2023 April Fifty Third Neighbors

PUBLICATION TEAM

Publisher: Tessa and Peter Garcia

Content Coordinator: Marilyn Beaucher

Designer: Marshall Zak

Contributing Writer: Tessa Garcia

Contributing Photographer: Scott Finney | Scott Finney Photography

residents THE LETTER TO

Hi Neighbors!

Happy Spring! April will bring us one reason we all live here - the beautiful weather. Take in your Vitamin D sunshine and fresh air!

We start our month with April Fool’s Day on April 1st to provide fun and allow you to play tricks on family and friends. Don’t get caught yourself!

ADVERTISING

Contact: Tessa and Peter Garcia

Phone: 845-406-1236

Email: tgarcia@bestversionmedia.com

HOA SUBMISSION INFORMATION:

Are you on the association board for your subdivision? Contact us for the information on how you can submit articles, updates, reminders, events and more to the residents. We create customized Homeowners Association section at no cost to the HOA or the residents.

FEEDBACK/IDEAS/SUBMISSIONS:

Have feedback, ideas, or submissions? We are always happy to hear from you! Deadlines for submissions are the 7th of each month. Go to www.bestversionmedia.com and click “Submit Content.” Or, simply email your submission, comments, and suggestions to us at mbeaucher@bestversionmedia.com.

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS:

Emergency…………...................................................................………………………...911

Vero Beach Police Department…................................…………772-978-4600

Vero Beach Fire Department………...............................…….....772-226-3900

Vero Beach City Hall……………….........................................………..772-978-5151

Vero Beach Public Library………..................................…………..772-770-5060

Vero Beach Parks and Recreation……...................................772-978-4500

Vero Beach School District………………....................................772-564-3000 Cleveland Clinic Hospital..............................................................772-567-4311

CONTENT SUBMISSION

Easter will be celebrated on April 9th this month, so all our advertising vendors are ready to accommodate your holiday needs. Stop by their shops or give them a call if you haven’t already.

This month’s featured cover story features Dr. Jenee Ware of Ware Family Dentistry at 637 17th Street, Vero Beach. She shares her story from being high school valedictorian, an education at the University of Florida for Criminology, her dental education, and employment that brought her to open her own practice. Amidst all of that, she is a cancer survivor supported by her husband and family. Hence, her motto is “Live life to its fullest.”

Please note our vendor supporters throughout the magazine this month will be at your fingertips to help with any projects, spring renovations, or cleaning. Take advantage of the professional expertise they have to offer in completing your projects.

Be sure to check out our recipe this month for Angie’s Leg of Lamb. You may want to prepare this dish for your Easter holiday celebration!

Stay safe and have fun!

Marilyn Beaucher Content Coordinator

•

Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements and advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the views of Best Version Media (BVM) or any municipality, homeowners associations, businesses or organizations that this publication serves. BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability or timeliness of any content submitted. All content submitted is done so at the sole discretion of the submitting party. © 2023 Best Version Media. All rights reserved.

MARILYN MARSHALL SCOTT

To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact BVM at tgarcia@bestversionmedia.com.

William F. Joyce, PA REVIVE Physician Associate Bio Identical HRT Stem Cell Specialist 772-492-6607

755 SW 27th AVE, SUITE 9 Vero Beach FL 32968 ReviveVB.com

Angela Dickens Vice President, Marketing and Community Relations Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital 772-226-4911 Indian River Medical Center 1000 36th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960

Carl P. DiLella, DO Board Certified in Orthopaedic Surgery; Fellowship Trained in Sports Medicine / Adult Knee and Shoulder Reconstruction / Sports Medicine

Miguel A. Rivera, MD Board Certified, American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehab / Board Certified, American Board of Pain Medicine

Richard Steinfeld, MD, MBA, FAAOS Diplomate, ABOS • Fellow, AAOS / Adult Hip, Knee, and Shoulder Reconstruction / Sports Medicine

Dr. Jenee Ware Live Life to its Fullest

We are pleased to share with you this month the path of Dr. Jenee Ware and her journey to her practice here in Vero Beach.

Beginning with her education here in Indian River County, she graduated valedictorian of her high school, Lincoln Park Academy, in 2005, and then received her AA from Indian River State College.

Her next accomplishment was attending the University of Florida and receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology. Dr. Ware is still a huge Gators fan and enjoys taking her family to watch Gator football.

Jenee then decided to take a year off and worked as a dental assistant for a local dentist in Vero Beach before attending dental school at the University of Florida, where she graduated with her Doctorate of Dental Medicine in 2012. She worked for Heartland Dental for five years before opening her own dental practice in 2017 here in Vero Beach.

Amidst all of her studies, Jenee still had time while she grew up to play the cello from when she was five until she played in the University of Florida Orchestra while in undergraduate school.

Family is a priority with Dr. Ware and her husband, Kevin. They have two daughters, Savanna, age 9, and Carly, age 3.

Both of their daughters love to dance and currently go to Rhythm and Soul, where their 9-year-old is on the dance competition team, and their 3-year-old participates in the Recreational Creative Movement Class. Savanna loves to write songs and dance all around the house, with Carly following closely behind, copying her big sister’s every move.

They also have a fur baby, a yellow lab named Remington or “Remi,” who is 11 years old. He is amazing with both of the girls, and everyone calls him Nanny Rem as he is always by their side when they are upset or don’t feel well.

Unfortunately, after battling Stage 3 breast cancer, she and her family quickly learned how to live every day to its fullest. I was diagnosed when 28 weeks pregnant with my little rainbow baby, Carly. I am currently 2.5 years NED. Achieving NED is a positive sign that your cancer treatment was effective and that you’re at a lower risk for developing metastatic cancer or cancer-related death. Live every day like it is your last, as life is short.

Jenee and Kevin are both Florida natives. Jenee grew up in Port St. Lucie, and Kevin grew up in Fort Pierce, so they consider Vero their home! They met at Indian River State College in 2003 in Chemistry class. They married at Ballantrae in Port St. Lucie on Feb 27, 2010, during her second year at dental school.

The Ware family loves to be out on their boat and go scalloping every year on the west coast of Florida from Crystal River to Steinhatchee to Keaton Beach. They also love to visit the Keys and recently enjoyed Mile 0 Fest in Key West in January, where there was a music festival for five days.

Dr. Ware considers it an honor to give back to our community and participate every year in Give Kids a Smile and Project Christmas Smile, where she, along with her staff, volunteers their services and do free extractions and free fillings for those in need. We are all grateful for her dedication to her profession and the time she takes, not only with her patients but also with her family, her health, and her community assistance.

STORY BY MARILYN BEAUCHER

PHOTO BY SCOTT FINNEY PHOTOGRAPHY

Best Version Media

April OF EVENTS CALENDAR

ONGOING

COSTA D’ESTE BEACH HOTEL & SPA-

APRIL

Daily Happy Hour from 4-6pm

Sunday Brunch from 11am-3pm

Tuesday’s Prime Rib Night from 5:30-10pm

Wednesday’s Paella Night from 5:30-10pm

Live Music Schedule at the Cabana Bar: Thursday from 5-8pm

Friday from 6-9pm

Saturday from 2-5pm Sunday from 2-5pm

Sunrise Yoga on the Beach with C|Spa

Vero

Tues., Thurs., Sat. at 7am

$10 drop-in fee for locals

EVERY MONDAY

ByPri

Free consultations on all services, including Microblading, Scalp Micro-Pigmentation, Skin tightening & tattoo removal @3055 Cardinal Dr. Suite 103 772-999-4443

EVERY FRI. & SAT.

Riverside Theater-Live in the Loop

Outdoor Dining & Live Music

@3250 Riverside Park Dr. Vero Beach, FL

5:30-9pm 772-231-6990

EVERY TUESDAY & THURSDAY

Journey Meditations

@nto The Mystic 1614 US 1, Sebastian

$15

Spiritual Medium Marchelle 772-480-4344

EVERY SATURDAY

Farmer’s Market

Every Saturday morning

@Ocean Drive & Dahlia Lane

Fresh fruit and vegetables, soaps, honey, pastries, etc. 8am-12pm

APRIL 1 - 9

Oleanna

@Riverside Theater-Waxlax Stage

3250 Riverside Park Dr., Vero Beach 772-231-6990

Tickets-myriversidetheatre.com

APRIL 1 - 30

Jason Gamrath

Master Glass Sculptor & Blower

@McKee Botanical Gardens

350 US Hwy. 1

Outdoor Floral Glass Exhibit

772-794-0601

info@mckeegarden.org

APRIL 1 - 26

Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge

Tours

Every Wednesday 8am

Free, reservations required Call (772) 581-5557

SAT., APRIL 1

62nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt

@Mulligan’s/Vero Beach

Bring donation of 6 empty plastic Easter eggs

Ages 0-9

Face painting, Easter Bunny, beach egg hunting 9:30-11:30am 772-231-4787

772-978-4500

SAT., APRIL 1 Seawind

@Heaton’s Reef 3500 Ocean Dr. 12pm

772-469-4444

SUN., APRIL 2

Art in the Park Fine Arts & Crafts Show by Vero Beach Art Club

@Humiston Park

3000 Ocean Dr., Vero Beach

Oils, sculptures, acrylics, jewelry, ceramics 10am-4pm Joanne-304-261-6733

Joe-865-789-0373

SUN., APRIL 2, 23

East Harbor Trio

@Heaton’s Reef 3500 Ocean Dr. 12pm 772-469-4444

TUESDAYS, APRIL 4, 11, 18, 25

Live Entertainment Motown Tuesdays w/Mr. Motown Cobalt Lounge

@Cobalt Restaurant

3500 Ocean Dr., Vero Beach

6pm

772-469-1060

THURS., APRIL 6

Jerzi Olivia

@Heaton’s Reef

3500 Ocean Dr.

5pm

772-469-4444

FRI., APRIL 7

Gallery Stroll

@Downtown Historical Vero Beach

Rain or shine

A free event every 1st Fri. of the month

5-8pm 772-562-5525

www.verobeachartclub.org

FRI., APRIL 7

Easter Egg Hunt by City of Sebastian & Sebastian Police Dept.

@Riverview Park, Sebastian Photos w/Easter Bunny 6-7pm

DJ Music, candy, prizes, games

Bring a basket or bag for egg hunting Movie at 7:45pm-Peter Rabbit 772-228-7054

rpaul@cityofsebastian.org

FRI., APRIL 7

Friday Night Live w/Traxx Ent. Cobalt Lounge

@Cobalt Restaurant 3500 Ocean Dr., Vero Beach 6pm 772-469-1060

SAT., APRIL 8 - 12PM

SAT., APRIL 27- 5PM

Terry Dobson @Heaton’s Reef 3500 Ocean Dr. 772-469-4444

SAT., APRIL 8

Craft Club of Sebastian Craft Show @Riverview Park US 1 & 512 10am-3pm

Marie: 315-278-6437

Nancy: 321-749-7675

SAT., APRIL 8

Coffee & Crime True Crime Book Club

Con/Artist: The Life and Crimes of the World’s Greatest Art Forger

Author: Tony Tetro and Giampiero Ambrosi

@IRC Main Library-Large Meeting Room 1600 21st St., Vero Beach

10am

2nd Sat. of each month

Jessica-772-400-6310 or jmatthews@ irclibrary.org

Books are available @Main Library, Circulation Desk

SAT., APRIL 8

Beachin’ It on Saturday Night

@Ocean Drive

3000 Ocean Dr., Vero Beach Live Band -60s to 90s

6-9pm 772-226-5459

info@verochamber.com

SUN., APRIL 9

Easter Brunch Buffet

@Costa d Este Beach Hotel & Spa

The Wave Kitchen & Bar

10:30am-2:30pm

Call for reservations: 772-410-0100 or Book on OpenTable

APRIL 11 - 30

42nd Street

@Riverside Theater-Stark Main Stage

3250 Riverside Park Dr., Vero Beach 772-231-6990

Tickets-myriversidetheatre.com

THURS., APRIL 13

Live Entertainment

Kacy Lolita

@Heaton’s Reef

3500 Ocean Dr. 5pm

772-469-4444

FRI., APRIL 14

Premiere Women’s Network Luncheon

@Crab Stop

89 Royal Palm Pointe, Vero Beach

11:30am-1:30pm

Every 2nd Fri. of month

$20 each

Tickets available at Eventbrite.com

FRI., APRIL 14

Coffee with the Mayor

@Heritage Center

2140 14th Ave., Vero Beach

8-9am 2nd Fri. of the month

Call: 772-643-6782

Email: info@mainstreetverobeach.org

SUN., APRIL 16, 30

Live Entertainment

DJ/Traxx Ent.

@Heaton’s Reef

3500 Ocean Dr. 1pm 772-469-4444

MON. APRIL 17

Distinguished Lecturer Series

Walter Isaacson

Best-Selling Author; Acclaimed Historian & Journalist

Professor of History, Tulane University

Best Version Media

@ Riverside Theater 3250 Riverside Park Dr. 4 & 6 pm 772-231-6990

riversidetheatre.com

TUES., APRIL 18

Sebastian Social Tea Club Networking Luncheon

@Counter Culture Cafe 1620 Blvd. Village Lane Sebastian FL 32958

11:30am-1pm

Carolyn MacEvoy, (772) 925-4791 or Register online @Eventbrite tcsocialteaclub.org

3rd Tues. every month

FRI., APRIL 21 Collins & Co. Cobalt Lounge @Cobalt Restaurant 3500 Ocean Dr., Vero Beach 6pm 772-469-1060

SAT., APRIL 22

Damion Suomi @Heaton’s Reef 3500 Ocean Dr. 12pm

772-469-4444

FRI., APRIL 28

Downtown Friday @Historic Downtown on 14th Ave.

6-9pm

Last Fri. of the month

Free street fair w/food, beverages for sale Craft vendors, live music

SAT. APRIL 29

2nd Annual Car Show to benefit Care Net Pregnancy Ctr. @Vero Christian Church

3250 9th St. SW

Trophies awarded Food & popcorn

10am-2pm

Registration fee to enter a car $15 contact Ron at 321-544-2610

Ronfashano@gmail.com or carenetchampions.org

STORY BY RICHARD WYDERSKI, MD, FACP

Dr. Wy, why should I take blood pressure medication if my blood pressure is in the 130’s/80’s most of the time? I’ve always been told that’s OK.

We’ve known for a long time that a blood pressure of less than 120/80 mmHg is best when it comes to the risk of strokes and heart attacks. However, getting there using a medication, though, is different than simply being less than 120/80 naturally, and it took decades of research to determine whether medications truly make a difference.

Weight control, proper diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep are the best ways to control blood pressure, but often even when we’re doing all these things, blood pressure readings stay higher due to genetic factors beyond our control.

In 2015 a landmark study called SPRINT (Systolic Blood PRessure Intervention Trial) was published in the New England Journal of Medicine and demonstrated that

intensive blood pressure treatment with a target of less than 120/80 instead of 140/90 BETTER reduces the risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure and death in people over 50, and even in those over 75.

A subgroup analysis called SPRINT-MIND also demonstrated a trend toward better cognition, though the study didn’t last long enough to be sure. That eventually led to expert guidelines recommending that we use a new target of less than 130/80 as long as the side effects of the medications aren’t unacceptable.

If we think of our blood vessels as pipes, lower pressures lead to less damage to those pipes makes sense. And it takes stress off our pump, the heart, that pushes our blood through those pipes. So don’t be afraid to get your blood pressure closer to ideal. It works!

Have a question for Dr. Wy that you’d like him to answer? Please submit to info@wyderskihealth.com

We chose the Direct Primary Care model to provide you with greater access to your physician and better medical care in a relaxed, unhurried setting. Our wish is to support your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs by listening and getting to know you, your family and your lifestyle in a way that isn’t possible in traditional practices today.

Keeping Children Safe Every Day!

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. This annual national observance is dedicated to raising awareness, preventing child abuse, and recognizing the importance of working together to strengthen families. According to national reports, a report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds in the U.S., more than 4 million referrals are made annually to child protection agencies, and on average, five children die each day due to abuse and neglect.

These are disturbing statistics, but many individuals, businesses, and organizations work tirelessly to help ensure children are no longer statistics but are protected, nurtured, and have the opportunity to thrive in life. Hibiscus Children’s Center has been doing just that for over 37 years, along with our wonderful community by our side.

Since Hibiscus opened its doors in 1989, more than 3,500 abused, abandoned, and neglected children have received safe haven at the Tilton Family Children’s Shelter in Jensen Beach and Hibiscus Village in Vero Beach. The generous support of our community has enabled Hibiscus to provide over 450,000 total safe nights of care. Career preparation and training are provided through the Career Pathways Program at the Village with graphic design and culinary education components. The Supporting Families in Crisis and SafeCare Programs provide prevention services to children and families in the community.

Brandon, a former youth who lived at the Hibiscus Village, participated in the Culinary component of the Career Pathways Program and shared his thoughts:

“The Hibiscus staff gives you life lessons. The house parents want you to leave Hibiscus ready for the outside world and knowing how to cook, do laundry, clean and other stuff. I started cooking when I came to Hibiscus. Culinary is a discipline. You must have discipline in the kitchen to get everything out on time. It’s good for people to see someone like us kids come out of the

program doing good and on the right path. We can make something good out of a bad situation.”

Thank you to our wonderful community; you have helped to make a significant difference in the lives of youth just like Brandon. Together, we are transforming lives and giving youth who have experienced trauma and abuse a better and brighter future. For more information about how you can help youth, please visit us at HibiscusChildrensCenter. org or if you would like to tour the Hibiscus Village, please contact us at: (772) 299-6011, ext. 313.

STORY BY TRACY SAVOIA VP, MARKETING & MEDIA RELATIONS

The Facts on Fat

Metabolism is really a measure of how efficiently the muscle cells of our body burn the energy or calories we bring in. If you keep your caloric intake exactly the same as you get older, those unburned calories end up as fat. We lose 3-5% of our muscle mass per decade beginning at age 30. Muscle mass is naturally impacted by decreases in growth hormone, testosterone, and estrogen levels. Knowing that, any loss of muscle mass will accelerate fat gain. We are all battling the bulge; 9 out of 10 men, and 6 out of 10 women are interested in a fat reduction and or muscle toning treatment. Are you?

We offer a game-changing, non-surgical body contouring treatment. This treatment has shown in multiple clinical studies the ability to build 25% more muscle and reduce fat by 30%, on average, in 30-minute treatment sessions. We can give you more results and confidence in less time and for less cost. For more information, call us today!

Raymond Duong, MD

370 17th Street Vero Beach 32960 | 772-770-3859

STORY BY RAYMOND DUONG, MD

& Color Correction for Permanent Makeup

Permanent makeup, also known as micropigmentation, has become increasingly popular in recent years to enhance facial features without the daily hassle of applying makeup. However, just like any other form of tattooing, permanent makeup can fade over time. The skin is an ever-changing canvas due to sun exposure, skin type, medication, and other factors. That’s why an annual color boost for your eyebrows, eyeliner, or lips is recommended to maintain the best possible look.

Here are some benefits of the annual color boost:

1. Restore the vibrancy and definition of your permanent makeup keeping your look fresh and natural

2. Avoid the need for a complete reapplication saving time and money in the long run

3. Boost your confidence by maintaining the enhancement of your natural features, making you feel more attractive and put together.

Sometimes, depending on various factors, especially if it has been several years since a color boost, women may notice color degradation in their permanent makeup, i.e., color changing to bluish, green, or gray tones. This can be addressed by a color correction, which is a procedure that deposits offsetting neutralization of the degraded color allowing for a new application of correct, highquality pigments to restore the original vibrancy of the eyebrow, eyeliner, or lip color.

At byPri, our goal is to make our clients more beautiful! Located in The Atrium building on Cardinal Drive in Vero Beach, byPri is rapidly becoming the premier center for permanent makeup artistry, Prive Fibroblast treatments for anti-aging skin rejuvenation, and Scalp Micropigmentation as an alternative solution for male pattern baldness.

You can learn more about Pricila (Pri) Jacques and her growing list of services at www.byPri.com, Facebook, and Instagram @eyebrowmicrobladingbypri. Online booking is available on the website, or call 772-999-4443.

STORY BY PRICILA JACQUES

© Best Version Media

Outdoor Landscape Lighting 101

No matter what the season or occasion, your outdoor landscape lighting can highlight your gardens, showcase your walkways and accent your steps with custom lighting that is both safe and subtle.

With a custom outdoor landscape lighting plan, you can combine form and function, enjoy safety and security, shine a light on your favorite outdoor features, and plan for the future with the right outdoor accent lighting for your home or business.

Outdoor Accent Landscape Lighting

You will likely want to incorporate the following types of LED outdoor lighting into your landscape design:

• Outdoor walkway lighting:

• Garden lighting:

• Outdoor step lights:

• Hardscape lighting:

• Outdoor solar landscape lights:

The following tips will help you light up your outdoor spaces and find the best outdoor kitchen lighting fixtures:

• Focus your brightest lights above your cooking spaces.

• Balance form and function with outdoor accent lights and functional lights.

• Consider a ceiling fan with a lighting kit.

• Add low-voltage ceiling lights for dining spaces.

Other options for highlighting your outdoor cooking and eating spaces include under-cabinet lighting, downlighting for bar areas, and outdoor landscape lighting in different colors, temperatures, and textures to create the vibe that you are looking for.

Your landscape deserves to shine. Well-lit outdoor spaces are safer and more inviting. Even better, they can be easy to plan and easier to maintain. A lighting professional can help you assess the best options for your next outdoor landscape lighting project to ensure the best use of your investment.

TouchStone Lighting | EXPERT ILLUMINOLOGISTS

Frank Dorsey 309-657-3453 | Peter Garcia 845-406-1236

Best Lighting Solutions for Outdoor Kitchens

Today, many homeowners have outdoor kitchens that rival their indoor spaces and need the best outdoor kitchen lighting for both cooking and entertaining. Gone are the days of grilling by moonlight as homeowners from coast to coast integrate customized landscape lighting to make cooking easy and hanging out more enjoyable than ever.

STORY BY FRANK DORSEY

Dietary Supplements For Pets?

It has become commonplace for humans to include a daily multivitamin in their regular diet. Special formulations exist for kids, young adults, middle-aged adults, etc. It stands to reason that just as humans can benefit from supplementing their diet with vitamins and minerals that are not readily available in their immediate environment, so might our pets benefit from supplements that are formulated specifically for their needs.

In fact, many pet owners have already discovered the benefits of supplements, whether through their own research or by a recommendation from their veterinarian. For the average dog or cat in good health and being fed a complete and balanced commercial diet, there is no need for supplementation.

However, if the animal has not been receiving a well-balanced diet or has particular health needs that require additional intake of certain ingredients, it would be wise to look into supplementing your pet’s diet. The most commonly used products for pets include those for strengthening the joints, protecting and conditioning the skin and hair coat, improving digestive health, and overall well-being. Stop by your local health food store today, and talk to someone you trust about your pet.

Angie’s Leg of Lamb

RECIPE BY ANGIE JORDAN

Anyone who has eaten this leg of lamb loves it. I created this recipe during one of my idle moments. I have always loved reading cookbooks and picking out ingredients that appeal to my taste buds, and this recipe is the result of one of those moments, three cookbooks and a newspaper clipping. I hope everyone will enjoy it. I usually make it for Easter with mashed potatoes, a green vegetable, and a salad.

• 7 ½ lbs. leg of lamb

• 2 small packages of small white onions or 1 large bag

• 1 cup of chicken broth

• 1 cup of pitted prunes

• ½ cup of white wine

• 5 cloves of garlic (less if a smaller leg) minced

• 3 tbsp. of brown sugar (2 if the leg is 5 lbs)

• 1/3 cup of lemon juice (¼ cup if the leg is 5 lbs)

• 1 ½ tsp. black pepper

• Dash of Tabasco sauce

• 6 tbsp. Dijon mustard

• 1 cup soy sauce or ¾ cup for 5 lbs

Place lamb in the bag. Set oven to 400 degrees and cook for 35 mins. Discard the fat, then add the above marinade and continue baking at 300 degrees for another 1 ½ to 2 hours.

You add the marinade the second time around because you do not want to discard all the flavoring when discarding any fat.

Can Breathing Help You Lose Weight?

Breathing is an essential bodily function. It helps us take in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide. However, did you know that proper breathing techniques can aid in weight loss?

Specific breathing patterns can help increase oxygen, which enhances metabolism and increases the rate at which our bodies burn calories.

When you breathe deeply, you allow your body to take in more oxygen. This increase in oxygen increases your metabolic rate. A higher metabolic rate means our bodies burn calories faster, leading to weight loss.

Breathing exercises also help reduce stress. Stress can lead to overeating, which can cause weight gain. Stress also stimulates our fight and fl ight system, which shuts off digestion, meaning we are not processing the food we eat efficiently.

Deep breathing helps tone the abdominal muscles, reducing belly fat. When you inhale deeply, you expand

your diaphragm and create a vacuum that pulls the abdominal muscles inwards. Over time, this will lead to a stronger core and reduced belly fat.

Proper breathing is also a necessary component for detoxification in our bodies. When you breathe deeply, you take in more oxygen, which helps flush out toxins and impurities. An abundance of toxins and impurities slow down our metabolic rate, leading to weight gain.

Most of us just breathe without thinking about all our breath can do. A pranayama or breathwork practice can create a leaner, cleaner, and stronger body. Incorporating breathing exercises into your daily routine can be an effective way to support your weight loss goals. Our certified yoga instructors can guide you through breathing exercises and personalized instruction.

STORY BY SHANNON SIMS

THE LAKES AT

Waterway Village Golf League

Five years ago, a small group of neighbors formed a weekly men’s golf outing. Our goal was to create an outstanding golf venue and offer Lakes neighbors an opportunity to meet and get acquainted. Many wonderful friendships have been established through these efforts. We play every Friday morning at the nearby Sandridge Golf Club.

This year we’re celebrating our 5th anniversary season, and what began as an 18-member group has grown to 61 members, representing nearly 12% of the Lakes community. We have players of all skill levels and feature several annual events, including our popular Mixed Scramble.

In 2022, we designed a professional website for our members’ use. I have attached this link here, sites. google.com/view/lwvmensgolf/, so you can easily preview it. It includes About Us, Player Essentials, Events, Golf News & Links, and areas such as health & safety features, online instructional clinics, and much more. One of the health tips we feature informs our members how the summer heat can negatively affect the performance of certain medications.

Although our LWV Men’s Golf League is restricted to Lakes residents, showcasing what one community is doing to build fellowship and social opportunities might interest you.

STORY BY JOE KANE, GOLF LEAGUE COMMUNICATIONS

STORY BY MARILYN BEAUCHER

PHOTO BY HUMANE SOCIETY, IRC

Celebrating a Small Church with a Big Idea!

How does a small church meet a community’s needs and also provide funding for its new church home? Pillar Community Church (pccvero.org) in Vero Beach, Florida, is a nondenominational Christian church that has embraced a model of social entrepreneurship to enable its church growth. It has a new campus under construction on a beautiful site with serene lakes nestled in a tranquil grove of over 500 trees at 3515 66th Avenue in Vero Beach.

Imagine a stunning post and beam architectural style sanctuary seating 300 people for worship, plus a large event hall with soaring ceilings, also in the post and beam style, to be used for community events celebrating weddings and charitable galas.

Celebration Grove will provide air-conditioned space for up to 200 wedding guests for dinner and entertainment, 225 guests for charitable events with no entertainment, a professional kitchen for caterers, and ample off-street parking.

It also features a dedicated Bridal Suite and Groom’s Loft for pre-wedding activities, a large covered veranda designed for after-ceremony receptions, with an expansive patio and a lighted garden. The beautiful grove will also feature two outdoor event locations; a gothic arched wedding pavilion and a wedding arbor overlooking a serene lake, ideal for photographic backdrops.

Of course, the church sanctuary is also available for those wanting a more traditional setting or to eliminate weather concerns. Construction will be completed in the early fall of 2023 and will begin hosting events next fall. More information can be found on the website celebrationgrove.org.

If you wish to take a tour or book a date, please send us a note at info@celebrationgrove.org or follow us on Instagram @celebration_grove.

For more information, please contact Biz Gainey, Senior Pastor of Pillar Community Church, 407-7338129 - bizg@pccvero.org or Rich Kusmer, General Manager, Celebration Grove, 772-538-3056 - rich@ celebrationgrove.org or Doug Sweeny, Celebration Grove Press Relations.772-532-7557.

STORY BY RICHARD KUSMER