classes of pickup trucks and things like that.”

The event will also include food trucks and raffles. Pearsall added that spectators are welcome.

There will also be a welcome dinner for sponsors of the 5K and the Congressional Medal of Honor recipients on Friday, March 13 at the BVMC’s Gray Hall beginning at 6 p.m., Pearsall said.

For more information and registration for the events, visit veteransmemorialcenter.org/ SL

R. Norman Moody contributed to this report.

Where were you on 9/11? — tell us your story

BY ERNIE DORLING

Like the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the attack on the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001 is indelibly marked in the memories of those who lived during those moments.

Time cannot erase these moments. Viera Voice/Senior Life wants to know more about that day. Where were you and what were you doing when you heard that the Twin Towers in New York and the Pentagon had been attacked on 9/11?

To preserve the memory of these events, we plan a series of articles leading up to the 25th anniversary of the attack in September. We will interview people from that period who would like to share their memories of that day.

If you were an adult or a child at that time and remember what you were doing, we want to hear from you. Call us at 321-242-1235 for more information or to arrange for an interview. SL

Joynerville and Beyond preserves area’s African-American

BY FLORA REIGADA

Joynerville and Beyond, a project initiated by the city of Titusville, seeks to celebrate, memorialize and honor Titusville’s African-American history, particularly the Joynerville community.

It was once a thriving, AfricanAmerican community in Titusville, extending south from South Street. Designed by civil and railroad engineer J. Francis LeBaron, the area was named for J.W. Joyner, a business partner of Titusville founder Henry Titus.

A plat map of Joynerville drafted by LeBaron in 1879 is evidence that the town dates back at least that far. Although the town featured homes, a thriving business district, citrus groves and more, hardly a trace of it can be found today.

history

The Gibson Tenement, being prepared for transport to its new location at the Chain of

few remaining links to the historic neighborhood of Joynerville.

“Today’s Brevard County Courthouse on South Street was the location of the business district. But Joynerville ended up being absorbed into the Downtown Titusville we know today,” said Carshonda Wright, a leader and docent at the Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Memorial Park and Museum in Mims.

However, since being built in the early 1900s by William Gibson, three Gibson tenement houses still stand. Formerly located at 709, 711 and 713 Palm Ave., the houses were once part of a larger complex that housed Black citrus and railroad workers.

The houses remained on site until 2006, when they were relocated to Titusville’s Chain of Lakes Park.

They were called shotgun houses, implying that a shotgun fired

through the front door would travel through all rooms and out the back.

With segregation still rampant at the time, South Street served as a dividing line for African Americans who could not live north of it. This began to change with the construction of the Sunshine Boarding House and St. James AME Church, both north of South Street.

Joynerville and Beyond is a project involving research, documentation and the input of historians who contribute knowledge, as well as citizens who share old photographs, memorabilia and stories passed down through the generations of Brevard County.

For more information, visit Titusville.com/2906/JoynervilleBeyond SL

CAPE art exhibit captures history of space exploration

BY MICHAEL BRYAN

Space enthusiasts can explore space history through an art exhibit until the end of June in Cape Canaveral.

Across the street from Cape Canaveral City Hall sits the CAPE Center, a community space that hosts rotating exhibits and events throughout the year.

On Feb. 12, in collaboration with NASA, the Center unveiled its newest exhibit, “Apollo to Artemis: Capturing the Legacy of Lunar Exploration.”

The exhibit will remain open to the public through June 2026. It offers visitors a unique look at both the history and the future of lunar exploration.

Molly Thomas, the city’s director of Parks and Recreation and Community Affairs, said that the opening reception served not only as a launch for the exhibit but also as a celebration of the artists involved.

“The exhibit opening was a gathering for those who submitted their artwork to be displayed,” Thomas said.

The gallery features a blend of historical imagery and modern artistic interpretations. Amateur photographers contributed striking photographs documenting milestones from the Apollo missions through today’s Artemis program. Together, these images create a visual timeline.

Interwoven among the photographs are original works from artists near

and far, each offering a personal perspective on space exploration.

One contributing artist, Manon Levasseur of Fort Myers, shared her lifelong fascination with space.

“I love space and the unknown,” she said. “I always wanted to be an astronaut, but I’m not good at math.”

Levasseur currently has two pieces featured at the CAPE Center, along with additional works displayed at Urban Prime in Viera.

Local artist Gabriele Ditota also contributed to the exhibit with her distinctive fiber art, which she describes as “Basically a quilt art collage.”

Ditota has been working in fiber art for 14 years. She pulled her display

pieces from the Fly Me to the Moon exhibit at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and submitted them to the CAPE Center explaining that bringing those works to this exhibit felt appropriate, noting that “it was very fitting to put them here.”

More than just an art display, the exhibit tells the story of a region shaped by space exploration.

From the early days of Apollo to the ambitious goals of Artemis, it shows that the space industry played a defining role in placing Cape Canaveral and Brevard

MG Car Club set to host fourth annual European car show

BY LILLIAN NGUYEN

Start your engines. The fourth annual All European Car Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 18.

The MG Car Club of Florida will conduct the event at the American Muscle Car Museum at 3500 Sarno Road in Melbourne.

The car show is outdoors. The museum’s front showroom will be open and free for spectators.

For a $30 donation that goes directly to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, attendees can get access to the rest of the American Muscle Car Museum. Children 18 and younger will be admitted for free.

Last year’s car show had 150 cars and raised $14,000 for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

The MG Car Club hopes to get more children involved. Two Boy Scouts troops will help with the event. Students from a Palm Bay

SENIOR LIFE Jill Blue European cars such as these will be on display April 18 during the fourth annual All European Car Show at the Muscle Car Museum in Melbourne.

High School will weld some of the trophies.

The fun-for-all-ages event will be a great way to introduce children to car shows and develop their appreciation for foreign cars.

“We’re trying to take this young generation and broaden their horizons,” said Linda Raupp of the MG Car Club. “A lot of our cars are from overseas, so they’re different and a lot of them (children) don’t know what they are.”

Along with raffles, 50-50s and vendors, the car show will have a children’s car judging and a unique spin — show entrants will have the option to display their vehicle as child friendly, according to Raupp.

“If the owner is there, they will let

Love, love, love caps day — couples say ‘I, do,’ again

BY CHRIS BONANNO

In a magic moment, 19 longmarried couples said “I do,” once more as they renewed their vows during the Senior Expo and Valentine’s Party on Valentine’s Eve at the Brevard Zoo’s Nyami Nyami River Lodge.

This Magic Moment Senior Expo and Valentine’s Party on Feb. 13 was hosted by Senior Life

Among those renewing their vows were couples married at least 30 years, and there were couples married 65 and 67 years. Many of the couples have been married 50 years or more.

Teresa Christopher and her husband Max have been married for 35 years.

“You’ve got to be best friends and

you’ve got to be willing to deal with whatever happens because when they say for richer or poorer, sickness and health and all that, it goes through all of that,” Teresa Christopher said.

Cake and champagne for each of the couples was sponsored by The Brennity at Melbourne Senior Living.

“We are having a blast,” said Sharon Myers, the sales and marketing director with The Brennity.

“We are so honored to be here sponsoring the cake and champagne for the vow renewals and we are just having the best time.”

Throngs of couples, singles and their friends packed the lodge for the event, which also featured themed music, exhibitors and flowers for

women, which was sponsored by Fifth Third Bank.

Among them was Rhodes Law, which was a presenting sponsor of the event.

“I’m having a great time,” said Amanda Tommasello, the marketing coordinator with Rhodes Law. “This is one of my favorite events of the year actually.”

Patrons also had the opportunity to get information from Health First, another presenting sponsor.

“Right now, it’s just all about love,” said Christine Otero, the volunteer services coordinator for Health First.

“Just seeing all the love in the air, just being there to watch it is exciting.” SL

NEW COTTAGES

Continued from page 1

Davis and about 50 others gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony Feb. 10 for the last two of three cottages, replicas of the living quarters of the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse keepers.

“It is real,” she said. “We don’t have to explain our vision anymore, it is here.”

It had been a more than 15-year effort to build the replicas.

“Walking down the path it was very emotional,” said Jim Underwood, a retired Coast Guard rear admiral who is a past president and longtime member of the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation.

Shane Smith, the president of the Lighthouse Foundation, said the groundbreaking and rebuilding of the keepers’ cottages ensures that the keepers’ stories have a place to live for generations to come.

Smith paid tribute to the late Dr. Elbert “Sonny” Witt, a historian and former director of operations for the Air Force 45th Mission Support Group, and the late retired Coast Guard Rear Adm. Bob Merrilees, a founding member of the Foundation.

“Without those two, we wouldn’t have even gotten the ball rolling,” Smith said at the groundbreaking ceremony. “It took a lot of people.”

The Cape Canaveral Lighthouse began as a 65-foot brick tower in 1848, long before rocket launches from what is now Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. But it soon was not adequate for the treacherous shoals stretching 13 miles offshore.

In 1868, the new 151-foot lighthouse was operational. Because of beach erosion, the lighthouse was dismantled and moved in 1894 one mile inland, where it stands today.

The original keepers’ cottages were demolished years ago after they had deteriorated. The Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation was later formed.

Merrilees headed the effort in the formation of the Foundation in 2002. His wife, Bev Merrilees, continues as an important part of the foundation.

“I am excited about it,” Bev Merrilees said. “We are going to have our replica cottages. We are going to be able to tell our visitors what it was like to be a lighthouse keeper.”

Jamie Draper, the director of the Cape Canaveral Space Force Space Museum, the keynote speaker for the

groundbreaking, said the existence of the lighthouse established the footprint before missiles and spaceflight.

Draper reminded the audience that the new cottages are more than a building project.

“They are an investment in mission,” he said. “They expand the operational and educational capacity of the lighthouse, deepen the partnership between preservation and public engagement and help to ensure that the stories anchored here continue to guide both visitors and those who served.”

The groundbreaking is not simply starting the construction.

“We are continuing a legacy,” Draper said. “We are affirming that history matters here, that place matters and that stewardship is part

of national defense. Understanding the past is essential to securing the future.”

Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Ed Wilson was the 45th Space Wing commander when the effort to build the cottages was just getting underway.

“It was kind of a vision,” said Wilson, who serves on the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation’s board of directors. “It feels so good to see it all come together.

The purpose of the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation is to assist Space Launch Delta 45 in preserving, protecting and interpreting the lighthouse and its historical significance.

For more information or to arrange for a visit to the lighthouse, go to canaverallight.org. SL

Brevard’s Premier Senior Retirement & Assisted Living Communities

The Terrace at Courtenay Springs 1100 S. Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island 32952 321-252-1221

Alura Senior Living 777 Roy Wall Blvd., Rockledge 32955 321-549-3980 AluraSeniorLiving.com

Shell Harbor 2855 Murrell Road, Rockledge 32955 321-252-1221 ShellHarborRetirement.com

Indian River Colony Club 1936 Freedom Drive, Viera 32940 321-255-6000 ColonyClub.com

Chateau Madeleine 205 Hardoon Lane, Suntree 32940 321-701-8000 SuntreeSeniorLiving.com

The Brennity at Melbourne 7300 Watersong Lane, Viera 32940 321-253-7440 BrennityMelbourne.com

Buena Vida Estates 2129 W. New Haven Ave., W. Melbourne 32904 321-724-0060 BuenaVidaEstates.org

Popularity of billiards among seniors takes cue for tournament

BY CHRIS BONANNO

Pool enthusiasts from five senior living facilities in Brevard County gathered recently at the Shell Harbor Retirement Community in Rockledge for the latest in a series of Brevard Senior Community Billiards tournaments.

The Shell Harbor event on Feb. 9 featured participants and supporters from Zon Beachside, Salterra, Sonata East, Buena Vida Estates and Shell Harbor. The Feb. 9 event marked the third tournament in the series held at the facilities.

“Everybody has really embraced the idea of this Brevard County senior community league. People have gotten T-shirts,” Craig said. “We’ve got sponsors. It’s just amazing.”

The participating teams were Zon Beachside Ballers, Salterra Sea Serpents, Sonata East Stingrays, Buena Vida Estates Cruisers and Shell Harbor Sharks.

Tournament play was held in a 2 vs. 2 format. One of the teams was Jerry Shaw and Darrell Ray Scott, who took first place in a previous tournament.

“A lot of different things that make this a really good experience and I think the biggest thing is the socializing and getting the chance to play in a little competition,” Shaw said.

Monica Craig, the co-manager at Shell Harbor, said that at least two very competitive teams were representing each facility.

“These are serious pool players,” she said.

SENIOR LIFE Chris Bonanno

Gary Bryant, a member of the Buena Vida Estates Cruisers, concentrates before making a shot during a billiards tournament at Shell Harbor.

That spirit of competitiveness could perhaps be seen in Scott’s description of how he and Shaw work together as a team.

“These are serious pool players.”

— Monica Craig

“I think we do well,” Scott said.

“Sometimes you kind of spice things up a little bit, have a little argument now and then. That’s good for you. Good for your soul.”

The idea for the event came from

a partnership with Susan Houts, the marketing professional and community liaison for Assisting Hands of Brevard, Craig said.

“We took all of our pool players that love to play pool anyway and she coordinated with several of the senior communities in the area in Brevard County and the first tournament began,” Craig said.

The impact of the event went beyond the day of the tournament, according to Julie Reilly, the senior living consultant at Shell Harbor.

“What we’re not seeing is the weeks and weeks of practice leading up to today where they really take pride and ownership in this event and as a team coming together. They have a lot of fun doing it,” she said. SL

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Lung cancer survivor, advocates continue to raise funds, awareness

BY BETTY PORTER

Debra Smith was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, though she has never smoked a day in her life.

Today, eight years later, Smith and her husband Kent remain as strong advocates for raising awareness and funds for lung cancer research.

During the past eight years, the Suntree couple have raised $130,000 and now have been chosen to represent Florida in Advocacy Week (March 23 to 27) in Washington, D.C.

Kent and Debra Smith became involved in the American Lung Association (ALA) when Debra was diagnosed eight years ago at age 56 with stage 4 non-small cell EGFR lung cancer.

Smith had never smoked. In fact, 20% of people who are diagnosed with lung cancer never smoked.

While Smith’s particular type of lung cancer is not yet curable, it is treatable.

“There is no telling when my lung cancer treatment will stop working, that’s why it is so important that we continue to support research that may lead to a cure,” she said.

While in Washington, D.C. for Advocacy Week 2026, the Smiths will be meeting with members of Congress.

“Representing Florida, we will be meeting with our congressman to

ensure that lung disease research, at a federal level, is appropriately funded,” Kent said. There are more than 2.5 million Floridians living with chronic lung disease.

“When we got Debra’s diagnosed, it was devastating, but we decided to make something positive out of it,” Kent said. “We decided to focus on two motivators — grandkids and giving back. We got involved with the ALA a few months after Debra’s diagnosis and we both served on the Lung Force Cabinet in Orlando for seven years volunteering for the ALA.”

The couple became deeply involved in helping set up ALA’s annual run/walks in Orlando for seven years with Smith serving as chairperson.

The Smiths, who have been together for 38 years, now have four healthy grandchildren under the age of three — Brayden, 3, and Brody, 1, who live in Satellite Beach and two others who live in St. Petersburg.

If there is such a thing as a silver lining in all of this, it’s that.

Traveling to Tampa to the Moffitt Cancer Center every other Tuesday for treatments has allowed the Smiths to see their St. Petersburg grandchildren — Reina, 3, and Carmen, 10 months old, grow.

This year, the Smiths are bringing

SENIOR LIFE Betty Porter

The love of their grandchildren has helped Debra and Kent Smith cope with the scourge of cancer.

the ALA annual Run/Walk 5K to Melbourne for the first time. It will take place at 8 a.m. April 18 at Suntree Elementary School. Debra and Kent are the event chairpersons. Smith had taught at Suntree Elementary School for 24 years of her 30-year teaching career. The current principal, Dr. Shari Tressler, was also the principal when she was first

diagnosed with cancer.

“Debra Smith is a true example of strength and service. A beloved retired teacher and lung cancer survivor, her continued dedication to our community — including her leadership in organizing this lung walk, which is a huge community event, is admirable,” Tressler said.

Smith was invited to attend the Suntree Elementary School Faculty Meeting on Feb. 4 where she announced the Run/Walk event and asked for the support from the teachers and staff.

She announced that there is no registration cost this year. “In lieu of a registration fee, we are asking you to make a donation to the American Lung Association. You will receive a free shirt for the walk when you register. Children are welcome to join us. We will have a kid zone at the event.”

The money that will be raised will go to lung disease research which involves lung cancer, asthma, COPD and pulmonary fibrosis.

The Run/Walk begins at 8 a.m. on April 18 at Suntree Elementary School at 900 Jordan Blass Drive. Pre-registration guarantees participants a 2026 Brevard County Run/Walk 5K shirt.

To register, go to BrevardLUNGFORCE5K.org or Central@Lung.org SL

Parrish Health and Fitness Center reopens after being closed since 2020

BY FLORA REIGADA

Parrish Health and Fitness Center reopened its doors on Feb. 2 after being closed since 2020 due to the Covid pandemic.

The pool, closed in 2023, is undergoing renovation and is expected to reopen in 2027.

Parrish Health and Fitness Center is now in partnership with the YMCA of Central Florida, which is operating the facility.

“Our shared mission is to improve health and well-being across Brevard County,” said Kevin Bolding, the

president and CEO of the YMCA of Central Florida.

While the YMCA manages daily fitness and wellness operations, Parrish Healthcare maintains an onsite clinical presence.

Group exercise classes include yoga, Zumba and Zumba Gold for seniors, Silver Sneakers for seniors, cycling, basic fitness, as well as specialty classes such as Rock Steady Boxing for individuals battling Parkinson’s disease.

These classes are enhanced by up-to-date fitness equipment, personal training and additional wellness

Edited by Margie E. Burke

programs.

We cater to seniors and their needs,” said Chrissy Howard, the executive director overseeing the Fitness Center.

The Silver Sneakers program is designed for seniors.

“Using a ball, a chair, light weights and other tools, we focus on coordination, balance, stability and strength,” said Debbie Kowaleuski, the fitness supervisor for Silver Sneakers.

YMCA membership is $35 per month. It includes access to the YMCA at 2400 Harrison St. and all Central Florida locations.

“Those who qualify may sign up

for a free supplemental program. Qualification depends on the individual’s insurance provider. People may come in to discuss their eligibility,” Howard said.

The exercise may continue on the grounds, along an inviting half-mile walking path. It is open to the public.

The Parrish Health and Fitness Center is at 2200 Cheney Highway in Titusville. The hours are 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. It is closed on Sunday. For more information, visit parrishhealthcare.com, ymcacf.org or call 321-267-8924. SL

Central Brevard will get a 12-bed emergency room next year

BY CHRIS BONANNO

The Rockledge/Cocoa area, left without a hospital after its only major medical center closed last year, will have a stand-alone emergency room.

The Health First’s Rockledge 12-bed emergency room near the intersection of Fiske Boulevard and Roy Wall Boulevard in Rockledge is expected to open next year.

It will fill a void left when Orlando Health closed its Rockledge Regional Medical Center permanently in April 2025, less than a year after it assumed ownership.

“This is huge because when the local emergency room closed, we saw an increase in our emergency responses and also an increase in the transport times. You’ve got a patient with a heart attack, time is muscle, a patient who’s suffering a stroke, time is brain,” said Jim Wilson, the Rockledge deputy fire chief. “Someone is bleeding, time is additional blood loss.”

Keila Stradtner, the vice president of facilities, real estate and construction for Health First, said the 13,500-square-foot facility will have imaging services which will include CT, X-ray and ultrasound. It will also

have three low-acuity beds, a bay for two ambulances and a generator that can run up to 72 hours.

The facility will be designed to withstand a Category 4 hurricane, with winds up to 165 mph, according to Health First.

Completion of the project is expected to take about a year.

“We expect construction activities to conclude around the end of November and then we have an activation period where we make sure everything’s operationalized and ready for the public,” Stradtner said. “We expect to go live about this time next year.”

Wilson is in full support of the concept of freestanding emergency rooms.

“It’s going to end up helping a lot, in that in my experience, stand-alone emergency rooms have a fast patient turnaround, so superficially 12 beds does not sound like a lot of bed space.” Wilson said. “But in reality, with the number of patients that they’ll be able to see in a 24-hour period, it’s an enormous positive impact on all of the other emergency rooms throughout the county and especially those here that serve Central Brevard,” Wilson said.

Hello March

MONDAY

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Zonta Club Chocolate Festival

1 - 4 p.m. Enjoy samples and vote for chocolate confections, cakes and desserts crafted by the best in Brevard. Grand Manor 1450 Sarno Road Melbourne zontaspacecoast.org

Scottish Country Dancing

6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Springs of Suntree 8300 Holiday Springs Rd. Suntree, 321-427-3587

Free Tax Preparation

9 a.m. - 1 p.m. By AARP tax preparers. Receive your packet of tax materials and make appointment in person.

Palm Bay Senior Center 1275 Culver Drive NE Palm Bay, 321-724-1338

Movie Matinee Screening Noon - 3 p.m. "Mission Impossible, The Final Reckoning."

Cocoa Beach Library 550 N. Brevard Ave. Cocoa Beach 321-868-1104

Blood Pressure Checks

9 a.m. - noon

Palm Bay Senior Center 1275 Culver Drive NE Palm Bay, 321-724-1338

3-2-1 Jazz Orchestra

March 4 and March 5

7 p.m. "TV Tunes" presented by the Melbourne Municipal Band.

Melbourne Auditorium 625 E. Hibiscus Blvd. Melbourne 321-724-0555

Senior Bingo 2:15 - 3 p.m.

Cocoa Beach Library

550 N. Brevard Ave. Cocoa Beach

from local professional and student artists. Ted Whitlock Center 1951 Malabar Road NW Palm Bay 321-953-8912

Master Gardener Plant Clinic 2 - 4 p.m. Bring in plants, weeds or insects that you may have questions about and get answers from a certified master gardener.. Melbourne Library 540 E. Fee Ave. Melbourne 321-952-4514 Palm Bay Multicultural

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

SBCC Coin Show

9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

More than 30 dealer tables.

AZAN Shriners Center 1591 W. Eau Gallie Blvd. Melbourne Southbbrevardcoinclub. org

Chess Club

1 - 4 p.m.

Cocoa Library

308 Forrest Ave. Cocoa, 321-633-1792

Beginner Italian Lessons 6 p.m. Italian American Club of South Brevard 1471 Cypress Ave. Melbourne 321-242-8044

Music Monday 6 – 7 p.m.

Bluegrass music. Cape Canaveral Library 201 Polk Ave. Cape Canaveral 321-868-1101

Dancin’ with Debby 11 a.m. - noon Line dancing instruction. Cocoa Library 308 Forrest Ave. Cocoa, 321-633-1792

Happy Feet 10:40 a.m. An in-place full body walking workout.

Cocoa Beach Senior Center 5000 Tom Warriner Blvd. Cocoa Beach 321-783-9505

Medium John Rogers 6 - 7:45 p.m. A professional medium, author and lecturer will give a presentation.

Cocoa Beach Library 550 N. Brevard Ave. Cocoa Beach 321-868-1104

Melbourne Beach Food Truck Days

1 - 6 p.m. Enjoy delicious eats from some of the area’s best food trucks. Nancy Higgs Community Center 500 Old Florida Trail Melbourne Beach 321-952-3210

Sip and Paint Art Class 5 - 7 p.m.

Bring in your own project or create one guided by the instructor. Engage in different art styles and utilize different mediums to create these pieces. Galleria of Art and Photography 7720 N. Wickham Road, Suite 107 Suntree, 321-338-9787

P.E.O. Charity Golf

Scramble

8:30 a.m.

Benefiting the local Jackie Fieseler Scholarship and P.E.O. Educational Scholarships, grants or low-interest loans in the community. Indian River Colony Club 1936 Freedom Drive Viera, 254-644-1243

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Springtime Swing Concert

3 p.m.

Presented by the Melbourne Municipal Band.

Suntree United Methodist Church

7400 N. Wickham Road Suntree, 321-724-0555

Flower Heads Two Week Art Class

5 - 8 p.m.

March 16 and March 23

A self-portrait class taught by Jennifer Bonset. Galleria of Art and Photography 7720 N. Wickham Road Suite 107 Suntree, 321-338-9787

Special Needs Trusts 10 a.m. Presentation by elder law attorney William S. Johnson. One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771

Bingo 2 p.m. One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771

Afternoon Tea at Field Manor 2 - 4 p.m.

Each tea includes a mini tour of Field Manor, one of Brevard's oldest homes. Field Manor 750 Field Manor Drive Merritt Island 321-484-0365

Cook the Book Club 6 - 7:30 p.m. Choose a recipe from “Nights and Weekends” by Alexis De Boschnek and bring it in. Mims/Scottsmoor Library 3615 Lionel Road Mims, 321-264-5080

Karaoke 2 - 5 p.m. North Brevard Senior Center 909 Lane Ave. Titusville, 321-268-2333

Twilight Tappers 1 - 2 p.m.

Dance class for seniors of all fitness levels. DRS Community Center 1089 S. Patrick Drive Satellite Beach 321-773-6458

243rd Commemoration of The Last Naval Battle of the Revolutionary War 10 - 11 a.m. The event will include a parade, music, speakers and a naval Ceremonial Salute. Brevard Veterans Memorial Center 400 S. Sykes Creek Parkway Merritt Island 321-453-1776

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Cornhole Challenge for Change

10 a.m.

A high-energy cornhole tournament benefiting Serene Harbor.

Melbourne Auditorium 625 E. Hibiscus Blvd. Melbourne sereneharbor.org

Discover Brevard: Rockets 101 with NASA’s Launch Services 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. The understanding of launch systems. This presentation will be entertaining, informative and interactive and is suitable for all ages.

Cape Canaveral Library 201 Polk Ave. Cape Canaveral 321-868-1101

Adult Tap Dance 5:15 - 6:15 p.m. Short routines to challenge the brain and improve balance, endurance, muscle strength and flexibility. Wickham Park Community Center 2815 Leisure Way Melbourne 321-608-7490

"Murder on the Symphonic Express" 7 p.m. A musical mystery presented by the Melbourne Community Orchestra.

Melbourne Auditorium 625 E. Hibiscus Blvd. Melbourne mcorchestra.org

BSCO Shred Event 9 - 10:30 a.m. Limit of two boxes of personal shredding. Nancy Higgs Community Center 500 Old Florida Trail Melbourne Beach 321-264-5201

Learn to Play the Ukulele 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Build your skills by learning new chords and strum patterns. Satellite Beach Library 751 Jamaica Blvd. Satellite Beach 321-779-4004

Prohibition Party Featuring the Jazz Cats 6 - 10 p.m. 1920s glamour, dancing and live jazz. Italian American Club of South Brevard 1471 Cypress Ave. Melbourne 321-242-8044 29 31 31

TIME TO TRAVEL Miami

Tea Around Town fuels delightful tour of Miami’s iconic sites

BY PAM WILLIAMS

English playwright Sir Arthur Wing Pinero wrote “Where there’s tea, there’s hope.”

Tea Around Town fueled an enjoyable ride on a pink doubledecker bus for a tour of some of Miami’s iconic sights.

Tea Around Town tours are available in many major cities in the United States. Guests of the Miami tour meet the pink bus at the Coral Gables Museum at 285 Aragon Ave.

The tour leaves for a 75-minute scenic ride with boarding 15 minutes prior to departure. The Coral Gables Museum is not affiliated with Tea Around Town Miami, but provides a gathering place for the tour and bathroom facilities.

Reaching Tea Around Town Miami from Brevard County via I-95 south could take more than 3 1/2 hours and a little more than 200 miles. The trip to Miami for the tour could be done in a day, but an overnight stay in the Miami area might make it more relaxing. There is a public parking garage near the Museum, which costs $1 per 20 minutes or $15 for the day.

“The

— Janet Schmidt

The Tea Around Town bus is decorated with beautiful pink flower arrangements throughout. Expect to climb steep steps to the upper deck of the bus, where you will be given your reserved table number. Each of the tables are set up to accommodate two to six guests and are set with gold-colored silverware, pink napkins, decorated take home mugs and three-tiered serving trays filled with delicious treats.

“I don’t think I can eat dinner now,” said Janet Schmidt of Rockledge after the tour. “The food was so good and filling, I don’t think I can do dinner.”

On a recent tour, treats included finger sandwiches of turkey and cheese, egg salad and cucumber, in addition to cupcakes, biscuits with jam and tiramisu. The staff served different teas, including ginger, apple chamomile and Earl Grey, along with a pineapple Arnold Palmer and watermelon iced tea.

Most of the women on the tour were dressed in pink, and three of them were wearing tiaras.

When Laurie Lembo of Pembroke Pines found that someone on the tour with her would be wearing a tiara, she also brought one.

“I can’t have just you wearing a tiara,” Lembo said. “I had to have one, too.”

Every table had at least one person celebrating a February birthday. One mother and daughter were celebrating the daughter’s 15th birthday. They were from Costa Rica and spoke limited English, but they managed to communicate with others all the

same. At another table, a woman was celebrating her friend’s 22nd birthday. One at that table was also from Costa Rica but the others on the bus were mostly from the Miami area.

Some of the women said they heard about the Tea Around Town through social media.

Before the tour concluded, the participants on the bus sang Happy Birthday to those celebrating.

Reservations for the tours must be made by visiting topviewtix.com. Reservations require at least two participants. Once reserved, it’s helpful to download the app TopView to access your reservation barcodes for boarding.

A wheelchair ramp is accessible and must be reserved 24 hours before departure. Prices range from $69 to $109, depending on the day of the week and the number of items you choose for your menu. SL

Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys. Two-time Member of the Year for Florida Bar Elder Law Section.

24. Drone, e.g.

26. Strange

27. Sharp

29. Await delivery anxiously

33. Top secret?

34. Preserves, as pork

36. Affirmative action

37. Bouquet unit

39. Need a bath badly

40. Tiny amount

41. Doing nada

43. Accord

45. Glue

48. A pint, maybe 49. Promise 50. Emergency vehicle 56. Fury 57. Kind of prize 58. Clap

59. Preceded

60. Bean used to make miso

61. Feudal worker

DOWN

1. Back again

2. Ballot (abbr.)

3. Photo ___ (media events)

4. Corolla part 5. Sing the praises of 6. Parenthesis, essentially 7. Fulfilled

8. Monet’s stand

9. Survey choice, at times

10. African flower

11. Masterpieces

16. Puts on the line

20. Dash

21. Column crossers

22. Better copy?

23. Upper hand

24. More than a scuffle

25. It’s just for openers

28. Rank below marquis

30. Not pro

31. Veneer

32. Whirling water

35. ___ & crossbones

38. Stir

42. Twosomes

44. Some tides

45. Like some twins

46. Go (over)

47. Overdue

48. Energy field, of sorts

51. Jersey call

52. “Whew!”

53. Miss-named?

54. Caboose, for one

55. Little toymaker Solution page 26

THE EIGHTH FEATURE IN A SERIES ON 19TH CENTURY CHURCHES

City Point church served many congregations through the years

BY LINDA JUMP

The City Point Community Church on North Indian River Drive in Cocoa was built by early settlers in 1885 as a multi-purpose facility.

The building has fulfilled its purpose as a school, a church incubator, an observation tower during World War II and a county environmental field station.

The community meeting site served all races with picnics, dances, voting, political rallies and meetings, as well as weddings and funerals.

Now, the Brevard Heritage Council calls the single-level frontgabled wooden building, at 3783 North Indian River Drive, set on local coquina rock home.

“It’s where we hold our monthly meetings and where we store our historical archives,” treasurer Mary Repass said.

The site is leased from Brevard County’s Parks and Recreation Department for $1 annually, with the county handling repairs and the council paying for insurance and utilities.

Repass said her agency preserves and educates about architecturally historic buildings.

“It’s wonderful that the county encourages our interest in history,” she said.

Five trustees planned the building on land donated by J.C. Norwood. One trustee designed the building and a second built it using local materials.

In 1995, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Its plaque in part reads:

“Known as City Point, this area was settled shortly after the Civil War by Confederate veterans, citrus grove workers, northern winter residents and consumptives seeking a healthy climate.”

City Point was the start-up church building for a variety of congregations, including First United Methodist Church of Cocoa, Church of Christ, Church of God, Primitive Baptist Church, Calvin Baptist

Church, Indian River Baptist Church, Baptist Enterprise Church and the First Apostolic Temple.

Descendants of settlers said on Sundays, more than one church service was held, with an outdoor picnic in between.

The site was used as a bi-racial school until 1924, with some children taking a Merritt Island ferry to arrive. The south cedar trees were reportedly planted by school children on Arbor Day in 1905.

During World War II, the cupola was enclosed with windows and an access stairway built to create an

History — Then and Now

History – Then and Now features Space Coast landmarks or sites in pictures and what those same areas look like today in photographs.

Then 1970s

observation post for civil defense aircraft spotters. Older citizens and young women manned the station nightly using binoculars to detect possible enemy aircraft. Suspicious aircraft were reported by phone to officials using the code get rice.

In 1979, the surviving trustee deeded the property and church building to Brevard County for “school, church and community purposes.”

In 1988, the building was brought up to code and a bathroom and water heater added for an Environmental Field Station.

In 2012, the site was transferred to the Brevard Parks and Recreation Department, which leased it to the Brevard Heritage Council. SL

Brevard Heritage Council

Walking History Tours

Saturday, March 21 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tours begin every half hour. $10 donation

Meet at the Florida Historical Library 435 Brevard Ave., Cocoa

For more information, call 321-537-6607

BCOA NEWS

Brevard Commission on Aging

BCOA meetings are open to the public and are held the second Thursday of each month at the government center in Viera. For information, contact Cindy Short at 321-633-2076, FAX 321-633-2170 or email cindy. short@brevardfl.gov. BCOA is located at 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, B-106, Viera, FL 32940.

Falls kill more Americans than car accidents

What kills more Americans — motor vehicle accidents or accidental falls?

You would probably guess car crashes. The reality is, in 2023, 47,026 Americans died from falls, compared with 44,762 from motor vehicle accidents according to USA Facts

That is a big reversal from 2000, when about three times as many people died in motor vehicle accidents than from accidental falls. Since then, motor vehicle death rates have fallen by 13%.

Since 2000, death rates from heart disease and cancer have declined, whereas deaths from accidental falls have increased threefold. The death rate from heart disease (the mostcommon cause) dropped 19.5%. The cancer death rate (the second-most common cause) dropped 6.8%.

So why have death rates from accidental falls tripled? Part of the increase is due to an aging population. People older than 65 grew from 12.4% of the U.S. population in 2000 to 17.6% in 2023.

Age is an enormous predictor of death risk from falls. From about age 40 onward, the annual death rate from

falls increases by roughly 9 to 10% for each additional year of age.

But an aging population only partially explains the rise in these deaths. Deaths by falls have risen more so on an age-adjusted basis. While they have fallen among younger people and only risen slightly among the middle aged, they have risen substantially within every age range of the elderly. Why are death rates from accidental falls increasing?

Some of the increase may be due to prescription medications. Numerous drugs, such as many antidepressants and psychotherapeutic agents, are labeled as fall riskincreasing drugs.

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) asked about prescription drug use between January 1999 and March 2000 and January 2017 and March 2020. During that time, Americans 65 and older went from taking, on average, three prescription drugs to 4.3 prescription drugs. The percent using psychotherapeutic agents rose from 9.4% to 21.0%. The percentage taking antidepressants rose from 8.4% to 20.0%.

Designated handicapped — follow guidance of health-care providers

In recent months, I have been designated disabled or handicapped. I now have a Florida Disabled permit allowing me to park in special parking spaces.

How did I get there? After falling in August 2024, several issues developed. My right leg has some nerve damage. My left leg and foot have developed lymphedema. I have a walker, a cane and handicapped bars in my residence. I have therapy for the edema and pain management treatments.

Once you get your disabled permit to hang from your automobile’s rear-view mirror, you can search for a reserved space. Yes, with more residents over the age of 65 living on the Space Coast, spaces are limited. They are determined by the number of people occupying a building along with other criteria.

At a medical services facility, there are more spaces with a sign showing “Parking by Disabled Permit Only. Fine $100, F.S. 318.18.”

At the Eau Gallie Yacht Club, the sign reads “Handicapped Parking.” Fines listed vary from $100 to $250.

Once you search for information on Google or Facebook, you will receive many vendor responses offering shoes, compression stockings, canes, walkers, ointments, creams, pills, pillows and so much more.

I went to the Browning’s showroom and received helpful assistance. I purchased a very nice walker with a back-supporting seat, storage compartment and hand brakes. I folded the walker and put it in the back seat of my auto. Later, I tried to put it in the trunk. It did not fit — too big. Check to

Challenges of Living to Age 100

Ed Baranowski

see if walkers and wheelchairs are easy to fold, handle and transport.

Beyond the suggested devices and equipment, follow the guidance and routines provided by the health care providers.

My daily routine of wearing compression stockings is a challenge. They can be hard to get on and off. Using the talented therapist techniques, I have added Lubriderm cream and ribbed garden gloves to my medical toolbox to help with wearing the stockings. Visit with other patients in the waiting room to get more helpful tips.

Seniors beware. There are still snake oil salesmen. Lots of cures, remedies and devices may not be medically approved.

Check with your licensed medical providers. Get second opinions about your treatments. Check the surfaces you are navigating, use handrails and avoid steps.

Next, Look up. Look ahead. Smile. SL

Ed Baranowski is an award-winning writer, artist, speaker and seminar leader. He lives in Melbourne and can be contacted at fast75sr@gmail.com.

Second, some of the increased deaths may be due to rising alcohol consumption. According to data from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), the percentage of people age 65 or older who consume alcohol each month increased by 16% between 2002 and 2019. From 2002 to 2023, the share of this group who reported binge drinking in the past 30 days rose from 7.3% to 11.4%.

Third, increased rates of obesity may be another reason. A CDC study found that obesity increased the tendency for someone to fall. Obesity rates among people age 60 and older rose from 32.8% in 2001 and 2002 to 38.5% by 2023.

Part of the increase may be due to changes in reporting. Falls that used to not be recorded as a cause of death may increasingly be reported as a cause.

One study noted that much of the rise in death from falls has been due to a rise in deaths from what are called “other falls on the same level,” rather than falls from stairs, ladders, trees, cliffs or other heights. It argues that falls on the same level are likely to lead to comparatively minor

injuries — perhaps a rib fracture — but the actual death occurs months later as the result of pneumonia or other complications.

What can you do to not become a statistic? Here are six steps to prevent falls from the National Council on Aging.

Find a good exercise and balance program. Find a program you like and consider taking a friend or relative; you will be more successful.

Talk to your health care provider. Ask for a falls risk assessment and always let your doctor know if you have recently fallen.

Review your medications on a regular basis with your pharmacist. This is so important to make sure that side effects do not increase your risk of falling.

Get your eyes and hearing checked annually. Your eyes and ears are a key to keeping you on your feet. Keep your home safe. Get rid of tripping hazards like throw rugs, increase lighting and install grab bars in key areas.

Talk to your family or neighbors. Enlist support in your steps to stay safe. SL

Packard Clipper

Market Square Market Square Market Square

Classifieds

For Sale • Senior Services

Employment • Rentals • And More

Call today 321-242-1235

Deadline is the 15th of the month

WANTED COMIC BOOKS/COLLECTIONS

Buying Comic Books and Comic Collections 1930s – 1990s preferred. Private cash buyer. Will travel. Fair, simple sales. Call or text 321-357-1015

DOCUMENT

Prestige Document Services Divorce, Bankruptcy, Estate Planning and much more. All case types prepared at the guaranteed lowest rate. Call or text 321-266-1299

HANDYMAN SERVICE

Sir Handy

We prioritize aging in-home modifications. Have a task? Just ask! Free estimates and 14-point safety evaluation with every senior job.Registered and insured. Call 321-412-5300

LEARN FRENCH / GERMAN

Bonjour! Guten Tag!

Learn French or German - all ages and levels welcome! Private or small groups. In-person and online. Located in Viera. TEFL certified. Call 954-740-4447

ROOM FOR RENT

Private remodeled room with its own A/C and refrigerator. Shared kitchen and living space beautifully remodeled. Private parking. No pets allowed. $700/month / $1,575 to move in 6506 Colony Park Drive, N. Merritt Island Call David at 321-544-7777

COMMUNITY YARD SALE

Community-wide yard sale. Saturday, March 7

8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lost Lakes 55+ Community 140 Lost Lake Drive, Cocoa

CLOSETS, GARAGES, PANTRIES, LAUNDRY ROOMS, WALL BEDS AND

Buy 1 Get 10% OFF or Buy 2 Get 20% OFF Plus FREE Installation Get 10% off any order of $1,000 or more. 20% off two or more Closets or Garage Centers of $3,000 or more. Not valid with any other offer. Expires March 31, 2026