Don’t be caught unprepared for what could be a turbulent hurricane season this summer and fall.
Senior Life and the Viera Voice will conduct its second annual Hurricane Prep Rally and Senior Fair, a summer safety event on Friday, July 17.
RALLY, Continued on page 3
BY R. NORMAN MOODY
Buen Camino!
It is a phrase we heard and said repeatedly to sometimes-exhausted pilgrims as we walked the Camino de Santiago from Valença, Portugal to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Our pilgrimage took us through villages and alleys of ancient stone buildings, through green moss-covered lush forests and along vineyards. The entire trek was 124 kilometers or 77.5 miles, which we did in six-and-a-half days.
CAMINO DE SANTIAGO
Continued on page 18
Valerie Stanley, left, Troy Stanley and R. Norman
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
FROM THE Let’s
E
talk about
the inevitable and prepare for the storm
After living through many hurricane seasons in Florida, I dread even mentioning them. However, it is inevitable, there will be storms. So, let’s talk about it.
First, while we hope for no major storms, we must be prepared.
Those of us who have experienced the fury of the tropical storms and hurricanes need no less preparation than newcomers to Florida.
Senior Life and Viera Voice makes preparation a little easier by providing valuable information through the Boomers and Senior Hurricane Prep Rally and Senior Fair. The rally will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, July 17 at the event center of the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community in Viera. Participants can get questions answered and hear from experts about storms and how to prepare. There is more information about the rally, which is free to attend, in this edition of Senior Life
COUPONS & DISCOUNTS
In Brevard County, as across the nation, communities will celebrate Independence Day with a special milestone — 250 years of independence and freedom of the nation. In this edition, we bring you a list of main Fourth of July celebrations, fireworks and parades in Brevard County.
It is summertime, and you will likely be outdoors more, soaking up the sun. That requires protection from its rays. Our story about UV protection will remind you of some of the things you should do to protect yourself.
One group that is enthusiastic about outdoor activities are bicyclists from the Heritage Isle neighborhood in Viera. The small group is usually out bicycling three times a week. If weather permits, they bike 15 to 20 miles before stopping for breakfast. Read their story. Maybe it will inspire you to start your own bicycling group or other activity that will keep you moving and enjoying camaraderie.
When we started out This Old Church series, I planned on doing at least six stories. This month marks the 12th in the series, a full year. And I believe there are still more historic churches in Brevard County that have interesting histories.
First Baptist Church in Cocoa Village, our feature this month, was first started in 1912.
We have plenty more to share with you, so check out the other stories and features in this edition of Senior Life
R. Norman Moody norm@myseniorlife.com
Hurricane Prep Rally offers advice to weather potential storms
RALLY, Continued from page 1
The Rally will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Event Center at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community at 5855 Stadium Parkway in Viera.
Admission to the Hurricane Prep Rally is free. The event’s presenting sponsor is Health First.
“With the success of last year’s event, this year’s event promises to be even bigger and better,” said Jill Blue, the publisher of Senior Life and the Viera Voice. “This year’s event will focus on bringing attendees valuable resources with a dash of fun.”
Attendees will have the opportunity to speak with emergency responders, visit with vendors and find resources for a wide variety of hurricane-related issues, including those involving pets, evacuations, shelters, special needs and much more.
“It’s not just for Viera, but for the entire county,” Blue said. “These hurricanes can sneak up on us. It’s good to be prepared instead of rushing around at the last minute for essential supplies.”
The first 300 guests will receive a sturdy hurricane bucket from Slug-ABug. Additional hurricane kit items will be available from Alura Senior Living, Mederi Caretenders Hospice, Renewal by Andersen and St. Francis Hospice.
Attendees will also have the chance to hear from guest speakers, including Will Ulrich, the warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
SENIOR LIFE photos
The second annual Hurricane Prep Rally and Senior Fair on Friday, July 17 will have information booths, speakers and plenty of food and drinks.
“My talk will focus on historical storms that have impacted Brevard County and how each brought a different combination of hazards,”
Ulrich said. “Every hurricane is different, so residents need to think beyond the category and consider the full range of potential impacts.”
Ulrich said there are important things residents need to do to prepare.
‘Residents should better evaluate and understand their risks from the four primary hurricane hazards — wind, storm surge, flooding rain and tornados,” he said. “Now is the time to review your plan and make sure your hurricane kit reflects the risks where you live.”
A shred truck will be on site, where attendees can dispose of unwanted paperwork to be shredded. This is a chance to clear the clutter before a storm.
Guests will have a chance to enjoy Hurricane Mocktails.
Devoted will be the coffee sponsor.
Army of North Central Brevard will serve lunch from its canteen truck. The lunch will be sponsored by Eau Gallie Electric and American Shutter Works.
Prizes will be awarded every 30 minutes and one lucky person in attendance will win the grand prize.
Community organizations that will be in attendance include the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Brevard County Fire Rescue, the National Weather Service, The Salvation Army of North Central Brevard, the Florida Department of Health and 211 Brevard.
Exhibitor opportunities are still available. Those interested in more information about the Rally should call 321-242-1235 or go to BoomerSeniorExpo.com SL
By Attorney TRUMAN SCARBOROUGH
Wescon Construction is sponsoring the bottled water. A first aid station will be sponsored by Parrish Healthcare. Volunteers from The Salvation
HOBBIES & PASSIONS
THE 23RD FEATURE IN A SERIES ON HOBBIES & PASSIONS
Heritage Isle Easy Riders roll on with camaraderie, good exercise
BY DEBRA BRYANT
On Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, Denny Tharp leads a group of bike riders on a trip that soothes the soul, and challenges the body and mind.
“Bike riding 15 to 20 miles in one day must have a goal and destination in mind — great food,” Tharp said. “It’s like a breakfast club and we use our bikes to get there.”
Heritage Isle Easy Riders Club has 25 to 30 members with many riders in their 70s and 80s. Besides focusing on staying mobile, everyone agrees their favorite thing about the bike rides is having breakfast together. They leave Heritage Isle in Viera at about 8:30 a.m. and normally stop for breakfast or brunch at 9:30 to 10 a.m., depending on their destination.
“Breakfast conversations include topics like what could be solutions to many of the world’s problems, plus organ recitals of the riders’ latest medical test results and treatment,” Tharp said. “At our age, doctor appointments and lab results are as common as office meetings used to be.”
After retiring from a military career, being an avid cyclist, Tharp joined the group in 2010 and a few years later took over the group when the leader resigned for health reasons.
“In our age group, transition is usually acquired by default,” he said.
Rich Bornhorst, a six-year member, claims: “Denny saved my life by inviting me to take bike rides
LIFE
SENIOR
Courtesy of Chuck Mohan
Chuck Mohan leads an early morning ride on Pineda Causeway.
The sunrise reflects on Mohan’s sunglasses, while the moon is in the sky above the other riders.
every week. After several, ‘I’ll think about it’ responses, I accepted his invitation and I have never been healthier.”
Love stories happen, too. Don Rickels and Patty Kohl met four years ago riding with the club and they are now partners in life and love.
Occasionally, the group will load their bicycles on a bike rack and drive to locations such as Winter Garden, Winter Park and Titusville to enjoy a variety of bike trails.
Tharp records every ride in real time with apps such as Strava and Ride with GPS that he recalls for future rides.
Most Heritage Isle riders also have other hobbies, such as pickleball, bocce and volunteering.
The Heritage Isle Easy Riders also participate in charity rides.
In 2024, they participated in an Alzheimer fundraiser ride and raised $750.
Maintaining good mobility and enjoying good food and company keep the Heritage Isle Easy Riders pedaling all over the Space Coast and beyond.
Interested in riding? For information on joining the group, contact Denny Tharp at denny@ dentharp.com SL
History — Then and Now
History — Then and Now features Space Coast landmarks or sites in pictures and what those same areas look like today in photographs.
Then 1950s
Now 2026
SENIOR LIFE Lillian Nguyen
Lone Cabbage Fish Camp is a seafood restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere and a dock where visitors can go on airboat rides along the St. Johns River.
SENIOR LIFE photo
Long before tourists and locals went to Lone Cabbage Fish Camp for airboat rides and a meal, fishermen docked their boats there along the St. Johns River.
SENIOR LIFE Debra Bryant
Heritage Isle Easy Riders Club members Robert Simpson, left, Denny Tharp, Judy Hirschfield, John Hertlein, Ed Fenske and Dave Martin can often be seen cycling around Brevard County and elsewhere in Central Florida.
A beloved reminder of Brevard County’s once-thriving citrus industry could be returning to the site of its former Rockledge home.
Orangeman, a 15-foot-high, 10-foot-wide plastic sign that stood atop the popular Harvey’s Groves packing and retail store at 3700 U.S. 1 for decades, likely will be reinstalled at StorSafe Self Storage — a yet-to-open facility built on the property, according to former Harvey’s Groves Vice President Jim Harvey.
With the oversized head of an orange, and a green, elfin body, the smiling mascot pointed tourists and locals toward the roadside citrus stand that Roy and Blanche Harvey, Jim Harvey’s uncle and great aunt, first opened in 1926.
Customers stopped by regularly to buy locally grown oranges, grapefruit, jams and candies, and enjoy samples of freshly squeezed orange juice.
“We used to go there all the time and pick fruit up when I was a kid, but I remember going there for the fresh-squeezed orange juice,” said Rockledge Mayor Tom Price, a lifelong Rockledge resident. “That was the biggest deal — going to
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of David Pittman
Orangeman, the iconic sign that once stood on the roof of the Harvey’s Groves building in Rockledge, is expected to be installed at the StorSafe Self Storage which is located at the site of the former Harvey’s Groves.
Harvey’s and getting that fresh juice.”
Co-designed by Jim Harvey’s mother, Jannetta, the original wooden sign was erected in the early 1950s,
he said. Through the years, two plastic-and-aluminum versions of Orangeman replaced the aging local landmark.
But as greening disease ravaged Florida’s citrus industry through several decades and Harvey’s online business for its fresh, local citrus grew more popular, Harvey’s officials decided to close their Rockledge and West Melbourne retail stores in 2017.
A few months before the Rockledge building was demolished in December 2022, Kendal Signs in Rockledge, which created the third Orangeman sign about 25 years ago, removed the sign from the roof and stored it, Harvey said.
Harvey considered donating the sign to one of two citrus museums in Florida. But after talking to friends and former Harvey’s employees, he decided to keep the sign in Rockledge.
StorSafe representatives could not be reached for comment about their plans for the sign before press time.
For Harvey, who recently gave away his collection of colorful Harvey’s Groves shipping labels from the 1930s to longtime Harvey’s fans at Field Manor on Merritt Island, the expected return of Orangeman would have pleased his parents, George and Jannetta, who operated Harvey’s from 1935 to 2000.
“People are just happy he’s coming home,” Harvey said. SL
“We used to go there all the time and pick fruit up when I was a kid, but I remember going there for the fresh-squeezed orange juice. That was the biggest deal — going to Harvey’s and getting that fresh juice.” — Rockledge Mayor Tom Price
Emergency care that’s in the neighborhood, and on your side.
Veterinary staff’s care for animals stands deeply rooted
BY LILLIAN NGUYEN
Dr. Marissa Rutt had a good idea early on what career path she would take. Her love for animals and medicine was obvious during her high school years.
Rutt is an associate emergency veterinarian at Animal Specialty and Emergency Center in Melbourne.
“I always had a fascination with medicine, physiology and biology,” she said. “I spent a lot of my time volunteering with animals when I was in high school. I learned a lot from my first job in the veterinary field and decided — this is where I belong.”
Animal Specialty and Emergency Center (ASEC) of Brevard is one of the few area animal hospitals open 24 hours, seven days a week.
ASEC has been a full-service emergency and specialty animal hospital for more than 20 years. Along with emergency care, the Center’s specialty services include dentistry, oral surgery and recovery therapy.
Located at 2281 W. Eau Gallie Blvd., pet owners can rest easy knowing their furry companions can receive care during the day or at night.
“We are excited to be here and be of service to our community,” said Patrick McKinnon, the hospital director.
Rutt and the other emergency veterinarians triage patients and provide immediate care in the ER during their overnight shifts. There is always at least one experienced emergency veterinarian on duty.
All fundamental tests can be done in-house with ASEC’s fully equipped lab. The hospital is equipped to handle acute situations, such as emergency surgeries or situations that require stabilization.
“Let’s say a rattlesnake bite,” McKinnon explained. “We will take that patient directly from the serious presentation, all the way through treatment and discharge.”
— Dr. Marissa Rutt
Melanie Morrow, the hospital operations manager and certified veterinary technician, added that ASEC carries anti-venom.
“That’s a very common question that we get calls about,” she said. “Many regular veterinarians don’t carry anything like that. Not even all emergency (hospitals) carry it yet, but we do.”
McKinnon and Morrow both started in human healthcare before they transitioned to veterinary.
With hurricane season here, McKinnon and Morrow warn “pawrents” to have a disaster plan in place — keep your pet’s medications, records, food and water all ready to walk out the door should you need to evacuate because of a storm.
ASEC remains open during tropical storms, heavy weather events and up to Category 2 hurricanes. The hospital has an emergency generator that can power the entire facility in case of electrical power outage.
Patients can be seen on a walk-in basis. Specialty services are available weekdays by referral appointment.
For more information, call 321-725-5365 or visit
animalspecialtyemergencycenter.com SL
SENIOR LIFE Lillian Nguyen
Melanie Morrow, the hospital manager, prepares to treat 11-year-old Blueberry, a Grenadian Pothound.
SENIOR
Lillian Nguyen
Melanie Morrow and Brandon Bogard, a veterinary technician, prepare Tank,
REMEMBER 9/11
REMEMBER 9/11 IS A SERIES OF PERSONAL STORIES LEADING UP TO SEPTEMBER 11, 2026
BY ERNIE DORLING
The morning of September 11, 2001 began like any other for LeRoy Haynes, a supervising Fire Marshal and commander of the Bronx Fire Marshal Base of the Bureau of Fire Investigation New York Fire Department (FDNY).
The sky was a clear, uninterrupted blue, the kind that promised a calm shift ahead as he drove from his home in the Bronx to work listening to the radio.
Then the tone of the broadcast changed when the news announcer said, “… reports are coming in of a plane striking one of the towers of the World Trade Center …”
“I knew it wasn’t an accident,” Haynes said. “It was too nice a day for a plane to crash into the Towers.”
But while Haynes didn’t know exactly what had happened, he knew one thing — he was needed. He radioed his special investigation unit to meet him at the command post at the World Trade Center. After parking his car on Broadway, he headed to the command post set up by the FDNY at the base of the Twin Towers. That’s when he heard the
unnatural rumble of the building.
“I also heard someone yell, ‘Run!’ ” Haynes said.
Haynes looked up.
The South Tower was collapsing.
Training told him to move.
Instinct told him the same.
“I turned and ran away from the crashing building,” he said.
The air turned black in seconds.
— LeRoy Haynes
Dust, debris, glass, everything came at once, a choking wall that devoured the street. Haynes’ lungs burned as he tried to breathe. Think.
His mind cut through the panic with one clear directive: find cover. He spotted a parked car — barely visible through the storm — and dove toward it. Dropping to the ground, he wedged himself beneath the chassis, pressing his body as close to the pavement as possible.
Haynes shut his eyes tightly, arms wrapped over his head, trusting the narrow space to shield him from forces too massive to comprehend.
“I was preparing to die,” Haynes said. “I thought about how hard the news of my death was going to be for my mother and family. And I prayed to God to please let me live.”
Gradually — the ground stopped
shaking.
He was alive. But most of Lower Manhattan was gone.
The streets were buried under layers of ash and rubble.
Cars were overturned or crushed. Buildings stood like hollow shells, their windows blown out, their facades scarred. Everything was coated in gray — streets, structures and people. Especially the people.
Figures stumbled through the haze, their faces unrecognizable beneath the dust.
The command center he had been heading toward — the very place he was supposed to report — had been directly in the path of the collapse. He was only one block away from the command center when he heard someone shout, ‘Run!’ Those who arrived just minutes before him never had a chance. They all perished that day.
That realization would stay with him for years, causing him to suffer from survivor’s remorse.
The next day, September 12, Haynes reported for duty again.
“There was no hesitation. No discussion of taking time off. The city was still in crisis and every available hand was needed,” Haynes said.
But his assignment would be different. As a supervising Fire Marshal, his job involved determining how people died. That training led him and other marshals to be assigned to the morgue.
For the next seven months, he supervised FDNY members in identifying recovered remains. Fire Marshals under his supervision worked tirelessly, cleaning and cataloging everything recovered. They treated each item with respect, knowing it might be the last personal possession a family would ever receive. A wallet. A set of keys. A photograph folded and worn at the edges. They cleaned them. Preserved them. Made them presentable.
“The small things mattered,” Haynes said. “They were proof of existence. Of love. Of life before that day. I would hold onto some of those items for just a moment. I’d think about the person it belonged to. The life they lived and the people waiting for them.”
Today, Haynes lives in Palm Bay with his wife, Fran. He is active in the FDNY Brevard Chapter of retired firefighters and spends as much time as he can fishing on his 25-foot Grady White boat.
SENIOR LIFE Ernie Dorling
LeRoy Haynes survived the collapse of the first building of the World Trade Center by wedging himself under a vehicle a block away from Ground Zero.
For 35 years, Harmony Farms has provided equine-assisted therapy for children and adults with certain disabilities.
Harmony Farms founder Rogan to turn over reins after 35 years
BY LINDA JUMP
After 35 years running a therapeutic horse farm serving more than 2,000 riders with certain disabilities, Harmony Farms founder Pam Rogan said it is time to put herself out to pasture.
“I have eight grandchildren all with children, and I want to make more trips to see them, and to cruise,” the 79-year-old Rogan said.
She’s come a long way from the Brooklyn apartment where she was raised.
“I asked for a horse for every birthday and Christmas,” she said. “The closest I came was to go to Coney Island and ride on the beach.”
When she and her husband, Bob, retired in 1990, they moved to Florida.
“I’d never volunteered but I saw an ad to help an equine-assisted therapy program in Grant. I was always horse crazy and loved it,” she said.
A year later, that program transitioned into the nonprofit Harmony Farms in a backyard in Grant. It later moved to a boarding barn in the Lake Washington area until fall of 1999.
Then, the Duda Ranch offered a lease-free site on Stadium Parkway for
BY LINDA JUMP
Jeanine Allen volunteered at Cocoa’s Harmony Farms as a teenager, then became a horse therapy client after she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Later, she saw improvement with her daughter, in the program after she had been diagnosed with a chromosomal disorder.
Allen serves on its board of directors of Harmony Farms and will take the reins as the executive director this month from its founder, Pam Rogan.
A horse rider since age 7, Allen said she has firsthand knowledge of the benefits of the program, and also knows many others who have been helped.
“This is an amazing legacy that Pam has left. There are so many people who rely on this program,” she said. ‘I’m not planning to change anything, but looking for more donors and sponsors.”
Allen said that beginning in 1996, she earned high school-required volunteer hours at the farm, cleaning stalls and doing a variety of other jobs. She continued through her years at the University of Central Florida and Barry University College of Law.
“I had an accident in 2006 and never recovered. By 2011, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. I lost vision in my left eye and couldn’t
the next decade.
“They were fantastic,” Rogan said.
In 2014, the current 14 acres with three large barns and an 80- by 100-foot covered arena in Cocoa was purchased.
“We even have a veterinarian across the driveway,” she said.
The therapy session is done with volunteer walkers and a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship-certified instructor such as Rogan leading. It assists those of all ages with physical, cognitive and emotional conditions ranging from depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD and trauma. Riders improve movement, muscle tone and strength, flexibility and balance, as well as verbalization and attention span.
Currently, Harmony Farms has nine horses and two ponies that serve 60 clients ages 4 to 87 years old. A 30-minute session costs $60. Rogan said the program requires many volunteers. It needs funding from
walk, so I became a rider in the program. It felt like coming home to my family,” she said. Her stamina and body improved.
Five years ago, her daughter Julianne, now 12, began therapy at Harmony Farms.
“She wouldn’t even get on the horse at first. Finally, she sat for three seconds. Now, she is participating and responding,” Allen said, recalling the
donations, grants, fundraising events and rider fees. Rogan cherishes memories of clients and their achievements. She cited an autistic child who had never spoken, but giggled after being placed on a horse, and another who spoke for the first time — to the horse. A rider who uses a wheelchair told her, “Miss
SENIOR LIFE Jill Blue Pam Rogan is retiring from Harmony Farms after 35 years. Rogan has a special relationship with all the horses, including Snickers.
Pam, my horse gives me legs and takes me where I can’t go on my own.”
Rhonda Suchyna of Cocoa is one of many parents who will miss Miss Pam.
“My daughter with Down syndrome was one of her youngest. She started when she was 3 in 2001. At that point, her little legs just stuck straight out from the horse. She absolutely loved it, and finally started to speak. I’m thrilled with her progress. Pam and the volunteers are family. I had tears when I learned she was leaving.” SL
For more information about Harmony Farms programs, donating or volunteering, call 321-631-9433.
day she spoke her first word “orange” in the arena. “Her eye contact has improved, and she greets everyone now.” Allen said, through those experiences, she is ready to become director. Rogan agrees.
“She’s a lifetime equestrian,” Rogan said. “My goal is to keep Harmony Farms successful and I’ll always be back to visit or help my babies.”
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Harmony Farms
SENIOR LIFE Linda Jump
Jeanine Allen will be the new executive director at Harmony Farms.
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Jeanine Allen
Jeanine Allen has been a horse rider since the age of 7.
Hundreds packed into the Melbourne Orlando International Airport to welcome home veterans returning from their Honor Flight during the first four trips from the city.
Then, the airport encouraged local groups to Rally for Our Veterans, and even more people came for the fifth trip.
That’s the people of Brevard County. They are true advocates who fully support the veteran community. I don’t know of another county in Florida that throws as much support and honor for veterans.
Imagine if you are a veteran coming back on an Honor Flight and hundreds are there to greet you. It would probably give you a real sense that your service and sacrifice are
appreciated.
In 2010, I went as a reporter on the first Honor Flight to take veterans from Brevard County. So, I had a bit of an idea of what it was like for some of the aging veterans. At the time, there were a lot of people who came to send off the veterans and fewer to receive them on the late-night return flight to Orlando International Airport.
The crowds greeting the veterans
since the flights started leaving from Melbourne are much larger and enthusiastic to see the men and women returning home from their trip to Washington, D.C.
Space Coast Honor Flights takes veterans, at no cost to the service members, on a one-day trip to Washington, D.C. to visit the monuments in their honor.
Since 2010, Space Coast Honor Flight has taken more than 2,400 veterans on 88 flights.
Space Coast Honor Flight is operated by a dedicated group of volunteers who depend on donations to make the flights possible.
For the fifth flight from Melbourne Orlando International, the airport encouraged organizations, employers, churches, schools and
neighborhoods to register their teams. The teams competed for points to win 20 VIP tickets to the City of Melbourne’s MelBoom Fireworks Celebration on July 4.
Festivities for the fifth flight from Melbourne included a live band, civic groups and Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard.
The group of 50 — one World War II veteran, one Korean War veteran, 36 Vietnam War veterans and 12 postVietnam veterans — along with 50 guardians arrived back in Melbourne about 10 p.m.
The veterans were received on their return with a heartwarming celebratory welcome.
For more information about the Space Coast Honor Flights, visit spacecoasthonorflight.org SL
France to Vietnam— veteran reflects on service, sacrifice, second chance
BY ERNIE DORLING
For Army veteran Patrick Ansbro, life has been a remarkable journey marked by service, sacrifice, unexpected turns and enduring faith.
Born to an American father serving in the Navy and a French mother, Ansbro began his story in the Mediterranean port city of Marsali, France, where his parents met while his father was stationed overseas. His mother registered him as a dual citizen of both France and the United States, a decision that would unexpectedly shape the course of his life years later.
In 1967, while living in Levittown, Pennsylvania, Ansbro received a draft notice from the French government requiring him to report for military service. With the Vietnam War escalating, he faced a choice.
“I didn’t want to go to France when my own country needed people,” Ansbro recalled.
Instead, in May 1967, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and trained as a military policeman. Before long, he found himself serving in Vietnam, where he experienced the harsh realities of war firsthand. During his tour, Ansbro was wounded in combat and later received the Purple Heart.
After nearly three years of service, he was honorably discharged on Valentine’s Day in 1970.
His military years also included an encounter that would come full circle decades later. While attending college and serving in the military, Ansbro met a young woman named Millie. He was immediately interested, but there was one complication: she was dating one of his childhood friends.
“Out of respect for my friend, I never pursued a relationship with her,” Ansbro said.
Life moved on. After leaving
the Army, he explored several careers, including performing as a bass guitarist in local bands and working as a hairstylist. Eventually, he sought a more stable profession and joined the United States Postal Service. Through dedication and hard work, he rose through the ranks and ultimately became a manager with the Postal Service.
Yet one of the most remarkable chapters of his life was still unwritten.
Nearly 59 years after they first met, Patrick and Millie reconnected. The friendship they had once shared blossomed into something more, proving that sometimes life’s greatest surprises arrive decades later.
Today, Ansbro often reflects on his bond with his 41-year-old daughter, Kiley Ansbro, who resides in New Jersey, and his younger brother, Jamie, of Newton, Pa.
“They are a big part of my life these days,” Ansbro said. He also reflects on the men he served alongside with in Vietnam, especially those who never made it home.
A deeply spiritual man, he finds comfort in his faith and in the belief that death is not the end. He looks forward to the day, he said, when he will once again see family members, friends and fellow soldiers who have gone before him.
For Ansbro, a life that began between two nations has been defined by service to one, devotion
his way up through the ranks to become a manager with the U.S. Postal Service.
to family and an unwavering belief that reunions — whether on earth or beyond — are always possible. SL
Organizers seek sponsors for Vietnam veterans’ event
BY R. Norman Moody
Vietnam veterans Ben Bydalek and Manny Alexander, president of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 1096 in Melbourne, organized Vietnam War Veterans Day in Brevard County in March. About 150 people packed into the Captain’s House at Goode Park in Palm Bay.
Now Bydalek and Alexander are looking for sponsors as they organize
the Welcome Home for Vietnam veterans to be held Sept. 26 in a larger venue.
“We are looking at 300 people, at least,” said Bydalek, who operates the Vietnam War Exhibit and Education Center in Melbourne. “We want this to become the premier Vietnam veterans’ event.”
For sponsorship opportunities, call Bydalek at 321-212-9726 or Alexander at 321-367-9541. SL
SENIOR LIFE R. Ernie Dorling Patrick Ansbro worked
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Patrick Ansbro Patrick Ansbro enlisted in 1967 and served as a military police officer with the U.S. Army in Vietnam.
Lost in benefit claims? DAV helps veterans find the way
BY ERNIE DORLING
If you drive along U.S. 1 in the Eau Gallie area or Melbourne, you can’t miss The Big Orange, a 15-foot-tall concrete and steel orange that has been a local landmark since the 1960s.
Today, the Big Orange stands beside the Disabled American Veterans J.L. Golightly Chapter 32 property at 2265 North Harbor City Blvd.
In Brevard County, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 32 has become an important lifeline for disabled veterans throughout the Melbourne and Brevard County area, helping former service members navigate the often-complicated process of securing benefits and medical support through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“This organization is dedicated to providing essential medical support and care to disabled veterans, ensuring they receive the assistance they need to lead fulfilling lives postservice,” said Stan Kline, the adjutant and Chapter Service Officer (CSO) of DAV Chapter 32 and a retired U.S. Navy Master Chief Petty Officer who specializes in Career and Benefits Counseling.
“One of the primary roles of the CSOs is to work directly with the veterans, guiding them through the entire process of filing for VA benefits,” Kline said. “This includes gathering necessary medical records, preparing and submitting claims, and explaining the outcomes of VA decisions. Each veteran’s situation is unique.”
The chapter’s ongoing efforts to assist veterans in navigating the VA system and advocating for their needs highlight the importance of a dedicated support network for those who have given so much in service to their country.
The chapter’s personalized approach allows service officers to break the claims process into manageable steps while ensuring veterans understand the importance of medical evidence and documentation.
“Very often, veterans feel overwhelmed,” Kline said. “When that happens, we can manage the claim paperwork on their behalf.”
The DAV service officers also
help veterans with PTSD and other long-term disabilities understand the potential compensation benefits and support that is available to them.
The Veterans Administration has made great strides through the past few decades, improving both access and quality of care for veterans.
From the DAV’s perspective, the important improvements will include simpler, more consistent VA processes and better staffing in the community care and claims offices.
“For many longtime residents, The Big Orange is a memory from family road trips and old Florida. For today’s veterans and their families, it has become something more — an easy-to-spot symbol that behind that big orange shell is a local DAV
chapter dedicated to standing beside those who serve,” Kline said.
“We say there are three types of veterans — Those who don’t think they need or deserve benefits, those who don’t care about their earned benefits, and those who don’t know about the benefits they deserve. We want to reach them all.”
Operations are from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. All DAV services for area veterans and their families, including claims help and advocacy, are provided at no cost.
The office is closed on the second Wednesday of each month.
For more information and assistance, contact the DAV, Chapter 32 at 321-259-4827. SL
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Stan Kline
Stan Kline is the adjutant and Chapter Service Officer of DAV Chapter 32 in Melbourne.
SENIOR LIFE Lillian Nguyen
Right off U.S. 1 near Aurora Road is the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 32 next to The Big Orange. The 15-foot tall concrete and steel orange has long been a landmark since the 1960s in Melbourne.
TIME TO TRAVEL Sanford
Sanford — a good day trip for slow-paced yet unique experience
BY PAM WILLIAMS
Sanford offers many unique shops, a market, the Old Jailhouse Kitchen and Spirits and a slow-paced main street with free parking.
Every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Sanford Marketplace at Magnolia hosts an outdoor farmers’ market in the historic Downtown, featuring more than 50 local vendors selling produce, baked goods, and arts and crafts.
The Marketplace shoppers should bring their own reusable shopping bag.
After wandering around the Marketplace, be sure to stop at Magpies Modern General Store where you can find all sorts of interesting gifts.
Tamara Ward of Vero Beach found a sage smudge stick. “I’ll be moving to Sebastian next month and I want to cleanse my new home before I move in,” she said. “Burning sage is an old-time remedy for just that purpose.”
Janet Schmidt added, “I think I need to purchase some sage to cleanse my home, too.”
If you are looking for a historical place to enjoy a meal, head to the Old Jailhouse Kitchen and Spirits located at 113 S. Palmetto Avenue.
This building housed the Seminole County Jail from 1914 to 1959 before it became the Seminole County Health Department and later a dry-cleaning business.
The structure was purchased in 2017 and rehabilitated to highlight the building’s period of significance from
Retirement
A B C
D E
Alura Senior Living
777 Roy Wall Blvd., Rockledge 32955 321-549-3980 AluraSeniorLiving.com
These are the top senior living facilities on the Space Coast. All of these wonderful places offer amenities to live a comfortable life in retirement. Buena Vida Estates 2129 W. New Haven Ave., W. Melbourne 32904 321-724-0060 BuenaVidaEstates.org
1914 to 1959. Inside, visitors will find the Visitation, Booking and Solitary Confinement rooms, which can be reserved for larger parties. Each of the rooms has doors with bars.
Regular dining patrons are seated in the Cell Block and Mess Hall areas, which are adjacent to the open kitchen and bar area.
Outside there is a dog-friendly front patio. Prices start at $15. Interesting drink names, such as Jailhouse Brew, Avery’s Inmate of the Week and Up River Pale Ale, are on the menu.
Jailhouse fries are a must! Even the wine lists are divided into Inmate’s Wine List and Warden’s Wine List.
The restaurant is closed on Mondays, with varied hours during the week — 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.
The staff encourages patrons to explore the restaurant and take pictures while waiting for their food to be prepared. One group even had a waitress lock them in Solitary Confinement and take photos of them.
Downtown Historic Sanford is very walkable with most stores located on East 1st Street.
From the Rockledge area, plan on about 55 miles or 75 minutes via Interstate 95 north to State Road 46. SL
SENIOR LIFE Pam Williams
The Old Jailhouse Kitchen and Spirits in Sanford housed the Seminole County Jail from 1914 to 1959, later the Seminole County Health Department.
By Randal C. Hill
Behind the Beat
‘Afternoon
Songwriters never know when a moment will arrive that serendipitously offers the ingredients for a hit disc. Rick Nelson’s smash, “Garden Party,” for example, was created as a retort to the negative reaction he endured at a Madison Square Garden oldies show. Nelson had had the audacity to toss in a Rolling Stones song, much to the audience’s displeasure.
In another instance, the pop classic “Rockin’ Robin” came about when the wife of songwriter Leon Rene was kept awake by a noisy bird outside their bedroom window. The culprit, by the way, was a mockingbird, not a robin.
In the case of “Afternoon Delight,” a million-selling single by the Starland Vocal Band (a onehit wonder if there ever was one), inspiration arrived via a restaurant visit.
Let’s back up a bit. Fat City was a Washington, D.C. folk duo that consisted of Bill Danoff and his partner (and future wife) Taffy Nivert. In 1971, they had co-written,
Delight’ — Starland Vocal Band
with friend John Denver, the hit track “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” Denver, of course, went on to superstardom, while Fat City faded into obscurity. Danoff and Nivert stayed around D.C. picking up gigs whenever they could.
The couple’s fortunes took a gold-lined turn one day when Danoff was eating lunch at a local restaurant called Clyde’s. It was there that he noticed a menu section labeled Afternoon Delights, which touted such tasty treats as spiced shrimp and hot Brie with almonds. The term sparked an idea in Danoff’s brain, and he dashed home to begin work on a double-entendre ditty that he called, not surprisingly, “Afternoon Delight.”
It took him six months to hone it to perfection. Danoff honored the stars on America’s flag by creating the name Starland Vocal Band.
Convinced that the song would fare better with two couples singing it rather than one, Danoff and Nivert brought in folk-singing chums Jon Carroll and Margot Chapman. (They,
“Afternoon
too, would eventually tie the knot.)
The resulting recording session yielded a catchy blend of folk, pop and country music that had listeners joyously singing along with the chorus during the first listening.
“I didn’t want to write an all-out
sex song,” Danoff said later about the single’s release on Windsong Records, an offshoot of Denver’s recording home RCA. “I just wanted to write something that was fun and hinted at sex. … If the song had been banned, it would have been a real injustice. The lyrics are subtle and sophisticated and not at all raunchy.”
Gonna find my baby, gonna hold her tight
Gonna grab some afternoon delight
My motto’s always been, when it’s right it’s right
Why wait until the middle of a cold, dark night?
For the Best New Artist award at the 1977 Grammys, the Starland Vocal Band beat out the band Boston.
The Starland Vocal Band faded after releasing such discs as “War Surplus Baby,” while, during the next few years, the supergroup Boston enjoyed success with eight Top 40 singles and four platinum-selling albums.
Go figure. SL
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Wikipedia
Delight,” inspired while having lunch at a restaurant, won the 1977 Best New Artist Grammy Award for the Starland Vocal Band.
NORTH BREVARD
News for Titusville, Mims & Port St. John
Moore Social Services Center directs clients to services they need
BY FLORA REIGADA
Residents in the northern end of the Space Coast seeking help with certain social services might find assistance in Titusville’s hub.
The City of Titusville’s Harry T. Moore Social Services Center at 725 S. DeLeon Ave. serves the community as a referral service for those seeking assistance.
It is named for Harry T. Moore, the local civil rights pioneer who, with his wife, Harriette, were killed Dec. 25, 1951 in the bombing of their home in Mims.
The Center was established in 1974 to provide social and recreational services in North Brevard County.
“It does not perform the services, but several nonprofit agencies with satellite offices at the Center bridge the gap,” said Terrie Franklin, director of the city’s Neighborhood Services Department.
These tenant agencies provide services that include counseling, job searches, job training, housing services, homeless services and more.
For example, if child care is the issue, a financial resource center is available. If food or food stamps are the issue, there are resources for that as well.
Assistance is one-on-one, with
free faxing, printing and on-site notary services. Help is also available to fill out forms and applications.
“We prioritize seniors, low-income people and those with a very low income,” said Sheila Martin, the house program specialist.
Alexia Rivera, the Center’s administrative assistant, recalled one man whom the agency helped secure housing.
“He was very grateful and visits every day to say thank you,” she said. “We have gotten people off the street. It is all very gratifying.”
She recalled another man whom she helped fill out work papers.
“Others had turned me away,” he said with gratitude.
In addition, the Center builds community fellowship by providing a free meal 3 to 4 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month.
Doors open at 2:45 p.m. and no reservations are required. It takes place at the Center at 725 S. DeLeon Ave. in Titusville.
For information about the Harry T. Moore Social Services Center, call 321-567-3724 or visit Titusville.com
SL
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of the Harry T. Moore Social Services Center
Alexia Rivera, the administrative assistant at the Harry T. Moore Social Services Center, welcomes clients with a smile.
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of the
Harry T. Moore Social Services Center
Alexia Rivera periodically makes sure printed job lisings at the Harry T. Moore Social Services Center are kept up to date.
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of the Harry T. Moore Social Services Center Kent Burnaw, the compliance specialist at the Social Services Center, and Sheila Martin, the program specialist, review documents.
Buen Cami no
Camino de Santiago
— the bucket list adventure you’d want to do again
CAMINO DE SANTIAGO
Continued from page 1
There were five of us from Brevard County who made the trip together.
The group included two of us from the Viera Voice — publisher Jill Blue and me. Others included my wife, Elaine, Troy Stanley, the pastor of First Christian Church of Cocoa Beach, and his wife Valerie.
We flew to Lisbon and picked up our Camino Credentials, often referred to as Pilgrim Passport, at the Pilgrim Office at Igreja de Conceicao Velha, where we received our first stamp. A minimum of two stamps in the passport are required each day to receive the Compostela certificate at the end of the pilgrimage.
Two days later, we took the train that got us to our starting point, the Fortaleza de Valença, Portugal, across the border from Tui, Spain.
We traveled on a lattice truss steel bridge across the Minho River, which separates the two countries. The walkway on both sides of the bridge gives pedestrians a safe passage away from vehicles.
As we walked at different paces, we stayed in touch through group text as the Cinco Peregrinos team.
In my college days, I did some hard manual labor. However, the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage was one of the hardest physical things I have ever done.
We had prepared for the pilgrimage; we watched videos and followed advice. We all did some preparation such as walking 10-or-12-mile hikes
Buen Camino Bom dia Buenos dias
Greetings heard the most on the trail
of flat-land Central Florida. What we encountered on the Camino Portugues route often were steep hills. Climbing was at times a struggle, but going down was just as challenging as my feet slid forward, almost curling my toes into the front of my shoes.
One day, two of us missed a turn as it began to rain. Even with raincoats, we got soaked.
Blue, who on the sixth day was walking ahead of the group, went on to complete the walk the day before the rest of us. Four of us had stopped for the day, but she did not see the message and continued to Santiago as she walked with an enthusiastic and boisterous group from Colombia that she had met.
The rest of us arrived at noon the next day. We wanted to be there in time for the noon mass, but the cathedral
CAMINO DE SANTIAGO
Continued on page 19
SENIOR LIFE photo
The Cinco Peregrinos —Jill Blue, left, R. Norman Moody, Elaine Moody, Valerie Stanley and Troy Stanley — take a break high on a hill top during their Camino walk.
SENIOR LIFE R. Norman Moody
At times the camino splits and you can choose the shorter route through a city or a longer nature trail through lush green forest.
CAMINO DE SANTIAGO
Continued from page 18
was already full when we arrived about 10 minutes late.
Camino is a centuries-old pilgrimage that leads into Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain through several trails, including ancient paths. We took the Camino Portugues.
Jesus’ disciple James (Santiago) was said to have traveled to Galicia and was fond of the area. When he was martyred, his disciples are said to have later taken his remains and interred it in what is now the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
Most walkers picked up the pace as they neared Santiago. Others, though exhausted but not wanting the pilgrimage to end, slowed down.
As we entered the Praza do Obradoiro, the cathedral square, there was a feeling of euphoria and melancholy all at the same time.
After the elation of standing in front of the massive cathedral with many other pilgrims, we made our way to the Pilgrim’s Reception Office for the final stamp on our credentials. Officials reviewed the credentials, and a traditional certificate with the pilgrim’s name written in Latin is given to those who complete at least 100 kilometers.
Pilgrims walk the Camino de Santiago for many reasons — religious, spiritual, adventure, and even some, to prove they could do it.
It was difficult not to stop at little cafes in villages and towns along the way after sampling the food on the first day. Caldo Gallego (Galician soup) was a favorite of team members.
After heading out each morning before sunrise,
we’d make quick stops for that first, second and even third cup of some of the best espresso coffee along the way. It was like fuel for the next three or four miles.
Despite the challenges of walking an average of 12 miles per day, the pilgrimage was a memorable and wonderful experience. As soon as we returned home, I started looking at other Camino routes to do, maybe next year.
We met people from around the world. We met a mother and daughter from Colombia, Vinay from Malta, and Carlos and Gloria from Argentina. There were many others, from Louisiana, Mexico, Italy and elsewhere.
These are people we would see during different times of the day or on other days as we walked. We would walk along with someone for a while and chat.
The day after arriving at Santiago, I heard someone yell my name. I did not immediately turn to look because I did not think it referred to me. It was Carlos and Gloria Zarate. After chatting for a while at the Santiago de Compostela bus station, we exchanged phone numbers and agreed to stay in touch.
If you are considering walking the Camino de Santiago, let’s talk. We can give you some advice from our experience about things we would do differently. SL
Additional photos and videos can be found at myseniorlife.com
CAMINO PORTUGUES
Valença, Portugal to Santiago, Spain 77-mile pilgrimage
SENIOR LIFE Elaine Moody Hiking poles are an integral part of completing the Camino walk, especially while navigating steep hills.
SENIOR LIFE Jill Blue
Valerie and Troy Stanley pause in front of a flower display in Valença.
SENIOR LIFE Jill Blue The Cathedral at Santiago de Compostela is said to be the resting place of the Apostle James.
SENIOR LIFE Jill Blue
Elaine Moody mimics one of the many artistic interpretations of a pilgrim passing through Tui, Spain.
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Valerie Stanley Elaine Moody, left, and Jill Blue enjoy a break next to ancient crosses along the trail.
SENIOR LIFE Jill Blue
From rocky paths to bridges, the Camino de Santiago offered a variety of terrain.
Valença Portugal
Santiago de Campostela, Spain
Tui
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Surgical technologists needed in changing medical landscape
BY SUE DEWERFF
When it comes to surgical procedures, one of the most important members of the surgical team is a certified surgical technologist (CST). It often is referred to as an operating room technologist or scrub tech.
These skilled surgical professionals play an essential role in performing everyday duties to ensure patient safety and surgical outcomes.
Viera resident Charles Robinson, a CST, began his career while serving in the military in Virginia in 1994 as a surgical specialist. He has worked in Brevard County since 2021.
“I continue to enjoy being a part of several Brevard surgical teams here, including Viera Hospital, Holmes Regional, Melbourne Surgery Center and the Viera Surgery Center,” he said.
“There is a lot more to my
responsibilities than just passing instruments to the doctor,” Robinson said.
“Many are unaware of this rewarding healthcare career and do not fully understand the important responsibilities of the role.”
Surgical technologists provide the sterile field and ensure that instrumentation is available, functional and ready to perform the surgery.
A surgical technologist must understand the surgical procedure, the steps involved, the anatomy and anticipate the surgeon’s needs before they are required. This anticipatory function is essential to safe and efficient surgical care.
Training involves learning to perform under pressure while multitasking, thereby creating and instilling a strong sense of
responsibility.
Both Eastern Florida State College (ESFC) and Indian River State College (IRSC) offer the 64-credit Associate of Science degrees that prepare students for these highdemand operating room careers.
The program curriculum centers around a series of core surgical technology courses that include classroom and lab instruction and practice, plus clinical rotations and surgical internship. It prepares students for their initial CST certification.
The demand for qualified surgical technologists is at an all-time high, according to Mary Lee Lutz, an EFSC assistant professor and program manager.
his career has been quite rewarding.
“The community’s need for wellcredentialed (NBSTSA certified under ARC/STSA accredited curriculum guidelines) surgical techs has surpassed the available supply entering the workforce, resulting in year after year of 100% graduate job placement,” Lutz said.
“We have more than double the enrollment from last year, with at least as many already in application for the Fall 2027 cohort.”
Though surgical technologists work primarily in hospitals and
outpatient surgery centers, many can find employment in private physician’s or dentist’s offices.
Robinson continues to advocate for this career, with an ongoing goal of promoting awareness and outreach to high school students and others who might be considering what he believes is a very rewarding profession that can preface or even interface with many careers throughout the medical industry.
For more information about programs in Brevard or Indian River Counties, check out easternflorifa. edu/academics/health or irsc.edu/ program/surgicaltechnology
Surgical technologists are members of the AST (Association of Surgical Technologists), one of the oldest and most widely recognized professional organizations. For more information, go to ast.org SL
SENIOR LIFE
Courtesy of Charles Robinson Charles Robinson, a resident of Viera and a certified surgical technologist, says that
July
SATURDAY
National Apple Turnover Day
Turkey Creek Sanctuary Ranger-Led Tour
10 - 11 a.m.
Turkey Creek Sanctuary 1518 Port Malabar Blvd. NE, Palm Bay 321-676-6690
Italian American Club of South Brevard 1471 Cypress Ave. Melbourne 321-242-8044
Pilates Class 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Veterans Memorial Complex 2285 Minton Road Melbourne 347-609-3355
DIY Patriotic Beaded Crafts
9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Adults can create a patriotic-beaded necklace, bracelet or brooch. Palm Bay Public Library 1520 Port Malabar Blvd. Palm Bay 321-952-4519
4th of
July 3
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Line Dancing with Larry 10 a.m.
Martin Andersen Senior Center 1025 Florida Ave. Rockledge 321-631-7549
Coffee & Conversation 10 - 11 a.m.
Speakers will be Eva Rey with The Viera Company and Joseph Downs with the BCSO. Lucky Goat Coffee 2105 Viera Blvd. Viera, 321-208-7225
Sea Turtle Program and Walk 8 p.m. Educational session and guided sea turtle walk. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge 1987 Scrub Jaw Way Titusville, 321-861-0669
Senior Strength Training Noon - 1 p.m. Merritt Island Library 1195 N Courtenay Pkwy Merritt Island 321-455-1369
National Kitten Day
Karaoke 6 - 11 p.m. Karaoke with Rockstar Entertainment. Hook & Eagle Tavern 2300 Clubhouse Drive Viera, 321-639-3487
Each participant will get to paint their own terracotta pot and pick out a succulent plant to go in it.
Merritt Island Library 1195 N. Courtenay Parkway Merritt Island 321-455-1369
National Lottery Day
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Hurricane Prep Rally and Senior Fair
9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Event Center St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community 5655 Stadium Pkwy. Viera BoomerSeniorExpo. com
“Lights Up On Broadway” concert 7 p.m.
Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue & Broadway Greats" Scott Center 5625 Holy Trinity Drive Suntree, 855-252-7276
Celebrate America 250 the Basics - Democracy 3 - 4:30 p.m. Eau Gallie Library Melbourne 321-255-4304
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Summer Purse Bingo 6 - 8 p.m.
Bingo with purse prizes from designers like Kate Spade, Michael Kors and more.
$35 in advance
$40 at the door. Arc of Space Coast 1694 Cedar St. Rockledge
National Tropical Fruit Day National Amelia Earhart Day
Adult Summer Escape Room
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
You have 60 minutes to escape a locked room by solving a series of hidden puzzles, riddles and clues.
Cocoa Library 308 Forrest Ave. Cocoa 321-633-1792
National Hire a Veteran Day
Grilling for Heroes 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Celebration for first responders, nurses and educators. Sponsored by Rhodes Law P.A. One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera 321-751-6771
National Aunt & Uncle's Day
Summer Sundays: Blooming Market
10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Explore the beauty of nature while learning about gardening, environmental science and sustainability at this unique farmers’ market. Brevard Zoo 8225 N. Wickham Road Viera, 321-254-9453
Scottish Country Dancing 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. Springs of Suntree 8300 Holiday Springs Road, Suntree 321-427-3587
Viera Chess Club 7 - 9 p.m. Publix at Addison Center 7655 Stadium Parkway Viera, rskchess.com
Gorgeous Grandma Day Social Media Giving Day Buffalo Soldiers Day
Dancin’ with Debby 11 a.m. - noon For all skill levels. Cocoa Library 308 Forrest Ave. Cocoa, 321-633-1792
Early Bird Trivia 4 - 6 p.m. Free to play. Pizza Gallery 2250 Town Center Ave. Viera, 321-633-0397
Chicken Wing Day
National Cheesecake Day
Veterans Benefits 10 a.m. Presented by William A. Johnson. One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera 321-751-6774
Recycle Brevard 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Pick up reusable materials, drop off electronics and learn about Recycle Brevard. West Melbourne Library 2755 Wingate Blvd. W. Melbourne 321-220-3379 18th annual Hispanic
Titusville plans to celebrate Independence Day this year like never before — like a once-in-a-generation celebration.
It’s a milestone like no other — America’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence that will be celebrated across the nation.
Titusville’s Red, White and Boom features two main events marking the special Independence Day celebration.
A patriotic parade, which will include floats, veterans’ associations and civic groups, is from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, July 4, starting at Titusville High School and ending in Downtown Titusville.
Jennifer Hurd, an assistant at a Realtor’s office, and her children will have a closeup view from her office on U.S. 1.
“We can’t wait for this amazing and meaningful celebration,” she said.
Look for Titusville Mayor Andrew Connors riding in the parade on his way to a veterans tribute in front of City Hall, said Heather Kenney, the special projects coordinator for the City of Titusville.
The Civil Air Patrol Cadets, a youth organization, will also be participating.
Parade-viewing seating will be available on the downstairs and upstairs porches at the Pritchard House. Downstairs is $15 and upstairs is $20. Call 321-607-0203 or email thepritchardhouse@yahoo com.
Individuals and organizations have volunteered their services to bring it all together. Co-host, Indian River Church, is organizing the floats. Call
321-267-7922 to make arrangements.
The second event, the city’s Red, White and Boom fireworks celebration, will be from 6 to 10 p.m. at Sand Point Park at 101 N. Washington Ave.
Live music will set a patriotic tone. The Elks Club will display a replica of the original American Flag.
Although seating will be available for veterans and the public, attendees should bring lawn chairs.
The event at Sand Point Park includes a dedicated children’s zone, food trucks, vendors, a DJ and entertainment. The fireworks start at 9:15 p.m.
Titusville’s event is only one of many others throughout Brevard County and elsewhere.
Merritt Island
10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The Independence Day Parade and America 250 Celebration starts at Merritt Island High School at 10 a.m. and continues to Edgewood Junior/Senior High School and the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center Plaza, where there will be food trucks and music to celebrate America’s 250 years and the veterans who created and protected America.
Cocoa Beach — Friday, July 3
5 to 10 p.m.
Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary at City Hall in Downtown Cocoa Beach with carnival games, live music, a photo booth and a kid’s zone. A choreographed drone show will fill the sky at 9 p.m.
Melbourne —
Saturday, July 4
5:45 to 8:15 a.m.
The Firecracker 5K at Eau Gallie Square will kick off the 2026–2027 Run Brevard Race Series. For more information, go to runsignup.com/ Race/FL/Melbourne/Firecracker.
Saturday, July 4
3 to 9:30 p.m.
City of Melbourne’s MelBOOM, an annual 4th of July fireworks celebration at Front Street Park, 2210 Front Street. Food trucks, familyfriendly vendors, performances and a singing of the National Anthem before fireworks light up the sky at 9 p.m. A free shuttle service will run continuously between Melbourne Auditorium and Front Street Park.
Rockledge — Saturday, July 4
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Enjoy a hot dog or hamburger with chips and a drink for $1 at the 39th
annual Rockledge Independence Day Picnic. The free event will have fun activities, water slides and music at McLarty Park, 790 Barton Blvd in Rockledge.
Port St. John —
Saturday, July 4
4 p.m.
Thunder Over the Indian River will celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s independence with Red, Hot & BBQ, food, craft vendors, raffles and bounce houses. Gates for the free event open at 4 p.m. at OUC Indian River Power Plant on Kings Highway and the corner of Capron Road. The fireworks display will start at 9:15 p.m.
Palm Bay — Saturday, July 4
5 to 9 p.m.
City of Palm Bay’s annual Independence Day celebration at Eastern Florida State College’s Palm Bay campus. Bring chairs and blankets. Free admission and parking with live performances, food trucks, various vendors and a fireworks display at 9:15 p.m.
Cocoa —
Saturday, July 4
8 to 10 p.m.
Brevard Symphony Orchestra’s free annual Symphony Under the Stars concert at Cocoa Riverfront Park in Cocoa Village. Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m.
Viera — Saturday, July 4
9 to 10 p.m.
The Great American Celebration in Viera — watch the sky at 9 p.m., just east of USSSA Space Coast Complex, for a vibrant display of fireworks. SL
SENIOR LIFE photo
Independence Day celebrations are scheduled throughout Brevard County.
Clause’s cousin
Used to be
Trifled (with)
Tenancy agreements
Casino tokens
Atmosphere
Sensible
Minute amount
Spectacle
Sign of spring
Roman Catholic court
Discontinuity
Rugby formation
Rifle blades
No longer mint
Many wines
Monopolize
Skip it
More slippery
Grps. 40. Dentist’s direction
Karate blow 43. Same: Prefix
Assist illegally
Post-it message 48. Deep vein thrombosis (abbr.) 50. “Well, -di-dah!”
Zap
Lovatts Puzzles
THE 12TH FEATURE IN A SERIES ON 19TH AND EARLY 20TH CENTURY CHURCHES
Cocoa’s First Baptist Church founded by 15, now built to serve 1,000
BY LINDA JUMP
Anyone visiting Cocoa Village on Sunday morning may hear 11 sonorous bell chimes at 11 a.m., calling parishioners at First Baptist Church to turn thoughts to God, just as it has for more than a century.
Dr. Dean Williamson, the pastor, said the cast iron bell is just part of the church’s long history, after its founding in 1910 by 15 charter members.
Kay Nix, the church historian for more than two decades, has fond memories of the bell, originally placed in the belfry of the first 1911 building and now on a brick podium across the street.
“My parents brought me to church here in 1943 and I became a member when I was 7. Everybody rang the bell. My daddy had to hold me up to ring it when I was little,” Nix said.
The church has a small historical library on its second floor, and since its centennial, Nix has created dozens of scrapbooks recording the history of its buildings, pastors, members, groups and activities.
“We have board minutes going back to 1910,” she said. She’s seen many changes, with membership soaring during the space boom and dropping during space layoffs and the pandemic.
Her husband, Rick Nix, a former Rockledge fire chief, added, “After Covid, we grew from 30 to over 200.”
The first services were in the old
Williamson said a 10-year goal is to establish another church. “A healthy church should be planting new ones,” he said.
The Carmichael Educational Building was added in 1949, followed by the three-story educational building east of the sanctuary in 1958, needed to hold the 700 in Sunday School classes.
The current sanctuary was built at 750 Brevard Avenue in Cocoa on the site of the original church in 1962. The large Christian Activities Center was built in 1998 across the street for dinners, recreational activities and social events. The church is now debt-free and can seat 1,000 people.
Williamson said the large campus is well used by the community,
including services for a Burmese refugee group and an AfricanAmerican church.
On the first and third Saturday morning each month, volunteers from the church go door-to-door to invite the community to worship.
This fall, Wednesday evening dinners will be served before the mid-week service.
Williamson said the goal is for a “vibrant, traditional church with multi-generations, so that we can utilize our space for mission.”
Younger families are moving to the area with private space-related companies, so a retired Army chaplain is currently organizing a group of 18 to 30 year-olds, he said.
City Hall, with the original 1911 church soon expanded with a large auditorium, choir loft and baptistry.
Nearby properties were purchased during the 1960s to establish new churches at King Street, Cocoa Beach, Frontenac and Rockledge.
Thrifting with a purpose — store helps provide for foster children
BY PAM WILLIAMS
When was the last time you found a great thrift store with a wonderful variety of items, clean, spacious and prices to fit all budgets?
If it’s been a while, then you need to head to Nana’s House Thrift Store at 4490 S. Babcock Street in Melbourne.
It reopened on May 8, after being closed for renovations since October. The renovations expanded the facility by 10,800 square feet to the original building. Local contractors throughout Brevard County donated their services.
“We had a lot of shoppers stop by the first week we reopened,” said Candy Hughes, the store’s manager.
Nana’s House Thrift Store works with Nana’s House, a nonprofit organization that operates a 6.5acre gated community with eight four-bedroom/two-bath homes, a community center, playground, pavilion and pool, offering housing and support for qualified foster care families.
The families pay no rent or utilities, and a food stipend and daycare voucher is available for
those families working outside of the home. If needed, the store will provide furniture for the homes. The Community also provides a “stop and shop” onsite where the families and children can pick up items or toys at no charge, all of which are donated through the Store.
The Community has chickens and several raised-bed gardens for families to participate in the caretaking. Hughes lives onsite in a two-bedroom home in the Community.
Nana’s House and Nana’s House Thrift Store are like no other thrift store in our area. They work in partnership with One More Child, providing safe, loving Christian foster homes and wrap-around services for foster families who care for Neglected, Abused, Needy and Abandoned (NANA) children in Brevard County.
They depend solely on the generosity of the community and do not accept any state funding. Hughes said that “All monies received by Nana’s House goes directly to caring for the children, there are no paid staff, we operate by 100% volunteers, and are governed by a Christian
House Thrift Store has a special clothing room called the Fancy Room that displays formal dresses for proms and weddings.
board of directors.”
The thrift store operates a pickup service two times per week. They ask for photographs of items and addresses prior. They do not accept any items containing pet or tobacco odors, rips or stains, and no big household appliances.
Wandering through the Store, it literally has just about anything a person could need: furniture, clothing, toys, baby items, books, kitchen items, even crutches and walkers!
One of the special clothing rooms,
the Fancy Room, contains dresses for proms and weddings, and most of the room’s items are donated by a local business called LaBoutique. They even had a piano, which, given half a chance, some would have sat down and played, but the sign read,“No playing the piano unless you’re buying it!”
Nana’s Thrift Store is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For additional information about Nana’s Thrift Store or Nana’s House, call 321-724-5111. SL
SENIOR LIFE Pam Williams
Nana’s
SENIOR LIFE Linda Jump
The First Baptist Church sanctuary area was constructed in 1962 and expanded through the decades. The worship area can seat 1,000 people.
SENIOR LIFE Linda Jump
The First Baptist Church in Cocoa Village has its first bell on a podium in front of its building. The original church was built in 1911.
BCOA NEWS
Brevard Commission on Aging
BCOA meetings are open to the public and are held the second Thursday of each month at the Government Center in Viera.
For information, contact Cindy Short at 321-633-2076, FAX 321-633-2170 or email cindy. short@brevardfl.gov. BCOA is located at 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, B-106, Viera, FL 32940.
Age gracefully with life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
As our nation approaches its 250th birthday, it is a fitting time to reflect on one of the most enduring phrases from the United States Declaration of Independence: “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
When Thomas Jefferson penned those words in 1776, he captured ideals that continue to inspire generations of Americans. They remind us how fortunate we are to live in a country that encourages each of us to live with purpose, independence and hope — and to pursue happiness in our own unique ways.
The Brevard Commission on Aging was established in 2001 to address the ongoing needs of our aging population through a collaborative, coordinated effort among the public and private sector, as well as interested citizens.
The purpose of the Commission on Aging is to plan for the future of the elderly population of Brevard
County and to foster a community that supports, accommodates and values aging.
Every person’s circumstances are different, yet many of the challenges that accompany aging are shared by families everywhere. With thoughtful planning, access to resources and a caring community, many of life’s later chapters can become less stressful, more fulfilling and far more manageable. Preparing today can help create greater peace of mind for tomorrow.
Life
The Brevard Commission on Aging is committed to helping seniors throughout Brevard County enjoy the highest possible quality of life, regardless of individual circumstances.
Brevard County is home to more seniors than ever before because Americans are living longer, healthier lives, and Florida continues to attract those seeking sunshine, community,
and opportunity.
Living longer is truly a blessing — and reaching 90 or even 100 years of age is becoming more common than ever before. That is why we encourage seniors to embrace each day, remain engaged, and make every moment count.
Liberty
Independence matters deeply to seniors and their families. The Brevard Commission on Aging works to support older adults by advocating for programs, services and initiatives that help seniors remain independent and connected to the community.
Whether it involves transportation, housing, healthcare access, caregiving support, nutrition programs or planning for future needs, our mission is to help seniors remain in the driver’s seat of their lives for as long as possible.
The Pursuit of Happiness
At the heart of it all is the search
for joy, purpose and meaning. The pursuit of happiness is personal for every individual, but it often includes maintaining connections with loved ones, remaining active in the community, pursuing passions, volunteering and continuing to live with dignity and fulfillment.
In America, we are encouraged to pursue our dreams and value personal well-being at every stage of life — including our senior years.
That is why the Brevard Commission on Aging exists. We are honored to serve the seniors of Brevard County by supporting programs, advocacy and partnerships that help older adults maximize their opportunities for Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. SL
Kerry Fink Commission on Aging Planning member and Executive Director of Helping Seniors of Brevard
Seniors have many options to stave off loneliness
Are you looking for a companion? Want a human, animal, robot or humanoid?
Seniors experience loneliness more frequently than any other age group. Retirement, loss of spouse, partner or friend; change in location and other circumstances in life create a void.
Seniors have found many ways to fill the gap. Pets and critters occupy time and space, and often become like a family member.
Be careful! Dogs and cats become trip hazards. They require care and exercise. Yes, you can get a robotic dog. It only requires a periodic change of batteries. Close family or home healthcare persons are great companions.
Neighbors can be part of your support group. Get to know them. Invite them for an afternoon tea along with scones, a coffee klatch or supper.
Affiliation and attendance at a church increases the opportunity to make new friends and enhance your spiritual life. Many churches have senior events, outings and educational programs that help to alleviate boredom and loneliness.
Senior centers provide a full range of activities. It’s a great place to meet new friends. Check the current edition of the Senior Life’s Boomer Guide It is loaded with activities, support groups, hobbies, movies and games. Did someone call Bingo? Some seniors gather hours before the first game to chat and connect.
On the dark side, seniors end up linking to online dating sites. Many turn out to be scams and result in
the loss of money from remote companions who quickly “love” you. Older men can be drawn to porn sites where they look for the woman of their dreams, a virtual companion.
Casinos and now online gambling have become money-sucking companions. It’s as easy to use as an iPhone. Casino bus tours, free rooms and meals are enticements where you make new friends. “Bring a friend” is part of the marketing strategy.
Travel groups, guided tours and cruise outings are offered by many local senior clubs partnered with local travel agencies that specialize in senior travel. Remember, finding a companion is part of the challenge. The future is bright (or not) with many new technological innovations. You may purchase a robot as a home companion that will fetch, open doors and even chat with you (chatbot). Humanoids may be programmed to be a help mate, friend or agitator.
Accept the challenge! SL
Ed Baranowski is an awardwinning writer, artist, speaker and seminar leader. He lives in Melbourne and can be contacted at fast75sr@ gmail.com.
Ed Baranowski
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