fitness
Cheers to this Ford Model T’s
100th birthday
Cocoa Beach hits 100 page8
Aaoogha
Highwaymen paints at Morning At The Museum
LIFE Matt Clark
their car June 27 at the Morning At The Museum event.
Highwaymen R.L. Lewis will paint scenes of old Florida’s landscapes in vivid and bright colors at the Morning At The Museum Senior Day.
The Florida Highwaymen traveled and sold their paintings to hotels, offices, business and individuals.
SENIOR LIFE Jill Blue
BY JEFF NAVIN
The 100th birthday celebration will continue for Cindy and Ernie Austin’s Model T Ford at Morning At The Museum with Senior Life And Friends on Friday, June 27. The Senior Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Brevard Museum of History & Natural Science at 2201 Michigan Avenue in Cocoa.
The Senior Day will be the
Astronaut John Glenn parade, 1962.
first of three summer events sponsored by Senior Life. The second event, which will focus on hurricane preparedness, will be held July 18. A third event will be held in August with the theme yet to be announced. Presenting sponsors for the Senior Day will include Humana, CarePlus and Rhodes Law.
SENIOR DAY
Continued on page 6
Senior Life — celebrating Brevard for 28 years
BY JEFF NAVIN
Twenty-eight years ago, Jill Blue was living in DeLand and she saw the potential of Brevard County before many others.
That’s when the publisher and CEO of Bluewater Creative Group published the first issue of Senior Life for June 1997.
“For the first five years, I designed it, delivered it and billed everything,’’ said Blue, who eventually created the Boomer Guide 19 years ago and the Viera Voice 17
years ago as sister publications. “One day, I was putting newspapers into a rack, and a gentleman said to me, ‘you’re too young to have a senior newspaper.’ Sad to say, they don’t say that anymore. They haven’t said that for a while.’’
A Hobbies & Passions Series has taken the place of The Games People Play Series within the past year. The newspaper is constantly evolving to serve the boomers and seniors of Brevard County. Staying young through playing sports has always been a central theme of Senior Life.
SENIOR LIFE 28 Continued on page 12
SENIOR
Cindy and Ernie Austin will show off
Senior
Jill@bluewatercreativegroup.com
Publisher Jill Blue
Editor
R. Norman Moody
Office Manager
Sylvia Montes
Copy Editor
Jeff Navin
Art/Design/Photography
Matt Clark
Jorjann Blake
Feature Writers
Ed Baranowski
Chris Bonanno
Ernie Dorling
Mike Gaffey
Linda Jump
Betty Porter
Flora Reigada
E ditor
FROM THE Hurricane season — be prepared to weather the storm
I dread thinking about hurricanes. But it is the season. And while those of us who have lived in their path for a long time know some of what to expect, we still need to prepare.
Even though many of us have prepared year after year, it is worth reminding ourselves so that we get ready and not be complacent doing what we need to do in case a storm comes our way.
In this edition of Senior Life, you will find a section dedicated to hurricane preparedness. Alert your neighbors who are newcomers about some of the things they need to do. If they have not seen the special section, hand them a copy or direct them to where they can find the newspaper. Senior Life is distributed to nearly 700 locations throughout Brevard County.
I want to make sure you know about our hurricane preparedness information, but there is a whole lot more information in this edition that you can use. Many times, we must work at filling in all the information and stories we want to share with you. Everything from stories about area veterans and people in communities across the Space Coast.
You might know by now that if you are taking off on a commercial airline, you will need to have Florida’s Real ID. We have a story that reminds you in case you have neglected to get your Real ID. Most Florida drivers should already have it.
If you are a cruiser, you might want to learn about the upgrades coming to Port Canaveral that should make it easier and more convenient for cruise passengers.
Exercising in groups seems to motivate some people. Maybe reading our story about two groups of women from local churches who walk regularly for exercise, might motivate you to get a similar group started.
Senior Life is celebrating its 28-year anniversary after starting as a 12-page, two-person operation to grow into the premier source of news for seniors and boomers and everyone else on the Space Coast. Today, we are distributed in about 700 locations throughout Brevard County. SL
BY LINDA JUMP
Jim McGurk of Melbourne has worked on his great American novel for a decade, and at age 91, he recently published not only his first but also his second book.
“… a real pistol — sharp, witty and always moving. Keeping up with his energy and enthusiasm is no
small feat …”
— Joanne Fisher
“The Hobo, The Dragonfly & The Sparrow” Book 1 and Book 2, fantasy adventure thrillers, follow young friends threatened by adult foes who want to erase the heritage of Florica, a mysterious 13-year-old gypsy girl they befriend.
Paperback and e-book versions are available on Amazon.
“The book shows there is strength in standing together. There’s a lot of gypsy magic and even a Jewish family. Growing up, I saw both sides of prejudice that allowed me to dig deep underneath the issue,” McGurk said.
He was inspired to write the book after dancing with a beguiling gypsy woman years ago at a gypsy wedding he and friends crashed.
Born into an Irish Catholic family in Philadelphia, McGurk moved often, living in Miami, Chicago, Denver,
SENIOR LIFE Linda Jump
Jim McGurk of Melbourne, 91, shows off his adventure novels, “The Hobo, the Dragonfly & the Sparrow.” He had always wanted to be an author.
Peoria and Orlando. He worked for TWA as an operations agent before becoming an addictions counselor in Miami. “I don’t drink. I don’t smoke. I gave that up,” he said.
He served five years in the Navy Reserve and the Air Force. “I started writing off and on over the years,” he said, producing 300 poems and short stories.
He moved back to Florida four years ago and last July, moved into Trinity Towers East.
“I only have a high school diploma,” he said, adding that five books his second wife suggested that he read,
“was my only education to writing — period.”
He’s active in the Space Coast Writers’ Guild.
Joanne Fisher of Melbourne, an editor/coach who helped publish McGurk’s books, called the author “a real pistol — sharp, witty and always moving. Keeping up with his energy and enthusiasm is no small feat but it only proves that passion knows no age. ... It’s never too late to chase a dream.”
Asked if he plans a third book, McGurk’s light blue eyes twinkled.
“Book 3 could be about adventures in Mexico. This story is too good to end.”
He also wants to publish his book in five other languages. SL
HOBBIES & PASSIONS
THE 10TH FEATURE IN A SERIES ON HOBBIES & PASSIONS
Retired police lieutenant finds sense of accomplishment in art
BY ERNIE DORLING
There are several reasons why people, especially those who have retired, start painting.
Some seek a new creative outlet. Others find that it provides a sense of accomplishment. It also stimulates the mind and can help reduce stress. For retired Nassau County, New York Police Lt. John Wiener, it allows him to share places and experiences with other artists.
“I
coastal, water scenes, but I also paint landscapes and people,” he said.
— John Wiener
“I always admired art and artists and enjoyed art shows and museums,” Wiener said. “My son was quite good at art in high school and college, so I decided to try it after I retired in 2005.”
Wiener and his wife Margaret moved to Melbourne Beach full-time in 2017 after being winter residents for 10 years.
“I started painting as a way to relax and appreciate whatever I was looking at,” Wiener said. “I enjoy the ability to represent something I’ve experienced on paper. Each painting returns that experience or place, especially those that come out well. A sense of accomplishment comes from creating an incredibly rewarding piece of art.”
Wiener continues to hone his artistic skills, primarily using watercolors. “I’m especially drawn to
Like many artists, Wiener doesn’t paint on any schedule. “I’ll paint for a few days when I see something interesting. Then, I might not paint again for a week or two,” Wiener said.
Wiener has recently begun creating note cards from his paintings.
“My sister-in-law suggested I could make cards using the landscape scenes I’ve painted,” Wiener said. “I learned how to use my computer to make the note cards using different scenes I’ve painted. The cards are blank inside; depending on the picture on the front, they are appropriate for any occasion.”
Wiener’s paintings have been on display at a library on Long Island, New York and twice at the Melbourne Beach Library.
“The paintings on display have been well received,” he said. “There is a sense of satisfaction that comes from people who enjoy seeing your work and buying some of your pieces.”
Vincent Van Gogh said, “I want to touch people with my art. I want them to say, ‘he feels deeply, he feels tenderly.’ ”
John Wiener has clearly adopted that same philosophy about his painting.
It’s never too late to start painting. Remember, American folk artist Grandma Moses didn’t take up painting until she was 78. She is
just one prominent example of what a successful art career for seniors resembles. John Wiener is clearly another example.
Wiener’s art can be viewed by visiting jfwiener1.wixsite.com/-john. SL
SENIOR LIFE Matt Clark
John Wiener found a passion for painting after retiring from the police force.
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of John Wiener John Wiener’s sister-in-law suggested he create note cards from some of his paintings.
SENIOR LIFE Matt Clark John
of the experiences he’s had and
Model T Ford, Aaoogha horn will sound off at museum
Morning At The Museum event for seniors also features Highwaymen R.L. Lewis
SENIOR DAY
Continued from page 1
Other sponsors will include The Brennity at Melbourne and ClinCloud.
The South Brevard Coin Club and the Missile Stamp Club will answer questions for collectors. The Pine Island Preservation Society will bring items from Sams House, the oldeststanding home in Brevard County.
The Austin family inherited the iconic four-door vehicle with the Aaoogha horn six years ago after the death of Cindy Austin’s father, Fred Moody. Transporting it from Nome, Alaska, where Moody lived, to the
Lower 48 took some ingenuity.
“There are no roads to Nome,’’ said Ernie Austin, who began the move with his wife from Murfreesboro, Tennessee to Heritage Isle in Viera six years ago. “You can only get there by boat around the Aleutian Islands or by air. In the winter, you’ll need an icebreaker.’’
The original plan was to transport it via Northern Air Cargo. Those plans were nixed when the Model T didn’t fit. Lyndon Air Freight and its Hercules C130 were nearby and they were able to get it to Anchorage. From there, the trek to Tennessee was a lot cheaper.
“Her dad really kept it running well,’’ Austin said. “He drove it every year in the Fourth of July parade to celebrate the midnight sun. He was a contract electrician for all the small villages nearby.’’
Not much is known about the car, which Moody owned for more than 35 years before his death. He bought it from a man in Wales, Minnesota and eventually had it shipped to Anchorage. The Austins later tracked down the man’s daughters, but they were too elderly to provide much information. Getting it registered in Tennessee was simple. The same couldn’t be said for Florida.
“Florida wanted a VIN number,’’ Austin said. “The DMV told us to take it to the sheriff’s office. Fortunately, it’s easy to take the parts out. Six deputies were working the car over and they could not find the VIN number.
‘Someone said, ‘Call the FBI, they’ll know.’ The FBI said we’re out of
luck. There were no VINs in the early models. There were no VINs until (later in the 1920s). They ended up using the motor number.’’
The car gathers a crowd whenever Austin takes it for a spin. Its top comfortable speed is about 30 mph.
“It’s my wife’s car, but she lets me drive it,’’ Austin said. “We know that the engine was manufactured in early March (of 1925) and the car came out in either March or April. It was the car that put America on the road. There are probably about a dozen Model Ts around the Melbourne area.”
R.L. Lewis, one of the original Highwaymen, will paint scenes of
old Florida landscapes in vivid and bright colors June 27 at Senior Day. The Florida Highwaymen traveled and sold their paintings to hotels, offices, business and individuals from the early 1950s through the 1980s and beyond.
“Everyone loves R.L.,’’ said Jill Blue, the publisher of Senior Life “People like to see him paint live and break out their phones and hit that record button. He’ll paint from start to finish during the whole event. You can even buy a painting.’’
For information about Senior Life’s Morning at the Museum, call 321-2421235 or go to myseniorlife.com SL
SENIOR VOICE Matt Clark
Cindy and Ernie Austin’s Model T Ford will be on display Friday, June 27 at Morning At The Museum with Senior Life from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Brevard Museum of History & Natural Science at 2201 Michigan Avenue in Cocoa.
SENIOR VOICE Jill Blue Highwaymen artist R.L Lewis will demonstrate his painting techniques Friday, June 27 during Morning At The Museum.
Port plans $500 million in upgrades spanning five years
BY MIKE GAFFEY
Port Canaveral is investing $500 million during the next five years to upgrade and enhance all aspects of its operations.
Unveiled May 1 and titled Port Canaveral Advantage, the comprehensive plan aims to improve the Port’s cruise, cargo and recreational facilities.
“Port Canaveral has been a driving force for the Central Florida economy for over seven decades, and the continued prosperity of our Port community depends on our continued success,” Port CEO Capt. John Murray said. “As we look ahead to the future, our challenge is balancing the business demands we have today while positioning ourselves for continued growth.”
Work is about to get underway on several cruise-related projects at the Port, currently ranked as the world’s second-busiest cruise port behind PortMiami. Cruise Terminal 5, on the Port’s north side, will undergo a 65 percent expansion to accommodate larger ships. Designed by Miami-based BEA Architects, the 16-month construction project should not disrupt terminal operations, according to Port officials.
Cruise Terminal 10’s capacity will be increased to accommodate larger cruise ships, with new berthing capacity to handle vessels up to 1,200 feet long that can carry up to 5,600 passengers. A feasibility study on the project is expected to be completed this month.
The Port’s popular Jetty Park beach and campground will get a new camp store, guest cabins and a dog park, renovated bathhouses,
improved roads and lighting, refurbished playgrounds and redesigned public boat ramps at Rodney Ketchum Park.
New landscaping and entrance enhancements are planned for The Cove, the Port’s entertainment district.
The extensive upgrades come as the Port recorded its busiest month ever in March, handling 925,994 cruise passengers, a 16 percent increase over 2024. For the first six months in Fiscal Year 2025, the Port already handled 4.42 million passengers and generated $111.75 million in operating revenue. Port officials expect 8.4 million passengers for the full year, up from 7.6 million last year.
Rusty Fischer, who owned the old Space Race-era hotspot Bernard’s Surf in Cocoa Beach for more than 40 years and opened Rusty’s Seafood and Oyster Bar at the Port in 1993, is looking forward to proposed improvements at The Cove.
“We do a lot for the Port,” Fischer said of restaurants and bars at The Cove. “The visitors who get on and off cruise ships come to our restaurants. And we’ve got rocket launches and the rocket boosters that they bring back that are right across from my restaurant. It’s kind of cool to have people sit here and say, ‘That was the booster that went up two days ago.’
“I think it’s a good marriage if we can keep it going like that.” SL
Exterior upgrades at Cruise Terminal 1 began in May. Improvements include new canopies and walkways, updated landscaping and new lighting to create a refreshed west entrance for arriving cruise guests. The terminal’s adjacent cruise parking garage will feature new paint, landscaping, perimeter fencing and gangway upgrades.
The Port also recently established a Cruise Automation Team to oversee the safe and efficient operation of passenger boarding bridges.
On the commercial cargo side, the Port plans to renovate existing pier structures on the south side to add multipurpose, multiuser berth space and improve vessel turn times.
Renovations to North Cargo Berths 3 and 4 are nearly finished and will add 1,800 linear feet of multipurpose bulkhead space.
Ongoing improvements include harbor deepening and berth box dredging to accommodate larger vessels, and seawall and uplands facility upgrades. A third mobile harbor crane also is set to arrive later this year.
The Port also is upgrading roadways to improve access to and from cargo terminals, ease roadway congestion and reduce truck wait times.
Photos Courtesy of Canaveral Port Authority
Cocoa Beach still looking up On its 100th anniversary
BY MIKE GAFFEY
Happy 100th birthday, Cocoa Beach.
The small beachside Brevard County city that rocketed into the global spotlight during the Space Race and was the home of TV’s Jeannie and the world’s greatest pro surfer marks its centennial anniversary on June 5.
“It’s always been a part of my life,” said Cocoa Beach native Sharon Wolfe Cranston, a librarian at Cocoa Beach Public Library and a former women’s professional surfing champion who moved back to the city from California.
“It’s just a place that I was homesick to come back to. I just really feel safe here.”
Originally inhabited by the Ais, Native Americans of eastern Florida, the region was later settled by freed slaves after the Civil War.
In 1888, several Cocoa men bought the entire tract of land, but left it undeveloped until one of the men, Cocoa City Attorney and Georgia native Gus Edwards, bought out the 600-acre parcel in 1923.
The town of Cocoa Beach, formerly known as Oceanus, was established on June 5, 1925. Edwards eventually became its first mayor. In 1935, the Florida Department of Transportation opened a one-lane dirt road that later became State Road A1A.
In 1939, Naval Air Station Banana River — later renamed Patrick Air Force Base in 1948 and Patrick Space Force Base in 2020 — was commissioned south of Cocoa Beach, which had a population of 49 residents at the time.
In 1949, then-President Harry Truman created the Joint Long Range Proving Ground for missiles at Cape Canaveral, about 15 miles north of Cocoa Beach. The site later became Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The town’s population grew to 246 residents, and homeowners paid $750 to $900 for a
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During the 1950s, Cocoa Beach’s first motor lodge, the 100-room Starlite Motel, opened in 1956. The town was incorporated into a city the following year.
Cocoa Beach’s growth exploded in the 1960s as NASA launched its manned space program from KSC with an audacious goal of landing a human on the moon by 1970. Many young families moved to the beachside city for space industry jobs.
On May 5, 1961, thousands lined the beaches to watch as Mercury astronaut Alan Shepard became the first American in space. His 11-minute suborbital flight from the Cape boosted American morale battered by space achievements by the Soviet Union, which had beaten the U.S. in the race
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The town of Cocoa Beach, formerly known as Oceanus, was established on June 5, 1925.
to get the first man in space by launching cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin into orbit a month before.
One of the witnesses to Shepard’s flight was Rusty Fischer, then a 10th grader at Melbourne High School, who later became the owner of Bernard’s Surf, a Cocoa Beach restaurant and bar that became the go-to place for space workers, celebrities and TV news anchors during the Space Race.
“I was taking a test at Melbourne High School and we had radios around the room,” said Fischer, the owner of Rusty’s Seafood and Oyster Bar at Port Canaveral. “And as soon as it reached T minus whatever it was, we all went out this double door out to the yard and watched Shepard go up. “Little did I know that four years later I would be serving him in my restaurant.”
Bernard’s Surf, which was torn down in 2017, was the only Cocoa Beach landmark mentioned on the hit TV sitcom “I Dream of Jeannie,” which premiered in 1965. The show starred Barbara Eden as a beautiful and mischievous, 2,000-year-old genie who fell in love with Larry Hagman, an astronaut who released Jeannie from her bottle after his errant spacecraft splashed down near a deserted South Pacific island.
estimated 1 million spectators who saw Apollo 11 lift off on its historic mission to land a man on the moon. The city also hosted post-flight parades for the nation’s astronaut heroes, including John Glenn, who rode along A1A with President John F. Kennedy in 1962 after Glenn became the first American in orbit, and the three-man crew of Apollo 10 in 1969.
Cocoa Beach also became a top surfing destination, earning the title of “East Coast Surfing Capital” for its consistent waves. Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier, then known as the Canaveral Pier, opened in 1962 and became a focal point for surfing events.
The pier also welcomed one of the first Ron Jon Surf Shops in 1963. Today, Ron Jon’s 52,000-square-foot flagship store on State Road A1A in Cocoa Beach is the world’s largest surf shop and a popular tourist attraction.
Cocoa Beach lured throngs of launch watchers to its shores, including many of the estimated 1 million spectators who saw Apollo 11 lift off on its historic mission to land man on the moon.
Created by Sidney Sheldon, the show was set in Cocoa Beach, where Jeannie lived with her “master,” Maj. Anthony “Tony” Nelson. Actually, all episodes were filmed in California. The comedy aired for 139 episodes until 1970.
Throughout the 1960s, Cocoa Beach lured throngs of launch watchers to its shores, including many of the
Cocoa Beach also is the birthplace of Kelly Slater, who won the World Surf League championship a record 11 times and is widely regarded as the greatest pro surfer in history. A 10-foot-tall bronze statue of Slater, unveiled in 2010, stands in the median of SR A1A just before North Fourth Street. Sharon Wolfe Cranston, 63, a four-time U.S. Women’s Surfing Champion, ESA Women’s Surfing Champion and East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame member, recognized Slater’s talent when he was a child. She formerly coached the surf team at what is now Cocoa Beach Junior/Senior High School. One of the
SENIOR LIFE Matt Clark
The Cocoa Beach Pier opened in 1962. It is one of the iconic sites in Brevard County.
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Brevard County Historical Commission
The Cocoa Beach Pier was a popular place in the 1970s.
Sharon Wolfe Cranston
8085 Spyglass Hill Road
Viera, Florida 32940 Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 5 pm
STRI PES Brevard
The All Veterans Reunion goes on organized by a new generation
Different groups of veterans, some in military-themed T-shirts, others dressed as if they were headed to the golf course, gathered in tents scattered throughout Wickham Park.
The men and women veterans, the enlisted troops and the former officers, all came together for the 37th annual Florida All Veterans Reunion.
Until last year, the gathering was called the Vietnam and All Veterans Reunion and was organized and managed mostly by Vietnam veterans.
This year, a younger group of veterans have taken charge and have been seeking to attract more of the younger veterans while embracing the experience and camaraderie with the
older former warriors.
“For me, coming out here has saved my life,’ said Mike Roman, the president of the Veteran Memorial Reunion, Inc. and an Air Force Reserve tech sergeant who served in Afghanistan. “This reunion means a lot more to a wider generation.”
I have attended the reunion for many years. This time, I noticed that
the Saturday afternoon crowd seemed smaller than previous years, though the patriotism and camaraderie was unchanged.
I believe most of the veterans would tell anyone that the reunion is one of the few places or events where they have people to whom they can relate about their military service. And organizers said they are determined to continue to grow the event in the coming years and make it one of the largest and best in the nation.
For many, the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, a 3/5 scale of the Vietnam Wall in Washington, D.C., is a place of healing for those who lost comrades in the war. Others find it
difficult to visit the wall, which was on display at the Veterans Reunion that was held May 8 through 11.
Roman said he believes that a lot of people thought that since 2024 was the last year that the Vietnam and All Veterans of Brevard was the organizer, they were not sure the event would continue. The change is that a different group of veterans have become the organizers.
“We, as a younger group, are trying to bring in the public,” he said. It is an opportunity to say thank you to veterans and “to know what sacrifice is. We thank everybody for coming out.” SL
Retired Air Force captain uses experience, skills to run golf group
BY ERNIE DORLING
The year 1969 was special in U.S. history. Pivotal events made it so, including the Apollo moon landing, the Woodstock music festival and, of course, the ongoing Vietnam War. The Beatles were still a band; their double-sided record with “Come Together” and “Something” hit No. 1 in the United Kingdom and the United States.
In March of that same year, John Gowing joined the U.S. Air Force just nine months out of high school.
“I had no desire at the time to go to college,” Gowing said. “I was working at a local newspaper in Worcester, Massachusetts, which was running daily stories about the Vietnam War. I knew my chances of being drafted and becoming an infantry soldier were good, so I sought out the Air Force. After spending six weeks training at Lackland Air Force Base, I was selected as a signals intelligence analyst.”
Gowing was sent to Vietnam in July 1971 and remained there until March 1973. After Vietnam, he was assigned to Taipei, Taiwan for three years and then to Okinawa for six more years.
“I started going to night school to
apply to officer’s school,” Gowing said. “I was a Master Sergeant at the time and after receiving a waiver, I was commissioned a second lieutenant at 31.”
Gowing was subsequently trained as an air weapons controller, now known as an air battle manager.
“I was subsequently selected for the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada,” Gowing said. “I was later assigned to Germany, where I served as a master controller and fighter allocator evaluator.”
Gowing retired in 1993 and went to work for various U.S. defense contractors.
“I worked as a systems engineer, business development manager, program manager and business area director,” he said. “I moved to Melbourne in 2006 with Northrop Grumman to manage a business that they had recently purchased. I finally retired from the defense industry in 2010.”
Gowing lost his wife of almost 50 years after she developed complications from surgery about two years ago.
“She had a difficult time during her last seven years,” he said. “There was little outside the house we could do.”
Edited by Margie E. Burke
Gowing has since remarried. He and his wife, Eileen, are now taking every opportunity to travel and enjoy life as it comes.
Outside of traveling, Gowing has a passion for golf. He organizes the militia golf group, consisting of more than 40 members who play at Patrick Space Force Base every Friday morning.
Gowing
Force Base.
“It’s a great group of guys, including a few women,” Gowing said. “Like anything that requires managing, the militia group has its challenges. Everyone involved cooperates and wants to play golf with like-minded former military and/ or Department of Defense members. However, we welcome everyone, regardless of their background.”
Gowing uses his managerial experience to ensure people in the golf militia, like the Beatles said, “Come Together.” SL
SENIOR LIFE Ernie Dorling John
enjoys golfing at Patrick Space
SENIOR LIFE John Gowing John Gowing had a distinguished career in the Air Force.
SUDOKU
U.S. Postal Service issues stamps honoring military
BY ERNIE DORLING
On July 4, 2026, the United States will commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The country’s upcoming anniversary is an opportunity for everyone to examine the nation’s history, including the Revolutionary War and the contributions made by many diverse individuals and groups of Americans, from the Founding Fathers to everyday citizens.
But did you know that while the 250th anniversary of the U.S. is still a year away, the Army, Navy and the Marine Corps were founded in 1775 by the Second Continental Congress?
Realizing the need for a unified military force, a year before the Declaration of Independence’s signing
of the U.S. military are now available for purchase.
and the country’s establishment, the Continental Congress established the Army on June 14, the Navy on October 13 and the Marines on
November 10, all in 1775. The Army, Navy and Marine Corps are celebrating their 250th anniversary this year.
On May 16, 2025, the U.S. Postal Service issued three Forever stamps in a ceremony at Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C. to commemorate this anniversary. All three stamps feature a symbolic emblem of the respective branch of these services.
“Established by the Continental Congress in 1775, the Army is now a global force with a clear purpose: to fight and win America’s wars. The U.S. Navy, first established during the Revolutionary War as
the American colonies fought for independence, is now at the forefront of cutting-edge technology that safeguards the maritime interests of the United States,” the Postal Service said on its website.
A month later, the Marine Corps was founded in Tun Tavern, a bar in Philadelphia, where a committee of the Continental Congress worked on recruiting efforts to find men to fight on both land and sea.
“These stamps represent not only a celebration of history but a tribute to the values of loyalty, honor, duty and courage that define the U.S. Armed Forces,” the U.S. Postal Service said.
These stamps can be purchased through the Postal Store at usps.com/ shopstamps, by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations nationwide. SL
Brevard Marine Corps League hosts inaugural golf tournament
BY ERNIE DORLING
The Marine Corps League, Brevard County Detachment 513, is hosting its inaugural golf tournament on June 14 at Duran Golf Club in Viera.
The Marine Corps League is the only congressionally chartered U.S. Marine Corps-related veterans’ organization.
“Our organization supports and aids military veterans and programs throughout Brevard County,” said Charles (Chuck) Betz, a retired Marine and the Brevard County Detachment Commandant. “We support the Marine Corps Toys for
Tots programs, military veterans, and our community. Our fundraising efforts help provide support and/ or financial assistance to veterans’ organizations and other community causes. We provide, free of charge, color guards for events throughout the county, as well as Military Honors at funeral ceremonies for veterans. Without the fundraising efforts and the support of our local community and businesses, we would be unable to support our military veterans and our community.”
The cost to play in the tournament is $125 per person, which includes greens fees/cart rental, a light
breakfast, a buffet lunch and prizes for the first three teams. There is also a longest drive and closest-tothe-pin contest. The tournament will use the best ball format. The starting time, with a shotgun start, is at 8 a.m. The deadline for registration is June 5. The Marine Corps League is also looking for hole sponsors. If interested in playing in this tournament or sponsoring a hole at this event, contact the League at MCLBrevard513@gmail.com
For additional questions regarding the golf tournament, email Heather Betz at hbetzmcl@gmail.com or call her at 330-808-0913. SL
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of USPS Stamps honoring branches
SENIOR LIFE Marine Corps League Marine Corps League members Tom Fitzgerald, left, John Kayda, Chuck Betz and Vinnie Howard are preparing for the inaugural golf event.
COCOA BEACH 100
Continued from page 8
team members was Slater’s older brother Sean, and Kelly often tagged along.
“I remember Kelly surfing on his boogie board,” Cranston said. “I remember Sean surfing on a boogie board. And we just knew Kelly was going to do it. And he was just a little kid, maybe 5 or 6 at the time, surfing a boogie board and just way more advanced than anyone we’d ever seen around here.”
Today, Cocoa Beach’s population hovers around 11,500. That’s about the same as it’s been since the late 1960s, despite lean times that followed the end of the Apollo and space shuttle programs. The population increases significantly during the winter with an influx of retirees and vacationers.
Since 2015, the city’s downtown area has added a $4.1 million fire station, a $5.2 million, three-story parking garage and a $9 million police station.
On May 1, officials cut a ribbon at Cocoa Beach’s new 29,900-square-foot City Hall. The two-story, $11 million complex was constructed on the site of the old city hall, which was built in 1962. The city also unveiled a new red, white and blue city flag adorned with a leaping dolphin that represents Cocoa Beach’s move toward a bright future.
“It’s very exciting to finally have this coming to fruition, and at the 100-year mark,” Cocoa Beach Mayor Keith Capizzi said at the ceremony. SL
SENIOR LIFE 28 YEARS
Continued from page 1
Tech Know Tidbits shares secrets for seniors who might feel intimidated by the advances of technology. Classic Rides brings back memories of old cars and even better memories of where those cars took Brevard’s seniors and boomers back in the day.
Adding veteran journalist R. Norman Moody to the staff a few years ago was a stroke of luck.
“It was wonderful to bring Norm aboard,’’ said Blue, who resides in Suntree. “He brings a wealth of experience. He has a lot of camaraderie with the military community from covering military issues for so many years in the past.”
The Stripes section of Senior Life might be Blue’s favorite part of her publication. Moody writes a column each month on veterans’ topics. Accompanying that column is a bold piece on an influential military person.
Although Cocoa Beach turns 100 in June, the celebrations don’t start until July
On Saturday, July 5, an indoor pickleball tournament starts with check-in at 8:30 a.m at the Cocoa Beach Recreation Center at 321 Ramp Road. The cost is $55 per coed team for the round robin, double-elimination event. It will be one of many events to celebrate Cocoa Beach.
From 8 a.m. to noon, visitors can swim for free at the Cocoa Beach Aquatic Center at 4800 Tom Warriner Blvd.
A “Through the Decades” parade starts at 4 p.m. The parade, featuring floats, classic cars, music and groups representing each decade in Cocoa Beach’s his-
“We’re a military community of both retired and active members,’’ Blue said. “We’ve done a big military feature for a long time. I just wish everyone could meet these wonderful people in person.’’
Expos, normally conducted during the late fall, winter and early spring, have been an essential part of the Bluewater Creative Group and Senior Life.
Since more seniors are living in Brevard year round, Blue will have three summer events as part of an inaugural summer series. The first, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, June 27 at the Brevard Museum of History & Natural Science, is titled Morning At The Museum with Senior Life and Friends.
“We have assembled a fabulous team through the years,” Blue said. “That’s what makes this an award-winning publication.”
A Hurricane Prep Rally, the second event, will focus on hurricane preparedness. It will be conducted Friday, July 18. A third event will be held in August. SL
tory, begins at 4th Street, travels south along Orlando Avenue, then north on Brevard Avenue.
There’s a free Centennial Celebration Street Party from 6 to 10 p.m. at City Hall Park at 2 S. Orlando Ave. A drone light show featuring hundreds of drones will honor the city’s past, present and future with colorful aerial displays at 8:45 p.m.
Festivities continue on Sunday, July 6, with a golf tournament from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cocoa Beach Country Club at 5000 Tom Warriner Blvd. The country club also hosts a centennial barbecue for the public. Barbecue tickets are $20. SL
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of City of Cocoa Beach and Matt Clark
Built by Gus Edwards in 1927, the first mayor of Cocoa Beach, the building at 350 S. Orlando Ave., served as the first gathering place for several congregations in the city before they moved into their permanent homes. It is now a residence.
SENIOR LIFE Jill Blue
Senior Expos have been a tradition for Senior Life through the years. The Expos allow the newspaper’s staff to get to know readers and advertisers.
Alura Senior Living 777 Roy Wall Blvd., Rockledge 32955 321-549-3980 AluraSeniorLiving.com
Shell Harbor 2855 Murrell Road, Rockledge 32955 321-252-1221 ShellHarborRetirement.com
Indian River Colony Club 1936 Freedom Drive, Viera 32940 321-255-6000 ColonyClub.com
The Brennity at Melbourne 7300 Watersong Lane, Viera 32940 321-253-7440 BrennityMelbourne.com
Chateau Madeleine 205 Hardoon Lane, Suntree 32940 321-701-8000 SuntreeSeniorLiving.com
Buena Vida Estates 2129 W. New Haven Ave., W. Melbourne 32904 321-724-0060 BuenaVidaEstates.org
2025 Hurricane Help and Information Guide
5 Steps to Prepare
Step 1: Know Your Risk
Step 2: Build a Kit
Step 3: Have a Plan
Step 4: Stay Informed
Step 5: Get Involved
Source: brevardfl.gov/emergencymanagement
Are You Ready?
Before
• Review your five steps to Preparedness
• Decide early whether you will evacuate, and where you will go if ordered to leave
• Prepare your home
During
• If you don’t live in an evacuation zone, find a safe room within your home (an interior room, closet or bathroom)
• Do not go outside during the storm until the National Weather Service confirms the storm has left the area
After
• Return home when local officials say it is safe
• Check in with family and friends by texting or using social media
• Avoid walking or driving through floodwaters
Prepare supply kit now for hurricane season
BY CHRIS BONANNO
Residents are advised to prepare a supply kit in the event the area is impacted by a tropical cyclone.
According to Brevard County Emergency Management, residents are advised to assemble all of the following: A gallon of water per person per day, for at least three days, a three-day supply of non-perishable food, a battery-powered or hand crank radio and extra batteries, a flashlight, first aid kits, moist towelettes, garbage bags, plastic ties, feminine supplies and personal hygiene items, a manual can opener for food, local maps, a cell phone with chargers, inverter or a solar charger, cash, latex and landscaping gloves, hand sanitizer and important family documents.
“The big thing that we want to get across to the public is number one, they need to be prepared,” said Jeff Goldberg, the emergency management director of Walton
Additional Supplies
Once your basic supply kit has been stocked, additional items to consider include:
• Prescription medications and glasses
County Emergency Management and training professional development co-chair and vice chair of certification with the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association. “They need to have a disaster supply kit that has at least 72 hours of supplies in it. … in Brevard County, you can go to the Brevard County Emergency Management site (brevardfl.gov) and there’s disaster supply kit information on there.
“The other thing is to make sure that they have a way to get information, whether it’s to sign up for the alert program that each county has or social media or press releases.”
Additionally, residents with pets are also asked to be mindful about their pets should they need to evacuate to a pet-friendly shelter.
The list for pets in that scenario includes: pet food and extra water for them, shot records for each pet and a carrier for them. Other items include a current rabies vaccination certificate, leash and collar, county animal license tags, medications, cleaning supplies, newspapers or a
Basic Disaster Supply Kit
We recommend having the following items as part of your basic disaster supply kit:
• Water: one gallon of water per person, per day, for at least three days
• Food: three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Infant formula and diapers
• Sleeping bags or warm blankets
• Complete change of clothing
• Matches in a waterproof container Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils
• Whistle to signal for help
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Books, games or other activities for children Paper and pen/pencil, puzzle books
pet pad and comfort items.
“Never leave your pets at home alone. Never leave them tied up to a fence,” said Clara Correa-Geraci, the regional disaster public affairs lead with the American Red Cross.
Correa-Geraci also encouraged residents to make sure they register microchips used in pets.
“A lot of people think that when you adopt from animal care and control or from a breeder or from a rescue they think ‘oh they installed it, they registered it,’ Correa-Geraci said. “They don’t.’”
Goldberg also stressed the importance of residents following evacuation orders. In a tropical cyclone, those are typically put into place for those living on the barrier island and/or those who live in mobile homes or low-lying areas.
“We want them (people) to listen to us,” Goldberg said. “We agonize over evacuation orders. We don’t just kind of do it because we think we should. We do it because we want to protect everybody’s lives. SL
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio, a weather radio and extra batteries
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit Moist towelettes, garbage bags, plastic ties
• Personal hygiene items, feminine supplies
Plan
for your Pet
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Shot records for pet(s)
• A carrier for each pet
• Manual can opener for food
• Local maps
• Cell phone, chargers, inverter or solar
• Cash
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies and identification
Persons with Disabilities
Inventory what you use every day to live independently. Identify the essential items you will need for at least three days. Stock custom essentials in your kit like:
• Durable medical equipment
• Assistive technology
• List of medications Contact information for doctors
• Have a method to communicate your impairments and needs
Andrea Barry
Chantal
Dexter Erin
Fernand
Gabrielle
Humberto
Imelda Jerry Karen Lorenzo
Melissa Nestor
Olga Pablo Rebekah
Sebastien
Tanya Van Wendy
How are they named?
BY CHRIS BONANNO
So just how are tropical storms and hurricanes named?
Tropical cyclone names are rotated in six-year increments by the World Meteorological Organization, which maintains and updates the list, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Most of these names were last utilized during the 2019 season.
As part of the cyclical process, names are retired, or taken out of use, when a storm is “so deadly or costly that the future use of its name on a different storm would be inappropriate for obvious reasons of sensitivity,” according to the National Hurricane Center.
To that end, Dexter is a new name on this year’s list. Dexter is a replacement name for Dorian, which made landfall as a Category 5 hurricane in The Bahamas in 2019 and brought some impacts to Brevard County.
Three names from last season —
Beryl, Helene and Milton were retired by the WMO, according to the NHC. Helene and Milton both made landfall in Florida, while Beryl became a Category 5 hurricane in the Caribbean before making landfall in Texas as a Category 1 hurricane in July.
Should the number of named storms exceed the number of names for the season, names for those storms would be drawn from a supplemental list.
Those names that would be used, in order, are: Adria, Braylen, Caridad, Deshawn, Emery, Foster, Gemma, Heath, Isla, Jacobus, Kenzie, Lucio, Makayla, Nolan, Orlanda, Pax, Ronin, Sophie, Tayshaun, Viviana and Will. Previously, storms in this scenario were named after letters in the Greek Alphabet but a supplemental list began to be put into use in the Atlantic in 2021, according to the WMO.
The reasoning for the change was the impracticality of retiring a letter in the Greek alphabet should the need arise.
FPL announces planned upgrades for stronger, smarter grid
Residents and business owners are always concerned whether they will lose power during a storm or hurricane and, if they do, how long will it take to restore it.
Florida Power and Light has improved preventive and restoration in place.
FPL’s smart trimming technology is part of the company’s ongoing investments to fortify the energy grid to make it stronger and more storm resilient.
In 2025, FPL plans to make the following upgrades in Brevard County as part of its ongoing commitment to reduce outages and restore power faster following major storms:
• Storm Secure Underground Program (SSUP) projects include replacing overhead neighborhood power lines with more resilient underground lines.
• Essentially all structures in Brevard County that support main power lines have been hardened with reinforced wood, steel or concrete, or underground.
• More than 1,230 miles of power lines will undergo inspection or vegetation trimming — addressing one of the leading causes of power outages.
• As many as 14,705 power poles in Brevard County will be inspected, strengthening or replacing those that no longer meet FPL’s industry-leading standards.
FPL continuously pioneers new technology and strengthens the energy grid to improve reliability
for its customers, avoiding outages during good weather and bad, including:
• More than 2.7 million customer interruptions were avoided in 2024 due to selfhealing smart grid technology.
• As many as 227,000 intelligent devices were installed across the FPL grid to detect potential issues.
• More than 3,000 projects have been completed to underground neighborhood lines since 2019.
• 82% of FPL’s main power lines have been hardened or placed underground systemwide to improve resilience against storms.
• 96% of transmission structures are now steel or concrete, replacing wooden transmission structures with new ones.
• State-of-the-art technology is being used to detect, maintain and limit the impact of trees and debris that come into contact with FPL equipment.
“Our dedicated team is committed to providing customers in Brevard County with safe and reliable electric service while keeping bills as low as possible,’’ said Michele Murrell, the local external affairs manager for FPL. “Although no energy grid is storm proof, these upgrades have improved service reliability by more than 40% in the past two decades, enhancing reliability dayto-day and during hurricanes and severe weather for our customers.’’
Forecast calls for slightly above-average activity
BY CHRIS BONANNO
The 2025 Atlantic basin hurricane season is projected to have a slightly above-average number of storms, according to a forecast from Colorado State University’s hurricane researchers.
The team, which annually puts out one of the more prominent forecasts for each season, is projecting 17 named storms to form in the Atlantic basin during this season. The season begins June 1 and lasts until Nov. 30.
Additionally, CSU is forecasting nine hurricanes with four of those reaching major hurricane status, meaning that they become a Category 3, 4 or 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph or greater.
An average season has 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes according to Phil Klotzbach, a senior research scientist for the Department of Atmospheric Science in CSU’s Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering.
Klotzbach cited two reasons why a slightlyabove normal forecast was made.
“One, we don’t anticipate El Nino, this summer and fall,” Klotzbach said. “El Nino is warmer than normal water in the central and eastern tropical
Pacific. Why that matters for the Atlantic is when you have an El Nino it tends to increase what we call vertical wind shear, which is a change in wind speed and direction with height in the atmosphere. Too much shear tears apart hurricanes so we don’t anticipate El Nino, so consequently we think the shear is going to be probably near average, maybe even a little bit below average.”
Klotzbach also drew a comparison with water temperatures in the Atlantic relative to 2024.
“In the Atlantic, fortunately we’re not as warm this year in the middle part of May as we were last year at this time, which is good news,” Klotzbach said. “But it’s still a little bit warmer than normal, especially in the Caribbean, parts of the eastern Atlantic. So, we do think that the relatively warm Atlantic would also be something that would favor a somewhat above normal season, but again not up to what we saw last year when we had 11 hurricanes.”
The forecast also calls for a 51 percent chance of a major hurricane making landfall in the U.S. as compared to the average of a 43 percent chance from 1880 to 2020 and a 26 percent chance of a major landfall on the U.S. east coast, including the peninsula of Florida as compared to the 21 percent average from 1880 to 2020.
Florida has a 92 percent chance of having a named storm within 50 miles, a 65 percent
chance of seeing a hurricane within 65 miles and a 35 percent chance of a major hurricane within 50 miles. Those compare to climatological averages of 86 percent, 56 percent and 29 percent, respectively.
“The way we do these, is we calculate the historical probabilities based upon long-term rates of landfall and impacts and then we basically adjust based on our forecast. So they’re a little bit above normal this year because we are forecasting a little bit above-normal season,” Klotzbach said.
The forecast, which was initially made April 3 and is one the of most prominent made annually regarding the Atlantic hurricane season, will be updated on June 11, July 9 and Aug. 6, according to CSU.
“We have a variety of different models that we use based on historical data as well as projections, projections for various models,” Klotzbach said. “We also use analogs, which is going back in the past and looking for years in the past that conditions similar to what we currently see and what we expect to see from the peak of the season. We do use analogs to kind of try to give us an idea of other years in the past that behaved similarly to what we think the way 2025 is going to behave. SL
Zeigler fulfills handball goal with national doubles title
BY JEFF NAVIN
Dale Zeigler likes to compare his rise in the world of handball to the old tortoise and the hare story. Slow and steady can always prevail in the end.
Back in March, Zeigler, a Viera resident for the past 25 years, teamed up with Karl Lady of Vero Beach to win the United States Handball Association’s 3-Wall National Masters Doubles Championship in the Platinum Masters (80 and older) category. The duo defeated Dennis Uffer and Denny Fehr in Palm City.
It capped off a prestigious lifetime double for Zeigler, who won the USHA’s singles title in 2021 when he defeated the legendary Norm Young 21-20, 21-17.
“One of the things that helped me in that (singles) match was playing outside all the time during Covid,’’ said Zeigler, a native of Joliet, Illinois, who has lived in Brevard County since 1979. “That match was played outside and this doubles championship was played outside, too.’’
During the pandemic, Zeigler was diagnosed with coronary artery disease. Four hospital stays and nearly having his left leg amputated was a wake-up call for Zeigler, who will turn 86 in November.
“The stents have done the job,’’ said Zeigler, who worked in contracts for NASA’s shuttle program during his working years. “I still have the (coronary) disease. Stretching is so important before you play.’’
The 83-year-old Lady and Zeigler complement each other well on the court.
“Karl is a snowbird who lives in Vero Beach,’’ said Zeigler, who celebrated his 62nd wedding anniversary with his wife Marge on May 4. “He comes up to Viera twice a week with another guy to play with us. He’s in extremely good shape with no physical issues. He’s extremely mobile and a little stronger player than I am because of his mobility.’’
Zeigler, who also is an avid golfer,
hopes to promote exercise through his success on the handball court.
“I really wasn’t a decent handball player until the age of 60,’’ said Zeigler, who has three children, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. “Handball is a difficult game to master. I had friends that were a lot better than me. I was just determined to get better. My biggest drive might have been the exercise, and it’s a relatively inexpensive sport.’’
Zeigler’s perfect day in retirement was playing 18 holes of golf in the morning at either the Savannahs on Merritt Island, at Baytree National Golf Links or at Admiralty (Turtle Creek) and moving on to the handball court sometime after lunch.
“Handball is similar to golf in that you’re always attempting to get better and you have to use both hands,’’ said Zeigler, who is battling macular degeneration in his eyes. “Both are
challenging and that’s what I like.’’ Being a spokesman for exercise is important to Zeigler.
“I want everyone to just stay active,’’ Zeigler said. “Seventy percent of people do not exercise regularly and that’s not good. Obviously, some just can’t. If you wait until you feel like doing it, you’ll never do it. The best medicine for anti-aging is exercise. You want to play something that’s enjoyable.’’ SL
Real ID now required to fly, access federal property
BY LINDA JUMP
The real ID Act following the 9/11 attacks finally went into effect May 7, requiring domestic fliers to have specific drivers licenses with gold stars in the upper right corner.
Brevard County Tax Collector Lisa Cullen said her office has issued the revised licenses and state identification cards for nondrivers and children since 2010. In addition to requiring stricter documentation, the new design nearly doubles fraud protection measures with redundant data, tactile security features, ultraviolet (UV) ink and optically variable features.
“We’re still getting a few stragglers to get the new ID and there was an uptick in people coming in. We live in a mobile society,” she said.
Her office has issued 589,476 Real ID licenses and identification cards. In Florida, more than 20.3 million have been issued, making
the state 99.24 percent compliant, said Vanessa Skyrmes, the tax office spokesperson.
Specified forms of identification are required such as proof of date of birth, legal residency and Social Security number. The list is long and can be accessed at flhsmv.gov/ driver-licenses-id-cards/real-id/
Customers who aren’t compliant cannot renew or replace their license online, but must bring documentation in person. Drivers cannot hold both types of licenses at the same time.
Beginning May 7, the upgraded license is needed for commercial airline passengers or to access military bases or federal facilities.
The Real ID Act became effective nationwide in 2008 following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks when four commercial planes were highjacked in an al-Qaeda-linked murder-suicide attack that killed nearly 3,000.
“Florida had issued the licenses that allowed the men to board
those planes,” Cullen said. “While nothing is 100 percent safe, this should prevent some people who shouldn’t have a license from getting one.”
She encourages those without the exact required documentation to make an appointment at her office.
“Let us help you walk through the process. There are exceptions,” Cullen said.
She said, for example, one man came in who needed a birth certificate from another state and it was going to take six weeks.
“We found out he was an honorably discharged veteran and could use a combination of other documents.” She said for some senior citizens, their sole birth record is in a family Bible.
Betsy Bourdon of Melbourne flew from Orlando to her winter home in Middlebury, Vermont after May 7, and made sure her license was compliant.
“We had to go into Canada, and
and her office have issued almost 590,000 Real ID Licenses and identification cards.
made sure we were OK then,” she said. She feels safer, knowing that all the passengers have documented identification. SL
SENIOR LIFE
Courtesy of Lisa Cullen Brevard County Tax Collector Lisa Cullen
SENIOR LIFE Matt Clark
Viera resident Dale Zeigler teamed up with Karl Lady to win the United States Handball Association’s 3-Wall National Masters Doubles Championship in the Platinum Masters (80 and older) category.
History – Then and Now features Space Coast landmarks or sites in pictures and what those same areas look like today in photographs.
History — Then and Now
Then 2002
White, Kramer honored with Resolutions of Recognition for Older Americans Month
In May, the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners honored Jeanette White of Aging Matters in Brevard, a board member, for her work in encouraging seniors to exercise on a regular basis.
White, the founder and instructor for We Stick Together, which uses sticks during its various forms of exercise, was recognized during National Older Americans Month with a Resolution of Recognition. Don Kramer, the CEO and founder of One Senior Place, also was honored with a Resolution of Recognition for Older Americans Month for his company’s services for the aging residents of Brevard County.
Your to-do list? Consider it done. With maintenancefree apartment homes, chef-inspired dining, weekly housekeeping, and everyday conveniences all thoughtfully handled, you’re free to seize the day! From energizing fitness classes and hands-on workshops to lively happy hours and game nights with new friends—the possibilities are endless, and every moment is yours to enjoy.
SENIOR LIFE Jill Blue
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of We Stick Together
The Brevard County Board of County Commissioners issued Resolutions of Recognition for their dedication to seniors in Brevard County during May’s National Older Americans Month.
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of The Viera Company
An oak tree, estimated to have been 50 to 100 years old, was moved from an A. Duda and Sons ranch and planted in the center of the Viera Roundabout.
SENIOR LIFE Matt Clark
The mature oak tree is a distinguishing feature that sits in the center of the Viera Roundabout. It is decorated with lights during the year-end holidays.
STORM READY?
• Hurricane Preparedness Stations
• Speak with Emergency Responders
• Vendors • Educational Displays
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
Women’s church groups share in faith, fellowship and fitness
BY BETTY PORTER
Women are making strides to keep fit and keep the faith as local churches sponsor women’s walking groups.
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community of Viera has upward of 20 women who call themselves The Godly Girls who meet for early mass and then gather in the Church’s Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes at 8 a.m. to pray and then begin their one- to four-mile walk each Tuesday and Thursday.
For those who work, another opportunity is provided to walk every Wednesday evening. They also meet to pray and then take off walking at 7 p.m. from the church at 5655 Stadium Parkway in Viera.
“We track our steps, enjoy our conversations while walking and there’s no drama,” said Anjanette Wicks, who is the organizer of The Godly Girls.
Wicks has been a member of the church for 18 years and for 12 years taught Sunday school for second and third graders. She is involved in many of the ministries of the church.
“This is our third year of walking and we do it all outdoors all year round,” Wicks said. “In the heat of summer, we are blessed to have shade from nearby oak trees to keep us going along a portion of the way.”
Vickie Hall of Viera said, “I love this church and these women. Walking with them is so inspiring and gives such comfort.”
Sylvia Granger of Melbourne said, “I am a member of the church and participate in all three
walking opportunities — Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. These women are like family to me.”
Church member Maria Helene Gentile of Indialantic is a home loan officer at Bank of America’s Suntree branch. On Wednesday evenings, she makes a quick change at the office into her walking outfit to participate with The Godly Girls.
“The Blessed Mother and Jesus saved my life and I am here as a testament to the Lord. I hope to let other women know we are
stronger than we think.”
Before the ladies set off on their walks, they gather as a group at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, which offers a peaceful oasis. This is where they pray the Lord’s Prayer together.
The women walkers of First Christian Church of Cocoa Beach, who use the slogan “Walking in His Way,” have headed indoors to the Merritt Square Mall for the summer.
They had been walking from the church at 470 S. Brevard Ave. in Cocoa Beach, now meet at 9:30 a.m. every Wednesday at the food court entrance of the mall.
The group is of all ages and includes mothers of young children who push their baby strollers
“We walk a little over two miles in the air conditioned comfort of the mall,” said Pam Bush, the walking group organizer. “The motivation, I think, is friendship. We are a wide range of ages. We come from different economic, life experiences and we enjoy each
“In today’s world, it is hard to find women to be friends with. We
are supportive of each other,” said Bush, a resident of Merritt Island.
Norma Thomas, who has been a member of the First Christian Church of Cocoa Beach for 28 years, and Michelle Pace, a member for three years, both are residents of Cocoa Beach. They both say they look forward to the group walks each week. They, along with the other women walkers, often wear T-shirts, including some that say “Love God, Love Others, Make a Difference.”
Emi Rothschiller and her 2-yearold son Foster make the trip to Merritt Island from their home in Rockledge every Wednesday morning to be a part of the group of walkers.
“These ladies have become family to me,” she said.
Merritt Island resident Kaitlyn Thomas said her 2-year-old daughter Leila always offers up the biggest smile when they get to the mall to join the group.
“The purpose of being here is for fellowship, socialization and to become better people in God. We are supporters of each other,” she said.
SENIOR LIFE Matt Clark
Several women from First Christian Church of Cocoa Beach have moved their weekly walk to the Merritt Square Mall for the summer.
SENIOR LIFE Matt Clark
The Godly Girls of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community of Viera love their regular walks.
HelloJune
SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Totes Against TraffickingDesigner Purse Bingo
2 - 5 p.m.
Event by Called Out.
Moose Lodge 3150 N. Courtenay Pkwy. Merritt Island 321-452-9061
Central Florida Winds Concert Americana
3 p.m.
Suntree United Church 7400 N. Wickham Road Suntree, 321-405-2359
Dietician Series: Hot Topics
1 - 2 p.m.
Susie Bond, RDN, LDN covers various topics on diet and nutrition.
One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771
Chair Yoga with Pam
12:15 - 1:15 p.m.
Cape Canaveral Library 201 Polk Ave. Cape Canaveral 321-868-1101
Car Show Nights
5 - 8 p.m.
Music, food and a car show.
Calvary Chapel 2955 Minton Road Melbourne 321-952-9673
Corn Hole
11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Palm Bay Senior Center 1275 Culver Drive NE Palm Bay 321-724-1338
Sit-n-Stitch Group
1 - 3 p.m.
Embroidery, knitting, crochet group.
Suntree/Viera Library 902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 321-255-4404
Senior Fitness with Polly 1 - 2 p.m. Bring weights and water.
Cocoa Beach Library
550 N. Brevard Ave. Cocoa Beach 321-868-1104
Brevard Authors Critique Group
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Suntree/Viera Library 902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 321-255-4404
Cards with Ree 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. Learn how to make handmade cards.
Eau Gallie Library 1521 Pineapple Ave. Melbourne 321-961-2350
National Bartender Day
Summer Concert Series
3 - 4 p.m.
Tres Mangosos Trio
Cocoa Beach Library 550 N. Brevard Ave. Cocoa Beach 321-868-1104
St. Mary Catholic School Golf Tournament 8 a.m.
Rockledge Country Club 1591 S. Fiske Blvd. Rockledge 321-636-4208
1 - 2 p.m. Learn a variety of techniques for preparing a special meal. Cocoa Beach Library 550 N. Brevard Ave. Cocoa Beach 321-868-1104
Shark in the Park 5K 7:30 - 10 a.m. Gleason Park 1233 Yacht Club Blvd. Indian Harbour Beach runsignup.com
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
“Broadway Movies and Musicals”
3 p.m. A concert presented by the Community Band of Brevard. Merritt Island High School 100 Mustang Way Merritt Island 321-338-6210
Movie Matinee: “Hidden Figures” 1 - 3:30 p.m.
Satellite Beach Library 751 Jamaica Blvd. Satellite Beach 321-779-4004
A.W.A.K.E. Sleep Support 6 - 7:30 p.m. Conference Room 5005 Port St. John Parkway Port S. John 321-268-6408
Medicare 101 with Lynda 4 - 5:30 p.m.
Suntree/Viera Library 902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 321-255-4404
Parkinson’s Support Group
11:15 - 12:15 p.m.
Parrish Health & Wellness Center 3065 Columbia Blvd. Suite C-104 Titusville, 321-345-1031
Music of the Wild West 7 p.m. Presented by the Melbourne Community Orchestra Melbourne Auditorium 625 Hibiscus Blvd. Melbourne 321-285-6724
Line Dancing Fun 5:30 - 7 p.m. Palm Bay Senior Center 1275 Culver Drive NE Palm Bay, 321-724-1338
Movie Matinee: “A League of Their Own” 2 - 4 p.m. Presented by Rhodes Law, P.A. One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771
Caring for Caregivers Support Group 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Heritage Hall 931 N. Washington Ave. Titusville, 321-268-6800
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Lunch & Learn 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Protecting and preparing yourself and loved ones. Speakers include Dana Blickley and Rachel Sadoff. Registration required. Sonata East 4206 Breslay Drive Viera, 321-209-5474
12th annual Father’s Day Car Show 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Our Saviour Catholic School 5301 N. Atlantic Ave. Cocoa Beach 321-480-6087
BSO Summer Evenings Series 7 p.m. Suntree United 7400 N. Wickham Road Suntree, 321-345-5052
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Chess Club
1 - 4 p.m.
Chess lessons and competition. Cocoa Library
308 Forrest Ave.
Sunset in the Hollows
6 - 8 p.m.
Hundred Acre Hollows 1170 Rock Spring Drive Suntree hundredacrehollows.org
Music Bingo
6 - 7 p.m.
Bingo to the beat of hits from the 1970s.
Titusville Public Library 2121 S. Hopkins Ave. Titusville, 321-264-5026
Bone Builders
9:30 - 11 a.m. Cocoa Library 308 Forrest Ave. Cocoa, 321-806-3760
Senior Safety Day 9:30 - 11:45 a.m. Palm Bay Senior Center 1275 Culver Drive NE Palm Bay, 321-724-1338
Medicaid Planning Seminar
10 - 11 a.m. Presented by Attorney William A. Johnson. One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771
Florida’s East Coast
Sea Glass Club 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Discuss and compare pieces. Melbourne Beach Library 324 Ocean Ave. Melbourne Beach 321-953-5642
Flight Club: Drone Club for Adults 1 - 2 p.m. Cocoa Beach Library 550 N. Brevard Ave. Cocoa Beach 321-868-1104
Art Class
9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Palm Bay Senior Center 1275 Culver Drive NE Palm Bay, 321-724-1338
Domino Girls 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Learn and play dominos.
Melbourne Beach Library 324 Ocean Ave. Melbourne Beach 321-953-5642
In the Mood: A Glenn Miller Celebration 7 p.m.
Presented by the Space Coast Symphony Jazz Orchestra. Scott Center at Holy Trinity 5625 Holy Trinity Drive Suntree, 855-252-7276
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Space Coast Car and Motorcycles Car Show
8 - 11 a.m.
Texas Roadhouse 1975 Viera Blvd. Viera, 201-658-2004
Tea Time Book Club
1 - 2:30 p.m. This month's discussion will be “James” by Percival Everett. Satellite Beach Library 751 Jamaica Blvd. Satellite Beach 321-779-4004
Indoor Walking
8 - 9 a.m.
DRS Center 1089 S. Patrick Drive Satellite Beach 321-773-2080
Painting with Pearl
10 a.m. - noon
A painting class. Cocoa Library 308 Forrest Ave. Cocoa, 321-806-3760
“Things with Wings” June 25 & 26
7 p.m. A concert presented by the Melbourne Municipal Band.
Melbourne Auditorium 625 E. Hibiscus Blvd. Melbourne 321-724-0555
Shredding Event 9 - 10:30 a.m. BCSO will provide free and secure document shredding in the parking lot. Limit two boxes per person.
Titusville Public Library 2121 S. Hopkins Ave. Titusville, 321-264-5026
Morning at the Museum
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Join Senior Life for a fun day. The Model T celebrates its 100th. Watch Highwaymen R.L. Lewis paint. Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science, 201 Michigan Ave. Cocoa 321-242-1235
An American Celebration 7 p.m. Presented by the Space Coast Symphony Wind Orchestra. American and patriotic music. Scott Center at Holy Trinity 5625 Holy Trinity Drive Suntree, 855-252-7276
Chef Fernando Navarrete Cooking Class
13. Eyeball 14. Voice below soprano 15. Took the bait
16. Cameo stone 17. Leaves home?
18. Intrigue 20. Darjeeling or oolong 22. Gets rid of 23. Do the Wright thing 27. Cut up
29. Pig poke
30. Muff
31. Garb
32. Kit and caboodle
33. Pain in the neck
34. French friend
35. X rating?
36. Spot broadcast, often
37. Estimate
39. Squeezers
40. Additionally
41. Clear
44. He and she
47. Dash
49. Flutter
50. Theta-kappa go-between
51. Catch one’s breath
52. Gentle sound
53. Down with something
54. Poses
55. Glade shade
DOWN
1. Goes on and on
2. Huge 3. Apathetic
4. Rocketed
5. Infamous 1972 hurricane
6. Carry on
7. Navigation aid
8. Island west of Maui 9. Brewed drink
10. time” 11. “As if!” 19. They’re broken up
21. Zsa Zsa’s sister
24. Earth’s envelope
25. Disney World transport
26. Proof word
27. Lead
28. Main Web page
29. It comes with a charge
32. Providers of loans
33. Apothecary’s weight
35. Heap
36. Sharp tips
38. Paddling craft
39. Wild party
42. Teen fave
43. Curse
44. Poetic contraction
45. polloi
46. List ender
48. Floral ring
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.
Brevard County committed to helping protect seniors against scams
Everyone has a right to safety and justice. However, it is estimated that millions of older adults from all walks of life encounter harmful scams every year. These scams can come in various forms, such as fraudulent phone calls, emails or even in-person interactions.
It’s essential for older adults to be vigilant and informed about common scam tactics to protect themselves.
The Brevard Commission on Aging and several local community organizations will be hosting a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day — WEAAD — event to raise awareness about protecting and preparing ourselves and our loved ones from senior scams.
Join us from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, June 13 at Sonata East at Viera at 1406 Breslay Drive in Viera for a free lunch and learn event.
Special guest speakers Rachel M. Sadoff, the Brevard County Clerk of Court and Comptroller, and Dana Blickley, Brevard County’s Property Appraiser, will provide information on protecting yourself and your loved ones from financial exploitation.
Presenters will focus on internet/ telephone scams, legal documents that protect us from being scammed and benefits for those older than 65 years old.
Entrance and parking are complimentary. Sonata East at Viera will cater lunch. Reservations are essential as space is limited. RSVP by calling or texting 321-209-5474.
WEAAD acts as a call-toaction for our communities to promote awareness regarding the mistreatment, neglect and exploitation of seniors, as well as to reaffirm our nation’s dedication to justice for everyone.
Elder abuse is a prevalent issue, with approximately one in every 10 older Americans falling victim to abuse, neglect or exploitation each year. It is believed that elder abuse is vastly underreported, with research indicating that only about one in 14 cases are brought to the authorities’ attention.
When united, we have the power to stop elder mistreatment. By establishing support services and channeling community resources
to tackle elder abuse, we can both prevent and address this problem. Enhancing our social support system through policies, services and programs can help us stay connected within our communities as we grow older.
Remember, everyone deserves to feel safe and secure in their daily lives.
For more information, visit eldermistreatment.usc.edu
To report abuse by phone, call the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-9622873). Press 2 to report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable adult. This toll free number is available 24/7. TTY (Telephone Device for the Deaf): 1-800-955-8771. To report via fax, print and complete the DCF fax reporting form with details and fax to 1-800-914-0004. SL
Save more. Earn more. Access your funds when you need them—without penalties. Direct deposit is available sooner with Early Payday.²
Have the flexibility to use your money to pay your bills, write checks and use a debit card.
Dana Blickley
Rachel M. Sadoff
NORTH BREVARD
North Brevard seniors help support Pregnancy Care Center at BETA
BY FLORA REIGADA
The North Brevard Senior Center recently opened its doors to host a Bingo Night for BETA fundraiser to assist the Pregnancy Care Center at BETA.
“We had more players than we expected,” said Linda Trawle, the operations manager.
Ninety-nine people turned out for the event, both from the Senior Center and the community.
Soon the hall was resounding with bingo numbers announced over a microphone and excited calls of “Bingo.”
“Everyone had a great time and were thrilled to support a good cause,” she said.
The Pregnancy Care Center at BETA (Birth, Education, Training, Acceptance) provides free and confidential services, such as pregnancy and STI tests, ultrasounds, prenatal care and well-woman exams. It also provides resources and referrals to local organizations.
“It is a gem of a resource for expectant moms,” said Dr. Sarah Koehnemann, the president of the
center’s board and a volunteer with its fundraising committee.
The center provides additional support.
“From confirmation of pregnancy, through the baby’s first birthday, we provide education and other resources to help with transition,” she said.
These include parenting classes for moms and dads, breast-feeding classes, as well as providing everyday items, such as diapers, wipes, clothes, formula, car seats and pack and play, which is similar to a playpen.
When diapers run low, area
churches help fill the need.
“The fundraiser was a roaring success and we are looking forward to possibly doing it annually,” said Paulette Amara, the assistant operations manager at the North Brevard Senior Center.
With BETA’s facility too small to meet its needs, proceeds will be applied toward a building fund.
The Pregnancy Care Center at
Be aware of your vision changes, diligent about eye care
What eye disease do you have? The older we get the more likely we will have contact with an eye doctor. During the nightly TV news, we are exposed to remedies for eye problems. During our annual eye exam, we may learn of unexpected challenges. Eye concerns connected with other diseases, such as diabetes, trigger a variety of disabling problems.
Recently, I was concerned when I read about the Fuchs’ dystrophy. Did I have it? My eyes seemed cloudy and I had some discomfort.
Once you are in the eye world, you find an oculist, optician, optometrist (primary care) and specialists including the ophthalmologists with cataract, glaucoma and vitreoretinal disease surgery practices. How about the eye exams at the various big box stores and eyeglass sellers. How many of you get a pack of five pairs of eyeglasses at Sam’s? Remember, your eyes are priceless life tools.
Now that you have accepted the challenge of getting quality eye care, make notes at your eye exam and consultation. Ask questions. Do you know what is macula, edema, retina, laser, minimally invasive, PDR or VEGF? Know what will happen during and after a procedure.
Another challenge is payment. Every medical insurance policy is different. Check yours before you make a visit. Call the provider’s office or insurance company in advance of your
Challenges of Living to Age 100
Ed Baranowski
appointment. I’ve noticed people at the reception desk pulling out cash, debit and credit cards or a paper check to make the co-payment.
Are you having problems with night driving, mobility concerns, black spots in your vision, shadows and strange shapes and color differentiation issues? Don’t wait. Prevention with eye care will pay dividends in the health of the other parts of your body as well as your vision. Keep a record of changes in vision and share with your eye care specialist.
When you visit the eye care specialist, be prepared to complete a health history, vision concerns, medications list and symptoms. Some clinics provide an iPad to furnish your medical history. Hope it is userfriendly. It’s a challenge to get medical information transferred from one portal to another. It’s up to you to see or not to see.
Ed Baranowski is an award-winning writer, artist, speaker, and seminar leader. He lives in Melbourne, Florida and can be contacted at fast75sr@ gmail.com SL
BETA is at 1015 Garden Street in Titusville. For additional information, call 321-264-0446 or email questions to pccbeta@gmail.com SL
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of the Pregnancy Care Center at Beta Volunteers help make fundraising events such as Bingo Night for BETA possible.
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of Linda Trawle Nearly 100 people came out to the North Brevard Senior Center for its Bingo Night for BETA fundraiser.
Market Square Market Square Market Square
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Employment • Rentals • And More Call today 321-242-1235 Deadline is the 15th of the month
DOCUMENT SERVICES
Prestige Document Services Divorce, Bankruptcy, Estate Planning and much more.
All case types prepared at the guaranteed lowest rate. Call or text 321-266-1299
DRAMATIC CHANGES IN YOUR KITCHEN
Tired of white boring kitchen cabinets? Let me paint them for a brand new look. Free Estimates, Central Brevard Only, Videos upon request.
Call or email Bill 321-412-1900 williamfmeyeresq@gmail.com
1931 Ford Model A
