It’s EXPO time! Boomer Bash SeniorFest More than an Expo, an Experience,
See page 3
Beyond the Beat
Volume 30 Issue 5
myseniorlife.com
October 2026
‘ Magic Man’ page 16
page 5
Tom Wilke knows its all about the details when restoring historic aircraft. Page 4
Enchanted Forest Sanctuary in Titusville is ready for another fun-filled Harvest Festival. Page 3
Suntree Internal Medicine
Take a trip and feel like Alice in Wonderland at the Teapot Café in Delray Beach. Page 12
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Same-day appointments and accessible primary care for Brevard’s seniors
CARE DESIGNED AROUND YOU • Annual wellness and routine visits • Chronic condition management • On-site ultrasound and diagnostic testing • Two convenient Brevard locations
SUNTREE — 6619 N. Wickham Road - 7 days a week VIERA — 6156 Breslay Drive - Monday to Friday
MEDICARE PATIENTS WELCOME (321) 259-9500 Weekdays 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Weekends 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Schedule online: suntreeinternalmedicine.com Most major insurance plans accepted - please call to verify
E ditor
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
FROM THE
October 2026 4 10 - 11 12 16, 26 20-21 22 24, 25 25 27
Enjoy endless summer weather, stay vigilant of hurricanes
HOBBIES & PASSIONS STRIPES/VETERANS TIME TO TRAVEL COLUMNISTS HEALTH & WELLNESS CALENDAR PUZZLES THIS OLD CHURCH CLASSIC RIDES
COUPONS & DISCOUNTS Palm Shores Bistro Truman Scarborough William A. Johnson Alura Senior Living Rhodes Law
pg. 2 Peter Indorf Jewelry pg. 3 Same Day Grab Bars pg. 4 Mr. Delicious Pizza pg. 6 Viola Antiques pg. 17 Artistic Closets
Volume 30, Issue 5
©Senior Life of Florida 7350 Shoppes Drive, Suite 102 Viera, FL 32940 321-242-1235 myseniorlife.com Jill@bluewatercreativegroup.com
pg. 20 pg. 20 pg. 27 pg. 27 pg. 28
©2026 Bluewater Creative Group, Inc. All rights reserved EXPO time Volume 30 Issue 4
page 14
myseniorlife.com
R. Norman Moody norm@myseniorlife.com
September 2026
Volunteers help create miracles
Publisher Jill Blue Editor R. Norman Moody Office Manager Sylvia Montes Copy Editors Hillard Grossman Jeff Navin
SPACE COAST RESOURCE MAGAZINE
Feature Writers Ed Baranowski Chris Bonanno Debra Bryant Ernie Dorling Mike Gaffey Randal C. Hill Linda Jump Lillian Nguyen Betty Porter Flora Reigada
Senior Life
20 th Anniversary issue
Sept. 11, 2001
The day America changed forever
myseniorlife.com BY ERNIE DORLING
SENIOR LIFE Jill Blue
Karen Garrett-Kraus gives Blondie a well-deserved hug at Harmony Farms. BY LINDA JUMP
For decades, Karen Garrett-Kraus of Viera has volunteered to care for the therapeutic horses at Harmony Farms. “The thing that keeps bringing me back are the many miracles I see,” she said. Garrett-Kraus volunteers at the Cocoa nonprofit that provides 60 riders of all ages with horseback rides to treat their physical, cognitive and emotional conditions. Those with depression, anxiety, PTSD and trauma have improved movement, muscle tone and strength, flexibility and balance. For some riders, it’s the first time
On the clear, crisp morning of Sept. 11, 2001, Americans began their day expecting nothing more than ordinary routines. Within hours, the nation would witness the deadliest terrorist attack in its history. At 8:46 a.m., a hijacked commercial airliner slammed into the North Tower of New York City’s World Trade Center. Seventeen minutes later, a second aircraft struck the South Tower, confirming the country was under attack. A third plane then crashed into the Pentagon near Washington, D.C. A fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed into a Pennsylvania field. Passengers, in an act of collective defiance and preemptive sacrifice acted quickly after hearing Todd Beamer yell, “Let’s roll!” The passengers fought back against the
hijackers, preventing another likely strike on the nation’s capital. Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives that day, including office workers, airline passengers, police officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel who rushed into danger to save others. The attacks transformed the United States in ways still felt today. Airport security was dramatically strengthened, leading to the creation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The nation launched the War on Terror, sending American troops into Afghanistan and later Iraq. Intelligence agencies expanded cooperation, and homeland security became a permanent priority.
Contact Senior Life through email or mail by the 10th of the month regarding upcoming community-oriented events 259-9500 . VOLUNTEERS Continued on page 3
Stay Active Stay Curious Go Anywhere
Valuable
2026 EDITION • N0. 20
Explore more
Walk Hike Roam
RESOURCES Sports & Activities
Veterans Resources Hotlines & Helplines Clubs & Meetings Support Groups Senior Living
Life’s more fun after
50 Navigating the deep blue
The free 2026 Boomer Guide
Find everything you need to live your WAY on the Space Coast, from clubs to activities, to health care and recreation, and the best places to live, play and thrive. For a pick-up location near you, call 321-242-1235.
REMEMBERING 9/11
Continued on page 6
State-of-the-art Medical Facility • Everything under one roof conveniently located on Wickham Road in Suntree Medicare Patients Welcome
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Design/Photography Jorjann Blake
The calendar and the subtle change to shorter daylight indicate that summer 2026 has bowed out, but the heat and the afternoon rains tell otherwise. I believe that for most of the year in Central Florida, summer seems endless and with it there is a lot to do outdoors if you don’t mind a little heat. However, it also means that hurricane season is far from over and we still need to be vigilant even though weather phenomenon El Niño this year has so far helped to keep the storms away from out coastline. Since our hurricane feature stories and tips in the August edition of Senior Life, we pledged to bring you other hurricane tips and reminders that the season is not over until the end of November. Check out the hurricane story in this edition. You can be careful, watch weather reports and be vigilant of tropical weather and enjoy what I call our extended Florida summer weather. Ever wonder what it takes to get a vintage aircraft restored. Volunteers at Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum in Titusville spend countless hours working on vintage planes, often manufacturing the parts they need for the restoration. Restoration could take up to three years to get one flying again or for display. The museum displays dozens of military aircraft and memorabilia. Did you know that tucked on a side street just off Eau Gallie Boulevard and U.S. 1 is the Italian American Club. We will tell you about the events, the food and the exciting things that happen there. And it is open to all. The fun and excitement are coming back in the 29th annual Puerto Rican Day Parade in Palm Bay. It is followed by an fascinating festival. We found out and had to tell you about the group of veterans, about 30 of them, who get together once a week for the camaraderie, conversation and a meal. These men and women simply meet informally without and agenda. We always have stories about the veterans in our community, including spotlighting at least one in every issue of Senior Life. There is so much more in this edition. Some of our best story ideas come from readers like you. Let us continue to hear from you. SL
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Ami A. Bhatt, M.D. Board Certified Family Medicine
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2026 EDITION • N0. 20
Explore more
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RESOURCES Sports & Activities
Veterans Resources Hotlines & Helplines Clubs & Meetings Support Groups Senior Living
Life’s more fun after
50 Navigating the deep blue
The Boomer Guide is an outstanding resource for Brevard. Grab yours today.
Senior Life of Florida is published on the first of each month. The entire contents of this newspaper are copyrighted by Senior Life of Florida with all rights reserved. Senior Life of Florida is not liable for errors or omissions in editorial, advertorial or advertising materials. Distribution of this newspaper does not constitute an endorsement of products or services herein. Reproduction or use, without permission, of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited.
2
SENIOR LIFE • OCTOBER 2026
myseniorlife.com
Fun, exciting Route 7 set as venue for Boomer Bash SeniorFest BY LILLIAN NGUYEN As you step inside the world of Route 7 Karting & Entertainment, you’re greeted by an unforgettable atmosphere — go-karts vroom past you, accompanied by cheers. This exciting place is also the venue for Boomer Bash SeniorFest, which is Senior Life’s annual expo set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6. The whole place is brimming with life as it transforms into an Expo Hall. “We chose Route 7 because we wanted this year’s Boomer Bash SeniorFest Expo to be in a fun and exciting place,” said Jill Blue, the CEO of Bluewater Creative Group and publisher of Senior Life and Viera Voice. “This is also a good central location since we have people who come from all areas of the county.” Those attending Senior Life’s Boomer Bash SeniorFest can expect fun activities, health and wellness information, local businesses and community resources, and ample opportunities to discover new ways to stay active and enjoy life to the fullest. Health First is the presenting sponsor of the expo while Cornerstone Caregiving and RISE Viera are gold sponsors. The snack sponsors are Florida Blue Medicare and Vitas Healthcare. The Salvation Army of North Central Brevard will serve lunch, which is sponsored by Devoted. “It allows us to share with the community the canteen that was paid for by a local donor,” said Neal Hagglund, the chair of the advisory board of the Salvation Army of
SENIOR LIFE Red Hat Studio, Anjanette Wicks
The free Boomer Bash SeniorFest Expo scheduled for Friday, Nov. 6 will be a fun experience at Route 7 Entertainment Center. The venue for this year’s annual Expo will transform into an Expo Hall in a unique environment. North Central Brevard. “We want the public to know that we are a part of the response when there is a disaster, whether natural or man-made.” Hagglund said that in addition, serving at the expo allows The Salvation Army to provide extra training for its volunteers to serve following disasters. Boomer Bash SeniorFest is a free annual event. For those attending the expo who want to take advantage of the fun at Route 7. There is no admission fee to Route 7. Instead,
guests only pay for the attractions and activities they wish to enjoy. The 60,000-square-foot venue is fun for all ages. Retiree Cathy Bolt-Jones has been to Route 7 multiple times. “I enjoyed the kart racing and dart games,” she said. “The staff is always helpful and check-in is pretty easy!” “It’s been a dream to bring Orlandostyle entertainment to Brevard County that all families can enjoy,” Jenna Webb, the special events sales manager at Route 7, said.
“Come for the resources, a free lunch and the entertainment of the Boomer Bash SeniorFest Expo and have the option of staying for the excitement of the attractions at Route 7,” Blue said. Route 7 Karting and Entertainment is located in Suntree/Melbourne at 1 AAR Way, just south of Suntree Boulevard and off of U.S. 1. For more information, visit boomerseniorexpo.com or call 321242-1235. SL
Annual Harvest Festival to be celebrated in Enchanted setting BY FLORA REIGADA Harvest Festival, a favorite event at The Enchanted Forest Sanctuary in Titusville, is set for Oct. 24. The Enchanted Forest Sanctuary is a 470-acre protected nature preserve with forested nature trails. It is a place where the community gathers to learn about nature and experience it through hiking on its four miles of trails (guided or independent), wildlife viewing, butterfly gardens and events such as the Harvest Festival hosted by the sanctuary. Harvest Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24. The Sanctuary is at 444 Columbia Blvd. The event is free. Children and adults may wear costumes. “We’ll have vendors, food trucks, candy, the arts, games and hands-on crafts, pumpkin painting, scarecrow making and educational activities.” It all makes for a day of familyfriendly fun. “Last year’s festival was super busy and we loved it,” said Jessi Barker, the Sanctuary’s land management specialist. “We went through a lot of good stuff, such as candy.” Teresa Nick, a naturalist at the Enchanted Forest, concurred. “It is a great event for families to enjoy. It’s our most popular and wellattended event,” she said. Creatures sometimes make
321-242-1235
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of the Enchanted Forest Sanctuary
Rebecca Byrd, a naturalist at the Enchanted Forest Sanctuary, helps visitors stuff scarecrows during the Harvest Festival. been spotted on occasion. The sanctuary offers year-round learning experiences — Music in the Forest and other festivals. An interactive education center features hands-on exhibits for people of all ages.” Anyone interested in volunteering at the Enchanted Forest Sanctuary, or wanting information about it, may call: 321-264-5185. SL surprise appearances in unexpected places. An enormous spider once spun a web on the window outside of the Sanctuary’s Education/Welcome Center. Managed by Brevard County’s Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program, the Sanctuary preserves a diversity of habitats, including oak scrub, mesic and hydric hammock, wet prairie and pine flatwoods. Many species of wildlife call it home. Among these are white-tailed deer, armadillos, various snakes and an occasional alligator, all of which are best left alone. Visitors have reported seeing wild pigs and piglets, bobcats and Florida scrub lizards. Flying squirrels have
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SENIOR LIFE • OCTOBER 2026
3
HOBBIES & PASSIONS THE 26TH FEATURE IN A SERIES ON HOBBIES & PASSIONS
Volunteers don’t just restore airplanes – they preserve history BY ERNIE DORLING For some people, restoring an old airplane is a hobby. For the volunteers at the Warbird Museum in Titusville, it is a way of preserving history. The museum’s restoration volunteers — men and women with backgrounds ranging from military aviation to aerospace engineering and manufacturing — work to restore fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft to flying condition whenever possible. When an aircraft can no longer safely take to the skies, they restore it for display so its story can be preserved for future generations. Chris Hawkmore, a 27-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, has volunteered at the museum for 6½years. “I’ve loved airplanes since I was a kid,” Hawkmore said. “My first ever date was to the Miami Air Show.” His interest in military aviation took on a more personal meaning after his first cousin, U.S. Air Force Capt. Barry K. Allmond, a Forward Air Controller, was killed in Vietnam in May 1972. Today, Hawkmore serves as a facilities officer and assists with restoration. So far this year, he has volunteered 507 hours at the museum. Richard Zaintz brings 35 years
SENIOR LIFE Jill Blue
Rich Zaintz of Viera cleans the trim of the UH-19B Chickasaw in preparation for painting
SENIOR LIFE Jill Blue
Airplane restoration hangar volunteer Larry “Picasso” Mathis preps the nose for identification numbers. No decals for these artists — everything is hand-painted. of experience working on the Space Shuttle program to the restoration effort. An aerospace engineer by trade, Zaintz volunteers in flight operations and aircraft restoration. “I get to work on planes that flew in
Do you have a passion or hobby that is extraordinary? Let us know. Call Senior Life at 321-242-1235
Normandy,” he said. “The work can be physically demanding, particularly during Florida summers.” Zaintz said the volunteers put a lot of sweat into restoring these planes, in part because there is no airconditioning in the hangar. Larry Mathis Jr., affectionately known as Picasso by his fellow
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Stop in for a free copy of our 2026 Florida Long Term Care & Nursing Home Answer Book
FloridaElderLaw.net
321-253-1667
2026 Brevar d County
Edition
The Flo Long Termrida & Nursin Care gH e Answer B om ook™
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140 Interlachen Rd., Suite B, Melbourne 4
SENIOR LIFE • OCTOBER 2026
volunteers, puts his artistic talents to work by painting many of the aircraft and parts displayed at the museum. Mathis, a 21-year Grumman veteran, also brings his machining expertise to the restoration effort. “We can restore almost anything in our machine shop,” he said. Fellow volunteer Tom Wilke helped restore an F-11 aircraft at the Warbird Museum that was later sent to the California Science Center in Los Angeles, where it now sits alongside the Space Shuttle Endeavor. “I’ve loved aviation my entire life,” Wilke said. “I built models as a kid and, now, I get to be around the real things.” Pete Jolly’s connection to aviation began as a youngster growing up near the end of World War II when he would watch B-25 bombers fly near his home. Jolly, who says he is 83 “give or take a year,” eventually joined the Air Force, became a B-52 mechanic and later worked as a jet fighter mechanic. During his career, Jolly remembers strapping several famous aviators into T-38 trainers, including actor and pilot Jimmy Stewart, test pilot Chuck Yeager and astronaut Michael Collins, who flew the command module Columbia around the moon in 1969 while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made the first crewed landing on the surface. “Pilots and astronauts had to have so many hours each month in order to maintain flight status,” Jolly said. “I’d strap them in their trainers and off they would go.” Today, Jolly volunteers two days a week at the museum, working in the machine shop and performing metalwork. David Shores, the museum’s director of marketing and public relations and a former member of the Missouri Air National Guard who worked on F-100s, said restoring aircraft is only one part of the volunteer effort. “We have a need for a lot of people to do just about every type of job imaginable,” Shores said. “This includes changing tires to moving aircraft.” For volunteers, the reward is not simply seeing an old airplane look new; it is knowing that the aircraft — and the stories of the people who flew and maintained them — will continue to be remembered. SL
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321.751.6771
8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, Florida 32940 Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 5 pm
Presented by:
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Friday, October 23 10AM - 1PM One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Rd, Viera FREE SCREENINGS
REQUIRED
MINI TALKS
LUNCH & LEARN
VENDORS & GIVEAWAYS
Free Health Thank You to Our Sponsors Screenings
Wellness Talks
10-Minutes Each | Inspiring | Useful 10:30 Heart Health - Dr. Ravi Rao, Cardiologist
Retina Scans Memory Liver
FREE Health Screenings
10:40 Fall Prevention - Next Day Access
Skin Screenings
10:50 Memory: Aging or More? - Autumn House
RetinaScreenings Scans Mental Wellness
11:00 Aging in Place - Senior Partner Care Services 11:10 Hearing & Brain Health - Viera Clear Hearing 11:20 Protect Yourself from Scams - Rhodes Law 11:30 Sponsor Spotlight 11:45 Lunch & Learn - Sexual Health & Intimacy Sponsored by:
Memory Liver Mini Eye Exam Skin Screenings Vaccines Mental Wellness Screenings Professional Shoe Sizing Mini Hearing Checks Mini Eye Exam Blood Pressure Mini Hearing Checks
Body Mass Index
Vaccines Professional Shoe Sizing Blood Pressure Spine Health Screenings Sugar Glucose Testing Pulse Testing SpO2% Oxygen Foot Health Checks
UPCOMING SEMINARS Sugar Glucose Testing Pulse Testing
SpO2% Oxygen
Friday, October 9th at 10am: SPECIALFoot EVENT Senior Job & Volunteer Fair Health-Checks Wednesday, October 14th at 12pm: Lunch & Learn “Sound & Steady: The Connection Between 8085 Spyglass Hill Rd. FL 32940 & Balance” Presented by Viera, Scott Bigler, Viera Clear Hearing Call 321.751.6771 to RSVP Hearing
Wednesday, October 21st at 10am: Stroke Support Group Facilitated by Sea Pines Rehabilitation Hospital Friday, October 30th at 2pm: SPECIAL EVENT - TRICK-OR-TREAT Local Business Edition: Trunks, Treats & Local Business Sweets!
COMING IN NOVEMBER - November 2nd - December 18th: Fundraiser Baskets for a Cause: Stop By Our Lobby to Purchase Tickets & Enter to Win! | Supporting Meals on Wheels $2 per Ticket OR $20 Head to Toe Head to Toe (However many tickets it takes to get from your head to your toes)
Save The Date - Wednesday, December 9th at 10am: Senior Holiday Breakfast
For details, stop by or see our full calendar of events on OneSeniorPlace.com 321-242-1235
SENIOR LIFE • OCTOBER 2026
5
Your New Home Awaits — But Not for Long
With only 3 Assisted Living apartments still available, now is the time to schedule your tour and secure your place.
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777 Roy Wall Blvd., Rockledge
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ALURASENIORLIVING.COM SENIOR LIFE • OCTOBER 2026
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Italian American Club — you don’t have to be Italian to live like one BY DEBRA BRYANT Famous for cooking mouthwatering cuisine; drinking the best wines; celebrating everything and engaging in passionate, expressive conversation, the Italian American Club of South Brevard will connect you to the irreverent spirit, life and vitality of all things Italian. Established in 1974, the member-owned club is committed to preserving Italian heritage and culture in a warm, welcoming atmosphere where everyone is invited. “Being a member here has brought a spirit into my life that can only be expressed in Italian, andiamo avanti (let’s move forward together),” said Nelson Palmer, the former club president and member. “The friendships I’ve formed here since I became a member in 1998 keep my wife and I actively involved and having lots of fun.” Many events are open to the public with some special events reserved for members only, and the club is available to rent for private affairs. “When you join IACSB, you’re more than a member, you’re family,” said Benedict DiFranco, the IACSB president. “As a member of our vibrant community, you’ll enjoy free Italian lessons, discounts on lunches and social events, and access to exclusive members-only gatherings. Our most spectacular celebration of the year is our Columbus Day Dinner Dance
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of IACSB
Members celebrating 20-plus years with the Italian American Club include, from left, Gianna Piombino, Mary Ann Poluzzi, Rose Veltri, Frank Mazziotti, Penning Mazziotti, Kent Bolton, Marie Bolton and Carol Giza. They enjoyed the Columbus Day Dinner Dance. coming up on Oct. 10, featuring an Italian feast with lively music and dancing. Seating is limited and the reservations fill up fast. We also host an epic Halloween Party on Oct. 31.” Bingo, bocce ball, dance nights, comedy shows, wine tastings, jazz nights, holiday parties, food truck festivals, themed events and more fill the club’s monthly calendar — and volunteers run it all. Every Thursday at noon, the club serves lunch,
featuring delectable dishes such as meat lasagna and baked chicken with linguine and lemon sauce. “I started coming to the club with my parents many years ago, and some of my favorite memories are the dinner dances,” said Tina Veltri, the club’s vice president. “I’m on the board and our goal is to get the word out to come, get involved and have a great time. From the chefs in the kitchen and servers in our dining hall to the board members and decorating committee, all our volunteers work together to ensure the club continues to grow and our members’ experiences are at the heart of everything we do.” For more information, visit iac321official.com, call 321-2428044 or stop by the club at 1471 Cypress Ave. in Melbourne. SL
Congratulations on your retirement K-9 Copper K-9 Copper, the beloved therapy dog and community ambassador for the Cocoa Police Department, was reunited with old friends during his retirement and 10th birthday party on Sept. 17 at the Cocoa Riverfront Park.
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of IACSB
Nonno’s homemade meatballs are the star of the Italian American Club’s spaghetti and meatball dinner.
Now OPEN
321-242-1235
SENIOR LIFE • OCTOBER 2026
7
Puerto Rican parade, festival celebrates cultural arts, heritage BY LINDA JUMP This year’s Puerto Rican parade, festival and gala will be dedicated to the 2.2-square mile community of Corozal and the Taino Caribbean native culture. “The Boriken (the original Taino name for the island of Puerto Rico) weekend with parade and festival on Oct. 23 and 24 will honor the indigenous roots of Puerto Rican heritage,” said Samantha LopezBickman, vice president of the sponsoring United Third Bridge. Corozal is a community in the mountains of central-eastern Puerto Rico with a population of about 33,000. This year’s festival queen, Edmarie Rodriguez Medina, and signature awards gala speaker Alba E. Garcia-Rivas, a film producer focusing on uplifting the Taino culture, were both raised in Corozal. “There are many tie-ins to the small community,” Lopez-Bickman said. Saturday’s events are familyfriendly and free to the public. The theme for the weekend is “The Arts: Many Voices, One Canvas — Where Culture Comes Alive and Community Thrives.” The parade will form behind Walmart on Malabar Road in Palm Bay and travel to City Hall beginning at 10 a.m. Lopez-Bickman said the 29th annual event is the longest-running Florida Puerto Rican parade and
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of United Third Bridge
The long-running Puerto Rican Day Parade and Festival attracted more than 2,800 people last year. drew more than 2,800 people last year. The festival on City Hall grounds that follows will include live music and dance performances, artists
and cultural vendors, ethnic food trucks, children’s activities, free health screenings, a youth art contest display, and business, nonprofits, educational resources and vehicle
displays. Friday’s gala from 6 to 11 p.m. to honor sponsors and raise money for UTB’s Educational and Cultural Fund will be held at Eastern Florida State College’s Melbourne Campus Student Union Building. The cost is $60 per person or $100 per couple. Artists from Corozal have been invited to display at the gala, including Lily Rivera with handmade designer bridal and other gowns. Garcia-Rivas will bring puppets and puppeteers. “She worked with Jim Henson of the Muppets, so I’m excited,” LopezBickman said. New this year is a partnership with Brevard Libraries to provide story time at the DeGroodt Library next to City Hall. The mascot, Lola, will tell stories the Thursday before at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. and at the festival as Lola and Friends at 1 p.m. Irma “Etha” Albino of Palm Bay has attended the festival for 24 years. “I’ll be there again to open and close it. I don’t care if it rains or not, I love to celebrate my culture,” she said. She was the first queen in the parade and plans to wear a traditional Puerto Rican dress. “I enjoy the music, the dance and especially the rice and pigeon peas with sweet bananas and tostados.” For more information, go to utbunitedthirdbridge.org .SL
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SENIOR LIFE • OCTOBER 2026
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NG EVENT 4 DAY BUYING EVENT
y, March 2 sday, March 3 ay, March 4 March 5
10am to 3pm 10am to 3pm 10am to 3pm 10am to 3pm
Fairfield Inn Viera
Monday, Oct. 5 Tuesday, Oct. 6 Wednesday, Oct. 7 Thursday, Oct. 8
10 am to 3 pm 10 am to 3 pm 10 am to 3 pm 10 am to 3 pm
Wash, Clean, or Polish!
Antiques of all Kinds: Do Not Wash, Clean or Polish!
hs, old movie posters, cartoon art & more. Art work: old oil paintings, old watercolors, old etchings, lithographs, old movie posters, cartoon art & more. porcelain old bronze, carved 0) old JapaneseStatues: toys, robots, old banks & oldjade, dolls wood, marble, alabaster, pottery, porcelain Old Toys: old toys, trains, old comics + baseball cards (prior to 1960) old Japanese toys, robots, old banks & old dolls al glass + porcelains Oriental items: jade, statues, figurines, netsuke, old swords, oriental glass + porcelains cal etc), old photos, politicalitems: pins + letters, ribbons,autographs old Historical (movie stars, presidents, political etc), old photos, political pins + ribbons, old fountain y items, American, Japanese, German medals, pens, old pocket knives, swords, military items, American, Japanese, German medals, advertising items, old stamps and old fire, military) badges (police, fire, military).
Gold, Silver & Platinum Jewelry We buy all types of gold jewelry, new, old and broken. Rings, (class rings, mothers rings, wedding sets, etc.). Bracelets, (charm bracelets, tennis bracelets, bangles, etc.). Earrings do not need to be a matching pair. Chains and pendants, broken is okay.
eed to be
ALL THINGS GOLD!
We even buy old yellow gold teeth and crowns. Brooches, company year pins. We buy diamonds, emeralds and rubies.
y year
Sterling & Silver Items
ls, dishes, unds, ry. Broken
Any item made out of sterling silver. Silverware, forks, spoons, bowls, dishes, trays, tea sets, statues, sterling and .999 bars, sterling and .999 rounds, frames, candle sticks, trophies, salt and pepper shakers and jewelry. Broken and smashed is okay.
OldPins, or New Jewelry • BrokenBars Jewelry • Antique Jewelry • Costume Jewelry • Engagement Rings • Charms, Pins, Chains • Gold/Silver Bars • Sterling Silverware • ment Rings • Charms, Chains • Gold/Silver • Sterling All Things Gold/Silver • Belt Buckles • s • Depression Glass • China • Waterford Crystal • Crystal Old ItemsClocks • Glassware • Cut Glass • Depression Glass • China • Waterford Crystal • Crystal Items • Collectibles Figurines •
Hummels • Royal Doultons • Oriental Rugs • Russian Enameled Items • Cartoon Art • Old Banks • Old Crocks • Old Door Stops • Old Pottery Items • Oriental Pot-
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STRIP STRI PES
Brevard Veterans News
Comrades, others step up to give veterans an honored interment
Gary Joseph Oxton, who served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam, died alone on June 26, 2023. There was no known family found or anyone else to bury the 75-year-old veteran. Oxton’s cremains sat on a shelf in a funeral home for more than three years. After an extensive search for family members, fellow veterans laid his cremains to rest at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery. Brevard No One Veteran Left Behind, comprised of the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center and the Military Officers Association of America Cape Canaveral Chapter that teamed with the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery and the Department of Veterans Affairs, interred Oxton’s remains and those of 20 other veterans recently.
These were veterans who lived in Brevard and surrounding counties that are served by the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery and had no relatives to claim their remains. Jorge E. Medina was 71 years old when he died in January. He had served in the U.S. Coast Guard. Paul Thomas Galway served in the U.S. Navy in Vietnam. He was 74. They were among the 21 veterans laid to rest Sept. 30. It is sad when someone dies alone,
with no known family to claim their remains. But it is also refreshing to know that there are people who care, fellow veterans and volunteers in the community who want to make sure they get a dignified, respectful resting place. “Veterans don’t want to see this happen, knowing that all veterans are entitled to an honored resting place,” said Donn Weaver, who organized the group. The interments have taken place here for eight years. Brevard No One Veteran Left Behind has taken on the duty for the past three years. This recent service was the fourth time since it was started in 2023, that the organization has interred the veterans, some of whose remains lingered in urns or boxes on funeral home shelves or in warehouses,
sometimes for decades. Veterans, veteran organizations and volunteers served as urn bearers and flower bearers. Some helped with parking and in other support roles. Tom Fitzgerald, who owns a caisson, provided it for the interment of the veterans. The process that culminates in the burial is rather lengthy, because there is research on the eligibility of a military funeral in a national cemetery and exhaustive searches for family members. The funeral service includes Taps, a gun volley and folding of the flag. Some of these veterans might have been homeless or otherwise living in poverty without family nearby, but they are given the same military honors that the former service members deserve. SL
Experience leads veterans to urge others to life of service, purpose, discipline BY ERNIE DORLING At the age of 90, Ed Facas can look back on a life defined by service, discipline and a desire to help others find their way. Growing up in Paterson, New Jersey, Facas graduated from high school in 1953. Unsure of what direction he wanted his life to take, he joined the U.S. Army. “I was seeking purpose and structure,” he said. After completing basic training, Facas was assigned to the infantry and earned his parachute badge and jump wings. He later served with the 82nd Airborne Division before being deployed to Germany as part of a peacekeeping force. He attained the rank of sergeant before receiving an honorable discharge in November 1956. A decade later, Facas began the next chapter of his career by joining the Fairfield (New Jersey) Police Department in 1966. Through the years, Facas advanced through the ranks and eventually became commander of the detective bureau. He was selected to attend the FBI National Academy in
Quantico, Virginia, a milestone in his law enforcement career. He ultimately became chief of the Fairfield Police Department before retiring in 2001. But when Facas reflects on his decades in law enforcement, he doesn’t remember the promotions or titles most fondly. “What I am most proud of,” Facas said, “is having worked with young people, especially troubled kids who often make bad choices in life. If you can reach kids early enough, sometimes you can change the direction of their lives.” Facas’ first wife died in 1990 after 32 years of marriage. After retiring, he moved to Fort Myers, where he met Mavis, his second wife. They married in 2016. Today, Facas calls the Melbourne area their home and says he enjoys living in a welcoming community with family nearby. He once enjoyed playing golf, but years of wear and tear — including the effects of his parachute-jumping days — have made the game more difficult. Comprehensive Range of Treatments
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A lifetime of service has given Ed Facas, 90, plenty of stories to tell and lessons to share with others. But that hasn’t stopped him from staying active. Facas makes a point of going to the Pro Health and Fitness Center in Viera three days a week. For him, however, the gym is about more than maintaining his physical fitness. “It’s a social gathering place,” he said. Facas also remains committed to the philosophy that led him into the Army more than seven decades ago. “I tell young people who find themselves floundering or searching for direction to consider military service,” he said. “The military can provide structure and accountability while teaching self-reliance and discipline — qualities that can become a foundation for the rest of a person’s life.”
On Sept. 13, Facas added another distinction to a life of service when he traveled to Washington, D.C., as part of Space Coast Honor Flight. “I think every veteran should find a way to go on one of these flights,” he said. “I was humbled by the sense of peace and pride seeing all the monuments built in our honor. Veterans share a unique bond, and it was a privilege to experience this with other veterans.” For a man who spent his life serving his country and community, the trip offered an opportunity to reflect on a journey that began when a young man from Paterson decided he needed purpose and structure — and found both in service to others. SL
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Veterans find camaraderie around the Friday lunch table BY ERNIE DORLING For many military veterans, leaving the service means leaving behind more than a uniform, a job and a set of orders. It can also mean leaving behind something harder to define — a sense of belonging. Military service creates its own culture. It includes the bearing that comes from wearing the uniform, the shared language and experiences, and for those who served in combat, a bond often described as brotherhood. When veterans return to civilian life, much of that disappears. That is one reason a group of local veterans gathers at 11 a.m. every Friday at Beef O’Brady’s at the corner of Wickham Road and Lake Washington Road. There is no membership requirement, no formal agenda — and, apparently, no shortage of stories.
“We all have this commonality of having been there. That’s what keeps me coming here.” — Barbara “Bobbie” Keith
The weekly luncheon gives veterans a place to sit down with people who understand the experiences that shaped their lives. They talk about their military days,
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SENIOR LIFE Ernie Dorling
Veterans from across the Space Coast gather informally once a week to share in camaraderie, conversation and a meal at Beef O’Brady’s in Melbourne. their families, their careers, and sometimes the things only another veteran might fully understand. Some knew one another before coming to the gathering. Others arrived knowing few, if any, of the people sitting around the tables. But the military has a way of shortening introductions. A branch of service, a duty station, a familiar military expression, or a story about an old deployment can be enough to start a conversation. For veterans who have spent years away from the military, gatherings like this can reconnect them to a part of themselves that never really disappeared. The uniform may be hanging in a closet and the rank may no longer matter, but the experiences remain. For Marine combat veteran Fred Bender, who fought for more than 60 days during the battle of Khe Sanh, this informal gathering helps heal the
wounds of that experience. “I really come for the camaraderie,” Bender said. “We lose 22 veterans a day to suicide because many of them have no one or place to share their experiences. Together, we can stop that.” Bender is a professional PGA golf instructor who helps veterans with all things golf. “Veterans don’t have a facility where they can just show up, hang out, meet other veterans and talk. We need to find a way to change that,” he said. Army combat veteran Hank Bornemann, who served in Vietnam during the evacuation of Saigon, regularly attends the luncheon. “It’s about a brotherhood,” he said. Barbara “Bobbie” Keith, a former television personality who hosted an evening weather broadcast in Saigon in 1967 and 1968 and is credited with lifting the morale of the troops
stationed in Vietnam, is also a regular attendee who shares stories with the veterans who attend the luncheon. “We all have this commonality of having been there,” Keith said. “That’s what keeps me coming here.” The Friday gathering is informal by design. Veterans don’t need to sign up, make a reservation or belong to an organization. They can simply show up. They are also welcome to bring a guest. There is food, conversation and plenty of laughter. And while nobody is required to tell a war story, it probably wouldn’t hurt to have a few ready. For those who served in the military, the Friday luncheon offers something simple but valuable: time with people who speak the same language of service. Sometimes, all it takes to forge a lasting friendship is a seat at the table. SL
SENIOR LIFE • OCTOBER 2026
11
TIME TO TRAVEL
Delray Beach
Delray Beach serves up enchanted experiences for tea lovers
BY DEBRA BRYANT A 15-minute drive west of downtown Delray Beach is Alice’s Teapot Café, Bakery & Coffee Shop on Atlantic Avenue. It is one of several unique tea and coffee shops that are worth a visit when exploring Delray Beach. Alice’s Teapot Café, Bakery & Coffee Shop was inspired by the timeless magic of Alice in Wonderland. This whimsical tea house, bakery and immersive dining experience offers a glimpse of wonderland where guests feel like they are stepping through the looking glass. “We dressed up for high tea with family and friends, and once we stepped into Alice’s Teapot Café we immediately got lost in a heartwarming-to-the soul afternoon,” Tampa resident Lisanne Becerra said. From the charm of signature high tea and brunch experiences to live dinner shows, reality disappears and every tea tells a story. “I turned my love of baking into purpose by not creating just a café, but a retreat for the soul, an escape into a world of imagination, music and delicious food,” founder Christine Prestininzi said. “This is my therapy, giving joy to others by connecting them to a one-of-
celebrations. “Growing up, I loved the Alice in Wonderland story, and I never imagined I would celebrate my bridal shower with family and friends in a storybook setting like this with hot tea and delicious crumpets,” Lake Worth resident Chelsea Steen said. About 130 miles south of Viera is Delray Beach, a South Florida gem waiting to be explored. Between Boca Raton and West Palm Beach, Delray Beach is a lesser-known town with a vibrant personality. Its downtown’s charming brick sidewalks are lined with shops, art galleries and a diverse culinary scene. SENIOR LIFE Debra Bryant Its shoreline Heather Munro, left, and Lisanne Becerra of Tampa welcomes more than 3 enjoyed high tea and the whimsical setting at Alice’s million visitors every Teapot Café in Delray Beach year. Some of the best a-kind destination where dining, restaurants and bars in The Palm entertainment and creativity meet Beaches are worth mentioning, but under one enchanted roof.” for tea lovers looking for a unique It is the kind of place where spot to sit, sip and forget about the people gather for different
world, Delray Beach serves up brews in surroundings that get the approval of many. The Modern Rose Café on Sixth Avenue is an award-winning, all-day brunch gathering place where vintage charm and hospitality meet oversized signature teas and a well-crafted menu. “We exist to create meaningful experiences, where our teas are an art and every guest leaves cared for and inspired,” owner Kelly Jardim said. Kelly and her husband, Donovan, moved to South Florida from South Africa and opened a quaint tearoom that has experienced rapid growth, earning Best Brunch Spot by Yelp in 2025. Donovan manages the kitchen and Kelly uses her fashion background to uniquely design the café to be a place to linger, connect and celebrate. High tea is served by reservations only, and The Modern Rose continues to bloom through licensed locations, including one in St. Augustine. There’s more tea to sip close by at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, which hosts traditional Japanese Omote-Senke-style tea ceremonies on select Saturdays plus hands-on classes and workshops. For more information, visit themodernrose.com; aliceteapot.com; and morikami.org. SL
SENIOR LIFE Debra Bryant
Alice’s Teapot Café is a unique spot in Delray Beach.
12 SENIOR LIFE • OCTOBER 2026
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Behind the
By Randal C. Hill
Beat
‘Magic Man’ — Heart There’s a little-known story — and it’s a doozy — behind “Magic Man,” Heart’s first Top 10 single. Born in 1950 in Bothell, Washington (15 miles northeast of Seattle), Ann Wilson began singing at age 6 in an effort to overcome shyness and rid herself of a stutter. In doing so, she developed a voice of might and self-assurance, and later formed a singing/writing partnership with her guitar-playing sister, Nancy, who was four years younger. They joined an all-male band called Heart, stepping into the spotlight and building a loyal fan base in the area. In time, Heart problems began to loom large. In 1974, the Vietnamera draft board tapped guitarist/band manager Michael Fisher for military duty. Opposed to the war, Fisher fled north to Vancouver, British Columbia. Ann, his then-girlfriend, opted to follow him, as did Nancy later. (She had hooked up with Roger Fisher, Michael’s band-member brother.) Ann had been living at home and studying art in college when she announced her decision. She later
recalled for Rolling Stone magazine, “My mom was, like, ‘You’re so young and immature. Do you even use birth control?’ Back then, you didn’t talk to your mother about that kind of stuff.” The “Magic Man” lyrics reveal much of the story. “Come on home, girl,” Mama cried on the phone “Too soon to lose my baby yet, my girl should be at home” SENIOR LIFE photo But try to understand, A classic piece of rock history, Heart’s album cover try to understand showcases the legendary band whose powerful Try, try, try to understand, he’s a Magic vocals, memorable songs and unmistakable sound have left a lasting mark on rock music. Man, Mama He’s a magic man woman from a child Michael Fisher was two years But try to understand, try to older than Ann but light years ahead understand of her in sophistication, and his allure Oh, oh, try, try, try to understand proved hard to resist. He’s a Magic Man. “Come on home, girl,” he’d said Oh, he’s got the magic hands with a smile Mrs. Wilson was resolute that her I cast my spell of love on you, a daughter stay in America. Ann said,
“She would go, ‘You don’t know what you’re doing!’ She had no idea about the reality in the seventies of girls and boys and free love and whatever. … She was formidable, but I won in this case.” Nancy followed soon afterward. In Vancouver, Heart landed numerous gigs and eventually made a demo (demonstration) tape at the local Mushroom Studios. “Dreamboat Annie,” the hauntingly exquisite titular track from Heart’s debut album, became a hit on Canadian Top 40 radio. Opening for a Rod Stewart concert also helped to up the buzz on the band. Two other Wilson-created works earned radio airplay — “Crazy on You” and “Magic Man,” the latter Heart’s first foray into Billboard’s Top Ten list in America, and the beginning of years of best-selling releases on different labels. “(Magic Man) is about leaving home.” Ann maintains. “It’s like looking back on a love affair of the past from this great distance … to look back on all that naivete and just what it’s like when you fall in love for the first time.” SL
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SENIOR LIFE • OCTOBER 2026
17
urricane Ready H
In each issue through November
NEWS, TIPS & RESOURCES
Though quiet so far, keep guard — hurricane season isn’t over
BY CHRIS BONANNO Each year, the Atlantic Basin’s hurricane season climatologically peaks on Sept. 10, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). However, that doesn’t mean Brevard County can’t see impacts from storms in October. “It only takes one storm to make a difference and that’s what we’ve been telling folks is preparation is important and keeping hurricane kits stocked with things that aren’t expired, making sure generators are prepped and ready to go for really any type of storm,” said Brendan Schaper, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne. Space Coast residents don’t have to look very far back in time to see evidence of this. Hurricane Milton brought pronounced impacts to the area after making landfall along the Gulf Coast of Florida in October 2024, according to NOAA archives. Prior to that, the center of a major hurricane, Matthew, stayed just offshore of the Space Coast in October 2016. Other storms to give at least some impacts to the Space Coast in October included Tropical Storm Tammy in 2005 and Hurricane Irene in 1999, which made landfall on the Gulf Coast and crossed over the state south of Brevard. Hurricane Hazel (1954)
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According to NOAA, 36 tropical storms or hurricanes have come within 100 miles of Melbourne in the month of October since the 1950s. and Hurricane King (1950) also affected the area. The areas where the storms can develop in October begin to shift, Schaper noted. “We start to transition more toward storms that come out of the central and eastern Caribbean,” he said. Development as a whole has been subdued in the Atlantic. A big factor, according to Schaper, is wind shear caused by the presence of El Niño, or a warming of the waters in the equatorial central and eastern Pacific Ocean this year. As of mid-September, no hurricanes had formed in the Atlantic basin
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Storm Tidbits What’s in your emergency go bag? An emergency go bag should contain enough essential supplies to keep you self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. Here are 10 core items: Water: at least one gallon per person per day for drinking and hygiene. Non-perishable food: Energy bars, dried fruit or canned goods that do not require cooking. First-aid kit: Include adhesive bandages, sterile gauze, antiseptic wipes, medical tape and tweezers. Flashlight: LED flashlight with extra batteries or a hand-crank option. Battery-powered or handcrank radio: Use a portable NOAA weather radio to stay updated. Whistle: Keep a whistle handy to signal for help. Portable power bank: Pack an external battery and phone charging cords. Important documents: Store photocopies of IDs, insurance policies, emergency contacts ina waterproof pouch. Cash in small bills: Keep physical cash on hand. Source: Ready.gov
during the season. The archives also show that during October, Brevard County
only felt major impacts from Hurricane Hazel and two tropical storms — Jenny in 1969 and How in 1951, (which had been a hurricane before coming into the area). Still, it’s important that Brevard residents be prepared given impacts in the past in October, Schaper added. “And something else to consider, too, is we head into a strong El Niño winter. In the past, that’s favored a lot of severe weather for this area. Power outages don’t just happen with hurricanes. It can happen with severe storms and stuff, too. It’s always good to have a plan whether it’s a hurricane or severe weather threatening,” he said. SL
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News for Titusville, Mims & Port St. John
Four Communities Fire Department — 75-year legacy of service BY DEBRA BRYANT
In early 1951, residents from four Brevard County unincorporated communities — Frontenac, Sharpes, Williams Point and City Point — called a meeting and a volunteer fire station was born. Today, at a time when all-volunteer fire departments are declining because of stricter training requirements and the increasing volume of calls, Four Communities Fire Department (FCFD) is going strong and celebrating its 75 years of service. The all-volunteer department partners with the Brevard County Fire Department (BCFD), which has expanded its service area primarily to North and Central Brevard County, and other areas of the county depending on the resources needed. “In our service area, BCFD had 13 volunteer fire departments in 2001. In 2026, there are only three — FCFD Fire Station 28, Merritt Island Volunteer Fire Dept. Station 841, and Mims Volunteer Fire Station 222,” said FCFD Fire Chief Brian Claudius. Most volunteers have full-time jobs and commit to a minimum of 30 hours a month. No experience is necessary, and the certification training can take a year or more depending on the time invested. Additional annual training and certification are also required. “I love what I do,” Assistant Fire
SENIOR LIFE Debra Bryant
Fire Chief Brian Claudius, left rear, Assistant Fire Chief Shayna Foreman, Andrew Chowdhury, Paulo Dasilva, Michael Talbot, Lt. Wes Henry, Greg Burr and, from left front, Joshua McMillon, Mark Karim, Ashleymarie Hill and Sara Perry will celebrate the Four Communities Fire Department’s 75th year on Oct. 10. SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of FCFD
Firefighters Greg Burr, left, Michael Talbot and Brandon Ashton train in a burn building. Volunteer firefighters must undergo periodic training.
Chief Shayna Foreman said. “Showing up on someone’s worst day, I do my best to bring a calming reassurance in the middle of all the madness of the emergency,” There are other Brevard County communities with long histories of volunteering. Indian Harbour Beach Volunteer Fire Department began in 1972, and in 1953, six Melbourne Beach residents met and formed a
FCFD’s 75th Anniversary Celebration When: Oct. 10 • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Where: Fire Station 28 4870 N. U.S. 1, Cocoa Open to the public. Fire station tours, touch-a-truck, food trucks, a bounce house and photos for the children. volunteer fire department that through the years grew to include a Marine Rescue Unit that often assists the U.S. Coast Guard. The Four Communities Fire Department is always looking for additional volunteers who can help
carry on the legacy of service. “We are dedicated to protecting life and property through emergency response, fire prevention, training and community outreach,” Claudius said. “FCFD carries on the legacy of the fearless men and women who came before us to represent their sacrifices with the utmost respect, including my mentor and former Fire Chief Jack Norman. Our greatest need today is volunteers.” Every Tuesday night, anyone interested in volunteering is invited to the station. To learn more, visit fcfd28.com. SL
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SENIOR LIFE • OCTOBER 2026
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HEALTH & WELLNESS The 45-minute surgery that took five weeks
BY ERNIE DORLING
About five months ago, I started feeling dizzy and lightheaded, and noticed I tired easily. After an echocardiogram, I learned I had a bad aortic valve. It needed fixing, and sooner rather than later. And that’s when the nightmare — or the comedy, depending on your view — started. It began with a cardiac catheterization. For the uninitiated, doctors insert tiny tubes into an artery and guide them directly to the heart. It sounds simple enough, but doctors often leave out a few key details. They’ll tell you, “This is going to burn a little.” What they don’t tell you is exactly where. Since the contrast dye travels from the heart through the bloodstream and eventually to the bladder, I’ll let you use your imagination to figure out where that little bit of burning might occur. When I arrived at the hospital, the nursing team ordered me to strip naked and put on a flimsy gown. I haven’t had three women simultaneously ask me to get naked since a trip to Mykonos in 1979. Then, one of the nurses said, “We have to shave your groin.” “Why?” I asked. “Just in case the doctor can’t go in through your wrist, he needs a backup plan,” I was told. A trainee nurse who clearly drew the short straw began shaving me in all those private, hard-to-reach places. Mind you, this was being done in full view of two other nurses. We got through the process—though none of them asked what I was doing afterward. Next up was the CT scan. This required another IV and a lovely injection of iodine containing another dose of contrast dye. What the medical staff failed to mention was that the contrast decided it preferred residency in my right arm instead of my bloodstream. During the scan, the IV malfunctioned, and the dye escaped into my upper arm. Within minutes, my right bicep inflated to proportions
SENIOR LIFE Shutterstock
Surgery, while necessary in many instances, doesn’t always operate on a convenient timeline as writer Ernie Dorling recently found out. not seen since Popeye consumed an entire case of spinach. Looking for a silver lining, I entered an armwrestling competition at The Villages the following week and took fourth place in my age group. I didn’t get a trophy, but I did get a participation ribbon. Apparently, senior living communities have adopted the same trophy policies as youth sports. My meeting with the surgeon went reasonably well. He assured me that the procedure—a Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)—was on track for Monday, June 29. My favorite part of the consultation was when he explained that the surgery has a 99% success rate, then immediately launched into a detailed, 10-minute discussion of the 1% chance things could go spectacularly wrong. In medical circles, this is known as “informed consent.” On Monday, I reported for surgery at 11 a.m. Surgery was scheduled for 2 p.m. At 1:30 p.m., they finally took me to the pre-op room. They prepped me, shaved me again, started the IV, and gave me a shot of the Happy Hour juice. Then, at 3:50 p.m., a nurse walked
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in and said, “There is a problem with the imaging equipment in the operating room. You’ll have to come back Wednesday morning.” By then, I’d been poked, shaved, IV’d, and EKG’d. I had been lying in a hospital bed for half the day wearing a gown that couldn’t fully cover a Chihuahua. Intellectually, I understood that equipment breaks and emergencies happen. Emotionally? Let’s just say I was approaching a level of irritation normally reserved for people who put ketchup on prime rib. I returned two days later at 5 a.m., first in line when the hospital doors unlocked. I walked up to the registration desk to check in. “What are you here for today?” the receptionist asked. “The same thing I was here for on Monday,” I replied. “Oh, I’m so sorry,” she said, typing away. Then: “Oh, oh.” You never want to hear “oh, oh” when you’re in a hospital. “What’s wrong?” I asked. “The system says you’re still currently admitted upstairs, so it won’t let me check you in.” “But I’m not upstairs,” I said.
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“I’m here.” “I can see that,” she said. “But the computer says you’re upstairs.” I watched 30 other people check in and head off to their respective appointments. At 5 a.m., I was the very first person in the waiting room. By 6:40 a.m., I was the only one left. Forty-five minutes later, I was wheeled down the hall, having been given another round of Happy Hour juice. This time, I asked for and was given a “double.” Two hours after that, I woke up in the recovery room with a brand-new valve. By 4 p.m., I took my first walk around the floor — four full laps, actually. Of course, the hospital experience doesn’t end just because the surgery is over. They hook you up to a monitor that seems to notify SEAL Team 6 the moment you enter REM sleep. Immediately, a lone medical assassin descends upon your room to awaken you for another round of tests. Furthermore, to flush out the anesthesia, they hook you up to a massive IV fluid bag. If you don’t already urinate enough, this turns the faucet on full blast. Every 20 minutes, I had to summon a member of SEAL Team 6 to unhook my monitors and walk me three steps to the bathroom. They discharged me at 11 a.m. the next day, likely to get the revenueproducing room ready for the next patient. It is funny how quickly frustration gives way to gratitude. A few weeks ago, I was convinced the hospital had enrolled me in an advanced course on patience. Today, I’m walking around with more energy, breathing easier, and feeling better than I have in months. Suddenly, all those delays, pokes, shaves and administrative setbacks have become little more than stories to laugh about. In fact, my recovery is going so well that I only have one major medical concern left. Because of the new valve, am I ever going to be able to eat pork again, for fear that it might involve a former relative? SL —Ernie Dorling is a freelance writer who found humor in a serious health issue.
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Exercise group’s workouts lead to friendships, social gathering BY BETTY PORTER What started as an exercise class for seniors with a desire to stay fit has also turned into a social gathering and close friendships. This dedicated group of seniors, ranging in age from 70 to 90, have various reasons to gather twice a week for their exercise class. The group of about 30 is made up of mostly women and four men, and all say they come not only for the exercise but for the camaraderie. Larae Gerhardt, a member of the Lighthouse Christian Church on Merritt Island, is the instructor. She holds the group exercises from 11 a.m. to noon every Tuesday and Thursday. Gerhardt, beloved by the seniors, volunteers her time and physical fitness expertise to help the seniors get fit, stay fit and feel good about themselves. “They not only inspire me, but each other as well,” Gerhardt said. “I truly believe they come for the social aspect as much as the exercise. We have become like family and share what’s going on in our lives as well as go to lunch or dinner as a group at least once a month, hold potlucks on holidays and have a fun gift exchange at Christmas. The bond that we have with each other is what makes the group last and grow.” What began with about seven to 12 people is now upward of 30 each class and once the winter residents return, the number goes up by five or more. Participants do not have to be members of the Lighthouse Christian Church and there is no charge for the classes. They are open to the public but
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have limited space. “We named the group Sit and Fit for lack of a better title, but we do more than sit. A lot of the leg work and balance is done standing,” Gerhardt said. “Depending on the number in class, they also do various forms of wall pushups, wall squats, wall planks, and other work using the limited wall space. In most classes, hand weights are used for upper body strength and core work. At other times we use exercise bands. We incorporate playground balls for hand/ eye coordination, as well as balance work while always stressing working at your own pace.” Altamese Davis, 90, has been participating in the exercise class for more than a year. “Leader Larae is always pleasant SENIOR LIFE Jill Blue and never criticizes,” Davis said. “She Larae Gerhardt, the instructor for the exercise class, leads the group in a Sit and always tells us something that will Fit routine twice a week at Lighthouse Christian Church on Merritt Island. improve ourselves.” Betty Staten, who has lived in Rockledge since 1984, said she makes the trip to Merritt Island to attend the class twice a week and has found it has helped her lose weight. Not only does she like the exercise, but also the tips on how to eat well. Kevin Radleins, the pastor of the Lighthouse Christian Church, is pleased to have the group use the fellowship hall at the church. “I was so delighted that Larae came to me to seek out the fellowship hall for the class,” he said. “The group has become a community and a place to belong.” More information about the exercise SENIOR LIFE Jill Blue class is available on the church website SENIOR LIFE Jill Blue Altamese Davis, 90, is one of about 30 .ourlighthouse.net or by calling the Building strength is part of the exercise seniors in Larae Gerhardt’s class. church office at 321-452-1012. SL program at Lighthouse Christian Church.
SENIOR LIFE • OCTOBER 2026
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October SUNDAY
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Richard Drexler Trio 2 - 4 p.m. • Sunday, Oct. 11
spacecoastjazzsociety.org
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National Golf Lovers Day
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Brevard Veterans Memorial Center, Gray Hall 400 S. Sykes Creek Pkwy., Merritt Island General Admission, $30 members $35 guests, students free
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THURSDAY National Black Dog Day
Sip & Smoke 5:30 p.m. Locally hand-rolled cigars and a spotlight spirit. 28 North Gastropub 2250 Town Center Ave. Viera, 321-241-1159 Indoor Walking 8 - 9:30 a.m. DRS Community Center 1089 S. Patrick Drive Satellite Beach 321-777-8764
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Brevard Antiques and Collectibles Club 10 a.m. The subject will be Ephemera. Suntree/Viera Library 902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 321-254-5831 Senior Bingo 2:15 - 3 p.m. Eau Gallie Library 1521 Pineapple Ave. Melbourne 321-631-2749
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SATURDAY SATURDAY National Play Outside Day
Satellite Beach Lions Club 15th annual Car Show 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. All proceeds will be used to fund vision care services. American Muscle Car Museum 3500 Sarno Road Melbourne 321-403-3971
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National Walk to a Park Day
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Space Film Festival Gold Buying Event 4 p.m. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. A two-hour documentary Oct. 5, 6, 7 and 8 collection of files created Fairfield Inn Viera by the aerospace 2400 Town Center Ave. community on the Viera, 321-258-9109 current state of space exploration. Chair Yoga with Pam EPIC XL Theater at 12:15 - 1:15 p.m. Titusville Sit in a chair or use the 2505 South Hopkins chair/wall for balance. Titusville, 321-300-9005 Cape Canaveral Library 201 Polk Ave. Cape Canaveral 321-868-1101 National Farmers Day
Titusville Police National Live Orchestra concert Florida Seafood FourWacky Tacky Golf Space Coast Symphony "Under the Stars" Tournament and Social Orchestra’s “Red, White Night Out Week Cooking Series 6:30 p.m. 11 a.m. 5:30 - 8 p.m. 6 - 8 p.m. & Brass" A family-friendly evening Oct. 8 - Shrimp Fundraiser for The Arc of 7 p.m. Free hot dogs featuring some of the Space Coast. and popcorn. Law Oct. 15 - Clams and and patriotic top student musicians. Rockledge Country Club American enforcement handsScallops music concert sponsored Iconic sci-fi themed 1591 S. Fiske Blvd. on activities and static Oct. 22 - White Flaky Fish Rockledge by Space-X. music and stargazing displays. Oct. 29 - Steak Fish and 321-754-1764 Amphitheatre opportunities. Bring a Titus Landing Sardines Veterans Memorial Park chair or blanket. Senior Job and U.S. 1 and Harrison St. Titus Landing UF/IFAS Extension 400 South Sykes Creek Volunteer Fair Titusville, 321-567-3775 U.S. 1 and Harrison St. Brevard County Parkway, Merritt Island 10 a.m. - noon Titusville, 321-300-9005 3695 Lake Drive 855-252-7276 One Senior Place Cocoa, 321-633-1702 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 3321-751-6771
Merritt Island Wildlife 7 a.m. Free admission Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Center 1987 Scrub Jay Way Titusville, 321-861-0669
Brevard Genealogical Society 9:30 - 11 a.m. Monthly meeting. Cocoa Library 308 Forrest Ave. Cocoa, 615-504-2041
Space Coast Jeep Club 1 - 3 p.m. Monthly meet-up. BeachFly Brewing Co. 513 Barton Blvd. Rockledge
Bingo 9:30 a.m. DRS Community Center 1089 S. Patrick Drive Satellite 321-773-6458
Lunch and Learn “Colon Health Matters: Prevention. Peace of Mind” 11:30 a.m. Presented by Kathleen Tills, DNP, ARPN with Health First. One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771
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CartoberFest 2026 Scottish Country Dancing 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. Celebrate German automotive excellence Springs of Suntree 8300 Holiday Springs with cars, food trucks Road and a live DJ. Suntree, 321-427-3587 BMW Melbourne 1432 S. Harbor City Blvd. Bone Builders Melbourne This class is geared 321-727-3788 toward seniors. Cocoa Library 308 Forrest Ave. Cocoa, 321-633-1792
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National Pumpkin Day American Muscle Car Merry Money: A ThreeMuseum Trunk or Treat Part Holiday Financial 1 - 4 p.m. Series Trunk-or-treat and free 2:30 p.m. car show. Part one: Don’t Let American Muscle Car the Holidays Haunt Museum Your Wallet. Presented 3500 Sarno Road by Fifth Third Bank Melbourne and Raymond James 321-914-4322 Financial. One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771
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Navy Birthday
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National I Love Lucy Day
National Boss' Day Melbourne Community Senior Stitchers Talk Birdie To Me 10 a.m. Orchestra After Dark Golf Tournament A knit and crochet group. 2 p.m. 7 p.m. Wickham Park Senior MCO explores the 9-hole knockout, music, Center spooky side of the prizes and drinks. 2785 Leisure Way orchestra. Rockledge Country Club Melbourne Melbourne Auditorium 917-882-9898 1591 S. Fiske Blvd. 625 E. Hibiscus Blvd. Rockledge Melbourne 321-724-5400 Senior Billiards 321-285-6724 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sandrift Community Center 585 N. Singleton Ave. Titusville, 321-264-5037
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Swing for Charity Golf Tournament 7:30 a.m. Proceeds support the GFWC Viera Woman’s Club’s philanthropic efforts. Rockledge Country Club 321-522-6334 A Yappy Howl-O-Ween 12 - 3 p.m. Dog Costume Contest Collecting items for rescues Urban Prime & Marketplace 2435 Metfield Drive, Viera
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Viera East Travelers Club 6 p.m. Discover how to save on your next Collette Vacation. Estate Planning Seminar RSVP requested. Viera East 10 a.m. 1964 Golf Vista Blvd. Presented by attorney Viera, 321-890-3522 William A. Johnson. One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771
Isaac Campbell Seniors 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. A group that provides social, recreational and educational activities for older adults. Isaac Campbell Senior Park 701 South Street Titusville, 321-264-5040
Titusville Twilight 6 p.m. Food trucks, vendors and music. Titusville Chamber of Commerce 419 S. Hopkins Ave. Titusville 321-348-4748
80s Halloween Party 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Family fun and games Planet Hairspray Band 6 - 10 p.m. Lakeside at Viera Town Center 2431 Town Center Ave. Viera, 321-777-7575
Navy Day
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National First Responders Day
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Free Shred Day 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. Launch Credit Union 415 Fortenberry Road Merritt Island 321-455-9400
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Coin Talk 6 - 7:45 p.m. Numismatic enthusiasts. Suntree/Viera Library 902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 321-301-1014
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Learn Conversational Spanish with Marioli 10 - 11 a.m. Beginner class. Cocoa Beach Library 550 N. Brevard Ave. 321-868-1104 Let’s Dance Jazz with June 11:30 a.m. 1 - 2 p.m. Get in shape dancing. Seniors — all fitness Cocoa Beach Senior levels. Center Community Center 5000 Tom Warriner Blvd. DRS 1089 S. Patrick Drive Cocoa Beach Satellite Beach 321-783-9505 321-773-6458
22 SENIOR LIFE • OCTOBER 2026
Free Shred Event
National Cat Day
Green Gables: Trick or Treat Treasures at Foggy Bluff 9 - 10:30 a.m. 5 - 9 p.m. Presented by the Brevard Fortune Teller, County Sheriff's Office. Swashbuckling games, Limit of two boxes of and Pirate ship. personal shredding. Green Gables Brevard Veterans 1501 South Harbor Memorial Center City Blvd. 400 Sykes Creek Parkway Melbourne Merritt Island 321-306-8635
Halloween
Cocoa Village annual Halloween Golf Cart Parade 7 - 8 p.m. The parade begins on Rosa L. Jones Drive and makes two laps through the heart of Cocoa Village. Cocoa Village Cocoa, 321-631-9075
myseniorlife.com
Community Band of Brevard always looking for top talent BY MIKE GAFFEY
SENIOR LIFE Mike Gaffey
Conductor Robin Kessler leads the Community Band of Brevard during a rehearsal at Edgewood Junior/Senior High School on Merritt Island.
SENIOR LIFE Mike Gaffey
Band member Suzanne Clark plays a glockenspiel during practice.
SENIOR LIFE Mike Gaffey
Timpanist Rod Lowery plays timpani during band practice.
Suzanne Clark heard about the Community Band of Brevard around 2001 from her friend, Connie Miller, a fellow teacher at Lewis Carroll Elementary School who played clarinet in the band. “She told me about it and I just got into it,” said Clark, who teaches third grade at the Merritt Island school. So, on Wednesday afternoons, Clark, who uses an electric wheelchair due to spinal muscular atrophy, plays her glockenspiel with more than 60 local musicians who gather at Edgewood Junior/ Senior High School’s music room to rehearse for upcoming performances. “I like playing,” she said during practice, using small mallets to strike her percussion instrument made of tuned metal bars arranged in a keyboard layout. “I hadn’t played since high school. I missed it, so it was just nice to get to play again. It’s actually good for me, too, because it exercises the muscles while playing the instrument.” A shared love of music and performing attracts people ranging in age from high school juniors to seniors in their 70s to the Community Band of Brevard, band conductor Robin Kessler said. Founded in 1985 by Marion Scott, then, director of bands at Brevard Community College, known today as Eastern Florida State College, the band presents several free shows each year featuring classical, jazz,
patriotic and contemporary music. “Some people have been with the band from the beginning, although there are a lot of newer people in the band over the past five years,” said Kessler, a saxophonist and former military bandleader who became CBOB conductor in 2021. Timpanist Rod Lowery of Palm Bay remembered Kessler from his days as an Army percussionist. “I saw him in a couple of bandmaster conferences when I was a first sergeant,” said Lowery, a music education major and former band director who plays in a variety of local groups. “We kind of met that way, and he knew who I was. I moved to Brevard County from Virginia in 2022. And I’ve been mostly playing with him ever since.” If someone wants to join the band, they can meet with a section leader and be evaluated “to see if they are to the level of performer we’re looking for,” Kessler said. “We’re always looking for fine musicians.” The band performed a free American Spirit concert in September. Its next performance will be a free holiday concert Dec. 6 at the Merritt Island High School Auditorium. “It’s a nice band,” Lowery said. “They do some really good literature and they do it justice, which is a lot of fun.” For more information visit communitybandofbrevard.com or call 321-338-6210. SL
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SENIOR LIFE • OCTOBER 2026
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15. Most dangerous 17. Relative of an ostrich 18. Smidge 19. Chilean range 21. Platters 24. August event 26. ___ Master’s Voice 27. Comparison word 29. Fishhook’s end 33. Mont Blanc, e.g. 34. Puts (away) 36. Calendar abbr. 37. Toward sunset 39. Hatchling’s home 40. Mineral rock 41. Holds close 43. Scraped (leaves) 45. Shade of green 48. Sister or mother 49. Big galoot 50. Strangled 56. Poseidon’s domain 57. Romp 58. Minute amount 59. Lyndon Johnson dog 60. Zenith 61. Command to Rover
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1. Like some scientists 2. Poetic palindrome 3. Rural sight
© Lovatts Puzzles
ACROSS 1. Blend 5. Fella
24 SENIOR LIFE • OCTOBER 2026
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CROSSWORD
9. Lively card game 12. Environs 13. Rough 14. Dupe
4. Pops 5. Baby holder 6. Peach or plum 7. Infomercials, e.g. 8. Flower feature 9. Not mint 10. Handle 11. Musical composition 16. Goes on and on 20. Apprehend 21. Become friendlier 22. Get to 23. Nile snakes 24. Strong winds 25. Farm workers? 28. Be undecided 30. One way to run 31. Unusually excellent 32. Raised 35. Swagger 38. Your of yore 42. Extremist 44. Side in a debate 45. Wingding 46. Fencing sword 47. Back 48. Memo 51. Ad ___ 52. Coke’s partner 53. Kit and caboodle 54. Pilot’s announcement, briefly 55. 24-hour period
Solution on page 26 myseniorlife.com
THE 15TH FEATURE IN A SERIES ON 19TH AND EARLY 20TH CENTURY CHURCHES
Rockledge Presbyterian moving into 150th year of worship BY LINDA JUMP Homesteader Cornelia Magruder opened the Rockledge Presbyterian Church with five adults in a palmetto one-room log cabin to provide religious instruction to the nine children she raised. As parishioners approach its 150th anniversary, they’re recalling their past and envisioning the future. “A committee is looking at the (church’s) journey to see where they have been, who they are now and to create a vision for five to 10 years to see who they hope to be,” said interim pastor, the Rev. Fred Foy Strang. The church now holds services on SENIOR LIFE Linda Jump a one-block campus overlooking the The current sprawling campus of the Rockledge Presbyterian Church will turn 150 years old in 2027. The sanctuary Indian River at 921 Rockledge Drive in of the first church appears at the right with the bell tower, while the new sanctuary added in 2012 has the large crossRockledge. With 150 members, elected shaped stained-glass window. session member Patricia Baggott of Port St. John said what’s been dubbed “the welcoming a Magruder-donated lot on Barton Original and new stained-glass church on the river,” visitors Avenue begun in 1885 with much of windows were incorporated. are impressed with its the construction work by her husband, A Peragallo pipe organ, one of the friendliness and supportive son and nephew, and dedicated April finest available, was designed and nature. “It’s small enough to 24, 1887 with 15 members. installed in the current church by the be a family that takes care of As Rockledge became a booming manufacturer, whose mother lives in each other,” she said. resort site at the turn of the century, Fort Pierce. After Baggott retired a larger sanctuary was built in 1911 “Our sanctuary is used for many as a teacher from what is on the south side of Orange Avenue, free concerts because of its excellent now Eastern Florida State now a paved church parking area. acoustics,” Baggott said. College, she realized she As membership swelled, in 1952 Worship is held at 8:30 a.m. wanted a church home. several new areas of the church were Sundays with traditional casual and She visited Rockledge added. The building was extensively piano, and 11 a.m. traditional with Presbyterian as the eulogist renovated and re-dedicated in June chancel choir, piano and organ. Go when a college colleague 2012 with a new sanctuary, narthex to rockledgepres.com for information died, and was welcomed and chapel, with the former sanctuary about the church or it’s 150th heartily and remembered becoming a social hall and kitchen. anniversary events. SL when she returned later in 2008 for a service. “I sat in the parking lot looking out over the river, heard music from the church and I felt the Holy Spirit was speaking to me,” she said. For a decade, Cornelia Magruder, daughter of a Presbyterian minister, SENIOR LIFE Linda Jump worked to raise $812 to The interior of the sanctuary at Rockledge build a sanctioned church Presbyterian Church was renovated in 2012. building. The first was on
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HOW TO SOLVE: To solve these warped Sudoku puzzles, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: Each of the nine vertical columns, Each of the nine horizontal rows, Each of the nine different coloured shapes. Remember no number can occur more than once in any row, column or colour. Solution on page 26
SENIOR LIFE • OCTOBER 2026
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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 Commission on Aging celebrates 25 years of service Twenty-five years ago, Brevard County leaders recognized something that has become even more important today: Brevard is a great place to grow older — and thoughtful planning is essential to keeping it that way. Established in 2001, the Brevard County Commission on Aging is an advisory board to the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners, bringing together community leaders, service providers and interested citizens to identify the needs of older residents and help plan for Brevard’s aging future. Its mission from the beginning has centered on collaboration — bringing the public and private sectors together to identify emerging needs, strengthen resources and recommend strategies that help create an elder-friendly community where older residents are supported and valued. The Commission includes 15 members and alternates representing organizations and interests throughout Brevard County. For much of its history, the Commission has been led by Board Chair Dr. John Potomski Jr., DO, CMD, a longtime physician and advocate for residents of Brevard County’s
nursing and rehabilitation centers and assisted living communities, as well as President of the Brevard County Medical Directors Association. Under his leadership, the Commission has continued to focus on three important areas: planning for the future, engaging the community, and developing resources. Commission members work with residents, service providers, nonprofit organizations, funding agencies and community leaders to identify trends and gaps affecting older adults. The Commission then brings those observations and recommendations to the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners, while also working with community partners to identify grants, funding and other resources that can strengthen services for seniors. 25 Years of Making a Difference Through the years, that collaborative approach has produced some significant accomplishments. In 2005, the Commission helped lead Brevard County’s participation in Florida’s Communities for a Lifetime initiative, with Brevard becoming the first county in Florida to have all of its municipalities recognized as
SENIOR LIFE Courtesy of BCOA
The Brevard County Board of County Commissioners presented the Brevard Commission on Aging with an Older Americans Month Resolution. Commissioner Rob Feltner, left; Dr. John Potomski, BCOA board chair; Helen Voltz, honoree; Commissioner Kim Atkinson; M.E. Kelly, honoree; Stacy Benezra of the BCOA and Commissioner Thad Altman were present for the ceremony. Communities for a Lifetime. In 2007, the Commission brought Florida’s FLOW — Florida Licensing on Wheels Mobile — to the Brevard County Government Center, helping more than 100 seniors obtain identification cards at no charge. The Commission also helped bring the NACo Prescription Discount Card Program to Brevard County. The program ultimately helped Brevard residents save approximately $4.2 million in prescription drug costs.
The Work Continues in 2026 Older adults make up an increasingly important part of Brevard County. Approximately one in four Brevard residents is age 65 or older, and nearly half of the county’s population is age 50 or above. In 2026, the Commission launched a countywide Senior Needs Assessment Survey, giving older residents an
BCOA HITS 25 Continued on page 27
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Longer life comes with challenges about quality, financial cost
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26 SENIOR LIFE • OCTOBER 2026
How long will you live? Have we found “The End of Aging?” It seems new discoveries are being found daily that give us an opportunity to live to age 100 and beyond. Do you want to live longer? In an interesting special “Longevity” section in The New York Times on Sunday, May 3, 2026, I poured over the pages looking for medical and health discoveries. On the front page a bold sentence stated: “Longer lives are raising fresh questions about quality and affordability.” Then in bolder type I saw, “How far will your money take you?” Each Times column stimulated thinking. “More time leads to more questions.” Yikes, I have been retired for nearly a quarter century! How is my estate plan working? When I turn up my toes, will my last check to the funeral director bounce? Can money buy health? What are the challenges of my post-career life? The Times offered numerous solutions for preparing for a long life. They included financial planning, a forever home, savings, cautions, mental health, parental assistance, the kids, decluttering and preventing falls. What a list! Now, there is a new challenge. The front cover of the September 2026 National Geographic magazine shows the face of a man with puzzle cuts across the face, and the headline “The End of Aging.” Will growing old be a thing of the past? Billionaire investors are funding research and experiments on cellular
Challenges of Living to Age 100 Ed Baranowski reprogramming that could ultimately wipe out dozens of ailments: “Getting genes to turn back the clock on affected nerves.” How about “modifying proteins?” Now hear this! Want an infusion of young blood to rejuvenate your old stuff? Pushing the boundaries raises ethical questions. Do you become a lab rat? What are the consequences — intended and unintended? Dialogue with seniors brings mixed responses. Some seniors ask: “Why would I want to live to age 100? Each day is the same old stuff. My spouse is gone, my friends are gone …” Remember, there is still a lot of life to live. Make it happen. Ten years ago, Jo Ann Jenkins, CEO of AARP, released a book, “Disrupt Aging” as a senior resource for “living your best life at every age.” It is loaded with solutions and tips for your aging and longevity challenges. Continue to look up and ahead! SL Ed Baranowski is an awardwinning writer, artist, speaker and seminar leader. He lives in Melbourne and can be contacted at fast75sr@gmail.com.
myseniorlife.com
BCOA HITS 25
Continued from page 26 opportunity to identify their priorities, concerns and experiences. Brevard seniors and their families are encouraged to participate by scanning the survey QR code or going to agingmattersbrevard.org and select Senior Survey.
The Commission has also continued its community education efforts, including monthly informational articles addressing senior issues; presentations from local organizations and experts; recognition of citizens making important contributions to Brevard’s older population during Older Americans Month; and participation with local nonprofit organizations in World Elder Abuse Awareness Day,
helping educate seniors about elder abuse, exploitation and the latest scams. Planning for Brevard’s Next 25 Years Brevard has changed considerably since the Commission on Aging was established in 2001. People are living longer. Medical advances are helping many enjoy healthier and more active lives. Large numbers of Baby Boomers continue moving into their senior years, while Florida — and Brevard County
in particular — remains an attractive destination for people choosing where they want to spend their retirement years. After 25 years, the work of the Brevard County Commission on Aging continues with the same basic idea with which it began: listen to our seniors, bring the community together and plan today for the Brevard County we want to grow older in tomorrow. SL
1966 Mustang This 1966 Mustang has a 289 engine with a four-barrel carburetor and automatic transmission. Ben Shumate of Melbourne has owned the vehicle for about a year and a half. He inherited his love of classic cars from his father.
Owner: Ben Shumate
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SENIOR LIFE • OCTOBER 2026
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