Vero Beach Magazine October 2024

Retired diamond industry executive Beryl Raff and Paul Russell create a PENTHOUSE

Dreams into Realty.

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88

ARTS & MINDS

A cultural cornucopia will yield its bounty as the 2024–25 season unfolds By Teresa Lee Rushworth

96

STAGES OF LIFE

Alex Kanter’s eventful path led him unexpectedly to the Treasure Coast By Ann Taylor

102

PENTHOUSE JEWEL

A diamond industry executive and an art collector create an entertaining masterpiece that is shipshape By Renáe Tesauro

110

LOOKING TO THE HORIZON

VBMA’s new chief curator is making plans for traveling exhibitions and the museum’s permanent collection By Chris Fasolino

Life on John’s Island. A private, member-owned club located north of Vero Beach, this gem plays host to miles of unspoilt beaches, naturefilled river access, elegant residences, and watercolor sunsets. These serene offerings each combine luxury with traditional appeal. Replete with gorgeous architectural details, spacious living areas and lush grounds - all of our homes take advantage of prime location with access to an incredible array of amenities from sparkling ocean to iconic river. We invite you to indulge in a life of bliss in John’s Island.

Blue Skies. Cool Water. Warm Welcome.

Education and conservation go hand in hand

Evelyn Wilde Mayerson

With his formidable flying, Jeff Summersill performs a crucial public service

Teresa Lee Rushworth

Philanthropy is a thoughtful process for both giver and receiver

Jeffrey R. Pickering

The American Muscle Car Museum in Melbourne

Patrick Merrell

Jackson Hole’s Caldera House is the complete package By Daphne Nikolopoulos

Art is a key element of the surroundings we create

Valerie Cruice

October is the perfect time to fine-tune your irrigation practices

Nickie Munroe

Ronnie Landfield | Hartland, 2010 | acrylic on canvas | 34 3/4 x 40 in.

THE BOOK

More and more people are giving the green light to red light therapy

By Renáe Tesauro

RENEW

Disperse sophisticated scents with exquisitely designed objets d’art By Abigail Duffy

The Vacancy in Room 10 by Seraphina Nova Glass By Elizabeth Leonard

NEW & NOTEWORTHY

Here’s what’s hot with businesses & nonprofits

LOCAL FLAVOR

THE DISH

Pastry chef Crystal Morton took a risk that paid off with her dream job By Chris Fasolino

OFF THE VINE

North of Mount Olympus, Markovitis Winery preserves an ancient heritage By Chris Fasolino 140

MIX IT UP

Raise a glass to World Sake Day all month long By Jules Aron

THE SCENE

Local residents have been meeting, mingling, and motivating

GALLERY GUIDE

The season gets underway with exciting art exhibitions

CALENDAR

You’ll fall for October, as nonprofit events start ratcheting up 164

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

New choices in dog food call for a lesson in reading labels By Amy Robinson

ON THE COVER: Paul Russell and Beryl Raff have placed art at the center of their penthouse home. See the story on page 102. Photograph by Jerry Rabinowitz

Thank you for supporting our local businesses 168

We walk in the footsteps of the hunter-gatherers who spent millennia in our area By Penny Chandler Norris

A Special Season

Deep into October, when the whisper of fall starts drifting in on our refreshing ocean breezes and the sunlight begins to change in the afternoon, I know the best time of year is on its way. Open-window weather, sweater (less sweaty!) season, college football madness; whatever you like to call it, it’s finally fall! And with its arrival comes a fuller datebook. If a packed calendar is what you want, we’ve got you covered with our annual cultural preview. We moved it up to October this year because our season is packed with such a large and diverse selection of events that we didn’t want you to miss a thing. “Arts & Minds” will take you through the highlights of some of Vero Beach’s most popular music and dance performances, art exhibitions, and lecture series offerings. There’s something in there for all of us to enjoy.

And if you want to dive a little deeper into the upcoming exhibits at Vero Beach Museum of Art, then we’ll take you on a tour behind the scenes and introduce you to new chief curator Caitlin Swindell. In our feature “Looking to the Horizon,” she gives a bit of a sneak peek into her plans for the future of traveling exhibitions as well as the permanent collection at the museum.

Collecting art is nothing new to Beryl Raff and Paul Russell. Raff, a retired diamond company executive, and Russell, a self-described serial entrepreneur and art collector, recently renovated a penthouse space on Royal Palm Pointe with sweeping southern-facing views of the lagoon. Large blank walls were included in the design stage to showcase the stunning art commissioned and collected by the couple over the years. Come along as we take a tour of their “Penthouse Jewel.”

Vero Beach resident Alex Kanter is a jewel in his own right. As head of the theater program at Indian River State College, Kanter’s energy and experience shine as he helps students from all walks of life explore their interest in theater, dance, and song, all while keeping his feet firmly on the ground. “I don’t forget for one second I get to do what I love.”

So, no matter what it is you look forward to doing this time of year in Vero Beach, our lovely (and lively) community has something for you, even if it’s just putting on a sweater.

Kelly Rogers editor@verobeachmagazine.com

It’s All in the Seasoning

This month, our focus is on art and culture. Fall is in full swing, and the peak of our season is right around the corner.

October ushers in our season, but do you know what October means to me?

It’s the changes in the leaves, my favorite part of autumn—well, not so much here in Florida, but if you travel north, you will definitely experience the transformation. Looking at the tree lines is like looking at a piece of art. The vibrant colors and beauty of nature are mesmerizing. In a way, it ties in with the theme of this issue. After all, God is the original artist!

You’ll see in our Calendar section (p. 160) that the Vero Beach Theatre Guild, Riverside Theatre, and Space Coast Symphony Orchestra have already gotten underway, and the coming months will bring many more performances to appeal to every taste: plays, musicals, operas, symphonic and choral concerts, ballets, and more. Be sure to keep an eye on the Calendar each month as you make your plans.

As we focus on the arts, let’s not forget about our local galleries. They offer quite a bit of variety, from Impressionist-influenced painters at J.M. Stringer Gallery to large-scale glass sculptures at Vero Beach Museum of Art. Our Gallery Guide (p. 154) points you in the right direction for new exhibitions.

Beyond the arts, the nonprofit fundraising season is heating up, which usually means amazing events for us to enjoy. Galas, 5Ks, walk-a-thons, banquets, and all sorts of fun and meaningful gatherings will give us many opportunities to support the causes we hold dear. This month alone has at least three charity golf tournaments, a luau, a pumpkin patch, and much more!

As we move through October, let’s be sure to stop and take a moment to appreciate our surroundings and support our local community, especially those who work hard all year to organize the cultural events that entertain us and enrich our lives.

Happy fall!

Teri Amey-Arnold, Publisher publisher@verobeachmagazine.com

VeroBeach

KELLY ROGERS Editor in Chief

OLGA M. GUSTINE Creative Director

TERESA LEE RUSHWORTH Senior Editor

RENÁE TESAURO Editor at Large

ANN TAYLOR Senior Writer

JENNY FERNANDEZ-PRIETO Art Director

JANINE FISHER

Senior Graphic Designer

LEONOR ALVAREZ-MAZA

Digital Imaging Specialist

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jules Aron, Valerie Cruice, Abigail Duffy, Chris Fasolino, Elizabeth Leonard, Evelyn Wilde Mayerson, Patrick Merrell, Nickie Munroe, Penny Chandler Norris, Jeffrey R. Pickering, Amy Robinson

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Kim Bottalico, Gridley + Graves, Steven Martine, Patrick Merrell, Ashley Meyer, Jerry Rabinowitz

Architect: Moor, Baker & Associates Architects, P.A.

Photography:

Jessica Glynn

Founder Elizabeth Moulton

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About Us

Vero Beach Magazine is the first magazine 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 has made its greatest impact by providing meaningful information to readers about the needs of local nonprofit organizations in Indian River County, inspiring philanthropy and prompting nonprofit coverage by many other media companies.

Our office is located at 3375 20th Street, Suite 100, on the corner of 34th Avenue and State Road 60, in Vero Beach. Visitors are welcome by appointment from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, for subscription, article, and advertising questions.

MOULTON LAYNE

ARCHIT EC TURE

David Moulton | Scott Layne

OUR 2024 ADVISORY BOARD

LEAD ADVISER

SOPHIE BENTHAM-WOOD is a native of London. At Sheffield University, she studied the history of art, design, and film, earning a bachelor’s degree. She then embarked on an illustrious career in marketing and public relations that now spans 25 years. She has often been responsible for the implementation of global strategic communications and branding campaigns and has worked with prominent clients in a variety of fields. Sophie moved to the United States in 2008. In 2012, she became the director of marketing and communications at the Vero Beach Museum of Art, establishing the marketing and PR department, playing a major role in reenvisioning and shaping the VBMA’s strategic plan, and implementing a fully integrated marketing campaign for the museum. Recently, Sophie accepted a position as executive director of global marketing and sales strategies for Sebastian-based Triton Submarines.

KEVIN GIVEN hails from White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, home of the worldfamous Greenbrier resort and hotel, where he was a fourth-generation team member. He earned a degree in hospitality and tourism management, with a minor in business administration, from Concord University in Athens, West Virginia, and has now been in the resort/private club management field for over 40 years. He is a board member at the West Virginia University Foundation and a hospitality management advisory board member at WVU’s John Chambers College of Business and Economics. In 2001, Kevin was one of the founding partners at Quail Valley, and he was also on the executive team developing Windsor and Orchid Island. Kevin has served on the boards of the Indian River Community Foundation, the Environmental Learning Center, and Saint Edward’s School.

TRUDIE RAINONE has lived in Vero Beach for 23 years and has served the community in leadership roles with a variety of Indian River County nonprofits. Her passion for outreach has her currently serving on the executive boards of Senior Resource Association, ORCA, Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy, and Senior Collaborative. She is also a health care partner volunteer with Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital and vice chair of Quail Valley Charities, which funds 43 local children’s organizations. A native of New York City, Trudie reared her children with her husband of 50 years, Donald, in New York and New Jersey. She is the proud grandmother of two boys, Chase and Drew. Trudie has a merchandising background in the fashion industry and was a business owner specializing in fine antiques.

JON R. MOSES is the managing director and COO of Riverside Theatre, where he has worked for 25 seasons. A Treasure Coast native, he studied theater design technology at Florida State University’s School of Theatre, followed by graduate studies at Florida Atlantic University. He has been involved in every aspect of theater for over 32 years. He has even served as an adjunct faculty member at Indian River State College, where he taught and coordinated an associate of science technical theater program. Jon’s involvement in the community includes serving as treasurer on the board of the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Exchange Club of Indian River. He was also a board member of the Oceanside Business Association and president of the Florida Professional Theatre Association.

JESSICA LINUS WATFORD moved to Vero Beach as a 10th grader and attended Saint Edward’s School. A graduate of Auburn University (War Eagle!), she lived in Atlanta and Raleigh before returning to Vero Beach in 2015 and joining her father and grandfather in the family business, Linus Cadillac Buick GMC. In 2019, she graduated from the National Automobile Dealers Association Academy and is now a proud third-generation dealer-operator at Linus. Jessica resides in Okeechobee with her husband and two young daughters. She enjoys the best of both worlds, between boating days on the water and country life, rodeos, and ranching.

Gregory Allan Ness Principal Designer

Crystal Lemley Senior Designer

Vero Vibes

WILDE SIDE In many ways, education and conservation go hand in hand.

Learning & the Lagoon

IN MANY WAYS, EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION GO HAND IN HAND

BY EVELYN WILDE MAYERSON

ndian River County sits nestled along Florida’s Treasure Coast with 100,000 acres of conservation land and (almost) no high rises. The county has been especially favored with spectacular natural resources including its beaches, the Jungle Trail, Sebastian Inlet State Park, McKee Botanical Garden, and the headwaters of the 310-mile-

long St. Johns River, the longest river in the state of Florida, in Blue Cypress Lake near rural Fellsmere.

Indian River County has also been blessed with a lagoon, one of the most diverse estuaries in the northern hemisphere, 156 miles long, part of a system of three lagoons: the Mosquito Lagoon, which begins at Merritt Island and extends north into

Volusia County; the Banana River, which runs between Merritt Island and Cape Canaveral; and the Indian River Lagoon, which extends into Palm Beach County. While the lagoon demands care, it holds its own economically, providing Florida with over $7 billion annually through ecotourism, the marine industry, defense, and aerospace.

ENVIRONMENT

The Indian River Lagoon spans six counties and 156 miles.

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The lagoon is a nurturer of Florida wildlife.

The Indian River Lagoon doesn’t have monster sightings like the 21-mile Lake Worth Lagoon’s muck monster, mentioned a few years back on Late Night with David Letterman and the History Channel. What the Indian River Lagoon does have, however, are 4,300 species of plants and animals, including bioluminescent

still found along the Indian River’s banks and once used to pave roads.

Averaging just 4 feet in depth, this shallow body of coastal water serves not only as a spawning ground and nursery for fish and shellfish, but as a habitat for all sorts of wildlife, including the brown pelican, the Atlantic salt marsh

dinoflagellates flickering in the water, visible on a nighttime summer kayak tour.

During the glacial periods, the area was dry grasslands, but when the sea rose, water gathered and remained, forming the lagoon. Today, its grasses, such as black rush and cord grasses, sway underwater. The early Spanish explorers called the lagoon Rio de Ais, after the Ais Indian tribe who lived on its banks and depended on it as a source of sustenance, including its abundant shellfish, the consumption of which resulted in mounds of ancient detritus

snake, the bottlenose dolphin, and the long-legged roseate spoonbill with a body shaped like a football. Meadows of turtle grass, originally evolved on land and then retreating into the depths of the lagoon where it flowers underwater, provide the feeding grounds for the green turtle and manatee, the state’s marine mammal. Nearly one-third of the nation’s manatee population inhabits the lagoon or migrates through its confines. Because of the delicacy of the lagoon’s ecosystem, pressures to maintain the integrity of the waterway suf-

fering from decades of algae blooms continue to mount as Florida’s population increases. The result is an urgent need to protect the lagoon’s mangrove wetlands and salt marshes, which filter runoff and protect the shorelines from erosion. Such concerns have led to regulations aimed at careless boaters, the excessive use of fertilizer, stormwater runoff from roadways, and sewage leaks from septic systems.

Dedicated to the lagoon’s protection, several agencies, both nonprofit and governmental, have adopted its stewardship. The nonprofit Indian

Literacy on the Lagoon students examine specimens both microscopically and macroscopically.

Round Island Riverside Park is a popular spot for manatee watching in the Indian River Lagoon.

KELLY ROGERS

Riverkeeper, which promotes citizen advocacy, is one; the governmental EPA and NEP, a national network of estuary programs, are others. Prominent among these watchdog organizations is the nonprofit Environmental Learning Center, located on a 64-acre Indian River Lagoon island accessed via the A.B. Michael Bridge (County Road 510). The island is a heavily wooded area with moisture dripping from the foliage and elevated wooden bridges that lead away from scattered buildings to the dock with its sweeping panorama of the lagoon. There, an anhinga spreads its wings to dry on the far bank and ospreys fly to tend their treetop nests, while a pontoon boat, filled with lifejacketed visitors and ready to begin its Eco-Tour, unhitches its moorings.

The ELC was founded in 1988 by a visionary group from the Pelican Island Audubon Society, including George Bunnell, Maggy Bowman, and Holly Dill—the first executive director of the ELC, who held that position for 25 years. The current executive director is Barbara Schlitt Ford, who has deep roots in the community, a strong interest in serving a broader demographic, and an appreciation for teamwork.

Ford confirms that the mission of the ELC is to educate and inspire people of all ages to be active stewards of the environment, in particular the lagoon. To that end, the ELC features educational programs and summer camps; an active beehive; butterfly-attracting gardens; hands-on exhibits, including a 145-gallon touch

tank filled with tiny fiddler crabs and a live-in snail; and pontoon excursions to the St. Sebastian River, the Sebastian Inlet, the spoil islands for a splash tour, and Pelican Island, established in 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt as the nation’s first national wildlife refuge.

As the lagoon is a nurturer of Florida wildlife, so it is for human young. Literacy on the Lagoon is an example of an educational program dedicated to improving the literacy of elementary school students

who have completed the second grade, who know their letters and sounds but need an extra push to propel them into reading with ease. Funded for the last decade by The Learning Alliance along with generous donors, Literacy on the Lagoon is a well-conceived four-week summer offering led by the School District of Indian River County with the ELC as its supporting organization, which serves to develop activities around the county’s curriculum. The program’s facilitator, school district instructional

specialist Elizabeth Barth, refers fondly to Literacy on the Lagoon as an “enrichment camp where you can actually observe, over a four-week period, young elementary school students becoming increasingly competent.”

The theory of using nature as a springboard to learning is not new. Seventeenth-century English philosopher John Locke believed that children developed best when allowed to explore their natural world. Eighteenth-century French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau concurred, adding that hands-on activity was the spur. Three hundred years later, Literacy on the Lagoon is a testimony to these early principles.

Last summer, 70 youngsters were invited to participate in the program through a letter to their parents. The letter specified that the program would be directed by five teachers from the School District of Indian River County, together with the ELC’s wildlife conservationist and senior environmental

Literacy on the Lagoon gives youngsters the opportunity to explore the waterway firsthand.

HEATHER KRAMER

HEATHER KRAMER

educator, Sara Piotter, in addition to 15 dedicated volunteers. Meeting Mondays and Fridays at the ELC from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., students—advised to wear sneakers with laces that tie— would be split into four groups to study firsthand the lagoon,

After a month of collecting and studying specimens from the lagoon (above), students get creative, making costumes and performing skits (left).

its wildlife adaptation, animal classification and habitat, the water cycle, and changing patterns in nature.

Tuesdays to Thursdays, the students, 12 to 14 per class, would return to their classrooms at Liberty Magnet

School from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to process through writing and oral presentations what they had experienced. This would include the particular animal each student chose to study and the teacher-supported research that accompanied the selection.

At the conclusion of the season’s program, an evaluation would be made of each participant through three assessments: reading aloud, comprehension, and vocabulary, which includes such toney words as “biodiversity,” “classification,” and “brackish.” The annual follow-up findings, says Barth, have continued to show an across-the-board improvement in reading fluency.

Literacy on the Lagoon is also about imaginative expression. The program culminates in an hour-long performance to which parents are invited. Participants read their poetry and enact skits and plays for which they make their own costumes of recyclable materials such as cardboard and water bottles. A favorite yearly character is a hurricane. According to Barth, parents continue to praise the monthlong initiative, making such comments as, “Nothing like this has ever happened to my child.” Some youngsters who have attended the program have even gone on to become junior environmental volunteers at the ELC. It’s a win-win all around.

andthetraditioncontinues .

MOSQUITO CONTROL

Only His Plane Is Yellow

FORMIDABLE FLYER JEFF SUMMERSILL PERFORMS A CRUCIAL PUBLIC SERVICE

BY TERESA LEE RUSHWORTH

He has been called the “Yellow Baron,” and he has struck awe— and sometimes fear—into the hearts of Indian River County residents, especially those unfamiliar with his work.

He is Jeff Summersill, and he is the primary pilot of the famed “yellow plane” that frequents the skies over local coastal areas, flying at terrifyingly low altitudes and executing hair-raising maneuvers. But Summersill is no daredevil; he is a third-generation agricultural pilot contracted by the Indian River Mosquito Control District to fly painstakingly planned missions over our salt marshes and mosquito impoundments.

“I’m not just willy-nilly out there trying to show off,” Summersill says. He must take his Air Tractor AT-802A, with its 60-foot wingspan, down low in order to drop carefully calibrated quantities of corn cob–based pellets bearing bacterial compounds that are harmless to humans but deadly to mosquito larvae.

And those steep-banked turns? They’re all part of the patterns worked out by the Mosquito Control District’s aerial specialist, Daniel Long. Using information gathered

by seven coastal inspectors who patrol in boats and on ATVs, armed with dippers to sample water for larvae, Long plans each mission: the acreage that needs to be covered, the materials to be used (depending on the mosquito species), the amounts to be loaded into the plane, and the most efficient routes for the pilot to take.

Summersill then flies from his home base in Belle Glade to an agricultural services airstrip in rural western St. Lucie County, where he fills his hopper and his fuel tank. Then, guided by GPS and remaining in constant communication with the airport towers in both Fort Pierce and Vero Beach, he proceeds to his first location, flying a back-and-forth, “racetrack,” or other pattern in a series of 85-foot swaths.

“We do turn hard and sharp, but the plane is meant to do that,” says Summersill. “For the size of it, it is actually very nimble, as you’ve probably noticed.”

With over 30 years of agricultural flying experience and about 16,000 hours under his belt, Summersill can maneuver his plane at its working speed of 150 to 160 mph with

just a few feet of clearance above the highest object on the terrain, whether it is a 150-foot Australian pine or a 6-inch blade of grass.

“Sometimes when people lose sight of me, they think I’ve gone down,” he says, “but I’ve really just disappeared beyond the tree line.”

He is fully licensed and insured for the type of flying he does, and he is certified by the FAA to fly a “congested area plan”; in other words, he

is allowed to fly much closer to buildings, bridges, and other structures than is typically permitted, and the FAA recognizes that he is capable of doing so safely.

“We look like we’re having fun, and we are, don’t get me wrong,” he says; “but we are also very educated and skilled in what we do.”

When not flying mosquito missions in Indian River County, Summersill is running Summer Agro Services.

KELLY ROGERS

He flies full-time, delivering aerial treatments for farmers throughout South and Central Florida, and employs a second full-time pilot. The company also owns a second, slightly older plane, so yes, the yellow plane has a twin!

After more than a dozen years slaying skeeters with his acrobatic flying, Jeff Summersill has attained a sort of celebrity status in Vero Beach—to his immense surprise. “I’m not really on social

media,” he explains. “Only about last year did I start to understand.”

While somewhat amused by the notoriety his local work generates, Summersill takes his job very seriously. Referring to both facets of Summer Agro’s work, he says, “We’re really happy to be doing what we’re doing. We like knowing we can help feed people and help keep the community safe.”

Mentioning a few of the

Daniel Long and Jeff Summersill discuss the day’s plans.

mosquito-borne illnesses that would no doubt plague us if not for the work of the Indian River Mosquito Control District, he expresses appreciation for the opportunity to take part in public health efforts. “Yellow fever, malaria, dengue fever—we

help mitigate that.”

So, the next time your house is “buzzed” by the yellow plane, have a thought of gratitude for Jeff Summersill, who is helping to protect you from being buzzed by swarms of bloodthirsty mosquitoes.

Decisions, Decisions

PHILANTHROPY

IS A THOUGHTFUL PROCESS FOR BOTH GIVER AND RECEIVER

BY JEFFREY R. PICKERING

n August, an anonymous opinion was published in The Chronicle of Philanthropy under the headline

“My Nonprofit Was Ghosted by MacKenzie Scott. It Still Haunts Me.” The column was written from the perspective of the former executive director of a nonprofit charitable organization who

was contacted by an intermediary gathering information about her charity, presumably under consideration by Scott for a charitable contribution through her initiative Yield Giving. The contribution never materialized, and the former executive director used her opinion column to convey her disappointment and criticize

Scott’s process that left her feeling “ghosted.”

In case you are unfamiliar with Scott’s philanthropy, it is part of a movement called the Giving Pledge, wherein generous people commit to giving the bulk of their wealth to charitable causes, either during their lifetimes or through their wills. It is an

unprecedented act of collective generosity that will be transformational for its beneficiaries and will continue to pay dividends for generations to come.

As for which side of the great beyond Scott’s philanthropy will fall on, she is squarely in the “giving while living” camp. To do so effectively, she established Yield Giving as a vehicle to distribute her financial fortune. It is named for a belief in adding value by giving up control. As I write, Yield Giving’s network of staff and advisors has distributed over $17.3 billion to more than 2,300 charities to use at their discretion for the benefit of others.

Yield Giving’s grants are

certain to come with an abundance of messages of congratulations for the recipients. I am also certain, however, that there is plenty of disappointment among the charities whose applications for funding were unsuccessful. Sometimes this disappointment is taken in stride, but other times it is expressed in opinions like the one published by The Chronicle

It is a similar message to ones I have received on more than one occasion after notifying a local charity that its funding request to the Indian River Community Foundation was declined. While not explicitly detailed in my job description as the Community Foundation’s CEO, this “other

duty as assigned” of delivering bad news to an otherwise worthy charitable cause is not one of the more pleasant ones I carry out. Of course, there are always legitimate reasons, including the limited availability of dollars to be distributed. Nevertheless, nobody likes to lose, so I can understand the disappointment.

For the better part of the last 20 years, I have served as a trusted advisor to some of

the country’s most generous philanthropists who use community foundations to carry out their charitable giving.

For the 10 years prior, I raised money for a public charity that provides temporary shelter and recuperative care to homeless people following a hospital discharge. Each role has been rewarding and challenging, giving me a point of view that both grantmaking and fundraising are hard

work, often without a guarantee of success.

As a philanthropic advisor, I tell my clients that donating significant dollars to charity is one of the riskiest things they can do with their money. Doing so without sufficient due diligence can lead to disappointment for the donor and sometimes even adverse outcomes for the charity.

In order to increase the likelihood that your hardearned dollars will be used effectively, I encourage you to consider important characteristics, including a charity’s governance, management, financial position, and program results. Sometimes this provides sufficient reason to

give confidently, and other times more information or perspective is needed.

I encourage my clients to limit the administrative burden on the charity they are considering, but sometimes these engagements take on a life of their own. After this due diligence, usually some sort of financial contribution results, but occasionally a decision is made not to fund.

From the charitable perspective, however, expecting success from one cultivation or engagement with a philanthropist is equally risky.

Considering the stubborn statistic that giving in America has been stuck at roughly 2 percent of GDP for more than

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For over 65 years, we've helped clients define and pursue their wealth management goals.

50 years, and that 40 percent of American households don’t give a penny to charity, the odds of hitting a home run with one donor are low.

If you are involved with fundraising for a local charity, either as paid staff or in a volunteer capacity, instead of expressing dismay when a donor decides not to give, I encourage you to quickly evaluate what worked and what might have been improved in the cultivation process and adjust accordingly. If the engagement with one donor presented a disproportionate administrative burden, consider preparations that may be done in advance to have information

School’s

In, Hunger’s Out

Summer may be ending, but Hunger will continue unless we work together to provide access to food through the new school year. Will you help?

Billionaire MacKenzie Scott has established an initiative called Yield Giving, which has given away more than $17 billion of her personal wealth to charities that help those in need.

INDIAN RIVER INSIGHTS

readily available, especially for small charities with limited development staff.

For example, maintain a platinum level GuideStar profile and use it as a handy tool in the cultivation process. Use your judgment based on publicly available information about the prospective donor and trust your gut to determine if a cultivation is going the right way or not. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

For the better part of the last year, landing a whale of a gift from a donor like MacKenzie Scott has been a fun dream to ponder for many charities. Most of us got into the nonprofit sector to help

Forty percent of American households don’t give to charity.

people, so who wouldn’t be excited by the idea of receiving such a transformative gift?

Time, resources, and emotional energy might be better spent, however, on keeping one’s head down and focused on a process-driven fundraising plan that spreads the risk and provides many more opportunities to experience incremental success. Veteran fundraising consultant Ron Rescigno o ers many easyto-implement strategies in his book e Process-Driven Annual Fund. So does Rachel Ramjattan in No More Duct Tape Fundraising

Whatever the development strategy, keep a positive mindset and remember the most important reasons why generous people give.

book, or for another book.... e impulse to save something good for a better place later is the signal to spend it now. Something more will arise for later, something better.... Anything you do not give freely and abundantly becomes lost to you. You open your safe and nd ashes.

We each come by the gifts we have to o er by an in nite series of in uences and lucky breaks we can never fully understand. My approach to philanthropy will continue to be thoughtful.

It will take time and e ort and care. But I won’t wait. And I will keep at it until the safe is empty.

When your home care needs change, VNA is there for you.

Whether you are recovering from a medical procedure, managing a chronic illness or want to age safely at home, having access to home care that provides a continuum of care is optimum. And that’s what the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) does best.

most cases by something more inspira-

Considering the evidence, this is one “ghost” whose spirit I believe in.

Scott’s letter to join the

Last year, more than $557 billion was given to charities in the United States. Most of it came from individual donors, either as outright gifts or bequests, motivated not by the promise of a tax deduction but in most cases by something more inspirational, as articulated in this excerpt from Scott’s letter to join the Giving Pledge:

VNA is the only local home care agency with the unique ability to provide care at various stages of your health care journey through coordination of services across our clinical teams for home health, hospice and private care services. One source for all your home care needs providing:

•Customized long or short-term home care.

•Individualized services to enhance independent living.

•Quality and comfort for lifelong illness or end-of-life care.

•Easy transition into a care program that accommodates changes in health status.

•Comfort and peace of mind throughout your healthcare journey.

inking about the Giving Pledge, my mind kept searching its folds for a passage I once read about writing, something about not saving our best ideas for later chapters, about using them now.

I found it this morning on a shelf of my books from college, toward the end of Annie Dillard’s e Writing Life

read about writing, something e Writing Life

Do not hoard what seems good for a later place in the

Call or visit us today to find out how you can benefit from our superior home care no matter what the stage.

Advancing our community begins with offering our brightest minds the very best training. We’re proud to have recently launched the Indian River State College Eastman Advanced Workforce Training Complex, where immersive tech meets next-level training in advanced welding, automotive technology, diesel engine repair, advanced manufacturing and more.

Donate to invest in the future of our community.

Placing a premium on craftsmanship, quality and client care, the award-winning RCL has extensive experience building lifestyles that elevate each homeowner’s vision. With over 50 years of construction capability, our commitment to deliver exceptional homes is renowned for timeless designs, precision and state-of-the-art techniques.

RCL DEVELOPMENT

AUTOMOBILE MUSEUMS

Acres of Autos

THE AMERICAN MUSCLE CAR MUSEUM IN MELBOURNE, FLORIDA

PATRICK MERRELL

ark Pieloch started collecting automobiles at the age of 5, amassing about 200 Matchbox cars by the third grade. His collection these days is bigger, in both the number of cars—462—and the size of them; they’re 64-times larger than those Matchbox miniatures. The collection is worth a bit more as well: $200 million by his estimate.

To house all that high-end hardware, Pieloch built the American Muscle Car Museum in Melbourne, Florida in 2016. Construction took two years, and it included the 2.5-acre main

building, a separate maintenance and restoration facility, and a huge array of solar panels to power it all. Before you pack up the car for a trip to the museum, however, you should know one thing: it’s not open to the public. Instead, the museum hosts about 100 events per year: nonprofit fundraisers, car shows, autocross competitions held in the property’s parking lots, and tours for school-age children and a few other select groups. “I gave Henry Ford III; his dad, Edsel Ford II; and his grandkids a private tour here back in April,” Pieloch says.

A 1966 Ford GT MK1, surrounded by eight 2005–06 Ford GTs, greets visitors as they enter the museum.

There are restored bits of automobilia throughout the museum. This impeccable 1956 23-window VW Bus has a Sealing Wax Red and Chestnut Brown paint job.

This Midnight Blue 1966 Shelby AC Cobra MK III 427 is Mark Pieloch’s favorite of the 462 cars in his collection. It boasts 480 horsepower and a top speed of 165 mph.

CLASSIC CARS

Inside the museum’s entrance is a showroom with eight 2005–06 Ford GTs front and center, each clad in one of the eight standard production colors o ered for those years. A 1966 Ford GT MK1 sits in the middle of them. Other high-end cars, vintage motorcycles, bikes, and restored automobilia ll out the space.

On the far side of the showroom, a set of doors leads to the main display area: a 90,000-square-foot, pillar-free mega-

garage of high-performance, low-mileage vehicles. e sight is downright intimidating in its sheer volume. Where to go rst? How to absorb it all? Your eyeballs, and probably legs, will be sore from trying. ere are Indy pace cars dating back to 1955, Yenko Chevys from the rst Corvair to the last Camaro, Corvettes, Mustangs, Vipers, and even a DeLorean. While the theme of the museum is muscle cars, “ ere are vehicles in there that are de -

nitely not muscle cars,” Pieloch says, then adds with a laugh, “the Porsche tractors being an example.” ere are six of those, as well as more than 60 Porsche sports cars. Other foreign makes include Ferrari, Mercedes, Rolls-Royce, and the holy grail of VWs, a 1956 23-window Bus. It wasn’t always like this for Pieloch— owning a di erent collectible car for every day of the year. “My rst car was a hand-me-down when I was 16 years old,”

This “Flying Superman” kiddie ride is one of just a few known to exist.

Bright LED lights provide more natural lighting than fl uorescent bulbs would. Large as the main display area is, car stackers are needed to make all the cars fit.

This 427 engine, in a Shelby 50th anniversary GT40 MKII, is a thing of beauty. The car was built in 2016 to commemorate Ford’s 1-2-3 sweep at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans.

he says. “It was my dad’s old 1967 Ford Ranch Wagon with 130,000 miles on it.”

Pieloch spent a year restoring it, then took it to college in Boston. It was stolen within six weeks, never to be seen again. He bought his first muscle car in 1978 after graduating with a master’s degree in industrial pharmacy. “Once I started working as a pharmacist, and actually getting paid better money, at that point, I got a ’65 Mustang Fastback.” That same

car, now restored, currently sits in a row of fellow Mustangs at the museum.

Pieloch’s personal fortune is the sole source of funding for the museum. Over the years, he’s founded and sold a number of companies, mostly in pet health and pharmaceuticals. In August of this year, he retired as president of the last remaining one, PF Inc., which specializes in crafting palatable solutions for pet medications. The PF stands for “pet

flavors.” He also owns cattle ranches and several real estate developments.

Pieloch estimates it costs about $1.5 million a year to run and maintain the museum. “A lot of people buy private jets,” Pieloch says. “Once they pay for the jet, that’s what they spend to maintain it.” In his case, he’d rather buy muscle cars and then use them to help support fundraising events and to share a slice of automotive history with new generations.

Shown here is a 1959 Porsche 718 RSK. In 1959, a 718 RSK was the overall winner in the Targa Florio and took five of the top 10 places in the 12 Hours of Sebring.

Although the museum needs to draw power from the state’s energy grid at night, its array of more than 1,200 solar panels produces a net surplus of electricity.

Into the WEST

WHEN IT COMES TO SKI ACCESS, IMPECCABLE SERVICE, AND PROXIMITY TO AMERICA’S MOST CHARISMATIC PARK, JACKSON HOLE’S CALDERA HOUSE IS THE COMPLETE PACKAGE

BY DAPHNE NIKOLOPOULOS

Since the days of mountain men and desperados running from the law, Jackson Hole has had a certain kind of allure. The “hole” (aka valley) sprawling beneath the gaze of Wyoming’s Grand Teton mountains has a resplendent wildness that has called to the intrepid—and those who want to hide—since the early 1900s.

The appeal is the same today, though Jackson Hole attracts a different type of pilgrim. For starters, when we talk about Jackson Hole, we talk about skiing. Known for its extremeskiing ethos, this mountain resort is in its own class. Countless backcountry trails invite skiers to carve fresh tracks, and gravity-defying verticals beg for conquest. The snowfall is profuse, and the “cowboy powder,” as locals call it, is dry and fluffy. In terms of snow quality and exhilarating terrain, Jackson Hole is akin to skiing in Europe, which is probably why it attracts such a cosmopolitan crowd, including a steady stream of celebrities.

The Alpine Club members’ lounge (top); and (above) Valles Suite’s spacious living room

To cater to this high-profile clientele, private equity investor Wesley Edens developed Caldera House, a luxurious retreat and alpine club with ski-in/ski-out access, at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Edens, a former competitive skier and founder of Fortress Investment Group (whose holdings include the Brightline), envisioned a resort with unparalleled service and high design for guests accustomed to the very best. Caldera House has eight suites only, each a gorgeous mountain home with two or four bedrooms, full kitchens,

fireplaces, spacious balconies with gas grills and hot tubs, steam showers, and every comfort imaginable—even snowmelt patios and freezers stocked with ice cream.

Los Angeles–based design house Commune channeled the mid-century Alpine style of ski resorts like St. Moritz and Gstaad, as well as Scandinavian modern design, when conceptualizing Caldera House. The mountainmodern interiors project a sleek interpretation of the American West with custom furnishings and millwork, curated local art, and floor-

Slopeside dining at Caldera House (above); and (below) Corsa resembles a trattoria in the Italian Alps.

DESTINATIONS

to-ceiling windows framing billion-dollar views.

Caldera House’s most distinctive attribute is its alpine club. Members have access to a private locker room with boot and glove dryers and personal lockers in which to store skis and gear year-round. Ski valets tune skis for whatever conditions prevail and transport gear so that members need only show up to the lift (after

enjoying complimentary breakfast at their private lounge).

Membership is justifiably coveted, and at press time it was at maximum with a long waiting list. It’s not required, however, to take advantage of Caldera House’s signature experiences. Via a well-versed concierge, guests can book heli-ski adventures, hot air balloon rides above the

THE JOYS OF SPRING

DON’T MISS THESE WARMERWEATHER MUSTS IN AND AROUND JACKSON HOLE

GET ON THE SNAKE

They don’t come any more wild and scenic than the Snake River, which winds through the pristine lands of Grand Teton National Park and offers endless opportunities for recreation. Watch bald eagles soar and bison graze while floating on a gentle stretch of the river. Grab a fly rod and fish for “cutties” (cutthroat trout), which are unique to this watershed. Or opt for thrills on insanely powerful white water. If you didn’t get on the Snake, did you even go to Jackson Hole?

EXPLORE ON FOOT

Tetons, private wildlife safaris in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, backcountry skiing or hikes, and dozens of other immersive activities for every taste and level of expertise. The Caldera House team offers unprecedented access to these wild places, where the spirit of the American West is alive, well, and more inspiring than ever. (caldera house.com)

In the summer, every conversation in Jackson Hole eventually comes around to hiking. Here, there are more trails than people, each a superb opportunity to bask in nature with all its wildflowers and wildlife. “Know before you go” is the name of the game here. Some trails are steep, so be sure to acclimate to the 6,300-foot altitude. Pack bear spray, just in case. And if you plan to delve into the backcountry, pack all the essentials and go with a buddy. Caldera House team favorites include Lake Solitude, Sleeping Indian, Phelps Lake, and Jackson Peak. Hike the latter at daybreak and watch the sun rise over the Tetons.

THIS LAND IS OUR LAND

The national parks are this nation’s gift to its people, and Jackson Hole shares a landscape with two of the finest: Yellowstone and Grand Teton. Exploring the parks is a must, but you’ll get a lot more out of it if you go with an experienced guide. Brad Parker and Gus Davis of Teton Wilderness Tours (tetonwildernesstours. com) have encyclopedic information on local geology and lore, and they

Clockwise from above: Caldera House view with fire pit; bedroom in Taupo Suite; Caldera House’s ski locker room for members; kitchen and dining area of the four-bedroom Valles Suite

COURTESY OF CALDERA HOUSE

know all the secret spots for wildlife viewing. Chances are you’ll meet bison, elk, moose, grizzlies, pronghorn antelope, and with a little luck, the elusive gray wolves of Yellowstone.

DO SOMETHING WESTERN

The Wild West? This is it. The town of Jackson has a rich history with outlaws and bandits, and the land around it is the birthplace of

cowboy culture. Part of the fun of coming here is basking in the spirit of the West through activities like horseback riding or taking in a rodeo. For something more raucous, head to the historic Million Dollar Cowboy Bar (milliondollarcowboy bar.com) for music and Western dancing, or watch the country’s longest-running shootout, both in the heart of Jackson. —D.N.

Clockwise from above left: the Snake River, flowing through Grand Teton National Park; hiking in Yellowstone; Million Dollar Cowboy Bar in Jackson

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DESIGN

Picture This ...

ART IS A KEY ELEMENT OF THE SURROUNDINGS WE CREATE FOR OURSELVES

BY VALERIE CRUICE

I SPACES

t is coveted, reviled, stolen, fought over. It sparks lawsuits, bestsellers, blockbuster auctions, and movies. It documents and changes history. It is ugly or beautiful, depending on who’s looking. And we all crave it. Art.

From proudly displaying our first crayon creation on the refrigerator, to plastering our dorm rooms with posters of rock stars alongside Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night, to hand-me-down sternfaced ancestors placed in our first homes, art is always with

us, reflecting who we are at the time.

But we continue to evolve. We want to gaze upon something meaningful to us, that tells a story, maybe our story, that’s beautiful and harmonizes with a space and its design. We want that statement collage over the fireplace, a triptych on the long blank wall, an oil on canvas above the sideboard, a watercolor over the bed. We want it to provoke, we want it to calm. It’s a huge commitment, bringing a new entity into your home, radiating its influence

throughout. And much like finding a soulmate, you absolutely have to love it.

“Buying art is like a love affair; you fall for it for a myriad of reasons: color, texture, subject matter—everything that moves a person,” says Sandra Morgan, who has design studios in Vero Beach and Greenwich, Connecticut, the latter featuring her Art Prive gallery. “Art is not just decoration. It’s a mood. It adds energy and spirit. It can trigger a project or be the final touch to pull it all together.”

Heather Gaudio, principal of Heather Gaudio Fine Art in Greenwich, has placed numerous important artworks in private homes in Vero Beach and elsewhere in Florida. Her clients continue to favor two ends of the aesthetic spectrum: colorful abstraction that is somewhat whimsical/playful (aquas, blues); and monochromatic, Zen-like neutrals (sandy), often texture based. She has found that when clients go through a renovation or redesign, they will opt for an opposite aesthetic from what they previously had. The great-

est challenge she faces for her southern clientele is climate: windows, sunlight, heat, and humidity all come into play.

Gaudio says the ideal scenario for choosing and placing important art in a space is to work with an architect and/or interior designer as the project is evolving. “Most people don’t design their rooms around artwork. Walls, lighting, placement, switches—all limit what you can do with fine art. It should be considered simultaneously; neither should dictate the other, but they should live well together. Art should not be an afterthought,” she explains. Lighting should be planned in advance, concurs Morgan. “A wall-washer, a traditional picture light, or natural light; the combination of all three is most important.” For hanging, she suggests that a major piece of art should have its center at eye level, around 5 feet, 6 inches from the floor (unless it’s over a sofa or tall headboard, then higher).

Most modern canvases on thicker stretchers do not require framing, as their sides have been painted. However,

The center of a major piece of art should hang at eye level, unless over a fireplace or headboard, in which case it’s higher.

Abstract art in this Sea Oaks home complements the room’s accent colors.

Morgan notes that framing can add “polish and credibility.” Consider where the piece is going: is it casual or more formal? The subject matter will also dictate the framing; for example, a traditional coastal scene would benefit from a white painted frame.

Commissioning a piece of art can satisfy the elements of design while projecting a more personal narrative. Susan Schuyler Smith’s clients loved a particular painting of a family on the beach and commissioned the artist to paint their grandchildren into the new piece.

Like family members, our art represents treasured facets of our aesthetic DNA. Says Morgan, “If I had a fire in my house, I’d grab my dog and my art.”

Morgan suggests consideration of mood and energy in artworks when deciding what to hang in your home.

Sandra Morgan stresses the importance of lighting when displaying art.

It may be time to remove a sprinkler head or switch it for one with a lower output.

HORTICULTURE

Water Wisdom

THIS MONTH IS THE PERFECT TIME TO FINE-TUNE YOUR IRRIGATION PRACTICES

BY NICKIE MUNROE

October is one of the best months for experimenting in your landscape. FloridaFriendly Landscaping principles help you gure out the best way to use your time. I want to put my nger on the scale and tell you this is the best time to water eciently. What does that mean? It means modifying your watering practices to develop a healthier, more resilient, and more verdant landscape

with plants performing as expected throughout the year in our Central Florida climate. e relatively mild temperatures and shorter days allow us to focus on something other than mitigating heat stress in our landscapes. Attention can be spared for managing the delivery and retention of water.

Delivery: watering systems should be maintained quarterly in Florida, annually at a minimum. Our heat,

humidity, and salinity cause deterioration of the plastic and metal parts. e result is areas becoming under- or overwatered, depending on the damage. Calibration lets you set the volume of water your plants are receiving. is should be performed quarterly to help your plants receive the amount of water they need to thrive and be beautiful in your Central Florida landscape.

In a mature landscape, turfgrass generally requires

½ to ¾ inches of water weekly. Deep watering is the best way to provide this support. In cooler months, you can stretch the timing between watering events up to 14 days. October is the best month to build up to this kind of window for the rest of fall and winter care. is is your opportunity to encourage root development that will help it be more resilient.

Fully established trees and shrubs should not require

direct weekly support in addition to what their roots glean from areas with turf. You may choose to either eliminate sprinkler heads or change them to micro/drip in these spaces. Ornamental beds also benefit from this kind of conveyance. These areas should be on separate zones from the turfgrass.

Retention: pay attention to the way water travels on your landscape. Most water should be soaked up by the soil instead of rolling sideways away from the plants that need it. Help more water seep into your landscape by giving it ample plant material to divert it downward instead of sideways. Whether

from rainfall or irrigation, water should travel down the fullness of lush trees, shrubs, and ground covers. Water drops hit leaves and dribble down stems, branches, and trunks. When these things are not present, mulch should be used as an attractive cover-up to fill in the gaps of bare soil.

Watering your landscape more efficiently will help your plants be as beautiful, robust, and self-sufficient as possible. These attributes will come in handy by the end of the month when you start the holiday roller coaster ride. Go trick, treat, meet, and greet knowing you put your landscape on cool-season cruise control. November is another sweet

month. I am looking forward to sweet potato pie, Southern Comfort coffee creamer, and slowly renovating my outdoor living space. This year when my home is bursting at the seams, my beloved ones will be able to follow the scent of

roasted marshmallows to a cozy seating area.

Nickie Munroe is an environmental horticulture agent with the University of Florida’s IFAS Indian River County Extension.

It is important to watch how and where the water travels in your landscape.

Dr. Ilyadis founded Island Health Concierge Medicine in Vero Beach to restore the doctorpatient relationship. Her practice prioritizes personalized care over the rushed consultations and overburdened schedules of conventional practices, offering a more thoughtful and individualized experience.

Individualized Attention

Patients are treated as individuals with unique backgrounds, concerns, and health goals.

Preventative Lifestyle Medicine

Combining evidence-based medicine with a holistic approach. Investigating the root cause versus just treating the symptoms.

Tailored Treatment Plans

Customized care plans based on thorough assessments. Ample time is devoted to each patient, ensuring no stone is left unturned.

Enhanced Quality of Life

Prioritizing patient well-being above all else.

The Bright Side

MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE GIVING THE GREEN LIGHT TO RED LIGHT THERAPY

BY RENÁE TESAURO

Michele and Marlene Cairns, Tricia Snow, Michael Merrill, and Tom Fish have seen the light and claim they are better off for it. Each turned to red light therapy (RLT) for different reasons, and all are glad they did.

“It’s been a game changer for me,” says Michele Cairns, who tried RLT as a last-ditch

effort to suppress the debilitating migraines she was suffering three to four times a week.

“It helped almost immediately,” she says of the treatment she booked three times a week at Vero Fitness, which has been owned by her family for more than 30 years. She no longer needs the medication she used to take daily, and, as

an added benefit, her hair is “growing like a weed.” Cairns’ mother, Marlene, turned to RLT to alleviate symptoms of neuropathy. “Sometimes it feels as if I’m walking on glass shards,” she says of her condition. “Since I started the sessions, my condition hasn’t worsened, I’ve never been sick a day, and the

LASER THERAPY

Red light beds are becoming more popular in Vero Beach.

DIVYAHARYANI,MD

DOUBLEBOARDCERTIFIED

DERMATOLOGIST&MOHSSURGEON

ANANDHARYANI,MD,MBA

Acquiredspecializedexpertisein cutaneousoncology/skincancer throughtrainingat MoffittCancer Center,renownedforitsleading CutaneousOncologyProgramand recognizedasoneoftheforemost advancedskincancerandmelanoma programsnationwide.

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NorthwesternUniversity Clinical DermatologyResearchFellowship: pioneeredthelatesttrialsinscar therapyandcutting-edgelaser technologies

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brown spots on my arms and hands have lightened.”

“It’s really become popular,” says Vero Fitness general manager Katie Smith, referring to the RLT bed that has been available to members since January. “Quite a few members and instructors are seeing amazing results, ranging from better sleep and more energy to faster muscle recovery and improved performance.”

Red light therapy (also known as low-level laser therapy or photobiomodulation) uses wavelengths of red and near-infrared LED light at

amplitudes typically between 630 and 850 nanometers (nm) to stimulate biochemical reactions in the area where it is administered. Different wavelengths are absorbed to different depths from the skin’s surface.

If it sounds a bit like science fiction, you’re not far off!

The medicinal benefits of red light therapy were found accidentally in 1995 by NASA scientists who were using LED technology to help grow potatoes on the Space Shuttle. While working under the lighting, the researchers noticed that abrasions on their hands

“Quite a few members and instructors are seeing amazing results.”

— KATIE SMITH

healed faster than usual. That discovery led to a possible solution for a perpetual problem with space travel—the lack of gravity, which causes astronauts’ muscles and bones to atrophy and wounds to heal more slowly.

Since then, NASA scientists and other researchers have illuminated numerous medical uses for high-intensity red and near-infrared light arrays, sparking a multitude of companies to commercialize the technology. Decades of research and thousands of studies have documented the effects of RLT on a range

of conditions, including skin maladies, mood disorders, musculoskeletal pain, peripheral neuropathy, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Today, RLT has gained acceptance among medical professionals, armed forces, world leaders, professional athletes, and wellness enthusiasts alike.

Dr. Jim Shafer, a Vero Beach neurologist who is actively engaged in research on degenerative neurological diseases, recently added RLT to the range of integrative medical spa services he offers at Mind

Katie Smith of Vero Fitness, Marlene Cairns, and Michele Cairns all believe in the benefits of RLT.

When

and Body of Vero. “Red light therapy supports my ‘wholelistic’ approach to care,” he says, “which combines traditional evidence-based medicine and complementary medical treatment modalities to support patients’ cognitive/ emotional health, physical well-being, and healthy lifestyle.”

“As an amateur health nerd, I’ve been reading about the bene ts of red light therapy for the past several years,” says Tom Fish, the longtime tennis director at Windsor and father of former worldranked tennis pro Mardy Fish. “I bought my own red light panel two years ago, but it wasn’t medical grade. I was so excited when Dr. Shafer got his medical-grade therapy bed that I think I was the rst one to use it. I’m super impressed that he’s endorsing red light, as many doctors are not educating themselves about these alternative treatments.”

Despite the sun damage he’s incurred over the years, Fish says he has experienced signi cant improvement to his skin, energy level, and

KNOW BEFORE YOU GLOW

• Look for wavelengths between 630 nm to 660 nm and 810 nm to 850 nm (the most widely studied therapeutic window and deemed most effective).

• Look for higher light intensity outputs (irradiance), measured in milliwatts per square centimeter (mW/cm2), at their closest treatment distances.

• Look for FDA Class II medical devices.

• Make sure your body or treatment area is no more than 6 to 8 inches from the energy source.

Neurologist Dr. Jim Shafer believes red light therapy adds to his traditional line of medical treatments and is offering it at his medical spa.

• Limit the amount of time you spend under the light (more is not better).

• Wear goggles.

• Check the provider’s credentials.

• Be consistent with treatment for maximum benefit.

quality of sleep. “I don’t feel 71, and I think red light therapy is part of it.”

According to Shafer, RLT works by activating photoreceptors inside the mitochondria (or engines) of our cells to boost the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). He explains: “ATP is the fuel used by every one of our cells and is essential to how our bodies function. When we produce more ATP, it enhances normal

cell function and helps those cells struggling to be more ecient. is is especially important as we age, because our cells function less e ciently. Research is growing on the potential bene ts of red light therapy for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.”

“Red light therapy also stimulates the release of nitric oxide, which widens blood vessels and improves blood ow,”

he adds. When cells receive more oxygen and nutrients from improved blood ow, it helps reduce pain and in ammation. It also enables white blood cells to rush in and repair damage that may have occurred (such as during strenuous workouts). Whether you’re an athlete, a wellness-conscious individual, or someone with a chronic medical condition, improving blood ow to muscles translates into better mobility and performance, speedier tissue recovery, and the ability to endure more strain.

Navy SEALs have been using RLT since the 1990s to accelerate muscle tissue regeneration and thus improve performance among their ranks. A 2001 study showed that the LED lights originally used in the NASA experiments led to more than 40 percent improvement in musculoskeletal training injuries and signi cantly shortened wound healing time among Navy

PREMIER EXPERT IN SKIN CANCER TREATMENT

DR. MONIKA SRIVASTAVA has earned the distinction of being among the first in the nation to achieve certification in the new Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery (MDS) Subspecialty. She is one of the few Mohs surgeons in the country to achieve this outstanding level of recognition, and this certification continues to solidify her expertise as one of the premier surgeons in this procedure. Dr. Monika specializes in Mohs surgery and advanced reconstructive techniques.

Monika Srivastava MD, FAAD, FACMS

DOUBLE BOARD CERTIFIED

DERMATOLOGIST & MOHS SURGEON FELLOWSHIP TRAINED MOHS & RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGEON

Specializing in the prevention, early detection, and treatment of Skin Cancer, as well as Cosmetic and General Dermatology

TRAINING

Harvard Medical School

NYU Department of Dermatology

Georgetown University

EDUCATION

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Brown University

PROFESSORSHIPS

SUPERFICIAL RADIATION THERAPY (SRT)

Trust your care to the experienced radiation experts on staff, having treated hundreds of patients. A proven, non-surgical method of treating some non-melanoma skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma PAINLESSLY.

PLEASE ASK DR. MONIKA IF THIS IS

Assistant Clinical Professor

Columbia Medical School

FELLOWSHIPS

Fellow of American College of Mohs Surgery

Fellow of American Academy of Dermatology

Fellow of Florida Society of Dermatology, Dermatological Surgery

Expert in Melanoma and Skin Cancer, with over 20 years of experience and has completed over 30,000 Mohs, dermatologic and laser surgeries

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS

Monika Srivastava MD, FAAD, FACMS

SEAL participants.

Most people report significant improvement to their skin tone and elasticity following regular RLT sessions, and it’s no wonder. In addition to enhancing blood flow and reducing inflammation in cells, RLT stimulates collagen production. Collagen, an essential component of the skin’s connective tissue, is responsible for its elasticity, structure, and strength.

As a result, RLT is frequently used to reduce wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, and stretch marks. It has been shown to improve psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, acne, sun-damaged skin, and scars. Another hair-raising benefit? Red light

Mary Lynn Eichert, founder of Align Aesthetics & Wellness, helps guide her clients to the best course of treatment with RLT.

“I don’t feel 71, and I think red light therapy is part of it.”

— TOM FISH

therapy stimulates hair growth among those suffering from androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness).

With all this extra ATP fueling the body’s cells and metabolism, it should come as no surprise that RLT is fast becoming an innovative weight-loss catalyst. An increased metabolism leads to increased calorie burn, the breakdown of fat cells, and the release of fatty acids, not to mention reduction of inflammation—a major culprit in obesity and metabolic disorders.

Based upon her own weight-loss success following RLT sessions in West Palm Beach, retired banker Tricia Snow opened Red Vero in January. Now, in addition to skin care and healing, she helps others reach their weightloss goals during 20-minute

sessions in which flexible pads are wrapped around the body in targeted areas. Clients listen to guided audio tapes discussing healthful eating, and they are given a nutrition plan and exercise program. Snow reports that the typical client loses 15 to 20 pounds in four to six weeks.

Michael Merrill, a Vero Beach real estate agent, attests to the benefits of RLT for weight loss and improved health. Spurred by comments from his 6-year-old about his aging appearance and weight gain, the 53-year-old husband and father of two embarked on a wellness program that incorporates twice-weekly RLT sessions (as well as daily cryotherapy sessions) at Align Aesthetics & Wellness.

“I was probably one of the first to use the red light therapy bed when they added

There are many perceived positives to red light therapy.

it earlier this year,” says Merrill, who appreciates the various settings on the machine. “ e biggest thing I noticed was an increase in energy and focus. It has not only kept me laser focused on my business but also kept me committed to my health and tness goals.”

Merrill’s personal journey has resulted in a 60-pound weight loss, improved sleep and complexion, and an energized metabolism.

A lab test measuring his C-reactive protein levels (a biomarker for in ammation) went from 3.9 to 0.3, indicating a huge improvement.

Mary Lynn Eichert, a nurse practitioner and

founder of Align Aesthetics & Wellness, points out that her light therapy bed has six wavelengths, including red, near infrared, and green, that target multiple cellular absorption points for di erent bene ts. Under Eichert’s supervision, clients can choose from over 2,000 frequency protocols to match their needs. Many opt for a 15-week program that targets major body systems during twice-a-week visits.

As RLT becomes increasingly popular, both Eichert and Shafer o er these words of caution to consumers: not all red light devices are created equal. “Studies evaluating the potential bene ts of

red light therapy are performed using medical-grade therapy beds,” explains Shafer. “Devices like masks or wands typically don’t emit enough energy to provide bene t, and not all therapy beds are considered medical grade.”

Although the FDA has approved red light therapy in general, it’s important to educate yourself before seeking treatment. “Look for a bed with the highest amps, joules, and irradiance,” advises Shafer. “All three are key components to maximizing the physiological e ects of red light therapy.” Ready to get your motor running?

VERO’S “RED LIGHT” DISTRICT

Mind and Body of Vero 1040 37th Place, Suite 202 mindandbodyofvero.com

Align Aesthetics & Wellness 2101 Indian River Blvd., Suite 108 alignmedicalaesthetics.com

Red Vero

1850 43rd Ave., Suite C 4–5 redlightvero.com

Vero Fitness 1060 6th Ave. verofitness.fit

Planet Fitness

1225 U.S. Hwy. 1, Suite 2 planetfitness.com/gyms/verobeach-fl

Energy Spa Salon & Tanning

1555 U.S. Hwy. 1, Suite 103 energyspaverobeach.com

Stressless® Fiona with Wood Arm shown in Paloma New Cognac/Walnut

Sculptural SCENTS

For aromas as impeccably curated as the spaces they fill, incorporate these exquisite feats of design that boast equally sophisticated fragrances to intoxicate the senses: L’Objet Atlas Incense Holder, crafted from fine porcelain and hand-painted in gold ($325, l-objet.com); Grace de Monaco Porcelain Fragrance Diffuser, a stunning ceramic rendition of a vase of flowers ($280) and Promenade Sur Le Rocher Diffuser Fragrance Oil, a floral pairing blooming with notes of rose, jasmine, and bergamot ($60, gdmonaco.com); Cartier Les Écrins Parfumés Cartier Canopée, a scented candle that brims with botanical, woody, and vibrant aromas to capture the fresh air among the treetops ($200, cartier.com); Diptyque Roses Home Fragrance Hourglass Diffuser, an elegant aromatic objet d’art that steadily fills the air with a heady fragrance ($215, diptyqueparis.com); and Cire Trudon Abd El Kader scented long matches ($28, viacoquina.com). —Abigail Duffy

REVIEW

Digging in the Desert

IN THIS PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER, A GRIEVING AND PERPLEXED WIDOW MUST PUT SOME STRANGE PIECES TOGETHER

BY ELIZABETH LEONARD OF THE VERO BEACH BOOK CENTER

THE VACANCY IN ROOM 10

by Seraphina Nova Glass Graydon House,

April 2024

Edgar Award–nominated author Seraphina Nova Glass has become one of the new favorites at the Vero Beach Book Center with her novel The Vacancy in Room 10. The mystery begins when Anna Hartley receives a call from her husband confessing to a murder, and it intensifies when her husband’s body is found on the shore of the Rio Grande on the Mexican border.

Devastated and needing answers, Anna checks into The Sycamores, once a motel and now a run-down apartment complex that houses her late husband’s rented art studio as well as a curious collection of residents. As she begins the search for answers, threatening letters start to arrive, demanding she stop digging, only compelling her to ask more questions. One person in particular who seems to know more than anyone is the motel manager, Cass, who has access to all the units and knowledge of all the tenants.

STAFF PICKS

SANDWICH

by Catherine Newman

An annual summer trip to Sandwich, Cape Cod places Rocky in the middle of three generations of family. Sweet memories of vacations past are everywhere, but she finds herself looking toward the future while no longer hiding from the past.

Cass is the former girlfriend of a prominent real estate agent. Having been dumped for a younger woman, she finds herself at The Sycamores, as she has no money and no place else to go. Her knowledge of basic handiwork earned her a place to stay and a job, but money is tight, so Cass gets creative: she engages in a little harmless blackmail of unfaithful men who have had a few too many at the bar across the street. They make for perfect targets for vengeful Cass, until she picks the wrong man.

With the ever-looming presence of the Mexican cartel in the southern reaches of the New Mexico desert, the dangers surrounding both Anna and Cass reach new levels as their stories begin to intertwine, leading to an ending you never saw coming.

THE PIONEERS

by David McCullough

After the Revolutionary War, many veterans and their families ventured from New England to Ohio and beyond to settle the Northwest Territory, undaunted by all manner of challenges.

It’s wise to read labels on food packaging when choosing what to feed your pup.

FEEDING

What’s for Dinner?

NEW CHOICES IN DOG FOOD CALL FOR A LESSON IN READING LABELS

BY AMY ROBINSON

Bella stared at me from the edge of the kitchen. I opened her bag of dry dog food, scooped out a cup, and upended it into a stainless-steel bowl, where it made that distinctive “clank” sound that says dinner is served. It contained all the necessary nutrition, but to my eye, it seemed so blah and brown. Shouldn’t her dinner be more of an event?

e early 1990s brought a very new idea in dog food from

Australian veterinarian Ian Billinghurst with the unappetizing name of the BARF (biologically appropriate raw food) diet. Ditching kibble for raw meat and bones was the new trend, and I was eager to try it. Bella had been eating the kibble with mild interest but was having a few digestive issues. With her furry mane and gold eyes, she looked like a wolf, so why not feed her like one?

I dove into the concept, spurred on by other colleagues

and converts, and plopped a chicken thigh straight out of the package into her bowl, along with lightly steamed carrots and broccoli. She went for it in a big way, although the messy smacking noises and bone crunching were a bit unnerving. Not surprisingly, Bella developed a mild bacterial infection that sent us back to the kibble bag, but we kept looking for an option that was more palatable for both of us. In the past 30 years, kibble

makers have upped their game, adding buzzy ingredients like blueberries and kale to appeal to owners hoping that whole-food ingredients will help their beloved pets prosper. The choices in meat sources have expanded as well, beyond staples like beef and chicken to bison, duck, and kangaroo. Dogs with gastrointestinal sensitivities have pushed food makers to develop more digestible, easily absorbed foods, but reading labels remains a challenge.

“The front of the bag is all marketing,” says Kyle English, operations manager for the Bark Avenue stores in Vero Beach and Sebastian. “Certain phrases may catch our eye, like ‘all natural’ or ‘wholesome.’ Pet owners may think it contains whole foods with no synthetics, but to a manufacturer, that only needs to be a small fraction of the food to make that claim.”

Flip the bag over to access the ingredient list, which contains the salient information. The first five ingredients make up the vast bulk of the volume, but the amounts are measured before cooking. “If your first listed ingredient is chicken meat, once that is cooked, a lot of the water

weight will leave that and the ingredient should really be down the list a bit,” explains English. “Conversely, chicken meal is chicken that is already cooked and pre-rendered, which removes most of the moisture, so it will not change in weight.”

Pet food labeling and ingredients are overseen by the Food and Drug Administration and individual states’ laws. Many of these laws are based on models developed by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), an independent nonprofit that sets standards for ingredients and nutrition.

“In the U.S., pet food is regulated on two levels: federally by the Food and Drug Administration and individually by each state,” says AAFCO executive director Austin Therrell. “To promote harmonization amongst all the state pet food rules, AAFCO endorses and maintains the AAFCO Model Pet Food Regulations, which are a template that states can reference in their regulation of pet food.”

Along with the list of ingredients, dog owners will want to look for the nutritional adequacy statement, which shows that the food adheres

Knowing what your dog is eating, including snacks, is important.

Ask Amy

amy@verobeachmagazine.com

I have a 6-year-old Australian shepherd, and I am thinking about getting another dog to keep her company. Is it too late? Annie is slowing down a little, and I don’t want her to just sleep all day. When my mother visits with her dog, Annie perks up and plays with her but loses interest soon after. Work is busy now for me and my husband, so I’m hoping to ease a little of my guilt. Is there a good way to go about this?

There are so many wonderful adoption options, I’d encourage you to start there. The sheer variety of dogs in age, temperament, activity level, and suitability with other pets available through shelters and rescue groups ensures that a good match can be made. Before that happens, though, I highly recommend some social work with Annie. Take her to new neighborhoods, walk her in a park, and visit a pet supply store. Observe her reactions to other dogs and note her preferences. Think about how Annie behaves around your mother’s dog; is she dominant? Is there give-and-take in their play? When you decide on a new companion, keep the new dog on-leash in the house at first so Annie can have some space. She will appreciate a chance to take it at her own speed.

My big dog Basher loves his walks on our street, but when he lifts his leg on a bush, he will then immediately start scraping his front and back paws on the grass or dirt in front of the bush. This would be fine if he wasn’t throwing up big divots in the process. My neighbors are pretty understanding, but it’s a little embarrassing, and I wish we could just move on instead. Any ideas to stop this?

Jacob in Barefoot Bay

Let’s take a look at Basher’s motivation. His goal to let other dogs in the neighborhood know he was there, and he marks the spot with a scent that comes from the glands in his paws. This is picked up by others passing the area, which makes Basher feel like the big dog on the block. Try diverting his divot-making with a bonanza of treats. The next time you take him on a walk, bring a bag of treats with you. The second he starts scraping his paws, shake the bag and say, “Find it!” and then toss several treats down on the ground in front of him. Don’t be caught empty-handed, or your dog will go right back to his yard work.

– Helen in Vero Beach –

TRUE TAILS

to AAFCO’s Complete and Balanced Nutrient Profiles for both dogs and cats, developed with experts from the FDA, individual states, academia, and the pet food industry.

“AAFCO actively reviews scientific literature and will update profiles whenever new, peer-reviewed data becomes available,” notes Therrell.

Consumers are parsing label language and making discerning choices. When it comes to ingredient sourcing and formulation, an emphasis on research and product testing can help build trust between pet owners and food manufacturers. Purina spends more than $100 million annually on these efforts.

“We believe nutrition starts with understanding nutrients, not just ingredients,” states Dr. Kurt Venator, Purina’s chief veterinary officer. “The best ingredients are the ones that work with others to enhance performance.

A smarter nutrient blend is going to be more digestible and effective for a pet than a single ingredient.”

A host of next-generation food companies are nipping at the heels of the big kibble makers, due to consumer demand for fresher, more holistic offerings. Raw food has evolved, with options that come in freeze-dried or fresh-frozen packages, even the old standby kibble and canned food.

At Bark Avenue, English sees sales increasing. “There has been a lot more availability in fresh products, higherquality products, and raw is a big part of that,” he says. Raw pet food sales in 2021 topped $21 billion in the United States, with popular Stella and Chewy’s brand emerging as a major player.

“Typically, commercial

raw food diets for dogs are formulated to mirror a dog’s ancestral diet, with 85 to 95 percent meat, organs, and bone,” notes Moronke Tyler, director of brand marketing for Stella and Chewy’s. “All of our frozen and freeze-dried raw products go through high-pressure processing to naturally destroy harmful bacteria without affecting the

food’s nutritional value.”

But prepare for a bite out of your budget, especially if you are transitioning from a cheaper kibble. However, protein and fat amounts in Stella and Chewy’s dinner patties are higher than in most kibble brands, at 44 percent and 35 percent respectively, so you may be able to feed less to maintain ideal weight and condition.

Many owners are getting creative with their culinary offerings, mixing a quality kibble with a raw topper, while others are keen to try other fresh options. Pet food companies are responding with lightly cooked, fresh-frozen meals for those shy of raw. None of these alternatives was available in Bella’s

lifetime, but I began to add a soft-boiled egg and a dollop of sweet potatoes to her standard kibble one day, and some green beans and poached chicken the next, to her great delight.

As we continue to treat our pets like family members, we want to feed them as such. The vast array of commercially available choices demands that we educate ourselves about ingredients and call the manufacturer to ask some hard questions. How and where is your product tested for safety? Where do you source your meats and vegetables from? Have you had recalls, and how do you respond to those? Then, make your choice and let your dog dig in.

NAME GAME

Wading through the label’s marketing jargon is easier with some knowledge of the rules in place to protect consumers.

100% Rule – A phrase such as “all-beef” on the label must indicate the product is just that: only beef plus water for processing and trace amounts of preservatives and coloring. Offerings such as jerky treats can qualify, but not usually dog food.

95% Rule – A name containing the words “chicken and rice dog food,” for example, means that the named ingredients must make up 95% of the food, not counting added moisture. Wet foods will have a high percentage of water content.

25% Rule – Labels that say “chicken dinner” or “beef entrée” require that just 25% of the food is chicken or beef.

“With” Rule – Under the rules, a name like “Best Puppy Food, with lamb and rice” need have only 3% lamb and 3% rice to comply.

“Flavor” Rule – A food label with the phrase “chicken-flavored” can have just a trace amount of chicken fat or artificial flavoring to bear that name.

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Thursday, January 23

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ARTS&

A CULTURAL CORNUCOPIA WILL YIELD ITS BOUNTY AS THE 2024–25 SEASON UNFOLDS

BY TERESA LEE RUSHWORTH

MINDS

 rik g a Chord

In addition to its annual visit from the Brevard Symphony Orchestra, the Indian River Symphonic Association will host the Czech National Philharmonic Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Polish Chamber Orchestra of Sinfonia Varsovia, and the National Symphony Orchestra based in Washington, D.C. In one of the highlights of the 2025 season, the NSO will be joined by renowned violin soloist Hilary Hahn. irsymphonic.org

The Atlantic Classical Orchestra presents four programs in its Masterworks

Series. The season will begin with “To Hollywood and Beyond,” featuring selections by Korngold, Steiner, Rachmaninoff, and Tchaikovsky. The title of the second concert, “Entirely Mozart,” says it all. “Choose Your Destiny” will give series subscribers an opportunity to select one of the pieces to be performed, and the season will close with “Pipe Dreams,” a program featuring organ music. atlanticclassicalorchestra.com

As always, variety is the name of the game for the musicians of the Space Coast

Symphony Orchestra. Their season is already underway, but plenty of performances remain to be enjoyed, paying homage to the big screen, Broadway, and Beethoven along with folk music, the ’80s, and more. spacecoastsymphony.org

The all-volunteer Vero Beach Chamber Orchestra presents two free concerts each year (donations are accepted) featuring selections by renowned composers. Directed by Colbert Page Howell Jr., the ensemble has been performing since 2008. verobeachchamberorchestra.org

Indian River Symphonic Association welcomes Hilary Hahn (below) with the National Symphony Orchestra, Daniel Hope (right) and the Polish Chamber Orchestra of Sinfonia Varsovia, and the Cleveland Orchestra (opposite page).

Riverside Theatre performances (clockwise):

Mame, La Cage aux Folles , The Last Romance, West Side Story, My Fair Lady

HOLLY

HOLLY PORCH

HOLLY PORCH

Q&A

Since Riverside eatre has played a role in the development of the musical dramatic comedy Mystic Pizza, which is based on the 1988 bigscreen romantic comedy, we’ve asked the theater’s longtime managing director, Jon Moses, to give us a peek behind the scenes.

Can you tell us how Mystic Pizza came about?

e Mystic Pizza project began and was developed through Lively McCabe Entertainment. e rst version was produced at the Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine back in 2021. McCoy Rigby Entertainment out of California and Riverside eatricals [a division of Riverside eatre] joined together to produce the updated version in January 2024 in La Mirada, California and a touring version set to start at Riverside eatre in January 2025.

Vero Beach Theatre Guild has already pulled back the curtain on its 67th season, staging Something Rotten and Romeo and Juliet over the summer. But there’s much more on the playbill: musicals Sweeney Todd, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and The 28th Street Boarding House (a new production written by two Vero Beach natives), as well as the plays Miracle on 34th Street and Mark Twain’s Is He Dead? verobeachtheatreguild.com

Riverside Theatre’s 52nd season opens this month with the farcical comedy The Fox on the Fairway. The season then takes a musical direction with the new show Mystic Pizza, the classic Singin’ in the Rain, and the nostalgic Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Master Class and Every Brilliant Thing will be presented on the Waxlax Stage. riversidetheatre.com

What has Riverside’s role been in the development of this show, and how long has the process taken?

Riverside eatre is providing the rehearsal space and stage for the launching of the tour and, through Riverside eatricals, is one of the primary producers of the tour. For just Riverside, this process began back in the summer of 2022.

How have you personally been involved?

My role has been a managing and creative partner with the other two, o ering opinion and insight throughout the process.

Do you think Mystic Pizza will make it to Broadway?

Ultimately I think that is everyone’s hope, and there is always that chance. What is truly unique about our process is that we are taking a known title of a new musical on the road rst. We hope that its

popularity will grow along the way, leading the show to even more grand opportunities.

What excites you about this production?

Aside from the fact that this is a great show, I am excited to enter the world of touring productions. So often we invest a lot of time and money into a show only for it to close four weeks later. Touring more would enable more audiences to see what we create here in Vero, as well as o ering more work for the many artists that we employ—a win-win for everyone involved. Running a show for only three or four weeks actually limits the size of the show that we can produce. So if we can extend the life of a show, we can open the doors to more show options.

What do you think audiences will like best about Mystic Pizza?

Mystic Pizza captures the music of the ’80s and pairs it nicely with the best parts of the story and the movie. For me, having lived the ’80s in my teens, it was a really cool trip down memory lane. Every tune unlocked many long-forgotten memories.

What will be the biggest surprise for fans of the movie?

I can’t say there is a big surprise, but I can say that everyone who lived during the ’80s will instantly be teleported back in time as you sit in the audience. ere is something really special about the music of the ’80s.

Yearning for Learning

Riverside Theatre’s Distinguished Lecturer Series strides into its 27th season with four speakers: author Michael Lewis will discuss Wall Street and other financial topics; former U.S. congressman from Wisconsin Michael Gallagher will focus on China; journalist Bari Weiss will tackle media and politics; and David Roscoe will offer insights on artificial intelligence. riversidetheatre.com/dls-home

Vero Beach Museum of Art’s International Lecture Series will welcome four speakers with discussions that coincide with the “French Moderns” exhibition: Gardner Museum security director and investigator Anthony Amore, master sommelier Andrea Robinson, art critic Sebastian Smee, and Paris baker Apollonia Poilâne. vbmuseum.org

In addition to its many writing workshops and programs, as well as the April Poetry and Barbecue event that is entering its 14th year, the Laura (Riding) Jackson Foundation is delighted to present humorist and author Dave Barry for an evening of laughter in January 2025. lauraridingjackson.org

Riverside Theatre Distinguished Lecturer Series: Michael Gallagher

Alexandra Razskazoff, first-place winner of Rising Stars

Voice Activated

Verdi’s La Traviata will open Vero Beach Opera’s season in January. In February, soprano Maria Aleida and tenor Eduardo Salles will take the stage for the Best of Broadway and Opera program “Love Is Timeless.” In March, the audience will experience Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, and, as always, the season will conclude with the Rising Stars vocal competition and concert in April. verobeachopera.org

For this season, Treasure Coast Chorale’s director, Michael Carter, has selected the theme “Singing with the Greats.” In December, of course, the choristers are singing with Handel, because they present his Messiah every year at Christmastime. In November, March, and May, they will sing with Elvis, Sinatra, and the Beatles, respectively. treasurecoastchorale.com

Led by Jacob Craig, the multigenerational Vero Beach Choral Society is planning two concerts. For Christmas, the program will feature Dan Forrest’s Lux and Adolphus Hailstork’s I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes. April’s Spring Concert will delight audiences with Gilbert and Sullivan choruses. verobeachchoralsociety.org

VBMA International Lecture Series: Apollonia Poilâne, Andrea Robinson

Vero Beach Opera performances of Don Giovanni (also above), Best of Broadway & Opera (above le ), and “Scenes from Zarzuelas” (top)

Q&A

One of the notable recent developments on the local cultural scene is the Vero Beach Art Club’s appointment of an executive director. Susan Rhinehart was kind enough to take the time to discuss her role in this nearly 90-year-old nonpro t organization.

How long have you lived in Vero Beach, and when did you start this job?

I moved to Vero Beach ve years ago from Maryland, saying goodbye to the snow and ice!

I have been the executive director of the Vero Beach Art Club since January 2024.

Are you an artist?

I am not an artist, though by profession I am an interior designer. I spent the beginning of my career specializing in health care design. My days were encompassed in colors, textures, textiles, lighting, patterns, space, and forms in creating healing environments. Fiber-related arts and textiles were always of interest. While raising my sons, I left the corporate world, bought a 35-acre farm, and raised alpacas. For 20 years I was producing and selling American-made alpaca products and teaching ber-related art projects.

What is the most appealing aspect of this job? What is the most daunting?

I love working alongside artists! And I love being the voice of the Vero Beach Art Club and working on 14th Avenue in the heart of the Art District. If I had to de ne any part of my job as “daunting,” it would be staying focused on priorities for the success of everything that is accomplished under the dynamic team of VBAC sta , members, and volunteers.

How many members does the VBAC have? Are they all artists?

e VBAC has approximately 650 members. Most are artists, but you do not have to be an artist to be a member. We have members who love taking art classes and

supporting the VBAC as volunteers and nancial donors.

Organizing Under the Oaks each year must be a Herculean task. Can you tell us something we may not know about this extremely popular event, which is entering its 74th year?

Under the Oaks is ranked in the top 10 of the Best Art Shows in the country! It boasts over 200 artists from around the country as well as approximately 30 members of the VBAC juried into the show from about 800 applications. Over three days, it attracts over 50,000 guests. e team that organizes this and our other shows each year are Art Club members who work year-round.

What developments do you expect or hope for as the VBAC approaches its 90th anniversary?

e VBAC is not your grandparents’ art club! In addition to its art shows, it is committed to expanding and creating a strong art education curriculum and faculty. Our vision is to work alongside our school programs, supporting their curricula. is includes o ering programming for the IRC homeschool community. We also continue to build a curriculum of adult classes that o er opportunities to study a variety of mediums for everyone from recreational beginners to talented and seasoned artists.

Above: Golden Blue POP Dragonfly by Sean Kenney (McKee Botanical Garden)

Below: Glass artist John Miller in his Bloomington, Illinois studio, 2023 (VBMA)

JAMIE

Madame Boursier and Her Daughter by Berthe Morisot, VBMA’s “French Moderns: Monet to Matisse, 1850–1950,” organized by the Brooklyn Museum

Fet Yr Es

Two major exhibitions are coming to the Vero Beach Museum of Art. First, “Roadside Reverie: Glass Works by John Miller,” which includes multiple large-scale pieces, demonstrates the artist’s penchant for Americana and Pop Art. Then, “French Moderns: Monet to Matisse, 1850–1950” will move in, with 59 works from the Brooklyn Museum. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg; as always, VBMA will also wow us with Fashion Meets Art, Art in Bloom, and many art classes and activities. vbmuseum.org

More than 800,000 tiny Lego bricks will come together at the hands of artist Sean Kenney and make their debut in the form of 40-plus sculptures on the grounds of McKee Botanical Garden on January 24, 2025. It’s the world premiere of “Nature POP!” and it will be on view through May 4. These colorful sculptures, inspired by the Pop Art movement and curated by Imagine Exhibitions, appeal to all ages and convey messages about the interconnectedness of the natural world. mckeegarden.org

The Vero Beach Art Club continues to enrich the community with exhibitions, classes, workshops, and juried shows, including the incomparable Under the Oaks in March. verobeachartclub.org

Ballet Vero Beach’s Ellie Hennequin and Franco Cubero Acosta

Ballet Vero Beach will once again stage Nutcracker on the Indian River in December, followed by shows featuring the choreography of George Balanchine, Christopher Wheeldon, Yanis Eric Pikieris, Chloe Watson, and Peter Anastos, in addition to BVB’s own Adam Schnell and Camilo A. Rodriguez. BVB also continues its Accessible/Family-Friendly Series, which adapts performances to be more enjoyable for children and audience members with differing abilities. balletverobeach.org

SARAH DESANTIS, BROOKLYN MUSEUM

Ballet Vero Beach, Finch Concerto by Adam Schnell

ALEX KANTER’S EVENTFUL PATH LED HIM UNEXPECTEDLY TO THE TREASURE COAST

STAGES OF LIFE

BY ANN TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVEN MARTINE

Actor, singer, dancer, choreographer, director, and playwright Alex Kanter had a plan, and Indian River State College was nowhere on it. Four years ago, he was director of performance management at Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton, New Jersey, producing concerts with the New York Philharmonic and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Then came COVID, and the plan changed dramatically.

“So much happened during the height of the pandemic,” he says. “For me it created a fork in the road, an opportunity to come back to doing what I love, which is teaching. I’ve always erred on the side of following your passion.”

“You never know where out of left field that’s going to come, but I was open enough and my life changed immediately,” adds the Vero Beach resident, who, as master theater instructor, delights in introducing IRSC students to a world that can alter preconceived notions and open

“I’m fortunate to have had so many great experiences.” – ALEX KANTER

the door to possibilities.

“I feel one of our jobs as educators is to tap into students’ wells of experience,” Kanter says.

“There are so many different shutters blocking their view; our job is to open those shutters and make students fall in love with the arts and theater, to pull them in.

“Besides teaching skills, I teach appreciation courses. I get the chance to interact with a business student or an athlete who really never thought they would be involved in the theater, to open their minds to what’s

out there.” He speaks from personal experience.

While working in the film industry and living in New York City, Kanter landed an audition at a dinner theater in Wichita, Kansas. He jumped at the chance, headed west, and was hired. When the show ended, he just happened to stop in Branson, Missouri on his way back to the Big Apple.

“I didn’t know that town even existed,” he says. “It has this huge entertainment center. So at the age of 25 I bought a house

Below: Performer Cherie White is surrounded by the female ensemble during rehearsal.

and stayed there for four years performing, loving life, and making money while doing it. It wasn’t part of my plan, but I took the risk.”

More risks followed as Kanter spent seven months entertaining passengers on a cruise ship, performed and directed at venues around the country and the world, taught college and high school students, and sang a duet with Dolly Parton—and that’s just the short list.

“I’m fortunate to have had so many great experiences. It’s something I never take for granted,” says Kanter, whose job description includes designing IRSC’s pre-professional theater training program,

instructing, recruiting scholarship students, and selecting shows for the theater season that challenge students, engage audiences, and sell tickets.

“We have a responsibility to our patrons to provide beautiful entertainment with six to eight shows every year,” he explains. “This is where educational theater comes into play. There’s a balance between shows the audience will love and ones that the students will learn and grow from; part of it is educating students to the wealth of opportunities that are out there in the arts.”

“My big thing is you can’t expect audiences to watch the same thing over the year. A lot of my research and work

has to do with adapting and modernizing the classics, like what we’ve done during our summer Shakespeare program. We did Hamlet in the library, with the actors coming out of the stacks. Next June we’ll be doing The Winter’s Tale

steampunk style in the new Eastman Workforce Building.

“Exploration and experimentation can be scary but also a lot of fun. Two years ago we did The Fan, the original 1720s version, which is actually quite charming. We set

Energetic rehearsals for The Bard on Broadway are led by Alex Kanter at the piano.

“At the end of the day, I don’t forget for one second that I get to do what I love.”

– ALEX KANTER

it in a 1981 discotheque, with dance sequences throughout. In the play, two characters fight a duel; so how do you do that in the early ’80s? You have a dance-off. The students were so excited they were still doing disco battles after the play was over,” Kanter grins.

“We have some incredible shows coming up this season, a lot of robust programming,” he continues. “Every season I try to do two musicals and two classicals, along with contemporary works, comedies, and stuff that’s also practical. It’s really important to me to open the table up to the variety of voices that are part of the world of theater, making sure we’re inclusive, and the proof is in the pudding with what we have lined up.

“In November we’ll be doing Jekyll and Hyde, a musical. Audience members are encouraged to dress up in Halloween costumes and celebrate with us in this concert-style, gothic-themed production that’s perfect for the time of the year. The following month we’re partnering with Ballet Vero Beach with Dancing in December.”

The rest of the season promises to be just as innovative and exciting. “In February we’ll be doing A Chorus Line—I believe it’s the 50th anniversary,” he adds. “In March it’s Ag atha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express , followed by Hope and Gravity, which is about nine people whose lives are all intertwined, who meet in an elevator.”

So when does Kanter take time off, have a little R & R, head to the mountains for cool air, the islands to lounge poolside while sipping a drink with an umbrella in it?

Not part of the plan. “If I don’t get the choreography and detailed rehearsal schedules done over the summer, plus

meeting with our new scholarship students individually, it doesn’t get done,” says Kanter, who also serves as president of the Florida Theatre Conference and as theater representative on the executive board of the Florida College System Activities Association.

He smiles as he reflects on

The theater season at IRSC is made up of six to eight shows each year.

his busy schedule, which starts first thing in the morning with an energetic workout. “As a dancer and singer, it’s important for me to stay fit. Then I drink water and have some coffee.”

“At the end of the day, I don’t forget for one second that I get to do what I love, which is to create a whole new world,”

Kanter says. “While clearly there’s a lot of work that goes into it, it’s never boring. What I value the most with my experience is the ability to work with diverse students who are eating it up. That is a blessing, and I don’t use that term lightly. It was a really great fit for me to come here to IRSC.”

Above: Angelyn Valdes as Juliet, Dillon Faustin as Romeo

Above left: Cole Turner as Biron, Avery Schmidt as Rosaline

Penthouse Jewel

A DIAMOND INDUSTRY EXECUTIVE AND AN ART COLLECTOR CREATE AN ENTERTAINING MASTERPIECE THAT IS SHIPSHAPE

BY RENÁE TESAURO

ARCHITECTURAL PHOTOGRAPHY BY GRIDLEY + GRAVES | PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY BY JERRY RABINOWITZ

Stepping inside the penthouse condominium

owned by Beryl Raff and Paul Russell is tantamount to entering the finest stateroom on a luxury cruise ship—a cruise ship with a permanent port of call at Royal Palm Pointe. A wall of retractable glass doors that open to a 28-foot deck overlooking the Indian River Lagoon offers panoramic views of sky, water, island, mainland, and frolicking wildlife that are, in Russell’s words, “pure theater.”

But the showstopping views are not the only featured attraction in this

dramatic riverfront renovation, which began shortly after the couple purchased the property in 2021. The three-bedroom, three-bath, 3,500-square-foot home fully embraces the couple’s passion for cooking, entertaining, and collecting contemporary art.

Raff and Russell, who also own properties in Kansas City and Cabo San Lucas, had been searching for something a bit larger than the oceanfront condos available in Sea Oaks, where Raff and her late husband had first purchased in 2010. “When COVID hit, we decamped there for several months and ran our companies,” says Russell, a self-described serial

Beryl Raff and Paul Russell’s penthouse renovation includes a wall of retractable glass doors to show off stunning views of the lagoon.

“I consider this to be one of our masterpieces.”

– AARON BENSON

entrepreneur, world traveler, and art collector.

“We’re not house people,” explains Raff, whose 40-year career in the diamond industry included chairman and CEO posts at the Zale Corporation, and, most recently, Helzberg Diamonds—a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway—from which she retired in 2022. “ We don’t want to worry about taking care of a pool or lawn. We want to be able to lock and leave.”

When they stumbled upon the unit in Royal Palm Pointe, they immediately recognized its potential. “The kitchen, to me, was the biggest deal,” says Raff, an avid cook. “Our real estate agent connected us with Croom Construction. We showed Croom’s vice president, David Lyons, photos of our Kansas City kitchen that had been featured in a magazine and asked who we could speak to in Vero Beach. David connected us with Dawn Wallace of Dawn Wallace Designs, and Dawn connected us with Scott Layne and David Moulton of Moulton Layne.”

“We interviewed several architects,” explains Russell, “and they all asked, ‘What do you want?’ We explained that we like an open concept, but we’re not architects. We don’t know what’s possible. When Scott and David came in—and we hold them and their entire team in the highest esteem—the first thing they said was, ‘Would you give us 15 minutes to walk around?’ So, we sat on the balcony and waited. They came back and said, ‘This is our vision.’”

That vision—executed by the team of Moulton Layne, Croom Construction, Wallace, and interior designer Andi Beck—begins the moment the elevator doors

Beryl Raff sits in front of a painting along the western wall of the home by Orlando-area artist Steven Baldauf.

open to the residence’s dramatic white-lacquered foyer. “Knowing the homeowners wanted wall space for art, we gave them some homework by asking them to obtain a piece of art that would draw you into the space,” says Layne. “What they commissioned for the spot opposite the elevator couldn’t be any better.”

Walking left from the foyer, Layne explains, the objective was to draw the vista of the southernfacing water views as deep into the main space as possible. This was achieved by replacing three sets of French doors with a bank of retractable glass doors, elevating the ceiling, and removing walls to double the main space from 28 feet to 56 feet. At Russell’s suggestion, window jambs on the western wall were mirrored to capture multiple views of the Intracoastal.

A comfortable seating area includes a fireplace for cooler days and a wall of glass doors allowing bright light to infuse most of the living area.

The primary bedroom, which also opens to the spacious deck, was similarly r econfigured to maximize light and southern views while offering privacy. Two additional bedrooms—one with a western-facing, sunset-watching balcony—function as an office and TV room.

Considering Raff’s career in the diamond industry and her love of cooking, it comes as no surprise that the kitchen is the crowing jewel of her home. “This is my fourth kitchen renovation project,” comments Raff, surveying the sleek, highgloss, walnut-toned floorto-ceiling cabinetry in what might be considered a kitchen incognito. “I wanted to create something that was inviting, contemporary, and unlike what everyone else has.” She also admits to being obsessive about storage space, wanting to create a home for gadgets, small appliances, and cooking utensils within easy reach but out of sight.

To make Raff’s dream kitchen a reality, Wallace had the ironic task of replacing the kitchen she originally installed when the unit was constructed in 2005. “It dates me a bit,” laughs Wallace, who has been designing kitchens and baths in Vero Beach for the past 35 years, “but this was an opportunity to open up and modernize the space with state-of-the-art materials that were unique, interesting, and fun.”

She incorporated a dark walnut stain with a highpressure laminate and highgloss lacquer to create sleek, reflective cabinetry for appliances and storage with minimal hardware. A large quartzite island serves as a prep and cooking area with hidden drawers for knives, utensils, spices, oils, and a Wolf integrated vacuum sealer. A generous quartzite-topped peninsula provides a casual dining area for five and houses a galley sink that can double as a wine chiller when the couple

Left: As art collectors, the couple strategically places works they’ve commissioned or acquired throughout the home. Above: A hidden pantry in the kitchen safely stores away many cooking tools and supplies.

entertains. A TV mounted on the wall, anchoring the peninsula, is disguised as a framed piece of art.

Behind the main kitchen, Wallace created a fully equipped catering kitchen with back-painted magnetic glass cabinets on which kitchen staff can write notes and post menus. A heavy stand mixer slides out for ease of use. In both spaces, hidden drawers, doors, and compartments give added meaning to the phrase “a place for everything and everything in its place.”

“This is one of the most contemporary kitchens I’ve done,” observes Wallace, “yet

it’s highly functional, warm, cozy, and stunning—all at the same time.”

“Anytime we work in condos, there are challenges,” says Layne, “particularly with plumbing or other structural supports, which cannot be altered.” Here, the team transformed those challenges into advantages. A spacious, yet cleverly hidden, walk-in kitchen pantry was designed around a plumbing riser and now offers plenty of organized storage. A floating bar with an illuminated glass top and shelving disguises a structural column but now adds extra sparkle to etched glassware as

Above: The cabinetry installed in the contemporary kitchen is highly reflective and has little hardware. Right: A fully stocked catering kitchen is behind the main kitchen.

well as a picture-perfect frame for the artwork hung in the adjacent hallway.

“I consider this to be one of our masterpieces,” says Croom Construction project manager Aaron Benson, reflecting on the attention to detail involved in every aspect of the 18-month renovation. Walls were rein-

forced to accommodate heavy porcelain slabs surrounding the fireplace. To minimize noise, sound-dampening systems were installed between walls and floors. Cabinetry was perfectly aligned to conceal invisible doors. Sound system speakers were hidden behind walls. Narrow slot diffusers

function as air-conditioning vents, and pin lights disappear into the ceiling while providing ample light from above.

“We created a mock-up of every piece of art to ensure that it would be properly lit and framed by the surrounding architecture,” adds Benson.

As the renovation wound

down, Raff called upon veteran interior designer Andi Beck to assist in the selection of furniture, fabrics, wall covering, and accessories. Together, they decided on low-profile furniture and a palette of neutral, muted colors that allow the couple’s art collection to steal the show. Dining chairs are on

rollers so they can be easily moved. Living room chairs and a curved love seat are complemented by a coffee table shaped like a puzzle piece. The entire space, says Beck, exudes “sleek sophistication.”

With the renovation in the rearview mirror, Raff and Russell are eager to put their

entertaining masterpiece to good use. “We want to better the community one cocktail party at a time,” quips Russell, who cites the couple’s many philanthropic interests. “This space is designed for cocktail parties with someone passing hors d’oeuvres and someone standing over here, explaining why it’s important to support a particular cause.”

“There is no TV over the fireplace,” he points out. “We’re not hosting Super Bowl parties here.” Yet, the Kansas City homeowners are the first to admit that their renovation team performed just as superbly as this year’s Super Bowl champs. “They’re like Mahomes and Kelce,” says Russell. “They’ve worked together so many times, they know what the other is going to do, and it works!”

Above: A commissioned painting by Sharon Spillar of Kansas City greets guests when they step out of the elevator. Below: A bright nook for relaxing is adjacent to the main kitchen.

THE HORIZON Looking to

BY CHRIS FASOLINO | PHOTOGRAPHY

BY STEVEN MARTINE

VBMA’S

NEW CHIEF CURATOR IS MAKING PLANS FOR TRAVELING EXHIBITIONS AND THE MUSEUM’S PERMANENT COLLECTION

To a painter, the horizon line can be essential. Whether the work of art is a Vero Beach sunset scene or a Renaissance masterpiece, there is a good chance the painter began with the horizon line. The painting developed from there, perhaps acquiring a sense of three-dimensionality and vibrant, flamboyant color. New possibilities were opening up for the artist to explore.

Likewise, at the Vero Beach Museum of Art, new horizons are beckoning, with a major expansion planned. A new chief curator, Caitlin Swindell, brings enthusiasm and flair, and she is eager to explore what the future holds.

What is involved in being chosen chief curator of a museum? Swindell comes to Vero Beach from the Lowe Art Museum, a fixture in the Miami arts scene, where she served as curator of collections and exhibitions. Prior to that, she was senior curatorial assistant in modern and contemporary art at the Denver Art Museum.

But there was more involved than an exemplary résumé. As part of the interview process, each candidate faced a highpressure challenge called the “collection analysis.” This meant

that Swindell had to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the permanent collection of the Vero Beach Museum of Art— even though she had not yet been chosen as chief curator.

Nevertheless, she sailed through this challenge with flying colors. VBMA executive director Brady Roberts recalls that Swindell showed “a remarkable understanding of our collection.” He adds, “It’s remarkable that in so little time she could be so systematic.”

Of course, such a perspective does not come out of nowhere. Although she is new to VBMA,

art has been interwoven with Swindell’s life. “I was always really interested in museums,” she says with an enthusiastic smile. She grew up in Alexandria, Virginia, and she and her family would visit the great museums of Washington, D.C. She has an uncle who is a retired art history teacher and a painter. And Swindell herself says, “I thought about pursuing a career in fine arts.” Painting and drawing especially interested her.

However, when she became part of a special program for high school students at the

“I’m excited about being at VBMA.”

– CAITLIN SWINDELL

a representative of the Denver Art Museum. The goal of the program was to help contemporary Eastern European artists become more well known internationally. “It was amazing,” she says. “You’re meeting with artists, writers, critics, and museum professionals,” all in the eclectic galleries of a historic city.

National Gallery of Art, her love for museums took a different turn. “We would pick a piece from the collection and research it,” she recalls. “I picked a Cezanne.” Her study of the renowned French Post-Impressionist painter sparked a love for art historical research, which continued with internships at the National Portrait Gallery, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Swindell’s career has an international flair, as she spent time in Budapest, Hungary, as

Now that she has settled into her new role in Vero Beach, what does her daily schedule look like? In a sense, there is no typical day. A gallery may look like a placid, tranquil place, but museums have a lot going on behind the scenes. For example, whenever a new exhibition is being planned, Swindell makes a scale model that shows how each work of art will be displayed. Though the model itself will never be seen by visitors, it provides the initial conception of what the entire exhibition will look like.

The current show is one that Swindell herself arranged: a

Swindell makes small-scale models to help her visualize the layout of an exhibit.

After working in museums in Denver and then Miami, Caitlin Swindell is making her home in Vero Beach.

solo exhibition by artist John Miller, a contemporary glass sculptor. At the time of Swindell’s interview with Vero Beach Magazine, the exhibition was still in the planning stages, and the scale model was perched on a table in her office. Its details revealed how carefully she was strategizing about the best way to incorporate the colorful glass sculptures into the gallery space with sculptures ranging from glass tools and car keys to classic diner food.

Swindell smiles as she speaks of the playful nature of the Miller exhibition, which features “oversized glass sculptures of food—diner food. The food objects are larger than life.” For example, one marker on the scale model represents an enormous glass cheeseburger. While Swindell appreciates the touch of whimsy the subject

Above: Swindell looks over a 2022 gift from Vero Beach resident Barbara Konforti of screenprints and lithographs created by various artists in 1973.

Left: A scaled version of a John Miller glass sculpture sits on Swindell’s desk.

matter shows, she also offers insight into what motivates the artist. “He grew up near a diner and would go there with his dad, so for him this is nostalgia.” With her own natural exuberance, Swindell realizes that whimsy and emotion are quite compatible.

Swindell is also interested in

getting to know the museum docents and enhancing the data on the permanent collection—for example, by “making sure that everything has an image in the archive.”

She also wants to make sure the museum is responsive to people’s interests. “I’m excited about being at VBMA,” she

Left: The collections storage area is filled with works to be displayed or permanently housed. Right: Swindell confers with Sean Clinton, chief preparator, before arranging work in the Titelman Gallery.

shows is a major part of Swindell’s work as chief curator. The selection of traveling exhibitions involves such avenues as “researching and seeing what’s available, being in touch with curators at other museums, and putting together original shows from artists I love.”

She also has the goal of using the permanent collection for an intriguing new exhibition. “We’ve typically highlighted recognizable names,” she explains, and while she acknowledges the value of that, she also wants to be creative. “I’m excited by conversations between works.” For example, displaying traditional portraits along with contemporary ones can be a way to explore how portraiture—and perceptions— have changed.

Swindell has arrived at the museum during a dynamic time. With the planned expansion, Roberts says, “We’re going from 10,000 square feet of gallery space to 20,000 square feet of gallery space.” That’s right—double the size. What does that really mean?

“We will be able to stagger exhibitions and have the permanent collection on view. That’s a game changer.”

says, “and I’m continuing to get a sense of what people expect from the museum. People often ask me, ‘Who are your favorite artists?’ But my favorite artists, that I might want to see day by day, might be different from what I want to have at the museum.”

In any case, planning future

Currently, the museum has one exhibition at a time. And if it’s a major one, that sometimes reduces the size of the permanent collection displays in some of the smaller adjacent galleries. By doubling the gallery space, the museum will be able to host multiple exhibitions at the same time while also displaying works

“Caitlin is terrific ... these are exciting times.”

– BRADY ROBERTS

from the permanent collection. Thus, visitors who come for a special traveling exhibition will also be exposed to the museum’s own works of art. Furthermore, with different exhibitions going on simultaneously, perhaps featuring very different styles and topics, the museum has the potential to draw in considerably more visitors.

Highlighting Swindell’s ability to lead the museum during this time, Roberts notes, “Caitlin worked at the Denver Art Museum while they were going through a major transformation.” She also has experience with organizing successful exhibitions.

Roberts notes other assets the museum has in place: “We have the great art educational program, and the Athena Society is growing, taking on a life of its own.” The Athena Society funds and selects new works of art, so “that’s all fuel for Caitlin to take the exhibitions to the next level in a museum that is expanding.”

And then there’s the human factor. “The other thing we all like about Caitlin is that she’s a nice person to be around.” In a community like Vero Beach, “chemistry is important. And Caitlin is terrific.” All in all, Brady says, “These are exciting times.”

Adding to the excitement is a major exhibition opening in February titled “French Moderns: From Monet to Matisse, 1850–1950.” It will feature great Impressionists such as Monet, Morisot, and Renoir, as well as other beloved French artists, including Degas, Manet, Corot, and Matisse. Not to mention an artist who has special meaning for Swindell: Cezanne, whom she studied when she was a high school student exploring the National Gallery of Art, helping to spark her love of museums. It’s a full-circle moment in a career that’s really just beginning.

For the new chief curator, and for the Vero Beach Museum of Art, the horizon is bright.

Swindell walks with museum conservator Jim Liccione through the sculpture garden.

October Originals

You’ll ‘fall’ in love with all the latest additions at local businesses

DIGG LIKE A LOCAL

OCTOBER 17: THIRD THURSDAY EVENT

Join Digg Gardens Plant Shop every third Thursday of the month from 5 to 8 p.m. for a happy hour in the garden with live music, drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and community.

DIGG GARDENS PLANT SHOP

7430 U.S. Hwy. 1 | 772-360-2131 | digggardens.com

DON’T SHY AWAY

OCTOBER 31–NOVEMBER 1: SPECIAL EVENT

Veranda is excited to host fresh designs from Shy Creation Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Known for the unique ability to balance supreme craftsmanship and young, fun, lavish appeal, Shy has a piece—or two—for everyone.

VERANDA 3325 Ocean Drive | 772-234-3404 | verandajewelry.com

Meet Cathy Padgett, the owner of Veranda, the luxury jewelry and fine home accessories boutique in Vero Beach. Padgett founded Veranda in September 1992, fulfilling a childhood dream of owning a jewelry boutique in Vero that would offer world-renowned designers. Featuring some of the largest collections from creators Elizabeth Locke, Roberto Coin, Mazza and Co., Temple St. Clair, Marco Bicego, Clara Williams, and Shy Creations––all of whom Padgett has built solid, personal relationships with—Veranda serves a clientele that has an awareness for style and sophistication. They recognize it the minute they step through the store’s doors. In fact, one noticeable aspect of the business is that there is no jewelry in the windows. This is quite intentional. Both potential buyers and longtime customers walk inside to find what they are looking for, be it gorgeous unique pieces for their jewelry collections, or from a variety of home accessories and gifts. It’s all part of the experience of shopping at Veranda.

Speaking of walking inside, expect to be greeted by Padgett’s team who strive to provide a premier shopping experience. Each employee has been with Padgett for the better part of 15-20 years and Padgett completely believes this has contributed to Veranda’s longevity and success. Customers not only shop some of the best jewelry in the world, but they work with a dedicated group at Veranda.

New & Noteworthy

DON’T RESIST THIS FRESH FLOORING AT DESIGNER’S TOUCH

Protect your home the rest of this hurricane season with the new waterproof laminate from Compass Flooring. The Watershed Collection has exceptional durability and water resistance, making it a great option for your Florida home.

DESIGNER’S TOUCH FLOORING

1715 Old Dixie Hwy. | 772-978-9111 | designerstouchfl ooring.com

REAL DEAL

REALTOR JOINS AGENCY

Michelle Clarke, a Florida native and licensed Realtor for over 19 years, has joined Dale Sorensen Real Estate. She holds ABR, ALHS, and SRES designations and is recognized in the top 25 agents in Indian River County.

MICHELLE CLARKE/DSRE

3206 Cardinal Drive | 772-263-0386 | michelleclarkerealtor.com

HOW DOES YOUR COLLECTION GROW?

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT REVEALED

The Garden Club has unveiled its 2024 historical ornament, which will be sold at multiple locations to benefi t the club. Designed by Bonnie Pfiester, it pays tribute to the Seminole Indians. This long-standing ornament series has become highly collectible.

GARDEN CLUB OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY 2526 17th Ave. | 772-567-4602 | gardenclubofi rc.org

ABOUT THE BOARD

UNITED WAY OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS

United Way is excited to welcome three new members to its board of directors: Dana M. Apfelbaum, Ryan L. Butler, and Fred Jones. The organization looks forward to these outstanding professionals’ contributions and continuing its mission to serve the community.

UNITED WAY OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY 1836 14th Ave. | 772-567-8900 | unitedwayirc.org

Dana M Apfelbaum Ryan L Butler and Fred Jones

WAVING HELLO

CONCIERGE PRACTICE ACCEPTING PATIENTS

Dr. Rodrigo Velasco and Keri Velasco of Wave Wellness have a simple mission: to deliver personalized, proactive, and accessible health care tailored just for you and your family. With a strong background in family medicine and emergency care, they aim to transform your health care experience.

WAVE WELLNESS

3790 7th Terrace, Suite 102 772-362-9283 wavewellnessvb.com

NEW HARDWARE OPTIONS AT SHOWROOM

Brand-new hardware choices made with fused glass and crafted with variegated white and clear glass are available at European Kitchen & Bath. The opulent knobs and pulls emanate elegance and airy depth. Visit the showroom to pull some selections.

EUROPEAN KITCHEN & BATH

4003 U.S. Hwy. 1 | 772-494-2694 | europeansink.com

A TIMELY ARRIVAL

ANNUAL CALENDARS AT LAUGHING DOG GALLERY

The 2025 Linnea Design poster calendar has arrived. It includes a dozen 11-by-14 art prints designed to be framed. Celebrate each month or hang all 12 together for a dramatic presentation. It is also available in a smaller size for your desk.

THE LAUGHING DOG GALLERY

2910 Cardinal Drive | 772-234-6711 | thelaughingdoggallery.com

Mary Sipp Green is a contemporary American landscape luminist. Her trademark skies, with their layers of color, convey a perception beyond the merely visible. Sipp Green excels at depicting the land around her. Visit Findlay Galleries to view her collection.

FINDLAY GALLERIES

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

This stunning custom-made 59-inch round dining table features an exquisite flower-burst wood inlay and is available now at Fantastic Finds. It is handcrafted by John Hammerle Designs and has Hammerle’s signature on an underside label.

FANTASTIC FINDS

4300 U.S. Hwy. 1 | 772-794-7574 | fantastic-finds.com

Caleb’s Pond by Mary Sipp Green, oil on linen, 36 x 40 inches

SMELLS LIKE FALL

LOCALLY MADE CANDLES AT DIGG GARDENS

Digg Gardens Plant Shop is delighted to share that new autumn essentials are now in stock, including locally hand-poured candles. Stop in to get a sense of which smells best to you.

DIGG GARDENS PLANT SHOP

7430 U.S. Hwy. 1 | 772-360-2131 | digggardens.com

ESCALATING EXCITEMENT

CADILLAC REVEALS 2025 ESCALADE

Interior and exterior refreshing brings elevated design and technology to Cadillac’s most iconic and bestselling luxury full-size SUV. For more information, contact Linus Cadillac Buick GMC.

LINUS CADILLAC BUICK GMC 1401 U.S. Hwy. 1 | 772-562-1700 linusautomotive.com | linuscadillac.com

CROP TO IT

FRESH STYLES AT M. MAISON

“The Crop” by C + K has arrived at M. Maison. This shorter shirt isn’t a belly-baring crop top but skims the low waist, allowing you to layer it beneath a sweater or jacket or wear it all on its own.

M. MAISON 3403 Ocean Drive | 772-231-4300 | mmaisonvero.com

BUY THE BAY

REALTOR PRESENTS OCEANFRONT OPPORTUNITY

Paradise found in Bermuda Bay! Designed by Peter Moor and built by Croom Construction, this gracious home sits on almost an entire acre at the end of a cul-de-sac and provides abundant ocean views and sea breezes.

CATHY CURLEY

772-559-1359 | cathycurleyrealestate.com

MARVEL IN THE MIRROR

NEW COLLECTION AT LED CAPSTONE PARTNER CONTENT

LED Capstone Lighting & Fan Showroom presents Dyconn’s new black-framed wall-mounted LED mirror. This high-quality anodized aluminum frame with a front inward-facing LED light and backlit ambient wall glows around the back, creating a perfect balance of form and function.

LED CAPSTONE LIGHTING & FAN SHOWROOM

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

PAINTERLY ABSTRACTIONS

NEW EXHIBITION AT MEGHAN CANDLER GALLERY

Every Breath You Take by Theresa Girard, acrylic on canvas, 37 1/2 x 37 1/2 inches

A new exhibition of paintings by master abstract artist and educator Theresa Girard is on display at Meghan Candler Gallery. This showing coincides with Girard’s workshop titled “An Abstract Approach, Deconstructing the Masters,” which is taking place at the Vero Beach Museum of Art in November.

MEGHAN CANDLER GALLERY

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

A SEAT AT THE STORE

NEW SITTING OPTIONS AT HOUSE OF LIGHTS

The House of Lights presents a selection of H2 Seating Scandinavian recliners made with high-density cold-cure molded foam cushioning. This space-age technology ensures comfort and body-correct support as well as durability.

THE HOUSE OF LIGHTS  1034 South Harbor City Blvd., Melbourne 800-541-3048 | thehouseoflights.com

BELT THE HOLIDAY RUSH

NEW COLLECTION HAS ARRIVED

It isn’t too soon to place Christmas orders for custom needlepoint belts from Smathers and Branson, available exclusively through Vernon Scott Resort Wear. Choose unique designs for your loved ones now to ensure they arrive in time to offer year-round cheer.

The season has arrived and it’s time to change out your pillows! The Dandy Lion has a wide variety of beautiful pillows to choose from. Some are brand new and others are quality resale pillows. Visit to choose which are perfect for you.

John’s Island

Clear Skies. Cool Water. Warm Welcome.

Welcome to this cherished haven enjoyed by generations of members who have discovered the undeniable allure of life by the sea. Enjoy over 1,650 private pristine acres, miles of sandy beach, riverfront adventures, and legendary social engagements, all steps from beautifully designed residences nestled among lush landscaping that invite you home. Discover personal bliss by the shores of John’s Island.

Trimmings Home Garden and Gifts has added colorful handcrafted pottery from Coton Colors to its selections. New items in stock now include tableware and bakeware perfect for everyday use.

THE BAG

SASSY BOUTIQUE

3365 Ocean Drive | 772-234-3998 BEAUTY &

Olga Berg purses have arrived, and it’s all in the details with these bags. They may be small, but they make a big impact, complementing your outfit and becoming a staple in your wardrobe for any time you have a formal event.

SOFA

NEW EVENING BAGS AT SASSY Nordic Comfort introduces the new Stressless Anna, a customizable power sofa with a light, contemporary design. With leg, back, and head support, you’ll find the ideal position for restorative comfort. The Anna is a space saver, too, and can be placed close to the wall.

TOMMY BAHAMA

THE DISH

Local Flavor

Pastry chef Crystal Morton took a risk that paid off with her dream job.

ENTERTAINING

The Sweet SPOT

PASTRY CHEF CRYSTAL MORTON TOOK A RISK THAT PAID OFF WITH HER DREAM JOB

BY CHRIS FASOLINO PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIM BOTTALICO

For Crystal Morton, baking is about the joy of giving. And as pastry chef of The Moorings, it is central to her work as well as to her life.

It all began with family traditions. “I’m originally from South Carolina, and I had a very large extended family,” she says. Baking was a big part of gatherings and reunions. Morton learned favorite family recipes, and she enjoyed seeing how her efforts were appreciated. “I really took to that. Even as a kid, I had a strong passion for the joy you get from baking for other people.” Her work is therefore interwoven with happy memories and nostalgia.

After high school, Morton worked for “a multitude of coffee places,” and she remains grateful that a kitchen manager took a chance on her. Therefore, when she was about 20 years old, she was “pushed right into the kitchen.” Thus began her restaurant career.

Eventually, she spent five years at Citrus Grill, ending up a sous chef. However, her real goal was to become a pastry chef. As a result, she was willing to take a step down from sous chef to prep chef in order to get a job at The Moorings, where she knew she might have the opportunity to work her way into specializing in pastry. “Pastry chef was the job I really wanted,” she says. The gamble paid off; Morton has now been pastry chef at The Moorings for seven years.

Among the special events she enjoys preparing for are the wine dinners, which have geographic themes such as “Italian Wines” or “South African Wines.” Morton explains, “I talk to whoever is handling the wine, and I try to pair something with the wine being served.” Not only is it an interesting challenge, but it “brings us together as a team.”

As a chef who focuses on desserts, Morton finds it

hard to pick a favorite. “Cakes are always a lot of fun. I have a passion for sorbets and ice creams. I love panna cottas.” She explains that what makes panna cottas so interesting is their versatility; with the base of gelatin, cream, and sugar, “you can do anything.”

Morton’s culinary repertoire has vastly expanded since her days of baking for family reunions, yet she remains true to her roots—and to the sense of joy that has always motivated her baking.

Crystal Morton’s restaurant career began in a coffee shop, but she’s now working her dream job as pastry chef at The Moorings.

Banana Split Ice Cream Bomb

This dessert combines favorite flavors—chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, and banana—for a real crowd-pleaser. Morton recommends Callebaut chocolate, a Belgian brand, for the semisweet chips.

SERVES 4

1 ripened, peeled banana

1 cup vanilla bean ice cream

1 cup chocolate ice cream

1 cup strawberry ice cream

1/2 sheet pan chocolate cake

Silpat (silicone) dome-shaped dessert mold

Chocolate ganache (see below)

Pulse banana with vanilla ice cream and freeze to solidify once again.

Layer banana with the chocolate ice cream and then the strawberry ice cream. Add one layer at a time, freezing for at least an hour in between layers.

Cut/trim chocolate cake to fit top of inverted silicone dessert mold to cover ice cream layers, and freeze.

Turn out frozen “bombs” onto a sheet pan lined with a baking rack.

Pour chocolate ganache mixture over frozen bombs until covered completely, freeze until set.

CHOCOLATE GANACHE

8 oz. semisweet chocolate chips

8 oz. heavy whipping cream

Simmer whipping cream until hot but not boiling. Pour over chocolate chips in a heat-proof bowl. Wrap with plastic wrap for at least 5 minutes undisturbed. Whisk until fluid, then let cool slightly.

DESSERT

DESSERT

Butterscotch-Pecan Bread Pudding

Reflecting the chef’s Carolina roots, this is comfort food with a Southern flair.

SERVES 10

1 lb. day-old rustic white bread, crusts removed, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

1 1/2 cups + 2 tbsp. sugar, divided

5 large eggs

4 cups heavy cream

2 cups chopped pecans

1 cup butterscotch chips

3 tbsp. bourbon

1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise

1 pinch kosher salt

Bourbon sauce (see below)

In a large bowl, toss bread, melted butter, and 2 tbsp. sugar and set aside. Using an electric mixer, beat eggs and remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar in another large bowl until pale yellow and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add cream and salt; blend.

Place 3 tbsp. bourbon in a small bowl; scrape in seeds from vanilla bean. Whisk, then add to egg mixture and blend well.

Pour over bread mixture in bowl. Add pecans and butterscotch chips and toss. Transfer mixture to glass or ceramic baking pan.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and bake until top is browned in spots and a tester inserted into center comes out clean. Top with warm bourbon sauce.

BOURBON SAUCE

1 cup light brown sugar, packed 1/2 cup light corn syrup

3 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 tbsp. bourbon

1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt

In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, bring brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, and salt to a boil, whisking to dissolve sugar. Boil until mixture is syrupy and measures 1 1/2 cups, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Add cream and bourbon. Stir until smooth. Let cool slightly.

Key Lime Tartlets with Raspberry Coulis

This is an elegant variation on a Florida classic.

SERVES 12

MERINGUE

4 cans (14 oz. each) sweetened condensed milk

1 bottle (16 oz.) key lime juice

4 eggs

2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

5–6 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

Meringue (see below) Raspberry coulis (see below)

Whisk condensed milk with key lime juice. Whisk in 1 egg at a time.

In a separate bowl, mix ground graham crackers, light brown sugar, and melted butter into a moldable crust. Pack crust down into the bottoms of 12 mini pans.

Bake 10 minutes, then let cool. Pour key lime mixture over crusts, tapping slightly to release air bubbles.

At 325 degrees Fahrenheit, bake 20 minutes in foilcovered water bath, then 10 minutes without foil.

Pipe meringue onto the tartlets and top with raspberry coulis.

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup light corn syrup

1/3 cup water

3 large egg whites, room temperature

1/2 tsp. cream of tartar

In a heavy-bottomed pot on low heat with candy thermometer inserted, mix sugar, corn syrup, and water. You will simmer until the mixture reaches 240 degrees Fahrenheit on the candy thermometer, but before it does, use a mixer to whisk the egg whites with cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Then, slowly pour the 240-degree mixture into the mixing bowl on medium speed until stiff peaks form.

RASPBERRY COULIS

1 tbsp. water

2 tsp. cornstarch

3 cups fresh or frozen raspberries

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp. fresh lemon juice

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Whisk the cornstarch and water until all the cornstarch has dissolved.

In a small saucepan, combine cornstarch mixture, raspberries, sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract over medium heat. Using a spatula, stir the mixture, lightly mashing the berries as they simmer. Bring to a boil for a full 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Press the warm sauce through a fine mesh strainer to remove seeds.

XINOMAVRO

Greek Alphabet of Wine

NORTH OF MOUNT OLYMPUS, MARKOVITIS WINERY

PRESERVES AN ANCIENT HERITAGE

BY CHRIS FASOLINO

Ilove promoting lesserknown wine varieties that are characteristic of specific places. There is so much to explore in the world of wine! So, although I certainly appreciate the virtues of Cabernet Sauvignon, I also understand the expression “ABC.” It is not referring to the chain of liquor stores; rather, it is an acronym for “anything but Cabernet” or “anything but Chardonnay,” and it is used by wine enthusiasts who are interested in trying something more unusual. Does that sound like you? For a wine that is truly “anything but Cabernet,” look to the other end of the alphabet and try Xinomavro.

Xinomavro is a variety distinct to northern Greece— the ancient land of Macedonia. Within this landscape of mountains, pine trees, and olive groves, an especially important region for Xinomavro is Naoussa, which lies west of Thessalonica and north of Mount Olympus.

Greek wines such as Xino-

Charcuterie platters pair well with Xinomavro wine.

mavro are often overlooked today. This is regrettable given the storied role of wine in ancient Greek civilization, from Homer’s Odyssey, with its allusions to the “winedark sea” (a mysterious and much-debated phrase) to the symposia of Athens, where wine and philosophical discussion both flowed freely. The vine has been cultivated in Greece for thousands of years, and there are still Greek wines that hold consid-

erable interest.

A Naoussa vineyard that makes this case quite effectively is Markovitis Winery. With a label adorned by a golden Pegasus, and a focus firmly on low-yield Xinomavro vines, Markovitis Winery is seeking to preserve an ancient winemaking heritage. In previous columns, I’ve discussed the fact that low yield is an advantage because it results in added richness for each cluster of fruit, and

thus for the wine. Therefore, with an obscure and fascinating variety like Xinomavro, a low-yield vineyard gives you maximum character from a grape you may be trying for the first time.

I purchased a bottle of Markovitis Xinomavro, 2016 vintage, at Total Wine & More in Melbourne. What is the wine like? The color immediately struck me as remarkable; it is ruby yet slightly translucent, an effect also seen in my

favorite wine, Barolo. Markovitis Xinomavro is a dry wine— decidedly so, much to my approval—and it has intense flavor notes of balsamic vinegar, fig, and even a hint of olive. It would pair very well with roast lamb or a charcuterie platter; hummus would be a good vegetarian option.

For an exotic variety from a land with an ancient winemaking history, go on a quest for the golden Pegasus and try Xinomavro.

Greece has been producing wines for thousands of years.

The Markovitis Winery label is recognizable by its Pegasus; Xinomavro vines grow in northern Greece.

A JAPANESE TOAST

Kanpai to Sake

RAISE A GLASS TO WORLD SAKE DAY ALL MONTH LONG

BY JULES ARON

World Sake Day is celebrated each year on October 1 to honor the rich tradition and craftsmanship of Japanese sake. Although the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association designated the holiday in 1978, the day dates to the Nara period (710 to 784), when sake brewers crafted their elixirs in shrines or temples and made sake o erings to the Shinto gods for a successful brewing season. While often mistaken for wine, sake is a brewed beverage made by fermenting four ingredients: rice, water, yeast, and koji (a fungus that converts the starches found in rice into sugar). is easy, refreshing sipper uses a cloudy nigori sake but is guaranteed to brighten up any celebration

For this and other low-proof sake recipes, refer to my book, The Low-Proof Happy Hour

Breakfast in Tokyo

Ingredients

1 oz. nigori sake

1 oz. Pomp & Whimsy Gin Liqueur

1 oz. fresh-pressed cucumber juice

A cucumber slice and an edible flower for garnish

Add the sake, liqueur, and cucumber juice to a mixing glass with ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a glass and garnish with a fresh cucumber slice and an edible flower.

Edifying Encounters

LOCAL RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN MEETING, MINGLING, AND MOTIVATING

Distinguished Lecturer Series RIVERSIDE THEATRE

The 25th season of the Distinguished Lecturer Series is in the books! Debbi Peniston and Frannie Atchison, who founded the series in 1999, served as co-chairs this year along with Marybeth Cunningham. Those fortunate enough to secure tickets were treated to author and historian Walter Isaacson discussing his new biography of Elon Musk; Ambassador and Governor Jon Huntsman Jr. speaking on China and Russia; political strategist Karl Rove; economist and former secretary of the treasury Lawrence Summers; and Fox News Sunday anchor Shannon Bream focusing on the Supreme Court.

Ben Bailey III, Shannon and Sheldon Bream

Frannie Atchison, Debbi Peniston, Marybeth Cunningham

Lewis Eisenberg, David McDonald, Jon Huntsman Jr.

Karl Rove

Jay Newman, Lawrence Summers

Walter Isaacson

Fundraising Luncheon

VERANDA

Renowned jewelry designer Elizabeth Locke was hosted by Cathy Padgett and Veranda for a series of spring events, including a luncheon at Quail Valley River Club benefiting Vero Beach Museum of Art’s educational programs. As keynote speaker, Locke recounted her time as a contributing editor for Town and Country magazine as well as her fascinating journey as a jewelry artist. It was her feature story on shopping in Bangkok that led to her illustrious career. Scouring the world for one-ofa-kind antiquities and other historical pieces to incorporate into her 19-karat gold jewelry is one of her hallmarks.

Abigail Scheff, Mary Ellen Cowhey, Teresa Bila, Ruth Ann Gillis, Anne Marie Scheff, Pat Hemingway Hall

Cindy O’Dare, David Busch, Dr. Ted and Susan Perry, Elizabeth Locke

Susie Reichhart, Susan Lovett, Anne Obrecht

Dr. Ted Perry, Ray Oglethorp, Mimi Robinson

Elizabeth Locke and Cathy Padgett

Diana McCall

Susie Reichhart

Susan Perry, David Busch, Cindy O’Dare, Stephanie MacWilliam

Pat Hemingway Hall, Elizabeth Locke, Teresa Bila

Cathy Padgett, Cindy O’Dare

Diana McCall, Cathy Padgett, Juan Prieto

Successful Aging Luncheon

ALZHEIMER & PARKINSON ASSOCIATION

Actress, artist, and philanthropist Jane Seymour, aka Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, was the guest speaker at the Alzheimer & Parkinson Association of Indian River County’s fifth annual Successful Aging Luncheon in April. A capacity crowd gathered at the Vero Beach Museum of Art to enjoy Seymour’s personal stories of living life with grace and hope. Guests also enjoyed a delicious meal catered by Elizabeth Kennedy & Co. Everyone was inspired by Seymour’s emphasis on serving others, and the ladies in attendance went wild over the lovely scarves she brought, which feature her original artwork.

Sponsors:

Randy

Sandy and

Rolf; Becky and Bob Allen; SpirePoint Private Client; Nancy and Bob Puff; Michelle and Walter Borisenok; Premier Estate Properties; Brown Talley Group

Randy and Sandy Rolf, Scott Alexander

Kay Campione, Melissa Talley

Peggy Cunningham, Sandy Rolf, Beth Livers, Jeanne Guttman, Jane Seymour, Sue Tompkins, Mindy Servis, Melissa Talley, Emilie Burr

Marybeth Cunningham, Beth Livers

Jeanne Guttman, Bonnie Oliver

Bob and Nancy Puff, Jane Seymour, John Zambetti

DESIGNERS ROW

“Exploration

and experimentation can be scary but also a lot of fun.”

– ALEX KANTER, “Stages of Life,” p. 96

CLEAR CRYSTAL CHANDELIER IN BURNISHED GOLD BY FREDRICK RAMOND FROM THE RUBINA COLLECTION

Opening in October

THE SEASON GETS UNDERWAY WITH EXCITING ART EXHIBITIONS

‘UNPAVED ROAD’

OCTOBER 1–25

Gallery 14 is delighted to open the new season with a dual exhibition featuring works by two visionary artists who embark on a creative journey off the beaten path. Maslow uses vivid imagery to explore life and death, while Christopher Sweeney pushes the boundaries of emotion, movement, and reality with his contemporary Pop Art. As always, the work of the gallery’s artist-owners and represented artists will be on display as well. A reception will take place during the First Friday Gallery Stroll Oct. 4 from 5 to 8 p.m.

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

‘AUTUMN TRANQUILITY’

OCTOBER 1–31

Surgeon-turned-artist Mary Garrish, an Impressionist-influenced painter known primarily for her landscapes, will be featured this month at J.M. Stringer Gallery. The Miami Beach native paints en plein air around the world and also serves as an art educator, offering workshops and demonstrations both in the studio and outdoors. She has also created educational art videos.

J.M. Stringer Gallery of Fine Art 3465 Ocean Drive 772-231-3900 jmstringergallery.com

Exploding Hummingbird by Maslow, acrylic and oil on canvas, 30 x 40 inches

Panda by Christopher Sweeney, acrylic on canvas, 24 x 24 inches

Moon Over the Marsh by Mary Garrish, oil on linen panel, 48 x 48 inches

OCTOBER 1–NOVEMBER 12

Artworks inspired by the autumn season are the focus of the new exhibition at Findlay Galleries. Featured artists include Tadashi Asoma, Charles Neal, Nicola Simbari, Beltran Bofill, and more. Asoma, whose work is shown here, was a Japanese-American painter who became known for his colorful depictions of nature, particularly the autumn trees in and around the village of Garrison, New York, where he eventually settled.

Findlay Galleries

165 Worth Ave., Palm Beach

561-655-2090

findlaygalleries.com

MORE TO SEE

BIRD & NATURE ART SHOW

Through October 26

The 10th annual PICS Bird & Nature Art Show has just gotten underway at the ELC. An artists’ reception and featured speaker event will take place Oct. 11.

Pelican Island Conservation Society at Environmental Learning Center 255 Live Oak Drive

772-202-0697 firstrefuge.org

‘ROADSIDE REVERIE’

OCTOBER 5–JANUARY 5, 2025

VBMA’s Holmes Gallery will house more than 40 largescale glass sculptures by Illinois-based artist John Miller; most are composed of multiple smaller, individually blown components. Influenced by the Pop Art movement of the 1960s, Miller enjoys creating nostalgic food- and automotiverelated items such as diner fare and hood ornaments.

“Roadside Reverie: Glass Works by John Miller” includes works on loan from the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Washington, as well as the artist’s personal collection.

Vero Beach Museum of Art 3001 Riverside Park Drive 772-231-0707 vbmuseum.org

Blue Plate Special Grouping (detail), 2020, by John Miller; hot sculpted glass; dimensions variable; copyright John Miller

Lilies by Tadashi Asoma, oil on canvas, 31 1/2 x 39 3/8 inches

JAMIE KELTER DAVIS

GALLERY GUIDE

ART AT THE EMERSON

The Emerson Center’s gallery shows works by local artists in six themed exhibitions per year.

1590 27th Ave.

772-778-5880 artattheemerson.com

ARTISTS GUILD GALLERY

This cooperative-owned fine art gallery offers works in diverse styles and media by its ownerartists as well as associate and consignor artists.

1974 14th Ave.

772-299-1234 artistsguildgalleryofvero beach.com

ART WORKS

Various U.S. artists are featured, representing a range of styles. Classes, art parties, and other events are available.

2036 14th Ave., Suite 106

772-559-5230 artworksofvero.com

ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER

The Lagoon and Tidal Rooms are dedicated to nature-related art.

255 Live Oak Drive

772-589-5050 discoverelc.org

FINDLAY GALLERIES

Renowned globally for its distinguished roster of contemporary and abstract artists, the gallery specializes in 19th- and 20th-century Impressionism, European Modernism, l’Ecole de Rouen, l’Ecole de Paris, and 20thcentury American art.

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

THE GALLERIES AT FIRST PRES

This venue displays the works of local artists in quarterly threeartist installments.

520 Royal Palm Blvd. 772-562-9088 firstpresvero.org

GALLERY 14

The gallery features a diverse array of works in a variety of media by its eight owner-artists, along with represented artists and rotating monthly guests.

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

THE GALLERY AT WINDSOR

This independent art space annually invites curators of museum-quality shows of contemporary art.

3125 Windsor Blvd. 772-388-4071 windsorflorida.com/the-gallery

GALLERY VERITAS

This gallery has periodic exhibitions and adjoins a working studio housing seven artists and an art library.

1422 20th St. 323-547-1188 thegalleryveritas.com

Just for Kicks by Eileen Corse, oil on canvas, 26 x 48 inches, at Meghan Candler Gallery

J.M. STRINGER

GALLERY OF FINE ART

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

3465 Ocean Drive 772-231-3900 jmstringergallery.com

THE LAUGHING DOG GALLERY

The vast showroom offers works from more than 350 contemporary American craftsmen who create art glass, ceramics, sculpture, furniture, and fine art jewelry.

2910 Cardinal Drive 772-234-6711 thelaughingdoggallery.com

LOPRESTI ART GALLERY

This gallery and studio features the work of versatile husbandand-wife artists David LoPresti and Leah Blythe.

927 7th Ave.

772-538-1454 loprestiartgallery.com

MEGHAN CANDLER GALLERY

This friendly, uplifting gallery has a beautifully curated collection of paintings by more than 40 contemporary artists of the abstract, Impressionist, and realistic styles.

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

OCEAN DRIVE GALLERY

The oil abstracts of Elise Geary and representational narrative paintings by Jill Kerwick are featured, along with acrylic rural and outdoor scenes and seascapes by two additional artists.

3349 Ocean Drive, Suite 8 772-579-7667 eliseartist.com oceandrivegalleryverobeach.com

PALM HOUSE STUDIO & GALLERY

The work of several awardwinning artists is featured, and commissions are welcome.

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

RAW SPACE

This innovative alternative cultural venue promotes a spectrum of artistic disciplines.

1795 Old Dixie Hwy. 305-213-9411 artconceptalternative.org

SEBASTIAN RIVER ART CLUB

The club offers classes, demonstrations, workshops, and art shows.

1245 Main St., Sebastian 772-321-9333 sebastianriverartclub.com

SEVENTH AVENUE STUDIO

The gallery features the abstract art paintings of Rita Barone and the varied works of Janet Kipp Tribus. 2304 7th Ave. Barone: 772-359-6283 Tribus: 772-766-0636

VERO BEACH ART CLUB

This independent nonprofit serves more than 600 members and the community through education, exhibitions, social events, and monthly meetings with special programs and guest artists.

1903 14th Ave. 772-217-3345 verobeachartclub.org

VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART

The largest accredited art facility on the Treasure Coast, VBMA presents international exhibitions from lenders and from its permanent collection, also offering classes, lectures, film studies, concerts, children’s programs and interactive Art Zone, sculpture parks, and museum store.

3001 Riverside Park Drive 772-231-0707 vbmuseum.org

UNPAVED ROAD

Sun Sea by Leon Applebaum, hand-carved glass, 20 inches tall, at The Laughing Dog Gallery

Approximately one in four Americans—50 million men and 30 million women—have androgenetic alopecia, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. More than 66 percent of men experience this hereditary form of pattern balding by age 60. Similarly, more than half of postmenopausal women exhibit some degree of female pattern hair loss.

THE GOOD NEWS

This is highly treatable if caught early.

Treatments are so effective we guarantee results!

IN THE VILLAGE SHOPS | 6130 N. A1A | 772-234-1499

@ The Village Shops of Vero Beach 6190 Hwy A1A Vero Beach, FL 32963

772-226-7808

sales@coastal-comforts.com

www.coastal-comforts.com

You’ll Fall for October

IT’S TIME FOR NONPROFIT EVENTS TO START RATCHETING UP

Holidays for Heroes

TFor the 19th year, our local Military Moms Prayer Group is organizing a campaign to make sure our deployed men and women in uniform know they are not forgotten at Christmastime. From October 15 to December 15, Holidays for Heroes kits will be available at many locations throughout Indian River County. Each one contains a USPS Priority Mail Flat-Rate box, the necessary shipping paperwork, and a list of guidelines detailing what and what not to send. It is easy to bring a little joy to our service members with a small care package full of simple items such as snacks, hygiene products, puzzle books, and socks. Find more information, including where to pick up a kit, at militarymomsprayergroup.com. Additional questions can be addressed to Linda Colontrelle at 772-473-0288.

Pumpkin Patch

The Buggy Bunch’s annual Pumpkin Patch will be set up at Vero Beach Church of Christ (3306 20th St.) October 18–29. Opening night will include live music, food for purchase, a costume parade and contest, and an outdoor showing of It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Tickets are $10 for children and $5 for adults, but the maximum for a family is $30. On all subsequent days, the patch is free to enter, but some activities have a small cost. There will be games, a corn pit, photo ops, a kiddie corral, hayrides, inflatables, Family Fun Days, story hours, and pumpkins available for purchase. Hours are Monday–Friday 4–7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–7 p.m., and Sunday noon–5 p.m. Find all the information you need at thebuggybunch.com/pumpkin-patch.

TPack the House

It’s time for Treasure Coast Food Bank’s 10th annual Pack the House event, a two-day food-packing session October 25–26 at TCFB’s sorting facility (813 S. Kings Hwy., Fort Pierce). Volunteers will work in three-hour shifts that include music, local food, and fun themes; when all is said and done, 15,000 meal boxes will be ready for distribution to needy families for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season. For more information, see TCFB’s website, stophunger. org, email Gary at gporter@ tcfoodbank.org, or call 772489-3034.

OCTOBER

HIDDEN FACES

The Source presents its second annual Hidden Faces event, which offers a look behind the scenes at the homeless ministry’s work. Guests will see videos, hear testimonials, and enjoy food, beverages, and entertainment.

The Source at Heritage Center 2140 14th Ave. 772-564-0202 iamthesource.org

OCTOBER

SWEENEY TODD

The Theatre Guild presents 12 performances of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Through Oct. 20; Fridays 7:30 p.m.,

Saturdays 2 and 7:30 p.m., Sundays 2 p.m.; $17.50–$40

Vero Beach Theatre Guild 2020 San Juan Ave. 772-562-8300 verobeachtheatreguild.org

OCTOBER

GOLF TOURNAMENT

The Gifford Youth Orchestra will hold its second annual fundraising golf tournament. 7 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. start; $125

Giff ord Youth Orchestra at Sandridge Golf Club 5300 73rd St. 772-213-3007 gyotigers.org/golf-tournament

RECURRING EVENTS

EVERY SATURDAY

FARMERS MARKET

Browse produce, baked goods, handcra ed items, and more at the Vero Beach Farmers Market, at the corner of Ocean Drive and Dahlia Lane. 8 a.m.–noon

Business Inspiring Kindness 2901 Ocean Drive verobeachfarmersmarket.com

EVERY FIRST FRIDAY

FIRST FRIDAY GALLERY STROLL

As the evenings cool down, it’s a great time to enjoy a stroll that includes plenty of art galleries, restaurants, and cafés. Oct. 4 and Nov. 1, 5–8 p.m.

Main Street Vero Beach Downtown along 14th Avenue 772-643-6782 mainstreetverobeach.org

EVERY SECOND SATURDAY

VBMA FREE ADMISSION

Starting in October, Free Admission Saturday at the museum switches from the

last to the second Saturday of each month. Oct. 12, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Vero Beach Museum of Art 3001 Riverside Park Drive 772-231-0707 vbmuseum.org

EVERY THIRD FRIDAY

ART WALK

Several galleries representing multiple artists all rent space in the same building, and from October through April they host a monthly Art Walk with food, drink, and live music. Oct. 18, 5–8 p.m.

LoPresti Art Gallery 900 Building 900 7th Ave. (behind Chili’s) loprestiartgallery.com

EVERY LAST FRIDAY

DOWNTOWN FRIDAY

Enjoy a community street party with live music, street vendors, and food trucks. Oct. 25, 6–9 p.m., free

Main Street Vero Beach Downtown along 14th Avenue 772-643-6782 mainstreetverobeach.org

www.autobahnco.com

CALENDAR

Rebecca St. James

T40th Anniversary Celebration

Care Net

Pregnancy Center welcomes singer, author, and actress Rebecca St. James as the keynote speaker for its 40th anniversary banquet fundraiser, to be held October 29 at the Intergenerational Center on Oslo Road (1590 9th St. SW). Care Net is celebrating four decades of serving pregnant women, teens, single moms, new and not-so-new dads, and families. The banquet begins at 6 p.m., and tickets are $100. St. James, a native of Australia, is a popular artist in contemporary Christian music. She has also acted in numerous roles and written both fiction and nonfiction books. For more information, see carenetchampions.org or call 772-569-7939.

OCTOBER 7

GOLF OUTING

It’s time for the Indian River Firefighters Benevolent Association’s fourth annual Golf Outing benefiting the Mental Health Association in Indian River County. It will have a scramble format, and participants will receive breakfast, lunch, swag bags, golf towels, and beverages. 8:15 a.m. putting contest, 9 a.m. shotgun start; $800/foursome Indian River Firefighters Benevolent Association at Vero Beach Country Club 800 30th St. 772-643-1361 irffb.com

OCTOBER 12

GOLF TOURNAMENT

The Arc of Indian River County, which has been providing services for people with special needs since 1975, will hold its ninth annual Tom Danaher Memorial Golf Classic. The format is a four-person scramble, and the cost includes 18 holes of play, cart, goodie bag, and lunch. 8 a.m. shotgun start, $125/person

The Arc of IRC at Sandridge Golf Club 5300 73rd St. 772-562-6854 arcir.org

OCTOBER 14

ART CLASSES

The Art Club is launching three six-week classes: Cell Phone Photography (9 a.m.), Jewelry Making and Stone Setting (9 a.m.), and Fiber Arts (1 p.m.). $225 Vero Beach Art Club 1903 14th Ave. 772-217-3345 verobeachartclub.org

OCTOBER 15

‘BIENVENIDO A CUBA’ VBMA’s Film Studies Program kicks off its season with a five-class series on the cultural history of Cuba. Through Nov. 12; Tuesdays 1:30 p.m.; $80 members, $96 nonmembers Vero Beach Museum of Art 3001 Riverside Park Drive 772-231-0707 vbmuseum.org

OCTOBER 17

BATTLE OF THE REALTORS

Teams of real estate agents and affiliates will hit the bowling alleys to compete to win a catered office lunch party and to help provide birthday parties and gifts for local homeless children. Medals will be awarded for the top three teams, along with prizes for team spirit. 5 p.m., $400/team of four Little Birthday Angels at Vero Bowl 929 14th Lane 772-696-1129 littlebirthdayangels.org

OCTOBER 19

MAKING STRIDES

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month—time for Making Strides of Indian River. 8 a.m.

American Cancer Society at Riverside Park 3280 Riverside Park Drive 800-227-2345 makingstrideswalk.org/indianriverfl

OCTOBER 20

‘RED CARPET FILM SCORES’

This program will include selections from Titanic, The Wizard of Oz, Schindler’s List, the Star Wars and Lord of the Rings series, and more big-screen classics. 3 p.m.; $35 in advance, $40 at the door, ages 18 and under free

Space Coast Symphony Orchestra at VBHS Performing Arts Center 1707 16th St. 855-252-7276 spacecoastsymphony.org

OCTOBER 21

‘BACK TO THE WATERING HOLE’

The SCSO presents a children’s event featuring the story Music at the Watering Hole by Michele Wallace Campanelli. In keeping with the theme, the orchestra will play selections from The Lion King, The Jungle Book, and other films as well as Handel’s Water Music. 10 a.m.; flexible pricing, children free

Space Coast Symphony Orchestra at VBHS Performing Arts Center 1707 16th St. 855-252-7276 spacecoastsymphony.org

TROPICAL NIGHT LUAU

For the 47th year, guests will enjoy Polynesian delights at the Youth Guidance Tropical Night Luau. Tropical-themed food and music will be complemented with entertainment by Hiti Mahana Polynesia, including the traditional Samoan fire knife–spinning dance. 6–10 p.m., $300

Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy at Quail Valley River Club 2345 Hwy. A1A 772-492-3933 youthguidanceprogram.org

OCTOBER 22

THE FOX ON THE FAIRWAY

This play by Ken Ludwig is a farce set among country club golfers. Through Nov. 10, times vary, $42 and up

Riverside Theatre 3250 Riverside Park Drive 772-231-6990 riversidetheatre.com

OCTOBER 26

DAY OF CARING

It’s time for the United Way’s annual Day of Caring, which deploys hundreds of volunteers to work on a variety of community and nonprofit projects such as painting, repairs, and yard work. Participants will gather at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex at 8 a.m. for a free kickoff breakfast.

TSoup Bowl

The 32nd annual Soup Bowl event, a popular fundraiser for Catholic Charities’ Samaritan Center and its work with homeless families in Indian River County, will take place November 7. As in the past few years, the potters of Indian River Clay have been making hundreds of bowls of various styles and colors to be sold at the Heritage Center (2140 14th Ave.) from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The suggested donation for each pottery bowl is $20. Additionally, multiple businesses, organizations, and places of worship will be serving soup for $5 per bowl or $15 per quart. Locations will be posted on facebook.com/ samaritancentersoupbowl. For more information, call 772-770-3039.

United Way Day of Caring, October 26

United Way of IRC at Jackie Robinson Training Complex 3901 26th St. 772-567-8900 unitedwayirc.org

OCTOBER 27

ART IN THE PARK

Now that October is here, the Art Club can start displaying and selling its members’ work outdoors without the paint melting! Art in the Park takes place on select Sundays and includes a variety of art forms. 10 a.m.–4 p.m., free to attend Vero Beach Art Club at Humiston Park 3000 Ocean Drive 772-217-3345 verobeachartclub.org

OCTOBER 28

CHOCOLATE, CHAMPAGNE & CHEFS

In addition to the delights of the chocolate, champagne, and gourmet food, this event will celebrate BBBS’ 40th anniversary and honor founder and former CEO Judi Miller. 6 p.m., $225

Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Lucie, Indian River & Okeechobee Counties at Quail Valley River Club 2345 Hwy. A1A 772-466-8535 bbbsbigs.org

NOVEMBER 1

MUSTER & MUSIC FESTIVAL

The 39th annual Muster and Music Festival is a patriotic party with tactical demonstrations,

keynote speakers, food trucks, live music, and fun for the whole family. Outdoor events are free to attend; museum admission is discounted. November 1–2; Friday 4–7 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. (5K Beach Challenge), 11 a.m. (muster opening ceremony), and festivities until 4 p.m.

National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum 3300 N. Hwy. A1A, Fort Pierce 772-595-5845 navysealmuseum.org

NOVEMBER 2

DESIGNER HANDBAG BINGO

Suncoast Mental Health will hold its fifth annual Designer Handbag Bingo event, with a gift basket raffle, silent auction, and dinner buffet. 5–9 p.m., $60 (includes 8 games of bingo) Suncoast Mental Health at Pelican Yacht Club 1120 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce 772-489-4726, ext. 2024 suncoastmentalhealth.org

NOVEMBER 3

WALK-A-THON

Indian River County’s Gold Star Moms will hold their annual 2.2-mile Walk-A-Thon for military suicide awareness. The morning will include a DJ and raffles, and the first 250 walkers to register will receive a T-shirt. 9 a.m.–noon; $35 online, $40 day of walk

American Gold Star Mothers of Indian River County at Riverside Park Grand Pavilion 3280 Riverside Park Drive 570-885-2811 ircgoldstarmoms.org

GREAT DUCK DERBY

By sponsoring one or more ducks, participants can support TCCH’s mission of making sure everyone has access to health care. The festivities begin at noon with live music and a raffle, and at 3 p.m. 5,000 rubber ducks will take to the lagoon for cash prizes. $5 per duck

Treasure Coast Community Health at Capt. Hiram’s 1606 Indian River Drive, Sebastian duckrace.com

BLACK-TIE GALA

Feed the Lambs enrichment program, which offers recreation, education, and mentorship services for underprivileged children, will hold its annual Black-Tie Gala, with gospel star Wintley Phipps as a special guest. 5 p.m., $75

Feed the Lambs at First Presbyterian Church 520 Royal Palm Blvd. 772-501-2617

feedthelambsep.com

NOVEMBER 7

LAND TRUST BENEFIT

At this elegant event, the IRLT will celebrate its conservation successes and raise funds to achieve more. Guests will enjoy cocktails, dinner, live music, and more. 6 p.m., $250 Indian River Land Trust at Rock City Gardens 9080 N. U.S. Hwy. 1, Sebastian 772-794-0701 irlt.org

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

The Directory

ARCHITECTS

MOULTON LAYNE PL 772-234-0445 moultonlayne.com ....................... 25

A RT GALLERIES & FINE ART

ARTISTS GUILD GALLERY

772-299-1234

artistsguildgalleryofverobeach.com 1 57

FINDLAY GALLERIES

561-655-2090 findlaygalleries.com 13

GALLERY 14

772-562-5525 gallery14verobeach.com 1 57

J.M. STRINGER GALLERY OF FINE ART

772-231-3900

jmstringergallery.com .................... 22

T HE LAUGHING DOG GALLERY

772-234-6711

thelaughingdoggallery.com 20

M EGHAN CANDLER GALLERY

772-234-8811

meghancandlergallery.com ............. 1 59

OCEAN DRIVE GALLERY

772-579-7667

oceandrivegalleryverobeach.com 14 6

VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART

772-231-0707

vbmuseum.org 1 51

ATTORNEYS

GOULD COOKSEY FENNELL 772-231-1100 gouldcooksey.com 12 2

LULICH & ATTORNEYS

772-589-5500

lulich.com .............................. 6 , 7

ROSSWAY SWAN

772-231-4440

rosswayswan.com 132

AUTOMOTIVE SALES & SERVICES

LINUS CADILLAC BUICK GMC

772-562-1700

linuscadillac.com ....................... 14 5

MOTOR CITY CLASSIC CARS SERVICE

772-252-3590

motorcityclassiccars.com 117

BANKING, INVESTMENTS & FINANCIAL PLANNING

DECAMBRA WEALTH MANAGEMENT OF RAYMOND JAMES

772-231-7000

raymondjames.com/decambra 141

GLENMEDE PRIVATE WEALTH

561-571-4917

glenmede.com ........................... 4 4

UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC

203-705-4222

advisors.ubs.com/shantzmantione 9

B EAUTY, HAIR & SPA SERVICES

MIND AND BODY OF VERO

772-400-2020

mindandbodyofvero.com ................. 116

SALON DEL MAR

772-234-1499 1 59

BOATING & MARINE SERVICES

DECKMASTERS LLC

772-559-8629

deckmastersmarine.com 14 3

CATERING, GOURMET MARKETS, WINE & SPIRITS

ELIZABETH D. KENNEDY & COMPANY INC. 772-563-0646

elizabethkennedycatering.com 15 8

COMPUTERS & AUDIOVISUAL CONSULTING

AUTOBAHN COMMUNICATIONS INC. 772-234-1555 autobahnco.com ......................... 161

CONSTRUCTION & BUILDING SERVICES

AR HOMES/BEACHLAND

ILINEN

772-321-3262 ilinenlifestyle.com 81

K EMP’S SHOE SALON AND BOUTIQUE

772-231-2771 kempsshoesalon.com 147

M. MAISON

772-231-4300 mmaisonvero.com 127

PALM BEACH SANDALS

772-226-5998

palmbeachsandals.com 14 6

SASSY BOUTIQUE

772-234-3998 121

VERNON SCOTT RESORT WEAR MEN & WOMEN

772-231-3733

vernonscott32963.com 147

VILLAGE SHOPS

772-231-1066

villageshopsverobeach.com 132

FLOORING, TILE & STONE

DESIGNER’S TOUCH FLOORING 772-978-9111

designerstouchflooring.com 78

F LORIDA FLOOR FASHIONS

772-589-4994

floridafloorfashions.com 73

M ACATA STONE

772-778-3210

macatastone.com 15 3

FURNITURE & ACCESSORIES

COASTAL COMFORTS

772-226-7808

coastal-comforts.com 1 59

CONSIGNMENT GALLERY

772-778-8919

consignmentgalleryverobeach.com 15 8

EUROPEAN KITCHEN & BATH

772-770-9970

europeansink.com 15 3

FALASIRI ORIENTAL RUGS

772-562-0150

falasiriorientalrugs.com 1 52

FANTASTIC FINDS

772-794-7574

fantastic-finds.com 15 3

THE LAUGHING DOG GALLERY

772-234-6711

thelaughingdoggallery.com 20

L ED CAPSTONE LIGHTING & FAN SHOWROOM

772-205-2529 ledcapstone.com 1 52

L.K. DEFRANCES & ASSOCIATES INTERIOR DESIGN 772-234-0078

lkdefrancesandassociates.com .......... 15 3

LYRA HOME

772-257-4777 lyrahome.com 63

M . MAISON

772-231-4300 mmaisonvero.com 127

NORDIC COMFORT HOME FURNISHINGS 772-453-0220

nordiccomfortfurnishings.com 75

PAGE 2 DESIGN

772-492-9220 page2design.net 19

FURNITURE

GIFTS, STATIONERY & KEEPSAKES

COASTAL COMFORTS 772-226-7808 coastal-comforts.com

DIGG GARDENS PLANT SHOP 772-360-2131 digggardens.com

THE LAUGHING DOG GALLERY 772-234-6711 thelaughingdoggallery.com 20

M . MAISON 772-231-4300 mmaisonvero.com

NOTEWORTHY BY DESIGN 772-231-0085

TRIMMINGS HOME GARDEN & GIFTS 772-213-8069 shoptrimmingsvb.com 141

VERANDA

772-234-3404 verandajewelry.com 1 ,

VILLAGE SHOPS

772-231-1066 villageshopsverobeach.com

GOLF CLUBS

INDIAN RIVER CLUB 772-770-0757 indianriverclub.com

KELLY ROGERS

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES

BARKER AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

772-562-2103

barkerac.com 14 3

BATES AIR AND HEAT

772-946-1590

batesairandheat.com . . . .

THE DANDY LION

772-774-8449

151

dandyliongiftsandthrifts.com 46

DAN’S FAN CITY

772-569-8917

dansfancity.com ........................ 142

DECKMASTERS LLC

772-559-8629

deckmastersmarine.com 14 3

EUROPEAN KITCHEN & BATH

772-770-9970

europeansink.com 15 3

FERGUSON BATH, KITCHEN & LIGHTING GALLERY

321-837-5411

fergusonshowrooms.com 4

F LORIDA SHUTTERS

772-569-2200

floridashuttersinc.com 142

HBS GLASS

772-567-7461 hbsglass.com 14 3

THE HOUSE OF LIGHTS & HOME ACCENTS

800-541-3048 thehouseoflights.com 24

L ED CAPSTONE LIGHTING & FAN SHOWROOM

772-205-2529 ledcapstone.com 1 52

MEEKS PLUMBING

772-569-2285 meeksplumbing.com 13 0

OODLES OF WALLPAPER

772-213-3923 oodlesofwallpaper.com 83

R OTH INTERIORS

772-567-1210 rothinteriorswindowfashions.net 141

VERO BEACH ROOFING INC.

772-770-3782 verobeachroofing.com .................. 142

VERO GLASS

772-567-3123 veroglass.com

VERO MILLWORK INC.

772-569-7155 veromillwork.com

INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICES

COASTAL COMFORTS

772-226-7808 coastal-comforts.com

COASTAL INTERIORS

772-492-6881 coastal.net

DAWN WALLACE DESIGNS INC.

772-999-2691 dawnwallacedesigns.com

I SLAND INTERIORS AT OCEAN REEF

772-770-600 islandinteriors.net 161

LEAH MULLER INTERIORS

772-234-6411 leahmullerinteriors.com 13

L.K. DEFRANCES & ASSOCIATES INTERIOR DESIGN 772-234-0078 lkdefrancesandassociates.com ..........

PAGE 2 DESIGN

772-492-9220 page2design.net

S PECTRUM INTERIOR DESIGN 772-234-4427 spectrumvero.com ....................... 58

V B HOME

772-492-9348 vbhome.us 12 3

JEWELRY

6TH AVENUE JEWELERS

772-217-8985 6thavenuejewelers.com ............... 15 8

THE LAUGHING DOG GALLERY

772-234-6711 thelaughingdoggallery.com 20

L EIGH JEWELERS

772-234-8522 leighjewelers.com .....................17,

M. MAISON

772-231-4300 mmaisonvero.com 127

PROVIDENT JEWELRY 561-833-7755 providentjewelry.com 35

VE RANDA 772-234-3404 verandajewelry.com

YAFA SIGNED JEWELS 561-331-8611 yafasignedjewels.com 23

L ANDSCAPING & NURSERIES

DIGG GARDENS LANDSCAPE LIGHTING 772-360-2131 digggardens.com 141

ROCK CITY GARDENS 772-589-5835 rockcitygardens.com 84

M EDICAL SERVICES: DENTISTRY ALTITUDE DENTAL 772-567-7889

VERO ELITE DENTISTRY 772-569-9700

M EDICAL SERVICES: DERMATOLOGY ADVANCED DERMATOLOGY & COSMETIC SURGERY OF VERO BEACH 772-569-5056 advancedderm.com 28

ICONIC DERMATOLOGY AND COSMETIC SURGERY 772-758-1310 iconicderm.com

S ELECT SKIN MD 772-567-1164 selectskinmd.com .........................

M EDICAL SERVICES: HOSPITALS

CLEVELAND CLINIC INDIAN RIVER HOSPITAL 772-567-4311 ccirh.org

MEDICAL SERVICES: WHOLE HEALTH CARE ISLAND HEALTH CONCIERGE MEDICINE 772-205-6361 islandhealthverobeach.com .............. 65

WAVE WELLNESS 772-362-9283 wavewellnessvb.com

MOVING, STORAGE & SHIPPING

COASTAL VAN LINES

772-569-6683

coastalvanlines.com 142

NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

TREASURE COAST FOOD BANK

772-446-1759

stophunger.org 45

UN ITED WAY FOUNDATION OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY

772-567-8900

unitedwayirc.org 43

V ISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION

772-202-8570

vnatc.com 47

PERFORMANCE ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT & MEDIA

MUSICWORKS

800-595-4849

musicworksconcerts.com 86

R IVERSIDE THEATRE

772-231-6990

riversidetheatre.org 13 1

VERO BEACH OPERA

772-569-6993

verobeachopera.org 87

REAL ESTATE

AMAC | ALEX MACWILLIAM REAL ESTATE

772-231-6509

alexmacwilliam.com 39

- CHARLOTTE TERRY GROUP

772-234-8500

charlotteterry.com ........... 8 5, back cover

AR HOMES/BEACHLAND HOMES CORP.

772-492-4018

arhomes.com 12 5

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES FLORIDA REALTY

772-231-1270

bhhsfloridarealty.com inside front cover

CHRISTINE R. MCLAUGHLIN AT SHAMROCK REAL ESTATE

772-538-0683

propertyinvero.com 14 6

DALE SORENSEN REAL ESTATE

-CATHY CURLEY 772-559-1359 cathycurleyrealestate.com 64

- MICHELLE CLARKE 772-263-0386 michelleclarkerealtor.com 72

J OHN’S ISLAND REAL ESTATE COMPANY 772-231-0900

johnsislandrealestate.com 11, 129

THE MOORINGS REALTY SALES CO. 772-231-5131 themoorings.com inside back cover

ONE SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

-GARY SUTCLIFFE 917-418-1864 garysutcliffe.onesothebysrealty.com 2 , 3

-SHERRIE COLEMAN 772-633-0021

-SHERRY BROWN 772-633-1472 verobeachislandrealtor.com 57

WINDSOR 772-388-8400 windsorflorida.com 33

R ETIREMENT COMMUNITIES

HERON POINT INDEPENDENT LIVING AND HERON COVE ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY 772-732-7215 heronpointindependentliving.com 126

SPORTS, ACTIVITIES & FITNESS

VERO BEACH CLAY SHOOTING SPORTS 772-978-0935 verobeachclayshooting.com 128

WEDDINGS & EVENTS

LESSING’S HOSPITALITY GROUP 561-693-5352 lessingsweddings.com

Contributing Advertising

THE AD AGENCY

E. Fred Augenstein

772-538-3923, augy@comcast.net

Ad design and production, all media, full service

NICOLACE MARKETING

Maureen Nicolace

772-299-4889, maureen@nicolacemarketing.com

Public relations, marketing plans, media placement, graphic design, marketing, and staff development

SQUARED STUDIOS

Amanda Robinson

772-713-6884, squared-studios.com

Marketing, advertising, and graphic design from concept through production

SKY ADVERTISING

321-777-0140, skyadinc.com

Full-service marketing, including brand creation; photography and videography; digital, print, and broadcast advertising; and website creation

VERO MARKETING

Lindsay Candler

772-473-0654, veromarketing.com

Creative graphic design, print marketing, and website design

B. DIGITAL CONSULTING

Bridgette A. Daley

561-628-7079, bdigital.social

Full-service boutique marketing agency, crafting bespoke digital marketing strategies that amplify your brand’s presence

Vero Beach Magazine (ISSN 1097-2013) is published monthly by Palm Beach Media Group, 3375 20th St., Suite 100, Vero Beach, Florida 32960;

in

Beach, Florida, and additional mailing offices. SUBSCRIPTIONS: One year $28; two years $45; three years $54. Subscribe online at 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 not shared, rented, or sold. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Vero Beach Magazine, 3375 20th St., Suite 100, Vero Beach, FL 32960. SUBMISSIONS: Publisher assumes no liability for the care and return of unsolicited materials, including manuscripts and photographs. Postal authorization #018722. Copyright © 2024 Palm Beach Media Group. Vol. XXVII, No. 10, October 2024

LOCAL HISTORY

First of All

WE WALK IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE HUNTERGATHERERS WHO SPENT MILLENNIA IN OUR AREA

BY PENNY CHANDLER NORRIS

A ROOTS

ncient people called the Ais (pronounced “Ah-ees”) lived along coastal east-central Florida for as long as 15,000 years. Their territory covered almost 150 miles from what is now Brevard County south to the northern part of Martin County.

In the 1500s, several thousand Ais Indians inhabited this region, living in small villages, each led by a chief who answered to a higher chief. When the Spanish arrived, they referred to the Indian River as the “River of Ais.”

Julian Granberry, a linguist specializing in Native American languages, believes the language spoken by the Ais can be associated with the Chitimacha Tribe, once considered the most powerful tribe between Texas and Florida. The word Ais means “the people” in the Chitimacha language, which is enjoying a resurgence in the tribe, and still exists today in Louisiana.

After the Spanish encountered the Ais in the 16th century, the interaction continued; by the late 1600s, the Ais had extensive contact with Europeans. Spanish coins have been found in Ais middens—dumps for domestic waste including pottery shards, discarded tools, and, predominantly, shells.

The richest source of information about the Ais at the end of the 17th century is Jonathan Dickinson’s Journal, which provides firsthand descriptions of the people and their customs. Dickinson was a merchant from Jamaica who was shipwrecked in 1696 just south of our area. He, his family, and his crew spent a short time in the custody of the Ais. Dickinson eventually made it to his destination of Philadelphia, where he did very well, even serving two terms as mayor.

Archeologist Alan Brech and co-researcher J.F. Lanham

believe the most important Ais village was at the Kroegel Homestead south of Sebastian. Here’s why: the homestead included Barker’s Bluff, which was actually a very large Ais midden. It was about the size of a football field and 40 feet high. C.F. Gottlob Kroegel, father of Paul Kroegel (Pelican Island’s first game warden), was awarded the property in 1889 through the Homestead Act and settled on this massive tract of high ground.

In 1908, Gottlob Kroegel sold the midden to St. Lucie County (of which our area was then a part) for road paving material;

it was dismantled between 1908 and 1913 and the material was spread from the St. Sebastian River to Palm Beach County. By 1913, the ancient midden was gone, along with much of the Ais history.

The Ais villages were raided numerous times in the 1700s by settlers looking for slaves. After 1703, the Ais became part of the Costas. By 1711, there were 137 Ais left, and by 1760 the Ais disappeared from area records.

Penny Chandler Norris is a volunteer with the Indian River County Historical Society.

Left: midden shards at the IRCHS; below: two early settlers, presumably a young Paul Kroegel and son Rodney, atop Barker’s Bluff in the late 18oos

COURTESY OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY