The Eau G May Issue

SPRING 2020

Issue No 3

CHUCK-TALK-QUA ORIGINAL ARTWORK BY

Nancy Dillen

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. u G a E Lisa Packard Rebecca Burgman Sara Russo Maria Sonnenberg Jenny Morrison

LETTER FROM THE

EDITOR

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umans have been fascinated by weather since our awareness of weather. There is a world of folklore relating to the prediction of weather due to our fascination with understanding, prediction and, ultimately, mastering the weather. Rhymes, anecdotes, adages, poetry, farmer advisories, salty sailor sayings, and even the invention of the weather stick and then the barometer. Nothing is as accurate as human experience. We know what black clouds mean, a ring around the moon, fog, and even our own aches and pains when the weather “changes.”

There is calendar based lore (March comes in like a lion and leaves like a lamb), biological lore (pets eating grass, cows facing the wind, onions growing thicker skins), and meteorological signs (“rain before seven, clear by eleven”). All of this is for one thing -- predictability -and that helps us feel in control.

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EDITOR WRITER WRITER WRITER WRITER

t i u S !

Up Just as in the infamous Monty Python sketch, “Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!,” nobody expected the Coronavirus. Throw predictability and control right out the door like yesterday’s fish. There is nothing to say about it except to acknowledge it as the elephant in the middle of downtown. As we begin to slowly re-enter the world as we knew it, we also know nothing may ever feel the same again. Thank goodness we’re optimistic people and have sayings like, “when one door closes, another one opens” or “when life gives you lemons, made lemonade,” or other things your grandmother said. If we weren’t optimistic, we wouldn’t be launching rockets or surfing big waves.

The arts district feels a little like a house that has had the electricity turned off after a storm and we heard it’s coming back on a few hours each day to certain businesses, but not yet for everyone, and if you want to return as a shopper,

you have to wear a face mask to protect yourself and others. We hope wearing a face mask is a small inconvenience you’re willing to take to help bring us back to life. Yes, you can remove it when you eat, but your server will be wearing one.

The Eau Gallie Arts District Main Street board of directors, together with the city of Melbourne and all of our wonderful merchants, who love what they do and where they do it, have spent the last 10 years rebuilding historic Eau Gallie. You were a big part of making us successful so now it’s go time, it’s serious. Suit up and help us get back on our feet. When we can, we’ll show you a mighty good time in return. ▪

Lisa Packard EDITOR, THE EAU G

Executive Director of Eau Gallie Arts District Main Street THE E AU G

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REMEMBERING

LINK JOHNSTEN 4/30/2015

by Lisa Packard

“Link Johnsten, a philanthropist, floral artist and the owner of Eau Gallie Florist for 40 years, died from a heart attack Wednesday night at his home in Eau Gallie, a community where he lived and worked his whole life. He was 63.”

– April 30, 2015

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t has been five years since the death of Link Johnsten and, because of the growth of Eau Gallie, many of the newer business owners never knew him. The Florida Today articles referenced below will list Link’s many accomplishments, but those stories might miss his invaluable contribution towards the formation of what we now call the arts district.

In 2010, Eau Gallie had been part of the City of Melbourne through annexation for 41 years, but Eau Gallie slowly tumbled into decline. Around 2000, the Merchants Association of Eau Gallie, with about 25 members, asked the city for help and the work began to create a main street program specifically to help turn the area around economically. It was time to rebuild Eau Gallie. I arrived in the area in 2010 right at the formation of the main street program. After exploring the entire county, I found the quaint little village of Eau Gallie and knew it was where I needed to be, having come from Alexandria, VA, established in 1749. I felt at home in the historic city and knew it had a lot of needs. It wasn’t long before I was attending merchant meetings, volunteering with Mary Wallis, the executive director of the Merchants Association, and spending every single Wednesday night around the big table at the Eau Gallie Florist, watching the master guide promotional activity. Growing up in the military, someone like Link, who was deeply rooted in more ways then one, was a mystery to me. We all lived for First Friday back then.

People were packed into the businesses that were there at the time (about 24 of them), and we walked up and down visiting like it was old home week. I made a lot of friends and began to feel those roots spreading to me.

Born in Ohio, Link’s family moved to Eau Gallie when he was very young. Link grew up in Eau Gallie, attended Eau Gallie High School and worked at the floral shop for its original owner. He worked at Disney for several years, including their 1971 grand opening.

In 1976, Link and his wife, Alexis, bought the shop and launched a business that went on to corner the market on all the best events and celebrations. While becoming the local star florist, he was invited to work with the Academy Awards Design Team, the Rose Bowl Design Team, and the White House during the 2014 Christmas holiday.

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With the brand new Eau Gallie Arts District officially launched, Link served in many capacities and donated so much time and talent over 40 years--as a business owner, plus Chair of the Eau Gallie Community Redevelopment Area, Chair of the Design Committee and Chair of the Promotions Committee, which met weekly to give structure and themes to First Fridays, EGAD in Bloom, and the revival of the Founders’ Day Fish Fry. He was also the founder and chairman of Artworks, an art show that continues today on the weekend before Thanksgiving. USA Today once called it the best event on the Space Coast.

Link’s death was unexpected. The largest tree in the forest had fallen, but the town was eerily quiet because we were all in shock. The community said farewell to their favorite son by strewing flower petals from the Eau Gallie Square—one of his champion projects—to his shop. The brainchild of Sara (Petrosky) Russo and her mother, Ann Petrosky, a long-time friend and collaborator of Link’s. It was the most fitting celebration for Link and somber yet beautiful for the rest of us. View the video.

Alexis lost a husband and their children lost a father, but his absence is felt in the community that he brought to life. One person can change the world, especially when they can galvanize others in the effort. Link wasn’t a saint, but he had vision and the fortitude to keep going and knock down obstacles so he could fulfill that vision for the greater good of his community. Yes, it strengthened his business, but he always did it for the community. He understood that creating a strong community was the pilot light to strengthening all businesses.

We were lucky to have him because he had the perfect blend of talents required to launch a community – roots, connections and vision – and he deployed them beautifully and strategically through flowers. ▪

www.floridatoday.com/story/news/ local/2015/04/30/philanthropist-floral-artist-link-johnsten-diesat-63/26629153/ Philanthropist, floral artist Link Johnsten dies at 63 Community celebrates Johnsten; funeral set for Tuesday www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/2015/05/01/links-lovecelebrate-johnstens-life-today/26696785/ Brevard Business News Youtube: “A Love-in for Link www.brevardbusinessnews.com/ArchiveDocs/2011/2011-12-01/ BBN-121911.pdf

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ur dad. Those two words in one sentence bring back a flood of memories for myself and my siblings. To everyone else he was husband, a brother, a son, a grandfather, an uncle, a friend, a boss, or the man who owns the flower shop down in Eau Gallie. Those people have memories of him, too, but our memories are him as father.

As children, we spent all of our time in downtown Eau Gallie area. From long evenings in the shop preparing for holidays and “helping” with things (only to make the mess bigger), working the holidays, too, and days that felt like forever trying to find something to keep us busy—only to stand at the production table and bother everyone while they worked on whatever arrangement they had picked from the board. If you asked us about the area, we could tell you what it used to look like and the place it has grown into today.

OUR DAD

At dinner time, we would sit at the table and listen to our father talk about the newest development in building Eau Gallie Square or the obstacles he would encounter trying to make things better and more attractive, to draw more people to the area. We never understood the meetings and letters that went into putting together Eau Gallie Square, nor the effort that our father and others would give to make things better. We used to say, “can we leave work at work and talk about other things at home please,” not realizing that Eau Gallie was the place where all of us would feel at home one day. Growing up we could find anything we needed. We would walk with our father down to the Ralph’s Art Supply to grab a thing or two and maybe have a little chat with the owner, then to George at Ace Hardware to get a drink, or down to Marcie at Mather’s Bakery that made one of dad’s all-time favorite

By Christopher and Elizabeth Johnsten and Jennifer Johnsten Grezaffi

cakes. Today, when times are tough or days seem long and we need feel our father is with us, you may catch us walking in the Square or driving around downtown to bring back those walks with him--the part of home to us that has been missing since 2015.

We didn’t see our father as a superhero or a magician, but other people said he worked magic in their homes, auditorium or church for a wedding. To us, he was just our dad, a funny, hardworking, family-centered man with a twisted sense of humor. Dad would give us the hardest, never-ending hug that would change our world into a better place but the instant we tried to let go, he would squeeze just a little tighter before letting us go.

The Square and downtown continue to grow with the work of many special people, and we know that, if he was still here, our dad would be in the thick of it. We hope it never stops growing. The entire downtown is a special place for my family and, with each step we take, we could never begin to share our special memories as we walk around. If you see us walking around, stopping for a moment to smile or wipe away a secret tear, understand that this is our second home. This is the place where our dad planted us like little seeds; this is where he taught us to become who we are, and this is where we miss him as well as remember him.

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CALENDAR

OF

EVENTS

▪ ART EXHIBITS, LECTURES & TOURS ▪ ▪ C L A S S E S & D E M O N S T R AT I O N S ▪ ▪ B A R S & R E S TA U R A N T S ▪ ▪ LIVE MUSIC & PERFORMANCES ▪ ▪ COMMUNITY EVENTS ▪ ▪ SPECIAL EVENTS ▪

We’ll Be Back.

EGAD businesses are allowed to re-open, and many are, but some may be deferring another week or two. If you wish to contact any business in advance, please check the directory and call to make sure they’re open at your convenience.

DIRECTORY Local Favorites Intracoastal Brewing Company

Funky Dog Improv

The Yoga Garden

Traditionals Shaves Cuts & Brews

EV ENTS PAGE

F IND A CLASS

F I N D A S HOW

The Irish Cottage Pub

Traditional Live Irish Music Every Saturday, 5:00pm - 7:00pm

The Salty Fox

Standard Collective

Free MainStreet WIFI provided by

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BREVARD NONPROFITS COLLABORATE

ON THEIR RESPONSE TO COVID-19

By Lisa Davidson, Community Foundation of Brevard

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he Community Foundation for Brevard, Space Coast Health Foundation, and United Way of Brevard have established the Brevard COVID-19 Response Initiative to identify the most urgent needs and provide additional financial resources to local nonprofit agencies and individuals most impacted by the growing economic devastation. Each of these three organizations will match up to $50,000 so for every dollar you donate, two dollars will go to relief efforts. One hundred percent of all donated funds will go directly to address the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic within Brevard.

The Community Foundation for Brevard launched their Fund on March 16 to enable rapid response to Brevard’s most vulnerable populations and the nonprofit organizations providing urgent basic needs support such as safe shelter, food, childcare, health and financial assistance. To date, the Community Foundation has provided over $150,000 to support 18 local front line nonprofits. But, it’s not just our local funders who are collaborating--nonprofits have jumped into action to work together as well. Below are just a few examples of coordinated efforts and social entrepreneurship activities happening on the front lines:

• • •

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Aging Matters of Brevard’s Meals on Wheels program is ensuring Brevard’s population of senior residents continue to receive meals. To ensure the safety of volunteers and clients, they have modified their daily deliveries to providing 10 days’ worth of frozen meals to each client When funds are tight for so many, Brevard Humane Society and SPCA of Brevard have partnered with Central Brevard Sharing Center and South Brevard Sharing Center to ensure those in need are able to keep their animals fed and safely housed with free pet food.

The most vulnerable among us rely on school meals and Club Esteem has partnered with The Children’s Hunger Project to provide over 300 curbside meals per day to children in their community. Club Esteem quickly moved their academic support programs, plus tutoring, performing arts and life skills enrichment programs to a virtual format.

Love INC has partnered with The Bearded Chef food truck and a group of volunteer drivers to offer free meal delivery to seniors and those with a compromised immune system.

Evans Center staff and volunteers have shifted their regular services to delivering 300 meals daily through their new Food2Go program. Additionally, they have partnered with South Brevard Sharing Center to deliver bags of groceries to seniors.

Daily Bread, South Brevard Sharing Center, Mosaic, and Streetside Showers partner to distribute food, offer hot showers, and help our homeless citizens shelter in place as best as possible.

There are heartbreaking stories of isolation, anxiety, and shortages of essentials from residents and nonprofits across the Space Coast. The long-term hardships are just beginning. The organizations delivering meals and other basic need services need your help to sustain their response to our most vulnerable — with compassion, with vision and with focus.

Brevard is a community that knows how to step-up when things are hard – this is who we are! Please feel free to email info@CFBrevard.org with any questions. ▪

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r e e t n u l o A V Named L

ast week was Volunteer Appreciation Week and, as I scoured the internet looking for fresh ways to engage and appreciate volunteers from afar. Nudged on by distraction, the digital elbow pushed me down memory lane to the many organizations thanking their volunteers over the years. The one that pulled my heartstring the most, the fondest of them all, was April in Paris. For five years, the first Friday in April was a marriage between Foosaner Art Museum’s French Film Festival and First Friday. With a nod to the French nomenclature and artistic culture of Eau Gallie, April in Paris was my favorite First Friday despite the work and sweat that went into it because of the enormous pride we all felt--the many volunteers who put the event together, along with the event organizers and local merchants--all who got into the spirit. After months of brainstorming with the genius minds I worked with, the fruits of labor--afternoon walks discussing street layout and porta-potties-were finally realized.

The romance of it all!

Memories flooded my Facebook, movies in the park, drinking in the street, and the big, happy CROWDS! Oh, to be back in a crowd of people doing now forbidden things.

What do you do when you’re longing for your larger community that is just beyond your front door? During global quarantine and selfisolation, it seems you retreat into a closet and clean the heck out of it. I mean, I must find somewhere to store the 48-pack of toilet paper when it arrives from Guam.

In the closet, there is a bank box that you see in every “I quit!” scene of a movie. In it are the contents of my old desk from behind the Harris Auditorium at Foosaner Art Museum where the rest of the French Film Festival happened. I didn’t have a bold “I quit” scene. I had a polite, tearful goodbye and the next desk was only a Thanksgiving holiday weekend away. The box went to the backseat of my car, then to a room in the house, placed in the corner, until it’s final resting place—the closet, just waiting for a virus to motivate an early spring cleaning 15 months later. I can certainly toss the HR benefit folders and scholarly articles I never managed to read through, but there are also notecards, notebooks, and tchotchkes that remind me of a group of dedicated, beautiful volunteers that ran the museum, stayed late for First Fridays, and put on an entire art festival.

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T H E E AU G

BOB

By Tina Murray

One card stuck out, it was tiny, the kind of card that comes stuck in the floral fork of bouquets. It reads, “Sorry I was a dickhead! – Bob” and I am brought back immediately to the year of another transitive time, when Brevard Art Museum (BAM) was turned into the FOO and a slew of changes came with new museum ownership by Florida Tech. As the youngest and newest staff person, at the time, I knew that I would be the quickest to adapt to change, but this was before professional development taught me that a Volunteer Manager is essentially a “change manager.” The most arduous task was not managing the volunteer staff but managing the changes--policy change, change in technology, change in management-which came fast and hard without any more compensation than a thank you. Bob took the change harshly, you could say. The following day, I was greeted with a beautiful bunch of yellow roses and the note from Bob. These blunder bouquets were one of the perks of being a volunteer manager, especially when one of your biggest supporters owns the florist shop across the street. Often after a heated meeting about the next fundraising event or a particularly combative ArtWorks committee meeting, and I had to be the messenger and manager of any change, I was greeted the next morning by beautiful bouquets on my desk courtesy of then Museum board member, Link Johnsten, and founder of ArtWorks of Eau Gallie. Even if Link wasn’t the offending party, the same note was attached, “hang in there.” ▪

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CORONAVIRUS COMICS

MEANWHILE IN ICELAND...

ARTIST RESPONSES TO THE PANDEMIC 8

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“ M o m m y, I m a d e a m i s t a k e .”

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picked up the soft tasseled ringlets of pigtails and bangs, which had been deposited gently around the house. Blonde baby hair littered the landing, the area rug, and the folds of their princess costumes and I stared with disbelief at the severed braid on the carpet. I collected a pile of locks that were once the very first hairs to dust their precious heads.

The mistake was mine. The relentlessness of 42 days at home, a DIY project threatening my marriage, and the haze of a late chat with friends had reached a tipping point leaving two choppy-haired toddlers in its wake. “It’s only hair” my friends assured me as the tears rolled down my cheeks. True and considering the reality we are currently facing, nothing to really cry about. Wrapped up in that moment, I was mourning more than their hair.

What was taking its toll was the sheer relentlessness of quarantining with young children, the stress injected into my marriage and the shared realization that things will likely not go back to normal. Having all the time in the world leaves little room for excuses,

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T H E E AU G

by Sara Russo

but somehow the nagging chores and short to-do list remained—and the scissors I knew their brains coveted and adored were hidden within reach in my kitchen drawer. It was a somber evening punctuated by a restless daughter who couldn’t fall asleep. She told me it was “too hard” as the glow of the television reflected off her now exposed forehead. I totally get it, daughter, and sometimes when things are too hard you just wait. So, we waited and eventually drifted off to sleep.

The rain fell hard the next morning as their little faces peered out the window. It was the kind of rain I crave in perpetual sunshine-filled Florida—a cloudy day with steady rain that makes the gardens sing.

Mother Nature’s reminder that growth is inevitable, their hair will grow back, and that the rhythm of our lives will eventually calibrate. The whirl of the vacuum swallows the last remaining lock of hair. The garden grows. I make peace with the washing, the chores, and the failures. The intensity of these moments is a reminder that we are alive.

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