Vero Beach Magazine February 2021

THE MOORINGS

Intracoastal! Fine Florida living! Fully renovated 4 bed /4.5 bath, pool, dock, and more.

Offered at $2,695,000.

Lucy Hendricks | Jane Schwiering 772.559.8812 MLS# 228734

DIRECT INTRACOASTAL

Superb east view across river. Between the bridges. 3 bed /3.5 bath with office and den. Dock.

Offered at $1,895,000.

Lucy Hendricks | Jane Schwiering 772.559.8812 MLS# 228734

SHORELANDS EAST

5BR/4.5BA Oceanfront home with new pool and cabana. One+acre.

Beth Livers 772.559.6958

$3,898,000 | MLS# 235101

SEA COLONY

Exquisite oceanfront 3BR condo with stunning views, marble floors, fine detail.

Mary Frances Driscoll 772.766.5942

$1,675,000

THE SHORES

Secluded lakefront 4 bed/4BA. Lovely outdoor space.

D. Downey | A. Wallace 772.713.6314

$995,000 | MLS# 229626

RIVERFRONT

1/4 acre + direct riverfront lot with additional 5 acres across the street. Steve Borenz 772.925.9277

$899,000 | MLS# 239143

INDIAN RIVER CLUB

Golf views. Courtyard style. 3BR, 4BA, 2-car. Walk to clubhouse and range.

Peggy Hewett 772.321.4282

$435,000 | MLS# 239222

VEROLAGO

Stunning 4BR/3.5BA lakefront home. Grand entry with voluminous ceilings.

Michelle Clarke 772.263.0386

$389,900 | MLS# 239261

STERLING BAY CONDO

Updated 2/2 in the Village. 1 block from the beach. Furnished.

Gretchen Hanson 772.713.6450

$269,500 | MLS# 232062

OCEAN CLUB 2

Oceanfront condo. Furnished, 1st floor, corner, 2/2, steps to beach.

Cheryl Burge 772.538.0063

$269,000 | MLS# 238932

VILLAGE SPIRES BAYTREE OCEAN VILLA

Life is great at The Village Spires! 2BR/2BA units, only 4 per floor. Floor to ceiling sliders to capture the views. Walk to shops & restaurants.

Offered at $599,000 - over $1,000,000.

Beth Livers 772.559-6958 | Sand & Land Team

Stunning and bright 3BR/3.5BA, 2-CG courtyard home! Free standing 4300 sf condo with gourmet kitchen. Offered at $1,450,000.

Gretchen Hanson 772.713.6450 MLS# 235281

PEPPERTREE

Updated 3BR/2.5BA on lake with office. 1st floor master. Very Private.

Cindy Schulz-Long 772.559.4464

$530,000

VICTORIA

Oceanfront beautifully maintained 2 BR split plan. Two covered parking spaces.

L. Hendricks | J. Schwiering 772.559.8812

$449,000 | MLS# 227596

RIOMAR

FAIRWAYS

3BR/2BA newly renovated at Grand Harbor! End unit. Golf and lake view.

Steve Borenz 772.925.9277

$239,000 | MLS# 235877

VISTA PLANTATION

2BR/2BA condo with golf and lake view! Partially furnished.

Steve Borenz 772.925.9277

$125,000 | MLS# 239339

“The Little Green Cottage” nestled under a canopy of oaks in Historic Riomar. 3BR/2.5BA on 1/2 acre lot. Beautifully renovated inside & out! Offered at $1,395,000.

Cheryl Burge 772.538.0063 MLS# 235255

Staying Social

Lately I’ve been using my spare time to sort through Nate’s old toys. My 2-year-old neighbor is a big fan of this project. He likes to stop by as often as he can to play with Abby and check on my progress. I am certain he has no other motive.

The other night, he brought his parents over so we could celebrate his mother’s birthday together. They’ve been taking COVID-19 precautions seriously while we wait for the vaccine. Like David and me, they are doing their best not to catch the virus or to unwittingly spread it to people they love. Our small birthday celebration — outside, socially distanced, around the fire pit — was cozy and fun. And it probably wouldn’t have happened if this were a more normal year.

It made me realize something nice about these crazy times. While many of us have been separated from our extended families, we’ve been filling in those gaps with friends and neighbors. We’ve been expanding our bubbles, ever so slightly, with the people we run into every day. We’re forging new relationships that are, at this point, starting to feel like family.

That seems like a good thing. Just as learning to slow down and having more time to spend with our families have been good things. Don’t get me wrong, like everyone else, I’m more than ready for this pandemic to be behind us. I never imagined I’d be learning so much about vaccines and longing for something called “herd immunity.”

But here we are, and as we have no choice but to keep on living through to the other side, it seems important to me to notice and celebrate the positives when we can. I’m grateful that the circle of people I think of as family is expanding, and I’m hopeful that I’ll remember how good these simple moments feel when life eventually tries to accelerate to its pre-pandemic pace. My February wish is that you are finding joyful moments in these sorts of connections, too.

And now, while you enjoy this issue, I really should get back to cleaning toys. My young friend should be stopping by any time.

Elizabeth (Beth) Moulton Founder/CEO ceo@verobeachmagazine.com

ELIZABETH MOULTON Founder & CEO ceo@verobeachmagazine.com

ROBIN HESSE Senior Account Executive robin@verobeachmagazine.com

TERI AMEY-ARNOLD Senior Account Executive teri@verobeachmagazine.com

CATHY HART Executive Office Manager & Subscription Manager cathy@verobeachmagazine.com 772-234-8871

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772-231-0021

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VERO BEACH MAGAZINE (ISSN 1097-2013) is published monthly. Entire contents copyright © 2021 by Moulton Media, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. The publisher is not liable for errors or omissions. Periodical postage paid at Vero Beach, Florida, and additional mailing offices.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: One year $28; two years $45; three years $54. Subscribe online at www.verobeachmagazine.com or call 772-234-8871 weekdays from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. American Express, Discover, Mastercard and Visa are accepted. Our subscription information is never shared, rented or sold.

HEATHER O’SHEA

Editor in Chief

TERESA LEE RUSHWORTH

Senior Editor

MEGAN HYDE ROBERTS

Community Engagement Editor

BETSY WHISMAN Proofreader

ANN TAYLOR Senior Writer

EVELYN WILDE MAYERSON Wilde Side

EMILY TREMML Book Scout

AMY ROBINSON True Tails

KATE PARKER SPENCER Living Well Local Flavor

PATRICK MERRELL

Classic Cars

CHRIS FASOLINO, PATRICK MERRELL, AMY ROBINSON, ANN TAYLOR Feature Writers

HEATHER BOTTO

Creative Director

JANINE FISHER

Senior Designer

TIFFANY FARIA

Graphic Designer

CHRIS FASOLINO, NICOLA GNESI, ALANA HARRIS, DANIELLE MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY, OWEN MCGOLDRICK, PATRICK MERRELL, MARTIN POLAK, MARTINA TANNERY, VITALIC PHOTO Feature Photographers

ON

See

22

Wilde Side

For reasons hidden deep in the human psyche, art is a powerful force in society and in relationships

By Evelyn Wilde Mayerson

Departments

34

New & Noteworthy

Local shops and nonprofits make it easy to warm hearts and show your love this Valentine’s Day

62

Previews

Do your heart good with these February festivities

78

Book Scout

A review of “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by V.E. Schwab

By Emily Tremml

82

Living Well

Intermittent fasting is a wellness trend that may help shed weight and balance metabolism

By Kate Parker Spencer

98

Classic Cars

A converted 1937 Cord 812

By Patrick Merrell

104 Local Flavor

These three simple yet sumptuous courses will turn up the volume of your Valentine dinner

By Kate Parker Spencer

Diane De Francisci 772-538-1614

Brenda Montgomery 772-532-4170

Diane De Francisci 772-538-1614

Brenda Montgomery 772-532-4170

Stacey Miller 772-538-1900

Pam Pendleton 772-217-1054

Kate Weeks 772-538-5193

Kate Weeks 772-538-5193

Jane Johnson 772-559-3520

Pam Pendleton 772-217-1054

RIOMAR 0.34 Acre Homesite $950,000 | #213049 Charlotte Terry 772-538-2388

OLD RIOMAR 4+DEN/OFC/4 $1,695,000 | #234163 Charlotte Terry 772-538-2388

Kate Weeks 772-538-5193

SMUGGLERS COVE 3+Den/Ofc/3.5 $2,399,000 | #230362 Charlotte Terry 772-538-2388

GRAND HARBOR River Club 3/3 $850,000 | #237538

SEAGROVE EAST 3+Den/Ofc/2.5 $685,000 | #231001 Charlotte Terry 772-538-2388 Kate Weeks 772-538-5193

GRAND HARBOR Harbor Village 3/3 $729,500 | #230264

Diane De Francisci 772-538-1614

Brenda Montgomery 772-532-4170

GRAND HARBOR Victoria Island 2/2 $344,700 | #239193

RACQUET CLUB OF VERO 2/2 $365,000 | #229175 Jane Johnson 772-559-3520

FALLS AT GRAND HARBOR 3/3 $560,000 | #239709

RACQUET CLUB OF VERO 2/2 $435,000 | #239824

Favorite Things

Iwish I didn’t have the song “Raindrops on Roses” looping in my head, but ever since I noticed that this issue is jampacked with my favorite things, I haven’t been able to change the station. What better time for an issue full of things we love than February?

While we don’t have whiskers on kittens, we do have a whole lot of dogs. We’re delighted to introduce you to the Vero Beach “Canines of Commerce,” those friendly pups who put in their eight hours at local businesses every day. And while we’re thinking about dogs, don’t miss Amy Robinson’s great advice on how to keep our furry friends safe from unexpected toxins in our homes.

I admit, you won’t find any cream-colored ponies or crisp apple strudels in these pages, but you will find gopher tortoises, a fascinating species notable for its abundant hospitality, and molten lava cakes, a Valentine dessert that you really will want to make for someone you love.

You could say we have a doorbell (sorry, no sleigh bells), and the Dudzik family invited all of us in when we rang it. I think you’ll enjoy getting to know them, touring their beautiful home, and sinking a perfect putt on their private putting green. Golf lovers will also enjoy Patrick Merrell’s piece on Florida’s historic golf course trail.

Believe it or not, we do have girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes. OK, I’m stretching the truth a little bit, but in the second story in our series about the next generation returning to Vero Beach, you’ll meet Rennie Gibb, who has come home and now works with her father at John’s Island Real Estate Company.

And while we’re talking about dresses, we’ll also introduce you to the supermodel coming to town for Fashion Meets Art and talk with the delightful women who plan that event each year. We even have a dress without a woman in it; I think you’ll be as astonished as we were when we got to know Karen LaMonte, the artist who created the “Reclining Dress Absence” sculpture in the permanent collection at VBMA.

Although I can’t say we have any bright copper kettles or warm woolen mittens, our Valentine’s Gift Guide is filled with so many other beautiful things that I can’t imagine you’ll miss them. And trust me, you will walk out of our local shops with something much prettier than a brown paper package tied up with strings.

I guess that brings me to wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings. You might just find them in Evelyn Wilde’s piece about the Artists Guild Gallery, but if you don’t, not to worry. Just step outside this evening in our wonderful town. All the rest of the beauty you could want is waiting right there.

Wishing you a lovely February, filled with love and all of your favorite things!

Heather O’Shea editor@verobeachmagazine.com

About Us

Vero Beach Magazine is the first magazine in history to be dedicated exclusively to Vero Beach and remains the only local magazine with verified circulation. A minimum of 10,000 magazines are distributed monthly, to at least 30,000 readers in almost every state, including Alaska and Hawaii.

Vero Beach Magazine’s staff is committed to using print media to make Indian River County a better place for all residents, mindful of environmental and historic preservation, while underscoring the best aspects of life in this charming, oceanfront community.

Winner of numerous awards since its inception, starting with the Florida Magazine Association’s Best New Magazine Award in 1998, Vero Beach Magazine’s greatest impact has been in providing meaningful information to readers about the needs of local nonprofit organizations, which no other local media outlet had done, inspiring philanthropy that now exceeds $400 million a year in Indian River County and prompting nonprofit coverage by many other media companies.

Vero Beach Magazine’s main office is a historic 1914 building at 956 20th Street, on the corner of 10th Avenue and Route 60 eastbound, in downtown Vero Beach. Visitors are welcome by appointment from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, for subscription, article and advertising questions. `

BY EVELYN WILDE MAYERSON

The Work of Art

FOR REASONS HIDDEN DEEP IN THE HUMAN PSYCHE, ART IS A POWERFUL FORCE IN SOCIETY AND IN RELATIONSHIPS

We have been beguiled with art ever since some forgotten hominid took one stone and used it to shape another. The pull to something created by another has been explained by the need for escape, the need for satisfying some preprogrammed recognition of pattern, the opportunity to connect to the artist, even a change to brain chemistry from a stimulated posterior cingulate cortex, can you believe.

I think, in keeping with the principle of Occam’s razor, the simplest answer might be the right one. Like the prehistoric cave

Oil painter Patricia Padoll with some of her work: “It’s all about color and light.”

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARTINA TANNERY

paintings of cows in ceremonial robes in the Laas Geel cave in Somalia, art started out as magic. I think art is still magic.

Whatever its powers, art is responsible for revitalizing Vero Beach’s downtown historic district just as it has restored other municipalities all over the country. The area is

centered where Route 60 intersects 14th Avenue, where hundred–year-old Mediterranean Revival buildings once popular in Florida’s coastal towns remain fixed in time like a faded three-block-long Alhambra.

Built in the 1920s in the style made popular by Palm Beach’s Addison

Mizner, with stuccoed walls, parapets, balustrades, arches, balconies and low-pitched roofs once covered with terra cotta tiles, the structures date back to Vero’s beginnings, when blue laws were in effect, when “beach” had not yet been added to Vero’s name, when accessing the undeveloped barrier island meant crossing a 3,200foot wooden bridge with a center-pivot draw, when the town still belonged to St. Lucie County.

In easy walking distance, today’s historic downtown arts district, a thriving neighborhood of art galleries, restaurants, such as Baci, known for its crabs Benedict, and offices like those belonging to literary newcomer the Laura (Riding) Jackson Foundation, nestle in arcades

and modest storefronts all along 14th Avenue.

Still referred to as Main Street, it holds lots of history, including Pocahontas Park, the Heritage Center and Indian River Citrus Museum, the historic railroad station housing the Indian River County Historical Society, the Vero Beach Community Center, the old courthouse and the Vero Theatre Plaza, which is ironically central to the birth of Indian River County.

The 800-seat theater’s contribution to municipal history occurred in 1925 when an illegal showing of “My China Doll” and “The Lost Battalion” on a Sunday afternoon, in violation of the “blue laws” restricting commercial activities on Sundays, prompted a raid by St. Lucie County

Artists Guild partner Dawn Mill served as the project manager on this 8-by-30-foot mural of life in Vero Beach. She was joined by artists Christine Thomas and Judy Burgarella in painting the six canvas panels. The mural hangs in the Community Center downtown.

The first panel represents downtown Vero Beach.

Interior: Page 2 Design | Contractor: Croom Construction

772-492-9220

sheriff’s deputies, who arrested the ticket taker and manager and turned off the lights.

The incident was followed by an enraged Chamber of Commerce petitioning the state legislature for a new county, a request that was granted later that year.

Before the COVID-19 lockdown, many of us enjoyed First Friday Gallery Strolls, a sampling of art, music and refreshments, something like cruising Bourbon Street without the buzz, an edited boutique experience singular to each gallery — to name a few: Gallery

14, Raw Space, Art Bungalow, Florida Highwaymen

Landscape Art Gallery and the Artists Guild Gallery, located at 1974 14th Ave.

Considered an anchor in the revitalized downtown arts district, the Artists Guild Gallery will celebrate 31 years in March. First opening its doors at 23 Royal Palm Blvd. (now Royal Palm Pointe), what was then the first cooperative was initiated by a group of local artists led by Jo Kelly, Pat Scott, Margaret Kelley and Charlotte Davidson.

Their idea was for contributing partners to run the gallery, assuming tasks like housekeeping,

plastering, hanging exhibitions, carpentry, tiling, storing art, cooling wine in the refrigerator, keeping accounts, advertising and hosting events, and running the cash register — voluntary activities that contribute to lowering overhead costs and allowing savings to be passed on to the art-buying public.

The gallery soon expanded, moving to 2855 Ocean Drive, until backto-back hurricanes in 2004, Frances and Jeanne, devastated Vero Beach.

Power outages lasted for weeks, FEMA was forced to distribute emergency supplies in parking lots, and

ubiquitous roof damage made blue tarp an unofficial flag. Faced with having to gut a gallery in shambles, the guild decided to relocate, this time returning to 44 Royal Palm Pointe, only doors from their original location.

In 2009, prompted by whispers of a revitalization movement in Vero Beach’s historic downtown, the Artists Guild Gallery once more relocated — this time to its present site on 14th Avenue across the street from the Blue Agave restaurant.

Guild member Fran San Miguel, known for her elegant, uncomplicated work,

explains the attraction. “It was not just the location on 14th Avenue,” she says. “It was the space and shape of the gallery itself. Its interesting nooks and crannies, its cubbies that allowed plenty of space for hanging yet provided a cozy, private corner for each artist.”

Former gallery president Rita Zeigler, once a technical publication manager at Sikorsky Aircraft in Connecticut, now painting award-winning seascapes, was also present at the time of the move. According to Zeigler, the relocation to 14th Avenue was made easier by an enthusiastic welcome from Gallery 14,

Fran San Miguel shows her oil painting “Dusk on I-95.”

located a few doors away.

I ask Lila Blakeslee, president of the partnerartists of Gallery 14, about her instrumentality in reaching out over 10 years ago to the Artists Guild. It was clear that, rather than considering the Artists Guild Gallery competition, Gallery 14 saw the addition of well-recognized artists who all occupied leadership roles in Vero Beach’s art events as an opportunity to advance the revitalization of Vero Beach’s historic

Sue Dinenno captures the mood of our coastal community.

downtown district.

“The Artists Guild Gallery has greatly added to the energy of the district,” Blakeslee replies. She speaks of the guild’s receptivity to the idea of “First Friday” and of working together to market gallery strolls in which all the galleries would open their doors at the same time.

Eleven years later, despite an intermission prompted by a pandemic, First Fridays are once more scheduled, although with a few safety measures, and the Artists Guild Gallery,

after almost 31 years, is still in business.

Its members, all active in the Vero Beach Art Club, include Merana Cadorette, Sherry Haaland, Sue Dinenno, Annette Gekle, Barbara Glover, Judy Mercer, Dawn Mill, Patricia Padoll, Judy Rixom, Fran San Miguel and Rita Ziegler. In addition, the gallery features the work of consignees John Aruffo, George Beckman and Johnson Hagood.

While the work of the guild reflects a diversity of styles and media, the art is comfortable and somehow familiar, and I realize that all the artists are keenly sensitive to Vero Beach’s natural environment as well as to its down-home, understated way of life.

There is something steadfast about the Artists Guild Gallery, something as tenacious as our beach, carried out to sea from time to time, returning with the tide to replenish itself with sand and sargassum weed and an occasional plastic flip-flop. Maybe it’s their commitment not only to art but to the town. All members of the Artists Guild have held leadership roles in bringing art to Vero Beach.

Artists Guild’s president, Judy Rixom, whose award-winning paintings

Oil painter Rita Ziegler loves the “simplicity and grace of sailing vessels.”

These elegant glasses were hand-painted by Annette Gekle.

hang in numerous private and corporate collections, has been event chair for Art By the Sea for the last six years. Patricia Padoll, whose career at IBM was interrupted by an equally successful career as an artist known for luminous, tranquil paintings, has been event chair for Arttini and for the fundraiser Paint for the Kidz.

The gallery’s vice president, Dawn Mill, whose work has been shown at the courthouse

Quality Begins With Your Choice Of Contractor

Coastal birds are a favorite subject for partner-artist Judy Rixom.

Cedar Perfection Shingles

and the County Administration Building, is responsible for organizing and donating two murals: one at the Ocean Research & Conservation Association’s Center for Citizen Science off Aviation Boulevard, the other a series of six panels on permanent display in the Florida Room of the Vero Beach Community Center.

Guild members have been instrumental in hand-painting earrings and donating the proceeds to breast cancer research, providing scholarships to Indian River County’s schoolchildren and supporting the food drives for Our Father’s Table.

They have donated raffle proceeds to the Humane Society and, a number of years ago, supported a local food bank with proceeds from “A Feast for the Eyes and Food for the Pantry,” an exhibition featuring the art of former member Judy Burgarella.

Their total commitment to one another showed when they quickly assumed the funeral expenses of a guild member whose assets had been frozen.

Sue Dinenno, known in Vero Beach for her community commitment, including work on two murals — one on the Bethel Creek House on A1A and the second in Riverside Park on the side of the racquetball building — frames the guild’s solidarity in the context of the present: “I live alone with my husband,” she says. “Our son lives across the state in Clearwater. The pandemic has kept us apart. If it wasn’t for my gallery mates, I don’t know what I would have done during this long isolation. They are like a sisterhood. They have kept me alive.”

My gallery guide, Patricia “Trish” Padoll, helpful in tying up the loose ends of this narrative, wraps it up: “We are there for each other,” she says. ❀

Dawn Mill enjoys capturing the natural beauty of the Florida landscape in her paintings.

“Pink Sky” by Dawn Mill, acrylic on canvas, 12 x 16 inches

Vero Valentines

LOCAL SHOPS AND NONPROFITS MAKE IT EASY TO WARM HEARTS AND SHOW YOUR LOVE THIS VALENTINE'S DAY

DUE TO ONGOING ADJUSTMENTS TO THE COVID-19 SITUATION, WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU CALL AHEAD OR CHECK WEBSITES BEFORE FINALIZING YOUR PLANS.

HOORAY FOR CLAY

FEBRUARY 3–8: CARIBBEAN CLASSIC AT VERO BEACH

CLAY SHOOTING SPORTS

Vero Beach Clay Shooting Sports is excited to announce that it has recently expanded its clay shooting course by acquiring additional acreage to the immediate north of the current location. The expansion enables the club to set two unique courses for the main event at this year’s Caribbean Classic. Full registration information can be found on the club’s website.

VERO BEACH CLAY SHOOTING SPORTS

5925 82nd Ave.

Monday, Wednesday–Sunday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. 772-978-0935

verobeachclayshooting.com

LIVING COLOR

FEBRUARY 1: LINDA ARNOLD COLLECTION AT MEGHAN CANDLER GALLERY

Meghan Candler Gallery is pleased to present the latest collection from New York City artist Linda Arnold, beginning Feb. 1. The announcement of Arnold’s new collection is always one of the most anticipated events of the season. Her works are especially popular because she often paints scenes inspired by our beautiful Vero Beach sunsets over the Indian River Lagoon or sunny days on the beach. Arnold’s oeuvre includes both abstract and representative art, and she sometimes combines the two. All of the paintings, as well as a virtual tour of the exhibition, can also be viewed on the gallery’s website.

MEGHAN CANDLER GALLERY

6160 Hwy. A1A

Village Shops

Tuesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

772-234-8811

meghancandlergallery.com

“Ocean Memories,” oil on canvas, 48 x 60 inches

TRUNK SHOWS AT BELLE COSE

FEBRUARY 3–4/5–6: CASSIS

Experience the “relaxed glamour” of Cassis, a USA-made fine jewelry brand that has sought to inspire its wearers, whom it calls “jewelistas,” for more than 30 years. Based in Manhattan, Cassis is known for its bold-colored jewels and the hand-twisted roping technique used in its gold creations. Feb. 3–4: Village Shops; Feb. 5–6: Ocean Drive

FEBRUARY 3–4/5–6: ANA-KATARINA

Belle Cose presents the latest collection from Ana-Katarina, a socially conscious jewelry brand led by Ana-Katarina Vinkler-Petrovic, whose extensive world travel has inspired both her designs and her humanitarianism. She is committed to the use of ethical and sustainable practices in making her collections, and every piece is crafted in the United States. Moreover, a percentage of each sale goes to Baby2Baby, an organization that supports children living in poverty. Feb. 3–4: Ocean Drive; Feb. 5–6: Village Shops

FEBRUARY 8–9/10–11: COOMI

Coomi Bhasin has worked in several creative fields: textile design, architecture and landscape design. But her love for gold and gemstones and their limitless potential led her to establish her jewelry label in 2002. A native of India, she searches the world over to design for the Renaissance woman. Feb. 8–9: Village Shops; Feb. 10–11: Ocean Drive

FEBRUARY 12–13: LAUREN K.

See the latest looks from innovative jewelry brand Lauren K. Designer Lauren Kessler took over her great-grandfather’s Diamond District jewelry business after her grandfather passed away, gradually guiding it in a “bohemian chic” direction. Kessler is drawn to the character of imperfect gemstones. Still made in New York City, her one-of-a-kind pieces feature hand-picked stones and are crafted in 18-karat gold and finished with delicate micro pave. Ocean Drive location only.

FEBRUARY 16–17/18–20: PAUL MORELLI

Visit Belle Cose to experience exquisite jewelry from the Philadelphia design and manufacturing atelier of the Morelli family. The concept for each piece originates in the imagination of Paul Morelli, who handsketches the design. Detailed drawings and renderings are followed by 3D models. The pouring of precious metals, assembly, stone-setting and final polish are all performed meticulously, resulting in unforgettable works of wearable art. Feb. 16–17: Village Shops; Feb. 18–20 Ocean Drive

FEBRUARY 16–17/18–19: THE HENDERSON COLLECTION

Belle Cose presents the newest designs from The Henderson Collection by Lecil, a Charlotte, North Carolina, jewelry company that designs for the versatile lifestyle of the customer. Each piece, such as the Paraiba bracelet from the Firenze Collection seen here, is meant to be both classic and contemporary, luxurious yet suitable for everyday wear. Company founder Lecil Henderson takes a hands-on approach in helping retailers cater to their individual customers. Feb. 16–17: Ocean Drive; Feb. 18–19: Village Shops

BELLE COSE

6240 Hwy. A1A

Village Shops

Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. 772-231-1554

3375 Ocean Drive

Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. 772-231-1558

bellecose.com

Cassis

Ana-Katarina

Lauren K.

The Henderson Collection

LASTING IMPRESSIONS

FEBRUARY 4–MARCH 18: BELVOIR: A BEAUTIFUL VIEW AT FINDLAY GALLERIES

Findlay Galleries is proud to present the exhibition “Belvoir: A Beautiful View” by British contemporary impressionist Charles Neal. Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire, England, is the historic residence of the Duke of Rutland. Now in its fourth incarnation, the castle, whose name means “beautiful view,” sits on a 15,000-acre estate known for its extraordinary gardens. The exhibition includes a collection of Neal’s recent works depicting the castle and its gardens, ponds and statues, as well as reflective views of its regal interior. Experience the exhibition in person or explore Findlay Galleries’ extensive virtual exhibitions and beautifully designed digital catalogs.

FINDLAY GALLERIES

165 Worth Ave., Palm Beach

Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. 561-655-2090 findlaygalleries.com

FEBRUARY SIP & SHOPS AT J. MCLAUGHLIN

J. McLaughlin has planned a series of sip and shop events to benefit worthy local causes. Enjoy sipping while you shop, knowing that 15% of the proceeds from each event will go to support a nonprofit organization in our community.

FEBRUARY 5: CHILDCARE RESOURCES OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY

Childcare Resources works to ensure that economically challenged families have access to resources to support early childhood learning and development. Friday noon–4 p.m.

FEBRUARY 6: ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER

The ELC aims to educate and inspire people to become active and empowered stewards of the environment. Saturday noon–5 p.m.

FEBRUARY 13: INDIAN RIVER HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Indian River Habitat for Humanity partners with local families to help them build a better life for themselves through affordable home ownership. Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

FEBRUARY 20: GRAND HARBOR COMMUNITY OUTREACH

The Grand Harbor Community Outreach program raises funds to address unmet needs in the community in the areas of health, education and human services. Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

J. MCLAUGHLIN

6210 Hwy. A1A Village Shops

Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m. 772-231-4887

jmclaughlin.com

WELCOME HOME!

FEBRUARY 5: VERO BEACH ART CLUB

HOMECOMING CELEBRATION

While maintaining its main office at Vero Beach Museum of Art, the Vero Beach Art Club is delighted to return to Vero’s downtown arts district, where it operated a gallery from 1977 to 1984. The official Grand Opening of the Art Club Annex & Gallery will take place during the Feb. 5 First Friday Gallery Stroll from 5 to 8 p.m. Stop by and explore the new space, which will be used for exhibitions, classes and more. It also houses the Janette Beach Gallery, named in honor of the woman who founded the club in 1936. The Grand Opening is a great opportunity to see a variety of works by Vero Beach Art Club members working in many different genres.

ART CLUB ANNEX & GALLERY

1903 14th Ave.

Tuesday–Saturday 11 a.m.–3 p.m. 772-217-3345

verobeachartclub.org

Detail of “The Inspired Landscape,” oil on canvas, 40 x 60 inches

Fiber Arts Cape by Paulette Visceglia

WHY NOT DIY?

FEBRUARY 9 AND 11: CENTERPIECE WORKSHOPS AT TRIMMINGS

Trimmings Home Garden Gifts wants to help you make this Valentine’s Day special. For $75, you will receive flowers, a container and instruction on creating a beautiful centerpiece for your Valentine table. You can set your own time, but be aware that workshops are limited to four people and reservations are required.

TRIMMINGS HOME GARDEN GIFTS

3201 Cardinal Drive

Monday–Friday 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.–3 p.m. 772-213-8069

trimmingsvb.com

THIS WILL FLOAT YOUR BOAT

NEW KAYAK LAUNCH IN AN AR HOMES COMMUNITY

Custom builder Beachland Homes Corporation announces the completion of a new kayak and canoe launch in the barrier island community of River Club. The ability to launch directly onto the Intracoastal Waterway complements a host of other amenities, including exclusive riverfront guest suites and two clubhouses with pools. You are invited to visit the model home and explore the community.

BEACHLAND HOMES

1438 River Club Drive

Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday noon–5 p.m. 772-492-4018 arhomes.com

TRUNK SHOWS AT VERANDA

FEBRUARY 11–12: SHY CREATION

The Shy Creation Trunk Show at Veranda will feature the fun, young and luxurious looks of designer Shy Dayan and the L.A. company he runs with his siblings, David and Kathy. Shy Creation blends tradition and high-quality craftsmanship with fashion-forward looks that celebrate the modern woman. Create your own trend and “show your Shy” by mixing, matching, stacking and layering this exquisitely handcrafted fine diamond jewelry.

FEBRUARY 25–26: CLARA WILLIAMS

Veranda presents the eminently mix-and-matchable jewelry of Clara Williams. The designer’s signature magnetic clasp and shepherd’s hook allow necklaces and earrings to be effortlessly transformed for unparalleled versatility. Williams’ designs also feature one-of-a-kind stones, jewels, mixed metals and unusual finds from her travels, allowing each wearer to stand out in a crowd with her own distinctive look.

VERANDA

3325 Ocean Drive

Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

772-234-3404

Shy Creation

Clara Williams

NOW THAT ’ S CLASSY

LED CAPSTONE LEADS LIGHTING CLASS

LED Capstone recently collaborated with John Howard from Agency 51 and Hammerton Studio to lead a course on using glass as a design element in lighting. The course, presented to students in the Interior Design program at Indian River State College and design professionals who Zoomed in, aimed to enrich students’ understanding of glass to enable them to make better material and design choices when developing lighting plans for clients.

LED CAPSTONE

4005 U.S. Hwy. 1

Monday–Thursday 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m., Saturday and after hours by appointment 772-205-2529 ledcapstone.com

WINE AND PINE

NEW CONSOLE AND DECANTER AT FANTASTIC FINDS

Already laid out for Valentine’s Day, this new four-door pine console with a distressed ivory finish measures approximately 73 inches long by 17 inches wide and stands at a height of just over 39 inches. Add the Waterford Crystal Clarendon Ruby decanter with matching wine hocks and the table is set for romance.

FANTASTIC FINDS

4300 U.S. Hwy. 1

Tuesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 772-794-7574

fantastic-finds.com

PERFECT TIMING

FRANCES VALENTINE AT SASSY

Elyce Arons launched the Frances Valentine brand with Kate and Andy Spade in February 2016 to create a joyful, modern American lifestyle brand. This February, the team at Sassy is excited to brighten your life with these delightful original pieces. Happy Valentine’s day, indeed!

SASSY BOUTIQUE

Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. 3365 Ocean Drive 772-234-3998

sassyboutique.com

John Howard, IRSC professor Ann Roccon and Florence Howe of LED Capstone

WOOD I EVER!

WOVEN WOOD FABRICS

AT BUDGET BLINDS

Budget Blinds has updated its selection of woven wood fabrics. These versatile window treatments, made from ecofriendly materials, are now available in colors ranging from cool blues to tropical neutrals, and even some that sparkle. The showroom is open and in-home consultations are available.

BUDGET BLINDS

1125 U.S. Hwy. 1

Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–4 p.m., weekends by appointment 772-202-7324

budgetblinds.com

MAKING CHANGE

ROUNDUP APP AT MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION

The Mental Health Association in Indian River County has introduced an innovative way to support its life-saving work. The RoundUp App (roundupapp.com) allows you to round up purchases on your choice of credit cards to the next whole dollar amount, with the extra change going to MHA. You’ll hardly notice the difference, but you’ll be making an impact on MHA’s work of providing mental health screenings and services. The RoundUp App is an especially important tool now, since MHA has made the difficult decision to cancel its annual MHA Rocks! fundraiser, which was scheduled for Feb. 20. The Caribbean Chillers were booked for tropical party music and the “cheeseburgers in paradise” were practically on the grill for the Surf’s Up event, but the persistence of COVID-19 was deemed too much of a risk. MHA looks forward to its next MHA Rocks! event, whenever that may be.

MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION

IN INDIAN RIVER COUNTY

820 37th Place

772-569-9788

mhairc.org

CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET?

SECRET RF AT HARYANI DERMATOLOGY

Haryani Dermatology is proud to begin offering the Secret RF treatment, a process designed to improve the appearance of aging skin, fine lines, wrinkles and scars with minimal downtime. The procedure involves using microneedles to deliver fractional radio frequency energy and can be used for all skin types.

HARYANI DERMATOLOGY AND AESTHETICS

8745 U.S. Hwy. 1, Sebastian

Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

772-217-5362

haryaniderm.com

A ROOM OF YOUR OWN

CUSTOM CRAFT ROOMS FROM INSPIRED CLOSETS

Few things are more rewarding than creating something beautiful with your own hands. Inspired Closets is responding to the increasing popularity of at-home crafting by offering custom craft rooms. The talented team can design the storage areas and spacious work surfaces you need to make completing your projects a breeze.

INSPIRED CLOSETS

3950 U.S. Hwy. 1

Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Saturday by appointment

772-492-9226

inspiredclosetstc.com

CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT

BYERS DENTAL RELOCATION COMPLETE

The Byers Dental Group, a father-and-son practice serving patients since 1974, has moved to a new location at the corner of 6th Avenue and 17th Street, about a mile south of the old office. The phone number and friendly service haven’t changed at all.

BYERS DENTAL GROUP

605 17th St., Suite 2

Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Friday 8 a.m.–1 p.m.

772-562-9029

byersdentalgroup.com

KNOT AT ALL ORDINARY

STARK STUDIO RUGS AT FLORIDA FLOOR FASHIONS

Florida Floor Fashions has added Stark Studio Rugs to its lineup of fine flooring options. The hand-knotted line was launched in 2018 by Stark Carpets, a well-known name in the luxury carpet business since its founding in 1938. The colorful area rugs with striking designs are available in standard sizes for quick delivery or can be customized to suit your needs.

FLORIDA FLOOR FASHIONS

9339 U.S. Hwy. 1

Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. 772-589-4994

floridafloorfashions.com

X-RAY VISION

BARBARA KRUPP EXHIBIT IN ZURICH

Local artist Barbara Krupp is pleased to announce that two of her paintings will be hung at the Artbox Gallery in Zurich, Switzerland, through April. Krupp, who once trained as an X-ray technician, brings a unique understanding of space and form to her vibrant abstract paintings.

BARBARA KRUPP FINE ART AND STUDIO 4315 U.S. Hwy. 1 440-574-4662 barbarakrupp.com

DUE TIME

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR VITA PROGRAM

The United Way of Indian River County is still seeking volunteers to provide free tax help to families with low to moderate incomes. Without this help, many people don’t realize they are eligible to receive valuable tax credits. While all volunteers are welcome and will receive training from the IRS, retirees with backgrounds in finance and people who are bilingual in English and Spanish are especially needed. Volunteers can complete an application online or contact Eve Ballance (ext. 120) for more information.

UNITED WAY OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY

1836 14th Ave.

772-567-8900

unitedwayirc.org

FAUX AND FABULOUS

NEW SIDE TABLE AT DECORATIVE ARTS

Clean lines, the rich texture of faux ostrich, and an elegant moss coloring elevate this side table. Slender molding frames each edge, and the addition of a shelf completes the crisp look. The 24-by-24-inch square stands 25 inches high.

DECORATIVE ARTS

1923 Old Dixie Hwy.

Monday–Saturday 11 a.m.–5 p.m. 772-563-0040

decoartsinc.com

“For Yesterday Press One,” acrylic on canvas, 36 x 36 inches

REST ASSURED

NEW LINES AT MATTRESS MARKET

Mattress Market is now carrying two new lines from Biscayne Bedding. The family-owned company, based in Miami, has been in business for more than 70 years. The “double-sided” mattress is upholstered on both sides, so it can be easily flipped and rotated to extend its life. The Cooltex hybrid model combines pocketed coils and gel memory foam with Cooltex fabric covers to keep you comfortable while sleeping. You are invited to visit either showroom to see for yourself.

MATTRESS MARKET

1602 U.S. Hwy. 1

Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Sunday noon–5 p.m. 772-562-6007

mymattressmarket.com

6310 20th St.

Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Sunday noon–5 p.m. 772-217-2877

mymattressmarket.com

GOLD STANDARD

ITALIAN GOLD AT 6TH AVENUE JEWELERS

6th Avenue Jewelers is now carrying handcrafted 18-karat Italian gold pieces. Bangle bracelets, one of the oldest forms of jewelry, are considered by some to be symbols of good luck and prosperity.

6TH AVENUE JEWELERS

2040 Treasure Coast Plaza

Monday–Friday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday by appointment only 772-217-8985

6thavenuejewelers.com

TODAY’S PAPER

NEW ART FROM DEREK GORES AT GALLERY 14

Internationally renowned collage artist Derek Gores presents the latest works he has created using recycled fashion magazines, maps, cocktail menus and other paper materials, and Gallery 14 is the place to see them. Gores’ collages are full of surprises as one views them from afar and then approaches more closely. Many of his new artworks are inspired by the seaside life.

GALLERY 14

1911 14th Ave.

Tuesday–Friday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. 772-562-5525

gallery14verobeach.com

“Beachside Blues,” collage, 36 x 48 inches

LUCKY DOG

NAVY SEAL MUSEUM DONATES SERVICE K-9

In partnership with Baden K-9, and with a generous gift from the nonprofit Swim With a Mission, the Navy SEAL Museum has donated another service dog to a retired member of the Special Operations Forces community — the latest of several such donations by the museum’s K-9 Project. Able, a 14-month-old German shepherd, will provide comfort and companionship to his veteran and help with a variety of routine activities. Able will continue to hone his skills with further training at the museum.

NATIONAL NAVY UDT-SEAL MUSEUM

3300 N. Hwy. A1A, Fort Pierce

Tuesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Sunday noon–4 p.m.

772-595-5845 navysealmuseum.org

DID SOMEONE SAY ‘SPARKLE’?

FEBRUARY SALE AT OCEAN DRIVE JEWELERS

Add a little sparkle to your life this month with a 40% off sale at Ocean Drive Jewelers. The friendly staff will help you select a piece that is just right for you or that special someone. Ocean Drive’s in-house goldsmith, Taso, draws on more than 50 years of experience to design and create custom jewelry for each customer.

OCEAN DRIVE JEWELERS

3225 Ocean Drive

Tuesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

772-234-1225

BAHAMAS BOUND

COASTAL DOMESTIC STAFFING EXPANDS

Vero Beach-based Coastal Domestic Staffing is expanding its presence in the Bahamas and has hired a new employee in the Nassau office to serve as the director of staff placement. Teryl Lightbourne will oversee the operation, which will provide high-quality permanent, seasonal and freelance professionals to private residences in the Bahamas.

COASTAL DOMESTIC STAFFING

772-999-5757

coastaldomesticstaffing.com

Grant Mann, Phil Ryan, K-9 Able, Ken Corona and the SEAL veteran

COURTESY OF NAVY SEAL MUSEUM

ACCUSTOMED TO CUSTOM

CUSTOM CABINETRY AT HAZEL HOUSE

February’s focus is on custom cabinetry, and lead designer Jessica Mahoney is ready to help you transform your home with customized storage solutions. High-quality products from Crestwood Cabinetry, which has been family owned and operated in the USA since 1969, are available in an array of styles and finishes to complement any style.

HAZEL HOUSE

1882 Old Dixie Hwy.

Monday–Saturday 11 a.m.–5 p.m. 772-213-3024

hazelhousevero.com

SHARING A MEAL

TC FOOD BANK RECEIVES DONATION

The arrival of COVID-19 has put tremendous pressure on area food banks. In response to the increased need, Vitas Healthcare presented a check for $45,000 to the Treasure Coast Food Bank in December, doubling its contribution for the year. Treasure Coast Food Bank collaborates with more than 300 partner organizations, provides assistance to nearly 100,000 people each week, and distributes more than 41 million meals annually.

TREASURE COAST FOOD BANK

401 Angle Road, Fort Pierce 772-489-3034

stophunger.org

BOWLED OVER

BURITI COLLECTION AT M. MAISON

New this month, M. Maison is pleased to introduce the Buriti collection from Brazilian designer Sergio Matos. These bold handcrafted vases and bowls are woven by Indigenous people in riverside communities along the Amazon. Made primarily from the fibers of native piassaba palms using braiding techniques that have been passed down for generations, the pieces play an important role in the local economy while fusing culture and design.

M. MAISON

3403 Ocean Drive

Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. 772-231-4300

mmaisonvero.com

FRESH ATTITUDE.

MOVING EXPERIENCES:

Wishing to simplify their lifestyle, this couple purchased a home in Marsh Island for its great views and easy access to the intracoastal waterway, but it was much smaller than their previous home.

DESIGN CHALLENGE #4: Downsizing is a challenge for anyone. Pre-planning is critical. That perfectly good chair may not interpret the same in a new setting. Downsizing is a deductive process — determining what you can live without. It requires self-editing. It is neither easy nor comfortable for most of us. We attach sentiment to inanimate objects based on our life experiences. This wise couple sought professional help to eliminate the stress and avoid costly mistakes.

LKD’S FRESH SOLUTION: Small spaces create their own challenges, even for professionals. While respecting individual preferences, we guided the process with creativity, frankness, and thoughtfulness. Getting us involved early was key to a successful outcome. An artfully executed move will include both old and new items with the goal that every piece appears to be purchased solely for the new home and not just an assembly of favorite “misfits” from the past. It is a challenge but one we enjoy!

LISA K. DEFRANCES, ASID

LOOK WHO'S COOKING!

CHEF LAWRENCE AT ELIZABETH D. KENNEDY & CO.

Elizabeth Kennedy is excited to announce that Chef Chris Lawrence, formerly of John’s Island, has joined the team at Elizabeth Kennedy & Co. Long a Vero Beach favorite, Chef Lawrence will be providing new, creative, delicious entrees on Mondays and Thursdays as part of the EDK Home Bistro offerings. You are encouraged to swing by to see what’s new!

ELIZABETH D. KENNEDY & CO.

486 21st St.

Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

772-563-0646

elizabethkennedycatering.com

MERRY POPPINGS

CORKCICLE AT MARKET

The team at Market is happy to announce that they are now carrying fun and durable products from Corkcicle. These canteens, tumblers, stainless steel champagne flutes, stemless wineglasses and more are great for the beach or pool. Stop in or browse the website and pick up a bottle of wine or bubbles to complete your purchase.

MARKET

1865 14th Ave.

Tuesday–Saturday 10 a.m.– 5 p.m.

772-226-5893

marketverobeach.com

PART OF THE SOLUTION

WHOLE FAMILY HEALTH CENTER CLINICAL TRIALS

The Pierone Research Institute, the research arm of Whole Family Health Center, is participating in the national effort to research, treat and prevent COVID-19. Opportunities are available locally for people to participate in clinical trials. The ACTIV-2 trial seeks to enroll people within seven days of a positive diagnosis. Interested individuals can call or find more information on the study website.

THE PIERONE RESEARCH INSTITUTE: A WHOLE FAMILY HEALTH CENTER INITIATIVE 981 37th Place 877-345-8813 activ-2.org

Welcome

Alex MacWilliam Real Estate is pleased to add Matthew O’Connor to its team. O’Connor considers his move to Vero Beach from Connecticut nearly 20 years ago to be one of the best decisions of his life. He and his wife, Annie, arrived here without knowing a soul and became deeply involved in the community as they raised their three sons. O’Connor, a graduate of Villanova University, enjoyed a successful career in sales before venturing into the real estate world. He lives in The Moorings and is a member of Quail Valley and a parishioner at Holy Cross Catholic Church.

Alex MacWilliam Real Estate also welcomes Florida native Cheri Futch to its team. Born and raised in Inverness, in Citrus County on the west coast of the state, Futch first worked at a title company before pursuing a career in physical therapy. Some years later, she moved into a related field, attending the Florida School of Massage and opening a day spa in Beverly Hills, also in Citrus County. For 30 years, she lived in Ocala and raised a family. Real estate and homes have always been of particular interest to her. Futch arrived in Vero Beach in 2018. She enjoys the beachside lifestyle and supports numerous charitable organizations.

Shirley Reul has joined the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County as director of marketing and special events. She brings an extensive background in marketing, development and public relations from her prior work with Orchid Island Golf & Beach Club and Indian River Habitat for Humanity. Having grown up in Palm Beach County and obtained a B.S. degree in business management from Palm Beach Atlantic University, Reul moved with her husband to Indian River County in 2005 because they love everything our area has to offer. In her free time, Reul enjoys running and spending time outdoors.

Congratulations

The Visiting Nurse Association congratulates Abaco Binkley on receiving her Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner certification, one of only 1,000 people nationwide to do so. Binkley, who has been an advanced registered nurse practitioner for 16 years, is part of VNA’s advance care planning team, which helps patients understand all of their options and express their health care goals. “We are welcomed into homes and trusted to help guide patients no matter where they are in their unique journey,” Binkley says. “It’s a specialty that’s a labor of love.”

Jessica Linus Watford has been named the new dealer operator of Linus Cadillac Buick GMC , extending the family’s business legacy to the third generation. A graduate of Auburn University (and a proud War Eagle!), Watson has been working with her father, Jim Linus, and grandfather James Linus Sr. since 2016. A 2019 graduate of the National Automotive Dealers Association Academy, she joined the executive management team in 2019. She looks forward to providing excellent service and championing the dealership’s brands.

Indian River State College congratulates criminal justice professor Leigh Clay, who holds a Ph.D. from Nova Southeastern University, for being honored with the Blackboard Exemplary Course Program Award. The award recognizes faculty and course designers from schools, colleges and universities around the world who develop engaging and innovative courses that represent the very best in technology and learning. Clay received the distinction for excellence in four areas of her Victimology course: course design, interaction and collaboration, assessment of student work, and learner support. Clay serves as the learning coordinator for IRSC Global, which was established in 2013 as an online branch of IRSC.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County are proud to recognize an impressive accomplishment by one of their own. Eighteen-year-old Ashanti Bryant , who has been going to BGCIRC’s Vero Beach Club since the age of 10, has attained her goal of becoming a certified nursing assistant through the Health Occupations Students of America program. Bryant has her sights set on becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner. She loves the clinical aspect of nursing as well as helping people in a hands-on way. After obtaining her CNA certification, she entered BGCIRC’s Youth of the Year competition, which she won — another step toward her goal of being a voice to encourage students around the world to let their light shine. ❀

Do Your Heart Good

YOU’LL LOVE THESE FEBRUARY FESTIVITIES

DUE TO ONGOING ADJUSTMENTS TO THE COVID-19 SITUATION, WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU CALL AHEAD OR CHECK WEBSITES BEFORE FINALIZING YOUR PLANS.

PURE ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE

FEBRUARY 6

The Sunrise Theatre presents “The Pure Zeppelin Experience,” a Florida-based tribute band that reproduces a Led Zeppelin concert. It is an explosive show, augmented by a full laser light production. Many safety measures will be in place, including a seating capacity of 50%.

SUNRISE THEATRE

117 S. 2nd St., Fort Pierce 7:30 p.m., $43 and up 772-461-4775 sunrisetheatre.com

SPENCE GUERIN

FEBRUARY 5–27

The Center for Spiritual Care welcomes Melbourne painter and printmaker Spence Guerin with an exhibition of his newest works, featuring mostly landscapes and still lifes, as well as portrait drawings. His art has received wide acclaim, including a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and an award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. “Spence will show several extraordinary character studies of friends and neighbors from the many out-of-the-way places he has lived over the years,” says the center’s director, Carol Ludwig. “He is a master at drawing.”

CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL CARE

1550 24th St. 772-567-1233

centerforspiritualcare.org

“Merritt Island Mango,” oil on hardboard, 8 x 10 inches

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JOHN B. RAVENAL

FEBRUARY 15

Vero Beach Museum of Art’s International Lecture Series welcomes John B. Ravenal, vice president of arts and culture and artistic director of the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, Massachusetts. The talk, “Outdoor Art in a Changing Landscape,” will address outdoor sculpture as creating a sense of place. Ravenal will discuss the history and impact of public art, and the different experiences created by the changing natural conditions of outdoor art, as opposed to indoor museum exhibits. Participants may attend an on-site simulcast or view a livestream broadcast from home.

VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART

3001 Riverside Park Drive

4:30 p.m.; simulcast/livestream series $220–$265, single lecture $80–$95

772-231-0707 vbmuseum.org

VIRTUAL WRITERS WORKSHOP

FEBRUARY 20

The Laura (Riding) Jackson Foundation presents English and journalism professor Bill Maxwell with a workshop titled “How to Write for Newspapers and Magazines.” He will share proven rules and practical techniques for producing interesting writing. Maxwell has written for many magazines and newspapers, including the St. Petersburg Times and the Tampa Bay Times. The workshop will be held virtually via Zoom.

LAURA (RIDING) JACKSON FOUNDATION

10–11:30 a.m., $35

772-569-6718

lauraridingjackson.org

CRAFT BREW & WINGFEST

FEBRUARY 20

Sunrise Rotary Vero Beach looks forward to opening the 10th anniversary Craft Brew and Wingfest, which was postponed due to COVID-19. More than 250 craft beers will be available, and 20+ wing vendors will vie for the right to claim the Best Wings in Vero Beach. Four bands are scheduled to perform on two stages at this open-air, family-friendly event. Proceeds help fund Sunrise Rotary’s charitable projects.

SUNRISE ROTARY VERO BEACH at Royal Palm Pointe

11:30 a.m.–4 p.m., free to attend 772-494-6306

floridacraftbrewandwingfest.com

Raymond A. Della Porta, DMD

Raymond A. Della Porta II, DMD Dr. Scott Elliott, DMD

ABBA MANIA

FEBRUARY 20

ABBA Mania, the premier tribute to the ’70s Swedish pop phenomenon, is scheduled to appear at the historic Sunrise Theatre. Be reminded of Anni-Frid, Benny, Bjorn and Agnetha with such hits as “Dancing Queen,” “Mamma Mia,” “Fernando” and “Take a Chance on Me.” The theater is implementing numerous safety measures, including 50% seating capacity.

SUNRISE THEATRE

117 S. 2nd St., Fort Pierce 8 p.m., $42 and up 772-461-4775 sunrisetheatre.com

FASHION MEETS ART

FEBRUARY 24

It’s time for Fashion Meets Art at VBMA! Former supermodel Kim Alexis, who strolled the runways of the world for top designers and appeared on more than 500 magazine covers, will be the guest speaker. Since her long modeling career, Alexis has hosted a variety of television shows on topics such as travel and wellness, and she served for several years as fashion editor for “Good Morning America.” She is a New York native who now lives in Colorado. Considered a lifestyle expert for women over 40, she will discuss many facets of life as a modern woman. The presentation and cocktails will be followed by a Q&A session.

VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART

3001 Riverside Park Drive 4 p.m., $150 772-231-0707, ext. 106 vbmuseum.org

COMPOSER’S NOTEBOOK

FEBRUARY 26–27

Ballet Vero Beach presents the second iteration of its “Composer’s Notebook” series, this time featuring the music of Antonio Vivaldi. The pieces selected for the program take a deeper look at Vivaldi’s intricate orchestrations and demonstrate that his compositions are a perfect match for BVB’s signature musicality. The program features three works choreographed by Artistic Director and CEO Adam Schnell: “Anything You Can Do,” “Il Ritiro” and “Two Trumpets.” The fourth element is the main-stage debut of Matthew Lovegood’s “Caprice,” an audience favorite across the country for over 15 years.

BALLET VERO BEACH

at VBHS Performing Arts Center

1707 16th St.

Friday 7:30 p.m., Saturday 2 and 7:30 p.m.;

$10–$75

772-905-2651

balletverobeach.org

SAWYER BROWN

FEBRUARY 27

The historic Sunrise Theatre presents country band Sawyer Brown, which has reached the Hot Country Songs charts more than 50 times with such hits as “Step That Step,” “The Race Is On,” “Thank God for You” and “Some Girls Do.” The group was formed in Apopka, Florida, in 1981 and is still going strong, having recorded 18 studio albums. Sunrise Theatre is implementing numerous precautions to allow audiences to enjoy shows safely.

SUNRISE THEATRE

117 S. 2nd St., Fort Pierce 8 p.m., $52.50 and up 772-461-4775 sunrisetheatre.com

TANIA ORTEGA-COWAN

SAINT EDWARD’S TRUNK SHOW

FEBRUARY 27–28

Saint Edward’s School invites all shoppers to its annual Trunk Show, where they’ll find carefully curated wares from more than 60 vendors from around the country. Unique home items as well as clothing and accessories for men, women and children will be plentiful, so grab a friend and enjoy a day of shopping. All proceeds support programs for the entire Saint Edward’s School community. Please contact trunkshow@steds.org for more information on this event.

SAINT EDWARD’S SCHOOL

1895 Saint Edward’s Drive

772-231-5192 steds.org

DORIS KEARNS GOODWIN

MARCH 1

Vero Beach Museum of Art’s International Lecture Series welcomes renowned historian and author Doris Kearns Goodwin with “No Ordinary Time: Three Leaders Who Shaped the American Century: Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, and Eleanor Roosevelt.” Goodwin will explore a momentous century in U.S. history — a century that saw the Industrial Revolution, the rise of the robber barons, the Progressive Era, the Great Depression and two world wars.

VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART

3001 Riverside Park Drive

ACCESSIBLE COMPOSER’S NOTEBOOK

FEBRUARY 28

Ballet Vero Beach is proud of its new Accessible Series, which seeks to open the ballet experience to differently abled fans of the arts in our community. These hour-long performances feature modified audio-visual effects and an auditorium setup that meets various special audience needs. This performance is the accessible version of the Feb. 26–27 “Composer’s Notebook” program featuring the work of Vivaldi. BVB wants all patrons to feel comfortable participating in its programming!

BALLET VERO BEACH

at VBHS Performing Arts Center 1707 16th St.

2 p.m., $10 772-905-2651

balletverobeach.org

4:30 p.m.; simulcast/livestream $80–$95 772-231-0707

vbmuseum.org

DAISY BURNS

TANIA ORTEGA-COWAN

ANNIE LEIBOVITZ

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TRIBUTE TO THE CARS

MARCH 4

Touch & Go is a five-piece band that performs a tribute concert spanning the catalog of The Cars, a Boston new wave band that had numerous hits in the 1970s and ’80s. Enjoy “Just What I Needed,” “Good Times Roll,” “You Might Think,” “Drive” and more, rendered with precision by lead singer Gene Minix and Touch & Go. Limited seating capacity and other safety measures will be in place.

MUSICWORKS

at The Emerson Center

1590 27th Ave.

7 p.m., $30–$85

1-800-595-4849

musicworksconcerts.com

A SHOT IN THE DARK

MARCH 10–21

The Vero Beach Theatre Guild presents “A Shot in the Dark,” described as a “laugh-filled who-done-it,” written by Marcel Achard and directed by Jon Putzke. In Paris, a young maid is accused of murdering a chauffeur, and, judging by the nature of the crime scene, there is little doubt of her guilt. But she convinces the examining magistrate of her innocence. Multiple twists and turns occur before the audience discovers the truth.

VERO BEACH THEATRE GUILD

2020 San Juan Ave.

Tuesday–Friday 7:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 2 p.m.; $15–$30

772-562-8300

verobeachtheatreguild.com

ART IN BLOOM

MARCH 10

This year’s Art in Bloom event will be held in four seatings over a two-day period, and special guest Shane Connolly will stream his presentation from London. Connolly, a native of Northern Ireland, has channeled his lifelong interest in horticulture into a prestigious career as a floral designer. He numbers London’s Victoria and Albert Museum and the Royal Academy of Arts among his clients. In 2005, Connolly was selected by the future Duchess of Cornwall to design her bouquet and all of the flower arrangements for her wedding to Prince Charles. In 2011, he served as artistic director for the wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton. Connolly’s style has been described as “organic,” “elegant,” “quirky” and “unpretentious.”

VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART

3001 Riverside Park Drive

See website for schedule, $225

772-231-0707, ext. 111 vbmuseum.org

BISKEY IMAGES

THE MUSIC OF STEELY DAN

MARCH 11

MusicWorks presents “Do It Again,” a tribute to the band Steely Dan. The rock group, led by Donald Fagen, attained success in the 1970s and early ’80s with popular songs such as “Do It Again,” “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” and “Reelin’ In the Years.” Audiences can expect an authentically produced concert experience featuring hits from Steely Dan’s extensive catalog.

MUSICWORKS at The Emerson Center 1590 27th Ave.

7 p.m., $30–$85

1-800-595-4849

musicworksconcerts.com

UNDER THE OAKS

MARCH 12–14

It’s time for the 70th annual Under the Oaks Fine Arts & Crafts Show, one of the premier events of its kind in the country, presented by the Vero Beach Art Club. Under the Oaks is a juried show that draws more than 200 artists from around the United States and beyond. It also serves as the art club’s major annual fundraiser. Guests have the opportunity to browse an enormous selection of arts and crafts, meet the artists and artisans, and enjoy a variety of food and beverage options.

VERO BEACH ART CLUB

at Riverside Park

3280 Riverside Park Drive

Friday–Saturday 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. 772-231-0303

verobeachartclub.org ❀

BY EMILY TREMML

Writing in Between

As a bibliophile who works to find and share compelling authors and books, I am pleased to share my own “just-discovered” writer, whom many of you may already know. Victoria Schwab, 33, is an American author of more than 20 novels for both adults (under the name V.E. Schwab) and young adults.

Her books have been translated into more than 20 languages, and several are in production to be either movies or television shows.

“The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” is being made by Gerard Butler’s production company, and both “Shades of Magic” and “City of Ghosts” are being produced by Searchlight Pictures.

Schwab says she was not a reader until her mother’s friend gave her a signed copy of J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” when she was 11. Schwab has masterful storytelling skills that defy genres such as fantasy fiction, but in my best guesstimate, her stories remind me of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien and J.K. Rowling. She even has loyal followers who call themselves the Schwablins.

I also recommend watching Schwab interview fellow writers on her YouTube channel, No Write Way. She says she writes about the “lines between things,” such as the line between life and death or love and hate. With the publication of “The Invisible Life of Addie

LaRue,” not only is she at the top of The New York Times Best Seller list, but also many other bestseller and “best of” lists.

“The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” is a beautifully written cautionary tale spanning 300 years beginning in the 1714 French countryside, in the fictional village of Villon. Adeline LaRue grows up as the creative, independent and smart only child of a wood carver and his wife. She goes to church with her parents to pray to God and lives a good life.

Adeline is also mentored from a young age by the village’s wise woman, Estelle Magritte, who teaches her about the power of nature and the old gods, but warns

her time and again that, “The old gods may be great, but they are neither kind nor merciful. They are fickle, unsteady as moonlight on water, or shadows in a storm. If you insist on calling them, take heed: Be careful what you wish for, be willing to pay the price. And no matter how desperate or dire, never pray to the gods that answer after dark.”

Adeline decides she will live a life of independence and belong to no one but herself. She reaches the age of 23 happily living her life alone, drawing and sketching the things she loves and studying nature, but she is never lonely.

When a man in the village becomes a widower with three small children,

AUTHOR V.E. SCHWAB DEFIES GENRES, AND HER CHARACTER ADDIE LARUE TREADS A LINE BETWEEN TWO WORLDS

The Short List

THE BEAUTY IN BREAKING

BY MICHELE HARPER

In this heartbreaking yet inspiring memoir, Harper, an emergency physician, relates her experiences as an African American woman in a largely white-male-dominated specialty, and the value of breaking apart personally and professionally to evolve into the person she is meant to be. Growing up within the “Black elite” community of Washington, D.C., she survives an abusive father. She later loses her marriage due to a professional decision. Her career choice originates in the childhood experience of accompanying her brother to the emergency room after an episode of abuse.

CALL YOUR DAUGHTER HOME

BY DEB SPERA

Set in South Carolina in 1924, this novel is about a first-generation freed slave who cares for the children of a white mother employed by a wealthy matriarch. Gertrude, Retta and Annie, with distinct characteristics and voices, look at life through different lenses. Understanding evolves among the women, societal barriers break down, and they become one another’s support system. It is a difficult period, as the South is still struggling economically, the nation is recovering from World War I, and South Carolina is reeling from a boll weevil infestation.

AMERICA’S FIRST DAUGHTER

BY STEPHANIE DRAY AND LAURA KAMOIE

Martha “Patsy” Jefferson Randolph, the eldest child of Thomas Jefferson and Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson, is the subject of this historical novel. After her mother’s death, Patsy acts as first lady. When Jefferson dies in bankruptcy, she becomes guardian of his legacy, preserving/destroying papers and protecting Monticello, which goes up for auction. Patsy makes sure it is purchased by family loyalists who preserve it for the American people. The authors’ research and fictional flair show Revolutionary America through Patsy’s eyes, from Monticello to Paris to the White House.

the villagers and her parents decide she must marry him to fill a need for the village. Estelle tells her this is “the risk of being a woman, of giving yourself to a place instead of a person.” Adeline doesn’t want to marry and likens the word husband to a “millstone, all weight and no warmth.”

Adeline dresses in her wedding gown for the evening ceremony, readying

herself to marry someone she does not love and destined to live out her days in servitude and misery. She prays to God to rescue her from her fate. Receiving no answer or reprieve, Adeline runs into the forest to pray to the gods of the forest and ends up praying after the sun goes down.

She makes a Faustian deal with a god of the night, even as she remembers

Estelle telling her to “never pray to the gods that answer after dark.” The being who comes to her in the forest looks like the person Adeline has drawn for years, with dark curls and green eyes. He says his name is Luc, but she knows he is not as he appears. She tells him, “I do not want to belong to anyone but myself. I want a chance to live. I want to be free.” The dark man asks

for her soul in return for her freedom, for time without limit, rule or tether. She promises him he can have her soul when she doesn’t want to live any longer. They seal the deal with a kiss and she falls asleep.

When Adeline wakes up in the forest the next morning, she realizes she has missed her wedding and goes back home prepared to be chastised. However, upon her arrival, not only does no one recognize her, the minute they walk away and come back they don’t remember her from the minute before. Her life has been erased, her parents have never had children, Estelle doesn’t recognize her, and when people ask her name, she can no longer say “Adeline LaRue.” The best that will come from her lips is “Addie.”

She can no longer draw or sketch. Every mark she makes on paper, sand or wood erases itself. She can hurt herself, but the pain goes away and she is healed. She eats but doesn’t need to. Sleep is important, but not necessary. She can no longer form lasting relationships, and the only thing that stays with her is a wooden ring her father made for her when she was young — and this is all in the first 50 pages of a 450-page book.

Luc gives her exactly what she requested: She never ages and truly belongs to no one but herself. Her world travels and life

experiences over 300 years are miraculous, but she has no one to share them with, and the reality of the situation is harsh. Addie travels to Paris and learns how to survive when she can keep no money or housing and people do not remember her.

On each anniversary of her deal for freedom from both real life and death, the dark man named Luc (aka Lucifer?) usually visits to see if Addie is ready to end her existence and give him her soul. She always says no because she finds a way not

only to survive but also to impact the world of the arts. Note the illustrations of art at the beginning of each section of the book. Much like the movie “Groundhog Day,” Addie creates relationships in her own way.

Every day she meets up with people she likes, and every day she creates a brand new relationship.

In March 2014, Addie is living in New York City when she returns to a bookstore and the young owner, Henry Strauss, remembers her name. This is when the story

takes a turn. Why does he remember her name?

The book alternates between Addie’s experiences in the years leading up to 2014 and her life in the present with Henry. After 300 years of being free, she suddenly belongs to someone and she is happy. Henry keeps a watch by his bed that says on the back “Live Well,” and Addie thinks it is a reminder to live a beautiful life every day.

Henry is a man whom everyone is drawn to and who is loved by everyone

he meets. It turns out Luc has a couple of tricks up his sleeve, even as Addie thinks she has finally gotten the upper hand in the deal of freedom and unlimited time. In keeping with Schwab’s statement that her writing is about the lines between things, Addie is a being who is neither alive nor a ghost; she is an in-between thing.

“The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” is a tale about a woman no one remembers, and it’s a book I can’t seem to forget. ❀

BY KATE PARKER SPENCER

A Lot To Digest

INTERMITTENT FASTING IS A WELLNESS TREND THAT MAY HELP SHED WEIGHT AND BALANCE METABOLISM

Intermittent fasting is currently one of the most popular wellness trends around. All over the world, people are using it to lose weight, improve their health and simplify their lifestyles. Studies have shown that it can have powerful effects on your body and brain, and may even help you live longer. You may be wondering, what exactly is intermittent fasting? Is it just the latest fad diet craze or a lifestyle change worth trying?

Let’s back up a bit first. For millennia, humans feasted and fasted in regular cycles, by necessity. The hunting and gathering lifestyle certainly didn’t result in perfectly portioned

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meals, stored in refrigerators and eaten at regular fivehour intervals.

Today, however, we tend to eat in a continuum — a stark contrast from our ancestral norm of having periods of food-free, metabolic “downtime.” This may be one cause of the weight gain and metabolic disruption that have become common in our modern world. Our bodies were designed to optimize the food we consume to perform necessary functions; but they do not necessarily require the amount of food we tend to consume these days, nor the steady stream of food supply to which we have access. When it comes to human evolution, we are a species that has gone from starving to stuffing ourselves relatively quickly.

So, what’s the remedy? Introducing deliberate periods of extended fasting that mimic evolutionary norms can get your body back to metabolic regulation when it’s gotten out of balance. It’s a tool you can try if you’re struggling to lose weight or if you’re just looking to keep your blood sugar and insulin levels in a healthy range.

Fasting can also be used as a proactive way to maintain good health, as it initiates cellular repair processes such as autophagy, a process that removes waste material from cells and helps reduce inflammation, thus slowing down aging and optimizing mitochondrial function. For these reasons, fasting is believed to offer a degree of protection against many modern diseases. Let’s take a closer look.

Intermittent fasting, also known as intermittent energy restriction, is an umbrella term used for various

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meal-timing schedules that cycle between voluntary fasting and nonfasting over a given period. There are several methods of intermittent fasting, including alternate-day fasting, periodic 24-hour fasting, and daily timerestricted feeding.

For the purposes of this article, we’re focusing on the most common type of intermittent fasting: daily time-restricted feeding — an eating pattern that cycles between specific periods of fasting (usually

14–16 hours) and eating. It doesn’t specify which foods you should eat but rather when you should eat them.

Intermittent fasting essentially follows a protocol of periodically waiting about 16 hours between your last meal of one day and your first meal of the next. Another way to think about it is this: You consume all of your meals for the day within an eight-hour window of time. Giving your body that 16-hour window during which you’re not eating

lets it enter a prolonged “fasting state” and signals your metabolism to burn fat stored on the body.

It also allows your body to experience a longer-than-normal period of low insulin in the blood. This tells your body to burn energy and keep insulin low, which is a powerful reset when your body is accustomed to a constant supply of food and the resulting elevated insulin levels.

Weight loss tends to be the most common reason people turn to intermittent fasting. It’s not exactly

rocket science: By making you eat fewer meals, intermittent fasting can lead to a reduction in overall calorie intake. Additionally, it can change certain hormone levels and boost metabolism to facilitate weight loss.

By helping you eat fewer calories and burn more, intermittent fasting causes weight loss by changing both sides of the calorie equation. A 2014 review study found that this eating pattern can cause 3% to 8% weight loss over three to 24 weeks. Compared to most weight

loss studies, that’s a significant amount. According to the same study, people also lost 4% to 7% of their waist circumference, indicating a significant loss of the harmful belly fat that builds up around the organs and causes disease.

Another study showed that intermittent fasting causes less muscle loss than the more standard method of continuous calorie restriction, which is great news for those looking to lose weight but maintain healthy muscle mass. All research aside, keep in mind that the

main reason for its success is that intermittent fasting helps you eat fewer calories overall. If you binge and eat massive amounts during the nonfasting periods, you are unlikely to lose any weight at all.

While intermittent fasting is utilized by many people as a weight loss strategy, it’s not a promise of sudden and dramatic results. It’s more about reeducating the hormones to return to more regulated functioning, and thus becomes part of a

longer-term weightmanagement plan.

Even for those who are currently at a healthy weight, fasting has many health benefits. If you do it consistently, it can help blood glucose, blood pressure and liver function markers to normalize. Some studies show reductions in markers of inflammation, a key driver of many chronic diseases.

Many people use fasting weekly or even daily as a preventative tool against modern diseases such

as heart disease, stroke, cancer, fatty liver and Alzheimer’s disease. For some, it’s about improving your relationship with food by providing a tool to balance out occasional indulgences and giving new clarity about what hunger actually feels like.

For others, it may just come down to simplifying a healthy lifestyle. One of the major benefits of intermittent fasting is that it makes healthy eating simpler. With fewer daily meals to prepare, cook and

clean up after, you’re more likely to stick to a healthy, well-rounded diet.

If the science behind intermittent fasting has you intrigued, and you’re curious enough to give it a try, simply schedule your meals so there is a 16-hour window between your last meal of day one and your first meal of day two.

For example, if you finish dinner by 7 p.m., your next meal would be around 11 a.m. the next day. Don’t worry — we’re not suggesting you skip

your morning coffee! Most fasting methods allow you to consume coffee or tea during the fasting period, though it’s best to leave out the cream and sugar. And, as always, you should consume plenty of water throughout the day, including during the fasting period. Staying well hydrated can actually help ward off hunger while you’re fasting.

If you’ve never eaten this way, take heart: It’s not as hard as it sounds. You’re already accustomed

DR. JASON FUNG, A NEPHROLOGIST AND AUTHOR OF “THE OBESITY CODE” AND “THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO FASTING,” OFFERS TIPS FOR THOSE LOOKING TO GIVE INTERMITTENT FASTING A TRY. HERE ARE JUST A FEW:

If you’ve never fasted before, the first few times may be difficult. Give yourself the chance to get used to feeling hunger. At first you may experience side effects such as cramps or headaches, but these will subside as your body adjusts to fasting.

Stay busy to keep your mind off food. Fasting during a time when you have something to keep you occupied — a project at work, errands to run — is often easier than sitting around the house watching television.

You will get hungry, especially at the time you’d normally be eating a meal that you’re skipping. It will pass. Hunger does not build continuously but passes like a wave. Ignore it, and your hunger will fade.

to a certain period of fasting each night during sleep; if you get about eight hours of sleep, then half of the 16-hour fasting stretch will be a breeze. With intermittent fasting, you’re simply increasing the length of your nightly fasting period.

The timing of breaking the fast with your first meal of the day (hence the term “breakfast”) just gets pushed a bit later. You’re also giving your body time to digest your last meal of the day before retiring, which will likely improve the quality of your sleep.

So, you’re essentially skipping breakfast, then eating a healthy lunch and dinner during an eighthour window of time. If you’re someone who loves traditional breakfast foods, you can still enjoy them — just have them at lunch or dinner.

Sticking to a diet low in carbohydrates and high in healthy fats and protein before fasting often makes it easier. Do all of your normal activities, including exercise. Your body will get all the energy it needs from your own body fat.

How often should you fast? Individual experience will vary; it’s best to start with one or two days per week for basic preventative measures. If you find that intermittent fasting works well for your body and your lifestyle, it may eventually become a daily practice, one you’re able to maintain effortlessly over time.

If experimenting with intermittent fasting feels too extreme, turn your focus toward the golden rule of good digestion: Always leave at least 12 hours between dinner

and breakfast to let your body direct energy toward healing and detoxifying overnight.

If you don’t get hungry immediately upon waking, experiment with waiting a bit longer before having your first meal of the day. You may be surprised at how quickly you get to a 14- or 16-hour fasting period. Paying attention to your hunger cues, energy levels and overall mood is a powerful way of tapping into your own well-being

and noticing what works best for your body.

It is important to note that intermittent fasting is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, children under 18, or people who are malnourished or underweight. Always consult your physician before embarking on any fasting program, especially if you are taking medication.

At the end of the day, there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to

wellness and nutrition. Intermittent fasting works tremendously well for some people, not so much for others. The only way to find out which group you belong to is to try it out.

If you feel good when fasting, your body responds well, and you find it to be a sustainable way of eating, it can indeed be a very powerful tool to manage your weight, improve your overall health and perhaps even prolong your lifespan.

WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY PATRICK MERRELL

One of a Kind

FROM THE COLLECTION OF GAVIN RUOTOLO IN VERO BEACH: A CONVERTED 1937 CORD 812

As 1932 drew to a close, Gordon Buehrig was worried. Duesenberg Inc., where he worked as the chief body designer, was struggling. “There would be months going by without selling a car,” Buehrig said. “So I thought for my survival I’d better get with a stronger company.” That turned out to be General Motors, where Buehrig had gotten his start in automotive design five years earlier.

Soon after arriving, Buehrig was tapped to be one of the lead designers in an internal design competition. Five teams were formed to create a forwardthinking car, with the first-place prize being an all-expenses-paid trip to the Chicago World’s Fair.

“I came up with the idea of a hermetically sealed engine compartment ... and having the radiators located between the hood and the fenders,” Buehrig said. “It was a very streamlined, very unusual looking car.”

Although the other designers picked his creation as the best-looking one of the bunch, the real judges — the various G.M. heads and the Fisher brothers from Fisher Body — weren’t impressed. Bueh-

rig’s entry came in dead last. Luckily, that wasn’t the end of the road for his creation. When Harold Ames, Duesenberg’s president, saw the design, he asked Buehrig to come back and turn it into a lower-priced Duesenberg. Buehrig jumped at the chance, and the result was the 1936-37 Cord 810/812, widely considered to be one of the most beautiful cars ever made.

In 1951, the Museum of Modern Art staged “8 Automobiles,” the world’s first exhibition to deal with the aesthetics of automobile design. The 1937 Cord 812 was one of the eight “rolling sculptures” to be selected and displayed on a marble and white-pebble roadway that ran through the museum’s first-floor galleries and out into its garden.

The Cord’s most distinctive feature was its “coffin nose,” with a louvered wraparound grille. But the car had a lot more to offer than just good looks when it debuted as the 810 in 1936.

The 810 and its immediate predecessor, the Cord L-29, were among the first front-wheel-drive production cars in the world — and the very first in the U.S., where another 30 years would elapse before another appeared.

This converted Cord 812 features a shorter rear deck than the original design and no doors. The driver and passenger enter by climbing in.

Since the engine was mounted behind the transmission, with no drive shaft or transmission tunnel, the low-sitting car, with its “step-down” passenger compartment floor, required no running boards.

There were a number of aircraft influences to the Cord’s design, from the look of its instrument panel to a pair of modified aircraft landing lights used for its headlamps. Additionally, the car’s engine, a 289-cubic-inch, 125-horsepower V-8, was built by Lycoming, an aircraft engine manufacturer owned by Cord’s parent company,

The “Electric Hand” gearshift, within reach of the steering wheel, allowed for fingertip shifting.

Is this Cord winking? It’s able to because the retractable headlights are independently operated by turning hand cranks on either side of the dash. The Cord, by the way, was named for Errett Lobban Cord, a car salesman, then dealer, who took over the Auburn Automobile Company in 1925.

the Auburn Automobile Company. In place of a traditional gearshift, a Bendix “Electric Hand” extended from the steering column. The driver would toggle to the desired gear, then stab the clutch to shift. The door hinges and headlights were concealed, with the latter being raised or lowered via hand cranks on the dashboard. The large chrome ring that operated the horn was another American-car first.

The Cord was rebranded in 1937 as the 812, but there were really no changes to the car, save one new wrinkle: A centrifugal supercharger was added as an option, distinguished by a pair of flexible, chrome-plated exhaust pipes

emanating from each side of the hood. It increased the car’s horsepower to 170 or more, enabling it to clock a speed of 107.66 mph in the flying mile at the Bonneville Salt Flats, just a bit slower than the fastest production car in the world, the Duesenberg Model J.

Unfortunately, fewer than 3,000 of the cars were sold during the 810/812’s two-year run, the last gasp for the ailing Auburn Motor Company. With no more tricks up its sleeve, the automaker called it quits, filing for bankruptcy in December 1937.

If you know Cords, you might have been scratching your head when you first looked at the car on these pages.

It’s one of a kind, likely converted in the early days of the postwar custom car craze. The car was discovered in the early ’60s, its origin lost to time, and restored in the ’70s, including its historically correct Cigarette Creme paint job.

The vehicle began life as a four-door 812 sedan, but its hardtop was lopped off and the rear deck and wheelbase shortened. There are also solid walls on either side of the passenger compartment in lieu of doors. Although equipped with exhaust pipes extending out of the engine compartment, it’s a normally aspirated Lycoming engine under the hood, yielding the original 125 horsepower. `

The hood hinged at the rear, like an alligator’s mouth, a departure from the traditional side-opening style of the day.

Hubcaps covered the entire wheel, which was something new. Originally, each was a solid piece, but holes were added to help cool the brakes.

BY KATE PARKER SPENCER PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALANA HARRIS

Table for Two

THESE THREE SIMPLE YET SUMPTUOUS COURSES WILL TURN UP THE VOLUME OF YOUR VALENTINE DINNER

There’s nothing better than a cozy, intimate dinner at home – especially when it’s thoughtfully prepared by someone you love. In honor of Valentine’s Day, we’re helping you create a three-course meal impressive enough to rival your favorite romantic restaurant, all from the comfort of your own kitchen. Light some candles, put on some music and pour a glass of your finest bubbly, because these recipes will have you falling in love at first bite.

The key to cooking a “fancy” romantic dinner at home? Don’t make it so difficult on yourself that you’ll wish you’d gone out to eat. There are plenty of delicious, visually interesting dishes you can make without a whole lot of fuss. These three recipes have one very helpful thing in common: Most of the preparation can be done in advance, so by the time dinner rolls around you’ll actually be able to enjoy both the meal and your loved one’s company.

The first course is a simple, beautifully plated Roasted Beet Salad. If you’ve never roasted your own beets, trust us — it’s worth the effort. The flavor and texture are far superior to

those of the prepackaged cooked beets found at the grocery store. The best beet salads are simple and require only a few ingredients. Pairing beets with creamy goat cheese is a must, as the flavors complement each other perfectly.

For the main dish we have a Baked Shrimp Scampi Au Gratin. How can you improve on the classic buttery, garlicky shrimp scampi? By giving it a crispy baked breadcrumb topping. This shrimp can be served alone or on top of any cooked pasta simply tossed in olive oil.

Last, but certainly not least, we’re serving up something sweet and indulgent; after all, it wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without chocolate.

What’s better than chocolate cake? Chocolate cake with a warm, gooey center. Molten Lava Cakes make the perfect romantic dessert and are easy enough for even the novice baker. This recipe makes enough for four small individual cakes. They’re so delicious you might end up eating all of them, but they can also be saved overnight in the refrigerator and reheated the next day. Chocolate cake for breakfast, anyone?

Roasted Beet Salad

SERVINGS: 2

The beets can be roasted, peeled and sliced up to three days ahead of time and refrigerated in an airtight container. Just before serving, simply dress the arugula and plate the salads.

3 medium red or yellow beets, scrubbed clean

3 cups arugula

4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled

1/4 cup shelled pistachios

For the dressing:

1/4 cup olive oil

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon honey

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 425 F.

Wrap each beet in aluminum foil and place on a baking sheet. Roast about 45 minutes to an hour, until tender. Insert a sharp knife through the foil to test for doneness; it should cut through the beet with no resistance. Let the beets sit until cool enough to handle, then peel and slice into 1/4-inch-thick circles. Set aside.

To make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, honey and mustard until fully combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add arugula to the bowl with the dressing and toss to coat.

Divide the sliced roasted beets between two salad plates, arranging them in a single layer around the edge of each plate, leaving a small space in the center. Place a handful of the dressed arugula at the center of each plate inside the circle of beets. Top with crumbled goat cheese and pistachios and season with more salt and pepper to taste.

Baked Shrimp Scampi Au Gratin

SERVINGS: 2

Look for shrimp labeled “extra large” or “jumbo” (12–15 shrimp per pound) with the tails on. Shallow, individual au gratin dishes work best here; they can be found at most cookware stores. You can prepare the shrimp and the topping ahead of time, keep covered in the refrigerator until dinnertime, and bake just before serving.

16 jumbo shrimp in the shell

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon dry white wine

Salt and pepper to taste

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 small shallot, minced

2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley leaves, minced

Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 egg yolk

1/3 cup panko (Japanese bread crumbs)

2 lemon wedges, for serving

Preheat oven to 425 F.

Peel, devein and butterfly the shrimp, leaving the tails on. To do this, first peel the shell off the shrimp without removing the tail. Insert a knife about threequarters of the way into the back side of the shrimp near the head, and cut nearly all the way down the center of the back to the tail. Remove the vein with the tip of your knife. Using your hands, open the flesh of the shrimp until it lies almost flat, like an open book.

Place the shrimp in a small bowl and toss gently with the olive oil, wine and a pinch of salt and pepper. Allow to sit at room temperature to marinate while you make the scampi topping.

In another small bowl, mash the softened butter with the garlic, shallot, parsley, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, lemon juice, egg yolk, panko and a pinch of salt and pepper until well combined.

Divide the shrimp between two individual au gratin baking dishes, arranging in a single layer, cut-side down, with the tails curling up and toward the center of the dish. Pour the remaining marinade over the shrimp. Spread the butter mixture evenly over the top of the shrimp. Bake for 10 minutes until hot and bubbly. To brown the top, place under a broiler for 1 additional minute. Serve warm with lemon wedges.

Molten Lava Cakes

SERVINGS: 4

The batter can be prepared ahead of time, poured into ramekins and refrigerated until you’re ready to bake them, just before serving.

Baking spray, for ramekins

1 stick unsalted butter

2 ounces bittersweet chocolate

2 ounces semisweet chocolate

1 1/4 cups powdered sugar

2 whole eggs

3 egg yolks

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

Vanilla ice cream and raspberries, for serving

Preheat oven to 425 F.

Spray four small ramekins with baking spray and place on a baking sheet.

Microwave the butter, bittersweet chocolate and semisweet chocolate in a large bowl on high until the butter is just melted, about 1 minute. Whisk until the chocolate melts completely and becomes smooth.

Stir in the powdered sugar until well blended. Add in the eggs, egg yolks and vanilla and whisk until well incorporated. Stir in the flour. Divide the mixture among the ramekins. Bake until the sides are firm and the centers are soft, about 13 minutes. Insert a toothpick into the center of one cake to test for doneness. Let stand 1 minute. Invert on individual plates while warm, letting each cake slide out of the ramekin upside down. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream and raspberries. `

Bob Gibb, who has owned John's Island Real Estate for over 20 years, welcomed his daughter, Rennie, as part of the team in 2019.

Finding Home

VERO BEACH NATIVE RENNIE GIBB COMES FULL CIRCLE AND NOW HELPS OTHERS SETTLE IN

BY ANN TAYLOR

Charles Dickens wrote, “Every traveler has a home of his own, and he learns to appreciate it the more from his wandering.” For as long as she can remember, Rennie Gibb knew one day she would return to Vero Beach and the John’s Island community where she grew up. She just didn’t know the when, why or circumstances. Her high school friends couldn’t wait to seek their futures and fortunes far afield, but not Rennie. She treasured everything about her hometown.

“I’ve always been in love with Vero Beach. Out of my Saint Edward’s graduating class, I was one of the only ones who said I’d come back,” enthuses Rennie, who, true to her word, did just that after receiving undergraduate and graduate degrees in advertising from Southern Methodist University; studying abroad in Ahmedabad, India, both as an undergraduate and graduate student; and working for leading advertising agencies in Dallas, Texas, and Richmond, Virginia.

“As a result of being away and experiencing other communities and cultures, I realized the value of living here more than ever before. I doubly appreciate what we have here,” says Rennie, who was just 3 years old in 1989 when her parents, Bob and Wheatie Gibb, made a permanent move to John’s Island. Ten years later, her father, an investment banker who became a successful real estate broker, purchased the John’s Island Real Estate Company from Lollie Eccelstone, daughter of developer E. Llwyd Eccelstone.

From the beginning, it seemed that everyone in the private barrierisland community knew and looked out for the little tow-headed girl who skipped off every morning to Maitland Farm Preschool and then on to Saint Edward’s. “I grew up with 50 sets of parents who helped raise and care for me,” Rennie smiles, reflecting on the past as well as her dreams for the future.

“I loved my first grade teacher so much that I really thought I wanted to be like her when I grew up. When I

got a little older I would go and read to her class early in the morning, and I soon realized how much patience being a teacher took. My thinking quickly changed.”

When it came time to decide where she wanted to go to college, Rennie looked into a number of schools before zeroing in on Southern Methodist University in Dallas. It was the perfect fit.

“I thought the campus was absolutely beautiful. It’s about 10 minutes away from downtown businesses, culture and entertainment, and it was

the right size with just over 10,000 students. Also, with one teacher to every six students, SMU was very similar to what I had experienced at Saint Ed’s,” says Rennie, recalling initial thumbs-up impressions.

She also found the perfect fit when she became a member of Delta Delta Delta, aka Tri Delta. “I knew I wanted to go through rush and join a sorority. My mother had been a Tri Delt, and I really liked the members I met and those that were in my pledge class,” says Rennie, who eventually assumed the role of vice president of chapter development.

“It was my responsibility to educate members about the expectations of Tri Delt membership and the importance of preserving the integrity of the sorority’s long-held rituals,” she explains. “While doing that at a young age, I learned how to manage a team of people I really cared about, and it helped me develop leadership, time management and communication skills.”

Rennie continued to hone those skills throughout her undergraduate studies and even more so during graduate school when she signed up for SMU’s six-week intensive advertising management and public relations study abroad program at the Mudra Institute of Communications in Ahmedabad, India. It was an educational eye opener.

“First of all, it really broke the mold of study abroad programs, as most students usually go to places in France or Italy like Paris or Rome. Not too many choose to go to faraway places like India. It was a great experience, and I learned so much while I was there. Some of the world’s largest brands flourish in India, and it was interesting to see how mass advertising can be created to appeal and properly communicate to the

Rennie Gibb, shown here in her Saint Edward's kindergarten picture, is very much at home in John's Island, where she grew up as part of the close-knit community.

various viewpoints and values of India’s extremely diverse population,” Rennie points out.

“I’m very glad I went there, as I was able to experience such a dichotomy of cultures, religions and languages all within one country. The people there are extremely respectful. No matter the level of wealth or poverty, they are the kindest people in the world, and I have a huge respect for them.”

While in graduate school, Rennie secured an internship with TM Advertising, a female-owned, awardwinning creative brand agency in Dallas, where she thrived in a stimulating, fast-paced environment. So much so that during her final semester at SMU, she was offered a full-time position and didn’t hesitate to say yes,

with a capital “Y.”

She’s glad she did.

“During the time I was at TM, I was continually challenged and given opportunities to grow. The love and support of my coworkers was incredible. They gave me the confidence to know not only how to push myself, but also how to communicate with my colleagues and develop professional relationships with our clients.

“While I was at TM I led the national and international advertising efforts for Universal Orlando. Other accounts I handled were Pacific Gas and Electric, the American Heart Association and March of Dimes.

Starting there as a graduate school intern, I quickly gained a reputation for being accountable and strategic, which helped me get five promotions

in the nearly seven years I was there,” says Rennie, understandably proud of her many accomplishments.

Even though she enjoyed her work and the life she had created in the bustling Texas city, Rennie sensed her advertising background was becoming a little too traditional. She had just turned 30 and felt a nudge to seek a new challenge, a change of place and creative pace. That change came in the form of a job offer from Art & Letters Creative, a start-up independent advertising firm in Richmond, Virginia.

“I kept asking myself what was next after TM, and Arts & Letters appealed because it had Google as a major client. I decided to apply for a position and within 24 hours received a response along with an eventual offer. I absolutely dove in headfirst.

Lily Moore Landry, Alyson Ryall Rosenbaum, Marlow White, Whitney Greene Smith, Rennie Gibb, Jessica Richey Stewart and Carly Carvel McAuliffe make up the Saint Edward's homecoming court in the fall of 2004.

“My role on the Google account was to develop their national and international advertising campaigns and expansion for Chromebook. That was a huge responsibility that gave me the opportunity to individually develop and lead a program as well as a team through uncharted waters. I was never happier or more proud of the work I was doing.”

Then out of the blue two years later came another nudge that had her thinking about Vero Beach and the possibility of returning permanently. “Fortunately, the right opportunity came about and it just seemed like a good time,” says Rennie, who joined her father’s real estate team as a sales associate a little over a year ago.

“I had never worked in real estate before, but as a result of the level of experiences I’ve had working with a variety of people in other communities, other cultures, I thoroughly recognize the value of living here, and I think that translates to the clients I come in contact with.

“One of the best parts of my job is that every day I get to meet and interact with so many fascinating people who are looking to buy. They come here from all over. Some of them had been here as children visiting their grandparents and they remember the wonderful times they had here. They appreciate what John’s Island was like then and what it is today,” she says with a knowing smile.

“It’s interesting — many of my friends from school who said they’d never come back have, and they’re doing so many wonderful things out in the community, volunteering and contributing their expertise and experience. Some are involved in the Three Corners visioning process, helping plan what the future of Vero Beach will look like.

“I've always been in love with Vero Beach.”

– RENNIE GIBB

“This place is special. Over the years, no matter where I was or what I was doing, I would always get so excited about coming home. I’m so thankful for all of the wonderful opportunities Vero has given me and I want to give back,” says Rennie, who chaired Vero’s 2020 Signature Chef’s Dinner and Auction, an annual fundraising event benefiting the March of Dimes. She is also involved with Saint Edward’s and SMU’s alumni giving efforts, and serves on the board of the Vero Beach Dog Park, where she’s known as mom to Peach, her year-old golden retriever and tail-wagging shadow in and out of the office.

“I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the support I was shown from my parents, the John’s Island community, Saint Edward’s, the people at Community Church and Vero Beach as a whole. This is a wonderful place and I never really thought about living anywhere else. This is home.” `

MARTINA TANNERY

During her time away for educational and work experiences, Rennie Gibb always knew she would return to Vero Beach when the time was right.

Former supermodel Kim Alexis will discuss beauty, fashion and her career in front of the lens and on the runway.

Fashion Meets Art

SUPERMODEL KIM ALEXIS TALKS REIMAGINING, REINVENTING AND REMODELING FOR THE NEXT STAGE OF LIFE

BY ANN TAYLOR

Happy news!

For the fourth year in a row, Karen Loeffler and Melinda Cooper are co-chairing Fashion Meets Art at the Vero Beach Museum of Art. This time around, the two event planners extraordinaire are rolling out the red carpet for supermodel Kim Alexis, who, since being discovered at age 17, has strolled the runways at fashion shows in New York and Milan for top designers. She has also appeared on over 500 magazine covers worldwide, including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan and Glamour. She was the face of Revlon’s Ultima II brand and fashion editor for “Good Morning America.”

Over the years, Alexis, now a youthful and energetic 60, has enthusiastically embraced the opportunities change has brought her way, and she understands the importance of reimagining, reinventing and remodeling one’s life for what’s next.

And after a year when “what’s next” took the shape of a big fat question mark, when cancellations, postponements and rescheduling became the norm, the good news is that Fashion Meets Art 2021 is a go, and Loeffler and Cooper couldn’t be more excited.

“We’re in for a real treat!” Loeffler exclaims. “Kim will talk about her rise to supermodel status, her favorite designers, and what it was like working with famous fashion photographers like Richard Avedon and creating magazine covers that were considered real ‘works of art’ in their day.

She will also talk about beauty as it relates to every woman individually, how fashion has changed over the years, and how to create your own look without being locked into the designer’s vision.”

That’s a huge helping of “happy” that everyone needs, especially now.

The idea of creating a fundraising event that brings together fashion and art began with a conversation Loeffler, a former marketing and public relations fashion director from Long Island, had with Robyn Orzel, the museum’s director of development.

“Robyn had been planning something fashion related, something that would set us apart, and she knew about my background, so I reached out to high-profile people I had worked with whom I knew who could deliver a successful event,” says Loeffler, who scrolled through her mental Rolodex and contacted Simon Doonan, better known as “the world’s most famous window dresser.” He loved the idea.

Witty, personable and engaging, Doonan wowed the first-year attendees who had gathered in VBMA’s Leonhardt Auditorium. Word quickly spread that Fashion Meets Art was a you-have-to-be-there event, and it was decided to move it to the Holmes Great Hall.

American potter, designer and author Jonathan Adler headlined the second year, with Hal Rubenstein, designer and one of the founding editors of InStyle taking the stage last year. Both had audiences on their feet applauding.

When it came time to select a guest speaker for 2021, Loeffler and Cooper, owner of Cooper & Co. women’s designer clothing on Ocean Drive, were of one mind.

“Since the beginning, Melinda and I had been talking about bringing a woman, a supermodel who could talk about how life was during their career and how they reimagined themselves after that,” says Loeffler.

“I bounced some of our ideas off Hal (Rubenstein), who said it’s one thing to bring in a person who has a great career, but we needed to have someone who’s also smart, personable and an engaging speaker. We did our research, and that led us to Kim, who was as excited about being part of the event as we were. She quickly embraced the idea of coming to Vero Beach to do the presentation in person. We were thrilled.”

A big part of the reason Alexis was so willing is that she knew that during the seven long months the museum was closed, staff had scrubbed every surface, reconfigured spaces and made sure safety procedures and protocols were firmly in place. During that time, an abundance of virtual art experiences were offered, and when the museum opened its doors in October, offering a scaled-back schedule, hoorays could be heard throughout the community.

As Orzel points out, “This year, in terms of the events we’re doing, like our annual gala in January, Art in Bloom in

March and February’s Fashion Meets Art, the safety of our patrons is paramount. We’ll be taking temperatures at the door, requiring masks and adhering to social distancing.

“Karen, Melinda, the museum staff and I are over the moon about having Kim Alexis come here. The museum will be closed to the public during the event, so we will have all of the spaces available. We can accommodate 150 people safely in the Holmes Great Hall; in past years we’ve had over 300 attendees, and we’re coming up with different seating arrangements.

“Because we’ve upgraded our technology, we can simulcast the event in the Laura and Bill Buck Atrium as well as our auditorium,” Orzel continues. “There’s also a virtual component, so you can view it on your computer or smart TV. There are a lot of opportunities to be a part of the event.”

As in the past, proceeds from Fashion Meets Art will benefit a variety of educational programs serving seniors with cognitive and physical challenges; teens and young adults on the autism spectrum; Museum Explorations, a touring program for county students; and programs for young families, including the Art Zone, Museum Studios and Museum Stories.

When you ask Loeffler why she gives her all to make sure Fashion Meets Art is a success, she smiles and says,

MARTINA TANNERY

Karen Loeffler and Melinda Cooper are in their fourth year co-chairing Fashion Meets Art. Their first three efforts knocked it out of the park, and this year’s event promises to do the same.

“My way of supporting the good things that the Vero Beach Museum of Art does for this community is to devote my time and energies to raising funds through special events. Melinda and I and our talented committee members make a great team.”

With Alexis headlining the Feb. 24 event, Loeffler and Cooper have chosen the perfect speaker who is sure to entertain, engage and inspire everyone who attends, whether in person or virtually.

The former supermodel, television personality and eternal optimist can’t wait to be here. “While this wonderful event is celebrating the impact of the evolution of art, beauty and fashion in our lives, I’d like to think we can look at our evolution as women, wives and mothers in the same way.

“As a woman who has been blessed to work through decades of change in the fashion and beauty industry, I’ve also lived a rich and full life that has changed through the decades, and I’m looking forward to sharing my thoughts with everyone,” says Alexis, a former competitive swimmer, marathon runner and triathlete, and a mother who has raised five children.

Another side to Alexis few people know about is that after her successful modeling career and during her television and speaking engagements, she started to write.

Having received many questions from young girls

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Robyn Orzel, VBMA’s director of development, first had the idea for the museum to host a fashion-related fundraiser.

MARTINA TANNERY

FASHION MEETS ART

Feb. 24, 2021

4 p.m. presentation by Kim Alexis followed by a Q&A period

Virtual viewing also available

Cost: $150

For tickets visit vbmuseum.org

For the safety of museum patrons, all on-site attendance and participation will follow safety guidelines as outlined by the CDC

thinking about becoming models, Alexis penned an e-book giving an inside look at being discovered in the modeling world. She has also written two fictional mysteries based on her knowledge of the modeling world: “Beauty to Die For” and “With a Little Luck,” both whodunit page turners.

Alexis also co-wrote a book on not compromising in today’s culture, with insights into her modeling days used as examples, called “A Model for a Better Future.” Talk about reimagining — and isn’t that what we’re all in the process of doing?

“Kim is so right for this time, so perfect for this audience. I think we all need something positive to look forward to,” Loeffler enthuses. “Face masks will be required, and we’re hoping people will make a fashion statement with them, bring some fun into the picture. The goal is to create an exciting and inspiring experience in a comfortable and safe environment.” `

Finding the Right Fit

FOR PATTY AND JOHN DUDZIK, A VILLA REDESIGN LEADS TO THE PERFECT FAMILY RETREAT

BY ANN TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHY BY OWEN MCGOLDRICK

The open living room features plenty of seating options for visits from the Dudzik’s three sons. Patty and John chose furniture that not only looked good but was comfortable. Their goal was “a little bit of tradition with a little bit of edginess.”

Patty and John Dudzik never planned to spend more than two or three months a year in their John’s Island villa. After an extensive renovation, it was move-in ready by the end of December 2019, and the couple from Connecticut was looking forward to escaping winter’s snow and sleet, then heading back north in time to see azaleas and dogwoods burst into full bloom.

At least that was the plan.

Then came the coronavirus and with it orders to shelter in place. No traveling via plane, train or automobile, which translated to a Florida spring, then summer and eventually a fall back home in New England.

For two people who tend to look on the bright side, the positives of staying in place have far outweighed the negatives. “We’ve been here most of the year, and with John not planning to return to the office until June, this is where we’ll be,” says Patty, a cheerful lilt to her voice as she reflects on the way things have turned out and the house-hunting journey that led them to Vero Beach, John’s Island and a villa built in the ’80s.

“We actually spent about five years visiting places like Jupiter, North Palm Beach, Delray; we even went over to the west coast and spent time in Naples and Boca Grande. We were interested in finding a place that was welcoming, one that felt like a selfsustaining community, and one where we would feel at home,” Patty says.

While each place the couple visited offered plenty of positives, there was still that special something missing, so they decided to keep looking.

“Two years ago we rented a villa here in John’s Island, one that was very similar to where we are now. Our real estate agent had been showing us properties in J.I., but after spending two weeks in the villa, John and I

agreed that it matched exactly what we were looking for.”

With that decided, the couple asked their real estate agent to notify them if one of the villas came on the market. Since there are only 14, they knew the chances of one becoming available were probably slim to none.

That’s why they were surprised when their real estate agent called

three months after they had returned to Greenwich with the news that a villa had just become available. It was just down the road from the one they had rented, so they knew exactly where it was. The location was perfect, and so was the large lot that offered an opportunity to expand and enhance the footprint and surrounding features.

The master suite was enlarged to create a sitting area that looks out over the pool.

Two guest suites on the north side of the home provide welcoming spaces for visitors.

However, the dated ’80s design didn’t adapt to their lifestyle and desires. The floor plan was broken up and rooms were dark. A perfect example was a fireplace wall that separated the living room from the entry hall, blocking any possible view of the outside world.

Another example was the fact that the laundry room was located in the garage and accessible via a covered walkway. These and other issues needed to be addressed in what would lead to an extensive renovation that factored in their needs as well as those of their family, along with the delight Patty and John find in having an

indoor/outdoor lifestyle.

“While some people may only want a turn-key project, we were not afraid of starting from scratch. Having had renovation experience and a clear vision of our goals, we jumped in with enthusiasm. At the end of the day we wanted a high-quality interior and exterior. We were also interested in exploring a bit, and the property just lent itself to doing that,” says Patty.

“After buying the property the day it was listed, we knew we needed to build our ‘team.’ We spoke to several contractors and builders and had a positive feeling about working with Croom Construction Company. We also

spent time getting educated by interviewing three of the premier architects in town.”

Those interviews led them to select architect Harry Howle, who, with associate James Stein, got to work creating design options that, as Howle notes, “take a plan from a past market that is somewhat chopped up and chambered, a plan reflecting a different lifestyle, and removing walls to open things up. By the time we were finished, we just about gutted everything.

“The Dudziks had specific requirements and a clear vision for how they wanted the house to function,” Howle

The island’s sky blue cabinetry stands out in a nearly all-white kitchen. Overhead, a pair of pendants cast their light on glass-front cabinetry and a patterned backsplash.

In the dining area, Klismos chairs with dark blue leather brass-studded seats with curved backs encircle a custom-carved mahogany table.

continues. “From the very beginning they were in sync with each other. They’re very busy people in terms of their careers, so we communicated a lot by phone. If we were talking to John, he would make sure Patty was on the line, that she was part of the conversation as well.

“We went through three or four design options. Whether we were critiquing whatever plan, whether it was A, B or C, John and Patty were on the same page. James worked very closely with them throughout the project; he also oversaw all of the project administration, which meant staying on budget.”

The couple got what they wanted with a final design that features an open floor plan, with two guest suites and laundry facilities on the north side and an office and roomy master suite on the south.

The spacious center includes kitchen, dining and living areas that lead out to a loggia. Not only do all of the functions flow one to another, they come complete with postcard-perfect views of the pool and elevated spa, a seating area centered around a fire pit, and a five-hole putting green with tee box, where John can often be found working on his short game.

Thanks to the fact that the

Dudziks’ property is 0.6 acres, larger than the average villa lot, Howle had the opportunity to design a site plan that not only included the putting green, it allowed for the addition of a free-standing cabana with covered porch, ideal for outdoor dining. The cabana is also ideal for the times Patty and John’s three sons, all of whom live and work in New York City, decide they need a little Florida sun, sand and surf in their lives.

Now for the final touch, the frosting on a well-designed, wellconstructed cake: “We had the architect, the contractor and we asked interior designer Toni Gallagher,

who has done work with us on two other properties, if she would be interested, and she was. With that, our team was complete,” Patty says with delight.

“We wanted a sophisticated coastal look that was comfortable, a look that works for when we have company as well as when we want to put our feet up and watch football on TV with the boys.”

The couple also wanted a space that would embrace just the two of them but could also accommodate family and friends. Thanks to Gallagher they got their wish, as seen in the living area, where a pair of white sofas with plump, colorful pillows, twin side chairs upholstered in a gray-blue textured fabric, and a pair of sky blue stools offer plenty of seating options if and when needed. All are gathered

Both Patty and John agree that the loggia is their favorite place to spend time. With a fireplace and large-screen TV, casual custom furnishings and expansive exterior views, it’s easy to see why.

around a coffee table with a blue leather top, perfect for game-playing as well as for trays of snacks and beverages.

Earth tones, shades of blue, splashes of color and subtle textures create a unified look both here and in the outdoor loggia. Again, the couple was in sync when making choices.

“John was very involved with the designer,” Patty points out. “He wanted furniture that not only looked good but was comfortable. A little bit of tradition and a little bit of edginess was the goal.”

Once again, Gallagher came up

with furnishings and accessories that responded to both. A case in point can be seen in the dining room, where Klismos chairs with dark blue leather brass-studded seats and curved backs with a striking blue-and-white pattern circle a custom-carved mahogany table set before a window that offers a view of the putting green. Overhead, a contemporary chandelier shines light on traditional place settings.

“We were fortunate to have a strong, cohesive team,” says Patty, “so our renovation went very smoothly, which made the project a positive experience, and great friendships

were forged.”

As she and John continue their “stay in place” lives, they continue to appreciate the villa and enjoy moments in some of their favorite places. For both it’s the loggia, where they savor outdoor living as often as possible, and the putting green is always a draw.

“We love everything about this place,” Patty enthuses. “The key for us is that we rented here and knew what our lifestyle would be like. This villa fit the bill in terms of our priorities, and the beauty and charm of Vero Beach won us over. This is where we wanted to be, and we couldn’t be happier.” `

The Dudziks can often be found on the putting green, challenging each other as they perfect their short game.

MARTINA TANNERY

Detail of “Reclining Dress Absence”

World of Glass

SCULPTOR KAREN LAMONTE EXPLORES EARTH, SKY AND THE HUMAN HEART WITH HER TECHNICALLY COMPLEX ARTISTIC UNDERTAKINGS

BY CHRIS FASOLINO

Visitors to the Vero Beach Museum of Art often find their curiosity sparked by an enigmatic glass sculpture. The work portrays a lady’s dress, complete with beautifully detailed folds and drapery, yet it is made entirely of glass. And while the dress has its own kind of posture — relaxed yet poised — there is no portrayal of a human figure. This ethereal and mysterious sculpture is entitled “Reclining Dress Absence.” The work of artist Karen LaMonte, it is a treasured piece in VBMA’s permanent collection.

LaMonte, whose work is also part of the collections of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the National Gallery of Australia, recently made a virtual visit to Vero Beach to speak to the VBMA community. During this encounter, she expressed appreciation for the many docents who were part of the event. “One of the first things I ask when I go to a museum is, ‘Can I sit and have coffee with all the docents? I would love to meet them.’”

LaMonte is thankful for the enthusiasm of museum docents and for the way they help to introduce the public to her work.

“Reclining Dress Absence” is a fascinating work in itself, but it is also a part of LaMonte’s life story as a sculptor. She was born in New York and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Rhode Island School of Design. In 1999, she was granted a Fulbright scholarship and traveled to Prague to work in the glasscasting studios and factories of eastern Bohemia. While there, she began working on life-size glass sculptures of dresses — pieces that would foreshadow “Reclining Dress Absence.”

An avid traveler, LaMonte was inspired by Prague; in fact, she and her husband still make their home in the historic European city. “It was definitely more roughand-tumble in the ’90s when I got here,” she recalls. “Over time, the nature of the city changed, partially because of the tidal wave of tourists.”

The atmosphere of Prague is a stimulating and welcoming one for artists. “Culture is highly valued here, and people from all walks of life devote their free time to museums, opera, concerts, etc.” Such pursuits are “not exclusive or

expensive; museums, concerts and theater are all within reach of everyone. Culture is just part of everyone’s everyday life, if they want it to be. I remember having a great conversation as I was delivering one of my prints to an exhibition with the man driving the delivery truck. It was fun!”

However stimulating the atmosphere, LaMonte’s work has some unusual challenges. Viewers of “Reclining Dress Absence” often puzzle over how the piece was made, and it is indeed a complex process. Furthermore, in addition to such glass sculptures, she creates large-scale works with other materials that have their own distinct natures: bronze, iron, clay and marble.

LaMonte used her virtual visit to VBMA as the occasion to premiere a new mini-documentary to be featured on her website, karenlamonte.com. In it, she describes the intricate process of bringing a piece like “Reclining Dress Absence” from idea to reality. “Although there are big technical differences between working with glass, ceramic, iron and bronze, the basics are the same.

“First, I sculpt the original in the studio. It takes months, and I use all sorts of materials like cloth, wax and plaster — and lots of elbow grease!” But this is only the beginning. “Once I have completed the original, the rest is an incredibly difficult but purely technical process of rendering it exactly the same in a different material.” For glass, that involves a casting process whereby a wax replica is encased in a mold that can withstand extremely high temperatures; the wax is then melted out of the mold, leaving an empty space within — a space precisely the same shape as the original. The mold can then be used for the “pouring” process that will create the finished sculpture.

How does that phase work?

“The pouring is always exciting and nerve-wracking. It’s also very hot.”

The mold is placed in a kiln, and glass is stacked on top. As the kiln is gradually heated to 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit, the glass melts. “Once the glass becomes liquid, it flows down into the mold. Because glass is such a sensitive material, the whole kiln needs to be cooled very, very slowly,” LaMonte explains. Otherwise it will crack and the work will be lost. The cooling process alone takes months.

When at last the sculpture is released from the molds, LaMonte begins a finishing stage that includes hand polishing, acid polishing and other finishing touches. From the beginning of the work to its completion, each one of her glass sculptures takes over a year to create.

The sculpted dress can seem like a wryly ironic reaction to traditional nudes: Instead of a woman without a dress, LaMonte is sculpting a dress without a woman. She is intrigued by the way clothing defines the relationship between society and the individual and the relationships between cultures and people. The absence of faces or human figures in her life-size sculptures of dresses is something many people ask her about, but this is a choice she believes helps her to explore those themes. Like Sherlock Holmes’ “curious incident of the dog in the night-time” (wherein “the dog did nothing in the night-time” but “that was the curious incident”), the absences are themselves significant.

The artistic philosophy behind “Reclining Dress Absence” can also be understood through comparison to a series LaMonte created called “Floating World,” wherein she applied her ideas and techniques to the theme of Japanese kimonos. Just as her earlier work took her to Prague,

Installation of life-size ceramic kimono sculptures with their calligraphied tomobako crates

© KAREN LAMONTE/PHOTO BY MARTIN POLAK

the idea for “Floating World” took the artist and traveler to a historic and fascinating city — this time, Kyoto. There, she immersed herself in the culture of Japan and the artistry of kimonos.

LaMonte lived in Kyoto’s traditional kimono-making district, Nishijin, where she studied every skill involved in fashioning the elegant beauty of a kimono: the weaving, the dying of silk, the sketching of floral imagery. In an essay about her time there, she recalls thankfully, “Fortunately, many people devoted to the preservation of traditional methods took me under their wing.”

Living in Kyoto, LaMonte became intrigued by the Japanese concept of “wabi sabi.” Notoriously difficult to translate, wabi sabi is about finding beauty in imperfection, and it often involves the use of simple materials and a rustic style.

For example, one of the most renowned tea houses in Japan is constructed largely out of mud brick, yet it is considered a national treasure. Likewise, LaMonte worked with clay for some of her kimono sculptures. With its origins in the dust of the earth, clay is, for LaMonte, the humblest of materials and yet full of potential.

Another Japanese idea she found inspiring is that of kintsugi, the use of golden joinery to repair shattered ceramics. Pottery that was damaged and repaired can thus be even more beautiful than pottery that was never damaged. When three of LaMonte’s clay sculptures exploded in the kiln, she took what seemed like a disaster and transformed it into a creative opportunity using kintsugi. With golden joinery, she repaired the broken pieces, turning them into restored and reimagined works of art. With its implicit metaphors for human life, kintsugi is a deeply meaningful art form.

© KAREN LAMONTE

LaMonte’s chosen title for the series, “Floating World,” is rich in cross-cultural history. It is a translation of a Japanese phrase that gave its name to a style of 19th-century woodblock prints, “ukiyo-e.” The colorful images of ukiyo-e profoundly influenced Western artists such as Claude Monet and Vincent van Gogh. In addition, the Japanese phrase evokes an awareness of mortality and the passage of time, suggesting mutability and ephemerality. These connotations befit the kimono project’s roots in Japanese aesthetics, philosophy and history. They are also in keeping with the enigmatic nature of LaMonte’s work.

Detail of “Odoriko (Kintsugi),” 2011; ceramic; 49.5 x 27 x 17.5 inches

“Floating World” exhibition at the Chazen Museum of Art, Madison, Wisconsin

A glass sculpture such as “Reclining Dress Absence” appears delicate and ethereal. How much do you think it weighs? It may be a surprise to learn that each one of LaMonte’s life-size glass sculptures of dresses weighs about 650 pounds. Perhaps it is appropriate that another of her projects began with musing upon clouds. Like a glass sculpture, a fluffy white cloud seems so light — it floats, doesn’t it? Yet a single cumulus cloud can weigh as much as 100 elephants. Thinking about that paradox, LaMonte became intrigued with the idea of carving a monumental cumulus cloud out of

solid marble. The idea would lead her from 21st-century supercomputers to Renaissance-era Italian quarries where she was walking in the footsteps of Michelangelo.

At first glance, the sculpture “Cumulus” might seem like an abstract work of art, but that’s simply because the idea of a monumental marble sculpture of a cloud is so unusual. Actually, LaMonte carefully gave “Cumulus” the most realistic basis possible, contacting scientists at Caltech and asking them to create a simulation of a cloud. To do so, they used data from the Barbados

Oceanographic and Meteorological Experiment, a study conducted during a Caribbean summer. The data was fed into a supercomputer in the mountains of Switzerland, near Lake Lugano. Through this high-tech process, LaMonte was able to obtain the precise information she needed for an accurate portrait of a cloud.

The next step was finding the marble, and the search took her to Italy. She recalls her local driver informing her that the road to the marble quarry had been engineered by Michelangelo. “So my husband leaned over and said, ‘No pressure, Karen.’”

The artist working with a robot carving “Cumulus 1:2”

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When they arrived at the quarry, LaMonte viewed 28 different blocks of marble, each one high quality, each one monumental. Why was she working on such a large scale? LaMonte wanted to create “a direct relationship between the weight of the original cloud and the weight of the marble.” The surprising weight of clouds, which had so intrigued her and provided an initial spark for the project, would therefore be directly incorporated into the sculpture. What else was she looking for from her block of marble? She wanted marble that was heavily veined and had the right kind of coloring — hues of gray and white evocative of clouds.

Once she had chosen her block of marble, she employed tools that spanned the ages to carve it into a cloud. She recalls the challenge of

“finding a studio where they had a robot to carve extremely precise forms.” A robot? Yes, the initial carving was done by robots that had been carefully programmed to follow the real-life cloud dimensions provided by the supercomputer. Thus, the cloud portrait would be scientifically accurate. This futuristic technology was counterpointed by a finishing process wherein LaMonte used hand tools that have been part of the sculptor’s arsenal since the Middle Ages.

When “Cumulus” was at last finished, it was displayed in Venice — a city that is itself a unique fusion of sculpture, engineering and water. “Sending a 2 ½-ton cloud down the Grand Canal in Venice on a barge was the experience of a lifetime.”

With all of these imaginative exploits in mind, consider again

the mysterious glass dress that so intrigues visitors to VBMA. It is an artistic and technical achievement in itself, but knowing the background of the artist’s work — her ingenious methods, range of techniques, and international sources of inspiration — fosters even greater appreciation for “Reclining Dress Absence.”

At the same time, LaMonte wants visitors to retain a personal element as they view her sculpture. When asked what reaction she hopes “Reclining Dress Absence” will spark in VBMA visitors, she answers, “I hope everyone brings their own experiences and interpretations to the artwork. I hope each visitor will have their own unique and personal reaction. That is important to me.” The human element remains irreplaceable. It is something to hold on to in a world of glass. `

“Cumulus 1:2,” 2017; marble; 94 x 86.5 x 69.5 inches; Glasstress 2017, Palazzo Franchetti Fondazione Berengo, 57th Biennale di Arte, Venice, Italy

KAREN LAMONTE/PHOTO BY NICOLA GNESI

Links to the Past

THE STATE OF FLORIDA IS RICH IN GOLFING HISTORY AND HOME TO SOME OF THE FIRST COURSES IN THE COUNTRY

WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY PATRICK MERRELL

In 1895, a three-hole course opened on the grounds of the Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine. Of the initial 200 club members, each paying 50 cents to join, 70 were women.

It took four centuries for golf to make its way to Florida, but once it did, there was no stopping it. A two-hole course in Sarasota was the first, in 1886, followed by three holes surrounding a 17th-century Spanish fort in St. Augustine. Soon there were a dozen courses in the state, then 50, and today the total stands at more than 1,250, the most by far of any U.S. state — and trailing only four foreign countries. Indian River County alone boasts 19 golf courses, two of which date back 100 years.

The origin of golf is as clear as a Scottish fog bank. Several similar games preceded its invention, most notably a Chinese pastime known as chuiwan (“hit ball”), which dates back to the 10th century. A player would place a small wooden ball

on a raised base and use an iron-headed club to hit a chip shot toward a hole marked with a flag. Follow-up shots to get the ball into the hole were made from a kneeling position. But there’s no existing proof that chuiwan traveled westward and/or influenced the development of golf in Europe.

The one thing that is certain is that the modern game of golf originated in Scotland. But the exact timing is vague, with the earliest written reference being a 1457 ban of the game by Scotland’s James II. He felt his subjects should be spending less time on golf courses and more time practicing archery, given the kingdom’s ongoing wars with England. It would be another 45 years before James IV lifted the ban when he took up the game himself.

Mid-mashie 3 iron with a hickory shaft, circa 1920

As for the word “golf,” the professional golfer Raymond Floyd once explained, “They call it golf because all the other four letter words were taken.”

The origin of golf in America is murky as well. And, again, it was a ban of the sport that provides the earliest known reference. In 1659, an ordinance was issued by the Dutch authorities at Fort Orange (later Albany, New York) to address “the practice of playing golf along the streets, which causes great damage to the windows of the houses, and also exposes people to the danger of being injured.” However, the “golf” being mentioned was actually “kolven,” a Dutch game in which a heavy curved bat was used to swat a large ball back and forth across a small court.

A few records indicate that golf equipment existed in America early on. In 1743, a shipment of 96 clubs and 432 balls was sent from the port of Leith in Scotland to Charleston, South Carolina. And a 1779 ad in The Royal

Gazette, a New York newspaper, offered “excellent clubs and the veritable Caledonian balls” for sale. But where were these items being used? The South Carolina Golf Club was established in 1786 and the Savannah Golf Club in 1795, but there’s no written evidence that there was a golf course at either site — or anywhere else then in the United States, for that matter.

As it turns out, the first North American courses, three holes each, were built by Scottish military officers in Montreal and Quebec. The Montreal Golf Club, the first nine-hole course, was founded in 1873.

It would be another 11 years before the U.S. had its first golf course — in a place not usually associated with the sport. In 1884, Scotsman Russell Montague enlisted a few friends to help him build a nine-hole course, Oakhurst Links, on his farm in Charleston, West Virginia. As was the custom in those days, a small tower of wet sand would

be used instead of a wooden tee. And then came Florida. In 1886, a recent Scottish transplant, Col. John Hamilton Gillespie, carved out a twohole course in the not-yet-incorporated town of Sarasota. He would expand it to nine holes after the turn of the century with the assistance of his butler, coachman and good friend, Leonard Reid.

Florida’s second golf course was an unusual one, created by Henry Flagler in St. Augustine in 1895. Flagler was in the process of extending his railroad line down Florida’s East Coast and recognized golf as a big draw for wealthy snowbirds. He struck a deal with the U.S. Army to build a course on the grounds of the Castillo de San Marcos, a 17th-century Spanish fort that sat across from Flagler’s 540-room Ponce de Leon Hotel. There was room enough for only three fairways, but by playing each hole three times, a nine-hole round could be completed.

Amazingly, when the St. Augustine

Betsy McConnell, Jim McConnell and Toby Levy enjoy a round at the Riomar Country Club. Opened in 1920, it was the Treasure Coast’s first course.

John D. Rockefeller wintered in Ormond Beach, Florida, and used a bike when playing rounds there.

Leonard Reid helped John Gillespie plan one of Florida’s first courses.

Two golfers putt out on a rectangular sand-green at The Breakers in Palm Beach, 1904.

Golf Club course opened, the fort it surrounded also served as a prison! In 1886, 500 Apaches were held there, including Geronimo’s wives and children. And in 1898, more than 200 deserters from the Spanish-American War sat inside the fort’s 12-foot-thick walls while golfers played outside. Six more holes would later be added on an adjacent site.

Flagler continued building hotels and golf courses along the East Coast, including a six-hole course at The Breakers hotel in Palm Beach and another across from his sprawling hotel in Ormond Beach. For several seasons, John D. Rockefeller rented an entire floor of the Ormond Beach Hotel and played golf daily, sometimes riding down the fairways on his bicycle.

Lead-weighted driver, ball and tee from the early 20th century

The Vero Beach Country Club started life in 1924 as a nine-hole course known as the Royal Park Golf Course. It was expanded to 18 holes in 1938.

Across the state, Henry Plant built the six-hole Belleair Country Club in 1897, and more resorts followed as his railroad expanded southward along the Gulf Coast.

Although men made up the majority of early golfers, women also took part from the get-go, both as players and, sometimes, club members. When the United States Golf Association was formed in 1895, it held its first three tournaments that same year: the Amateur and Open Championships for men, and a month later, the Women’s Amateur Championship. The 13 women competed in windy and rainy conditions, playing from the men’s tees at the Meadow Brook Club in Hempstead, New York, one of the toughest courses in the country. The tournament consisted of nine holes in the morning and nine in the afternoon, with a lunch break in between. Since there hadn’t been time enough to have a trophy made, Lucy Barnes Brown, the winner with a score of 132, was presented with a silver pitcher donated by two of the club’s members.

By 1917, Florida was home to 50 courses, with more soon to follow. As an article in the Sarasota Times put it back then: “A golf-less tourist resort in Florida is in much the same class as a production of ‘Hamlet’ with the star character left out.”

That was the mindset of a trio of men from Cleveland who, in 1917, bought up 430 acres of land on Vero’s barrier island. Dr. J.P. Sawyer, Dr. W.H. Humiston and businessman E.E. Strong formed the East View Company and, in 1919, began laying out building lots on either side of what is now Riomar Drive.

The British golfer and noted golf course architect Herbert Strong designed a nine-hole course to take maximum advantage of its oceanfront location. Work was completed by the end of the year, and the course — the first to be built between Daytona and Palm Beach — officially opened on

Jan. 15, 1920. In 1921, President-elect Warren Harding anchored his houseboat in the Indian River to visit Riomar for a round of golf and a dip in the ocean. A few years later, the course became the centerpiece of the formally incorporated Riomar Country Club.

In 1923, as Vero continued to grow and prosper, another group of men, including Arthur McKee and Waldo Sexton, formed the Royal Park Development Company. The goal was to develop properties on the mainland “in an artistic and reasonable fashion,” but also to build a golf course — with “the first nine holes to be put in as soon as possible.”

Golf course architect W.G. Eager, with input from Herbert Strong, set to work thinning out and reshaping the heavy hammock land and had the Royal Park Golf Course ready by the end of 1924. Palms and oaks lined the fairways, while “orange and grapefruit trees stood within driving distance of nearly every tee.” The course was renamed the Vero Beach Country Club 30 years later.

In recognition of Florida golf’s rich and storied past, the Florida Department of State launched the Florida Historic Golf Trail program in 2014. More than 50 historic courses, all open to the public, are featured on the program’s website (floridahistoricgolftrail.com) and in a 76-page downloadable pdf. The venues include public, semiprivate, military and resort golf courses from Pensacola to Key West. There’s even a scorecard players can use to check off the courses as they visit them.

There are no Indian River County courses on the historic trail, but that’s only because none meets both of the state’s requirements: being built prior to 1950 and being open to the public. The nearest course on the trail is the Crane Creek Reserve Golf Course in Melbourne, built in the 1920s.

For families, the state also created a Historic Mini Golf Trail, composed of six miniature golf courses that are more than 50 years old. The oldest is Ripley’s Bayfront Mini Golf in St. Augustine, which opened in 1949. Alas, there’s not a windmill, loop-de-loop or tacky sculpture in sight — just concrete and green carpet. So skip the trip and visit instead the 36 holes of jungle animals and tropical landscaping, plus a waterfall cavern, at Safari Mini Golf right here in Vero Beach. `

The Sarasota and St. Augustine courses no longer exist, but the four other courses shown here do, altered over the years to varying degrees.

The gopher tortoise is the only tortoise native to the Southeastern United States.

Castles in the Ground

GOPHER TORTOISES AND THEIR BURROWS PLAY A KEY ROLE IN FLORIDA’S ECOSYSTEM

BY CHRIS FASOLINO

An 18th-century explorer traversing the Florida wilderness wrote of “the dens of the great land tortoise, called gopher: this strange creature remains yet undescribed by historians and travelers.” Today, the gopher tortoise is a familiar sight in the Vero Beach area. No longer is it “undescribed.” On the contrary, scientific research and careful observation have given us insight into the lives of gopher tortoises. However, such knowledge has only increased our sense of wonder and appreciation for these “strange” yet endearing creatures.

Since that explorer — the naturalist William Bartram — became the first scientific writer to describe the gopher tortoise, scientists have learned that these tortoises are not only fascinating in their own right; they are important to the well-being of numerous other animals. The gopher tortoise is considered a “keystone species” or “umbrella species,” because so many other creatures benefit from its burrows.

Just a few examples are the burrowing owl, the Florida mouse and the gopher frog. More than 300 species of vertebrates “use or rely on the burrows for shelter or food,” notes the National Audubon Society Field Guide to Florida, making the gopher tortoise “the quintessential burrower ... whose methodically constructed tunnels are the focal point of an entire mini-ecosystem.” If invertebrates are included, the number of guest species exceeds 400.

The gopher tortoise is the only tortoise species of the Southeast. Tortoises are often called “turtles” colloquially, and that is not inaccurate; “turtle” is the broader term, while “tortoise” refers to a type of turtle that lives on land instead of in water.

The shell of a gopher tortoise is made of bone and is fused to the spine and the ribs; scale-like areas of keratin, called scutes, grow along parts of the shell. The shell is like a suit of armor for the tortoise — the animal will withdraw into the shell for a sense of security — but at the same time, the shell is also part of a tortoise’s body. For such proverbially slow-moving creatures, this is a valuable protection. However, the key survival strategy for gopher tortoises is burrowing. And it is their amazing burrows, which Bartram called “castles,” that make them so important to the Florida ecosystem.

Beth Powell, assistant director of Parks & Conservation Resources

for Indian River County, has studied gopher tortoises and their burrows and has been involved in many relocation projects designed to help this protected species by safely removing tortoises from areas slated for development and construction.

Powell explains that the burrows vary considerably in depth, because they always go down to the water table. A depth of 6 feet is considered average, but some burrows are over 20 feet deep. Length varies for the same reason, as the tunnels tend to be nearly horizontal, increasing in depth only gradually; thus, a burrow may be as short as 3 feet, but some are over 50 feet long.

A gopher tortoise at the Environmental Learning Center enters its burrow.

Whatever its length, each burrow is in the design of a tunnel leading to a larger end chamber. Since the burrow goes down to the water table, Powell explains, “the end chamber is about 80% relative humidity.” This is important because it allows the turtles to remain hydrated. As reptiles, they do not drink much water. Instead, “they hydrate from the moisture in the air. They’re such skilled crafters that when they are sitting in the end chamber, the soil is damp.”

Even hatchlings and juvenile tortoises dig burrows, and since they have the same need for moisture, their burrows can be just as long as those of adults. The width of a gopher tortoise burrow is approximately equal to the length of the tortoise’s body, “so that it can turn around,” Powell notes.

Since at least the time that Aesop was recording his fables, tortoises have been famous for being slow moving. Yet gopher tortoises can burrow with surprising speed: An adult can burrow 9 feet in a single day. They primarily use their front feet, which are strong and wide. Like humans favoring either the right or left hand, tortoises favor either one front foot or the other as they dig, and the burrow inclines in the corresponding direction. Sometimes, the burrow actually has a spiraling shape.

While the tortoise is digging, dirt and sand pile up behind it, so the tunnel needs to be cleared out. From time to time, the tortoise turns around and uses the front of its shell, along with its front feet, to push the debris out of the mouth of the burrow. Then it goes back to digging. The result of all this effort is a well-designed home — a work of natural engineering and architecture. “The structure is phenomenal,” Powell says. “The dome shape is extremely strong.” Her thoughts echo those of Bartram,

Beth Powell gently removes a gopher tortoise from an excavated burrow for safe relocation.

observing the tortoises and their burrows with amazement during his explorations of the wilderness: “These vast caves are their castles,” he wrote.

The natural engineering of a tortoise’s burrow also includes the selection of the site in the first place. Although they need to tunnel down to the water table, they choose sites where the water table is low enough so that the burrow will not flood after a period of rain. How a tortoise figures that out is anyone’s guess, but it seems to work. Also, since they enjoy sunning themselves, a tortoise will make sure that the mouth of the burrow is

located in a spot that gets some sunlight every day. Thus, the tortoise has the luxury of basking in the sun right on the “doorstep” of its home.

A tortoise forages for vegetation around its home, traversing an area that may be less than one-third of an acre or more than 2 acres, depending on the food available. If conditions change and the tortoise cannot find enough food, it will move to a new home, either temporarily or permanently, digging a new burrow up to 5 miles away. Eventually, it may return to its previous territory, even finding its old burrow and moving back in.

Each scute of the tortoise’s carapace sports “growth rings” that give a rough indication of age, though it’s not nearly as exact a science as with trees. As tortoises get older, their shells may become worn smooth by the sandy soil of their burrows.

Following spring mating, the female usually digs her nest near her own burrow. She will typically lay five to seven eggs, though nests have been found with up to 25 eggs. The gestation period is between 80 and 100 days, after which the hatchlings may find an abandoned burrow — the former home of an adult tortoise — in which to take refuge initially. However, they are soon able to dig their own burrows. Tortoises are considered juveniles for the first 10 years of their lives; they may live for over 60 years.

Powell studied gopher tortoises under the mentorship of two of Florida’s most renowned experts on the species: Ray and Patricia Ashton, founders of the Ashton Biological Preserve. “They were an amazing couple who worked together on gopher tortoise protection. I feel really privileged to have been able to train with them. I was working with people who had devoted their lives to studying tortoises.”

Powell was inspired by their enthusiasm and intrigued by their complementary scientific perspectives. “He was a

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VERO BEACH

Beachland Elementary School students view a young gopher tortoise that seems a bit shy.

Dr. Mel Richardson

herpetologist and she was a botanist.” So while Ray studied the tortoises directly, Patricia focused on their diet and habitat.

By working together, they gained a richer understanding of the gopher tortoises and their place in the Florida ecosystem. For example, they learned that a tortoise will return to a food source at the right time, seemingly remembering where different types of plants were located and at what time of year they would be flourishing. The Ashtons were able to determine this because the tortoises on the preserve were marked, and because Patricia had all of the plants identified. The botanist’s perspective, along with the

couple’s patience and persistence in following tortoises for so many years, provided fascinating insight into the animals’ memories and instincts.

Today, Powell is happy to put her training to good use by protecting tortoises in Vero Beach. She explains how prospective development sites are thoroughly evaluated so that all tortoises can be safely relocated. “The animal and its burrow are both protected by law. There’s a 100% survey for relocation.” That is, every tortoise on the property must be found and brought to a safe place. “‘No Tortoise Left Behind’ was a slogan — I still have the T-shirt,” she adds with a chuckle.

Completing the survey is physically

Despite the use of heavy equipment, burrow excavations are carried out with the utmost care for the animals within.

demanding. “Imagine working through dense brush, woods and saw palmetto, and you’ve got to do 100% coverage,” making sure you find every burrow on a property. “It’s normally done by a group of people walking an arm’s-length apart, with a map; the central person carries a GPS, and they mark and number each burrow.” The process resembles the marking of sea turtle nests — “except that sea turtle people, poor things, have to do it every single day,” Powell says with a smile. “With tortoises, we don’t have new burrows popping up every day.”

Once the burrows have been marked, Powell and her colleagues use two primary methods to humanely catch the tortoises for relocation, which can be done only by licensed professionals. One method is excavation, wherein a backhoe is used in connection with a human spotter on the ground. The tortoise generally senses the vibration from the machinery and goes to the end chamber of its burrow. Once the burrow is excavated, the tortoise is found and then transported to a new site, given a medical examination, marked and released.

The other method consists of placing a bucket near the opening of the burrow. The bucket is camouflaged with brown paper and sand in the hopes that the tortoise will enter it; this technique requires patience, and it is used mostly in terrain where the equipment involved in excavation is not feasible. As a tortoise is being moved to a new site, a scoop of soil from its old end chamber will be added to the bucket the animal is being transported in. “It gives a familiar, comforting smell.”

On a humorous note, Powell recalls occasions when she was transporting tortoises to a refuge in the Okeechobee area; she would meet colleagues in the parking lot of a gas station to hand the tortoises over for the rest of the trip, and she always wondered what bystanders must have been thinking as they watched the “tortoise exchange.”

Powell emphasizes that attempting a relocation on your own is not only illegal, it is dangerous for the animals. “Tortoises have extremely strong site fidelity. Ray and Patricia had a story of a tortoise that walked hundreds of miles to return to its old burrow.” Although that tortoise succeeded in making the amazing journey, it would be all too easy for a tortoise to succumb to dangers along the way, or to return only to find its home now lost to development. Furthermore, professional relocation includes medical examinations and marking, which assist population studies and other scientific research.

If you find an injured tortoise, Powell recommends calling the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or the Humane Society of

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The gopher tortoise’s powerful, clawed front feet allow it to dig its extraordinary burrow.

Vero Beach and Indian River County at 772-388-3331. “They may help you get them to the Florida Wildlife Hospital,” near Melbourne, a facility where tortoises are treated by veterinarians. Powell is also available to help with questions about gopher tortoise welfare, and can be reached at her office at 772-226-1873.

What about the more common scenario of seeing a tortoise trying to cross a road? “If you see a tortoise crossing the road, put it on the side it is trying to get to,” assuming you can safely help it. If you bring it to the “wrong” side of the road, it may simply turn around and try to cross the entire road, since it is likely attempt-

ing to return to its home burrow.

Gopher tortoises are a familiar sight in Vero Beach, and they are endearing and fascinating neighbors. “They are so very smart,” Powell says, considering their amazing memories, “and so very gentle.” In the design and construction of their burrows, they are instinctive engineers and architects. And because the burrows benefit so many other animals as well, they are a keystone species with a special place in the Florida environment.

The gopher tortoise is no longer “undescribed” as it was in the days of the early explorers. Yet the more we discover about them, the more we realize how fascinating they are. `

GIFT GUIDE

Very, Very Valentine

Looking for that special something for that special someone? Our local shops have filled their shelves with beautiful pieces to make your shopping easy. From the simple to the sublime, you are sure to find something your true love will truly love.

One-of-a-kind 18-karat gold, diamond, emerald and sapphire ring

Price available upon request

LEIGH JEWELERS

3401 Ocean Drive

772-234-8522

leighjewelers.com

Fairchild Baldwin reversible floral leather handbag in fuchsia

$295

LOGGIA ON THE BEACH

2900 Ocean Drive

772-231-2901

loggiahomeandgarden.com

“Love” by Robert Indiana, color screen print, 34 x 34 inches

Price upon request

FINDLAY GALLERIES 165 Worth Ave., Palm Beach 561-655-2090

findlaygalleries.com

Louis Sherry assorted chocolates

$8–$35

JENNIFER ELMORE INTERIOR DESIGN 1105 22nd St. 772-569-5522

elmoreinteriors.com

14-karat white gold bracelet with rubies (7.8 carats) and diamonds

(2.34 carats)

$11,500

6TH AVENUE JEWELERS

2040 Treasure Coast Plaza 772-217-8985

6thavenuejewelers.com

Sant’Andrea Italian cashmere and silk blazer

$4,595

MAUS & HOFFMAN 981 Beachland Blvd. 772-226-5028

mausandhoffman.com

Chocolate-hazelnut gelatos

$4 each

ELIZABETH D. KENNEDY & CO. 486 21st St. 772-563-0646

elizabethkennedycatering.com

“Womanchild” by Mia Lindberg, porcelain and metal sculpture, 14 x 18 x 5 inches

$385

GALLERY 14 1911 14th Ave. 772-562-5525

gallery14verobeach.com

Cire Trudon candles $105–$115

MARKET 1865 14th Ave. 772-226-5893

marketverobeach.com

“The Scrub Jays” by René Guerin, oil on board, 11 x 14 inches

$650

M. MAISON 3403 Ocean Drive 772-231-4300

mmaisonvero.com

Platinum emerald-cut diamond eternity rings: small 7 carats, large 12.5 carats with each diamond GIA certified Prices available upon request

LE CLASSIQUE JEWELERS

3001 Ocean Drive, Suite 105 772-231-2060

leclassiquejewelers.com

Gift certificates for salon products and services Prices vary

SUR LA MER 1030 Easter Lily Lane 772-234-7670

surlamer.salon

GIFT GUIDE

Leopard beaded clutch with fuchsia and teal color block stripe

$73

DECOR ENVY

1858 Old Dixie Hwy. 772-492-6518 shopdecorenvy.com

Syna limited edition 36-inch toggle-clasp necklace in 18-karat yellow gold with pink tourmalines, aquamarines, emeralds and rose quartz

$7,650

BELLE COSE AT VILLAGE SHOPS

6250 Hwy. A1A

772-492-1097 bellecose.com

“L’Amour du Cassis” by Alice Williams, oil on canvas, 20 x 20 inches

$2,900

MEGHAN CANDLER GALLERY

6160 Hwy. A1A Village Shops 772-234-8811 meghancandlergallery.com

“Wild Orchid Beauty” arrangements available in a variety of sizes in silk or live options

From $50

ROCK CITY GARDENS

9080 U.S. Hwy. 1, Sebastian 772-589-5835

rockcitygardens.com

0.12-carat diamond “I Heart U” necklace

$570

VERANDA 3325 Ocean Drive 772-234-3404

Niven Morgan lavender mint and green tea and peony scented products in bath soak, body cream, hand wash and candles

From $22

TRIMMINGS HOME GARDEN GIFTS

3201 Cardinal Drive 772-213-8069 trimmingsvb.com

Italian stool with zebra fabric

$1,950

L.K. DEFRANCES & ASSOCIATES 4404 U.S. Hwy. 1 772-234-0078 lkdefrancesandassociates.com

Large Etienne tray from The Lacquer Company

$450

JEFF LINCOLN INTERIORS 3245 Cardinal Drive 772-231-1420 jefflincolninteriorsny.com

Shy Creation 14-karat yellow gold

Tableaux decorative grilles

Prices vary

BUDGET BLINDS

1125 U.S. Hwy. 1 772-202-7324 budgetblinds.com

Chocolates from Mouth Party

Caramel

$15.50

NOTEWORTHY BY DESIGN 6100 Hwy. A1A Village Shops 772-231-0085

18-karat two-tone heart-shaped necklace with 1.5-carat “tree of life”

Price available upon request

OCEAN DRIVE JEWELERS

3225 Ocean Drive 772-234-1225

Sierra Lane curved silhouette lounging sofa with bench cushion and Sunbrella fabric, in stock and available immediately

$4,650

HAZEL HOUSE

1882 Old Dixie Hwy. 772-213-3024 hazelhousevero.com

$850

VERO BEACH ART CLUB ANNEX AND GALLERY 1903 14th Ave. 772-217-3345

verobeachartclub.org

Arte Italica red glass bowl

$74

ALIMENTARI GOURMET MARKET

6220 Hwy. A1A Village Shops

772-999-5483

alimentarigm.com

Julie Vos handcrafted bracelets, made of semi-precious stones, pearl and imported glass hand-set in 24-karat gold plate over nickel-free brass

$85–$275

SASSY BOUTIQUE

3365 Ocean Drive 772-234-3998

sassyboutique.com

Annieglass cheetah print heart plate with 24-karat gold Small $62, Large $97

LYRA HOME

3355 Ocean Drive 772-257-4777

lyrahome.com

“White Tulips” by Joann Phillips, oil on canvas, 22 x 28 inches

Custom boutique closets for shoes, purses and accessories

Prices vary INSPIRED CLOSETS 3950 U.S. Hwy. 1 772-492-9226 inspiredclosetstc.com

Sally Rivero bracelets, one size fits all $60 each

COOPER & CO. 3435 Ocean Drive 772-231-9889

Vive MD skin products: regenerating cleanser, age renewal serum, super glow serum

$30–$115

HARYANI DERMATOLOGY 8745 U.S. Hwy. 1, Sebastian 772-217-5362

haryaniderm.com

Dyconn crystal edge, tri-color LED makeup mirror, 20 x 30 inches

$672

LED CAPSTONE

4005 U.S. Hwy. 1 772-205-2529 ledcapstone.com

$76–$89

COASTAL COMFORTS

6190 Hwy. A1A Village Shops 772-226-7808

coastal-comforts.com

$40 each

DECORATIVE ARTS 1923 Old Dixie Hwy. 772-563-0040 decoartsinc.com

1965

MOTOR CITY CLASSIC CARS 4910 42nd Place 772-252-3590

motorcityclassiccars.com

Ford Mustang $41,900

Tra Art Studio’s handcrafted wall art

True Love bracelets by Christina Massaeu of Strand Jewelry

Stella is the resident bullmastiff at The Laughing Dog Gallery.

The Canines of Commerce

THE FURRY FACES OF SHOP DOGS ADD AN ELEMENT OF PLAYFULNESS AT WORK

BY AMY ROBINSON

Our local shops draw customers in with their unique wares, attentive staffs and welcoming atmospheres. Beachside at the Village Shops and along Ocean Drive, a gracious shopping experience recollects the elegant salons of yesteryear. One unexpected perk you won’t find at an outlet mall has four legs and a tail, and while he won't fetch you another size in that shirt you like, he is happy to greet you like a long lost friend.

Shop dogs seem to love going to work as much as their owners do. At Coastal Comforts in the Village Shops, Chris Pawela and Dan Herrig have brought their dogs along since day one of the store’s opening in 2014. “Dan and I came from Boca for a weekend and stayed at the Disney resort,” says Pawela. “We explored the Village Shops and just thought the place was magical.” The pair recently expanded their store and took little time filling it with fine gifts and home furnishings. Herrig and Pawela have two rescue dogs that love their jobs as official greeters: a Pekingese named Lola and a Chihuahua mix named Rocco. “We are on our fifth rescue dog here,” says Pawela. When the store first opened, Lola was the peppy young dog, and Josh, also a Pekingese, was the dignified elder statesman. Josh passed away and the pair began to think about another dog. They took their time but knew there was room in their hearts for another rescue.

“We saw Rocco at the Fort Pierce Humane Society, where he had just come in looking very scared,” Pawela says. “Once we had Rocco meet Lola and all went

well, we filled out the forms and he was ours.” Now Lola is the grand dame, while young Rocco is always on the go. “He has two speeds: fast and sleeping.”

On the way to work, Pawela says the dogs vocalize like a singing duo as they pull into the parking lot. I make my visit early before the doors open to get some one-on-one time with both dogs. Rocco announces my arrival in full voice, his tail wagging so fast he creates a breeze. Lola saunters up to

me holding a plush toy as an offering.

“Rocco gets very excited about the first person to arrive, but then he calms down once more people start to come in,” Pawela explains. When the day is over and the doors are locked, the dogs scamper around the store while Pawela gets ready to leave. Coming or going, Rocco and Lola love their routine, and it shows.

Every inch of space at Coastal Comforts is a visual treat. Colorful, organized displays invite close

Rocco and Lola, both rescue dogs, enjoy their jobs as official greeters at Coastal Comforts in the Village Shops.

inspection. Pawela spends his time at the shop, while Herrig is the design guru and in-home installer of Hunter Douglas window treatments. “I love being here,” says Pawela, “but at times, retail can be a little stressful. All I have to do is glance down at the dogs sleeping on their beds, and their peacefulness transfers to me.”

Small dogs may be easier to transport to work, but big dogs are having their day as shop dogs, too. Susie Wilber, owner of The Laughing Dog Gallery, was ahead of the trend in 2000 when she named her Cardinal Drive gallery after her bullmastiff, Emma. “My love affair with bullmastiffs began in high school when I befriended one at a dog show,” Wilber recalls. “I hoped that someday I’d be lucky enough to have one of my own.”

Years later, 8-week-old Emma, full name Emma B. Mastiff, came home with Wilber and was her constant companion at home and at her office job in the design field for the next 10 years. “She rode shotgun in my convertible, was cast in a local TV commercial and was the bridesmaid at my wedding. To say she was special is an understatement.”

When The Laughing Dog Gallery opened in 2000, Wilber expected Emma to settle in as the shop dog. Just weeks before the opening, she passed away, but the gallery soon had Molly, Emma’s protege, installed as companion, shop dog and living art installation. “Molly sat like a statue amid the artwork, so that customers became aware of her only after she wagged her tail as they approached,” Wilber says. One of the gallery jewelers whose pieces were sold at

The workday at Reilly Construction wouldn’t be the same without siblings Ranger and Remi.

THE SHOP DOGS OF VERO BEACH

Rel

MELANIE SWANSON, LANDSCAPE DESIGNER

Bailey COASTAL INTERIORS

Abby VERO BEACH MAGAZINE

Louis JENNIFER ELMORE INTERIOR DESIGN

Louis 6TH AVENUE JEWELERS

Coco and Joey J.M. STRINGER

Riley Madigan LOGGIA

Briar

ALEX MACWILLIAM REAL ESTATE

Brooks DECORATIVE ARTS DESIGNS

Ellie Bear DESIGNER’S TOUCH FLOORING

Johnny (cat) above Bella and Buttons ROCK CITY GARDENS

Laughing Dog made a custom pearl necklace for the dog’s 27-inch neck, which Molly modeled like a pro. “Molly was very poised,” Wilber adds.

Since the gallery’s opening, there has always been a bullmastiff or two in residence. “Molly, Nitschke, Argus, Sophie, Sherman and Dolly have all put time in over the years,” says Wilber. “Each one put their own unique spin on the job.” Some of the dogs sharing life with Wilber and her family have simply preferred to stay home, or just aren’t ready for prime time yet, like young Thomas, a happy boy still a bit too exuberant to gambol among the art pieces.

Currently, the gallery’s star attraction is 6-year-old Stella, a comely, regal dog with her own postcard for her fans to take home. “So many people wanted

to take photos with her that she got a little tired of that,” says Wilber. While Stella is on the downhill side of middle age for the breed, she shows no signs of wanting to retire from her shop-dog duties. “She is still eager to travel to work every day and soak up attention from her work family and from customers while keeping a watchful eye on the gallery,” she notes. “The bullmastiff is a working breed, after all. Give a girl a job to do, and she gets it done.”

Dogs enjoy the company of their own species, which is apparent when meeting Ranger and Remington, two yellow Labrador retrievers with identical grins that spend their days at Reilly Construction’s office on Indian River Boulevard. The Labs love being among their favorite people, too,

Argus, Sherman and Sophie, shown circa 2012, were three of Stella’s predecessors at The Laughing Dog Gallery.

namely the office staff that provides love and leash walks while Ed Reilly is out managing custom home builds in John's Island, The Moorings, Orchid Island Golf and Beach Club, and along the Treasure Coast.

“I call them ‘the twins,’ since they are brother and sister,” Reilly says. “They are friends with everyone in this office building.” Reilly notes the two dogs have very different personalities. “Ranger is the strong, silent type. Remi is more outgoing, always on alert, and very loving.” While Reilly is out of the office, co-workers Blayne and Sharon are their designated dog

moms. The siblings have been coming to the office since they were pups and are well accustomed to office life, installing themselves as co-chairs of the Morale Boosting Department.

“If I am late bringing them in, I get concerned calls from work. I would probably have a strike on my hands if I left them at home.” If their owner worries that the dogs don’t miss him, Ranger and Remi dispel that thought when Reilly gets back to the office. “Even though they are big dogs, they both try to sit in my lap while I’m on the computer,” he says. “I love that.” Reilly’s dogs are close pals with

another shop dog, Winston the cavalier King Charles spaniel. Winston is the resident four-legged greeter at Sassy, a favorite fine-apparel boutique on Ocean Drive. Walking past the fresh and fun window displays at Sassy’s new corner location at Beachland Boulevard and Ocean Drive, it is easy to view Winston as part of the decorations. The 2-year-old spaniel sits proudly, sporting a jaunty Sassy scarf around his neck, as he watches for any dog that might walk past. “He absolutely loves other dogs and is a little disappointed if they don’t stop in,” notes Theoharis.

To say that Winston is popular is an understatement. “We have customers that come in daily to see him. People who own cavaliers bring them by for visits,” she says. “If I’m walking him outside, I get stopped constantly by other cavalier owners that want to talk about my dog, their dogs and the breed in general. It’s like a cult,” she laughs.

Employers around the country are beginning to see the benefits of bringing dogs to work, such as lower absentee rates and more creative interaction among employees. Since workers aren’t worried about getting home early to walk the dog, productivity rises. New-economy companies like Amazon, Zappo’s and Google, where dogs at work are called Dooglers, all have liberal pet policies that help attract talent to their labor pool.

In our local shops, dogs are part of the overall experience for both employees and customers. What makes

a good shop dog? Susie Wilber, whose bullmastiffs have graced her gallery for 20 years, says every dog isn’t suited to the work. “Like a good retail professional, a seasoned shop dog doesn’t ruffle easily,” she says. “They should promote a relaxed, comfortable vibe that customers appreciate.” Tammy Theoharis answers the question succinctly. “Time, being here, and love.” Lots of love. `

As the shop dog at Sassy, a fine-apparel boutique, Winston has to stay stylish.

“Though February is short, it is filled

lots of love and sweet surprises.”

– CHARMAINE J. FORDE

To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides.

– DAVID VISCOTT

BY AMY ROBINSON

Playing It Safe

CURIOUS PETS GET INTO EVERYTHING, BUT WE CAN REDUCE THE RISKS BY DETOXING THEIR ENVIRONMENT

Our pets discover new things in their world by smelling and tasting them. Anyone with a busy puppy and a chewed pair of new dress shoes is well aware of this fact. The dog's point of view is closer to the floor, which means that everything at eye level and below is fair game.

Our upright posture causes us to miss some wayward objects that roll under furniture and find their way into a dog’s or cat's mouth, and even things put up on shelves or countertops are still within a clever cat's reach.

While we can control most of these potential dangers, we don't often think about the unseen chemicals that are a part of our daily lives. “People

Playfulness and curiosity are wonderful qualities in a pet, but they can also lead to trouble.

should absolutely be concerned about everyday chemicals used in our homes,” says Charlotte

Reed, pet expert and host of the syndicated radio show “The Pet Buzz.” Reed is the proud owner of five

dogs and a cat, so she likes to stay organized, neat and safe, which means keeping curious noses away from

harmful chemicals common in household cleaners. “Most people don't realize how much these can affect our pets, not just if they are ingested or inhaled, but there is potential to absorb chemicals through the skin and paw pads.”

Reed advises pet owners to look carefully at labels. Any warning about getting the product into eyes, nose or mouth goes double for pets, due to their smaller size and the increased sensitivity of their noses.

“Think of anything with ammonia or bleach; this is inhaled by the pet and can cause vomiting or tremors,” Reed adds. Laundry detergent pods are especially attractive to pets due to their scent, shape and glossy look. “You may not see one that gets dropped under a table while you are busy with laundry, but your cat or dog can find it and puncture it.”

Even all-natural products can contain ingredients that are fine for people but not for pets. “Tea tree oil is especially harmful for cats, and you'll see this ingredient in many natural cleaners or flea products,” says Reed.

Many essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, cinnamon, peppermint, citrus, pennyroyal, pine, sweet birch, wintergreen and ylang ylang are toxic to pets, whether ingested or just inhaled.

Scented candles, plug-in

Fur-friendly practices at home

Dogs and cats can get a buildup of dust and particles on their fur that can get down to the skin. Brushing benefits the lymph system, which helps flush chemicals through the body and frees the hair shaft and follicles so the skin can breathe.

“Any blade of grass your pet steps on has probably been treated with fertilizer and insecticide,” says Charlotte Reed. She wipes her dogs’ paws with pet wipes after a walk, even before entering the house. Slipping our shoes off prevents tracking those same chemicals indoors. For indoor insect control, select pet-safe supplies, read labels and use sparingly.

VENT THOSE VOCS

New furniture, flooring, rugs or even new dog beds are coated with flame retardant and preservatives and will emit volatile organic compounds as they are unpacked. That formaldehyde smell is not your imagination. Consider keeping new items on the porch or in the garage for a couple of days if possible. Wash the cover of any new pet bed before use. Open windows and turn on fans until the air exchange can do its cleansing work.

LOCK IT UP

According to the ASPCA’s Poison Control Hotline, pills meant for people are the No. 1 call they receive. Keep all medications in a cabinet with a child lock so curious cats and dogs can’t get to them. If pets have access to the garage, think about locking cabinets with paints, stains, fertilizers, gas cans or any supplies that have toxic properties.

RINSE CYCLE

Freshly washed floors are pleasant for everyone in the house, even the pets, but cleaning product residues remain. Many dogs love to lick tile floors, so going over the floor with plain water after using the product will help dilute those chemicals.

SKIN DEEP

GREEN GRASS

or intermittent air fresheners, and scented sticks in oil are all potential attractants, especially for cats that like to climb. An investigative sniff can result in coughing and even asthma-like symptoms.

The good news here is that healthy dogs and cats have internal mechanisms to round up and eliminate toxins. Their bodies react much as ours do: The immune system kicks into gear and the hard-working liver metabolizes foreign elements. In a coordinated one-two punch, enzymes target and break down toxins, while the liver adds amino acids to dilute them further. Healthy dogs and cats do this easily, but because many chemical agents are fat soluble, they can be stored in fat cells for a length of time, potentially building up.

Dr. Michael Fleck is a veterinarian with several locations in South Florida. “I see cases of pets ingesting toxins about every other day,” he says. “It is important for the veterinarian to quiz the owner about what the animal has gotten into. Sometimes guilt keeps people from admitting they left

Toxins can be ingested, inhaled or even absorbed through a pet’s paw pads.

something out that was harmful, but the more I know, the better I can devise a treatment plan.”

Fleck notes that the pet's body is a remarkable machine with multiple tools to neutralize toxins, including the skin's oil glands and the filtering mechanisms of the lymph nodes and spleen. He asks owners to look for signs of illness such as vomiting, lethargy, intestinal distress and loss of coordination, but stresses that even more subtle signs should be heeded. Waiting to see if the pet gets better is a risky strategy. “Any sudden, marked change in behavior is significant and can be a sign of problems that aren't otherwise obvious. See your vet right away.”

Our pets know they are loved. We want to protect them, too, which can seem like a trial at times, but just being aware and taking your time during everyday tasks can help. Rushing around can bring on mistakes, such as the front door not being latched tightly, a child's sharp-edged toy left on the floor to be chewed and swallowed, or, in my case, a cutting board resting on the kitchen counter full of neatly chopped onion while I stepped into the garage to grab a new

An open or unlatched door can be an irresistible temptation to a curious pet.

CABINETS • TILE • GRANITE • MARBLE • COUNTER TOPS

Ask Amy

Our college courses are now online and I am living with my parents for the semester. At school, I adopted a 10-month-old medium-sized dog. Here’s the problem: My parents said he was welcome to come home with me, but now they are having some regrets. He barks and wants to play in the evening when they want to relax and watch TV, so they get annoyed. How can I fix this?

– Anna in Vero Beach

What actions do you take when your pup gets fired up in the evening? If you don’t have a ready answer to that question, here are three suggestions: Leash him and take him for a 20-to-30-minute walk right after dinner so you can intercept his energy and bring him down to a more relaxed state once you arrive home. If weather is inclement, take him to your room and play interactively there with toys, but don’t just hand them to him and expect the puppy to entertain himself. If he is really full of energy most of the day into the evening, then consider doggy daycare three days per week. Even half a day’s play with his pals will result in a mellow boy in the evenings. Most importantly, thank your parents for opening their home to your adopted dog.

My old dog, Jake, loves to be outside. Now it is finally cool enough to take him on longer walks, but he has some arthritis. I’m looking for quality outings that would not wreck his knees and hips, but would be more fun than just walking the same neighborhood. Suggestions?

– Zack in Vero Beach

My hat is off to you for recognizing that dogs need changes of scenery, too. You can help Jake stay young at heart by taking him to shorter trails and shopping areas. Riverside Park, across from the Children’s Theatre, has a tree-lined sidewalk east to the gazebos and along the river, or walk under the oak trees across from the art museum. The Lagoon Greenway at the east end of 8th Street is a good choice, but turn around after half a mile or so. Ocean Drive and Cardinal Drive offer a visual treat, and a trip to the pet supply store is always welcome.

This dog simply must know what his human is cooking.

roll of paper towels. I came back to an empty cutting board and my dog licking his lips with a confused look on his face that showed he was hoping for something better for his trouble. Since onions are one of the many toxic foods to keep away from pets, I phoned the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline, which is posted on my refrigerator because, naturally, these things happen at night or on a weekend when your regular veterinarian is closed. Luckily, my dog had eaten a small enough amount that he would not need emergency care. We ate pasta without onions that evening and declined a good-night kiss from the dog. ❀

Vero Beach’s home decorating destination

Designers Row

Joining Hands & Hearts

BRITTANY LYN VALKO & JOSEPH JOHN BLONDEK

Two local residents, Brittany Valko, daughter of Robert and Tammy Valko of Sebastian, and Joseph Blondek, son of Russell and Michele Blondek of Vero Beach, were married Feb. 1, 2020. Their rustic chic wedding and reception took place at the Master’s Stables in Fellsmere.

The couple, who both attended middle and high school in Sebastian, were overjoyed to be married in the town they call home. Brittany’s favorite moment of the day happened when she walked down the aisle and saw the look of love on Joseph’s face.

The weather provided another shining moment the couple will always relish. Although it had been raining all day, when it was time for the ceremony, the rain stopped, the clouds drifted away, and a beautiful sunset made them believe that their loved ones from above were in attendance.

After an adventurous honeymoon cruise taking them to Labadee, Haiti; Falmouth, Jamaica; and Cozumel, Mexico, the couple returned home to Vero Beach, where Brittany works as a medical assistant with Water’s Edge Dermatology and Joseph is a machinist with Northrop Grumman and owneroperator of Frozen Joe’s Ice Co.

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph John Blondek

DANIELLE MARIE

Robbie Valko, Emily Clemente, Zack Clemente, Brittany Boineau, Devin Sprenger, the bride and groom, Lara Baker, Aaron Blondek, Charlie Blondek, Kyle Holtzclaw and David Duffy

Rick and Christel Stevens, Jeff and Maritza Valko, Nic Valko, Josette Valko, Robert and Tammy Valko, Robbie Valko with Jaxson, Kayleigh Valko, the bride and groom, Michele and Russell Blondek, Phyllis Chouinard, Charlie Blondek, Aaron Blondek with Hudson, Emily and Zack Clemente, Ashley and Alex Blondek, and Deb and Tom Blondek

The bride with her father, Robert Valko

Charlie Blondek, Brittany Boineau, the bride, Lara Baker and Emily Clemente

The couple’s wedding rings symbolize devotion and their agreement to love and cherish one another.

A custom cake and topper celebrate the new couple.

KAITLYN RAIFF & MICHAEL NOTTAGE

Kaitlyn Raiff and Vero Beach native Michael Nottage were joined as husband and wife on Feb. 29, 2020. They are the children of Robin and Steven Raiff of Sebastian, and Joy and Donovan Nottage of Fellsmere, respectively. The couple, introduced by friends in high school and dating since senior year, now both work as real estate agents serving Vero Beach and the surrounding communities.

Married at Up the Creek Farms in Malabar, the couple made their day special by filling it with personal details. This included not only writing their own vows, but also collaborating with Kaitlyn’s aunt, who officiated at their union, on the words of the ceremony as well. The couple surprised their guests with a meaningful gesture to honor close family members who had passed away by placing four empty chairs at the back of the room with pictures and roses. They also participated in a Southern tradition that consists of burying a bottle of bourbon a month before the wedding to bring perfect weather on the big day. Sure enough, the gorgeous weather arrived right on schedule.

Among many special moments, the couple will remember Kaitlyn’s father rapping his welcome speech and breaking out some unexpected dance moves. At the end of the evening, as guests lined up with sparklers to send them off, Kaitlyn and Michael shared a private dance to reflect on the beautiful day they experienced.

Although the couple’s original honeymoon plans to take a cruise had to be postponed, they intend to set sail later in the year.

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Nottage with Reggie

Aaron Huston, Hailey Nottage, Brandon Rinchack, Nikki Morris, flower girl Charlie, Ian Nottage, the bride and groom, John Stumpp, Morgan McPartlan and Joey Diaz

The bride with her parents Robin and Steve Raiff

The groom with his parents Donovan and Joy Nottage

The ceremony took place at Up the Creek Farms in Malabar.

The bride and her father sporting matching socks

The couple finished the evening under a canopy of sparklers raised by guests.

Vero’s

Family Owned Since 1956

Monday - Friday: 9am-6pm Saturday: 10am-4pm

2912 Ocean Drive Vero Beach, FL 32963

Phone: 772-231-6931

Fax: 772-231-0731

3349 Ocean Drive, Suite 8, 2nd Floor Vero Beach, FL 32963

Artist Elise Geary 772-579-7667 • eliseartist.com

“SUN SPECTACULAR” 18 x 18

“Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.”

– WILL ROGERS

Breath of Fresh Air

OUTDOORS AND IN, NONPROFITS KEEP UP THEIR GOOD WORK CARE-A-VAN

TREASURE COAST FOOD BANK

Local seniors received some extra holiday help when Treasure Coast Food Bank’s CARE-a-Van delivered 3,000 boxes of food. With a police escort from the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, the CAREa-Van dropped off food boxes at 32 locations in St. Lucie, Indian River, Martin and Okeechobee counties. These provisions, selected especially to be healthful and easy to prepare, were meant to bring a sense of security to low-income seniors at a time when budgets are stretched particularly thin.

Fred Barr

Vidal Hernandez and Donna Knuddel

Eleanora Marshall

Joyce Riskovich

BY JACQUELINE KENNEY

PIONEER 5K RUN/WALK

INDIAN RIVER STATE COLLEGE FOUNDATION

The third annual Pioneer 5K Run/Walk, organized by the IRSC Foundation, was held Oct. 24 at the Pruitt Campus in Port St. Lucie. One hundred thirty adults and children crossed the finish line as they raised over $5,000 for student scholarships.

SPONSORS:

CenterState Bank, Dermody Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, Fleet Feet Stuart, Giordano’s Floral Creations, and International Wealth Management Group

Supporters cheer the runners on as they vie for the finish line. Teamwork gets the job done for this family of racers.

Todd Thurlow crosses the finish line.

Official timing was conducted by Mike Melton of MCM Timing & Results.

Susan and Bob O’Brien celebrate the joy of raising scholarship funds.

DRIVE-IN MOVIE NIGHT

GIFFORD YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT CENTER

Rain almost washed out the Gifford Youth Achievement Center’s Drive-In Movie Night in November, but the clouds cleared just in time for the 32-foot inflatable screen to be set up at Riverside Park. Sitting in their vehicles or on lawn chairs, guests enjoyed Tom Hanks’ portrayal of Fred “Mr.” Rogers in the movie “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.” The Source’s Dignity Food Truck was on hand to offer drive-in favorites such as candy, hot dogs, french fries and, of course, popcorn.

Nina and Riley

The Source’s Dignity Food Truck

Sisters Janet Riley and Martha Fite

Paul Lucas, Maddy, Julia, and Michele Lucas

The movie was shown on a 32-foot inflatable screen.

TROT AGAINST POVERTY

UNITED AGAINST POVERTY

The annual Thanksgiving Day Trot Against Poverty 5K counted 739 registered trotters, 55 of whom participated virtually. Although the turnout was actually lower than that of prior years, UAP was delighted, given the difficulties inherent in all events during these days of COVID-19. Marsh Landing and Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company provided fuel for the trotters in the form of sweet potato pancakes and orange juice.

United Against Poverty staff members

Nearly 700 racers participated in the 5K.

Runners in traditional running togs, tutus and military uniforms all came to race.

Alex, Caitlin, Jay and Shannon Roberts, and Johanna McCracken

T-Rex with some interesting groceries

The pre-race national anthem

READING RESOURCE ROOM

THE HOPE FOR FAMILIES CENTER

The Hope for Families Center celebrated the opening of the Joseph V. Flaherty Family Reading Resource Room, named in honor of the leading donor for the project. For many of the families served by the center, dedicated reading time and space were luxuries beyond their reach as they struggled with homelessness. Now, residents have access to a bright and comfortable room with books for all ages and reading levels, individual tables for homework, laptop stations for use by both parents and children, and a playhouse with soft chairs — perfect for story time. “Study after study has linked literacy to long-term success in both education and adulthood,” says Hope for Families CEO Diana Grossi. “Our goal has always been not just to provide food and shelter for homeless families, but to provide the tools and skills they need to achieve self-sufficiency. Adding the Reading Resource Room gives these families a model for what literacy in a home should look like.”

EXCHANGE CLUB DONATION

EXCHANGE CLUB OF THE TREASURE COAST

In November, the Exchange Club of the Treasure Coast visited Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy to present a $1,500 check in support of its programs. These funds are especially helpful at this time, as the facility is open daily from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., providing a safe place for students to conduct their virtual schooling under the supervision of experienced Youth Guidance staff along with tutors from Big Brothers Big Sisters. Students also receive breakfast, lunch and dinner. After schoolwork wraps up at 3:30, students engage in group mentoring programs related to STEAM subjects, life skills, recreational activities and vocational training. All Youth Guidance programs are offered free of charge to low-income families.

The Reading Resource Room provides students of all ages a bright, comfortable space for homework.

WHAT ARE YOU READING?

LITERACY SERVICES OF IRC

Book lover and best-selling author Will Schwalbe appeared via Zoom for the Literacy Services of Indian River County fundraising event Dec. 8. Schwalbe, who penned the nonfiction titles “The End of Your Life Book Club” and “Books for Living,” discussed the power books have to inspire, educate, transport and empower, as well as tips for discovering and selecting great reads. “What are you reading?” is Schwalbe’s favorite question to ask and be asked, and his passion for books inspired the audience of avid readers.

Laurie Collins, Robin Dapp and Phil Barnes

Author Will Schwalbe

The RRR is also the perfect place for finding a cozy spot and enjoying a book.

TEENS INTERVIEW VETS

VETERANS COUNCIL OF IRC

The Laura (Riding) Jackson Foundation paired up its Teens Listen program with the Veterans Council of Indian River County, providing 44 students a memorable experience. The teens, all students at Sebastian River High School, spent the afternoon of Nov. 18 interviewing local veterans. In preparation, the interviewers performed research that would help them formulate their questions and document the valuable oral histories being shared with them. LRJF plans to publish the students’ written reflections in the coming year.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Michelle Rispoli with Michael, James, Jeanice, Aldjine, Guadalupe and Emma

Staff Sgt. Rispoli speaks of her Air Force experience, which began in 2012.

Military interviewees with students at Sebastian River High School

Lt. Col. Oates draws on decades of service as an Army medic as he answers the students’ questions.

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Carroll Oates with Joseph, Kyree, Alex, Megan, Taylor, Michaela and Lucas

THANKSGIVING TEAMWORK

YOUTH GUIDANCE MENTORING ACADEMY

Gratitude was in the air at Thanksgiving when Alex “Buzz” MacWilliam and the team at Alex MacWilliam Real Estate donated 12 turkeys and three hams to help Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy students and their families celebrate the holiday. Youth Guidance board member Trudie Rainone pitched in by providing 20 Publix gift cards so that families could purchase the additional food needed for their Thanksgiving meals.

Jenna Thompson and Kenneth

Toni and Josiah

Holly Bailey and Montgomery

Cecilia with Jenna Thompson

Phil Barnes with Mario and Barbie

Jacqueline (second from right) with her five grandchildren and Jenna Thompson and Phil Barnes of Youth Guidance

NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAY

ASSOCIATION OF FUNDRAISING PROFESSIONALS

The Association of Fundraising Professionals Indian River Chapter hosted the 15th annual National Philanthropy Day celebration honoring local leaders in the nonprofit community. One organization and 27 individuals, representing a total of 26 nonprofits, were recognized for their tireless efforts. Michael Kint, who acted as master of ceremonies, received AFPIR’s President’s Award for his 25 years of service at the United Way of Indian River County. The event had been planned as a drive-in affair at Riverside Park to accommodate social distancing protocols, but soggy ground conditions led to a change of venue. All worked out well, as the Community Church provided a setting that was intimate yet spacious enough to be safe for everyone.

MAJOR SPONSORS:

Carter, PNC Wealth Management, Janet Baines, Indian River Community Foundation, Eleanora Wahlstrom McCabe, John’s Island Real Estate Company, Kathie and Michael Pierce, and Vero Beach Magazine

Trudie Rainone and Kathy Mulvey

Angelia Perry, Jeff Powers and Elizabeth Thomason

Gavin and Marcia Ruotolo with Stu Keiller

John and Linda Colontrelle

William Stewart

Lorne Coyle, Laura Colvard and Harry Hurst with Tami and Rick Waters

Jim and Judy Schorner with Stephen and Rose Sadlek

Shannon McGuire Bowman and Michael Kint

Andrea Berry and Karen Franke

Stephen Higgins and Lenora Ritchie

Elizabeth Thomason and Kerry Bartlett

‘REVERSE’ CHRISTMAS PARADE

SUNRISE ROTARY

When the annual Ocean Drive Christmas Parade was canceled due to COVID-19, the members of Sunrise Rotary Vero Beach put their thinking caps on and worked to see if it would be possible to design a safer alternative. What they came up with was the “Reverse” Christmas Parade, held at the Vero Beach Regional Airport. On Dec. 5, an estimated 7,000 viewers enjoyed more than 45 stationary floats and displays while driving by in their vehicles. With the cooperation of the city of Vero Beach, the Vero Beach Police Department, the airport, and the Indian River County Recreation Department, 46 volunteers pulled off this creative take on the traditional Christmas parade.

Rotarians Rick Root, Ernie Poland, Tom Groendyke and Jack DiehlThe Rotary chuck wagon

Pam O’Donnell, Robert Brulotte, Deb MacAuly and Cathy Dritenbas

Todd Darress, chairman of the parade committee

Laura Kennedy with Lisa Fortuna as Josh the Otter

BEACH CLEANUP

ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER

On Dec. 12, Environmental Learning Center Junior Interpreters and volunteers, in partnership with NOAA Planet Stewards, held a beach cleanup. The trash removed totaled over 100 pounds, including 255 pieces of microplastics. The event was a good example of youth demonstrating that they care about a healthy, clean environment.

WINTERGREEN NIGHT LIGHTS

ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER

For three days in December, the Environmental Learning Center held its annual Wintergreen Night Lights event, with canoe tours through lighted mangrove tunnels, a fairy house scavenger hunt and a bonfire with s’mores. For the Tinkergarten Lantern Walk, more than 100 guests created lanterns to light up the evening.

Guests enjoy s’mores and holiday music at the bonfire.

This group is excited to find a fairy house in the scavenger hunt.

A sign leads guests to the dock for “Mangrove Magic” canoe tours.

Mask-clad volunteers removed more than 100 pounds of trash from area beaches.

bring their own

or

The bonfire is a popular spot to relax and enjoy holiday music.

This young volunteer takes a break to enjoy his s’more.

Volunteers decked out in holiday attire lead guests in canoes through the mangrove tunnels.

Technique is everything when roasting the perfect marshmallow.

This family enjoys an evening walk carrying lights of hope into the new year.

Families could

lanterns

make them on campus with tea lights.

MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE

MARDY FISH FOUNDATION

The Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation participated in the 36th annual Vero Beach Christmas Parade — this year a “Reverse” Christmas Parade — with a float called “Making Dreams Come True.” MFCF’s Equestrian Program, under the tutelage of Ahnna and Elias Hindi of Sherwood Farms, dressed up mini-horses as unicorns for the whimsical display. MFCF funds and runs a number of after-school and summer camp programs for Indian River County youth. ❀

The Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation float, “Making Dreams Come True”

Jackie Sartain with Gimli and Alexa

Mahaila and Gimli with Elias Hindi

Manasseh Suranofsky

“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.”

THE DALAI LAMA

– UNKNOWN

“Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.”

A Heart for Art

WHEN IT COMES TO VERO BEACH AND THE ARTS, IT'S TRUE LOVE

DUE TO ONGOING ADJUSTMENTS TO THE COVID-19 SITUATION, WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU CALL AHEAD OR CHECK WEBSITES BEFORE FINALIZING YOUR PLANS.

PARTNER ARTISTS

FEBRUARY 1–28

This month, Artists Guild Gallery is featuring the works of its partner artists, including Merana Cadorette, who has been a professional artist for over 40 years. She is a versatile and prolific painter whose subject matter, media and style have evolved over the years as she has gathered life experiences.

ARTISTS GUILD GALLERY 1974 14th Ave.

Monday–Friday 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.–3 p.m.,

First Friday (Feb. 5) Gallery Stroll 5–8 p.m.

772-299-1234

artistsguildgallery ofverobeach.com

PAPER GOODS

FEBRUARY 2–26

For the fourth consecutive year, Gallery 14 welcomes internationally recognized collage artist Derek Gores. The current exhibition, entitled “Paper Goods,” features Gores’ new collage works and drawings created exclusively for Gallery 14. The Satellite Beach resident exhibits in Paris, Los Angeles, Berlin, Miami and other cultural centers. He constructs his collage portraits using such materials as recycled fashion magazines, maps and cocktail menus, and the result is dramatically different experiences depending on the viewing proximity. Join Gallery 14 for the opening receptions

Thursday, Feb. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m., and during the First Friday Gallery Stroll Feb. 5, also 5 to 8 p.m.

GALLERY 14

1911 14th Ave.

Tuesday–Friday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. 772-562-5525

gallery14verobeach.com

PLAY OF LIGHT

FEBRUARY 4–27

J.M. Stringer Gallery presents “Play of Light,” an exhibition of the recent paintings of Andre Lucero and Richard Oversmith. Born to patrons of the arts, Lucero showed artistic talent from an early age. After a successful 10-year stint as a freelance illustrator, he embarked on his current career as in impressionistic oil painter who works en plein air in the picturesque Virginia countryside. Oversmith makes his home in neighboring North Carolina, where he also enjoys working en plein air. His preferred medium is oil on linen, as he strives to convey the particular mood of each setting. Join J.M. Stringer for the exhibition’s opening, Feb. 4, from 4 to 8 p.m. and both Friday and Saturday, Feb. 5 and 6, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. “Play of Light” will run through Feb. 27.

J.M. STRINGER GALLERY

3465 Ocean Drive

Tuesday–Saturday 11 a.m.–6 p.m. or by appointment 772-231-3900

jmstringergallery.com

“Updraft” by Merana Cadorette, acrylic on canvas, 20 x 20 inches

“Waves of Joy” by Andre Lucero, oil on panel, 30 x 40 inches

“Passion Fruit,” collage, 24 x 24 inches

HOMECOMING SHOW

FEBRUARY 5–MARCH 21

The Vero Beach Art Club has settled into its new space in the downtown art district and is celebrating with — what else? — a special art show! The “Homecoming Show” will feature works in various media by the club’s members. The new annex, located in the former home of Tiger Lily Gallery, will be used for exhibits, meetings, classes and workshops. It also houses the Janette Beach Gallery, named in honor of the club’s founder. An opening reception for the “Homecoming Show” will be held during the First Friday Gallery Stroll Feb. 5 from 5 to 8 p.m.

VERO BEACH ART CLUB

ANNEX & GALLERY

1903 14th Ave.

Tuesday–Saturday

11 a.m.–3 p.m. 772-217-3345 verobeachartclub.org

GUSTAVO NOVOA

FEBRUARY 27–MARCH 18

Findlay Galleries presents “Gustavo Novoa: 50 Years of Exclusive Artist Representation,” a survey exhibition showcasing the Chileanborn artist’s recent works. Novoa is a renowned contemporary naif painter and children’s book author who began his career in the early 1960s painting in the streets of Paris. He has been represented exclusively by Wally Findlay Galleries since the early 1970s, during which time he has produced an impressive body of work. Now approaching 80, he continues to create his brightly colored canvases filled with whimsy and wit.

FINDLAY GALLERIES

165 Worth Ave., Palm Beach

Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. 561-655-2090 findlaygalleries.com

“The

Ongoing Events

THROUGH FEBRUARY 28 INSPIRED

Art at the Emerson continues its inaugural showing, “Inspired,” in which local artists exhibit their creative works inspired by the isolation resulting from COVID-19. Contributing artists include Henrimae Bell, Glen Bottalico, Judy Burgarella, Judy Caldwell, Hector Cruz, Jemal Hayes, Jane Howard, Bill Hults, Iris Peters, Lisa Rose, Barbara Sharp and Lee G. Smith.

ART AT THE EMERSON

The Emerson Center 1590 27th Ave.

Monday–Friday 10 a.m.–3 p.m. 772-778-5880 artattheemerson.com

THROUGH MARCH 31 SPRING EXHIBITION

The Galleries at First Pres continues its spring art rotation in conjunction with its anniversary celebration. The “4th Anniversary Art Show” features the works of Artist in Residence Sheila Lougheed, Vero Beach artist Pamela Tan Siddall, and late illustrator Bob Berran, a World War II veteran who passed away in January 2020 at age 96.

THE GALLERIES AT FIRST PRES

First Presbyterian Church

520 Royal Palm Blvd.

Monday–Thursday noon–3 p.m., Sunday between church services

772-562-9088 firstpresvero.org

THROUGH APRIL 30 NEW LIGHT

Vero Beach Museum of Art presents “Chul Hyun Ahn: New Light.” Ahn is a Korean American light artist who creates mind-bending sculptures that conjure illusions of infinite space. Based in Baltimore, he has exhibited extensively nationally and internationally. Safety precautions are in place at VBMA, and the Museum Art School, cafe, ArtZone and South Sculpture Park remain closed for the time being.

THROUGH MAY 2 POETRY OF NATURE

Vero Beach Museum of Art’s “Poetry of Nature” is an exhibition of paintings from the Hudson River School, which rose to prominence in New York during the first half of the 19th century. The exhibition, organized by the New-York Historical Society, includes some 40 paintings by 25 artists, with dates ranging from 1818 to 1886, allowing the viewer to explore the artistic influences shared and exchanged within the loosely knit group that established the artistic vision we now recognize as the Hudson River School.

VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART

3001 Riverside Park Drive

Wednesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Sunday 1–4 p.m. 772-231-0707 vbmuseum.org

“Fish” by Mike Nelson, acrylic on canvas, 20 x 24 inches

Ascension,” acrylic on canvas, 40 x 30 inches

ART AT THE EMERSON

The Emerson Center’s art gallery features the work of local artists in six themed twomonth exhibitions per year.

ART AT THE EMERSON

The Emerson Center 1590 27th Ave.

772-778-5880 artattheemerson.com

ARTIST BUNGALOW

Jeff and Patti Hall are the artistowners of this boutique gallery with a tie-dye vibe and a funky flair. It is an intimate space showcasing original art, prints, assemblages, textiles, jewelry and more.

ARTIST BUNGALOW

1905 14th Ave.

772-205-7631 artistbungalow.com

ARTISTS GUILD GALLERY

Celebrating 30 years of sharing art with Vero Beach, this cooperative fine art gallery features the work of artistowners Merana Cadorette, Sue Dinenno, Annette Gekle, Barbara Glover, Sherry Haaland, Judy Mercer, Dawn Mill, Patricia Padoll, Judy Rixom, Fran San Miguel and Rita Ziegler. In addition to paintings in various media, the gallery’s 12 rooms present works of sculpture, pottery, jewelry, ceramics and glass. Art classes, commissioned works and private showings are also offered.

ARTISTS GUILD GALLERY

1974 14th Ave.

772-299-1234

artistsguildgalleryofvero beach.com

ART WORKS

Founded out of the passion for art of two educators, Art Works is both a fine art gallery and art school. Betsy Nelson and Mary Partow are veterans of the public school system who want to bring their experience teaching art to the broader Vero Beach community. The gallery features works by artists from various parts of the United States, particularly the East Coast, representing a range

of styles. Nelson and Partow offer art classes for students of all ages and skill levels, as well as art parties, team-building events and children’s art clubs and camps.

ART WORKS

2036 14th Ave., Suite 106

Theatre Plaza

772-559-5230 artworksofvero.com

BARBARA KRUPP FINE

ART AND STUDIO

The gallery and studio presents the work of international artist Barbara Krupp, whose several collections feature abstract paintings in acrylic. Visitors are welcome by appointment.

BARBARA KRUPP FINE ART AND STUDIO

4315 U.S. Hwy. 1 440-574-4662 barbarakrupp.com

ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER

The ELC’s Lagoon Room and Tidal Room are dedicated spaces for the exhibition of nature-related art in the form of paintings, photography, sculpture and more.

ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER

255 Live Oak Drive 772-589-5050 discoverelc.org

FINDLAY GALLERIES

Findlay Galleries is celebrating 150 years in the art business. Renowned globally for its distinguished roster of exciting contemporary and abstract artists, the gallery continues to specialize in 19th- and 20th-century impressionism, European modernism, l’Ecole de Rouen, l’Ecole de Paris and 20th-century American art. Visit the galleries’ biweekly changing exhibitions on two spacious floors encompassing three centuries of art under one roof on Worth Avenue.

FINDLAY GALLERIES

165 Worth Ave., Palm Beach 561-655-2090 findlaygalleries.com

FLAMETREE GALLERY

Leah and Bruce Cady’s gallery is a place for local clay artists and potters to show their work. The gallery features resident artists Rae Marie Crisel, Keko Ekonomou, Heidi Hill, Coco Martin, Kim Mayo, Judy Nye, Maria Sparsis and Peggy Thomas. Exhibiting artists include John Aruffo, Bill Bennett, Jim Cohoe, Mary Goetz, Judi Nickelson and Katie Santomartino.

FLAMETREE GALLERY

2041 14th Ave. 772-202-2810 flametreegallery.com

THE GALLERIES AT FIRST PRES

The campus of First Presbyterian Church is home to The Galleries at First Pres, a venue displaying the work of local artists in various media. Installments are rotated on a quarterly basis, with three artists featured each season. Indian River County artists are invited to apply to be a part of the galleries’ ever-changing lineup. Guests are welcome to view the galleries Monday through Thursday afternoons from noon to 3 and Sundays between church services.

THE GALLERIES AT FIRST PRES

First Presbyterian Church 520 Royal Palm Blvd. 772-464-6712 firstpresvero.org

GALLERY 14

The gallery features a diverse array of works in oil, acrylic, watercolor, mixed media, collage, sculpture, ceramic, jewelry, pastel and photography by Gallery 14 owner-artists Lila Blakeslee, Barbara du Pont, Beth-Anne Fairchild, Mary Ann Hall, Barbara Landry, George Pillorgé, Deborah Morrell Polackwich and Dorothy Napp Schindel. Other artists include Walford Campbell, Joan Earnhart, Terry Green, Viola Pace Knudsen, Mia Lindberg, Francis Mesaros, Michael Robinson, Carol Staub and sales associate-artist Jo Zaza, along with monthly rotating exhibits by guests.

GALLERY 14 1911 14th Ave. 772-562-5525 gallery14verobeach.com

THE GALLERY AT WINDSOR

Founded in 2002, The Gallery at Windsor is an independent art space at the heart of the Windsor community. The gallery annually invites curators to respond to the space with museum-quality shows of contemporary art. The gallery has exhibited works by leading contemporary artists including Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Ed Ruscha, Bruce Weber, Peter Doig, Alex Katz, Per Kirkeby and Christopher Le Brun. A three-year collaboration with the Whitechapel Gallery, London, resulted in exhibitions by Beatriz Milhazes, Gert and Uwe Tobias and Jasper Johns. A three-year curatorial partnership with the Royal Academy began in 2018 with Grayson Perry and continued with Sir Michael Craig-Martin in 2019 and Rose Wylie in 2020.

THE GALLERY AT WINDSOR 3125 Windsor Blvd. 772-388-4071 windsorflorida.com/art

“Gourd” by Donna Franklin, mixed media at Vero Beach Art Club Annex & Gallery

JAMES R. HAHN PRODUCTIONS

Works by mural and trompe l’oeil specialists James and Kay Hahn are shown, including originals, prints and projects.

JAMES R. HAHN PRODUCTIONS

2020 Old Dixie Hwy. SE, Suite 11 863-253-1053 jamesrhahn.com

J.M. STRINGER GALLERY OF FINE ART

The gallery offers worldwide collections of original paintings, objets d’art, sculptures and select antique furnishings.

J.M. STRINGER GALLERY OF FINE ART 3465 Ocean Drive 772-231-3900 jmstringergallery.com

THE LAUGHING DOG GALLERY

The gallery features a sophisticated collection from more than 350 contemporary American craftsmen. The Treasure Coast’s largest collection of art glass, along with ceramics, sculpture, furniture and an extensive collection of fine art jewelry is represented in its friendly, 4,000-square-foot showroom. The collection is also viewable on the website.

THE LAUGHING DOG GALLERY 2910 Cardinal Drive 772-234-6711 thelaughingdoggallery.com

MAIN STREET VERO BEACH ART STUDIOS AND GALLERY

The studios and gallery showcase works by Clair Brunetti and Barbara Sharp. Works include custom jewelry, paintings, hand-painted glass and furniture.

MAIN STREET VERO BEACH ART STUDIOS AND GALLERY 2036 14th Ave. 772-643-6782 mainstreetverobeach.org

MEGHAN CANDLER GALLERY

The gallery has a beautifully curated collection of paintings by select local, national and international artists and

represents more than 40 contemporary emerging and established artists working in abstract, impressionist and realistic styles. The gallery presents an uplifting, friendly and sophisticated environment that currently features new paintings from the studios of its New York, California, Atlanta and Cape Cod artists. Works are also viewable on the website.

MEGHAN CANDLER GALLERY

6160 Hwy. A1A Village Shops 772-234-8811 meghancandlergallery.com

OCEAN DRIVE GALLERY

This studio and gallery features contemporary abstracts by Elise Geary, acrylic animal paintings by Andrea Lazar and acrylic seascapes by Gail Fayerweather.

OCEAN DRIVE GALLERY

3349 Ocean Drive, Suite 8 Second floor Elevator located in alcove behind Lyra Home 772-579-7667 eliseartist.com

PALM HOUSE STUDIO AND GALLERY

The studio and gallery features original artwork by awardwinning artists Wendy Douglas, Dede Gilbert, Rick Kelly, Kathy Kemp, Madeline Long, Suzy Mellott, Lee Moore, Jack Staley, Emily Tremml and Janet Kipp Tribus. Their work includes landscapes, marine scenes, contemporary realism, portraiture, narrative imagery and original jewelry designs by Faith & Family. Commissions are welcomed. See the gallery’s website, Facebook and Twitter to view current available artwork, works in progress, teaching videos and biographies of the artists. Open by chance or appointment.

PALM HOUSE STUDIO AND GALLERY

3227 Ocean Drive, 2nd floor 772-231-6816 palmhousegallery.com

RAW SPACE

A vibrant, innovative and alternative cultural venue located in the heart of downtown Vero Beach, Raw Space provides a platform that promotes a spectrum of artistic disciplines and events with a distinct focus on community engagement. Its program includes exhibits from local and international artists, workshops, lectures, black box theater, film screenings, music, dance and anything that promotes “out of the box’’ ideas.

RAW SPACE

1795 Old Dixie Hwy. 305-213-9411

artconceptalternative.org

SEBASTIAN RIVER ART CLUB

The club offers art, web design and photography classes, demonstrations, workshops and art shows inside the clubhouse and at Riverview Park. The club’s exhibit space features works in an array of media: pottery, sculpture, woodworking, jewelry, mixed media, photography and glass.

SEBASTIAN RIVER ART CLUB

1245 Main St., Sebastian 772-571-6632

sebastianriverartclub.com

VERO BEACH ART CLUB

The art club is an independent, nonprofit organization serving 450 members and the art community through education, exhibitions, social events and

monthly meetings with special programs and guest artists. In addition to its presence at the Vero Beach Museum of Art, the Art Club holds activities at its Annex, which also houses the Jeanette Beach Gallery, named in honor of the club’s founder.

VERO BEACH ART CLUB

3001 Riverside Park Drive 772-231-0303

Art Club Annex & Gallery

1903 14th Ave. 772-217-3345

verobeachartclub.org

VERO BEACH

MUSEUM OF ART

The museum is the largest accredited art facility on Florida’s Treasure Coast, presenting changing international exhibitions from lenders and its permanent collection of more than 950 objects of American and international art. It features sculpture parks, five galleries, docent tours, art classes, public programs from lectures to film studies, jazz concerts, an annual children’s art festival, Museum Stories and Studios, Museum

Babies, an interactive children’s Art Zone and a museum store. Admission fees apply. Admission is free on the last Saturday of each month.

VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART

3001 Riverside Park Drive 772-231-0707

vbmuseum.org ❀

“Sunset Serenade” by Linda Arnold, oil on canvas, 48 x 60 inches at Meghan Candler Gallery

“A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles.”

– WASHINGTON IRVING

It’s a Date!

FAST FORWARD INTO FEBRUARY WITH ADVENTURES APLENTY

FEBRUARY 1

Monday NEW ART COLLECTION

Meghan Candler Gallery presents the latest collection from Linda Arnold. All of the paintings, as well as a virtual tour of the exhibition, can also be viewed on the gallery’s website. Tuesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

MEGHAN CANDLER GALLERY

6160 Hwy. A1A Village Shops 772-234-8811 meghancandlergallery.com

GRATEFUL HEARTS

The Hope for Families Center rescheduled its annual Grateful Hearts fundraising dinner from Nov. 2, 2020, to Feb. 1, 2021. The event will begin at 6 p.m. with cocktails and a silent auction, followed by dinner and a live auction at 7. 6 p.m., $250

THE HOPE FOR FAMILIES CENTER at Bent Pine Golf Club 6001 Clubhouse Drive 772-567-5537

hopeforfamiliescenter.org

STARFEST

Childcare Resources of Indian River’s 2021 Starfest fundraiser will be a virtual affair, taking

place at six different times over the two-day period. Guests will be able to enjoy the event at their preferred time in the intimate setting of their choice. No one will want to miss the raffles! Raffle tickets may be purchased online, and the drawings will be held at the conclusion of the final Zoom event Feb. 2. Feb. 1–2

CHILDCARE RESOURCES

772-567-3202 childcareresourcesir.org

FEBRUARY 3

Wednesday

main rotation. Feb. 3–8, see website for all times and details.

VERO BEACH CLAY SHOOTING SPORTS

5925 82nd Ave. 772-978-0935 verobeachclayshooting.com

CASSIS TRUNK SHOW

Experience the “relaxed glamour” of Cassis, a USA-made fine jewelry brand that has sought to inspire its wearers for more than 30 years. Feb. 3–4 Village Shops, Feb. 5–6 Ocean Drive; 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

ANA-KATARINA TRUNK SHOW

Belle Cose presents the latest collection from Ana-Katarina, a socially conscious jewelry brand led by Ana-Katarina VinklerPetrovic, whose extensive world travel has inspired both her designs and her humanitarianism. Feb. 3–4 Ocean Drive, Feb. 5–6 Village Shops; 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

FEBRUARY 4

Thursday

CARIBBEAN CLASSIC Vero Beach Clay Shooting Sports has secured additional acreage that will allow expansion of this year’s Caribbean Classic program. Two unique courses will be set for the main event, and each competitor will shoot each course on the Saturday–Sunday

BELLE COSE

6240 Hwy. A1A

Village Shops

772-231-1554

3375 Ocean Drive

772-231-1558 bellecose.com

PLAY OF LIGHT OPENING

J.M. Stringer Gallery presents “Play of Light,” an exhibition of the recent paintings of Andre Lucero and Richard Oversmith. Stop in for the exhibition’s opening Thursday 4–8 p.m. as well as Friday and Saturday, Feb. 5 and 6, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. “Play of Light” will run through Feb. 27.

J.M. STRINGER GALLERY

3465 Ocean Drive 772-231-3900 jmstringergallery.com

DEREK GORES RECEPTION

Join Gallery 14 in welcoming renowned collage artist Derek Gores with his new exhibition “Paper Goods,” featuring new collage works and drawings created exclusively for Gallery 14. The festivities will continue

DUE TO ONGOING ADJUSTMENTS TO THE COVID-19 SITUATION, WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU CALL AHEAD OR CHECK WEBSITES BEFORE FINALIZING YOUR PLANS.

during the First Friday Gallery Stroll. Feb. 4–5, Thursday–Friday, 5–8 p.m. The exhibition will run through Feb. 26.

GALLERY 14

1911 14th Ave. 772-562-5525 gallery14verobeach.com

BELVOIR: A BEAUTIFUL VIEW

Findlay Galleries is proud to present the exhibition “Belvoir: A Beautiful View” by British contemporary impressionist Charles Neal. If you cannot experience it in person, be sure to explore Findlay Galleries’ extensive virtual exhibitions and beautifully designed digital catalogs. Feb. 4–March 18, Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

FINDLAY GALLERIES

165 Worth Ave., Palm Beach 561-655-2090 findlaygalleries.com

FEBRUARY 5 Friday

SPENCE GUERIN

The Center for Spiritual Care welcomes Melbourne painter and printmaker Spence Guerin with an exhibition of his newest works, featuring mostly landscapes and still lifes, as well as portrait drawings. Feb. 5–27, viewing by appointment only

CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL CARE

1550 24th St. 772-563-4298 centerforspiritualcare.org

Ongoing Events

Through February 28

INSPIRED

Art at the Emerson continues its inaugural showing, “Inspired,” in which local artists exhibit their creative works inspired by the isolation resulting from COVID19. Monday–Friday 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

ART AT THE EMERSON

The Emerson Center 1590 27th Ave. 772-778-5880 artattheemerson.com

Through March 31

ANNIVERSARY ART SHOW

Through April 30

CHUL HYUN AHN

VBMA presents “Chul Hyun Ahn: New Light.” Ahn is a light artist who creates mind-bending sculptures that conjure illusions of infinite space. Wednesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Sunday 1–4 p.m.

VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART 3001 Riverside Drive 772-231-0707 vbmuseum.org

Through May 2

POETRY OF NATURE

SIP AND SHOP

J. McLaughlin invites you to a Sip and Shop event benefiting Childcare Resources of Indian River County. Noon–4 p.m.

J. MCLAUGHLIN

6210 Hwy. A1A Village Shops 772-231-4887 jmclaughlin.com

ARTISTS GUILD FEATURES

Be sure to pop into Artists Guild Gallery during the First Friday Gallery Stroll to see the natureinspired works of Charleston, South Carolina, painter Johnson Hagood. All this month, Artists Guild is also featuring the works of its partner artists. 5–8 p.m.

HOMECOMING CELEBRATION

The Vero Beach Art Club invites you to the official Grand Opening of the Art Club Annex & Gallery during the First Friday Gallery Stroll, 5 to 8 p.m. The special “Homecoming Show” will feature works in various media by the club’s members and will run through March 21.

ART CLUB ANNEX & GALLERY

1903 14th Ave. 772-217-3345

verobeachartclub.org

ARTISTS GUILD GALLERY 1974 14th Ave. 772-299-1234 artistsguildgalleryofverobeach. com

FEBRUARY 6

Saturday

PURE ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE

The Sunrise Theatre presents “The Pure Zeppelin Experience,” a Florida-based tribute band that reproduces a Led Zeppelin concert, augmented by a full laser light production. Many

The Galleries at First Pres continues its spring art rotation in conjunction with its anniversary celebration. The “4th Anniversary Art Show” features the works of Artist in Residence Sheila Lougheed, Vero Beach artist Pamela Tan Siddall, and late illustrator Bob Berran, a World War II veteran who passed away in January 2020 at age 96.

THE GALLERIES AT FIRST PRES

First Presbyterian Church 520 Royal Palm Blvd. 772-562-9088 firstpresvero.org

Through April 25

NATURE CONNECTS

Don’t miss Sean Kenney’s “Nature Connects” exhibition at McKee Botanical Garden. Produced by Imagine Exhibitions, this collection of 13 sculptures is constructed from more than 800,000 Lego bricks. Tuesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday noon–5 p.m., regular admission fees apply

MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN

350 U.S. Hwy. 1 772-794-0601 mckeegarden.org

Vero Beach Museum of Art presents “Poetry of Nature,” an exhibition of paintings from the Hudson River School, which rose to prominence in New York during the first half of the 19th century. The show includes some 40 paintings by 25 artists, with dates ranging from 1818 to 1886, and has been organized by the New-York Historical Society. Wednesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Sunday 1–4 p.m.

VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART 3001 Riverside Park Drive 772-231-0707

vbmuseum.org

safety measures will be in place, including a seating capacity of 50%. 7:30 p.m., $43 and up

SUNRISE THEATRE

117 S. 2nd St., Fort Pierce 772-461-4775 sunrisetheatre.com

SIP AND SHOP

J. McLaughlin will hold a Sip and Shop event benefiting the Environmental Learning Center. Noon–5 p.m.

J. MCLAUGHLIN

6210 Hwy. A1A Village Shops 772-231-4887 jmclaughlin.com

FEBRUARY 7

Sunday

AMERICAN LANDSCAPES

“American Landscapes,” the second performance of the 13th season of Vero Beach Museum of Art’s Chamber Music Series featuring the Atlantic Classical Orchestra, will feature Amy Beach’s String Quartet, which pairs Alaskan Inuit melodies with traditional Western techniques, and Dvorak’s String Quartet No. 12, Op. 96, the “American Quartet.” 3 p.m.; $35 VBMA members/ACO subscribers, $50 nonmembers/nonsubscribers

VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART

3001 Riverside Park Drive 772-231-0707, ext. 116 or 139 vbmuseum.org

FEBRUARY 8

Monday

COOMI TRUNK SHOW

Belle Cose invites you to check out the latest looks from Indian American designer Coomi Bhasin. Feb. 8–9 Village Shops, Feb. 10–11 Ocean Drive

BELLE COSE

6240 Hwy. A1A Village Shops

772-231-1554

3375 Ocean Drive

772-231-1558

bellecose.com

FEBRUARY 9

Tuesday

Maine,” will be directed by Tevin Brown. Feb. 10–21; Tuesday–Friday 7:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 2 p.m.; $30

VERO BEACH THEATRE GUILD 2020 San Juan Ave. 772-562-8300 verobeachtheatreguild.com

FEBRUARY 11

Thursday

K., which features “imperfect” gemstones hand-selected by designer Lauren Kessler. Feb. 12–13 Ocean Drive location only, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

BELLE COSE

3375 Ocean Drive 772-231-1558 bellecose.com

CENTERPIECE WORKSHOPS

Trimmings Home Garden Gifts invites you to prepare for Valentine’s Day with a workshop that will guide you in creating a beautiful centerpiece. Flowers and container are provided. Each session is limited to four people, and reservations are required, so call and set your time. Feb. 9 and 11, Tuesday and Thursday 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

TRIMMINGS HOME GARDEN GIFTS

3201 Cardinal Drive 772-213-8069 trimmingsvb.com

SHY CREATION

The Shy Creation Trunk Show at Veranda will feature the young, fun and luxurious looks of designer Shy Dayan and the L.A. company he runs with his siblings, David and Kathy. Feb. 11–12, Thursday–Friday 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

VERANDA

3325 Ocean Drive 772-234-3404

JOHN D. HOSLER

FEBRUARY 13 Saturday

EDDIE METZ TRIO

The Treasure Coast Jazz Society presents the Eddie Metz Trio in concert. The band’s members are drummer Eddie Metz, bassist and jazz vocalist Nicki Parrott, and pianist Rossano Sportiello. 12:30 p.m.; $40 members, $45 nonmembers

TREASURE COAST JAZZ SOCIETY at Vero Beach Yacht Club 3601 Rio Vista Blvd. 772-234-4600 tcjazzsociety.com

SHORT FILM CONCERT

Vero Beach Museum of Art presents the 40th Asbury Short Film Concert, recommended for ages 16 and above. 1:30 and 7 p.m., $25

FILM STUDIES 4

Vero Beach Museum of Art’s film studies coordinator, Diane Thelen, presents “Behind the Battlefield: Personal Stories in Times of War,” a five-week course offering critical context and moderated class discussion of films selected from the finest in classic and contemporary cinema. Feb. 9–March 9; Tuesdays 1:30 and 7 p.m.; $80 members, $95 nonmembers

VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART

3001 Riverside Park Drive 772-231-0707, ext. 136 vbmuseum.org

FEBRUARY 10

Wednesday

ALMOST, MAINE

Vero Beach Theatre Guild’s presentation of John Cariani’s 2004 romantic comedy “Almost,

The Indian River State College Foundation Fielden Institute for Lifelong Learning presents noted scholar John D. Hosler with “Medieval Jerusalem and Peace in the Modern Middle East,” part of its Distinguished Lecture Series. For safety reasons, this year’s lectures will be broadcast for home viewing only. 10 a.m.–noon; $150 series subscription (includes an annual IRSC Foundation membership), $35 individual lecture

INDIAN RIVER STATE COLLEGE FOUNDATION

772-462-7880 irscfoundation.org

FEBRUARY 12

Friday

LAUREN K. TRUNK SHOW

Belle Cose invites you to check out the latest looks from innovative jewelry brand Lauren

VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART 3001 Riverside Park Drive 772-231-0707, ext. 136 vbmuseum.org

FEBRUARY 14 Sunday

ART IN THE PARK Interact with artists and artisans under the display tents while browsing paintings, collage wall

art, photography, digital art, sculpture, jewelry, and works in wood, glass and ceramics. 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

VERO BEACH ART CLUB at Humiston Park 3000 Ocean Drive 772-231-0303 verobeachartclub.org

SIP AND SHOP

J. McLaughlin invites you to a Sip and Shop event benefiting Indian River Habitat for Humanity. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

J. MCLAUGHLIN 6210 Hwy. A1A Village Shops 772-231-4887 jmclaughlin.com

FEBRUARY 15

Monday

FEBRUARY 16

Tuesday

PAUL MORELLI

TRUNK SHOW

Visit Belle Cose to see exquisite jewelry from the Philadelphia design and manufacturing atelier of the Morelli family. Feb. 16–17 Village Shops, Feb. 18–20 Ocean Drive; 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

HENDERSON COLLECTION

TRUNK SHOW

Belle Cose also presents the newest designs from The Henderson Collection by Lecil, a North Carolina jewelry company that designs for the versatile lifestyle of the customer. Feb. 16–17 Ocean Drive, Feb. 18–19 Village Shops; 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

BELLE COSE

6240 Hwy. A1A Village Shops

772-231-1554

3375 Ocean Drive

772-231-1558

bellecose.com

FEBRUARY 20

Saturday

CRAFT BREW & WINGFEST

VIRTUAL WRITERS WORKSHOP

The Laura (Riding) Jackson Foundation presents English and journalism professor Bill Maxwell with the workshop “How to Write for Newspapers and Magazines.” It will be held virtually via Zoom. 10–11:30 a.m., $35

LAURA (RIDING) JACKSON FOUNDATION 772-569-6718 lauraridingjackson.org

FEBRUARY 25 Thursday

CLARA WILLIAMS

Veranda presents the mix-andmatchable jewelry of Clara Williams. Feb. 25–26, Thursday–Friday 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

VERANDA

3325 Ocean Drive 772-234-3404

FEBRUARY 26 Friday

COMPOSER’S NOTEBOOK

Ballet Vero Beach presents the second iteration of its “Composer’s Notebook” series, this time featuring the music of Antonio Vivaldi. Feb. 26–27; Friday 7:30 p.m., Saturday 2 and 7:30 p.m.; $10–$75

ABBA MANIA

JOHN B. RAVENAL

Vero Beach Museum of Art’s International Lecture Series welcomes John B. Ravenal, vice president of arts and culture and artistic director of the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, Massachusetts. The talk, “Outdoor Art in a Changing Landscape,” will address outdoor sculpture as creating a sense of place. Participants may attend an on-site simulcast or view a livestream broadcast from home. 4:30 p.m.; simulcast/livestream series $220–$265, single lecture $80–$95

VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART

3001 Riverside Park Drive 772-231-0707

vbmuseum.org

Sunrise Rotary Vero Beach’s 10th anniversary Craft Brew and Wingfest will include more than 250 craft beers, and 20+ wing vendors will vie for the right to claim the Best Wings in Vero Beach. Four bands are scheduled to perform on two stages at this open-air, family-friendly event.

11:30 a.m.–4 p.m., free to attend

SUNRISE ROTARY VERO BEACH at Royal Palm Pointe

772-494-6306

floridacraftbrewandwingfest.com

SIP AND SHOP

You are invited to J. McLaughlin’s Sip and Shop event benefiting Grand Harbor Community Outreach. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

J. MCLAUGHLIN

6210 Hwy. A1A

Village Shops

772-231-4887

jmclaughlin.com

ABBA Mania, the premier tribute to the ‘70s Swedish pop phenomenon, is set to appear at the historic Sunrise Theatre. The theater is implementing numerous safety measures, including a 50% seating capacity. 8 p.m., $42 and up

SUNRISE THEATRE

117 S. 2nd St., Fort Pierce 772-461-4775 sunrisetheatre.com

FEBRUARY 24 Wednesday

FASHION MEETS ART

Former supermodel Kim Alexis, who strolled the runways of the world for top designers and appeared on more than 500 magazine covers, will be the guest speaker for VBMA’s Fashion Meets Art event. The presentation and cocktails will be followed by a Q&A session. 4 p.m., $150

VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART

3001 Riverside Park Drive 772-231-0707, ext. 106 vbmuseum.org

BALLET VERO BEACH at VBHS Performing Arts Center 1707 16th St. 772-905-2651 balletverobeach.org

FEBRUARY 27 Saturday

SAWYER BROWN

The historic Sunrise Theatre presents country band Sawyer Brown, which has reached the Hot Country Songs charts more than 50 times with such hits as “Step That Step,” “The Race Is On,” “Thank God for You” and “Some Girls Do.” The theater is implementing numerous precautions to allow audiences

to enjoy shows safely. 8 p.m., $52.50 and up

SUNRISE THEATRE

117 S. 2nd St., Fort Pierce 772-461-4775 sunrisetheatre.com

auditorium setup that meets various special audience needs.

2 p.m., $10

BALLET VERO BEACH at VBHS Performing Arts Center 1707 16th St. 772-905-2651 balletverobeach.org

ART IN THE PARK

MARCH 3

Wednesday

SUN, MOON AND STARS

MARCH 6

Saturday

SAINT EDWARD’S TRUNK SHOW

Saint Edward’s School invites all shoppers to its annual Trunk Show, where they’ll find carefully curated wares from more than 60 vendors from around the country. All proceeds support programs for the entire Saint Edward’s School community. Please contact trunkshow@ steds.org for more information on this event. Feb. 27–28

SAINT EDWARD’S SCHOOL

1895 Saint Edward’s Drive 772-231-5192 steds.org

GUSTAVO NOVOA

Findlay Galleries presents “Gustavo Novoa: 50 Years of Exclusive Artist Representation,” a survey exhibition showcasing the Chilean-born naif painter’s recent works. The show will run through March 18. Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

FINDLAY GALLERIES 165 Worth Ave., Palm Beach 561-655-2090 findlaygalleries.com

FEBRUARY 28

Sunday

ACCESSIBLE COMPOSER’S NOTEBOOK

This performance is the accessible version of the Feb. 26–27 “Composer’s Notebook” program featuring the work of Vivaldi. The hour-long accessible performances feature modified audio-visual effects and an

The Vero Beach Art Club invites you to Art in the Park, a recurring fine arts and crafts show. Interact with artists and artisans under the display tents while browsing paintings, collage wall art, photography, digital art, sculpture, jewelry, and works in wood, glass and ceramics.

10 a.m.–4 p.m.

VERO BEACH ART CLUB at Humiston Park 3000 Ocean Drive 772-231-0303 verobeachartclub.org

MARCH 1

Monday

The sky is the limit at the Sun, Moon and Stars exhibit. The show will feature skyscapes and astronomical images by John Biondo, Glen Bottalico, Hector Cruz, Louis Haynes, Wyatt Hyora, J. Scott Kelly, Robert McCall and Iris Peters, and will run through May 3. Monday–Friday 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

ART AT THE EMERSON

The Emerson Center 1590 27th Ave. 772-538-2338 artattheemerson.com

MARCH 4

Thursday

HOT CLUB OF SRQ

The Treasure Coast Jazz Society welcomes Sarasota jazz quartet Hot Club of SRQ, who will be playing the music of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. 12:30 p.m.; $40 members, $45 nonmembers

TREASURE COAST JAZZ SOCIETY at Vero Beach Yacht Club 3601 Rio Vista Blvd. 772-234-4600 tcjazzsociety.com

MARCH 7 Sunday

A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC

DORIS KEARNS GOODWIN

Vero Beach Museum of Art’s International Lecture Series welcomes renowned historian and author Doris Kearns Goodwin with “No Ordinary Time: Three Leaders

Who Shaped the American Century: Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, and Eleanor Roosevelt.” 4:30 p.m.; simulcast/ livestream single lecture

$80–$95

VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART

3001 Riverside Park Drive 772-231-0707

vbmuseum.org

TRIBUTE TO THE CARS

Touch & Go is a five-piece band that performs a tribute concert spanning the catalog of The Cars, a Boston new wave band that had numerous hits in the 1970s and ’80s. Enjoy “Just What I Needed,” “Good Times Roll,” “You Might Think,” “Drive” and more, rendered with precision by lead singer Gene Minix and Touch & Go. Limited seating capacity and other safety measures will be in place. 7 p.m., $30–$85

MUSICWORKS at The Emerson Center 1590 27th Ave. 1-800-595-4849 musicworksconcerts.com

For this season’s final performance of VBMA’s Chamber Music Series, the Atlantic Classical Orchestra, under the baton of Music Director David Amado, presents two serenades in “A Little Night Music”: Max Reger’s Serenade, Op. 141, and Beethoven’s Serenade for string trio in D major, Op. 8-1. 3 p.m.; $35 VBMA members/ACO subscribers, $50 nonmembers/ nonsubscribers

VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART 3001 Riverside Park Drive 772-231-0707, ext. 116 or 139 vbmuseum.org

MARCH 10

Wednesday

A SHOT IN THE DARK

The Vero Beach Theatre Guild presents “A Shot in the Dark,” described as a “laugh-filled who-done-it,” written by Marcel Achard and directed by Jon Putzke. March 10–21;

Tuesday–Friday 7:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 2 p.m.; $15–$30

VERO BEACH THEATRE GUILD 2020 San Juan Ave. 772-562-8300

verobeachtheatreguild.com

home viewing only. 10 a.m.–noon; $35 individual lecture

INDIAN RIVER STATE COLLEGE FOUNDATION

772-462-7880 irscfoundation.org

THE MUSIC OF STEELY DAN MusicWorks presents “Do It Again,” a tribute to the band Steely Dan. Audiences can expect an authentically produced concert experience featuring hits from Steely Dan’s extensive catalog. 7 p.m., $30–$85

MUSICWORKS at The Emerson Center 1590 27th Ave. 1-800-595-4849 musicworksconcerts.com

MARCH 12 Friday

ART IN BLOOM

This year’s Art in Bloom event will be held in four seatings over a two-day period, and special guest Shane Connolly will stream his presentation from London. March 10–11, see website for schedule, $225

VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART 3001 Riverside Park Drive 772-231-0707, ext. 111 vbmuseum.org

MARCH 11

Thursday

TRADE WARS AND GEOPOLITICS

The Indian River State College Foundation’s Fielden Institute for Lifelong Learning presents Reid Lohr, co-founder and partner of EDI Advisory Group, which specializes in global fluency and transnational engagements. In his talk “Trade Wars and Geopolitics,” Lohr will discuss the critical role of cultural and geopolitical awareness in the decision-making and socioeconomic dynamics of both countries and businesses. The lecture is part of the Distinguished Lecture Series. For safety reasons, this year’s lectures will be broadcast for

UNDER THE OAKS

It’s time for the 70th annual Under the Oaks Fine Arts & Crafts Show, a juried show that draws more than 200 artists from around the United States and beyond. Guests have the opportunity to browse an enormous selection of arts and crafts, meet the artists and artisans, and enjoy a variety of food and beverage options.

March 12–14; Friday–Saturday 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

VERO BEACH ART CLUB at Riverside Park 3280 Riverside Park Drive 772-231-0303

verobeachartclub.org ❀

'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. – ALFRED LORD TENNYSON

“Try

– MAYA ANGELOU

Art

Catering & Gourmet Markets

Flooring

Interior Design Services

Contributing Advertising Agencies

THE AD AGENCY

E Fred Augenstein

772-538-3923, augy@comcast net

Ad design and production, all media, full service

ADAMS MEDIA GROUP

Carrie Adams

772-492-6570, adamsmediagroup com

Marketing, public relations and website design

THE ALEXIS AGENCY

Ginger Atwood

772-231-5999, thealexisagency . net International, award-winning integrated advertising and public relations programs

NICOLACE MARKETING

Maureen Nicolace

772-299-4889, maureen@nicolacemarketing com

Public relations, marketing plans, media placement, graphic design, marketing, staff development

SQUARED STUDIOS

Amanda Robinson

772-713-6884, squared-studios com

Marketing, advertising and graphic design from concept through production

VERO MARKETING

Lindsay Candler

772-473-0654, veromarketing com

Creative graphic design, print marketing and website design

authorization #018722

Test your powers of perception

BY TIFFANY FARIA

Sunrise Rotary Vero Beach’s “Chuck Wagon” participated in the Reverse Christmas Parade. Read more about it on page 210.