Senior Life
News for Titusville, Mims & Port St. John
North Brevard Talent abounds at Downtown Gallery BY FLORA REIGADA Creativity and craftsmanship are hallmarks of The Downtown Gallery, an art and custom framing business in Titusville’s historic district. Owners are custom framing specialists Jeff and Heidi Thamert. The Thamerts are also photographers. Their artwork and that of 14 other award-winning artists is displayed throughout the gallery’s five elegantly furnished showrooms. She specializes in close-up black and white photographs of hands that show texture and tell the story of a life. Many are those of older people, revealing character etched by a lifetime of caring, working and creating. Jeff Thamert touted his wife’s talent. “She received an Award of Excellence at the Mount Dora Art Festival and the Emerging Master award at Disney,” he said. He does “large format” photography and has been shooting photos more than 20 years. Much of his photography revolves around water, such as the St. Johns River, the Indian River Lagoon and the ocean. “I also love to photograph big, ancient trees, especially oaks found throughout the South,” he said. He spoke of Florida’s majestic oaks and those in Savannah, Ga., “a great place to photograph trees.” Coastal South Carolina is as well and Thamert was pleased to photograph The Angel Oak Tree on Johns Island. The sprawling tree is estimated to be 400 to 500 years old. The work of other artists displayed
Mims-Scottsmoor Public Library
SENIOR LIFE Dan Reigada
At the Downtown Gallery in Titusville’s historic district, Heidi Thamert displays her award-winning photography. Much of her work captures hands and the character of the individual. in the gallery covers a wide range of expressions. Among these are acrylics, oil, watercolor, photography, wood sculpture, pottery and jewelry. On Sept. 25, the Thamerts will celebrate the business’ 13th anniversary, with a social open to the public. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served. It will take place 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Downtown Gallery, 335 S. Washington Ave.
BY FLORA REIGADA
321-757-9205
909 Lane Ave., Titusville 321-268-2333
Mondays & Wednesdays • 10 a.m. Senior Fitness $3 for members/$4 for non-members Wednesdays • 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Beginning Spanish $7 for members/$8 for non-members Thursdays • 9 - 10 a.m. Blood pressure check Saturday, Aug. 22 • 7 p.m. Mardi Gras White Night Put on your summery white clothes and party. Band, 50/50, door prizes, beads and masks. Free dance lesson at 6:30 p.m. Light snacks, BYOB. $5 advance/$6 at the door
Heidi Thamert cited the motto that has carried the business through 13 successful years. “At The Downtown Gallery, your satisfaction is our priority. When you’re happy, we’re happy.” Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, call 321-2680122 or go to thedowntowngallery.net. SL
The past speaks through museum exhibits Step into Brevard’s past at Titusville’s North Brevard Historical Museum. The adventure begins on entering, where the left side is furnished as a parlor would have been in Titusville founder Col. Henry Titus’ day. The right side showcases a vintage dining room. “We have thousands of unique items on display,” said North Brevard Historical Society president Bill Baldwin. He pointed out items such as the 10 o’clock whistle from the Titusville power plant. “Capt. James Pritchard operated it during the 1890s. At 9:50 each night, he would sound the whistle to give everyone notice he was shutting down the electrical power at 10 p.m.” The museum contains numerous collections, one featuring vintage military paraphernalia, including helmets, boots, rifles, bugles and uniforms from World War I, to a more modern flight suit for pilots. There are cases of school memorabilia, with yearbooks from Titusville and Astronaut High Schools. “The yearbooks go back many years, especially those from Titusville High
North Brevard Senior Center
SENIOR LIFE Dan Reigada
The warning whistle from Titusville’s old electric power plant is on display at the North Brevard Historical Museum. Capt. James Pritchard would sound it each night to signal that electric power would be shut off at 10 p.m. School, which is older,” Baldwin said. Another collection features vintage bridal gowns.
There are also quilts, hats and clothing styles from days gone by. A kitchen section boasts items such as an old butcher block, an early electric stove and a toaster display. An iron collection includes those with fabric covered cords and even older irons, which required heating on a stove. It’s likely that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s “Fireside Chats” were heard over the vintage radios on display. One can almost see comedian Lucille Ball or showman Ed Sullivan on the old Zenith television from the 1950s. There is something for everyone: a sewing machine collection, typewriter collection, old farming equipment, vintage cameras, recording equipment and old hand tools. This is but a sampling of items and collections in the museum, for which admission is free. The North Brevard Historical Museum is at 301 S. Washington Ave. in downtown Titusville. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, call 321-2693658 or go to nbbd.com/godo/history. SL
3615 Lionel Rd., Mims 321-264-5080 Every month Basic Computer/Intro classes Call 321-264-5080 for details. Registration required. $20 per class. Thursday, Aug. 6 • 1:30 p.m. Library Book Club will discuss “Cheaper by the Dozen” by Frank Gilbreth and E. Gilbreth Carey. Copies of the book are available at the reference desk. Thursday, Sept. 17 • 6 p.m. Cook the Book Club will explore recipes from “Mitford Cookbook and Kitchen Reader” by Jan Karon. Participants can go to the reference desk to receive a copy of the recipe they’d like to create.
Port St. John Public Library
6500 Carole Ave., Port St. John 321-633-1867
Every Tuesday • Noon - 3 p.m. SHINE - Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders Counselors assist with Medicare and Medicaid questions. 321-222-7981 Every Tuesday • 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Senior Games Enjoy a variety of games. Every Friday • 2 - 4 p.m. Yarn Club Knit, crochet, needle arts. All ages and abilities welcome.
Hospice seeking volunteers
Hospice of St. Francis is seeking caring people who would like to become hospice volunteers. Help is needed with respite care for families, making friendly visits to hospice patients and military services. No previous experience is needed. Training is provided at no cost. North Brevard Volunteer Training will be held at 1250-B Grumman Place, Titusville from 2 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, Aug. 11, 13, 18 and 20. For more information or to register call 321-269-4240 or 866269-4240. SL
SENIOR LIFE
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