Viera Voice, April 2024

Neighbors of Suntree will be a founder page 30

Third Publix has new vibe page 24

Newspaper of Viera & Suntree...........BLUEWATER CREATIVE GROUP Vol. 16 Issue 3

APRIL 2024

Vol. 17 Issue 2

MARCH 2023

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Boomer Guide ready to read page 39 VIERA VOICE Jill Blue

MacKenzie Lewis, a senior at Viera High School, enjoys working with children in the Hawk's Nest VPK program.

VPK offers best of both worlds for students, student teachers

BY CARL KOTALA VIERA VOICE Jill Blue

Pipes looking for new lads, lassies

MacKenzie Lewis finds it very rewarding when one of the 4-year-old students she’s working with at Viera High School’s Hawk's Nest VPK program begins to understand what she’s teaching them.

“I love when I’m teaching a student and when they understand something,” Lewis said.

“You can tell by looking

Michelle Zeppieri, the lead teacher in Viera High School's Early Childhood Program, loves the energy of the Hawk's Nest VPK program.

Not pictured: Claudia Ventura

page 4

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As much as Lewis loves teaching the little ones, she is actually still a student herself.

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Exchanging snow for beach, family finds good life on Space Coast

BY WENDY SCHEURING

“I just recently ran the Publix Florida Marathon and Spencer did the half marathon.

We enjoy the outdoors. It’s still not too hot to enjoy a run or a bike ride.”

Even though they attended rival high schools, fate brought Bob and Teri Hirsch together when they were introduced by his brother, with whom she worked.

Married in Las Vegas, where they met during their senior year of high school, the couple will celebrate their 27th wedding anniversary in May. Teri Hirsch is a native of — Bob Hirsch Las Vegas, where they both attended the University of Nevada. Bob studied wants to become a dental engineering, while Teri hygienist. studied education.

Before relocating to “We have had a good life,” the Space Coast in 2021, Bob Hirsch said. “We are the family lived in Denver, very blessed.”

Colorado, where they The Hirschs have two enjoyed skiing. children — a son, Spencer, HAPPY Bob Hirsch was working 22, who attends Florida for Northrop Grumman as Institute of Technology, a software engineer, and where he is studying Teri Hirsch was teaching computer science, and a FROM kindergarten, first grade and OUR FAMILY daughter, Emily, 20, who second grade.

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Bob and Teri Hirsch and their children, Emily and Spencer, traded the Colorado outdoors for activities in Viera.

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When Bob Hirsch received an offer to relocate to Melbourne, Teri was ready to give up the snow for sunny weather.

They said they were attracted to Viera because it is a master planned community.

“We like the amenities that are close by and the feel of the community. It is nice and clean,” Teri Hirsch said.

Viera is where Teri Hirsch transitioned from teacher to baker.

She loved the Nothing Bundt Cakes store out west, but did note that Brevard

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County did not have a Nothing Bundt Cakes store.

After she learned that the territory here was open, the couple decided to take a leap of faith and open a Nothing Bundt Cakes at The Avenue Viera.

“It’s been a wonderful experience,” Teri Hirsch said. “We’ve been blessed with the response from the community. They have been very supportive.”

With Bob Hirsch working full-time and Teri Hirsch working long hours, the family stays busy. They enjoy the beach, eating out

or simply relaxing at home.

“We like the access to the ocean and watching the waves,” Bob Hirsch said.

“The kids and I used to enjoy skiing in Colorado,” he said. “Moving here gave us different outdoors (activities).”

Bob Hirsch also enjoys long distance running.

“I just recently ran the Publix Florida Marathon and Spencer did the half marathon. We enjoy the outdoors. It’s still not too hot to enjoy a run or a bike ride.”

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2/29/2024 4:14:45 PM

Pipes & Drums group still marching after 15 years

BY MARIA SONNENBERG

Bluewater Creative Group 321-242-1235 7350 Shoppes Dr. Suite 102 Viera, FL 32940 media@bluewatercreativegroup.com

Publisher Bluewater Creative Group, Inc. Managing Editor Jill Blue Assignment Editor R. Norman Moody Office Manager Sylvia Montes Copy Editor Jeff Navin SportsVIERA Writer/SportsBlog MEANS Carl Kotala

BUSINESS

NETWORKING GROUP

Art Department Jorjann Blake Writers/Reporters Mike Gaffey Betty Porter Maria Sonnenberg Wendy Scheuring VIERA MEANS BUSINESS NETWORKING GROUP

Since Calderon didn’t know how to play any musical instruments, much less a bagpipe, and career and family beckoned, he put aside the thought of becoming a piper and went

Specializing in:

VIE R A

SS E IN

ANS BU E S M

VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Brevard Police & Fire Pipes & Drums

Marco Calderon used to be a New York City police officer.

its mission to honor law enforcement and firefighters who are killed in the line of duty by playing free of charge at their funerals or memorials. At the time the band was formed in 2009,

• Affair recovery and Infidelity • Pre-marital counseling • Separation and divorce counseling • Life transitions • Assertiveness • Women’s issues Want help with something else?

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VIERA VOICE 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.

the 150th anniversary of the city’s fire brigade.

Now the president and pipe major, the Merritt Island resident and the 25 other group members perform at a dozen or more functions throughout the state. The band continues

VIERA MEANS BUSINESS NETWORKING GROUP

BUSINESS BUSINESS

on with life.

The band However, after retiring from his job as a New York continues its City police officer, Calderon mission to honor moved to Brevard County, law enforcement where he discovered the Brevard Police & Fire and firefighters Pipes & Drums, which just happened to welcome new who are killed pipers and drummers. in the line of He signed up in 2011, still not knowing how to play an duty by playing Within a year, free of charge at instrument. under the tutelage of a band VIERA MEANS their funerals BUSINESS or member, he was ready to with the group when it RKING GROUP memorials. N E T W Oplay arrived in Dublin to play at

VIERA MEANS

The entire contents of this newspaper are copyrighted by VIERA VOICE with all rights reserved.

VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Brevard Police & Fire Pipes & Drums

The Brevard Police & Fire Pipes & Drums perform throughout Brevard County for special events.

N

E

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P

Volume 16, Issue 3 ©2023 Bluewater Creative Group, Inc. All rights reserved

Marco Calderon never forgot the Emerald Society pipes and drum band that played at his graduation from the Police Academy.

Calderon was instantly attracted to the sounds and pageantry of the bagpipes, drums and kilts of a group of musicians often associated with police and fire departments. These groups grew from Celtic immigrants who brought customs from their old police and fire departments, including the pipes and drums.

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pipes and drums bands were rare in Florida. Now they thrive, often grouping together as an unforgettable mass band at funerals.

There’s a lighter side to the group, too. On St. Patrick’s Day this year, the band performed at several venues in Viera, including Urban Prime Marketplace.

Members encompass men and women, active and retired sheriff’s deputies, police officers, firefighters and civilians from throughout the United States.

They arrive wearing the Modern Murray of Athol tartan kilts.

“We go all traditional, but I can’t attest to what’s underneath,” Calderon joked.

The group can often be found, formally or informally, at Nolan’s Irish Pub in Cocoa Beach.

“We consider it our home pub,” Calderon said.

Owner Jimmy Nolan appreciates the band’s mission and its music.

“We try to have them as much as possible and they come in to celebrate birthdays and holidays,” he said.

Joining the affable group of musicians is easy. As Calderon will tell you, they’ll teach you the ropes, or in this case, the pipes.

For more information, check out bpfpd.com. VV

vieravoice.com

Suntree couple reach milestone

BY WENDY SCHEURING Dakota, a 45-pound mix of German Shepherd, Catahoula, Pit Bull and 2 percent Chihuahua, loves to greet visitors to the Loughrey household in Suntree. She’s the perfect representative for a couple who have been married for 70 years.

“She’s just the sweetest dog,’’ said Sheila Loughrey, who recently celebrated her platinum wedding anniversary with her husband Bill. “Our granddaughter is a veterinarian’s assistant, and you wouldn’t believe what a mess she was when someone brought her in. They fixed her up, and we didn’t listen to the thought that we’re too old to have a dog. When we take her out on a leash, she immediately goes into a trot.’’

Sheila Loughrey, 90, is originally from St. John’s, the capital of Newfoundland in Canada, and Bill Loughrey, 91, is from Ardmore, which is a suburb of Philadelphia. They met in 1951 and married three years later.

“Bill was in the Air Force and got stationed where I was working for Civil Service at Pepperrell Air Force Base in St. John’s,” Sheila Loughrey said. “We worked there in the office, and he was just waiting for his assignment in the supply department. He started coming to my church, and we started dating with the approval of my family.”

Her looks and her smile captured Loughrey. “I first saw her in November 1951,” he said. “She had long, dark brown hair.”

The couple have one daughter, Debbie, 69, and two sons, Paul, 68, and Charles, 65.

Debbie was born in Denver, Paul was born in Pennsylvania and Charles was born in Morocco.

“I was young and a little naive,’’ Sheila Loughrey said. “I probably should have taken in more of the culture in Morocco. Casablanca was a beautiful city.’’

Bill Loughrey’s career in the U.S. Air Force spanned 24 years and three months. “I was in logistics and maintenance,” he said.

He served in Newfoundland, Iceland, the Philippines, Vietnam and Morocco. In the states, he was stationed in Texas, Colorado,

Delaware, New Mexico and Wyoming. Florida was his last station of duty and where he retired from the Air Force in 1975.

In Vietnam, Bill Loughrey was stationed in Pleiku. “We had an advisory team there, instructing how to fly airplanes,” he said. “We were bombed five times one week and spent three days in a bunker.

“One time, he just got out of the bunker and jumped into a helicopter. Just as it was lifting, a bomb blew up the bunker,” Sheila Loughrey said.

She said Bill being in Vietnam was a difficult time for the children.

“The Air Force people were like a family, and we all helped each other.”

After retiring from the Air Force, Bill worked at Miami International Airport, then later moved to Melbourne as a subcontractor for Northrop Grumman. He retired well into his 80s.

The couple have lived in their subdivision in Suntree for the past 33 years.

“We were the first owners,” Sheila Loughrey said.

She was an aerobics instructor and began playing bridge. Bill liked to play golf at Suntree Country Club, where he still socializes with his friends.

“So many have passed away,’’ Bill Loughrey said sadly. “There’s only a few of us left.’’

As much as Bill Loughrey likes Suntree, he might have done a few things differently.

“I would have liked to try living in Ireland,’’ said Bill Loughrey, whose father was born in Ireland. He has visited the country three times and once with his wife. “I wouldn’t have minded that. I’m probably too old to do that now.’’

The couple never did make it to Scotland, which was on the bucket list.

Loughrey learned to appreciate the beauty of everywhere he was stationed.

“The hot springs of Iceland and the scenery was just beautiful,’’ Loughrey said. “The people of Newfoundland were so nice and the same with the Philippines. I never went anywhere that I didn’t like.’ VV

VIERA VOICE Jill Blue

For the past 33 years, Bill and Sheila Loughrey have lived in Suntree. They love their dog Dakota.

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VIERA VOICE Jill Blue

The Zachary M. Martin Memorial Run/Walk hopes to raise more money in its second year to support Brevard County veterans with PTSD.

Memorial run aims to help troops suffering from PTSD

BY BETTY PORTER

6

Viera Voice | April 2024

The second annual Zachary M. Martin Memorial Run/Walk to benefit those suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder will take place Saturday, June 8 at Viera Regional Park.

Martin was a young U.S. Marine private first class.

An accident in 2021, while training at Marine Corps Base Camp LeJeune, North Carolina, left him with shrapnel in the eye following a grenade explosion.

In June 2022 at age 21, overwhelmed with PTSD, he took his life.

His parents, Paul and Heidi Martin of Viera, hosted the first memorial run/walk last year in memory of their son. They have committed to making it an annual run/walk event to provide help to people suffering from PTSD. “We hope to prevent other families from suffering such a horrific experience of losing a loved one to PTSD,” Paul Martin said. “We want to try to prevent this from happening to other families and having this fundraiser may provide the help.”

Rolling Thunder chapter from Merritt Island will kick off the event with a motorcycle parade.

The race/walk will start at 8 a.m. with runners taking off before walkers. Children age 12 and younger will participate at no charge.

“We want entire families to attend the event,” Paul Martin said.

“It is a celebration of life.”

Martin expects the run/walk event to grow this year.

“We have upped our expectations for the run this year. We plan on having over 200 runners participate in the 5K, where last year we had an expectation of 40 runners and the actual number came in at 142. Our donation goal this year is $15,000 and last year our goal was $1,750 and our actual was $5,000,” Martin said. “Our reasoning for the increase

is our expanded advertisement in radio and online social media that we didn't have last year.”

Pizza Gallery at The Avenue Viera is once again hosting a fundraiser, Pizza With a Purpose, to raise money for the Zachary M. Martin Memorial Run/Walk. It will be Tuesday, April 9 at the restaurant.

“Pizza Gallery and Grill has opened its doors to us to help raise money twice a year. They have been so gracious and easy to work with, always willing to go the extra mile for us.

They provide advertisement flyers for us that we have distributed throughout the Publix Supermarkets in the Brevard and Indian River counties. The employees at the Publix Supermarkets have always come to the event to support our cause since I am an employee for Publix,” Martin said.

Proceeds will help Brevard County veterans with PTSD. The Zachary M. Martin Memorial Run/Walk is a nonprofit organization.

“Our organization is listed in the Stop Soldier Suicide 2023 Impact Report among major national corporations for donating larger amounts,” Martin said.

All participants will receive an individual results page complete with pace, placement, a finisher certificate and a 20-second clip of the participant crossing the start and finish line as well as a T-shirt and medal.

There is also an opportunity for people to participate virtually. The app allows the virtual participant to appear in the race stats and gives them their time and place status,” Martin said.

Participants can register at RaceRoster at raceroster.com/ events/2024/80573/zachary-mmartin-memorial-runwalk. Input Zachary Martin and the race pops up. For further information, contact Paul Martin at 321-479-6129 or by email at ZacharyMartinRunwalk@ gmail.com. VV

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p u p a SPORTSW r VIERA VOICE Jill Blue

Viera High School seniors Braden Ayers, left, Brodie Taylor, Matthew Maroz, Will Mielke, Caroline Morrison, Isabelle Sterzik and Leea Johns are excited about the postseason.

Viera tennis teams have chance to excel in postseason

BY CARL KOTALA

The Viera High School boys and girls tennis teams are ramping up for the postseason with some intriguing possibilities looming down the line.

While each team has lost some tough matches this season, there have been a number of instances where a few points here and there could have swung things in their favor.

And there’s no better place for that to happen than at the district tournament.

“This season has been all about opportunity,” Viera girls coach Aaron Keehn wrote in

an email. “Last year’s team had lost three of its six players (bringing back lines four, five, and six), and this year’s team now has 11.

“Our team is very fortunate to have had the opportunity to play nine of our 11 players in the starting lineup. I’m very grateful for this, and how a lot of our teams within the county have been growing.

This in huge part goes back to the amazing coaches, administrators and tennis clubs that we have here in Brevard.”

Senior Caroline Morrison plays No. 1 singles for the Hawks and was undefeated in district play. She’s followed

on the No. 2 line by freshman Katie Manning; senior Isabelle Sterzik; senior Leea Johns and sophomore Sophia Polvino.

Morrison and Manning, the top doubles team, have lost only once this season. Sterzik and Johns make up Viera’s No. 2 team.

Other players who have seen action this season include freshman Madison Bohn; freshman Bryanna Benne; sophomore Lilly Serafini and sophomore Rachel Waller.

Viera was off to a 5-7 start, but five of those losses were by scores of 4-3. If the Hawks can turn one of those matches around, they’ll be in good

shape.

Keehn believes Morrison and the No. 1 doubles team of Morrison and Manning both have a chance to go to state.

Viera’s boys, meanwhile, were off to a 10-3 start that included a crucial win against district opponent Martin County. The Hawks lost to defending district champ Vero Beach, but there were five tiebreakers in the match — none of which went Viera’s way — indicating how close the teams are.

Senior Braden Ayers is back on the No. 1 line for the Hawks, followed by senior Brodie Taylor; senior Matthew Maroz; junior Joey Shine and junior Kaden Combs. Senior Will Mielke joined the team early in the season and has been pushing for a spot on the

No. 5 line.

Ayers and Taylor make up the No. 1 doubles team, while Maroz and Shine are on the No. 2 line.

It’s the third consecutive year Ayers has been Viera’s top player.

“Every year, he has improved,” Viera boys coach Glen Outlaw wrote. “I think his serve is one of the top five in the county, along with his forehand.”

Outlaw, who is in his last year of coaching the Hawks, said he thinks this year’s district tournament will come down to four teams: Viera, Vero Beach, Martin County and Melbourne.

“My goal for us is to finish well and finish with a smile,” he wrote. VV

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VIERA VOICE Courtesy of James Clark

Members of the Holy Trinity boys and girls tennis teams pose for a photo during a recent practice. The Tigers have a chance, both in individual and team play, to do well in the district and regional playoffs this season.

Tigers poised for postseason success behind play of Dzheneva, Tu

BY CARL KOTALA

My hope is that Aly can return to a state final in line 1 singles and leave an indelible mark on both HT tennis and the state of Florida.”

Following Dzheneva in the Holy Trinity girls lineup are freshman Thaila Wells; sophomore Elle Canlas; sixth-grader Audrey Tracy; eighthgrader Christina Scott; eighth-grader Katie Van Hooven; senior Ashlyn Borboroglu and eighth-grader Jazzy Boyd.

It’s Dzheneva and Wells on the No. 1 line for Holy Trinity in doubles, with Canlas and Scott playing the No. 2 line.

While it’s nothing new to see younger players making an impact on a team, this year’s Tigers feature a pair of unique players in Tracy and Chen, who have come up from the lower school to make varsity as sixth graders.

“Our girls team is set up to finish top two in our district and to be a strong regional contender,” Clark wrote. “The boys team has been very strong and I expect them to compete very strong in the districts and regionals.

“Last season was our first team trip to states with the boys team and while it is always an enormous challenge, I think we have a strong chance to make another trip to states.” VV

With a veteran leader in senior Aly Dzheneva and a big-time newcomer in junior Fred Tu, the Holy Trinity girls and boys tennis teams are poised to have a lot of success in the postseason.

“Both our boys and girls teams have played very well this season and both Coach (Mark) Harrison and I are excited to see them compete in the district playoffs and hopefully beyond,” Holy Trinity coach James Clark wrote in an email.

The Holy Trinity boys were off to a 7-0 start this season thanks in part to the play of Tu, who has taken over as the team’s top singles player.

“Fred Tu is a new player who has been very dominant this season,” Clark wrote. “Fred is a Canadian who is looking to play Division I tennis after high school. His UTR (Universal Tennis Rating) is above 10.”

Other top players for the Tigers this season are freshman Ryder Collins; eighth-grader Zacky Dzhenev; sophomore Luke Rector; sixth-grader Daniel Chen; junior Jake Barlow; junior Rohan Jain and junior Ved Charry.

Tu and Collins play on the No. 1 doubles line for Holy Trinity, while the No. 2 line is manned by Rector and Zacky Dzhenev.

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Viera Voice | April 2024

9

Viera boys have a chance to go far despite early-season injuries

BY CARL KOTALA The season could not have gotten off to a worse start for the Viera High School boys lacrosse team.

But the Hawks are still here.

In fact, they’re playing much better than their 7-7 record would indicate thanks in part to a brutal schedule that should have them ready to go far in the playoffs.

“Our team is built on brotherhood and team first, share-the-ball team success over personal (success),” Viera coach Bob Nunn wrote in an email. “They are the boys in the boat, working together to a goal (of winning a) district title and beyond.

“Please don’t sleep on us because of our record. There is no quit in the 2024 Hawks and we will see who the best team in Brevard is.”

In Viera’s first two games of the season, it lost both of its face-off guys along with junior goalie and Utah commit, Jackson Lynch. All told, the Hawks have lost seven players for the season, a situation that would have

VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Joe Kemer/PlayOn Highlights

The Viera High boys lacrosse team has played a brutal schedule this season in order to prepare the Hawks for the postseason. Despite losing seven players for the season due to injury, the Hawks are playing well and were 7-7 heading into spring break.

derailed most teams.

But with a team that still has senior Landon Almonte; junior Mac Goodman; senior Kyle Fischer and

Aiden McNamara along with middies junior Cannon Volitis, junior Connor Hoffman and senior Gabe See, the Hawks still have plenty

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of talent. The emergence of junior Isaiah Garret in goal has been “a game changer” according to Nunn.

Viera has played a schedule that includes some of the state’s top programs, including No. 5 Lake Highland Prep, No. 8 Bishop Moore and No. 17 Cardinal Mooney along with Alatoona, which is ranked No. 14 in Georgia.

The purpose of the schedule, Nunn wrote, was to give the Hawks the kind of high-level competition that would prepare them for the postseason.

Nunn believes Viera has a chance to win the Class 2A, District 8 title and get to the Elite Eight or beyond.

“Our team is full of guys that have been playing together for a long time,” Nunn wrote. “Each one has a particular skill. What we

try to highlight is team ball.

We set lofty goals for assists, which we achieve.

“Not sure other teams playing a tough schedule, not cream puff, have four players with 20-plus goals and 70 percent of goals assisted.”

A season that started out rough could turn out to be great. “(Our) strengths are the toughness and desire to compete,” Nunn wrote.

“They don’t fold in pressure situations and they are really beginning to trust one another and work as a unit. I can’t say enough about their effort. We put them in such difficult situations with the schedule and our roster challenges, but they have responded beautifully with heart and hustle.

“They’re a great bunch of kids. I can’t say enough.” VV

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Strong defensive unit has Tigers looking at fourth straight district title

BY CARL KOTALA

the Holy Trinity defense, while Cohen is the short stick defenseman.

Junior Ryan Day, junior Ben Kinden and freshman Nick Rahmes also play close defenseman for the Tigers.

Junior Chris Moore and junior Dylan Jensen are the long stick middies.

The Tigers should get a challenge from Satellite, which was off to a 7-1 start, and Cocoa Beach (5-5) for the district title. Should Holy Trinity make it back to the regional tournament, potential matchups with Benjamin (ranked No. 3 in Class 1A in the last FHSAA rankings), Lake Highland Prep (No. 4), Bishop Moore (No. 6) or Montverde Academy (No. 20) could await the Tigers.

“I am expecting a good year,” Marr wrote. “The region is one of toughest in the state, so it will be a challenge.’’ VV

The Holy Trinity Tigers have turned into a boys lacrosse program that dominates its district.

This year should be no exception.

It’s taken a little while longer for the Tigers (8-4) to gel this season thanks in large part to the success of Holy Trinity’s soccer and basketball programs, which caused some players to join lacrosse a little late.

But once the Tigers get it all together, they should be well on their way to a fourth consecutive district championship and a spot in what should be a very competitive region that features three of the top six ranked Class 1A teams in the state.

“This year, we have a mix of seniors with many JV VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Joe Kemer/PlayOn Highlights players from last year,” Holy Holy Trinity seniors Michael Howkins, left, Andrew Turner and Julien Warden all play a big role as the Tigers Trinity coach Eric Marr wrote look for a fourth straight district title. in an email. “Our offense and senior goalie Justin Cole, who Cole McNab; Matt Buoyoucas defense will both be on the was in net when the Tigers and Cooper Cohen. same footing with a mix of HAVE YOU BEEN TOLD YOU HAVE A won their first-ever district Howkins, Warden and new players playing varsity championship three years Turner lead the offense along this year. ago against Cocoa Beach. with Buoyoucas, who is “ Our biggest So far this season, the expected to return from an Tigers have had one game injury soon. (strength) will be where Holy Trinity allowed Freshman Nate Combs • Low Back Pain our goaltending.” just two goals, three and junior Finn Werder are • Leg Pain games where the Tigers also two returning offensive — Eric Marr surrendered only one, and a players who help key the • Sciatic Pain shutout victory against West Tigers’ offense. Holy Trinity is Shore. also getting big contributions “Our offense will be able • Arm Pain Cole is one of seven offensively from freshmen to move the ball well with • Neck Pain Drew Zabinski, Roan Wright several seniors in the starting seniors on this year’s Holy and Garrett Schroeck. lineup. Our biggest (strength) Trinity team. The other six Dr. Kevin Fogarty, D.C. are Michael Howkins; Julien McNab is the close will be our goaltending.”

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Viera Voice | April 2024

11

Viera girls lacrosse team has plenty of firepower this season

BY CARL KOTALA With a potent offense and a defense that has been rock solid this season, the Viera High girls lacrosse team has gotten off to a strong start.

Viera headed into its spring break with a 7-1 record, the lone loss coming to perennial state championship contender Vero Beach in a game that saw the Hawks get off to a 4-0 lead before going a player down and seeing that advantage slip away.

The potential rematch could come in this month’s Class 2A, District 8 tournament at Viera that will be headlined by the Hawks, Vero Beach (7-4) and St. Cloud (8-1).

First-year head coach Bayleigh Keator wrote in an email that she has been pleased with the way the season has been going so far for Viera.

“Unfortunately, we have had a few games canceled on us, but that gave us some days for rest and rebuilding within a busy season,” Keator wrote. “But that does set us up well going into districts and the playoffs beyond.”

Viera boasts a number

“Our defensive strength has kept us in a few games and was the propelling unit in our OT win against St. Ed's ...”

— Bayleigh Keator

of returning starters this season, including offensive sharpshooters like seniors Isabella DiSciascio; Averi Foster and Catherine Zeek.

DiSciascio is now the school’s all-time leader in assists with 110.

The Hawks also have gotten strong play recently from newcomer Isa Brown, a junior middie.

Defensively, the Hawks are led by senior Bella Wessel and junior Kayla Beuer along with juniors Makenna Dunegan and Sophia Aderton, who excel at picking up ground balls and causing turnovers.

Senior goalie Cam Wallace holds it all down in the net.

Other key players for the Hawks this year include junior Addisen Frydenlund, junior Katie Merritt and

junior Emily Potts, who has stepped into the starting lineup following an injury and has really been growing into her role in Viera’s attack.

The Hawks will be even stronger if junior Paige Martin can return from an injury in time for the playoffs.

“Our defensive strength has kept us in a few games and was the propelling unit in our OT win against St. Ed’s for our home opener,” Keator wrote.

“This was a redemption game for us as we lost to them in OT last year. This year, we were able to come out on top (with the same score, 12-11, as last year).”

The Hawks were certainly playing well going into their spring break, winning their last four games against Edgewood, Lake Brantley, Winter Park and West Shore by a combined score of 71-27.

Viera has scheduled games with Holy Trinity (April 3) and Satellite (April 4) before heading into its district tournament.

As well as the Hawks have been playing this season, they still have their biggest goals in front of them. VV

VIERA VOICE Courtesy of the Viera girls lacrosse team

Members of the Viera High girls lacrosse team pose after beating St. Edward's 12-11 in overtime in its home opener this season. It was a redemption game for the Hawks, who lost to St. Edward's by the same score last season.

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The Holy Trinity Tigers have been focused on winning a district championship since the first day they got together this season.

Holy Trinity girls lacrosse team eyes district championship

BY CARL KOTALA On the first day they got together, Holy Trinity girls lacrosse coach Megan Sullivan asked her players what they wanted to get out of this season.

The answers all came back the same: A district championship.

“We have been working every day the last three months to set ourselves up to compete for this title and we will not stop working until the district championship game is over,” Sullivan wrote in an email.

While the Tigers will certainly have a challenge getting past Edgewood and Satellite in Class 1A, District 8, they certainly have a nice balance on offense and defense on a 20-player roster to get it done.

“We are very lucky to have a great starting lineup and key subs that know how to step up and turn it on when they are asked,” Sullivan wrote. “This team is truly incredible with their want to win and culture to work hard. We can incorporate each player on the field to accomplish our wins so far this season.”

The Tigers were off to a 5-3 start, their last win coming against district opponent Merritt Island.

Holy Trinity had scheduled games against Satellite, Melbourne, West Shore and Viera to close out the regular season before the start of district tournament play.

Junior Izzy Henderson has done a good job taking the draw for the Tigers while junior midfielders Victoria Nelson and Rori Betten help get the ball upfield safely and trigger the offense. Holy Trinity’s third middie, senior

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Betten was leading the team with 21 goals and six assists, followed by Nelson with 19 and Golden with 13.

Reeve was tied for second on the team with Golden. Each had five assists.

Defensively, senior Katrina Blanco and sophomore Roxie Edmunson have been crucial all season with their ability to win ground balls, while sophomore Faith Cowell is the team’s top crease defender.

They all play in front of second-year goalie Mia Glover, a senior who already has a shutout this season against Cocoa Beach.

Defender Maegan Mercado is the fifth senior on the roster.

“I would have to describe this team as the definition of a team,” Sullivan wrote.

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This is one of the most coachable teams I have had the privilege to coach in my seven years of coaching.” VV

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Viera Voice | April 2024

13

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“Three’s Company,” more the bawdy Mrs. Roper has share the celebration last year than two dozen members of become something of a cult with other Bridgewater Divas the Bridgewater Divas social figure today. members. group and their husbands Valerie Pettus, one of “I thought it would be a lot gathered for fun times during a the members of the group of fun,” Pettus said. “And so Mrs. Roper Romp at the Space from Bridgewater at Viera, a we started here and I think the Coast Mural Festival.

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Viera Voice | April 2024

15

Viera’s No 1 singles player signs to play at Piedmont University

BY CARL KOTALA Caroline Morrison got to celebrate one of the biggest days of her life in the perfect kind of environment: In front of her friends and family.

The senior, who plays tennis at Viera High School, signed her National Letter of Intent to play at Piedmont University, a Division III school in Demorest, Georgia.

“When I first woke up the day of the signing (March 2), I was feeling very excited,” Morrison wrote in an email.

“I have been working so hard for the last few years

for this. It seemed almost not real.”

Morrison’s signing day event was held at the Kiwi Tennis Club in Indian Harbour Beach, where she has been training since moving to Florida from Texas during the COVID pandemic.

That experience paid off big for Morrison, who started playing tennis in seventh grade.

“Playing tennis at Kiwi became a lifeline for me because moving during COVID was very difficult,” Morrison wrote. “At the beginning of my sophomore

year, I decided to take a big step in my tennis development and switch to Florida Virtual School and start training full time with the hopes of becoming a college tennis player.”

After playing for the Hawks as a freshman, Morrison has returned for her senior year and is playing No. 1 singles for Viera this season.

She described herself as a power player.

“One of my biggest strengths on court is my forehand,” she wrote. “It has always been the highlight of my game and something that

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VIERA VOICE Jill Blue

Viera High No. 1 singles player Caroline Morrison has signed to play at Piedmont University. Morrison held her signing day ceremony at the Kiwi Tennis Club.

not only allows me to take over points, but even finish points.

“Another strength of mine is my strategic mindset.

I have less experience competing than other girls, since they had been playing for five, six years longer than me, (so) I had to figure out my opponent’s weaknesses and execute a game plan and develop a stronger mentality.”

Morrison, who plans to major in nursing with a plan of becoming a nurse practitioner who specializes

in dermatology, said she picked Piedmont because of the closeness of the team.

“They were like a family with which I could see myself living,” she wrote.

“The coach, Trey Martin, ran his team in a way I could see myself growing as a tennis player.

“He emphasizes player development while maintaining a focus on how well players do in school.

Also, he has a very positive and upbeat attitude which works very well for me.” VV

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SCHOOL VPK PROGRAM

continued from page 1

ready for their move to Kindergarten.

“I love being part of this program because I get to see the high schoolers teach the littles and, when they do, the littles get so much from them.

They have their high energy.

They have a cool factor,” said Michelle Zeppieri, the program’s lead teacher.

“The big kids get the understanding of how to work with people who need extra patience. They have an understanding of children.

They’re learning how to work in groups of peers. I get to see the benefits from both sides.”

The VPK program, which is free to the public, has been around in Brevard County and the state since before the 1980s, and has been in place at Viera since the school opened in 2006. It can also be found at Merritt Island, Palm Bay and Satellite high schools.

Students not only get high school credit for the program, but are also earning their Child Development Associate Certificate and have an opportunity to earn 12 credits at Eastern Florida State College.

Several Brevard County principals and many teachers throughout the state went through the program. Some Viera students have gone full circle, attending when they were 4-year-olds and now working in the class.

Zeppieri is in her second year as the program’s lead teacher, but has been teaching for 23 years overall.

Her instructional assistant, Claudia Ventura, also has an invaluable role in working with the students.

“The high schoolers have told me they love this class because they’ll be in high honors geometry and then get to come here and teach,” Zeppieri said. “The high schoolers actually teach. All subjects.

“My assistant, Mrs. Ventura and I, help the high schoolers make lesson plans that are exciting and fun. Because of that, the high schoolers enjoy it as well. It’s a nice break from a regular day.”

Amy Ciak, a Viera High senior who like Lewis has been in the program for four years, said she enjoys the program because she’s getting to work with children, which will help in her pursuit of becoming a child life specialist.

“You’re working with the kids and you get to see how kids are,” Ciak said. “You don’t romanticize them. It really gives you qualities you’ll use in the future.”

And just like Lewis, Ciak said there’s no better feeling than when her students understand what she’s trying to teach them.

“The feeling when you notice the littles picking up on what you are teaching them is such a rewarding experience,” Ciak said. “Something such as them learning to write their name. Every day we practice that and one day you just notice how much they’ve excelled.

“Knowing that it was us making that change feels so

VIERA VOICE Jill Blue

The VPK program benefits children getting ready for kindergarten as well as high school students who learn practical skills and earn school credit. Braxton Splaine is a student teacher.

accomplishing.”

VPK students attend the program Tuesday through Friday. On Mondays, Zeppieri teaches her high school students how to work with children, how to write lesson plans and how to decipher testing data. Third-year students also learn CPR. Lewis, who wants to be a high school math teacher, said one of the most challenging parts of working with the kids is working with new children

every year.

“When they come in, you don’t know them at all,” she said. “You have to learn throughout the year about them and who they are as people.”

There are 18 students in this year’s VPK program and between 25 and 28 high school students interacting with them throughout the course of six periods during the day.

This year’s class has

already taken field trips to a pumpkin patch, the Brevard Zoo and a fire station. Next month, they will visit an elementary school to look at the campus — including the Kindergarten classroom — to see what it will be like for them next year.

“We wish that more of the community knew about our programs,” Zeppieri said.

“Oftentimes, people don’t know that our VPK programs exist. And it’s free.” VV

VIERA VOICE Jill Blue

The VPK program, which is free to the public, has been around in Brevard County and the state since before the 1980s, and has been in place at Viera since the school opened in 2006

vieravoice.com

Viera Voice | April 2024

17

Kennedy Middle School gets a makeover with community help

BY BETTY PORTER The community pitched in recently to spruce up John F. Kennedy Middle School, giving it a fresh look.

The project was sponsored by the school’s Beta Club and PTO. Volunteers included students, parents, grandparents, staff and community leaders who spent the day, March 1, landscaping, painting, organizing and sprucing up the school, which first opened in 1965.

“We are a true community school and we are proud today to be brightening the curb appeal,” said Beta Club sponsor Barbara Sweeney, who has been a teacher at Kennedy for 33 years. “It was my very first job and I think of this school as my home.”

Jenny Smith, a parent volunteer and member of the school’s PTO and SAC, said she was pleased to see the cooperation on the beautification project.

“The community has been absolutely incredible in supporting us,” she said as she helped to place donated sod near the front entrance of the school.

Site One Landscape Supply donated a pallet of mulch and a pallet of 2,500 pounds of pavers. Florida East Coast Contractors supplied transportation of the pavers.

“These pavers will go a long way in helping us create a sitting area and garden in

VIERA VOICE Betty Porter

Beta Club members and a grandmother, Sue Gorman, who calls herself Mee Maw, and parent volunteer Mary Peacock paint the bike racks yellow during the beautification project at John F. Kennedy Middle School.

the back of the school,” Smith said.

Barb Pennington donated a bench for the sitting area.

D’s Ace Hardware in Viera also donated mulch as well as paint. Richard’s Paint and Sherwin Williams Paint of Viera both donated paint and supplies.

Keep Brevard Beautiful provided claws, buckets and trash bags. Parents of students at the school brought rakes, shovels, magic erasers, Lysol wipes, cash donations and gift cards.

Rockledge City Council member Michael Cadore,

“This project is a clear example of how the community is involved.”

— Andy Papczynski

the executive director of community engagement and external affairs for Eastern Florida State College, arranged for power washing and also provided the volunteers with hot dogs for lunch. “All of my children are alumni of Kennedy Middle School,” he said as he helped spread mulch.

“This project is a clear example of how the

community is involved,” Kennedy Middle School Principal Andy Papczynski said. “Our prettying up the face of the front of the school will allow all to see what a hidden gem this school really is.”

The interior of the school was also on the project list

KENNEDY UPDATE

Continued on page 31

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Brevard students get STEM boost from Boeing Company grant SPECIAL TO VIERA VOICE Brevard Schools Foundation received a $250,000 grant from The Boeing Company to provide funding for student opportunities to engage in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Design Challenges, participate in experiential study trips and for STEM industry workforce volunteers to participate in the programs.

The Destination Mars design challenge — a culmination of a yearlong effort by elementary students — came to fruition March 21 with 42 teams representing 36 schools competing in four mission areas. The Destination Mars Event is in its sixth year and it included displays, device performances, coding experiences and judging. The event’s goal is to cultivate tomorrow’s innovators by engaging students in STEM challenges. The projects are designed to develop real-world problem-solving skills, simulation-based inquiry and collaboration.

Teams were presented with four standards-aligned

VIERA VOICE Courtesy of the Brevard Schools Foundation

The Boeing Company has been a generous supporter of the Brevard Schools Foundation.

STEM challenges that were planned and executed in class and in after-school STEM clubs. During the Destination Mars Event, the teams had an opportunity to present their solutions to judging panels composed of professionals from The Boeing Company, Brevard County Public Schools and other organizations.

Student teams selected one of the following challenges: Mission Research Station Biodome Pod: Students designed research stations that address the challenges of living on Mars.

Mission Solar Rover: Teams designed a functioning solar rover that would be able to travel straightaway. Teams participated in timed runs and competed head-to-head with other teams.

Mission Robotic Rover Spike Prime: Teams used block programming to program their rover (the LEGO Spike Prime) to complete missions on Mars.

Mission Minecraft Education Research Station: Teams used Minecraft: Education Edition to design and build a Martian Research Base

ceremony for graduating seniors at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 24 at Viera High School’s Hawk Stadium.

Class officers Dana Wilkins, president; Jennifer Swayne, vice president; Rajeeyah Fishburne,

that would allow members of the mission to maintain homeostasis on Mars.

Mission Journalist: Students documented the progress of each mission and compiled a video to show the team’s journey.

The grant from The Boeing Company also provides funding for Destination Space — an experiential field program at Kennedy Space Center for all sixth-grade students (5,500-plus) in Brevard Public Schools this school year. The grant continues to support the Girls in STEM initiative started in 2021-2022. It is a Saturday hands-on program that now has eight Title 1 schools that encouraged the participation of female minorities and helped to increase the number of participating teams.

“I have no doubt that there are future astronauts, engineers, designers and technicians in our local schools today, which is why Boeing is proud to partner with the Brevard Schools Foundation and its Destination Mars STEM Program,” said Doug Skinner, the director of System Integrations for the Boeing

CST-100 Starliner program.

“We are confident Brevard County and the state of Florida will see the impact made by this program for years to come.”

The Boeing Company has been a partner in the STEM program.

“We are incredibly grateful for the continued partnership of The Boeing Company,” said Janice Kershaw, the President/ CEO of the Brevard Schools Foundation.

“Their generous grant of $250,000 empowers us to offer exceptional STEM experiences to Brevard Public School students.

The Destination Mars program, Destination Space field trip and Girls in STEM initiative provide students with hands-on learning opportunities that spark curiosity, ignite innovation and equip them with the skills they need to succeed in future STEM careers. Thanks to Boeing’s investment, we are one step closer to cultivating tomorrow’s problem solvers and inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers and astronauts right here in Brevard County.” VV

secretary; and Amy Kloes, treasurer, have been busy since the beginning of the school year.

Wilkins organized the T-shirt fundraiser and teamed up with Swayne for Bingo Nights. Kloes ran Painting for a Purpose and the Yard Sign fundraiser.

Angie Hernandez organized Spirit Nights.

For more information, contact them at projectgradvhs.com or by

mail at 5445 Murrell Road, # 102-115, Rockledge, Florida 32955.

Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy will have its commencement ceremony at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 18 at the campus.

A Senior Rehearsal and Stroll will be conducted from 9 a.m. to 12:19 p.m.

May 17. The Baccalaureate ceremony will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the same day. VV

Viera High, Holy Trinity announce graduation nights in May

SPECIAL TO VIERA VOICE Viera High School will have its commencement

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Viera Voice | April 2024

21

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Eyedeal offers better vision, reduced wrinkles, improved skin tone

BY WENDY SCHEURING

Before it came to be, Eyedeal Vision Care, Inc. had been a longawaited vision for coowners Linda Sarkarati, a licensed optician, and Dr. Jacqueline Pastore-Tran, an optometrist.

The two women have known each other for quite a while.

“My husband and her husband (Dr. Dominic Pastore, also an optometrist at Eyedeal) grew up together since they were in elementary school,” Sarkarati said. “Through the years, we talked about opening our own practice.”

Sarkarati is originally from Brevard County and lives in Viera. Pastore-Tran is from Tampa.

Sarkarati has been a licensed optician for the past 25 years. She fits and dispenses glasses as well as contact lenses. Pastore-Tran, who received her doctorate degree in 2002, performs eye examinations.

“She determines the prescription and I make the glasses,” Sarkarati said. “We need each other.”

The two women took the gamble and went into

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business together when Brevard Vision Center in Rockledge at 1285 U.S. 1 became available.

They decided to rename the business Eyedeal Vision Care to differentiate it from other similar businesses that contain the term Brevard.

Six years ago, they opened a second location at 5500 Stadium Parkway, Suite 102, in Viera.

“When Dr. Caudill built this building,” said Sarkarati,” we knew that Viera was growing. We rented the bottom floor, right next to the MedFast Urgent Care, and did the

VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Eyedeal Vision Care

Linda Sarkarati of Eyedeal Vision Care performs a TempSure Envi treatment.

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23

Third Publix in Viera-Suntree area will have a second floor

BY MIKE GAFFEY

For fans of Publix Super Markets in Viera and Suntree, good things have come in threes.

The growing region’s third Publix is set to open this spring at 7655 Stadium Parkway as the anchor for the new 15-acre Addison Center at Viera shopping center, just south of Health First’s Viera Hospital.

But unlike the Publix markets at 7777 N. Wickham Road in Suntree and at Stadium Corners at Viera, 5380 Stadium Parkway, the new 48,347-square-foot supermarket will feature a second-floor mezzanine with a seating area for customers, Publix Media Relations Manager Lindsey Willis stated in an email to Viera Voice.

The mezzanine, with dining areas inside the store and outside on a west-facing balcony, likely will resemble the second floor added to the Publix at Lake Washington

Crossing at Wickham and Lake Washington roads. That Publix reopened in 2023 after crews spent more than a year remodeling the store.

A site plan from The Viera Company, a subsidiary of Oviedo-based Duda and master developer of Viera, shows that in addition to the Publix store, Addison Center at Viera also will have a 1,400-square-foot Publix liquor store, 344 parking spaces, four outparcel lots and room for other retail businesses.

Six other tenants already have been announced: • Great Clips — 1,200-squarefoot space • Whit’s Frozen Custard — 1,200-square-foot space • Pristine Spas — 2,400-square-foot space • Sushi Kawa Japanese & Thai Restaurant — 1,200-square-foot space • Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza — 4,800-square-foot space • an unnamed nail salon The three Publix

VIERA VOICE Mike Gaffey

Viera’s new Publix will feature a second-floor mezzanine with dining areas inside the store and outside on a west-facing balcony. It likely will resemble the second floor added to the Publix at Lake Washington Crossing at Wickham and Lake Washington roads (above).

supermarkets all will be within a six-mile area of Viera and Suntree.

Lakeland-based Publix operates nearly 1,370 stores, 10 distribution centers and 10 manufacturing facilities across Florida, Alabama,

Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. The company employs more than 250,000 people.

Publix reported net earnings of $4.3 billion in 2023, up nearly 50 percent

over the $2.9 billion reported in 2022, according to Supermarket News. However, the employee-owned supermarket’s net earnings fell 7.8 percent in the fourth quarter of the year to $1.2 billion. VV

he said “It’s been fantastic,” Chase said of customer response at the two locations. “People come in and they’ve either never had frozen custard or they’ve never had Whit’s Frozen Custard. We offer a free sample of our freshly made custard on a taster spoon. And it’s amazing to watch the reaction. They’ll taste it and in mid-taste, so many people go, ‘Oh my goodness, that’s so good.' " Frozen custard has the same ingredients as ice cream — milk, cream and sweetener — but includes egg yolks for a richer, thicker and creamier texture. Chase added that Whit’s Frozen Custard contains about 20 percent more butter fat than ice cream and is slow churned to preserve the dessert’s freshness longer.

“We make everything in the store,” said Chase, a Real Estate Broker who formerly was in country club executive management for about 15 years. He moved his family to Viera from Martin County in 2023.

“We have more than 400 recipes that we cycle through. “We make the custard fresh every single day. We do a vanilla, we do a chocolate and then we do a special flavor every day. And we have an endless variety of toppings.”

The Brevard County Whit’s also offers Whitties, custard sandwiched between two cookies; Whittle Dippers,

a chocolate-dipped vanilla custard in a waffle cone and covered in toppings; custard shakes and sundaes; cakes; custard pies; a kids menu and sugar-free and vegan options.

“For our vegan items, we use oat milk,” Chase said. “We always do a vegan vanilla and then we typically have about two vegan flavors as well. So people love that.”

The Viera location, adjacent to the new Publix, will be about 1,200 square feet, with six to 10 employees, Chase said. Hours will be from 1 to 9 p.m.

Sunday through Thursday and 1 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Customers can enjoy their dessert inside or select a pint, quart, cake, pie, etc. from a grab-and-go cooler.

Chase said he’s not concerned about a Culver’s restaurant on Lake Andrew Drive north of his Viera shop that offers frozen custard on its menu.

“Culver’s is a burger place that sells custard with their burgers,” he said. “We only sell custard, so we’ve got to be better.”

The Viera Whit's should welcome customers by late August or early September, Chase said.

“People already know us as the Whit's people,” he said. “They’re already asking us, ‘When's your store opening?’"

For more information, check out Whit’s Melbourne on Facebook. VV

Whit’s Frozen Custard to offer tasty desserts in Viera later this year

BY MIKE GAFFEY

About three years ago, Richard Chase and his wife, Chalee Madden, were enjoying a cool treat at a Whit’s Frozen Custard shop in Stuart and talking about becoming franchisees.

“We could never find the right place,” Chase said. “And she said, ‘What about Whit’s Frozen Custard?’ ” After a quick online check of the Granville, Ohio-based company’s website revealed that a Whit’s franchise territory stretching from Rockledge to Fort Pierce was available, Chase sent an email the next day and got a call from one of Whit’s cofounders.

“We liked the product, we liked what they had to say and what they offered us,” he said. “So we went ahead.”

Later this year, the Chases will open their third

24

VIERA VOICE Mike Gaffey

Richard Chase and his wife Chalee Madden, with their children Teagan and Richard, will soon have three Whit's Frozen Custard stores in Brevard County.

Whit’s shop in Brevard County, within the new Addison Center at Viera shopping plaza at 7655 Stadium Parkway, Suite 103.

Viera Voice | April 2024

The couple opened their first Whit’s in West Melbourne in February 2023 and a second franchise in Downtown Melbourne in August 2023,

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25

Playa Bowls leave everyone healthy, happy

BY JEFF NAVIN

Just a couple years ago, Jennifer and Eric Myers were in Cherry Hills, New Jersey where they ate at Playa Bowls for the first time.

It was love at first sight — or bite.

“We loved it,’’ said Jennifer Myers who, along with her husband, grew up in southern California. “You walk in with a feeling that this is a place that you’d like to call home. The food is healthy and it aligns with our lifestyle. We’re water people.’’ honey, pineapple, blueberries, The Myers family bought the strawberries, kiwi, cacao, coconut local franchise and opened Playa flakes and countless others can be Bowls on March 23 at 2261 Town added. Mango and banana also are Center Avenue, Suite 141, in Viera. frequently added It’s across the street Bluewater from 28 North Creative Group - Issue 27 to one of the other bowls.

Gastropub.

“Acai is a super food of fresh Acai is one of six different bases that include Pitaya, Coconut, Banana, fruit,’’ said Eric Myers, who moved to Brevard County 10 years ago with Mango and Green for the bowls. his wife to work in the aerospace Other ingredients such as granola,

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Eric and Jennifer Myers opened Playa Bowls in Viera in March.

and defense industry. “It’s a berry from South America, essentially from Brazil.’’

“Acai is similar to blueberry, but it has the texture of a thicker sorbet,’’ Jennifer Myers added.

Smoothies, juices and cold brews are also featured on the menu.

Playa Bowl will be open seven days a week. Sunday through Thursday it will be open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. On Friday and Saturday, it will be open from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m.

“Everything is delicious, but it doesn’t leave you bloated,’’ Jennifer Myers said. “This is full, clean, healthy eating.’’

It covers any meal, whether it be breakfast, lunch or dinner.

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Viera Voice | April 2024

VIERA VOICE Jill Blue

Tatiana Parquette, left, and her parents Quincy and Karla were the first family in line to experience the exotic flavors of Playa Bowls.

is to inspire and support our communities one delicious bowl at a time. We have bowls which are like a meal in itself.’’ VV

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Key West Sept. 15-18 The Colorado Rockies Sept. 20-28, 2024 National Parks Sept. 24-Oct. 7 Beaufort, SC Oct. 21-23 ARK Encounter Creation Museum, Christmas in the Smokies, Nov. 9-16 Beau Rivage Christmas Dec. 16-20

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ESTATE AND MEDICAID PLANNING: GET YOUR PLAN IN ORDER Wednesday, April 17 • 10 a.m.

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Viera Voice | April 2024

27

Business Scoop

Kravepot brings trendy Asian homestyle cooking to Suntree

BY WENDY SCHEURING

Soy sauce, wasabi, Udon noodles, Pho. These are flavors and foods familiar to those who enjoy Asian food.

Kravepot BBQ & Korean Hotpot, at 6525 3rd St. (at the former La Crave

location), is Cynthia Nguyen’s first restaurant.

You won’t see her when you walk in, however. She’ll be busy cooking in the kitchen.

She co-owns the business with a manager who wishes to remain unnamed.

Nguyen, a resident of Cocoa, is a firm believer in authentic, home-style

cooking.

“I am Asian and I like to cook. I love the food and want to share it with Americans,” she said.

The Asian hot pot restaurant opened Jan. 15.

It offers a unique dining experience not yet seen in Brevard County.

Each table has a hotpot

Accepting New Patients

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Kravepot BBQ & Korean Hotpot offers a unique dining experience with a hotpot at each table to cook the meals right in front of you.

where the meal is cooked at the table.

A hotpot is similar to a crockpot.

The key to the meal’s flavor is the broth. You can choose from Korean-style kimchi or seafood, which is anchovy based. Other flavors on the menu hail from Thailand, Japan and Vietnam.

Diners can customize their meals with a variety of healthy options, which are available buffet style, including mushrooms, bok choy, parsley, onions, cabbage, broccoli, hard boiled eggs, noodles, pork, beef, chicken, shrimp and scallops, among others.

Vegetarian choices are available, as well as glutenfree noodles.

For those on the go at lunchtime, quick individual bowls can be ordered.

“My family went

to Kravepot after an appointment in Rockledge,” said Digna Yarbrough of West Melbourne. “My husband was stationed in Korea for a year while in the military, and he was excited to see a hotpot restaurant.”

“Their sauce, veggie, meat and noodle options are so plentiful and fresh. My 9-year-old was in heaven.

He loves noodles and getting to choose all of the toppings was a major highlight.

The Thai tea boba that my husband and I got was very good, too.”

The owners are considering expanding to other areas of Brevard, including nearby Melbourne.

“I hope they stay open for a very long time,” Yarbrough said.

For more information, call 321-349-0481 or check out kravepot.com. VV

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28

Viera Voice | April 2024

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“I was tired of living with my Fibromyalgia pain.”

Local doctor provides patients with much needed relief from Fibromyalgia Symptoms If you’re suffering from Fibromyalgia you understand this sentiment all too well. Local resident Connie J. found herself at a turning point when she noticed her diagnosis started to take its toll on her marriage.

Through her own research Connie Dr. Andrea Izquierdo, Bodhi’s discovered that acupuncture can help founder and leading practitioner, has been successfully treating chronic ease pain and improve the quality of life of patients with Fibromyalgia. She pain and complicated conditions in the Space Coast since 2017. With over was then determined to find the best 10,000 treatments performed she has in the business, which is how she discovered Bodhi Traditional Chinese developed effective protocols to treat “I was angry all the time because of all Medicine & Acupuncture and Dr. seemingly hopeless conditions like the things I couldn’t do anymore fibromyalgia, peripheral neuropathy, Andrea Izquierdo, L.Ac. in because of my Fibromyalgia. That and postherpetic neuralgia.

Melbourne. anger cycled through to depression and affected everyone around me, my “I love what I do” shares Dr. Andrea.

Dr. Andrea has spent 7 years in the husband more than anyone. It made our Space Coast successfully treating “Everyday we are facilitating lives miserable.” transformations, helping people who difficult to manage chronic pain have been told that “they have to live conditions using the time tested Fibromyalgia affects the entire body, science of acupuncture integrated with with it” or that “there is nothing else and to make things complicated it that can be done”. We help our modern medical advancements in affects everyone's body a little patients get back to doing what they healing and recovery. differently. To make things even more love and there is nothing more complicated, those effects can change “I feel like a new person. My husband fulfilling than this”. on a daily basis. Sometimes you’re comes with me to my appointments and plagued with widespread muscle pain spends most of it thanking Dr. Andrea For more information on Dr. Andrea and fatigue, other days it’s a headache and her treatments and to view video for giving him back the woman he and heightened sensitivity to touch. testimonials from their patients scan married. the QR code below with your phone “I could barely stand to have the light For the first time since we moved here, or visit www.bodhitcm.com. weight of bedsheets touching me, much one of my neighbors told me I looked less a hug from my husband,” explains good! It’s a miracle, I don’t know how Connie. else to explain it.“

Primary care doctors will suggest dietary changes, pain liniments, and pharmaceuticals to try to get to the point where your life is no longer ruled by Fibromyalgia, until it is instead ruled by a routine and pill regimen all in the hope of avoiding flare ups. Connie put it this way, “My life was no longer my own.”

If you’re looking for a doctor and a practice, Connie describes the staff at Bodhi TCM almost as enthusiastically as she does their treatments: as professionals who understand your diagnosis and have proven solutions for chronic pain. If that’s what you’re looking for, then look no further than Bodhi TCM.

To schedule a consultation call 321-312-0771 but do so quickly! Only a limited number of consultation appointments are available as Dr. Andrea will only be accepting 8 new patients between now and April 26th!

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Viera Voice | April 2024

29

Business Scoop Neighbors of Suntree plans $10K aquarium donation during spring event

BY MIKE GAFFEY

Neighbors of Suntree plans to donate $10,000 to the Brevard Zoo Aquarium Project during its spring event Thursday, April 11 at Suntree Country Club.

A representative for the $100 million project’s Legacy Campaign will accept the social and civic organization’s donation during the luncheon at the country club at 300 Country Club Drive.

“This will qualify our organization as an Aquarium Founder,” Peggy Hyman of Neighbors of Suntree said in a statement.

The as-yet-unnamed aquarium and conservation center is planned on 14 undeveloped acres along the Banana River, near Port Canaveral and State Road

VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Brevard Zoo

The Brevard Zoo Aquarium Project has raised 74 percent of its $100 million goal.

528 at the western end of George King Boulevard.

Once the fundraising

effort reaches its $100 million goal, aquarium construction can start at the

site. The project has raised 74 percent of required funds, according to its website.

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BEST TIME TO SELL YOUR HOME IS NOW! CALL DEB TOMCZAK 321-604-8479

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Zoo officials hope to break ground later this year and open the aquarium complex to thousands of visitors in 2027.

Established in 1984, Neighbors of Suntree awards money raised throughout the year to charitable organizations in Brevard County. The nonprofit group was formed to help acquaint newcomers to Suntree and surrounding areas with its neighbors, make new friends and familiarize itself with the community through charitable initiatives, Hyman stated.

The group welcomes new members and is open to anyone who wants to make new friends. Annual membership is $25 and Suntree residency is not mandatory.

Brevard Zoo CEO Keith Winsten praised Neighbors of Suntree for the $10,000 donation.

“We are excited and grateful that our neighbors in Suntree are generously supporting our efforts to bring the aquarium to life,” Winsten said. “We appreciate their continuing support.”

For information, check out neighborsofsuntree.org VV

VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Brevard Zoo

The project has raised 74 percent of required funds, according to the Brevard Zoo website

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Brevard’s Largest Historic Venue

B BANYAN ESTATE

THE PERFECT VENUE VIERA VOICE Betty Porter

Beta Club members Skylar Miller, left, and Kylie Jones paint Panther paw prints on the ceiling tiles at John F. Kennedy Middle School.

KENNEDY UPDATE

Continued from page 18

for the day with students cleaning walls, painting baseboards, organizing closets and painting the school’s mascot Panther paw prints on the ceiling tiles.

“These paw prints are going to add some pizzazz,” parent volunteer Kati McGuire said as she stood on a ladder painting.

Beta Club members Skylar Miller and Kylie Jones also took to the ladders to paint the paw prints. Both are eighth graders and this will be their last year at the school, which provides seventh- and eighth-grade education.

“I hope our work here today brightens up students' days and makes things at KMS really special,” Jones said.

There are 62 members of the Beta Club, all of whom must maintain a 3.5 GPA to belong to the academic and community service group. VV

FOR SPECIAL EVENTS

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Viera Voice | April 2024

31

Bluewater Creative Group Ͳ Issue 27

Crossword

VIERA VOICE Susie Parente

Solution on page 37

by Margie E. Burke

The Bridgewater Divas and their Stanley companions gathered for the Mrs. Roper Romp at the Space Coast Mural Festival.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ACROSS 1 Imitate Pac-Man 14 “I thought it would ROMP 15 16 6 Up to snuff Continued from page 15 be a lot of fun. …

18 19 10 Napoleon's exile 17 time. And I think next time it And I think next isle will be even bigger.”

21 20 time it will be Nine husbands joined 14 Happen again the Divas for the festivities, 22 23 24 15 Rider's grip even bigger.” wearing T-shirts bearing the 16 Broadway image of Mrs. Roper’s hard25 26 27 28 29 —Valerie Pettus brightener edged, suspicious spouse and 17 Arch rival 32 33 34 30 31 landlord Stanley, portrayed The Bridgewater Divas’

by Norman Fell. Roper was 18 Inlaid with gold goal is to “be active,” member 35 36 37 38 39 always looking for a reason or silver Tina Swenson said. to evict Jack Tripper, played 20 Wound covering 40 42 43 44 41 “We go out dancing,

by John Ritter, who shared 21 Red blood-cell clubbing,” Swenson said. a Santa Monica, California 47 48 45 46 Group members plan to source apartment with Chrissy, meet quarterly and hope to 22 Capitol Hill figure played by Suzanne Somers, 49 50 51 52 present community-service and Janet, played by Joyce 24 Music for one projects in the future, Pettus DeWitt.

The popular sitcom 57 53 54 55 56 25 53, in old Rome said. ran from 1977 to 1984 and 26 Prom decoration 58 “I have seen that some of 59 spawned a spinoff, “The the Mrs. Roper Romps do a 30 "Most Wanted" Ropers,” which starred Fell donation so maybe we can do 61 62 60 agcy. and Lindley and aired in 1979 that next time,” she said. SL and 1980.

32 Greek 64 65 63 philosopher 34 Justice symbol Copyright 2024 by The Puzzle Syndicate 35 Bee, to Andy 37 Whirls 61 Pinball error 7 Hit on the head 30 Clock front 39 Snake's warning 62 Map inside a 8 Quarry rock 31 Insult, in slang 40 Rowing teams map 9 Beguile 33 Relate (to) 42 Appeals 63 Surveyed 10 Infringe upon 36 Cheated on 44 URL ending 64 Aces, 11 Salacious look 38 Gown material 45 Course taker sometimes 12 U2 frontman 41 Pie serving 47 Bath powder 65 "Wayne's World" 13 One more time 43 Calendar abbr.

49 Stadium level co-star 19 Type of pitch 46 Crude shelter 50 Pathetic 21 Cooks eggs, in 48 Tart, in a way 53 Relinquishment DOWN a way 50 Yeats and Keats of the throne 1 Salad greens 23 Word of advice 51 Put into words 57 TV remote 2 Therefore 26 Stadium 52 Installs in office button 3 Titanic, for one entrance 53 Altar spot 58 Strolling site 4 India's largest 27 Appetizer 54 Donkey's call VIERA VOICE Susie Parente 59 It comes from city follower 55 Rounded roof Caftans have become popular again as the Bridgewater Divas the heart 5 Get too nosy 28 Word in a threat 56 Not being used honor Mrs. Roper.

60 "Ditto" 6 Intensity 29 Doctor's order 59 Objective

(321) 616-8790 • Toll-free (800) 742-0060 BuenaVidaEstates.org •

32

Viera Voice | April 2024

2129 West New Haven Avenue, West Melbourne, FL 32904 Entrance on Doherty Drive • A 501(c)(3) Not For Profit Organization

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VIE R A

VIERA MEANS

BUSINESS For an invitation to the April 11 VMB meeting, call 321-242-1235.

VIERA MEANS

Andrew Pappas II, Kristin White, Kelly Riese Jesse Scianno, Jenee Krzyston, Fred Smith

N Diana Douty, David Charitat, Andrew Dye, Generosa Cawley, Patrick Cawley

Sanna Sheuerman, Pam Rogan

E

TW

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VMB Venue and Breakfast Sponsor: Jason Pun, owner, Kelly Cote, Dina Jackson, Shaleta Stallworth Chef Alex, Brittany and Bobby

In March, the Viera Means Business networking group met at AJ’s Lager House in Viera for a full breakfast with Chef Alex and owner Jason Pun. The Viera Means Business networking group meets at 8 a.m. the second Thursday of each month at member business locations.

Join business colleagues in Viera and the surrounding area to network.

BUSINESS

E IN

ANS BU E S M

OR

KIN G G

RO

Kelly Reise, Jason Pun, Cheryl Clark, Mike Acosta

Sandy Witenhafer, Jenny Lucas LaCrista Jones, Promise DeLaPaz

Eyedeal Vision Care wishes you a Eyedeal Vision Care wishes you a wonderful holiday season!

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Viera Voice | April 2024

33

U

April

Courtesy of the Charlie Corbeil collection

SUNDAY SUNDAY

MONDAY MONDAY

1

TUESDAY TUESDAY

2

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

3

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FRIDAY FRIDAY

SATURDAY SATURDAY

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National National Chocolate Burrito Day Mousse Day Pinwheel Planting with The Science of Dine-Out with the State of the State Sheriff Ivey and the Cheese Making Child Abuse Prevention 7:30 a.m.

Special Victims Unit 2 - 8:30 p.m.

Task Force of Brevard Presented by the 10:30 a.m.

The basics of cheese 5 - 8 p.m.

Melbourne Regional Pinwheels will be making and providing an Dine in or take-out. A Chamber and Space planted in honor of opportunity to make two portion of the proceeds Coast Association those children lost to different types of cheese. benefit the CAPTF. of Realtors. child abuse and as a sign UF/IFAS Extension Texas Roadhouse 2950 Pineda Plaza Way of hope for the many 3695 Lake Drive 1975 Viera Blvd.

321-724-5400 children saved.

Cocoa Viera Sip & Smoke Brevard County 321-633-1702 321-785-8880 5:30 p.m.

Sheriff’s Office 28 North Gastropub 340 Gus Hip Blvd.

2250 Town Center Ave. Rockledge, 321-785-8880 Viera, 321-241-1159

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National Fun Day

National No National Empanada Day Housework Day Satellite Beach Lions Brevard Investment Club/PAL Pancake Group Breakfast 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

8 a.m. - noon This group meets to Satellite Beach City Hall talk about stock market 565 Cassia Blvd. investments.

321-773-3607 Suntree Viera Library Melbourne Home Show 902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 321-255-4404 April 6 & 7 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Melbourne Auditorium 625 E. Hibiscus Blvd.

Melbourne 877-730-7469 National Taxes Day Gardening Day Woof it Up! Scottish Country 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Dancing Presented by the 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Brevard County Dog Springs of Suntree Training Club. A family- 8300 Holiday friendly event for dogs Springs Road and their humans.

Suntree Participate in the annual 321-427-3587 Breed Parade.

Riverfront Park 421 River Edge Blvd.

Cocoa, 321-917-3531

21

22

28

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Go Fly a Kite Day Jekyll & Hyde April 19 at 7 p.m.

April 20, 21 2 and 7 p.m.

Merritt Island H. S. 321-454-1000 Auxiliary Turtle Race 3 - 5 p.m.

VFW Post 4206 3165 Louetta Circle Melbourne 321-724-4121 National Blueberry Pie Day And All That Jazz!

3 p.m.

Presented by Central Florida Winds.

Suntree United Church 7400 N. Wickham Road Suntree, 321-405-2359

Earth Day

AARP Smart Driver Course 9 a.m.

This course is open to drivers of all ages and is taught by certified volunteer instructor Nancy Westerband.

One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera 973-607-7996

Rat Pack Flashback with Dave DeLuca 6 - 7 p.m.

Suntree Viera Library 902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 321-255-4404

Porsche Club 4 - 8 p.m.

Urban Prime 2435 Metfield Drive Viera, 321-499-1188

34

Viera Voice | April 2024

National DIY Day

National Cherish an Antique Day Space Coast Area Podcasters monthly meeting 7 p.m.

Space Coast Health Foundation 1100 Rockledge Blvd.

Rockledge

National Librarian Day Special Needs Trusts 10 a.m.

Presented by attorney William A. Johnson.

One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771 The Brevard Antiques and Collectibles Club 1:30 p.m.

Eau Gallie Library Melbourne 321-795-7363

23

National Hug Your Dog Day Lunch & Learn 10:30 a.m.

Enjoy a chef-prepared lunch and a brief presentation to learn how our all-inclusive amenitities simplify your retirement.

Shell Harbor 2855 Murrell Road Rockledge 321-252-1221

National Banana Day Free Liver Scans 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Courtesy of ClinCloud One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771 Yappy Hour 3 - 8 p.m.

Urban Prime 2435 Metfield Drive Viera, 321-499-1188

24

Administrative Professionals Day Non-Fiction Book Club Sit-n-Stitch Group 3 - 5 p.m.

1 - 3 p.m.

The book being discussed Embroidery, knitting, is "A Walk in the Woods" crochet group.

by Bill Bryson.

Suntree Viera Library Suntree Viera Library 902 Jordan Blass Drive 902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree Suntree 321-255-4404 321-255-4404 National Picnic Day

30

National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day Medium John Rogers: Yours Lights Are on — You and Your Aura 6 - 7 p.m.

Suntree/Viera Library 902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 321-255-4404

National Day of Commuy Service

Viera Park Market & Food Trucks 5 - 8 p.m.

Viera Regional Park 2300 Judge Fran Jamieson Way Viera, 321-759-3713 An Evening With the Stars 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Meet dozens of best-selling authors.

Holiday Inn Viera 8298 N. Wickham Road floridastarwriters.com

National Tartan Day

Fourth annual Out of This World Golf Tournament 7 a.m.

Fundraiser for GRG Turtle Creek Golf Club 1378 Admiralty Blvd.

Rockledge, 321-631-7776 AARP Driver Safety Class 9:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Suntree Viera Library 902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 973-607-7996

National Dog Therapy Scrabble Day Appreciation Day Brevard Corporate 5K Third annual Golf Summer Fun & Camp Fair 6:30 p.m.

Tournament for 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Melbourne Airport Homeless Vets Learn about summer 1 Air Terminal Parkway 7 a.m. camps, activities and Melbourne Rockledge Country Club programs offered in brevardcorporate5K.com 1591 S. Fiske Blvd.

Brevard County. Kidz Biz Rockledge Fair a market run by kids 321-205-7643 selling their creations.

Viera Community Center Benefits of Medical 2300 Judge Fran Marijuana Jamieson Way 10 a.m.

Viera One Senior Place fun4spacecoastkids.com 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771 National Exercise Day Jazz Band Concert 7:30 p.m.

EFSC Building 4 1519 Clearlake Road Cocoa, 321-632-1111 Third Thursdays 5 - 8 p.m.

Live music, complimentary snacks and dancing.

The Avenue Viera 2261 Town Center Ave. Viera, 321-634-5390

25

Take Our Kids To Work Day BCSO Shred Event 9 - 10:30 a.m.

Stop by to safely shred your sensitive documents for free.

Two box limit of personal shredding only.

Community Credit Union 1030 U.S. 1 Rockledge, 321-264-7755

National Garlic Day Wind Ensemble Concert 7:30 p.m.

Eastern Florida State College Building 4 1519 Clearlake Road Cocoa 321-632-1111

26

Volunteer Recognition Day

Third annual Hurricane Expo 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Addison Village Club 8150 Stadium Parkway Viera, 321-237-2377 Space Coast Cars and Coffee 3 - 6 p.m.

Thrifty Produce Parking lot 920 Barton Blvd.

Rockledge, 201-658-2004

27

National Kids and Pets Day First City Market Seeing is Believing 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

10 a.m.

Rockledge City Hub Presented by Staci 530 Barton Blvd.

Walters with Space Coast Ophthalmology. Rockledge, 321-221-7540 One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Safari Under the Stars 6 - 11 p.m.

Viera Brevard Zoo 321-751-6771 8225 N. Wickham Road Viera, 321-254-9453

CALL FOR YOUTH ARTISTS Details, page 21 Previous entries

Deadline: April 15

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IRCC helps service dog group with generous donation SPECIAL TO VIERA VOICE

The Indian River Colony Club Foundation has donated $5,000 to Patriot Service Dogs of Ocala, a nonprofit organization that matches trained service dogs to veterans with a range of issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder.

Patriot Service Dog puppies are raised and trained for about two years, at a cost of up to $20,000, before being given to a qualifying veteran.

The $5,000 grant was the Foundation's first outreach to Patriot Service Dogs.

Victoria Sanderson, the volunteer coordinator and lead trainer for Patriot Service Dogs, was ecstatic to receive the grant from the IRCC Foundation.

"Patriot Service Dogs is excited to see our continued growth on the Space Coast,” Sanderson said. “We've been growing in the area for the last year, but the IRCC Foundation is our first financial supporter. We hope this is just the beginning of a long relationship with the

community. This grant will make a significant impact on our ability to continue supporting our veteran/ service dog teams. And we are very thankful."

Indian River Colony Club resident and retired Marine Jack DeFreytas received his Patriot Service Dog only two months ago and can’t say enough about his “Bailey Boy.” “Bailey is not my dog. I am honored and privileged to be his Marine,” DeFreytas said. “The world would be a better place if more people had a buddy like Bailey. From the bottom of my heart, I thank Patriot Service Dogs for uniting us.”

Anyone interested in donating to Patriot Service Dogs can sponsor a dog, sponsor a veteran or make a donation to Patriot Service Dogs at 603 E. Fort King Street, Ocala, Florida 34471.

“As a combat veteran, I know what stress and anxiety feel like,” said Indian River Colony Club Foundation Board Vice Chairman Mike Feener, a retired lieutenant colonel in the Air Force. “And as a

VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Indian River Colony Club Foundation

The Indian River Colony Club Foundation made a generous donation to Patriot Service Dogs of Ocala.

former dog owner, I know how the unconditional love of a dog can heal those hidden wounds. For these reasons, I enthusiastically support the important work being done by the Patriot Service Dog organization.“ Indian River Colony Club resident Sarah Kedzierski and her husband Dr. Mark Kedzierski are volunteer puppy raisers for Patriot Service Dogs.

“After becoming a puppy raiser with

SPRING BRUNCH MENU! TRADITIONAL FAVES & CREATIVE NEW CUISINE

Patriot Service Dogs, I developed a huge respect for the integrity of their program,” Sarah Kedzierski said. “They train the dogs for service, while maintaining care and compassion. By matching veterans’ needs with their dogs’ skills, some of their dogs have literally saved veterans’ lives. The thrill of being part of such success makes it easy to commit to this program — for a long time.” VV

VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Indian River Colony Club Foundation

Bailey is a Patriot Service Dog. The trained service dogs are matched with veterans with a range of issues.

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35

boxes must contain 7 6 the numbers 1 to 9.

5 8 9 (Answer appears elsewhere in this issue) 3 7 9 5 It’ll take all of us to heal the 2 9 Lagoon 7 Indian River

9 2

Copyright 2024 by The Puzzle Syndicate

There have been a lot of big projects going on lately to help the Indian River Lagoon.

The Army Corp. has been releasing more than a billion gallons per day of contaminated water from Lake Okeechobee into the Indian River Lagoon at St. Lucie (and another 2.6 billion to the Gulf).

Lagoon Straight Talk From the Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition

Fortunately, the Legislature voted for $740 million in spending to continue water redirection projects to help correct this problem.

Solution

Puzzle page 26 Solution to Sudoku:

5 7 3 2 6 4 1 8 9 6 8 4 9 7 1 5 2 3 2 9 1 8 3 5 6 7 4 4 1 5 6 2 3 8 9 7 8 6 7 5 4 9 3 1 2 3 2 9 1 8 7 4 5 6 9 4 2 3 5 8 7 6 1 1 3 8 7 9 6 2 4 5 7 5 6 4 1 2 9 3 8

Closer to home, the Legislature agreed to provide $75 million in funding (it should have been $100 million, like last year) for the IRL Protection Program. These funds, together with the millions being raised by the half-cent sales tax, will help to pay for the removal of hundreds of leaking septic systems and other important projects to restore the IIRL. These investments are correcting pollution problems created during the past 70 years. And, we’re seeing signs of progress. Seagrass is beginning to return; residents report clearer water and sightings of sawfish and other longabsent species.

It’s not just up to the government. We need to help the IRL, as well. And, there’s a lot we can do.

Check out the link dw6x. short.gy/ to our What You

VIERA VOICE Courtesy of the Indian River Lagoon

Efforts are ongoing to clean up the Indian River Lagoon.

Can Do flier outlining a dozen actions you can take around the house during your daily activities.

Want to do more?

Volunteer!

Here is a link to 20 organizations, each taking actions to help the IRL. Go to helpthelagoon.org/thecoalition/partners/.

Want to help us

educate the community about our progress and how to continue? Go to helpthelagoon.org/getinvolved/.

It takes each of us. It takes all of us. It takes you to heal the IRL. For more, check out helpthelagoon.org/ and facebook.com/BIRLC/.

VV

Volunteer!

Here is a link to 20 organizations, each taking actions to help the Indian River Lagoon.

Go to helpthelagoon.org/the-coalition/partners/.

S

unset in Tuscany

Sunday, April 15, 2018 | 4 pm - 7 pm Join us for a grand tasting experience at the home of Djon and Melinda Pepaj 1001 S. Riverside Drive, Indialantic, FL

Tickets are $125 each or 2 tickets for $200 36

Visit BrevardHabitat.com or contact Pam Davis at (321) 728.4009 ext. 113.

Viera Voice | April 2024

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Reconnecting with Earth — start making a difference

Nature therapy ... described as “the practice of being in nature to boost growth and healing, especially mental health.”

— according to webMD.com.

Besides all those, they also ease the mind and strengthen the spirit. So much so that we even have a name for that — or many names, like nature therapy, ecotherapy and horticulture therapy, described as “the practice of being in nature to boost growth and healing, especially mental health,” according to WebMD.com.

Richard Louv, in his book “Last Child in the Woods” published in 2005, coined the term nature-deficit disorder to describe the human costs of alienation from nature both for children and adults. “Since 2005,” he continues, “the number of studies of the impact of nature experience on human development has grown from a handful to nearly 1,000. This expanding

Classifieds For Sale • Wanted • Senior Services Employment • Real Estate • Rentals and more Call today 321-242-1235 Deadline is the 12th of the month

BEYOND the CURB Marcia Booth

President & Founder, Recycle Brevard body of scientific evidence suggests that naturedeficit disorder contributes to a diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties, conditions of obesity, and higher rates of emotional and physical illnesses.”

Another book, such as “The Biophilia Effect”

by Clemens Arvay, goes into research that demonstrates that our organs and cells are influenced in a significantly positive C way by nature and natural settings.

So, for our own sake if nothing R else, we must respect and protect E nature.

To help us take steps toward that S goal, Ecochallenge.org created the S Earth Month Ecochallenge, a 30-day program focused on environmental and social engagement to help F individuals to transform Earth Day intentions into impactful actions A and lasting habits. As part of the C challenge, you are invited to select actions that resonate with your E values, committing to them for 30 days, from April 1 to April 30, to foster and reinforce positive habits.

A This year’s theme is “Conserving P Every Ecosystem, Caring for Every Creature,” and our S team is Recycle Brevard for E the Earth. Anyone is welcome

Solution, Puzzle page 32

BBC News recently reported on the winner for the European Tree of the Year, a contest that “celebrates our relationship with nature by showcasing beautiful and unique trees from across the continent.”

It originated in 2002 in the Czech Republic.

The winner was a Polish beech nicknamed Heart of the Garden growing in the University of Wroclaw's botanical garden. It is a truly majestic tree.

Trees, like the whole of nature and living beings, are important, have a role to play in keeping our planet livable, in balance — and should be celebrated. They make our streets cooler and our air purer, protect our land from erosion and floods, purify our water and form forests, home for many species of other plants and animals.

Looking for: •Gold and silver jewelry •Silver/gold items •Costume jewelry

In-home Appraisals offered • Hunting, fishing items • Toys, advertising items • Furniture, pottery

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FREE Pressure Cleaning of Driveways and Walkways with any exterior painting Call for details

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H O M P A B L E E L B A R E I N N E O N E C U R N E M Y D A M A S C E N E B O N E M A R R O W C A B S O L O E N A T O R L I I I S T R E A M E R P L A T O S C A L E B I S P I N S H I S S U N T R E W S P L E A S N E T N R O L L E E T A L C T I E R P I T E O U S M U T E B D I C A T I O N A O R T A R O M E N A D E T I L T I N S E T A M E O N E S M Y E R S Y E D

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No license required. If you have a kind heart, clean-driving record and a clear background, this could be the dignified, rewarding, low-stress opportunity you’ve been looking for.

Viera, FL 32940 Call 321-253-6336

Solution to Crossword:

40 years of antique, collectibles, guns, and ammunition experience.

PAINTING Senior Partner Care Services

Email Booth at Marcia@RecycleBrevard.org Recycle Brevard is an independent non-profit organization 100% run by volunteers focused on reducing waste and promoting sustainable living.

I Buy One Item or a

•Shopping •Airport •Anywhere •Cruise terminals •Doctor appointment

In-Home Senior Companion

to join us. Simply go to https://bit.ly/ RecycleBrevardForTheEarthEcochallenge, select your actions for the month and start making a difference. It is that simple.

How better to protect nature than by taking actions to build a more sustainable community and gain awareness to live a more sustainable life? When would be the best time to start if not this Earth Month?

Join us!

As the saying goes, “there is no Wi-Fi in the forest, but I promise you will find a better connection.”

Happy Earth Month! V V

Free Immunization Assessment by our Pharmacy Team

Make your immunization make a world of difference.

Shingles, pneumonia, and more available now!

Seniors Day is the first Tuesday of each month. *20% off Regular Price Merchandise with bonus points 55+ with Balance Reward Card *Some restrictions apply

ANTIQUES WANTED TO BUY High prices paid!

Buying costume jewelry, flatware sets, coins, old military items, pottery, toys, trains, old paintings, figurines & much more

FREE AT HOME VALUATIONS Over 25 Years’ Experience in Antiques

321-634-2647

Viera Voice | April 2024

37

The Space Coast’s Free Resource Magazine

The wait is over!

2024 Boomer Guide is here!

Brevard County’s award-winning senior resource magazine

2024 Boomer Guide models BOOMER CELEBRATING 12 YEARS AS BREVARD COUNTY’S MOST COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE FOR BOOMERS & SENIORS

CELEBRATING 17 YEARS

RESOURCE MAGAZINE 2013 EDITION

7TH ANNUAL DIRECTORY bUsINEss LIsTINGs COMMUNITY REsOURCEs sENIOR LIvING TOUR CLUbs & ORGANIzATIONs sUppORT GROUps

EDITION 2018 · NO. 12

getting

2023 EDITION • NO. 17

FREE

Secrets to living a happy and healthy life in retirement

Fun &

ROBUST

Leisure

RESOURCE LISTINGS

SUPPORT GROUPS SENIOR LIVING TOUR SPORTS & ACTIVITIES VETERANS RESOURCES

Boomeritis WEEKEND WARRIORS &

POWER OF AGE

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ISSUE

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BUSINESS FINDER HEALTH & WELLNESS ACTIVITIES • SPORTS CLUBS • GROUPS • MEETINGS SUPPORT GROUPS VETERANS RESOURCES SENIOR LIVING TOUR HURRICANE SAFETY

Cool PLACES

Paddles Up

Celebrating 21 Years

Dragon Boat Racing

Celebrating 25 Years

For a pick-up location near you or bulk delivery of 30 or more guides, call 321-242-1235

Celebrating our 18th edition

North Brevard

Central Brevard

South Brevard

Titusville Chamber of Commerce 2000 S. Washington Ave., Titusville

Viera Discovery Center, 2261 Town Center Ave., 105

Greater Palm Bay Senior Center 1275 Culver Drive NE, Palm Bay

North Brevard Senior Center 909 Lake Ave., Titusville

Rockledge City Hall 1600 Huntington Lane, Rockledge One Senior Place, 8085 Spyglass Hill Road, Viera

Freedom 7 Senior Center 5000 Tom Warriner Blvd., Cocoa Beach

William Johnson P.A., 140 Interlachen Road, Suntree

Mims Library, 3615 Lionel Rd., Mims

Wickham Park Senior Center 785 Leisure Way, Melbourne Freedom 7 Senior Center 5000 Tom Warriner Blvd, Cocoa Beach

Aging Matters in Brevard 3600 W. King St., Cocoa

Senior Life, 7350 Shoppes Dr., #102, Viera

Brevard Veterans Memorial Center 400 S. Sykes Creek Pkwy, Merritt Island

A supplement to Senior Life

38

Viera Voice | April 2024

Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce 400 Fortenberry Road, Merritt Island

Melbourne Regional Chamber of Commerce 1005 East Strawbridge Ave. 55+ Club, DRS Center 1089 S. Patrick Dr., Satellite Beach Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce 4100 Dixie Hwy. NE, Palm Bay Sunflower House 3125 Fell Road, Melbourne Rhodes Law, PA 1751 Sarno Rd, Suite 2, Melbourne

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SENIOR News

Boomer Guide models represent Brevard County’s diversity

BY JEFF NAVIN The 18th annual Boomer Guide is better than ever. Just ask the 11 models chosen to represent boomers and seniors from all over Brevard County.

They come from all walks of life, areas of the United States and many different professions. Some have made career changes with a lot to boast about in either career choice.

Nancy Johnson, a Vassar graduate, was an actor, a voiceover star and successfully ran a bed and breakfast with her late husband Mel Johnson. She’s the cover model.

Bill Antonetz, a native of Connecticut, shares his knowledge of cars for the greater good. His monthly car shows help local charities. Antonetz also volunteers at the American Muscle Car Museum, which is always seemingly helping the community with its

fundraisers.

Shryrl Johnson-Holley rebounded from tragedy to become a jazz singer and an actor in local theatrical performances. Her husband, Mark Holley, a former New York City bellman, golfs, bowls and

plays chess.

John Prink has exchanged his police uniform for the rural life of raising horses on a small ranch. But, it’s not all bib overalls for Prink. He plays the drums for a blues band, still acts in a few films and shares his thoughts on podcasts.

Kim Gabriel hasn’t let a heart transplant deter her from acting.

After recovering, she played a small role in the human-trafficking film “Don’t Say My Name.’’

Quebec native France Lefebvre, a hospice nurse who worked in interior design years ago, has always wanted to model. She crossed that off her bucket list by gracing the pages of the Boomer Guide.

Linda Knoblock-Raupp was president of the MGB Car Club for six years. You might see her driving her black 1980 Limited Edition MGB in Melbourne.

Martha Andes, a nurse, did a tandem jump out of an airplane at 18,000 feet. The 70-year-old native of Colombia walks to stay fit and enjoys nature photography.

Lynn McBride enjoys line dancing and has been a fan of the Boomer Guide since its inception.

Marianne Kulac has backpacked the world with approximately 137 stamps on her passports through the years. She walks five miles a day on the beach and loves to garden.

Trying to coax an old friend from Michigan or Maine to move down to Brevard County? Send a copy of the 2024 Boomer Guide.

Seniors have plenty of options to maintain the same hobbies they enjoyed up north. It could be the many martial arts offered, swimming, tennis or pickleball, or playing a round of golf at all the wonderful golf courses dotting the area. V V

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Viera Voice | April 2024

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Spring Cleaning SALE Closets

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Viera Voice | September 2023

Viera Voice | April 2024

( S u n t r e e )

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