A5-Hutchinson Island Living-Vol.560

Celebrate 66 years of “Keeping Cool” with Krauss & Crane

By DENISE BELIZAR

On the Treasure Coast, one company has been helping its customers keep cool for 66 years: Krauss & Crane. To celebrate its 66th anniversary, Martin County’s oldest air conditioning contractor is offering rst-time residential customers a present: Just call 772-261-9AIR(9247) and mention this article, and you’ll receive your choice of a one-time A/C tune-up (usually $121) or a diagnostic ($95) for just $66.

Krauss & Crane has installed and maintained thousands of cooling and heating systems in Martin and St. Lucie counties since the business was founded in 1957. Back then, the company was also an electrical contractor – and air conditioners were primarily small window units.

Times and technology have certainly changed, yet throughout the decades, Krauss & Crane has remained at the forefront of its industry. The company carries Trane Air Conditioning Systems as its premier brand, and is the oldest Trane Comfort Specialist™ dealer in Florida. They also offer a range of reliable Trane systems, designed to t any application and budget, and will help you choose the equipment that’s right for you. If you’re looking for air conditioning repair, then Krauss & Crane also services all makes and models.

You’ll be glad to know that today’s “smart” systems give you more control than ever over your environment – and your electric bill. Krauss & Crane carries a selection of digital, programmable controls and thermostats that allow you to achieve optimal comfort while maximizing your system’s ef ciency. You can even control your unit remotely from your smart phone.

A Commitment to Excellence

The Krauss & Crane team is committed to excellence in every aspect of the business, from equipment installation through ongoing service and support. Their NATE (National American Technician

Excellence) certi ed technicians are factory trained to install, service, and repair all makes and models of HVAC equipment, including Trane, Rheem, Amana and Goodman. You can also be sure that all installation and repair work is done by the book, with proper documentation and permitting.

Current customer Charlie DiToro was impressed with the technical expertise of everyone at Krauss & Crane, from his sales representative to his installation crew. DiToro, who owns several residences on the Treasure Coast, had purchased an older home and was remodeling it before moving in. He interviewed four companies prior to choosing Krauss & Crane to replace the home’s two A/C units and aging duct work.

“I was totally impressed with their sales person,” he says. “He was extremely knowledgeable and did a detailed study on the home’s air ow. The service crew was spectacular. They kept me informed and kept the job site clean. I’ve had a lot of experience with other companies, and I can tell you that Krauss & Crane will be doing all of my work from now on.”

The Leader in Reliability since 1957

While Krauss & Crane offers the latest in residential and commercial HVAC technology, it is decidedly old school when it comes to maintaining the highest standards in service and quality. The company has been the leader in reliability since 1957, and continues this commitment today.

“We’re a trusted name in the community,” says owner Timothy Wojcieszak, who leads the family-owned business, working alongside his mother Kathy.

Wojcieszak is justi ably proud of his family’s legacy, and values

their long-term relationships with their clients. Just ask Betty Wallen, who has been an enthusiastic customer since she relocated here from Kentucky in 1966. “I’ve been very pleased with their service, and haven’t had the need to call anyone else,” she says. “They are all professional and extremely competent. I recently got a maintenance agreement with them, and I’ve found that it’s really worth it.”

Maintenance agreements are a great way to ensure your equipment is running ef ciently – and they can help you to avoid costly problems in the future. For just $172/year, Krauss and Crane will conduct two check-up visits (which include an equipment inspection and cleaning of drain lines and lters) on your HVAC unit. This preventive maintenance is particularly helpful here in South Florida, where seasonal residents are away from their homes for months at a time.

“It’s similar to getting an oil change and check-up on your car,” advises Wojcieszak.

Here Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Customers aren’t the only long-term relationships at Krauss & Crane. Four employees in their staff of 20+ have been with the company for two to three decades and more. The growing business is always looking for enthusiastic, conscientious employees who want to build a career in the industry. They prefer some experience in HVAC, but will train the right people to join their team.

“Krauss and Crane are always a joy to work with. I am a facilities manager that helps to manage a 100acre campus. Krauss and Crane ll an important role for the campus I work with. When a call comes in for air conditioning issues, I can con dently send the work order to Krauss and Crane knowing that the issue will be xed, my property respected, the request of my residence honored, and a fair price invoiced. Krauss and Crane are full-service company. Everything from planning out new systems, to installs, to service. That is a tall order for any company. When an air conditioning system must be replaced, everything is inspected. This includes wiring, ductwork, sizing, placement, and condensate lines. In other words, they don’t just throw in a new unit and drive down the road with my check. As a facilities manager, I must focus on the value of work I get more than just the price. That is why Krauss and Crane offer an amazing value proposition for residential or commercial air condition work. They have helped me offer my clients long-term air-conditioning solutions. I am proud to have Krauss and Crane as part of my team and couldn’t imagine doing my job without them. “

– B. Thompson Facilities Manager

In today’s rapidly changing business climate, it speaks volumes when a company has stood the test of time for over six decades. Krauss & Crane has built a longstanding reputation for friendly, reliable service; fair and honest pricing; responsive, 24-hour availability for emergency service; certi ed, factory trained technicians; and the nest HVAC equipment available. They were here yesterday, are here today, and will be here tomorrow.

We were born and raised here,” says Wojcieszak. “We’re a part of this community, and we take pride in that. We really enjoy taking care of our customers and our employees.”

Krauss & Crane serves Martin and St. Lucie Counties and is headquartered in its original building, located at 904 SE Dixie Highway in Stuart. To take advantage of their 66th anniversary offer, learn more about their services, or arrange for a free estimate or second opinion on your air conditioning or heating system, call 772-261-9AIR(9247), or visit their website at kciac.com. You can also click on “Contact” to submit a service request online. They look forward to serving you!

For What It’s Worth by Dr. Melfi, Ph.D.

I’ve received quite a few responses to last weeks column about the di culty of getting an appointment to see a physician now that the local hospital has its hands in scheduling at a central station. In my opinion it is cold, unfriendly, and seems to lack empathy of those who eld the calls, but perhaps there’s nothing they can do about it, and perhaps those receptionists are sick and tired of hearing how a sick patient needs to be seen sooner. ere can be blame all around, or perhaps nowhere, maybe it’s just the sign of the times. I do not know of any physicians who are uncaring, although some may be, but I do know that I have heard talk of some of them dissatis ed with the way things are working, so frustration everywhere.

If I ran the medical facilities, I’d have a few ideas to toss around. For one, I think it’s silly to give a prescription to patients who are leaving the emergency room. If these people were healthy enough to get around, they wouldn’t be spending hours waiting to be seen in an ER. In hospitals I have worked in, in other states, and in other decades, there

was an all night pharmacy in the facility that could ll the prescriptions right then and there. I mean, I know there are pharmacies associated with our hospitals…that is how inpatients get there medications. Why not help out a few patients who have no one to go to the drug store for them? at would ease their minds, and allow them to focus on getting well.

e next thing I would be thinking about is the need for more convenient urgent care centers in neighborhoods.

ere is one in Jensen, one in Palm City and one in Stuart, o the highway, but there are an enormous number of senior citizens who either can’t drive on the highways, shouldn’t be driving on the highways, or are too sick to get themselves help. If not, then how about a hospital owned transport company, not ambulances, who can take sick people to facilities that will treat them on the spot, instead of having them stand in a virtual line for months waiting to be seen. By then, they’ve either gotten better, or unfortunately, much worse. In case the higher-ups haven’t factored in the need to assist people, especially the elderly,

widowed and alone, who o en can’t or won’t call an Uber. e elderly are worried about their safety, getting into a car with a complete stranger, and I don’t blame them.

I don’t know how these issues can be addressed, how much money it would take, who could pay for these bene ts, and if anyone even cares to try to rectify our medical situation, but if anyone much more intelligent than I am could tackle these problems, please let us all know.

For What it’s Worth, no one feels more alone than someone who is sick, and no one has a worse doctor than themselves when they attempt to selfmedicate for lack of bona de, quali ed, timely, medical attention.

YOU HAPPY NEW

By Gabby Gregory

Every 5,000 miles, like clockwork, you take your car to get its oil changed and tires rotated. It’s basic, routine maintenance, but that consistent attention and upkeep is vital for your vehicle to run e ciently, especially over a number of years. Your body, much like your vehicle, requires regular care and treatment to keep it healthy. And, again like your automobile, your body needs support from someone other than yourself, a professional who can guide it to achieving its utmost abilities and to retaining its peak performance.

Getting older, playing sports, or having a condition like sciatica or arthritis shouldn’t hold you back from living your life! You can feel like your younger self again, the one who didn’t feel any aches or pains when walking, running, jumping, or even sitting… all you have to do is visit Stretch Zone.

Drew Brees, former quarterback of the New Orleans Saints, is the newest partner at Stretch Zone who advocates for people to regularly get stretched. A er personally going to Stretch Zone for an assisted stretching session, Drew was impressed with the uniquely e ective and nationally accredited Stretch Zone Method®, which is administered by a highly-trained and Stretch Zone-certi ed stretch practitioner.

Here’s How It Works:

1.) Your rst session begins with lling out an intake form and having a consultation with your experienced and knowledgeable stretch practitioner. Based on your medical background and your personal goals, the stretch practitioner will personalize the ensuing 30-minute assisted stretching session to meet your individual needs. On subsequent visits, you’ll simply do a check-in with the practitioner to update your medical pro le with any recent changes and/or any new pain or discomfort that you might be experiencing.

2.) e

stretch practitioner initiates the rst steps of the approved Stretch Zone Method®, utilizing Stretch Zone’s special patented

straps to encourage your body to relax and ease into the stretches. You won’t nd these straps anywhere else! Comparable to a thunder jacket for your pets, they are meant to calm your mind so that your entire body is perfectly loose, thus allowing the stretch practitioner to stretch your body to its full potential and, as a result, provide you with both preventative maintenance and pain relief.

3.) Assisted stretching (a/k/a passive stretching) is di erent from physical therapy in that your body is being stretched by someone else, you’re not actually doing any work. roughout your 30-minute session, the stretch practitioner will be steadily interacting one-on-one with you, ensuring that you are completely comfortable and not experiencing any pain. Ultimately, you are in control of the stretch, even as your practitioner guides your body through each and every step, because you tell the practitioner when you feel your best stretching position. e more you communicate, the better results you’re going to get!

Take advantage of Stretch Zone’s incredible New Year Special: get one FREE 30-minute stretching session! Anybody and everybody can and should be stretched. In fact, one Stretch Practitioner I spoke with at Stretch Zone says, “98% of the people I see in front of me really need to be stretched. is is something you should not live without.” Remember, it’s just like getting your oil changed! Plus, celebrities and professional athletes have been getting stretched for years, so it’s time for the general population to be clued into the secret!

Get Stretch Zone’s New Year Special for yourself or get them for a friend or loved one… what better way to say you care than to give the gi of making life easier, of feeling healthier, lighter, and younger, and of feeling like yourself again?

What’s on your resolutions list? Do you want to:

✓ 3 HAVE MORE ENERGY TO DO ALL OF THE THINGS YOU LOVE?

✓ IMPROVE YOUR GOLF GAME, TENNIS SKILLS OR OTHER SPORTS PERFORMANCE?

✓ MANAGE TENSION AND STRESS MORE EFFECTIVELY?

✓ EASE FRUSTRATING MUSCLE ACHES AND PAINS?

✓ INCREASE YOUR OVERALL HEALTH AND WELLNESS?

ACTUALVIEW

ACTUALVIEW

ACTUALVIEW

$875,000

OCEANSIDE I HUTCHINSON ISLAND

BEACHFRONT! Panoramic ocean and river views from this 3BR, 2 bath, 10th oor with 2 oceanfront bedrooms. Beautiful updates, French doors, plantation shutters, plus incls. Island Dunes Golf and Tennis Country Club membership!

ACTUALVIEW

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MARITIMES EAST HUTCHINSON ISLAND

BEACHFRONT! Rarely available 2BR, 2 bath corner with many upgrades. Boat dock can be purchased separately. Ocean to river resort.

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ISLANDIA I HUTCHINSON ISLAND

BEACHFRONT! Gorgeous 9th oor ocean views from this desirable 3BR Seapointe model! Fully Furnished, updated kitchen and more! 24hr security, pools, pickleball, tness, lobby, tennis and more!

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OCEANA NORTH I HUTCHINSON ISLAND

BEACHFRONT! Ocean and River views from this 11th oor 2BR, 2 bath, updated and furnished! Gated with pools, tness, clubhouse and more!

$750,000

PRINCESS HUTCHINSON ISLAND

BEACHFRONT! Spectacular ocean and Intracoastal views from this completely renovated 2BR, 2 bath 19th oor! Gated with tness, pool, tennis, sauna, billiards and more.

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OCEANRISE HUTCHINSON ISLAND

BEACHFRONT! Nicely furnished 2 BR, 2 bath, 3rd oor with great direct ocean view. Newer appliances and AC plus pool, clubhouse, and more.

ACTUALVIEW

$419,000

SAND DOLLAR SHORES

HUTCHINSON ISLAND

BEACHFRONT! SOUTHEAST CORNER! Enjoy the bene ts of a condo...with the privacy of a home! Newer AC, newer screens, open kitchen, updated baths...totally updated! Gated with pool, clubhouse and more!

PRINCESS

HUTCHINSON ISLAND

BEACHFRONT! Gorgeous views from this 12th oor. 2 BR, 2 bath NORTHEAST CORNER with nice updates, 3 balconies plus gated with pool, tennis, tness and more! Furn. Nego.

OCEAN VIEW

HUTCHINSON ISLAND

BEACHFRONT! Rarely available oceanfront corner 2BR, 2 bath, tastefully and beautifully designed and updated, impact glass, plus ocean to river resort living in Martin County!

ACTUALVIEW ACTUALVIEW ACTUALVIEW

$575,000 $485,000 $549,000

OCEANA NORTH II

HUTCHINSON ISLAND

BEACHFRONT! Beautifully updated 2 BR, 2 bath with glorious ocean and intrcoastal 15th oor views! Pool, Fittness, lobby, clubhouse and more!

ISLANDIA II

HUTCHINSON ISLAND

BEACHFRONT! Clean and ready to enjoy 2BR, 2 bath on the perfect 9th oor looking South down the Island. Great amenities include 24 hour security, 2 pools, tness, tennis, pickle ball and more!

$599,000 $569,900

OCEAN VIEW HUTCHINSON ISLAND

RIVERFRONT! Gorgeous Intracoastal views from this beautifully updated 2BR, 2 bath which incls. Deep water dock that can accommodate a 38 ft boat. Ocean to River resort in Martin County!

THE LEAF

REAL THC EDIBLES WITHOUT A MEDICAL CARD?

The Leaf was founded with one goal in mind; to provide highquality lab tested THC and CBD products to the public without the need for a medical card. The Leaf operates under the 2018 farm bill and sells a unique variety of items all derived from one source; the cannabis plant. Anyone over the age of 21 can visit this one-of-a-kind store.

Edibles and topicals are just a few of the cannabis items now available right in your own backyard.

Delta-9 THC is the scientific name for dispensary-grade THC. Delta-9 THC is commonly found in edibles, vape cartridges, and even lotions.

Our edibles have 15mg of THC per gummy, 300mg per bottle. All products are farm bill compliant at under .3% Delta-9 THC by weight.

Leaf offers superior customer service to find the products specialized to your needs. All staff is certified bud-tenders.

Leaf also offers a variety of discounts such as veterans, first-time buyers, and seniors. Visit our new store in March in Port St. Lucie.

The FDA approved Aduhelm in 2021 under accelerated approval. First approved June 7, 2021. A subsequent, poorly-explained controversy eventually resulted in MEDICARE to withdraw coverage for the drug. The company decided to support patients, and as of today, has active participation to help individual patients to obtain the treatment via a company support program.

As a result of Medicare not paying for the treatment, many providers stopped administering the drug in their office. Our office had difficulty finding a provider who would administer the drug intravenously.

After some thinking and brainstorming with my staff, I decided to start this I.V. service in our office at 100 US Hwy. 1, Suite 120, Vero Beach.

We are a cash-based practice and do not accept insurance. This is because of the prohibitive overhead billing from the insurance companies. So, we make it the patient’s responsibility to obtain the Aduhelm. We assist in this process, and Biogen has a PATH Enrollment (Patient Assistance Program) for financial assistance. The intravenous medications arrive in our office ready to go. We do charge for our expenses and for the services we render. We think our pricing is more than reasonable. My goal as a physician is to help patients who so desire to get access to the first rational therapy for Alzheimer’s disease.

Please read the FDA approval... Link: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/news-events-human-drugs/fdas-decision-approve-new-treatment-alzheimers-disease

Happy New Year! You're Fired.

By: Emmelis Keaney

Even if you’re not currently in the market for a new work opportunity, you can’t ignore the continuous reports of near- term layo s projected for this year. Rightfully so, as the labor force tends to be a leading indicator of economic conditions. And while the Fed will try to assure you of their apparent control of the labor market, they’re not the ones that create payroll, employers do.

Giant conglomerates such as Goldman Sachs, Salesforce, Amazon, even e Wall Street Journal have begun their rst rounds of layo s and we’re a few weeks into the new year. Brace yourselves, this roller coaster is just taking o .

If this doesn’t set the tone for what this year is going to look like, then I don’t know what…Oh wait, what about more rate hikes? In a recent forum, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell maintained the priority, which does not involve taking on social issues, of “sticking to our knitting”. Mr. Powell remains committed to curbing in ation, despite pressures from Congress and Wall Street. And so do employers.

As in ation and overall cost continues to rise or remains high, corporations -which have an inherent primary duty to pro t- need to reduce cost and overall cash out ow to meet their goals. e number one expense for companies is their workforce. ose positions and departments they believe they can do without in the short term, will be eliminated. Another top expense is accumulated debt, which seems to be the “moda operandi” for most corporations over the past several years, in which case still produces massive job cuts to enable the ability to service the debt amidst low revenue.

Add to the mix the post covid labor force reformation that our future generations will read about. I don’t see much economic proof that workers don’t want to work, necessarily. What I nd is that the labor force demands a di erent working environment. Working from home, exible hours, higher livable wages, expanded group bene t programs, are just some of the increasing demands of the labor force. Mostly reasonable demands, but somewhat far from a nancial reality for most employers who most recently relied on debt and government stimulus to survive the crisis.

e past decade has been supposedly very pro table for capitalist America. But we don’t have to do an in-depth nancial review into companies to recognize the majority growth has been steer headed by low interest rates and cheap borrowing, massive nancial incentives and stimulus, and even nancial product innovation is at fault.

Employees proved to be resilient in every recession. We shall see which corporations rise as winners, and which fall. And Investors should pay close attention.

ACE OF CARTS : Your Local Golf

By Gina Zuk

The Florida lifestyle provides us with a host of options for getting from point A to point B... from scooters to speed boats, we’ve got them all! e golf cart in particular has, with all of the gated communities in the Sunshine State, become an easy and convenient way to get around the area. Golf carts aren’t just for private neighborhoods or the links though; in fact, they have even become a quick way to tote the kids to and from the bus stop every day! Do the prices at the pumps tempt you to put the car in the garage for a while? Head to Ace of Carts, the area’s largest golf cart superstore with the best selection of golf carts, golf cart accessories, and top-notch service!

Ace of Carts is a family-owned and operated business led by Nick Rotundo and his dad, Rock Rotundo. Nick and Rock were in the automotive business together before making the move from upstate New York to south Florida seven years ago. Nick explains that a er moving, his family had a di cult time purchasing a golf cart for his grandmother, who had moved into a gated community. So, Nick and Rock ventured into the golf cart sales business together, becoming an authorized retailer for ClubCar, Yamaha, Icon, and Polaris Commercial golf carts.

In 2018, the Rotundo family moved the business to its current Stuart location (formally Tri County Golf Carts). Ace of Carts now employs over 30 sales, service, and customer care personnel, and is the highest volume sales dealer of golf carts in the area! In addition to golf carts, Ace of Carts has an inventory of electronically-assisted bikes (ebikes) for the bike rider who wants a more comfortable option when it comes to pedaling uphill.

Aside from their vast inventory, Ace of Carts is the go-to source for many Palm Beach, St Lucie, and Martin County residents due to Nick and Rock’s industry experience and dedication to exceptional

is located at 552 US Highway N. NOW OPEN Mondays-Fridays from 10AM to 5PM and Saturdays from 9AM to 3PM.

Ace of Carts in Stuart is located at 4880 SE Federal Highway.

Ace of Carts in Daytona Beach is located at 2674 LPGA Boulevard.

service. In these challenging times of supply and demand, the service team at Ace of Carts does everything possible to guarantee that customers have their service and sales needs met. Ace of Carts’ factory-trained technicians have the knowledge to provide quality diagnostics, service, and repair for any golf cart. ey realize that golf carts are important to lifestyle routines, so they make timely service a priority.

One of many happy Google reviewers says of Ace of Carts, “I purchased my Club Car cart from Ace of Carts about four years ago and have been supported by them the entire time. If I have questions, I receive answers by a call or text immediately. ey truly want the entire experience to be as close to perfect as possible. Nick and the entire family are fantastic… and I like supporting a family business…”

In addition to their Stuart location, Ace of Carts has expanded to two more locations, one in Daytona Beach and the other, newest one in Tequesta, the Grand Opening of which is later this month. Tequesta’s premier 3,000 square foot showroom will still have the same o erings as the other locations, but will be more focused on the customer experience. Nick explains, “ e Tequesta location will be geared more toward the golf customer.” ere will be a digital golf simulator on the premises, along with other interactive displays and attractions that customers can explore while shopping for carts and accessories! Nick adds, “ e customers will leave the store more informed than when they walked in.”

Like Ace of Carts’ other locations, the Tequesta location will provide FREE cart pick up and delivery with almost every sale. Ace of Carts also o ers 0% nancing for 48 months on select products, making it easy to purchase a golf cart that will absolutely be the envy of the neighborhood.

Find the perfect golf cart at Ace of Carts, and stay tuned for the Tequesta Ace of Carts Grand Opening!