12/30/2021 ISSUE 52

December 30, 2021 | Volume 8, Issue 52 Newsstand Price: $1.00

YOUR LOCAL NEWS SOURCE FOR INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
For breaking news visit VeroNews.com
PAGE 6 PAGE B2

LIBEL SUIT NEW TWIST 4 5DRIVER IN PARADE CRASH ARTIST REFLECTS ON B2
IN STRUNK LEGAL DRAMA FACES FELONY CHARGE LOVE OF GLASSWORK

MY TAKE Happy New Year from FDOT Residents have
issues with Vero
BY RAY MCNULTY marina’s growth

A New Year’s wish list for By Samantha Rohlfing Baita | Staff Writer
our community in 2022 [email protected]

As we prepare to embark on an- BEFORE AND AFTER A handful of Central Beach res-
other trip around the sun, there are idents, most of whom live near
issues, challenges and unresolved PHOTO: KAILA JONES the Vero Beach Municipal Marina,
problems that need to be tackled have voiced an array of concerns
in the coming year – and concerns By Mary Schenkel | Staff Writer about the city’s master plan to
I hope to see addressed. [email protected] transform the marina into a world-
class facility.
No. 1 on my wish list for 2022? By Samantha Rohlfing Baita | Staff Writer be wiped out. The Florida Department of Trans-
That we do not allow all the [email protected] portation, which controls the causeway and la- More than two years ago, the
growth we’re experiencing to goon banks on either side, has plans for the area City Council decided to make the
change who we are as a commu- The iconic, gnarled Australian Pines that for gen- which include new landscaping, but some locals city marina a priority after years of
nity. erations graced the little “parks” along the Wabasso are dismayed at the startling removal of each delayed upkeep in which the pop-
According to the 2020 cen- Causeway, providing a serene, shady crossing of the and every Australian Pine. As one unhappy resi- ular facility had languished in vari-
sus, the county’s population in- Indian River Lagoon, are now gone. Totally. dent, Cal Justice, lamented, “In one area, a dozen ous states of disrepair.
creased by more than 20,000 over
the past decade and continues to This highly visible outpost of the Aussies, it CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 The City Council brought a new
climb as newcomers flock to the seems, had to be retaken, and the invaders had to harbormaster on board and hired
last vestige of small-town life on engineering consultants Coastal
Florida’s Atlantic coast. Tech/GE in early 2019 to develop a
That growth has spawned a marina master plan. In the months
construction boom, inflated re- since, the master plan has been
al-estate values and crowded our discussed at length during numer-
roadways, some of which already ous public meetings, and citizens
are being widened to accommo- have had many opportunities to
date the surge in traffic. comment and ask questions.
It was inevitable, I suppose,
especially during the COVID-19 But at a Dec. 7 meeting, sever-
pandemic, which prompted many al insisted they had only recently
learned about plans for the marina
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 complex and adjoining boat dry
storage house, and complained
INSIDE that neighborhoods near the mari-
na had not been consulted before
NEWS 1-5 ARTS B1 the plan was developed.

HEALTH 6 GAMES B9 Central Beach resident Da-
vid Hunter urged the Council to
PETS B8 CALENDAR B12 Marybeth Cunningham looks back on “pause,” and said although “it is
six years of change in Vero healthcare an interesting plan, it needs to be
REAL ESTATE 11 fleshed out.”

To advertise call: 772-559-4187 Mayor Robbie Brackett replied
For circulation or where to pick up that the project had been frequent-
your issue call: 772-226-7925 ly and openly discussed for two
years, with “tons of public meet-
© 2021 Vero Beach 32963 Media LLC. All rights reserved. By Michelle Genz | Staff Writer who Cunningham was, she Marybeth Cunningham and her ings held,” and explained, again
[email protected] claims, even though she had va- husband Chuck. PHOTO: KAILA JONES and again, that “this is a concep-
cationed in Vero since 1972, when tual plan – a 20-25-year plan. Ev-
Marybeth Cunningham was her parents bought one of the first erything will have to get approved
stunned when Indian River Med- golf cottages in John’s Island.
ical Center Foundation president CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
Jan Donlan asked her to run for “I remember coming here
the Hospital District board. when I was 16 and 17 and there

It was 2014; few people knew CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

2 December 30, 2021 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | LOCAL NEWS www.veronews.com

MY TAKE new year brings new destinations – perhaps an Barefoot for the past year, continues to – such as those involving deputies’ use of
somewhere in the Midwest or the Balti- fend off the needless distractions from local force, line-of-duty shootings and official
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 more/Washington, D.C. area. fringe groups that are trying to hijack public misconduct – and issue timely public re-
education in our county. ports on its findings.
folks to move here from more heavily popu-  Those of us who remember when cit-
lated regions in the Northeast, Midwest and rus was a vibrant industry in our commu- To that end, pay close attention to next Or he can welcome the creation of a com-
South Florida. nity should be rooting even harder for the year’s School Board elections, which will be pletely independent citizens review board
backups at U.S. ports to dissipate – because pivotal in determining the direction of the that wasn’t selected by him or his political
But it also has infected our once-folksy those bottlenecks are delaying the shipping district and, possibly, the fate of Superin- allies.
community – where locals and visitors alike of locally grown, harvested and packed tendent David Moore, who has performed
smiled at passersby, waved to neighbors and grapefruit to lucrative markets in Europe spectacularly in his two years on the job. This would be done, of course, in keep-
showed consideration for others, even while and Asia. ing with his desire for transparency and ac-
driving around town – with a coarseness and  Sheriff Eric Flowers should be commend- countability.
callousness that is eroding our “Mayberry by The costly delays are the latest devastat- ed for his decision to welcome public input
the Sea” feel. ing blow to our citrus industry, which is al- and create a Citizens Advisory Committee  Kudos to Vero Beach’s City Council and
ready reeling from two decades of diseases to examine and assess his agency’s policies police department for their decision to
We can’t let that happen. and hurricanes that destroyed groves and and procedures, and how they were applied crack down on panhandling at intersections
We can’t give in and let these newcomers crippled production. in particular cases. and outside businesses.
change us, as they seem to have changed
everything south of the Martin-Palm Beach  Let’s hope the School Board, which was But he didn’t go far enough. Please continue your efforts in the com-
County line. capably led by now-former chairman Bri- This year, he should expand the com- ing year. They appear to be having the de-
Instead, let’s set an example and show mittee’s role to review individual incidents sired impact.
them how it’s done here, proudly embracing
the civility, courtesy and Rock-  Let’s hope the new year brings the arrest
wellian charm that defined this of those involved in the fatal, Feb-
community for decades. ruary 2017 shooting of off-duty
Let’s not become Port St. Vero. sheriff’s deputy Garry Chambliss
As for the rest of my wish list … in Gifford and the discovery of
Susy Tomassi, the 73-year-old
 What Vero Beach does with its woman who disappeared near
lagoon-front utility parcels will the South Vero Square shopping
impact the future of our commu- center in March 2018.
nity for the next 100 years, so city
leaders need to get it right.  Something we all should hope
goes away when the calendar
The proposal adopted by the turns to 2022: blatantly divisive
City Council – one that includes political signs posted outside lo-
a hotel, restaurants, shops and cal restaurants and stores.
other amenities – seems to check all the box- This is Vero Beach, folks.
es. But as we’ve seen throughout the years, We’re better than that.
especially when confronted with decisions
concerning development, the city too often  It probably won’t happen in 2022, but
moves at the speed of erosion. Major League Baseball should move at least
one Grapefruit League game each spring to
With a referendum scheduled for Novem- the Jackie Robinson Training Center.
ber on allowing a yet-to-be-selected devel-
oper to lease the so-called “Three Corners” Taxpayers here are spending plenty to
property and build the waterfront social and renovate the former Dodgertown complex.
dining gathering places the Vero mainland Is it too much to ask that MLB show its ap-
so sorely lacks, city leaders must make sure preciation by giving us one nostalgic after-
voters have all the information they need. noon of spring training?

Looking at the long term, this decision Let’s face it: The Jackie Robinson center
is arguably bigger than the city’s sale of its isn’t for us, and most local folks I know ha-
electric utility. We can’t get this one wrong. ven’t been out there since the Los Angeles
Dodgers left on St. Patrick’s Day 2008, relo-
 With home prices and rents skyrocketing cating their spring-training headquarters to
locally, our county officials must get serious Arizona.
about providing affordable housing if we
hope to attract the new teachers, law-en- But it would be fun to see a major league
forcement officers, fire-rescue personnel game there again, and I think we’d pack the
and nurses we need. place.

These professionals should be mem-  I don’t know what the future holds for The
bers of our community and not be forced Patio restaurant property or the Indian River
to commute from neighboring counties. Mall, but it’s sad to see what has happened
But it’s nearly impossible to find tolerable to both.
places to live on their entry-level salaries,
especially if they’re not part of two-income Nobody seems to want The Patio, possibly
households. because of its location – too far from Miracle
Mile, not close enough to downtown – and
 Elite Airways is scheduled to resume its even in the weeks leading to Christmas, the
non-stop jet service between Vero Beach mall was almost lifeless.
and Newark, N.J., in March, after the run-
way-resurfacing project at our local airport  Last but certainly not least: It’s my fer-
has been completed, and flights connecting vent hope that, as more of our friends and
us to Asheville, N.C., and Portland, Maine, neighbors get vaccinated and boosted, 2022
are expected to be added next summer. brings the final phases of this stubborn pan-
demic. It’s gone on long enough.
Given Elite’s success here, let’s hope the
Happy New Year, everyone! 

Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | LOCAL NEWS December 30, 2021 3

MARYBETH CUNNINGHAM When longtime hospital CEO Jeff Susi Those three trustees did vote to ap- the population health approach, that the
handed in his resignation in early 2017 – prove the final agreement, a unanimous availability of food, housing, healthcare
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 just months after he was publicly asked decision of both boards. and a safe environment, elements known
to step down by now-retired Hospital as the social determinants of health, have
was nothing there,” she said. “The guys District trustee Michael Weiss – the grim Today, with Cleveland Clinic in place as much to do with health as doctors’ vis-
working construction cut a path so my numbers were in for the first quarter: a $4 with a lease that could stretch to three de- its alone.
girlfriend and I could get to the beach.” million dollar loss, eight times the antici- cades, the Hospital District is reexamining
pated amount, and more than three times its role with other responsibilities beyond “Some of us think we actually have a
It was the year before her dad, the late the loss in the same quarter the previous protecting the hospital asset. very broad mandate and are looking at
Jim McDonald, would succeed John De- year. taking a wider view of population health
Lorean in heading up Chevrolet; McDon- This year, Cleveland Clinic assumed rather than strictly just seeing a doctor,”
ald would later become General Motors’ Cunningham called the chairman of the entire cost of charity care at the hos- Cunningham said.
president. the hospital board, Dr. Wayne Hockmeyer. pital and its clinics. And the health sys-
“Can we sit down and talk?” she asked. tem’s policy expanded coverage to a larger “I think the direction is much more of
Three decades later, a fund-raising ex- group in need – those making 250 percent finding solutions to health care problems
ecutive with the Vero hospital was asking They met for lunch at the John’s Island of the federal poverty level. That was up rather than just financing activities. If we
Cunningham, herself a lifelong automo- Beach Club. from 150 percent the district had covered; have a gap here, let’s figure out how to fill
tive executive, to run for a board that held it now reimburses for care at its partici- it.”
sway not only over the hospital but a doz- “That was the first time we really had pating agencies for those earning up to
en healthcare agencies treating the coun- talked,” recalled Cunningham. 200 percent of the poverty line, and may Cunningham has her eye on further ex-
ty’s indigent population. increase it further. panding mental health care, a cause she
“My first impression was that he’s a has long championed. Over the past year,
“I couldn’t figure out why she asked me good guy, and he’s obviously very smart. The hospital’s assumption of indigent she oversaw a collaborative effort – tax
to run,” said Cunningham, who called He’s a virologist, and he did exceptionally care meant an increase of $6 million in dollars plus philanthropy – to create an
herself a “no-name person” that had met well with that.” district coffers or about half its 2020 pro- adolescent intensive outpatient treatment
Donlan only once. “No name” may be as- gram expenditures. A recent day-long program at Cleveland Clinic’s Behavior-
pirational: Cunningham retired as execu- Hockmeyer became a billionaire after “visioning” meeting sought to determine al Health Center. It reached capacity two
tive director of global operations at Delphi selling his vaccine company to AstraZen- how to define the board’s role in light of months after opening and four months
Packard, an electrical parts manufacturer eca. A Midwesterner like Cunningham, that change. ahead of plan.
once part of GM, with 20,000 employees in he too kept a low profile, walking his two
33 countries. Golden Retrievers around Riverside Park. At the same time, trustees lowered the Now the District Board is looking to add
millage rate, now 20 percent less than it much-needed in-patient detox beds in the
“Some people I knew in the community “I used to joke with him about be- was in 2016. That move comes as a new county.
– which was not a lot of people – knew my ing part of John’s Island, like asking him law bears down on taxing districts state-
business background. And they knew me. how he learned to tie his sweaters,” said wide, adding the burden of an extra audit “Mental health is one of those things
But I had never been to a Hospital District Cunningham, who by preference lives in to prove they fulfill their stated purpose. that touches everybody. It’s like cancer: it
meeting. I had no idea what the district a mainland neighborhood, though she doesn’t care whether you’re rich or poor,
really was.” takes her Westie to the dog park just across “We are being more critical of what black or white, it’s a problem,” said Cun-
the Barber bridge. (our role) is,” said Cunningham. Some ningham. “And it’s my passion.”
That objectivity may have been exact- board members seem content to keep
ly what the hospital’s problems required. What impressed Cunningham most the board’s role the same. Others take First of two parts. 
Cunningham ran against Laura Moss, was the respect Hockmeyer showed her
who would eventually win a seat on the as she spoke about how to save what was NEWS OTHERS MISS, OR CHOOSE TO IGNORE | PUBLISHED WEEKLY
Vero city council. Moss regularly sat in on then Indian River Medical Center. Hock-
Hospital District meetings. Still, she lost to meyer’s board may have governed the MILTON R. BENJAMIN
Cunningham, who took office in January hospital, but the Hospital District was its
2015. landlord, with ownership of the property President and Publisher | [email protected] | 772.559.4187
on behalf of taxpayers.
That first year of Cunningham’s tenure STEVEN M. THOMAS
involved the worst of a drawn-out tus- “He treated me with respect and lis-
sle with hospital management over the tened and he started out as a partner. I Managing Editor | [email protected] | 772.453.1196
funding of care for the indigent. Each side can’t say that for all of the men on the
wanted the other to assume more of the board – or in the world,” she said. DAN ALEXANDER
cost, and the hospital got caught spending
hundreds of thousands of district dollars “We knew we had to do this togeth- Creative Director | [email protected] | 772.539.2700
on management costs, not direct care. er. It couldn’t be one or the other. There
were people who felt the Hospital Dis- Assistant Managing Editor: Michelle Genz, Associate Editor: Paul Keaney, Staff Editor: Lisa Zahner,
The dispute would eventually involve trict should just do this because we own Society Editor: Mary Schenkel, Reporters: Stephanie LaBaff, Ray McNulty, Samantha Rohlfing Baita,
two teams of negotiators including out- the hospital. And there were other people George Andreassi, Columnists: Kerry Firth, Ellen Fischer, Ron Holub, Tina Rondeau, The Bonz,
of-town lawyers, and a threat by the dis- who thought the hospital’s board should Photographers: Kaila Jones, Graphic Designers: Robert Simonson, Jennifer Greenaway, Tania
trict to audit the hospital’s spending. Fi- decide because they run the hospital. But Donghia-Wetmore
nally, they settled, avoiding expensive and we knew we had to work together.”
lengthy arbitration. ADVERTISING SALES
As the two boards whittled down their JUDY DAVIS Director of Advertising
But in the process, the precarious fi- choice of hospital system, the key vote for [email protected] | 772.633.1115
nancial state of the hospital had become Cleveland Clinic in February 2018 was not KATHLEEN MACGLENNON | [email protected] | 772.633.0753
clear. By 2017, Cunningham had risen to a sure thing. Unlike the hospital board of MARIO CORBICIERO | [email protected] | 772.559.5999
chairwoman of the District Board when directors, which voted unanimously to
Indian River Medical Center invited a top partner with Cleveland Clinic, there was a LOCATED AT 4855 NORTH A1A, VERO BEACH, FL 32963 | 772.226.7925
hospital consultant from Chicago to speak split on the District Board.
to both the district and hospital boards.
Three of the seven trustees wanted oth-
His outlook was dire: Independent hos- er health systems. They included Barbara
pitals were closing at an alarming rate, un- Bodner, a physical therapist still on the
able to negotiate the generous insurance board; Tracey Zudans, who left the board
reimbursement rates of large healthcare for personal reasons earlier this year; and
systems or to achieve the economies of Weiss, a Ph.D. chemist who served on the
scale of multiple-hospital entities. district board for 13 years before resigning
last week.
For Cunningham, the message was
clear. It was time to take a hard look at the Cunningham watched without flinch-
possibility of Vero’s small-town hospital ing as her board cast that 4-to-3 vote,
being assumed by out-of-towners. some joking it would keep Cleveland Clin-
ic on its toes during months of negotia-
tions.

4 December 30, 2021 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | LOCAL NEWS www.veronews.com

Libel lawsuit is latest twist in Strunk funeral home legal drama

By Ray McNulty | Staff Writer In addition to general damages, at- Young and Strunk’s adult children, Rollin there at the time can verify it.”
[email protected] torneys’ fees and the cost of the lawsuit, chose to not answer. Kopchak went on to write: “Unfortu-
Young is seeking punitive damages from
The legal drama surrounding the dis- Kopchak “to deter her from any such fu- Young’s libel suit was filed Nov. 30 by nately, unscrupulous people do unscru-
pute over the ownership of the property on ture actions,” the suit states. Jacksonville-based attorney Clive Morgan, pulous things, which I am afraid is the
which the Strunk Funeral Homes & Crema- but Vero Beach’s Louis “Buck” Vocelle was case with Jim Young & Dorothy Strunk, as
tory operate has spawned a new lawsuit. Reached by phone, Young said he added as co-counsel last week. will be shown as our legal matters unfold.”
hadn’t yet thought about monetary She wrote in the post that allegations
This time, it’s a libel action filed in circuit amounts. “I sued her, personally, and not As of last weekend, Croom had not yet she had her father “sign over his funeral
court here by James Young Jr., owner of the the Strunk Funeral Home,” Young said. ruled on Kopchak’s motion to dismiss – home” to her while on his death bed – a
Millennium Funeral Home & Crematory, “I’m tired of her saying untrue things in which she could do without a hearing – claim made by another commenter – was
which claims to have purchased the Strunk public. I want her to shut her mouth and and Rollin said he didn’t know when she “utterly absurd.”
properties in Vero Beach and Sebastian leave me alone.” would do so.
from Glenn Strunk’s widow, Dorothy, for Kopchak and her siblings are “carrying
$3.1 million in June. Kopchak’s Vero Beach attorney, Kevin The remarks for which Kopchak is be- out the duty” their father asked of them,
Rollin, responded to Young’s complaint ing sued came in response to comments she continued, and they’re looking forward
In the lawsuit, Young accuses Strunk’s with a motion asking Circuit Judge to dis- made by other Facebook users after a story to the entire story being told in court.
daughter, Mary Kopchak, of “falsely and miss the lawsuit on both its merits and by this newspaper was posted on the page
maliciously” posting defamatory com- procedural grounds. Nov. 22 about Young involving the Florida Young said he spoke with Kopchak
ments about him on a Facebook page titled Division of Funerals, Cemeteries and Con- during a break in Dorothy Strunk’s two-day
“Indian River County Community Round He declined to comment on the lawsuit. sumer Services in his nasty dispute with deposition earlier this month and offered
Up” on Nov. 23. The filing states that the re- “I’d rather let the publicly filed papers do the Strunk siblings to pay the Strunk siblings to vacate the
marks written by Kopchak, who succeeded the talking,” Rollin said, adding, “My client properties he claims to own or, if prefera-
her father as the Strunk company’s presi- doesn’t want to litigate any legal or person- In her post, Kopchak identified herself ble, purchase the business from them.
dent in the days prior to his death in Feb- al matter in the press.” as “one of Glenn Strunk’s children” and
ruary 2020, damaged Young’s reputation stated, “We know the truth. This is a pretty “I tried to make it easier, be civil about
for “honesty, integrity and trustworthiness Rollin did find it curious that Young miserable time in our lives.” it,” he said. “But she blew up.”
in this community and in his profession.” included Kopchak’s maiden name in the
complaint, saying “Strunk” is not her le- She wrote that Young is “trying to under- Unless something changes, the case will
Young claims in his complaint that Kop- gal name and questioning why the plain- mine our business, hoping to gain some- be decided in court.
chak’s social-media post has subjected him tiff would use it in court document. “It’s thing for which he is not worthy.” She stat-
to “hatred, distrust, ridicule, contempt and not for any legal purpose,” Rollin said, “so ed that Young worked for her father many Something could change, though: The
disgrace,” and that he should be compen- there must be some ulterior purpose.” years ago and was fired “for character un- Florida Department of Financial Services is
sated for the “mental anguish, torment and becoming of a funeral director,” adding, “conducting a legal review of the status” of
humiliation” he has suffered as a result. Asked if that purpose might be con- “That is fact.” the Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory’s
nected to the ongoing legal clash between license, the agency’s press secretary, John
Young, however, denied that he was fired, O’Brien, wrote in an email to Vero News.
saying he chose to leave because Strunk Fu-
neral Home’s then-manager refused to pay When the review is complete, O’Brien
him overtime – “and the manager who was added, the agency will present its findings
to the board of the Division of Funerals. 

FDOT REMOVES ‘PINES’ life Conservation Commission, Australian
Pines are not pines/conifers, but rather
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 tropical evergreens, which were introduced
from Australia to Florida during the 1890s
40-plus-year-old trees were removed and where they were widely planted to form
now the area looks blighted, with no shade windbreaks around canals, agricultural
or beautiful trees. fields, roads and houses, a practical and
useful decision at the time.
“It was very disheartening to see tall, ma-
ture trees giving everyone a positive experi- However, removing them is considered
ence turned into a lunar landscape. On Sat- the practical decision in today’s environ-
urdays, it was always busy with families and ment, as the Florida Fish and Wildlife
fisherman enjoying the water and shade. website points out that these not-pine
Now no one is there,” Justice said. pines can cause environmental damage
by displacing native beach plant com-
According to District 4 Communications munities which provide critical wildlife
Manager Guillermo Canedo, FDOT’s offi- habitat for endangered plant and animal
cial statement on the project says the Aus- communities.
tralian Pines were removed from the Wa-
basso Causeway “because they are invasive, Australian pines can also encourage
non-native species detrimental to our Flor- beach erosion by displacing deep-rooted
ida environment.” The cost to complete the vegetation; and their dense, shallow root
removal was approximately $112,000. systems can interfere with the ability of en-
dangered American crocodiles and sea tur-
The areas where the Australian Pines tles to build coastal nests.
were removed, according to the statement,
“will be replanted with native trees and Whether those reasons apply to the
palms that are appropriate for the coastal causeway river banks as they do near the
environment.” ocean shoreline could be open to question.

Currently, Bann Williams of the FDOT But in any case, for many residents,
District 4 Landscape Architecture Section, these ubiquitous invaders, still lining some
is preparing plans for a new landscape de- roadways, or in small clusters on Wabasso’s
sign and replanting, with work to start in beach and (until recently) along the cause-
March or April. way’s river banks, offered a nostalgic beau-
ty that whispered of old Florida. 
According to the Florida Fish and Wild-

Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | LOCAL NEWS December 30, 2021 5

VERO BEACH MARINA Driver in Vero Christmas Parade crash faces felony charge
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

by the council before anything is done at the By Lisa Zahner | Staff Writer with damage to property and/or persons. overnight after the crash.
marina. Nothing is set in concrete.” [email protected] She was released less than an hour later af- Police said Harvey told them she was un-
ter posting a $50,000 bond.
A major concern expressed by Central North island resident Susan Harvey, ar- aware that she hit anyone with her car after
Beach resident Leonard Markir concerned rested after running into two elderly island Initially, on the night of Dec. 4, Harvey leaving the Ocean Grill where she’d had din-
the potential size of the dry boat storage. residents with her Lexus following the Vero was charged with DUI and released on $500 ner. An off-duty Vero Beach Police Officer at-
Markir warned that a large building would Beach Oceanside Christmas Parade, is now bail. Police say Harvey drove her 2022 Lex- tending the parade with his family prevent-
“change the character of this small town,” facing a felony charge for leaving the scene us into two pedestrians at the 3400 block ed Harvey from driving away, police said.
and suggested moving it to Three Corners. of the crash. of Ocean Drive as the crowd was breaking
up after the parade and heading to their Assistant State Attorney Felicia Hol-
As reported in the Aug. 8, 2021 issue of Harvey, 72, was arrested again on Dec. 22 vehicles. The two elderly island residents, loman is handling the prosecution. Vero
Vero News, during the city’s first round of at the jail on the third-degree felony charge who are not named in court documents, Beach criminal defense attorney Bobby
budget talks, the City Council “gave staff of leaving the scene of an accident with were taken to Lawnwood Regional Medi- Guttridge, who is representing Harvey, did
unequivocal direction to plan on the larg- personal injury, as well as a first-degree cal Center in Fort Pierce and hospitalized not respond to a request for comment on
est of three options for a boat barn” at the misdemeanor driving under the influence the new felony charge.  
marina.

The council’s preferred choice, said City
Manager Monte Falls, would extend almost
all the way to the city-owned Waddell build-
ing, with a capacity, Marina Director Sean
Collins said at the time, of 140 boats up to 30
feet in length.

Brackett again noted that the plan is cur-
rently only conceptual, and stated he’d be
happy to meet with the neighborhood group
whenever they wanted. After the meeting,
Brackett acknowledged his surprise with

Markir’s comments. “Leonard and I have
met on several occasions. I am always more
than willing to sit down and talk.”

Another island resident, identified in the
meeting minutes as Ron Farriby, comment-
ed, “This is a nice place now, but it could be
ruined by the boat people.”

City officials explained that the boat traf-
fic and docks required for dry boat storage
would be incompatible with the pedestri-
an-focused Three Corners concept being
considered. And they again noted that dis-
cussion on the marina project had been go-
ing on for two years.

When asked why he thought people were
just finding out about the expansion plans,
Falls said lots of people don’t follow the
news, adding that “it’s a sign of the times.”

Hunter argues that the entire concept
would negatively impact the “pretty little
city by the sea” reputation Vero Beach has al-
ways enjoyed, repeating comments from the
Dec. 7 meeting, that Three Corners would be
a far better location for docks and dry stor-
age.

“Vero Beach is not Fort Pierce,” he stated.
“If boaters want (that kind of marina) they
can go to Fort Pierce.” 

6 Deccember 30, 2021 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | YOUR HEALTH www.veronews.com

For brain aneurysms, quick diagnosis and repair essential

By Kerry Firth | Correspondent best-case scenario is that it is found inci-
dentally while undergoing a CAT scan for a
It’s undetectable. It’s deadly. And it pres- headache or other ailment,” he says. “If it is
ents itself with no warning. A brain aneu- stumbled upon, we can operate and get rid
rysm is like a silent sniper that attacks in- of it before it bursts and causes life-threat-
stantaneously, bursting into a brain bleed ening damage.”
that kills half of those afflicted.
A brain aneurysm – also called a cere-
Dr. Daniel Vela-Duarte, a neurologist bra or intracranial aneurysm – is small
at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, pouch that grows from a weakened area
is determined to help patients who suffer in the wall of a blood vessel in the brain.
from brain aneurysms. “Since there is no As the force of the blood flow in the ar-
test, no blood work or scientific way to de- tery starts hitting that weakened part,
termine if someone has an aneurysm, the that small pouch that becomes like a

Dr. Daniel Vela-Duarte.

PHOTO: KAILA JONES

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | YOUR HEALTH Deccember 30, 2021 7

blister growing over time. If the brain tient’s survival. some cases may use it to repair a ruptured strange?
aneurysm expands and the blood vessel “Our mission is to repair arteries in the aneurysm. For endovascular coiling, the T – Time: If you see any of these signs call
wall becomes too thin, the aneurysm will catheter is advanced through the artery
rupture and bleed into the space around brain using advanced methods and tools system to the affected brain artery where 911 immediately.
the brain. without opening the skull,” Dr. Vela-Du- the coil is deployed. The coils are made “If we can get our community to identi-
arte explained. “We aren’t doing open sur- of soft platinum metal and shaped like a
“The worst-case scenario is when some- gery but instead we are fixing the arteries spring about the size of a human hair. fy those symptoms and the paramedics to
one comes in with stroke symptoms and and veins, and treating strokes from inside take them to the proper center, we can save
the aneurysm has forcefully ruptured and the artery. “The coil is placed against the entrance more lives,” Dr. Vela-Duante said.
caused a massive brain bleed,” says Dr. Ve- or inside the aneurysm to divert the blood
la-Duarte. “The patient’s awareness and “The patient is evaluated by an emer- flow away from the pouch,” Dr. Vela-Duante And there are new procedures on the
comprehensive abilities are affected, and gency physician who recommends a CAT said. “The cells around the device create horizon that will enable the neurosurgeon
they may experience weakness on one side scan based on the stroke-like symptoms. new tissue and down the road the blood to manipulate the instruments with a robot
of the body. The individual can die very If it shows a bleed in a certain area, it is should not enter the aneurysm because the and navigate the catheters in response to
quickly if the artery, specifically where the determined whether the bleed is massive device is preventing the blood flow from the joy sticks.
ruptured pouch occurred, is not repaired in or not and if it needs to be drained or not. entering the pouch. This procedure is min-
a timely fashion.” imally invasive, and the patient can get the There might even be a time before
“There are a lot of instruments to repair procedure today and go home tomorrow. too long when the robot can be operat-
It takes an entire team of physicians and the artery. Utilizing catheters, we insert There is no need for rehab and minimal risk ed by a neurosurgeon remotely, provid-
first responders to care for a patient who ex- very small tools that are telescoped in- of infection.” ing life-saving access to the procedures
periences a ruptured brain aneurysm. side one another and navigated or thread- at smaller hospitals that don’t have the
ed through the arterial system until we Occasionally, in about 5 percent of the funds to purchase their own robot or
First, recognition of the symptoms by reach the artery inside the brain to repair procedures, the artery is so stiff that nav- have a full-time neurosurgeon on staff.
first responders so they can bring the pa- the aneurysm. igation of the catheter to the brain is not The world of neurosurgery is constantly
tient to the appropriate medical center with possible. At that point, the procedure will evolving and Dr. Vela-Duante seems to be
a neuro intravascular interventional surgi- “Sometimes we enter through the radial require open surgery. at the forefront.
cal center is imperative. artery in your wrist or through the femoral
artery in your groin. Once we secure access, Dr. Vela-Duante stresses that immedi- Dr. Daniel Vela-Duante was recruited by
Second, it takes doctors, nurses and we thread a smaller catheter inside the ar- ately medical attention is crucial in the case Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital two
other medical professionals with the tery all the way up through your abdomen, of a brain aneurysm. Symptoms of a rup- years ago to spearhead their stroke neu-
knowledge to provide effective emergen- around the heart and neck and into the tured aneurysm mirror those of a stroke, so ro intervascular program. He received his
cy treatment. Fortunately for Vero Beach skull. We get advanced images of the arter- the same FAST test applies: medical degree from Universidad Nacional
residents, Cleveland Clinic’s Indian River ies to visualize the entire map of the arter- de Colombia and completed fellowships in
Hospital is recognized as a Stroke Center ies and veins hoping to find the aneurysm F – Face: Ask the person to smile. Does neurosurgery at Cleveland Clinic and Bap-
of Excellence and has the equipment and and treat it.” one side of the face droop? tist Health Neurosurgery/Miami Neurosci-
skilled surgeons available to repair the ence Institute. His office is located at the
artery. According to John Hopkins Medicine, A – Arms: Ask the person to raise both Health & Wellness Center, 3450 11th Court,
healthcare providers most commonly use arms. Does one arm drift downward? Vero Beach. Call 772-563-4741 for an ap-
Finally, post-operative care after sur- coiling to block blood flow into a cerebral pointment. 
gery plays an important part in the pa- aneurysm at risk for rupturing and in S - Speech: Ask the person to repeat a
simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or

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8 Deccember 30, 2021 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | HEALTHY SENIOR

Yes, there are some benefits from exposure to sun

By Fred Cicetti | Columnist Unlike other essential vitamins, which amount of vitamin D production. rheumatic disorders, diabetes, gout, chronic
you must get from food, vitamin D can be By the late 1800s, about 9 out of 10 children ulcers and wounds. From this, came the ex-
Q. All I ever hear about the sun is how dan- synthesized in the skin through a reaction to pression “a healthy tan.”
gerous it is. But, when I was a kid, my mother ultraviolet radiation. How much vitamin D in industrialized Europe and North America
used to tell me to get out in the sun and play. you produce depends upon how many units had rickets symptoms. The medical commu- In the 1930s, the U.S. Public Health Ser-
Did my mother give me bad advice? of ultraviolet light penetrate your skin. nity began promoting sunbathing for rickets. vice began issuing warnings about sun-re-
At the same time, doctors found that tuber- lated health risks. Subsequently, the hazards
[I’ve devoted a lot of space to the dangers The UV light can be blocked by skin pig- culosis (TB) responded to sunlight. of skin cancer from too much sun were re-
of sun exposure. I believe I owe the sun a ment, sunscreen, clothing and body fat. Dark searched extensively.
couple of columns to make up for this. Here’s skin requires about five to six times more Because of the results with rickets and TB,
the first one.] solar exposure than pale skin for equivalent attitudes about the sun changed. Sunlight However, too little sun exposure is asso-
also became a popular medical treatment for ciated with Hodgkin lymphoma and other
Most public health messages have fo- cancers of the breast, ovaries, colon, pancre-
cused on the hazards of too much sun ex- as and prostate.
posure. Ultraviolet (UV) rays, an invisible
component of sunlight, can cause skin Some studies have raised the possibility
damage, cataracts, wrinkles, age spots that vitamin D insufficiency is contributing
and skin cancer. to many major illnesses. For example, there
is evidence that high levels of vitamin D may
But there is some sunny news about the decrease the risk of developing multiple
sun. sclerosis (MS).

Sunlight increases the body’s vitamin D A recent Swedish study found that suf-
supply. Most cases of vitamin D deficiency ficient vitamin D in childhood was asso-
are caused by a lack of exposure to the sun. ciated with a lower risk of developing type
1 diabetes.
If you don’t have enough vitamin D, your
bones will suffer. In children, vitamin D de- There is also a connection between vita-
ficiency causes rickets, best known for creat- min D and metabolic syndrome, a cluster of
ing bowed legs. Low vitamin D levels cause conditions that increases the risk for type 2
osteoporosis in adults. Osteoporosis is a dis- diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
order in which the bones become increasing-
ly porous, brittle, and subject to fracture. [In our next column, we’ll discuss other
benefits of sunlight and how much sun is
enough.] 



10 Deccember 30, 2021 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | YOUR HEALTH www.veronews.com

DO YOU NEED A WELLNESS
SCREENING EVERY YEAR?

By Erin Blakemore they need to do or consider if they would like
The Washington Post to lengthen their lives and have a longer time
being healthy,” says Carol Mangione, vice-
Haven’t gotten a physical lately? You’re chair of the U.S. Preventive Services Task
not alone. Even before the coronavirus pan- Force and a practicing primary-care doctor.
demic, preventive care wasn’t on everyone’s The task force publishes evidence-based rec-
agenda. Adults are less likely to receive pre- ommendations for preventive care, as well as
ventive care than children, according to data an up-to-date list of recommendations on its
from the Centers for Disease Control and website, uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org.
Prevention. And in 2018, the most recent year
studied, just 23 percent of office-based doc- How often should you seek preventive
tor’s visits were for preventive care. care? “In general, the expectation is once a
year,” Abraham says. “However, in people
Physicians insist on the importance of who are young and healthy with no issues, if
regular wellness screenings – just don’t call it’s every other year, it’s perfectly OK.”
them physicals. The term “physical” is out-
dated, says George M. Abraham, president Depending on your health status, your
of the American College of Physicians and doctor may want to see you more or less
chief of medicine at St. Vincent Hospital in often.
Worcester, Mass. In reality, he says, what pa-
tients need is less a head-to-toe examination Many Americans have gotten behind
than an annual preventive visit – a chance during the pandemic. A national survey con-
for doctor and patient to check in and cover ducted by Johns Hopkins University found
topics that might not come up during more that in the first-half of 2020, 41 percent of re-
focused sessions. spondents delayed or skipped medical care.

Over the years, there has been a move- Shame can play a role in postponed pre-
ment away from annual physicals and to- ventive care – fear of questions about weight
ward routine preventive screenings. Re- or high-risk behaviors, or a reticence to see
searchers are split on the concrete value of the results of long-postponed screenings.
general health exams. In 2019, a systematic Others may skip visits because of a concern
review of general health checks published about high costs.
in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Re-
views concluded that routine physicals are Ready to touch base with your physician?
“unlikely to be beneficial” and can lead to Be prepared to ask questions and share your
unnecessary testing. Others argue that there concerns about your physical and mental
is no evidence against the practice, either, health. And expect to receive information
and that the value of preventive exams lies about necessary screenings, counseling on
in the connections they foster between pa- things such as alcohol intake and physical
tients and physicians. activity, and prescriptions for medications
to prevent disease down the line, such as
There are plenty of reasons to check in statins that can reduce the risk of stroke or
with your doctor regularly, whether you’re heart attack, if applicable.
on an annual schedule. During preventive
visits, doctors such as Abraham ask patients If you’re behind, don’t stress, Mangione
about everything from sexual health to seat and Abraham say. Make sure you’re up to
belt usage, firearm safety, risky behaviors date on screenings and get to your doctor
such as drug use, and vaccination status. when you can.
And for patients 40 and over, it’s important
to stay on top of recommended screenings “Don’t punish yourself,” Mangione
such as mammograms and colorectal cancer says. When she sees patients who have put
tests. “We make sure people know the things off preventive screenings, she tells them:
“You did the right thing. You got the test
when you could – and we’re going to take
great care of you.” 

Beautiful Vista Royale condo
close to all Vero has to offer

100 Spring Lake Drive, Apt. 104 in Vista Royale: 1-bedroom, 1-bath, 630-square-foot condo offered for $127,500
by Phil Sunkel of Alex MacWilliam Real Estate: 772-538-2339

12 December 30, 2021 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | REAL ESTATE www.veronews.com

Beautiful Vista Royale condo close to all Vero has to offer

By Samantha Rohlfing Baita | Staff Writer It is subtle enough to serve as a background A built-in shelf above the sink is an ers, you access your private, sun-filled,
[email protected] for your personal design and color choices. eye-catching space in which to display enclosed porch, with floor-to-ceiling, roll-
your favorite chachka collection, spic- down shaded windows, ample space for
The completely renovated, light-filled, Upon entering, you step into a living/ es, cookbooks or fancy dishes. Recessed furniture-to-relax-in, and a door to the
first-floor condo at 100 Spring Lake Drive, dining area stretching wall to wall, with lighting, white horizontal tile splash, and nicely landscaped parking area (only steps
#104 is a great choice for a single person the two large windows, fitted with vene- gleaming stainless-steel double sink, dish- to your designated spot). Any time of the
or couple, whether you are a full-time tian blinds, flanking the entrance door. A washer, oven and side-by-side fridge ramp day or evening, this is the place to hang
resident or a snowbird seeking a bright modern, 5-blade lighted ceiling fan rotates up metro sophistication. As a festive touch out and re-charge.
and tidy part-time dwelling convenient above the living areas and a pair of white

to shopping, entertainment and Vero’s fa- and silver glass cylinders illuminate the during the holiday season, a jolly, red and Just outside the bedroom door, the bath-
mous beaches. small, square kitchen islet. green clothed, white-bearded Santa wel- room is another gray-and-white standout
comes from atop the fridge. with a white tub/shower, loo, vanity, cul-
The front door does not face the park- This perfectly proportioned piece fea- tured marble vanity top and walls, gray
ing area but instead opens out onto a tures a white, tongue-in-groove-look The bedroom is a serene and spacious tile flooring and a lovely and unusual tub/
large, nicely landscaped lawn bounded on white cabinet with butcher block top. The retreat, offering the same gentle gray floor- shower tile – predominantly white with
three sides by two-story buildings, with rest of the stylish kitchen also offers crisp ing, and a very roomy closet, stretching slender gray striations.
yours at one end and a thick, tall hedge white cabinetry with slender steel-toned across one wall and entered through either
stretching across the opposite end. This bar pulls, and beautiful blonde butcher of two double bifold louver doors. You should certainly see this little trea-
pleasant grassy expanse is punctuated by block counters. sure for yourself if you are in the market
a spot-lighted pair of tall palms and a clus- From the bedroom, through glass slid-
ter of four short feathery palms. Further
enhanced by the buildings’ soft cream col-
or and terra cotta-hued roofs and the wide
expanse of sky, this is the pleasant tropical
view through the two wide front windows.

The complete renovation is clean and so-
phisticated, employing sleek hardware and
light fixtures, and a modern palette: white
(ceiling, walls, doors, fans, molding, bath-
room and sunroom/porch tile) and gray
(handsome wood-look laminate flooring in
shades of gray flows throughout the home).

Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | REAL ESTAT E December 30, 2021 13

for a charming, convenient one-bed- ing seaside village, with its unique array of FEATURES FOR 100 SPRING LAKE DRIVE #104
room. high-end restaurants, resorts, boutiques,
salons and pubs, as well as Riverside park, Neighborhood: Vista Royale
Vista Royale is only minutes from shop- with its professional live theater, art mu- Year built: 1980; completely renovated 2021
ping along U.S. 1 and the Miracle Mile, the seum, walking and jogging trails, city ten-
downtown art gallery and restaurant dis- nis center and more.  Construction: CBS
trict along 14th Avenue, and Vero’s charm- Home size: 1,000 square feet

Bedrooms: 1
Bathrooms: 1
Additional features: First-floor unit; parking only steps away;
appliances include dishwasher, electric water heater, micro-
wave, range, fridge; completely new plumbing of entire condo
unit, during renovation; central heat/air; ceiling fans; glass
sliders to enclosed porch; colorful paintings by the owner, a
professional artist, come with the home; community includes
heated pools, tennis courts, bocce ball courts, shuffleboard
courts, clubhouse, gazebo with grill, game room; association
fee includes common areas and amenities, cable TV, insurance,
maintenance, sewer, trash, water and reserve fund.

Listing agency: Alex MacWilliam Real Estate
Listing agent: Phil Sunkel: 772-538-2339
Listing price: $127,500

DON’T LET AN UNRESOLVED OPEN BUILDING PERMIT THWART A HOME SALE

By Ilyce Glink and Samuel J. Tamkin | Washington Post found two open permits attached to your the work was completed. That allowed the are easier to close out than others. For you
home’s address. municipality to close out the permit and to close out the permit, you had to contact
Q: I saw your recent article about making eliminate the issue. your local municipality and have them
sure that renovations were done with per- Where a local municipality requires send out a building inspector to ascertain
mits and was reminded of our situation a permits for work, the municipality expects As you might have gathered from your whether the work done at the property not
few years ago. that the homeowner will obtain a permit open permit issues, some open permits only matched the work described in the
and pay the permit fee. If the homeowner permit but complied with municipal build-
My buyer was a real estate agent, and she does not obtain the building permit, the ing-code requirements.
checked with the county and found that I local municipality may cite the property
had not closed or finalized two building per- owner for a building permit violation, re- Sometimes, open permits are so old
mits for a small addition I built. There was quire the owner to pay the permit fee plus that the building department might find
also some sort of open item for a fence instal- a fine, and correct any work that does not it difficult to close them out. Either the
lation as well. comply with the municipal ordinances. In original paperwork gets lost, or the mu-
some jurisdictions, the local municipality nicipality has other, more urgent issues
All of this data was online and publicly may, but not always, go after a subsequent to address. In this case, your solution was
available. The buyer correctly insisted that I owner for these violations. perfect: have the buyer talk to the local
clean these items up. I was able to get a final municipality about the open permit, so
inspection on the two open building permits, Sam recently represented a seller in a the buyer has some level of comfort with
but the county insisted that they had no similar situation to your own. In his case, closing on the property. Knowing that the
way to close the fence issue. After numerous the buyer found out that the seller had ob- municipality likely won’t come after the
phone calls between me, the buyer and the tained a building permit 10 years ago for buyer for any issues relating to the work
county, the buyer accepted the house with work on the downspouts and water dis- you did under that permit allowed your
the open fence issue. charge issues. The permit was never closed. deal to proceed. 
But Sam’s client got lucky in that the com-
Do you know why they couldn’t close that pany his client hired still had the records
issue? from the job, and they were able to prove

A: Thanks for your letter. When you own
a home and decide to renovate or improve
it, most municipalities require a building
permit for the work that you’ll do. While
municipalities may not require a building
permit for cosmetic issues, such as paint-
ing, they do require permits for building
additions, plumbing and electrical work,
and a host of other items.

If you’re a home buyer who wants to buy
a fixer-upper, the savvy move is to check
with the local municipality’s building de-
partment to see whether they require a
building permit for any work you might
consider. Given that much information
these days is online, it’s easy to check
whether a homeowner has open permits.
Your buyer was smart, looked online and

14 December 30, 2021 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | REAL ESTATE www.veronews.com

MAINLAND REAL ESTATE SALES: DEC. 20 THROUGH DEC. 24

TOP SALES OF THE WEEK

The run-up to Christmas Day saw a modest amount of mainland real estate sales, with 34 transactions of
single-family residences and lots reported from Dec. 20-24 (some shown below).
The top sale of the week was in Vero Beach, where the 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom home at 5570 Las Brisas
Dr. – listed last month for $1,150,000 – sold for $1,140,000 on Dec. 21.
Representing the seller in the transaction was agent Patty Valdes of Alex MacWilliam, Inc. Representing the
buyer was agent Joseph Francis O’Neill of Keller Williams Realty of Vero Beach.

SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCES AND LOTS

ORIGINAL SELLING
PRICE
TOWN ADDRESS LISTED ASKING PRICE SOLD
$1,140,000
VERO BEACH 5570 LAS BRISAS DR 11/24/2021 $1,150,000 12/21/2021 $895,000
SEBASTIAN 48 SUNSET DR 10/12/2021 $935,000 12/20/2021 $525,000
VERO BEACH 5294 TURTLE CREEK CIR 5/7/2021 $549,000 12/21/2021 $459,387
VERO BEACH 7103 EAST VILLAGE SQ 5/22/2021 $450,887 12/21/2021 $418,000
VERO BEACH 1929 GREY FALCON CIR SW 10/5/2021 $429,000 12/21/2021 $395,900
VERO BEACH 4394 BEAUTY LEAF CIR 11/2/2021 $395,900 12/20/2021 $380,000
VERO BEACH 655 KENWOOD DR SW 11/3/2021 $360,000 12/23/2021 $368,000
VERO BEACH 607 TANGELO CIR SW 11/15/2021 $335,000 12/20/2021 $355,100
VERO BEACH 1366 17TH PL SW 11/3/2021 $350,000 12/22/2021 $325,000
VERO BEACH 4715 50TH AVE 11/19/2021 $330,000 12/22/2021 $323,085
VERO BEACH 6575 LOKOSEE CT 9/17/2021 $323,085 12/21/2021 $319,000
VERO BEACH 2132 BRIDGEHAMPTON TER 3/2/2021 $319,000 12/21/2021 $305,000
SEBASTIAN 1781 BARBER ST 10/21/2021 $310,000 12/22/2021 $299,900
VERO BEACH 367 MONACO PL 10/29/2021 $299,900 12/20/2021 $295,000
VERO BEACH 3231 ANTHEM WAY 11/13/2021 $285,000 12/21/2021 $290,000
VERO BEACH 10068 W VILLA CIR 11/13/2021 $290,000 12/22/2021 $282,500
SEBASTIAN 608 COTTONWOOD RD 11/24/2021 $295,000 12/22/2021 $265,000
VERO BEACH 2045 15TH AVE SW 12/6/2021 $260,000 12/22/2021 $255,000
VERO BEACH 1246 35TH AVE SW 11/12/2021 $255,000 12/23/2021 $252,000
VERO BEACH 1734 27TH AVE 11/1/2021 $285,000 12/20/2021 $250,000
VERO BEACH 1833 POINTE WEST WAY 11/16/2021 $250,000 12/20/2021 $249,900
VERO BEACH 1246 44TH AVE 10/21/2021 $249,900 12/20/2021 $235,000
SEBASTIAN 612 BAYHARBOR TER 10/16/2021 $239,900 12/23/2021 $205,000
VERO BEACH 176 46TH CT 10/22/2021 $249,900 12/22/2021 $194,900
VERO BEACH 5080 HARMONY CIR UNIT#305 10/12/2021 $194,900 12/22/2021 $189,000
VERO BEACH 47 PLANTATION DR UNIT#204 11/8/2021 $189,900 12/23/2021 $187,500
VERO BEACH 21 PINE ARBOR LN UNIT#206 10/13/2021 $225,000 12/20/2021 $185,000
SEBASTIAN 1116 BREEZY WAY UNIT#1H 9/29/2021 $200,000 12/21/2021

Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | REAL ESTAT E December 30, 2021 15

TOP RECENT INDIAN RIVER COUNTY REAL ESTATE SALES.

48 Sunset Dr, Sebastian

Listing Date: 10/12/2021
Original Price: $935,000
Sold: 12/20/2021
Selling Price: $895,000
Listing Agent: Troy Westover

Selling Agent: Dale Sorensen Real Estate Inc.

Jada Plante

Dale Sorensen Real Estate Inc.

5294 Turtle Creek Cir, Vero Beach

Listing Date: 5/7/2021
Original Price: $549,000
Sold: 12/21/2021
Selling Price: $525,000
Listing Agent: Ted Jackson

Selling Agent: Coldwell Banker Paradise

Melissa St Anne Mittag

Dale Sorensen Real Estate Inc.

7103 East Village Sq, Vero Beach

Listing Date: 5/22/2021
Original Price: $450,887
Sold: 12/21/2021
Selling Price: $459,387
Listing Agent: Liz Boley

Selling Agent: D R Horton Realty of Melbourne

NOT PROVIDED

NOT PROVIDED

1929 Grey Falcon Cir SW, Vero Beach

Listing Date: 10/5/2021
Original Price: $429,000
Sold: 12/21/2021
Selling Price: $418,000
Listing Agent: Rupa Patel

Selling Agent: Dale Sorensen Real Estate Inc.

Erin Rambala

Keller Williams Realty of VB

16 December 30, 2021 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | REAL ESTATE www.veronews.com

Mortgage rates drift down due to Omicron fears

By Kathy Orton | The Washington Post “The market volatility resulting from released its sales of existing homes data
the COVID-19 Omicron variant is caus- for November last week. It showed sales
Mortgage rates were pushed down ing mortgage rates to decrease,” Sam rose last month, up 1.9 percent from Oc-
by rising concerns about the Omicron Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist, tober.
coronavirus variant heading into the said in a statement.
holiday. “Buyers continue to close contracts
Investors are watching news about for both new and existing homes, hurry-
According to the latest data released the omicron variant closely, worried ing to lock in low mortgage rates before
last Thursday by Freddie Mac, the 30- about its potential to inflict economic they rise,” said George Ratiu, an econo-
year fixed-rate average dropped to 3.05 damage in the form of shutdowns. Ex- mist at Realtor.com.
percent with an average 0.7 point. (A cept for Dec. 8 when it closed at 1.52 per-
point is a fee paid to a lender equal to 1 cent, the yield on the 10-year Treasury “The combination of rising inflation
percent of the loan amount. It is in ad- has remained below 1.5 percent the en- and the Federal Reserve’s accelerated
dition to the interest rate.) It was 3.12 tire month. It closed at 1.46 percent last tapering of mortgage-backed securities
percent two weeks ago and 2.66 percent Wednesday. purchases is expected to push interest
a year ago. rates higher in 2022, trimming many

Freddie Mac, the federally chartered The movement of the 10-year Trea- buyers’ budgets,” Ratiu added. of total loan application volume – de-
mortgage investor, aggregates rates from sury is often one of the best indicators Black Knight, a mortgage data and creased 0.6 percent from a week earlier.
around 80 lenders across the country to of where mortgage rates are headed, The purchase index fell 3 percent, while
come up with weekly national averages. though that has been less the case re- technology company, released its mort- the refinance index rose 2 percent. The
The survey is based on home purchase cently because of the Federal Reserve’s gage performance data last Thursday. refinance share of mortgage activity ac-
mortgages. Rates for refinances may be involvement in the market. Overall mortgage delinquency fell 4.1 counted for 65.2 percent of applications.
different. It uses rates for high-quality percent last month, down 43 percent
borrowers with strong credit scores and When bond prices rise and yields fall, year-over-year. The number of borrow- “Mortgage applications fell ... driven
large down payments. Because of the rates tend to fall. ers who are 30 or more days past due by a 3 percent decline in purchase appli-
criteria, these rates are not available to but not in foreclosure fell to 1.9 million cations,” Joel Kan, an MBA economist,
every borrower. “With many bond traders off for the for the first time since the initial run- said in a statement. “Both conventional
holiday, it’s hard to get a sense as to how up at the start of the pandemic. Serious and government purchase applications
The 15-year fixed-rate average fell to 2.3 the bond market will see the increasing delinquencies – those mortgages more were down, while the average purchase
percent with an average 0.7 point. It was covid cases from the omicron variant,” than 90 days past due – dropped by loan increased for the second straight
2.34 percent two weeks ago and 2.19 per- said Michael Becker, branch manager 80,000. week to $416,200 – the second-highest
cent a year ago. The five-year adjustable at Sierra Pacific Mortgage. “It may take amount ever.
rate average sank to 2.37 percent with an a couple weeks for us to get a sense of Mortgage applications were down two
average 0.4 point. It was 2.45 percent two how the increase in cases will affect the weeks ago. According to the latest data “The elevated loan size is an indica-
weeks ago and 2.79 percent a year ago. economy.” from the Mortgage Bankers Association, tion that activity is more on the higher
the market composite index – a measure end of the market.” 
The National Association of Realtors

Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | YOUR HEALTH Deccember 30, 2021 B1

6QUICK DIAGNOSIS, REPAIR HOUSE OF THE WEEK: 12 BONZO MEETS PRETTY B8
VISTA ROYALE CONDO ‘PAPILLON’ ANGEL MAE
KEY FOR BRAIN ANEURYSMS

Coming Up ARTIST MICHAEL ROBINSON
REFLECTS ON A LIFE IN –
RIVERSIDE REOPENS AND LOVE OF – GLASS
WITH A ROLLICKING
‘CAROUSEL’ RIDE PAGE B2

By Pam Harbaugh | Correspondent

This is the time when people start
considering New Year’s resolutions.
As you do so, why not consider getting
a little more culture into your activi-
ties diet. Fortunately, Vero Beach has
some first-class offerings.

1 After a long pandemic-in-
duced hiatus, Riverside
Theatre is coming back next week
with one of the American musi-
cal theater’s greatest, Rodgers &
Hammerstein’s “Carousel.” With
songs including “If I Loved You”
and “You’ll Never Walk Alone,”
this show has some of the most al-
luring music you’ll hear on stage.
Set in a small fishing town on the
coast of Maine, there’s also plenty
of charm, with clambakes, cute
children and enough romance to
satisfy even the most curmud-
geonly. You’ll also find a touch
of heaven and redemption. Just
be sure to bring enough hankies.
The show is so enduring that it’s
hard to believe it first appeared

CONTINUED ON PAGE B3

B2 Deccember 30, 2021 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | ARTS & THEATRE www.veronews.com

Artist Robinson reflects on a life in – and love of – glass

BY STEPHANIE LaBAFF | STAFF WRITER

Some would say that artist Michael Rob- Michael Robinson.
inson, whose work is represented by Gallery
14, was destined to spend his life manip- PHOTOS: KAILA JONES
ulating the amorphous nuances of glass.
His earliest memories are of watching his “Neon is tricky. You learn an awful lot
father, who worked in the glass trade, make of control on glass doing stuff like that,” he
little animals at home. recalls. However, he admits, “I got better at
the ornaments than I was at the neon.”
“That really makes an impression on a
young mind,” says Robinson, who still uses As their business gradually shifted away
some of his father’s tools in his work today. from neon and toward creating more glass
ornaments, they opened a shop in Beach
Robinson, now age 70, emigrated to the Haven, on Long Beach Island, New Jersey.
United States from Perry Vale, England,
with his family when he was just 5 years old.
His father had worked in the neon trade in
England where he learned the art of glass-
blowing by making neon signs.

Over the years, Robinson continued to
study the glass trade at his father’s knee
and cut his teeth on hard glass while mak-
ing vacuum tube bases for ultraviolet light
detectors in New Jersey during high school
summer breaks.

“They were very difficult to make,” he
recalls. “You really learn temperature con-
trol on the glass.”

Robinson and his father would later open
their own neon shop on the Jersey Shore,
where they crafted ornaments on the side.

Join us for Sunday Worship Robinson says that his experience work- area, he turned his blow torch and consid-
8:30, 9:30 and 11:00 AM ing with several types of glass helped him to erable skills toward creating the exquisite
define his technique, while also forcing him creatures the Florida Keys are known for.
Quality discipleship, fellowship, music, to figure things out on his own.
youth programs, and more - for all ages! He sees glass as the perfect medium to
We would love for you to join our church family! “I could just fumble my way through express the forms found in nature.
it and see right to it. A lot of that was from
Sunday, January 2nd watching glass move and flow in the flame,” “Glass echoes nature; it is enduring but
he explains. fragile. Careless action can destroy a glass
This week’s message: object (or a natural ecosystem) that would
“What Will You Do With Your Inheritance” Robinson says his technique is that otherwise exist for eons,” Robinson stresses.
of a lampworker, which is more often
Ephesians 1:3-14 called glassblowing. Lampworkers ma- “We settled into making designs that
nipulate glass using a torch rather than were tropical in nature, instead of having
Dr. G. Timothy Womack, Senior Pastor blowing through a blowpipe to inflate dragons and elephants, which is a staple of
the molten glass. glass ornament shops. I try and make things
520 Royal Palm Blvd First Presbyterian Preschool that are very pleasant to look at and evoke
Vero Beach, FL 32960 www.firstpresbyterianpreschool.org Evidence of glassblowing dates to 3500 emotion in things that are available in na-
(772) 562-9088 PRIMO School of Performing Arts B.C. in Mesopotamia and has evolved over ture,” says Robinson. He adds that he feels it
www.FirstPresVero.org the years. The earliest glassworkers used is important for artists to cultivate their own
www.PRIMOMusic.org alcohol or oil lamps and bellows to create style and expression.
a usable jet at a high temperature. Today,
Robinson uses a propane-fueled torch that While he has created a limited se-
emits a flame of about 4,500 degrees, which lection of colored glass pieces in recent
turns the glass into a molasses-like texture. years, Robinson says he prefers to work
with clear glass.
In the 1980s, Robinson and his partner,
Diane Richards, bought a trawler and trav- “When you use color, it somehow be-
eled down the Intracoastal Waterway to Is- comes less of an approximation. It becomes
lamorada, where he eventually opened the more of an exact thing. With the clear glass,
Spectrum Studio Gallery in the area’s Rain you’re letting the viewer’s imagination run.”
Barrel Artisan Village.
As a medium, Robinson finds glass fas-
It was there that Robinson streamlined cinating, explaining that it takes a steady
his line of glass ornaments. He says that, in- hand to gently coax it into shape.
spired by the native flora and fauna of the
“Glass is an inherently beautiful mate-
rial. The fact is that you can heat it up and

Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | ARTS & THEATRE Deccember 30, 2021 B3

use what it does, how it flows, all its natural CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1 Christian Siriano. the final day for “American Perspectives:
characteristics, to get it into a shape that you Stories from the American Folk Art Muse-
desire,” he explains. on Broadway 75 years ago. Riverside’s pro- vo talk show called “So Siriano” and has um Collection.” Making a last-minute visit
ducing artistic director and CEO Allen D. co-hosted “Project Runway.” So, yes, re- even harder is the fact that the museum
The irony that he uses the nature of glass Cornell has also directed and designed the serve your spot now. “A Conversation with galleries will be closed Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.
to create sculptures that depict nature scenery for this show. That’s a good thing Christian Siriano,” part of the museum’s Admission to the galleries is $8, with dis-
isn’t lost on Robinson, who talks about the because Cornell has an exquisite aesthet- “Fashion Meets Arts” series, starts at 4 counts for seniors, children and museum
molten glass almost as if it were a living, ic, guaranteeing some sumptuous visuals. p.m. Feb. 23 and is followed by cocktails. members. The Vero Beach Museum of Art
breathing thing. In a press release, Cornell says “I hope The Vero Beach Museum of Art also has is at 3001 Riverside Dr. Call 772-231-0707 or
people are yearning to get back together a new Winter Film Studies runs Tuesday, visit VBMuseum.org.
“The nature of glass can be either disre- … When we closed, I don’t think anyone Jan. 4 through Feb. 1. The program is
garded or employed to produce a piece that imagined we’d be dark for almost two called “Tapestries: Stories of Struggle and 3 Unfortunately, two upcoming Classic
is perceived on different levels, for glass is a years, but the message of this show is one Success in Our Diverse World.” The films Albums Live shows at the Emerson
paradox,” he says, explaining that glass is a that is needed today. In the last couple of in the series will explore humanity’s inter- Center have had to be canceled due to the
“manufactured material” that possesses an years of isolation, it is reassuring that we connectedness in its search for love, fame, virus: “The Stones – Let It Bleed,” scheduled
“elemental feel.” are still connected and not alone.” Look home and identity. You can join online or for today, Dec. 30; and “The Rocket Man
also for some thrilling dance created by in person (with masks). The cost is $96 for Show – A Tribute to Elton John,” scheduled
Robinson further comments that the ele- well-known choreographer DJ Salisbury, the general public, with discounts avail- for Jan. 13. For more information, visit Mu-
mental nature of glass gives it “its own pres- who has served up some great treats both able for museum members. And, of course, sicWorksConcerts.com. 
ence as a medium,” that by its own very na- as choreographer and director for River- if you haven’t seen the folk art exhibit there
ture “exerts a great deal of influence on the side, Orlando Shakes, Ogunquit Playhouse yet, you have until Sunday, Jan. 2. That’s
finished product.” and Lincoln Center. As far as this Omicron
variant, Riverside is strictly following
Robinson describes working with glass as CDC guidelines for the cast, crew and au-
a hurry-up-and-wait job. dience. The theater’s website is updated
constantly with protocols. But for your in-
“When you get the glass at the right tem- formation, the cast and crew are all fully
perature, it will just flow together. The trick vaccinated. The theater will have masks
is to let it flow back on itself.” available for any audience who wants one.
“Carousel” opens Tuesday, Jan. 4 and runs
“What I like about the glass is when it’s through Jan. 23 at Riverside Theatre, 3250
done, it’s done,” he adds. Riverside Dr., Vero Beach. Tickets start at
$45. Call 772-231-6990 or visit RiversideT-
Many of Robinson’s sculptures tell a sto- heatre.com.
ry. In “Stay in School,” he catches a school of
fish hiding among the mangroves, with one 2 Plan ahead for some big fun at the
wayward fish meandering away as a green Vero Beach Museum of Art, espe-
heron watches from the bushes. The sense of cially one event that is sure to sell out
danger for the hapless, lone fish is palpable. very fast – “A Conversation with Chris-
tian Siriano.” That particular event is a
With “Dune Fence,” a wave crashes as a few weeks away, but really, with a fashion
seabird alights atop a fence. You almost hold superstar like Siriano, you really need to
your breath in anticipation, hoping the bird get those tickets now. Siriano, of course,
was able to fly off before the sea washed into is the young fashion phenom who shot up
the rickety boards. like a rising star after winning the 2008
“Project Runway.” He, the young man who
Two other pieces on display at Gallery 14 liked to call his work “fierce,” went on to
engage dolphins but in quite different ways. study with the legendary Alexander Mc-
The dolphins leap with glee in “Dolphin Queen. He has designed showstopping
Pod,” while in “Deep Water” they appear to fashion for first ladies Michelle Obama
be interacting in an elegant dance. and Jill Biden, Oprah, Lady Gaga, Billy
Porter, Amy Adams and so many more. He
A sense of serenity is evoked in “Still Wa- has been hailed by both Time and Forbes
ters,” where a glass pool of water lets the on- magazines and shows yearly at New York
looker gaze into the watery silence of a man- Fashion Week. He launched his own Bra-
grove, from its intricate root system below
the surface to the leafy green leaves above.

In “Reef Idols,” a trio of angelfish appear
to have a symbiotic relationship with the
seagrass, as they weave in and out to a tune
only they can hear.

Robinson is a represented artist at Gallery
14 with various works on display. For more in-
formation, visit gallery14verobeach.com. 

B4 Deccember 30, 2021 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | DINING www.veronews.com

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B8 Deccember 30, 2021 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | PETS www.veronews.com

Bonz floats like a butterfly after meeting Angel Mae

Hi Dog Buddies! dog as a present, an found out “It’s way fun goin to the
about us purebred budderfly
This week I had a pleasant yap with a lovely dogs bein’ available. Dad got Tennis Club with Mom. I
liddle Papillon – Angel Mae Mitchell – who is to pick out his fvrite, an he
a snowbirddog from Wisconsin. picked ME. It was just him an could watch that ball go
me at first, an I was a liddle
When the door opened, Angel Mae was nervous an uh-LOOF, sorta back an forth ALL DAY long.
standing next to a lady. She zipped up to me, kept to myself. I was use to
pawsed, looked me right in the eyes an deliv- bein’ crated, so havin’ a lotta I NEVER try to chase it, tho.
ered one rather shy but Serious Woof. Then space was kinda weird. Any-
she turned an ran back to the lady. way, about 3 months later, That would be a major Fox
Dad an me met Mom for the
I figured she was makin’ sure I knew it was first time. She picked me up Paw. Plus, the people in the
Her Home an Her Job to protect it, an I ad- right away an cuddled me
mired her determination, in spite of her size an gave me treats. Alluva tennis store give me Treats.”
an fluffyness. From a pree-vee-us innerview, sudden I ree-lized I had a
I knew Papillon means ‘budderfly’ in French, Forever Famly, an I discov- “Do you play in the snow
and Angel Mae’s tiny fluffy face and luxuri- ered I am a People Pooch.
ous, feathery sailboat ears totally resembled Sometimes I ackshully for- in Wisconsin? I’ve never even
a budderfly, which rendered her Serious get I’m a dog.
Woof more charming than ferocious. SEEN snow.”
“When Dad works at
“Good afternoon, Miss Angel Mae. It is a home I always want to be “You’re not missing much,”
great pleasure to meet you.” right there helpin’ him.
Or I curl up at Mom’s feet she said. “I don’t like snow. It’s
“Hello, Mr. Bonzo. Did my Serious Woof (like I’m doin’ now, ack-
surprise you? It’s nothing personal. It just im- shully). My totally favrite wet! An cold! When I haff to
portant to me that fellow pooches know I’m place to be is snuggled be-
not scared of ’em, even though I looked like tween Mom an Dad on the Do My Dootie, Mom an Dad
a delicate fluff muffin. I may be liddle, but I couch. That’s the Best!”
know what’s what! Oh, an you can just call clear a liddle circle of grass for
me Mae. This is my Mom Amy. My Dad Chris “I totally agree!” I said. “What do you do for
is workin’ in Wisconsin but he’ll be home for fun? Do you like to travel? What do think of me anna path to it. But when
Christmas. I’m So Excited! It’ll be our first the beach?”
Christmas in Florida!” I’m done or I get distracted by a
“I like squeaky toys a lot. An the first part
“Well, I am happy for you, Miss Mae,” I of Fetch the Ball. I usually forget to bring it squirrel or something an I hop
said. “How did you find your Forever Mom back. But it’s fun. An I’m real fast. An Woof!
an Dad?” Can I LEAP! But not as high as I use to. The off the grass, it’s AWFUL!”
couch seems a lot higher these days. I guess
She curled up on the floor next to her I’m getting Up There. But I can still chase “Don’t you have a coat or
Mom. “I’m 13 (in human) now. I was raised to squirrels!! There’s a ton of ’em over at Riv-
be a breeder at a place up in Wisconsin. I had erside Park. I’m onna leash an Mom gets something?”
some litters, which were taken away as soon her exercise keepin’ up with me when I’m
as they didn’t need Mommy Milk anymore Squirrel Chasin’. At the Dog Park, I’m kin- “Humpf, I don’t care how
– which still makes me sad – an then, when da reserved. I acknowledge fellow pooches,
I was about 7, my owners decided I wasn’t but I don’t run around with the pack. Angel Mae. cold it gets, I’m NOT wearin’
pretty enough, so they put me an some other CLOTHES! Mom tried. She got
puppy mamas On Sale.” “One of my FAV-rut activities is SNIFFIN’. PHOTO: KAILA JONES
There are so many intrestin’ smells every-
“Oh for Lassie’s Sake,” I exclaimed. where. I can follow a sniff path like it’s my me a winter coat. Anna Santa
“I KNOW. Can you buh-leeve it? Fortu-
nately, Dad’s sister (my Aunt Buffy) an his son hat (which I wore for 6 seconds,
(my brother Brady) had planned to get Dad a
for a phodo op). Anna Hallow-

JOB. I’d make a great detective. een costume. An I tore ’um all

“I’m not a fan of water, ’cept in my bowl. into tiny little pieces.”

Mom an Dad took me into a lake in Wis- Heading home, I was smilin’ to myself,

consin one time, but it scared the kibbles picturing sweet Miss Mae, rippin’ her San-

out of me an I clung to Mom like glue till ta hat to shreds. An snuggling up between

we got outta there. I do like the beach, tho, her Mom an Dad, a silly liddle budderfly all

running along the edges of the ocean with cozy an content.

the Pipers. Sometimes I get muddy playin’

outside, Then Mom hasta give me a shower, Till next time,
The Bonz
which I don’t like one liddle bit. But I LOVE
gettin’ blow dried. I always look Fluffy an Don’t Be Shy
Beautiful after that.
We are always looking for pets
“I love road trips. An stayin’ in hotels. An with interesting stories.
goin to pooch-frenly rest-runts. Down here,
we go to American Icon Brew-ree an Post an
Vine. They have bowls of water, an the hu-

mans think I’m Super Cute. Which, well, I To set up an interview, email
AM, doncha think?” [email protected].

“Indeed you are, Miss Mae,” I agreed.

Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | GAMES December 30, 2021 B9

NORTH

THE TIME TO IGNORE THE BOSTON RULE 7

By Phillip Alder - Bridge Columnist Q54

George Ade, a humorist and playwright who died in 1944, said, “To insure peace of 10 9 6 4
mind, ignore the rules and regulations.”
A K 10 9 8
Last week, I mentioned the key rule that when one leads a low card from a long unbid
suit, it should contain at least one honor. With no honor, lead an unnecessarily high WEST EAST
card. There is an acronym that is approximately correct: BoSToN: Bottom of Something, 32
Top of Nothing. 872 54
AJ3
However, as is usually the case in bridge, there is a critical exception to the rule. When 76432 A K J 10 9
you lead the suit partner bid, and you did not raise his suit, it is more important to give
length information than strength information. You lead high from shortness and low from Q752
length.
QJ
This week’s deal highlights why this is so important. Look at the West hand. What
should he lead after his partner opens one heart, and South jumps to four spades? SOUTH

South should not go more slowly in the bidding. If partner has only the diamond ace, the A K Q J 10 9 8 6
contract will be laydown. Also, it is highly unlikely that North-South have a slam, given
East’s opening bid and North’s initial pass. 63

West leads the heart two. East wins the first two tricks in hearts. Knowing that declarer K8
is now out of hearts, East shifts to a low diamond, and two tricks in that suit defeat the
contract. 5

Note that if West leads the eight of hearts, East will think it is from a doubleton and try Dealer: North; Vulnerable: Both
to cash a third heart trick, which lets the contract make with an overtrick. Declarer draws
trumps and runs the clubs, aided by the appearance of the jack and queen. The Bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST OPENING
4 Spades Pass Pass 1 Hearts
Pass Pass LEAD:
??

B10 December 30, 2021 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | GAMES www.veronews.com

SOLUTIONS TO PREVIOUS ISSUE (DECEMBER 23) ON PAGE B12

ACROSS DOWN
1 Tea (3) 1 Crawl (5)
3 Leg (3) 2 Tumbler (7)
5 Uninterested (5) 3 Role (4)
8 Mistake (5) 4 State (6)
9 Menaces (7) 5 Cure babe (anag.) (8)
10 Bars (4) 6 Get to (5)
11 Collectively (8) 7 Earn (7)
13 Lawsuit (6) 12 Ideas (8)
14 Sheen (6) 13 Levelled charges against(7)
17 Carbonaceous wood residue 15 Thus (7)
16 Coax (6)
(8) 18 Once more (5)
19 Surrender (4) 20 North African country (5)
22 Hair cleaner (7) 21 Exploit (4)
23 Each (5)
The Telegraph 24 Has supper, e.g. (5)
25 Finish (3)
26 However (3)

How to do Sudoku:

Fill in the grid so the
numbers one through
nine appear just once
in every column, row
and three-by-three
square.

Established 18 Years in Indian River County The Telegraph

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3920 US Hwy 1, Vero Beach FL 32960

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ACROSS dept. 47 Strongly suggest The Washington Post
1 Suspect’s trump card 100 Most stylish 48 Rampage
6 Mr. Smart Guy 102 Bomb trial, briefly 50 Cooks, as clams PUMPING IRONY By Merl Reagle
9 Rascal 105 Pal of Gilda 52 American rival, once
14 Lights-out notes 108 Beastly place 56 Doctor’s evil side
18 Antisocial type 109 “Pumping irony,” 57 “Made ___”
19 Go on breathing 58 Entertainer with a whip
21 Claudette in It Happened the end 59 Angler Walton
115 First name in jeans 60 Pig smellers
One Night 116 “Werewolves of London” 64 Therefore
22 Melange 66 The planet in Forbidden
23 Moola singer
24 Irrigation method 117 Jon Krakauer’s Everest Planet, ___ 4
25 Ways to your heart 67 Island big shot
26 Richard who played “Jaws” memoir, 69 Approving look
___ Thin Air 71 ___ Pet
in The Spy Who Loved Me 118 Ocean terror of WWII 72 Finish a sowing job
27 Definition of “pumping irony,” 120 Horn of Africa gulf 73 Recipe lady Rombauer
121 Ness was one 74 Spiel’s conclusion?
part 1 122 Soft drink choice 76 Hostess ___ Balls
31 Pro’s prop 123 Bay of Naples resort 78 Blazing
32 Fitness legend Jack 124 Mailing courtesy: abbr. 79 Candidate’s quest
33 Simpsons writer-turned-TV 125 Derby flora 80 “Well, ___ aren’t you
126 Reason for a hard R
host 127 1950s failure special!”
34 Worthy of bussing 83 Battery terminal: abbr.
DOWN 84 Mopy
38 “... man ___ mouse?” 1 The sum-total 85 Pregnancy class
39 Org. that’s well-endowed? 2 Rude dude 87 Funny sketches
41 ___ need-to-know basis 3 Margin size, often 91 Goosebumps author
42 Mardi Gras day: abbr. 4 Nice hats? 92 Report card signers
43 “Pumping irony,” 5 “Let me say that again” 93 Culture medium
6 And the Band Played On 94 “Everybody’s a ___!”
part 2 96 Fruits and veggies
49 Vermeer et al. star 100 Compromise
51 Pop singer Perry 7 Intersection alternative 101 “What a shame”
53 With pictures: abbr. 8 Madonna movie 102 Visitor’s guide
54 It may come before dawn 9 Time for Today 103 Defense lawyer’s opp.
55 “Pumping irony,” 10 Jones of the 1969 World 104 Roof edges
105 Don Juan has many
part 3 Series Mets 106 Together
60 Nintendo rival 11 Bio title words 107 Taboos
61 One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s 12 Chinese dynasty 110 Drug or energy chief
13 Colombian buck 111 Interlocking blocks
Nest creator 14 Widmark film, Don’t 112 The Loch Ness Monster,
62 Bandleader portrayer
63 b, d or k, e.g. Bother ___ e.g.
65 Aleutian island 15 Do a wheel job 113 Vocalized error
68 Athos’s chronicler 16 Painting of Mary’s grief 114 Like snow in L.A.
70 Knight in shining armor 17 Athenian lawgiver 119 No later than
71 Where prints are 20 Post-play commentary?
28 Dress down
processed? 29 He played Cole in Night and
75 Sewing unions?
77 Tropical fruit Day
81 Towel word 30 Champagne buckets
82 “Pumping irony,” 34 Lollipop lawman
35 Idiotic
part 4 36 Razed Vegas hotel
86 “___ the Walrus” 37 Beef modifier
87 Lizard starter 39 Like some hooters
88 1982 Fassbinder classic 40 Attack, puma-style
89 Location 43 All wool and ___ wide
90 “Pumping irony,” 44 Sardine container
45 Bra brand
part 5 46 Paper-view section?
95 He rules you out
97 Bloodshot chihuahua
98 Banca unit, once
99 The Forest Service’s

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B12 December 30, 2021 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | CALENDAR www.veronews.com

ONGOING 1 Resolution Run 5K, 10 a.m. at Riverside 10-16 Vero Beach International Brackett Library), to meet published authors
Park, running over the causeway and back Tennis Open at Grand Har- and poets from LRJF writing and poetry groups
Check with organizations directly for up- with free kids run and New Year’s after-party to bor Golf and Beach Club, a U.S. Tennis Associa- and tour the home. Lauraridingjackson.org
dates/cancellations. benefit IRC Sheriff’s Explorers. Runvero.com tion Women’s Pro Circuit event, featuring play-
ers from 30+ countries, ranked from 150 to 200, 16 Atlantic Classical Orchestra and Vero
Vero Beach Museum of Art: Martin Puryear, 4-23 Riverside Theatre presents the competing. Tickets at grandharbor.com Beach Museum of Art Chamber Music
Printmaker; and American Perspectives, Stories award-winning Rodgers and Series, Through the Looking Glass, featuring vio-
from the American Folk Art Museum Collection, Hammerstein musical “Carousel,” on the Stark 12-23 Vero Beach Theatre Guild linist Aleksandr Zhuk, cellist Chris Glansdorp, and
through Jan. 2. 772-231-0707 Stage. 772-231-6990 presents Tim Firth’s hilarious harpist Kay Kemper, 3 p.m. at the VBMA. $35 &
comedy “Calendar Girls,” directed by Art Pin- $50; $5 students/children. 772-231-0707 x 136
McKee Botanical Garden: Dinosaurs Around 7-9 Art by the Sea Fine Arts & Crafts gree. 772-562-8300
the World exhibit, through May 1. 772-794-0601 Show at Vero Beach Museum of Art, 16 Ballet Vero Beach’s Accessible/Family
hosted by Vero Beach Art Club, opening reception 14|15 Ballet Vero Beach presents Friendly Series presents the Sleeping
Pelican Island National Wildlife Centennial 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat. and Franco-American, bold Princess, 2 p.m. at VBHS PAC, hour-long perfor-
Trail Meet & Greets, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sun., showcasing one work per artist by members scores choreographed by Adam Schnell and mances geared to the needs of the differently
Wednesdays through April. fws.gov/refuge/pel- of VBAC and VBMA. Free. verobeachartclub.org Camilo A. Rodriguez, 7:30 p.m. Fri., 2 p.m. and abled and young children. 772-905-2651 or bal-
ican_island 7:30 p.m. Sat. at Vero Beach High School PAC, letverobeach.org
8 Quail Valley Charities 5K Walk/Run, 8 a.m. with online virtual versions March 4 to 20. 772-
Riverside Theatre: Weekly Friday and Satur- 1-Mile Fun Run (14 & under); 8:30 a.m. 5K Walk/ 905-2651 or balletverobeach.org 16 Harvard Glee Club Florida Tour, 4 p.m.
day Comedy Zone, 7 and 9 p.m. on the Waxlax Run from Quail Valley River Club. Runsignup.com at Community Church of Vero Beach,
Stage ($20), and Live on the Loop concerts, 5:30 15 Treasure Coast Jazz Society presents a Sa- with Andrew Clark conducting the choir’s tenor
to 9 p.m. (free; tickets required). 772-231-6990 8 Bark in the Park to benefit Humane Society lute to Benny Goodman by Mark Green and bass voices. Free.
of Vero Beach and Indian River County, 10 with a mix of trumpet, flugelhorn and flute, noon
First Friday Gallery Strolls in Downtown Vero a.m. to 5 p.m. at Riverside Park, with vendors, fris- at Vero Beach Yacht Club. $40/$45. Optional 11:30 17 Riverside Theatre Distinguished Lecture
Beach Arts District, monthly from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. bee and dock diving dogs, agility and lure courses a.m. buffet lunch, $20. 772-234-4600 or TCjazz.org Series presents the Right Honorable
and IRC K-9 demonstrations. Free. hsvb.org Theresa May, former prime minister of the Unit-
15|16 Sebastian Riverfront Fine ed Kingdom, 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., simultaneously on
Thru Dec. 30: Magic of McKee Festival of 9 Vero Beach Opera presents Puccini’s La Arts and Music Festival, 10 the Stark Stage and Waxlax Stage. 772-231-6990
Lights, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at McKee Botanical Gar- Bohème, 3 p.m. at Vero Beach High School a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat.; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sun. along
den, with lighted holiday displays and decora- PAC. Verobeachopera.org or 772-564-5537 Indian River Drive by Riverview Park. sebasti- 18 to Feb. 6 – Riverside Theatre pres-
tions. General admission rates. Mckeegarden. anartshow.com ents “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now
org 9 Space Coast Symphony Orchestra presents Change,” one of Off-Broadway’s longest-running
Amazing Grace: Whitley Phipps in Concert, 16 Inaugural Local Writers Showcase, musicals, on the Waxlax Stage. 772-231-6990
JANUARY 3 p.m. at the Emerson Center. $35 at door; free 1 to 3 p.m. at Laura (Riding) Jackson
18 and under. SpaceCoastSymphony.org Foundation’s historical ‘Cracker’ home (next to 20 Live From Vero Beach presents the
Rocket Man Show – A Tribute to Elton
Solutions from Games Pages ACROSS DOWN Crossword Page B14 (IF I OWNED A TRAVEL AGENCY... ) John, 7 p.m. at the Emerson Center. $35 to $85.
in December 23, 2021 Edition 1 CAN 1 CREEL Musicworksconcerts.com
3 NOODLE 2 NUTCASE
7 WESTSIDE 3 NOISE 20|23 31st annual Fellsmere Frog
8 SNAG 4 OVERSEE Leg Festival, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
9 OLDAGE 5 LOSER Thurs. and Fri., 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sat., and 11 a.m.
10 SPRIGS 6 WANGLE to 6 p.m. Sun., with great food, rides, live enter-
11 ALLEGE 12 LEEWAY tainment, vendors and great family fun to support
14 EXETER 13 ELEVATE Fellsmere youth recreation. Froglegfestival.com
16 DEFINE 15 ERRATUM
18 CARVED 17 ISSUE 20 to March 3 – King of the Hill Tennis
20 FADS 18 CHART Tournament to benefit Youth Guid-
21 ABATTOIR 19 EVICT ance Mentoring Academy, with Treasure Coast
22 RESENT tennis pros competing to be crowned 2022
23 MAT King, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays at the Boule-
vard Village and Tennis Club. 772-979-5582
Sudoku Page B13 Sudoku Page B14 Crossword Page B13

BUSINESS DIRECTORY - ADVERTISING INDIAN RIVER COUNTY BUSINESSES

EVICTION SERVICES

Practicing Landlord/Tenant law for 35 years in
Vero Beach, Indian River County, Florida

Free telephone consultations and affordable flat rate fees
John H. Power, Attorney at Law Fla. Bar # 282774

772-633-6009  [email protected]

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This is also where we publish Fictitious Name or “Doing Business As” notices, Public Notices and Employment ads.

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